JPH0780011A - Device for carrying material for producing ophthalmic lens and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the carrying device which can carry smoothly a material, a jig, etc., used for producing the ophthalmic lens between performing places of each producing process. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with plural air blowout holes 24 which are opened on the guide face 16 of a carrying base, and also, constituted so that by compressed air blown out through those air blowout holes 24, buoyance is exerted on an ophthalmic lens producing material 26 such as a lens material, etc., and such a lens producing material 26 is carried by floating it up from the guide face 16 thereby.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention conveys materials used for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses and materials for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses such as jigs, between the places where each manufacturing process of ophthalmic lenses is carried out. The present invention relates to a transportation device and a transportation method for an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART In general, ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses are obtained by cutting a plurality of thick disk-shaped lens materials out of a circular rod-shaped lens material, and then sequentially subjecting both surfaces of the lens materials to rough cutting. Further, both lens surfaces are sequentially subjected to finishing processing to be manufactured.

By the way, the manufacturing process of these various types of ophthalmic lenses is carried out at different places from each other because a special device is required for processing. Etc. are sequentially transported to the place where each of these steps is carried out, and the above-described processing is added.

Conventionally, a belt conveyor is generally used as a conveying means for the material for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens such as a lens material or a jig between the places where the respective steps are carried out.

However, since the lens materials for contact lenses and intraocular lenses are very small and lightweight, they are caught in the gaps formed in the joint portion of the belt conveyor and cannot be transported, or the lens materials are not used. However, there is a problem in that smooth transportation is not possible due to easy reversal.

Further, particularly in the case of the lens material which has been subjected to roughing processing or finishing processing, the processing surface is scratched or corners are chipped due to being caught in a gap generated at the joint portion of the belt conveyor, etc. As a result, there is a problem that the quality and the rate of non-defective products are lowered due to problems during transportation.

Further, the belt conveyor is structurally
In addition to belts, driving means such as motors and driving force transmission means such as gears and pulleys are required, and the equipment becomes large in size, so equipment costs are high and layout changes of the conveyance equipment are required when changing processes. There was also the problem of being very complicated and difficult.

[0008]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to manufacture an ophthalmic lens such as a lens material for a contact lens or an intraocular lens. A conveying device and a conveying method for an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material, which are capable of preventing catching, reversal, etc. when carrying the material between the places where the respective manufacturing steps are carried out, and realizing smooth and advantageous transportation in an advantageous and stable manner. To provide.

Further, according to the present invention, damages such as scratches and chips can be prevented when the material for producing an ophthalmic lens is transported between the places where the respective manufacturing steps are carried out, and the product quality and the yield rate can be advantageously improved. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transportation device and a transportation method for a material for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens.

Furthermore, the present invention has a simple device configuration,
It is also an object to provide a transportation device and a transportation method for a material for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens, which can easily change the layout.

[0011]

In order to solve such a problem, a feature of the present invention resides in that materials used for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens, materials for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens such as jigs, and the like In a transportation device for materials for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens that can be transported between process execution locations, a plurality of air ejection holes opening in the guiding surface are provided in a transportation base having a flat guiding surface. By providing the material at a distance that always covers at least one opening, the material for making an eye lens is floated from the guide surface by the compressed air ejected from the air ejection hole, and is conveyed. It is in the transporting device for manufacturing materials.

[0012] In such a carrying device, it is advantageous that the plurality of air ejection holes are opened so as to be inclined with respect to the guide surface and ejected from the air ejection holes. By the compressed air, a propulsive force as well as a buoyancy force is applied to the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material.

Further, according to the present invention, when materials for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens, materials for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens such as jigs, etc. are transported between the places where each manufacturing process of the ophthalmic lens is carried out,
A method for transporting an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material is also characterized in that compressed air is ejected from below to exert a buoyancy force on the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material so that the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material is moved while floating. And

Further, also in this carrying method, it is advantageous that the ejection of the compressed air is performed from the lower side to the diagonally upper side with respect to the bottom surface of the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material, so that the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material is exposed. On the other hand, propulsive force is applied together with buoyancy.

[0015]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in order to clarify the present invention more specifically.

First, FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective explanatory view and a longitudinal sectional explanatory view of a conveying device 10 for an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material as an embodiment of the present invention. The carrier device 10 includes a long carrier base 12 extending in a rectangular cross section. The material of the transport base 12 is not particularly limited, but a synthetic resin material such as PMMA or the like can be preferably used because of its lightness and workability.

A shallow guide groove 14 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the upper surface of the carrier base 12. In addition, the bottom surface of the guide groove 14 is a flat guide surface 16, and both sides of the guide surface 16 in the width direction extend over the entire length of the guide groove 14 with a substantially constant distance between the facing surfaces. Wall surfaces 18, 18 are formed.

An air supply passage 20 is formed inside the transfer base 12 and extends in the central portion over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The air supply path 20 is opened on one side in the longitudinal direction of the transfer base 12, and the end portion on the opening side serves as an air supply port 22.

Further, a large number of air ejection holes 24 extending upward from the air supply passage 20 and opening on the guide surface 16 are bored inside the transfer base 12. These air ejection holes 24 are provided in a row at substantially regular intervals in the longitudinal direction so as to open in the substantially central portion in the width direction of the guide surface 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the air ejection holes 24 are provided in a state of being inclined to one side in the longitudinal direction of the transport base 12 and opening on the guide surface 16. As a result, by supplying the compressed air from the air supply port 22, the compressed air is ejected from the respective air ejection holes 24 onto the guide surface 16 through the air supply passage 20.

The guide surface 16 at the opening of the air ejection hole 24
The interval above is set so that the lens material 26 can always cover the opening of at least one air ejection hole 24, depending on the size of the lens material 26 to be conveyed. Further, the diameter of the air ejection holes 24 is not particularly limited, but the compressed air supplied from the air supply passage 20 is subjected to an appropriate pressure loss, so that all the air ejection holes 24 are discharged.
So that the air pressure ejected through
It should be determined according to the air pressure to be supplied, the number of air ejection holes 24, etc., and is 0.2 mmφ in this embodiment.

In the transporting device 10 configured as described above, the air ejected from the air ejection holes 24 is supplied to the lens by supplying compressed air by connecting an air supply pipe line (not shown) to the air supply port 22. The material 26 is made to act. As a result, the jet pressure of the air exerts a buoyancy force on the lens material 26, and the lens material 26 is guided by the guide surface
It is raised from 6. Further, since the air ejection holes 24 are inclined with respect to the guide surface 16, the ejection pressure of air exerts a propulsive force on the lens material 26 in the inclination direction of the air ejection holes 24. Thus, the lens material 26 is moved in the longitudinal direction in the guide groove 14 while being floated from the guide surface 16.

Further, when the lens material 26 is moved, the movement direction of the lens material 26 can be stabilized by the entrainment action of the air jetted obliquely upward from below. Lens material 2 due to external force, etc.
Even if 6 is wobbled, the moving direction can be corrected by the guide action of both inner wall surfaces 18, 18.

The air pressure supplied through the air supply port 22 must be set so as to exert sufficient buoyancy and propulsion force on the lens material 26, but if it is too large, the lens material 26 will be guided. There is a risk of jumping out of the groove 14. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the air pressure using a flow rate adjuster, a pressure adjuster, or the like according to the size and shape of the lens material 26, the number of air ejection holes 24, the arrangement form, and the like. However, the lens material 26 is very light, and in the case of a contact lens material, in particular, since the weight including the jig is generally 6.0 g or less, the transport device 10 of this embodiment has a length of 30 cm, 0.5
It is sufficient to set an air pressure of about 1.0 kg / cm ² .

Further, in the transport device 10 as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, by arranging the two transport devices 10 close to each other in series, a continuous guide surface is formed. You can also do that,
Even at the connecting portion of the guide surfaces 16 and 16, the lens material 26
Can be moved below the floating state.

When it is desired to form a longer guide surface, a plurality of the carrier bases 12 having the air supply passages 20 opened at both end faces in the longitudinal direction are used, and the air supply passages 20 and 2 are provided.
It is also possible to connect 0 in series via a sealing material. Alternatively, by closing both longitudinal ends of the air supply passage 20 and opening the central portion of the air supply passage 20 to the side of the conveyance base 12 to provide an air supply port, three or more conveying devices are provided. Can be arranged in series to form a continuous guide surface.

Therefore, in the above-described carrying device 10, the lens material 26 is carried in a floating state, so that the lens material 26 is prevented from being caught on the carrying path, and smooth carrying is possible.

Further, in the carrying device 10, since the lens material 26 is prevented from being reversed due to being caught on the carrying path, the lens material 26 is held by the holding device installed at the end of the guide groove 14. Since the gripping direction of the lens material 26 at the time of taking out the lens material 26 can be advantageously defined, it is possible to mount the lens material 26 on the processing device in the subsequent process with a predetermined directionality. Therefore, there is also an advantage that the automation of the manufacturing process can be advantageously achieved.

Further, in the carrying device 10,
Since the lens material 26 is prevented from coming into contact with the transportation device 10 during transportation, wear and damage of the lens material 26 can be advantageously prevented, which also improves the product quality and the yield rate. In addition to being achieved, the generation of dust due to wear can be prevented.

Further, in such a transporting device 10, it is not necessary to provide a driving means or the like for each transporting device 10, and the structure is extremely simple, so that it is easier to manufacture and cheaper than the conventional belt conveyor. There is also an advantage that the layout of the transfer path formed by the guide groove 14 of the transfer device 10 can be easily changed only by changing the piping of the air supply line connected to the air supply port 22.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 7 show a carrier device 30 as another embodiment of the present invention. The members and parts having the same structure as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

That is, in the carrier device 30 of this embodiment, the first, second, and third air supplies that extend inside the carrier base 12 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction and open at one end face in the longitudinal direction are provided. Passages 32, 34 and 36 are provided. The first air supply passage 32 is provided in the central portion in the width direction of the transfer base 12, while the second and third air supply passages 34, 36 are provided in the width direction of the transfer base 12. It is located on both sides of the first air supply passage 32 and is provided in parallel with the first air supply passage 32. The openings of the first, second, and third air supply passages 32, 34, 36 are air supply ports 38, 40, 42, respectively.

Further, the first, second and third air supply passages 32, 34 and 36 are made to communicate with each other, and the first, second and third air supply passages 32, 34 and 36 are used to convey the carrier. First, second, and third air ejection holes 44, 46, 4 that extend upward through the inside of the base 12 and open on the guide surface 16.
8 are drilled in large numbers.

Here, the first air ejection holes 44, which communicate with the first air supply passage 32, are opened at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the guide surface 16 with a substantially constant interval in the longitudinal direction. They are provided in a row. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first air ejection hole 44 is inclined on one side in the longitudinal direction of the transport base 12 (right direction in the figure) and is opened on the guide surface 16. Has been.

On the other hand, the second and third air supply passages 3
Second and third air ejection holes 46, which communicate with 4, 36,
The guides 48 are provided in a row at substantially regular intervals in the longitudinal direction so as to open at positions (both sides of the first air ejection hole 44) that are offset to both sides of the guide surface 16 in the width direction. Also, these second and third air ejection holes 46, 4
As shown in FIG. 6, 8 is the first air ejection hole 4
It is opened on the guide surface 16 inclining to the other side in the longitudinal direction of the transport base 12 (left direction in the drawing), which is the opposite direction to 4.

Then, in the carrying device 30,
Although not clearly shown in the drawing, compressed air is selectively supplied to the first air supply passage 32 and the second and third air supply passages 34 and 36 by an air switching valve (not shown). It is like this.

As a result, compressed air is supplied to the first air supply passage 32, and air is ejected from the first air ejection hole 44, so that the lens material is moved in the guide groove 14 to the right in the drawing. The compressed air can be supplied to the second and third air supply passages 34 and 36, and the second and third air ejection holes 4 can be moved.
By ejecting air from 6, 48, the guide groove 14
Inside, the lens material can be moved to the left in the figure.

Therefore, as described above, also in the transfer device 30 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be effectively exerted, and in addition to that, In the device 30, the feeding direction of the lens material can be arbitrarily selected by switching the supply port of the compressed air.

Further, FIG. 8 shows a carrying device 50 as still another embodiment of the present invention. Note that, also in this embodiment, the members and parts having the same structure as the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.

That is, in the carrier device 50 of the present embodiment, the guide groove 14 formed in the carrier base 12 is widened on one side in the longitudinal direction, whereby the guide groove 14 is flush with the guide groove 14. A wide concave portion 52 is formed to widen. The wide recess 52 is also provided with a plurality of air ejection holes 24 that open to the guide surface 16, and are each connected to an air supply path (not shown) inside the transport base 12.

Further, each of the air ejection holes 24 formed in the wide recesses 52 is opened so as to be inclined toward the center of the guide groove 14. Thereby,
Air ejected from the air ejection holes 24 can apply a propulsive force toward the center of the guide groove 14 to the lens material placed on the guide surface 16 of the wide recess 52. .

Therefore, in the carrying device 50 of this embodiment having such a structure, no matter where the lens material is located in the wide concave portion 52,
The lens material is guided to the central portion of the guide groove 14 by the buoyant force and the propulsive force of the air ejected from the air ejection hole 24, and the inside of the guide groove 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction as described above. .

Therefore, in the carrying device 50,
Even when the lens material is manually guided into the guide groove 14 of the transportation device 50 or is guided from a plurality of places, it is easy to place the lens material on the transportation device, and excellent workability is obtained. It can be demonstrated.

Further, in the carrying device 60 shown in FIG. 9, the air ejection hole 56 opening to the guide surface 16 which is the bottom surface of the guide groove 14 in the long carrying base 12 is provided in the guide surface 1.
6 is formed in a direction perpendicular to 6 and is connected to the air supply passage 20 on the inner surface. Then, such a transport base 12 is supported on the horizontal support surface 58 by the support legs 62 and 64 having different heights so as to incline from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. It is supported.

In the transporting device 60 having such a structure, the lens material 26 is floated by the compressed air ejected from the air ejection holes 56, and a propulsive force by gravity is applied to the lens material 26 to move from right to left in the figure. It is possible to make it.

Further, in the carrying device 70 shown in FIG. 10, the propelling air ejection holes 66 for giving a propulsive force to the lens material are provided with the guide groove 14 in the longitudinal carrying base 12.
Are provided on the inner wall surfaces on both sides of, respectively, with inclination. The propulsion air ejection holes 66 are connected to the propulsion air supply holes 68, 68 provided on both sides of the levitation air supply passage 20, respectively. In addition, the levitation air ejection hole 56 is bored in the direction perpendicular to the guide surface 16 and is connected to the levitation air supply passage 20 inside, similarly to the transport device 60 in FIG.

Therefore, in the carrying device 70, the lens material (26) is levitated by the compressed air ejected from the air ejection holes 56 in the vertical direction, while the compressed air from the propelling air ejection holes 66 is ejected. By the jetting, a propulsive force is applied to the lens material (26), so that the lens material (26) can be moved from right to left in the figure.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are literal examples and the present invention is not construed as being limited to these specific examples.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, in a conveying device of the type in which air buoyancy and propulsion are generated by air ejection holes opening in the guide surface, the angle of inclination of the air ejection hole with respect to the guide surface is The shape and weight of the lens material, the air pressure to be supplied, and the like should be taken into consideration so that the desired buoyancy and propulsive force can be exerted, and there is no limitation. Then, it is possible to adjust the conveying speed of the lens material by changing the inclination angle of the air ejection hole.

It is also possible to make the inclination angle of the air ejection hole different in the conveying direction. For example, by making the inclination angle of the air ejection hole opposite at the end portion of the conveyance path, the lens material can be controlled. It is also possible to exert power.

Further, the air ejection holes 56 for ejecting the compressed air in the direction perpendicular to the guide surface 16 in the conveying devices 60 and 70 shown in FIGS. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a porous member at the air ejection hole forming portion and eject the compressed air through the porous member.

Further, in the above embodiment, the guide surface 16 is constituted by the bottom surface of the guide groove 14 and the inner wall surfaces 18, 18 are formed on both sides of the guide surface 16, but it is jetted from the air supply port. Since the moving direction of the lens material can be stabilized by the action of entraining air, such inner wall surfaces 18, 18 are not always necessary. Further, instead of the inner wall surfaces 18, 18, it is also possible to eject air from both sides of the guide surface 16 toward the center side to stabilize the moving direction of the lens material.

Further, by providing the lower surface and the outer peripheral surface of the lens material with irregularities such as a rectifying plate, the lens material can be stabilized during transportation, or the lens material can be oriented to rotate during transportation. It is also possible to prevent it.

It is also possible to form a curved conveyance path by bending the guide groove 18 or the like. In such a case, it is desirable that the inner wall surface 18 located outside the curved portion is also provided with air ejection holes to prevent the lens material from impacting the inner wall surface 18.

Furthermore, the air supply path for guiding the compressed air to the air ejection hole can be formed by covering the concave groove formed in the lower surface of the carrier base with a suitable lid material. In particular, as described above, when forming a curved conveyance path, such an air supply path structure can be advantageously employed.

In addition, the carrying device and the carrying method according to the present invention can be applied to the carrying of not only lens materials but also various materials for manufacturing eye lenses. For example, as shown in FIG. A lens material 74 having a concave portion 72 for gripping formed on the outer peripheral portion and a spherical convex surface 78 to which a lens material 76 having one lens surface (concave surface) cut as shown in FIG. Cutting jig 80,
Both may be advantageously applied to transport, such as a transport container 86 having a recess 84 for housing a roughened semi-finished lens 82, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Although not listed one by one, the present invention
Based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, it can be implemented in various modified, modified, and improved modes, and
It goes without saying that all such embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0057]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the carrying apparatus and the carrying method of the present invention, the material for making an ophthalmic lens is carried in a floating state, so that the material for making an ophthalmic lens is carried. It is possible to advantageously prevent a catch on the road, a reversal or the like caused by such a catch, and a smooth conveyance becomes possible.

Further, according to the carrying device and the carrying method, since the contact of the eye lens manufacturing material with the guide surface is avoided at the time of carrying, the wear and damage of the eye lens manufacturing material can be prevented, Improvements in product quality and yield can be advantageously achieved.

Further, in the carrying device according to the present invention,
It is possible to form a curved conveyance path, and the degree of freedom in designing the conveyance path can be advantageously ensured.

Furthermore, in the carrying apparatus according to the present invention, the structure is extremely simple, so that it is easier and cheaper to manufacture than the conventional belt conveyor, and the layout of the carrying path can be easily changed. It is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a carrying device as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a vertical cross-sectional view of the transfer device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection structure of two transfer devices.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a carrying device as another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a VII-VII arrow view in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a carrying device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view showing a different embodiment of the transport device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another different embodiment of the transport device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a lens material as a specific example of an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a cutting jig as a specific example of an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a container as a specific example of an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material.

14 is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 30, 50, 60, 70 Transfer device 12 Transfer base 14 Guide groove 16 Guide surface 18 Inner wall surface 20 Air supply path 24, 56 Air ejection hole 26 Lens material 32 First air supply path 34 Second air supply Path 36 Third air supply path 44 First air ejection hole 46 Second air ejection hole 48 Third air ejection hole 66 Propulsion air ejection hole 68 Propulsion air supply path 76 Lens material 80 Cutting jig 86 containers

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shoji Fujita No. 3 Shinsama, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture Menicon Seki Factory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A conveying device for an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material, which conveys an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material such as a material or a jig used for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens between execution sites of respective manufacturing steps of the ophthalmic lens, By providing a plurality of air ejection holes, which are open to the guide surface, on a carrier base having a flat guide surface at intervals such that the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material always covers at least one opening, A conveying device for an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material, wherein the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material is floated from the guide surface and conveyed by compressed air ejected from a hole. 2. The plurality of air ejection holes are opened so as to be inclined with respect to the guide surface, and the compressed air ejected from the air ejection holes causes a buoyancy force with respect to the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material. The apparatus for conveying a material for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens according to claim 1, wherein a driving force is applied together therewith. 3. A material used for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens, a material for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens such as a jig, and the like, when being transported between the places where each manufacturing process of the ophthalmic lens is carried out, A method for conveying an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material, characterized in that compressed air is ejected from below to exert a buoyant force so that the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material is moved while being levitated. 4. The jetting of the compressed air is performed from the lower side to the obliquely upper side with respect to the bottom surface of the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material so that buoyancy and propulsive force are applied to the ophthalmic lens manufacturing material. The method for conveying an ophthalmic lens manufacturing material according to claim 3, wherein