US3568632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens coating apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-24
•
Granted: 1971-03-09
•
Expires: 1989-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A lens coating apparatus consisting of a housing and means for producing a vacuum therein, said housing being divided into three chambers through which a lens-carrying holder may be passed in sequence, first a chamber in which the lenses ares preheated and a vacuum formed to drive off occluded gases therefrom, second a coating chamber in which the the lenses are coated by metallic vapors emanating from an incandescent source, and third a cooling chamber in which the lenses are gradually cooled, and a system of valves whereby lenses may be inserted in or removed from the preheating or cooling chambers, or advanced from one chamber to the next, without disturbing the vacuum in any other chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary F Cawthon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:33
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/56; C03; C03C; C03C17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A lens coating apparatus comprising: a. an elongated housing through which lenses to be coated are adapted to travel longitudinally, having a sealable entry door at one end thereof and a sealable exit door at its opposite end; b. means for transporting lenses through said housing; c. a pair of valve gates dividing said housing transversely into three chambers, first a preheating chamber adjacent said entry door, second a coating chamber, and third a cooling chamber adjacent said exit door, said gates when closed sealing adjacent chambers from each other and when open each permitting passage of lenses between adjacent chambers; d. means operable to open or close each of said valve gates selectively; e. pumping means for evacuating air from said housing; f. regulatable means operable to heat each of said chambers; g. a source element disposed in said coating chamber and carrying a coating material adapted when heated to incadescent heat to emanate from said element in vapor form; h. regulatable means for heating said source element; i. said lens transporting means comprising: 1. a lens carrier adapted to carry a number of lenses mounted therein, and including a track member affixed thereto; 2. a series of rollers carried rotatably in said housing in alignment longitudinally of said housing, and adapted to engage said track member to support said carrier movably; and 3. means operable from points external to said housing to rotate certain of said rollers to move said track member longitudinally through said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A lens coating apparatus comprising: a. an elongated housing through which lenses to be coated are adapted to travel longitudinally, having a sealable entry door at one end thereof and a sealable exit door at its opposite end; b. means for transporting lenses through said housing; c. a pair of valve gates dividing said housing transversely into three chambers, first a preheating chamber adjacent said entry door, second a coating chamber, and third a cooling chamber adjacent said exit door, said gates when closed sealing adjacent chambers from each other and when open each permitting passage of lenses between adjacent chambers; d. means operable to open or close each of said valve gates selectively; e. pumping means for evacuating air from said housing; f. regulatable means operable to heat each of said chambers; g. a source element disposed in said coating chamber and carrying a coating material adapted when heated to incadescent heat to emanate from said element in vapor form; h. regulatable means for heating said source element; i. said lens transporting means comprising: 1. a lens carrier adapted to carry a number of lenses mounted therein, and including a track member affixed thereto; 2. a series of rollers carried rotatably in said housing in alignment longitudinally of said housing, and adapted to engage said track member to support said carrier movably; and 3. means operable from points external to said housing to rotate certain of said rollers to move said track member longitudinally through said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
a series of rollers carried rotatably in said housing in alignment longitudinally of said housing, and adapted to engage said track member to support said carrier movably; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
a series of rollers carried rotatably in said housing in alignment longitudinally of said housing, and adapted to engage said track member to support said carrier movably; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for opening and closing said valve gates is operable from a point external to said housing, without relieving the vacuum in said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said lens transporting means is operable from a point external to said housing, whereby said lenses may be transported from chamber to chamber without relieving the vacuum therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
means operable from points external to said housing to rotate certain of said rollers to move said track member longitudinally through said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
means operable from points external to said housing to rotate certain of said rollers to move said track member longitudinally through said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said vacuum producing means comprises: a. an operably driven vacuum pump; b. separate conduits connecting said pump with each of said housing chambers; c. a valve in at least the conduits interconnected to said first and third chambers whereby the associated chamber may be isolated from said pump; and d. a valve interconnected to each of said first and third chambers whereby the associated chamber may be vented to the atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 1 including a plurality of said source elements each disposed movably in said coating chamber for movement to and from an operating position at which coating material emanating therefrom will coat lenses in said chamber, and with the addition of means operable from externally of said housing to move any one of said source elements selectively into its operating position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 1 with the addition of a shutter member disposed in said coating chamBer for movement to and from a closed position in which it is disposed between said source element and the lenses disposed in said chamber, and an open position not disposed between said members, and means operable from externally of said housing to move said shutter selectively between said closed and open positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said source element is disposed in a secondary housing detachably connected to said first recited housing, there being an aperture between said housings through which coating material may emanate, and with the addition of a valve member operable when closed to seal said aperture, and means operable from externally of said housing to selectively open or close said valve member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lens coating apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said secondary housing is connected to said vacuum pumping means, and with the addition of a first valve means operable to disconnect said secondary housing from said pumping means, and a second valve means operable to vent said secondary housing to the atmosphere.
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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) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |