EP0286469A1 - Tool automatically shaped to the surface of an ophtalmic lens - Google Patents

Tool automatically shaped to the surface of an ophtalmic lens Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0286469A1
EP0286469A1 EP88400577A EP88400577A EP0286469A1 EP 0286469 A1 EP0286469 A1 EP 0286469A1 EP 88400577 A EP88400577 A EP 88400577A EP 88400577 A EP88400577 A EP 88400577A EP 0286469 A1 EP0286469 A1 EP 0286469A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
autoconformable
tool according
support
membranes
tool
Prior art date
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Granted
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EP88400577A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0286469B1 (en
Inventor
Patrick Herbin
Jean-Claude Lacroix
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EssilorLuxottica SA
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Essilor International Compagnie Generale dOptique SA
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Priority to AT88400577T priority Critical patent/ATE57863T1/en
Publication of EP0286469A1 publication Critical patent/EP0286469A1/en
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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
    • B24B13/005—Blocking means, chucks or the like; Alignment devices
    • B24B13/0052—Lens block moulding devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a self-shaping tool on the surface of an ophthalmic lens, comprising a rigid support and a deformable pad mounted on the support.
  • known tools of the above-mentioned kind are usually used either as a polisher to polish or soften the surface of an ophthalmic lens, or as an applicator pad for applying an adhesive film to the surface of a lens. to protect it from scratches or against attacks by foreign bodies, for example during a so-called “blocking” or “gliding” operation of a lens (operation consisting in fixing a metal block on one face of the lens , by casting a metal with a low melting point, for the subsequent mounting of the lens on the lens holder of a planing machine, an overflowing machine or a machine for polishing ophthalmic lenses) .
  • the tool pad should be able to closely fit the entire surface of the lens against which it is applied.
  • the tool pad was necessary to have a set of tools, each adapted to a radius of curvature.
  • the aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a single autoconformable tool capable of closely fitting the entire surface of an ophthalmic lens, with a substantially uniform contact pressure, regardless of the radius of curvature of the lens.
  • the tool of the present invention is characterized in that the support has a cavity in one of its faces, in that the pad consists of two elastically deformable membranes, fixed by their peripheral edge to the side walls from the cavity, at a distance from the bottom thereof, and defining between them a space which is filled with an incompressible material, in grains of small dimensions, and in that the support also comprises a passage, one end of which opens out in said space and the other end of which is connectable to a source of vacuum.
  • the granular material may for example be constituted by sand or by balls of small diameter.
  • the balls may for example have a diameter between 0.5mm and 3.5mm, preferably a diameter of 1mm.
  • the balls can be glass or metal.
  • the two membranes can be made of an elastomeric material, for example latex, and they can have, for example, a thickness of between 0.5mm and 1mm.
  • the tool shown in the drawing essentially consists of a deformable pad 1 carried by a rigid support 2.
  • the support 2 comprises a first element 2a, in the form of a cup, and two other elements 2b and 2c, in the form of a ring. , substantially the same diameter as the first element 2a.
  • the three elements 2a, 2b and 2c are fixed coaxially to each other for example by screws 3 and 4, and they together form a relatively deep cavity 5 in one of the faces of the support 2.
  • the support 2 comprises a means 6 allowing its connection to a tool holder, for example a boss pierced with a tapped blind hole as shown in the figure.
  • the deformable pad 1 is constituted by two membranes 7 and 8, made of latex, which are stretched across the cavity 5 and fixed by pinching, in their peripheral region, respectively between the elements 2a and 2b between the elements 2b and 2c of the support 2.
  • the space 9 between the two membranes 7 and 8 is filled with balls 11 of small diameter, for example balls glass with a diameter of 1mm.
  • the element 2b of the support 2 has a radial passage 12 which, on one side, opens into the space 9 and, on the other side, is connected by a connector 13 and by a pipe 14 to a vacuum source 15
  • a three-way valve 16 is inserted in the pipe 14 and makes it possible, depending on its position, to put the space 9 in communication either with the vacuum source 15 or with the atmosphere.
  • a filter 17, having a mesh size smaller than the diameter of the balls 11, is provided in the passage 12 to prevent the balls 11 from being drawn into the pipe 14 when the vacuum is established therein by the source 15 .
  • the element 2a of the support 2 also includes a passage 18 which, on one side, opens into the cavity 5 between the bottom of the latter and the membrane 7 and, on the other side, is connected by a connector 19 and a pipe 21 to a three-position valve 22.
  • the valve 22 makes it possible to put the pipe 21 in communication either with the atmosphere, or with the vacuum source 15 through a pipe 23, or even with a source of compressed air 24 through a pipe 25.
  • this allows the pad 1 to adapt more easily to the surface of the lens when the latter has a small radius of curvature or when the pad must be applied against a concave surface of a lens.
  • the operation of the tool will now be described by first assuming that it must be applied against the convex surface S1 of the lens L.
  • the lens L is placed on a support 26. At least one of the two supports 2 and 26 is movable relative to the other in such a way that they can be moved towards and away from each other as indicated by the double arrow F.
  • the two pipes 14 and 21 being in communication with the atmosphere, the two supports 2 and 26 are brought together.
  • the lens L deforms the membrane 8 which then marries the convex face S1 of the lens.
  • the valve 16 is switched so as to put the space 9 in communication with the vacuum source 15. This has the effect of completely stiffening the assembly 7,8,11 and the membrane 8 then perfectly retains the shape of the convex surface S1 . It follows that the bearing force of the pad 1 on the surface S1 is distributed uniformly over the whole of this surface.
  • the membrane 8 can be lined with a polishing material, such as for example felt.
  • the surface S1 has a small radius of curvature
  • the space between the membrane 7 and the bottom of the cavity 5 can be brought into communication with the source of compressed air 24 through the pipe 21, the valve 22 and the pipe 25, to counterbalance the efforts of applying the lens L against the pad 1, in particular in the case where the tool is used as a surfacing or polishing tool.
  • the space between the membrane 7 and the bottom of the cavity 5 is first put in communication with the air source compressed through the pipe 21, the valve 22 and the pipe 25 while the space 9 between the two membranes 7 and 8 is still in communication with the atmosphere, in order to push the assembly 7,8,11 against the surface concave of the lens. Then, when the membrane 8 has conformed to the concave surface of the lens, the space 9 is placed in communication with the vacuum source 15 through the pipe 14 and the valve 16 in order to stiffen the assembly 7,8,11 as previously.
  • the autoconformable tool for applying an adhesive film to an ophthalmic lens
  • said tool is essentially used as a "surface memory”.
  • the forces applied to the tool are low and the use of glass balls 11, which is a material with a low coefficient of friction, is sufficient.
  • the autoconformable tool in a use of the autoconformable tool as a surfacing tool, it is necessary to have a very rigid assembly to avoid deformation of the shape of the surface under the machining forces, and therefore to use balls or grains 11 having a high coefficient of friction (in the case of aluminum or steel).

Abstract

This tool whose shape adapts automatically to the surface of an ophthalmic lens is suitable for use as a polisher or as an applicator buffer. It comprises a rigid support (2) having a cavity (5) in one of its faces, together with a buffer (1) constituted by two elastically deformable membranes (7 and 8) which are fixed at their peripheral edges to the side walls of the cavity (5) at a distance from the bottom thereof, thereby defining a space (9) between the membranes which is filled with an incompressible material (11) consituted by small-size grains, with the support (2) including a passage (12) having one end opening out into said space (9) and having its other end connectable to a vacuum source (15).

Description

La présente invention concerne un outil autoconformable à la surface d'une lentille ophtalmique, comportant un support rigide et un tampon déformable monté sur le support.The present invention relates to a self-shaping tool on the surface of an ophthalmic lens, comprising a rigid support and a deformable pad mounted on the support.

Dans le domaine de la fabrication des lentilles ophtalmiques, les outils connus du genre susindiqué sont habituellement utilisés soit comme polissoir pour polir ou doucir la surface d'une lentille ophtalmique, soit comme tampon applicateur pour appliquer un film adhésif sur la surface d'une lentille pour la protéger contre les rayures ou contre les attaques par des corps étrangers, par exemple lors d'une opération dite de "blocage" ou de "glantage" d'une lentille (opération consistant à fixer un bloc métallique sur une face de la lentille, par coulée d'un métal à bas point de fusion, en vue du montage subséquent de la lentille sur le porte-lentille d'une machine à surfacer, d'une machine à déborder ou d'une machine à polir les lentilles ophtalmiques). Dans tous les cas, le tampon de l'outil doit être capable d'épouser étroitement la totalité de la surface de la lentille contre laquelle il est appliqué. Toutefois, étant donné la grande diversité des rayons de courbure des lentilles ophtalmiques et étant donné que la surface elle-même d'une lentille ophtalmique peut avoir plusieurs rayons de courbure (lentilles multi-focales et lentilles toriques), on devait disposer d'un jeu d'outils, adaptés chacun à un rayon de courbure.In the field of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, known tools of the above-mentioned kind are usually used either as a polisher to polish or soften the surface of an ophthalmic lens, or as an applicator pad for applying an adhesive film to the surface of a lens. to protect it from scratches or against attacks by foreign bodies, for example during a so-called "blocking" or "gliding" operation of a lens (operation consisting in fixing a metal block on one face of the lens , by casting a metal with a low melting point, for the subsequent mounting of the lens on the lens holder of a planing machine, an overflowing machine or a machine for polishing ophthalmic lenses) . In all cases, the tool pad should be able to closely fit the entire surface of the lens against which it is applied. However, given the great diversity of the radii of curvature of ophthalmic lenses and since the surface itself of an ophthalmic lens can have several radii of curvature (multi-focal lenses and toric lenses), it was necessary to have a set of tools, each adapted to a radius of curvature.

La présente invention a donc pour but de fournir un outil autoconformable unique, capable d'épouser étroitement la totalité de la surface d'une lentille ophtalmique, avec une pression d'appui sensiblement uniforme, quel que soit le rayon de courbure de la lentille.The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a single autoconformable tool capable of closely fitting the entire surface of an ophthalmic lens, with a substantially uniform contact pressure, regardless of the radius of curvature of the lens.

A cet effet, l'outil de la présente invention est caractérisé en ce que le support comporte une cavité dans l'une de ses faces, en ce que le tampon est constitué par deux membranes élastiquement déformables, fixées par leur bord périphérique aux parois latérales de la cavité, à distance du fond de celle-ci, et définissant entre elles un espace qui est rempli d'une matière incompressible, en grains de petites dimensions, et en ce que le support comporte en outre un passage, dont une extrémité débouche dans ledit espace et dont l'autre extrémité est raccordable à une source de vide.To this end, the tool of the present invention is characterized in that the support has a cavity in one of its faces, in that the pad consists of two elastically deformable membranes, fixed by their peripheral edge to the side walls from the cavity, at a distance from the bottom thereof, and defining between them a space which is filled with an incompressible material, in grains of small dimensions, and in that the support also comprises a passage, one end of which opens out in said space and the other end of which is connectable to a source of vacuum.

La matière en grains peut être par exemple constituée par du sable ou par des billes de petit diamètre. Les billes peuvent avoir par exemple un diamètre compris entre 0,5mm et 3,5mm, de préférence un diamètre de 1mm. Les billes peuvent être en verre ou en métal. Les deux membranes peuvent être en une matière élastomère, par exemple en latex, et elles peuvent avoir par exemple une épaisseur comprise entre 0,5mm et 1mm.The granular material may for example be constituted by sand or by balls of small diameter. The balls may for example have a diameter between 0.5mm and 3.5mm, preferably a diameter of 1mm. The balls can be glass or metal. The two membranes can be made of an elastomeric material, for example latex, and they can have, for example, a thickness of between 0.5mm and 1mm.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront mieux au cours de la description suivante, donnée à titre d'exemple en référence à la figure unique du dessin annexé montrant, en coupe axiale, une forme d'exécution de l'outil.Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly during the following description, given by way of example with reference to the single figure of the appended drawing showing, in axial section, an embodiment of the tool.

L'outil représenté sur le dessin se compose essentiellement d'un tampon déformable 1 porté par un support rigide 2. Le support 2 comprend un premier élément 2a, en forme de coupelle, et deux autres éléments 2b et 2c, en forme d'anneau, sensiblement de même diamètre que le premier élément 2a. Les trois éléments 2a,2b et 2c sont fixés coaxialement les uns aux autres par exemple par des vis 3 et 4, et ils forment ensemble une cavité 5 relativement profonde dans l'une des faces du support 2. Du côté opposé à la cavité 5, le support 2 comporte un moyen 6 permettant son raccordement à un porte-outil, par exemple un bossage percé d'un trou borgne taraudé comme montré dans la figure.The tool shown in the drawing essentially consists of a deformable pad 1 carried by a rigid support 2. The support 2 comprises a first element 2a, in the form of a cup, and two other elements 2b and 2c, in the form of a ring. , substantially the same diameter as the first element 2a. The three elements 2a, 2b and 2c are fixed coaxially to each other for example by screws 3 and 4, and they together form a relatively deep cavity 5 in one of the faces of the support 2. On the side opposite to the cavity 5 , the support 2 comprises a means 6 allowing its connection to a tool holder, for example a boss pierced with a tapped blind hole as shown in the figure.

Le tampon déformable 1 est constitué par deux membranes 7 et 8, en latex, qui sont tendues en travers de la cavité 5 et fixées par pincement, dans leur région périphérique, respectivement entre les éléments 2a et 2b entre les éléments 2b et 2c du support 2. L'espace 9 entre les deux membranes 7 et 8 est rempli de billes 11 de petit diamètre, par exemple des billes en verre ayant un diamètre de 1mm.The deformable pad 1 is constituted by two membranes 7 and 8, made of latex, which are stretched across the cavity 5 and fixed by pinching, in their peripheral region, respectively between the elements 2a and 2b between the elements 2b and 2c of the support 2. The space 9 between the two membranes 7 and 8 is filled with balls 11 of small diameter, for example balls glass with a diameter of 1mm.

L'élément 2b du support 2 comporte un passage radial 12 qui, d'un côté, débouche dans l'espace 9 et, de l'autre côté, est raccordé par un raccord 13 et par un tuyau 14 à une source de vide 15. Une vanne trois voies 16 est insérée dans le tuyau 14 et permet, selon sa position, de mettre l'espace 9 en communication soit avec la source de vide 15, soit avec l'atmosphère. Un filtre 17, ayant une dimension de maille plus petite que le diamètre des billes 11, est prévu dans le passage 12 pour empêcher les billes 11 d'être aspirées dans le tuyau 14 lorsque le vide est établi dans celui-ci par la source 15.The element 2b of the support 2 has a radial passage 12 which, on one side, opens into the space 9 and, on the other side, is connected by a connector 13 and by a pipe 14 to a vacuum source 15 A three-way valve 16 is inserted in the pipe 14 and makes it possible, depending on its position, to put the space 9 in communication either with the vacuum source 15 or with the atmosphere. A filter 17, having a mesh size smaller than the diameter of the balls 11, is provided in the passage 12 to prevent the balls 11 from being drawn into the pipe 14 when the vacuum is established therein by the source 15 .

Bien que cela ne soit pas absolument indispensable pour des lentilles convexes, l'élément 2a du support 2 comporte aussi un passage 18 qui, d'un côté, débouche dans la cavité 5 entre le fond de celle-ci et la membrane 7 et, de l'autre côté, est raccordé par un raccord 19 et un tuyau 21 à une vanne 22 à trois positions. Selon sa position, la vanne 22 permet de mettre le tuyau 21 en communication soit avec l'atmosphère, soit avec la source de vide 15 à travers un tuyau 23, soit encore avec une source d'air comprimé 24 à travers un tuyau 25. Comme on le verra plus loin, ceci permet au tampon 1 de s'adapter plus facilement à la surface de la lentille lorsque celle-ci a un faible rayon de courbure ou lorsque le tampon doit être appliqué contre une surface concave d'une lentille.Although this is not absolutely essential for convex lenses, the element 2a of the support 2 also includes a passage 18 which, on one side, opens into the cavity 5 between the bottom of the latter and the membrane 7 and, on the other side, is connected by a connector 19 and a pipe 21 to a three-position valve 22. Depending on its position, the valve 22 makes it possible to put the pipe 21 in communication either with the atmosphere, or with the vacuum source 15 through a pipe 23, or even with a source of compressed air 24 through a pipe 25. As will be seen later, this allows the pad 1 to adapt more easily to the surface of the lens when the latter has a small radius of curvature or when the pad must be applied against a concave surface of a lens.

On décrira maintenant le fonctionnement de l'outil en supposant tout d'abord qu'il doit être appliqué contre la surface convexe S₁ de la lentille L. La lentille L est placée sur un support 26. Au moins l'un des deux supports 2 et 26 est mobile par rapport à l'autre de telle façon qu'ils puissent être rapprochés et écartés l'un de l'autre comme indiqué par la double flèche F. Les deux tuyaux 14 et 21 étant en communication avec l'atmosphère, les deux supports 2 et 26 sont rapprochés l'un de l'autre. La lentille L déforme la membrane 8 qui épouse alors la face convexe S₁ de la lentille. Ensuite, la vanne 16 est commutée de manière à mettre l'espace 9 en communication avec la source de vide 15. Ceci a pour effet de rigidifier complètement l'ensemble 7,8,11 et la membrane 8 conserve alors parfaitement la forme de la surface convexe S₁. Il en résulte que la force d'appui du tampon 1 sur la surface S₁ se répartit uniformément sur la totalité de cette surface. Dans le cas où l'outil est utilisé comme polissoir, la membrane 8 peut être garnie d'une matière de polissage, tel que par exemple du feutre.The operation of the tool will now be described by first assuming that it must be applied against the convex surface S₁ of the lens L. The lens L is placed on a support 26. At least one of the two supports 2 and 26 is movable relative to the other in such a way that they can be moved towards and away from each other as indicated by the double arrow F. The two pipes 14 and 21 being in communication with the atmosphere, the two supports 2 and 26 are brought together. The lens L deforms the membrane 8 which then marries the convex face S₁ of the lens. Then the valve 16 is switched so as to put the space 9 in communication with the vacuum source 15. This has the effect of completely stiffening the assembly 7,8,11 and the membrane 8 then perfectly retains the shape of the convex surface S₁ . It follows that the bearing force of the pad 1 on the surface S₁ is distributed uniformly over the whole of this surface. In the case where the tool is used as a polisher, the membrane 8 can be lined with a polishing material, such as for example felt.

Dans le cas où la surface S₁ a un faible rayon de courbure, pour faciliter la déformation de l'ensemble 7,8,11, on peut tout d'abord mettre le tuyau 21 en communication avec la source de vide 15 à travers la vanne 22 pendant que l'espace 9 entre les deux membranes 7 et 8 est encore en communication avec l'atmosphère. Ensuite, l'espace 9 peut être mis en communication avec la source de vide 15 au moyen de la vanne 16 comme décrit plus haut pour rigidifier l'ensemble 7,8,11.In the case where the surface S₁ has a small radius of curvature, to facilitate the deformation of the assembly 7,8,11, one can first of all put the pipe 21 in communication with the vacuum source 15 through the valve 22 while the space 9 between the two membranes 7 and 8 is still in communication with the atmosphere. Then, the space 9 can be placed in communication with the vacuum source 15 by means of the valve 16 as described above to stiffen the assembly 7,8,11.

Une fois que le tampon 1 a épousé la forme de la surface S₁ et a été rigidifié comme décrit plus haut, l'espace entre la membrane 7 et le fond de la cavité 5 peut être mis en communication avec la source d'air comprimé 24 à travers le tuyau 21, la vanne 22 et la tuyau 25, pour contrebalancer les efforts d'application de la lentille L contre le tampon 1, en particulier dans le cas où l'outil est utilisé comme outil de surfaçage ou de polissage.Once the pad 1 has taken the shape of the surface S₁ and has been stiffened as described above, the space between the membrane 7 and the bottom of the cavity 5 can be brought into communication with the source of compressed air 24 through the pipe 21, the valve 22 and the pipe 25, to counterbalance the efforts of applying the lens L against the pad 1, in particular in the case where the tool is used as a surfacing or polishing tool.

Dans le cas où l'outil doit être appliqué contre une surface concave S₂ d'une lentille ophtalmique, l'espace compris entre la membrane 7 et le fond de la cavité 5 est tout d'abord mis en communication avec la source d'air comprimé à travers le tuyau 21, la vanne 22 et le tuyau 25 pendant que l'espace 9 entre les deux membranes 7 et 8 est encore en communication avec l'atmosphère, afin de repousser l'ensemble 7,8,11 contre la surface concave de la lentille. Ensuite, lorsque la membrane 8 a épousé la surface concave de la lentille, l'espace 9 est mis en communication avec la source de vide 15 à travers le tuyau 14 et la vanne 16 afin de rigidifier l'ensemble 7,8,11 comme précédemment.In the case where the tool is to be applied against a concave surface S₂ of an ophthalmic lens, the space between the membrane 7 and the bottom of the cavity 5 is first put in communication with the air source compressed through the pipe 21, the valve 22 and the pipe 25 while the space 9 between the two membranes 7 and 8 is still in communication with the atmosphere, in order to push the assembly 7,8,11 against the surface concave of the lens. Then, when the membrane 8 has conformed to the concave surface of the lens, the space 9 is placed in communication with the vacuum source 15 through the pipe 14 and the valve 16 in order to stiffen the assembly 7,8,11 as previously.

Dans tous les cas, on notera que, une fois que la membrane 8 a épousé la forme de la surface concave ou convexe de la lentille et que l'ensemble 7,8,11 a été rigidifié par mise sous vide de l'espace 9, la force d'appui entre le tampon 1 et la lentille L se répartit uniformément sur la totalité de la surface de contact entre la membrane 8 et la lentille.In all cases, it will be noted that, once the membrane 8 has taken on the shape of the concave or convex surface of the lens and that the assembly 7, 8, 11 has been stiffened by evacuating the space 9 , the bearing force between the pad 1 and the lens L is distributed uniformly over the entire contact surface between the membrane 8 and the lens.

Dans l'utilisation de l'outil autoconformable pour l'application d'un film adhésif sur une lentille ophtalmique, ledit outil est essentiellement utilisé comme "mémoire de surface". Les efforts appliqués sur l'outil sont faibles et l'utilisation de billes 11 de verre, qui est un matériau à faible coefficient de frottement, suffit. Par contre dans une utilisation de l'outil autoconformable comme outil de surfaçage, il est nécessaire d'avoir un ensemble très rigide pour éviter la déformation de la forme de la surface sous les efforts d'usinage, et donc d'utiliser des billes ou grains 11 ayant un fort coefficient de frottement (cas de l'aluminium ou de l'acier). En outre, pour cette seconde application il est nécessaire d'utiliser une préforme ayant le ou les rayons de courbure désirés et ayant un diamètre supérieur au plus grand diamètre des lentilles à surfacer pour emboutir et préformer l'outil, en raison du mouvement relatif de surfaçage entre l'outil et la lentille à surfaçer.In the use of the autoconformable tool for applying an adhesive film to an ophthalmic lens, said tool is essentially used as a "surface memory". The forces applied to the tool are low and the use of glass balls 11, which is a material with a low coefficient of friction, is sufficient. On the other hand, in a use of the autoconformable tool as a surfacing tool, it is necessary to have a very rigid assembly to avoid deformation of the shape of the surface under the machining forces, and therefore to use balls or grains 11 having a high coefficient of friction (in the case of aluminum or steel). In addition, for this second application, it is necessary to use a preform having the desired radius (s) of curvature and having a diameter greater than the largest diameter of the lenses to be surfaced to stamp and preform the tool, due to the relative movement of surfacing between the tool and the lens to be surfaced.

Il va de soi que la forme d'exécution de la présente invention qui a été décrite ci-dessus a été donnée à titre d'exemple purement indicatif et nullement limitatif, et que de nombreuses modifications peuvent être facilement apportées par l'homme de l'art sans pour autant sortir du cadre de la présente invention.It goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention which has been described above has been given by way of purely indicative and in no way limiting example, and that numerous modifications can be easily made by those skilled in the art. art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1.- Outil autoconformable à la surface d'une lentille ophtalmique, comportant un support rigide (2) et un tampon déformable (1) monté sur le support, caractérisé en ce que le support (2) comporte une cavité (5) dans l'une de ses faces, en ce que le tampon (1) est constitué par deux membranes (7 et 8) élastiquement déformables, fixées par leur bord périphérique aux parois latérales de la cavité (5), à distance du fond de celle-ci, et définissant entre elles un espace (9) qui est rempli d'une matière incompressible (11), en grains de petites dimensions, et en ce que le support (2) comporte en outre un passage (12), dont une extrémité débouche dans ledit espace (9) et dont l'autre extrémité est raccordable à une source de vide (15).1.- Autoconformable tool on the surface of an ophthalmic lens, comprising a rigid support (2) and a deformable pad (1) mounted on the support, characterized in that the support (2) comprises a cavity (5) in the 'one of its faces, in that the buffer (1) consists of two elastically deformable membranes (7 and 8), fixed by their peripheral edge to the side walls of the cavity (5), at a distance from the bottom of the latter , and defining between them a space (9) which is filled with an incompressible material (11), in grains of small dimensions, and in that the support (2) further comprises a passage (12), one end of which opens out in said space (9) and the other end of which is connectable to a vacuum source (15). 2.- Outil autoconformable selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la matière incompressible en grains (11) est constituée par des billes ayant un diamètre compris entre 0,5mm et 3,5mm.2. Autoconformable tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the incompressible grain material (11) consists of balls having a diameter between 0.5mm and 3.5mm. 3.- Outil autoconformable selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les billes (11) ont un diamètre de 1mm.3. Autoconformable tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the balls (11) have a diameter of 1mm. 4.- Outil autoconformable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les billes (11) sont en verre ou en métal.4. Autoconformable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the balls (11) are made of glass or metal. 5.- Outil autoconformable selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la matière incompressible en grains (11) est constituée par du sable.5. Autoconformable tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the incompressible grain material (11) consists of sand. 6.- Outil autoconformable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les membranes (7 et 8) sont en une matière élastomère.6. Autoconformable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the membranes (7 and 8) are made of an elastomeric material. 7.- Outil autoconformable selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les membranes (7 et 8) sont en latex.7. Autoconformable tool according to claim 6, characterized in that the membranes (7 and 8) are made of latex. 8.- Outil autoconformable selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les membranes (7 et 8) ont une épaisseur comprise entre 0,5mm et 1mm.8. Autoconformable tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the membranes (7 and 8) have a thickness between 0.5mm and 1mm. 9.- Outil autoconformable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que le support (2) comporte un autre passage (18), dont une extrémité débouche dans ladite cavité (5) entre le fond de celle-ci et la membrane (7) la plus proche du fond, et dont l'autre extrémité est raccordable sélectivement à une source de vide (15) ou à une source d'air comprimé( 24).9. Autoconformable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the support (2) has another passage (18), one end of which opens into said cavity (5) between the bottom thereof and the membrane (7) closest to the bottom, and the other end of which is selectively connectable to a source of vacuum (15) or to a source of compressed air (24). 10.- Outil autoconformable selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que le support (2) comprend un premier élément (2a) en forme de coupelle et des deuxième et troisième éléments (2b et 2c) en forme d'anneau, sensiblement de même diamètre que le premier élément, les trois éléments étant fixés coaxialement les uns aux autres, en ce que l'une (7) des deux membranes est serrée par son bord périphérique entre les premier et second éléments (2a et 2b), l'autre membrane (8) étant serrée par son bord périphérique entre les second et troisième éléments (2b et 2c), et en ce que les deux passages (12 et 18) sont percés radialement dans les premier et second éléments respectivement.10. Autoconformable tool according to claim 9, characterized in that the support (2) comprises a first element (2a) in the form of a cup and second and third elements (2b and 2c) in the form of a ring, substantially similarly. diameter than the first element, the three elements being fixed coaxially to each other, in that one (7) of the two membranes is clamped by its peripheral edge between the first and second elements (2a and 2b), the other membrane (8) being clamped by its peripheral edge between the second and third elements (2b and 2c), and in that the two passages (12 and 18) are drilled radially in the first and second elements respectively.
EP88400577A 1987-03-27 1988-03-11 Tool automatically shaped to the surface of an ophtalmic lens Expired - Lifetime EP0286469B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88400577T ATE57863T1 (en) 1987-03-27 1988-03-11 TOOL SELF ADJUSTING TO THE SURFACE OF AN OPHTHALMIC LENS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8704264A FR2612823B1 (en) 1987-03-27 1987-03-27 TOOL WITH SELF-CONFORMING PRESSURE ON THE SURFACE OF AN OPHTHALMIC LENS AND USABLE IN PARTICULAR AS AN APPLICATOR OR POLISHING PAD
FR8704264 1987-03-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0286469A1 true EP0286469A1 (en) 1988-10-12
EP0286469B1 EP0286469B1 (en) 1990-10-31

Family

ID=9349482

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88400577A Expired - Lifetime EP0286469B1 (en) 1987-03-27 1988-03-11 Tool automatically shaped to the surface of an ophtalmic lens

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4831789A (en)
EP (1) EP0286469B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE57863T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3860915D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2018078B3 (en)
FR (1) FR2612823B1 (en)

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EP0436315A2 (en) * 1990-01-03 1991-07-10 Coburn Optical Industries, Inc. Injection moldable plastic laps

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FR2654027B1 (en) * 1989-11-06 1992-01-10 Essilor Int SELF-CONFORMING SURFACING TOOL.
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TW227540B (en) * 1992-06-15 1994-08-01 Philips Electronics Nv
DE4442181C1 (en) * 1994-11-26 1995-10-26 Loh Optikmaschinen Ag Tool for fine working of optical lenses
DE19524084A1 (en) * 1995-07-01 1997-01-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert Hand grinding machine tool and grinding tool
US5762546A (en) * 1995-12-13 1998-06-09 Coburn Optical Industries, Inc. Pneumatically assisted conformal tool for an ophthalmic lens finer/polisher
US5927264A (en) * 1998-01-08 1999-07-27 Worley; Kenneth Extended wear stone polishing disk
FR2781174B1 (en) 1998-07-20 2000-10-06 Essilor Int FINISHING TOOL, PARTICULARLY FOR OPHTHALMIC LENS, AND EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION
US6875090B2 (en) * 1999-12-01 2005-04-05 Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc. Apparatus for finishing optical surfaces, including a pad compensation device
US6527632B1 (en) 1999-12-01 2003-03-04 Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc. Lap having a layer conformable to curvatures of optical surfaces on lenses and a method for finishing optical surfaces
DE10026936A1 (en) * 2000-05-30 2001-12-06 Hilti Ag Grinding wheel
US6589102B2 (en) * 2001-01-30 2003-07-08 Larsen Equipment Design, Inc. Surface polishing method and apparatus
DE10106007B4 (en) * 2001-02-09 2007-06-14 Optotech Optikmaschinen Gmbh Device for polishing lenses
US20050202754A1 (en) * 2003-05-16 2005-09-15 Bechtold Mike J. Method, apparatus, and tools for precision polishing of lenses and lens molds
FR2895293B1 (en) * 2005-12-27 2008-02-01 Essilor Int LOCKING DEVICE FOR OPTICAL ELEMENT.
EP3433052B1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2022-08-24 3M Innovative Properties Company Shape-formable apparatus
CN109571186A (en) * 2019-01-02 2019-04-05 中国科学院上海光学精密机械研究所 Batten member end face fixer for machining

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EP0436315A3 (en) * 1990-01-03 1991-12-11 Pilkington Visioncare Inc. Injection moldable plastic laps

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE57863T1 (en) 1990-11-15
EP0286469B1 (en) 1990-10-31
US4831789A (en) 1989-05-23
ES2018078B3 (en) 1991-03-16
FR2612823B1 (en) 1994-02-25
FR2612823A1 (en) 1988-09-30
DE3860915D1 (en) 1990-12-06

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