US20040251146A1

US20040251146A1 - Compact lens solution and carrying case

Info

Publication number: US20040251146A1
Application number: US10/460,871
Authority: US
Inventors: Cory Church; Ashley McWatters
Original assignee: EZ Eyez Inc
Current assignee: EZ-EYEZ Inc; EZ Eyez Inc
Priority date: 2003-06-14
Filing date: 2003-06-14
Publication date: 2004-12-16

Abstract

A portable case for carrying contact lenses and treating them with solution. A collapsible solution reservoir is housed in a chamber including a tab to squeeze or collapse the reservoir, preferably with temporary anchoring elements, for incrementally feeding solution to a well or wells for contact lenses and solution. A removable spout permits delivery of solution outside the portable case.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, contact lens users who travel have had to carry separate solution bottles and cases for their lenses. Insertion and removal of lenses into and from the eyes for various reasons such as athletics, work activities, or moving from one social environment to another can be awkward and inconvenient, sometimes resulting in spilling of the solution and dropping one or both lenses.

There is a need for a convenient, compact, portable device which can be used to treat contact lenses with solution, prepare them for wear, and store them for travel or other movement without undue concern about spilling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Our invention comprises a unitary case having lens wells, a collapsible solution reservoir, and an incremental solution dispensing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a preferred base for my device [0004]
FIG. 2 is a preferred exterior lid. [0005]
FIG. 3 is a preferred lens well unit. [0006]
FIG. 4 is a preferred constrictor, in particular a carriage, for a collapsible solution reservoir. [0007]
FIG. 5[0008] a shows the carriage of FIG. 4 and the well unit of FIG. 3 installed in a base of FIG. 1. FIG. 5b includes the collapsible reservoir.
FIG. 6 shows a preferred valve for controlling flow of solution to the lens wells. [0009]
FIG. 7 is a preferred interior lid. [0010]
FIG. 8 shows a removable spout having valve apertures. [0011]
FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred device as assembled and closed, and showing the recessed position of the spout. [0012]
FIG. 10 shows the exterior lid in the open or flip position. [0013]
FIGS. 11[0014] a and 11 b are side sectional views, showing two valve positions, with a partially closed external lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a [0015] base 1 is of a generally rectangular shape and has side walls 2 and 3, a carriage end 4, and a well end 5. In this preferred version, the base 1 has guides 6 and 7 for guiding the progress of a solution reservoir carriage, which is further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Receptacles 47 may be used for retaining nubs (see FIG. 4). Connector 8 and hinge elements 9 permit a lid to be fastened to or hinged to the base 1.
FIG. 2 shows the construction of a preferred [0016] exterior lid 20 from its under side. The exterior lid is distinguished by the well covers 21 for the lens wells 31 and 32 (see FIG. 3). Well covers 21 are designed to seal fluid in the wells 31 and 32 when the lid is correctly closed. Preferably the exterior lid 20 includes hinge elements 22 for contacting with hinge element 9 of base 1 at its well end 5, to form a complete hinge, permitting the exterior lid 20 to be lifted to access the lens wells 31 and 32 while still remaining oriented to close accurately over the lens wells. At the opposite end of lid 20 is a connector 23 for securing with base 1. A recess 24 may be designed into the lid for a mirror (see FIG. 10).
The [0017] lens well unit 30 in FIG. 3 comprises two wells 31 and 32. It contains a duct 33 leading from a prong 34 to a “Y” 37 and then to the two lens wells 31 and 32. Prong 34 is designed to connect to the collapsible solution reservoir not shown. The connection may be made by puncturing an opening in the solution reservoir, and thus the prong 34 has a pointed insert 35. Duct 33 passes through prong 34 and valve container 36, which will accommodate a manually operated valve 60 illustrated in FIG. 6. Lens well unit 30 also has a passage 38 for a rinse spout illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10. When rinse spout 80 (FIG. 8) is inserted into passage 38 in the appropriate manner, it blocks duct 33, assuring that no liquid will come out of the solution reservoir.
The [0018] carriage 40 shown in FIG. 4 is basically L-shaped, comprising support elements 41, 42, and 43, and upright element 44. Support elements 41, 42, and 43 are designed to ride between guides 6 and 7 illustrated on base 1 in FIG. 1, while supporting the collapsible reservoir not shown. Nubs 45 and 46 are dimensioned to fit temporarily in receptacles 47 as seen in FIG. 1, as the carriage 40 is moved incrementally toward lens wells 31 and 32. The distance between receptacles 47 is preferably calculated so that the incrementally reduced volume of a collapsible solution reservoir is substantially the amount of solution required for treatment of lenses in wells 31 and 32.
In FIG. 5[0019] a, both the well unit 30 and the carriage 40 are shown installed in the base 1. The collapsible solution reservoir, not shown, is to be placed between carriage upright element 44 and well unit 30, and connected to port 34 of the well unit 30. An exterior end 82 of spout 80 is seen projecting from side wall 2 of base 1. Valve handle 63 is turned to permit the flow of solution to rinse spout 80. In FIG. 5b, the collapsible reservoir 85 is illustrated; it is in fluid communication with prong 34 but otherwise simply rests in the area between well unit 30 and upright element 44.
The [0020] valve 60 of FIG. 6 is seen to have perpendicular passages 61 and 62. Passage 61 is designed to complete duct 33, permitting fluid to pass from the reservoir 85 and well unit 30, and passage 62 is designed to permit insertion of a rinse spout (see FIG. 8) for conveying solution to the exterior of the device. Valve 60 is for positioning in valve container 36 of lens well unit 30 (see FIG. 3), and may be accessed by the user by lifting exterior lid 20, which is hinged on base 1 by hinge elements 9 and 22. It is turned by valve handle 63.
In FIG. 7, the [0021] interior lid 70 is shown. It is designed to cover primarily the collapsible solution reservoir 85, seen in FIGS. 5b, 11 a and 11 b. Interior lid 70 is retained by snap-in retainers 71 which connect with base 1 at connector 8. Interior lid 70 may be removed in order to insert a new solution reservoir but otherwise is intended to remain in place when the user moves carriage 40 incrementally to inject solution into the lens wells or cause it to flow through rinse spout 80. When interior lid 70 is in place, upright element 44 (See FIG. 5) is accessible through aperture 72. The user ejects solution from the reservoir by grasping upright element 44 and moving it from one receptacle 47 to the next receptacle 47, engaging the nubs 45 and 46 in the receptacles 47.
FIG. 8 shows a [0022] rinse spout 80 for insertion through passage 61 or 62 of valve 60. It is designed with a transverse passage 81 to connect with duct 33 of well unit 30, and passes through side wall 2 of base 1—see also FIGS. 5 and 10.
FIG. 9 is the preferred appearance of the assembled unit in its closed configuration. [0023] Exterior lid 20 is seen to be closed on base 1, while rinse spout 80 is recessed in base 1.
In FIG. 10, the [0024] exterior lid 20 is flipped open, revealing the upright element 44 forming a tab which is used to constrict the reservoir 85 (see FIGS. 11a and 11 b) by moving it incrementally through aperture 72. The liquid reservoir is not shown in this view, but it would normally be immediately visible in aperture 72. The lower side of exterior lid 20 may have a mirror 84 for the convenience of the user. In this posture of the device, rinse spout 82 is shown to be extended and turned downward, which will permit liquid to flow from the liquid reservoir through duct 33 to liquid spout 82, so it may be directed to the user's palm or other outside receptacle.
In FIG. 11[0025] a, it may be observed that the exterior lid 20 will not close because the valve handle 63 is turned to a position which will block the downward movement of the lid 20. This is the position permitting fluid to flow. In FIG. 11b, the valve handle 63, in the closed position to prevent the flow of liquid, the external lid 20 will close.
In operation, a filled [0026] solution reservoir 85 is placed on the carriage 40 and oriented so its opening faces pointed insert 35 of the lens well unit 30. The reservoir opening is then connected with the pointed insert 35, enabling fluid to pass from reservoir 85 into duct 33. Valve 60 should be closed for storage or transport by inserting rinse spout 80 completely into passage 38 and, as mentioned above, lid 70 cannot be closed unless valve handle 62 is closed. Contact lenses may be placed in the wells 31 and 32 either in the presence of solution or in a dry state. The lids 20 and 70 are then closed and the unit is ready for travel. When it is time for use, the exterior lid 20 is opened, exposing upright element 44 of carriage 40 so the user may inject solution into the wells 31 and 32 by first opening valve 60 and then moving carriage 40 towards the wells one notch—that is, to the next receptacle 47. Movement of carriage 40 the first increment will cause a measured dose of solution to pass through duct 33 to the wells 31 and 32. Preferably each well will be filled to about ¾ level. After removing the lenses from the wells, the lids may be closed and the unit is ready to transport again. Alternatively, rinse spout 80 is withdrawn a short distance out of side wall 2 and turned ninety degrees to divert the flow of solution from duct 33 to the rinse spout 80. The flow of solution may then be directed into the user's hand so the lens can be wetted prior to use.
The particular construction illustrated can be varied considerably within the scope of the claims below. For example, it is not necessary for the carriage to be guided by guides [0027] 6 and 7 on base 1; guides need not be used at all, or, if they are, they can be placed on the walls of the base rather than on its floor. Likewise, the illustrated receptacles and nubs are a presently preferred design for ensuring more or less measured doses of fluid; this also is not necessary since the user can easily see the amount of fluid entering the wells, but if used, could also be on the walls 2 and/or 3. The carriage itself is not necessary, since any device capable of constricting the reservoir is contemplated within our invention. The constrictor may be built into the reservoir—that is, it may simply be part of the wall of the reservoir. While we prefer that the reservoir be constructed with a neck or opening that can be punctured by prong 34 or a similar device, any convenient device for establishing fluid flow between the reservoir and the duct (33) or Y (37) may be used.
Our invention therefore includes a contact lens carrying and treating device comprising (a) a case (b) at least one lens well in said case, (c) a collapsible solution reservoir within the case, (d) a constrictor for the collapsible solution reservoir for incrementally collapsing the collapsible solution reservoir within the case (e) a duct for conveying solution from the solution reservoir to the at least one lens well as the solution reservoir is collapsed, and (f) a valve in the duct for permitting solution to flow towards the at least one lens well when the solution reservoir is incrementally collapsed. [0028]
Our invention also includes a contact lens travel case comprising (a) a base, (b) at least two lens wells on the base, (c) a liquid reservoir on the base (d) a duct leading from the liquid reservoir to the lens wells, (e) a constrictor for constricting the reservoir to cause liquid to pass from the reservoir through the duct to the wells, (f) an internal lid covering the wells while permitting a user to access the constrictor, and (g) an external lid closing off access to said constrictor. [0029]
In another version, our invention includes a container and applicator for contact lens solution comprising a contact lens solution reservoir, the reservoir being reducible in volume as a function of the amount of solution therein, at least one solution well, the solution well having a connection to the solution reservoir to convey solution from the reservoir to the at least one well, and a valve for blocking and opening the connection. [0030]

Claims

1. A contact lens carrying and treating device comprising (a) a case (b) at least one lens well in said case, (c) a collapsible solution reservoir within said case, (d) a constrictor for said collapsible solution reservoir for incrementally collapsing said collapsible solution reservoir within said case (e) a duct for conveying solution from said solution reservoir to said at least one lens well as said solution reservoir is collapsed, and (f) a valve in said duct for permitting solution to flow towards said at least one lens well when said solution reservoir is incrementally collapsed.

2. Device of claim 1 having two lens wells and wherein said duct is capable of conveying solution from said solution reservoir to both of said lens wells.

3. Device of claim 1 wherein said constrictor comprises a carriage.

4. Device of claim 3 wherein said solution reservoir is supported at least partly by said carriage.

5. Device of claim 3 wherein said carriage and said base have complementary nubs and recesses for incrementally advancing said carriage towards said at least one lens well.

6. Device of claim 5 wherein said recesses are spaced so that each increment of advance of said carriage will constrict said solution reservoir by a volume substantially equal to a volume of solution needed for treating at least one contact lens.

7. Device of claim 1 including a removable spout for communicating with said duct to convey solution to the outside of said device.

8. Device of claim 1 wherein said collapsible solution reservoir can be readily removed and replaced.

9. Device of claim 1 wherein said valve includes a passage for a rinse spout.

10. Device of claim 10 wherein, when said rinse spout is passed completely through said valve, flow of solution through said valve is blocked.

11. A contact lens travel case comprising (a) a base, (b) at least two lens wells on said base, (c) a liquid reservoir on said base (d) a duct leading from said liquid reservoir to said lens wells, (e) a constrictor for constricting said reservoir to cause liquid to pass from said reservoir through said duct to said wells, (f) an internal lid covering said wells while permitting a user to access said constrictor, and (g) an external lid closing off access to said constrictor.

12. Contact lens travel case of claim 11 including a rinse spout for directing liquid from said reservoir to outside of said travel case.

13. Contact lens travel case of claim 12 wherein in one position said rinse spout will direct liquid from said reservoir to outside of said travel case and in another position direct liquid into said lens wells.

14. Contact lens travel case of claim 13 wherein, in a third position, said rinse spout will block the flow of liquid from said reservoir to said wells.

15. Contact lens travel case of claim 11 wherein said liquid reservoir resides in a carriage on said base, said carriage and said base including guide elements for incremental movement of said constrictor.

16. A container and applicator for contact lens solution comprising a contact lens solution reservoir, said reservoir being reducible in volume as a function of the amount of solution therein, at least one solution well having a connection to said solution reservoir to convey solution from said reservoir to said at least one well, and a valve for blocking and opening said connection.

17. Container and applicator of claim 16 including a lid which serves as a closure for said at least one well.

18. A container and applicator of claim 16 wherein said reservoir is reducible in volume by squeezing it with a tab to remove solution therefrom through said connection to said at least one well.

19. A container and applicator of claim 16 including a rinse spout for conveying solution from said reservoir outside of said container and applicator.

20. A container and applicator of claim 18 including an internal lid having an aperture permitting said tab to be accessible to the user from outside said container and applicator.