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AssigneeAutomated Optics, Inc.
InventorRobert G. Spriggs
Estimating the term…
A method for forming a plurality of optical surfaces on an optical lens precursor, desirably a "soft" contact lens button or blank, to yield a lens adapted for proximate or intimate contact with an eyeball and defined by at least one posterior surface, an edge and at least one anterior surface, is comprised of forming a precision lens precursor, assembling the precursor in a microsurface generating apparatus, ultra-precisely forming the curves or geometry comprising the posterior surface and a portion of the edge to yield a semi-finished lens, blocking the semi-finished lens on an adhesively coated lens block fixture having an ultra-precisely preformed face for intimate precision mating with the posterior surface of the semi-finished lens, reassembling the semi-finished lens/fixture in the microsurface generating apparatus, ultra-precisely forming the curves or geometry comprising the anterior surface and another portion of the edge, and demounting a finished, ultra-precision lens from the blocking fixture. Also disclosed is a fluid-bearing automatic or semi-automatic machine for performing the instant method to ultra-precision, e.g., by computer control.
In a microinch lens surface generator in which a lens surface is generated solely by translating a rotating lens precursor along a first axis while independently translating a cutting tool along a second, orthogonal axis during engagement with the rotating precursor, said first and second axes being located in a plane that is parallel to the rotational axis of the precursor, apparatus for controlling movement of the precursor relative to the tool along their respective axes to thereby generate the lens surface, comprising:
A method for making optical lenses adapted for proximate contact with an eyeball in a machine wherein the lens precursor and the cutting tool are each translated along a respective one of two orthogonal axes while in engagement to thereby generate an optical surface, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.