초록 ▼

A lens case for disinfecting, cleaning, or storing contact lenses is described that provides a sealing and venting system for allowing the release of gas while avoiding liquid leakage. The venting means allows venting of gas when internal pressure increases, while maintaining a seal that is substant

A lens case for disinfecting, cleaning, or storing contact lenses is described that provides a sealing and venting system for allowing the release of gas while avoiding liquid leakage. The venting means allows venting of gas when internal pressure increases, while maintaining a seal that is substantially gas and liquid-impermeable at other times. The lens case includes a cap securable to a container barrel and a mating cap. The venting of gas occurs via a tortuous-path mechanism resulting from appropriate surface roughness being produced on at least one of a pair of mating surfaces forming a seal between the cap and the container. In a preferred embodiment, a relatively roughened surface is produced on a cap flange that is in the shape of a circular lip downwardly extending from the inner surface of the cap. The mating surface of the cap flange sealingly presses against the rim portion of the container. The apparatus is particularly useful for the disinfection of contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide in which excess peroxide is decomposed into water and oxygen.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [16.] A method of disinfecting a contact lens with a hydrogen peroxide solution comprising immersing the lens in a solution comprising about 1 to 5 percent of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a neutralizing agent for a sufficient period of time to disinfect the lenses and

[ What is claimed is:] [16.] A method of disinfecting a contact lens with a hydrogen peroxide solution comprising immersing the lens in a solution comprising about 1 to 5 percent of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a neutralizing agent for a sufficient period of time to disinfect the lenses and neutralize the hydrogen peroxide, which method comprises introducing the solution into a container through an open end, submerging the lens in the solution, and affixing a removable cap to said container at said open end to form a closed disinfection chamber, said cap comprising a sealing lip extending from the inner surface of the cap, which sealing lip comprises a first mating surface overlapping and pressingly engaging with a second mating surface on the annular rim portion of the container when the cap is fully affixed to the container, wherein at least one of the first and second mating surfaces is sufficiently roughed to allow gas to vent from the disinfecting chamber and into a subsequent passageway leading to the environment when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure above atmospheric pressure, such that the maximum pressure attained in the lens case is below 20 above atmospheric pressure.