US4533399A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact lens cleaning method
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1983-04-12
•
Granted: 1985-08-06
•
Expires: 2003-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An article and a method for cleaning a contact lens is disclosed, said method comprising providing a moistened non-woven fibrous web wherein the average fiber diameter is up to 50 microns, contacting and rubbing the lens with the fibrous web, and removing the lens from contact with the fibrous web.
Inventors
- 👤 Arlene J. Mencke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02C; G02C13/00; G02C13/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of cleaning a contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a moistened non-woven, thermoplastic, polymeric, fibrous web having an average fiber diameter up to 50 microns, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, said lens after cleaning being physiologically acceptable to the eye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of cleaning a contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a moistened non-woven, thermoplastic, polymeric, fibrous web having an average fiber diameter up to 50 microns, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, said lens after cleaning being physiologically acceptable to the eye.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of cleaning a soft contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a moistened non-woven, thermoplastic, polymeric, fibrous web having an average fiber diameter up to 50 microns, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, said lens after cleaning being physiologically acceptable to the eye.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of cleaning a soft contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a moistened non-woven, thermoplastic, polymeric, fibrous web having an average fiber diameter up to 50 microns, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, said lens after cleaning being physiologically acceptable to the eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said web contains a surfactant in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 25 weight percent of the fibrous web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said web is sterile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said non-woven fibrous web is selected from webs consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, and combinations, blends and copolymers thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said non-woven fibrous web has at least 80 percent voids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said non-woven fibrous web is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and combinations, blends and copolymers thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said web is prepared by a melt-blowing technique.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of cleaning a hard contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a moistened non-woven, thermoplastic, polymeric, fibrous web having an average fiber diameter up to 50 microns, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, said lens after cleaning being physiologically acceptable to the eye.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of cleaning a hard contact lens comprising the steps: a. providing a moistened non-woven, thermoplastic, polymeric, fibrous web having an average fiber diameter up to 50 microns, b. contacting and rubbing said lens with said fibrous web for a period of time sufficient to loosen proteinaceous and particulate matter from said contact lens, and c. removing said lens from contact with said fibrous web, said lens after cleaning being physiologically acceptable to the eye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said web contains a surfactant in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 25 weight percent of the fibrous web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said web is sterile.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said non-woven fibrous web is selected form the group consisting of polyalkylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polystyrene, polyarylsulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and combinations, blends, and copolymers thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said non-woven fibrous web is selected from webs consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, and combinations, blends and copolymers thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said non-woven fibrous web has at least 80 percent voids.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said web is prepared by a melt-blowing technique.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-05 | 1989-02-04 | 1989-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-05 | 1993-02-04 | 1993-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-05 | 1997-02-04 | 1997-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |