Method for polishing silicone products
AssigneeNestle S.A.
InventorDouglas J. Nelson
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Abstract
A method for polishing articles manufactured from silicone rubber or silicone elastomers is disclosed. This method includes tumble-polishing in a receptacle charged with polishing objects, an alcohol solvent, and silicone articles for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities and produce the desired finish and/or improve the optical transparency of the silicone articles. This method is particularly useful in the polishing of biomedical articles such as intraocular or soft contact lenses, tips of cannulae, and articles such as O-rings for precision mechanical devices.
Claims23
A method of polishing shaped silicone articles comprising the steps of:
- a) charging a receptacle with a mixture of non-abrasive polishing beads, a solvent which permits polishing action without abrading the surface of the silicone article, and a plurality of shaped silicone articles;
- and
- b) agitating the contents of the receptacle for a time sufficient for the polishing objects and solvent to remove surface irregularities from the silicone articles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.