公开(公告)号：US5658602A

公开(公告)日：1997-08-19

申请号：US431635

申请日：1995-05-01

申请人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Jeffrey Eldon Steven ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  Michael Francis Widman

发明人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Jeffrey Eldon Steven ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  Michael Francis Widman

IPC分类号： G02C7/04 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C31/04 ,  B29C33/00 ,  B29C33/20 ,  B29C33/24 ,  B29C33/30 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C33/40 ,  B29C35/08 ,  B29C39/42 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/36 ,  B29C43/56 ,  B29C65/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29D11/02 ,  B29L11/00 ,  G02B1/04 ,  G02C13/00

CPC分类号： B29D11/00182 ,  B29C31/041 ,  B29C31/042 ,  B29C33/0011 ,  B29C33/0055 ,  B29C33/202 ,  B29C33/24 ,  B29C33/303 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C43/021 ,  B29C43/361 ,  B29D11/0023 ,  B29C2043/3433 ,  B29C2791/006 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C35/0888 ,  B29C43/56 ,  B29L2011/0016 ,  Y10S425/06 ,  Y10S425/808

摘要： An apparatus for forming contact lenses, wherein front curve mold halves are filled with a hardenable transparent material, such as a polymerizable hydrogel, and back curve mold halves are coupled to the front curve, therein forming a lens. More particularly, the apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting pallets of mold halves to the apparatus, an array of piston structures for raising and aligning the back curves with respect to the filled front curve halves, a mechanism for reciprocating the piston array to couple pairs of front and back curves, and a vacuum chamber for maintaining a vacuum around the curves during coupling. In addition, there is provided individual spring biasing to each reciprocating element whereby sensitivity to thickness variations and pallet misfeeds may be minimized. Further, there is provided a vacuum sleeve, through which the pistons reciprocate within the vacuum chamber, which sleeve preserves the vacuum within the chamber.

摘要翻译： 一种用于形成隐形眼镜的装置，其中前曲面半模填充有可硬化的透明材料，例如可聚合水凝胶，并且后曲面半模与前曲面耦合，其中形成透镜。 更具体地说，该设备包括用于将半模的托盘运送到设备的传送器，用于相对于填充的前曲面半部升高和对准后曲面的活塞结构的阵列，用于使活塞阵列往复运动的机构 前后曲线和真空室，用于在耦合期间在曲线周围保持真空。 此外，为每个往复运动元件提供单独的弹簧偏置，从而可以最小化对厚度变化和卡盘误送的敏感性。 此外，提供了真空套筒，活塞在真空室内往复运动，该套管保持腔室内的真空。

公开(公告)号：US5656208A

公开(公告)日：1997-08-12

申请号：US258264

申请日：1994-06-10

申请人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Jeffrey Eldon Steven ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  Michael Francis Widman

发明人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Jeffrey Eldon Steven ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  Michael Francis Widman

IPC分类号： G02C7/04 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C31/04 ,  B29C33/00 ,  B29C33/20 ,  B29C33/24 ,  B29C33/30 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C35/08 ,  B29C39/42 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/36 ,  B29C43/56 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29D11/02 ,  G02C13/00

CPC分类号： B29D11/00182 ,  B29C31/041 ,  B29C31/042 ,  B29C33/0011 ,  B29C33/0055 ,  B29C33/202 ,  B29C33/24 ,  B29C33/303 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C43/021 ,  B29C43/361 ,  B29D11/0023 ,  B29C2043/3433 ,  B29C2791/006 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C35/0888 ,  B29C43/56 ,  B29L2011/0016 ,  Y10S425/808

摘要： An apparatus for filling and assembling mold parts for a contact lens includes a first automated station for receiving a plurality of front curve contact lens mold parts and depositing in each front curve mold a predetermined amount of a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture, and, a second automated station for receiving the plurality of front curve mold parts and assembling each front curve mold part with a back curve mold part under vacuum to prevent entrapment of gas between the mold parts. The front curve mold parts are transported to the first and to the second automated stations by a pallet having registration guides that cooperate with the second station to register the pallet prior to assembly of the mold parts.

摘要翻译： 用于填充和组装用于隐形眼镜的模具部件的装置包括：第一自动化站，用于接收多个前曲面隐形眼镜模具部件，并在每个前曲面模具中沉积预定量的可聚合单体或单体混合物， 自动站，用于接收多个前曲面模具部件，并且在真空下将每个前曲面模具部件与背曲面模具部件组装，以防止模具部件之间夹带气体。 前曲面模具部件通过具有对准引导件的托盘被运送到第一和第二自动化站，该对准引导件在组装模具部件之前与第二站配合以登记托盘。

公开(公告)号：US5804107A

公开(公告)日：1998-09-08

申请号：US258654

申请日：1994-06-10

申请人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Stephen Robert Beaton ,  Svend Christensen ,  Allan G. Jensen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Victor Lust ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang

发明人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Stephen Robert Beaton ,  Svend Christensen ,  Allan G. Jensen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Victor Lust ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang

IPC分类号： G02C7/04 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C39/02 ,  B29C39/24 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29L11/00

CPC分类号： B29D11/00221 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29D11/00057 ,  B29D11/00134 ,  B29D11/0023 ,  B29D11/00259 ,  B29D11/0048 ,  B29D11/00586 ,  Y10S425/808

摘要： An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. At a first station, front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer. At a second station, a surfactant coating may be applied to a flange on the front curve mold half to provide subsequent preferential adhesion of any excess hydrogel to a back curve mold half at the time the mold halves are separated. At a third station, the mold halves are assembled under vacuum, and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. This clamping step firmly seats the back curve mold half, severs any excess monomer from the monomer in the cavity, defines the lens edge, and seals the cavity in a vacuum. Following assembly of the mold halves, the assembly is transported to a precure station and reclamped, and the monomer is precured with actinic radiation, such as UV, to partially cure the monomer to a gel like consistency. The pallets of lens assemblies are transported through an extended cure station using heat and UV radiation to complete polymerization. The lens mold assemblies are then separated by applying a temperature gradient to the back curve mold half through the use of lasers or high energy steam and then pried apart in an automated station, with any excess monomer adhering to the removed back curve mold half. The front curve mold half, and the newly molded lens is then hydrated and separated from the front curve mold half in a subsequent apparatus.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种自动化方法和装置来模制和固化软性隐形眼镜。 在第一站，前曲半模半部分被可聚合单体填充。 在第二站，可以将表面活性剂涂层施加到前曲面半模上的凸缘上，以在半模分离时提供任何过量的水凝胶随后优先粘附到背曲线半模上。 在第三工位，将半模在真空下组装，并夹紧以从模腔中移出任何多余的水凝胶。 该夹紧步骤将背曲线半模牢固地安置在半空中，从空腔中的单体中除去任何多余的单体，限定透镜边缘，并在真空中密封空腔。 在组装半模后，将组件输送到预固化位置并重新放置，并且单体用光化辐射（例如UV）预固化，以将单体部分固化成凝胶状的稠度。 透镜组件的托盘通过使用热和UV辐射的扩展固化站输送以完成聚合。 然后通过使用激光或高能量蒸汽向后曲线半模施加温度梯度，然后在自动化站中分离，并且任何多余的单体粘附到去除的后曲线半模上，分离透镜模具组件。 然后将前曲面半模，然后将新模制的透镜在随后的装置中与前曲面半模进行水合和分离。

公开(公告)号：US06511617B1

公开(公告)日：2003-01-28

申请号：US09455845

申请日：1999-12-07

申请人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Stephen Robert Beaton ,  Svend Christensen ,  Allan G. Jensen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Victor Lust ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang

发明人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Stephen Robert Beaton ,  Svend Christensen ,  Allan G. Jensen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Victor Lust ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang

IPC分类号： B29D1100

CPC分类号： B29D11/00221 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29D11/00057 ,  B29D11/00134 ,  B29D11/0023 ,  B29D11/00259 ,  B29D11/00432 ,  B29D11/0048 ,  B29D11/00586 ,  Y10S425/808

摘要： An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold, cure and package soft contact lenses. A conveyor system transports an array of molds through a plurality of automated work stations. The front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture and assembled and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. The assembly is precured and then transported through a cure station using UV radiation to complete polymerization, The assemblies are then pried apart in an automated station, with any excess monomer adhering to the removed mold half. The newly molded lens is then hydrated and separated from the front curve mold half in a hydration station. Following hydration the array of lens is automatically deposited into a plurality of packages with a robotic transfer device having a plurality of figures which transfer the lenses.

摘要翻译： 提供自动化方法和装置来模制，固化和包装软性隐形眼镜。 输送机系统通过多个自动化工作站传送模具阵列。 前曲线半模部分地填充有可聚合单体或单体混合物，并组装并夹紧以从模腔中移出任何多余的水凝胶。 该组件被预硫化，然后通过固化站使用紫外线辐射来完成聚合。然后，组件在自动化站中被分开，任何多余的单体粘附到去除的半模上。 然后将新模制的透镜在水化站中与前曲线半模进行水合并分离。 在水合之后，透镜阵列被自动沉积到具有传送透镜的多个图形的机器人传送装置的多个包装中。

公开(公告)号：US06039899A

公开(公告)日：2000-03-21

申请号：US5277

申请日：1998-01-09

申请人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Stephen Robert Beaton ,  Svend Christensen ,  Allan G. Jensen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Victor Lust ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang

发明人： Wallace Anthony Martin ,  Jonathan Patrick Adams ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Stephen Robert Beaton ,  Svend Christensen ,  Allan G. Jensen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Victor Lust ,  Craig William Walker ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang

IPC分类号： G02C7/04 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C39/02 ,  B29C39/24 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29L11/00

CPC分类号： B29D11/00221 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29D11/00057 ,  B29D11/00134 ,  B29D11/0023 ,  B29D11/00259 ,  B29D11/0048 ,  B29D11/00586 ,  Y10S425/808

摘要： An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. A molding station injection molds first and second mold parts for the production of the lenses and these mold parts are transferred to an inert gas or low oxygen environment wherein a series of automated stations receive the mold parts, deposit a polymerizable hydrogel within the first mold part, assemble and clamp the first and second mold parts together, apply radiant energy for polymerizing the hydrogel and subsequently separate the mold parts.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种自动化方法和装置来模制和固化软性隐形眼镜。 模具站注射模具用于制造透镜的第一和第二模具部件和这些模具部件被转移到惰性气体或低氧环境中，其中一系列自动化站接收模具部件，在第一模具部件内沉积可聚合的水凝胶 ，将第一和第二模具部件组装并夹紧在一起，施加用于聚合水凝胶的辐射能并随后分离模具部件。

公开(公告)号：US5690866A

公开(公告)日：1997-11-25

申请号：US463360

申请日：1995-06-05

申请人： Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Kaj Bjerre ,  Svend Christensen ,  Darren Scott Keene ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  Michael Francis Widman

发明人： Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Kaj Bjerre ,  Svend Christensen ,  Darren Scott Keene ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  Michael Francis Widman

IPC分类号： B29C39/36 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C33/04 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C39/44 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29D11/02 ,  B29L11/00 ,  B65B25/00 ,  C08J7/02

CPC分类号： B29C31/00 ,  B29C31/006 ,  B29C43/021 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/0009 ,  B29D11/00067 ,  B29D11/00182 ,  B29D11/00221 ,  B65B25/008 ,  B29L2011/0016 ,  Y10S134/901 ,  Y10S425/808

摘要： An automated method for high speed production rates in the hydration of soft contact lenses. The method includes the use of robotic transfer equipment to transfer contact lens molds containing contact lenses to and from a hydration station and a flushing station.

摘要翻译： 一种在软性隐形眼镜水合中高速生产率的自动化方法。 该方法包括使用机器人转移设备将含有隐形眼镜的隐形眼镜模具转移到水合站和冲洗站。

公开(公告)号：US5836323A

公开(公告)日：1998-11-17

申请号：US643965

申请日：1996-05-07

申请人： Darren Scott Keene ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  David Dolan ,  Kiyoshi Imai ,  Katsuaki Yoshida ,  Svend Christensen ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Kaj Bjerre ,  Junichi Fukuchi ,  David Byram ,  Gary Hall

发明人： Darren Scott Keene ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  David Dolan ,  Kiyoshi Imai ,  Katsuaki Yoshida ,  Svend Christensen ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Kaj Bjerre ,  Junichi Fukuchi ,  David Byram ,  Gary Hall

IPC分类号： B29C39/36 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C33/04 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C39/40 ,  B29C39/44 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29D11/02 ,  B29L11/00 ,  B65B25/00 ,  C08J7/02 ,  G02C7/04 ,  B08B3/04

CPC分类号： B29D11/00182 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C31/006 ,  B29C43/021 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/0009 ,  B29D11/00067 ,  B29D11/00221 ,  B65B25/008 ,  B29L2011/0016 ,  Y10S134/901 ,  Y10T29/53404

摘要： An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate. After a predetermined period of time, the second robotic assembly removes the first hydration carrier from the hydration bath and hands the hydration carrier off to a second rotary transfer device which rotates the first hydration carrier and aligns it for transfer to a third robotic assembly. The third robotic assembly then carries the top chamber plate and contact lenses through a series of steps in which the lens mold carrier and lens molds are removed from the top chamber plate. The lenses carried on the lens transfer means are then flushed and transported for assembly with a hydration base member to form a second hydration carrier for processing the lens in subsequent extraction stations. The second hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis. A final robotic dis-assembly device separates the top chamber plate and lens transfer means from the hydration base member, to provide fully hydrated lenses in a concave lens holding means ready for transfer to inspection and packaging stations.

公开(公告)号：US5762081A

公开(公告)日：1998-06-09

申请号：US827028

申请日：1997-03-25

申请人： Darren Scott Keene ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  David Dolan ,  Kiyoshi Imai ,  Katsuaki Yoshida ,  Svend Christensen ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Kaj Bjerre ,  Junichi Fukuchi ,  David Byram ,  Gary Hall

发明人： Darren Scott Keene ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  David Dolan ,  Kiyoshi Imai ,  Katsuaki Yoshida ,  Svend Christensen ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Kaj Bjerre ,  Junichi Fukuchi ,  David Byram ,  Gary Hall

IPC分类号： B29C39/36 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C33/04 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C39/40 ,  B29C39/44 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29D11/02 ,  B29L11/00 ,  B65B25/00 ,  C08J7/02 ,  G02C7/04 ,  B08B3/04

CPC分类号： B29D11/00182 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C31/006 ,  B29C43/021 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/0009 ,  B29D11/00067 ,  B29D11/00221 ,  B65B25/008 ,  B29L2011/0016 ,  Y10S134/901 ,  Y10T29/53404

摘要： An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate. After a predetermined period of time, the second robotic assembly removes the first hydration carrier from the hydration bath and hands the hydration carrier off to a second rotary transfer device which rotates the first hydration carrier and aligns it for transfer to a third robotic assembly. The third robotic assembly then carries the top chamber plate and contact lenses through a series of steps in which the lens mold carrier and lens molds are removed from the top chamber plate. The lenses carried on the lens transfer means are then flushed and transported for assembly with a hydration base member to form a second hydration carrier for processing the lens in subsequent extraction stations. The second hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis. A final robotic dis-assembly device separates the top chamber plate and lens transfer means from the hydration base member, to provide fully hydrated lenses in a concave lens holding means ready for transfer to inspection and packaging stations.

公开(公告)号：US5640980A

公开(公告)日：1997-06-24

申请号：US432935

申请日：1995-05-01

申请人： Darren Scott Keene ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  David Dolan ,  Kiyoshi Imai ,  Katsuaki Yoshida ,  Svend Christensen ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Kaj Bjerre

发明人： Darren Scott Keene ,  Timothy Patrick Newton ,  Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang ,  David Dolan ,  Kiyoshi Imai ,  Katsuaki Yoshida ,  Svend Christensen ,  Finn Thrige Andersen ,  Ture Kindt-Larsen ,  Kaj Bjerre

IPC分类号： B29C39/36 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C33/04 ,  B29C33/34 ,  B29C39/44 ,  B29C43/02 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29D11/02 ,  B29L11/00 ,  B65B25/00 ,  C08J7/02 ,  G02C7/04 ,  B08B3/04

CPC分类号： B29D11/00182 ,  B29C31/00 ,  B29C31/006 ,  B29C43/021 ,  B29C43/50 ,  B29C71/0009 ,  B29D11/00067 ,  B29D11/00221 ,  B65B25/008 ,  B29L2011/0016 ,  Y10S134/901

摘要： An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate. After a predetermined period of time, the second robotic assembly removes the first hydration carrier from the hydration bath and hands the hydration carrier off to a second rotary transfer device which rotates the first hydration carrier and aligns it for transfer to a third robotic assembly. The third robotic assembly then carries the top chamber plate and contact lenses through a series of steps in which the lens mold carrier and lens molds are removed from the top chamber plate. The lenses carried on the lens transfer means are then flushed and transported for assembly with a hydration base member to form a second hydration carrier for processing the lens in subsequent extraction stations. The second hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis. A final robotic dis-assembly device separates the top chamber plate and lens transfer means from the hydration base member, to provide fully hydrated lenses in a concave lens holding means ready for transfer to inspection and packaging stations.