Eyeglass lens and mold spin coater
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying a coating on an eyeglass lens, comprising:
- an eyeglass lens holder constructed to revolve during use;
a dispenser for applying a coating material to a lens positioned on the holder, the dispenser being located in a coating application chamber;
an elevation component connected to the holder, the elevation component being constructed to raise the holder from the coating application chamber to a curing chamber during use, and to lower the holder from the curing chamber to the coating application chamber during use; and
wherein the curing chamber comprises an ultraviolet lamp constructed to direct ultraviolet light towards the coating material on the eyeglass lens during use, a bottom wall with an opening, and a covering for the opening that is constructed to be normally closed, to open to allow-the holder to pass through the opening during use, and to close after the holder has passed through the opening during use.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Hard substrates such as ophthalmic lenses or molds are coated with a UV curable monomer which is polymerized to construct a scratch resistant coating on a surface of the lens. The present invention is directed to an apparatus for and method of applying the UV curable monomer to the surface of the ophthalmic lens or mold. Polymerization of the monomer occurs by radiation of UV light while the lens is encased in a curing chamber. The spin coater of the present invention has the following advantages: Excess monomer is collected in a dish away from UV exposure and is readily disposed of. The substrate is revolved at a high rate of speed during the application of the coating to achieve a uniform coating of monomer. Only the holder and substrate are moved to the curing chamber minimizing the items exposed to UV light. The UV light is electrodeless, it has a standby mode and operates cyclically during use so as to prolong its life and to allow a greater degree of control over extent of polymerization. Operation of the apparatus occurs automatically and can be performed by using pneumatic as well as electronic circuits.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying a coating on an eyeglass lens, comprising:
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an eyeglass lens holder constructed to revolve during use; a dispenser for applying a coating material to a lens positioned on the holder, the dispenser being located in a coating application chamber; an elevation component connected to the holder, the elevation component being constructed to raise the holder from the coating application chamber to a curing chamber during use, and to lower the holder from the curing chamber to the coating application chamber during use; and wherein the curing chamber comprises an ultraviolet lamp constructed to direct ultraviolet light towards the coating material on the eyeglass lens during use, a bottom wall with an opening, and a covering for the opening that is constructed to be normally closed, to open to allow-the holder to pass through the opening during use, and to close after the holder has passed through the opening during use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for curing a coating on an eyeglass lens, comprising:
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an eyeglass lens holder constructed to revolve during use; a dispenser for applying ultraviolet curable coating material to the lens positioned on the holder, the dispenser being located in a coating application chamber; an elevation component connected to the holder, the elevation component being constructed to raise the holder from the coating application chamber to a curing chamber during use, and to lower the holder from the curing chamber to the coating application chamber during use; and wherein the curing chamber comprises an ultraviolet lamp constructed to direct ultraviolet light towards the coating material on the eyeglass lens during use, a bottom wall with an opening, a covering for the opening that is constructed to be normally closed, to open to allow the holder to pass through the opening during use, and to close after the holder has passed through the opening during use, and an air distribution system for passing filtered air throughout the curing chamber during use. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for applying a coating on an eyeglass mold, comprising:
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an eyeglass mold holder constructed to revolve during use; a dispenser for applying a coating material to a mold positioned on the holder, the dispenser being located in a coating application chamber; an elevation component connected to the holder, the elevation component constructed to raise the holder from the coating application chamber to a curing chamber during use, and to lower the holder from the curing chamber to the coating application chamber during use; and wherein the curing chamber comprises an ultraviolet lamp constructed to direct ultraviolet light towards the coating material on the eyeglass mold during use, a bottom wall with an opening, and a covering for the opening that is constructed to be normally closed, to open to allow the holder to pass through the opening during use, and to close after the holder has passed through the opening during use. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus for curing a coating on an eyeglass mold, comprising:
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an eyeglass mold holder constructed to revolve during use; a dispenser for applying ultraviolet curable coating material to the mold positioned on the holder, the dispenser being located in a coating application chamber; an elevation component connected to the holder, the elevation component constructed to raise the holder from the coating application chamber to a curing chamber during use, and to lower the holder from the curing chamber to the coating application chamber during use; and wherein the curing chamber comprises an ultraviolet lamp constructed to direct ultraviolet light towards the coating material on the eyeglass mold during use, a bottom wall with an opening, a covering for the opening that is constructed to be normally closed, to open to allow the holder to pass through the opening during use, and to close after the holder has passed through the opening during use, and an air distribution system for passing filtered air throughout the curing chamber during use. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification