PACKAGING CONTAINER OF A CONTACT LENS

Abstract

A packaging container (1) for a contact lens comprises a shell (2).The shell (2) comprises a cavity (10) having a drop-shaped perimeter (12), and a flange (20) having a flat upper surface (22) extending around the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) in an upper surface plane (24). The cavity (10) comprises a bowl portion (30) including an at least partially spherical section (32) for accommodating the contact lens, and a chamfer portion (40) surrounding the bowl portion (30). The chamfer portion (40) is arranged between the bowl portion (30) and the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) and includes a tapered outlet section (42) forming a tip towards the flange (20) to facilitate removal of the contact lens from the cavity (10).

Claims

1. A packaging container (1) for a contact lens, in particular for a silicone hydrogel contact lens, the packaging container (1) comprising a shell (2), wherein the shell (2) comprises: a cavity (10) having a drop-shaped perimeter (12), and a flange (20) having a flat upper surface (22) extending around the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10) in an upper surface plane (24), wherein the cavity (10) comprises: a bowl portion (30) including an at least partially spherical section (32) for accommodating the contact lens, and a chamfer portion (40) surrounding the bowl portion (30) and being arranged between the bowl portion (30) and the drop-shaped perimeter (12) of the cavity (10), wherein the chamfer portion (40) includes a tapered outlet section (42) forming a tip towards the flange (20) to facilitate removal of the contact lens from the cavity (10).

2. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bowl portion (30) further includes a ramp section (34) tapering away from the at least partially spherical section (32) towards the tapered outlet section (42) of the chamfer portion (40).

3. The packaging container (1) according to claim 2, wherein a transition (38) between the ramp section (34) of the bowl portion (30) and the outlet section (42) of the chamfer portion (40) is at least partially edgeless.

4. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein a transition (36) between the at least partially spherical section (32) of the bowl portion (30) and a section of the chamfer portion (40) other than the outlet section (42) has an edge.

5. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially spherical section (32) of the bowl portion (30) extends across an azimuthal angular range () of at least 180 around a center axis (Z) of the at least partially spherical section (32), the center axis (Z) extending perpendicular to the upper surface plane (24) through the center of the at least partially spherical section (32).

6. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chamfer portion (40) is angled with respect to the upper surface plane (24) of the flange (20) by an inclination angle () in the range of 20 and 45.

7. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least in a section (44) other than the tapered outlet section (42) the chamfer portion (40) is angled with respect to the upper surface plane (24) of the flange (20) by an inclination angle () in the range of 25 and 45.

8. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the tapered outlet section (42) the chamfer portion (40) is angled with respect to the upper surface plane (24) of the flange (20) by an inclination angle in the range of 20 and 45.

9. The packaging container (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least in a section (44) of the chamfer portion (40) other than the tapered outlet section (42), the chamfer portion (40) is straight-lined in a cross-sectional plane including the center axis (Z) of the at least partially spherical section (32).

10. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the tapered outlet section (42) the chamfer portion (40) is straight-lined in a cross-sectional plane including the center axis (Z) of the at least partially spherical section (32).

11. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chamfer portion (40) has a maximum depth (D) in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface plane (24) which is in the range of 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

12. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least along a perimeter of the at least partially spherical section (32) of the bowl portion (30) the chamfer portion (40) has a radial width (W) in a direction parallel to the upper surface plane (24) which is in the range of 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

13. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least along a perimeter of the at least partially spherical section (32) of the bowl portion (30) the chamfer portion (40) has a constant radial width (W) parallel to the upper surface plane (24).

14. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein a radius of the at least partially spherical section (32) of the bowl section is in the range of 7 mm and 9.5 mm.

15. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a cover foil configured to be sealingly attached to the shell (2) in a sealing zone on the upper surface (22) of the flange (20).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further advantageous aspects of the invention become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with the aid of the drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a packaging container in a perspective view;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the packaging container of FIG. 1 in another perspective view;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a top view;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a cross-sectional view along line A-A according to FIG. 3;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a cross-sectional view along line B-B according to FIG. 3;

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a packaging container in a perspective view;

[0045] FIG. 7 shows the packaging container of FIG. 6 in a top view; and

[0046] FIG. 8 shows the packaging container of FIG. 6 in a cross-sectional view along line C-C according to FIG. 7.

[0047] FIGS. 1-5 show a packaging container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The packaging container 1 comprises a shell 2 comprising a concave cavity 10 which is adapted to accommodate a contact lens (not shown), in particular a soft silicone hydrogel contact lens, in a preserving liquid. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the cavity 10 has a substantially drop-like shape. In particular, the cavity 10 has a drop-shaped perimeter 12, and is configured to facilitate removal of the contact lens from the cavity 10. The shell 2 further comprises a flange 20 which has a flat upper surface 22 extending around the drop-shaped perimeter 12 of the cavity 10 in an upper surface plane 24. On its flat upper surface 22, the flange 20 comprises a sealing zone around the perimeter 12 of the cavity 10 substantially following the drop-shaped contour of the cavity perimeter 12. A cover foil (not shown) may be releasably sealed to the flange 20 in this sealing zone such as to hermetically seal the inner volume of the cavity 10. This shell-foil configuration is also often called a blister pack. The shell is typically made of plastics, e.g. from polypropylene, and may be manufactured through injection-molding or deep drawing. The cover foil may be, for example, a laminate comprising an aluminum foil and a polypropylene film. The cover foil may be printed with information regarding the contact lens contained in the packaging container as well as with information for the end-user or the dealer. Sealing of the cover foil to the shell 2 along the sealing zone around the perimeter 12 of the cavity 10 can be performed through the application of heat or ultrasound or by means of other suitable bonding processes.

[0048] The shape of the shell 2 can be seen best in the top view shown in FIG. 3. The flange 20 is bounded at two sides by parallel, substantially straight edges. At the other two sides, the flange 20 is bounded by curved edges, one of which has an asymmetrical shape with respect to a center line extending symmetrically between the two parallel straight edges. At the latter side (having the asymmetrical shape), the flange 20 has a grip portion 26 that extends away from the cavity 10 beyond the sealing zone. This grip portion 26 may be covered by a corresponding grip portion of the cover foil. However, in the grip portions, the flange 20 and the cover foil are not sealed to one another, so that the cover foil can be readily lifted off of the flange 20 and can then be peeled off of the shell 2. In the grip portion 26, the flange 20 further comprises an opening 28 having an oval or elliptical shape. The size of the opening 28 is such that a fingertip of a person handling the packaging container 1 can partially reach through that opening 28 and thus push the overlying grip portion of the cover foil off of the grip portion 26 of the flange 20. In addition, the opening 28 provides a more secure grip during handling of the packaging container 1. A front support element 6 is arranged at the tip of the grip portion 26. The front support element 6 is angled (downwards and slightly outwards) with respect to the upper surface plane 24 of the flange 20 and extends at both sides of the curved edge of the grip portion 26. Likewise, the shell 2 comprises a support element 8 at its rear side opposite the grip portion 26 which is angled in a similar manner, but is smaller than the front support element 6. In addition, at each of its parallel longitudinal sides the shell 2 comprises a respective lateral support element 5 that is also angled with respect to the upper surface plane 24 of the flange 20 and also smaller than the front support element 6. The lateral support elements 5 may also serve as grip elements allowing a user to hold the packaging container 1 in principle with three fingers, with two fingers pressing against the lateral support elements 5 arranged at both sides of the shell 2, and the third finger pressing against the front support element 6.

[0049] The cavity 10 generally comprises a bowl portion 30 which includes an at least partially spherical section 32, and a chamfer portion 40 surrounding the bowl portion 30 and being arranged between the bowl portion 30 and the drop-shaped perimeter 12 of the cavity 10. The chamfer portion 40 includes a tapered outlet section 42 forming a tip towards the flange 20 to facilitate removal of the contact lens.

[0050] Advantageously, a radius of the at least partially spherical section of the bowl section 30 may be in the range of 7 mm and 9.5 mm, and may in particular be about 9 mm. Further advantageously, the cavity 10 may have a volume in the range of 600 l and 900 l. Moreover, the chamfer portion 40 advantageously allows for maintaining the drop-shaped sealing contour and, thus, allows to use the sealing tools and sealing parameters already being used in the process and apparatus for sealing known packaging containers having the same drop-shaped perimeter of the cavity

[0051] With regard to the first embodiment of the packaging container 1 shown in FIGS. 1-5, the bowl portion 30 includes a ramp section 34 in addition to the partially spherical section 32. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the partially spherical section 32 extends across an azimuthal angular range of at least 180, in the embodiment shown about 222, around a center axis Z of the partially spherical section 32. The center axis Z extends perpendicular to the upper surface plane 24 through the center of the partially spherical section 32.

[0052] The residual azimuthal angular range left open by the partially spherical section 32 is closed or occupied by the ramp section 34. Within this residual azimuthal angular range , the ramp section 34 tapers away from the partially spherical section 32 towards the tapered outlet section 42 in a radial outward direction in a manner such as to smoothly merge into the outlet section 42 of the chamfer portion 40. Accordingly, the outer perimeter of the ramp section 34 towards the tapered outlet section 42 is non-circular, but substantially follows the drop-shaped perimeter of the cavity 10 within this residual azimuthal angular range .

[0053] Advantageously, the transition 38 between the ramp section 34 of the bowl portion 30 and the tapered outlet section 42 of the chamfer portion 40 is at least partially smooth and edgeless as can be seen in FIG. 5. In contrast thereto, a transition 36 between the partially spherical section 32 of the bowl portion 30 and section(s) 44 of the chamfer portion 40 other than the outlet section 42 is edged, i.e. has an edge. Of course, a transition 38 between the outlet section 42 and the ramp section 38 may also have an edge, at least partially in those areas of the transition 38 which are adjacent to or close to the transition 36 between the other section(s) 44 of the chamfer portion 40 and the partially spherical section 32 of the bowl portion 30.

[0054] The chamfer portion 40 has a constant radial width W in a direction parallel to the upper surface plane 24 which is in the range of 1 mm and 2.5 mm, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0055] Primarily, this holds for the azimuthal angular range , that is to say at least along a perimeter of the at least partially spherical section 32 of the bowl portion 30. As can be seen in FIG. 3, this also holds for most of the chamfer portion 40 within the residual azimuthal angular range , that is, along the majority of the outer perimeter 12 within the residual azimuthal angular range . In the other parts, in particular within the small sector forming the tip of the chamfer portion, the outlet portion 42 has a larger radial width.

[0056] The chamfer portion 40 further has a maximum depth D in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface plane 24 which is in the range of 1 mm and 2.5 mm as illustrated in FIG. 4. Basically, this holds along the entire perimeter of the chamfer portion 40, that is, along the entire perimeter 12 of the cavity 10.

[0057] In a cross-sectional plane including the center axis Z, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chamfer portion 40 is straight-lined at least in section(s) 44 other than the tapered outlet section 42 such as to form the above-mentioned edge between the section(s) 44 of the chamfer portion 40 and the at least partially spherical section 32 of the bowl portion 30. As can be also seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chamfer portion 40 is angled with respect to the upper surface plane 24 of the flange 20 by an inclination angle a in the range of 30 and 45, and is constant. This holds for section(s) 44 other than the tapered outlet section 42.

[0058] In contrast, for the residual azimuthal angular range , i.e. in the tapered outlet section 42, the chamfer portion in a cross-sectional plane including the center axis Z has an inclination angle in the range of 20 and 45 which may increase from the tip of the tapered outlet section 42, where the inclination angle is smallest, to the inclination angle at the location where the tapered outlet section 42 merges with the other section(s) 44 of the chamfer portion, as shown in FIG. 5. Advantageously, this provides a smooth and convenient removal of the contact lens from the cavity 10. As mentioned above, the chamfer portion may be straight-lined also in those areas of the transition 38 which are adjacent to or close to the transition 36 between the other section(s) 44 of the chamfer portion 40 and the partially spherical section 32 of the bowl portion 30.

[0059] Notwithstanding the different slopes and cross-sectional profiles of the chamfer portion 40 in section(s) 44 and the outlet section 44, the chamfer portion 40taken as a wholeforms an inclined transitional surface between the upper surface 22 of the flange 20 and the bowl portion 30 of the cavity 10. Advantageously, this inclined transitional surface facilitates insertion of a contact lens and preserving liquid into the bowl portion 30. Vice versa, the chamfer portion 40 forms a shoulder around the bowl portion 30 preventing a contact lens and/or preserving liquid introduced into the bowl portion 30 from escaping the bowl portion. In particular, preserving liquid is prevented from spilling out and thus from wetting the sealing zone around the perimeter 12 of the cavity 10.

[0060] FIGS. 6-8 show a packaging container 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The packaging container 1 according to the second embodiment is very similar to the packaging container 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5. For this reason, similar or identical features are denoted with identical reference signs. In contrast to the first embodiment, the bowl portion 30 of the packaging container 1 according to the second embodiment does not comprise a ramp section. Instead, the bowl portion comprises a spherical portion 32 extending across a full azimuthal angular range of 360 around center axis Z. Accordingly, a transition 36 between the spherical portion 32 and the surrounding chamfer portion 40 has a circumferential edge. Advantageously, the second embodiment of the packaging container 1 provides a very simple design that is easy to manufacture.

[0061] The invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8. However, for the skilled person it is evident that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the general teaching underlying the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described but rather is defined by the appended claims.