Apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens having a prescription reader
First Claim
1. An apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens, comprisinga first lens curing unit comprising a first activating light source, wherein the first activating light source is configured to direct activating light toward a mold assembly during use;
- a second lens curing unit comprising a second activating light source and heating system, wherein the second activating light source is configured to direct activating light toward a mold assembly during use; and
wherein the heating system is configured to heat the interior of the second lens curing unit;
a reader coupled to the first curing unit, the reader being configured to read eyeglass lens prescription information from a mold assembly holder placed proximate to the first curing unit; and
a controller coupled to the first curing unit and the reader, wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the first curing unit in response to the eyeglass lens prescription information read by the reader.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include one or more lens curing units and a mold assembly. The second lens curing unit may include a heating system. One or more readers may be coupled to one or more lens curing units. The reader may be configured to read eyeglass lens prescription information from a mold assembly holder. A controller may be coupled to at least one lens curing unit and the reader. The controller may control the operation of the lens curing unit. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a conveyor system, an annealing unit, an air distributor and/or filters.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. An apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens, comprising
a first lens curing unit comprising a first activating light source, wherein the first activating light source is configured to direct activating light toward a mold assembly during use; -
a second lens curing unit comprising a second activating light source and heating system, wherein the second activating light source is configured to direct activating light toward a mold assembly during use; and
wherein the heating system is configured to heat the interior of the second lens curing unit;
a reader coupled to the first curing unit, the reader being configured to read eyeglass lens prescription information from a mold assembly holder placed proximate to the first curing unit; and
a controller coupled to the first curing unit and the reader, wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the first curing unit in response to the eyeglass lens prescription information read by the reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens, comprising:
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a first lens curing unit comprising a first activating light source, wherein the first activating light source is configured to direct activating light toward a mold assembly during use;
a reader coupled to the first lens curing unit, the reader being configured to read eyeglass lens prescription information from a mold assembly holder placed proximate to the first lens curing unit;
a controller coupled to the first lens curing unit and the reader, wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the first lens curing unit in response to the eyeglass lens prescription information read by the reader;
a second lens curing unit, wherein the second lens curing unit is configured to direct activating light and heat toward a mold assembly; and
a conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system is configured to transport a mold assembly from the first lens curing unit to and through the second lens curing unit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
a second activating light source;
the second activating light source configured to direct activating light towards a mold assembly during use; and
a filter disposed directly adjacent to the second activating light source, the filter being configured to manipulate an intensity of the activating light emanating from the second activating light source.
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51. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second lens curing unit comprises:
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a second activating light source;
the second activating light source configured to direct activating light towards a mold assembly during use;
a first filter disposed directly adjacent to the first activating light source, the filter being configured to manipulate an intensity of the activating light emanating from the first activating light source; and
a second filter disposed directly adjacent to the second activating light source, the filter being configured to manipulate an intensity of the activating light emanating from the second activating light source.
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52. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising an air distributor positioned within the second lens curing unit, the air distributor being configured to circulate air within the second lens curing unit during use.
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53. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a programmable controller wherein the programmable controller is configured to substantially simultaneously control operation of the first lens curing unit and the second lens curing unit during use.
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54. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second lens curing unit comprises a second activating light source;
- the second activating light source comprising a fluorescent lamp, and wherein the second activating light source further comprises a flasher ballast system coupled to the fluorescent lamp.
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55. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second lens curing unit comprises a second activating light source;
- the second activating light source configured to direct activating light towards the mold assembly during use; and
the apparatus further comprising an anneal unit, the anneal unit comprising an anneal unit heating system, wherein the anneal unit heating system is configured to heat the interior of the anneal unit.
- the second activating light source configured to direct activating light towards the mold assembly during use; and
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56. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the conveyor system comprises two discrete conveyors, wherein the first conveyor is configured to convey the mold assembly from the first lens curing unit to the second lens curing unit;
- and wherein the second conveyor is configured to convey the mold assemblies through the second lens curing unit.
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57. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the conveyor system comprises a flexible member configured to interact with the mold assembly, wherein the flexible member is coupled to a motor configured to move the flexible member through the conveyor system.
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58. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second lens curing unit comprises a heating system wherein the heating system is configured to heat the interior of the second lens curing unit.
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59. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second lens curing unit comprises:
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a second activating light source, wherein the second activating light source is configured to direct activating light towards a mold assembly during use; and
a heating system, wherein the heating system is configured to heat the interior of the second lens curing unit.
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Specification