Abstract:
A contact lens cleaning and storage case includes a base having two container sections for holding a liquid; two lens holders, each positioned above a lower wall of a respective container section and each at least partially sitting within the respective container section, each lens holder having a bottom wall; a drain connected to the bottom of each lens holder for draining liquid from each lens holder to the container sections, the drain including reduced diameter openings for restricting a liquid flow rate so as to provide that liquid drainage from the lens holders to the container sections occurs in a time of ten to fifteen seconds; additional openings which provide fluid communication between atmosphere and the container sections so as to provide for displacement of air in the container sections; and two caps, each for removably covering a respective lens holder.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to contact lens cases, and more particularly, is directed to a contact lens cleaning and storage case with an arrangement for separating contaminants away from the stored lens. 
   It is know to provide contact lens cases for storing and cleaning contact lenses. Generally, such known contact lens cases include a base with two wells or compartments, each for holding a contact lens and cleaning liquid and/or saline solution therein, along with a threaded cover for each well which is removably screwed onto the base in covering relation to each respective well. 
   However, when a contact lens is placed in a well along with a cleaning solution, the contaminants on the lens remain in the same well in contact with the contact lens. This means that the contact lens is not effectively cleaned of the contaminants. When the lens is removed to place it in a person&#39;s eye, many of the contaminants, including protein and bacteria remain on the contact lens and spoil the fresh solution. A person thereby starts the next day with contaminated lenses. This affects the wearing life of the contact lens, as well as the comfort to the wearer and the clarity of the lens. 
   Further, if the lens deposits are not properly washed away from the lens surface, the deposits may bond to the lens permanently, causing wearer discomfort and frequent lens replacement. Further, a non-cleaned lens, when left in the storage case overnight can harbor bacteria, helping microorganisms to thrive, and thereby risking eye infection. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case with an arrangement for separating contaminants away from the stored lens. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a contact lens cleaning and storage case that requires the cleaning solution to wash over the contact lens for a predetermined period and then drain to a different location, along with the contaminants. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case in which the contaminants will not return to contaminate the stored contact lens in the case, even if the case is turned upside down. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case that reduces the risk of ocular infections. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case that improves contact lens wearer comfort. 
   It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case that improves visual clarity through the contact lens. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a contact lens cleaning and storage case that is easy and economical to manufacture and use. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a contact lens cleaning and storage case includes a base having at least one container section therein for holding a liquid; at least one lens holder positioned above a lower wall of the at least one container section, each lens holder having a lower section; a drain arranged in the lower section of each lens holder for draining liquid from the at least one lens holder to the at least one container section; and at least one cap for removably covering the at least one lens holder. 
   The at least one lens holder at least partially sits within the at least one container section, and is secured to the base. 
   Each lens holder includes a bowl shaped member for holding a contact lens, and the drain includes a drain tube extending from a bottom of the bowl shaped member. Specifically, the drain includes a drain tube extending from the lower section of each lens holder. In one embodiment, the drain tube includes a plurality of openings therein. In another embodiment, the lower section of the lens holder includes a plurality of openings, and the drain tube is connected to the lower section in surrounding relation to the plurality of openings. In either case, the plurality of openings have diameters that restrict a flow rate of liquid therethrough so as to prevent draining of liquid from the at least one lens holder to the at least one container section in a time less than a predetermined time, for example, in a range between approximately ten and fifteen seconds. 
   Further, the at least one lens holder includes at least one drain opening which provides fluid communication between atmosphere and the at least one container section. In one embodiment, the at least one lens holder includes a bowl shaped member for holding a contact lens and a peripheral flange connected to the bowl shaped member in order to connect the at least one lens holder to the base, with the at least one drain opening being provided in the peripheral flange. In this case, in order to secure the at least one lens holder to the base, the base includes at least one recess and the at least one lens holder includes at least one catch mounted to the peripheral flange for engaging in the at least one recess in order to secure the at least one lens holder to the base. In another embodiment, the base has an upper surface, and the at least one lens holder has a lower surface in flush engagement with the upper surface and secured thereto. In this case, the at least one lens holder includes a peripheral wall that extends at least partially above the lower surface and at least one drain opening which provides fluid communication between atmosphere and the at least one container section being provided through the peripheral wall. In either case, the at least one cap blocks the at least one drain opening when covering the respective lens holder. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a contaminant separator for use with a contact lens cleaning and storage case of the type including a base having at least one container section therein for holding a liquid, and at least one cap, includes a lens holder adapted to be positioned above a lower wall of the at least one container section, each lens holder having a lower section; and a drain arranged in the lower section of each lens holder for draining liquid from the at least one lens holder to the at least one container section. 
   The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a contact lens cleaning and storage case according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a blown-apart side elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the contact lens cleaning and storage case; 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the base of the contact lens cleaning and storage case; 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the separator insert of the contact lens cleaning and storage case; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the separator insert of the contact lens cleaning and storage case; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the contact lens cleaning and storage case; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a contact lens cleaning and storage case according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded top perspective view of the contact lens cleaning and storage case of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the contact lens cleaning and storage case of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the separator insert of the contact lens cleaning and storage case of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the separator insert of the contact lens cleaning and storage case of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic cross-sectional view, showing the operation of adding cleaning solution; and 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional view, showing the closed case with the cleaning solution therein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to  FIGS. 1-6 , a small, portable, contact lens cleaning and storage case  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is made of a molded plastic material or any other liquid impermeable material, and includes a base  12 , two separator inserts  14  positioned in base  12 , and caps  16 . 
   Base  12  includes an oblong plate  18  having a general shape of the number “8” and being of a generally constant thickness. Specifically, oblong plate  18  includes a circular left section  20 , a circular right section  22  and a reduced width center connecting section  24  which connects together left section  20  and right section  22  and which has a width less than the diameters of left section  20  and right section  22 . A skirt  23  of a constant height is integrally molded at the periphery of oblong plate  18  and extends down therefrom in order to support case  10  on a surface. 
   A molded cup-shaped container  26  is formed in left section  20  and a similar molded cup-shaped container  28  is formed in right section  22 , both extending upwardly and downwardly from oblong plate  18 , as shown best in  FIG. 2 , each forming a well for holding liquid therein. 
   Containers  26  and  28  are preferably identical in construction, and in this regard, each container  26  and  28  has a generally cylindrical configuration with a radius in the range of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 cm and a height in the range of approximately 0.5 to 2.0 cm. Each container  26  and  28  further includes a smooth, bowl-like interior wall  30 , and an exterior annular wall  32  with threads  34  formed on the portion of exterior annular wall  32  that extends above oblong plate  18 . 
   In addition, a plurality of equiangularly spaced recessed sections  36 , for example, four in number, are formed below the upper end of interior wall  30 . Interior wall  30  has an inward sloped portion  30   a  extending from the upper edge thereof to each recessed section  36 , and thereby forms a shoulder  37  at the intersection of inward sloped portion  30   a  and recessed section  36 , the purpose for which will become apparent from the description hereinafter. 
   The two separator inserts  14  positioned in base  12 , are each formed identically, and specifically, each is snap fitted within a respective container  26  and  28 . Each insert  14  includes a generally frusto-conical bowl shaped member  38  with gently sloping down curved walls. Preferably, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , member  38  is formed by a plurality of gently sloping down sections  40  connected together at their vertical edges. Although twelve such sections  40  are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the present invention is not limited thereby. As shown, each section  40  is curved slightly in the circumferential direction and in the vertical direction. Accordingly, there are raised vertical discontinuity lines  42  at the inner surface of member  38  between sections  40 , which function to prevent the contact lenses usually stored in a liquid disinfectant from adhering to the interior wall of bowl shaped member  38 . However, the present invention is not limited thereby, and the interior wall of bowl shaped member  38  can be entirely smooth throughout. 
   The lower open end of bowl shaped member  38  is closed by a lower wall  44 , which has a plurality of small drain openings  46 . Although four drain openings are shown, the present invention is not limited thereby. As will be understood from the discussion which follows, the diameters of drain openings  46  are such that liquid disinfecting solution placed in bowl shaped member  38  will take approximately ten to fifteen seconds to drain, thereby providing sufficient time to clean the contact lens therein. 
   A drain tube  48  is molded to the lower end of bowl shaped member  38  in surrounding relation to lower wall  44  such that liquid from small drain openings  46  drains through drain tube  48 . 
   An upper annular ledge  50  is molded to the upper end of bowl shaped member  38  and extends radially outwardly therefrom. Four elongated openings  52  are equiangularly formed in ledge  50 . In addition, four equiangularly spaced, L-shaped catches  54  extend down and then radially outward from the outer edge of ledge  50 . Specifically, each catch  54  includes a first leg  54   a  that extends down from the lower surface of ledge  50  and a second leg  54   b  that extends radially outward from the lower end of first leg  54   a . The radially outer surface  54   c  of second leg  54   b  has a downward and inward slope. Accordingly, when separator insert  14  is positioned within a cup-shaped container  26  or  28 , sloped outer surfaces  54   c  ride along sloped portions  30   a  and are thereby forced radially inward. As the upper ends of sloped outer surfaces  54   c  ride down past the lower edges of sloped portions  30   a , the spring pressure caused by the bending of catches  54  causes second legs  54   b  to engage within recessed sections  36 , whereby they are locked in place by shoulders  37  engaging the upper surfaces of second legs  54   b , thereby to lock separator insert  14  in the respective cup-shaped container  26  or  28 . 
   Each cap  16  includes a circular top wall  56  and an annular skirt  58  which extends downwardly from the outer edge of top wall  56 . The inner surface of skirt  58  includes threads  60  which mate with threads  34  so that each cap  16  can be threadedly received on cup-shaped container  26  or  28  in a sealing manner, as is well known in the art. When a cap  16  is threaded on a cup-shaped container  26  or  28 , the lower edge of cap  16  sits on ledge  50  and seals elongated openings  52 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , in operation, a contact lens  62  is placed within bowl shaped member  38 , and disinfecting liquid  64  from a container  66  is supplied to cup-shaped container  26 . This functions to provide a strong cleaning and rinsing of contact lens  62 . The high-pressure rinsing from squeezing container  66  results in a thorough rinsing of the contact lens. Because of the small diameter of openings  46 , the rinse takes approximately ten to fifteen seconds before the liquid drains to cup-shaped container  26  through drain tube  48 . Any contaminants on contact lens  62  are cleaned by the liquid and travel with the liquid into cup-shaped container  26 . Any air from cup-shaped container  26  is forced out through elongated openings  52 , thereby permitting more solution to drain into cup-shaped container  26 . As container  26  is filled and additional disinfecting liquid is provided, the new solution covers contact lens  62  and fills up bowl shaped member  38 . This indicated that all cavities are full with solution, and no air is trapped therein. Caps  16  are then threaded thereon. 
   Because the contaminants have traveled through drain tube  48  to lower cup-shaped container  26 , the liquid in bowl shaped member  38  is clear and uncontaminated. In effect, bowl shaped member  38  functions as a separator between the uncontaminated liquid at an upper level and the contaminated liquid in a lower level. Further, because bowl shaped member  38  is filled with liquid, if contact lens cleaning and storage case  10  is turned upside down after caps  16  have been threaded thereon, the liquid in bowl shaped member  38  will prevent the contaminated liquid from entering and thereby prevent the contaminated liquid from contaminating contact lens  62 . 
   When the lenses are to be worn again, for example, the next morning, caps  16  are removed, and each contact lens  62  is removed from the uncontaminated liquid and placed in the person&#39;s eye. Because caps  16  are removed, when case  10  is turned upside down at this time, the uncontaminated liquid in bowl shaped member  38  is first drained, and there is then no resistance to drainage of the contaminated liquid, which then drains through drain tube  48  and openings  46 , as well as through elongated openings  52 . 
   Thus, with the present invention, contact lens  62  is rinsed with disinfecting liquid so that the contaminants are rinsed off contact lens  62  and taken away to a lower location, whereby contact lens  62  sits in the additional uncontaminated liquid then placed in the raised bowl shaped member  38 . 
   In experiments performed by an independent laboratory with the present invention, it was found that the present invention removed up to 99.97% of bacteria from the lens surface. 
   It will be appreciated that, although separator insert  14  has been discussed as being snap fitted in cup-shaped container  26  or  28 , it can be a separate element that is merely removably fitted therein without snap fitting or the like. In this manner, separator inserts  14  can be used with existing contact lens cases. In such case, stabilizing legs or the like can be provided, if desired, to provide a more stable fit in the existing contact lens case. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11 , a contact lens cleaning and storage case  110  according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described, in which elements common with those of contact lens cleaning and storage case  110  are identified by the same reference numerals augmented by  100 . 
   Specifically, contact lens cleaning and storage case  110  is made of a molded plastic material or any other liquid impermeable material and includes a base  112 , a separator section  114  fixed to base  112 , and caps  116 . 
   Base  112  includes an oblong plate  118  having a general oval shape, and specifically has straight side edges and part-circular end edges, and is of a generally constant thickness. A molded cup-shaped container  126  is formed at one end of oblong plate  118  and hangs down therefrom, and a similar molded cup-shaped container  128  is formed at the opposite end of oblong plate  118  and hangs down therefrom, both containers  126  and  128  being open at upper ends thereof through oblong plate  118 . 
   Containers  126  and  128  are preferably identical in construction, and in this regard, each container  126  and  128  has a generally cylindrical configuration with a radius in the range of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 cm and a height in the range of approximately 0.5 to 2.0 cm. 
   Separator section  114  includes a plate  115  have substantially the same dimensions as oblong plate  118  so that when plate  115  is placed on top of oblong plate  118 , plates  115  and  118  can be secured together by ultrasonic welding, adhesive or the like. 
   Separator section  114  further includes cylindrical, cup-shaped containers  138  extending from the upper surface of oblong plate  118  at opposite ends thereof, each formed by a cylindrical wall  138   a  at a position above oblong plate  115  and by a bowl shaped member  138   b  at a position below oblong plate  115  and forming a continuation of cylindrical wall  138   a . A cylindrical drain tube  148  is molded to the lower end of each bowl shaped member  138   b  and is coaxially arranged relative to the respective container  138 . Each drain tube  148  includes a plurality of through bores  146  which function as small drain openings. Although four drain openings are shown, the present invention is not limited thereby. As will be understood from the discussion which follows, the diameters of through bores  146  are such that liquid disinfecting solution placed in containers  138  will take approximately ten to fifteen seconds to drain, thereby providing sufficient time to clean the contact lens therein. Further, the outer diameter of through bores  146  is less than the inner diameter of containers  126  and  128  so that when contact lens cleaning and storage case  110  is inverted to drain the liquid, some of the liquid travels from containers  126  and  128  through bores  146 . 
   The outer surface of each container wall  138   a  also includes threads  134  thereon. In addition, a plurality of drain openings  152  extend through each cylindrical wall  138   a  for providing a path for air removal when the containers  126  and  128  are filled and for draining the liquid in containers  126  and  128  after the contact lenses have been removed. Although drain openings  152  are shown as circular, they can be other shapes, such as oval or the like. Further, although six drain openings  152  are provided, the present invention is not limited thereby, and any other number can be used. 
   Each cap  116  includes a circular top wall  156  and an annular skirt  158  which extends downwardly from the outer edge of top wall  156 . The inner surface of skirt  158  includes threads  160  which mate with threads  134  so that each cap  116  can be threadedly received on cup-shaped container  126  or  128  in a sealing manner, as is well known in the art. When a cap  116  is threaded on a cup-shaped container  126  or  128 , circular top wall  156  of cap  116  seals elongated openings  152 . 
   The operation is the same as that discussed above in regard to contact lens cleaning and storage case  10  of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
   Thus, with the present invention, the contact lens cleaning and storage case is provided with an arrangement for separating contaminants away from the stored lens. Specifically, it is required that the cleaning solution wash over the contact lens for a predetermined period and then drain to a different location, along with the contaminants. Further, the contaminants will not return to contaminate the stored contact lens in the case, even if the case is turned upside down. Thus, there is no possibility of recontamination of the lenses. 
   Further, because there is no recirculation of cleaning solution, there is no need for any bacteria killing mechanism, and there is no need for any harsh chemicals to clean and disinfect the lenses. The prcoess is very fast, and is completely hands free. 
   Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims.