Method for automatically shutting down a lens forming apparatus

• US 7,037,449 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• 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:
  US09/789,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,897 Days
• Field of Search: 214/1.36, 214/1.38, 425/808, 425/135, 425/174.4, 264/2.6, 264/40.1, 264/40.6, 264/40.7
• US Class Current: 264/1.36
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0833 using actinic light
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2071/022 Annealing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0888 using transparant moulds
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/23 Photochromic filters

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 method of preparing an eyeglass lens, comprising:

placing a lens forming composition in a mold cavity of a mold assembly;

placing the mold assembly in a lens curing unit the lens curing unit comprising a first lens curing unit comprising an 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 an activating light source and a heating system, wherein the activating light source is configured to direct activating light toward the mold assembly during use, wherein the heating system is configured to heat the interior of the second lens curing unit during use; and

a conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system is configured to convey a mold assembly through the first lens curing unit into and through the second lens curing unit during use;

applying light and heat to the mold assembly with the lens curing unit to at least partially cure the lens forming composition;

monitoring usage of the lens curing unit with a controller;

wherein the controller automatically turns off one or more components of the lens curing unit when the monitored usage of the lens curing unit indicates that the lens curing unit has not been used for a predetermined amount of time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mold assembly in a mold assembly holder, the mold assembly holder comprising a body and an indentation formed in the body, the indentation complementary to the shape of the mold assembly.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mold assembly in a mold assembly holder, the mold assembly holder comprising a body and an indentation formed in the body, the indentation complementary to the shape of the mold assembly, and wherein the indentations of the mold assembly holder define an opening, and wherein the opening is positioned such that activating light passes through the opening and onto the mold assembly during use.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mold assembly in a mold assembly holder, the mold assembly holder comprising a body and an indentation formed in the body, the indentation complementary to the shape of the mold assembly, and wherein the mold assembly holder further comprises an additional indentation for holding an additional mold assembly, wherein the additional indentation has a shape that is complementary with the additional mold assembly.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mold assembly in a mold assembly holder, the mold assembly holder comprising a body and an indentation formed in the body, the indentation complementary to the shape of the mold assembly, and wherein a portion of the mold assembly holder is configured to hold a job ticket.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mold assembly in a mold assembly holder, the mold assembly holder comprising a body and an indentation formed in the body, the indentation complementary to the shape of the mold assembly, and wherein the indentation in the mold assembly holder extends into the body to a depth such that an upper surface of the mold assembly is positioned at or below the upper surface of the body.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying light and heat to mold assembly comprises directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members for less than 100 seconds.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising

demolding the cured lens forming composition from the mold assembly;

and

applying heat to the lens in the absence of activating light, subsequent to directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising

heating the lens forming composition;

and placing the heated lens forming composition in a mold cavity.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically turning off one or more components comprises automatically heating system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically turning off one or more components comprises automatically turning off one of the activating light sources.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating light sources comprise an ultraviolet light system.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically turning off one or more components comprises automatically turning off one or more of the first activating light source, the second activating light source, and the heating system in response to the monitored usage.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more components comprises the conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the lens curing unit.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the components is the conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the lens curing unit, 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 of the lens curing unit to the second lens curing unit of the lens curing unit, and wherein the second conveyor is configured to convey the mold assembly through the second lens curing unit.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the components is the conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the lens curing unit, 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.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of time is at least 10 minutes.

15. The method of 1, wherein at least one of the components is the conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the lens curing unit, wherein the conveyor system comprises a continuous flexible member extending from a first lens curing unit of the lens curing unit through a second lens curing unit of the lens curing unit, wherein the flexible member is configured to interact with the mold assembly to convey the mold assembly through the first lens curing unit, to the second lens curing unit, and through the second lens curing unit.