EP2321200B1 - Transport container system for prescription eyeglass lens production and method for transporting eyeglass lenses and/or eyeglass lens blanks - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport container system for spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks in the prescription eyeglass lens manufacturing according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for transporting spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks in the prescription eyeglass lens production according to the preamble of patent claim 15.

These generic features are off EP 0 839 603 A known.

Currently, in the spectacle lens industry, the blanks or semi-finished products are transported or stored in the course of the added value up to the finished spectacle lens with a holder in different transport containers.

Thus, there are special containers in which the semi-finished products or blanks, for example made of silicate glass or plastic are transported exclusively during the so-called basic glass production, ie until the eyeglass lenses have received the corresponding prescribed optical properties. The containers have receptacles for a pair of eyeglass lens blanks intended for glasses. These recordings are arranged in a so-called center distance of 130 mm. This means that the geometric centers of the spectacle lens or spectacle lens blanks of a spectacle lens or spectacle lens blank pair taken by the receptacles are 130 mm apart. This axial dimension results from the fact that the gripper and spindle distances in the basic glass processing machines (milling, centering, turning, polishing process) were standardized by the major manufacturers to a uniform dimension of 130 mm. The containers for the basic glass production are often used in addition to the inclusion of semi-finished or raw products and the inclusion of polishing tools and the so-called recipe document. Such a container was in the early 90s by the company Carl Zeiss together with a
Cooperation partners developed.

Upon customer request, lenses also get a coloring. In particular, a photochromic coating can also be applied. Because the containers used to transport the base glasses are usually dirty due to the previous mechanical processing of the spectacle lens blanks, it is common to provide a further container for the glasses cleaned after the basic glass processing and the lens pairs arranged in this container to supply the dyeing process.

The optionally colored base glasses are then generally subjected to further refining steps. Thus, e.g. a hard coating to make the glasses more resistant to scratching. For this process, the base glasses are used in brackets where they rest only on the edge, without having contact with one of the optically effective surfaces. According to the internal state of the art, these holders receiving the glasses are transported in special plastic containers. After the hard coating, an antireflection coating and possibly also a non-stick coating is usually applied in order to prevent the adhesion of dirt particles. Thereafter, the finished products are subjected to a quality control. For transporting the glasses together with the recipe document are in turn specially, for example. provided by the applicant developed container. The inserts for both the inserts and the spectacle lenses are arranged in an axial dimension of 112.5 mm. This deviating axis dimension is required because the standard axial dimension in control and packaging systems does not correspond to that of the basic glass processing machines, but is 112.5 mm.

In grinding workshops, other containers are again used to transport the finished products, the spectacle frame, if necessary shaping discs and the associated recipe document. The containers used by many opticians as well as by the applicant themselves have bowl-shaped storage options instead of common stages as storage for the glasses. These cup-shaped receptacles for a pair of spectacle lens finished products intended for spectacles are part of associated inserts, which in turn are themselves inserted in corresponding receptacles in the container. The receptacles for both the inserts and the spectacle lenses are arranged in an axial dimension of 130 mm. This standardized The axial dimension is based on the standard for grippers and spindle arrangements of the major manufacturers of such systems.

Although the o.a. Transport containers have basically proven, there is a need for a uniform container concept and a correspondingly adapted process chain.

This object is achieved by transport container systems for spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks in the prescription eyeglass lens production according to the independent claims 1 and 2 and a method for transporting spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks in the prescription eyeglass lens manufacturing according to claim 15.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The transport container system according to the invention for spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks comprises a container, referred to below as a base container, for a pair of eyeglass lenses or spectacle lens blank. This base container has two, hereinafter referred to as first and second insert receptacle recordings, which are each designed and arranged for the position-oriented recording of a first and second insert. The two inserts are essentially identical. They each have a spectacle lens receptacle, each of which serves to receive a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens blank or are designed or arranged accordingly. The eyeglass lens receivers of the two inserts are designed and arranged such that they can receive a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens blank in a predetermined positional orientation. Because of their complementary geometry to the respective receptacles of the base container, the two inserts can be inserted into the first or second insert receptacle such that the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or spectacle lens blanks intentionally received by the first pair of identical inserts are arranged at a first predetermined distance from each other.

Part of the transport container system according to the invention, a second deviating from the first pair of pair substantially identical inserts for the first and second insert receiving. These inserts also each have a spectacle lens receptacle for the position-oriented recording of a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens blank. The shape of the inserts is chosen in the relevant area so complementary to the two insert receptacles of the base part that they are in such a way in the first and second insert receiving
can be used, that the geometric centers of the intended by the second pair of identical inserts eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks are arranged in the first distance or in a second deviating from the first distance from each other. In other words, the axial dimension is intended to be either identical to the eyeglass lenses or spectacle lens blanks used in the corresponding receptacles of the inserts of the second insert pair or, in the currently most preferred case, deviating from the axial dimension of the spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks used as intended in the corresponding receptacles of the inserts of the first insert pair.

Instead of two insert receptacles, the transport container system can also be provided a third insert receptacle for position-oriented recording of the second insert, wherein the geometric centers of the first and third insert receptacle are arranged in a distance deviating from the distance of the geometric centers of the first and second insert receptacle distance to each other. The first insert pair comprising the first and second insert can optionally be inserted into the first two insert receptacles or into the first and third insert receptacles, so that the axis dimension is intended for the spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks used in the corresponding receptacles of the inserts of the insert pair in the second case (first and second insert receptacles) third insert receptacle) deviating from the axial dimension of the intended purpose in the corresponding recordings of the inserts of the insert pair used spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks in the first case (first and second insert receptacle).

If the transport container system comprises three insert receptacles, then a second pair of identical inserts can be provided for the first and second insert receptacles, the inserts each having a spectacle lens receptacle for the position-oriented reception of an eyeglass lens or a spectacle lens blank and thus into the first and second receptacles Insert can be used, that the geometric centers of the intended by the second pair of identical inserts spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks are arranged at a distance from each other, the distance from the geometric centers of the
The first pair of identical inserts inserted in the first and second insert receptacles deviates in accordance with the intended use from spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks.

Different pairs of applications are required if one wants to ensure that the manufacturing state of a blank can be identified on the basis of the insert used. If e.g. a single failure spectacle lens for rework or individual new production fed to an earlier process step, the transport container can be equipped with different inserts. Thus, each spectacle lens has the suitable use for its production state.

The insert receptacles and the inserts of the first pair or of the second pair of the above-described transport container system according to the invention may be designed to be complementary to one another such that the inserts inserted into the insert receptacles have a predetermined orientation to one another. The arrangement of the insert receptacles in the base container with a predetermined orientation allows removal of the spectacle lenses or blanks from the base container in a known orientation and accordingly also a position-oriented insertion into a workpiece holder of a processing machine or a measuring device. If the processing or measurement of the blank or the lens is position-dependent and / or direction-dependent, a prior determination of the position and direction of the tool can be dispensed with or, if necessary, the precision of the machining or measurement can be minimized as required become.
The inserts of the first pair may be designed to accommodate semi-finished eyeglass lenses. This is necessary, for example, if a transport of spectacle lens blanks / spectacle lenses-as described below under the section BD-is to be carried out during production of the spectacle lenses made of semifinished products with the transport container system. The spectacle lens semifinished images of the inserts for semi-finished products are specially designed so that the respective semi-finished product HF rests flat on its lower edge of the cylinder and that semi-finished products with a diameter of eg 65 mm safely be fixed and that you can still center semi-finished products, for example, with a diameter of 85 mm.

The inserts of the first or second pair can optionally also be designed for receiving spectacle lenses during their finishing. The refinement of eyeglass lenses is understood to mean the processes of dyeing, in which the lenses are given a coloration desired by the customer, hard coating, in which the mechanically finished and optionally colored eyeglass lenses are provided with a protective layer which prevents or reduces scratching of the surface Antireflection coating in which the spectacle lenses are provided with a reflection-reducing antireflection coating with or without hard coating. In some cases, hydrophobic cover layers are applied. The inserts for the finishing, by their adapted shaping allow a damage-free resting of round, oval and free-formed glasses and / or carrying packaged individual glasses (such as patterns). You have e.g. Gripper openings for lifting spectacle lenses. You can have a backdrop for a 3- and / or 4-finger gripper. You can e.g. be designed suitable for glasses with glued disposable brackets. It has proven to be advantageous if the inserts have a bottom marking for aligning the spectacle lenses at their permanent signatures. The inserts can be formed in a light color, in particular in white color, so that contamination can be detected relatively easily.

Furthermore, a third pair of identical inserts may be provided for the first insert receptacle and for the second or third insert receptacle, which are designed to receive the eyeglass lenses during the grinding process. The terms "first", "second" and "third" are not to be understood in the sense of an order in the present description, but merely serve to distinguish the insert receptacles labeled therewith. Insert receptacles for receiving the spectacle lenses during grinding serve as a fixation of unblocked spectacle lenses. Furthermore, they should also serve for the fixation of blocked spectacle lenses before grinding for all common block pieces.

It has been shown that it is favorable if the transport container system, in addition to one or possibly more (possibly releasably) connectable base containers of the type described above also includes a first (or more similar "first") with the base container releasably connectable adapter container. Such an adapter container allows the inclusion of the eyeglass lenses of the pair assignable components.

For example, the first adapter container may have a receptacle for receiving a spectacle frame. This is necessary in particular if transport is to take place during and / or during the so-called "grinding in of the spectacle lenses". The receptacle of the adapter container may, for example, have a latching nose in order to fix the spectacle frame captively in the adapter container. The adapter container can serve in addition to the inclusion of a spectacle frame for receiving screws and nose pads and a (glasses) case and be formed.
The distance of the generally slightly higher adapter container is bridged by supporting elements on the base container, so that the stackability is given.

The transport container system may also include one (or a plurality of similar ones) releasably connectable with the first adapter container and / or the base container second adapter container. This is necessary if, in addition to the objects contained in the base container and in the first adapter container, further objects associated or assignable to the pair of spectacle lenses must be carried along with the spectacle lenses during transport. That e.g. that when grinding the base container can be equipped either with an additional adapter container or with a second adapter container on the first adapter container when the socket and case occupy too much volume.

This second adapter container may for example have a special receptacle for receiving a spectacle case. The receptacle for receiving the spectacle case is provided, for example with a locking device to keep the case captive. A spectacle case can be carried, for example, to receive the finished spectacle lens after grinding. The glasses in the spectacle case can then be packaged and sent to the customer.

The transport container system may also include one (or a plurality of similar) with the first adapter container and / or the second adapter container and / or the base container detachably connectable third adapter container for one or more required for the manufacture of glasses items. Thus, the third adapter container may have a receptacle for receiving one or more polishing tools.

It may be advantageous if the base container and / or the first adapter container and / or the second adapter container and / or the third adapter container are formed geometrically (substantially) identical but distinguishable from each other. An identical geometry may be favorable in order to be able to releasably connect or stack a plurality of containers of the type specified above.

The inventive method for transporting spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks during production by means of a transport container system, in particular of the type described above, comprises the following method steps: First, a Basisb ehälter with a first insert receptacle for position-oriented recording of a first insert for receiving a spectacle lens or spectacle lens blank and provided with a second insert receptacle for the position-oriented recording of a second insert for receiving a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens blank. The base container is then equipped with a first pair of identical inserts in the first and second insert receptacle, wherein the inserts each have a spectacle lens receptacle for positionally receiving a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens blank and are inserted into the first and second insert receptacle such that the geometric centers of The spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks, which are intended to be accommodated in the first pair of identical inserts, are arranged at a first distance from one another. Thereafter, the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks are inserted into the eyeglass lens mounts of the inserts.

After this procedure, the transport container system is ready for transport to a processing station. At the processing station, the spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks are removed from the spectacle lens receptacles and processed in the processing station. After removal from the base container, ie for example During or after processing of the spectacle lens blanks in the processing station, the base container is loaded with a second pair of identical inserts into the first and second insert receptacles instead of the first pair of identical inserts. The inserts each have an eyeglass lens receptacle for the position-oriented recording of a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens blank and are inserted into the first and second insert receptacles such that the geometric centers of the second pair
ientischer inserts intended purpose spectacle lenses or eyeglass lens blanks in a second deviating from the first distance distance from each other (or possibly also in the same first distance) are arranged. Thereafter, the spectacle lenses or spectacle lens blanks are inserted into the spectacle lens receptacles of the inserts and a subsequent further transport of the base container.

During each of the above-mentioned method steps, a first adapter container can be detachably connected to the base container. This can serve, for example, to carry tools for the processing station.

During each of the above-indicated method steps, a second adapter container can also be detachably connected to the first adapter container. Thus, e.g. a spectacle frame are carried.

Figur 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Basisbehälters eines Transportbehältersystems nach der Erfindung,

Figur 2

einen zur Aufnahme eines Halbfabrikats während der Grundglasfertigung geeigneten Einsatz für den Basisbehälter nach der Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen zur Aufnahme eines Grundglases geeigneten und zur Halterung während des Transports bei verschiedenen Veredelungsschritten vorgesehenen Einsatz für den Basisbehälter nach der Figur 1,

Figur 4

einen zur Aufnahme eines Fertigfabrikats geeigneten und zur Halterung während des Transports beim Einschleifen vorgesehenen Einsatz,

Figur 5

eine Variante eines lösbar mit dem Basisbehälter nach der Figur 1 verbindbaren Adapterbehälters, welcher dazu vorgesehen und geeignet ist, ein Polierwerkzeug für die Grundglasfertigung aufzunehmen,

Figur 6

eine Variante eines lösbar mit dem Basisbehälter nach der Figur 1 oder mit dem Adapterbehälter nach der Figur 5 verbindbaren Adapterbehälters, welcher dazu vorgesehen und geeignet ist, eine Brillenfassung oder ein Brillenetui beim Einschleifprozess aufzunehmen,

Figur 7

ein universelles Transportbehältersystem für Brillenlinsen und/oder Brillenlinsenrohlinge umfassend einen Basisbehälter mit Einsätzen zum Aufnehmen von Brillenlinsen und/oder Brillenlinsenrohlingen während der Grundglasfertigung, der Veredelung und dem Einschleifen sowie mit lösbar mit dem Basisbehälter verbindbaren Adapterbehältern für die Aufnahme einer Brillenfassung, eines Brillenetuis und eines Polierwerkzeugs,

Figur 8

ein Beispiel eines in eine entsprechende Aufnahme des Basisbehälters oder eines Adapters einsetzbaren Identifikationstransponders (ID-Tag),

Figur 9

eine in eine entsprechende Aufnahme des Basisbehälters oder eines Adapters einsetzbare ID-Chipkarte,

Figur 10

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Transport von Brillenlinsen und/oder Brillenlinsenrohlingen mittels konventioneller Transportbehälter (Flusszeile A) sowie von drei Verfahrensvarianten unter Benutzung eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehältersystems, wie es z.B. in der Figur 7 dargestellt ist (Flusszeilen B bis D).

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The same or functionally identical components and components are provided in the individual figures with identical reference numerals. Show it:

FIG. 1

An embodiment of a base container of a transport container system according to the invention,

FIG. 2

a suitable for receiving a semi-finished product during the basic glass production use for the basic container after the FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a suitable for receiving a base glass and provided for mounting during transport in various finishing steps insert for the base container after the FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

a suitable for receiving a finished product and intended for mounting during transport when grinding in use,

FIG. 5

a variant of a detachable with the base container after the FIG. 1 connectable adapter container, which is provided and adapted to receive a polishing tool for the basic glass production,

FIG. 6

a variant of a detachable with the base container after the FIG. 1 or with the adapter container after the FIG. 5 connectable adapter container, which is provided and adapted to receive a spectacle frame or a spectacle case during the grinding process,

FIG. 7

a universal transport container system for spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks comprising a base container with inserts for receiving spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks during the basic glass production, refinement and grinding and with detachably connectable to the base container adapter containers for receiving a spectacle frame, a spectacle case and a polishing tool .

FIG. 8

an example of an identification transponder (ID tag) which can be inserted into a corresponding receptacle of the base container or of an adapter,

FIG. 9

an ID chip card usable in a corresponding receptacle of the base container or an adapter,

FIG. 10

a flow diagram of a method for transporting spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks by means of conventional transport container (flow line A) and of three variants of the method using a transport container system according to the invention, as for example in the FIG. 7 is shown (flow lines B to D).

The FIGS. 1 to 6 show individual components of one in the FIG. 7 illustrated transport container system 100 according to the invention.

The FIG. 1 shows a base container 1 of the transport container system 100 in a perspective view. The base container 1 has a shoe box-like basic shape with a bottom plate 2 and four side plates 3, 4, 5, 6 of height 58 mm. The bottom plate has 2 rectangular cross-section with edge lengths of 250 mm and 125 mm two receptacles 7, 8 formed by four circular equidistant openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, which are provided and adapted to receive corresponding inserts. The geometric centers 9, 10 of the arranged at the corners of each imaginary square openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4; 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 are arranged at a distance of 130 mm.

At a distance of 2 cm to the front side panel 5, for example, for inserting a packaging box a together with said side plate 5 a pocket 11 forming web 12 is arranged. At a distance of 5 mm to the longitudinal side plate 3 a together with this a pocket 14 forming web 13 is arranged. The bag 14 can be used for example for inserting a recipe receipt.

Overall, the receiving volume of the base container 1 is chosen so that just two inserts for eyeglass lens blanks and the associated recipe document, but no other tools or accessories such as eyeglass frame and case find space. Currently used spectacle lens blanks have diameters between 65 mm and 85 mm.

The base container 1 has on the opening side projections 15, 16, which in corresponding (in the illustration of the FIG. 1 invisible) complementary recesses in the bottom of another base container 1 of the same design can be introduced and thus allow a position-oriented stacking several base container 1 of the type described above.

The side plate 4 has centrally a hollow profile 19, in which a transponder 20 in the form of a in the FIG. 8 shown coin can be introduced. The bottom plate 2 is centrally hollow profile-like (hollow profile with the reference numeral 17), the inclusion of a transponder 18 in the form of a card in the FIG. 9 designed type enabled.

The FIG. 2 shows a suitable for receiving a semi-finished product during the basic glass production insert 21 for the base container 1 after the FIG. 1 , The insert 21 has a bottom plate 23 with a square end face. It has on the (not visible in the illustration) underside 22 complementary to the openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 spaced (not visible in the illustration) cylindrical pin, which allow a captive but detachable connection between insert 21 and base container 1.

The front side of the insert 21 is provided with a tubular extension 24 with four radially spaced webs 25, 26, 27, 28 disposed at right angles to each other, which terminate in protruding noses 29, 30, 31, 32 in the axial direction. Radially within the extension 24, two webs 33, 34 are arranged. These webs serve to receive a standardized block piece. The web 34 indicates the unique orientation of a right or left spectacle lens in the blocked state. A central hole serves for defined ejection of a blocked spectacle lens from below. The tubular extension 24 with the four radially spaced webs 25, 26, 27, 28 with their axially projecting lugs 29, 30, 31, 32 and the two webs 33, 34 thus form a receptacle 35 for receiving of a semi-finished eyeglass lens.

If two identical trained inserts 21 with their arranged on the insert base cylindrical pin in the space provided openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 in the bottom plate 23 of the base container 1, so are the geometric centers the inserts 21 at a distance of 130 mm from each other, ie the so-called center distance is 130 mm.

The FIG. 3 shows a suitable for receiving a Grundfabrikats during finishing insert 41 for the base container 1 after the FIG. 1 , The insert 41 has a base plate 43 with a square end face 44. The insert 41 has on the (not visible in the illustration) underside 42 complementary to the openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 spaced hollow cylindrical pins 45, 46, 47, 48, which is a captive but ensure releasable connection between the insert 41 and the base container 1.

At the front, the insert 41 has six webs 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 which are arranged at the same angle relative to one another and project from the end face 44 in the axial direction from radially inward to radially outward in a stepped manner. Furthermore, one of the End face 44 projecting web 55 present. In the central region of the end face 44, a geometric structure 56 is introduced in the form of three sections that cut at right angles. The six at the same angle arranged webs 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and the web 55 together form a receptacle 57 for receiving a basic eyeglass lens product. The arrangement is designed so that both 3-finger gripper and 4-finger gripper can stock or remove the glasses. The web 55 prevents slippage of a spectacle lens during transport to the other container half and additionally fixes the packed spectacle lenses in their bags.

If two identically formed inserts 41 are inserted with their arranged on the insert base cylindrical pin in the space provided openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 in the bottom plate 23 of the base container 1, so are the geometric centers the inserts 41 at a distance of 130 mm from each other.

The FIG. 4 shows an insert 61 for the base container 1 after the FIG. 1 for picking up a finished product during the grinding process. The insert 61 has a base plate 63 with a square end face 64. The base plate 63 has on the (not visible in the illustration) underside 62 complementary to the openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 spaced (not visible in the illustration) cylindrical pin on which a captive but allow detachable connection between insert 61 and base container 1.

On its end face 64 of the insert 61 is provided with a cone-like tapered tubular extension 64 with internal web 65. To the extension 64 are four arranged at right angles to each other radially projecting slotted webs 66, 67, 68, 69, which terminate in axially projecting lugs 70, 71, 72, 73.

These fix still unblocked lenses before grinding and after blocking, e.g. before assembly.

Are two identically formed inserts 61 with their arranged on the insert bottom cylindrical pin in the space provided openings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 used in the bottom plate 23 of the base container 1, the axial dimension is 112.5 mm.

The FIG. 5 shows an adapter container 81 in a perspective view. This represents an optional component of the transport container system 100 according to FIG. 7 Like the base container 1, the adapter container 81 having a bottom plate 82 and four side plates 83, 84, 85, 86 has a basic box shape with edge lengths of length = 250 mm, width = 95 mm, height = 58 mm. The side plate 84 has two outwardly projecting pins 87.1, 87.2 spaced apart by two cylindrical equi-spaced ones; 88.1, 88.2 formed connecting elements 87, 88, which are provided and adapted to engage in complementary trained slot-like openings 20.1, 20.2 to base and adapter containers 1, 81 releasably plug-in connection. The side plate 83 is centered one for receiving an ID tag 20 (see FIG. FIG. 8 ) slotted suitable pocket 99 forming.

On the bottom plate 82 are four along the side plates 83, 84 extending webs 89, 90, 91, 92 and between these in turn four pairs arranged parallel to the side plates 85, 86 extending webs 93, 94, 95, 96 are present. The arrangement of the webs 89, 90, 91, 92; 93, 94, 95, 96 is selected so that a (not shown) polishing tool can be inserted in a position-oriented manner. Thus, the polishing tool can be removed automatically and is fixed during manual handling, to avoid unnecessary weight shift.

The FIG. 6 shows a further adapter container 101 in a perspective view. The adapter container 101 having a bottom plate 102 and four side plates 103, 104, 105, 106 has, like the base container 1 and the adapter container 81 provided for receiving a polishing tool, a shoe-box-shaped basic shape with edge lengths of length = 250 mm,
Width = 95 mm, height = 58 mm. The side plate 104 has two outwardly projecting pins 107.1, 107.2 spaced apart by two cylindrical equi-spaced ones; 108.1, 108.2 formed connecting elements 107, 108, which are provided and arranged, in complementary formed slot-like openings 20.1, 20.2 to base and Adapter container 1, 81 releasably engage a connector performing. Side plate 103 has a center pocket (not shown) suitable for receiving an ID tag.

On the inner side of the side plate 103, a bracket 109 for receiving a spectacle frame (not shown) is provided. Within the bracket partition, screw connections and nose pads can be carried along to the respective customer order, without the small screws / nuts being able to move through the container without being defined. The adapter container 101 is chosen large enough that he can also take a spectacle case (also not shown).

In summary, the shows FIG. 7 an embodiment of a universal transport container system 100 for spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks comprising the individual components described above, namely base container 1, each with a pair of inserts 21, 41, 61 for receiving spectacle lenses (not shown) and / or spectacle lens blanks (not shown) during the basic glass production , finishing and grinding, and adapter containers 81, 101 detachably connectable to the base container 1 for receiving a spectacle frame (not shown), a spectacle case (not shown), and a polishing tool (not shown).

The FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a method for transporting spectacle lenses and / or spectacle lens blanks. In the illustration, the transport is compared by means of conventional transport containers (flow line A) and using a transport container system according to the invention, as described, for example, in US Pat FIG. 7 is shown (three variants, flow lines B to D).

A. Transport of spectacle lens blanks / spectacle lenses during the manufacture of spectacle lenses from semi-finished products with a conventional transport container system according to the prior art

The eyeglass lens production begins for mineral glasses from a blank whose surfaces are processed in such a way that the lens has the desired refractive power distribution having. Meanwhile, the production of so-called semi-finished products has become established. Semi-finished products or semifinished products are in production theory partially finished pre-products, which are either stored for later processing in-house company or delivered to other companies and finished there.

In the first case, the semi-finished products HF are in a so-called logistics

Semi-finished or HF bearings 201. By means of an automated gripper, a pair of suitable semi-finished products HF are removed from the HF-bearing 201 on the basis of a customer request (step 202). The job is prepared (step 203) by placing the RF pair in a pair of 130 mm spaced apart receptacles 266, 267 of the conventional shipping container 206. After an i-point booking (step 207) in which logistical information such as e.g. If an order or identification number is transmitted or adjusted to the fabrication system, transport of the transport container 206 with the two spectacle lens semi-finished products HF to the so-called basic glass production 208 takes place.

The semi-finished product HF is already finished on one surface, mostly the front side. In basic glass production 208, the recipe surface is manufactured according to the individual recipe data. For this purpose, the semi-finished products HF are first taken individually from the transport container 206, provided with a protective lacquer or protective film on the prefabricated side (step 210) and then blocked (step 211). The blocked semi-finished products HF are then stored in other receptacles 204, 205 in the transport container 206 and transported by means of a conveyor to the next processing unit. The receptacles 204, 205 are formed so that the semi-finished products HF have a predetermined positional orientation. Individually, the blocked semifinished products are removed from the processing time again and clamped on a spindle of a generator. In this generator, the unprocessed side of the spectacle blank HF receives the desired surface contour (step 212). This may include, for example, the process steps Abzentrieren, milling with diamond corundum pot tool, or centering / milling with milling tool or galvanic disc and turning. Thereafter, the thus processed blanks are placed back into the receptacles 204, 205 of the transport container in the correct position and right / left-right and possibly for Feinschleif - or Lapping station and then transported on to the polishing station. Before reaching the polishing station, first a polishing tool assembly with polishing tools made of aluminum or plastic. The polishing tools are thereby placed in the receptacles 266, 267 in the container 206 position and right / left correctly. At the polishing station, the tools and spectacle lenses are individually removed manually or by machine. Thereafter, the previously processed surface is polished (step 213). For freeform designs, the soft polishing tools (polishing pads and foams) are stored in the polishing machines. A Mittransport the soft polishing tools is not required but basically possible. Thereafter, the glasses are again placed in the transport container 206 and transported to the quality control station, taken there and then measured the respective polished surface (step 214). After measuring the still blocked glasses are stored again in the transport container 206 and transported to the marking station. Once there, they are again removed individually, provided with a signature (step 215) and stored again in the transport container 206. After transport to the melting unit and the meltdown 216 of the block piece taking place there, a new deposit of the lenses designated as base glasses takes place in the transport container 206 and a further transport to a washing device, where these base glasses are subjected to a cleaning procedure 217. After completion and container removal of the base glass, the container 206 moves with the polishing tools for its storage. Between process steps 216 and 217, a container change typically occurs. Either directly before 216 or between 216-217 or after 217. The base glasses can, for example, as in the Fig. 10 shown in another transport container 218 come with deviating from the transport container 206 described above shape. This other transport container 218 in turn has receptacles 219, 220 for the (base glass) blanks, which are arranged in an axial dimension of 112.5 mm. The use of another transport container 218 has the purpose of preventing contaminants from entering during the production of base glass during the implementation of the contaminated blanks between the individual manufacturing steps in the container used dirt particles.

The washed base glasses deposited in the transport container 218 are either fed directly to a hard coating process 223 or first transported to a dyeing station 221, where they are dyed according to the customer's request (method step 222).

The hard coating process 223 initially involves removal of the possibly colored base glasses from the other transport container 218, picking 224 and subsequent fixing in immersion springs or adhesive straps (step 225). This is done in batch sizes of 6, 10, 20 or 40 individual glasses. For this purpose, they can be placed in the lens holders 268 of a holder 267 having eight lens holders 268, which in turn is inserted into a box-like transport container 266. The lens mounts 268 are formed so that the glasses rest without contact with the optical surfaces, ie the front and back surfaces. The individual lenses are subsequently washed (step 226) within this container 266 and cooled (step 227) in order to have the lowest possible temperature difference from the hardcoat. To apply the hardcoat, the lenses are transferred to a special holder 230 and immersed in a dip (step 228). In these holders, the lenses can either be supplied to an annealing process 229 without further reaction or can be supplied to the process 229 by reaction to an annealing vessel (not shown). Subsequent to the hard coating procedure 223, an anti-reflection coating 232 follows. This procedure 232 comprises the process steps of order picking 233, washing 234, drying 235 and inserting 236 the spectacle lenses in calottes. Between these process steps 233, 234, 235, 236 there is always a transport in a further container 237, in which the carrier 267 is located, in its receptacles 268, the lenses in the meantime
are used.

The lenses with the lenses are subsequently installed in a vacuum coating machine where a reflection reducing layer is vapor-deposited (step 238). Thereafter, the calottes with the antireflective coated glasses are removed from the vapor deposition equipment (step 239) and the glasses are replaced in the carrier 267 where they are dried (step 240).

Following the anti-reflection coating process 232, a check 241 is again carried out with the method steps measuring 243, marking 244 and packaging 245, during which the glasses pair of spectacles are inserted and transported in a container 242 of the type described above (container 218).

After completion of the process step control 241, either the preparation for shipping the spectacle lenses to the customer takes place immediately (process step 246) or, as an intermediate step, a grinding-in process 247, i. the adaptation of the outer contour of the spectacle lens to the spectacle frame.

In the first case, the eyeglass lens pair is transported further in the transport container 242. In this case, this transport container 242 is picked into a memory or buffer 248 until the delivery documents, invoice, messenger bags are prepared. The eyeglass lens pair is packaged together with the delivery note 249 and the receipt 250 (step 251) and further distributed to the customer in the transport receptacle 242 for final shipment (step 252).

In the event that the grinding process 247 takes place within the manufacturing company, the lenses and the spectacle frame must be merged. For receiving the spectacle lenses and the spectacle frame during the transfer from one production step to the next, therefore, according to the prior art (at least) an additional transport container is provided. During the grinding process 247 different transport containers 263, 264, 265 are used according to the state of the art in the art. For the spectacle lens pair, a document is first of all created (step 253), which is also received in the transport container 263, 264, 265. Thereafter, the outer contour is detected by scanning the version, shape decision or sample glass (trace 254) and / or the data set for the outer contour is already in electronic form. There is a marking 255 of the axis or the reference signatures and subsequent blocking 256 to receive the lens position-oriented in the slicer / device. When locked, the eyeglass lenses are ground (step 257) and polished (step 258). For frameless eyeglasses, holes are drilled (step 259) to fix the eyeglass lenses to the eyeglass frame. The ground glasses are with or without Holes mounted on the spectacle frame (step 260). There is a final inspection 261 and packaging 262.

The transport containers 263, 264, 265 are used to hold the spectacle lenses, a spectacle case 266, 267 and the documents 253. A transport container 265 with receptacles for the lenses of a pair of spectacle lenses with an axis 112.5 cm serves to accommodate the spectacle lenses.

Logistics and shipping of the finished spectacles takes place in analogy to logistics and dispatch of a single spectacle lens or spectacle lens pair (see procedure 246).

It follows from the above embodiment that, according to the internal state of the art, a multiplicity of different transport containers can be used in a process chain up to the finished spectacle lens or up to the finished spectacles. The transport container system 100 according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of different transport containers, as shown below.

BD. Transport of spectacle lens blanks / spectacle lenses during the manufacture of spectacle lenses made of semifinished products with the transport container system 100 according to the FIG. 7

Assuming, in turn, a production based on semi-finished products, the transport of blank, spectacle lens and possibly additional components can be carried out in the manners described below (process sequences B, C and D).

Initially, the semi-finished products HF are in the HF-bearing 201. By means of automated grippers, a pair of suitable semi-finished products HF are removed from the HF-bearing 201 (step 202) and inserted into the receptacles 35 of two identical inserts 21, which in turn themselves are inserted into the corresponding insert receptacles 7, 8 in the base container 1. The inserts 21 are arranged due to their geometrically complementary to the insert receptacles 7, 8 formed back sides in a predetermined position to each other. This position is chosen so that the axes of the receptacles 35 and thus the semifinished products used in these receptacles 35 are arranged at an axial distance of 130 cm from each other (step 203). If required for receiving polishing tools a releasably connected to the base container 1 adapter container 81 of the type described above are carried.

After the i-point booking (step 207), where the logistics information is e.g. If an order or identification number is transmitted or adjusted to the fabrication system, the semifinished products continue to be transported in the same basic container 1 for the basic glass production 208. When the semi-finished products are sorted, the ID number of the RFID tag in the fabrication system is assigned to the order number.

The semi-finished products HF are removed from the base container 1 individually, provided on the prefabricated side with a protective lacquer or protective film (step 210) and then blocked (step 211). The blocked semi-finished products HF are then returned to the receptacles 35 (FIG. FIG. 2 ) stored in the base container 1 and transported on to the generator. Individually, the blocked semi-finished products HF are removed there again and clamped onto a spindle of the generator. In this generator, the unprocessed side of the spectacle blank HF receives the desired surface contour (step 212). Thereafter, the thus processed blanks are placed back in the base container 1 and transported on to the polishing station. As far as the process provides, before reaching the polishing station Polierwerkzeugbestückung a connected to the base container 1 adapter container 81 (not shown). At the polishing station, if available, the polishing tools and semi-finished products are removed. There, the previously processed surface is polished in each case (step 213). Thereafter, the glasses are again placed in the receptacles 35 of the inserts 21 located in the base container 1 and transported to the quality control station, removed there and subsequently measured the respective polished surface (step 214). After measuring the still blocked glasses are stored again in an identical manner and transported to the signing station. Once there, they are again removed individually, provided with a signature (step 215) and stored again in the base container 1. After transport to the Abschmelzanlage and there taking place melting 216 of the block piece is a new filing of the base glasses in unchanged base container 1 with the inserts 21. In This basic container 1, the base glasses are transported to the washing device, where they are subjected to a cleaning procedure 217.

After washing 217 the base glasses come back into the base container 1, which is now equipped with the inserts 41. These inserts can be arranged in the same or a different axis to each other. The washed base glasses deposited in the receptacles 57 of the inserts 41 in the base container 1 are either fed directly to a hard coating process 223 or first colored according to the customer's request (method step 222). The actual dyeing process requires a special container, which is not discussed here. Further transport to the next refining process step takes place once again in the base container 1 with the inserts 41.

For transporting the base glasses between the individual process steps 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 during the hard coating process 223, these can again be stored in the lens receptacles 228 of the carrier 267, as is known from the internal prior art already discussed then again inserted into the box-like transport container 266 and then into the holder 230 (see process sequence B). However, it is also possible to use the Rohbrillenlinsen each again in the receptacles 57 of the stocked with the inserts 41 base container 1 and transport them in this base container 1 between the individual process steps 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229.

If one of the base container 1 corresponding connecting means provides (which in the in the FIG. 1 shown example), one can assemble several similar basic container 1 into a larger unit. In turn, several similar units can be stacked.

During the anti-reflection coating process 232 following the hard coating procedure 223, with the process steps picking 233, washing 234, drying 235 and inserting 236 the eyeglass lenses 230 in calottes, installing the calottes in the vacuum coating apparatus with subsequent coating 238, removing the calottes from the vapor deposition apparatus and inserting the glasses in the carrier 227 (step 239) and subsequent drying 240, a transport can be carried out as described above (process sequences B and C). However, it is also possible, instead of the transport container 267, to use the base container 1 with the inserts 41 or 61 described above and to flange it to this adapter container 81, 101 if necessary (process sequence D).

During the control 241 taking place on the antireflection coating process 232 with the method steps measuring 243, marking 244 and packaging 245, the respective glasses pair of glasses are again inserted into the base container 1 with the receptacles 21 and transported. If one follows the process sequences B or C, then a change of the transport container is required, following the process sequence D, a change is unnecessary.

After completing the process step control 241, the preparation for shipping the spectacle lenses to the customer can immediately take place (process step 246). Usually, the transport container is not changed for transporting the spectacle lenses (process sequences B to D). So it is sufficient to use the base container 1 (process sequences B and C). In the process sequence D, instead of the base container 1 alone (which is possible in the FIG. 10 but not shown) and the complete container composite comprising the base container 1 and the two adapter containers 81, 101 are used for transport.

Many opticians do not grind the glasses themselves into the corresponding spectacle frames. The grinding process 247 is then carried out in the production company itself. In this case, it is necessary to assign the eyeglass lenses located in the basic container 1 to a spectacle frame and optionally a spectacle case. The base container 1 is therefore connected to form a composite container with an adapter container 101 for a spectacle frame and an adapter container 101 for a spectacle case. The adapter container 101 for the spectacle case and the adapter container 101 for the spectacle frame can be identical, namely, for example, as in the FIG. 6 shown.

It is necessary for the above reasons that the receptacles for the lenses of a spectacle lens pair have an axial dimension of 112.5 cm. Now come the inserts 61 after the FIG. 4 for use.

Logistics and shipping of the finished spectacles are again carried out in analogy to the logistics and to the dispatch of a single spectacle lens or spectacle lens pair (see procedure 246 for the process sequences B-D).

Claims (17)

1. Transport container system (100) for eyeglass lenses and/or eyeglass lens blanks comprising

   a) a base container (1) with

   aa) a first insert receptacle (7) for receiving in a positionally oriented manner a first insert (21) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank,

   ab) a second insert receptacle (8) for receiving in a positionally oriented manner a second insert (21) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank,

   b) a first pair of identical inserts (21) for the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8), the inserts (21) having in each case an eyeglass lens receptacle (35) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank in a positionally oriented manner and being insertable into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8) in such a way that the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks received as intended by the first pair of identical inserts are arranged at a first distance from one another,
   characterized in that

   c) a second pair of identical inserts (41, 61) that differs from the first pair is provided for the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8), the inserts (41, 61) having in each case an eyeglass lens receptacle (57) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank in a positionally oriented manner and being insertable into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8) in such a way that the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks received as intended by the second pair of identical inserts are arranged at a first distance or second distance, differing from the first distance, from one another.
2. Transport container system according to the preamble of Patent Claim 1, characterized in that a third insert receptacle is provided for receiving the second insert (21) in a positionally oriented manner and in that the geometrical centers of the first and third insert receptacles (9) are arranged at a distance from one another differing from the distance between the geometrical centers of the first and second insert receptacles (9, 10).
3. Transport container system according to Claim 2, characterized in that a second pair of identical inserts (41, 61) is provided for the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8), the inserts (41, 61) having in each case an eyeglass lens receptacle (57) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank in a positionally oriented manner and being insertable into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8) in such a way that the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks received as intended by the second pair of identical inserts are arranged at a distance from one another differing from the distance of the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks received as intended by the first pair of identical inserts inserted into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8).
4. Transport container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert receptacles (9, 10) and the inserts (21, 41, 61) of the first pair or the second pair are formed such that they complement one another in such a way that the inserts (21, 41, 61) inserted into the insert receptacles (9, 10) have a predetermined orientation in relation to one another.
5. Transport container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inserts (21) of the first pair are formed for receiving semifinished eyeglass lenses.
6. Transport container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inserts (41) of the first or second pair are formed for receiving eyeglass lenses during their finishing.
7. Transport container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third pair of identical inserts (61) is provided for the first insert receptacle (9) and for the second or third insert receptacle (10) and in that the inserts (61) of the third pair are formed for receiving the eyeglass lenses during truing.
8. Transport container system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first adapter container (101) that can be releasably connected to the base container (1) is provided.
9. Transport container system according to Claim 8, characterized in that the first adapter container (101) has a receptacle for receiving an eyeglass frame.
10. Transport container system according to either of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that a second adapter container that can be releasably connected to the first adapter container (101) and/or the base container (1) is provided.
11. Transport container system according to Claim 10, characterized in that the second adapter container has a receptacle for receiving an eyeglass case.
12. Transport container system according to either of Claims 10 and 11, characterized in that a third adapter container (81) that can be releasably connected to the first adapter container (101) and/or the second adapter container and/or the base container (1) is provided.
13. Transport container system according to Claim 12, characterized in that the third adapter container (81) has a receptacle for receiving a polishing tool.
14. Transport container system according to one of Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the base container (1) and/or the first adapter container (101) and/or the second adapter container and/or the third adapter container (81) are formed such that they are geometrically identical but can be differentiated from one another.
15. Method for transporting eyeglass lenses and/or eyeglass lens blanks during production by means of a transport container system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following method steps:

    a) providing a base container (1), with

    aa) a first insert receptacle (7) for receiving in a positionally oriented manner a first insert (21) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank,

    ab) a second insert receptacle (8) for receiving in a positionally oriented manner a second insert (21) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank,

    b) loading the base container (1) with a first pair of identical inserts (21) into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8), the inserts (21) having in each case an eyeglass lens receptacle (35) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank in a positionally oriented manner and being inserted into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8) in such a way that the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks received as intended by the first pair of identical inserts are arranged at a first distance from one another,

    c) inserting eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks into the eyeglass lens receptacles (35) of the inserts (21),

    d) transporting the base container (1) to a machining station,

    e) removing the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks from the eyeglass lens receptacles,

    f) machining the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks in the machining station and loading the base container (1) with a second pair of identical inserts (41, 61) for the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8) instead of the first pair of identical inserts (21), the inserts (41, 61) having in each case an eyeglass lens receptacle (57) for receiving an eyeglass lens or an eyeglass lens blank in a positionally oriented manner and being inserted into the first and second insert receptacles (7, 8) in such a way that the geometrical centers of the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks received as intended by the second pair of identical inserts are arranged at the same first distance or at a second distance from one another, differing from the first distance,

    h) inserting the eyeglass lenses or eyeglass lens blanks into the eyeglass lens receptacles (57) of the inserts (41, 61),

    d) transporting the base container (1) further.
16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that a first adapter container (101) is releasably connected to the base container (1).
17. Method according to Claim 16, characterized in that a second adapter container (81) is releasably connected to the first adapter container (101).

Images