Apparatus for spin coating a multifocal lens
AssigneeEssilor of America, Inc.
InventorsHorst Hermann Brytsche, Emanuel Dean Farley, Sidney Shaw White, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for coating a multifocal lens, lens blank, or lens mold is disclosed. The lens, lens blank, or mold is spun about an axis offset from the geometric center thereof. The lens, lens blank, or mold for the lens has at least two focal regions defined by at least one ledge line, and the axis of spinning passes perpendicularly through the ledge line or an extension thereof. Structure is provided to apply a coating, and spinning is continued until the coating is sufficiently dry that it has adhered with little risk of deformation to the coating on the lens, lens blank, or lens mold upon removal or movement.
Claims12
Apparatus for coating a multifocal lens element, comprising:
- means for spinning a lens element for a multifocal lens having on a surface thereof a multifocal ledge line defining a boundary between at least two focal regions of the lens, with said spinning being conducted about an axis substantially coincident with and substantially perpendicular to one of said ledge line and an imaginary line defining an extension of said ledge line, and at a location offset from a geometric center of said lens element;
- and
- means for applying a liquid coating onto said surface of said lens element, so that when said lens element is spun said coating will be distributed throughout said surface as a result of said spinning.
Apparatus for affixing a coating solution to a spinning multifocal lens element, comprising means for spinning said lens, and means for applying said coating to said lens element from a position below said lens element as it is spinning, said coating being applied at least at the axis of rotation of said lens element, and means for drying said coating solution an amount sufficient to have said coating solution physically fixed to said lens element before ceasing the spinning of said lens element.
Apparatus for affixing a coating solution to a spinning multifocal lens element, comprising means for spinning said lens, and means for applying said coating to said lens element as it is spinning, said coating being applied at least at the axis of rotation of said lens element, said axis of rotation being located to result in an eccentric movement of said lens element when spinning, and means for drying said coating solution in amounts sufficient to have said coating solution physically fixed to said lens element before ceasing the spinning of said lens element.
An apparatus for coating a lens, comprising:
- means for spinning a lens in an enclosed chamber;
- and
- means for applying a coating to said lens, from a position below said lens, during said spinning;
- said means for spinning comprising means for holding said lens in said chamber and for closing said chamber from the outside;
- ventilating passages defining a flow path for ventilation for drying said lens at least after coating;
- and
- said means for applying a coating impinging said coating at the spin center of said lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.