Patent US4134301A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3835596A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3835596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and method of removing material from a flexible contact lens
Assignee: Bausch and Lomb Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-10
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for contouring the edge of a lens of hydrophillic hydrogel material while in its anhydrous state and secured or firmly supported in a lens mold. The lens, which together with the mold constitute an assembly, has an edge adjacent but inwardly spaced from the face of the mold. The apparatus includes a rotatable shaft which has a material removing surface in the form of a finely textured sphere secured to its free end. The lens and mold assembly is supported on the free end of a pivotable arm that is spring biased into engagement with a rotatable cam. Rotation of the cam permits movement of the arm between a first position where the lens and its supporting mold are spaced from the material removing surface and a second position where the edge of the lens is placed in engagement with the material removing surface and removed by abrading.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wrue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:13
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B9/00; B24B9/02; B24B9/06; B24B9/08; B24B9/14; B24B9/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for edging an ophthalmic lens while it is secured in a mold, said mold having a face, said lens having an edge portion which is adjacent said face, said lens and mold constituting an assembly, said apparatus comprising: a. base means; b. lens mold supporting means; c. material removing means including a rotatable material removing surface; d. means for securing one of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means relative to said base means; e. means secured to said base means for moving the other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means along a prescribed path between a first position wherein said lens mold supporting means holds said lens and mold assembly out of engagement with said material removing surface and a second position wherein said edge of said lens is held in engagement with said material removing surface; and f. means for automatically centering said lens on said material removing surface when said edge is brought into contact with said material removing surface for uniform contouring of said edge, said centering means being provided on one of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for edging an ophthalmic lens while it is secured in a mold, said mold having a face, said lens having an edge portion which is adjacent said face, said lens and mold constituting an assembly, said apparatus comprising: a. base means; b. lens mold supporting means; c. material removing means including a rotatable material removing surface; d. means for securing one of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means relative to said base means; e. means secured to said base means for moving the other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means along a prescribed path between a first position wherein said lens mold supporting means holds said lens and mold assembly out of engagement with said material removing surface and a second position wherein said edge of said lens is held in engagement with said material removing surface; and f. means for automatically centering said lens on said material removing surface when said edge is brought into contact with said material removing surface for uniform contouring of said edge, said centering means being provided on one of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said centering means is provided on said lens mold supporting means and includes a support member and a lens mold holder member pivotally attached to said support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moving means includes force applying means and positioning means, said force applying means biasing said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means towards each other, said positioning means acting on said other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means in opposition to said force applying means when said other of Said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means is in said first position, said positioning means being out of engagement with said other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means when said other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means is in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said positioning means is a rotatable cam, said cam engaging said other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means through a first portion of its rotation, said cam being out of engagement with said other of said lens mold supporting means and said material removing means during the second portion of its rotation, said force applying means holding said lens in engagement with said material removing surface during said second portion of said rotation, said force applying means determining the force by which said lens engages said material removing surface, the duration of said second portion determining the period of engagement whereby successively edged lenses will have the same finished dimensions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of edge contouring an ophthalmic lens with an edge contouring apparatus, said lens being firmly supported in a lens mold and constituting with said mold a lens and mold assembly, said mold having a face, said lens having an edge adjacent said face, said edge contouring apparatus including a rotating material removing surface, said method comprising: a. placing said lens and mold assembly in a position spaced from said surface with said lens edge facing said surface; b. inducing relative movement along a prescribed path between said surface and said lens and mold assembly; c. automatically centering said lens on said surface to thereby substantially simultaneously engage all portions of said edge with said surface; d. maintaining said edge in engagement with said surface with a constant force for a preselected period of time to thereby remove a portion of said edge; and e. automatically disengaging said edge from said rotating material removing surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of edge contouring an ophthalmic lens with an edge contouring apparatus, said lens being firmly supported in a lens mold and constituting with said mold a lens and mold assembly, said mold having a face, said lens having an edge adjacent said face, said edge contouring apparatus including a rotating material removing surface, said method comprising: a. placing said lens and mold assembly in a position spaced from said surface with said lens edge facing said surface; b. inducing relative movement along a prescribed path between said surface and said lens and mold assembly; c. automatically centering said lens on said surface to thereby substantially simultaneously engage all portions of said edge with said surface; d. maintaining said edge in engagement with said surface with a constant force for a preselected period of time to thereby remove a portion of said edge; and e. automatically disengaging said edge from said rotating material removing surface.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |