Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Luetke

Stephen C. Luetke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6367928
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6368523
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Publication number: 20020018824
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel
  • Publication number: 20020006452
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Optical Dynamics Corp.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel
  • Publication number: 20010048002
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The appaus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming compositon may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Optical Dynamics Corp.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel
  • Publication number: 20010047217
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Optical Dynamics Corp.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel
  • Publication number: 20010038890
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic conning polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers, Matthew C. Lattis, Larry H. Joel
  • Patent number: 6241505
    Abstract: System for making a plastic lens is provided. More particularly, a system for applying alternating periods of ultraviolet light to a lens forming composition is described. The lens forming composition is cured while controlling the rate of heat generation and/or dissipation via manipulation of the duration of the ultraviolet light or the cooling in the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is preferably directed toward the lens forming composition which is disposed in a mold cavity formed by two mold members. The ultraviolet light may be directed in pulses or continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6200124
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a plastic lens is described. More particularly, an apparatus for applying alternating periods of ultraviolet light to a lens forming composition is described. The lens forming composition is cured while the rate of heat generation and/or dissipation is controlled via manipulation of the duration of the ultraviolet light or the cooling in the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is preferably directed toward the lens forming composition which is disposed in a mold cavity formed by two mold members. The ultraviolet light may be directed in pulses or continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Q1200
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6174465
    Abstract: Method for making a plastic lens is provided. More particularly, a method for applying alternating periods of ultraviolet light to a lens forming composition is described. The lens forming composition is cured while controlling the rate of heat generation and/or dissipation via manipulation of the duration of the ultraviolet light or the cooling in the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is preferably directed toward the lens forming composition which is disposed in a mold cavity formed by two mold members. The ultraviolet light may be directed in pulses or continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6174155
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6171528
    Abstract: Method for making a plastic lens is provided. More particularly, a method for applying alternating periods of ultraviolet light to a lens forming composition is described. The lens forming composition is cured while controlling the rate of heat generation and/or dissipation via manipulation of the duration of the ultraviolet light or the cooling in the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is preferably directed toward the lens forming composition which is disposed in a mold cavity formed by two mold members. The ultraviolet light may be directed in pulses or continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6086799
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for making and coating a plastic lens. Oxygen barrier containing photoinitiator is used to cure incompletely cured lens portions. Radiation pulses are used to control lens curing rate. Lens is postcured while in a mold cavity using a conductive heat source. Air may be directed toward the mold cavity to help remove heat from the lens. An in-mold scratch resistant coating may be formed from two separate material which both contain a photoinitiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6022498
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for making [and coating] a plastic lens is provided. [Oxygen barrier containing photoinitiator is used to cure incompletely cured lens portions. Radiation pulses are used to control lens curing rate. Lens is postcured while in a mold cavity using a conductive heat source.] More particularly, the invention relates to applying alternating periods of ultraviolet light to lens forming composition. Such composition is cured while controlling the rate of heat generation and/or dissipation via manipulation of the duration of the radiation or the cooling in the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is directed toward the lens forming composition which is preferably disposed in a mold cavity formed by two mold members. The ultraviolet light may be directed in pulses or continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 5989462
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Galen R. Powers
  • Patent number: 5529728
    Abstract: Method, apparatus and composition for making and coating a plastic lens. The method includes disposing a liquid composition and a photosensitive initiator into a mold cavity and directing ultraviolet light to act on the lens forming material in the cavity to produce a lens therefrom. An improved postcure process and scratch resistant coating process is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, Larry H. Joel
  • Patent number: 5516468
    Abstract: The method includes disposing a liquid monomer or a monomer mixture and a photosensitive initiator into a mold cavity defined by mold members and directing ultraviolet light to act on the lens forming material in the cavity to produce a lens therefrom. The mold members are cooled by air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Thornton Lipscomb, Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, John J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5415816
    Abstract: Method, for making a plastic lens. The method includes disposing a liquid monomer or a monomer mixture and a photosensitive initiator into a mold cavity and directing ultraviolet light to act on the lens forming material in the cavity to produce a lens therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Q2100, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar M. Buazza, N. Thornton Lipscomb, Stephen C. Luetke, John J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5364256
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a plastic lens. Mold members are spaced apart to define a mold cavity. Ultraviolet light is directed through a filter and against at least one of the mold members. The mold members are cooled by air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Ophthalmic Research Group International, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Thornton Lipscomb, Omar M. Buazza, Stephen C. Luetke, John J. Robinson