Contact lens package

Abstract

A package for contact lenses includes a first panel having a housing mechanism, such as receptacles or wells, for housing a set of contact lenses in the first panel and a covering layer removably attached to the first panel for enclosing the set of contact lenses in the housing mechanism. The package also includes a second panel attached to the first panel. The second panel is pivotable relative to the first panel between a first position, in which the second panel is folded onto the first panel, and a second position, in which the second panel is pivoted away from the first panel. When the second panel is positioned in its first position, the first and second panels form a substantially flat package which is adapted for display on a conventional display unit.

1 . A package for at least one contact lens, comprising 
 a first panel comprising at least one housing means for housing at least one contact lens in said first panel and a covering means removably attached to said first panel for enclosing at least one contact lens in said housing means; and    a second panel attached to said first panel, said second panel being pivotable relative to said first panel between a first position, in which said second panel is folded onto said first panel, and a second position in which said second panel is pivoted away from said first panel.    
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said first and second panels form a substantially flat package when said second panel is positioned in its said first position.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said second panel comprises at least one second housing means for housing at least one contact lens in said second panel; and second covering means removably attached to said second panel for enclosing at least one contact lens in said at least one second housing means.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein said first and second panels comprises first and second holes, respectively, said first and second holes being aligned with one another when said second panel is in its said first position so as to receive therethrough a wire of a display system.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 3 , further comprising retaining means for retaining said second panel in its said first position.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein said retaining means comprises at least one prong formed on said first panel and at least one receptacle formed on said second panel, said at least one receptacle being sized and shaped so as to receive and retain therein said at least one prong.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 3 , for housing at least two contact lenses wherein said housing means of said first panel comprises at least one first well formed in said first panel, of said first well being sized and shaped so as to house at least one contact lens; and wherein said second housing means of said second panel comprise at least one second well formed in said second panel, each of said second well being sized and shaped so as to receive at least one contact lenses.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein said covering means of said first panel comprises a least one first cover removably attached to said first panel, each of said first cover enclosing a corresponding said first wells; and wherein said second covering means of said second panel comprises at least one second cover removably attached to said second panel, each of said second covers enclosing a corresponding said second well.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said housing means of said first panel comprises a plurality of first wells formed in said first panel, each of said first wells being sized and shaped so as to house at least one contact lens; and wherein said second housing means of said second panel comprises a plurality of second wells formed in said second panel, each of said second wells being sized and shaped so as to house at least one contact lens.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said first and second panels comprise first and second sides, respectively, said first wells extending away from said first side of said first panel such that said first side is substantially flat, and said second wells extending away from said second side of said second panel such that said second side is substantially flat.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second sides are positioned adjacent one another when said second panel is positioned in its said first position.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said covering means of said first panel comprises a plurality of first covers removably attached to said first panel, each of said first covers enclosing a corresponding one of said first wells; and wherein said second covering means of said second panel comprises a plurality of second covers removably attached to said second panel, each of said second covers enclosing a corresponding one of said second wells.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said housing means of said first panel comprises a plurality of wells formed in said first panel.  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein said covering means of said first panel comprises a plurality of covers removably attached to said first panel, each of said first covers enclosing a corresponding one of said wells.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein said second panel comprises a viewing means for allowing the set of contact lenses to be viewed through said second panel.  
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein said viewing means comprises a plurality of openings formed in said second panel, each of said openings being aligned with a corresponding one of said covers when said second panel is positioned in its said first position.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16 , further comprising retaining means for retaining said second panel in its said first position, said retaining means comprising first and second fastener members attached to said first and second panels, respectively, and said first and second fastener members being releasably engageable with one another.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said first panels and said second panels are formed by an injection-molding process.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein said wells are formed by a thermoforming process.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein each of said covers comprises a lidstock made from one of a laminate comprising aluminum foil and one or more polymers.