Patents by Inventor Kindt-Larsen
Kindt-Larsen 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).
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Publication number: 20020122172Abstract: A method and system for inspecting ophthalmic lenses using absorption where an ophthalmic lens is illuminated with light comprising wavelengths that are substantially absorptive to said lens, the image subsequently detected being created using only light at said absorptive wavelengths. Variations in transmitted light intensity translate into thickness changes in the lens caused by cosmetic flaws. The invention is also directed to imaging lens assemblies employing highly positive-powered field flattening lens elements to image a curved object, such as an ophthalmic lens, onto a flat image plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Denwood F. Ross, Mary L. Dolan, Ranganath R. Raja, Brian G. Rice, Craig W. Walker, David Kappel, Robert E. Fischer, Ture Kindt-Larsen
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Patent number: 6241918Abstract: A method of casting polymer contact lenses between two mold halves in an ambient (air) environment containing molecular oxygen (O2) in which the mold halves forming the cast geometry are exposed to the environment where the air exposure time, the time between which the injection mold used to form the mold halves is opened until the mold halves are assembled is less than 70 seconds, more preferably 40 seconds or less, and most preferably 24 seconds or less.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Olin W. Calvin, John B. Enns, Ture Kindt-Larsen
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Patent number: 6220845Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Jonathan Patrick Adams, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Michael Francis Widman, Stephen Craig Pegram
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Patent number: 6207086Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method for hydrating or washing ophthalmic devices, comprising the step of directing to an ophthalmic device having a higher concentration of impurities fluid which has previously been directed to ophthalmic device having a lower concentration of impurities.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Schlagel, Darren S. Keene, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Wallace Anthony Martin
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Patent number: 6071440Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Wallace Anthony Martin, Craig William Walker, Michael Francis Widman
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Automated method and apparatus for single sided hydration of soft contact lenses in package carriers
Patent number: 6071112Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Olin W. Calvin, Mark E. Schlagel, Darren S. Keene, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig W. Walker, Wallace A. Martin, John C. Heaton -
Patent number: 6039899Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. A molding station injection molds first and second mold parts for the production of the lenses and these mold parts are transferred to an inert gas or low oxygen environment wherein a series of automated stations receive the mold parts, deposit a polymerizable hydrogel within the first mold part, assemble and clamp the first and second mold parts together, apply radiant energy for polymerizing the hydrogel and subsequently separate the mold parts.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Jonathan Patrick Adams, Finn Thrige Andersen, Stephen Robert Beaton, Svend Christensen, Allan G. Jensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Victor Lust, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Automated method and apparatus for single sided hydration of soft contact lenses in package carriers
Patent number: 6012471Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1996Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Olin W. Calvin, Mark E. Schlagel, Darren S. Keene, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig W. Walker, Wallace A. Martin, John C. Heaton -
Patent number: 5981618Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Jonathan Patrick Adams, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Michael Francis Widman, Stephen Craig Pegram
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Patent number: 5965172Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Wallace Anthony Martin, Craig William Walker, Michael Francis Widman
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Patent number: 5935492Abstract: Methods and apparatus which are utilized for the production of ophthalmic lenses, and more particularly, a method for the removal or demolding of molded ophthalmic contact lenses from the individual molds in which they are produced. The apparatus implements the demolding of such ophthalmic lenses, the latter of which may consist of suitable hydrogel contact lenses or other types of high-precision ophthalmic lenses; for example, such as intraocular contact lenses. Mechanical prying apart of such mating mold half portions, and to facilitate this procedure at a reduced application of force, while concurrently potentially preventing or at least appreciably ameliorating the extent of any possible sticking together of the mold half portions is effected in that mechanical leverage applied to the upper mold half portion, in addition to the application of the heating action thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig William Walker
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Patent number: 5914074Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for partially polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Jonathan Patrick Adams, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Michael Francis Widman
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Patent number: 5849209Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition of polystyrene or polypropylene with at least 0.5% (w/w)of an additive or wetting agent, the article of manufacture comprised thereof, such as a mold for making contact lenses and the mold assembly containing said mold, and the use of such mold so to minimize defects, such as holes, puddles, chips and tears in the lens.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Ture Kindt-Larsen, Jeffrey Longo, Keith O'Brien, James Jen, Michael Widman, Mehmet Burduroglu, Robert LaBelle
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Patent number: 5850107Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual contact lens mold assemblies, the assemblies each being a front curve mold half and a back curve mold half, each mold half having annular circumferential flanges, is included. The apparatus includes a device for applying steam to the back curve mold half to form a temperature gradient from the front mold half to the back mold half. The apparatus also includes a second device to pry the mold halves apart.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1994Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Ture Kindt-Larsen, Stephen Robert Beaton, Wallace Anthony Martin, Stephen Craig Pegram, Craig William Walker
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Patent number: 5836323Abstract: An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Darren Scott Keene, Timothy Patrick Newton, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, David Dolan, Kiyoshi Imai, Katsuaki Yoshida, Svend Christensen, Finn Thrige Andersen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Kaj Bjerre, Junichi Fukuchi, David Byram, Gary Hall
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Patent number: 5837314Abstract: A method of and apparatus for employing a surfactant which is provided in order to assist in the release from each other of mold components of a multi-part mold employed in the molding of polymeric articles; for instance, such as a hydrophilic contact lens, upon completion of the molding process for the polymeric articles. The surfactant is applied in the form of a film or coating on surface portions of one of the mold components in order to facilitate the disengagement between the mold components during demolding, and the removal of excess polymeric molding material adhesively deposited on surfaces thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Robert Beaton, Wallace Anthony Martin, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig William Walker, Gregory Scott Duncan
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Patent number: 5804107Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. At a first station, front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer. At a second station, a surfactant coating may be applied to a flange on the front curve mold half to provide subsequent preferential adhesion of any excess hydrogel to a back curve mold half at the time the mold halves are separated. At a third station, the mold halves are assembled under vacuum, and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. This clamping step firmly seats the back curve mold half, severs any excess monomer from the monomer in the cavity, defines the lens edge, and seals the cavity in a vacuum. Following assembly of the mold halves, the assembly is transported to a precure station and reclamped, and the monomer is precured with actinic radiation, such as UV, to partially cure the monomer to a gel like consistency.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1994Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Jonathan Patrick Adams, Finn Thrige Andersen, Stephen Robert Beaton, Svend Christensen, Allan G. Jensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Victor Lust, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: RE37432Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Russell James Edwards, Borge Peter Gundersen, Darren Scott Keene, Ture Kindt-Larsen, John Mark Lepper, Niels Jørgen Madsen, Thomas Christian Ravn, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, William Edward Holley
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Patent number: RE37558Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Richard Wayne Abrams, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Wallace Anthony Martin
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Patent number: RE36302Abstract: Male and female members for contact lenses where either member is able to hold the contact lens as it moves from station to station during the hydration process. The female member fits together with the male member forming a chamber. Each of the members contains a line centrally located so that both surfaces of the contact lens are flushed during the hydration process, and drainage takes place radially on the outside of the mated male and female chamber members. These members may be produced on a frame with a plurality of members, usually eight to a frame, to allow ease of processing. Full automation is possible, and complete and positive lens control during and step of the process through the packaging step is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1995Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Ture Kindt-Larsen, Darren Keene