Abstract: An apparatus for wetting and coating ophthalmic lenses having a tank with a cleaning or coating solution and a handling system for sequentially moving a lens and the solution in relation to each other, to wet the lens. A master control module is coupled to the handling system and configured execution a wetting profile. The wetting profile moves the lens to obtain a generally consistent lens surface wetting speed so that the lens coating has a more uniform thickness. According to a method, lenses are wetted in a liquid bath. The lens is placed in a handling system which moves the lens with respect to the bath according to a wetting profile. The wetting profile is based on the incremental vertical lens surface slope with respect to the surface of the solution.

Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.

Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.

Abstract: A hardware configuration and related method for performing a coining-type injection compression operation. The invention is useful in molding lenses since lenses have different thicknesses at various points. The equipment maintains the mold in a closed position during the entire molding cycle. A two part standoff post is designed to provide for slight axial compression during high injection pressure. The standoff post also provides a convenient mounting surface near the parting line to install inserts at various heights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the performance of rimless spectacle lenses. An abrasive wire is provided for polishing bore holes which are drilled in lenses. The abrasive wire includes a wire substrate with abrasive particles embedded along its length. The wire and particles are dimensioned for threading through the bore hole and allowing space to perform a soft-filing operation. By polishing the micro cracks formed during drilling, propagation leading to lens failure which arises from spectacle use can be reduced.

Abstract: A hardware configuration and related method for straight injection molding of ophthalmic lenses using thermal control fluid circulating within a closed channel located interior of the insert. The channel is closed by a no-leak valve. The adjusting body is equipped with a mating no leak valve. The valves seal over an operational distance L before the valves are opened to admit the thermal circulating fluid into the insert. The insert can be easily changed or shimmed without leaking and without having to change the insert configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for wetting and coating ophthalmic lenses having a tank with a cleaning or coating solution and a handling system for sequentially moving a lens and the solution in relation to each other, to wet the lens. A master control module is coupled to the handling system and configured execution a wetting profile. The wetting profile moves the lens to obtain a generally consistent lens surface wetting speed so that the lens coating has a more uniform thickness. According to a method, lenses are wetted in a liquid bath. The lens is placed in a handling system which moves the lens with respect to the bath according to a wetting profile.

Abstract: A method of making a concave aspheric mold insert by electroplating nickel over a silver release agent coating on an aspheric surface formed in a copper substrate to form a master having a convex surface which is a negative image of the aspheric surface. After the master has been separated from the substrate its convex surface is coated with a silver release agent and electroplated with nickel to form an element having a concave surface which is a replication of the aspheric surface and the opposite surface of which is convex. After the convex surface of the element has been trued to spherical shape, a slightly oversize spherical D-seg is formed in the aspheric surface. The aspheric surface is then trued to reduce the D-seg to final size to produce the insert. A number of elements are formed from the master and are provided with D-segs of different radii.

Abstract: An insert for molding the convex surface of a progressive lens, the insert having an annular shoulder or flat disposed to the rear of the front edge of the concave surface of the insert. The periphery of the insert includes a first cylindrical surface axially extending rearwardly from the front surface of the insert and a second cylindrical surface of larger diameter axially extending forwardly from the rear surface of the insert. The two cylindrical surfaces are joined by the radially extending shoulder. A retainer for the insert is provided with two axially displaced bores of respective diameters slightly greater than those of the two cylindrical surfaces of the insert. Positioned between the bores is a radially extending annular shoulder or flat.

Abstract: Safety spectacles comprising a front and pivotally attached temples adapted to extend rearwardly from the front. Each temple has a portion recessed inwardly relative to an adjacent portion of the front to form a passage to the region behind the front for ventilation. The recessed temple portions extend forwardly of the rear edges of the front so as to overlap the adjacent portions of the front and thereby increase the degree of protection to the wearer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a plurality of articles having various masses and shapes wherein a parison mass is injected at constant back pressure through a time controlled valve from a supply of molten molding material at predetermined temperature and pressure. The articles are compression molded at predetermined pressures in accordance with their shapes or masses. The variable compression pressures are provided in one embodiment by similar actuators which are unequally excited; and in another embodiment an actuator is coupled to a mold cavity by a machine having a variable mechanical advantage. The actuators are pivotally mounted. A series of lenses including negative powers is particularly contemplated.