Holder for mold assemblies with indicia

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to eyeglass lenses. More particularly, the invention relates to a lens forming composition, system and method for making photochromic, ultraviolet/visible light absorbing, and colored plastic lenses by curing the lens forming composition using activating light.

#2. Description of the Relevant Art

#The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the methods and apparatus of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a plastic lens forming apparatus;

#FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a spin coating unit;

#Apparatus, operating procedures, equipment, systems, methods, and compositions for lens curing using activating light are available from Optical Dynamics Corporation in Louisville, Ky.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a plastic lens curing apparatus is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 1, lens forming apparatus 10 includes at least one coating unit 20, a lens curing unit 30, a post-cure unit 40, and a controller 50. In one embodiment, apparatus 10 includes two coating units 20. Coating unit 20 may be configured to apply a coating layer to a mold member or a lens. Coating unit 20 may be a spin coating unit. Lens curing unit 30 includes an activating light source for producing activating light. As used herein “activating light” means light that may affect a chemical change. Activating light may include ultraviolet light (e.g., light having a wavelength between about 300 nm to about 400 nm), actinic light, visible light or infrared light. Generally, any wavelength of light capable of affecting a chemical change may be classified as activating. Chemical changes may be manifested in a number of forms. A chemical change may include, but is not limited to, any chemical reaction that causes a polymerization to take place. In some embodiments the chemical change causes the formation of an initiator species within the lens forming composition, the initiator species being capable of initiating a chemical polymerization reaction. The activating light source may be configured to direct light toward a mold assembly. Post-cure unit 40 may be configured to complete the polymerization of plastic lenses. Post-cure unit 40 may include an activating light source and a heat source. Controller 50 may be a programmable logic controller. Controller 50 may be coupled to coating units 20, lens curing unit 30, and post-cure unit 40, such that the controller is capable of substantially simultaneously operating the three units 20, 30, and 40. Controller 50 may be a computer.

#A coating unit for applying a coating composition to a lens or a mold member and then curing the coating composition is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,102 to Kachel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,326 to Upton, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,214 to Joel et al. (all of which are incorporated herein by reference). In addition, the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may also be used to apply coatings to lenses or mold members.