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US 6,086,799 AGranted
Methods and apparatus for eyeglass lens curing using ultraviolet light and improved cooling
AssigneeQ2100, Inc.
InventorsOmar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for making and coating a plastic lens. Oxygen barrier containing photoinitiator is used to cure incompletely cured lens portions. Radiation pulses are used to control lens curing rate. Lens is postcured while in a mold cavity using a conductive heat source. Air may be directed toward the mold cavity to help remove heat from the lens. An in-mold scratch resistant coating may be formed from two separate material which both contain a photoinitiator.
Claims47
A system for making an eyeglass lens, comprising:
- a first mold member having a casting face and a non-casting face;
- a second mold member having a casting face and a non-casting face, the second mold member spaced apart from the first mold member during use such that the casting faces of the first mold member and the second mold member at least partially define a mold cavity;
- a first light generator configured to generate and direct ultraviolet light against at least one of the first and second mold members during use;
- a first distributor configured to direct air toward the non-casting face of at least one of the mold members during use;
- a solid-state thermoelectric cooling system configured to cool the air, the thermoelectric cooling system comprising a first thermoelectric module;
- and
- a first blower proximate the mold cavity, wherein the first blower is configured to direct a portion of air cooled by the solid-state thermoelectric cooling system toward the mold cavity, and wherein the first blower is configured to receive a portion of effluent air that has contacted the non-casting face of at least one of the mold members and to recycle the portion of air to the distributor.
4 more elements
A method for making an eyeglass lens, comprising:
- placing a liquid, polymerizable lens forming composition in a mold cavity defined at least partially by a first mold member and a second mold member, the first and second mold members each comprising a casting face and a non-casting face, the lens forming composition comprising a photoinitiator;
- directing ultraviolet light toward the lens forming composition through at least one of the mold members to form a substantially clear eyeglass lens;
- substantially simultaneously with the step of directing ultraviolet light toward the lens forming composition, directing air toward at least one of the non-casting faces of the first and second mold members to remove heat from the lens forming composition;
- and
- cooling the air to a temperature below ambient temperature in a thermoelectric cooling system, the thermoelectric cooling system comprising a first thermoelectric module.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.