Single touch contact lens package

Abstract

The present invention relates to contact lens packages which allow the lens to be removed from the lens package with a single touch. The lenses packages comprise a lens support which holds the lens in a convex position. When the package is drained there is less contact area between the support and wetted contact lens than between the user's finger and the contact lens, providing the desired one touch transfer.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . A contact lens package comprising
 a support for maintaining a contact lens in a convex position on the support during storage and upon opening the package; wherein   the lens has a peripheral edge and a lens profile;   the support has a profile that does not substantially match the lens profile;   and wetted contact between the support and the lens is less than about 20 mm 2 .   
     
     
         101 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  further comprising
 a package base; 
 a package lid; and 
 wherein the base and lid are sealed to form a cavity comprising the support, contact lens and a packaging solution; and 
 wherein the lens support comprises a plurality of peripheral supports which have a distal end extending at least 1 mm beyond the contact lens peripheral edge, providing at least 3 points of contact with the contact lens edge along the peripheral supports. 
 
     
     
         102 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  wherein the support allows packaging solution to drain from the lens and support when removed from the packaging solution without trapping packaging solution between the lens and lens support. 
     
     
         103 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  wherein the lens further comprises an optic zone and the lens support further comprises, under at least a portion of the contact lens optic zone, a substantially flat top section with an open structure. 
     
     
         104 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  wherein the support further comprises a void under at least a portion of a contact lens optical zone. 
     
     
         105 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  wherein the contact lens is maintained in an uncompressed state when the package is sealed. 
     
     
         106 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  wherein the lens comprises an apex centered in an optic zone, the support further comprising a central support having a height, measured from the lens periphery, of not greater than 0.5 mm below the contact lens apex. 
     
     
         107 . The contact lens package of  claim 106  wherein the central lens support has an open structure. 
     
     
         108 . The contact lens package of  claim 106  wherein the central lens support comprises a central column under the lens apex. 
     
     
         109 . The contact lens package of  claim 101  wherein at least some of the distal ends of the peripheral supports are connected to vertical supports which raise the peripheral supports from the lens base. 
     
     
         110 . The contact lens package of  claim 101  further comprising at least a partial ring around the distal ends of the peripheral supports, at least 2 mm beyond the contact lens peripheral edge, wherein the partial ring comprises an outwardly extending tab with an open drainage channel for the drainage of packaging solution from the contact lens and support structure. 
     
     
         111 . The contact lens package of  claim 101  wherein at least one peripheral support is elongated and comprises an opening extending distally at or before the periphery of the contact lens to form a drainage channel for the drainage of packaging solution from the contact lens and support structure. 
     
     
         112 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  wherein the support is made from a polymer having a contact angle of greater than 100°. 
     
     
         113 . The contact lens package of  claim 101  wherein the lens support is disposed at an angle of at least about 20° from the package base. 
     
     
         114 . The contact lens package of  claim 101  wherein the peripheral supports are parallel to the package base, and at least about 4 mm from said package base. 
     
     
         115 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  further comprising a means for lifting the lens support from a lens solution. 
     
     
         116 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  further comprising a means for lifting the lens support from a lens solution, wherein the lifting means is selected from levers, springs, hinges, pivot arms, folds, mechanical traps, handles and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         117 . The contact lens package of  claim 100  further comprising a means for lifting the lens support from a lens solution, wherein the lifting means raises the lens from the packaging solution by tilting the lens support and base away from each other to an angle of about 15 to about 80° relative to level. 
     
     
         118 . The contact lens package of  claim 101  further comprising a reservoir for capturing packaging solution when the lens and support are separated from the package base.