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US 9,193,119 B2Granted
Systems and methods for the production of contact lenses
AssigneeMenicon Singapore Pte Ltd.
InventorStephen D. Newman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for spin casting lenses includes a rotatable tube, the rotatable tube defining a longitudinal cavity, wherein the longitudinal cavity is configured to receive molds. According to one exemplary embodiment, the rotatable tube is made of metal and includes a plurality of apertures configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation.
Claims17
A method of centrifugally casting a lens, comprising:
- providing a first rotatable tube having a first end and a second end connected by a longitudinal outside surface that defines an interior longitudinal cavity configured to receive at least one contact lens mold;
- introducing at least one mold into the internal longitudinal cavity of the first rotatable tube, the at least one mold containing a polymerizable liquid;
- at least partially curing the polymerizable liquid in the first rotatable tube via actinic radiation while rotating the tube;
- wherein the first rotatable tube includes at least one portion defining at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture extends from the interior longitudinal cavity to the longitudinal outside surface of the first rotatable tube, and the at least one aperture is configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation into the interior longitudinal cavity during rotation of the tube, said at least one portion being at least partially made of material that is opaque to actinic radiation.
1 more element
A method of centrifugally casting a lens, comprising:
- providing a first rotatable tube having a first end and a second end connected by a longitudinal outside surface that defines an interior longitudinal cavity configured to receive at least one contact lens mold;
- introducing at least one mold into the internal longitudinal cavity of the first rotatable tube, the at least one mold containing a polymerizable liquid;
- at least partially curing the polymerizable liquid in the first rotatable tube via actinic radiation while rotating the tube;
- wherein the first rotatable tube includes at least one portion defining at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture extends from the interior longitudinal cavity to the longitudinal outside surface of the first rotatable tube, and the at least one aperture is configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation into the interior longitudinal cavity during rotation of the tube, said at least one portion being at least partially made of a metal.
1 more element
A method of centrifugally casting a lens, comprising:
- providing a first rotatable tube having a first end and a second end connected by a longitudinal outside surface that defines an interior longitudinal cavity configured to receive at least one contact lens mold;
- introducing at least one mold into the internal longitudinal cavity of the first rotatable tube, the at least one mold containing a polymerizable liquid;
- at least partially curing the polymerizable liquid in the first rotatable tube while rotating the tube;
- wherein the first rotatable tube includes at least one portion defining at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture extends from the interior longitudinal cavity to the longitudinal outside surface of the first rotatable tube, and the at least one aperture is configured to permit the transmission of actinic radiation into the interior longitudinal cavity during rotation of the tube, said at least one portion being at least partially made of a material that is opaque to actinic radiation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.