Patent Publication Number: US-2023136056-A1

Title: Vibrating base assembly for cleaning contact lenses

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to assemblies operably configured to clean contact lenses and, more particularly, relates to structures operably configured to retain and vibrate containers housing one or more contact lenses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Contact lenses provide the comfort and convenience of improved eyesight without the hassle involved in wearing eyeglasses. However, proper lens hygiene is paramount and special care must be taken in cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses after every use to prevent the development of vision-related medical issues from arising, e.g., eye infection, blurred or fuzzy vision, red or irritated eyes, uncomfortable lenses, and pain in or around the eyes. An effective cleaning process is vital to ensure comfortable and infection-free contact lens wear, allowing for better eye health and vision. A proper disinfection cycle involves using a multipurpose solution with soft contact lenses and rubbing the contact lens for between 2 and 20 seconds, depending on the contact lens care solution. This practice removes protein and residue build-up (surface deposits) and micro-organisms and reduces complications, promoting cleaner lenses. Some recent evidence conclusively demonstrates that rubbing and rinsing lens after wear provides the safest lens wear for all contact lenses and care systems currently on the market. The rubbing of lenses is typically done with a user&#39;s fingertips which may sometimes cause damage to contact lenses. As such, existing prior art discloses vibrating devices operably configured to clean and disinfect contact lenses. See, e.g., Schollmaier et al. (Alcon Laboratories Inc.), U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,959 A (Oct. 26, 1971); David Michael Zakutin, U.S. Pat. No. 8,015,987 B2 (Sep. 13, 2011); Tanaka et al. (Menicon Co Ltd.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,904 A (Oct. 30, 1990); Mark Chepurny, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0182428A1 (Sep. 23, 2004); Rebecca A. Simonette, U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,237 B2 (Jul. 3, 2012). 
     However, the existing prior art is characterized by significant drawbacks including, without limitation, the excessive noise caused by the vibrating mechanism which can be inconvenient, bothersome, and aggravating to a user, as well as the inability to designate and set different cleaning modes to facilitate various cleaning needs. Additionally, known prior art often entails the use of components that may be bulky and require assembly or external components, e.g., requiring assembly, connectors, external power source, etc. Some prior art fails to adequately clean, sanitize, and disinfect contact lens and, in fact, has the opposite effect, because it is designed in a way whereby the contact lenses must be directly placed within the cleaning device, exposing the lenses to dirt, dust, rust, germs, residue from prior uses, and other foreign particles resident on the cleaning device. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an integrated and standalone vibrating base assembly for cleaning contact lenses that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provides a simple and easy way to gently clean contact lenses and promote healthy eyes. Embodiments of the invention reduce protein and residue build-up that may cause eye infections and other serious or bothersome eye concerns. Routine use of the present invention is also recommended as part of a hygienic routine to reduce damage caused by the excessive use of rubbing fingertips when cleaning lenses. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a vibrating base assembly for cleaning contact lenses comprising a base housing defining a housing cavity, with an upper edge, with at least one vibration motor disposed within the housing cavity, electrically coupled to a power source, and operably configured to selectively induce a vibration therefrom with at least one switch coupled to the base housing; and a bottom surface and an upper surface opposing the bottom surface of the vibrating base assembly and spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity from the upper edge of the base housing to define a concave recess relative to the upper edge of the base housing and sized to receive two contact lens containers the upper surface of a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material configured to support two contact lens containers and operably coupled to the at least one vibration motor and receive a vibration thereon upon activation of the at least one switch. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one support pad of a friction-inducing material and at least partially defining the bottom surface of the vibrating base assembly. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the vibrating base assembly further comprises an upper support wall of a polymeric material, defining at least a portion of the upper surface defining the concave recess, with a bottom wall portion defining a portion of the upper surface and defining a lens support plane parallel and non co-planar with a base support plane defined by the bottom surface, and with a sidewall portion spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity from the upper edge of the base housing and surrounding the bottom wall portion. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the vibrating base assembly also includes an internal support member retaining the at least one vibration motor, wherein the at least one vibration motor is adjacent and below the bottom wall portion. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the sidewall portion includes at least one arcuate portion defining, with an opposing surface of the sidewall portion, a central width, and defining two defined circular portions partially defined with the at least one arcuate portion interposed thereon, the two defined circular portions configured to support two contact lens containers. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes two vibration motors with one of the two vibration motors disposed adjacent and below the bottom wall portion of each of the two defined circular portions. 
     In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first side retention member protruding from the sidewall portion on one of the two defined circular portions and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; and a second side retention member opposing the first side retention member protruding from the sidewall portion on another of the two defined circular portions and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the vibrating base assembly includes at least one floor retention member protruding from the bottom wall portion on and centrally disposed on one of the two defined circular portions, partially surrounded by the first side retention member, and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; and at least one floor retention member protruding from the bottom wall portion on and centrally disposed on another of the two defined circular portions, partially surrounded by the second side retention member, and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material. 
     In accordance with another feature, the base housing further comprises a housing ledge recessed from the upper edge and with the upper support wall selectively removably coupled thereto, the upper support wall of a monolithic structure. 
     In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention further comprises an electronic controller electrically coupled to the power source and communicatively coupled to the at least one vibration motor; and at least two switches translatably coupled to the base housing, wherein one of the at least two switches is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor in a first mode with a constant vibration for a first mode period of time and a first mode vibrational rotations per minute and another of the at least two switches is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor in a second mode with a cyclic constant vibration for a second mode period of time and a second mode vibrational rotations per minute, wherein the first mode vibrational rotations per minute is less than the second mode vibrational rotations per minute. 
     In combination with a pair of contact lens containers having a lens base and a lens cap selectively removably coupled to the lens base, the present invention comprises a vibrating base assembly with a base housing defining a housing cavity, with an upper edge, with at least one vibration motor disposed within the housing cavity, electrically coupled to a power source, and operably configured to selectively induce a vibration therefrom with at least one switch coupled to the base housing; a bottom surface and an upper surface opposing the bottom surface of the vibrating base assembly; and an upper support wall of a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material, defining at least a portion of the upper surface, with a bottom wall portion, and with a sidewall portion surrounding the bottom wall portion and spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity from the upper edge of the base housing to define a concave recess relative to the upper edge of the base housing and with the lens base of the pair of contact lens containers disposed therein and supported with the upper support wall, the upper support wall operably coupled to the at least one vibration motor and to receive a vibration thereon upon activation of the at least one switch. 
     In accordance with a feature of the improvement, the bottom wall portion defines a portion of the upper surface and defines a lens support plane parallel and non co-planar with a base support plane defined by the bottom surface. 
     In accordance with another feature of the present improvement, the present invention also includes at least one support pad of a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material and at least partially defining the bottom surface of the vibrating base assembly. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present improvement, an embodiment of the present improvement further includes an internal support member retaining the at least one vibration motor. 
     In accordance with yet another feature of the present improvement, the sidewall portion includes at least one arcuate portion defining, with an opposing surface of the sidewall portion, a central width, and defining two defined circular portions partially defined with the at least one arcuate portion interposed thereon, the two defined circular portions configured to support at least one contact lens container. 
     In accordance with a feature of the present improvement, the vibrating base assembly comprises at least one of a first side retention member protruding from the sidewall portion and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; a second side retention member opposing the first side retention member protruding from the sidewall portion and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; a floor retention member protruding from the bottom wall portion and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; or a floor retention member protruding from the bottom wall portion and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material. 
     In accordance with another feature, the present improvement further comprises an electronic controller electrically coupled to the power source and communicatively coupled to the at least one vibration motor; and at least one switch translatably coupled to the base housing, wherein the at least one switch is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor in a first mode with a constant vibration for a first mode period of time and a first mode vibrational rotations per minute. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the at least one switch is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor in a second mode with a cyclic constant vibration for a second mode period of time and a second mode vibrational rotations per minute. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a vibrating base assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user&#39;s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the base housing, from one left end side to a right end side opposing the left end side. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective front view of a vibrating base assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is top plan view of the vibrating base assembly, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional front view across the section line reflected in  FIG.  2    of the vibrating base assembly, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is an elevational side view of the vibrating base assembly, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional front view across the section line reflected in  FIG.  4    of the vibrating base assembly in combination with a pair of contact lens containers, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded front view of the vibrating base assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom plan view of the vibrating base assembly, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient hygienic device that uses proprietary sonic technology to aid in the cleansing and prevention of surface deposits on contact lenses (e.g., soft hydrogel, silicone hydrogel, hybrid, hard/RGP, colored, etc.). Embodiments of the invention provide a vibrating base assembly that is operably configured to be used in combination with contact lens cases as part of lens wearers&#39; hygienic routine to beneficially reduce damage caused by the excessive use of rubbing fingertips when cleaning contact lenses. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide two different cleaning modes for selection by a user, namely, a “sleep” mode and a “fast” mode, which can be selectively activated based on the needs and preferences of the user. As used herein, the terms “sleep” mode and “fast” mode are meant only to identify the varying modes and are not to be construed as limiting in any way. Embodiments of the present invention also provide an assembly that can operate without the generation or output of excessive noise, i.e., an assembly that operates quietly, and that can operate without the need for additional external components, e.g., assemblies, connectors, external power sources, etc. The present invention is operably configured to come into direct contact with the contact lens case or container, not the contact lenses themselves as is the case with some prior art, which prevents the lenses from being exposed to dirt, dust, rust, germs, and other foreign particles that may be resident on the assembly itself. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective front view.  FIG.  1    shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a vibrating base assembly  100  (hereinafter referred to as “assembly  100 ” for brevity), as shown in  FIG.  1   , includes a base housing  102  defining a housing cavity  300 , with an upper edge  108 , with or more one vibration motor(s)  302 ,  304  disposed within the housing cavity  300 . The base housing  102  is preferably of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) silicone or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composition, having several beneficial properties including, without limitation, high abrasion resistance, high shear strength, and oil and grease resistance. In alternate embodiments, the base housing  102  may be of an alternate material composition having similar properties. 
     The base housing  102  comprises the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  (i.e., one or more than one) and, in an exemplary embodiment, comprises two (2) Eccentric Rotating Mass vibration motors (ERMs). Exemplary vibration motors  302 ,  304  consist of 2 3 VDC motors producing between 1200 and 1600 revolutions per minute (RPM), a voltage of approximately 1-1.5V, having wire leads and an operating temperature of approximately −20° C.˜70° C., and being used for vibration alerting and haptic feedback. The vibration motors  302 ,  304  are suitable for single/double cell power buses of Alkaline, Zinc, Silver Oxide and single cell Lithium primary sources, NiCd, NiMH, and Li-ion secondary rechargeable batteries. The at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  is electrically coupled to a power source  306 , and operably configured to selectively induce a vibration therefrom with at least one switch  106  coupled to the base housing  102 . In one embodiment, the base housing  102  is formed with two shell members operably configured to couple together around a perimeter edge or surface thereon to form the housing cavity  300  and one or more enclosed aperture(s) for the switch(es)  106  and an enclosed aperture for an upper support wall  112 . 
     Beneficially, the vibration motors  302 ,  304  overcome the known limitations of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type by operating in a much quieter fashion that is not excessively disturbing or bothersome to those in close proximity to the assembly  100 . In one embodiment, the power source  306  is a USB-C charging port (seen in  FIG.  3   ) operably configured to selectively recharge a main lithium-ion battery (which may also be considered a power source  306 ) housed within the base housing  102 . The power source  306  beneficially allows the assembly  100  to be recharged without the need for bulky or inconvenient external or ancillary component such as connectors, wires, cables, etc. The power source  306  may comprise, or function in conjunction with, a printed circuit board (PCB) consisting of a laminated structure of conductive and insulating layers. Due to the compact and rechargeable characteristics of the power source  306 , the assembly  100  beneficially lacks the need for any additional or external components, parts, connectors, or support structures and requires no user assembly, i.e., it is preassembled. The switch  106  may include a button covering the switch  106  or otherwise operably coupled thereto for manipulation by a user. The operation and operation mode (as further described hereinafter) of the assembly  100  is designed to be selectively manipulated by the user using the switch  106 . In a preferred embodiment, the switch  106  is of a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) composition for greater ease of manipulation and may vary in alternate embodiments. The base housing is approximately between 5 to 6 centimeters wide, 10 to 11 centimeters long, and 2 to 3 centimeters high in a preferred embodiment, to provide a compact and portable size, dimension, and configuration of the assembly  100 . 
     It should be understood that terms such as, “front,” “rear,” “side,” top,” “bottom,” and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the base housing  102  from the front thereof (see  FIG.  1   ). 
     The assembly  100  also includes a bottom surface  700  (as best depicted in  FIG.  7   ) and an upper surface  104  that can be seen opposing the bottom surface  700  and seen spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity  300  from the upper edge  108  of the base housing  102  to define a concave recess  110  relative to the upper edge  108  of the base housing  102  and sized to receive two contact lens containers  500 ,  502 . The two contact lens containers  500 ,  502  may be any generally available containers  500 ,  502  known in the industry such that the assembly facilitates a universal or one-size-fits-most application to most lens cases or containers. Exemplary dimensions of the two contact lens containers  500 ,  502  are approximately 2.3 inches to 3.4 inches in length, approximately 1 inch to 2 inches in width, and approximately 0.5 inches to 1 inches in height. As such, the concave recess  110  of the base housing  102  is proportionately sized and shaped to receive two contact lens containers  500 ,  502 . 
     The assembly  100  may further comprise at least one support pad  308  (depicted in  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  7   ) of a friction-inducing material and at least partially defining the bottom surface  700  of the vibrating base assembly  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the assembly  100  comprises two support pads  308   a ,  308   b  (best depicted in  FIG.  7   ) longitudinally disposed on the bottom surface  700  of the assembly  100 . The support pad  308  is operably configured to produce friction between the bottom surface  700  of the assembly  100  and the solid surface on which the assembly  100  rests, e.g., bathroom counter, table, drawer, etc., in order to control or stop forward or backward motion of the assembly  100 , i.e., to prevent the assembly  100  from inadvertently or accidentally slipping, sliding, or falling. The friction-inducing material of the support pad  308  may include organic and non-organic substances such as resin, ceramics, fibers, and metals. In an exemplary embodiment, the friction-inducing material is a thermoplastic rubber (TPR), natural rubber, chloroprene, polysiloxane, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), isobutylene isoprene, fluorosilicone rubber, or another elastomer having a high coefficient of friction with respect to other contact materials (friction coefficient ranging between 1.0 and 4.0). Because many friction-inducing materials have a limited lifespan, it may be necessary to closely monitor and replace the support pad  308  when it no longer exhibits the beneficial friction-inducing properties or characteristics. The support pad  308  preferably spans longitudinally across at least 50% of the length of the bottom surface  700  of the assembly  100  so as to provide a greater level of friction and slip resistance between the assembly  100  and the solid surface upon which it rests. 
     As best depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the assembly  100  also beneficially includes the upper support wall  112  coupled thereto. The upper support wall  112  is beneficially of a polymeric material, defining at least a portion of the upper surface  104  defining the concave recess  110 , with a bottom wall portion  116  defining a portion of the upper surface  104  and defining a lens support plane  310  parallel and non co-planar with a base support plane  312  defined by the bottom surface  700 , and with a sidewall portion  114  spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity  300  from the upper edge  108  of the base housing  102  and surrounding the bottom wall portion  116 . In one embodiment, the upper support wall  112  is selectively removably coupled to the base housing  102  to facilitate sanitation of the assembly  100 , i.e., by removing the upper support wall  112  from the base housing  102  and separately cleaning, washing, and drying it before returning the upper support wall  112  to the assembly  100 . In another embodiment, the upper support wall  112  is permanently affixed to the base housing  102  as part of a single monolithic assembly structure, i.e., a single, continuous structure. The upper support wall  112  is of a TPU silicone material in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The upper support wall  112  is also preferably of a thickness (that may be uniform) of 0.2-0.4 cm. 
     In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the assembly  100  may also include an internal support member  314  retaining the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304 , wherein the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  is adjacent and below (and may support) the bottom wall portion  116 . As used herein, “adjacent” is defined as directly touching or within 0.5 inches of the bottom wall portion  116 . The internal support member  314  is designed to structurally support or protect the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  from damage or injury caused by external forces. The at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  is approximately between 2 mm and 6 mm, although it may be slightly larger when encapsulated in the internal support member  314 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , the sidewall portion  114  may include at least one arcuate portion  200  defining, with an opposing surface of the sidewall portion  202 , a central width  204 , and defining two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  partially defined with the at least one arcuate portion  200  interposed thereon, the two defined circular portions configured to support and/or compressively retain the two contact lens containers  500 ,  502 . Specifically, the first defined circular portion  206  is configured to support the first contact lens container  500  (corresponding to, for example, the left eye contact lens container) and the second defined circular portion  208  is configured to support the second contact lens container  502  (corresponding to, for example, the right eye contact lens container). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly  100  comprises two vibration motors  302 ,  304  with one of the two vibration motors  302 ,  304  disposed adjacent and below the bottom wall portion  116  of each of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208 . As used herein, “adjacent” is defined as directly touching or within 0.5 inches of the bottom wall portion  116  of each of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208 . This placement and configuration beneficially improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the cleaning of the contact lenses. The close proximity between the two vibration motors  302 ,  304  and the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  results in a more effective sanitation and cleaning of the contact lenses housed within the contact lens containers because the frequency of the vibration generated by the two vibration motors  302 ,  304  is greater closer to the source, i.e., to the two vibration motors  302 ,  304 . As such, the greater frequency near the contact lens containers increases the vibration of the contact lens solution within the contact lens containers and the contact lenses housed therein, resulting in a continued vibration that stimulates the back-and-forth movement of the contact lenses against the contact lens solution. This movement mimics the rubbing of a user&#39;s fingertips on contact lenses and the resulting removal of residue from the lenses, but eliminates and prevents the damage that is often caused to the contact lenses by the excessive use of rubbing fingertips. In this way, placement of the two vibration motors  302 ,  304  adjacent and below the bottom wall portion  116  of each of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  (wherein the two defined circular portions support two contact lens containers  500 ,  502 ) significantly contributes to the effectiveness of the cleaning function performed by the assembly  100 . 
     The assembly  100  may also include a first side retention member  118  protruding from the sidewall portion  114  on one of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; and a second side retention member  120  opposing the first side retention member  118  protruding from the sidewall portion  114  on another of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material. The two retention members  118 ,  120  are deformable in that they are capable of being repeatedly manipulated without tearing and are friction-inducing to beneficially aid in the cleaning function of the assembly  100  and to keep and compressively retain the two contact lens containers  500 ,  502  substantially in a stationary location within the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  during use of the assembly  100 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the side retention members  118 ,  120  are substantially thin, narrow, discontinuous, and have rounded edges. As used herein, “discontinuous” is defined as not completely surrounding or connecting at a point. As mentioned above, the friction-inducing material may include organic and non-organic substances such as resin, ceramics, fibers, and metals. In an exemplary embodiment, the friction-inducing material is a natural rubber, chloroprene, polysiloxane, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), isobutylene isoprene, fluorosilicone rubber, or another elastomer having a high coefficient of friction with respect to other contact materials (friction coefficient ranging between 1.0 and 4.0). In alternate embodiments, the assembly  100  may comprise only a single side retention member  118 . 
     Similarly, the assembly  100  may also include at least one floor retention member  122  protruding from the bottom wall portion  116  on and centrally disposed on one of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208 , partially surrounded by the first side retention member  118 , and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; and at least one floor retention member  124  protruding from the bottom wall portion  116  on and centrally disposed on another of the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208 , partially surrounded by the second side retention member  120 , and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material. The floor retention members  122 ,  124  are operably configured to serve the same functions as the side retention members  118 ,  120  and, in one embodiment, embody the same dimensions, properties, and characteristics as the side retention members  118 ,  120 . In alternate embodiments, the assembly  100  may comprise only a single floor retention member  122  or may comprise at least one floor retention member  122  in conjunction with at least one side retention member  118 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  6   , the present invention includes a housing ledge  600  recessed from the upper edge  108  and with the upper support wall  112  selectively removably coupled thereto, the upper support wall  112  of a monolithic structure, wherein “monolithic” is defined as a single, continuous structure. The recessed configuration of the housing ledge  600  beneficially prevents the upper support wall  112  from protruding outwardly away from the assembly  100  in a way that may cause external items to get caught thereon and to accidentally cause the assembly  100  to slip, slide, or fall. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the assembly  100  includes an electronic controller  316  electrically coupled to the power source  306  and communicatively coupled to the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304 . The electronic controller  316  may comprise an electronic screen or at least one button which may be selectively manipulated by a user to control the power source  306 , e.g., to turn the assembly  100  on or off, and to control the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304 , e.g., to select the specific operation mode desired by the user. The electronic controller  316  may communicate with the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  over a network  1200  using a short-range communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth communication protocol, which may also operate as a receiver, transmitter, and/or transceiver. The PAN interface may permit the electronic controller  316  to connect wirelessly to another electronic computing device, e.g., software or mobile application, via a peer-to-peer connection or other communicatively coupled configuration. The network interface(s) may also include a local area network (LAN) interface. The LAN interface may be, for example, an interface to a wireless LAN, such as a Wi-Fi network. In one embodiment, there is a wireless LAN that provides the electronic controller  316  with access to the Internet for receiving and sending inputs/messages to, for example, an administrator server or other electronic device over, for example, the Internet. The range of the LAN interface may generally exceed the range available via the PAN interface. Typically, a connection between two electronic devices via the LAN interface may involve communication through a network router or other intermediary device. Additionally, the network interface(s) may include the capability to connect to a wide area network (WAN) via a WAN interface. The WAN interface may permit a connection to a cellular mobile communications network. The WAN interface may include communications circuitry, such as an antenna coupled to a radio circuit having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the antenna. The radio circuit may be configured to operate in a mobile communications network, including but not limited to global systems for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and the like. 
     The assembly  100  also features two modes of operation, namely, a “sleep” mode and a “fast” mode, which the user may select based on user needs and preferences. Specifically, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the assembly  100  comprises at least two switches  106   a ,  106   b  translatably coupled to the base housing  102 , wherein one of the at least two switches  106   a  is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  in a first mode with a constant vibration for a first mode period of time and a first mode vibrational rotations per minute and another of the at least two switches  106   b  is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  in a second mode with a cyclic constant vibration for a second mode period of time and a second mode vibrational rotations per minute, wherein the first mode vibrational rotations per minute is less than the second mode vibrational rotations per minute. As used herein, the “sleep” mode corresponds to the first mode and the “fast” mode corresponds to the second mode. The first mode (interchangeably referred to herein as the “sleep” mode) is operably configured to be used once a day, before the user goes to sleep, to allow for cleaning of the contact lenses throughout the night when they are typically not in use. It provides a gentle, overnight, intermittent lens cleaning. The first mode functions on a 12-hour sleep cycle and performs 3 cycles per hour for a combined total of 36 cycles in 12 hours. The vibration motors  302 ,  304  vibrate at 1,200 RPM for 60 seconds, stop after 60 seconds, and resume again after 20 minutes. Said differently, the vibration motors  302 ,  304  vibrate for 60 seconds every 20 minutes. In one embodiment, the progress of the two modes of operation is indicated by an audio or visual indicator emanating from the switches  106   a ,  106   b , e.g., by a light or tone. Under the first mode, the indicator light emanating from the switch  106   a  dims to 50% after the first 60 seconds of running. If the switch  106   a  is not activated or pressed, the cycle automatically ends after 12 hour cycle and the indicator light dims completely to 0%. If the switch  106   a  is not activated or pressed during the cycle, the cycle ends and the indicator light dims completely to 0%. 
     The second mode (interchangeably referred to herein as the “fast” mode) is operably configured to provide a faster cleaning of the contact lenses than the first mode, which is accomplished by the greater vibrational rotations per minute produced under the second mode than under the first mode. This second mode of operation is ideal when contact lenses need to be cleaned in a shorter period of time, but this second mode of operation should preferably be used no more than once a day. The second mode functions on a 3-minute cycle and performs one uninterrupted 3-minute cycle. When the switch  106   b  is activated or pressed once, the indicator light emanating from the switch  106   b  turns on at 100% brightness and remains blinking (at 0.5-seconds frequency) during the duration of the 3-minute cycle. The vibration motors  302 ,  304  vibrate at 1,600 RPM FOR 3 minutes and shut off automatically at the conclusion of the cycle. When the switch  106   b  is activated or pressed a second time, the assembly  100  is shut off. 
     Before activating either mode of operation, the contact lenses must be placed within the contact lens containers  500 ,  502  along with fresh contact lens solution, e.g., cleaning solution, multi-rinse solution, multipurpose solution, etc., and the contact lens containers  500 ,  502  are then placed within the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208 . Without the contact lens solution, the vibration generated by the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  may cause damage, e.g., tearing, scratching, etc., to the contact lenses rather than effectively clean the contact lenses as is intended. As such, each contact lens must rest within approximately 2.5 mL of contact lens solution. For adequate rubbing and rinsing, approximately 5 mL of solution (2.5 mL/lens) should be used. The average contact lens container  500 ,  502  holds approximately 2.5 mL of solution, the amount necessary to properly disinfect the contact lens. 
     An improvement has also been disclosed that is designed to be used in combination with the pair of contact lens containers  500 ,  502  having a lens base  504  and a lens cap  506  selectively removably coupled to the lens base  506 . The lens base  504  and the lens cap  506  are best seen in  FIGS.  4 - 5   . The lens cap  506  is preferably tightened over the lens base  506  during use of the assembly  100  to prevent the contact lenses and contact lens solution from escaping the contact lens containers  500 ,  502  and to prevent the contact lens solution from evaporating or drying up. The improvement comprises the vibrating base assembly  100  with the base housing  102  defining the housing cavity  300 , with the upper edge  108 , with the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  disposed within the housing cavity  300 , electrically coupled to the power source  306 , and operably configured to selectively induce a vibration therefrom with the at least one switch  106  coupled to the base housing  102 . The bottom surface  700  and upper surface  104  oppose the bottom surface  700  of the vibrating base assembly  100 . The improvement also includes the upper support wall  112  of a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material, defining at least a portion of the upper surface  104 , with the bottom wall portion  116 , and with the sidewall portion  114  surrounding the bottom wall portion  116  and spanning inwardly toward the housing cavity  300  from the upper edge  108  of the base housing  102  to define the concave recess  110  relative to the upper edge  108  of the base housing  102  and with the lens base  504  of the pair of contact lens containers  500 ,  502  disposed therein and supported with the upper support wall  112 , the upper support wall  112  operably coupled to the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  and to receive a vibration thereon upon activation of the at least one switch  106 . 
     In one embodiment, the bottom wall portion  116  defines a portion of the upper surface  104  and defines the lens support plane  310  parallel and non co-planar with the base support plane  312  defined by the bottom surface  700 . The lens support plane  310  is operably configured to provide an adequate support surface for retention of the pair of contact lens containers  500 ,  502 . The base support plane  312  is operably configured to provide a stable bottom surface for the base housing  102  of the assembly  100  to rest on. 
     The improvement may also include the at least one support pad  308  of a friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material and at least partially defining the bottom surface  700  of the vibrating base assembly  100 . As explained in greater detail above, the support pad  308  is operably configured to generate friction between the assembly  100  and the surface on which it is laid to rest to beneficially avoid the assembly  100  from inadvertently sliding, slipping, or falling. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the assembly  100  includes the internal support member  314  retaining the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  to house, shield, and protect the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  from damage caused by external forces. 
     The sidewall portion  114  may further include the at least one arcuate portion  200  defining, with an opposing surface of the sidewall portion  202 , the central width  204 , and defining two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  partially defined with the at least one arcuate portion  200  interposed thereon, the two defined circular portions configured to support the at least one contact lens container  500 . 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the assembly  100  comprises at least one of the first side retention member  118  protruding from the sidewall portion  114  and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; the second side retention member  120  opposing the first side retention member  118  protruding from the sidewall portion  114  and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; the floor retention member  122  protruding from the bottom wall portion  116  and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material; or the floor retention member  124  protruding from the bottom wall portion  116  and of the friction-inducing, deformable, and polymeric material. Said differently, the assembly may include one, some, or all of the first side retention member  118 , the second side retention member  120 , the floor retention member  122 , or the floor retention member  124 , all of which perform a similar function, namely, retaining the pair of contact lens containers  500 ,  502  within the two defined circular portions  206 ,  208  and maintaining the pair of contact lens containers  500 ,  502  in a substantially stationary position during use of the assembly  100 . 
     The improvement also includes the electronic controller  316  electrically coupled to the power source  306  and communicatively coupled to the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304 ; and the at least one switch translatably coupled to the base housing  102 , wherein the at least one switch is operably configured to induce the vibration from the at least one vibration motor  302 ,  304  in a first mode with a constant vibration for a first mode period of time and a first mode vibrational rotations per minute. Said differently, the at least one switch may be operably configured to generate a first mode vibrational rotations per minute, a second mode vibrational rotations per minute, or both a first and a second mode vibrational rotations per minute. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly  100  comprises two modes of operation, namely, a first and a second mode, to beneficially provide the user with more personalized vibrational modes of operation designed to address different user needs. In an alternate embodiment, however, the assembly  100  may only comprise a single mode of operation, i.e., a first or a second mode, to address a specific and targeted user need. 
     The cross-sectional view of  FIG.  5    and the exploded view of  FIG.  6    best depict the various components of the assembly  100 . 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.