I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a conventional contact lens package, the contact lens typically sits in a molded plastic base having a cavity (or "bowl") that houses the contact lens in a concave-side-up orientation. As a result, the user experience for transferring a contact lens from the package to an eye generally involves the user "fishing" the contact lens out of the bowl with a finger and then flipping the lens so that it is in the correct orientation on the finger for placement on the eye. This process requires touching the lens multiple times, which can transfer contaminants or pathogens from the hand to the lens and ultimately to the eye. Not only is this handling experience unsanitary, but it is also unduly cumbersome, messy, and mechanically stressful to the lens, which can tear, rip, or distort when overly manipulated. While some packages have been designed to present the lens in a convex-side-up orientation to obviate the need for flipping the lens, they often still require the lens to be "fished" from the packaging solution or otherwise necessitate manipulation of the lens and/or multiple touches of the lens to achieve transfer of the lens to the eye.

In view of the growing awareness around ocular health and the customer demand for a more convenient experience, a need has arisen for contact lens packaging that enables a less messy and more sanitary contact lens handling process. In one respect, it would be ideal to provide wearers of contact lenses with a "single touch" package— that is, a package whereby the wearer of contact lenses can take the lens from the lens storage package with a single touch of one of his or her fingers, and then, with this single touch, position the lens correctly on the eye. In such a design, there would be no need for transfer and manipulation of the lens from one finger to another before placing the lens on the eye. Providing such a single touch package would not only streamline the lens preparation and insertion process; it would also diminish the possibility of dropping the lens or exposing the lens to additional bacteria on a wearer's other fingers as the lens is being prepared for orientation and insertion onto the eye, and it also reduces the possibility of touching the side of the lens which is intended to contact the eye.

Design of a single touch lens package faces some distinct challenges. The wearer ideally should be able to consistently position the lens to adhere to the finger during removal from the package, and then the lens needs to consistently release from the finger onto the eye. Contact lenses (of both the reusable and daily disposable variety) each has its own unique surface, bulk, and geometric properties. Finger size and the force a contact lens wearer imparts on the lens during transfer can also vary. These factors can impact the process for taking the lens from the package onto the finger and then onto the surface of the eye. Among other considerations: it would be desirable for wearers to be able to drain away any packaging solution which might impact the ability of adhering the lens to the finger, as variation in the amount of packaging solution adhering to the lens and package can impact the process of placing the lens on the finger. It would also be desirable for package solution to drain away in a controlled fashion that avoids spillage. It would also be beneficial for the packaging solution to remain sterile and accessible to the wearer after opening to permit re-wetting or cleansing of the lens. Also, the wearer may be concerned about the potential of transferring bacteria or external products such as make up to the contact lens; and of course, manufacture of the package itself should conform to expected industry standards recognized by the medical and commercial provider communities. In addition, it would be advantageous if the package were composed of materials that are already approved by the various regulatory bodies and ideally did not require a change in solution chemistry or lens composition. Optimally, as well, the functionality of the package preferably does not incorporate any electronics or other electrical components if such components could adversely affect performance of either the package or the lens.

There are several desirable attributes that have made achieving the function of a single touch package challenging and that are often lacking in known attempts to create a single touch package. These attributes include, for example, the following: i) the package ideally should protect the lens, i.e., it should ensure the lens's integrity (e.g., lens shape and optical integrity), while at the same time prevent crushing or damage to the lens; ii) the lens package should maintain the hydration of the lens when stored to maintain the lens's properties; and iii) the lens in its package preferably should be configured so that when desired, it is fully submerged in the packaging solution, yet be cleared of such solution when ready to be transferred from the packaging; iv) the package generally should have a retortable seal and contain both the lens and solution; v) the package preferably should maintain the lens in the desired convex orientation to the wearer; vi) the lens should be positioned so that it can be easily removed by the wearer; and vii) the package ideally should allow the packaging solution to be effectively drained away from the lens upon opening of the packaging and prior to lens removal to enable easier transferred to the wearer's finger and then onto the eye.

The foregoing noted deficiencies of the prior art are merely exemplary and not exhaustive. Thus, there remains a need for contact lens packages which provide a consistent single touch lens removal experience, effective solution management, or addresses one or a combination of the aforementioned challenges or deficiencies.

II. SUMMARY

It has now been found that some or all the foregoing and related objects may be attained in a contact lens package having one or more aspects described by the following clauses and the detailed description herein:

1. A contact lens package comprising: a lid; a container defining a cavity configured to house a contact lens and packaging solution, the lid being sealedly coupled to the container, and a lens support comprising a lever and a lens support disposed within the cavity, and wherein the lens support is pivotably coupled to the container such that the lever is configured to raise the lens support at least partially out of the cavity.

2. The package of clause 1, wherein the container comprises a cavity base which at least partially defines the cavity, and wherein the lens support is coupled to the container such that the lens support pivots about an axis separated by a distance from the cavity base and disposed between the cavity base and the lid. 3. The package of clause 1 or 2, wherein the container comprises a cavity base which at least partially defines the cavity, and wherein the lever is coupled to the container such that the lens support pivots about an axis disposed on the cavity base.

4. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the cavity base comprises a lever receiver adjacent the lever such that the lever is movable into the lever receiver when the lever manipulated to raise the lens support at least partially out of the cavity.

5. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the cavity is a blister bowl integral to the container.

6. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lens support defines a cut-out that extends through the lens support.

7. The package of clause 6, wherein the cut-out is configured to guide a user's finger to a convex surface of the contact lens.

8. The package of clause 6 or 7, wherein the cut-out defines a c-shape in the lens support.

9. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lever and the lens support are substantially coplanar. 10. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lever and the lens support are substantially disposed in separate planes.

11. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the cavity is adjacent the lens support, such that packaging solution drained from the lens support is collected by the cavity.

12. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lever and the lens support are a single component.

13. The package of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the lever and the lens support are separate components that are coupled together.

14. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lever and the lens support are made of a uniform material.

15. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lens support and the container are made of a uniform material.

16. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the container comprises polypropylene. 17. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lens support comprises polypropylene.

18. The package of any of the above clauses, wherein the lid is hermetically sealed to the container.

19. The package of any of the above clauses wherein the lid is foil.

20. A method of applying a contact lens to a wearer's eye, the contact lens stored in a package comprising a lid, a container defining a cavity configured to house a contact lens and packaging solution, the lid being sealed ly coupled to the container, and a lens support comprising a lever and a lens support, the lens support being configured to support a convex surface of the contact lens, wherein the lens support is disposed within the cavity, and wherein the lens support is pivotably coupled to the container such that the lever is configured to raise the lens support at least partially out of the cavity, the method comprising: pressing the lever, thereby lifting the lens support, removing a contact lens from the lens support by placing a finger on a convex surface of the contact lens; and applying the contact lens to the wear's eye.

21. The method of clause 20, wherein the applying the contact lens is performed by a person touching only a convex surface of the contact lens. 22. The method of clause 20 or 21, wherein the lid is sealedly coupled to the container, the method further comprising, removing the lid prior to pressing the lever.

23. A method of packaging a contact lens, comprising: providing packaging solution in a container; providing a lever and lens support pivotably coupled to the container; providing a contact lens in a concave up orientation in the lens support; and sealing the container by applying a lid to the container.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-D illustrate a contact lens package and steps of opening the contact lens package to remove a contact lens according to one example. FIG. 1A illustrates how the lens may be removed from the contact lens package. FIG. IB illustrates how the lens support is pressed, raising the contact lens out of the solution. FIG. 1C illustrates how a user may remove the contact lens from the lens support. FIG. ID is a cross-sectional view of the contact lens package of FIGS. 1A-C.

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate a contact lens package and steps of opening the contact lens package to remove a contact lens according to one example. FIG. 2A illustrates how the foil may be removed from the contact lens package. FIG. 2B illustrates how the lens support is pressed, raising the contact lens out of the solution. FIG. 2C illustrates how a user may remove the contact lens from the lens support. FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the contact lens package of FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a contact lens package in an open configuration according to another example in which the lens is presented in a convex-up orientation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a contact lens package shown in FIG. 3 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side cutaway view of a contact lens package shown in FIG. 3 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of two of contact lens packages shown in FIG. 3 in a closed configuration stacked in a nested configuration.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein reference numerals indicate certain elements. The following descriptions are not intended to limit the myriad embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, aspect, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

As used herein, the following terms have the following meaning. A benefit of the certain embodiments the present invention is that they facilitate consistent single-touch lens transfer from the package to a wearer's finger, and then from the finger to the wearer's eye without the lens inverting, falling off the finger or further manipulation. Consistent lens transfer includes a transfer rate of at least about 70%, at least about 80% or at least about 90% transfer on the first touch of the finger (or "dab"). Packages of certain embodiments may provide the desired singletouch transfer across a range of finger sizes, and dab pressures. Environmental conditions such as the temperature and whether the finger is wet or dry may also impact transfer rate, with higher temperatures generally improving lens transfer.

Lens(es) or contact lens(es) refer to ophthalmic devices that reside on the eye. They have a generally hemispheric shape and can provide optical correction, cosmetic enhancement, UV blocking and visible light or glare reduction, therapeutic effect, including wound healing, delivery of drugs or neutraceuticals, diagnostic evaluation or monitoring, or any combination thereof. The term lens includes soft hydrogel contact lenses, which are generally provided to the consumer in a package in the hydrated state, and have a relatively low moduli, which allows them to conform to the cornea. Contact lenses suitable for use with the packages of the present invention include all hydrated contact lenses, including conventional and silicone hydrogel contact lenses. A hydrogel is a hydrated crosslinked polymeric system that contains water in an equilibrium state, and may contain at least about 25%, or at least 35% water in the hydrated state. Hydrogels typically are oxygen permeable and biocompatible, making them excellent materials for producing contact lenses.

Conventional hydrogel contact lenses do not contain silicone containing components, and generally have higher water content, lower oxygen permeability, moduli, and shape memories than silicone hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels are prepared from monomeric mixtures predominantly containing hydrophilic monomers, such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate ("HEMA"), N-vinyl pyrrolidone ("NVP") or polyvinyl alcohols. United States Patents Nos. 4,495,313, 4,889,664 and 5,039,459 disclose the formation of conventional hydrogels. Conventional hydrogels may be ionic or non-ionic and include polymacon, etafilcon, nelfilcon, ocufilcon lenefilcon and the like. The oxygen permeability of these conventional hydrogel materials is typically below 20-30 barrers.

Silicon hydrogel formulations include balafilcon samfilcon, lotrafilcon A and B, delfilcon, galyfilcon, senofilcon A, B and C, narafilcon, comfilcon, formofilcon, riofilcon, fanfilcon, stenfilcon, somofilcon, kalifilcon and the like. "Silicone hydrogels" refer to polymeric networks made from at least one hydrophilic component and at least one silicone-containing component. Silicone hydrogels may have moduli in the range of 60-200, 60-150 or 80 -130 psi, water contents in the range of 20 to 60%. Examples of silicone hydrogels include acquafilcon, asmofilcon, balafilcon, comfilcon, delefilcon, enfilcon, fanfilcon, formofilcon, galyfilcon, lotrafilcon, narafilcon, riofilcon, samfilcon, senofilcon, somofilcon, and stenfilcon, verofilcon, including all of their variants, as well as silicone hydrogels as prepared in US Patent Nos. 4,659,782, 4,659,783, 5,244,981, 5,314,960, 5,331,067, 5,371,147, 5,998,498, 6,087,415, 5,760,100, 5,776,999, 5,789,461, 5,849,811, 5,965,631, 6,367,929, 6,822,016, 6,867,245, 6,943,203, 7,247,692, 7,249,848, 7,553,880, 7,666,921, 7,786,185, 7,956,131, 8,022,158, 8,273,802, 8,399,538, 8,470,906, 8,450,387, 8,487,058, 8,507,577, 8,637,621, 8,703,891, 8,937,110, 8,937,111, 8,940,812, 9,056,878, 9,057,821, 9,125,808, 9,140,825, 9156,934, 9,170,349, 9,244,196, 9,244,197, 9,260,544, 9,297,928, 9,297,929 as well as WO 03/22321, WO 2008/061992, and US 2010/0048847. These patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Silicone hydrogels may have higher shape memory than conventional contact lenses.

Hydrogel lenses are viscoelastic materials. Contact lenses can form optical distortions if the lens interacts with either the package or any air bubble in the package. The extent of the optical distortions, and the length of time needed for the distortions to relax out will vary depending on the chemistry, and to a lesser extent, geometry of the lens. Conventional lens materials, such as polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate-based lenses like etafilcon A or polymacon have low loss modulus and tan delta compared to silicone hydrogels and may form fewer and less severe optical distortions as a result of contact with packaging. The incorporation of silicones (which generally increase the bulk elastic response), wetting agents such as PVP (which generally increase the viscous response) or coatings of conventional hydrogel materials (which may lower the elastic response at the lens interface) can alter the lens viscoelastic properties. Conventional hydrogel contact lenses and silicone hydrogel contact lenses having short or stiff crosslinking agents and or stiffening agent have short shape memories and may be less susceptible to deformation during storage. As used herein, high or higher shape memory hydrogels display optical distortions from contact with an air bubble or package of at least about 0.18 after 5 weeks of accelerated aging at 55°C. Viscoelastic properties, including loss modulus and tan delta, can be measured using a dynamic mechanical analysis.

The contact lenses can be of any geometry or power, and have a generally hemispherical shape, with a concave posterior side which rests against the eye when in use and a convex anterior side which faces away from the eye and is contacted by the eyelid during blinking.

The center or apex of the lens is the center of the lens optic zone. The optic zone provides optical correction and may have a diameter between about 7mm and about 10mm. The lens periphery or lens edge is the edge where the anterior and posterior sides meet.

The wetted lens is the contact lens and any residual packaging solution attached to it after packaging solution drainage. Wetted contact is the aggregated contact area between the wetted lens and lens support.

Embodiments may include a lens support surrounded by a sealable cavity also interchangeably referred to as a chamber. The cavity may have any convenient form and may comprise a package base (also interchangeably referred to as a container) and at least a lid, each of which are described in detail below. As used herein, the phrases "the lid", "a lid", "the base" and "a base" encompass both the singular and plural. The lid and package base are sealed to each other to form a cavity which holds the contact lens, support and packaging solution in a sterile state during shipping and storage prior to use. The contact lens package is made from materials which are compatible with the contact lens and solution, as well as retortable and biologically inert.

"Film" or "multilayer film" are films used to seal the package and are often referred to as lidstock. Multilayer films used in conventional contact lens packages may be used in the packages of the present invention as the base, a component of the lid, or both. Multilayer films comprise a plurality of layers, including barrier layers, including foil layers, or coatings, seal layers, which seal the film to the rest of the package, and may also comprise additional layers selected from peel initiation layers, lamination layers, and layers that improve other package properties like stiffness, temperature resistance, printability, puncture resistance, barrier resistance to water or oxygen and the like. The multilayer films form a steam sterilizable (retortable) seal. The multilayer film can include PET, BON or OPP films layers to increase stiffness and temperature resistance, or to EVOH or PVDC coatings to improve barrier resistance to oxygen or moisture vapor.

An "unopened state" or "unopened" as used herein refers to a contact lens package that is closed and houses a contact lens in solution.

An "opened state" or "opened" as used herein refers to a contact lens package after the sterile seal has been broken. Depending on the context described herein, the open state extends to the state of the package when the user has manipulated the package to cause the lens to be lifted out of the packaging solution for transfer by the user.

A "wearer" or "user" as used herein refers to a person opening a contact lens package. The user is generally referred to as the person who both opens the package and transfers the contact lens contained therein to their eye. However, the user in some contexts may be a person handling the lens package on behalf of the wearer, such an eye care provider ("ECP") or another individual demonstrating for or assisting the wearer.

Packaging solution is any physiologically compatible solution, which is compatible with the selected lens material and packaging. Packaging solutions include buffered solutions having a physiological pH, such as buffered saline solutions. The packaging solution may contain known components, including buffers, pH and tonicity adjusting agents, lubricants, wetting agents, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, in package coating components and the like.

The package base may form the bottom of the package. It can be made from any material suitable for packaging medical devices, including plastic. Examples of suitable materials include polyolefins including polypropylene, and olefin co-polymers, including COPs (Cyclic Olefin Polymer) and COCs, (Cyclic Olefin Co-polymers), and blends thereof. The packaging lid generally resides at the upper portion the package and seals with the base to form a cavity containing at least a portion of the lens support, lens, and packaging solution. The lid may be made from any material suitable for packaging medical devices, including a molded sheet of foil or plastic, laminate films, or plastic. Packages comprising plastic for one structure and foil or laminated films as the other, or packages comprising foil or laminated films as the outer layer for the lid and base are known in the art and are examples of suitable combinations.

References throughout this description to injection molding processes and the use of materials conventionally applied to injection molding should be understood as exemplary. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other means of manufacture are possible within the scope of the appended claims, including but not limited to alternative molding processes, thermoforming, 3D printing, and the like. Likewise, references to heat seals and heat sealing are exemplary to embodiments described herein. Other means of securing packaging components will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including the use of adhesive, glue, thermal bonding, welding such as heat, ultrasonic or laser welding, or a mechanical trap, and the like. Certain aspects of the invention may serve to reduce or prevent significant optical damage to the contact lens due to interactions with air bubbles or the interior of the lens package that may arise during storage or transit due to gravitational or other forces, such as mechanical pressure being applied from outside of the package. As used herein, significant optical damage means a root-mean-squared (RMS) value equal or greater than about 0.08pm.

With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a contact lens package and steps of opening a contact lens package to remove a contact lens according to one example. FIGS 1A-1D show a contact lens package 100 that includes a lid 102, a container 104, and a lens support 120 that is pivotably coupled to the container 104.

In this example, the lid 102 is flexible and is sealed ly couplable to the container 104. FIGS. 1A-1D show a foil lid 102 that is peelable from a surface to which it is coupled. Optionally, in some examples, the lid 102 is conventional lid stock used commonly used for contact lens blister packages. But in other examples, the lid 102 is plastic, polymer, or any other material suitable for forming a sterile seal with a container 104. The lid 102 includes adhesive applied to a side of the lid 102 that is to be coupled with the container 104. Alternatively, the container 104 includes adhesive applied to a side of the container 104 that is to be coupled with the lid 102. The adhesive secures the lid 102 in a desired position but separates from the lid 102 and/or the container 104 at a desired pressure from a user. In other examples where the lid 102 is bonded to the container 104 by another method, the lid 102 and/or the container 104 does not include adhesive.

In this example, the container 104 provides a sterile environment for storage and transport of a contact lens 101. The container 104 also provides a hermetically sealed environment, such that a packaging liquid can be disposed in the container 104 without the packaging liquid leaking from the package 100 or contaminants entering the package 100. The container 104 defines a cavity 103 and includes a cavity base 106 and a unitary wall 108 that extends about edges of the base 106 of the cavity 103 forming and defining the cavity 103. The wall 108 is unitarily formed, such that there are no seams or spaces therein. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D the wall 108 and the base 106 are unitarily formed defining a bowl-shaped enclosure, which is referred to herein as a cavity 103. Optionally, the cavity 103 is a blister bowl. The cavity 103 formed by the base 106 and the wall 108 is configured to house a contact lens 101 and packaging solution. A portion of the cavity 103 forms a lever receiver 110 such that a portion of the lens support 120120 (i.e., a lever 118 (described below)) is movable into the lever receiver 110 when the lever 118 is manipulated (e.g., pressed downward), which raises a lens support 120 (described below)120. The lever receiver 110 also provides a stop 119 for the lever 118 to limit rotation of the lever 118 to a desired location when the lever 118 is fully depressed. The container and stop should be configured to permit sufficient height for the lens to fully clear the solution, preferably with margin of at least about 5mm to allow the lens to drain under the force of gravity, allowing the fluid meniscus that forms to disconnect. Additionally or alternatively, the height could be made sufficiently large permit a finger to fit underneath the lens without the finger becoming wetted (e.g., 10-15mm). If the rotation of the lever is too high, then the lens may overcome static friction and begin to slide, causing the lens to rotate and become inaccessible or for the lens to slide off of the lens support. An angle limit of approximately 30-60 degrees above normal has been found suitable where an angle of at least 30 degrees helps the solution to drain from the concave side of the lens (to prevent excess fluid causing the lens to fall or collapse in transit). The container 104 also includes a fluid reservoir 112 opposite the lever receiver 110. The reservoir 112 provides a sub-cavity partially separated from the other portions of the cavity 103 such that packaging fluid can be retained therein for a contact lens 101 to rest in in the closed configuration.

Although the container 104 includes a unitary continuous cavity wall 108, in some examples, the cavity wall is not continuous and includes a plurality of walls coupled together to form the cavity wall. As described above, in the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D the wall 108 and the base 106 are unitarily formed forming a bowl-shaped enclosure. But in other examples, the wall 108 and the base 106 are separately formed and coupled together to define the cavity 103.

The container 104 further includes a pivot receiver 114 that couples to the lens support 120. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the pivot receiver 114 is disposed on a surface of the base 106 such that the lever 118 is couplable to the surface of the base 106 via the pivot receiver 114. For example, the pivot receiver 114 forms a hinge to allow a body (e.g., the lens support 120) to rotate about a desired axis on the container 104.

The lens support 120 provides a surface to support a contact lens 101 and secures the lens when the contact lens 101 is in the package 100. The lens support 120 also provides a body that can be used to remove the contact lens 101 from the packaging solution such that a user can access the lens and remove the lens for use with out submerging a finger in packaging solution. The lens support 120 includes a lever 118 and a lens support 120. The lens support 120 provides a support surface for the contact lens 101 disposed in the package 100. The lens support 120 is a dome shaped body that has the concave surface and a convex surface opposite the concave surface. The lens support 120 is shaped to support the convex surface of a contact lens 101 such that the convex surface of the contact lens 101 abuts the concave surface of the lens support 120. The lens support 120 also includes a cut-out 121 that extends through a section of the lens support 120 forming an access opening that passes between the concave surface and the convex surface of the lens support 120. The cut-out 121 provides an opening to drain packaging fluid therethrough. Preferably, the cut-out may extend (in length) around 2-5 mm past the center of the lens (given the total arc length across the lens is 17 mm) to allow for drainage downwards (depending on the angle of rotation of the lens). The cut-out 121 further provides a user with an opening to access the contact lens 101 convex surface when the lens is abutting the lens support 120. As such, a user can touch the convex surface of the contact lens 101 to remove the lens from the package 100 and place it on the user's eye. In the figures, the cut-out 121 forms a c-shape in the lens support 120 such that the lens support 120 extends at least partially about an opening in the lens support 120 formed by the cut-out 121. The cut-out should void a sufficient area wetted area between the lens and the lens support to allow the finger to achieve a surface tension with the lens that is greater than the wetted contact area with the lens. Where the cut-out is shaped as a channel as illustrated, a minimum width of about 7- 10mm is generally sufficient to create the requisite tension between the lens and the finger. On the upper end, however, the channel width ideally should not be great than approximately 10- 12mm for a conventional lens diameter to reduce the incidence of lens inversion that can result from surface tension acting to far toward the perimeter of the lens. In other words, the lens support should allow the user to apply enough pressure to the lens, either: 1) to overcome the surface tension between lens and support, or 2) to generate enough friction (greater than the friction between the lens and support) to slide the lens with the finger. Thus, the lens will adhere to the finger for lens transfer and placement onto the eye.

The cut-out 121 is further provided to acts as a guide to position the user's finger when accessing the contact lens 101. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the cut-out 121 extends through the center of the lens support 120 to an outer edge of the lens support 120. But in other examples, the cut-out 121 does not extend through the center of the lens support 120.

The lever 118 is a substantially linear body that includes a pivot 122 disposed on the linear body about which the lever 118 is pivotable. The lever 118 can be used to move the lens support 120 relative to the container 104. The lever 118 has a first end 124 and a second end 126 and a body that extends between the first end 124 and the second end 126. The pivot 122 is a protrusion that is disposed between the first end 124 and the second end 126 and extends perpendicular to the lever 118. In alternative embodiments, pivoting could also be effected using a flexible hinge that bends or twists. The lever 118 includes an actuation arm 128 that extends between the first end 124 and the pivot 122. The lever 118 further includes a lens support arm 130 that extends between the pivot 122 and the second end 126 of the lever 118 and is coupled to the lens support 120. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-D the actuation arm 128 is offset from the lens support arm 130 such that the lens support 120 and the actuation arm 128 are substantially disposed in separate planes. The offset provides space for the lever 118 to be depressed against a desired surface such as the container base 106 when the second of the end of the lever 118 is resting on the desired surface.

The lens support 120 is pivotably coupled to the container 104 such that the lever 118 is configured to raise the lens support 120 at least partially out of the cavity 103. The pivot 122 is disposed on the pivot receiver 114 such that the lens support 120 is pivotable about the pivot receiver 114. The cavity 103 is adjacent the lens support 120, such that packaging solution drained from the lens support 120 drains into the cavity 103.

The lid 102 is coupled to the container 104 such that the lid 102 and the container 104 form a hermetic seal. The lid 102 is coupled to the container 104 using adhesive, but in other examples, the lid 102 is molded with the container 104, heat bonded to the container 104, or any other form of coupling suitable to bond the lid 102 to the container 104. The lens support 120 is coupled to the container 104 in an open position facing away from the base 106 of the container 104. For example, when the lens support 120 is adjacent the container 104, the concave surface of the lens support 120 faces away from the container 104. In other words, the contact lens is presented to the user concave up.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the cut-out 121 forms a c-shape in the concave surface and the convex surface of the lens support 120, but in other examples, the cut out can be any shape, size, or arrangement suitable to differentiate the shape of the concave surface from the convex surface of a contact lens 101 to provide a desired surface tension and guide a user's finger to access the convex surface of a contact lens 101 disposed in the lens support. In the example shown in FIGS 1A-1D, the lever 118 and the lens support 120 are unitarily formed. But in other examples, the lever 118 and the lens support 120 are separately formed and coupled together to form the lens support 120. The lever 118 and the lens support 120 are each formed from a uniform material - polypropylene, for example. But in other examples, the lever 118 and the lens support 120 are formed from any other material suitable to support a contact lens 101 in a sterile environment. In some further examples, the lens support 120 and the lever 118 are formed from different materials such that the lever 118 is formed from a first material, and the lens support 120 is formed from a second material. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D the lens support 120 and the container 104 are each formed from a uniform material - polypropylene, for example. But, in other examples, the container 104 is formed from any other material suitable to retain a contact lens 101 in a sterile environment. 120120120The components described herein can be formed by injection molding, extrusion, 3D printing, or any other manufacturing method suitable for forming a sterile contact lens package.

FIG. 1A shows removing the lid 102 from the container 104 by peeling the lid 102 back from the container 104. Fig. IB shows pressing the lever 118 and thereby lifting the lens support 120. The lens support 120 is disposed in the fluid reservoir 112 which contains packaging fluid. As the lens support 120 is lifted, the lens support 120 is moved away from the fluid reservoir 112. Packaging fluid contained in the contact lens 101 and the lens support 120 drains into the reservoir allowing the reservoir to re-capture packaging fluid retained by the lens support 120 and the lens. FIG. 1C shows removing the contact lens 101 by placing a finger on the convex surface of the contact lens 101 through the cut-out 121. This orientation allows a user to access and apply the lens with a single touch application. The orientation allows the user to slide the contact lens 101 out of the package 100 with a single touch and place the lens on an eye in the same orientation that it was removed from the package 100, thus eliminating a need for any additional touching of the lens.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the steps of opening a contact lens package 200 and removing a contact lens 101 as described above and using another example of the package 200. The package shown in FIGS. 2A-2D includes a contact lens package 200 that includes a lid 202, a container 204, and a lens support 220 that is pivotably coupled to the container 204.

Similar to examples described above, the lid 202 is a flexible lid 202 that is sealedly couplable to the container 204. FIGS. 2A-2D shows a foil lid 202 that is peelable from a surface to which it is coupled. Optionally, in some examples, the lid 202 is aluminum foil. But in other examples, the lid 202 is plastic, polymer, or any other material suitable for forming a sterile seal with a container 204. The lid 202 includes adhesive applied to a side of the lid 202 that is to be coupled with the container 204. Alternatively, the container 204 includes adhesive applied to a side of the container 204 that is to be coupled with the lid 202. The adhesive secures the lid 202 in a desired position but separates from the lid 202 and/or the container 204 at a desired pressure from a user. In other examples where the lid 202 is bonded to the container 204 by another method, the lid 202 and/or the container 204 does not include adhesive.

The container 204 provides a sterile environment for storage and transport of a contact lens 101. The container 204 also provides a hermetically sealed environment, such that a packaging liquid can be disposed in the container 204 without the packaging liquid leaking from the package 200 or unsterile materials such as dust or dirt entering the package 200. The container 204 defines a cavity 203 and includes a cavity base 206 and a unitary wall 208 that extends about edges of the base 206 of the cavity 203 forming and defining the cavity 203. The wall 208 is unitarily formed, such that there are no seams or spaces therein. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D the wall 208 and the base 206 are unitarily formed forming a bowl-shaped enclosure, which is referred to herein as a cavity 203. Optionally, the cavity 203 is a blister bowl. The cavity 203 formed by the base 206 and the wall 208 is configured to house a contact lens 101 and packaging solution. A portion of the cavity 203 forms a lever receiver 210 such that a portion of the lens support 220 (i.e., a lever 218 (described below)) is movable into the lever receiver 210 when the lever 218 is manipulated (e.g., pressed downward), which raises a lens support 220 (described below) of the lens support 220. The lever receiver 210 also provides a stop 219 for the lever 218 to limit rotation of the lever 218 to a desired location when the lever 218 is fully depressed. The container 204 also includes a fluid reservoir 212 opposite the lever receiver 210. The reservoir 212 provides a sub-cavity partially separated from the other portions of the cavity 203 such that packaging fluid can be retained therein for a contact lens 101 to rest in.

Although the container 204 includes a unitary continuous cavity wall 208, in some examples, the cavity wall is not continuous and includes a plurality of walls coupled together to form the cavity wall. As described above, in the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D the wall 208 and the base 206 are unitarily formed forming a bowl-shaped enclosure. But in other examples, the wall 208 and the base 206 are separately formed and coupled together to define the cavity 203.

The container 204 further includes a pivot receiver 214 that couples to the lens support 220. The support is spaced apart from the container base 206 such that the pivot 214 is coupled to the container 204 at a point spaced apart from the container base 206. In this example, the pivot receiver 214 is a set of notches in the cavity wall 208 opposite and spaced apart from each other. But, in other examples, the pivot receiver 214 can be a hinge, a clip, or any other support suitable to pivot a lever against.

The lens support 220 provides a surface to support a contact lens 101 and secures the lens when the contact lens 101 is in the package 200. The lens support 220 also provides a body that can be used to remove the contact lens 101 from the packaging solution such that a user can access the lens and remove the lens for use with out submerging a finger in packaging solution. The lens support 220 includes a lever 218 and a lens support 220. The lens support 220 provides a support surface for the contact lens 101 disposed in the package 200. The lens support 220 is a dome shaped body that has the concave surface and a convex surface opposite the concave surface. The lens support 220 is shaped to support the convex surface of a contact lens 101 such that the convex surface of the contact lens 101 abuts the concave surface of the lens support 220. The lens support 220 also includes a cut-out 221 that extends through a section of the lens support 220 forming an access opening that passes between the concave surface and the convex surface. The cut-out 221 provides an opening to drain packaging fluid therethrough. The cut-out 221 further provides a user with an opening to access the contact lens 101 convex surface when the lens is abutting the lens support 220.

As such, a user can touch the convex surface of the contact lens 101 to remove the lens from the package 200 and place it on the user's eye. The cut-out 221 forms a c-shape in the lens support 220 such that the lens support 220 extends at least partially about an opening in the lens support 220 formed by the cut-out 221. The cut-out provides an opening profile that does not match that of a contact lens 101 resting therein. This cut-out provides sufficient surface tension to hold the lens but not enough to prevent removal when contacted by user. The lens support 220 of the present invention preferably allows, upon dabbing, both the fingertip and lens to deform to match each other's shape, without causing lens inversion or damage to lens during removal from too much pressure during dabbing. Thus, an aspect of the removal of the lens from the present packages may be to control the ratio of the contact area between the finger and lens as compared to the area between the lens and the lens support so that the contact area between the finger and lens exceeds the contact surface area of the lens support on the lens underside.

This will ensure that surface tension between finger and lens exceeds surface tension between lens and lens support as explained in more detail above. Thus, the lens will adhere to the finger for lens transfer and placement onto the eye. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the cut-out 221 extends through the center of the lens support 220 to an outer edge of the lens support 220. But in other examples, the cut-out 221 does not extend through the center of the lens support 220.

The lever 218 is a substantially linear body that includes a pivot 222 disposed on the linear body about which the lever 218 is pivotable. The lever 218 can be used to move the lens support 220 relative to the container 204. The lever 218 has a first end 224 and a second end 226 and a body that extends between the first end 224 and the second end 226. The pivot 222 is a protrusion that is disposed between the first end 224 and the second end 226 and extends perpendicular to the lever 218. The lever 218 includes an actuation arm 228 that extends between the first end 224 and the pivot 222. The lever 218 further includes a lens support arm 230 that extends between the pivot 222 and the second end 226 of the lever 218. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the actuation arm 228 of the lever 218 is disposed in substantially the same plane as the lens support 220. As such the entirety of the lens support 220 is disposed in substantially the same plane.

The lens support 220 is pivotably coupled to the container 204 such that the lever 218 is configured to raise the lens support 220 at least partially out of the cavity 203. The pivot 222 is disposed on the pivot receiver 214 such that the lens support 220 is pivotable about the pivot receiver 214. The cavity 203 is adjacent the lens support 220, such that packaging solution drained from the lens support 220 drains into the cavity 203.

The lid 202 is coupled to the container 204 such that the lid 202 and the container 204 form a hermetic seal. The lid 202 is coupled to the container 204 using adhesive, but in other examples, the lid 202 is molded with the container 204, heat bonded to the container 204, or any other form of coupling suitable to bond the lid 202 to the container 204. The lens support 220 is coupled to the container 204 in an open position facing away from the base 206 of the container 204. For example, when the lens support 220 is adjacent the container 204, the concave surface of the lens support 220 faces away from the container 204. In other words, the contact lens is presented to the user concave up.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the cut-out 221 forms a c-shape in the concave surface and the convex surface of the lens support 220, but in other examples, the cut out can be any shape, size, or arrangement suitable to differentiate the shape of the concave surface from the convex surface of a contact lens 101 to provide a desired surface tension and guide a user's finger to access the convex surface of a contact lens 101 disposed in the lens support. In the example shown in FIGS 2A-2D, the lever 218 and the lens support 220 are unitarily formed. But in other examples, the lever 218 and the lens support 220 are separately formed and coupled together to form the lens support 220. The lever 218 and the lens support 220 are each formed from a uniform material - polypropylene, for example. But in other examples, the lever 218 and the lens support 220 are formed from any other material suitable to support a contact lens 101 in a sterile environment. In some further examples, the lens support 220 and the lever 218 are formed from different materials such that the lever 218 is formed from a first material, and the lens support 220 is formed from a second material. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D the lens support 220 and the container 204 are each formed from a uniform material - polypropylene, for example. But, in other examples, the container 204 is formed from any other material suitable to retain a contact lens 101 in a sterile environment. In some further examples, the container 204 and the lens support 220 are each formed from different materials such that the lens support 220 is formed from at least one material, and the container 204 is formed from at least one material that is different from the material that forms the lens support 220. The components described herein can be formed by injection molding, extrusion, 3D printing, or any other manufacturing method suitable for forming a sterile contact lens package.

FIGS. 3-6 shows an example package 300 where the lens support 316 includes a arms 320 formed to support the lens such that the concave surface of the lens faces the container 304 and is supported by the arms 320. In other words, the contact lens is presented to the user convex up. This is as opposed to the packages shown in FIGS. 1A-2D, where a lens support of the lens supports the contact lens such that the convex surface of the contact lens faces the container (i.e., contact lens is presented to user concave up). The package 300 shown in FIG. 3 includes a lid 302, a container 304, and a lens support 316 that is pivotably coupled to the container 304.

Similar to examples described above, the lid 302 is a flexible lid 302 that is sealedly couplable to the container 304. FIGS. 3-6 show a foil lid 302 that is peelable from a surface to which it is coupled. Optionally, in some examples, the foil lid 302 is aluminum foil. But in other examples, the lid 302 is plastic, polymer, or any other material suitable for forming a sterile seal with a container 304. The lid 302 includes adhesive applied to a side of the lid 302 that is to be coupled with the container 304. Alternatively, the container 304 includes adhesive applied to a side of the container 304 that is to be coupled with the lid 302. The adhesive secures the lid 302 in a desired position but separates from the lid 302 and/or the container 304 at a desired pressure from a user. In other examples where the lid 302 is bonded to the container 304 by another method, the lid 302 and/or the container 304 does not include adhesive.

The lid 302 includes a mechanism to secure the contact lens 101 and includes a plurality of securing bodies 332 which form a substantially dome shaped surface which abuts the convex side of the contact lens 101 when coupled to the container 304 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. As such, the dome shaped surface provided by the securing bodies 332 secures the contact lens 101 when the lens is stored in the package 300, such that the lens 101 remains in a desired position with respect to the arms 320 described below. In FIG. 3, the lid 302 includes three securing bodies 332. It should be understood that the size, shape, arrangement, and/or numbers of securing bodies 332 shown in FIG. 3 are provided only as an example. This disclosure contemplates provide securing bodies of different number, size, shape, and/or arrangement than shown in FIG. 3.

Similar to the containers 104, 204 described above, the container 304 provides a sterile environment for storage and transport of a contact lens 101. The container 304 also provides a hermetically sealed environment, such that a packaging liquid can be disposed in the container 304 without the packaging liquid lea king from the package 300 or unsterile materials such as dust or dirt entering the package 300. The container 304 defines a cavity 303, which forms a lever receiver 310 (described below) and a fluid reservoir 312 (described below), and includes a cavity base 306 and a unitary wall 308 that extends about edges of the base 306 of the cavity 303 forming and defining the cavity 303. The wall 308 is unitarily formed, such that there are no seams or spaces therein. In the example shown in FIGS. 3-6 the wall 308 and the base 306 are unitarily formed forming a bowl-shaped enclosure, which is referred to herein as a cavity 303.

Optionally, the cavity 303 is a blister bowl. The cavity 303 formed by the base 306 and the wall 308 is configured to house a contact lens 101 and packaging solution. A portion of the cavity 303 forms a lever receiver 310 such that a portion of the lens support 316 (i.e., a lever 318 (described below)) is movable into the lever receiver 310 when the lever 318 is manipulated (e.g., pressed downward), which raises the support 316. The lever receiver 310 also provides a stop 319 for the lever 318 to limit rotation of the lever 318 to a desired location when the lever 318 is fully depressed. In the example shown in FIGS. 3-6 the stop 319 is angled on an inside surface 305 of the container 304 in the cavity 303 and a corresponding outside surface 307 of the stop 319 opposite and spaced apart from the inside surface 305 of the stop 319. The container 304 also includes a fluid reservoir 312 opposite the lever receiver 310. The reservoir 312 provides a subcavity partially separated from the other portions of the cavity 303 such that packaging fluid can be retained therein for a contact lens 101 to rest in.

Although the container 304 includes a unitary continuous cavity wall 308, in some examples, the cavity wall is not continuous and includes a plurality of walls coupled together to form the cavity wall. As described above, in the example shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 2A-2D the wall 308 and the base 306 are unitarily formed forming a bowl-shaped enclosure. But in other examples, the wall 308 and the base 306 are separately formed and coupled together to define the cavity 303.

The lens support 316 provides a surface to support a contact lens 101 and secures the lens when the contact lens 101 is in the package 300. The lens support 316 also provides a body that can be used to remove the contact lens 101 from the packaging solution such that a user can access the lens and remove the lens for use with out submerging a finger in packaging solution. As described above, the lens support 316 includes a lever 318 and a arms 320.

The lever 318 is a substantially linear body including one or more links 314 and including a pivot point 322 disposed on the lever about which the lever 318 is pivotable. For example, the example shown in FIG. 3 shows two links 314. The lever 318 can be used to move the lens support 316 relative to the container 304. The lever 318 has a first end 324 and a second end 326 and a body that extends between the first end 324 and the second end 326. Similar to the example shown in FIGS 1A-1D, the lever 318 is disposed in a plane substantially separate from the lens support 316. The pivot point 322 is a substantially perpendicular bend in the lever 318 that is disposed between the first end 324 and the second end 126. The lever 318 includes an actuation arm 328 that extends between the first end 324 and the pivot 322. The lever 318 further includes a support arm 330 that extends between the pivot point 322 and the second end 326 of the lever 318.

The arms 320 provides a support surface for the contact lens 101 disposed in the package 300. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the arms 320 includes four extensions 309 coupled to and extending away from the lever 318 and six L-shaped supports 311 that extend from the extensions 309 in a direction away from the base 306 when the lever is in a resting position. The four extensions and the lever 318 are shaped to support outer edges of a contact lens 101, and the L-shaped supports 311 are shaped to support a portion of the concave surface of a contact lens 101 radially inward of the outer edges of the contact lens 101. The extensions and the L- shaped supports provide spaces between them that allow packaging fluid to drain therethrough. Although the example shown in FIGS. 3-6 the lever include a four extensions 309 and six L-shaped portions, in other examples, the lever includes any number of extensions and L-shaped portions suitable to support a concave surface of a contact lens 101.

The lens support 316 pivotably abuts the container 304 such that the lever 318 is configured to raise the lens support 320 at least partially out of the cavity 303. The pivot 322 is disposed on an apex 324 of the container where the stop 319 meets the reservoir 312 such that the lens support 316 is pivotable about the apex 324. The cavity 303 is adjacent the lens support 316, such that packaging solution drained from the lens support 316 drains into the cavity 303.

The lid 302 is coupled to the container 304 such that the lid 302 and the container 304 form a hermetic seal. The lid 302 is coupled to the container 304 using adhesive, but in other examples, the lid 302 is molded with the container 304, heat bonded to the container 304, or any other form of coupling suitable to bond the lid 302 to the container 304. The lens support 316 is configured in relation to the container 304 facing toward the base 306 of the container 304. For example, when the arms 320 is adjacent the container 304, the concave surface of a contact lens 101 resting on the arms 320 faces toward from the container 304.

In the example shown in FIGS 3-6, the lever 318 and the lens support 316 are unitarily formed. But in other examples, the lever 318 and the lens support 316 are separately formed and coupled together. The lever 318 and the lens support 316 are each formed from a uniform material - polypropylene, for example. But in other examples, the lever 318 and the lens support 316 are formed from any other material suitable to support a contact lens 101 in a sterile environment. In some further examples, the lever 320 and the lever 318 are formed from different materials such that the lever 318 is formed from a first material, and the lens support 316 is formed from a second material. In the example shown in FIGS. 3-6 the lens support 316 and the container 304 are each formed from a uniform material - polypropylene, for example.

But, in other examples, the container 304 is formed from any other material suitable to retain a contact lens 101 in a sterile environment. In some further examples, the container 304 and the lens support 316 are each formed from different materials such that the lens support 316 is formed from at least one material, and the container 304 is formed from at least one material that is different from the material that forms the lens support 316. The components described herein can be formed by injection molding, extrusion, 3D printing, or any other manufacturing method suitable for forming a sterile contact lens package.

It is noted that the lens support of the example illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 presents the lens in a convex-up orientation, which allows, upon dabbing, the lens to be transferred from the lens support to the finger and ultimately to the eye with a single touch. Thus, an aspect of the removal of the lens from the present packages is to control the ratio of the contact area between the finger and lens as compared to the area between the lens and the lens support so that the contact area between the finger and lens exceeds the contact surface area of the lens support on the lens underside, such as by configured the lens support to have a wetted contact area of less than about 20mm and preferably to have a shape that does not substantially match the profile of the lens. This will ensure that surface tension between finger and lens exceeds surface tension between lens and lens support. Thus, the lens will adhere to the finger for lens transfer and placement onto the eye. It is noted that myriad lens support shapes are possible beyond those illustrated, including, by way of additional example, those illustrated herein at Appendix A.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that many of the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

The packages of the present invention may be manufactured using known materials and processes. The packaging materials may be virgin, recycled or a combination thereof. The volume within the package cavity can vary depending on the design selected. Not all the features described herein need to be incorporated into every package, and those of skill in the art, using the teachings herein, can combine the features to provide a wide variety of improved contact lens packages. In summary, the contact lens packages of the present invention incorporate several novel functionalities which may be combined in a wide variety of combinations as described herein to provide the desired improved and/or single touch packaging. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.