US4636338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molding toric contact lenses using a directed stream of gas
Assignee: Sunsoft Corp
•
Filing: 1985-01-11
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Granted: 1987-01-13
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Expires: 2005-01-11
Abstract
Abstract The lens is molded in a rotating concave lens mold. Liquid lens monomer is placed in the concave mold and a controlled stream of gas from a narrow opening extending across the lens and positioned over the lens center shapes the concave surface to a toric. The lens mold and the gas nozzle rotate in synchronization until the lens monomer is polymerized.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Neefe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:13
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29C; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/04; B29C41/042; B29C41/045; B29C41/34; B29C41/50; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/0002; B29L; B29L2011/00; B29L2011/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of molding a contact lens having a convex surface molded against a concave lens mold and a toric concave lens surface shaped by a stream of compressed gas released through a nozzle and directed at the liquid monomer and the gas pressure displaces the liquid lens monomer to form the concave toric lens surface and allowing the liquid monomer to polymerize and form a solid toric contact lens.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of molding a contact lens having a convex surface molded against a concave lens mold and a toric concave lens surface shaped by a stream of compressed gas released through a nozzle and directed at the liquid monomer and the gas pressure displaces the liquid lens monomer to form the concave toric lens surface and allowing the liquid monomer to polymerize and form a solid toric contact lens.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of molding a contact lens having a convex surface molded against a rotating concave lens mold and a toric concave lens surface shaped by a stream of compressed gas released through a gas nozzle rotating and synchronized with the rotating concave lens mold and directed at the liquid lens monomer and the gas pressure displaces the rotating liquid lens monomer to form the concave toric lens surface and allowing the rotating liquid lens monomer to polymerize and form a solid toric contact lens.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of molding a contact lens having a convex surface molded against a rotating concave lens mold and a toric concave lens surface shaped by a stream of compressed gas released through a gas nozzle rotating and synchronized with the rotating concave lens mold and directed at the liquid lens monomer and the gas pressure displaces the rotating liquid lens monomer to form the concave toric lens surface and allowing the rotating liquid lens monomer to polymerize and form a solid toric contact lens.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of molding a contact lens having a convex surface molded against a rotating concave lens mold and a toric concave lens surface shaped by a stream of compressed gas released through a gas nozzle extending across the lens and positioned over the lens center and rotating and synchronized with the rotating concave lens mold and the released gas is directed at the liquid lens monomer and the gas pressure displaces the rotating liquid lens monomer to form the concave toric liquid surface and allowing the rotating liquid lens monomer to polymerize and form a solid toric contact lens.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of molding a contact lens having a convex surface molded against a rotating concave lens mold and a toric concave lens surface shaped by a stream of compressed gas released through a gas nozzle extending across the lens and positioned over the lens center and rotating and synchronized with the rotating concave lens mold and the released gas is directed at the liquid lens monomer and the gas pressure displaces the rotating liquid lens monomer to form the concave toric liquid surface and allowing the rotating liquid lens monomer to polymerize and form a solid toric contact lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 1 wherein the compressed gas is directed through a narrow opening extending across the lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 1 wherein the lens mold and the gas nozzle are rotated around the lens optical axis while the lens is being gas molded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 1 wherein the lens mold is rotated around the lens optical axis and the compressed air is directed at two points 180° apart on the lens surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of molding a lens as in claim 4 wherein multiple gas nozzles are used.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of molding a lens as in claim 1 wherein the gas nozzle is a opening extending across the lens and positioned over the lens center.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 2 wherein the compressed gas is directed through a narrow nozzle extending across the lens and positioned over the lens center.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 2 wherein the lens mold and the gas nozzle are rotated around the lens optical axis while the lens is being gas molded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of molding a lens as in claim 2 wherein multiple gas nozzles are used.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of molding a lens as in claim 2 wherein the gas nozzle is a opening extending across the lens and positioned over the lens center and rotated with the lens mold while the lens is being polymerized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 3 wherein the lens mold and the gas nozzle are rotated around the lens optical axis while the lens is being gas molded.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 3 wherein the lens mold and the gas nozzle are rotated around the lens optical axis while the lens is being gas molded.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of molding a contact lens as in claim 3 wherein the lens mold is rotated around the lens optical axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3699089A
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Cited
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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) | 1990-01-12 | 1990-07-14 | 1991-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-12 | 1994-07-14 | 1995-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-12 | 1998-07-14 | 1999-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |