Modular production line for the production of ophthalmic lenses

US10751962B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALCON INC. · CH

Inventors

• Shu Zong · Cumming, US
• Peter Hagmann · Erlenbach a.Main, DE
• Roger Biel · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Axel Heinrich · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Stephan Pirl · Obernburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 22, 2018
• Grant date: Aug 25, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 22, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2011/0041
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A modular production line for the production of contact lenses comprises at least three separate modules: The modular production line further comprises fixedly arranged transfer interfaces between the individual modules (MM, IM, PP) for transferring the lenses from a preceding module to a subsequent module. The manufacturing module (MM) comprises a plurality of manufacturing stations (300, 301, 302, 310, 320, 321, 322, 330, 331, 340, 341, 342, 350, 351, 352) which are grouped to form a plurality of individual manufacturing units (30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35) arranged in a closed loop. Reusable male and female molds (212, 112) are transported through the manufacturing stations of the manufacturing units, and each manufacturing unit (30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35) comprises a plurality of the manufacturing stations (300, 301, 302, 310, 320, 321, 322, 330, 331, 340, 341, 342, 350, 351, 352). A plurality of transfer robots (36) is provided, each transfer robot (36) of the plurality of transfer robots (36) being arranged at a location between two manufacturing units (30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35) to transfer the reusable molds from one manufacturing unit to the other manufacturing unit.