Packaging method and system

Abstract

A method for the secondary packaging of ophthalmic lenses for example contact lenses, contained in individual primary packages ( 17 ). The method included steps of providing a plurality of single individual primary packages ( 17 ) each containing a lens and determining a number of single individual primary packages ( 17 ) to be taken from the plurality of single individual primary packages ( 17 ) and to be packed into a secondary package ( 16 ). The method further includes the steps of providing a secondary package blank ( 1 ) of a size capable of accommodating the determined number of single individual primary packages ( 17 ) to be packed into the secondary package ( 16 ) and placing each single individual primary package ( 17 ) of the determined number of single individual primary packages ( 17 ) into the secondary package blank ( 1 ). The method further includes the step of folding and closing the secondary package blank ( 1 ) containing the determined number of single individual primary packages ( 17 ) to form the secondary package ( 16 ).

1 . A method for the secondary packaging of contact lenses contained in individual primary packages, the method comprising the steps of
 providing a plurality of single individual primary packages each containing a contact lens,   determining a number of single individual primary packages to be taken from the plurality of single individual primary packages and to be packed into a secondary package,   providing a secondary package blank of a size capable of accommodating the determined number of single individual primary packages to be packed into the secondary package,   placing each single individual primary package of the determined number of single individual primary packages into the secondary package blank,   folding and closing the secondary package blank containing the determined number of single individual primary packages to form the secondary package.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of single individual primary packages comprises providing a plurality of single individual primary packages containing at least two different types of contact lenses, each type of contact lens being different from another type of contact lens in at least one physical or chemical property. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the number and the type of contact lenses which are contained in the single individual primary packages and which are to be packed into the secondary package is determined by a customer order. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a secondary package blank comprises providing a plurality of predetermined different secondary package blanks, the different secondary package blanks having substantially the same width. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of placing each single individual primary package into the secondary package blank comprises placing each single individual primary package in a corresponding individual cut-out portion formed in the secondary package blank. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the single individual primary packages are placed in the corresponding individual cut-out portions of the secondary package blank such that the single individual primary packages are retained in the respective cut-out portions. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of folding and closing the secondary package blank comprises folding and closing the secondary package blank to form a wallet-type secondary package. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of applying images, graphic designs, written information, or the like to the secondary package blank, to the secondary package or to the single individual primary package, or to any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of applying images, graphic designs, written information, or the like is determined by a customer order. 
     
     
         10 . A system for the secondary packaging of contact lenses contained in individual primary packages, the system comprising
 a storage unit for providing a plurality of single individual primary packages each containing a contact lens,   an input unit for determining a number of single individual primary packages to be taken from the storage unit and to be packed into a secondary package,   a package blank magazine for providing a secondary package blank, the secondary package blank being capable of accommodating the determined number of single individual primary packages,   at least one robot for placing each single individual primary package of the determined number of single individual primary packages into the secondary package blank, and   a folding unit for folding and closing the secondary package blank containing the determined number of single individual primary packages to form the secondary package.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the storage unit comprises at least one tray, each tray having at least two compartments, each compartment being sized to accommodate at least one single individual primary package. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the input unit is adapted for receiving and processing a customer order determining the number of single individual primary packages which are to be taken from the plurality of single individual primary packages and which are to be packed into the secondary package. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the input unit is adapted for receiving and processing a customer order determining the number of single individual primary packages which are to be taken from the plurality of single individual primary packages and which are to be packed into the secondary package. 
     
     
         14 . The system according  claim 10 , wherein the package blank magazine is adapted for providing a plurality of predetermined different secondary package blanks having substantially the same width. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of robots arranged one after the other along first and second transport lines for transporting the trays and the secondary package blanks respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of robots arranged one after the other along first and second transport lines for transporting the trays and the secondary package blanks respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising an application unit adapted for applying images, graphic designs, written information, or the like to the secondary package blank, to the secondary package or to the single individual primary package, or to any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising an application unit adapted for applying images, graphic designs, written information, or the like to the secondary package blank, to the secondary package or to the single individual primary package, or to any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising an application unit adapted for applying images, graphic designs, written information, or the like to the secondary package blank, to the secondary package or to the single individual primary package, or to any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising an application unit adapted for applying images, graphic designs, written information, or the like to the secondary package blank, to the secondary package or to the single individual primary package, or to any combination thereof.