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WO1997018997A1 - Emballage distributeur destine a des plaquettes individuelles pour lentilles de contact - Google Patents

Emballage distributeur destine a des plaquettes individuelles pour lentilles de contact Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997018997A1
WO1997018997A1 PCT/EP1996/004813 EP9604813W WO9718997A1 WO 1997018997 A1 WO1997018997 A1 WO 1997018997A1 EP 9604813 W EP9604813 W EP 9604813W WO 9718997 A1 WO9718997 A1 WO 9718997A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
secondary package
individual
package
digital access
stabilizing
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP1996/004813
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Francis John Lovell
Mary-Ann Klassen
Andrea Falck Brasfield
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Novartis AG
Original Assignee
Ciba Geigy AG
Novartis AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ciba Geigy AG, Novartis AG filed Critical Ciba Geigy AG
Priority to AU75646/96A priority Critical patent/AU7564696A/en
Publication of WO1997018997A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997018997A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
    • B65D5/725—Incised or pre-scored openings or windows provided in the side wall of containers
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates broadly to ophthalmic lens packaging technology. More specifically, this invention relates to the contact lens packaging art.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,409,104 assigned to Ciba-Geigy Corporation and issued to inventor Lovell on April 25, 1995, discloses an especially advantageous individual contact lens package.
  • the contact lens package has improved access and handling features.
  • the package includes a container defining a storage reservoir and having a peripheral outwardly-extending flange, a cover for affixation to the container to provide a liquid- impermeable seal, improved means for grasping and stabilizing the container, and improved means for grasping the cover when opening.
  • Individual contact lens containers as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,409,104 may be conveniently shipped from the manufacturer in a secondary package which holds a number of individual contact lens containers. Convenience and efficiency dictate that eye care professionals will desire to store, display and dispense the individual contact lens containers in the secondary package which is shipped from the manufacturer.
  • the ability to store in, display in and dispense from a secondary package places certain requirements on the secondary package.
  • the secondary package should provide ease of manual access in order for the eye care practitioner to grasp the individual lens container.
  • the secondary package should be stabilized or immobilized during the manual removal of the individual lens container.
  • the secondary package should hold the individual lens containers in an orderly fashion, preferably allowing only one individual lens container to be removed at one time.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a secondary package which is capable of holding and maintaining orientation of a plurality of individual contact lens packages, and which allows only one individual lens container to be dispensed at one time.
  • Another object of the invention is to improve the stability of a secondary package, which holds a plurality of individual contact lens containers, during the removal of an individual contact lens container from the secondary package.
  • a further object of the invention is to improve the accessibility of individual ophthalmic lens containers, especially contact lens containers, in a secondary package holding a plurality of individual contact lens containers.
  • One embodiment of the present invention is a secondary package for holding a plurality of individual ophthalmic lens containers.
  • the secondary package includes a means for manually removing a portion of the package to establish a limited access opening.
  • the limited access opening includes a portion sized and shaped to allow digital access; a dispensing portion sized and shaped to allow removal of an individual tens container therefrom and to prevent a plurality of individual lens containers from being removed at one time; and a stabilizing portion sized and shaped to mate with an external stabilizing means.
  • the external stabilizing means is capable of retaining the secondary package in a secure position during removal of an individual lens container.
  • the preferred lens is a contact lens.
  • Another embodiment of the invention is a secondary package for holding a plurality of individual ophthalmic lens containers, comprising a limited access opening.
  • the limited access opening includes a portion which is sized and shaped to allow digital access; a dispensing portion which is sized and shaped to allow removal of an individual lens container therefrom and to prevent a plurality of individual lens containers from being removed at one time; and a stabilizing portion which is sized and shaped to mate with an external stabilizing means.
  • the external stabilizing means is capable of retaining the secondary package in a secure position during removal of an individual lens container.
  • FIG. 1 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an assembled secondary package of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the assembled embodiment of the secondary package of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 1 , with the secondary package mated with a display case.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment in a two-dimensional unassembled position.
  • an "ophthalmic lens”, as used herein, means a lens designed for intimate contact with the eye or ocular environment, which includes, without limitation thereto, contact lenses for vision correction, intraocular lenses, lenses for drug delivery, lenses for color modification, and the like.
  • the innovative secondary package of the present invention is adapted to hold a plurality of individual ophthalmic lens containers.
  • the secondary package holds from about 3 to 10 individual lens containers.
  • the secondary package includes a portion which is removable to establish a limited access opening.
  • the limited access opening includes a digital access portion sized and shaped to allow digital access, a dispensing portion sized and shaped to allow removal of an individual lens container therefrom and to prevent a plurality of individual lens containers from being removed at one time, and a stabilizing portion sized and shaped to mate with an external stabilizing means.
  • the external stabilizing means is capable of retaining the secondary package substantially immobile in a position adjacent to the stabilizing means during removal of an individual lens container.
  • the limited access opening includes three portions which, separately and/or in combination, function to (a) provide a means for displaying the individual contact lens containers housed in the secondary package, (b) provide a means for accessing, grasping and manually removing the individual lens containers one at a time, and (c) provide a means for stabilizing the secondary package in a display case, especially during periods of instability during which an individual lens container is being removed from the secondary package.
  • FIG 1 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an assembled secondary package of the present invention.
  • Secondary package 10 has an access opening which includes portion 12 which is sized and shaped to allow for ease of digital access "Digital access”, as used herein, refers to the ability to insert a human finger, or portion thereof, into an opening for manipulation of objects inside the openmg Digital access portion 12 is defined by periphery 14 which is preferably curved in shape for easy access by a human finger Digital access portion 12 is also preferably located centrally with respect to sides 16, which sides are essentially perpendicular to the long axes of the individual contact lens containers 18 stored within secondary package 10
  • Digital access portion 1 must also be sized and shaped to allow the semi-spherical contact lens well of the individual contact lens container to pass therethrough
  • the Lovell individual contact lens container has a well or reservoir for holding a contact lens and surrounding solution, which should be able to pass through digital access portion 12.
  • the dispensing portion may be sized large enough to allow the individual lens container well to pass therethrough.
  • the digital access portion is preferably defined by a curved upper edge, especially an edge having a radius of curvature of about 10 to 30 mm
  • the access opening further includes dispensing portion 20 which is sized and shaped to allow an individual lens container to be removed therefrom and to prevent a plurality of individual lens containers from inadvertently falling out of secondary package 10
  • Dispensing portion 20 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, with the dimensions sized appropriately to allow one, and only one, individual contact lens container to pass through at a given time.
  • the dispensing portion has a thickness of about 3 to about 10 mm
  • open ends 22 of dispensing portion 20 are sized nearly the same size or may be sized slightly smaller than the thickness of the edge areas 24 of individual lens container 18 If the dispensing portion of the opening is slightly smaller than the edges of the individual lens container, restraining edges of dispensing portion ends 22 flex or bend slightly to allow the individual lens container to pass when an individual lens container is manually removed
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 1
  • the access opening which includes digital access portion 12 and dispensing portion 20, also includes stabilizing portion 26
  • a portion 28 of individual lens container 18 is exposed by stabilizing portion 26
  • Stabilizing portion 26 is sized and shaped to mate with an external stabilizing means (See FIG 4)
  • Stabilizing portion 26 is also sized and shaped to allow for digital access to the individual lens containers from below.
  • second digital access portion performs two functions: one function is to provide digital access to an exposed portion of an individual lens container and another function is to provide a means for affixing a stabilizing means to hold the secondary package in place
  • FIG 3 is a perspective view showing the secondary package mated with display case 30, only a portion (one slot) of which is illustrated
  • external stabilizing is provided by a set of two hooks 32, which extend from the bottom support of the illustrated portion of display case 30
  • Secondary package 10 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG 3 in order to releasably lock the secondary package in a dispensing position on display case 30
  • the stabilizing means of the secondary package may include a slot or a C-shaped grasping portion, which is adapted to mate with the bottom support of the display case opening.
  • the stabilizing means may be of the interference fit-type
  • the invention is not limited to a specific external stabilizing means.
  • FIG 4 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment in a two-dimensional unassembled position
  • the secondary package may be assembled by moving edge 42 towards edge 44, in the direction of the arrow, and by folding at fold lines 46, which define the edges of the four side walls.
  • Flap 48 folds within the secondary package and is affixed to top wall 50, preferably by application of an adhesive
  • the rear face of the secondary package is formed by folding rear side-wall end tabs 52 inwardly, folding rear bottom end tab 54 upwardly, and folding rear top end tab 56 downwardly.
  • Rear top end tab 56 is affixed to rear bottom end tab 54 by any means known in the art, such as application of adhesive
  • the front face of the secondary package (shown in FIG. 1 ), i.e., the face from which lenses are dispensed, is formed by folding front side-wall end tabs 62 inwardly, folding front top end tab 66 downwardly, and folding front bottom end tab 64 upwardly.
  • Front bottom end tab 64 is affixed to top end tab 66 at removable section 69, preferably by application of an adhesive to central area 68 of front bottom end tab 64.
  • Individual lens containers may be inserted into the partially assembled secondary package, after closure of the rear face of the package but before closure of the front face.
  • the front face may be closed first, individual lens containers may be inserted, and then the rear face may be closed.
  • the secondary package is shipped in the fully sealed form which is achieved by the previously described assembly procedure.
  • the eye care practitioner receives the secondary package in a completely sealed form.
  • a portion of the front face must be removed to establish the advantageous limited access opening of the present invention.
  • the limited access opening is formed when the practitioner grasps removal tab 70 of front bottom end tab 64 and pulls downwardly towards edge 72.
  • the adhesive which holds tab 64 to tab 66 is sufficiently strong to maintain central area 68 affixed to removable section 69.
  • section 69 separates from the remainder of tab 66 at perforation curve 74. Further downward and/or lateral pulling on removal tab 70 causes tab 64 to separate entirely from the secondary package along edge 72 and along perforations 76. Removal of tab 64 along with section 69 forms the limited access opening.
  • a consumer may also use the secondary package of the present invention.
  • the consumer (and eye care practitioners who do not utilize a display case) does not have need to display individual contact lens packages or stabilize the secondary package in a display case.
  • the consumer will form the limited access opening in the secondary package without completely separating tab 64 from the remainder of the secondary package at perforations 76. This allows the consumer to reseal the package after opening and removing an individual lens container by placing tab 64 flush with the opening and inserting tab 70 into the package opening. Insertion of tab 70 into the package opening stabilizes tab 64 against the opening, thereby releasably sealing the secondary package.
  • the digital access portion of the limited access opening is defined by curves 78 and the opening remaining after removal of section 69
  • the dispensing portion is defined by edge 72 and curves 80
  • the stabilizing portion is defined by perforation lines 76.
  • the limited access opening includes a first digital access portion, a dispensing portion, and a stabilizing portion
  • the stabilizing portion serves at least two functions.
  • the stabilizing portion functions both as a means for stabilizing the secondary package in the display case and as a secondary means for digital access
  • the eye care practitioner may grasp an individual lens container by placing his or her thumb in the stabilizing (second digital access) portion and his or her forefinger in the first digital access portion, then removing the individual lens container by pulling it through the dispensing portion.
  • the first digital access portion and the stabilizing portion function together to provide an easy access means for grasping the individual lens containers
  • the first digital access portion preferably serves at least two functions as described earlier, the first digital access portion allows the eye care practitioner to have access to grasp the individual lens containers from above In addition, the raised lens- containing well of the individual lens container may be more easily dispensed from the secondary package because of the additional space provided by the digital access portion However, the primary function of the digital access portion is to allow the lens care practitioner to insert his or her finger for grasping and removing the container
  • the digital access portion in addition to the digital access and dispensing functions, also provides a means for displaying the individual lens containers The eye care practitioner and lens consumers may easily view a portion of the individual lens containers from above via the opening provided by the first digital access portion.
  • the digital access portion provides digital access to individual lens containers, allows for ease of container dispensing, and provides a means for displaying the containers
  • the secondary package may be formed from a wide variety of materials known in the art. Examples in include flexible polymeric materials and paper products
  • the material source is only limited in that the mate ⁇ al must have sufficient rigidity to retain shape while holding the individual lens containers
  • the material of construction is a paper product which is sufficiently flexible or foldable such that the secondary package may be cut from a single sheet as shown in FIG. 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
  • Eyeglasses (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

Cet emballage complémentaire (10), destiné à contenir une pluralité de plaquettes (18) renfermant chacune une lentille ophtalmique, peut s'ouvrir facilement, par enlèvement manuel d'une portion de l'emballage, afin de constituer une ouverture d'accès limité. Cette ouverture (12) permet l'accès d'un doigt de la main, dans une zone, le déplacement d'une seule plaquette contenant une lentille, dans une seconde zone, ainsi qu'une adaptation à des moyens de stabilisation et de retenue situés dans une troisième zone. Cet emballage est notamment utile pour stocker, expédier et présenter des plaquettes thermoformées contenant une lentille de contact.
PCT/EP1996/004813 1995-11-17 1996-11-05 Emballage distributeur destine a des plaquettes individuelles pour lentilles de contact Ceased WO1997018997A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU75646/96A AU7564696A (en) 1995-11-17 1996-11-05 Dispensing package for individual contact lens containers

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US55995695A 1995-11-17 1995-11-17
US08/559,956 1995-11-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997018997A1 true WO1997018997A1 (fr) 1997-05-29

Family

ID=24235769

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP1996/004813 Ceased WO1997018997A1 (fr) 1995-11-17 1996-11-05 Emballage distributeur destine a des plaquettes individuelles pour lentilles de contact

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AR (1) AR004582A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7564696A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997018997A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA969609B (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005082721A3 (fr) * 2004-02-17 2006-04-27 Clearlab Pte Ltd Emballage pour lentille de contact de contact souples jetables
US7722808B2 (en) 2003-09-12 2010-05-25 Novartis Ag Method and kits for sterilizing and storing soft contact lenses
US8392018B2 (en) 2008-12-31 2013-03-05 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Apparatus and method for distributing ophthalmic lenses

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB872175A (en) * 1957-11-20 1961-07-05 Kenneth Victor Swan Improvements in dispenser cartons
FR2245202A5 (en) * 1973-09-26 1975-04-18 Bertuzzi Francoise Dispenser container for nappies - has slot at bottom through which to remove nappy and window to show contents
DE3621550A1 (de) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-14 Georg Krebs Als spender verwendbare verpackung

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB872175A (en) * 1957-11-20 1961-07-05 Kenneth Victor Swan Improvements in dispenser cartons
FR2245202A5 (en) * 1973-09-26 1975-04-18 Bertuzzi Francoise Dispenser container for nappies - has slot at bottom through which to remove nappy and window to show contents
DE3621550A1 (de) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-14 Georg Krebs Als spender verwendbare verpackung

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8955672B2 (en) 2002-08-17 2015-02-17 Menicon Singapore Pte Ltd. Packaging for disposable soft contact lenses
US9615639B2 (en) 2002-08-17 2017-04-11 Menicon Singapore Pte Ltd. Packaging for disposable soft contact lenses
US10786057B2 (en) 2002-08-17 2020-09-29 Menicon Singapore Pte Ltd. Packaging for disposable soft contact lenses
US7722808B2 (en) 2003-09-12 2010-05-25 Novartis Ag Method and kits for sterilizing and storing soft contact lenses
WO2005082721A3 (fr) * 2004-02-17 2006-04-27 Clearlab Pte Ltd Emballage pour lentille de contact de contact souples jetables
US8392018B2 (en) 2008-12-31 2013-03-05 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Apparatus and method for distributing ophthalmic lenses
US10109145B2 (en) 2008-12-31 2018-10-23 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Apparatus and method for distributing ophthalmic lenses
US10453292B2 (en) 2008-12-31 2019-10-22 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Apparatus and method for distributing ophthalmic lenses

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR004582A1 (es) 1998-12-16
ZA969609B (en) 1997-05-19
AU7564696A (en) 1997-06-11

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