# US 5,343,657 A · Method and apparatus for masking removable optical lens markings during lens grinding > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,343,657 A - Document ID: US5343657A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/947,706 - Filed: 1992-09-18 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1992-09-18 - Assignees: Venture Tape Corp. - Inventors: John R. Ohlin, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5343657A ## CPC - B24B 13/0057: {Deblocking of lenses} - B24B 13/0055: {Positioning of lenses; Marking of lenses} - B29D 11/00942: {where the lens material is mounted in a support for mounting onto a cutting device, e.g. a lathe, and where the support is of machinable material, e.g. plastics} - Y10T 428/161: with frame, casing, or perimeter structure - Y10T 428/162: Transparent or translucent layer or section - Y10T 428/18: Longitudinally sectional layer of three or more sections - Y10T 428/24025: Superposed movable attached layers or components - Y10T 428/28: Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer - Y10T 428/2839: with release or antistick coating - Y10T 428/8305: Miscellaneous [e.g., treated surfaces, etc.] - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method and apparatus for protecting removable markings on an optical lens during grinding thereof to a desired prescription. A mask is placed over the markings prior to application of an adhesive tape, to which a low temperature alloy block is bonded for holding of the lens during grinding. The mask preferably covers only the markings, and is transparent to allow alignment thereof. Preferably the mask is held in place on the lens surface without the use of an adhesive, although a low tack adhesive may be used which does not remove the markings when the mask is peeled away from the lens. A preferred material for the mask is a static cling vinyl. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of preparing prescription eyeglass lenses having removable markings on one surface thereof, the one surface having an outer edge defining a perimeter of the one surface, said method comprising the steps of: placing a mask over the markings on the one surface of the lens, the mask covering an area which is less than a total area of the one surface of the lens, said mask not extending beyond the perimeter of the one surface of the lens; removably adhering a second layer of material to the one surface of the lens, the second layer of material completely covering the mask; securing to the second layer of material a member adapted for grasping and holding the lens, the member contacting only the second layer of material and not the mask; grinding the lens to a desired prescription while grasping the member in a grinding machine; removing the member; removing the mask and the second layer of material from the one surface of the lens; and aligning the lens in its desired frame using the markings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said placing step includes the step of covering with the mask only portions of the one surface of the lens which contain the markings and not covering portions of the one surface of the lens which contain no markings. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mask is nonadhesively secured to the one surface of the lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second layer of material is adhesively secured to the one surface of the lens. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step, prior to said placing step, of aligning markings on the mask with the markings on the one surface of the lens. ### Claim 6 A structure secured to an optical lens which is adapted to be grasped for holding of the lens during grinding thereof to a desired prescription, the lens having two generally parallel, opposed faces, a first one of the faces having removable markings thereon for alignment and having an outer edge defining a perimeter of the first face, the second one of the faces being exposed for grinding thereof, said structure comprising: a mask covering the markings on the first face of the lens, said mask not extending beyond the perimeter of the first face of the lens; a second layer of material adhesively secured to the first face of the lens and completely covering said mask; and a rigid member removably bonded to said second layer of material, said rigid member being in engagement only with said second layer of material and not in engagement at any point with said mask. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said mask is transparent. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said mask has markings thereon which can be aligned with the markings on the first face of the lens. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said mask comprises a visually observable band extending around an outer perimeter thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said mask is removably secured to the first face of the lens without the use of adhesives. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 further comprising a layer of a low tack adhesive disposed between said mask and the first face of the lens. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said mask has a shape which conforms to the orientation and shape of the markings on the first face of the lens. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The structure as recited in claim 12 wherein said mask has the shape of a cross. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said second layer of material comprises a layer of a plastic, stretchable adhesive tape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The structure as recited in claim 10 wherein said mask is formed of a static cling vinyl. ### Claim 16 A structure adapted to be removably secured to one face of an optical lens having removable markings thereon, the one face having an outer edge defining a perimeter, the structure being adapted to be grasped for holding the lens in a desired position during grinding of a second face of the lens disposed on a side of the lens opposite of the one face of the lens, said structure comprising: a transparent, non-adhesive mask covering the markings on the one face of the lens, said mask not covering at least some portions of the one face of the lens not having markings thereon, said mask not extending beyond the perimeter of the one face of the lens; a layer of adhesive tape secured on one side thereof to the one face of the lens and completely covering said mask; and a block bonded to an outwardly facing side of said adhesive tape opposite of the one side of said adhesive tape, said block engaging said layer of adhesive tape and not said mask.