Abstract: A packaging arrangement for the containment of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution More specifically, pursuant to the packaging arrangement, a plurality of disposable hydrophilic contact lenses are contained in a specific number of individual packaging arrangements collectively housed in a box-like container or carton so as to provide a specified or essentially measured supply of contact lenses for use by a consumer over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A cover-forming laminated structure interconnecting a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is adapted to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed is an array of such containers which are interconnected by a single laminated multi-layered material constituting a covering label for the containers, wherein the material may be severed intermediate each of the containers along weakening lines formed by micro-perforations provided therein so as to provide a separate packaging arrangement. The material is imprinted over the surface extent thereof covering the plurality of containers with a specific pattern of indicia and legends configured with the intent of thwarting diverters upon separation of any of the packaging arrangements from the array, through visual evidence afforded by an inspection of the printing pattern.

Abstract: A field emission device (10) is made with a lateral emitter (100) substantially parallel to a substrate (20) and with a simplified anode stucture (70). The lateral-emitter field-emission device has a thin-film emitter cathode (100) which has a thickness not exceeding several hundred angstroms and has an emitting blade edge or tip (110) having a small radius of curvature. The anode's top surface is precisely spaced apart from and below the plane of the lateral emitter and receives electrons emitted by field emission from the blade edge or tip of the lateral-emitter cathode, when a suitable bias voltage is applied. A fabrication process is disclosed using process steps (S1-S18) similar to those of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication to produce the novel devices and their arrays. Various embodiments of the fabrication process allow the use of conductive or insulating substrates (20) and allow fabrication of devices having various functions and complexity.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) suitable for lateral illumination lighting installations has a tubular central core (12), wrapped perimetrically with angularly evenly distributed bundles (15) of optical fibers (16) and covered with a transparent sheath (17). The core includes an outer cylindrical surface (14) of reflective material (24) that deflects inwardly directed lateral emissions back outwardly, so they can contribute usefully to the visible light. In manufacture, the bundles are wound about the core by a cabling machine which simultaneously extrudes the sheath about the winding. In a modified embodiment, a cable (10') includes an arcuate cutout (30) that mates with a complementary track (39, 40) of a mounting strip (35). Strip (35) includes a reflective substance in an area (38) between upper and lower cables (10') to present a continuous, top to bottom lateral illumination effect.

Abstract: A lateral-emitter electron field-emission display device structure incorporates a thin-film emitter having an emitting edge and extending into in direct contact with a non-conducting or very high resistivity phosphor, thereby eliminating the gap between the emitter and the phosphor. Such a gap has been a part of all field-emission display devices in the prior art. The ultra-thin-film lateral emitter of the new structure is deposited in a plane parallel to the device's substrate and has an inherently small radius of curvature at its emitting edge. A fabrication process specially adapted to make the new structure includes a directional trench etch, which both defines the emitting edge and provides an opening to receive a non-conducting phosphor. This phosphor covers an anode and is automatically aligned in contact with the emitter edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing a liquid from a container having a bowl and a flange, the bowl holding the liquid and containing a hydrophilic ophthalmic lens, wherein there is provided a nozzle with a central face and a shoulder around the periphery of the face. The shoulder has a sealing means which is sized to fit on the flange of the container, where it forms a sealed volume above the container bowl, this volume including the volume of the bowl itself. The central face has through it at lease one fluid entrance passage and at least one fluid exit passage arranged so that the flow is distributed substantially symmetric about the center axis of the lens. The apparatus includes a lens retainer which resiliently urges the lens into engagement with the bowl so that when the purging fluid is introduced into the sealed volume, there is no migration of the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a presence of a polarization altering substance on a specular surface includes transmitting light to the surface over a transmitting path and receiving the transmitted light from the surface and from the polarization altering substance. An intensity of the light is measured in an optical non-isolator state and in an isolator state. The isolator and non-isolator state measurements are performed either sequentially or simultaneously. A difference in intensity between isolator and non-isolator states indicates an absence of the substance. A sameness in intensity between isolator and non-isolator states indicates a presence of the substance.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for lateral illumination lighting installations has a central core, wrapped perimetrically with angularly distributed bundles of optical fibers and covered with a transparent sheath. In one form, the core includes an outer cylindrical surface of reflective material that deflects inwardly directed lateral emissions back outwardly so they can contribute usefully to the visible light. In another form, the core may be reflective or non-reflective and include material enabling the cable to be bent or formed into various shapes. In still another form, the cable includes in combination an outer channel of opaque material with cutout designs formed in the channel for lateral illumination to shine through. In manufacture, the bundles are wound about the core by a cabling machine which simultaneously extrudes the sheath about the winding. In a modified embodiment, a cable includes an arcuate cutout that mates with a complementary track of a mounting strip.

Abstract: A system combines a galvanometer system with a camera to provide information from a workpiece to the camera. The galvanometer rotates mirrors to change the image that is directed from the workpiece into the camera. The inventive method allows the use of the camera to identify the location of points on the workpiece. Further, the system facilitates the use of the camera to store information about a pattern on a workpiece. Also, the system can be utilized to create a computer aided design file of the surface of a workpiece. The system is utilized in the last two methods to serially store bit by bit information about the workpiece in a memory.

Abstract: A rack for simultaneously storing prisms having varying sizes and shapes, comprising a plurality of clamps for holding the prisms. Each clamp includes a fixed clamping block and an oppositely disposed movable clamping block for enabling the clamp to self-adjust to the size and shape of a prism to be held therein. The clamps are mounted in a frame which includes a clamp supporting cross-member for mounting the clamps to the frame.

Abstract: A support element for a bulb in particular a miniature bulb in a motor vehicle, the support element being of the type including at least one elastically deformable branch for holding and making electrical connection with an end terminal of the bulb and fastening means for fixing the support element to a base. According to the invention said fastening means comprises at least one fixing tab including at least one projecting toe, said fixing tab being suitable for being inserted essentially perpendicularly to a plane of said base in the same direction as is used for installing a bulb on the base, the tab being forced into at least one housing provided in the base in such a manner that the, or each, projecting toe engages in a wall of said housing. The invention is applicable to making lighting devices of glove boxes or rear number plates of motor vehicles.

Abstract: An interactive control system for controlling the automatic packaging of contact lenses in a contact lens fabrication facility, the interactive control system consisting of a first robot device for periodically transferring individual arrays of a first predetermined amount of discrete contact lens packages each containing a contact lens therein from a first station to an intermediate conveyor where the individual arrays are conveyed to a second station, and a controller for initiating a time stamp for each individual array transferred from the first station and determining elapsed time data for each individual array and for generating position status data indicating a good array or a bad array of defective lenses for each individual array as it is conveyed to the second station, the controller shifting the elapsed time data and position status data for each individual array as it is conveyed on the intermediate conveyor for transfer to the second station.

Abstract: In all-optical networks, optical switching and routing become the most important issues for interconnecting the transport network layers. This invention describes a novel tunable optical add/drop filter for the all-optical wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) network applications. This filter can add or drop part of the high transmission capacity signals of a WDM link. It can be used to decentralized access point in the access network or as small core network node to realizing branching points in the network topology. It works in both wavelength and space domains. It has the advantages of: 1) High throughput and low voltage operation; 2) Wide tuning range and therefore, high channel capacity; 3) High isolation and high directivity between input and output ports; 4) Compact device packaging is possible as compares to the conventional grating and mechanical switching type of add/drop filter; 5) Multiple ports add/drop tunable filters can be realized with this invention to interconnect multiple WDM networks.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided to efficiently use 3-D vision systems to measure selected features, of objects that are semi-constrained in compartmented trays having a uniform geometric arrangement. The methods are particularly well suited for optimizing the 3-D measurement of leads on integrated circuit devices which are packaged in trays. For obtaining the three-dimensional data, a multi-pocketed tray can be provided with tray pockets arranged in rows and columns, and corresponding sides of the multiple parts or devices in a row or column are scanned sequentially with at least one three dimensional sensor. This scanning procedure is repeated for all rows and columns containing sides of the devices from which data is to be obtained. The devices can be first aligned by applying directional vibration to the tray to drive all the parts or devices to the same corner or side of the respective pockets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding contact lenses by curing polymerizable compositions in suitably dimensioned molds using ultraviolet or other polymerization-inducing radiation and heat. The molds are moved along a source of radiation such that the intensity of the radiation to which the composition is exposed rises and falls several times, thereby achieving superior results by balancing the initiation and the propagation of the polymerization.

Abstract: The table assembly comprises a first longitudinally grooved and elongated supporting member disposed substantially vertically. A mounting device removably connects the first supporting member to a fixed structure. A second longitudinally grooved and elongated supporting member is disposed substantially horizontally and bears a table plate at its distal end. The first and the second supporting member are connected together by a brace member. A first locking device is provided between the brace member and the first supporting member for locking the brace member on the first supporting member. A second locking device is provided between the second supporting member and the brace member for locking the second supporting member in the brace member at a selected height. The table assembly is easily adjustable in a wide range of positions and foldable away for storage. It is particularly well adapted for use on locations where space is limited, such as balconies, patios, decks, verandas, mobile homes, boats, etc.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: An indicating display for a motor vehicle has an optical collimating element associated with a support element carrying an array of electroluminescent diodes. The collimating element has a rear face which is engaged by the electroluminescent diodes and which is formed in steps into which through holes, each associated with a respective diode, are open.

Abstract: A method and apparatus releasably secure mold pieces used to mold an artificial eye lens, for example a hydrophilic contact lens. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic welding system to provide directed energy, modified so that the output horn is convex to extend within the outer concave portion of one of the mold pieces and has a shoulder to rest upon the flange of the one piece thereby centering it. The method applies directed energy, such as ultrasonic vibrations, through the energy emitter horn to soften or melt then fuse the mating peripheral edge portion of the lens mold pieces.

Abstract: A single castable ophthalmic lens polishing lap includes a mounting plate that is adapted for connection to a lap press/cylinder machine and includes a flexible membrane that is affixed to the mounting plate and filled with castable material. A polishing pad is affixed to the flexible membrane. The lap is cast by first applying energy to the castable material that causes it to soften, and to preferably change to a fluid phase, and then pressing the lap against the rough cut back surface of a lens. This causes the castable material to deform so that the lap's curvature is complementary to the lens' prescription curvature. Energy is then removed from the lap so that the castable material solidifies in the desired shape. After polishing, the lap can be recast with another lens having a different prescription.