Snap and lift package for contact lens

Abstract

A contact lens package includes a first housing member and a second housing member pivotably connected to each other. The package also includes a holding mechanism for holding a contact lens and a receiving mechanism for receiving contact lens solution. When the housing members are in a substantially co-planar orientation, the holding mechanism is positioned within the receiving mechanism. When the housing members are in a non-planar orientation, the holding mechanism is removed from the receiving mechanism such that the holding mechanism is pivotable from a closed position, in which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is inaccessible to a user, toward an open position, in which the contact lens held in the holding mechanism is accessible to the user.

1 . A package for a contact lens, comprising a first housing member including receiving means for receiving contact lens solution; a second housing member connected to said first housing member such that said second housing member is pivotable relative to said first housing member from a first position, in which said second housing member is substantially co-planar with said first housing member, to a second position, in which said second housing member is not co-planar with said first housing member; and holding means for holding a contact lens, said holding means being movable conjointly with said second housing member such that said holding means is positioned within said receiving means when said second housing member is in its said first position and such that said holding means is removed from said receiving means when said second housing member is in its said second position.  
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving means comprises a receptacle formed in said first housing member.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said holding means comprises a pocket having a cavity sized and shaped so as to hold a contact lens.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3 , further comprising connecting means for connecting said pocket to said second housing member.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein said connecting means includes a board having one end releaseably attached to said first housing member and an opposite end fixedly attached to said second housing member.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5 , further comprising a cover layer affixed to said first housing member, said second housing member, and said board such that said cover layer forms a liquid-tight seal which prevents leakage of contact lens solution from said receptacle.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6 , further comprising rupturing means for rupturing said cover layer as said second housing member moves from its said first position toward its said second position.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein said rupturing means includes said one end of said board, whereby said one end of said board ruptures said cover layer when forced against said cover layer  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein said cavity is movable from a closed position, in which said cavity is proximal to said board and in which a contact lens held in said cavity is inaccessible to a user, to an open position, in which said cavity is positioned remote from said board and in which a contact lens held in said cavity is accessible to a user.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein said board moves conjointly with said second housing member as said second housing member moves from its said first position toward its said second position.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein said first housing member includes a first recess and said second housing member includes a second recess, and wherein said one end of said board is releaseably positioned within said first recess and said opposite end of said board is fixedly received in said second recess.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said first housing member includes first gripping means for improving the grippability of said first housing member and said second housing member includes second gripping means for improving the grippability of said second housing member.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein said first housing member includes a first free end and said second housing member includes a second free end, and wherein said first gripping means includes a plurality of nibs formed in said first free end, and said second gripping means includes a plurality of nibs formed in said second free end.  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein said cavity is positioned above said receptacle when said cavity is in its said open position; and wherein said cavity includes an opening sized and shaped so as to allow contact lens solution in said cavity to pass through said cavity and into said receptacle when said cavity is in its said open position.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14 , further comprising a first hinge connected to said first housing member and to said second housing member, said first hinge adapted to allow said second housing member to pivot relative to said first housing member.  
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 15 , further comprising a second hinge connected to said pocket and to said board, said second hinge adapted to allow said pocket to pivot relative to said board.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein said pocket moves conjointly with said board as said second housing member moves from its said first position toward its said second position, whereby said cavity of said pocket is movable from its said closed position toward its said open position when said second housing member is in its said second position.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein said cover layer includes a laminate made from aluminum foil.