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US 7,625,197 B2Granted
Devices and processes for performing degassing operations
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
InventorsDonnie J. Duis, Stephen R. Beaton, David C. Byram, Gregory Scott Duncan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.
Claims23
A canister for degassing a mold piece;
- comprising:
- a substantially hollow body defining an internal volume;
- a first and a second end portion secured to opposing ends of the body and further defining the internal volume, the first end portion having an opening formed therein for providing access to the internal volume so that the mold piece can be inserted into and removed from the internal volume;
- a lid capable of being secured to the first end portion on a selective basis for covering the opening;
- at least one of a needle valve for allowing gaseous fluid to be introduced into and evacuated from the internal volume, and a membrane in fluid communication with the internal volume so that the membrane can provide an indication of a pressure differential between the internal volume and an ambient environment around the canister;
- and a mating structure on an end portion configured to removably mate to a container wherein said canister forms a sealed interface therewith when mated.
3 more elements
A device for degassing an object, comprising:
- a substantially tubular first portion having an interior for receiving the object;
- a second portion covering a first end of the first portion;
- a third portion covering a second end of the first portion, the third portion having an opening formed therein for facilitating insertion and removal of the object into and out of the interior of the first portion;
- a valve for placing the interior of the first portion in fluid communication with at least one of a vacuum source and a source of gaseous fluid;
- and
- a pressure indicator responsive to a pressure differential between the interior and an exterior of the first portion
- and a mating structure on an end portion configured to removably mate to a container wherein said canister forms a sealed interface therewith when mated.
4 more elements
A system for performing degassing operations, comprising:
- a canister having an internal volume for holding a solid object to be degassed, the internal volume capable of being sealed on a selective basis and a mating structure on an end portion configured to removably mate to a container wherein said canister forms a sealed interface therewith when mated;
- a controller comprising a processor;
- and
- a valve communicatively coupled to the controller for selectively placing the internal volume in fluid communication with at least one of a source of a gaseous fluid suitable for use in degassing, and a vacuum source, in response to an input from the controller.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.