Patent US3897657A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3897657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing contact lenses and apparatus therefor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-09-13
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-09-13
Abstract
Abstract For smoothing or blending the junctures between a central concave lens surface and one or more annular peripheral concave lens surfaces, wherein a convex tool is provided having a nonconvex circular portion, a polishing sheet is located on the tool covering the circular portion and adjacent portion, and the tool is rotated relative to the lens so that the sheet region overlying the circular portion effects smoothing of an annular juncture.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph H Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:05
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/0025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S451/00; Y10S451/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
In the method of manufacturing a contact lens wherein the concave lens side is provided with a central base curve, and a plurality of annular peripheral curves successively outwardly of each other and respectively of increased radius of curvature combining to form concentric annular meeting edges at their junctures, the steps which comprise: providing a generally convex lens working tool having a circular portion of diameter greater than the outermost juncture, said circular portion having a nonconvex curvature, applying a polishing sheet in covering relation with said tool over said circular portion and the adjacent portion surrounding said circular portion, the radius of curvature of said sheet over said adjacent surrounding portion being less than that of the outermost peripheral curve, arranging said tool relative to said lens to engage the sheet region which is over said circular portion with sAid outermost juncture, effecting relative rotation between said lens and tool to smooth said outermost juncture, providing a second generally convex lens working tool having a circular portion of a diameter greater than the next outermost juncture, said circular portion of said second tool having a non-convex curvature, applying a second polishing sheet in covering relation with said second tool over the circular portion thereof and the adjacent portions surrounding said second tool circular portion, the radius of curvature of said second sheet over said adjacent portion of said second tool being less than that of the next outermost peripheral curve, arranging said second tool relative to said lens to engage the second sheet region which is over said central portion of said second tool with said next outermost juncture, and effecting relative rotation between said lens and said second tool to smooth said next outermost juncture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
In the method of manufacturing a contact lens wherein the concave lens side is provided with a central base curve, and a plurality of annular peripheral curves successively outwardly of each other and respectively of increased radius of curvature combining to form concentric annular meeting edges at their junctures, the steps which comprise: providing a generally convex lens working tool having a circular portion of diameter greater than the outermost juncture, said circular portion having a nonconvex curvature, applying a polishing sheet in covering relation with said tool over said circular portion and the adjacent portion surrounding said circular portion, the radius of curvature of said sheet over said adjacent surrounding portion being less than that of the outermost peripheral curve, arranging said tool relative to said lens to engage the sheet region which is over said circular portion with sAid outermost juncture, effecting relative rotation between said lens and tool to smooth said outermost juncture, providing a second generally convex lens working tool having a circular portion of a diameter greater than the next outermost juncture, said circular portion of said second tool having a non-convex curvature, applying a second polishing sheet in covering relation with said second tool over the circular portion thereof and the adjacent portions surrounding said second tool circular portion, the radius of curvature of said second sheet over said adjacent portion of said second tool being less than that of the next outermost peripheral curve, arranging said second tool relative to said lens to engage the second sheet region which is over said central portion of said second tool with said next outermost juncture, and effecting relative rotation between said lens and said second tool to smooth said next outermost juncture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said circular tool portion is concave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said circular tool portion is generally planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, further characterized in effecting said relative rotation generally coaxially of said lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, further characterized in arranging said tools with said circular portions concentric with said outermost and next outermost junctures, and effecting said relative rotation generally coaxially of said lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1, one of said tools comprising a body having a generally convex surface, and an inner sheet secured in facing engagement with said surface, said inner sheet having a generally circular through hole defining said circular portion of said one tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
Contact lens manufacturing apparatus for smoothing the annular juncture of peripheral curves, said apparatus comprising a holder for holding engagement with the convex side of a lens, and a generally convex lens working tool having a non-convex circular portion of a diameter greater than the outermost annular juncture, and a polishing sheet in covering relation with said tool over said circular portion and the portion adjacent to said circular portion, the radius of curvature of said sheet over said portion adjacent to said circular portion being less than that of the outermost peripheral curve, whereby relative rotation between said tool and lens with the latter engaging the sheet region over said circular portion effects smoothing of the outermost juncture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
Contact lens manufacturing apparatus for smoothing the annular juncture of peripheral curves, said apparatus comprising a holder for holding engagement with the convex side of a lens, and a generally convex lens working tool having a non-convex circular portion of a diameter greater than the outermost annular juncture, and a polishing sheet in covering relation with said tool over said circular portion and the portion adjacent to said circular portion, the radius of curvature of said sheet over said portion adjacent to said circular portion being less than that of the outermost peripheral curve, whereby relative rotation between said tool and lens with the latter engaging the sheet region over said circular portion effects smoothing of the outermost juncture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Contact lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, said working tool comprising a body having a generally convex surface, and an inner sheet secured in facing engagement with said surface, said inner sheet having a generally circular through hole defining a nonconvex surface portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Contact lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, said polishing sheet being of flexible yieldable material.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |