Apparatus and method for degassing deionized water for inspection and packaging
US5814134A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B2051/105
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station. After inspection, the lenses and packages are transported to a water removal assembly, and then to another transfer assembly. This transfer assembly separates those lenses which passed inspection from those which did not, and places those that did in a consolidating assembly. The le…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.