CONTACT LENS PACKAGING

Abstract

A contact lens applicator film (45) for picking up a contact lens (11) and applying the contact lens to an eye comprising: a sterilised film (45) wherein at least a portion of at least one side of the film comprises an adhesive coating that is arranged for adhering to the surface of a finger such that, in use, when applying the contact lens to the eye a user can pick up the contact lens applicator film with the finger and subsequently pick up the contact lens using the finger protected by the contact lens applicator film.

Claims

1. A contact lens applicator film for picking up a contact lens and applying the contact lens to an eye comprising: a sterilised film wherein at least a portion of at least one side of the contact lens applicator film comprises an adhesive coating that is arranged for adhering to a surface of a finger such that, in use, when applying the contact lens to the eye a user can pick up the contact lens applicator film with the finger and subsequently pick up the contact lens using the finger protected by the contact lens applicator film.

2. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the contact lens applicator film comprises silicone.

3. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the adhesive coating comprises acrylic.

4. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the contact lens applicator film is at least one of disk-shaped, elliptical, or rectangular.

5. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the contact lens applicator film is generally elliptical with minor axis length in a range of 11 mm to 27 mm and with major axis length in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm.

6. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the contact lens applicator film comprises a tab for handling the contact lens applicator film.

7. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein at least one side of the contact lens applicator film comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion comprises the adhesive coating.

8. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the contact lens applicator film is at least one of transparent, opaque, or coloured.

9. The contact lens applicator film of claim 1, wherein the contact lens applicator film is disposable.

10. An assembly of contact lens applicator films, each of the contact lens applicator films comprising the contact lens applicator film as defined in claim 1.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the assembly is a stack of contact lens applicator films.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the contact lens applicator films are releasably attached to an adjacent contact lens applicator film.

13. The assembly of claim 11, comprising a release layer between adjacent contact lens applicator films in the stack.

14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the contact lens applicator films are adhered onto a strip of release material.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the strip of release material is folded such that adjacent contact lens applicator films on the strip of release material overlay one another in the assembly.

16. A contact lens applicator container comprising at least one contact lens applicator film as defined in claim 1.

17. The contact lens applicator container of claim 16, wherein the contact lens applicator container comprises a recess having a base wall for housing the at least one contact lens applicator film.

18. The contact lens applicator container of claim 17, wherein the base wall is deformable so as to conform to a contour of the finger under an application of finger pressure.

19. The contact lens applicator container of claim 18, wherein a thickness of the base wall is thinner that a rest of the contact lens applicator container.

20. A storage container for contact lenses comprising: i) at least one well for receiving a contact lens and a storage liquid, the well having a floor; ii) a support structure for holding the contact lens in a defined location above the floor of the well, the defined location comprising a lens depression area that in use permits depression of the contact lens under finger pressure; and iii) a guide capable of engaging a contact lens edge when a contact lens is inserted into the well and to urge the contact lens to lie within the defined location and over the lens depression area.

21. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the lens depression area comprises an unsupported portion of the support structure.

22. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the support structure permits a flow of the storage liquid between the contact lens and the floor of the well.

23. The storage container of any of the claim 20, wherein the guide urge the contact lens centrally over the lens depression area.

24. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the lens depression area has a range between 5 mm.sup.2 to 180 mm.sup.2.

25. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of spaced apart fins extending from one or more walls of the well.

26. The storage container of claim 25, wherein the plurality of spaced apart fins extends upwardly from the floor of the well.

27. The storage container of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart fins cooperate to comprise the guide.

28. The storage container of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart fins comprises a first profile for supporting a concave surface of the contact lens and a second profile for guiding the contact lens over the lens depression area.

29. The storage container of claim 28, wherein the first profile allows the contact lens to deform about a fulcrum when finger pressure is applied to a portion of the contact lens in the lens depression area.

30. The storage container of claim 29, where the first profile extends between the fulcrum and a guide such that a distance between a point on the guide and the fulcrum is less than or equal to a length of the contact lens that is in contact with the first profile.

31. The storage container of claim 29, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart fins comprises a third profile adjacent the fulcrum that engages with an underside of the contact lens when the contact lens is depressed in the lens depression area.

32. The storage container of claim 28, wherein the first profile and the second profile of each of the plurality of spaced apart fins meet at a substantially V shaped configuration.

33. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the storage container is a single body.

34. A kit comprising a contact lens storage container comprising: at least one well for receiving a contact lens and a storage liquid, the well having a floor; a support structure for holding the contact lens in a defined location above the floor of the well, the defined location comprising a lens depression area that in use permits depression of the contact lens under finger pressure; a guide capable of engaging a contact lens edge when a contact lens is inserted into the well and to urge the contact lens to lie within the defined location and over the lens depression area; and at least one contact lens applicator film for picking up a contact lens and applying the contact lens to an eye comprising: a sterilised film wherein at least a portion of at least one side of the contact lens applicator film comprises an adhesive coating that is arranged for adhering to a surface of a finger such that, in use, when applying the contact lens to the eye a user can pick up the contact lens applicator film with the finger and subsequently pick up the contact lens using the finger protected by the contact lens applicator film.

35. The kit of claim 34 comprising a contact lens applicator container comprising the at least one contact lens applicator film.

36. The kit of claim 35, wherein the contact lens storage container and the contact lens applicator container are formed as a single body.

37. A method of handling a contact lens, comprising the steps of: i) adhering a contact lens applicator film to a finger, wherein the contact lens applicator film comprises a sterilised film and at least a portion of at least one side of the contact lens applicator film comprises an adhesive coating that is arranged for adhering to a surface of a finger such that, in use, when applying the contact lens to an eye a user can pick up the contact lens applicator film with the finger; ii) picking up a contact lens using the finger protected by the contact lens applicator film; and iii) offering up the contact lens to the eye such that the contact lens is released from the contact lens applicator film upon contact with the eye.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of: i) applying pressure on the adhesive coating of the contact lens applicator film so as to adhere the contact lens applicator film to the finger; and ii) touching a convex surface of the contact lens using the finger protected by the contact lens applicator film such that the contact lens adheres to the contact lens applicator film as a result of a surface tension of a fluid used to store the contact lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further preferred features and aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the claims and the following illustrative description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens storage container according to an example of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a top view of the contact lens storage container shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 3 (a to c) shows the steps in picking up a contact lens from the contact lens storage container according to an example of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3(d) shows a top view of the contact lens storage container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 3(e) is a side view of the support structure comprising fins for supporting the concave side of the contact lens over the depression area.

[0038] FIG. 3(f) is a side view of a fin shown in FIG. 3(d) for supporting the curvature of the concave side of the contact lens.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a view of a contact lens applicator film housed in a container according to an example of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 5(a and b) show cross-sectional views each with an expanded sectional view of a contact lens applicator film housed in the container as shown in FIG. 4 according to different examples of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 6a is a top view of a contact lens applicator film according to an example of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 6b is a top view of a contact lens applicator film according to an example of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a contact lens applicator storage container housing a contact lens applicator film according to another example of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens applicator film stack assembly according to an example of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 9 (a to d) shows the steps in picking up a contact lens applicator film from the contact lens applicator film container shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] FIG. 9(e) shows the deformation of the base wall of the well to conform to the curvature of the finger when picking the applicator film of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of a kit comprising a contact lens applicator film and contact lens storage container according to an example of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 10(b) is a schematic representation of a kit comprising a contact lens applicator film and contact lens storage container according to an example of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 10(c) is a schematic representation of the underside of the kit shown in FIG. 10(b).

[0050] FIG. 10(d) is a schematic representation of the container for housing the applicator film of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 11 (a to d) shows the steps in picking up a contact lens from the kit shown in FIG. 10.

[0052] FIG. 12 shows the steps in applying a contact lens stored in the kit shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] For the purpose of description in a specific embodiment of the present invention, a storage container 10 is configured for use with a contact lens 11 as seen in FIG. 1. The contact lens 11 housed in a cartridge storage container 10 can be fabricated of any suitable material known in the art; the two general categories of lens are soft or rigid gas permeable lenses, the use of each category is dependent on mix of user choice and lens function. It should be appreciated that the storage container 10 may house at least one contact lens 11.

[0054] The storage container 10 can be fabricated individually or as part of blister pack packaging (not shown) comprising a plurality of cartridges 10. The storage container 10 is fabricated of a material with a high stiffness whilst being capable of limited plastic deflection and water-tight; typically this can be a plastic. The storage container 10 can be manufactured with any suitable means, the most usual being injection moulding although thermoforming and compression moulding may be used. Optionally the storage container 10 is formed as a single body.

[0055] The storage container 10 comprises at least one well 20 configured as a receptacle for the contact lens 11; the at least one well 20 and respective contact lenses 11 exist in a 1:1 ratio, i.e. there is only one lens 11 per well 20. The well 20 is formed with a base wall 21 preferably configured as a substantially disc-shaped reception area and a side wall 23 preferably configured as an upwardly sloping peripheral wall. It should be understood that the well 20 can have any three-dimensional configuration that is suitable for housing a contact lens 11. In an example of the present invention the side wall 23 is angled such that, together with the base wall 21, the well 20 forms a generally concave depression as seen in FIG. 2. The well 20 is filled with a suitable storage solution 15 to keep the stored contact lens 11 from drying out, commonly and preferably saline.

[0056] Within the well 20 is fabricated a support structure 24. In the particular embodiment of the present invention, the structure is an upstanding member 24 and behaves as a pillar or pedestal for supporting the concave surface of a contact lens 11; the member 24 can be formed separately and then mounted to the well 20 or it may be integral to the well 20 and produced during the injection moulding process. The member 24 extends outwardly or upwardly from a first end 24a attached to the interior side of the base wall 21 to a second end 24b opposite the first end 24a so as to provide a support to a contour of the concave corneal contact surface of the contact lens 11. The member 24 is configured to control a contact surface area 12 between the contact lens 11 and an applicator tool (not shown) e.g. a user's finger or mechanical device. The perimeter of the member 24 defines a depression area 13 such that the contact lens 11 is left unsupported by the depression area 13 as shown in FIG. 3a. However, the depression area 13 can also comprise a weak deformable area of the support structure 24 under the influence of finger pressure, e.g. deformable ribs. To fulfil this requirement, the member 24 is in an example of the present invention configured to be substantially cylindrical or ring-shaped as shown in FIG. 2. The contact surface area 12 between the contact lens 11 and applicator tool (e.g. the index finger) is dictated by the area defined by the perimeter of the member 24. When the convex surface of the contact lens 11 is depressed by a user the lens 11 is advantageously encouraged to deform about the second end 24b of the member 24 such that surface area of the lens 11 in contact with the user increases until the area defined by the perimeter of the member 24 prevents any further increase in the contact surface area 12 between the applicator tool and the contact lens 11 as shown in FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c. Thus, the second end 24b of the member 24 acts like a fulcrum 106 such that the contact lens 11 is encouraged to pivot about the fulcrum 106 such that the contact surface area 12 deforms when pressure is applied to the portion of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13.

[0057] Inversion of the contact lens 11 will result in the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11 to sweep about an arc. However, the side wall 23 of the well 20 is angled such that the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11 is resisted from lifting by contacting a point on the side wall 23 of the well 20. As the rim of the contact lens 11 is resisted from lifting away from the base wall 21, the portion 12 of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13 is made to deform. As the contact surface area 12 of the contact lens 11 increases, the surface tension increases between the applicator tool and the contact lens 11. Thus the area defined by the perimeter of the member controls the contact surface area 12 between the applicator tool and the contact lens 11 which ultimately controls the degree of surface tension between the applicator tool and the contact lens 11. In the particular example of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the member 24 is positioned in the well 20 such that the depression area 13 is directly aligned with the apex of the contact lens 11. This allows the apex of the contact lens 11 to be in contact with the finger. If a different portion of the contact lens 11 to be in contact with the finger causing the contact lens 11 to be off center on the finger, there is a tendency that the contact lens 11 may not be correctly located on the corneal surface when offered up to the eye. In an extreme case, the contact lens 11 is orientated off-centre on the surface of the finger causing the edge of the contact lens 11 to touch the surface of the eye when offered up to the eye resulting in an undesirable folding of the contact lens 11 on the finger. In some cases, the user has to rotate the finger to make sure that the concave side of the contact lens 11 faces the corneal surface of the eye. Without a mirror or image of the eye, the process of applying the contact lens 11 to the eye becomes very difficult or near impossible. Thus, properly positioning of the contact lens 11 over the depression area 13 is important to make sure that the finger protected by the film of the present invention comes into contact with the correct portion of the contact lens 11 (e.g. apex portion of the contact lens) over the depression area 13 so as to allow the contact lens 11 to lie centrally on the finger. This ensures that the apex of the contact lens 11, more particularly the concave side of the contact lens 11 to align with the corneal surface of the eye. To correctly position the contact lens 11 over the depression area 13, preferably centrally over the depression area 13, the side walls 23 of the well 20 functions as a guide that is capable of engaging the contact lens 11 edge when a contact lens 11 is inserted into the well 20 and to urge the contact lens 11 to lie within a defined location over the depression area 13, ideally centrally over the depression area 13. Thus, when a lens 11 is inserted off-centre of the defined location by more than a permitted tolerance, the guide urges the lens 11 towards the centre of the support structure 24. According to the present invention, the permitted tolerance is anywhere between Xmm to Ymm, preferably, Zmm to Wmm from the axial centre of the contact lens 11. Beyond the permitted tolerance the contact lens 11 is classed as being off-centre over the depression area 13, resulting improper positioning of the contact lens 11 on the finger.

[0058] The size of the depressed area 13 is important because if it is too small the surface tension between the finger and contact lens 11 will not be greater than between the contact lens 11 and the support. If, however, the depressed area 13 is too large then the lens 11 is at risk of collapsing or inverting. The optimum ratio is such that the surface tension of the part that is depressed is large enough for it to adhere to the finger and the surface tension of the periphery holds the lens 11 in place in the correct orientation. The depression area 13 optionally has an area in the range 5 mm.sup.2 to 180 mm.sup.2, preferably 78 mm.sup.2.

[0059] The contact lens 11 deforms to the shape of the contact point of the applicator tool as shown in FIG. 3c. The result of the increase in surface tension is that it becomes possible to remove the contact lens 11 from the well 20 whilst also decreasing the chance of dropping the contact lens 11 when offering and during subsequent application of the contact lens 11 to the eye. The outwardly extending side wall 23 of the well 20 allows the contact lens 11 to be lifted free from the well 20 without fouling against the side walls 23 of the well 20. Uniquely, by supporting only one contour of the concave corneal contact surface of the contact lens 11, the entire contact lens 11 does not undergo deformation under the pressure of the applicator tool due to the second end 24b of the support member 24 preventing the deformation actioned on the contact surface area 12 transmitting to the outer periphery, or rim of the contact lens 11; deformation is limited to the area of the contact lens 11 directly above the depression area 13 and is arrested to the location of the contour on the contact lens 11. The advantage of this is that the surface tension between the contact lens 11 and the applicator tool is optimised such that it is great enough that the contact lens 11 can easily overcome the adhesion of lens 11 to support member 24 whilst the tension is not so great as to impede the subsequent application to the eye. A further advantage of this optimisation is that during application of the contact lens 11, only one contact point on the surface of the lens 11 is required; critically, the contact point on the surface of the contact lens 11 that does not come into contact with the cornea; moreover, the area of the contact point is controlled and minimised and thus so is the risk of contamination.

[0060] Ventilation apertures or channels 25 are provided in the support structure 24 such that air may enter through the channels 25 during removal of the contact lens 11 to prevent the lens 11 from sticking to the well 20 or member 24. The channels 25 also prevent the storage solution 15 from being trapped within the support structure's 24 enclosure. Without the channels 25, a vacuum suction effect can be created during the depression of the contact lens 11 during removal, resulting in the contact lens 11 being made harder to remove thus increasing the amount of manipulation of the lens 11 required. Furthermore, the well 20 may comprise one or more raised ridges 29 and/or one or more depressions (not shown) so as to raise or elevate the contact lens 11 from the base wall 21 of the well. The one or more raised ridges 29 and/or one or more depressions are fixed to the interior side of the base wall 21 and create a path for fluid flow under and at the rim of the contact lens 11 so as to prevent against the vacuum suction effect being formed. Optionally the one or more raised ridges 29 are wedge shaped.

[0061] The support structure 24 can be configured in a number of designs including a solid structure (not shown), a hollow structure, a solid structure with one or more ventilation apertures (not shown). Whilst forming the support structure 24 as an upstanding standing annular ring has advantages in the ability to control the depression area 13 of the contact lens 11, the support structure 24 provides little support to the concave side of the contact lens 11 in an event that the contact lens 11 collapses. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 24 comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart fins 100 so as to provide ventilation channels 25 between the fins 100. Each of the fins 100 extends from one or more walls of the well 20 towards a depression area 13 similar to function of the depression area 13 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3(a to c), whereby a portion of the contact lens 11 is left unsupported as shown in the storage container 10 of FIG. 3d and upwardly from the base wall 21 of the well 20. Where applicable the same references will be used to denote the same or similar features of the storage container 10 in FIGS. 3(a to c) and FIG. 3d. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3d, each of the fins 100 has a major axis that radially extend to the side wall 23 of the well 20 and axially to the base wall 21 of the well 20. The fins 100 minimise the contact surface area between the contact lens 11 and the fins 100 and thereby, improve the releasability of the contact lens 11 seated on the plurality of fins 100 due to the reduced surface tension. Equally, as with the upstanding members 24 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3(a to c), the plurality of fins 100 are spaced apart so as to provide ventilation channels 25 for storage fluid to escape and air to enter through the channels 25 between the fins 100 so as to maintain an equilibrium pressure acting externally and underneath the contact lens 11, i.e. to mitigate the vacuum suction effect.

[0062] Unlike the support structure 24 shown in FIG. 2, the second end 24d of each of the fins 100 opposite the first end 24c (the first end 24c being attached to the base wall 21 of the well 20) acts as a seat that is profiled to conform to the curvature of the concave surface of the contact lens 11, more specifically the second end 24d of each fin 100 comprises a first profile 102 that is contoured to generally conform to the curvature of the concave surface of the contact lens 11. Thus, unlike the support structure 24 in the earlier embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of fins 100 radially extending from the depressions area 13 provide additional and/or improved support to the concave side of the contact lens 11 and thereby, minimising the ability of the contact lens 11 to collapse onto the support structure 24, e.g. through the vacuum suction effect created during drainage of the contact lens 11 storage solution 15. Moreover, the fins 100 limits the contact surface area between the support structure 24 and the contact lens 11, so enabling the contact lens 11 to be lifted clear of the support structure 24 and thus, the storage container 10.

[0063] Instead of the side wall 23 of the well 20 forming a guide for urging the contact lens 11 centrally over the depressions area 13 (see FIG. 2), each of the plurality of fins 100 is profiled with a second profile 104 which functions as the guide that engages with the contact lens 11 edge and urge the contact lens 11 to lie over the depression area 13. The first profile 102 and the second profile 104 cooperate to form a seated region for supporting the concave side of the contact lens 11, i.e. the convex side of the contact lens 11 faces upwardly towards the wearer. This is clearly demonstrated in FIG. 3(e). The perpiphery or edge of the contact lens 11d engages with the guide 104 (second profile of the fin 100) so as to urge the contact lens 11 centrally over the depression area 13. In the normal rest position of the contact lens 11 (shown as a solid line in FIG. 3e), a portion of the contact lens 11a around the periphery of the contact lens 11 is supported by the first profile 102 of the fin 100. As shown in FIG. 3e the first profile 102 has a radius of curvature that generally conforms to the curvature of the concave side of the contact lens 11. However, it is not essential in the present invention that the radius of curvature of the first profile 102 to conform to the curvature of the concave side of the contact lens 11 but to generally support the curvature of the concave side of the contact lens 11 when seated on the fin 100. The portion of the contact lens 11b overhanging the fin 100 is left unsupported and represents the depression area 13. When pressure is applied to the unsupported portion 11b of the contact lens 11 overhanging the fin 100, the contact lens 11 deforms (shown by the dashed line 11c in FIG. 3e) about a fulcrum 106 on the fin 100. As shown in FIG. 3(e), the apex 12a of the contact lens 11 aligns with the centre of the depression area 13 denoted by the axis X-X. Thus, when picking up the contact lens 11 with the finger, the first point of contact with the contact lens 11 is in the apex region 12a of the contact lens 11. In a similar function to the side wall 23 shown in FIGS. 3(a to c), the second profile 104 engages with the periphery or edge of the contact lens 11 and so act to guide the contact lens 11 to lie within a permitted tolerance over the depression area 13. According to the present invention, the permitted tolerance is anywhere between ?0.5 mm to ?1.5 mm, preferably, ??1 mm from the central axis X-X or apex of the contact lens 11.

[0064] The second profile 104 can also limit the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11 from lifting when pressure is applied to the unsupported portion of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13 (convex side of the contact lens around the apex of the contact lens) and thereby, preventing the contact lens 11 from inverting. FIG. 3f showing a side profile of an example of a fin 100 demonstrates how the shape of the fin 100 prevents the contact lens 11 from inverting when pressure is applied to the unsupported region of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13. Further pressure on the depression area 13 of the contact lens 11 causes the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11 to lift further and pivot about the fulcrum 106. In absence of any resistance to prevent or limit the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11 from lifting, the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11a will sweep through an arc and eventually result in the contact lens 11 to invert on itself. By limiting the size of the depression area 13, and through surface tension between the periphery of contact lens 11a and the first profile 102 of the fin 100, lift of the periphery of the contact lens 11a is prevented as the centre is depressed.

[0065] To prevent or limit the periphery or rim of the contact lens 11d from lifting too far when pressure is applied to the depression area 13 of the contact lens 11, the second profile 104 cooperates with the first profile 102 of the fin 100 such that the distance X between a point 108 on the second profile 104 and the fulcrum 106 is less than or equal to the length Y of the contact lens 11 in contact with the first profile 102 (see FIG. 3e). When the distance X is less than or equal to the length Y, the rim of the contact lens 11 will contact a point 108 on the second profile 104 and thereby, is resisted from lifting further and thus, inverting when pressure is applied to the unsupported portion 12 of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3e, the first profile 102 and the second profile 104 of the fin 100 cooperate at an angle. As the first profile 102 is curved, a tangental line on the first profile 102 meets the second profile 104 at an angle less than 90?.

[0066] Also shown in FIG. 3(e and f), is a third profile 110 having an inclined surface that conforms to the curvature of the concave side 11c of the contact lens 11 when deformed in the depression area 13 (see dashed line in FIG. 3e). The third profile 110 may also function as a stop to prevent further deformation of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13. The third profile 110 and the second profile 104 of the fin 100 cooperate to control the deformation of the contact lens 11 in the depression area 13.

[0067] In both embodiments of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3(d), the side wall 23 of the well 20 can preferably be configured with a spout 26, the spout 26 permits pouring of fluid from the well 20, in particular the storage solution 15.

[0068] The storage container 10 is fabricated with a flange 30, the flange 30 is configured to sealingly engage with a closure or cover (or lidstock) 31 which is typically a metallic foil or foil/plastic laminate as commonly known in the art such that the storage container 10 and importantly the well 20 is made fluid-tight. The flange 30 is therefore preferably situated around the periphery of the well 20 or the storage container 10; the flange can either be a solid protrusion or an adhesive. For disposable contact lens storage containers, the cover 31 is typically metallic foil and the seal is applied during packaging and sterilisation to conform to industrial standard requirements. For re usable contact lens storage containers, the cover 31 is a removable and replaceable structure that engages with the flange 30 of the storage container 10; by for example, a snap fit or interlocking thread in the cover and the storage container 10.

[0069] An additional advantage associated with this storage container 10 for contact lenses 11 is that the contact lens 11 is held in the correct orientation for insertion into the eye without further manipulation. The reduction of manipulation results in lowered risk of contamination.

[0070] According to a second independent aspect of the present invention, the applicant has provided at least one terminally sterilised disposable applicator film 45 housed within a contact lens applicator container 50 for a contact lens 11 as seen in FIG. 4. The applicator container 50 is optionally a pouch (not shown) comprising a metallic foil or foil/plastic laminate. Alternatively, according to an example of the present invention, the applicator container 50 can be fabricated individually or as part of blister pack packaging (not shown) comprising a plurality of applicator containers 50. The applicator container 50 is fabricated of a material with a high stiffness whilst being capable of limited plastic deflection and water-tight; typically this can be a plastic. The applicator container 50 can be manufactured with any suitable means known in the art, the most typical being injection moulding.

[0071] The applicator container 50 comprises at least one recess 60 configured as a receptacle for the applicator film 45. In an example of the present invention, recesses 60 and applicator films 45 exist in a 1:1 ratio, i.e. there is one applicator film 45 in each recess 60 as shown in FIG. 4. It should however be appreciated that if the recess 60 is sufficiently large it is possible for a plurality of applicator films 45 to be housed in one recess 60 as shown in FIG. 7. The recess 60 is formed of a base wall 61 and a side wall 62. It should be understood that the recess 60 can have any three-dimensional configuration that is suitable for housing the disposable applicator film 45. The recess 60 is preferably larger than the disposable applicator film 45 however it is also more preferable that the recess 60 is not substantially larger than the disposable applicator film 45 such that applicator containers 50 can be efficiently packed together.

[0072] The applicator container 50 is fabricated with a flange 70, the flange 70 is configured to sealingly engage with a closure or cover 71 which is typically a metallic foil or foil/plastic laminate such that the applicator container 50 and importantly the recess 60 is made fluid-tight as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7. The flange 70 is therefore preferably situated around the periphery of the recess 60 or the applicator container 50. For disposable applicator films 45, the cover 71 is typically metallic foil and the seal is applied during packaging and sterilisation to conform to industrial standard requirements. For the example of a multi-use applicator container 50 as shown in FIG. 7, the cover 71 is a removeable lid suitable for sealing the applicator films 45 into the container for storage. The seal can be any seal to prevent the ingress of fluids, solids or any matter that may contaminate the applicator films 45 for example a rubberised seal.

[0073] The disposable applicator film 45 provides a flexible and protective barrier between the applicator tool such as an index finger and the contact lens 11 and is configured as a thin film 46 as shown in FIG. 6. The film 45 is preferably sized such that when applied it covers an area of the applicator tool greater than that in contact with the contact lens 11. The film 45 comprises an adhesive coating 47 on at least a portion of one side 46a of the film 45 (illustrated in the enlarged portion of FIG. 5a). To maintain the tackiness of the adhesive coating 47 on the applicator film 45, a protective layer or backing (e.g. silicone coated layer) 44 can be applied on the adhesive coating 47 for when it is ready to be used. The protective layer 44 can comprise a tab 44a as shown in FIG. 5a that allows the wearer to easily peel the protective layer 44 exposing the adhesive coating 47 underneath without the need to touch and possibly contaminate the adhesive coating 47 and/or the applicator film 45 compromising its sterility.

[0074] Equally both opposing sides of the film 45 comprises an adhesive coating 47. The film 45 is sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the depression area 13 of the application tool, e.g, the curvature of the surface of the index finger. Typical materials of the film 45 include but are not limited to silicone or even other plastic materials having suitable deformability to conform to the shape of an applicator tool, e.g. finger. Preferably, the adhesive is environmentally friendly and should not pose a health risk if ever the adhesive comes into contact with the eye. Typically the adhesive is an acrylic based adhesive, preferably a water based acrylic adhesive. Commercially available films with an adhesive coating on the market include but are not limited to: ClearFilm IV, IV3000, Tegaderm and Opsite. The applicator film 45 has sufficient flexibility to not impede the dexterity or the touch-sensitivity of the applicator tool. Optionally the film 45 is disk shaped as shown in FIG. 6a and has a diameter of 5 mm to 30 mm, preferably the diameter of the film 45 is 22 mm. Alternatively the film 45 may be an ellipse as shown in FIG. 6b to increase the surface area coverage of the finger (i.e. maps the shape of the finger tip) where the minor axis has length in the range 11 mm to 27 mm preferably 19 mm; and the major axis has length in the range 15 mm to 30 mm preferably 19 mm. This limits the possibility of an unprotected part of the finger coming into contact with the contact lens 11 as more of the finger is covered by the applicator film 45 of the present invention. As the applicator film 45 is a disposable item, it can also be made bio-degradable once discarded.

[0075] In an example of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6a, the at least one side 46a of the film 45 comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion comprises the adhesive coating 47 and the outer portion is free from the adhesive coating 47. Additionally the outer portion can comprise a tab 45a as shown in FIG. 6b for handling the film 45 without contact with the adhesive coating 47 or for removing/peeling the applicator film 45 from the applicator tool (e.g. finger) as shown in FIG. 6b. The film 45 is installed into the well 60 such that the at least one side 46a with adhesive coating 47 is orientated such that the adhesive coating 47 is exposed or presented to the user when the cover 71 is removed i.e. it faces away from and is not in contact with the base wall 61 of the recess 60. The film 45 and/or applicator container 50 can be coloured, opaque or transparent so as to aid in the film 45 being easily identifiable by the user. Optionally, as an indication of the sterility of the film 45 and/or applicator container 50, the film 45 and/or applicator container 50 can be coloured with an ink that reacts to the sterilisation status of the film 45 and/or applicator container 50. For example, the colour of the film 45 changes when exposed to certain bacteria that are harmful to the eye. This will give an indication to the user that the film 45 and/or applicator container 50 is contaminated prior to its usage. It can also provide an indication of the cleaniness of the applicator tool, e.g. finger, so providing further reassurance of the need to protect the contact lens 11 from contaimination by the applicator tool (finger).

[0076] Alternatively, the adhesion to the applicator tool is attained by only electro-static forces between the film 46 and the applicator tool when contact is made such that no adhesive coating 47 is required.

[0077] The recess 60 is fabricated such that it has sufficient depth so as to prevent the film's 45 adhesive coating 47 from contacting the under surface of the cover 71. In an example of the present invention the cover 71 is the protective layer 44. The film 45 is mounted to the recess 60 such that it does not become detached from the recess 60's base wall 61. The film 45 may be held to the base wall 61 through electro-static attraction between the base wall 61 of the recess and the film 45. This attraction is suitable for short-term storage of the applicator film 45 in the container 50. To prevent the film 45 from moving around within the recess 60 during long-term storage and transport of the applicator film 45, it is beneficial to optionally provide means for securing the film 45 to the base wall 61 of the recess 60. These means are inclusive of but are not exclusively limited to use of a mechanical retainer, for example, a clip, or an intermediate layer 48 on the base wall 61 of the recess 60. In an example of the present invention, the base wall 61 of the recess can comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive, such that whilst the film 45 is mounted on the base wall 61 it adheres but when the film 45 is removed from the base wall 61, the adhesion is easily overcome.

[0078] In an example of the second independent aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 5a, the intermediate layer 48 is mounted to the base wall 61 of the recess 60. In one example of the present invention there is one intermediate layer 48 per film 45 present in the recess 60. It should be understood however, if more than one film 45 were included in each recess 60 then one intermediate layer 48 can service a plurality of films 45. The intermediate layer 48 comprises a first adhesive 49a on one side 48a of the intermediate layer 48 in contact with the base wall 61 of the recess 60 and a second adhesive 49b on the opposite side 48b. In the particular example of the present invention, the first adhesive 49a is stronger than the second adhesive 49b such that on removal of the film 45 from the recess 60, the intermediate layer 48 is not removed from the container 50 in the same motion. Preferably, according to an example of the present invention, the second adhesive 49b is a low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0079] To accommodate the intermediate layer 48 in the container 50 without jeopardising the volume in the container and thus, to ensure that the adhesive layer on the applicator film 45 does not touch or come into contact with the underside of the cover 71 when no protective layer 44 is positioned within the container, the recess 60 further comprises a depression 64. The depression 64 is shaped to accommodate the intermediate layer 48 such that the second adhesive 49b is flush with respect to the upper surface of the base wall 61a as shown in FIG. 5b. Preferably, the depression 64 has a surface area less than the surface area of the film 45, thus removing the possibility of adherence of the applicator tool to the base wall 61 of the recess 60 and further facilitating detachment of the film 45 from the recess 60.

[0080] The nature of a low-tack, pressure-sensitive second adhesive 49b permits the film 45 to be bonded in the recess 60 with sufficient force to retain it whilst allowing it to be lifted when being removed, leaving no adhesive residue adhered to the film 45 that could be transferred to the contact lens 11. In an alternative option of the present invention, one side of the intermediate layer 48 is attached to base wall 61 by the first adhesive 49a, the other side of the intermediate layer 48 comprises a release agent to allow the film 45 to be transferred from the intermediate layer 48 to the applicator tool, common examples are polyvinyl alcohol, crosslinkable silicone, or materials that have a low surface energy.

[0081] In an example of the present invention, one or more disposable applicator films 45 are provided in a stack assembly 75 as shown in FIG. 8. The stack assembly 75 further comprises at least one or more strips of release material 76 spaced between adjacent one or more disposable applicator films 45 such that the films 45 do not stick together so as to prevent adhesive residue being deposited on the surface of each film 45 that is in contact with the contact lens 11 during handling. In a further example of the present invention, one or more applicator films 45 are arranged on a single strip of release material 76, the strip of release material 76 is folded such that adjacent applicators 45 on the strip 76 overlay one another. The stack assembly 75 can be inserted into the contact lens applicator container 50 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0082] To lift the film 45 from the container 50, a user only has to press the contact portion of an applicator tool (e.g. finger) onto the at least one side 46a of the film 45 having the adhesive coating 47 as shown in FIG. 9. In the particular embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9, an index finger is used as the applicator tool and the pad of the index finger is the contact portion. A rolling action of the finger can help to ensure maximum coverage of the pad of the finger with the adhesive coating 47 of the film 45 and thereby ensure maximum coverage of the finger by the sterile applicator film 45. To limit or remove the need to roll the finger over the adhesive coating 47 of the applicator film 45, the base wall 61 of the recess 60 for accommodating the applicator film 45 can deform under the application of finger pressure so as to conform the contour of the finger as shown in dashed lines 61a in FIG. 9(e). This allows the applicator film 45 to conform to the contour of the finger so ensuring maximum coverage of the adhesive coating 47 of the applicator film 45 to the finger. The base wall 61 of the recess 60 can be fabricated with any deformable material known in the art, e.g. rubber or plastics. For efficiency savings during manufacture, the base wall 61 of the recess 60 can be made thinner than the rest of the applicator container 50 allowing it to deform under the application of finger pressure.

[0083] The adhesive characteristic of the film 45 is such that for removal from the applicator tool, a user can simply peel it off without a dedicated solvent solution being required. The film 45 is then discarded. The disposable film applicator 45 provides a means for a user to insert a contact lens 11 without contaminating it through contact and without compromising on the dexterity of the applicator tool (e.g. finger). This results in a user being able to handle a contact lens 11 under many conditions as sterility is provided by the applicator film 45 even though the user is not required to perform a thorough washing of their applicator tool, for example, they are not required to perform a thorough washing of their hands before application or removal of the lens 11. More importantly, the applicator film 45 is thin enough so as to not entirely remove the sense of touch of the pad of the finger when picking up the contact lens 11 and applying the contact lens 11 onto the eye. The applicator film 45 helps to keep to the traditional means to apply the contact lens 11 to the eye using the finger whilst ensuring the sterility of the contact lens 11, i.e. to prevent microbial, mechanical and/or chemical contamination of the contact lens 11 by direct contact with the finger itself. Maintaining or limiting the loss of sense of touch of the finger protected by the applicator film 45 is important to ensure the correct positioning of the contact lens 11, particularly the apex of the contact lens 11 on the corneal surface of the eye. In some cases, the wearer makes adjustments to the contact lens 11 when placed on the eye, e.g. by sliding the contact lens 11 on the surface of the eye so that that the contact lens 11 is in registration with the corneal surface of the eye, i.e. the portion of the eye that receives light to be focussed. Whilst a majority of wearers use a mirror to help guide the contact lens 11 on the corneal surface, in some instances particularly in a sporting environment, the wearer relies on the sense of touch to apply the contact lens 11. This sense of touch may prove vital in the ability to correctly position the contact lens 11 on the surface of the eye. Without this sense incorrect positioning of the contact lens 11 on the eye may result increasing the risk of the contact lens 11 migrating under the eyelid

[0084] To combine the benefits of the storage container 10 of the present invention and the applicator film 45 of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the contact lens storage container 10 of the present invention need not be supplied separately to the applicator container 50, they can be provided in combination as shown in FIG. 10(a) as a kit. In this example, the contact lens 11 and the disposable applicator film 45 are housed in their respective well 20 and recess 60 that are located on a single body combined container 80. The container 80 is of the same type and construction as those described above. At least one flange (not shown) is configured to sealingly engage with at least one closure or cover (81) which is typically a metallic foil or foil/plastic laminate such that the the well 20 and/or recess 60 are made air and fluid tight to prevent contamination and fluid loss. The at least one flange is therefore preferably situated around the periphery of the well 20 and recess 60 of the container 80. The at least one cover 81 is typically metallic foil and the seal is applied during packaging to conform to industrial standard requirements. It should be understood that both the well 20 and the recess 60 can be covered by the same coverhaving the same material to cover both the recess 60 and the well 20 or by having different material to cover the recess 60 (e.g. a plastic) and the well 20 (e.g. metallic foil)or by separate covershaving the same materials or different.

[0085] An example of the combined contact lens storage container and the applicator container formed as a kit with the top cover, or the lidstock, removed is shown in FIG. 10 (b and c). The kit 80 can be fabricated as a single body, e.g. by injection moulding. The recess 60 for accommodating the applicator film 45 is much shallower than the well 20 for accommodating the contact lens 11. As discussed above, the base wall 61 of the recess 60 can fabricated to deform under the application of finger pressure so as to ensure that there is adequate coverage of the adhesive coating 47 of the applicator film 45 onto the applicator tool (e.g. finger). When fabricating the kit 80 as a single body, the thickness of the base wall 61 can be made thinner than the rest of the kit 80 allowing the base wall 61 to deform under the influence of pressure from a finger. Also shown in FIG. 10 (b and c), are two further depressions 112, 114 adjacent or at the circumferential edge of the recess 60 for accommodating the applicator film. The depressions are optional and are sized to accommodate the tabs 44a and 45a of the applicator film 45 and the layer 44 for protecting the adhesive coating 47 on the applicator film 45 respectively discussed above. The depressions 112, 114 are shown to have different depths (see FIG. 10d). The shallower depression 112 accommodates the tab 44a for removing the protective layer 44 to expose the adhesive coating 47 of the applicator film 45 underneath and the deeper depression 114 accommodates the tab 45a for handling the applicator film 45 of the present invention, in particular for peeling a used or expended applicator film 45 from the applicator tool (e.g. finger) to be discarded.

[0086] Four steps are used, as shown in the flow diagram FIG. 12 and illustrated in FIG. 11, to apply a contact lens 11 to the cornea of a user's eye, as housed in the contact lens and applicator film combined cartridge 80.

[0087] The user removes the cover (81) which is typically a metallic foil or foil/plastic laminate, exposing the contact lens storage well 20 and contact lens applicator film 45.

[0088] Step 94 is optional and involves draining and discarding the storage solution 15 from the contact lens well 20.

[0089] Where an additional protective cover 44 is supplied over the applicator film 45, this is removed by pulling tab 44a to expose the adhesive layer of the applicator film 45. A user then presses the contact portion of the applicator tool to the film 45 until adhesion is induced between the film 45 and the tool as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b (Step 93). In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the user presses and/or rolls down on the applicator film 45 using their index finger. Steps 93 and 94 may be performed in any order however, to ensure that sterility of the film 45 is maintained and to avoid any inadvertent contamination of the lens 11 it is advantageous to drain the storage solution 15 from the well prior to removing any protective layer 44 and to adhereing the film 45 to the finger.

[0090] The user then gently presses or touches the film 45 to the convex surface of the contact lens 11 to permit slight deformation of the contact lens 11 and cause the contact lens 11 to adhere to the applicator film 45 as a result of the surface tension due to the solution 15 residue left on the contact lens 11 as shown in FIG. 11c (step 95). As the contact lens 11 is generally centrally located over the depression area 13 of the support structure 24, the contact lens 11 is lifted from the storage well 20 and is in the correct orientation to be applied to the cornea without further manipulation.

[0091] The contact lens 11 is brought into contact with the cornea and inserted into the eye. The contact lens 11 is released by the applicator film 45 because the surface tension between the contact lens 11 and the cornea is greater than the surface tension between the contact lens 11 and the applicator film 45. The applicator film 45 is removed from the applicator tool and discarded (step 96), e.g. using the tab 45a discussed above.

[0092] Changes and modifications, addtions and deletions or material or adhesive type may be made to the different examples given above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.