CA2173099C - Packaging arrangement for contact lenses - Google Patents
Packaging arrangement for contact lenses Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2173099C CA2173099C CA002173099A CA2173099A CA2173099C CA 2173099 C CA2173099 C CA 2173099C CA 002173099 A CA002173099 A CA 002173099A CA 2173099 A CA2173099 A CA 2173099A CA 2173099 C CA2173099 C CA 2173099C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flange
- cover sheet
- cavity
- flexible cover
- base members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/008—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of contact lenses
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
- B65D75/326—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming one compartment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
- B65D75/327—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming several compartments
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
- B65D2577/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D2577/041—Details of two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D2577/042—Comprising several inner containers
- B65D2577/045—Comprising several inner containers stacked
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2585/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D2585/54—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles of special shape not otherwise provided for
- B65D2585/545—Contact lenses
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Composite Materials (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
- Eyeglasses (AREA)
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
- Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
Abstract
A base member for a blister package for the containment of a contact lens includes a planar flange extending outwardly about a cavity for housing the contact lens. Proximate the peripheral edge of the flange, there is formed a continuous groove into which there is pressed the material of a flexible cover sheet of the blister package so as to clampingly engage the base member.
Description
_ 1 _ FACIiAGING ARRAI~GEMEIZT I~'OR CONTACT TENSES
CROSS~REFERE19C8 TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
1_ Field of the IAVentlQrl The present invention relates to a packaging nrrdrigement for the containment of at least one hydrophilic Contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution.
More specifically, the invention pertains to a packaging arrangemstit wherein a plurala.ty of disposable hydrophilic contact lenses are contained in a specific number of individual packaging arrangements adapted to lee I
collectively housed in a box-like container or carton so as to provide a specified or essentially measured. supply Of contact lErises for use by a COnSUmer over a 2fl predetermined per~.od of time _ In particular, the invention is directed to the aspect of prov~,ding an improved attachment between the '-' base members of blister packages housing the contact lexlses, and a fXexible cover sheet utilized for sealing engagement with the base members_ The packaging of hydrophilic contact lerise% is a sterile aqueous solution is well knov~rn in the contact lens manufacturing technology. Its particular, such packaging arrangements generally consist of so-called blister packages which are employQd for the storage and dispensing of the hydrophilic contact lenses by a medical practitioner or to consumer who intends to wear the contact lenses_ Generally, such hydrophilic contact lenses, which may be disposable after a single wear or short-term use, are manufactured rom suitable hydrophilic polymer~.C materials- These materials may be, ~ongst others, copolymers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate containing from about 20~ to 90~ or more of watery depending upon the polymer composition. Generally, such contact lenses must. be stored ir-r a sterile aqueous solution, usually in isotonic saline solution in order to prevent dehydration and to maint:a.in the lenses in a ready-to-wear condi.tian.
2. Discussion of the Pr~.or Art Heretofore, contact. lens manufacturers normally 7.0 utilized stoppered glass bottles containing sterile saline solutions in which the hydrophilic contact lenses were immersed as storage and shipping containers for individual contact lenses. Each bottle was sealed with a suitable silicone stopper and provided with a metal 1.5 closure as a safety seal ir3 the configuration of an overcap. When the ~~ontact lens was intended to be removed from the bottle for use by a patient, the metal closure safety seal was required to be initially torn off the bottle, thereafter the stopper withdrawn and the lens c;0 lifted out from the bottle through the intermediary of a suitable plastic tweeter or ;pouring the contents out.
This entailed the implementation of an extremely complicated procedure, sine°e the cant.act lens was difficult to grasp and remCwe from the saline solution 25 contained in the bottle due to the transparent nature of the contact lens which rendered it practically invisible to the human eye.
More recently, containments in the form of blister packages have been developed for hydrophilic 30 contact lenses, and which enable the storage and shipping of the hydrophilic contact lenses in a simple and inexpensive expedient manner, while concurrently facilitating the conveniently easy removal of the contact lens by a practitioner or a patient.
~~5 For instance, a k~lister package which is adapted to provide a sterile sealed storage environment for a disposable or single-use hydrophilic contact lens, wherein the lens is imm87CSed in a sterile aquAOUs solution; for example, such as in an isotonic sa~,~.ne solution, is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,691,820 to Martinea; which is assigned-to ,the common.~.s.i~xnee of the pxesent applicatioa~. . .._ .~_ . ____ __ .-. _...
Thus, in the above-mentioned Martinet U.S.
patent, the blister package for storing and dispensing a hydrophilic contact lens ineludeS an injection-molded or thermoformed plastic base portion inGOrpoxatiag a molded cavity which is surrounded by ari outstanding planar ,.,. flange about th~ xxm of the cavity_ A flexible cover shee'~ is adhered to the surface of -the flange so as to sealinc~ly enclose the cavity in a generally liquid-tight mode_ Within the cavity of the base portion, a hydrophilic contact lens is immersed ~.n a sterile aqueou:c solution, such as an isotonic saline soltttion_ A portion of the side wall of the cavity is inCiined to form a ramp extending upwardly towards the flange from the bottom of the cavity, ~snd the cover sheet is adapted tp be stripped from the flange in ordex to expose the cavity and inclined side wall thereof whereupon the lens may bE
___... readily manually removed by being slid upwardly and out of the cavity t~long the inclined ramp surface of the cavzty._ _. .._ _-__ .__ ._ _. .__--.. . . __-.-_ _._ ..__ Other known embodiments of hl~.ster packages have the lens-containing cavity shaped to be of an essentially semi-spherical configuration whi.eh is dimensioned so as to ~'e adapted to closely support the contact lens therein immersed in an aqueous solution for ease of removal and also to facil~.tate an inspection pxocess. Moreover, the foregoing construction primarily considers the utilizatior~ of such blister packages for the dispensing of individual contact lenses, with such blister packages being ord:i.narily separate or. single packagings, which may then be housed in larger quantities in a further container, suG:h as a ~i.gid cardboard or paperboard carton of usual construction employed for the retail sales of the lenses.
It is an important aspect to be able to furnish a user of such disposable hydrophilic contact lenses with a specific supply of contact lenses, the latter of which 7.0 are normally worn for only a single day; in essence, for ordinarily 8 to 18 hours within a 24-hour period and thereafter discarded. Hereby, the packaging of a supply of contact lenses should enable the user to store and provide indication for replenishing the supply of contact 1.5 lenses at regular intervals; for example, at periads of 5, 10, 15, 30 days or even longer. Consequently, provision is made for packaging arrangements including specified quantities of such hydrophilic contact lenses contained in blister packages, such as being in suitable 20 interconnected arrays, wherein these packaging arrangements are adapted tca be boxed in a carton enabling a rapid and precise determination as to the quantity of hydrophilic contact lenses contained therein, and with such packaging arrangements being of a compact nature 25 which is completely protective of the hydrophilic lenses.
~iTMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In essence, the inventive concept pertains to packaging arrangements in which a plurality of blister ?0 packages each has a cavity containing respectively one hydrophilic contact lens ir°~ a ster:a.le aqueous solution, A specified quantity of such blister packages has the molded plastic base members thereof each containing a contact lens positioned in a contiguous array, and is ~t5 initially covered by a single flexible cover sheet ~ 1 i~~i~~~,~
constituted of a laminated foil or other materials, such as metallized PET, PC to enhance barrier properties, or a layer of the laminate structure including silicon oxide on a plastic laminate to provide barrier properties in order to provide a sealed environment for each of the contact lenses contained in the c:av~.t:y formed in each base member. The flexible cover sheet may be dimensioned to cover a single base member to provide an individual or single packaging arrangement, or, in an alternative 7.0 concept, may be in the fcarm of str ps whereby adjoining base members are severable interconnected to enable the dispensing of individual blister packages each containing one of the hydrophilic contact lenses as may be required by a user. In particular, a plurality of such arrays of packaging arrangements for contact lenses, which arrays or individual blister packages are adapted to be arranged in one or more containers.
Each of t:he blister package base members, which may possess a substantially rectangular outstanding planar flange encom;~assing a respective contact lens receiving cavity formed therein, the latter of which may be offset towards one end c~f the flange, and may incorporate integral support structure formulating rigidly supported and coanpact packaging arrangements such that the cavities containing the hydrophilic contact lenses of superimposed arrays are substantially protected against potentially damaging external influences, such as shocks or impacts which may :be imparted thereto during handling thereof.
~~0 Each molded plastic base member of a blister package may be constituted from a suitable injection molded or thermoformed thermoplastic sheet material, such as, for instance, polypropylene, PET, PC and other thermoplastic, materials; whereas the flexible cover sheet may be constituted of a laminate or other type of barrier material, as mentioned hereinabove, suitably imprinted and which is adapted to be heat-sealed to the flange extending about the cavity of the package containing the hydrophilic contact lens. The flexible cover sheet may be of a material composition and imprinted in a novel manner as is disclosed in EP-A-0 64G 471, entitled "Method of Double-Sided Printing of a Laminate and Product Obtained Thereby", commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application.
More particularly, the invention provides A
package arrangement for the sealed containment of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution; comprising: (a) a plurality of injection molded or thermoformed plastic base members each of them having a cavity for containing a Contact Lens immersed in said solution, each of said base members including a flange extending outraardly about the periphery of said cavity, said cavity consisting of an indentation extending from the plane of said flange of said each base member and a continuous groove formed in the plane of said flange and extending closely inwardly of the peripheral edge of said flange; and (b) a flex~.ble cover sheet superimposed over said base members and dimensioned to be detachably sealed to a surface area of said flange extending about said cavity and including said cover sheet having the portions thereof located in alignment with said peripheral groove depressed into said groove so as to foam a clamping engagement with said flange coextensive raith said continuous groove, said flexible cover sheet being dimensioned to interconnect said plurality of said base members in a striplike array for the containment of a specified number of said contact lenses arranged one in each cavity of each of said base members, and said flexible cover sheet commonly extending - 6a -avex said plurality of base members and being sealingly connected to each said flange of respectively each said base member.
Tn many instances, when arrays of blister packages are formed, in essence, with the base members having the cavities therein containing the hydrophilic contact lenses, the individual base members are positioned on a production line so as not to be in direct.
contact with each other or only in a closely spaced relationship, whereby the superposition thereon of the flexible cover sheet is implemented through apparatus which does not always accurately position the cover sheet over the collective sequentially spaced blister package ba$e members. Consequently, although the surfaces of thc:
flexible cover sheets facing the individual base mettibers may provide adequate sealing adherence about the periphery or confines of the cavities containing the contact lenses, it may be necessary to provide engagement with at least peripheral surface portions of the flanges extending in spaced relationship about the cavities to form essentially closed and peripherally sealed blister packages without the need for the provision of adhesive materials.
In order to achieve the foregoing sealing or joining effect between the base members and the flexible cover sheet, each of the base members as described hereinbelow may have the peripheral edges of the flange suxface provided with a continuously extending groove or recess extending pxoxzmate the periphery thereof, so as to enable a pressure die having a configuration complementary to the shape of the groove to force ~1 ~i'3i~'~
_7_ superimposed flexible cover sheet. into sealing engagement with the peripheral groove. Thereafter, the cover sheet may be trimmed and severed to form individual blister packages while permitting the material of the flexible cover sheet which is engaged in the flange groove to form a sealing adherence with the groove wall structure. A
corner of the package may be reduced in size in order to more easily enable grasping of the li.d or cover sheet so as to start the removal thereof from the package. This 1.0 will enable the formation of the individual blister packages, each containing respectively one of the hydrophilic contact. lenses without the need of having to precisely position 'the continuous flexible cover sheet over the sequence o:E blister. packages being produced.
1.5 Although the foregoing is described with regard to blister packages each containing a hydrophilic contact lens in a generally semi-spherical cavity, this inventive concept is equally appli~:a~>1e to blister packages having the cavity in the shape of a generally rectangular c.0 configuration with one upwardly sloping ramp surface as shown in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4,691,820 to Martinet. In that .instance, it is also possible to form a peripheral groove in the edge portion of the flange surface extending about the :rectangular confines of the 25 base member so as to enable. the pressure die to force the material of the fle:~cible cover sheet into engagement with the peripheral groove, thereby forming a sealing connection with the base member. fhe groove additionally serves to prevent the foil or material of the cover sheet 30 from extending beyond the edges of the blister package or base member which, swonceivably, could cause dams to occur in downstream processing equipment during production. An embossing die which tucks the cover sheet material into the peripheral groove on the base member is chamfered at 35 one corner so as not to tuck the material into the groove as far at that location. This serves as the point at which the user may grasp the flexible cover sheet and detach and remove it from the base member. A tip of embossing die is designed to "iron out" wrinkles that form naturally during the actual pressing of the foil.
In other words, simply tucking foil will cause wrinkling, but this die deforms (draws) the material during insertion so that no wrinkles appear.
Accordingly, i~ is an object of the present invention to provide a novel construction for blister 1.0 packages each containing a cavity housing a hydrophilic contact lens immersed in are aqueous solution, whereby a flexible cover sheet is adhered to periphery of a flange of the base portion of the blister package through interengaging surface structure of the components.
1.5 A more specific: abject of the present invention is to provide blister packages for the containment of hydrophilic contact lenses, wherein a planar flange structure of a base member of the package has a peripheral groove formed therein and extending along the 20 edges thereof, into which groove there may be sealingly engaged the materia:L of a flexible saver sheet to provide an attachment of the cover sheet to the base member, while preventing the material from extending beyond the edges of the base member through imparting a reduced size 25 to a corner of the package to mate with a particular section of the emboss i.ng die .
Yet. another object of the present invention is to provide a method of attaching a flexible cover sheet to a flange portion of a base member f_ar a blister 30 package through effectuating a mechanical sealing engagement between the material of the flexible cover sheet and a groove structure formed in the flange.
BRIEF' DBSCRIPT~ON OF THE D ~,AWI~iGS
35 Reference rnay ~zow be ha~i to the following !~ .~ ~J ~i detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a top plan view of a base portion of a blister package base member pursuant to the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of the base member;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the base J.0 member;
Figure 4 illustrates an end view of the base member;
Figure 5 illustrates a sectianal view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 1~
7.5 Figure 6 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a fragmentary view of the edge portion of the base member shown in the encircled pardon .A of Figure 5;
Figure 7 illustrates a typical pressure die which is adapted to force the material of a flexible a'.0 cover sheet into a peripheral groove formed in the base member of the blister package;
Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged sectional fragmentary view taken in the encircled pardon B of Figure 7: and a'.5 Figure 9 illustrates, generally diagrammatically, the blister package of Figure l, shown with the cover sheet adhered thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
:30 Referring now in specific detail to an embodiment of a blister package construction, there is illustrated a base member :LO, as shown in Figure 1, which has a planar flange 1~ of generally rectangular configuration in plan view, and which possess rounded end .35 corners 14, although if desired it is also possible to produce the flange 12 with sharp end corners.
-Offset towards one end of the f:Lange 12 is a cavity 16 which, in this instance, is of generally semi-circular configuration and which .is adapted to receive therein a hydrophilic contact. lens whzich i:; izrzzx~ersed in a sterile 5 saline solution, a5 is well known .ire the technology.
Molded into the ~alanar flange 12 proximate the cavity 16 is an indentation or depression 18, which may be of a generally frusto-conical planar configuration, which is coextensive and spaced from the perimeter of the J_0 cavity 16, and wherein the depre;~s.ion 18 is formed primarily for the purpose of reinforcing the planar flange 12 and to strengthen the latter against lateral deflection tending to break the seal about the cavity 16 formed with a cover sheet. Imparting pressure against J_5 the flexible cover material in this xegion may also assist in detaching the former f-_rom its engagement with the base member.
Formed along the periphery of the rectangular flange 12 and slightly offset inwardly of the edge thereof is a continuous peripheral groove 24 which imparts a stiffening strengthening tca the structure of the flange, with an increased radius at one or two corners 14a to allow the user to attain an easier grip on the lid or flexible cover :sheet. 'i~he peripheral groove 24 is adapted to be covered, as is the remaining flange surface, by a flexible cover sheet ofthe type as described hereinabove, and whereby the surface of the flexible cover sheet extending about the cavity 16 containing the contact lens is adhesively fastened thereto.
In order to provide a sealing or clamping engagement between the surface of the flange 12 facing flexible cover sheet and the latter, a suitable pressure die 30 having a protrusion 32 coexteri.sive with the perimeter of the groove in the flange 12 is forced downwardly into engagement with the surface of the flexible cover sheet so as to force the material thereof 21 ~ 3~'~~
11 ~-into the groove extending clang the perimeter of the flange of the blister package base member. fhe width and depth of the groove is dimensioned to cause a clamping engagement to take place w.~.th the flexible cover sheet material which is forced therein by the die 30, so as to essentially provide a mechanical sealing engagement between the cover sheet and the flange 12 of the blister package base member within the confines of the peripheral groove.
J.0 In case of an embodiment in which the material of the cover sheet forms arc interconnecting strip with portions thereof located externally of the perimeter of the blister package. base member, such material may be severed or suitable weakening lines formed therein in 1.5 order to form a continuous array or strip of a predetermined number of detachably interconnected blister packages.
With respect to the foregoing, although the invention has been described with regard to a blister 20 package having a generally semi-spherical cavity 16 for receiving a contact lens, it is also equally applicable to the flange structure disclosed in (J.S. Patent No.
4,691,820 to Martinet by simply molding a groove into the peripheral edge portion of the generally rectangular 25 flange portion of the base member. 'his will enable the material of the flexible cover sheet to be pressed into the groove by means of the pressure die, as described hereinabove, and which will provide for a sealing engagement analogous to that in the previously described ..0 embodiment .
From the foregoing it becomes readily apparent that by means of the invention incorporating the peripheral groove in the flange portion of a base member for a blister package, through a sample cooperating 35 pressure die structure, it is possible to cause the superimposed flexible cover sheet to come into clampingly sealing engagement with the peripheral groove in the -- 12 ~-2 ~ 73~~~
flange portion to resultingly form a mechanical seal between the flexible cover sheet and the periphery of the base member of the blister package. This will enable the production of blister packages in a continuous and sequential manner witYzout t:.he necesity for having to consider minor deviations and tolerances in the positioning of the flexible c~ovei: sheet over subsequent or sequentia7.ly produced blister packages, inasmuch as the latter will always be aligned in ~oaperation with the 1.0 pressure die superimposed thereover for the formation of the sealing engagement w:itY~ tYie groove in the base member.
While there has been shown and described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the 1.5 invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Tt is, therefore, intended that t:he invention be not limited to the exact form and detail herein shown c.0 and described, nor to anytYaing less than the whole of the invention herein di;~closed as hereinafter claimed.
CROSS~REFERE19C8 TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
1_ Field of the IAVentlQrl The present invention relates to a packaging nrrdrigement for the containment of at least one hydrophilic Contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution.
More specifically, the invention pertains to a packaging arrangemstit wherein a plurala.ty of disposable hydrophilic contact lenses are contained in a specific number of individual packaging arrangements adapted to lee I
collectively housed in a box-like container or carton so as to provide a specified or essentially measured. supply Of contact lErises for use by a COnSUmer over a 2fl predetermined per~.od of time _ In particular, the invention is directed to the aspect of prov~,ding an improved attachment between the '-' base members of blister packages housing the contact lexlses, and a fXexible cover sheet utilized for sealing engagement with the base members_ The packaging of hydrophilic contact lerise% is a sterile aqueous solution is well knov~rn in the contact lens manufacturing technology. Its particular, such packaging arrangements generally consist of so-called blister packages which are employQd for the storage and dispensing of the hydrophilic contact lenses by a medical practitioner or to consumer who intends to wear the contact lenses_ Generally, such hydrophilic contact lenses, which may be disposable after a single wear or short-term use, are manufactured rom suitable hydrophilic polymer~.C materials- These materials may be, ~ongst others, copolymers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate containing from about 20~ to 90~ or more of watery depending upon the polymer composition. Generally, such contact lenses must. be stored ir-r a sterile aqueous solution, usually in isotonic saline solution in order to prevent dehydration and to maint:a.in the lenses in a ready-to-wear condi.tian.
2. Discussion of the Pr~.or Art Heretofore, contact. lens manufacturers normally 7.0 utilized stoppered glass bottles containing sterile saline solutions in which the hydrophilic contact lenses were immersed as storage and shipping containers for individual contact lenses. Each bottle was sealed with a suitable silicone stopper and provided with a metal 1.5 closure as a safety seal ir3 the configuration of an overcap. When the ~~ontact lens was intended to be removed from the bottle for use by a patient, the metal closure safety seal was required to be initially torn off the bottle, thereafter the stopper withdrawn and the lens c;0 lifted out from the bottle through the intermediary of a suitable plastic tweeter or ;pouring the contents out.
This entailed the implementation of an extremely complicated procedure, sine°e the cant.act lens was difficult to grasp and remCwe from the saline solution 25 contained in the bottle due to the transparent nature of the contact lens which rendered it practically invisible to the human eye.
More recently, containments in the form of blister packages have been developed for hydrophilic 30 contact lenses, and which enable the storage and shipping of the hydrophilic contact lenses in a simple and inexpensive expedient manner, while concurrently facilitating the conveniently easy removal of the contact lens by a practitioner or a patient.
~~5 For instance, a k~lister package which is adapted to provide a sterile sealed storage environment for a disposable or single-use hydrophilic contact lens, wherein the lens is imm87CSed in a sterile aquAOUs solution; for example, such as in an isotonic sa~,~.ne solution, is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,691,820 to Martinea; which is assigned-to ,the common.~.s.i~xnee of the pxesent applicatioa~. . .._ .~_ . ____ __ .-. _...
Thus, in the above-mentioned Martinet U.S.
patent, the blister package for storing and dispensing a hydrophilic contact lens ineludeS an injection-molded or thermoformed plastic base portion inGOrpoxatiag a molded cavity which is surrounded by ari outstanding planar ,.,. flange about th~ xxm of the cavity_ A flexible cover shee'~ is adhered to the surface of -the flange so as to sealinc~ly enclose the cavity in a generally liquid-tight mode_ Within the cavity of the base portion, a hydrophilic contact lens is immersed ~.n a sterile aqueou:c solution, such as an isotonic saline soltttion_ A portion of the side wall of the cavity is inCiined to form a ramp extending upwardly towards the flange from the bottom of the cavity, ~snd the cover sheet is adapted tp be stripped from the flange in ordex to expose the cavity and inclined side wall thereof whereupon the lens may bE
___... readily manually removed by being slid upwardly and out of the cavity t~long the inclined ramp surface of the cavzty._ _. .._ _-__ .__ ._ _. .__--.. . . __-.-_ _._ ..__ Other known embodiments of hl~.ster packages have the lens-containing cavity shaped to be of an essentially semi-spherical configuration whi.eh is dimensioned so as to ~'e adapted to closely support the contact lens therein immersed in an aqueous solution for ease of removal and also to facil~.tate an inspection pxocess. Moreover, the foregoing construction primarily considers the utilizatior~ of such blister packages for the dispensing of individual contact lenses, with such blister packages being ord:i.narily separate or. single packagings, which may then be housed in larger quantities in a further container, suG:h as a ~i.gid cardboard or paperboard carton of usual construction employed for the retail sales of the lenses.
It is an important aspect to be able to furnish a user of such disposable hydrophilic contact lenses with a specific supply of contact lenses, the latter of which 7.0 are normally worn for only a single day; in essence, for ordinarily 8 to 18 hours within a 24-hour period and thereafter discarded. Hereby, the packaging of a supply of contact lenses should enable the user to store and provide indication for replenishing the supply of contact 1.5 lenses at regular intervals; for example, at periads of 5, 10, 15, 30 days or even longer. Consequently, provision is made for packaging arrangements including specified quantities of such hydrophilic contact lenses contained in blister packages, such as being in suitable 20 interconnected arrays, wherein these packaging arrangements are adapted tca be boxed in a carton enabling a rapid and precise determination as to the quantity of hydrophilic contact lenses contained therein, and with such packaging arrangements being of a compact nature 25 which is completely protective of the hydrophilic lenses.
~iTMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In essence, the inventive concept pertains to packaging arrangements in which a plurality of blister ?0 packages each has a cavity containing respectively one hydrophilic contact lens ir°~ a ster:a.le aqueous solution, A specified quantity of such blister packages has the molded plastic base members thereof each containing a contact lens positioned in a contiguous array, and is ~t5 initially covered by a single flexible cover sheet ~ 1 i~~i~~~,~
constituted of a laminated foil or other materials, such as metallized PET, PC to enhance barrier properties, or a layer of the laminate structure including silicon oxide on a plastic laminate to provide barrier properties in order to provide a sealed environment for each of the contact lenses contained in the c:av~.t:y formed in each base member. The flexible cover sheet may be dimensioned to cover a single base member to provide an individual or single packaging arrangement, or, in an alternative 7.0 concept, may be in the fcarm of str ps whereby adjoining base members are severable interconnected to enable the dispensing of individual blister packages each containing one of the hydrophilic contact lenses as may be required by a user. In particular, a plurality of such arrays of packaging arrangements for contact lenses, which arrays or individual blister packages are adapted to be arranged in one or more containers.
Each of t:he blister package base members, which may possess a substantially rectangular outstanding planar flange encom;~assing a respective contact lens receiving cavity formed therein, the latter of which may be offset towards one end c~f the flange, and may incorporate integral support structure formulating rigidly supported and coanpact packaging arrangements such that the cavities containing the hydrophilic contact lenses of superimposed arrays are substantially protected against potentially damaging external influences, such as shocks or impacts which may :be imparted thereto during handling thereof.
~~0 Each molded plastic base member of a blister package may be constituted from a suitable injection molded or thermoformed thermoplastic sheet material, such as, for instance, polypropylene, PET, PC and other thermoplastic, materials; whereas the flexible cover sheet may be constituted of a laminate or other type of barrier material, as mentioned hereinabove, suitably imprinted and which is adapted to be heat-sealed to the flange extending about the cavity of the package containing the hydrophilic contact lens. The flexible cover sheet may be of a material composition and imprinted in a novel manner as is disclosed in EP-A-0 64G 471, entitled "Method of Double-Sided Printing of a Laminate and Product Obtained Thereby", commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application.
More particularly, the invention provides A
package arrangement for the sealed containment of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution; comprising: (a) a plurality of injection molded or thermoformed plastic base members each of them having a cavity for containing a Contact Lens immersed in said solution, each of said base members including a flange extending outraardly about the periphery of said cavity, said cavity consisting of an indentation extending from the plane of said flange of said each base member and a continuous groove formed in the plane of said flange and extending closely inwardly of the peripheral edge of said flange; and (b) a flex~.ble cover sheet superimposed over said base members and dimensioned to be detachably sealed to a surface area of said flange extending about said cavity and including said cover sheet having the portions thereof located in alignment with said peripheral groove depressed into said groove so as to foam a clamping engagement with said flange coextensive raith said continuous groove, said flexible cover sheet being dimensioned to interconnect said plurality of said base members in a striplike array for the containment of a specified number of said contact lenses arranged one in each cavity of each of said base members, and said flexible cover sheet commonly extending - 6a -avex said plurality of base members and being sealingly connected to each said flange of respectively each said base member.
Tn many instances, when arrays of blister packages are formed, in essence, with the base members having the cavities therein containing the hydrophilic contact lenses, the individual base members are positioned on a production line so as not to be in direct.
contact with each other or only in a closely spaced relationship, whereby the superposition thereon of the flexible cover sheet is implemented through apparatus which does not always accurately position the cover sheet over the collective sequentially spaced blister package ba$e members. Consequently, although the surfaces of thc:
flexible cover sheets facing the individual base mettibers may provide adequate sealing adherence about the periphery or confines of the cavities containing the contact lenses, it may be necessary to provide engagement with at least peripheral surface portions of the flanges extending in spaced relationship about the cavities to form essentially closed and peripherally sealed blister packages without the need for the provision of adhesive materials.
In order to achieve the foregoing sealing or joining effect between the base members and the flexible cover sheet, each of the base members as described hereinbelow may have the peripheral edges of the flange suxface provided with a continuously extending groove or recess extending pxoxzmate the periphery thereof, so as to enable a pressure die having a configuration complementary to the shape of the groove to force ~1 ~i'3i~'~
_7_ superimposed flexible cover sheet. into sealing engagement with the peripheral groove. Thereafter, the cover sheet may be trimmed and severed to form individual blister packages while permitting the material of the flexible cover sheet which is engaged in the flange groove to form a sealing adherence with the groove wall structure. A
corner of the package may be reduced in size in order to more easily enable grasping of the li.d or cover sheet so as to start the removal thereof from the package. This 1.0 will enable the formation of the individual blister packages, each containing respectively one of the hydrophilic contact. lenses without the need of having to precisely position 'the continuous flexible cover sheet over the sequence o:E blister. packages being produced.
1.5 Although the foregoing is described with regard to blister packages each containing a hydrophilic contact lens in a generally semi-spherical cavity, this inventive concept is equally appli~:a~>1e to blister packages having the cavity in the shape of a generally rectangular c.0 configuration with one upwardly sloping ramp surface as shown in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4,691,820 to Martinet. In that .instance, it is also possible to form a peripheral groove in the edge portion of the flange surface extending about the :rectangular confines of the 25 base member so as to enable. the pressure die to force the material of the fle:~cible cover sheet into engagement with the peripheral groove, thereby forming a sealing connection with the base member. fhe groove additionally serves to prevent the foil or material of the cover sheet 30 from extending beyond the edges of the blister package or base member which, swonceivably, could cause dams to occur in downstream processing equipment during production. An embossing die which tucks the cover sheet material into the peripheral groove on the base member is chamfered at 35 one corner so as not to tuck the material into the groove as far at that location. This serves as the point at which the user may grasp the flexible cover sheet and detach and remove it from the base member. A tip of embossing die is designed to "iron out" wrinkles that form naturally during the actual pressing of the foil.
In other words, simply tucking foil will cause wrinkling, but this die deforms (draws) the material during insertion so that no wrinkles appear.
Accordingly, i~ is an object of the present invention to provide a novel construction for blister 1.0 packages each containing a cavity housing a hydrophilic contact lens immersed in are aqueous solution, whereby a flexible cover sheet is adhered to periphery of a flange of the base portion of the blister package through interengaging surface structure of the components.
1.5 A more specific: abject of the present invention is to provide blister packages for the containment of hydrophilic contact lenses, wherein a planar flange structure of a base member of the package has a peripheral groove formed therein and extending along the 20 edges thereof, into which groove there may be sealingly engaged the materia:L of a flexible saver sheet to provide an attachment of the cover sheet to the base member, while preventing the material from extending beyond the edges of the base member through imparting a reduced size 25 to a corner of the package to mate with a particular section of the emboss i.ng die .
Yet. another object of the present invention is to provide a method of attaching a flexible cover sheet to a flange portion of a base member f_ar a blister 30 package through effectuating a mechanical sealing engagement between the material of the flexible cover sheet and a groove structure formed in the flange.
BRIEF' DBSCRIPT~ON OF THE D ~,AWI~iGS
35 Reference rnay ~zow be ha~i to the following !~ .~ ~J ~i detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a top plan view of a base portion of a blister package base member pursuant to the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of the base member;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the base J.0 member;
Figure 4 illustrates an end view of the base member;
Figure 5 illustrates a sectianal view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 1~
7.5 Figure 6 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a fragmentary view of the edge portion of the base member shown in the encircled pardon .A of Figure 5;
Figure 7 illustrates a typical pressure die which is adapted to force the material of a flexible a'.0 cover sheet into a peripheral groove formed in the base member of the blister package;
Figure 8 illustrates an enlarged sectional fragmentary view taken in the encircled pardon B of Figure 7: and a'.5 Figure 9 illustrates, generally diagrammatically, the blister package of Figure l, shown with the cover sheet adhered thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
:30 Referring now in specific detail to an embodiment of a blister package construction, there is illustrated a base member :LO, as shown in Figure 1, which has a planar flange 1~ of generally rectangular configuration in plan view, and which possess rounded end .35 corners 14, although if desired it is also possible to produce the flange 12 with sharp end corners.
-Offset towards one end of the f:Lange 12 is a cavity 16 which, in this instance, is of generally semi-circular configuration and which .is adapted to receive therein a hydrophilic contact. lens whzich i:; izrzzx~ersed in a sterile 5 saline solution, a5 is well known .ire the technology.
Molded into the ~alanar flange 12 proximate the cavity 16 is an indentation or depression 18, which may be of a generally frusto-conical planar configuration, which is coextensive and spaced from the perimeter of the J_0 cavity 16, and wherein the depre;~s.ion 18 is formed primarily for the purpose of reinforcing the planar flange 12 and to strengthen the latter against lateral deflection tending to break the seal about the cavity 16 formed with a cover sheet. Imparting pressure against J_5 the flexible cover material in this xegion may also assist in detaching the former f-_rom its engagement with the base member.
Formed along the periphery of the rectangular flange 12 and slightly offset inwardly of the edge thereof is a continuous peripheral groove 24 which imparts a stiffening strengthening tca the structure of the flange, with an increased radius at one or two corners 14a to allow the user to attain an easier grip on the lid or flexible cover :sheet. 'i~he peripheral groove 24 is adapted to be covered, as is the remaining flange surface, by a flexible cover sheet ofthe type as described hereinabove, and whereby the surface of the flexible cover sheet extending about the cavity 16 containing the contact lens is adhesively fastened thereto.
In order to provide a sealing or clamping engagement between the surface of the flange 12 facing flexible cover sheet and the latter, a suitable pressure die 30 having a protrusion 32 coexteri.sive with the perimeter of the groove in the flange 12 is forced downwardly into engagement with the surface of the flexible cover sheet so as to force the material thereof 21 ~ 3~'~~
11 ~-into the groove extending clang the perimeter of the flange of the blister package base member. fhe width and depth of the groove is dimensioned to cause a clamping engagement to take place w.~.th the flexible cover sheet material which is forced therein by the die 30, so as to essentially provide a mechanical sealing engagement between the cover sheet and the flange 12 of the blister package base member within the confines of the peripheral groove.
J.0 In case of an embodiment in which the material of the cover sheet forms arc interconnecting strip with portions thereof located externally of the perimeter of the blister package. base member, such material may be severed or suitable weakening lines formed therein in 1.5 order to form a continuous array or strip of a predetermined number of detachably interconnected blister packages.
With respect to the foregoing, although the invention has been described with regard to a blister 20 package having a generally semi-spherical cavity 16 for receiving a contact lens, it is also equally applicable to the flange structure disclosed in (J.S. Patent No.
4,691,820 to Martinet by simply molding a groove into the peripheral edge portion of the generally rectangular 25 flange portion of the base member. 'his will enable the material of the flexible cover sheet to be pressed into the groove by means of the pressure die, as described hereinabove, and which will provide for a sealing engagement analogous to that in the previously described ..0 embodiment .
From the foregoing it becomes readily apparent that by means of the invention incorporating the peripheral groove in the flange portion of a base member for a blister package, through a sample cooperating 35 pressure die structure, it is possible to cause the superimposed flexible cover sheet to come into clampingly sealing engagement with the peripheral groove in the -- 12 ~-2 ~ 73~~~
flange portion to resultingly form a mechanical seal between the flexible cover sheet and the periphery of the base member of the blister package. This will enable the production of blister packages in a continuous and sequential manner witYzout t:.he necesity for having to consider minor deviations and tolerances in the positioning of the flexible c~ovei: sheet over subsequent or sequentia7.ly produced blister packages, inasmuch as the latter will always be aligned in ~oaperation with the 1.0 pressure die superimposed thereover for the formation of the sealing engagement w:itY~ tYie groove in the base member.
While there has been shown and described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the 1.5 invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Tt is, therefore, intended that t:he invention be not limited to the exact form and detail herein shown c.0 and described, nor to anytYaing less than the whole of the invention herein di;~closed as hereinafter claimed.
Claims (8)
1. ~A package arrangement for the sealed containment of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution; comprising:
(a) a plurality of injection molded or thermaformed plastic base members each of them having a cavity for containing a contact lens immersed in said solution, each of said base members including a flange extending outwardly about the periphery of said cavity, said cavity consisting of an indentation extending from the plane of said flange of said each base member and a continuous groove formed in the plane of said flange and extending closely inwardly of the peripheral edge of said flange; and (b) a flexible cover sheet superimposed over said base members and dimensioned to be detachably sealed to a surface area of said flange extending about said cavity and including said cover sheet having the portions thereof located in alignment with said peripheral groove~
depressed into said groove so as to form a clamping~
engagement with said flange coextensive with said continuous groove said flexible cover sheet being dimensioned to interconnect said plurality of said base members in a striplike array for the containment of a specified number of said contact lenses arranged one in each cavity of each of said base members, and said flexible cover sheet commonly extending over said plurality of base members and being sealingly connected to each said flange of respectively each said base member.
(a) a plurality of injection molded or thermaformed plastic base members each of them having a cavity for containing a contact lens immersed in said solution, each of said base members including a flange extending outwardly about the periphery of said cavity, said cavity consisting of an indentation extending from the plane of said flange of said each base member and a continuous groove formed in the plane of said flange and extending closely inwardly of the peripheral edge of said flange; and (b) a flexible cover sheet superimposed over said base members and dimensioned to be detachably sealed to a surface area of said flange extending about said cavity and including said cover sheet having the portions thereof located in alignment with said peripheral groove~
depressed into said groove so as to form a clamping~
engagement with said flange coextensive with said continuous groove said flexible cover sheet being dimensioned to interconnect said plurality of said base members in a striplike array for the containment of a specified number of said contact lenses arranged one in each cavity of each of said base members, and said flexible cover sheet commonly extending over said plurality of base members and being sealingly connected to each said flange of respectively each said base member.
2. The packaging arrangement of claim 1, wherein said flexible cover sheet has an expanse which is dimensioned to be within the confines of the peripheral edges of said base members.
3. The packaging arrangement of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said packaging arrangement comprises individual blisters each containing a single contact lens.
4. The packaging arrangement of claim 1, wherein said flexible cover sheet is adapted to connect said plurality of base members in a coplanar array.
5. The packaging arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said flexible cover sheet has a substantially rectangular configuration.
6. The packaging arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said flange is rectangular and the cavity in sand molded plastic base member is offset towards one edge of said flange within the peripheral confines of said continuous groove.
7. The packaging arrangement of any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said flange has a generally planar surface configuration facing said superimposed cover sheet in contacting relationship.
8. The packaging arrangement of claim 7, wherein a seal is formed between said cover sheet and the planar surface of said flange sealingly encompassing the peripheral edge of said cavity.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US41451495A | 1995-03-31 | 1995-03-31 | |
| US08/414,514 | 1995-03-31 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2173099A1 CA2173099A1 (en) | 1996-10-01 |
| CA2173099C true CA2173099C (en) | 2006-09-12 |
Family
ID=23641782
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002173099A Expired - Lifetime CA2173099C (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1996-03-29 | Packaging arrangement for contact lenses |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0734964B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP4030609B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE210056T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU704826B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2173099C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69617505T2 (en) |
| SG (1) | SG52616A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW377331B (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5704468A (en) * | 1995-09-29 | 1998-01-06 | Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc. | Packaging arrangement for contact lenses |
| US6531432B2 (en) * | 2000-12-07 | 2003-03-11 | Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. | Contact lens packaging solutions |
| JP4749614B2 (en) * | 2001-07-17 | 2011-08-17 | 株式会社メニコン | Ophthalmic lens container |
| WO2004103255A2 (en) * | 2003-05-20 | 2004-12-02 | Smithkline Beecham Corporation | Child resistant blister packages utilizing walled structures enclosing medicament therein |
| NZ577307A (en) * | 2009-05-29 | 2010-09-30 | Frederick Michael Coory | Improvements in encapsulation |
| JP5544051B2 (en) * | 2011-12-26 | 2014-07-09 | 株式会社メニコン | Contact lens packaging container and method of stacking contact lens packaging containers |
| AT515791B1 (en) * | 2014-10-21 | 2015-12-15 | Forstner Bernhard Dr | blister |
| US11782297B2 (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2023-10-10 | Coopervision International Limited | Dimpled contact lens |
| GB2619575A (en) * | 2022-12-12 | 2023-12-13 | Coopervision Int Ltd | A packaged contact lens |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1235347A (en) * | 1967-12-20 | 1971-06-09 | Jintan Terumo Company Ltd | A method of enclosing an article in a container |
| US4691820A (en) * | 1985-11-18 | 1987-09-08 | Vistakon, Inc. | Package for hydrophilic contact lens |
| GB8806274D0 (en) * | 1988-03-16 | 1988-04-13 | Plastona Waddington Ltd John | Improvements relating to packaging |
| NZ250453A (en) * | 1992-12-21 | 1996-12-20 | Johnson & Johnson Vision Prod | Ophthalmic lens package; planar surface with concave bowl for containing lens, sealing sheet covering bowl with lens therein |
| US5697495A (en) * | 1993-11-02 | 1997-12-16 | Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc. | Packaging arrangement for contact lenses |
-
1996
- 1996-03-29 AT AT96302226T patent/ATE210056T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-03-29 EP EP96302226A patent/EP0734964B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-03-29 SG SG1996006883A patent/SG52616A1/en unknown
- 1996-03-29 JP JP11179696A patent/JP4030609B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-03-29 DE DE69617505T patent/DE69617505T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-03-29 AU AU50391/96A patent/AU704826B2/en not_active Expired
- 1996-03-29 CA CA002173099A patent/CA2173099C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-05-27 TW TW085106249A patent/TW377331B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69617505T2 (en) | 2002-07-18 |
| JPH0947312A (en) | 1997-02-18 |
| JP4030609B2 (en) | 2008-01-09 |
| CA2173099A1 (en) | 1996-10-01 |
| AU704826B2 (en) | 1999-05-06 |
| AU5039196A (en) | 1996-10-10 |
| DE69617505D1 (en) | 2002-01-17 |
| EP0734964B1 (en) | 2001-12-05 |
| TW377331B (en) | 1999-12-21 |
| EP0734964A1 (en) | 1996-10-02 |
| SG52616A1 (en) | 1998-09-28 |
| ATE210056T1 (en) | 2001-12-15 |
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Legal Events
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20160329 |