US5133159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for polishing silicone products
Assignee: Nestle SA
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Filing: 1990-12-18
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Granted: 1992-07-28
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Expires: 2010-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for polishing articles manufactured from silicone rubber or silicone elastomers is disclosed. This method includes tumble-polishing in a receptacle charged with polishing objects, an alcohol solvent, and silicone articles for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities and produce the desired finish and/or improve the optical transparency of the silicone articles. This method is particularly useful in the polishing of biomedical articles such as intraocular or soft contact lenses, tips of cannulae, and articles such as O-rings for precision mechanical devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas J. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:09
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C71/00; B29C71/0009; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/0006; B24B31/00; B29C37/00; B29C37/02; B29K; B29K2083/00; B29L; B29L2011/00; B29L2011/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of polishing shaped silicone articles comprising the steps of: a) charging a receptacle with a mixture of non-abrasive polishing beads, a solvent which permits polishing action without abrading the surface of the silicone article, and a plurality of shaped silicone articles; and b) agitating the contents of the receptacle for a time sufficient for the polishing objects and solvent to remove surface irregularities from the silicone articles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of polishing shaped silicone articles comprising the steps of: a) charging a receptacle with a mixture of non-abrasive polishing beads, a solvent which permits polishing action without abrading the surface of the silicone article, and a plurality of shaped silicone articles; and b) agitating the contents of the receptacle for a time sufficient for the polishing objects and solvent to remove surface irregularities from the silicone articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with a solvent includes charging with a solution of alcohol or mixture of alcohols and water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said step of charging with a solution of alcohol and water includes charging with a solution of between from about 50% to about 100% alcohol by volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said step of charging with a solution of alcohol and water includes charging with ethyl alcohol and water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said step of charging with ethyl alcohol and water includes charging with a solution of about 95% ethyl alcohol by volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging of a receptacle includes charging a receptacle which is a tumbling jar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of agitating of the contents of the receptacle includes rotating the receptacle at a speed and for a time sufficient to remove surface irregularities from the silicone articles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with silicone articles includes charging with contact lenses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with silicone articles includes charging with intraocular lenses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with silicone articles includes charging with cannula tips.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with silicone articles includes charging with disposable silicone tips used in phacoemulsification procedures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with silicone articles includes charging with O-rings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with a mixture of non-abrasive polishing beads charging with glass polishing beads.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with a mixture of non-abrasive polishing beads includes charging with zirconia polishing beads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of charging with a mixture of non-abrasive polishing beads includes charging with steel shot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the non-abrasive polishing beads are in the size range of about 0.5 to about 3.0 nm in diameter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of agitating the contents of a receptacle includes tumbling a 1000 ml receptacle at a rate of about 80 rpm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of agitating the contents of a receptacle is continued for a time period of from about 1 to about 14 days.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: cleaning the silicone articles of the solvent, polishing beads, and waste silicone particles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said step of cleaning includes rinsing the polished articles on a sieve that is sized to retain the silicone articles while allowing the alcohol and polishing beads to pass through.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said step of charging with silicone articles includes charging with silicone articles selected from silicone contact lenses, silicone intraocular lenses, silicone O-rings, and silicone cannula tips.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of agitating includes agitating the contents of the receptacle for a time sufficient to produce improvement in optical transparency of the silicon articles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said step of agitating further includes agitating the contents of the receptacle for a time sufficient to extract 2-3% by weight silicone fractiles from the silicone articles.
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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) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-01-27 | 1996-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-28 | 2000-01-27 | 2000-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-28 | 2004-01-27 | 2004-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |