CA2356645A1 - Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method - Google Patents
Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2356645A1 CA2356645A1 CA 2356645 CA2356645A CA2356645A1 CA 2356645 A1 CA2356645 A1 CA 2356645A1 CA 2356645 CA2356645 CA 2356645 CA 2356645 A CA2356645 A CA 2356645A CA 2356645 A1 CA2356645 A1 CA 2356645A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lens
- block
- fluid
- deblocking
- lens block
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B13/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
- B24B13/005—Blocking means, chucks or the like; Alignment devices
- B24B13/0057—Deblocking of lenses
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B13/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for deblocking a lens from a lens block in which a fluid passage is provided through the lens block to a lens mounting surface adjacent which the lens is mounted. A pressurized fluid is introduced to the fluid passage and transmitted thereby to an interface between a lens mounting adhesive and a lens mounting surface. The apparatus includes a lens block and a receptacle for receiving the lens block, a clamp for securing the lens block to the apparatus and a pump for supplying pressurized fluid from a fluid source to the passage in the block. The apparatus may also include a RFID
tag imbedded in the lens block.
tag imbedded in the lens block.
Description
TITLE: LENS BLOCK AND ASSOCIATED DEBLOCKING APPARATUS AND
METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the mounting of ophthalmic lens blanks and ophthalmic lenses to a lens block for support during a lens surfacing operation. More particularly, this invention relates to the removal of a lens from a lens block after lens surfacing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A traditional way to bond a lens blank to a lens block is through the use of a meltable adhesive substance such as wax. While waxes are a reasonably workable bonding agent, there are detriments to their use. Wax tends to be messy both in its injection and its removal.
Wax tends to leave residue on the lens blank, requires considerable time to cool sufficiently to set (on the order of 15 minutes) and the heat imparted to the lens and stresses associated with setting may cause optical defects in the finished lens through associated warpage.
More recently adhesive compounds for lens blocking have been developed which are curable by exposure to ultra violet ("UV") and visible radiation rather than thermosetting.
While such UV curable compounds have beneficial properties as compared to wax, they however present their own challenge with respect to stripping. Many of these compounds incorporate an agent that responds to a solvent to assist in softening the adhesive for deblocking. Such agents are however undesirable as typically they require considerable time to effect deblocking. Also, such agents may be susceptible to liquid lubricants used in the lens surfacing opertion(s).
A common method for deblocking a lens mounted with a wax is to place the lens in a cylindrical tube which receives the lens block and engages a perimeter of the lens. The tube is then struck against a hard surface with the lens block facing the surface. The tube prevents the movement of the lens toward the surface while allowing the momentum of the lens block to separate it from the lens.
While using a tube in the traditional deblocking method to deblock a UV
compound mounted lens may work as long as the adhesion isn't overly great, a problem arises when there is insufficient mass in the block to provide adequate momentum.
Conventional blocks were typically of metal. In order to cure a UV curable compound, it is desirable to use a UV
transmissive plastic lens block. Obviously a plastic lens block will have significantly less mass than a metal one of similar dimensions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a deblocking apparatus ("deblocker") and method which enables rapid deblocking without reliance upon inertial forces of the lens support for providing the deblocking force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A lens block is provided for blocking an ophthalmic lens. The lens block has a body with a base, a lens support surface opposite the base and engagement means for engaging a clamping means for securing the block to a deblocking apparatus. At least one passage extends through the body and fluidly communicates with the lens support surface. The block is of a material transmissive to radiation having a wavelength suitable for curing a radiation curable compound for use in lens blocking.
The engagement means may be a groove at least partially encircling the body generally parallel to the base.
METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the mounting of ophthalmic lens blanks and ophthalmic lenses to a lens block for support during a lens surfacing operation. More particularly, this invention relates to the removal of a lens from a lens block after lens surfacing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A traditional way to bond a lens blank to a lens block is through the use of a meltable adhesive substance such as wax. While waxes are a reasonably workable bonding agent, there are detriments to their use. Wax tends to be messy both in its injection and its removal.
Wax tends to leave residue on the lens blank, requires considerable time to cool sufficiently to set (on the order of 15 minutes) and the heat imparted to the lens and stresses associated with setting may cause optical defects in the finished lens through associated warpage.
More recently adhesive compounds for lens blocking have been developed which are curable by exposure to ultra violet ("UV") and visible radiation rather than thermosetting.
While such UV curable compounds have beneficial properties as compared to wax, they however present their own challenge with respect to stripping. Many of these compounds incorporate an agent that responds to a solvent to assist in softening the adhesive for deblocking. Such agents are however undesirable as typically they require considerable time to effect deblocking. Also, such agents may be susceptible to liquid lubricants used in the lens surfacing opertion(s).
A common method for deblocking a lens mounted with a wax is to place the lens in a cylindrical tube which receives the lens block and engages a perimeter of the lens. The tube is then struck against a hard surface with the lens block facing the surface. The tube prevents the movement of the lens toward the surface while allowing the momentum of the lens block to separate it from the lens.
While using a tube in the traditional deblocking method to deblock a UV
compound mounted lens may work as long as the adhesion isn't overly great, a problem arises when there is insufficient mass in the block to provide adequate momentum.
Conventional blocks were typically of metal. In order to cure a UV curable compound, it is desirable to use a UV
transmissive plastic lens block. Obviously a plastic lens block will have significantly less mass than a metal one of similar dimensions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a deblocking apparatus ("deblocker") and method which enables rapid deblocking without reliance upon inertial forces of the lens support for providing the deblocking force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A lens block is provided for blocking an ophthalmic lens. The lens block has a body with a base, a lens support surface opposite the base and engagement means for engaging a clamping means for securing the block to a deblocking apparatus. At least one passage extends through the body and fluidly communicates with the lens support surface. The block is of a material transmissive to radiation having a wavelength suitable for curing a radiation curable compound for use in lens blocking.
The engagement means may be a groove at least partially encircling the body generally parallel to the base.
In one embodiment the passage extends between the base and the lens support surface.
A deblocking apparatus is provided which has a housing with a receptacle for receiving a lens block. Releasable clamping means are associated with the housing to engage the lens block to secure the lens block to the receptacle. The apparatus has a fluid outlet for registering with a fluid passage inlet in the lens block. The apparatus further has a pump with a pump inlet for receiving a deblocking fluid, the pump fluidly communicates with the fluid outlet for supplying pressurized fluid to the outlet. A fluid controller is provided to control flow of the deblocking fluid to the fluid outlet and a fluid seal is provided to effect a seal between the fluid outlet and the fluid passage inlet.
Preferably the deblocking apparatus has a cover attached to the housing for covering a lens mounted to the block during deblocking, the cover being movable between an open position allowing placement and removal of the lens block and a closed position for shielding an operator from the lens and the deblocking fluid. A latch is provided for releasably securing the cover in the closed position.
The cover may operably engage the clamping means to move the clamping means from a released configuration to an engaged configuration as the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position. The cover preferably has a lens impact damper which registers with the lens in the closed configuration to limit displacement of the lens away from the lens block.
The clamping means may include at least one latterly swingable j aw pivotably connected to one of a housing and the receptacle and having a inwardly extending ridge for registering with the groove in the lens block. Each jaw may have a cam surface for registering with a corresponding cam surface on the cover to cause the jaw to urge the ridge toward the groove in response to the cover being urged toward the closed position.
The ridge and the recess may be provided with corresponding tapered surfaces which cause the lens block to be urged towards the receptacle as the ridge is urged into the recess.
The deblocking fluid may be water. The pump may be pneumatically operable and the pump may supply pulses of water to the fluid outlet. The fluid controller may be a valve which controls the flow of pressurized air to the pump.
The lens block may have a groove extending into the lens mounting surface and encircling the fluid outlet.
An identifying tag may be imbedded in the lens block for providing encoded data as to the lens mounted to the lens block, the data being transmitted through the lens block.
The identifying tag may be an RF ID ("Radio Frequency Indentification Tag") tag.
The lens block may include orientation indices for alignment of the lens block with a chuck of a lens generating machine.
A method is provided for deblocking a lens from a lens block comprising the step of:
(i) applying pressurized fluid through a lens block to an interface between a lens mounting face on the lens block and an adhesive securing the lens to the lens mounting face.
A deblocking apparatus is provided which has a housing with a receptacle for receiving a lens block. Releasable clamping means are associated with the housing to engage the lens block to secure the lens block to the receptacle. The apparatus has a fluid outlet for registering with a fluid passage inlet in the lens block. The apparatus further has a pump with a pump inlet for receiving a deblocking fluid, the pump fluidly communicates with the fluid outlet for supplying pressurized fluid to the outlet. A fluid controller is provided to control flow of the deblocking fluid to the fluid outlet and a fluid seal is provided to effect a seal between the fluid outlet and the fluid passage inlet.
Preferably the deblocking apparatus has a cover attached to the housing for covering a lens mounted to the block during deblocking, the cover being movable between an open position allowing placement and removal of the lens block and a closed position for shielding an operator from the lens and the deblocking fluid. A latch is provided for releasably securing the cover in the closed position.
The cover may operably engage the clamping means to move the clamping means from a released configuration to an engaged configuration as the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position. The cover preferably has a lens impact damper which registers with the lens in the closed configuration to limit displacement of the lens away from the lens block.
The clamping means may include at least one latterly swingable j aw pivotably connected to one of a housing and the receptacle and having a inwardly extending ridge for registering with the groove in the lens block. Each jaw may have a cam surface for registering with a corresponding cam surface on the cover to cause the jaw to urge the ridge toward the groove in response to the cover being urged toward the closed position.
The ridge and the recess may be provided with corresponding tapered surfaces which cause the lens block to be urged towards the receptacle as the ridge is urged into the recess.
The deblocking fluid may be water. The pump may be pneumatically operable and the pump may supply pulses of water to the fluid outlet. The fluid controller may be a valve which controls the flow of pressurized air to the pump.
The lens block may have a groove extending into the lens mounting surface and encircling the fluid outlet.
An identifying tag may be imbedded in the lens block for providing encoded data as to the lens mounted to the lens block, the data being transmitted through the lens block.
The identifying tag may be an RF ID ("Radio Frequency Indentification Tag") tag.
The lens block may include orientation indices for alignment of the lens block with a chuck of a lens generating machine.
A method is provided for deblocking a lens from a lens block comprising the step of:
(i) applying pressurized fluid through a lens block to an interface between a lens mounting face on the lens block and an adhesive securing the lens to the lens mounting face.
In the method the deblocking fluid may be water and the method may include the further steps o~
(ii) mounting a damper adj acent to the lens to limit movement of the lens away from the lens block during the blocking; and, (iii) shielding the lens block and the lens during the blocking.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a deblocker according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the deblocker of Figure 1 in an open configuration;
Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlargement of the encircled area identified by reference E in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the deblocker of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;
Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 5; and, Figure 7 is an enlargement of the encircled area F in Figure 6.
(ii) mounting a damper adj acent to the lens to limit movement of the lens away from the lens block during the blocking; and, (iii) shielding the lens block and the lens during the blocking.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a deblocker according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the deblocker of Figure 1 in an open configuration;
Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlargement of the encircled area identified by reference E in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the deblocker of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;
Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 5; and, Figure 7 is an enlargement of the encircled area F in Figure 6.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A deblocker according to the present invention is generally identified by reference in the accompanying illustrations. A lens block for use in association with the deblocker 5 10 is generally identified by reference 100.
The lens block 100 has a body 102 with a base 104, a lens support surface 106 opposite the base 104 and engagement means in the form of a groove 108 extending around the body 102. The groove 108 engages clamping means on the deblocker 10 in a manner 10 which is described in more detail below.
A fluid passage 110 extends through the body 102 of the block 100 to provide a fluid conduit through the block 100 to the lens support surface 106. In the illustrated configuration the fluid passage 110 extends between the base 104 and the lens support surface 106. It will however be appreciated that this is not essential other than to provide a fluid inlet into the passage 110 which registers with a fluid outlet in the deblocker 10.
Accordingly it may be possible to reconfigure the block 100 and the deblocker 10 to provide for a fluid inlet into the passage 110 other than through the base 104.
The lens block 100 may additionally have orientation indices such as holes 120 or a flattened portion about the base (not shown) to rotationally orient the block with a chuck of a lens surfacing machine.
The body 102 is preferably of a material which is transmissive of light energy in the UV and visible wavelengths, assuming of course that it is desired to cure a UV
curable lens mounting adhesive through the block 100. Other materials may be considered for radiation curable compounds which cure with radiation out of the UV and visible wavelengths.
A deblocker according to the present invention is generally identified by reference in the accompanying illustrations. A lens block for use in association with the deblocker 5 10 is generally identified by reference 100.
The lens block 100 has a body 102 with a base 104, a lens support surface 106 opposite the base 104 and engagement means in the form of a groove 108 extending around the body 102. The groove 108 engages clamping means on the deblocker 10 in a manner 10 which is described in more detail below.
A fluid passage 110 extends through the body 102 of the block 100 to provide a fluid conduit through the block 100 to the lens support surface 106. In the illustrated configuration the fluid passage 110 extends between the base 104 and the lens support surface 106. It will however be appreciated that this is not essential other than to provide a fluid inlet into the passage 110 which registers with a fluid outlet in the deblocker 10.
Accordingly it may be possible to reconfigure the block 100 and the deblocker 10 to provide for a fluid inlet into the passage 110 other than through the base 104.
The lens block 100 may additionally have orientation indices such as holes 120 or a flattened portion about the base (not shown) to rotationally orient the block with a chuck of a lens surfacing machine.
The body 102 is preferably of a material which is transmissive of light energy in the UV and visible wavelengths, assuming of course that it is desired to cure a UV
curable lens mounting adhesive through the block 100. Other materials may be considered for radiation curable compounds which cure with radiation out of the UV and visible wavelengths.
A lens 200 is illustrated as being mounted to the lens mounting face 106 by an adhesive which is not shown but which would occupy a space 202 between the lens 200 and the mounting face 106.
The deblocker 10 has a housing 12 to which is mounted a receptacle 14 for receiving the lens block 100. Clamping means in the form of a block clamp 16 are provided adjacent the receptacle 14 and may, as illustrated include a fixed part 18 and a laterally swingable j aw 20 pivotally connected thereto at a pivot 22 for movement about the pivot 22 is a direction illustrated by arrows 24. The jaw 20 is movable between a released configuration shown in Figures 1 through 4 and an engaged configuration shown in Figures 5 through 7.
The fixed part 18 and the jaw 20 have respective inwardly extending ridges 30 and 32 for registering with the groove 108 of the block 100. Preferably the ridges 30 and 32 have respective cam surfaces 34 and 36 which register with a corresponding cam surface 112 of the groove 108 to urge the block toward the receptacle 14 in response to the jaw 20 being urged toward the fixed part 18.
It will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the groove 108 to completely encircle the block 100. For example a pair of shorter grooves may be provided and the ridges 30 and 32 may be comparatively shorter. Other clamping means may also be utilized which have the desired effect of securing the block 100 to the receptacle 14, for example the block 100 could threadedly engage the receptacle 14 or be provided with downwardly extending prongs which are grasped by suitably configured pincers associated with the receptacle 14.
It will further be appreciated that the clamping means may include more than one jaw 20 and that each jaw 20 may be operably connected to the cover 80 in such a manner as to release and engage in response to movement of the cover 80 so as to avoid having to swing the jaw 20 as a separate step before closing the cover 80.
The deblocker 10 further has a fluid delivery port 40 with a fluid outlet 42 which S registers with a fluid inlet 114 into the fluid passage 110. A seal in the form of an 'O' ring 44 may be provided about the outlet 42.
A pump 50 which may, as illustrated in Figure 1 be mounted within the housing fluidly communicates with the fluid outlet 42 through the fluid delivery port 40. The pump 50 has an inlet 52 which receives a deblocking fluid.
The deblocking fluid may be water or another suitable incompressible fluid.
Compressible fluids such as air might also be utilized however they tend to impart an undesirable projectile force on the lens 200 upon deblocking. Incompressible fluids seem to yield more easily controllable results. The fluid may be stored in a reservoir 70 having an outlet 72, and an inlet 74.
Although the pump 50 may be manually or electrically operable, in the illustrated embodiment, an air operated pump 50 is utilized and receives compressed air from an air inlet 56 connected to a valve block 58 and controlled by a push button 60. The valve block 58 acts as a controller for controlling actuation of the pump 50 and therefore also acts to control flow of deblocking fluid to the fluid outlet 42.
In use, a lens block 100 with a lens 200 affixed thereto is secured to the receptacle 14 by the clamping means 16 with the fluid inlet 114 registering with the fluid outlet 42 and the base 104 sealingly engaging the receptacle 14 by virtue of the O ring 44.
The pump 50 is energized and draws fluid into the pump inlet 52 pressurizes and discharges it through the fluid port 40 and through the fluid outlet 42. The pressurized fluid enters the fluid passage 110 in the block 100 and passes it to the lens support surface. The pressurized fluid then causes separation between the lens support surface 106 and the adhesive to deblock the lens 200.
In practise it has been found beneficial to supply the fluid from the pump 50 in short "bursts" or "pulses" rather than under a continuous pressure. It has also been found beneficial to provided a shallow groove 116 extending into the lens support surface 106 and encircling the fluid passage 110 to avoid fluid escaping to one side rather than effecting total deblocking. It has also been found that a plurality of non-centralized fluid passages 110 provide consistent deblocking without having a groove 116. Presumably the combination of a plurality of fluid passages 110 and a groove 116 would also work however this may be somewhat redundant.
In order to capture the lens 200 when it deblocks and also to avoid deblocking fluid from spraying out from around the receptacle, 14, a cover 80 is provided which may be hingedly attached to the housing 12. The cover 80 is movable between an open position as shown in Figures 1 through 4 and a closed position shown in Figures 5 through 7. In the open position, the cover 80 allows placement of the lens block 100 and lens 200 on the receptacle 14. In the closed position, the cover , the lens 200 and lens block 100 to shield an operator from the lens 200 and the deblocking fluid.
The cover 80 may include a frusto-conical cam surface 82 which acts against a corresponding cam surface 26 on the jaw 20 to urge the jaw 20 toward its engaged position in response to a closing force being applied to the cover 80.
The deblocker 10 has a housing 12 to which is mounted a receptacle 14 for receiving the lens block 100. Clamping means in the form of a block clamp 16 are provided adjacent the receptacle 14 and may, as illustrated include a fixed part 18 and a laterally swingable j aw 20 pivotally connected thereto at a pivot 22 for movement about the pivot 22 is a direction illustrated by arrows 24. The jaw 20 is movable between a released configuration shown in Figures 1 through 4 and an engaged configuration shown in Figures 5 through 7.
The fixed part 18 and the jaw 20 have respective inwardly extending ridges 30 and 32 for registering with the groove 108 of the block 100. Preferably the ridges 30 and 32 have respective cam surfaces 34 and 36 which register with a corresponding cam surface 112 of the groove 108 to urge the block toward the receptacle 14 in response to the jaw 20 being urged toward the fixed part 18.
It will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the groove 108 to completely encircle the block 100. For example a pair of shorter grooves may be provided and the ridges 30 and 32 may be comparatively shorter. Other clamping means may also be utilized which have the desired effect of securing the block 100 to the receptacle 14, for example the block 100 could threadedly engage the receptacle 14 or be provided with downwardly extending prongs which are grasped by suitably configured pincers associated with the receptacle 14.
It will further be appreciated that the clamping means may include more than one jaw 20 and that each jaw 20 may be operably connected to the cover 80 in such a manner as to release and engage in response to movement of the cover 80 so as to avoid having to swing the jaw 20 as a separate step before closing the cover 80.
The deblocker 10 further has a fluid delivery port 40 with a fluid outlet 42 which S registers with a fluid inlet 114 into the fluid passage 110. A seal in the form of an 'O' ring 44 may be provided about the outlet 42.
A pump 50 which may, as illustrated in Figure 1 be mounted within the housing fluidly communicates with the fluid outlet 42 through the fluid delivery port 40. The pump 50 has an inlet 52 which receives a deblocking fluid.
The deblocking fluid may be water or another suitable incompressible fluid.
Compressible fluids such as air might also be utilized however they tend to impart an undesirable projectile force on the lens 200 upon deblocking. Incompressible fluids seem to yield more easily controllable results. The fluid may be stored in a reservoir 70 having an outlet 72, and an inlet 74.
Although the pump 50 may be manually or electrically operable, in the illustrated embodiment, an air operated pump 50 is utilized and receives compressed air from an air inlet 56 connected to a valve block 58 and controlled by a push button 60. The valve block 58 acts as a controller for controlling actuation of the pump 50 and therefore also acts to control flow of deblocking fluid to the fluid outlet 42.
In use, a lens block 100 with a lens 200 affixed thereto is secured to the receptacle 14 by the clamping means 16 with the fluid inlet 114 registering with the fluid outlet 42 and the base 104 sealingly engaging the receptacle 14 by virtue of the O ring 44.
The pump 50 is energized and draws fluid into the pump inlet 52 pressurizes and discharges it through the fluid port 40 and through the fluid outlet 42. The pressurized fluid enters the fluid passage 110 in the block 100 and passes it to the lens support surface. The pressurized fluid then causes separation between the lens support surface 106 and the adhesive to deblock the lens 200.
In practise it has been found beneficial to supply the fluid from the pump 50 in short "bursts" or "pulses" rather than under a continuous pressure. It has also been found beneficial to provided a shallow groove 116 extending into the lens support surface 106 and encircling the fluid passage 110 to avoid fluid escaping to one side rather than effecting total deblocking. It has also been found that a plurality of non-centralized fluid passages 110 provide consistent deblocking without having a groove 116. Presumably the combination of a plurality of fluid passages 110 and a groove 116 would also work however this may be somewhat redundant.
In order to capture the lens 200 when it deblocks and also to avoid deblocking fluid from spraying out from around the receptacle, 14, a cover 80 is provided which may be hingedly attached to the housing 12. The cover 80 is movable between an open position as shown in Figures 1 through 4 and a closed position shown in Figures 5 through 7. In the open position, the cover 80 allows placement of the lens block 100 and lens 200 on the receptacle 14. In the closed position, the cover , the lens 200 and lens block 100 to shield an operator from the lens 200 and the deblocking fluid.
The cover 80 may include a frusto-conical cam surface 82 which acts against a corresponding cam surface 26 on the jaw 20 to urge the jaw 20 toward its engaged position in response to a closing force being applied to the cover 80.
The cover 80 may have a latch 82 operated by a handle 84 for engaging the housing 12 to maintain the cover 80 in its closed position.
To avoid damage to the lens 200 which might otherwise occur by the lens 200 being hurled against the cover 80 upon deblocking a lens impact damper 86 is provided within the cover 80 in a location which registers with the lens 200 when the cover 80 is closed. The lens impact damper may be a resilient member extending between the cover 80 and the lens 200.
Although the deblocker 10 may be operated as a total loss system with respect to fluid usage, preferably the deblocking fluid will be captured and returned to the reservoir 54.
This may be accomplished by providing a drain 56 in the top of the housing 12 and a drain outlet 60 from the housing 12 which fluidly communicates with the inlet 74 into the reservoir 704. Recirculation may be gravity or pump assisted as required.
Alternatively, the 1 S housing 12 itself can be configured to act as a sump.
In order to avoid passage of lens mounting adhesive into the passage 110 in the lens block 100 during blocking, a removable blanking pin (not shown) may be used to fill the passage 110 during blocking.
An advantage to using a plastic lens block 100 is in lens identification. As plastics are transmissible to radio frequency signals, an RF marker 300 containing encoded information including an identification code and possibly other information on such things as lens orientation, type and shape may be embedded in the lens block 100.
Conventional metal blocks will not transmit radio frequency signals.
The block 100 may also include orientation indices for ensuring alignment of said lens block 100 with a chuck of a lens surfacing machine. The indices may be a hole such as shown at reference 150 or a flattened portion such as shown at reference 152.
The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Variations to the exact apparatus and method described may be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.
To avoid damage to the lens 200 which might otherwise occur by the lens 200 being hurled against the cover 80 upon deblocking a lens impact damper 86 is provided within the cover 80 in a location which registers with the lens 200 when the cover 80 is closed. The lens impact damper may be a resilient member extending between the cover 80 and the lens 200.
Although the deblocker 10 may be operated as a total loss system with respect to fluid usage, preferably the deblocking fluid will be captured and returned to the reservoir 54.
This may be accomplished by providing a drain 56 in the top of the housing 12 and a drain outlet 60 from the housing 12 which fluidly communicates with the inlet 74 into the reservoir 704. Recirculation may be gravity or pump assisted as required.
Alternatively, the 1 S housing 12 itself can be configured to act as a sump.
In order to avoid passage of lens mounting adhesive into the passage 110 in the lens block 100 during blocking, a removable blanking pin (not shown) may be used to fill the passage 110 during blocking.
An advantage to using a plastic lens block 100 is in lens identification. As plastics are transmissible to radio frequency signals, an RF marker 300 containing encoded information including an identification code and possibly other information on such things as lens orientation, type and shape may be embedded in the lens block 100.
Conventional metal blocks will not transmit radio frequency signals.
The block 100 may also include orientation indices for ensuring alignment of said lens block 100 with a chuck of a lens surfacing machine. The indices may be a hole such as shown at reference 150 or a flattened portion such as shown at reference 152.
The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Variations to the exact apparatus and method described may be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.
Claims (17)
1. A lens block for blocking an ophthalmic lens, said lens block comprising:
a body having a base, a lens support surface opposite said base; and, at least one passage extending through said body and fluidly communicating with said lens support surface.
a body having a base, a lens support surface opposite said base; and, at least one passage extending through said body and fluidly communicating with said lens support surface.
2. The lens block of claim 1 wherein said block further comprises:
engagement means for engaging a clamping means for securing said block to a deblocking apparatus; and, said engagement means is a groove at least partially encircling said body generally parallel to said base.
engagement means for engaging a clamping means for securing said block to a deblocking apparatus; and, said engagement means is a groove at least partially encircling said body generally parallel to said base.
3. The lens block of claim 1 wherein:
said passage extends between said base and said lens support surface; and, said block is of a material transmissive to light having a wavelength at least in the ultra violet spectrum.
said passage extends between said base and said lens support surface; and, said block is of a material transmissive to light having a wavelength at least in the ultra violet spectrum.
4. The lens block of claim 2 wherein:
said passage extends between said base and said lens support surface.
said passage extends between said base and said lens support surface.
5. A deblocking apparatus comprising:
a receptacle for receiving a lens block;
releasable clamping means for engaging said lens block to secure said lens block to said receptacle;
a fluid outlet for registering with a fluid passage in said lens block;
a pump having a pump inlet for receiving a deblocking fluid, said pump fluidly communicating with said fluid outlet for supplying pressurized fluid to said fluid outlet; and, a fluid controller for controlling flow of said deblocking fluid to said fluid outlet.
a receptacle for receiving a lens block;
releasable clamping means for engaging said lens block to secure said lens block to said receptacle;
a fluid outlet for registering with a fluid passage in said lens block;
a pump having a pump inlet for receiving a deblocking fluid, said pump fluidly communicating with said fluid outlet for supplying pressurized fluid to said fluid outlet; and, a fluid controller for controlling flow of said deblocking fluid to said fluid outlet.
6. The deblocking apparatus of claim 5 further having:
a cover attached for covering a lens mounted to said block during deblocking, said shield being movable between an open position allowing placement and removal of said lens block and a closed position for shielding an operator from said lens and said deblocking fluid;
a latch for releasably securing said cover in said closed position; and, a fluid seal for effecting a seal between said fluid outlet and said fluid passage inlet.
a cover attached for covering a lens mounted to said block during deblocking, said shield being movable between an open position allowing placement and removal of said lens block and a closed position for shielding an operator from said lens and said deblocking fluid;
a latch for releasably securing said cover in said closed position; and, a fluid seal for effecting a seal between said fluid outlet and said fluid passage inlet.
7. The deblocking apparatus of claim 6 wherein:
said shield operably engages said clamping means to move said clamping means between a released configuration and an engaged configuration as said shield is moved from said open position to said closed position; and said shield has a lens impact damper which registers with said lens in said closed configuration to limit displacement of said lens away form said lens block.
said shield operably engages said clamping means to move said clamping means between a released configuration and an engaged configuration as said shield is moved from said open position to said closed position; and said shield has a lens impact damper which registers with said lens in said closed configuration to limit displacement of said lens away form said lens block.
8. The deblocking apparatus of claim 7 wherein:
said clamping means includes at least one moveable jaw connected to one of said housing and said receptacle and having an inwardly extending ridge for registering with a groove in said lens block; and, each said at least one jaw has a cam surface for engaging a corresponding cam surface on said cover to cause said jaw to urge said ridge toward said groove in response to said cover being urged toward said closed position.
said clamping means includes at least one moveable jaw connected to one of said housing and said receptacle and having an inwardly extending ridge for registering with a groove in said lens block; and, each said at least one jaw has a cam surface for engaging a corresponding cam surface on said cover to cause said jaw to urge said ridge toward said groove in response to said cover being urged toward said closed position.
9. The deblocking apparatus of claim 8 wherein:
said ridge and said recess are provided with corresponding tapered surfaces which cause said lens block to be urged toward said receptacle as said ridge is urged into said recess.
said ridge and said recess are provided with corresponding tapered surfaces which cause said lens block to be urged toward said receptacle as said ridge is urged into said recess.
10. The deblocking apparatus of claim 9 wherein:
said deblocking fluid is water;
said pump is pneumatically operable;
said pump supplies pulses of water to said fluid outlet; and, said fluid controller is a valve which controls the flow of pressurized air to said pump.
said deblocking fluid is water;
said pump is pneumatically operable;
said pump supplies pulses of water to said fluid outlet; and, said fluid controller is a valve which controls the flow of pressurized air to said pump.
11. A lens block as claimed in claim 4 wherein:
said lens block has a groove extending into said lens mounting surface and encircling said fluid outlet.
said lens block has a groove extending into said lens mounting surface and encircling said fluid outlet.
12. A lens block as claimed in claim 11 further having:
an identifying tag embedded therein for providing encoded data as to the lens mounted to said lens block.
an identifying tag embedded therein for providing encoded data as to the lens mounted to said lens block.
13. A lens block as claimed in claim 12 wherein:
said tag is a RFID ("radio frequency indentification") tag.
said tag is a RFID ("radio frequency indentification") tag.
14 14. A lens mounting block as claimed in claim 13 further having:
orientation indices for alignment of said lens block with a chuck of a lens surfacing machine.
orientation indices for alignment of said lens block with a chuck of a lens surfacing machine.
15. The apparatus of claim 5 further having:
a shield for shielding an operator from said lens and said deblocking fluid during deblocking.
a shield for shielding an operator from said lens and said deblocking fluid during deblocking.
16. A method of deblocking a lens from a lens block comprising the step of:
(i) applying pressurized fluid through said lens block to and adhesive interface between a lens mounting face on said lens block and said lens to said lens.
(i) applying pressurized fluid through said lens block to and adhesive interface between a lens mounting face on said lens block and said lens to said lens.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said deblocking fluid is water, and including the further step of:
(ii) mounting a damper adjacent said lens to limit movement of said lens away from said lens block during deblocking; and, (iii) shielding said lens block and said lens during deblocking.
(ii) mounting a damper adjacent said lens to limit movement of said lens away from said lens block during deblocking; and, (iii) shielding said lens block and said lens during deblocking.
Priority Applications (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2356645 CA2356645A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2001-08-31 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
| CA 2372766 CA2372766A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-02-22 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
| JP2003522753A JP2004538169A (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-08-27 | Lens block and related deblocking device and method |
| PCT/CA2002/001313 WO2003018253A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-08-27 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
| CA002458851A CA2458851A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-08-27 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
| EP02754072A EP1425134A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-08-27 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2356645 CA2356645A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2001-08-31 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2356645A1 true CA2356645A1 (en) | 2003-02-28 |
Family
ID=4169897
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2356645 Abandoned CA2356645A1 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2001-08-31 | Lens block and associated de-blocking apparatus and method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2356645A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113043116A (en) * | 2021-04-13 | 2021-06-29 | 罗俊涛 | Optical lens polishing device and polishing process |
-
2001
- 2001-08-31 CA CA 2356645 patent/CA2356645A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113043116A (en) * | 2021-04-13 | 2021-06-29 | 罗俊涛 | Optical lens polishing device and polishing process |
| CN113043116B (en) * | 2021-04-13 | 2022-03-22 | 东莞市富饶光电有限公司 | Optical lens polishing device and polishing process |
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