Title:
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING LENS CARRIERS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2003/013832
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Novel method and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers (104) for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station (110) and a curing station (112) of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.
Inventors:
CALVIN OLIN
HALL GARY S
WIDMAN MICHAEL
ABRAMS RICHARD W
DOLAN DAVID
HALL GARY S
WIDMAN MICHAEL
ABRAMS RICHARD W
DOLAN DAVID
Application Number:
PCT/US2002/025550
Publication Date:
February 20, 2003
Filing Date:
August 09, 2002
Export Citation:
Assignee:
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE (US)
International Classes:
G02C7/04; B29C31/00; B29C35/08; B29C39/06; B29C39/22; B29C39/42; B29L11/00; (IPC1-7): B29D11/00
Foreign References:
| US5965172A | 1999-10-12 | |||
| US5687541A | 1997-11-18 | |||
| US5555504A | 1996-09-10 | |||
| US5528878A | 1996-06-25 | |||
| US6220845B1 | 2001-04-24 | |||
| US5965172A | 1999-10-12 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1425158A4
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Johnson, Philip S. (1 Johnson & Johnson Plaza New Brunswick, NJ, US)
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