US 4,381,285 A · Contact lens sterilizing device

Abstract

The present invention comprises a contact lens sterilizing device (10,54,118) which chemically disinfects contact lenses (L) in a cell (20,64,134) containing antimicrobial solution (42,104,144) and which subsequently transfers the lenses (L) to a storage cell (22,66,136) containing storage solution (44,106,146). Momentum generated as the striker arm (6) of a mechanical timer (2) snaps from a first position to a second position is utilized to propel a cage (C,70,140) holding the contact lenses (L) from the sterilizing cell (20,64,134) to the storage cell (22,66,136), thereby effecting the transfer operation. In one embodiment (10) of the present invention, the striker arm momentum is indirectly imparted to the contact lens cage (C) via a flipper (28). In other embodiments (54,118) of the present invention, the striker arm momentum is directly imparted to the contact lens cage (70,140) via a hook (72,142) integrally formed on the cage (70,140).

Claims18

Dependent claims

A device for sterilizing articles with a sterilizing solution and for subsequently transferring the articles to a storage environment after completion of the sterilization process, said device comprising:

(a) a first receptacle containing sterilizing solution;
(b) a second receptacle containing storage solution;
(c) support means disposed in said first receptacle for holding the articles in fluid contact with the sterilizing solution;
(d) momentum generating means movable between a first position and a second position to generate momentum;
and
(e) means for transmitting the momentum generated by said momentum generating means to said support means to impart motion to said support means and to forcefully drive the articles along a trajectory from said first receptacle to said second receptacle.

3 more elements

A device for sterilizing contact lenses with a sterilizing solution and for subsequently transferring the contact lenses to a storage environment after completion of the sterilization process, said device comprising:

(a) a first cell structure containing sterilizing solution;
(b) a second cell structure containing storage solution;
(c) cage means disposed in said first cell structure for holding the contact lenses in fluid contact with the sterilizing solution;
(d) timer means for measuring a predetermined interval of time, said timer means including a striker arm which generates momentum by moving from a first position to a second position at the expiration of said predetermined interval of time;
and
(e) means for transmitting the momentum generated by said striker arm to said cage means to propel said cage means from said first cell structure to said second cell structure at the expiration of said predetermined interval of time.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Contact lens sterilizing device

Life of this patent

Contact lens sterilizing device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18