Contact lens packages and methods of handling and manufacture

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved contact lens packages and methods of use and manufacture/assembly. A contact lens package houses a contact lens and packaging solution and is configured to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution when force is applied to a lever of the package and/or when the package is squeezed by the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A contact lens package that houses a contact lens and packaging solution wherein the package is configured to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution when the package is squeezed by a user. 
     
     
         2 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a lever configured to hinge along a pivot line in a base of the package when a force is applied to the lever; and a lens support configured such that the force applied to the lever causes the lens support to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution. 
     
     
         3 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the package is configured such that the force being applied to the lever causes the lens support to lift the contact lens out of the packaging solution in a position on the lens support capable of single-touch transfer by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the lever is a discrete component that is coupled to the base by an attachment means. 
     
     
         5 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot line is defined by at least one void in the base. 
     
     
         6 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot line is imparted into the base by one or more of: a crease, a cut, a thinned line, and an etch. 
     
     
         7 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the base is composed of a relatively rigid material. 
     
     
         8 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the base and the lens support are a single unitary component. 
     
     
         9 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the lever and the lens support are a single unitary component. 
     
     
         10 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the lens support is coupled to the base by at least one of: i) a laser weld; ii) heat; iii) an ultrasonic weld; and iv) an adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises at least one finger engagement feature configured to i) aid a user in grasping the package or i) direct the application of force such that the lever hinges downward. 
     
     
         12 . The contact lens package of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one finger engagement feature comprises a protrusion in the base at a distal end of the package. 
     
     
         13 . The contact lens package of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one finger engagement feature comprises an overhang along at least a portion of the package's periphery. 
     
     
         14 . The contact lens package of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one finger engagement feature comprises a dimple sized to accommodate a finger or thumb of the user, wherein the dimple is positioned at an end of the base proximal to the user. 
     
     
         15 . The contact lens package of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one finger engagement feature comprises a proximal finger engagement feature positioned at an end of the base proximal to the user and a distal finger engagement feature positioned at an end of the base distal to the user. 
     
     
         16 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein a lid of the package comprises a lens facing surface that extends downward into the cavity above the contact lens when the package is in an unopened state. 
     
     
         17 . The contact lens package of  claim 16 , wherein the lens facing surface and lens support are configured within the cavity such that the optical zone of the contact lens is suspended in the packaging solution between the lens facing surface and lens support when the package is in an unopened state. 
     
     
         18 . The contact lens package of  claim 1 , wherein the package houses the contact lens in a convex position when the package is in an unopened or opened state. 
     
     
         19 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein the lens support has a profile that does not substantially match the contact lens's profile. 
     
     
         20 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , wherein when the package is an opened state the wetted contact area between the lens support and the contact lens is less than about 30 mm 2 , less than about 25 mm 2 , or less than about 20 mm 2 . 
     
     
         21 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , comprising at least one lens facing surface in the cavity above a convex side of the contact lens, wherein when the package is in an unopened state the at least one lens facing surface is configured to align the contact lens over the lens support; or protect the contact lens against significant optical damage due to gravitational, mechanical, or air-induced forces. 
     
     
         22 . The contact lens package of  claim 2 , comprising a lid insert, wherein the lid insert is attached to an inner surface of the lid. 
     
     
         23 . The contact lens package of  claim 22 , wherein the lid insert includes at least one alignment feature. 
     
     
         24 . The contact lens package of  claim 22 , wherein the lid insert includes at least one lock-out feature.