Ophthalmic lens package

Abstract

An ophthalmic lens package includes a pair of shell members that are removably attached to each other and a pair of absorbent members sandwiched therebetween. The shell members are connected to each other by a hinge at one of their ends, and are pivotable relative to each other about the hinge between a closed position, in which the shell members are attached to each other, and an open position.

1 . An ophthalmic lens package, comprising a first shell member having a first end and a second end; a second shell member having a first end and a second end, said first and second shell members being pivotable relative to each other between a closed position, in which said first and second shell members are removably attached to each other, and an open position, in which said first and second shell members are pivoted away from each other; a connecting means for connecting said first and second members at their said first ends; and a receptacle interposed between said first and second shell members while they are in their said closed position, said receptacle being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution.  
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said first shell member is opposite said second end of said first shell member and said first end of said second shell member is opposite said second end of said second shell member.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising means for separating said first and second shell members from each other and for pivoting them from their said closed position to their said open position.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein said separating means includes a first tab extending from said second end of said first shell member and a second tab extending from said second end of said second shell member, said first and second tabs being juxtaposed with one another when said first and second shell members are in their said closed position.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , further comprising a first plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said first tab and a second plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said second tab, said first and second plurality of bumps being sized and shaped so as to enable manual grasping of said juxtaposed tabs.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein said first tab includes at least one band extending across an inner surface of said first tab opposite said exposed surface thereof, and said second tab includes at least one groove extending across an inner surface of said second tab opposite said exposed surface thereof, said at least one band being sized, shaped and positioned so as to interlock with said at least one groove when said first and second tabs are juxtaposed with one another.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting means includes a hinge formed integrally with said first and second shell members.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second shell members includes a cavity and an annular flange that extends around the periphery of said cavity, said first and second shell members being removably attached to each other at said flanges.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein said receptacle includes a first absorbent member fitted within said first shell member and a second absorbent member fitted within said second shell member, each of said first and second absorbent members having a recess, said recesses forming a chamber for housing an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said first and second shell members are in their said closed position.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said first absorbent member is fitted within and attached to an inner surface of said cavity of said first shell member.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said second absorbent member is fitted within and attached to an inner surface of said cavity of said second shell member.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 9  wherein said first absorbent member is fitted within and attached to an inner surface of said cavity of said first shell member and said second absorbent member is fitted within and attached to an inner surface of said cavity of said second shell member.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein said receptacle includes an absorbent member having a first surface attached to said cavity of said first shell member, a second surface attached to said cavity of said second shell member, and a chamber for housing an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said first and second shell members are in their said closed position, said absorbent member being capable of splitting apart when said first and second shell members pivot from their said closed position to their said open position, thereby opening said chamber and exposing the ophthalmic lens.  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 12  further comprising a contact lens and about 500 μL to about 1500 μL of solution.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14 , further comprising means for separating said first and second shell members from each other and for pivoting them from their said closed position to their said open position.  
   
   
       16 . The package  claim 15 , wherein said separating means includes a first tab extending from said second end of said first shell member and a second tab extending from said second end of said second shell member, said first and second tabs being juxtaposed with one another when said first and second shell members are in their said closed position.  
   
   
       17 . The package  claim 16 , further comprising a first plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said first tab and a second plurality of bumps protruding from an exposed surface of said second tab, said first and second plurality of bumps being sized and shaped so as to enable manual grasping of said juxtaposed tabs.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein said first tab includes at least one band extending across an inner surface of said first tab opposite said exposed surface thereof, and said second tab includes at least one groove extending across an inner surface of said second tab opposite said exposed surface thereof, said at least one band being sized, shaped and positioned so as to interlock with said at least one groove when said first and second tabs are juxtaposed with one another.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein said connecting means includes a hinge formed integrally with said first and second shell members.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein each of said first and second shell members includes a cavity and an annular flange that extends around the periphery of said cavity, said first and second shell members being removably attached to each other at said flanges.