Contact Lens Package and Applicator With Method For Its Use

Abstract

A contact lens package and applicator comprises a lens cup and a lid that covers the lens cup to form a chamber for a contact lens. The lens cup has a drainage member, such as a mesh or a perforated plastic sheet, through which saline solution drains. In a first orientation, the chamber is substantially filled with the saline solution and, in a second orientation, the chamber is substantially empty of the saline solution. The lid covering the lens cup is movable between a closed position in which the contact lens is concealed and an open position in which the contact lens is accessible for direct application of the contact lens to the user's eye.

1 . A contact lens package, comprising: 
 a container including a lens cup and a lid removably covering said lens cup so as to form a first chamber sized and shaped to contain a contact lens;    a contact lens within said first chamber;    a predetermined quantity of a liquid within said container; and    a handle for manipulating said contact lens package such that said contact lens package is movable between a first orientation in which said first chamber is substantially filled with said liquid and a second orientation in which said first chamber is substantially empty of said liquid.    
   
   
       2 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein said contact lens package includes a second chamber arranged to receive the entire predetermined quantity of said liquid when said container is in said second orientation.  
   
   
       3 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein said lens cup includes a drainage member through which the liquid drains from said first chamber to said second chamber.  
   
   
       4 . The contact lens package of  claim 3 , wherein said drainage member separates said lens cup from said second chamber.  
   
   
       5 . The contact lens package of  claim 4 , wherein said drainage member includes a mesh.  
   
   
       6 . The contact lens package of  claim 4 , wherein said drainage member includes a plastic sheet having perforations therethrough.  
   
   
       7 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein said lens cup and said lid are sized and shaped so as to fit against each other, said container further comprising a sealing element removably attached to said container so as to form a liquid-tight seal between said lens cup and said lid.  
   
   
       8 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein said lid is sized and shaped to fit against said lens cup so as to form a liquid-tight seal.  
   
   
       9 . The contact lens package of  claim 1  wherein said lid is hingedly attached to said lens cup.  
   
   
       10 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein said handle and said container are symmetrical about an axis common to said handle and said container.  
   
   
       11 . The contact lens package of  claim 10 , wherein said handle is substantially conical in shape.  
   
   
       12 . The contact lens package of  claim 10 , wherein said handle has an exterior and has a plurality of ribs extending along said exterior.  
   
   
       13 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines an opening and is hollow, said container having a plug fitting arranged so as to form a friction fit with said handle when said plug fitting is inserted into said opening.  
   
   
       14 . A contact lens applicator, comprising: 
 a container including a lens cup and a lid covering said lens cup so as to form a chamber sized and shaped to contain a contact lens, said lid being movable between a closed position in which the contact lens is concealed and an open position in which said contact lens is accessible to a user for direct application of the contact lens to the user's eye; and    a handle for manipulating said contact lens applicator.    
   
   
       15 . The contact lens applicator of  claim 14 , wherein said lens cup is sized and shaped to hold said contact lens such that a peripheral portion of the contact lens is exposed outside of said lens cup when said lid is in said open position.  
   
   
       16 . The contact lens applicator of  claim 15 , wherein said handle and said container are symmetrical about an axis common to said handle and said container, said handle having an exterior and a plurality of ribs extending along said exterior.  
   
   
       17 . A method of applying a contact lens using an applicator having a lens cup and a lid covering the lens cup so as to form a lens chamber sized and shaped to contain the contact lens and a quantity of liquid, and a handle, said method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning the applicator in a first orientation such that the lens chamber is substantially filled with the liquid;    manipulating the handle to thereby position the contact lens package in a second orientation such that the lens chamber is substantially empty of the liquid;    moving the lid to an open position whereby the contact lens is accessible to a user, and    manipulating the handle to thereby apply the contact lens to the user's eye.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of draining the liquid from the lens chamber into a collection chamber internal to the applicator through a drainage member.