Marking apparatus for contact lens

Abstract

A marking apparatus for providing desired marks such as characters, symbols, graphics, etc. on surfaces of contact lenses in a standardized manner. The marking apparatus includes a main shaft rotatable about an axis and a screen support mounted on the main shaft so as to be rotated therewith. The screen support has a plurality of marking holes provided at equal intervals around a circumference thereof and a screen is stretched across the support. The screen includes patterns associated with the desired mark which are provided in correspondence with the marking holes. A bracket is mounted on the main shaft under the screen support so as to be rotated with the main shaft. A plurality of supporters are supported by the bracket and function to individually support lens beds on which the lenses are respectively disposed. The supporters are movable up and down between a position where the respective contact lenses mounted on the lens beds are brought into contact with corresponding patterns of the screen and a displaced position where the contact lenses can be mounted on or removed from the supporters. Finally, an injector placed above the screen support applies a print solution to the screen stretched in the corresponding one of the marking holes of the screen support.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.