Colored contact lens primary packaging
A contact lens package includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a color component configured to provide a contamination detecting contrast to the substrate. Additionally, the color component provides a psychological message of cleanliness so as to reinforce compliance with good hygiene practices, or to provide a unique selling point for the finished product.
1. An autoclaved primary contact lens package, comprising:
a substrate;
said substrate including a pre-molded core material defining a lens containing orifice and a barrier material coating, wherein said barrier material coating is molded onto said pre-molded core material;
said barrier material coating being formed of a transparent homopolymer forming a barrier layer on a surface of said core material that defines said lens containing orifice;
wherein said pre-molded core material includes a color component;
a newly manufactured contact lens disposed in said lens containing orifice; and
a hydration medium sealed in said lens containing orifice with said newly manufactured contact lens.
2. The primary contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein said color component is configured to enable the identification of contaminants within said primary contact lens package.
3. The primary contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein said color component comprises a masterbatch component.
4. The primary contact lens package of claim 3 , wherein said masterbatch component comprises between approximately 0.5 and 10.0% of said substrate.
5. The primary contact lens package of claim 3 , wherein said masterbatch component comprises a colorant approved for indirect food contact.
6. The primary contact lens package of claim 3 , wherein said masterbatch component comprises a colorant approved for direct food contact.
7. The primary contact lens package of claim 3 , wherein said masterbatch component comprises a colorant approved for use in medical devices.
8. The primary contact lens package of claim 3 , wherein said masterbatch component comprises at least one of FDA approved pigments or colorants.
9. The primary contact lens package of claim 3 , wherein said masterbatch component comprises titanium dioxide.
10. The primary contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein said barrier material coating ranges in thickness from approximately 0.01 mm to 0.20 mm.
11. The primary contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein said barrier material coating further comprises a hydrophilic material.
12. The primary contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein said barrier material coating further comprises an absorbent polymer.
13. The primary contact lens package of claim 12 , wherein said barrier material coating comprises (poly)NVP.
14. The primary contact lens package of claim 1 , wherein said substrate further comprises an additive configured to provide a secondary utility.
15. The primary contact lens package of claim 14 , wherein said additive is configured to provide UV protection.
16. A primary contact lens package, comprising:
a substrate;
said substrate including a pre-molded core material defining a lens containing orifice and a barrier material coating, wherein said barrier material coating is molded onto said pre-molded core material;
said barrier material coating being formed of a substantially transparent homopolymer forming a barrier layer in said lens containing orifice;
wherein said pre-molded core material includes a color component; wherein said core material comprises a color component producing an in mould labeling on said primary contact lens package.
17. A method of forming an autoclaved contact lens primary package, comprising:
forming a substrate including:
providing a substrate polymer;
adding a masterbatch color component to said substrate polymer;
molding said substrate including a lens containing orifice;
molding a transparent barrier homopolymer onto a surface of said substrate that defines said lens containing orifice;
disposing a newly manufactured contact lens in said lens containing orifice; and
sealing a hydration medium in said lens containing orifice with said newly manufactured contact lens.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said masterbatch color component comprises between approximately 0.5 and 10.0% of said substrate.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein said masterbatch color component comprises a colorant approved for indirect food contact.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein said masterbatch color component comprises a colorant approved for direct food contact.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein said masterbatch color component comprises a colorant approved for use in medical devices.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein said masterbatch color component comprises FDA approved pigments and colorants.
23. The method of claim 17 , wherein said masterbatch color component comprises titanium dioxide.