Axis control in toric contact lens production
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
InventorsLeslie A. Voss, Edward R. Kernick, James R. White, Stephen C. Pegram, Donnie J. Duis
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Abstract
The invention provides methods of manufacturing toric lenses, apparatuses useful in the method of the invention, and lenses produced according to the method in which method the position of one mold half in relation to its complementary mold half is more precisely controlled so that tilting and rotation of the mold halves in relation to each other is substantially eliminated.
Claims13
A method for manufacturing toric contact lenses, comprising the step of holding each of a first and second mold half in a controlled alignment so that tilt and rotation of the mold halves with respect to each other is substantially eliminated.
An apparatus for controlling alignment of a first and second mold half in relation to each other, comprising:
- a.) a pallet having a base, a top surface and four sidewalls therebetween;
- b.) a plurality if front curve supports, each support comprising a curved wall and ledge extending radially therearound, wherein the curved wall is of a size and a shape suitable to receive a front curve mold half therein, the ledge is of a size and a shape suitable to support a flange of the mold half, and the support substantially prevents the rotation and tilting of the front curve mold half,
- c.) a plurality of risers arising upwardly from the pallet top surface, each riser comprising a top surface, sidewalls and a plurality of tab orientation channels sized and shaped for receiving a mold half so that tilting and rotation of the mold half is substantially eliminated.
A mold assembly, comprising:
- a.) a first and second mold half, and
- b.) an apparatus for controlling alignment of first and second mold halves in relation to each other, the apparatus comprising:
- (i.) a pallet having a base, a top surface and four sidewalls therebetween;
- (ii.) a plurality if front curve supports, each support comprising a curved wall and ledge extending radially therearound, wherein the curved wall is of a size and a shape suitable to receive a front curve mold half therein, the ledge is of a size and a shape suitable to support a flange of the mold half, and the support substantially prevents the rotation and tilting of the front curve mold half;
- (iii.) a plurality of risers arising upwardly from the pallet top surface, each riser comprising a top surface, sidewalls and a plurality of tab orientation channels sized and shaped for receiving a mold half so that tilting and rotation of the mold half is substantially eliminated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.