US 5,578,331 A · Automated apparatus for preparing contact lenses for inspection and packaging

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station. After inspection, the lenses and packages are transported to a water removal assembly, and then to another transfer assembly. This transfer assembly separates those lenses which passed inspection from those which did not, and places those that did in a consolidating assembly. The lenses and packages are then filled with saline solution and a foil label is then sealed thereto to form the primary package.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A robotic device for transferring a plurality of soft contact lenses from a first processing station to a second processing station, said device comprising:

(a) a first frame, said frame having a plurality of first contact lens carriers arranged thereon, each of said carriers having a concave lens holding surface and a contact lens to be transferred, said concave lens holding surface also defining a first fluid means for introducing a fluid between said surface and said lens;
(b) a robotic transfer head, said head facilitating transfer of said lens from said first processing station to said second processing station, said transfer head also having;
(i) a plurality of second contact lens carriers, each of said second carriers defining a convex lens attachment surface to receive a contact lens and a second fluid means for introducing a fluid between said contact lens surface and said convex surface;
(ii) a robotic transport for moving said transfer head from said first processing station to said second processing station;
(c) fluid supply means for supplying at least one fluid to said first and second fluid means;
(d) a second frame, said second frame having a plurality of third contact lens carriers arranged thereon for receiving contact lenses transferred thereto;
(e) a controller for actuating said articulated transport and said fluid supply means to effect transfer of said lenses from said first carrier and from said second carrier.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated apparatus for preparing contact lenses for inspection and packaging

Life of this patent

Automated apparatus for preparing contact lenses for inspection and packaging

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12