Disposable contact lens container having a vapor lens hydration system

Abstract

A package includes a vapor impermeable material forming a sealed cavity. A hydrated, ready to use contact lens is disposed within the cavity. A quantity of a liquid is disposed within the cavity such that the contact lens is, at least in part, not immersed in the liquid, thereby facilitating easy removal of the contact lens when the package is opened.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a vapor impermeable material forming a sealed cavity;   a hydrated, ready to use contact lens within the cavity; and   a quantity of a liquid within the cavity such that the contact lens is, at least in part, not immersed in, or otherwise in direct contact with, the liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the vapor impermeable material includes a base portion and a cover element movable between a closed position cooperating with the base portion to form the sealed cavity and an open position allowing access for removal of the contact lens. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the base portion includes a bottom wall and a side wall; and
 a liquid sequestering element is disposed at or near the bottom wall, the liquid sequestering element containing the quantity of the liquid, and releasing a vapor within the sealed cavity containing the contact lens. 
 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the cover element is formed of one of a vapor and liquid impermeable metal foil or a vapor and liquid impermeable polymer foil and is secured to the base portion with a peelable heat seal to define the sealed cavity in the closed position thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1  including a liquid sequestering element within the sealed cavity, the liquid sequestering element containing the quantity of the liquid and releasing a vapor within the sealed cavity so the contact lens is in a hydrated, ready to use condition when the package is opened for removal thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the contact lens is supported by the liquid sequestering element. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the liquid sequestering element includes a substantially flat surface and the contact lens is supported by contacting the substantially flat surface along a zone of tangency. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the liquid sequestering element is formed of a liquid wicking material that confines the liquid and thereby substantially prevent there being any loose liquid within the sealed cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the liquid sequestering element is a vapor permeable, liquid impermeable sachet within the sealed cavity to contain and confine the liquid in the sachet and thereby substantially prevent there being any loose liquid within the sealed cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the liquid sequestering element is secured within the sealed cavity with a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         11 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A contact lens case, comprising:
 a vapor impermeable base portion defining a cavity for a hydrophilic contact lens;   a vapor impermeable cover element movable between a closed position cooperating with the base portion to define a sealed chamber and an open position allowing access to the cavity defined by the base portion for depositing and removing a hydrophilic contact lens; and   a liquid sequestering element within the sealed chamber containing a quantity of a liquid for releasing a vapor, the vapor released within the sealed chamber forming a vapor hydration atmosphere maintaining a hydrophilic contact lens deposited within the cavity in a hydrated condition without direct liquid contact, the liquid sequestering element confining the liquid to substantially prevent there being any loose liquid within the cavity.   
     
     
         20 . The contact lens case of  claim 19  wherein the base portion includes a bottom wall and a side wall and the liquid sequestering element is disposed at or near the bottom wall. 
     
     
         21 . The contact lens case of  claim 19  wherein the liquid sequestering element is formed of a liquid wicking material secured to the bottom wall with a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         22 . The contact lens case of  claim 19  wherein the liquid sequestering element comprises a vapor permeable, liquid impermeable sachet containing the quantity of the liquid therein. 
     
     
         23 . The contact lens case of  claim 19  further comprising a contact lens disposed within the cavity, wherein the contact lens is supported by the liquid sequestering element. 
     
     
         24 . The contact lens case of  claim 23  wherein the liquid sequestering element includes a substantially flat top surface and the contact lens is supported by contacting the substantially flat surface along a zone of tangency. 
     
     
         25 . The contact lens case of  claim 22  wherein the vapor permeable, liquid impermeable sachet containing the quantity of the liquid is secured to the bottom wall with a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         26 . The contact lens case of  claim 20  wherein the side wall is upwardly extending and defines an opening leading into the cavity for depositing and removing a hydrophilic contact lens. 
     
     
         27 . The contact lens case of  claim 20  wherein the base portion has a peripheral flange extending outwardly of and continuously about the side wall opposite the bottom wall. 
     
     
         28 . The contact lens case of  claim 27  wherein the cover element is secured to the peripheral flange with a peelable heat seal to define the sealed chamber in the closed position thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The contact lens case of  claim 28  wherein the cover element is formed of one of a vapor and liquid impermeable metal foil or a vapor and liquid impermeable polymer foil. 
     
     
         30 . The contact lens case of  claim 20  wherein the liquid sequestering element comprises a liquid well formed in the bottom wall below the cavity to contain the quantity of the liquid. 
     
     
         31 . The contact lens case of  claim 30  including a vapor permeable membrane secured to the bottom wall and covering the liquid well to confine the quantity of the liquid. 
     
     
         32 . The contact lens case of  claim 30  further including a liquid wicking material disposed in the liquid well to contain the quantity of the liquid and release the vapor. 
     
     
         33 - 60 . (canceled)