Abstract: A flow and pressure stabilization device includes a housing; a first fluid chamber; a gas chamber; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber, the deformable bladder comprising a longitudinally protruding portion shaped such that, when a pressure in the gas chamber is greater than a pressure in the first fluid chamber, the longitudinally protruding portion extends toward the first fluid chamber; and a valve in fluid communication with a fluid outlet, the valve including: a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber; a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid outlet; and a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent to and biased toward the fluid port.

Abstract: A flow and pressure stabilization device includes a housing; a first fluid chamber; a gas chamber; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber, the deformable bladder comprising a longitudinally protruding portion shaped such that, when a pressure in the gas chamber is greater than a pressure in the first fluid chamber, the longitudinally protruding portion extends toward the first fluid chamber; and a valve in fluid communication with a fluid outlet, the valve including: a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber; a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid outlet; and a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent to and biased toward the fluid port.

Abstract: A flow and pressure stabilization device comprises a housing; a first fluid chamber; a gas chamber; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with a fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface.

Abstract: A flow and pressure stabilization device comprises a housing; a first fluid chamber; a gas chamber; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with a fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with thermal electrolytic production. According to one embodiment, a system includes a tower having an active reflux evaporator and a condenser system. The active reflux evaporator having a distributor pump assembly and an absorber. The distributor pump assembly pumps a heat pipe liquid metal to a distributor. The absorber receives the liquid metal from the distributor. The absorber facilitates evaporation of the liquid metal to form an evaporated metal. The condenser system includes a thermal load and a liquid pump assembly. The thermal load condenses the evaporated metal back to the liquid metal. The liquid pump assembly actively pumps the liquid metal to the distributor pump assembly.

Abstract: A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.

Abstract: A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.

Abstract: A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.

Abstract: A high frequency flexure-based dynamometer for measuring vibrations to use in determining cutting forces in a tool is disclosed. The dynamometer device may operate within a pre-selected high frequency range while measuring cutting forces less than about 1 N. The dynamometer may include two coupled flexures that interact to produce vibration modes at the edge of a selected bandwidth of interest. These modes may produce a frequency response function within the desired frequency band that has a magnified response and is substantially constant. The dynamometer may include a workpiece mounted to one of the two flexures and a one or more precision accelerometers mounted to the first or second flexures. Finite element analysis may be used to optimize the flexure design.

Abstract: In a processing facility comprising a plurality processing stations each for automatically conveying products in various stages of production for controlled processing, an intelligent product transfer and conveyance system that enables uninterrupted processing of only products determined as having passed a first inspection process at an upstream processing station. The intelligent product transfer and conveyance system for a processing facility ensures a continuous flow of a plurality of good products at sufficiently high speeds from an inspection process to subsequent stations for subsequent individualized packaging. The processing facility may comprise a contact lens manufacturing line for manufacturing spherical or toric type ophthalmic contact lens products.

Abstract: A method for tracking multiple SKUs of ophthalmic devices in a manufacturing line, comprises the steps of: assembling first molding devices, at least one of the first molding devices having an identification device, such as, a bar-code or an inductive transmitting/receiving device; reading the identification device of the first molding devices; forming first molded parts using the first molding devices; providing a plurality of carriers, the carriers having carrier indicators; transferring the first molded parts to at least one of a plurality of carriers; reading the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts; and storing in machine-accessible memory the information associated with the identification device of the first molding devices and the information associated with the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and system for the automated packing of products, such as ophthalmic lens product cartons, using various identifiers associated with a particular order to track the shipping container and its filling with component contents. The invention also pertains to a dunnage article.

Abstract: In a processing facility comprising a plurality processing stations each for automatically conveying products in various stages of production for controlled processing, an intelligent product transfer and conveyance system that enables uninterrupted processing of only products determined as having passed a first inspection process at an upstream processing station. The intelligent product transfer and conveyance system for a processing facility ensures a continuous flow of a plurality of good products at sufficiently high speeds from an inspection process to subsequent stations for subsequent individualized packaging. The processing facility may comprise a contact lens manufacturing line for manufacturing spherical or toric type ophthalmic contact lens products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging contact lenses. The apparatus includes a plurality of discrete inspection lens carriers and a plurality of contact lens containers. The carriers are movable within the apparatus. A single one of the containers is mounted on a single one of the carriers. The apparatus, in another embodiment, includes a plurality of lens carriers, a plurality of lifts, a plurality of contact lens containers and either a plurality of platens or a plurality of mandrels. One of the containers is mounted on a respective one of the carriers. Each of the platens or each of the mandrels is individually supported by one of the lifts. The lifts apply pressure, within a predetermined range, to each of the containers. The apparatus, in another embodiment, includes a plurality of contact lens containers. A heated mandrel is disposed above the plurality of containers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process and apparatus for automatically sorting and sequencing a random assemblage of products associated with a particular order for same. In one embodiment, the invention sequences the random products to match a predetermined label application sequence.

Abstract: This invention provides a blister pack comprising a base and a cover, wherein said base comprises a recess which houses a contact lens and solution, wherein the thickness of the material of said recess is less than 0.75 mm, and said recess houses less than 0.75 ml solution.

Abstract: A method and a support for supporting a package in a steam sterilizer, featuring support members configured and positioned to support only at least a portion of at least two opposed side edges, but not a side face, of the package. A diamond shape is particularly preferred for the support members as, when rotated at an angle, its facets provide line contact with appropriate side edges of the package.