US4551086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for centrifugally casting articles
Assignee: Polymatic Investment Corp NV
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Filing: 1983-07-11
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Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2003-07-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for feeding molds to a device for centrifugally casting a plurality of axially symmetrical or asymmetrical articles such as lenses, disc valves, and the like on a continuous basis.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Rawlings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:11
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/04; B29C41/042; B29C41/045; B29C33/00; B29C33/34; B29L; B29L2011/00; B29L2011/0016; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/748; B29L2031/7506; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An improvement in a device for the centrifugal casting symmetrical or asymmetrical contact lenses said device having a rotatable polymerization column adapted for accommodating a plurality of molds within said polymerization column; advancing means for positioning a mold containing a polymerizable or curable composition into alignment with the inlet end of said polymerization column; displacement means for feeding said advanced mold into said inlet end of said polymerization column; and control and motor means for operating said advancing means and displacement means and for rotating said column, the improvement wherein said advancing means include pusher means for advancing said mold into alignment with the inlet end of said column, said pusher means being adapted to accommodate a portion of said mold, and jaw means cooperating with said pusher means to envelope said mold in a manner such as to prevent horizontal angular displacement of said mold when said mold is in alignment with said inlet end and wherein said displacement means for feeding said advanced mold into said inlet includes an end portion adapted to be inserted into sad mold for directing said mold into said inlet portion of said column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An improvement in a device for the centrifugal casting symmetrical or asymmetrical contact lenses said device having a rotatable polymerization column adapted for accommodating a plurality of molds within said polymerization column; advancing means for positioning a mold containing a polymerizable or curable composition into alignment with the inlet end of said polymerization column; displacement means for feeding said advanced mold into said inlet end of said polymerization column; and control and motor means for operating said advancing means and displacement means and for rotating said column, the improvement wherein said advancing means include pusher means for advancing said mold into alignment with the inlet end of said column, said pusher means being adapted to accommodate a portion of said mold, and jaw means cooperating with said pusher means to envelope said mold in a manner such as to prevent horizontal angular displacement of said mold when said mold is in alignment with said inlet end and wherein said displacement means for feeding said advanced mold into said inlet includes an end portion adapted to be inserted into sad mold for directing said mold into said inlet portion of said column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said pusher means include a pusher arm having a U shaped configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said U shaped configuration defines a pair of fingers adapted to accommodate a portion of said mold in sliding relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said jaw means includes an opposing spring loaded V jaw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said opposing spring loaded V jaw is adapted to engage said mold before it arrives at a position where it could tilt into the inlet end of said polymerization column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said displacement means include a freely rotatable end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein said freely rotatable end portion has an outer periphery generally corresponds in configuration to the configuration of the interior of said mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said end portion has a diameter less than the diameter of said mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said end portion further includes a terminal end and wherein said mold includes a flange portion disposed interiorly of said mold, said terminal end contacting said flange portion when said displacement means are urged towards said inlet to said column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said jaw means includes an opposing spring loaded V jaw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement according to claim 10 wherein said opposing spring loaded V jaw is adapted to engage said mold before it arrives at a position where it could tilt into the inlet end of said polymerization column.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said displacement means include a freely rotatable end portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 12 wherein said freely rotatable end portion has an outer periphery generally corresponding in configuration to the configuration of the interior of said mold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 13 wherein said end portion has a diameter less than the diameter of said mold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said end portion further includes a terminal end and wherein said mold includes a flange portion disposed interiorly of said mold, said terminal end contacting said flange portion when said displacement means are urged towards said inlet to said column.
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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) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |