Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of printing contact lens molds in an inert atmosphere for use in manufacturing tinted contact lenses. Disclosed herein are inert atmosphere chambers and isolation shutters that are capable of quickly opening and closing to permit printing of contact lens molds in such a fashion that prevents migration and entrainment of air into the inert atmosphere chamber. Contact lens mold printing systems are also disclosed that are useful for printing contact lens molds in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the inspection of ophthalmic lenses, using at least two different machine vision inspection techniques in the manufacturing process for said ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the presence of a lens in a transparent package. The method comprises the steps of moving the package into an inspection position, and conducting a light beam through the package and onto an image plane to form an image of the package on the image plane. The method further comprises the steps of generating a set of signals representing the image on the image plane, and analyzing those signals to determine whether a lens is present in the package. This analyzing step, in turn, includes the steps of searching the package image for images of discrete objects; and for each object image found in the package image, identifying values for a plurality of parameters, and analyzing those identified values according to a predetermined procedure to identify the object as a lens or as not a lens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for partially polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.

Abstract: An automated method for high speed production rates in the hydration of soft contact lenses. The method includes the use of robotic transfer equipment to transfer contact lens molds containing contact lenses to and from a hydration station and a flushing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming contact lenses, wherein front curve mold halves are filled with a hardenable transparent material, such as a polymerizable hydrogel, and back curve mold halves are coupled to the front curve, therein forming a lens. More particularly, the apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting pallets of mold halves to the apparatus, an array of piston structures for raising and aligning the back curves with respect to the filled front curve halves, a mechanism for reciprocating the piston array to couple pairs of front and back curves, and a vacuum chamber for maintaining a vacuum around the curves during coupling. In addition, there is provided individual spring biasing to each reciprocating element whereby sensitivity to thickness variations and pallet misfeeds may be minimized. Further, there is provided a vacuum sleeve, through which the pistons reciprocate within the vacuum chamber, which sleeve preserves the vacuum within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling and assembling mold parts for a contact lens includes a first automated station for receiving a plurality of front curve contact lens mold parts and depositing in each front curve mold a predetermined amount of a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture, and, a second automated station for receiving the plurality of front curve mold parts and assembling each front curve mold part with a back curve mold part under vacuum to prevent entrapment of gas between the mold parts. The front curve mold parts are transported to the first and to the second automated stations by a pallet having registration guides that cooperate with the second station to register the pallet prior to assembly of the mold parts.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the presence of a lens in a transparent package. The method comprises the steps of moving the package into an inspection position, and conducting a light beam through the package and onto an image plane to form an image of the package on the image plane. The method further comprises the steps of generating a set of signals representing the image on the image plane, and analyzing those signals to determine whether a lens is present in the package. This analyzing step, in turn, includes the steps of searching the package image for images of discrete objects; and for each object image found in the package image, identifying values for a plurality of parameters, and analyzing those identified values according to a predetermined procedure to identify the object as a lens or as not a lens.