Patent Publication Number: US-2005133382-A1

Title: Contact lens holder

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
      The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/196,041 filed Dec. 22, 2003, and U.S. application Ser. No. 29/196,042 filed Dec. 22, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to contact lens holders for retaining contact lenses and their storage solution.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The proper care and handling of contact lenses requires a holder or case for storing the contact lenses in their storage solution, and for protecting the contact lenses from contamination by dirt or germs. In addition, when traveling, a contact lens user will require a portable case to store and carry the contact lenses between wearing times. There are different types of contact lens holders available, some of which are portable and include separate receptacles for holding each of the left and right contact lenses.  
      Although these contact lens holders are useful for storing and carrying the contact lenses in separate receptacles, contact lens users often encounter problems in the handling and storing of their contact lenses. Problems include leakage of the storage solution from the receptacles; damage or scratches to the contact lenses when removing them from the contact lens holder; accumulation of dirt and germs that may contaminate the contact lenses and their storage solution; damage or loss of a cover or lid; and interchange of left and right covers such that the user mistakes the left contact lens for the right contact lens.  
      In an effort to address some of these problems, contact lens holders have been developed that include a seal ring arranged in a groove of each cover in an attempt to help prevent leakage or evaporation of the contact lens storage solution from its receptacles. However, such contact lens holders often provide an unsatisfactory level of protection against leakage or evaporation of storage solution. The seal ring can fall out or dry and crack and lead to a break in the seal and thus leakage of storage solution. There is no additional protection to prevent leakage or evaporation of storage solution by the covers being accidentally opened or the single seal being broken.  
      An additional shortcoming of known contact lens holders is that the receptacle covers are not readily detachable and interchangeable, and typically are not readily distinguishable from each other. Dirt or germs may accumulate more easily in the hinges of contact lens holders with non-detachable covers or other non-detachable parts, which can lead to contamination of the contact lenses and or storage solution. A further shortcoming with certain known contact lens holders is that the left and right receptacles are not easily identifiable, and as a result, a user may more easily interchange or mix up the left compartment and the right compartment. A user using such a contact lens holder may rely on left or right markings on the receptacles or covers in order to distinguish between the left and right receptacles when inserting or removing the contact lenses. This can be inconvenient for users when they are inserting or removing their contact lenses without corrected vision.  
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens holder that obviates or mitigates at least one of the above identified disadvantages.  
      According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a contact lens case comprising at least two compartments for retaining each contact lens and its storage solution, each compartment providing protection against leakage of the storage solution. The contact lens case comprising a first compartment for housing a contact lens and its storage solution, the first compartment including at least one substantially fluid-tight seal to retain the storage solution; and a second compartment encompassing the first compartment, the second compartment including at least one seal to provide additional protection against leakage of the storage solution.  
      In a particular implementation of the first aspect, the first compartment further comprises a receptacle and a cover. The receptacle is for holding the contact lens and its storage solution, and includes a side wall which includes a groove. The cover, for sealing the receptacle, includes a resiliently and inwardly biased flange for engaging with the side wall. The flange includes a lip for engaging with the groove of the side wall.  
      In a particular implementation of the first aspect, the contact lens case includes a base and a cover connected to the base. The base includes a chamber. The chamber includes a receptacle positioned within it for housing a contact lens and its storage solution. The receptacle includes a side wall that includes a groove. The cover includes a first portion for sealing the receptacle, and a second portion for sealing or enclosing the chamber. The first portion of the cover includes a resiliently and inwardly biased flange for engaging with the side wall of the receptacle. The flange includes a lip for engaging with the groove of the side wall.  
      In a particular implementation of the first aspect, the cover further comprises an opening member that aids the user in opening the cover.  
      In a particular implementation of the first aspect, the flange extends to the bottom of the side wall to encompass the side wall of the receptacle.  
      In a particular implementation of the first aspect, the second compartment further includes a base and a lid. The base includes a slot. The lid is pivotally attached to the base for sealing the base, and the lid including a latch for engaging with the slot.  
      In a particular implementation of the first aspect, the first compartment is detachably connected with the second compartment. The first compartment includes feet and the base of the second compartment includes cavities for receiving the feet to secure the first compartment to the second compartment.  
      In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a contact lens case with a lid that is pivotally moveable between an angle of from about one-hundred-and-twenty to about one-hundred-and-fifty degrees from the base, when the contact lens case is in an open position.  
      In a particular implementation of the second aspect, the lid includes a mirror.  
      In a particular implementation of the second aspect, the lid includes a mirror made from polycarbonate.  
      In a particular implementation of the second aspect, the angle is from about one-hundred-and-thirty to about one-hundred-and-forty degrees.  
      In a particular implementation of the second aspect, the angle is about one-hundred-and-thirty-five degrees.  
      In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a contact lens case with a base and a cover. The cover is detachably connected to the base, and the cover includes a connecting member for engaging with a notch of the base.  
      In a particular implementation of the third aspect, the connecting member includes hooked members and hinged members for engaging with the notch of the base. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Certain embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a contact lens holder in accordance with the present invention, showing an inner housing that is connectable to an outer housing;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 1 , with the inner housing connected to the outer housing, the outer housing in an open position, and a cover of the inner housing in a closed position;  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the contact lens holder show in  FIG. 1 , with the inner housing connected to the outer housing, the outer housing in an open position, and a cover of the inner housing in an open position;  
       FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the inner housing of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 1 , with covers in an open position;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the inner housing connected to the outer housing of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 1 , with the outer housing in an open position;  
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 1 , with the inner housing connected to the outer housing, the outer housing in an open position, one cover of the inner housing in an open position and the other cover in a closed position, and with a user viewing a mirror positioned on the inside surface of the lid of the outer housing, while inserting a contact lens;  
       FIG. 6   b  is a top perspective view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 1 , with the inner housing connected to the outer housing, the outer housing in an open position, one cover of the inner housing in an open position and the other cover in a closed position, and with a user viewing a mirror positioned on the inside surface of the lid of the outer housing;  
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a contact lens holder in accordance with the present invention, showing a base and two separate covers in open positions, and showing that covers may be detached and reattached to the base;  
       FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 7  while in a closed position;  
       FIG. 9  is a top partial perspective view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 7 , showing the hooked members of the connecting member of the cover connected to the notch of the base;  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 7 , showing the connecting member of the cover being connected with the notch of the base;  
       FIG. 11  is a top partial perspective view of the contact lens holder shown in  FIG. 7 , showing the connecting member of the cover being connected with the notch of the base;  
       FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a contact lens holder in accordance with the present invention, showing a base and two separate covers in open positions, showing that covers may be detached and reattached to the base, and showing that covers include opening members. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , a first embodiment of a contact lens holder  10  includes an outer housing  40  and an inner housing  20 , the outer housing  40  having a base  42  and a lid  44 , and the inner housing  20  having a pair of receptacles  30  mounted on a tray  22 .  
      Base  42  has a substantially flat bottom to allow contact lens holder  10  to rest stably on a flat surface. Outer housing  40  has a generally planar upper and lower surface, giving contact lens holder  10  a thin and portable shape, such that it can be conveniently transported in a pocket or purse. It is presently preferred that outer housing  40  of contact lens holder  10  is of a rectangular shape with rounded corners. However, it is understood that varying shapes and sizes are possible, including without limitation, square, round or oval shapes.  
      Inner housing  20  and outer housing  40  are made from a material that is resilient, strong, durable, that is substantially resistant to damage due to impact from normal usage, and non-porous such that it is capable of retaining conventional contact lens storage solutions. A presently preferred material for the inner housing  20  is a type of resilient molded plastic such as Polypropylene. A presently preferred material for the outer housing  40  is a type of resilient molded plastic such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.  
      In a present exemplary embodiment, outer housing  40  of contact lens holder  10  further includes a transverse latch  49  on lid  44  and a complementary transverse slot  48  on base  42  to receive latch  49 . When outer housing  40  is put into a closed position, latch  49  snaps into complementary slot  48 . The shape and dimensions of lid  44 , latch  49 , base  42  and slot  48  are such that latch  49  fits tightly into complementary transverse slot  48 , and lid  44  fits in a secure alignment on top of complementary base  42 , to provide a seal to outer housing  40 . In addition, a secure engagement of lid  44  and base  42  is obtained such that the unintentional separation of lid  44  from engagement with base  42  is reduced and/or substantially prevented. Lid  44  and base  42  are connected by a hinge  50 , allowing lid  44  to be pivotally mounted on base  44 . Lid  44  is pivotally moveable between an open position and a closed position, where lid  44  is at an angle α to the base ( FIG. 2 ).  
      Inner housing  20  further includes a pair of covers  26  connected to complementarily-shaped receptacles  30  by a pair of connecting members  28 . Connecting members  28  are flexible to allow covers  26  to move back and forth between an open position and a closed position, and yet are also resiliently deformable, in that they allow covers  26  to remain standing upright when in an open position. Each cover  26  is separate from the other and may be alternatively or simultaneously opened and closed. It is presently preferred that covers  26  and receptacles  30  are round or hemispherical in shape. However, it is understood that other shapes are possible, including without limitation, oval, rectangular and square shapes. The shape and dimensions of covers  26  and receptacles  30 , are such that covers  26  fit tightly over complementarily-shaped receptacles  30 , to provide at least one substantially fluid-tight seal that reduces and/or substantially prevents leakage of saline or storage solution. In addition, a secure engagement of cover  26  and receptacle  30  is obtained such that the unintentional separation of cover  26  from engagement with receptacle  30  is reduced and/or substantially prevented.  
      It is presently preferred that cover  26  include an opening member  25  to aid in the opening of the cover  26 . Opening member  25  protrudes out from cover  26  to accommodate a finger or thumb in order to assist in moving the cover  26  into an open position.  
      It is presently preferred that receptacle  30  of inner housing  20  further includes raised ribs  32  on the inside surface to support the contact lens and assist in removing the contact lenses from receptacles  30 . Ribs  32  can keep the contact lens from touching the bottom of receptacle  30  so that the contact lens can remain thoroughly bathed in the saline or storage solution. It is presently preferred that ribs  32  are substantially equally placed and spaced apart from each other, running radially from the inside center towards the upper periphery of receptacle  30 . It is also presently preferred that there are eight ribs  32 . However, it is understood that other configurations and numbers of ribs  32  are possible, including without limitation, two, three, four, five, six, seven, nine or ten ribs  32  arranged in a concentric or parallel manner, or running radially from the upper periphery to the center of receptacle  30 . In addition, it is presently preferred that bottom surface of receptacle  30  is of a hemispherical shape ( FIG. 2 ). However, it is understood that other shapes are possible, including without limitation, a rounded oval shape, or a flat rectangular or square shape. Further, the bottom or top surface of one cover  26  may be provided with the designation “R”, and thus intended to cover the receptacle  30  that receives the contact lens for the right eye; and the other cover  26  may be provided with the designation “L”, to cover the receptacle  30  that receives the contact lens for the left eye.  
      Inner housing  20  is separate and detachable from outer housing  40 , and multiple inner housings  20  may be interchanged with one or more outer housings  40 . A user may also detach inner housing  20  from outer housing  40  to clean each part separately. Further, if inner housing  20  is damaged, a user can detach the damaged inner housing  20  and replace it with another inner housing  20 .  
      Tray  22  of inner housing  20  can further include a front indent  34  and a rear indent  36 , both shaped to accommodate a finger and a thumb in order to assist the user in grasping and positioning inner housing  20  into outer housing  40  or removing inner housing  20  from outer housing  40 . Inner housing  20  may also be removed from outer housing  40  by grasping the inner housing  20  at a position other than the front indent  34  or rear indent  36  and pulling the inner housing  20  in an upwards motion. Tray  22  may further include one or more feet  24  extending from the bottom surface of tray  22  designed to fit into one or more complementary cavities  46  located on the inside surface of base  42 . It is presently preferred that inner housing  20  fit into outer housing  40  in only one position as shown in  FIG. 1 , so that inner housing  20  could not mistakenly be positioned backwards into outer housing  40 . Cavities  46  are slightly larger than feet  24  to allow feet  24  to be grasped by cavities  46  to secure inner housing  20  to outer housing  40 . It is presently preferred that feet  24  and cavities  46  are substantially round. It is also presently preferred that there are four feet  24  each located in the area of one of four corners of bottom surface of tray  22 , and four complementary cavities  46  each located in the area of one of four corners of the inside surface of base  42 . However, it is understood that any number of feet  24  and cavities  46  of varying shapes and sizes are possible, including without limitation, a contact lens case  10  with one, two, three, five or six feet  24  and complementary cavities  46 , each being rectangular, square or oval in shape.  
      Lid  44  of outer housing  40  further includes a mirror  52  on the inside surface to aid a user with inserting or removing his contact lenses. Mirror  52  is made from a material that is strong, durable and substantially resistant to damage due to impact from normal usage. A presently preferred material for mirror  52  is polycarbonate.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lid  44  is pivotally moveable to an angle α between the inside surface of lid  44  and inside surface of base  42 . Angle α is presently preferred to be from about one-hundred-and-ten to about one-hundred-and-sixty degrees, more presently preferred to be from about one-hundred-and-twenty to about one-hundred-and-fifty degrees, still more presently preferred to be from about one-hundred-and-thirty to about one-hundred-and-forty degrees, and most presently preferred at about one-hundred-and-thirty-five degrees. Angle α of lid  44  provides a user with an ergonomic position in viewing mirror  52  that assists the user when inserting or removing contact lenses. Angle α assists the user by allowing the user to position his head at a suitable angle when viewing mirror  52  such that the chances of air pockets getting caught between the contact lens and the user&#39;s eye is reduced, for at least some users, when the user is inserting a contact lens onto his eye. Further, angle α can assist the user by allowing the user to position his finger sufficiently underneath the contact lens such that the slipping of the contact lens off from the user&#39;s finger is reduced when the user is inserting the contact lens onto his eye. At angle α, the user can thus both comfortably, conveniently and safely insert and remove contact lenses when viewing mirror  52 .  
      Leakage or evaporation of the contact lens solution from contact lens holder  10  is reduced and/or substantially prevented by the fact that there are multiple seals provided by at least two separate compartments to contain each contact lens and its storage solution. As used herein, a “seal” includes both a substantially fluid-tight seal and a non-substantially fluid-tight seal that may nonetheless fail and cause some resulting leakage. It is presently preferred that there is at least one substantially fluid-tight seal provided by at least one compartment to contain each contact lens and its storage solution in receptacle  30 . There are two separate compartments provided by sealed receptacle  30  and cover  26  of inner housing  20 , and sealed outer housing  40 . In the event that the contact lens storage solution leaks out of the seal between cover  26  and receptacle  30  in inner housing  20 , additional leakage reduction is provided by the seal between lid  44  and base  44  in outer housing  40 . The multiple seals of contact lens holder  10  for each receptacle  30  thus reduces and/or substantially prevents leakage or evaporation of storage solution. In addition, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , cover  26  includes a flange  27  that is resiliently biased inward to frictionally engage against side wall  31  of receptacle  30  to provide a more secure seal. Flange  27  may also include a lip  29  to engage with a groove  33  of side wall  31  to further strengthen the seal between cover  26  and receptacle  30 . When cover  26  is in a closed position, flange  27  is biased slightly outward due to the pressure of engagement with side wall  31 . It is presently preferred that the depth of groove  33  does not fully receive the entire thickness of lip  29 , such that it would add to the pressure of flange&#39;s  33  engagement with side wall  31 , and to the tightness of the seal of cover  26  with receptacle  30 . In addition, it is presently preferred that flange  27  of cover  26  extend to the bottom of side wall  31  at the surface of tray  22  to encompass side wall  31  of receptacle  30  and provide a secure and substantially fluid-tight seal. Further, the top surface of side wall  31  engages tightly in a secure alignment with the inner surface of cover  26  to provide another substantially fluid-tight seal. It is presently preferred that the seal between cover  26  and receptacle  30  include at least one substantially fluid-tight seal. As will now occur to those of skill in the art, the seals between cover  26  and receptacle  30 , and between lid  44  and base  42 , reduces and/or substantially prevents leakage or evaporation of storage solution.  
      Inner housing  20  and outer housing  40  may each be of a variety of different colors, including without limitation, varying shades of blue, green, red, yellow, grey, purple, orange, and white. This color-coding advantageously facilitates distinction between multiple inner housings  20  or outer housings  40  of contact lens cases  10  that each contain different contact lenses. As is known by those of skill in the art, colored contact lenses are readily available to users in numerous different colors, including but not limited to varying shades of blue, green, brown, yellow, red and gray. A user that has a variety of different colored contact lenses can store each pair of colored contact lenses in a corresponding colored inner housing  20  and/or outer housing  40  to more easily distinguish between the differently colored contact lenses. As is also known by those of skill in the art, contact lenses of varying types are readily available to users, and include without limitation, daily, one week, two week or one month disposable contact lenses, and soft or hard non-disposable contact lenses. A user that has a variety of different contact lenses can store each pair of contact lenses in a differently colored inner housing  20  and/or outer housing  40  to more easily distinguish between the different contact lenses. Further, where there are other contact lens users in the same household, users can more easily distinguish between each other&#39;s contact lenses by storing each pair of contact lenses in a differently colored inner housing  20  and/or outer housing  40 .  
      Inner housing  20  is not limited to the structure described herein. Other than having receptacles  30  to contain contact lenses and covers  26  to seal receptacles  30 , inner housing  20  may be of a variety of different shapes, sizes and/or forms, including without limitation, round, oval or rectangular shapes.  
      To store contact lenses in contact lens case  10 , the user flips open lid  44  from base  42  by pushing and pressing lid  44  upwards to release latch  49  from slot  48 , to expose inner housing  20 . The user can remove inner housing  20  from outer housing  40  by grasping inner housing  20  at any area, such as at the front indent  34  and rear indent  36 , and then pulling or lifting inner housing  20  upwards such that feet  24  detach from cavities  46 . It is presently preferred that the user place inner housing  20  on a substantially flat surface. Then the user pulls or lifts the cover  26  to flip it open and expose a receptacle  30 . The user removes a contact lens from his eye, cleans it with solution, places it in receptacle  30  and then fills receptacle  30  with storage solution until the contact lens is immersed. During filling with storage solution, the contact lens is supported by ribs  32  such that the contact lens remains substantially bathed in storage solution. The user then closes receptacle  30  by pushing cover  26  downward until lip  29  of flange  27  engages with groove  33  of side wall  31  such that cover  26  snaps securely over receptacle  30 . The user then repeats the same procedure with the other contact lens to store it in the other receptacle  30 . The user can open or close covers  26  individually or at the same time. Then the user places inner housing  20  back into outer housing and pushes inner housing  20  downwards such that feet  24  are received securely into cavities  46 . Then the user closes outer housing  40  by pushing lid  44  downward until latch  49  engages with slot  48  such that lid  44  snaps securely closed over base  42 . The contact lenses are thus retained in the contact lens case  10  until subsequent use. Leakage of storage solution from each receptacle  30  is reduced and/or substantially prevented by the multiple seals of contact lens case  10 , that include without limitation, the top surface of side wall  31  engaging with the inner surface of cover  26 , flange  27  frictionally engaging and fully encompassing side wall  31 , lip  29  engaging with complementary groove  33 , and lid  44  aligning securely over top of base  42 .  
      To access contact lenses in contact lens case  10 , the user first flips open lid  44  from base  42  by pushing and pressing lid  44  upwards to release latch  49  from slot  48 , to expose inner housing  20 . The user can then remove inner housing  20  from outer housing  40  by grasping inner housing  20  at any area, including without limitation, front indent  34  and rear indent  36 , and then pulling or lifting inner housing  20  upwards such that feet  24  detach from cavities  46 . It is presently preferred that the user place inner housing  20  on a substantially flat surface. Then the user pulls or lifts the cover  26  to flip it open and expose a receptacle  30  containing a contact lens in its storage solution. The user removes a contact lens from receptacle  30  by placing a finger into receptacle  30  and underneath the immersed contact lens, and then slides or lifts the contact lens upwards from its position resting on ribs  32  and then out of receptacle  30 . After removal from receptacle  30 , the contact lens is rinsed with solution. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the user then positions outer housing  40  with lid  44  in an open position at angle α. While viewing mirror  52  set at angle α, and with the contact lens resting on the user&#39;s fingertip such that the contact lens does not fall off the user&#39;s fingertip, the user inserts the contact lens into his eye. As will occur to those of skill in the art, the user can also use an instrument instead of a finger to remove the contact lens from receptacle  30  and insert the contact lens into the user&#39;s eye.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7-11 , a second embodiment of a contact lens holder  100  includes a base  108  with a pair of receptacles  104  and detachable covers  102 .  
      Base  108  has a substantially flat bottom to allow contact lens holder  100  to rest stably on a flat surface. Contact lens holder  100  has a generally planar upper and lower surface, giving it a thin and portable shape, such that it can be conveniently transported in a user&#39;s pocket or purse. It is presently preferred that contact lens holder  100  is of a rectangular shape with rounded corners. However it is understood that varying shapes and sizes are possible, including without limitation, square, round or oval shapes.  
      Contact lens holder  100  is made from a material that is resilient, strong, durable, that is substantially resistant to damage due to impact from normal usage, and non-porous such that it is capable of retaining conventional contact lens storage solutions. Presently preferred materials are types of resilient molded plastics such as polypropylene.  
      Cover  102  includes a connecting member  110  extending downwards from its back side that connects cover  102  to base  108 . Connecting member  110  is flexible and allows cover  102  to move back and forth between an open position and a closed position, and yet is also resiliently deformable, in that it allows cover  102  to remain standing upright when in an open position. It is presently preferred that connecting member  110  include a hinge member  114  extending out sideways in a perpendicular manner relative to the body of connecting member  110 , that supports the connection of cover  102  to base  108 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , connecting member  110  snaps into a complementary notch  112  on base  108  to secure cover  102  to base  108 . It is also presently preferred that connecting member  110  include hooked members  116  extending upwards in a perpendicular manner relative to the body of connecting member  110 , that grasp the ends of notch  112  to secure cover  102  to base  108 . Cover  102  is detachable from base  108  by pulling cover  102  away from base  108  in a downward direction. In addition, cover  102 , including connecting member  110 , hinge members  114 , and hooked members  116 , are made from a material that is resilient, strong and substantially resistant to damage from forces due to impact, pulling or twisting from normal daily usage. The material and configuration of the connecting member  110 , hinge members  114  and hooked members  116  allow the cover  102  to be releasably affixed to base  108  such that it can detach from base  108  without substantial damage when a pre-determined amount of force or pressure is applied that would otherwise damage it through being pulled, twisted or forced backwards, upwards and/or sideways. When such amount of force or pressure is applied to cover  102 , hooked members  116  of connecting member  110  will detach itself from notch  112  of base  108  before cover  102 , connecting member  110 , hinge members  114 , and/or hooked members  116  are damaged by the force or pressure. It now will occur to those of skill in the art that other arrangements of connecting member  110 , hinge members  114  and hooked members  116  are possible, including without limitation, hooked members  116  extending downwards in a perpendicular manner relative to the body of connecting member  110 , such that cover  102  becomes detachable from base  108  by pulling cover  102  away from base  108  in an upwards direction.  
      It is presently preferred that base  108  include indents  118  positioned on the upper front side under each cover  102  and in front of each receptacle  104 , to assist a user in leveraging and flipping open covers  102 . However, it is understood that indents  118  can be positioned in other areas on the base  108 , including without limitation, on the left and right sides of base  108 .  
      It is presently preferred that receptacles  104  include raised ribs  106  on the inside surface to support the contact lenses and assist the user in removing the contact lenses from receptacles  104 . Ribs  106  also keep the contact lens from touching the bottom of receptacle  104  so that the contact lens can remain thoroughly bathed in the saline or storage solution. It is presently preferred that ribs  106  are substantially equally placed and spaced apart from each other, running radially from the inside center towards the upper periphery of receptacle  104 . It is also presently preferred that there are eight ribs  106 . However, it is understood that other arrangements and numbers of ribs  106  are possible, including without limitation, two, three, four, five, six, seven, nine or ten ribs  106  configured in a concentric manner, parallel manner, or in a configuration running radially from the upper periphery to the center of receptacle  104 . In addition, it is presently preferred that bottom surface of receptacle  104  is of a hemispherical shape ( FIG. 10 ). However, it is understood that other shapes are possible, including without limitation, a rounded oval shape, or a flat rectangular or square shape. Further, the bottom or top surface of one cover  102  can be provided with the designation “R”, and thus intended to cover the receptacle  104  that receives the contact lens for the right eye; and the other cover  102  can be provided with the designation “L”, to cover the receptacle  104  that receives the contact lens for the left eye.  
      Leakage or evaporation of the contact lens solution from contact lens holder  100  is reduced and/or substantially prevented by the multiple seals provided by at least two separate compartments to contain each contact lens and its storage solution. It is presently preferred that there are multiple substantially fluid-tight seals provided by at least one compartment to contain each contact lens and its storage solution in receptacle  104 . Base  108  is divided into two chambers  122  by a partition  120  between the left and right receptacles  104 . Each cover  102  includes a first portion  152  to seal receptacle  104  and a second portion  162  to seal chamber  122 . Cover  102  provides seals to both receptacle  104  and chamber  122 . This multiple sealing of both receptacle  104  and chamber  122  provides two separate compartments to contain each contact lens and its solution (i.e. sealed receptacle  104  and sealed chamber  122 ). It is presently preferred that cover  102  provides at least one substantially fluid-tight seal to receptacle  104 . In the event that the contact lens storage solution leaks out of the substantially fluid-tight seal of receptacle  104  and the cover&#39;s first portion  152 , additional leakage prevention is provided by the seal of chamber  122  and the cover&#39;s second portion  162 . The presently preferred multiple seals of receptacle  104  and chamber  122  thus reduces and/or substantially prevents the leakage or evaporation of storage solution.  
      In addition, referring to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , cover&#39;s first portion  152  includes a flange  103  that is resiliently biased inward to frictionally engage against side wall  107  of receptacle  104  to provide a more secure seal. In a present embodiment, flange  103  also includes a lip  105  to engage with a complementary groove  109  of side wall  107  to further strengthen the substantially fluid-tight seal between cover&#39;s first portion  152  and receptacle  104 . When cover  102  is in a closed position, flange  103  is biased slightly outward due to the pressure of engagement with side wall  107 . It is presently preferred that the depth of groove  109  does not fully receive the entire thickness of lip  105 , such that it would add to the pressure of flange&#39;s  103  engagement with side wall  107 , and to the tightness of the seal of cover&#39;s first portion  152  with receptacle  104 . In addition, it is presently preferred that flange  103  extend to the bottom of side wall  107  at the inside surface of base  108  to encompass side wall  107  of receptacle  104  and provide a secure and substantially fluid-tight seal. Further, the top surface of side wall  107  engages tightly in a secure alignment with the inner surface of cover  102  to provide another substantially fluid-tight seal.  
      Cover&#39;s second portion  162  engages tightly in alignment with the top surface of the walls of chamber  122  of base  108 , to provide a seal to chamber  122 , and an engagement of cover  102  and base  108  such that the unintentional separation of cover  102  from engagement with base  108  is reduced and/or substantially prevented. As will occur to those of skill in the art, the seals between cover&#39;s first portion  152  and receptacle  104 , and between cover&#39;s second portion  162  and chamber  122 , together reduce and/or substantially prevent leakage or evaporation of the storage solution.  
      Each cover  102  is detachable from base  108 , and multiple covers  102  can be interchanged with one or more bases  108 . It is presently preferred that right and left covers  102  have unique configurations such that they not be interchangeable, so that a user would only be able to attach a right cover  102  onto the right side of base  108  and a left cover  102  onto the left side of base  108 . A user can also detach covers  102  from base  108  to clean each part separately. Further, if a cover  102  is damaged, a user can detach the damaged cover  102  and replace it with another cover  102 , and would not be required to replace the base  108  or the whole contact lens case  100  as well. Cover  102  is attached to base  108  by bringing connecting member  110  underneath base  108  and pushing or pressing connecting member  110  upwards towards base  108  such that hooked members  116  engage with notch  112  from below and connecting member  110  snaps securely into place.  
      Right and left covers  102  and base  108  can each be of a variety of different colors, including without limitation, varying shades blue, green, red, yellow, grey, purple, orange, and white. This color-coding can facilitate distinction between multiple contact lens cases  100  that each contain different contact lenses. As is known by those of skill in the art, colored contact lenses are readily available to users in numerous different colors, including but not limited to varying shades of blue, green, brown, yellow, red and gray. A user that has a variety of different colored contact lenses can store each pair of colored contact lenses in separate contact lens cases  100  each with differently colored covers  102  and/or base  108  to more easily distinguish between the differently colored contact lenses. As is also known by those of skill in the art, contact lenses of varying types are readily available to users, and include without limitation, daily, one week, two week or one month disposable contact lenses, and non-disposable soft or hard contact lenses. A user that has a variety of different contact lenses can store each pair of contact lenses in separate contact lens cases  100  each with differently colored covers  102  and/or base  108  to more easily distinguish between the different contact lenses. Further, where there are other contact lens users in the same household, users can more easily distinguish between each other&#39;s contact lenses by storing each pair of contact lenses in separate contact lens cases  100  each with differently colored covers  102  and/or base  108 . In addition, a user can distinguish between left and right contact lenses by differently colored left and right covers  102 .  
      To store contact lenses in contact lens case  100 , the user flips open cover  102  from base  108  by pulling or pressing cover  102  upwards to expose receptacle  104 . It is presently preferred that the user place contact lens case  100  on a substantially flat surface. The user removes a contact lens from his eye, cleans it with solution, places it in receptacle  104  and then fills receptacle  104  with storage solution until the contact lens is immersed. During filling with storage solution, the contact lens is supported by ribs  106  such that the contact lens remains substantially bathed in storage solution. The user then closes receptacle  104  by pushing cover  102  downward until lip  105  of flange  103  engages with groove  109  of side wall  107  such that cover  102  snaps securely over receptacle  104  and chamber  122 . The user then repeats the same procedure with the other contact lens to store it in the other receptacle  104 . The user can open or close covers  102  alternatingly or at the same time. The contact lenses are thus retained in the contact lens case  100  until subsequent use. Leakage of storage solution from each receptacle  104  is reduced and/or substantially prevented by the multiple seals of contact lens case  100 , that include without limitation, the top surface of side wall  107  engaging with the inner surface of cover&#39;s first portion  152 , flange  103  frictionally engaging and fully encompassing side wall  107 , lip  105  engaging with complementary groove  109 , and cover&#39;s second portion  162  aligning securely over top surface of walls of chamber  122 .  
      The user can also remove covers  102  from base  108  for either cleaning or replacement by pulling cover  102 , while in an open position, away from base  108  in a downward direction. Afterwards, the user can insert the cleaned or replacement cover  102  back into base  108  by bringing connecting member  110  underneath base  108  and pushing or pressing connecting member  110  upwards towards base  108  such that hooked members  116  engage with notch  112  from below and connecting member  110  snaps securely into place. If there are multiple contact lens cases  100  each containing different contact lenses, a user can replace covers  102  from each contact lens case  100  with other covers  102  of different colors, such that the user can distinguish between different contact lens cases  100  containing different contact lenses by the different colors of covers  102 .  
      To access contact lenses stored in contact lens case  100 , the user first flips open one cover  102  from base  108  by pulling or pressing the cover  102  upwards to expose receptacle  104  containing a contact lens in its storage solution. It is presently preferred that the user place contact lens case  100  on a substantially flat surface. The user removes a contact lens from receptacle  104  by placing a finger into receptacle  104  and underneath the immersed contact lens, and then slides or lifts the contact lens upwards from its position resting on ribs  106  and then out of receptacle  104 . After removal from receptacle  104 , the user rinses contact lens with solution and inserts it into his eye in a conventional manner. As will occur to those of skill in the art, the user can also use an instrument instead of a finger to remove the contact lens from receptacle  104  and insert the contact lens into the user&#39;s eye.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a contact lens holder in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at  100   a . The contact lens holder  100   a  includes the same elements as the contact lens holder  100 , and like elements in contact lens holder  100   a  bear the same reference as their counterparts in contact lens holder  100 , except with the suffix “a”. The difference is that the cover  102   a  of contact lens holder  100   a  includes an opening member  111   a  that aids the user in opening the cover  102   a , whereas the cover  102  of contact lens holder  100  does not include such an opening member. Opening member  111   a  protrudes out from cover  102   a  to accommodate a finger or thumb in order to assist the user in moving the cover  102   a  into an open position.  
      While only specific configurations and combinations of the various features and components of the present invention have been discussed herein, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that desired subsets of the disclosed features and components and/or alternative combinations and configurations of these features and components can be utilized, as desired.  
      The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.