Method of preparing an eyeglass lens with a controller

• US 7,060,208 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
• Inventors: Foreman, John T., Lattis, Matthew C., Powers, Galen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vargot, Mathieu D.
• Application Number:
  US09/789,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20020167098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,939 Days
• Field of Search: 264/1.36, 264/1.38, 264/2.5, 264/40.1, 264/2.6, 264/40.4, 264/40.6, 264/40.7, 425/808, 425/174.4
• US Class Current: 264/1.38
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2037/903 by means of a computer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/001 Shaping in several steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/0038 with sealing means or the like seals on envelopes used in tyre retreading B29D30/542; for injection moulding footwear B29D35/0045
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/0077 characterised by the configuration of the mould filling gate mixing chambers situated in the mould opening B29B7/7471; accessories for connecting the mould filling gate with the filling spout
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/02 Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mouldcold vulcanisation B29C35/18 ; vulcanising tyres, presses therefor B29D30/0601
• 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: B29C 39/006 Monomers or prepolymers by reaction injection moulding B29C67/246
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/24 Feeding the material into the mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/38 Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/42 Casting under special conditions, e.g. vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00442 Curing the lens material
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00528 Consisting of two mould halves joined by an annular gasket
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00538 Feeding arrangements
• 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 method of preparing an eyeglass lens, comprising:

placing one or more job tickets in a lens curing apparatus, wherein one or more of the job tickets includes prescription information, the lens curing apparatus 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;

reading the prescription information from one or more of the job tickets;

placing a mold assembly comprising a lens forming composition into the first lens curing unit;

operating the first lens curing unit to produce curing conditions to at least partially cure the lens forming composition, the curing conditions being determined in response to the prescription information, and wherein the curing conditions comprise one or more doses of light;

transferring the mold assembly to the second lens curing unit; and

operating the second lens curing unit to apply light and heat to the mold assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein reading the prescription information comprises reading the prescription information from a barcode.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a job ticket with prescription information, wherein the prescription information is entered into a job ticket printing device from an input device, wherein the input device is operable by a user to enter prescription information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the prescription information comprises a sphere power, a cylinder power, and a lens location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the prescription information further comprises a monomer type and a lens type.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prescription information comprises a sphere power, a cylinder power, an add power and a lens location.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the lens curing apparatus comprises controlling the activating light source to produce the curing conditions for the eyeglass lens.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating light source comprises a plurality of light sources, and wherein controlling the activating light source comprises controlling each of the plurality of light sources independently.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens curing apparatus further comprises an anneal unit, and further comprising controlling the anneal unit, the anneal unit being configured to apply heat to a demolded eyeglass lens.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the lens curing apparatus comprises controlling the duration of time that the activating light source remains on.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor system comprises a continuous flexible member extending from a first lens curing unit of the lens curing apparatus through a second lens curing unit of the lens curing apparatus, 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.

12. 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 a first lens curing unit of the lens curing apparatus to a second lens curing unit of the lens curing apparatus, and wherein the second conveyor is configured to convey the mold assembly through the second lens curing unit.

13. 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.

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

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the mold assembly in a mold holder, wherein the mold assembly holder comprises a ridge disposed on the bottom surface, wherein the ridge is configured to interact with the conveyor system.

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

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating light source has a peak light intensity at a range of about 385 nm to about 490 nm.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the lens curing apparatus comprises determining a speed of the conveyor.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens curing apparatus comprise a filter disposed directly adjacent to the activating light source, the filter being configured to manipulate an intensity of the activating light emanating from the activating light source.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring one or more temperatures of the lens curing apparatus, and wherein a speed of the conveyor is detennined in response to one or more of the temperatures.