Patent classifications
B29L2011/0041
Process for making molded devices
This invention is directed to a process for applying a symbol to a molded device which symbol on the molded device is visible as an indentation in the surface of the device. The process involves the step of applying the symbol as an elevation to the mold before using the mold for making the molded device. The process of the invention is characterized in that the elevation on the mold is produced by applying a material to the mold surface which material is liquid when being applied and which material is applied at a temperature higher than the temperature which is at or preferably below the melting point of the material, and which material solidifies at the temperature of the mold. The material applied to the mold and solidified on the mold surface as an elevation needs to remain solid during the process of using the mold for making the molded device. During the molding process the elevation of the symbol on the mold is transferred as an indentation of the symbol to the surface of the molded device. After the molding process is complete and the molded device has been separated from the mold the elevation on the mold surface can be removed and the mold can be re-used without an elevation or with another elevation being applied to make another molded device.
Contact lens mold parts, contact lens mold assemblies, and methods of making contact lenses
A contact lens mold part and a contact lens mold assembly (1) are provided. The contact lens mold assembly includes a first mold part (2) and a second mold part (3) assembled together. Each mold part has a lens-forming surface with a circumferential edge, a stop surface extending from the circumferential edge, an intermediate region extending from the stop surface, and an alignment surface extending from the intermediate region. The mold parts can be made to fit together with an interference fit. A method of making a contact lens using the contact lens mold assembly is also provided.
Contact lens using electrospun polymers
A method for making an improved contact lens with the steps of providing a mold with a space between the top surface and a bottom surface, and positioning a mat in the space of the mold, providing a bead of liquid polymer of predetermined size at a predetermined location on the surface of the mat, pressing the bead of liquid polymer into the mat between the top surface and the bottom surface of the mold to form an optical zone framed by a mat peripheral zone, exposing the optical zone and the peripheral zone with U-V radiation to harden the optical zone into a composite improved contact lens, removing the cross-linked improved contact lens from the mold, processing the peripheral zone surrounding the optical zone to have a fenestration surface having holes, the holes being through holes with predetermined diameters selected to pass larger proteins, lipids, metabolites.
Method for determining whether a sealing area of a primary packaging container for an ophthalmic lens is unacceptable for properly sealing a foil thereto
A method for determining whether a sealing area of a primary packaging container for an ophthalmic lens is unacceptable for properly sealing a foil to the sealing area is disclosed. The method involves comparing the temperature of an infrared image of the sealing area to a reference temperature to determine if the difference in temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Eye-mountable device to provide automatic accommodation and method of making same
An eye-mountable device (EMD) includes a lens enclosure, liquid crystal material, first and second electrodes, a substrate, and a controller. The lens enclosure includes a first encapsulation layer and a second encapsulation layer sealed to the first encapsulation layer. The liquid crystal material is disposed across a central region of the lens enclosure. The first electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure between the first encapsulation layer and the liquid crystal material. The second electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure between the second encapsulation layer and the liquid crystal material. The substrate is disposed within the EMD. The controller is disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to apply a voltage across the liquid crystal material.
OPHTHALMIC LENSES AND THEIR MANUFACTURE BY IN-MOLD MODIFICATION
A method for forming an ophthalmic lens including providing a mold assembly including base and front curve molds each having a surface profile and defining and enclosing a cavity therebetween having a reactive monomer mixture for making the lens and a first polymerization initiator that is activated at a first wavelength. A light transmissive one of the molds is exposed to a source of substantially uniform actinic radiation at the first wavelength according to a predetermined exposure pattern including at least one exposure portion and at least one non-exposure portion to initiate polymerization of the reactive monomer mixture within the mold at said at least one exposure portion. The lens is fully cured at the exposure portions and unreacted or non-gelled portions remain within the lens adjacent to the front and base mold halves, which are extracted following removal from the mold assembly, leaving one or more predetermined geometric indentations in the front and back surfaces of the lens such that the surface profile of the lens deviates from the surface profile of the respective front and back mold halves at the locations of the geometric indentations.
Injection molding apparatus and method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens mold through injection molding
An injection molding apparatus for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens mold having a front surface comprising a lens forming portion and a rear surface, comprises a first molding tool and a second molding tool. The first and second molding tools are movable towards and away from each other between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the first mold forming portion of the first molding tool and the second mold forming portion of the second molding tool define a cavity between them corresponding in shape to the shape of the ophthalmic lens mold. The surface of the second mold forming portion, at least in a central zone thereof, has a surface roughness S.sub.a in the range of 0.3 μm to 2 μm, and a surface roughness S.sub.z in the range of 10 μm to 50 μm.
Method for verifying the accurate mounting of molding inserts to a tooling plate of an injection-molding apparatus for molding ophthalmic lens molds
A method for verifying whether a molding insert (1a, 1b) is accurately mounted to a tooling plate (2a, 2b) comprises the steps of: a) providing a confocal sensor (3a, 3b); b) arranging the confocal sensor (3a, 3b) such that a confocal sensor reference plane (32a, 32b) as well as a tooling plate reference plane (22a, 22b) are normal to a mounting axis (21a, 21b) of the tooling plate and spaced from each other by a predetermined first distance (d1, e1); c) measuring a second distance (d2, e2) between the confocal sensor reference plane (32a, 32b) and a central impingement location (11a, 11b) on a molding surface (12a, 12b) of the molding insert (1a, 1b); d) based on the measured second distance (d2, e2) as well as based on the predetermined first distance (d1, e1), determining a third distance (d3, e3) of the central impingement location (11a, 11b) relative to the tooling plate reference plane (22a, 22b); e) comparing the third distance (d3, e3) with a predetermined target distance, and f) determining that the molding insert (1a, 1b) is accurately mounted to the tooling plate (2a, 2b) if the difference between the third distance (d3, e3) and the predetermined target distance is less than a threshold difference.
HIGH RESOLUTION, HIGH THROUGHPUT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Methods, devices and systems that allow three-dimensional printing of material with high resolution are described. One example system includes a two-photon polymerization (TPP) subsystem including a first light source coupled to an optical fiber positioned to deliver a first laser light to a scanning optical device, and an optical projection subsystem comprising a second light source configured to provide a second light to a digital projection device. A dichroic mirror is positioned to receive light corresponding to the first and the second light source, and an objective lens positioned to provide illumination to a target material for 3D printing. The dichroic mirror is configured to allow light from one of the light sources to pass therethrough to the objective lens, and to allow light corresponding to the other light source to be reflected towards the objective lens to enable simultaneous illumination of the target material.
CARRIER FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF A PLURALITY OF SEALING PARAMETERS IN A PRIMARY PACKAGING LINE FOR OPHTHALMIC LENSES
A carrier (1) for the simultaneous measurement of sealing temperature, sealing time and sealing force in a primary packaging line for ophthalmic lenses comprises a temperature sensing plate (2), a force sensing plate (3), and a supporting plate (4). Temperature sensing plate (2) is arranged atop force sensing plate (3), which is arranged atop supporting plate (4).