Patent · US Expired

Method for manufacturing lenses using thin coatings

US5219497A · kind A · utility

182Cited by
11References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 18, 1991
Grant dateJun 15, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 18, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S425/808
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A fast, relatively inexpensive and simple method for producing a finished plastic aspheric multifocal or progressive lens from a preformed lens which has a predetermined lens correction (i.e., curvature or prescription) at its optical center. The method includes providing a mold; providing an optical photoactivated resin composition; providing a preformed plastic lens; contacting the preformed lens with the mold such that the surfaces of the preformed lens and the mold form a cavity enclosing the resin composition; and curing the resin composition upon application of heat and ultraviolet radiation. The cavity formed by the preformed lens and the mold is shaped to correspond to the desired change in curvature of the mold surface. The preformed lens may also be cast with a thin non-prescription layer which acts as a carrier for the multifocal or progressive region of the finished lens. This allows casting of lenses without employing either expensive conventional optical gaskets or back molds. The methods also allow for simpler relocation of the optical center to the proper position with respect to the multifocal or progressive prescription, without using conventional optical gaskets.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.