CN114555480A

CN114555480A - Use of a flexible paper-like sheet material for forming a package for a plurality of optical elements and a method for packaging a plurality of optical elements

Info

Publication number: CN114555480A
Application number: CN202180005142.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·霍弗
Original assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH
Current assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH
Priority date: 2020-07-22
Filing date: 2021-07-20
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Also published as: WO2022018082A1; MX2022002178A; EP3997001B1; HUE060274T2; EP3997001A1; EP3943406A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a package for a plurality of optical elements (6). The package comprises a flexible paper like sheet material (1) for radially holding the circumference of the optical element, the flexible paper like sheet material further comprising a radially inwardly protruding paper like sheet material portion (5) for axially supporting the rim of the optical element. The invention further relates to a method for packaging an optical element into such a package.

Description

Use of a flexible paper-like sheet material for forming a package for a plurality of optical elements and a method for packaging a plurality of optical elements

The present invention relates to a package for an optical element and a method for packaging an optical element into a package. These optical elements may be, in particular, spectacle lenses.

Semi-finished or finished eyeglass lenses are currently packaged in individual packages for shipment to an optician or another destination for further finishing of the lenses and/or assembly into a frame. Packaging and unpacking the eyeglass lenses into such a separate package is laborious and time-consuming and requires a large amount of package material. In many cases, such packages require additional inlays made of foam or other soft material to adequately protect the individual lenses, particularly the optical surfaces of the lenses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for optical elements, in particular spectacle lenses, and a method for packaging optical elements, in particular spectacle lenses, into such a package, which are more efficient and require less package material.

A first aspect of the invention is the use of a flexible paper like sheet material for forming a package for a plurality of optical elements, characterized in that the flexible paper like sheet material is arranged to radially retain the circumference of the optical elements, the flexible paper like sheet material further comprising radially inwardly protruding paper like sheet material portions for axially supporting the rim of the optical elements.

First, some terms used in the context of the present invention are defined.

The package for optical elements of the present invention provides adequate protection for the optical elements during shipping and storage.

Typically, such optical elements include at least one finished surface (front or back surface), and may include two finished surfaces. The optical element may be substantially translucent, transparent or reflective. More specifically, the optical element may be a lens or a mirror. In particular, the optical element may be an ophthalmic lens. The term "spectacle lens" as used herein includes spectacle lens blanks and spectacle lens semi-finished products. Ophthalmic lens precursor is understood to mean a generally preformed sheet of material for producing lenses in any state prior to completion of the surface treatment. A spectacle lens semi-finished product is a lens blank that is finished optically on only one surface. In most cases, such spectacle lenses are generally cylindrical and do not include a final circumferential shape for fitting into a frame. The package is typically used for shipping and storage prior to such final assembly. The circumference of the optical element is defined by the radially most outwardly projecting portion of the optical element.

The weight of the optical element may be between 5g and 250g, preferably between 35g and 120g, more preferably between 75g and 85 g. The diameter of the optical element may be between 20mm and 150mm, preferably between 40mm and 100mm, more preferably between 60mm and 80 mm.

The package is designed for a plurality of optical elements. The plurality is two or more. Typically, the package is designed for 5 to 20 optical elements, preferably 10 optical elements. The package may carry as many optical elements as possible, as long as the package is capable of securely holding the optical elements.

The package comprises a flexible paper-like sheet material. The flexibility of the material is sufficient to fit the paper like sheet material around the circumference of the optical element so that the paper like sheet material can maintain this circumference in the radial direction. This provides radial support for each optical element in the package.

The flexible paper like sheet material further comprises a radially inwardly protruding paper like sheet material portion for axially supporting the rim of the optical element. In this context, the terms "radial" and "axial" refer to the plane of the optical element encapsulated into the package. A plurality of optical elements are stacked into the package on top of each other in the axial direction. Axial support therefore means that the optical elements stacked on top of each other or on top of each other are fixed against axial misalignment. While the package will typically have a generally cylindrical shape (the circumference of each optical element forming a generally circular shape), the invention is not so limited. The circumference of the optical element and the corresponding shape of the package may have different shapes, for example an elliptical shape. The term "radial" as used herein is not intended to limit the invention to cylindrical shapes.

This axial support is provided for the rim of the optical element, i.e. the area of the optical element close to the outer circumference of the optical element. Axial support is provided by portions of the paper like sheet material projecting radially inwardly. This means that the axial support is provided by the paper like sheet material itself, and not by a separate mounting attached to the paper like sheet material. Portions of the paper-like sheet material project radially inwardly, thereby providing axial support to corresponding portions of the optical element rim.

The present invention provides a simple, cost effective and easy to use package for a plurality of optical elements. The optical elements are stacked in the package such that the package filled with a plurality of optical elements typically has a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the optical elements plus the relatively small thickness of the paper-like sheet material, and a height corresponding generally to the sum of the axial space requirements of the optical elements plus the sum of the axial distances between the optical elements within the package.

Axial support for the rim of the optical element is preferably provided on both the front and rear surfaces of the optical element. Preferably, the rim of the optical element is fitted between two axial supports, so that the optical element is fixed against axial misalignment, i.e. the axial distance between these axial supports substantially corresponds to the axial thickness of the rim of the optical element.

A paper-like sheet material is a sheet material comprising or consisting essentially or entirely of paper. For example, paper can be produced by mechanically or chemically treating cellulose fibers obtained from wood, rags, grass, or other plant sources in water, draining the water through a fine mesh so that the fibers remain uniformly distributed on the surface, then pressing and drying. The specific gravity of the paper can be 20g/m²And 225g/m²Preferably between 60g/m²And 180g/m²More preferably between 80g/m²And 140g/m²In the meantime. Such paper containerIs readily available, easily disposed of and recyclable. The types of paper suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed in DIN 6730: 2017-09. The paper-like sheet material may comprise paper coated with a coating material, such as a polymeric material.

In embodiments of the invention, instead of using a paper-like sheet material, a sheet material comprising or consisting of cardboard and/or a polymeric material may be used. The preferred value of the specific gravity of the paper or board is 80g/m²To 500g/m²Preferably 120g/m²To 250g/m². Paperboard has a higher specific gravity than paper.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the enclosure formed using the flexible paper-like sheet material comprises a generally rectangular paper-like sheet in which two opposing edges (edges) are joined together to form a generally cylindrical enclosure. To join the edges together, the rectangular paper-like sheet may include a suitable adhesive tape or other suitable attachment member. The rectangular paper like sheets may be stored prior to use as flat paper like sheets and assembled during the packaging process to form a generally cylindrical package. The assembly process is very simple compared to prior art folding boxes. The generally rectangular paper-like sheet is rectangular within the limits and tolerances of the manufacture and measurement of such paper-like sheets. The substantially cylindrical package is adapted to the shape of the circumference of the optical element and may therefore deviate from the cylindrical shape to such an extent that this circumference deviates from the cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the generally rectangular paper-like sheet may be an isosceles trapezoid and the generally cylindrical enclosure may be in the form of an ellipse.

In one embodiment of the invention, the axial distance between two axial supports of two adjacent optical elements is adapted to the maximum axial space requirement of the optical elements. The maximum axial space requirement is measured from respective portions of the front and rear faces of the optical element, which are the most outwardly projecting portions in the front-to-rear axial direction. For a typical optical element having a curvature of the front face, this axial spatial requirement is the axial distance from the rearward facing edge of the optical element to the center of the front face of the optical element. The maximum axial space requirement is typically greater than the maximum thickness (or maximum axial thickness) of the optical element, which may be the thickness at the edge of the optical element or the thickness at the center of the optical element. Adaptation to the maximum axial space requirement allows for pre-packaging of the package according to previously provided optical element specifications, including this maximum axial space requirement. Alternatively, the inwardly protruding paper-like sheet material portion may be provided in situ immediately before the optical element is encapsulated (see below for details), so that the axial distance may be adapted to the axial space requirement of the actual encapsulated optical element.

In a preferred embodiment, the package comprises axial and/or radial perforations for opening the package. The axial through-hole extends along the axial length of the package cylinder and allows easy opening of the package for removal of all optical elements. The radial perforations preferably extend between two adjacent optical elements along the entire circumference of the package and allow easy removal of a single optical element or of some optical elements by opening the package circumferentially. The package may include more than one such radial perforation, and may include a radial perforation between each adjacent optical element. The term "perforation" as used herein includes a tear strip.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the paper-like sheet comprises pairs of parallel circumferential cuts, each pair enclosing a radially inwardly projecting sheet portion (cut-out) for providing axial support for the rim of the optical element.

This embodiment enables the provision of the radially inwardly projecting paper like sheet material portion from a simple flat paper like sheet material. A pair of parallel circumferential cuts encloses a circumferential, substantially rectangular paper-like sheet material portion which is separated from the remaining paper-like sheet material (in the axial direction) by the circumferential cuts and is connected to the remaining paper-like sheet material at circumferential end portions thereof. When the completed paper like sheet material is formed into a generally cylindrical enclosure, such paper like sheet material portion may be pushed radially inward and held in this position due to the tension of the paper like sheet material. Thus, the radially inwardly deflected cut sheet material portion provides axial support for the rim of the optical element in a simple and efficient manner. The circumferential cut and corresponding paper-like sheet portion can be readily adapted to provide axial support for optical elements of various thicknesses.

Preferably, the package comprises at least two, preferably at least three, further preferably four pairs of parallel circumferential cuts around the circumference of the package. This provides axial support of the rim of the optical element in at least two, preferably three, further preferably four regions around the circumference of the optical element. Preferably, the supports are distributed substantially equidistantly around the circumference.

Preferably, the circumferential length of each cut is 5% to 25%, preferably 10% to 20%, of the circumference of the package. This provides sufficient axial support for the rim of the optical element while maintaining sufficient overall strength of the package. Of course, circumferential cuts up to 25% in length can only be used for packages having less than four pairs of parallel circumferential cuts around the circumference of the package.

In a preferred embodiment, the axial distance between two cutouts of a pair of cutouts is 15% to 60%, preferably 30% to 40%, of the axial distance between two axial supports of two adjacent optical elements. This feature describes the relative axial length of the radially inwardly projecting cut portion and the portion of paper sheet material between two such cut portions. This relationship provides sufficient overall mechanical strength to the package. The portion of paper-like sheet material between two such cut portions must be adapted to the maximum axial space requirement of the optical element.

A second aspect of the invention is a method for encapsulating an optical element, in particular an ophthalmic lens, in a package, comprising the steps of:

a. a generally cylindrical enclosure is formed from a flexible sheet material for radially retaining the circumference of the optical element,

b. in which sheet material portions are formed projecting radially inwards for axially supporting the rims of the first and lowermost optical elements,

c. the first and lowermost optical element is inserted into the package,

d. a radially inwardly projecting portion of the sheet material of the paper type is formed for axially supporting the rim of the second optical element,

e. the second optical element is inserted into the package,

f. repeating steps d.

In this method, a package is first formed, and then optical elements are sequentially inserted into the package.

A third aspect of the invention is a method for encapsulating an optical element, in particular an ophthalmic lens, in a package, the method comprising the steps of:

a. placing a substantially rectangular sheet for radially holding the circumference of the optical elements into a half-shell, the curvature of which substantially corresponds to the circumferential curvature of the optical elements,

b. placing the optical elements into the sheet such that edges of the optical elements are partially supported by the sheet laid on the surface of the half-shell,

c. forming a radially inwardly projecting portion of sheet material for axially supporting the rims of the optical elements over a portion of the circumference of the package,

d. the package is closed by engaging opposite edges of the generally rectangular sheet,

e. a radially inwardly projecting section of sheet material is formed in the sheet material for axially supporting the rims of the optical elements over the remainder of the circumference of the package.

In this method, the package placed into the half-shell is first filled with the optical element and then closed by joining the opposite edges of the substantially rectangular sheet. In this method, steps b. and c. may be performed in sequence for each optical element (after placing the optical element into the half-shell, the corresponding radially inwardly projecting sheet material portions of this optical element are formed), or alternatively, a plurality of optical elements or all optical elements may be inserted at step b, followed by the corresponding radially inwardly projecting sheet material portions for these optical elements being formed at step c.

Both methods according to the second and third aspects of the invention may be performed manually or in a mechanical/automated manner using suitable machines or robots.

In both methods, handling and manipulation of the optical element may be performed with a suction device. The suction device allows for precise and mechanically gentle handling of the optical element.

The method of the invention is preferably carried out to form a package as previously described and claimed in the use claims 1 to 11.

The sheet material used in the claimed method preferably comprises or consists of paper, paperboard and/or polymeric material. Paper and/or paperboard are preferred. The preferred value of the specific gravity of the paper or board is 80g/m²To 500g/m²Preferably 120g/m²To 250g/m². These sheet materials are readily available, easily disposed of and recyclable.

In a preferred embodiment, the sheet material is a paper-like sheet material. The specific gravity of the paper can be 20g/m²And 225g/m²Preferably between 60g/m²And 180g/m²More preferably between 80g/m²And 140g/m²In between. Such paper is readily available, easily disposed of and recyclable. The paper-like sheet material preferably consists essentially or entirely of paper. However, the paper-like sheet material may also comprise paper coated with a coating material, such as a polymeric material.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method uses a generally rectangular sheet of material in which two opposing edges (edges) are joined together to form a generally cylindrical enclosure. To join the edges together, the rectangular sheet may include a suitable adhesive tape or other suitable attachment member. The rectangular sheets may be stored as flat sheets prior to use and assembled during the packaging process to form a generally cylindrical package. In one embodiment, the generally rectangular sheet may be an isosceles trapezoid and the generally cylindrical enclosure may be in the form of an ellipse.

In one embodiment of these methods, the axial distance between two axial supports of two adjacent optical elements is adapted to the maximum axial space requirement of the optical elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the package formed according to the claimed method comprises axial and/or radial perforations for opening the package. The package may include more than one such radial perforation, and may include a radial perforation between each adjacent optical element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sheet used in the claimed method comprises pairs of parallel circumferential cuts, each pair enclosing a radially inwardly projecting sheet portion (cut-out) for providing axial support for the rim of the optical element.

This embodiment enables the provision of radially inwardly projecting sheet material portions from a simple flat sheet material. A pair of parallel circumferential cuts encloses a circumferential, substantially rectangular sheet material portion which is separated from the remaining sheet material (in the axial direction) by the circumferential cut and is connected to the remaining sheet material at a circumferential end portion thereof. When the completed sheet material is formed into a generally cylindrical package, this sheet material portion may be pushed radially inward and held in this position due to the tension of the sheet material. Thus, the radially inwardly deflected cut sheet material portion provides axial support for the rim of the optical element in a simple and efficient manner. The circumferential cut and corresponding sheet portion can be readily adapted to provide axial support for optical elements of various thicknesses.

Preferably, the package formed according to the claimed method comprises at least two, preferably at least three, further preferably four pairs of parallel circumferential cuts around the circumference of the package. This provides axial support of the rim of the optical element in at least two, preferably three, further preferably four regions around the circumference of the optical element. Preferably, the supports are distributed substantially in an equidistant manner around the circumference.

In a preferred embodiment, the axial distance between two cutouts of a pair of cutouts is 15% to 60%, preferably 30% to 40%, of the axial distance between two axial supports of two adjacent optical elements. This feature describes the relative axial lengths of the radially inwardly projecting cut portions and the portion of sheet material between two such cut portions. This relationship provides sufficient overall mechanical strength to the package. The portion of sheet material between two such cut portions must be adapted to the maximum axial space requirement of the optical element.

As indicated above, the package according to the present invention is generally substantially cylindrical according to the circumferential shape of the optical element.

Optionally, the package may be wrapped in a protective film, preferably made of a suitable polymeric material. The protective film provides better protection against the environment and increases the mechanical stability.

Alternatively, one or both axial ends of the package may be sealed with an axial cap. Such an axial cover is preferably made of a material with sufficient rigidity, such as plastic or cardboard. The axial cover may be attached to the package using a suitable adhesive, stapling and/or friction and/or form fit. The axial cover also increases the mechanical stability and improves the protection against the environment.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the package is inserted into an outer package in a subsequent step. This outer enclosure may provide additional mechanical protection and preferably comprises a rectangular cuboid shape, which makes it easier to store and stack such outer enclosures.

An outer package comprising a package as previously defined is another subject of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a package for a plurality of ophthalmic lenses, wherein the package comprises a flexible sheet material for radially retaining the lens circumference, the flexible sheet material further comprising a radially inwardly projecting sheet material portion for axially supporting a lens rim. This aspect may be further developed by features already described in relation to the inventive use and the inventive method described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. In these figures:

FIG. 1: showing a flexible sheet having a cut-out portion for axially supporting an optical element;

FIG. 2: a longitudinal section of the package with the optical element inserted is shown:

FIG. 3: a cross-section is shown schematically illustrating the concept of a cut-out portion providing axial support for the optical element;

FIG. 4: schematically showing the steps of a manual method for packaging and unpacking an optical element;

FIG. 5: schematically showing the steps of a first mechanical method for packaging and unpacking an optical element;

FIG. 6: the steps of a second mechanical method for encapsulating and decapsulating optical elements are schematically shown.

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a rectangular sheet 1 made of a paper material with sufficient flexibility and tensile strength. Along one edge, the sheet comprises an adhesive strip 2 that can be used to join this edge to the opposite edge of the sheet into a cylinder. The sheet comprises pairs of

parallel cuts

3, 4 in the circumferential direction x. Between each pair, a cut-out 5 is formed.

As shown in fig. 3, once the sheet has been formed into a cylindrical shape, each cut portion 5 can be flexed inwardly by applying a force in the direction of arrow 7. Once the cut portion 5 has been flexed inwardly, it remains in this position due to the tensile strength of the sheet material. Each cut-out portion 5 then provides axial support for the optical element 6, more specifically for the spectacle lens.

As shown in fig. 1, the axial distance between the two cut-out portions 5 in the y-direction corresponds approximately to the maximum axial space requirement of the spectacle lens 6 to be inserted into the package. The axial space requirement is determined by the maximum thickness and curvature of the spectacle lens.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal cross section of a partially filled package according to the invention. It is shown how the inwardly flexed cut out portions 5 provide axial support for the spectacle lenses 6. At the same time, the sheet material radially retains the lens circumference.

By properly positioning the

cuts

3, 4 on the paper, the distance can be optimally adjusted according to the lens thickness and axial space requirements, respectively. In the case of thin lenses, selecting a smaller distance results in a smaller package volume.

Instead of using paper-like sheets with predefined cuts, introducing the cuts separately by a suitable tool (e.g. a laser or a cutting knife) is another variant.

No inlay is required to protect the glass article. In the case of extremely convex glass articles, contact with adjacent glass articles can be avoided by selecting a sufficient axial length of the cut portion 5 so as to provide a sufficient axial distance between adjacent glass articles.

The present invention typically requires only one third of the package material required for prior art individual packages. As mentioned above, no inlay is required and therefore no material for such an inlay is required.

No additional glassware data specification sticker is required. All necessary information can be printed on the material sheets before they are rolled.

Perforations or similar weakenings in the sheet material help to make it easier to remove the glass articles from the roll. Depending on the positioning, the perforation may be optimized for the removal of the individual glass articles (radial or circumferential perforation) or the complete opening of the package (axial perforation).

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a manual method for packaging and unpacking the lens 6.

In step a, the sheet material 1 is formed into a cylindrical roll by adhesive attachment of the corresponding opposite edges.

In step B, the spectacle lenses 6 are manually inserted into the roll in sequence.

In step C, the four cut-out portions 5 are pushed radially inwards to provide axial support for the inserted spectacle lens 6.

In step D, each package (roll) is inserted into the outer package 8 for further transport and storage.

Step E shows the manual removal of a single lens from the package comprising the circumferential perforation 9. The lens together with the corresponding part of the package can be torn from the package via the corresponding perforation 9.

Step F shows another variant of how the package is opened using the axial perforation 10 in order to subsequently remove all the glass articles.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a first mechanical method for packaging and unpacking a lens.

The sheet material 1 is formed into a cylindrical roll by adhesive attachment of the corresponding opposite edges. In step a, the spectacle lenses 6 are mechanically inserted into the roll in sequence. This is done using a robot 11 comprising a suction device 12 attached to an arm 13.

In step B, the cutting portion 5 for the lens previously inserted into the roll is pushed radially inwards using a robot 11 comprising an arm 13 and suction means 12, thus providing axial support for the inserted spectacle lens 6. Repeating steps a and B for each lens inserted into the roll.

Each package (roll) is picked up by a robot 14 comprising a four finger gripper 15 after it has been filled with lenses (step C) and inserted into the outer package 8 for further transport and storage (step D).

To mechanically remove a single lens from a package comprising circumferential perforations 9, the package is removed from the outer package using a robot arm 14. A four finger gripper 15 may be used to tear a single lens from the package along with the corresponding portion of the package at the corresponding perforation 9 (step E). At step F, the package paper is removed from the lens.

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a second mechanical method for packaging and unpacking a lens.

The sheet material 1 is placed into a half-shell 16, the curvature of which substantially corresponds to the circumferential curvature of the spectacle lens (step a). This is done using a robot 11 comprising a suction device 12 attached to an arm 13.

In step B, the spectacle lenses 6 are inserted mechanically into the roll in sequence using the robot 11/suction device 12. After each lens insertion, three of the four circumferential cut-outs 5 are pushed radially inwards, using suitable mechanical means (not shown in the figures) of the half-shell 16. These three cut-outs are cut-outs placed at the bottom of the half-shell 16 and close to its edge.

After all of the lenses are placed in the package, the sheet material is formed into a cylindrical roll by adhesive attachment of the corresponding opposing edges at step C. The fourth cut portion placed in the top area of the roll is also pushed radially inwards after closing the roll.

Each package (roll) is picked up after it has been filled with lenses by a robot 14 comprising a four finger gripper 15 (step D) and inserted into the outer package 8 for further transport and storage (step E).

To mechanically remove the lens from the package comprising the axial through hole 10, the package is removed from the outer package using the robot 14 (step F) and placed in the half-shell 16. Preferably, the robot 14 accomplishes this task using a four finger gripper.

A robot comprising a finger gripper 17, preferably a two finger gripper, opens the package by tearing the axial perforation 10 (step G).

In step H, the lenses 6 are sequentially removed from the package using the suction device 12 of the robot.

Claims

1. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material for forming a package for a plurality of optical elements (6), characterized in that the flexible paper like sheet material (1) is arranged to retain the circumference of the optical elements in a radial direction, the flexible paper like sheet material (1) further comprising a radially inwardly protruding paper like sheet material portion (5) for axially supporting the rim of the optical elements.

2. Use of a flexible paper-like sheet material according to claim 1, characterised in that the weight of the optical elements is between 5 and 250g, preferably between 35 and 120g, more preferably between 75 and 85g, and/or the diameter of the optical elements is between 20 and 150mm, preferably between 40 and 100mm, more preferably between 60 and 80 mm.

3. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the flexible paper like sheet material is a substantially rectangular paper like sheet (1) wherein two opposite edges are joined together to form a substantially cylindrical enclosure.

4. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the axial distance between two axial supports (5) of two adjacent optical elements (6) is adapted to the maximum axial space requirement of the optical elements (6).

5. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that it comprises axial and/or radial perforations (9, 10) for opening the formed package.

6. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that the paper like sheet (1) comprises pairs of parallel circumferential cut-outs (3, 4), each pair enclosing a radially inwardly protruding paper like sheet portion (5) for providing axial support for the rim of the optical element.

7. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material according to claim 6, characterised in that the paper like sheet (1) comprises at least two, preferably at least three, further preferably four pairs of parallel circumferential cuts (3, 4) around the circumference of the formed package.

8. Use of a flexible paper like sheet material according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the circumferential length of each cut (3, 4) is 5 to 25%, preferably 10 to 20% of the circumference of the formed package.

9. Use of a flexible paper-like sheet material according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the axial distance between two cuts (3, 4) of a pair of cuts is 15% to 60%, preferably 30% to 40%, of the axial distance between two axial supports of two adjacent optical elements.

10. Use of a flexible paper-like sheet material according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the optical elements (6) are translucent, transparent or reflective.

11. Use of a flexible paper-like sheet material according to claim 10, characterized in that the optical elements (6) are spectacle lenses or mirrors.

12. A method for packaging an optical element in a package, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a substantially cylindrical package from a flexible sheet material (1) for radially retaining the circumference of the optical element,

b. in which sheet material (1) radially inwardly projecting sheet material portions (5) are formed for axially supporting the rim of a first and lowermost optical element (6),

c. inserting the first and lowermost optical element (6) into the package,

d. forming a radially inwardly projecting portion (5) of sheet material for axially supporting the rim of a second optical element (6),

e. inserting the second optical element (6) into the package,

f. repeating steps d.

13. A method for packaging an optical element in a package, comprising the steps of:

a. placing a substantially rectangular sheet (1) for radially holding the circumference of the optical element in a half-shell (16) having a curvature substantially corresponding to the circumferential curvature of the optical element (6),

b. placing the optical elements (6) into the sheet such that the edges of the optical elements are partially supported by the sheet laid on the surface of the half-shell,

c. forming in the sheet material (1) radially inwardly projecting sheet material portions (5) for axially supporting the rims of the optical elements (6) over part of the circumference of the package,

d. closing the package by engaging opposite edges of the substantially rectangular sheet (1),

e. a radially inwardly projecting sheet material portion (5) is formed in the sheet material (1) for axially supporting the rims of the optical elements (6) over the remainder of the circumference of the package.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the steps are performed manually.

15. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the steps are performed mechanically.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the treatment of the optical elements is performed with a suction device (12).

17. Method according to any of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that in a subsequent step the package is inserted into an outer package (8).

18. The method according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the weight of the optical element is between 5g and 250g, preferably between 35g and 120g, more preferably between 75g and 85g, and wherein the diameter of the optical element is between 20mm and 150mm, preferably between 40mm and 100mm, more preferably between 60mm and 80 mm.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the optical elements (6) are translucent, transparent or reflective.

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the optical elements (6) are spectacle lenses or mirrors.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the sheet material (1) is a paper-like sheet material.