Abstract:
An eye care solution container is described that can be conveniently carried without the risk of loss, leakage or misplacement. The eye care solution container has a retention device that allows it to be clipped to a pocket, an article of clothing or an accessory item. The eye care solution container may also be attached to a zipper pull, a key ring, or the like. The eye care solution container may be one of various sizes and shapes, including a unit dose container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/049,761 filed May 1, 2008 entitled “Container For Eyedrop Solution” by Thomas J. Contreras of Winfield, Ill. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to dispensing containers, and more specifically to a dispensing container having a retention clip or ring for ease of carrying. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The use of eyedrops is a necessity for many individuals. Individuals with dry eye syndrome, environmentally irritated eyes, wearers of contact lenses, patients with eye diseases or other conditions which require the use of over-the-counter or prescription ophthalmic pharmaceutical preparations and others, oftentimes require convenient and frequent access to eyedrops or other eye care solutions. Containers for eyedrops can fall from pockets, be misplaced, tip or spill, or otherwise be inaccessible when needed. Women will often carry eyedrops in their purse. However, men do not have a convenient place to carry eyedrops other than their shirt or pants pockets. In addition, many women today do not wish to carry purses at all times. Eye care solution containers that are commonly sold today do not have a convenient way to be carried on one&#39;s person. 
         [0006]    Thus, there exists an unmet need for an eye care solution container that can be conveniently carried without the risk of loss, leakage or misplacement. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an eye care solution container that will not fall from one&#39;s pocket. It is another object of the present invention to provide an eye care solution container that will be convenient and comfortable to carry. It is another object of the present invention to provide an eye care solution container that will not become inverted or tip and leak in one&#39;s pocket. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eye care solution container that is aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically shaped. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an eye care solution container with retention device comprising a generally hollow body for holding eye care solution, the body having a top and a bottom, a nozzle attached to the top of the body for dispensing the eye care solution, a cap that is removably attached to the body and that covers the nozzle, and a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end of the clip being attached to the cap, and the second end of the clip having a protrusion. 
         [0008]    The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the eye care solution container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the eye care solution container with retention device having a rounded bottom; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a partially exploded view of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the cap of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cutaway view of the cap of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the cap of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the eye care solution container with retention device; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 13A-13E  are various views of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 14A-14E  are various views of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 15A-15E  are various views of another embodiment of the eye care solution container with retention device; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 16A-16E  are various views of another embodiment of the eye care solution container with retention device. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, drawings and claims. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. 
         [0028]    The present invention and the various embodiments depicted, described and envisioned herein provide an improved container for holding and dispensing a liquid. The container includes a body for holding a liquid such as eyedrop solution or contact lens solution, and has a dispensing opening for dispensing the solution, and a cap with retention device for selectively exposing the dispensing opening for use. The retention device may be a clip or a ring, as further described herein. Additionally, there is a current trend toward utilizing plastic products that are biodegradable and otherwise more compatible with ecological processes once the application for their use has been completed. Currently there are no eye care solution containers made from compostable plastics or from a 100% renewable resource such as corn. In some embodiments of the present invention the eye care solution container, with a retention device, or without, is made from a compostable 100% renewable resource such as corn. 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the eye care solution container with retention device  100  is depicted. A hollow body  101  is depicted that holds a liquid such as, for example, eye care solution. The hollow body  101 , in one embodiment, is generally cylindrical. In some embodiments of the present invention, the body may contain marks or etchings of graduation marks. In  FIG. 1 , the hollow body  101  is shown with a cap  103  attached. The cap  103 , as will be depicted and described by way of  FIGS. 7 and 9 , covers a nozzle and is hollow with internal threads (not shown in  FIG. 1 , see  FIG. 9 ). Attached to the cap is a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end of the clip being attached to the cap  103  and the second end of the clip having a protrusion. The eye care solution container with retention device  100  is shown with a flat bottom  107 . The bottom of the body  101  may have other geometries. The flat bottom  107  allows the device to stand upright when placed on a flat surface. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the eye care solution container of  FIG. 1  showing a flat bottom  107 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the eye care solution container with retention device having a rounded bottom. The bottom of the body  301  has a rounded bottom  303 . Such a rounded bottom may be for aesthetic reasons, but also may allow the device to slip freely into a pocket and clipped. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the eye care solution container with retention device where the bottom  401  can be seen along with the clip  105 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the eye care solution container with retention device where the cap  103  and the clip  105  can be seen, the clip  105  being attached to the cap  103 . The clip  105  may be molded or otherwise made from the same material as the cap  103 , or the clip  105  may be attached to the cap  103  using various mechanical fastening techniques such as gluing, stapling, riveting, press fitting, or the like. The clip  105  may also be made from a plastic or may be made from a metal. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the eye care solution container with retention device showing the body  101 , cap  103 , and attached clip  105 . 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a partially exploded view of the eye care solution container with retention device is shown. The body  101  has a neck with external threads  701  such that the cap  103  may be screwed onto the neck and thereby become attached to the body  101 . The external threads on the neck  701  may be made from the same material as the body  101 , or may be fastened or otherwise attached to the body  101 . The body  101  holds an amount of liquid, for example, eyedrops, in an amount such as 5 milliliter, 8 milliliter, 15 milliliter, 30 milliliter or other such quantity. The body  101  is made from a plastic such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and may be made from a conventional mold, or by blow, fill, and seal methodology or other techniques known to those skilled in the art. The body may be, in one embodiment of the present invention, about 45 millimeters long and about 13.3 milliliters in diameter. Other body sizes may also be used. When the cap  103  is attached to the body  101 , the overall length may be, for example, about 7 to 8 centimeters. The cap  103  contains internal threads, as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . The cap  103  and clip  105  may, in one embodiment of the present invention, be made in one piece using, for example, an injection molding process that incorporates a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene (PP). Also shown in  FIG. 7  is a nozzle  703  for dispensing a solution such as eye care solution in a drop by drop manner. The nozzle  703  can formed in a unitary fashion with the body  101  (such as by way of blow fill and seal methodology), or can be made separately and fit or inserted (as in a snap-in dropper tip nozzle) into the neck  701  (such as is currently utilized with conventional eye drop bottles) and thereby attached to the body  101 . The cap  103  may also optionally contain a puncture mechanism, such as a molded pin, to open the end of the nozzle  703  for dispensing. This puncture mechanism is necessary for dispensing when an aseptic blow fill and seal method is utilized for fabrication or manufacturing. Also shown in  FIG. 7  is an insert  705 . The insert  705  can be used in some embodiments of the present invention to ensure that a predetermined drop size is released from the nozzle  703 . In addition, various sized nozzles (snap in dropper tip inserts, or blow molded nozzles or inserts  705 ) may be available to allow one to dispense a specified quantity of droplet solution, as prescribed by a doctor, for example. The snap-in dropper tip, or nozzle  703  allows for the creation of volumetric drop sizes when the body  101  is squeezed or otherwise deformed. Examples of drop sizes include 30 microliter, 40 microliter, 50 microliter, 60 microliter, and the like. 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , a plan view of the cap of the eye care solution container with retention device is depicted. The cap  103  is shown with a clip  105  and a protrusion  801 . The clip  105  is attached to the cap  103  at a first end and contains a protrusion  801  at a second end. The protrusion  801  serves to retain the device on a pocket or other fabric structure when in use. The clip  105  may have a length greater than the length of the cap  103  such that the clip  105  overlies the body  101 , as can be seen in  FIG. 6 . The body may also have geometries other than cylindrical. For example, the body could be square and so designed to utilize a retention clip in an acceptable manner (i.e. with a small axle system that allows the retention clip to remain stationary when the cap is twisted onto the bottle). 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a cutaway view of the cap of  FIG. 8 . Shown are the internal threads  901  for mating with the external threads  701  of the device as depicted in  FIG. 7 . Also shown in  FIG. 9  is a cap insert  903  that is made from a plastic and serves to retain the nozzle  703  (see  FIG. 7 ) and prevent leaks from occurring. When the cap  103  is securely screwed onto the body  101 , the cap insert  903  allows the nozzle  703  to be securely positioned such that liquid cannot be dispensed from the device when the cap is in place and the device is not in use. The cap insert  903  may be molded along with the cap  103  or may be a separate piece. In some embodiments of the present invention, the cap insert may also have various geometries or may be eliminated entirely. 
         [0038]    It should be noted that the eye care solution container with retention device may be made from a plastic such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, or the device may be made from a plant based plastic such as a plastic polylactide or polylactic acid resin. Such an environmentally friendly or “green” eye care solution container may gain widespread interest based on its compostable qualities, and because of manufacture from a 100% renewable resource. It is another embodiment of this invention to manufacture eye care solution containers, with or without, a retention device, from compostable 100% renewable resources such as corn based polylactic acid resin or from tapioca, for example, or other plant based sources of compostable plastics. 
         [0039]    To use the present invention, the eye care solution container with retention device is inserted into a pocket such as a shirt pocket with the fabric of the shirt pocket placed between the cap and the clip. In this way, the eye care solution container with retention device is securely attached to a pocket, ready for use. To use the eye care solution container with retention device, the device is removed from one&#39;s pocket, the cap is unscrewed, and drops are placed in the eye by way of squeezing the body of the device while the device is tipped and the nozzle is placed above the eye. After drops are dispensed, the cap is reattached to the body by way of screwing the cap to the body. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment of the present invention, and as depicted in the perspective view in  FIG. 10 , the clip  105  may be replaced with a ring  1003  that is attached to, or molded with, a cap  1001 . The cap  1001  contains internal threads similar to those depicted in  FIG. 9 . The cap  1001  and ring  1003  may, in one embodiment of the present invention, be made in one piece using, for example, an injection molding process that incorporates a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene (PP). It should be noted that the eye care solution container with retention device may also be made from a plastic such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, or the device may be made from a plant based plastic such as a plastic polylactide. The ring  1003  may also be made from a plastic, a metal such as steel, stainless steel, brass, or the like. The ring  1003 , in one embodiment of the present invention, may contain a split to allow for convenient placement on a key ring or the like. Other structures similar to a split ring arrangement, such as a hinge, staggered split rings, a split ring pin and socket, and the like, may also be used to provide for convenient placement and use. 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  depicts a plan view of the cap of  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the cap and ring assembly in place on an eye dropper body  101 . 
         [0042]    To use the cap and ring embodiment of the present invention, the eye care solution container with retention device is attached to a key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure by mechanically opening the ring and placing it through the key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure. In this way, the eye care solution container with retention device is securely attached to a key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure, and ready for use. To use the eye care solution container with retention device, the device is removed from the key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure by opening the ring and removing it, the cap is unscrewed, and drops are placed in the eye by way of squeezing the body of the device while the device is tipped and the nozzle is placed above the eye. After drops are dispensed, the cap is reattached to the body by way of screwing the cap to the body, and the device may then be reattached to the key ring, zipper pull, or other structure. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a cap and clip structure is disclosed that can be attached to an existing bottle of liquid such as a bottle of eye care solution or a unit dose package.  FIG. 13A  depicts such a cap and clip structure where an attachment cap  1301  has attached a clip  1303 . The attachment cap  1301  and clip  1303  may, in one embodiment of the present invention, be made in one piece using, for example, an injection molding process that incorporates a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene (PP). The cap and clip structure may be made from a plastic such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, or the device may be made from a plant based plastic such as a plastic polylactide. The clip  1303  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be attached to the attachment cap  1301  with a ball and socket or a pin and socket setup, as can be seen in  FIG. 13D . Such an arrangement allows for the eye care solution cap to rotate independent of the clip  1303 , allowing for unobstructed closing and opening of the eye care solution bottle. The attachment cap  1301  is generally hollow, and may take on various geometries to better conform to specific liquid bottles and eye care solution containers. On the interior of the attachment cap  1301  is placed an adhesive  1305  that allows for attachment of the cap and clip structure to an existing cap from a liquid bottle such as an eye care solution container. The cap and clip structure is placed over an existing cap and pressed into place. Once the adhesive  1305  is properly set, the droplet container will now have a clip and can now be used.  FIG. 13B  shows a perspective view of the attachment cap and clip structure,  FIG. 13C  shows a plan view of the attachment cap and clip structure,  FIG. 13D  shows a top view of the attachment cap and clip structure, and  FIG. 13E  shows a bottom view of the attachment cap and clip structure. To use the present invention, the resulting eye care solution container with retention device is inserted into a pocket such as a shirt pocket with the fabric of the shirt pocket placed between the cap and the clip. In this way, the eye care solution container with retention device is securely attached to a pocket, ready for use. To use the eye care solution container with retention device, the device is removed from one&#39;s pocket, the cap is unscrewed, and drops are placed in the eye by way of squeezing the body of the device while the device is tipped and the nozzle is placed above the eye. After drops are dispensed, the cap is reattached to the body by way of screwing the cap to the body. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a cap and ring structure is disclosed that can be attached to an existing bottle of liquid such as a bottle of eye care solution or a unit dose package.  FIG. 14A  depicts such a cap and ring structure where an attachment cap  1401  has attached a ring  1403 . The attachment cap  1401  and ring  1403  may, in one embodiment of the present invention, be made in one piece using, for example, an injection molding process that incorporates a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene (PP). The cap and ring structure may be made from a plastic such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, or the device may be made from a plant based plastic such as a plastic polylactide. The ring  1403  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be attached to the attachment cap  1401  with a ball and socket or a pin and socket setup, as can be seen in  FIG. 14D . Such an arrangement allows for the eye care solution cap to rotate independent of the ring  1403 , allowing for unobstructed closing and opening of the eye care solution bottle. The attachment cap  1401  is generally hollow, and may take on various geometries to better conform to specific liquid bottles and eye care solution containers. On the interior of the attachment cap  1401  is placed an adhesive  1405  that allows for attachment of the cap and ring structure to an existing cap from a liquid bottle such as an eye care solution container. The cap and ring structure is placed over an existing cap and pressed into place. Once the adhesive  1405  is properly set, the droplet container will now have a ring and can now be used.  FIG. 14B  shows a perspective view of the attachment cap and ring structure,  FIG. 14C  shows a plan view of the attachment cap and ring structure,  FIG. 14D  shows a top view of the attachment cap and ring structure, and  FIG. 14E  shows a bottom view of the attachment cap and ring structure. To use the resulting attachment cap and ring embodiment of the present invention, the eye care solution container with retention device is attached to a key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure by mechanically opening the ring and placing it through the key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure. In this way, the eye care solution container with retention device is securely attached to a key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure, and ready for use. To use the eye care solution container with retention device, the device is removed from the key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure by opening the ring and removing it, the cap is unscrewed, and drops are placed in the eye by way of squeezing the body of the device while the device is tipped and the nozzle is placed above the eye. After drops are dispensed, the cap is reattached to the body by way of screwing the cap to the body, and the device may then be reattached to the key ring, zipper pull, or other structure. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment of the present invention, and as depicted in  FIGS. 15A-15E , a unit dose body  1501  is provided with a ring  1505 .  FIG. 15A  is a plan view of the device,  FIG. 15B  is a perspective view of the device,  FIG. 15C  is a side view of the device,  FIG. 15D  is a top view of the device, and  FIG. 15E  is a bottom view of the device. As seen in  FIG. 15A , the unit dose body  1501  has a removable top  1503  upon which the ring  1505  is attached or otherwise molded. In some embodiments of the present invention, the ring  1505  may also be attached to the unit dose body  1501 . A unit dose package for dispensing a liquid such as eye care solution is a small hollow envelope like structure that is commonly made of a plastic such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and may be made by blow molding, for example. The unit dose package may also be made from a plant based plastic such as a plastic polylactide. A unit dose package commonly has a removable tear off top that, when removed, exposes a small opening to dispense the solution contained within the unit dose package. Often, the removable top is reattachable, making the unit dose package disposable but usable for a day or two. There is, thus, utility in incorporating a unit dose applicator for eye care solutions with a retention device (such as a clip or a ring). The ring  1505  may be molded in one piece including the unit dose body  1501  and unit dose top  1503 . The ring  1505  may also be made from a plastic, a metal such as steel, stainless steel, brass, or the like. The ring  1505 , in one embodiment of the present invention, may contain a split to allow for convenient placement on a key ring or the like. The ring  1505  may be a separate piece attached with adhesive after the initial manufacturing of the unit dose container, molded with the unit dose container, or otherwise attached in production or by the end user. Other structures similar to a split ring arrangement, such as a hinge, staggered split rings, a split ring pin and socket, and the like, may also be used to provide for convenient placement and use. 
         [0046]    To use the unit dose ring embodiment of the present invention, the device is attached to a key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure by mechanically opening the ring and placing it through the key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure. In this way, the eye care solution container with retention device is securely attached to a key ring, zipper pull, or similar structure, and ready for use. To use the eye care solution container with retention device, either the ring is removed from the key ring, zipper pull, or similar device, or the unit dose top is removed with the ring attached, and drops are placed in the eye by way of squeezing the unit dose body of the device while the device is tipped and the unit dose nozzle is placed above the eye. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment of the present invention, and as depicted in  FIGS. 16A-16E , a unit dose body  1601  is provided with a clip  1605 .  FIG. 16A  is a plan view of the device,  FIG. 16B  is a perspective view of the device,  FIG. 16C  is a side view of the device,  FIG. 16D  is a top view of the device, and  FIG. 16E  is a bottom view of the device. As seen in  FIG. 16A , the unit dose body  1601  has a removable top  1603  upon which the clip  1605  is attached or otherwise molded. In some embodiments of the present invention, the clip  1605  is attached to the unit dose body  1601  and top  1603 . A unit dose package for dispensing a liquid such as eye care solution is a small hollow envelope like structure that is commonly made of a plastic such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and may be made by blow molding, for example. The unit dose package may also be made from a plant based plastic such as a plastic polylactide. A unit dose package commonly has a removable tear off top that, when removed, exposes a small opening to dispense the solution contained within the unit dose package. Oftentimes, the removable top is reattachable, making the unit dose package disposable but usable for a day or two. There is, thus, utility in incorporating a unit dose applicator for eye care solutions with a retention device (such as a clip or a ring). The clip  1605  may be molded in one piece including the unit dose body  1601  and unit dose top  1603 . The clip  1605  may also be made from a plastic, a metal such as steel, stainless steel, brass, or the like. The clip  1605  may be a separate piece incorporated into a structure that fits over the cap  1603  of a standard unit dose body and cap, attached with adhesive after the initial manufacturing of the unit dose container, molded with the unit dose container, or attached in production or by the end user. The clip  1605  may further have a protrusion at one end to ensure that the device is properly retained in a pocket or the like. 
         [0048]    To use the unit dose clip embodiment of the present invention, the unit dose clip device is inserted into a pocket such as a shirt pocket with the fabric of the shirt pocket placed between the unit dose body/top and the clip. In this way, the device is securely attached to a pocket, ready for use. To use the unit dose clip device, the device is removed from one&#39;s pocket, the unit dose top is torn off or otherwise removed, and drops are placed in the eye by way of squeezing the body of the device while the device is tipped and the unit dose nozzle is placed above the eye. Once the eye care solution (in this case an eye drop) has been dispensed, the top can be replaced, and now with a retention device, it can be secured in a stable location until it is used again. 
         [0049]    It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, an eye care solution container with retention device. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, drawings, and claims.