US4242304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact lens disinfector with temperature indicator
Assignee: Ryder International Corp
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Filing: 1979-06-22
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A contact lens disinfector unit (10) includes a housing, heating means arranged to heat the contact lenses and the associated lens case (21) to a disinfecting temperature and for thereafter terminating the application of heat to allow the contact lenses to cool, and temperature indicating means (30) for indicating if the lens case is cool enough for safe handling. The temperature indicating means includes a viewing window (17) having opaque portions (38) and transparent portions (37). The transparent portions are arranged to define a temperature indicia. The temperature indicator also includes a plate (35) which has indicia thereon corresponding to the temperature indicia and a surrounding opaque background. The plate is slidable with respect to the viewing window between two positions, one of which indicates that the lens case is too hot to handle, and the other of which indicates that the lens case is cool enough to handle.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis E. Ryder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K5/00; G01K5/48; G01K5/56; G01K5/62; G01K5/70; A; A61; A61L; A61L12/00; A61L12/02; A61L12/04; G01K1/00; G01K1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A disinfector unit for contact lenses comprising, a housing, heating means arranged for heating the contact lenses to a desired temperature and indicating means for providing a visual message for impression to the user that the unit is in a selected temperature condition, said indicating means comprising a generally opaque viewing window including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse transparent portions arranged to define a series of segmented characters providing a visual, word message, a plate having an upper surface including an opaque background corresponding to the opaque portions of said viewing window and a series of longitudinal and transverse portions of a selected color which correspond in size, shape and arrangement to the transparent portions of said viewing window, means mounting said plate below said viewing window for slidable movement in a diagonal direction with respect to said window and the transparent portions thereof, and temperature responsive actuator means operatively coupled with said plate for movement of said plate between a first and a second position in response to the changes of temperature of said unit, such that when said plate is moved to said first position, said longitudinal and transverse colored portions on said plate align with the corresponding longitudinal and transverse transparent portions of said window, thereby providing a visual word message display to the user, with movement of said plate diagonally to said second position producing total misalignment of said longitudinal and transverse colored portions with respect to said transparent portions, such that only the opaque portion of said plate is aligned with said transparent portion, thereby totally obliterating said work message.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A disinfector unit for contact lenses comprising, a housing, heating means arranged for heating the contact lenses to a desired temperature and indicating means for providing a visual message for impression to the user that the unit is in a selected temperature condition, said indicating means comprising a generally opaque viewing window including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse transparent portions arranged to define a series of segmented characters providing a visual, word message, a plate having an upper surface including an opaque background corresponding to the opaque portions of said viewing window and a series of longitudinal and transverse portions of a selected color which correspond in size, shape and arrangement to the transparent portions of said viewing window, means mounting said plate below said viewing window for slidable movement in a diagonal direction with respect to said window and the transparent portions thereof, and temperature responsive actuator means operatively coupled with said plate for movement of said plate between a first and a second position in response to the changes of temperature of said unit, such that when said plate is moved to said first position, said longitudinal and transverse colored portions on said plate align with the corresponding longitudinal and transverse transparent portions of said window, thereby providing a visual word message display to the user, with movement of said plate diagonally to said second position producing total misalignment of said longitudinal and transverse colored portions with respect to said transparent portions, such that only the opaque portion of said plate is aligned with said transparent portion, thereby totally obliterating said work message.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A disinfector unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuator means comprises a bimetallic strip having a first end connected to said heating means and a second end coupled to said plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A disinfector unit as defined in claim 2 further including a guide track for guiding the diagonal movement of said plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |