Apparatus for making ophthalmic lenses by vacuum lamination
US5858163A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB32B2551/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for making ophthalmic lenses by vacuum lamination wherein a front lens wafer is laminated to a back lens wafer with a layer of adhesive disposed within the interface between the two wafers forming a composite lens. An upper flexible, transparent sheet is located on the top side of the composite lens, a lower flexible, opaque or transparent sheet is located on the bottom side of the composite lens, and a seam is formed between the upper and lower flexible sheets which defines an evacuation chamber between the sheets for receiving the composite lens. A vacuum pump is connected in fluid communication with the evacuation chamber for evacuating air from the chamber and in turn drawing the upper and lower flexible sheets into engagement with the top and bottom sides of the composite lens, respectively, to press the lens wafers together and spread the adhesive throughout the wafer interface. A UV lamp is mounted above the composite lens for transmitting UV radiation through the upper flexible sheet and into the adhesive layer to cure the adhesive and form the composite lens.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.