Abstract: Process for plotting the shape of a contour (5, 6) of a previously machined ophthalmic lens (1), which comprises the steps of: illuminating an optical face (2, 3) of the lens (1) with a flat light beam (15) to form a linear light spot (16) on this face (2, 3), such that the beam (15) extends beyond said face (2, 3) and illuminates the contour (5, 6); forming on the optical reception element (18) an image of the light spot (16); rotating the lens (1) about an axis (A); scanning the contour (5, 6) with the light beam (15); plotting concomitantly on the optical reception element (18) the successive positions of at least one single point of this image corresponding to the illuminated point of the contour (5, 6); deducing the shape of the contour (5, 6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out the precise trimming of a lens (1), whereby the lens is held between two clamping plates (2, 3) in a given position and the grinding of the periphery of the lens (1) is controlled along a trajectory, the last programmed part of which corresponds to the form (8) desired for the lens.

Abstract: A method of trimming a lens held between two clamping pads, and the lens periphery is ground away following a controlled trajectory having a programmed terminal portion that corresponds to the desired lens shape, which includes the method comprising: while in a lightly clamped condition, taking first measurements of a plurality of points belonging to a face of the lens and measuring the coordinates of points forming the trace of the rim on the face; while in a tightly clamped condition, taking second measurements of another plurality of points of the face of the lens; making an approximate mathematical representation of the face of the lens for each of the two clamping conditions; and calculating the coordinates of the deformed outline of the lens on the face in the second clamping condition in order to correct the programmed terminal portion of the grinding trajectory.

Abstract: Device comprising in combination: elements for detecting (4) characteristics of a lens; elements for integrating characteristics representing a patient's morphology; a support (3) of the mobile lens along a predetermined trajectory between a first measuring position and a loading position; grinding elements (20); and elements forming a gripping and clamping clip (25) for transporting the lens from the loading position to the grinding position.

Abstract: Process for bevelling at least one edge (6) of an optical face (3) of an ophthalmic lens (1), in which the successive curvatures of the optical face (3) are plotted in the vicinity of and along the edge (6) to be bevelled. The edge (6) to be bevelled is scanned with a flat light beam (23) forming a linear light spot (24) on the optical face (3), an image of the light spot (24) is simultaneously formed on optical reception elements (26), the successive curvatures of the optical face (3) in the vicinity of the edge (6) are deduced from the successive positions of this image. This process includes a bevelling stage. Then the lens (1) is rotated about an axis (A1), is brought into contact by its edge (6) with a bevelling tool, and the relative positioning of the lens (1) and of the tool is controlled according to the plots produced.

Abstract: Process for grinding the rim of an ophthalmic lens that has two opposite faces, following a predetermined contour corresponding to that of a ring of a spectacle frame in which the lens is intended to be mounted, the contour being delimited on each of the faces by an edge, and the process includes a plotting stage in which the three-dimensional shape of at least one of the edges is plotted. In the plotting stage, the edge is scanned on the illuminated face of lens using a light beam forming a light spot on the face, the successive positions of an image of the light spot are plotted simultaneously on optical reception elements pointing towards the light spot, and the three-dimensional shape of the edge is deduced from the plots made, machining of the lens being carried out according to the plot or plots.

Abstract: A device for automatically detecting characteristics of an ophthalmic lens includes a support receiving the lens, an illumination system and an analysis system. The optics of the illumination system define two alternate optical paths, one of which passes through a mask forming a Hartmann matrix.

Abstract: An optical non-contact method of reading the three-dimensional shape of a profile in accordance with the luminous section principle consists of scanning the profile with a plane light beam intersecting the profile transversely, simultaneously reading the trace of the plane light beam on the profile by means of an optical receiver having an optical pointing axis at a constant non-zero pointing angle to the light beam at a series of positions along the profile, and deducing the three-dimensional shape of the profile from the readings effected at these various positions. On each reading, the light beam whose trace on the profile is read by the optical receiver is chosen from a plurality of predefined light beams which can be activated alternately. The non-contact optical reading method is particularly suitable for reading the three-dimensional shape of the inside edge of a spectacle frame rim, known as the bezel. A specific device is used to implement the method in this particular application.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising in combination: means for detecting (4) characteristics of a lens; means for integrating characteristics representing a patient's morphology; a support (3) of the mobile lens along a predetermined trajectory between a first measuring position and a loading position; grinding means (20); and means forming a gripping and clamping clip (25) for transporting the lens from said loading position to said grinding position.

Abstract: Process for plotting the shape of a contour (5, 6) of a previously machined ophthalmic lens (1), which comprises the operations consisting of:

Abstract: Process for grinding the rim of an ophthalmic lens that has two opposite faces, following a predetermined contour corresponding to that of a ring of a spectacle frame in which the lens is intended to be mounted, the contour being delimited on each of the faces by an edge, and the process includes a plotting stage in which the three-dimensional shape of at least one of the edges is plotted. In the plotting stage, the edge is scanned on the illuminated face of lens using a light beam forming a light spot on the face, the successive positions of an image of the light spot are plotted simultaneously on optical reception elements pointing towards the light spot, and the three-dimensional shape of the edge is deduced from the plots made, machining of the lens being carried out according to the plot or plots.

Abstract: Process for bevelling at least one edge (6) of an optical face (3) of an ophthalmic lens (1), which includes a plotting stage in which the successive curvatures of the optical face (3) are plotted in the vicinity of and along the edge (6) to be bevelled.

Abstract: A device for automatically detecting characteristics of an ophthalmic lens includes a support receiving the lens, an illumination system and an analysis system. The optics of the illumination system define two alternate optical paths, one of which passes through a mask forming a Hartmann matrix.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of mounting a lens in either rim or surround of a spectacle frame in which each rim or surround has a rigid part and a filament which extends from one end of the rigid part to the other. The curvature of the rigid part is systematically taken into account over the portion of the trajectory of the necessary groove that corresponds to the rigid part concerned of the spectacle frame. Applications include corresponding spectacle frames.

Abstract: A device for clamping an ophthalmic lens for edging it includes a driving abutment including a central peg extended externally by an elastically deformable flange.

Abstract: An optical non-contact method of reading the three-dimensional shape of a profile in accordance with the luminous section principle consists of scanning the profile with a plane light beam intersecting the profile transversely, simultaneously reading the trace of the plane light beam on the profile by means of an optical receiver having an optical pointing axis at a constant non-zero pointing angle to the light beam at a series of positions along the profile, and deducing the three-dimensional shape of the profile from the readings effected at these various positions. On each reading, the light beam whose trace on the profile is read by the optical receiver is chosen from a plurality of predefined light beams which can be activated alternately. The non-contact optical reading method is particularly suitable for reading the three-dimensional shape of the inside edge of a spectacle frame rim, known as the bezel. A specific device is used to implement the method in this particular application.

Abstract: Designed to be fitted to an ophthalmic lens grinding machine to be calibrated instead of an ophthalmic lens, a calibration template is in the general form of a disk with a circular contour over at least part of its perimeter. Its contour forms two localized angular points circumscribed by a common circumference and having a relative angular offset.

Abstract: A calibration gage for calibrating a device for reading off the contours of eyeglass frames is designed to be fitted to the contour reading off device to be calibrated in place of an eyeglass frame. It includes a plate with at least two ribs projecting from it. The ribs are generally parallel to each other in a first direction and spaced from each other in a second direction. By reading off the known dimensions between their inside and outside flanks, it is possible to determine some parameters of the contour reading off device.

Abstract: A machine for grinding ophthalmic lenses includes a motor driven grinding wheel, a swinging head frame for holding ophthalmic lens and rotating the lenses into and out of contact with the grinding wheel, and a veneer positively connected to the swinging head frame by a positive linkage to prevent separation of the swinging head frame from the controlling veneer and thereby avoid the introduction of errors into the position of the lens relative to the control position of the veneer.

Abstract: Non-releasable, molded, large-diameter, corrugated plastic pipe having a wall structure made of high density polyethylene, PVC or polypropylene of sufficient thickness so as to be rigid but elastic and therefore relatively inflexible and having an integral automatically locking female coupling at one end and a cooperative male coupling at its opposite end, with access to its latching members at its exterior, and a method of manufacturing multiples thereof by a continuous molding process. The pipe has a corrugated wall structure. Only minor auxiliary cutting operations are required to separate portions thereof into individual plastic pipe sections, each having the automatic-locking coupling at one of its ends and a male portion at its other end. The coupling is supported on the corrugated pipe by a frusto-conically shaped collar which functions as a guide for proper alignment as two sections of such pipe are united into latched relation.