Patents by Inventor Russell James Edwards
Russell James Edwards 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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Patent number: 6253817Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Masao Funo, Richard Wayne Abrams, Kiyoshi Imai, Hirokazu Kitagawa, Borge Peter Gundersen, William Edward Holley, Thomas Christian Ravn, Mark Edward Schlagel, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: 5942188Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: John Mark Lepper, Russell James Edwards, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: 5891371Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: John Mark Lepper, Russell James Edwards, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: 5848514Abstract: A packaging arrangement for packaging products such as contact lenses in packages such as blister packs. The packaging arrangement includes an intermittently indexed, linearly driven endless conveyor which includes a plurality of identical support pallets, equally spaced apart along the endless conveyor. Each support pallet is designed to support and align an array of individual package bases. The arrangement is such that each support pallet with an array of individual package bases thereon is sequentially stopped at a plurality of spaced work stations along the endless conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Hirokazu Kitagawa, Kiyoshi Imai, Masao Funo, William Edward Holley, Charles R. Hood, Richard Wayne Abrams
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Patent number: 5776297Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Masao Funo, Richard Wayne Abrams, Kiyoshi Imai, Hirokazu Kitagawa, Borge Peter Gundersen, William Edward Holley, Thomas Christian Ravn, Mark Edward Schlagel, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: 5749205Abstract: 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, thType: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Mary Louis Dolan, Svend Christensen, Borge Peter Gundersen, John Mark Lepper, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Richard Wayne Abrams, Thomas Christian Ravn
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Patent number: 5706634Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Darren Scott Keene, William Edward Holley, John Mark Lepper, Wallace Anthony Martin, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Niels Jorgen Madsen, Borge Peter Gundersen, Thomas Christian Ravn
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Patent number: 5687541Abstract: 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: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: 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 J.o slashed.rgen Madsen, Thomas Christian Ravn, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, William Edward Holley
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Patent number: 5675962Abstract: 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: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: 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 Jorgen Madsen, Thomas Christian Ravn, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, William Edward Holley
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Patent number: 5674347Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Masao Funo, Richard Wayne Abrams, Kiyoshi Imai, Hirokazu Kitagawa, Borge Peter Gundersen, William Edward Holley, Thomas Christian Ravn, Mark Edward Schlagel, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: 5658410Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Richard Wayne Abrams, Borge Peter Gundersen, William Edward Holley, Thomas Christian Ravn, Mark Edward Schlagel, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang
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Patent number: 5649410Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Russell James Edwards, Borge Peter Gundersen, Darren Scott Keene, John Mark Lepper, Niels Jorgen Madsen, Thomas Christian Ravn, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Masao Funo, William Edward Holley, Tomoichi Watanabe
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Patent number: 5644895Abstract: A packaging arrangement for packaging products such as contact lenses in packages such as blister packs. The packaging arrangement includes an intermittently indexed, linearly driven endless conveyor which includes a plurality of identical support pallets, equally spaced apart along the endless conveyor. Each support pallet is designed to support and align an array of individual package bases. The arrangement is such that each support pallet with an array of individual package bases thereon is sequentially stopped at a plurality of spaced work stations along the endless conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Edwards, Hirokazu Kitagawa, Kiyoshi Imai, Masao Funo, William Edward Holley, Charles R. Hood, Richard Wayne Abrams
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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