Method, apparatus and adhesive composition for ophthalmic lens blocking
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for blocking a lens blank comprising the steps of:
- (i) obtaining a lens block which is transmits UV and visible light;
(ii) applying an adhesive curable by at least one of visible and UV light to at least one of a first face of a lens blank and said lens block;
(iii) urging said lens blank toward said lens block with said first face of said lens blank facing said lens mounting face and a second face, opposite said first face facing away from said lens mounting face;
(iv) generating UV and visible light and transmitting the light to said adhesive through said lens block, said light being of a wavelength and an intensity and applied for a time interval sufficient to cause setting of said adhesive. (v) said adhesive being selected to have a dimensional change upon setting low enough to be capable of setting in less than 30 seconds without imparting undue stresses on said lens blank and capable of total adhesive failure without lens or lens blank damage or leaving residue on said lens upon application of a sufficient stripping force acting between said lens blank and said lens block.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for blocking a lens according to which a lens block is obtained which transmits UV and visible light. An adhesive curable by light within the UV and visible spectrum is applied between the lens blank and a lens mounting face of the lens block. The lens blank is placed adjacent the lens block with the adhesive extending therebetween. UV light is applied to cure the adhesive. The adhesive is selected to have a suitable low dimensional change on setting so as not to impart any undue stresses on the lens blank which being capable of total adhesive failure without lens damage or leaving a residue upon application of a suitable stripping force.
39 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for blocking a lens blank comprising the steps of:
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(i) obtaining a lens block which is transmits UV and visible light;
(ii) applying an adhesive curable by at least one of visible and UV light to at least one of a first face of a lens blank and said lens block;
(iii) urging said lens blank toward said lens block with said first face of said lens blank facing said lens mounting face and a second face, opposite said first face facing away from said lens mounting face;
(iv) generating UV and visible light and transmitting the light to said adhesive through said lens block, said light being of a wavelength and an intensity and applied for a time interval sufficient to cause setting of said adhesive. (v) said adhesive being selected to have a dimensional change upon setting low enough to be capable of setting in less than 30 seconds without imparting undue stresses on said lens blank and capable of total adhesive failure without lens or lens blank damage or leaving residue on said lens upon application of a sufficient stripping force acting between said lens blank and said lens block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for blocking a lens comprising the steps of:
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(i) placing a lens blank on a lens orienting station;
(ii) determining lens orientation and position parameters;
(iii) transporting said lens blank to a probing station while maintaining said orientation from step (ii);
(iv) mapping a first face contour of said lens blank while maintaining said orientation and generating and storing surface contour data;
(v) installing a UV and visible light transmissive lens mounting block in a lens blocking station;
(vi) applying an adhesive curable by light within the UV and visible spectrum to at least one of said lens mounting face and said first face;
(vii) transporting said lens blank to said lens blocking station and positioning said lens blank over said lens mounting face with said first face facing said lens mounting face while maintaining said orientation;
(viii) moving said lens blank toward said lens mounting face adhesive until said first face is a predetermined distance from said lens mounting face and said adhesive extends between said lens mounting face and said first face;
(ix) transmitting UV and visible light through said lens block at a wavelength and an intensity and for a duration sufficient to cause said adhesive to cure thereby bonding said lens blank to said lens block;
(x) referencing said first face surface contour data to a datum associated with said lens block and recording the referenced data; and
,(xi) removing said lens block with said lens blank attached thereto from said blocking station. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for blocking an ophthalmic lens blank comprising;
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a lens blank receiving station for receiving said lens blank;
a lens blocking station having a lens block support for receiving a UV and visible light transmissive lens block and supporting said lens block with a lens mounting face of said lens block in a desired orientation, said lens block support being capable of transmitting UV and visible light;
a lens transporter having a lens holder for selectively picking up and holding said lens blank, moving said lens blank-over said lens block support and moving said lens blank toward said lens blank support; and
,a light source associated with said lens block support for emitting UV and visible light and directing said light through said lens block;
a light source actuator connected to said light source for controlling activation and deactivation of said light source;
an adhesive dispenser associated with said lens blocking station for dispensing a UV and visible light curable adhesive for bonding a lens blank on said lens mounting face;
a dispenser actuator connected to said dispenser for causing said dispenser to dispense said adhesive;
a controller communicating with said transporter, said dispenser actuator and said light source actuator to control the operation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. The apparatus of 17 wherein:
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said UV shield is mounted to said transporter; and
,said UV shield is connected to a safety sensor which communicates with said transporter to interrupt motion of said transporter when said shield encounters an obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. The use in lens blocking of a radiation curable coating composition comprising:
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radiation curable organic resin;
an adhesion promoter;
a cohesive hardener; and
a photoinitiator.
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21. A radiation curable coating composition comprising:
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a radiation curable organic resin;
an adhesion promoter; and
a cohesive hardener. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification