Graphical interface to display mold assembly position in a lens forming apparatus

• US 7,011,773 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Inventors: Foreman, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vargot, Mathieu D.
• Application Number:
  US09/789,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20030111748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,848 Days
• Field of Search: 264/1.36, 264/1.38, 264/40.1, 264/1.1, 425/808
• US Class Current: 264/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/001 Shaping in several steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0288 Controlling heating or curing of polymers during moulding, e.g. by measuring temperatures or properties of the polymer and regulating the process controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physico- chemical processes in general B01J19/0006
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0805 using electromagnetic radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0032 the coating being applied upon the mould surface before introducing the moulding compound, e.g. applying a gelcoat B29C44/14 and B29C44/32 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00442 Curing the lens material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0002 monomers or prepolymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2011/0016 Lenses

Abstract

A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling an eyeglass lens forming apparatus, the eyeglass lens forming apparatus comprising:

a first lens curing unit comprising a first activating light source, wherein the first lens curing unit is configured to produce activating light directed 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 mold assembly holder configured to support a mold assembly; and

a conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly holder from the first lens curing unit into and through the second lens curing unit;

the method comprising;

monitoring the position of the mold assembly holder in the lens forming apparatus; and

displaying the position of the mold assembly holder within the lens forming apparatus on a display device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus comprises a sensor configured to detect the position of a mold assembly holder within the lens curing apparatus, wherein displaying the position of the mold assembly holder comprises displaying a pictorial depiction of the mold assembly holder on the display device based on the sensed position of the mold assembly holder.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus comprises a sensor configured to detect the presence of a mold assembly holder in the first curing unit, and wherein displaying the position of the mold assembly holder comprises displaying a pictorial depiction of the mold assembly holder on the display device based on the time between when the mold assembly holder is sensed by the sensor and the current time.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying components of the lens curing apparatus, wherein the displaying the position of the mold assembly holder comprises displaying a pictorial depiction of the mold assembly holder on the display device in relation to the components of the lens curing apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mold assembly holder comprises a body and an indentation formed in the body, wherein the indentation is complementary to the shape of the mold assembly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activating light source is an ultraviolet light source.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second activating light source is an ultraviolet light.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second activating light sources are ultraviolet lights.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second activating light sources have substantially the same spectral output.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second activating light sources have a peak light intensity at a range of about 385 nm to about 490 nm.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activating light source comprises a first set of lamps and a second set of lamps, wherein the first and second set of lamps are positioned on opposite sides of the first curing unit.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises a 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.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises 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.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises 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 further comprising 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.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises an air distributor positioned within the second curing unit, the air distributor being configured to circulate air within the second curing unit during use.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises 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.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises 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, and wherein the anneal unit heating system is configured to heat the interior of the anneal unit to a temperature of up to about 250°

F.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens forming apparatus further comprises 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, and wherein the anneal unit further comprises an anneal unit conveyor system configured to conveyor the mold assembly through the anneal unit.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the curing operation of the first curing unit and the second curing unit.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the operation of the first curing unit as a function of the eyeglass lens prescription.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activating light source comprises a fluorescent lamp, and wherein the first activating light source further comprises a flasher ballast system coupled to the fluorescent lamp.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the second activating light source comprises a fluorescent lamp, and wherein the second activating light source further comprises a flasher ballast system coupled to the fluorescent lamp.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activating light source comprises two or more lamps, and wherein the lamps are independently operable.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor system comprises a continuous flexible member extending from the first curing unit through the second curing unit, wherein the flexible member is configured to interact with a mold assembly to convey the mold assembly through the first curing unit, to the second curing unit, and through the second curing unit.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor system comprises two discrete conveyors, wherein the first conveyor is configured to convey the mold assembly from the first curing unit to the second curing unit, and wherein the second conveyor is configured to convey the mold assemblies through the second curing unit.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor system comprises a flexible member configured to interact with a mold assembly, and wherein the flexible member is coupled to a motor configured to move the flexible member through the conveyor system.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the mold assembly holder comprises indicia.