Missing lens detection system and method

• US 6,838,679 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ross, Denwood F. III, Newton, Timothy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US09/819,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20020074511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 250/461.1, 250/458.1, 250/341.8, 250/341.1, 250/372, 356/432
• US Class Current: 250/458.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00951 Measuring, controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/008 packaging of contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/10 responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9508 Capsules; Tablets

Abstract

A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting the presence or position of a contact lens in a container, comprising:

a) a source of electromagnetic energy located relative to the container to direct electromagnetic energy at the container;

b) a non-imaging detector disposed relative to the container and the source to detect electromagnetic energy from the source which passes through or is reflected by the contact lens and the container; and

c) means for indicating the presence or position of the contact lens in the container responsive to fluorescence, absorption or reflection of the electromagnetic energy by the product;

wherein the source emits electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible range, and the detector is sensitive to the electromagnetic energy in the visible range, and the contact lens absorbs electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible range.

2. An apparatus for detecting the presence or position of a contact lens in a container, comprising:

a) a source of electromagnetic energy located relative to the container to direct electromagnetic energy at the container;

b) a non-imaging detector disposed relative to the container and the source to detect electromagnetic energy from the source which passes through or is reflected by the contact lens and the container; and

c) means for indicating the presence or position of the contact lens in the container responsive to fluorescence, absorption or reflection of the electromagnetic energy by the product;

wherein the source emits electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the infrared range, and the detector is sensitive to the electromagnetic energy in the infrared range, and the contact lens absorbs electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the infrared range.