Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include one or more lens curing units and a mold assembly. At least one lens curing unit may include a heating system. One or more computer systems may be coupled to one or more lens curing units. At least one computer system may receive prescription information for the eyeglass lens. At least one computer may control at least one lens curing unit in response to the prescription information. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly to, through or from the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an annealing unit, an air distributor and/or filters.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of a system may include a mold assembly, a lens curing apparatus, a mold filling apparatus and/or a controller.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may prepare greater than about 25 eyeglasses lenses per hour.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include one or more lens curing units and a mold assembly. At least one lens curing unit may include a heating system. The apparatus may include a computer system. The computer may be configured to turn on components of one or more lens curing units. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly to, through or from the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an annealing unit, an air distributor and/or filters.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of a system may include a lens curing apparatus, a mold assembly and a controller. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the lens curing units. The controller may include controller software operable to receive an eyeglass prescription, identify the first and second mold members that will produce an eyeglass lens having the eyeglass prescription and/or determine curing conditions.

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.

Abstract: A mold assembly holder is described that will facilitate the positioning and the conveyance of mold assemblies. The mold assembly holder includes at least one, preferably two, portions configured to hold a mold assembly. In one embodiment, the portions are indentations machined into a plastic or metal block that is configured to hold a standard mold assembly. The mold assembly may be placed in the indentation.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a heated polymerizable lens forming composition is described. The dispensing system includes a body configured to hold the lens forming composition, a heating system coupled to the body for heating the monomer solution, and a valve positioned proximate an outlet of the body for controlling the flow of the lens forming composition out of the body.

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.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include ones or more lens curing units, a mold assembly, and/or a mold holder.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include ones or more lens curing units, a mold assembly and a conveyor system. In some embodiments, the conveyor system may include a controller. In other embodiments, at least one lens curing unit may include a sensor configured to communicate with the controller.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include ones or more lens curing units, a mold assembly and mold assembly holders. At least one lens curing unit may include a heating system. The mold assembly holders, in some embodiments, may be colored. The apparatus may include a conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the apparatus.

Abstract: An annular gasket may be configured to engage a mold set for forming a mold assembly. The gasket includes at least four discrete projections. The projections are preferably arranged upon inner surface such that they are substantially coplanar. The projections may be evenly spaced around the interior surface of the gasket.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include one or more lens curing units and a mold assembly. The second lens curing unit may include a heating system. One or more readers may be coupled to one or more lens curing units. The reader may be configured to read eyeglass lens prescription information from a mold assembly holder. A controller may be coupled to at least one lens curing unit and the reader. The controller may control the operation of the lens curing unit. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a conveyor system, an annealing unit, an air distributor and/or filters.

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.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of the lens curing system includes an apparatus for preparing an eyeglass lens. The apparatus may include one or more lens curing units and a mold assembly. At least one lens curing unit may include a heating system. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a conveyor system configured to convey the mold assembly through the lens curing unit. A controller may be coupled to the heating system and the heating system. The controller may control the heating system and the conveyor system.

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. The lens forming unit may include an LCD filter disposed between activating light sources and a mold assembly. The mold assembly preferably includes two mold members held together by a gasket. The gasket preferably includes four protrusions spaced at 90 degree intervals about the gasket. A lens forming composition may include a first photochromic compound, a second photochromic compound and a light effector. The light effector may alter the color of a lens when exposed to photochromic activating light, when compared to a lens formed from a lens forming composition which does not include a light effector.

Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system is configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner.

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.

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.