Plug-in contact lens disinfector with bimetallic timer

摘要

There is disclosed a modular contact lens disinfecting system comprising a combination carrying case-and-heater module including a pair of receptacles for receiving a pair of contact lenses therein, a heating arrangement responsive to a predetermined electrical current for producing heat and positioned and configured for radiating heat to the receptacle, and electrical connectors coupled with the heating arrangement for receiving electrical current; and an energizing-and-timer module including a housing, an AC plug coupled with the housing for coupling an AC receptacle to receive electrical current, mating electrical connectors coupled to the housing for complementary mating with the electrical connectors of the case-and-heater module, and a timer coupled in electrical circuit intermediate the plug and the mating electrical connectors for controlling the time duration during which electrical current is applied to the mating electrical connectors. A novel timer structure is also provided comprising an elongate heat transfer element having a predetermined rate of heat transfer longitudinally thereof; a heating sleeve in engagement with one end portion of the heat transfer element; a heat responsive element in engagement with an opposite end of the heat transfer element; a switch having open and closing circuit positions for respectively opening and closing an electrical circuit to the heating sleeve; the heat responsive means being responsive to a predetermined amount of heat energy for actuating the switch to its open circuit position.