Integrated contact lens case and replacement time

Abstract

An integrated contact lens case and an electronic timer which may be set to a predetermined time such as seven, fourteen or thirty days as the period during which the user may use contact lenses before replacing them. The timer generates an electrical signal upon reaching the predetermined time which signal is applied to an indicator carried by the housing to provide a visual signal to the user that the time for replacing the contact lens has arrived. The contact lens case is removably secured through the housing within which the electronic timer apparatus is disposed by a plurality of complimentary protrusions and recesses.

1 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer for providing to a user an indication that the time to replace contact lenses has arrived comprising:
 a housing including a contact lens case mount;   an electronic timer apparatus disposed within said housing, said timer generating an electrical output signal upon reaching a predetermined time;   an indicator carried by said housing;   means coupling said output signal to said indicator for activating said indicator to provide said user with said time to replace indication; and   means for setting said electronic timer to said predetermined time.   
   
   
       2 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 1  which further includes means on said lens case mount for removably securing a contact lens case to said housing. 
   
   
       3 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 2  wherein said means for securing includes complimentary protrusions and recesses formed on said lens case mount and said lens case. 
   
   
       4 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 3  wherein said protrusions include flanges and said recesses include groves within which said flanges are received. 
   
   
       5 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 3  wherein said protrusions include pins and said recesses include openings within which said pins are received. 
   
   
       6 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 1  wherein said timer includes a counter, a pulse generator coupled to said counter and switch means coupled to said counter. 
   
   
       7 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 1  wherein said indicator is an LCD. 
   
   
       8 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 1  wherein said indicator is an LED. 
   
   
       9 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer for providing to a user an indication that the time to replace contact lenses has arrived comprising:
 (a) a molded hollow housing having an upper surface defining an opening therein;   (b) an LCD disposed within said housing and being visible through said opening;   (c) a printed circuit board disposed within said housing and including an electronic timer circuit which produces an electrical output signal upon expiration of a predetermined time;   (d) means for setting said timer circuit to said predetermined time;   (e) means coupling said electronic timer circuit output signal to said LCD to activate said LCD upon expiration of said predetermined time;   (f) a contact lens case; and   (g) means for removably securing said contact lens case to said upper surface of said housing.   
   
   
       10 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 9  wherein said means for removably securing said lens case to said upper surface of said housing includes complimentary protrusions and recesses formed on said upper surface of said housing and said lens case. 
   
   
       11 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 10  wherein said protrusions include flanges and said recesses include groves within which said flanges are received. 
   
   
       12 . An integrated contact lens case and electronic timer as defined in  claim 10  wherein said protrusions include pins and said recesses include openings within which said pins are received.