Abstract:
A new design for a contact lens case is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the design provides storage for extra contact lenses in the event that one contact is damaged or lost. Further in a preferred embodiment, a separate compartment is provided for housing a mirror. Optionally, the reservoirs holding contacts form a yin yang shape. Other embodiments provide a more compact solution that further includes a novel thumb latch design. Additionally in another embodiment, all compartments are located upon one another in the same footprint.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This patent application contains subject matter claiming benefit of the priority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/115,443 filed on Nov. 17, 2008 and entitled CONTACT LENS CASE, accordingly, the entire contents of this provisional patent application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains generally to devices and method for storing and assisting the placement of contact lens. More specifically, the present invention relates to contact lens cases having mirrored surfaces incorporated thereto, further having extra compartments for housing the mirrors and extra contact lenses. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Contact lens cases have been known for some time and even designs having mirrors somehow incorporated thereto. An early example was granted patent rights in 1965, entitled CONTACT LENS STORAGE MEANS, U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,281, to R. F. Speshyock et al. However, this example appears to be bulky in design and needs more space to accompany rinsing and storing fluid. 
         [0006]    A more recent example was disclosed by Michael Eastman, entitled COMPACT MIRRORED CONTACT LENS CASE, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0109638. This design is disadvantageous because the mirror always remains exposed on an outside of the case and the case is not a unitary piece, therefore, a user is required to remove the mirror and replace the mirror to use the device. No solutions heretofore, provide additional compartments for storing spare contact lenses in the event that a contact becomes lost or damaged. 
         [0007]    Further while these examples may be suitable for their stated intensions and objectives, additional novel products are disclosed herein that have attractive features to consumers not yet seen heretofore. In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel design for a contact lens case that includes a reflective surface being protected from the outside environment. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide novel thumb latches to a compact lens case design. It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a stacked compartment design that contact lens consumers may find preferable to existing designs. It is yet still further an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens case that provides extra compartments for spare contacts lenses. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention comprises a case for storing contact lenses comprising: a first circular base portion having a hollow interior for storing contact lenses; a first threaded cap having threads to engage complementary threads of the first circular base portion; and a first hinged cap hingedly connected to the first threaded cap, wherein the first hinged cap comprises a reflective surface at an underside thereof. 
         [0009]    Additionally, the present invention is characterized as further comprising: a plurality of indentations evenly spaced around the first threaded cap to aid grasping thereof by a user; a groove at an underside of the first circular base portion, the groove configured to receive an edge of a spare contact lens package; and a cavity formed partially by the groove for receiving the spare contact lens package. 
         [0010]    Further, the invention is characterized wherein the first circular base further comprises two identical bowl shaped reservoirs separated by a partitioning wall, the two reservoirs configured to store a contact lens. Also, the first circular base further comprises two reservoirs separated by an S shaped partitioning wall, the two reservoirs together forming a yin yang shape. 
         [0011]    The present invention is further circumscribed as comprising: a first hinge comprised of pliable material to connect the first hinged cap to the first threaded cap; and a first thumb latch to assist in opening the first hinged cap, wherein the first hinge and the first thumb latch are offset at an angle with respect to a vertical axis, the vertical axis representing a twelve o&#39;clock position with respect to first hinged cap. 
         [0012]    Still further, is characterized as further comprising: a second circular base portion having a hollow interior for storing contact lenses; a second threaded cap having threads to engage complementary threads of the second circular base portion; and a second hinged cap hingedly connected to the second threaded cap, wherein the second hinged cap comprises a reflective surface at an underside thereof, and wherein each of the first and second base portions comprise two reservoirs for storing a total of four contact lenses. 
         [0013]    In another preferred embodiment, the invention is set forth as a case for storing contact lenses comprising: a first base portion having a first reservoir to receive a contact lens; a cap for enclosing the first reservoir, the cap including a top and underneath sides; a first hinge for hingedly connecting the cap to the first base portion; and a basin on the underneath side of the cap, the basin configured to receive a reflective surface to assist placement and removal of contacts. 
         [0014]    Further in this preferred embodiment, the invention is further characterized wherein the first base portion further comprises a carve-out at an edge of the first base portion, the carve out having a shape of a frustum of a pie wedge, wherein the cap has a latch protruding therefrom, wherein the carve out is further configured to receive the corresponding latch. 
         [0015]    Yet further in this preferred embodiment, the invention is further characterized as comprising a second base portion configured under the first base portion and opposite the cap, the second base portion further having a second reservoir to receive a contact lens. Also in this embodiment, the first base portion and the second base portion are stacked in the same footprint. 
         [0016]    These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0017]    While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawing, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A  taken from an underneath vantage point; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a front plan view to the invention embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1D  illustrates a top plan view showing how a hinge and latch are offset according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1E  is an additional perspective illustration of the embodiment first presented in  FIG. 1A , however showing a preferred embodiment of contact lens compartments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 1F  illustrates a cross sectional view of the invention embodiment taken along sectional lines  1 F- 1 F in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates another invention embodiment having multiple inside compartments for extra contacts; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another mirrored contact storage case embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective drawing showing an outside view of a first embodiment of present invention in a stowed position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the embodiment having a mirror compartment deployed; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4C  is still another perspective view of a contact compartment also illustrating a thumb latch of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment where a first bowl reservoir of the  FIGS. 4A-4C  embodiment is substituted with a flat surface; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment showing a business card case incorporated to a contact lens case. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Initially referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1F ; a perspective illustration of a first preferred embodiment  100  is shown in addition to a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along sectional line  1 F- 1 F. As shown, the contact lens case  100  has a first circular base portion  130  having a hollow interior for storing multiple contact lenses. This embodiment has two caps  110 ,  120 ; namely a first threaded cap  120  having threads  122  to engage complementary threads  132  of the first circular base portion  130  and a first hinged cap  110  hingedly connected to the first threaded cap  120 . This embodiment also includes a reflective surface  117  at an underside of the first hinged cap  110  that remains protected from dirt and debris with in a stowed position. 
         [0033]    Also referring to  FIG. 1F , a groove  136  is provided at an underside of the first circular base portion  130 . Groove  136  is further configured to receive an edge of a spare contact lens package in the event that a user loses or damages a contact lens. Cavity  137  is partially formed by groove  136  and extends into an underside of the first base portion  130 . This space  137  is provided to accommodate the spare contact lens. 
         [0034]    For storing contacts lenses in use a first reservoir  133  is configured next to a second reservoir  134  separated by a partitioning wall  135  as shown. The contact lens case  100  also has a second circular base  160  portion having a hollow interior for storing more contact lenses. As shown a second threaded cap  150  has threads  152  to engage complementary threads  162  of the second circular base portion  160 . Further, a second hinged cap  140  is provided hingedly connected to the second threaded cap  150 , wherein the second hinged cap comprises a reflective surface  147  at an underside thereof. Also as shown, each of the first  130  and second  160  base portions comprise two reservoirs  133 ,  134 ,  163 ,  164  for storing a total of four contact lenses. 
         [0035]    With regard to  FIG. 1B  a perspective illustration of the embodiment  100  is illustrated from an underside thereof. Here, groove  136  and cavity  137  are additionally shown to reveal their shape and configuration.  FIG. 1C  shows a front plan view of the invention embodiment  100 , illustrating a plurality of indentations  121  evenly spaced around the threaded caps  120 ,  150  to aid grasping thereof by a user. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1D , a first thumb latch  111  is provided to assist in opening the first hinged cap  110 , wherein the first hinge  119  and the first thumb latch  111  are offset at an angle  197  with respect to a vertical axis  199 , the vertical axis  199  representing a twelve o′clock position with respect to first hinged cap  110 . Angle  197  is shown between the vertical axis  199  and the offset axis  198 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1E , the second  160  (and first  130 ) circular base further comprise two reservoirs  162 ,  163  separated by an S shaped partitioning wall  165 . As shown, the two reservoirs  162 ,  163  together forming a yin yang shape. In this embodiment  100 , the first and second base portions  130 ,  160  would have identically shaped compartments. Additionally as shown, first hinge  119  is comprised of pliable material to connect the first hinged cap  110  to the first threaded cap  120 . It is further completed that the entire device  100  can be comprised of biodegradable material. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a contact lens case  200  is shown. Herein, the first circular base  230  further comprises two identical bowl shaped reservoirs  233 ,  234  separated by a partitioning wall  235  configured to store a contact lenses. As expected, second base portion  260  has two identical bowl shaped reservoirs  263 ,  264  separated by their partitioning wall  265 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment  300  is illustrated. Herein, thumb tabs  311 ,  341  are offset as in  FIG. 1D , however pliable hinges  319  and  349  are aligned with what would be the horizontal axis by comparison to  FIG. 1D . Also, cap  310  has a reflective surface  317  on an underside thereof. 
         [0040]    Now with reference to  FIG. 4A , another embodiment  400  for a contact lens storage case is illustrated. This may be one of two storage units needed as shown by the “R” designation  415 , or alternatively, the same design could be made to fit left and right contact lenses. The figure ( FIG. 4A ) also includes novel thumb latches  411 ,  421  also having two compartments directly on top of one another in the same footprint. The two compartments initially comprise first and second base portions  420 ,  430 , respectfully. 
         [0041]    Referring, to  FIG. 4B  the first and second base portions  420 ,  430  each comprise a bowl-shaped reservoir  423 ,  433  for storing contact lenses. Cap  410  is provided to secure the upper compartment and is hingedly connected to the first base portion  420  via hinge  419 . Hinge  419  comprises bendable and pliable plastic integral to the cap  410  and first base portion  420 . A mirror compartment is provided at an underside of the cap  420  and comprises a basin  416  for receiving a reflective surface  417  embedded thereto. The reflective surface faces the first bowl reservoir  423  in a closed position. Or alternatively, this could be a dry compartment that simply protects the reflective surface  517  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0042]    Importantly, cap  410  includes a latch  411  protruding therefrom. Carve-out  422  is complementary shaped to receive latch  411 . In a preferred embodiment, carve-out  422  is shaped like a truncated pie wedge cut at a perpendicular plane. Alternatively, this shape  422  may be characterized as a frustum of a pie-wedge. The invention  400  further comprises a similarly shaped second latch  421  directly underneath the first carve-out  422 . As stated, in an alternative embodiment  500 , first compartment is a dry compartment having a flat surface  523  opposing a mirror  517  and the second compartment is provided to receive one contact, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment  500 , a contact lens user would have two units  200  to store a complete set of two contacts. Further to this embodiment, base portion  530  comprises a reservoir to house a contact lens. 
         [0043]    Now turning to  FIG. 4C , a second contact compartment is shown, directly beneath the first compartment and in the same footprint. The second compartment comprises a second hinge  429  and a second base portion  430  having a second reservoir  433  for storing a second contact. Here also is shown a thumb latch  421  feature not existing in other designs. As stated, the first contact could be stowed in the mirror compartment, or in a different, identical design  500  separate for left and right contact lenses. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment  600  showing a business card case  620  incorporated to a contact lens case  630 . The card case  620  is hollow to receive the contact lens case  630  hingedly about edge  623 . Contact lens case has two reservoirs  633 ,  634  incorporated thereto. The card case  620  also has a basin  621  to receive business cards  622 . A cover  610  is provided having a reflective surface  617  at an underside thereof. 
         [0045]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
         [0046]    While the particular Contact Lens Case as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 
         [0047]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.