Abstract: A push-on fastener includes a base, a first radial barb, an axial support, a second radial barb, and a protrusion. The base defines an opening. The first radial barb extends from the base. The axial support extends from the base. The second radial barb extends from the axial support. The protrusion extends from the axial support.

Abstract: A push-on fastener includes a base, a first radial barb, an axial support, a second radial barb, and a protrusion. The base defines an opening. The first radial barb extends from the base. The axial support extends from the base. The second radial barb extends from the axial support. The protrusion extends from the axial support.

Abstract: An improved snap-in retainer system adapted to join a first component to a second component. The retainer system includes a clip having a proximal head portion and a distal base portion of generally arrowhead construction. The retainer system further includes a sleeve including an axial passageway adapted to receive the distal base portion of the clip. The sleeve includes window openings defining lateral ports permitting outboard projection of the wing elements following sliding insertion of the base portion to an intermediate stage within the sleeve. The axial passageway further includes a distal neck adapted to compress the wing elements to an inboard orientation within the interior of the sleeve upon full insertion of the base portion into the sleeve thereby facilitating non-destructive withdrawal and disengagement of the retainer system.

Abstract: An improved snap-in retainer system adapted to join a first component to a second component. The retainer system includes a clip having a proximal head portion and a distal base portion of generally arrowhead construction. The retainer system further includes a sleeve including an axial passageway adapted to receive the distal base portion of the clip. The sleeve includes window openings defining lateral ports permitting outboard projection of the wing elements following sliding insertion of the base portion to an intermediate stage within the sleeve. The axial passageway further includes a distal neck adapted to compress the wing elements to an inboard orientation within the interior of the sleeve upon full insertion of the base portion into the sleeve thereby facilitating non-destructive withdrawal and disengagement of the retainer system.

Abstract: A snap-fit fastener having deflectable, diverging wings extending from a distal end of a pedestal is provided with lead-in extensions from the connection of each wing to the pedestal. The extensions define a slot therebetween and are curved relative to the wings. By inserting an implement such as a screwdriver in the slot and twisting the implement, the lead-in extensions are spread relative to each other and the wings are moved toward the pedestal to allow the fastener to be disconnected from an object.

Abstract: A snap-fit fastener having deflectable, diverging wings extending from a distal end of a pedestal is provided with lead-in extensions from the connection of each wing to the pedestal. The extensions define a slot therebetween and are curved relative to the wings. By inserting an implement such as a screwdriver in the slot and twisting the implement, the lead-in extensions are spread relative to each other and the wings are moved toward the pedestal to allow the fastener to be disconnected from an object.

Abstract: A production control system provides real-time monitoring of process parameters in an automated production line that manufactures contact lenses, the line and having a plurality of process stations with each process station having one or more process control devices that control production operations at each respective process station and generates production parameter data therefrom. The system includes a line monitor device for receiving an externally generated production order including a lot number, product type, and quantity, and further coordinates manufacturing processes at each of the plurality of process stations, and tracks order production. A plurality of cell monitor devices retrieves the production data from one or more process control devices and processes the data to ensure that production parameters are within predefined limits.

Abstract: An interactive control system for controlling the automatic consolidation of contact lenses in a contact lens product flow, the interactive control system comprises a product line having random variations in product flow. A consolidation buffer receives the products from the product line. A controller initiates consolidation of the random variations in the product flow. The consolidation is preferably performed by at least one stacking cylinder.

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 or 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: A production line tracking and quality control system and method thereof comprises a series of pallets for carrying one or more first contact lens mold halves or one or more complementary second contact lens mold halves throughout a contact lens fabrication facility. Each pallet of the series is transported on a conveyor device throughout the fabrication facility, and each pallet includes a unique identifying code. The fabrication facility includes one or more process stations and a control device provides real time monitoring of contact lens fabrication processes at the one or more process stations. The control device further includes a tracking device for identifying the unique code of each of the pallets at one or more process stations while continually receiving monitored process condition values at each station.

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 staring 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: The present invention, which relates to the transfer of contact lenses in post hydration processing of the lenses. A lens transfer and insertion assembly removes contact lenses from lens hydration pallets, alters their spatial distribution, and deposits them into packaging elements. The lenses are transferred with fluid and retained on the transfer assembly by surface tension.

Abstract: A sterilizer data processing system for an automated contact lens manufacturing line that manufactures a plurality of contact lenses defining a lens lot, the manufacturing line including an automated sterilization station for sterilizing the lens lot after their manufacture, the automated sterilization station including a sterilizer process controller for controlling one or more phases of a sterilization process and periodically generating sterilization process data during each sterilization phase includes a device for receiving the sterilization process data from the sterilizer process controller and a device for automatically parsing the sterilization data into text information and sterilizer parameter information and further processing the text information and sterilizer parameter information to automatically generate a sterilization run report associated with a lot number for the sterilized lens lot.

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 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: The present invention, which relates to post hydration processing of contact lenses and the packages into which the lenses are placed, includes several assemblies which are ideally suited to performing the various steps which are associated with post hydration processing.

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.