Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprises a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted to a least one support, and a flexible sheet, having a hole, that coils or uncoils around the spools in response to their rotation. A cartridge with a hole and a means for releasably holding a package is attached to the flexible sheet, and the hole of the flexible sheet and the hole of the cartridge are aligned to permit an object to pass therethrough. A pushing means, between said first spool and said second spool, extends a pushing member through the hole of the flexible sheet and the hole of the cartridge. A scanning means moves in response to an electrical or mechanical signal between said first spool and said second spool.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprises a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted to a least one support, and a flexible sheet, having a hole, that coils or uncoils around the spools in response to their rotation. A cartridge with a hole and a means for releasably holding a package is attached to the flexible sheet, and the hole of the flexible sheet and the hole of the cartridge are aligned to permit an object to pass therethrough. A pushing means, between said first spool and said second spool, extends a pushing member through the hole of the flexible sheet and the hole of the cartridge. A scanning means moves in response to an electrical or mechanical signal between said first spool and said second spool.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprises a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted to a least one support. Each of a plurality of cartridges has a back wall, two side walls, and an attachment means to couple each cartridge to another cartridge. The back wall comprises at least two holes, and each side wall comprises a means for releasably holding a package. A plurality of cartridges attached to each other comprises a first end and a second end, with the first end attached to the first spool, and the second end attached to the second spool. When the first or second spool rotates, the plurality of cartridges coils around the first or second spool. A pushing means extends a pushing member through a hole, and a scanning means moves in response to an electrical or mechanical signal between said first spool and said second spool.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages having a pushing means and methods of its use are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages. A plurality of ophthalmic lens packages are loaded into the apparatus and the apparatus determines an identity of each ophthalmic lens package. A housing stores the ophthalmic lens packages and records a location and identity of each of the lens packages and dispenses a particular ophthalmic lens package.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages and methods of its use are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages and methods of its use are described herein.

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: An apparatus for the sterilization and secondary packaging into cartons storing arrays of blister packages, each of which contains at least one hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed in an apparatus adapted to provide for arrays of blister packages which are transported within trays supported on racks. These racks are transported to a sterilization chamber for sterilizing the arrays of blister packages, and from which the sterilized arrays of blister packages are then transported to a locale for implementing the pairing thereof and the secondary packaging into sealable cartons. Also disclosed is a method of sterilizing and implementing the secondary packaging into cartons of predetermined quantities of arrays of blister packages, each of which contains a hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution, so as to provide a sterile environment for the arrays of blister packages.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and transporting ophthalmic lens mold sections from a mold, and generally comprising first, second, and third assemblies. The first assembly removes the lens mold sections from the mold and transports the lens mold sections to a first location, the second assembly receives the lens mold sections from the first assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a second location, and the third assembly receives the lens mold sections from the second assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a third location. Preferably, the first assembly includes a hand to receive the lens mold sections from the mold and to releasably hold the lens mold sections, and a support subassembly connected to the hand to support the hand and to move the hand between the mold and the first location.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for controlling the automatic packaging of contact lenses in a contact lens fabrication facility includes: a first robotic transfer device for periodically transferring a first predetermined amount of individual packages from an inspection station to an intermediate consolidation buffer and depositing the packages on the consolidation buffer; a control device for tracking and identifying each individual contact lens conveyed from the inspection station to the consolidation buffer and including memory and logic circuits for storing the identity of individual packages containing contact lenses that have been previously determined at the inspection station as being out of specification, and, generating a signal to enable the first robotic device to discard any individual package identified as out of specification; and, a second robotic assembly for periodically transferring a second predetermined amount of individual packages from the consolidation buffer to a second processing station, th

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

Abstract: A computer control system for optimizing process parameters in an automated production line for producing contact lenses. The system comprises a plurality of process controllers for controlling one or more process stations of the production line, each of the controllers regulating a plurality of process control devices that each control specific production parameters used in the automated manufacture of contact lenses at the process station(s). An automated lens inspection device automatically evaluates each contact lens produced and generates inspection data for each contact lens, and a polling device polls each of the process controllers on a frequent basis to acquire process control data for each period. Further included is a correlating device for correlating the inspection data to the process control data and the contact lens data to optimize process parameters used in the production of contact lenses.