Contact lens transfer and material removal system
US6494021B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/91
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transferring a wet object, such as a contact lens, from a first station to a second station includes a probe having a barrel with a passage for communication with a vacuum source and a pressurized gas source, a nozzle at the end of the passage, and a hood around the nozzle in communication with a vacuum source. The barrel is moved in a first direction to place the nozzle adjacent the object in the first station and the vacuum from the nozzle attaches the object to the nozzle. Moving the barrel in a second direction removes the nozzle with the object attached from the first station. The probe is moved to the second station with the object attached. The barrel is moved in the first direction to place the object at the second station, the vacuum is removed from the nozzle and pressurized gas is applied through the barrel passage to remove the object from the nozzle and deposit it at the second station and, at the same time, blow off matter from the object. Vacuum is applied to the hood when the probe is at the second station for the hood to collect the matter blown the object by the compressed gas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.