Title:
CONTACT LENS WASHER WITH LENS STORAGE
United States Patent 3623492
Abstract:
There is a container to hold lens washing fluid. A member is rotatably mounted in a lidlike member mounted on this container. This rotatably mounted member has a lower part that removably receives a perforated case for a contact lens. Mounted on the lidlike member is a turn knob that through gearing mounted in the lid turns the rotatable member carrying the lens case so that washing takes place of the contact lens carried in the perforated case. The container has spaced-apart depending legs between which a lens case carrier may be stored. The turn knob has two compartments with hinged tops for storage of right and left contact lenses.
US Patent References:
Dish-washing machine
Hipes - July 1920 - 1347698
Rotary basket type dishwashing machine
Little - September 1936 - 2054656
Watch cleaning machine
Branaman, Sr. - May 1937 - 2081142
Wash kit with contact lens storing and placing devices
Obitts - September 1964 - 3150406
Contact lens handling apparatus
Floor - October 1967 - 3344461
Dish-washing machine
Hipes - July 1920 - 1347698
Rotary basket type dishwashing machine
Little - September 1936 - 2054656
Watch cleaning machine
Branaman, Sr. - May 1937 - 2081142
Wash kit with contact lens storing and placing devices
Obitts - September 1964 - 3150406
Contact lens handling apparatus
Floor - October 1967 - 3344461
Inventors:
Frantz, Dolph G. (Montgomery, AL)
Joseph, William (Montgomery, AL)
Joseph, William (Montgomery, AL)
Application Number:
04/860742
Publication Date:
11/30/1971
Filing Date:
09/24/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
D24/218, 206/5, 134/901, 134/162, 134/149, 206/5.100
International Classes:
A45C11/00; G02C13/00; B08B11/02; B08B3/04
Field of Search:
134/140,143,149,156,158,162 206/5A
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Bleutge, Robert L.
Claims:
We claim as our invention
1. A contact lens washer comprising, in combination,
2. A contact lens washer comprising, in combination,
3. A contact lens washer comprising, in combination,
1. A contact lens washer comprising, in combination,
2. A contact lens washer comprising, in combination,
3. A contact lens washer comprising, in combination,
Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a contact lens washer that also provides for storing and carrying contact lenses.
For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention reference is had to the drawings, the description and the claims that follow.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lens washer and associated parts;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lens washer in FIG. 3;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the assembled lens washer of FIG. 1 with a portion of the top broken away and with a lens case carrier attached to the bottom; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale.
Throughout the description like reference numbers refer to similar parts.
The lens washer is generally indicated at 10. It has a cylindrical container 11 open at the top for receiving lens washing fluid and a lens case agitator. There are depending spaced apart legs 12 on the container 11 that frictionally house a lens case carrier 13, see FIG. 3. The container 11 has threads 14 at its upper outer periphery for receiving a lidlike member.
A lidlike member 15 open at both top and bottom has a transverse partition or top portion 16 intermediate its open ends. The lower end of the member 15 has internal threads 17, see FIG. 4, that are received by the external threads 14 on container 11. This lidlike member 15 has in its partition or top portion 16 a center axially extending aperture 18 that acts as a bearing, a recess 19 in the top of the partition or top portion 16 for receiving a planetary gear and an inturned lip 20 that acts as a securement for an actuating knob member that snap-fits thereunder, all as will be described hereinafter.
An axially extending lens case agitator member is generally indicated at 21, see FIG. 4, and has a lower bifurcated portion 22 between whose concave legs 22a is received a cylindrically shaped perforated lens case 23. Instead of the lens case 23 being separate, the lens case agitator member 21 may be a one piece unit to house lenses back to back. The upper end of the lens case carrier 22 has an axially and upwardly extending shaft or journal portion 22b that is received in the central bearing aperture 18. Secured by friction or by other suitable means to the journal 22b is a spur gear member 24 that has its lower end formed with a central recess received over the journal 22b.
A planetary gear 25 has a journal 25a at its lower end that is received in the recess 19 in the partition member that acts as a guide bearing.
To drive the planetary gear 25 and the spur gear 24 on the agitator 21 there is a circular knob member generally indicated at 26 which has a depending peripheral flange 27 with a radially extending edge 27a, see FIG. 4, and internal gear teeth 28 on the inside periphery thereof. These internal gear teeth mesh with the planetary gear 25. An additional gear 25 may be mounted opposite gear 25 to mesh with spur gear 24 and the internal teeth 28 for further gearing smoothness and stability. The radial edge snap-fits under the inturned lip of the lidlike member 15. The top of the knob 26 has an upstanding transverse top portion 29. This portion 29 is integrally hinged at 29a at one end to the knob 26, see FIG. 4, and has a recessed catch 29b at its opposite end that snap-fits over a like shaped protuberance 30 formed on the knob member 26. The top portion 29 has a depending wall or partition that forms two compartments for receiving right and left lens carrying cases.
By grasping with the fingers the upstanding portion 29 on the knob member 26 and rotating the same back and forth, an agitating action of the agitator member 21 takes place. This permits the liquid lens cleaner and washer solution to move through the perforated lens case 23 and wash the lens carried therein.
A small battery operated motor (not shown) could be incorporated in the top to drive the agitator 21.
The lens case carrier 13 shown in FIG. 3 as being stored at the bottom end of the washer 10 is an alternative storage place for lens cases as well as an auxiliary storage for a pair of reserve contact lenses.
It is an object of the invention to provide a contact lens washer that also provides for storing and carrying contact lenses.
For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention reference is had to the drawings, the description and the claims that follow.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lens washer and associated parts;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lens washer in FIG. 3;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the assembled lens washer of FIG. 1 with a portion of the top broken away and with a lens case carrier attached to the bottom; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale.
Throughout the description like reference numbers refer to similar parts.
The lens washer is generally indicated at 10. It has a cylindrical container 11 open at the top for receiving lens washing fluid and a lens case agitator. There are depending spaced apart legs 12 on the container 11 that frictionally house a lens case carrier 13, see FIG. 3. The container 11 has threads 14 at its upper outer periphery for receiving a lidlike member.
A lidlike member 15 open at both top and bottom has a transverse partition or top portion 16 intermediate its open ends. The lower end of the member 15 has internal threads 17, see FIG. 4, that are received by the external threads 14 on container 11. This lidlike member 15 has in its partition or top portion 16 a center axially extending aperture 18 that acts as a bearing, a recess 19 in the top of the partition or top portion 16 for receiving a planetary gear and an inturned lip 20 that acts as a securement for an actuating knob member that snap-fits thereunder, all as will be described hereinafter.
An axially extending lens case agitator member is generally indicated at 21, see FIG. 4, and has a lower bifurcated portion 22 between whose concave legs 22a is received a cylindrically shaped perforated lens case 23. Instead of the lens case 23 being separate, the lens case agitator member 21 may be a one piece unit to house lenses back to back. The upper end of the lens case carrier 22 has an axially and upwardly extending shaft or journal portion 22b that is received in the central bearing aperture 18. Secured by friction or by other suitable means to the journal 22b is a spur gear member 24 that has its lower end formed with a central recess received over the journal 22b.
A planetary gear 25 has a journal 25a at its lower end that is received in the recess 19 in the partition member that acts as a guide bearing.
To drive the planetary gear 25 and the spur gear 24 on the agitator 21 there is a circular knob member generally indicated at 26 which has a depending peripheral flange 27 with a radially extending edge 27a, see FIG. 4, and internal gear teeth 28 on the inside periphery thereof. These internal gear teeth mesh with the planetary gear 25. An additional gear 25 may be mounted opposite gear 25 to mesh with spur gear 24 and the internal teeth 28 for further gearing smoothness and stability. The radial edge snap-fits under the inturned lip of the lidlike member 15. The top of the knob 26 has an upstanding transverse top portion 29. This portion 29 is integrally hinged at 29a at one end to the knob 26, see FIG. 4, and has a recessed catch 29b at its opposite end that snap-fits over a like shaped protuberance 30 formed on the knob member 26. The top portion 29 has a depending wall or partition that forms two compartments for receiving right and left lens carrying cases.
By grasping with the fingers the upstanding portion 29 on the knob member 26 and rotating the same back and forth, an agitating action of the agitator member 21 takes place. This permits the liquid lens cleaner and washer solution to move through the perforated lens case 23 and wash the lens carried therein.
A small battery operated motor (not shown) could be incorporated in the top to drive the agitator 21.
The lens case carrier 13 shown in FIG. 3 as being stored at the bottom end of the washer 10 is an alternative storage place for lens cases as well as an auxiliary storage for a pair of reserve contact lenses.