Reclosable packages for contact lenses

Abstract

A package for contact lenses is disclosed. The package may include a body defining an inner volume and a cover extending over an opening when being closed. The package may also include at least one removable section connected between the cover and the body such that after its removal or in its absence the lid portion would be able to open and expose the inner volume of the body. The package can be reclosed by fitting at least one tab into a corresponding groove. A package with at least one attaching element for resealing the inner volume is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package for contact lenses, comprising:
 a body including a main portion, a bottom portion, and walls connecting the main portion and the bottom portion, wherein the main portion, the bottom portion, and walls form an inner volume within the body and an opening for accessing the inner volume of the body;   a cover including a lid portion with a first edge fully connected to the bottom portion of the body and a second edge opposing the first edge, wherein the lid portion of the cover extends from the bottom portion of the body, over the opening, to the main portion of the body upon which it lies when closed;   at least one tab disposed on or affixed to the second edge of the lid portion; and   at least one removable section connected between the lid portion of the cover and the main portion of the body such that after its removal or in its absence the lid portion would be able to open and expose the inner volume of the body;   wherein each of the at least one tab of the cover matches a corresponding groove formed on the main portion of the body, such that the inner volume of the body can be substantially resealed after removing the at least one removable section by fitting each of the at least one tab of the cover into the corresponding groove.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable section is a strip connected between the lid portion of the cover and any of the main portion of the body, one of the walls of the body, or the bottom portion of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the strip has perforated edges being connected to the lid portion of the cover and the main portion of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the strip has a width ranged between about 10 mm and about 35 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the strip is straight, curved, angled, tapered, in a wave or zig-zag shape. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is made from at least one of art paper, corrugated paper, cardboard, plastic, laminate, cloth, plant fiber, metal, or synthetic material. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the removable section is made of a different material from the cover. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable section overlaps an area of the main portion. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the area of the main portion under the at least one removable section can be exposed by removal of the at least one removable section, and has a different color or a different surface effect or texture or finish from the at least one removable section. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the walls of the body are connected to the main portion of the body by an angle of about 90 degrees, and the at least one removable section substantially extends across the main portion of the body from wall to wall. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the main portion of the body has an indent adjacent to the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the main portion, the bottom portion, and walls of the body is curved. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the body, the cover, and the at least one removable section are integrally formed. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more segments disposed between the main portion and the bottom portion of the body to form multiple compartments within the inner volume. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab of the cover can be fit into the corresponding groove after removing the at least one removable section by a depth about 2 to 5 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover or the at least one tab of the cover can be fit into an indent, a cutout, or the opening for substantially resealing the inner volume of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the body substantially has a rectangular shape with a size of about 30 mm to 200 mm in length, about 30 mm to 200 mm in width, and about 8mm to 60 mm in depth. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the inner volume is able to contain at least 2 and up to 90 contact lenses, each contact lens packaged in its own primary packaging. 
     
     
         19 . A package for contact lenses, comprising:
 a body including a main portion, a bottom portion, and walls connecting the main portion and the bottom portion, wherein the main portion, the bottom portion, and walls form an inner volume within the body and an opening for accessing the inner volume of the body;   a cover including a lid portion with a first edge fully connected to the bottom portion of the body and a second edge opposing the first edge, wherein the lid portion of the cover extends from the bottom portion of the body, over the opening, to the main portion of the body upon which it lies when closed;   at least one removable section connected between the lid portion of the cover and the main portion of the body such that after its removal or in its absence the lid portion would be able to open and expose the inner volume of the body; and   wherein the lid portion of the cover includes at least one attaching element for substantially resealing the inner volume of the body after removal of the at least one removable section.   
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one attaching element is at least one of an adhesive, a magnet, a Velcro, or a clamp.