Contact lens secondary packaging and methods

Abstract

A contact lens package assembly includes a sealable primary lens package, at least one contact lens sealed within the primary lens package, and a sealable secondary lens package. The primary lens package is sealed within the secondary lens package to increase a shelf life of the at least one contact lens. The secondary lens package may be resealable. The secondary lens package may be configured to retain a plurality of primary lens packages. The contact lens package assembly may further include at least one inert gas sealed within the secondary lens package and outside of the primary lens package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A contact lens package assembly, comprising:
 a sealable primary lens package;   at least one contact lens sealed within the primary lens package;   a sealable secondary lens package;   wherein the first lens package is sealed within the secondary lens package to increase a shelf life of the at least one contact lens.   
     
     
         2 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lens package is resealable. 
     
     
         3 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lens package is configured to retain a plurality of primary lens packages. 
     
     
         4 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inert gas sealed within the secondary lens package and outside the primary lens package. 
     
     
         5 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure interposed between the primary lens package and the secondary lens package. 
     
     
         6 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lens package includes opposing first and second package portions that are sealed around a perimeter of the secondary lens package to form an interior within which the primary lens package is positioned. 
     
     
         7 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second package portions of the secondary lens package include at least one foil layer. 
     
     
         8 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second package portions of the secondary lens package include a laminate material having at least one polymer layer and at least one layer comprising a metal material. 
     
     
         9 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lens package is constructed as a pouch comprising flexible material. 
     
     
         10 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lens package is waterproof. 
     
     
         11 . A package system, comprising:
 a first package configured to hold a product with a finite shelf life;   a second package configured to hold the first package, the second package providing an inert environment for the first package that extends the shelf life of the product.   
     
     
         12 . The package system of  claim 11 , wherein the product is a contact lens. 
     
     
         13 . The package system of  claim 11 , wherein the product is a medicament. 
     
     
         14 . The package system of  claim 11 , wherein the product has nutritional value. 
     
     
         15 . The package system of  claim 11 , wherein the second package is resealable. 
     
     
         16 . The package system of  claim 11 , wherein the second package has a flexible construction. 
     
     
         17 . The package system of  claim 11 , wherein the second package retains a volume of inert gas. 
     
     
         18 . A method for manufacturing a contact lens package, comprising:
 sealing a contact lens within a primary lens package;   sealing the primary lens package within a secondary lens package, the secondary lens package providing an inert storage condition for the primary lens package.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising storing a volume of inert gas within the secondary lens package. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing the secondary lens package with a resealable opening. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing the secondary lens package with first and second laminate layers that are sealed together arranged a periphery of the secondary lens package to form an interior sized to receive the primary lens package. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the secondary lens package includes two foil layers that are secured together to define an interior sized to receive the primary lens package. 
     
     
         23 . A method of forming a secondary contact lens package, comprising:
 providing first and second foil layers;   connecting the first and second foil layers together to define a package interior, the package interior configured to receive a primary contact lens package that holds at least one contact lens;   creating an inert environment within the package interior.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising forming a resealable opening in the secondary contact lens package. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein connecting the first and second foil layers includes creating a heat seal. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein creating an inert-environment includes filling the package interior with an inert gas. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising sealing closed the package interior to maintain the inert environment. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein creating the inert environment includes providing the first and second foil layers with inert materials. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising providing a waterproof environment within the package interior. 
     
     
         30 . The contact lens package assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary lens package is made of one of a laminate foil substrate, an injection cast molded plastic packaging, a wax or polymer coated paper, or a vacuum formed plastic.