Method and apparatus for edge contouring lenses
AssigneeDow Corning Corporation
InventorsRichard T. Miller, Yefim P. Sukhman, Lynn C. Welker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for edge contouring and severing a lens such as a contact lens of an elastomeric material such as a silicone elastomer from a workpiece containing the lens. The method most preferably employs two beam focussing means such as laser optics systems situated opposite each other which project a ring-shaped beam of, e.g., 10.6 micron wavelength radiation from a carbon dioxide laser at a workpiece centered between the two beam focussing means. Such a laser beam is preferably directed at both surfaces of a workpiece to fully edge contour and sever a contact lens from the workpiece in a fast and efficient manner.
Claims9
An apparatus for fully contouring the peripheral edge of a lens comprising, in combination;
- (A) a means for holding a workpiece, said workpiece having an anterior and a posterior surface and being a unitary body comprising a lens made of a synthetic polymeric material having a central optical region surrounded by a peripheral region, between
- (B) a first and a second beam focussing means situated opposite each other wherein each of said beam focussing means is capable of projecting a ring-shaped beam of electromagnetic radiation in the direction of one said workpiece surface such that a ring-shaped beam from each of said beam focussing means impinges upon the surface of said workpiece at which the beam is directed in such a position and at such an angle relative to each respective surface that a lens of a preselected diameter having a fully contoured peripheral edge can be obtained, each of said beam focussing means being adapted and positioned to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation from
- (C) at least one electromagnetic radiation generating source which is capable of producing said beam wherein the beam has an appropriate wavelength for the material from which the lens is made and a sufficient level of energy to contour the edge of said lens and sever it from the workpiece after the beam has been converted into a ring-shaped beam of electromagnetic radiation and impinges upon the surfaces of the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.