Fill system with controller for monitoring use

• US 6,612,828 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vision Dynamics LLC (New England Low Vision & Blindness)
• Original Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Inventors: Lattis, Matthew C., Powers, Galen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mackey, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HECKENBERG JR, DONALD H
• Application Number:
  US09/788,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20020192326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 425/145, 425/169, 425/174.4, 425/256, 425/808, 264/1.38, 141/82, 141/94, 141/369, 141/383
• US Class Current: 425/145
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00057 characterised by the shape or surface condition of the edge, e.g. flashless, burrless, smooth
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00442 Curing the lens material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/808 Lens mold

Abstract

A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of a system may include a lens forming composition heating apparatus and a controller.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing a heated polymerizable lens forming composition comprising:

a lens forming composition heating apparatus comprising;

a body, the body being configured to hold the lens forming composition, the body comprising an opening for receiving a fluid container and an outlet;

a heating system positioned within the body for heating the lens forming composition; and

a valve positioned proximate the outlet, wherein the valve comprises an elongated member, wherein the elongated member is positionable within the outlet in a closed position, wherein the elongated member in the closed position inhibits flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet, and wherein the elongated member is positionable within the outlet in an open position, wherein the elongated member in an open position allows flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet during use; and

a controller coupled to the lens forming composition heating apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the amount of lens forming composition used, and wherein the controller is configured to produce a signal indicating that additional lens forming composition is required.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve composition a movable member coupled to the elongated member, wherein the elongated member contacts the movable member at a first position such that the elongated member is in the closed position, and wherein the elongated member contacts the movable member at a second position such that the elongated member is in the open position, and wherein the movable member is movable such that the position of the elongated member can be varied from the first position to the second position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus body further comprises a chamber positioned within the heating apparatus body, and wherein the heating system is positioned within the chamber, and wherein the chamber inhibits the lens forming composition from contacting the heating system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating system comprises a resistive heating system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongated member extends substantially completely through the outlet when the elongated member is in the closed position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongated member extends partially into the outlet when the elongated member is an open position.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a thermostat coupled to the heating apparatus body, the thermostat being configured to measure a temperature of the lens forming composition within the heating apparatus body, and wherein the thermostat is further configured to control the heating system in response to the measured temperature.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus further comprising a thermocouple coupled to the heating apparatus body, the thermocouple being configured to measure a temperature of the lens forming composition, and wherein the system further comprises a controller coupled to the thermocouple and the heating system, the controller configured to control the heating system in response to the temperature measured by the thermocouple.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a fluid level monitor disposed within the heating apparatus body, wherein the fluid level monitor is configured to measure the level of the lens forming composition disposed within the heating apparatus body.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a fluid level monitor disposed within the heating apparatus body and a controller coupled to the fluid level monitor and the heating system, wherein the fluid level monitor is configured to measure the level of the lens forming composition disposed within the heating apparatus body, and wherein the controller configured to control the heating system in response to the level of fluid measured by the fluid level monitor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus is electrically coupleable to a controller of a lens forming apparatus.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a mold assembly holder coupled to the heating apparatus body, wherein the mold assembly holder is configured to hold a mold assembly in a position such that the outlet of the heating apparatus body is positioned proximate an inlet of the mold assembly.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap;

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the heating apparatus body further comprises a projection extending toward the opening, and wherein the projection is positioned such that the projection forces the fluid control member away from the top inner surface of the cap when the bottle is inserted into the opening.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the cap of the fluid container is removable from the fluid container body.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the cap of the fluid container is coupled to the fluid container body with an adhesive.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid control member is substantially spherical.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid control member is substantially spherical, and wherein the elastic member is a spring.

19. A system for dispensing a heated polymerizable lens forming composition comprising:

a lens forming composition heating apparatus comprising;

a body, the body being configured to hold the lens forming composition, the body comprising an opening for receiving a fluid container and an outlet;

a heating system positioned within the body for heating the lens forming composition; and

a valve positioned proximate the outlet, wherein the valve is configured to allow or inhibit flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet during use; and

a valve positioned proximate the outlet, wherein the valve is configured to allow or inhibit flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet during use; and

a controller coupled to the lens forming composition heating apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the amount of lens forming composition dispensed.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the valve comprises an elongated member and a movable member, wherein the movable member is coupled to the elongated member, wherein the elongated member contacts the movable member at a first position such that the elongated member is positionable within the outlet to inhibit flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet, and wherein the elongated member contacts the movable member at a second position such that the elongated member is,positionable within the outlet to allow flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet and wherein the movable member is movable such that the position of the elongated member can be varied from the first position to the second position.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus body further comprises a chamber positioned within the heating apparatus body, and wherein the heating system is positioned within the chamber, and wherein the chamber inhibits the lens forming composition from contacting the heating system.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating system comprises a resistive heating system.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the valve comprises an elongated member, wherein the elongated member extends substantially completely through the outlet to substantially inhibit flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the valve comprises an elongated member, wherein the elongated member extends partially into the outlet to allow flow of the lens forming composition through the outlet.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a thermostat coupled to the heating apparatus body, the thermostat being configured to measure a temperature of the lens forming composition within the heating apparatus body, and wherein the thermostat is further configured to control the heating system in response to the measured temperature.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus further comprising a thermocouple coupled to the heating apparatus body, the thermocouple being configured to measure a temperature of the lens forming composition, and wherein the system further comprises a controller coupled to the thermocouple and the heating system, the controller configured to control the heating system in response to the temperature measured by the thermocouple.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a fluid level monitor disposed within the heating apparatus body, wherein the fluid level monitor is configured to measure the level of the lens forming composition disposed within the heating apparatus body.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a fluid level monitor disposed within the heating apparatus body and a controller coupled to the fluid level monitor and the heating system, wherein the fluid level monitor is configured to measure the level of the lens forming composition disposed within the heating apparatus body, and wherein the controller configured to control the heating system in response to the level of fluid measured by the fluid level monitor.

29. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus is electrically coupleable to a controller of a lens forming apparatus.

30. The system of claim 19, wherein the heating apparatus further comprises a mold assembly holder coupled to the heating apparatus body, wherein the mold assembly holder is configured to hold a mold assembly in a position such that the outlet of the heating apparatus body is positioned proximate an inlet of the mold assembly.

31. The system of claim 19, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap; and

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body.

32. The system of claim 19, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap;

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body; and

wherein the heating apparatus body further comprises a projection extending toward the opening, and wherein the projection is positioned such that the projection forces the fluid control member away from the top inner surface of the cap when the bottle is inserted into the opening.

33. The system of claim 19, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap is removable from the fluid container body; and

wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap;

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body.

34. The system of claim 19, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap is coupled to the fluid container body with an adhesive and wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap;

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body.

35. The system of claim 19, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member and an elastic member, wherein the fluid control member is substantially spherical and wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap; and

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body.

36. The system of claim 19, further comprising a fluid container configured to hold a lens forming composition, the fluid container comprising:

a fluid container body and a cap, wherein the cap comprises a fluid control member, wherein the fluid control member is substantially spherical and an elastic member wherein the elastic member is a spring and wherein the elastic member is coupled to the fluid control member such that the elastic member exerts a force on the fluid control member such that the fluid control member is forced against a top inner surface of the cap; and

wherein the fluid container is insertable into the opening of the heating apparatus, and wherein insertion of the fluid container into the opening causes the fluid control member to be moved to a position such that the lens forming composition flows from the fluid container into the heating apparatus body.