Abstract:
A single unit contact lens storage device that comprises a bottle that is squeezable for dispensing and rinsing contact lenses housed within storage trays of the device is described. The squeezable bottle serves as a fresh contact lens solution reservoir. Channels with both inlet and outlet holes built into the bottle provide for delivery of fresh solution to the contact lens storage trays. Contact lens tray caps are then screwed onto the lens trays to prevent the freshly delivered solution from traveling back to the fresh solution reservoir. The device also contains a dispensing cap for the rinsing of contact lenses with fresh solution from the fresh solution reservoir.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/881,925, filed Jan. 23, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to contact lens care and the items typically used by contact lens wearers. Such items include contact lens storage trays, as well as a bottle of contact lens storage and disinfecting solution. Handling of these separate items is time consuming and inefficient. Contact lens storage tray units are small and are difficult to handle because they sit close to the surface on which they are used, such as a countertop. The use of multiple items is also time consuming and makes countertop arrangement inefficient. Travel with a small item such as a contact lens storage tray and bottle of solution is frustrating, when at times one of the items is lost or forgotten. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,833 to Collier seeks to make contact lens care more efficient with a contact lens care organizing unit. Collier&#39;s invention seeks to arrange common contact lens care items in a manner which keeps separate functional units arranged within one common unit. 
         [0004]    While the arrangement of separate common contact lens care items within a single unit makes saving space possible and travel simpler, its use still requires a user to actually arrange such items within the unit. As a further drawback, while the separate contact lens care items may be arranged in an organized fashion, these items remain substantially independent of one another, and the steps necessary to use them remain unchanged. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is the object of my invention to combine the functions of separate contact lens care items within a single unit, rather than simply allow for their more convenient arrangement. Collier&#39;s invention allows for the arrangement of separate contact lens care items within a common unit. The present invention combines a bottle of contact lens care solution with contact lens storage trays, and integrates their functions within one bottle. The present invention is a single device and does not require a user to arrange separate items within a storage unit. 
         [0006]    The purpose of the invention is to ultimately save a contact lens wearer time by reducing the number of steps and lens care items presently required to care for contact lenses. 
         [0007]    Due to the fact that the invention combines common lens care items into one functional unit, it is a further purpose of the invention to make countertop storage more efficient, and to make travel and transport simpler for contact lens wearers. 
         [0008]    The present invention is a device comprising a bottle made of molded squeezable plastic. The present invention has a contact lens solution dispensing cap, and also has contact lens storage and disinfecting trays on each side of the solution dispensing cap. When lenses are ready for storage with the present device, a user simply removes the caps on the storage trays and then squeezes the bottle. As a direct result of the squeezing action by a user, the bottle&#39;s features allow fresh contact lens storage and disinfection solution to be dispensed into the contact lens storage and disinfecting trays. After a user places the contact lenses in their respective trays, the user then replaces the lens tray caps so that the lenses may be stored and disinfected. Special cap design prevents solution that is being actively used in the lens trays from traveling into the bottle where fresh solution is stored. 
         [0009]    With the present contact lens storage device, it is no longer necessary for a contact lens wearer to handle both a storage tray and a bottle of contact lens storage and disinfecting solution. Aiming a bottle of contact lens solution into small trays is no longer needed. That is because squeezing the plastic bottle results in the contact lens trays being automatically filled with fresh solution. 
         [0010]    Because there aren&#39;t multiple items to arrange or organize, a further benefit of the present contact lens storage device comprising a combination of contact lens trays with a bottle of solution is that the device makes countertop organization simpler. Because there isn&#39;t a need to pack multiple items, travel is also made more efficient. Searching for a contact lens storage tray isn&#39;t as difficult, because such small and hard to locate items are built within a relatively larger and easier to handle squeezable bottle. 
         [0011]    Another benefit of the bottle&#39;s design is that the contact lens storage trays sit higher up off a typical surface, such as a countertop, and are closer to a user than a standard contact lens tray. This results in easier removal of lens tray caps, easier placement of lenses into the lens storage trays, and easier replacement of lens tray caps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a contact lens storage device  10  according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view the contact lens storage device  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are cross sectional views of the contact lens storage device shown in  FIG. 1 , the former illustrating the bottle with lens tray caps removed and the latter showing the caps screwed onto the lens receptacles. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the contact lens storage device  10  of  FIG. 1 , but with the lens tray caps removed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the lens trays including its outlet hole for filling the lens tray with contact solution. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is a bottom view of a contact lens tray cap. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a lens tray cap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The invention is a bottle of molded plastic. On the top of the bottle are located two contact lens storage trays and an opening where fluid is dispensed into the bottle for use, and where a dispensing cap is then placed. The lens storage trays are separated by the opening and/or dispensing cap. The bottle is collapsible, and is made from a molded plastic which can be squeezed by a user, causing it to deform, which results in the displacement of fluid within the bottle, and moves fluid from one compartment to another. 
         [0020]    The bottle is comprised of 3 separate compartments. The first main compartment is the fresh solution reservoir, where fresh contact solution is stored. The other two compartments are the contact lens storage trays. One tray is for the storage of the contact lens worn in the right eye, and the second tray is for the storage of the contact lens worn in the left eye. 
         [0021]    The fresh solution reservoir and contact lens storage trays are connected by channels molded into the sides of the bottle. The channels begin at the bottom of the bottle with inlet holes, and end inside the contact lens storage trays with outlet holes. Fresh contact solution is transferred to the contact lens trays when a user squeezes the bottle. Pressure created by the squeezing action quickly and easily forces fresh solution into the inlet holes and up the sides of the bottle, and ultimately into the contact lens storage trays where the fresh solution exits the channel via the outlet hole. 
         [0022]    The channels have a vertical orientation, and lead from the bottom of the bottle and end in location near the top and side of each lens tray. 
         [0023]    The outlet holes themselves are located in a faucet like extension which is part of the contact lens storage tray. This faucet like extension, which contains the outlet holes, is located on the side of the contact lens tray and near the top of the tray. The location of the faucet like extension allows for fresh solution to flow downward and collect in each contact lens storage tray, where a user then places their contact lenses for storage. 
         [0024]    The contact lens storage trays and caps are threaded, so that the caps become secured through twisting or screwing them on to the storage trays. 
         [0025]    The lens tray caps contain an outer portion, which is threaded for securing the cap to the tray. The lens tray caps also contain an inner portion, which extends downward from the inner side of the top of the cap. When the outer portion of the cap is twisted, the whole cap moves downward as it becomes secured. As a result of the whole cap being twisted downward, the inner portion of the cap also moves downward, and ultimately reaches a point where the inner portion of the cap sits on top of the outlet hole within the lens tray. The mating of the inner portion of the lens tray cap with the faucet like extension forms a seal around the outlet hole, which prevents solution from traveling from one chamber to the other. 
         [0026]    Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a contact lens storage device  10  according to the present invention. The contact lens storage device  10  is comprised of a bottle  12  of molded plastic. The bottle  12  comprised of front and back major sidewalls  12 A and  12 B meeting opposed end walls  12 C and  12 D. The sidewalls  12 A,  12 B and end walls  12 C,  12 D each extend from a bottom wall  12 E to an upper wall  12 E.  FIG. 2A  shows that an upper wall  12 E supports two contact lens storage trays  14  and  16 . A central opening  18  is disposed between the storage trays  14 ,  16  in the upper wall  12 E. The opening  18  is where fluid is dispensed or filled into the bottle  10  for use. The opening  18  is then closed with a dispensing cap  20  that is preferably threaded onto the opening  18 . The lens storage trays are separated by the opening and/or dispensing cap. The bottle  12  is preferably collapsible, and is made from a molded plastic that is easily squeezed by a user. Squeezing the bottle  12  causes it to deform, which results in the displacement of fluid contained within the bottle. This causes the fluid to move from one compartment to another, as will be described in detail hereinafter. 
         [0027]    When lens tray caps are in place,  FIG. 2B  shows that the bottle is comprised of three separate compartments. The first main compartment  22  is the fresh solution reservoir, where fresh contact solution is stored. The other two compartments are the contact lens storage trays  14 ,  16 . One tray  14  is for the storage of the contact lens worn in the right eye, and the second tray  16  is for the storage of the contact lens worn in the left eye. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  shows that the fresh solution reservoir  22  and contact lens storage trays  14 ,  16  are connected by channels or conduits  4 A and  4 B molded into the respective sides  12 C,  12 D of the bottle. The channels  4 A,  4 B begin adjacent to the bottom  12 E of the bottle  12  with inlet holes  4 C and  4 D, and end inside the contact lens storage trays with outlet holes  6 A and  6 B. Fresh contact solution is transferred to the contact lens trays when a user squeezes the bottle  12 . Pressure created by the squeezing action forces fresh solution into the inlet holes  4 C,  4 D and up the sides  12 C,  12 D of the bottle through the respective conduits  4 A,  4 B, and ultimately into the contact lens storage trays  14 ,  16 , where the fresh solution exits the channel via the respective outlet holes  6 A,  6 B. 
         [0029]    The channels  4 A,  4 B have a vertical orientation, and lead from the bottom  12 E of the bottle and end in location near the top and side of each lens tray  14 ,  16 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows the outlet holes  6 A,  6 B comprise part of respective faucet-like extensions  6 C and  6 D empty into the contact lens storage trays  14 ,  16 . The faucet-like extensions  6 C,  6 D, which contains the outlet holes  6 A,  6 B, are located on the side of the contact lens trays  14 ,  16  and near the top of the respective trays. The location of the faucet like extensions allows for fresh solution to flow downward and collect in each contact lens storage tray  14 ,  16 , where a user then places their contact lenses for storage. 
         [0031]    The contact lens storage trays  14 ,  16 , and caps  8  are threaded, so that the caps become secured through twisting or screwing them on to the storage trays. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5B  shows that the lens tray caps  8  contain an outer, threaded portion  8 A, which is threaded for securing the cap to the tray. The lens tray caps  8  each contain an inner portion  8 B, which extends downwardly from the inner side of the top of the cap. As the outer portion  8 A of the cap is twisted onto the matching treads of the storage trays  14 ,  16 , the cap  8  moves downward as it becomes secured. As a result, the inner portion  8 B of the cap also moves downwardly until the inner cap portion sits on and seals off the outlet hole  6 A,  6 B in the respective lens tray  14 ,  16 . The mating of the inner portion  8 B of the lens tray cap with the faucet like extension  6 A,  6 B forms a seal around the outlet hole. This prevents solution from traveling from one chamber  14 ,  16 , back into the main storage reservoir  22 . 
         [0033]    To prepare the bottle for use and referring to  FIG. 2A , the bottle  12  is first filled with fresh contact lens rinsing and storage solution through opening  1 . Fresh solution filled through opening  1  collects in the fresh solution reservoir  22 . Opening  1  is then covered with a dispensing cap. 
         [0034]    The invention is now ready for use. 
         [0035]    Referring again to  FIG. 2A , a user rinses the contact lenses by squirting fresh contact lens solution through a solution dispensing device secured over opening  1 . Once contact lenses have been rinsed and are ready to be stored, a user removes the lens tray caps and then gently squeezes the bottle. Fresh solution from reservoir  22  is forced downward and through inlet holes  4 C and  4 D, near the bottom of the bottle. As a further result of squeezing, the fresh solution travels up the sides of the bottle through channels  4 A and  4 B and the fresh contact lens solution finally exits through outlet holes  6 A and  6 B. Fresh contact lens storage and disinfecting solution ultimately collects into contact lens trays  14  and  16 . 
         [0036]    After a user has squeezed the bottle, and has effectively delivered fresh contact lens storage solution to each tray, the user then places the rinsed contact lenses into their respective trays. Once the contact lenses have been placed into their separate contact lens storage trays  14 ,  16 , the contact lens caps are replaced when a user twists them on. 
         [0037]    As a hygienic safeguard, the contact lens trays and caps have special features which prevent solution from traveling from one chamber to the other.  FIG. 2B  shows that when lens tray caps are twisted back onto contact lens storage trays, the outlet holes  6 A,  6 B are covered by the inner portion of the cap  8 B. The inner portion of the cap  8 B forms a tight fit with the faucet like extension  6 C,  6 D located in the contact lens trays  14  and  16 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3 , which is a top view of the bottle with lens tray caps removed, shows that the outlet holes are located inside and near the side of the lens tray.  FIG. 4  is an angle view of a single lens tray and again shows an outlet hole  6 , and how a channel  4  leads to the outlet hole  6 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate the inner portion of the cap.  FIG. 5B  shows how the inner portion of the cap  8  extends downwards. The inner portion of the cap  8  forms a tight fit with the faucet like extension  6 C,  6 D, located in the contact lens trays  14 ,  16 . 
         [0040]    After the contact lenses have been effectively stored or disinfected and are ready for use, a wearer unscrews a lens tray cap and then removes a contact lens. If needed, the lens can be rinsed prior to being placed in the proper eye. The used contact storage and disinfecting solution which remains in the lens tray is simply poured out, and the lens tray cap is twisted back onto the lens tray. 
         [0041]    An additional hygienic step which can be taken by the user after a lens has been placed in the eye, is that while a lens tray cap is still removed, the bottle can be squeezed again, filling the empty lens tray with fresh solution in order to flush or rinse the tray. After that, the flushing or rinsing dose is discarded and the lens tray cap replaced.