Leak-proof contact lens container

摘要

A container for disinfecting and storing a contact lens comprising a container having a nonporous but oxygen-permeable, water-impermeable liner that forms a continuous barrier layer to allow oxygen to escape but prevent water from escaping when the container becomes pressurized, such as when an oxidative disinfectant is neutralized catalytically to generate free oxygen (O2). A rigid shell against which the liner is disposed is porous to oxygen and includes a main body and a cap removably attachable to an upper rim of the main body. The container also may have a lens holder for supporting a contact lens. The liner may be on the inside of the shell, or vice versa. The liner may be on the inside of the cap which has openings through which the liner expands when the container becomes pressurized as an indicator that the disinfecting process is underway. The liner may be constructed of a nonporous silicone and the shell of polyethylene or other rigid plastic that can be constructed as a highly gas-porous enclosure.

主权项

1. A contact lens sterilization container, comprising:
a rigid outer shell including a main body and a cap removably attachable to an upper rim of the main body, the outer shell being porous to oxygen; and an inner liner including a first section covering the inner surfaces of the main body and a second section covering the inner surfaces of the cap in such a manner as to form a continuous barrier layer surrounding the inner space when the cap attaches to the main body, the inner liner and outer shell surrounding an inner space sized to receive one or more contact lenses, the inner liner being formed of a material that has high oxygen permeability yet is impermeable to water even when a pressure in the inner space exceeds an external pressure to permit oxygen to permeate through the inner liner and out the outer shell, wherein the first liner section comprises a layer adhered to the inside of the main body of the rigid outer shell which extends up to an upper rim, and the second liner section comprises a disc-shaped member adhered to the underside of the cap which has an outer perimeter wider than the upper rim of the first liner section such that the first and second liner sections come into intimate contact to form a seal when the cap attaches to the main body.