초록 ▼

A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator has a body and a contact lens holder movably mounted on the body. The contact lens holder defines a contact lens support surface, a fluid-flow aperture extending through the contact l

A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator has a body and a contact lens holder movably mounted on the body. The contact lens holder defines a contact lens support surface, a fluid-flow aperture extending through the contact lens support surface, and a chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-flow aperture. A contact lens is removably receivable on the lens support surface, and the fluid-flow aperture is coupled in fluid communication with an interface between the contact lens and lens support surface for introducing fluid from the chamber, through the fluid-flow aperture and into the interface to release the lens from the lens support surface.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: a body; a contact lens holder movably mounted on the body and defining a contact lens support surface, at least one fluid-flow aperture exte

The invention claimed is: 1. A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: a body; a contact lens holder movably mounted on the body and defining a contact lens support surface, at least one fluid-flow aperture extending through the contact lens support surface, and a chamber coupled in fluid communication with the at least one fluid-flow aperture, wherein a contact lens is removably receivable on the lens support surface, and the at least one fluid-flow aperture is coupled in fluid communication with an interface between the contact lens and lens support surface for introducing fluid from the chamber, through the fluid-flow aperture and into the interface to release the lens from the lens support surface; and a manually engageable actuator movably mounted relative to the body and drivingly coupled to the lens support surface for manually engaging the actuator and moving the lens support surface. 2. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the lens support surface is substantially convex, and defines a fluid-flow aperture extending through an approximately central portion thereof. 3. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 1, wherein the lens holder includes at least one movable portion coupled in fluid communication with the chamber and movable for, in turn, moving fluid from the chamber, through the fluid flow aperture, and into the interface between the contact lens support surface and a contact lens thereon. 4. A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: a body; a contact lens holder movably mounted on the body and including a contact lens support surface, at least one fluid-flow aperture extending through the contact lens support surface, a chamber coupled in fluid communication with the at least one fluid-flow aperture, and a bellows coupled in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein a contact lens is removably receivable on the lens support surface, the at least one fluid-flow aperture is coupled in fluid communication with an interface between the contact lens and lens support surface, and the bellows is movable for introducing fluid from the chamber, through the fluid-flow aperture and into the interface to release the lens from the lens support surface. 5. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 1, further comprising an approximately tubular support mounted between the lens holder and body for supporting the lens holder within the body. 6. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 5, further comprising a spring coupled between the tubular support and body for biasing the tubular support in a direction outwardly of the body. 7. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 6, further comprising an actuator coupled to the lens holder for moving the lens holder between (i) a retracted position, and (ii) an extended position for at least one of removing a contact lens from a storage container onto the lens support surface of the lens holder, and releasing the lens from the lens support surface onto a surface of a contact lens applicator. 8. A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: a body; a contact lens holder movably mounted on the body and defining a contact lens support surface, at least one fluid-flow aperture extending through the contact lens support surface, and a chamber coupled in fluid communication with the at least one fluid-flow aperture, wherein a contact lens is removably receivable on the lens support surface, and the at least one fluid-flow aperture is coupled in fluid communication with an interface between the contact lens and lens support surface for introducing fluid from the chamber, through the fluid-flow aperture and into the interface to release the lens from the lens support surface; an approximately tubular support mounted between the lens holder and body for supporting the lens holder within the body; a spring coupled between the tubular support and body for biasing the tubular support in a direction outwardly of the body; and a actuator defining a peripheral flange that slidably receives therein at least a portion of each of the tubular support and lens holder, wherein the button is coupled to the lens holder for moving the lens holder between (i) a retracted position, and (ii) an extended position for at least one of removing a contact lens from a storage container onto the lens support surface of the lens holder, and releasing the lens from the lens support surface onto a surface of a contact lens applicator. 9. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 1, in combination with a contact lens applicator including a housing, and a contact lens holder movably mounted on the housing, wherein one of the body of the contact lens transfer device and housing of the contact lens applicator defines a recess, and the other defines a raised portion receivable within the recess for aligning the lens support surface of the transfer device with the lens holder of the applicator. 10. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 9, further comprising an approximately tubular support mounted between the lens holder and body for supporting the lens holder within the body, and wherein the housing defines a stop surface that is engageable with a surface of the tubular support for preventing further movement of the support. 11. A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: first means for holding the device; second means movably mounted on the first means for supporting a contact lens thereon and defining an interface between the second means and a contact lens supported thereon; third means coupled in fluid communication with the second means for releasing a contact lens therefrom; and fourth means movably mounted relative to the first means and drivingly coupled to the second means for manually engaging the fourth means and moving the second means. 12. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 11, wherein the first means is a body defining an exterior surface that is manually engageable by a user, and an aperture for receiving therein the second means. 13. A contact lens transfer device as defined in claim 11, wherein the second means is a contact lens holder defining a lens support surface. 14. A contact lens transfer device for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: first means for holding the device; second means movably mounted on the first means for supporting a contact lens thereon and defining an interface between the second means and a contact lens supported thereon and at least one fluid-flow aperture extending therethrough; and a chamber coupled in fluid communication with the at least one fluid-flow aperture of the second means, wherein a contact lens is removably receivable on the second means, and the at least one fluid-flow aperture is coupled in fluid communication with an interface between the contact lens and second means for introducing fluid from the chamber, through the fluid-flow aperture and into the interface to release the lens from the second means. 15. A method for transferring a contact lens from a storage container to a contact lens applicator, comprising: providing a contact lens transfer device including a body, a contact lens holder defining a contact lens support surface and at least one fluid-flow aperture extending through the contact lens support surface, and a manually engageable actuator movably mounted relative to the body and coupled to the lens support surface; manually engaging the manually engageable actuator of the contact lens transfer device; manually moving the actuator to place the lens support surface of the contact lens transfer device into contact with a contact lens received within a storage container; removing the lens support surface with the contact lens seated thereon from the storage container; positioning the lens support surface with the contact lens seated thereon adjacent to a lens holder of a contact lens applicator; and introducing a fluid into an interface between the lens support surface and contact lens seated thereon and, in turn, releasing the contact lens from the lens support surface and transferring the contact lens from the lens support surface onto the lens holder of the contact lens applicator. 16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the step of introducing fluid includes introducing liquid and air into the interface between the lens support surface and contact lens seated thereon. 17. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of manually engaging the manually engageable actuator to introduce the fluid.