KR102250641B1 - Photocuring apparatus for contact lenses with colored circle pattern and contact lens photocuring method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a photocuring device for a contact lens in which a circle pattern is colored, and a contact lens photocuring method using the same. The photocuring device for a contact lens colored with a circle pattern of the present invention is a mold member formed by arranging a plurality of hemispherical molds in a circular shape, and after the ink is colored at least one time on the mold member, it is positioned adjacent to a plurality of hemispherical molds. And a light source member for drying the ink by irradiating light in a wavelength band individually.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The photocuring apparatus for contact lenses with colored circle pattern and contact lens photocuring method using the same

The present invention relates to a photocuring device for a contact lens and a photocuring method for a contact lens using the same, and more particularly, to a photocuring device for a contact lens with a colored circle pattern and a photocuring method for a contact lens using the same. .

Contact lenses with colored circle patterns use ink for coloring the circle patterns in a contact lens manufacturing process, compared to general contact lenses. Since more than one ink is used, a process (or time) of drying the ink is absolutely necessary, and in the process of coloring the ink a plurality of times, a lot of time is required for drying the ink.

Recently, the sales volume of circle contact lenses used for single use is rapidly increasing. Even in the case of disposable circle contact lenses, ink is used to color the circle pattern. As a result, a bottleneck occurs because the drying time after coloring the ink is lengthened in the manufacturing process of the disposable circle contact lens.

In order to block such a bottleneck, if a sufficient drying time is not taken after coloring, there is a problem in that the designed circle pattern is not properly implemented. Considering the manufacturing cost and quantity of disposable circle contact lenses, the existing thermal drying method has limitations, and thus the need for developing a new technology for drying ink after coloring the circle pattern is required.

Patent Document 1: Public Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0050718 (Publication date: May 19, 2006) Patent Document 2: Registered Patent No. 10-1070858 (announcement date: October 6, 2011) Patent Document 3: Registered Patent No. 10-1446027 (announcement date: October 1, 2014) Patent Document 4: Registered Patent No. 10-1217976 (announcement date: January 2, 2013) Patent Document 5: Registered Patent No. 10-1570648 (announcement date: November 19, 2015)

The present invention conceived by the above-described necessity provides a photocuring device for a contact lens colored with a circle pattern and a method for photocuring a contact lens using the same, which reduces the drying time after coloring for the circle pattern and increases the retention rate of the designed pattern. Aims to do

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a photocuring device for a contact lens in which a circle pattern is colored comprises: a mold member formed by arranging a plurality of hemispherical molds in a circle; And a light source member for drying the ink by individually irradiating light of a specific wavelength band in proximity to the plurality of hemispherical molds after the ink is colored at least once or more in the mold member.

In this case, the light source member is a circular plate having a circular groove at a position close to the mold member and corresponding to the plurality of hemispherical molds on a one-to-one basis, at least one light source unit provided in the circular groove, and the light source unit And a power supply unit for supplying power, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the light source unit and the power unit.

In this case, the light source unit is a UV (Ultraviolet) LED (Light Emitting Diode).

In this case, the UV LED emits light of any one wavelength band of 365nm, 385nm, 395nm, and 405nm to irradiate the plurality of hemispherical molds.

In this case, the control unit controls to maintain the light irradiation time of the UV LED for 3 seconds to 10 seconds.

A photocuring method for a contact lens having a colored circle pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention includes pad printing ink on each mold using a mold member formed by arranging a plurality of hemispherical molds in a circle; And the plurality of hemispherical molds by using a light source member having a plurality of light sources at positions corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of hemispherical molds to simultaneously irradiate light in a specific band by proximate the plurality of light sources to the plurality of hemispherical molds. It includes; curing the ink printed on the.

In this case, in the curing step, the ink is cured by irradiating light of any one wavelength band of 365 nm, 385 nm, 395 nm and 405 nm onto the plurality of hemispherical molds for 3 to 10 seconds.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, when manufacturing a contact lens having a colored circle pattern, the colored ink is quickly dried, thereby reducing the manufacturing time of the contact lens,

While reducing the manufacturing time, the designed circle pattern is seated on the lens and the retention rate is increased, thereby exerting the effect of increasing the manufacturing yield.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mold member according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light source member according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a view for explaining an example of performing photocuring by irradiating light while a light source member approaches a mold member according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a view exemplarily illustrating an alignment relationship between the mold member and the light source member when the light source member is closest to the mold member and irradiates light according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a view showing an example in which light is irradiated to a mold by a light source of a photocuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is an exemplary diagram in which a circle pattern design according to an embodiment of the present invention is printed on a mold member;
7 is a photograph in which a circle pattern cured by a photocuring device for a contact lens in which a circle pattern is colored according to an embodiment of the present invention and an uncured circle pattern are compared with each other, and
8 is a photograph in which a result of a photocuring method according to an embodiment of the present invention and a result of a conventional thermal curing method are compared with each other, and,
9 is a flowchart illustratively illustrating a photocuring method for a contact lens colored with a circle pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below may be variously changed in design within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mold member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1(a), a concave mold member can be confirmed, and referring to Fig. 1(b), a convex mold member can be confirmed. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on the concave mold member. The mold member 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a mold connection structure for mutually supporting a plurality of hemispherical molds 110-1 to 110-8 and a plurality of hemispherical molds 110-1 to 110-8 ( 120) and a mold grip structure 130 provided at an intersection of the mold support structure and functioning as a handle when picking up and lifting the mold member 100 or transferring the mold member 100.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mold member 100 may be formed of a plurality of molds arranged in a circle, a square, or a polygon. The plurality of molds 110-1 to 110-8 are processed in a hemispherical shape and have a concave central portion. Although FIG. 1 shows a mold member 100 in which eight molds are arranged in a circle, the number of molds and the arrangement shape of the molds may be variously changed in design.

The mold connection structure 120 may be configured by crossing a plurality of cylinders that fix a pair of diagonal lines among the plurality of molds 110-1 to 110-8. In addition to the cylindrical shape, it may be implemented as a square pillar or a pentagonal pillar.

The mold grip structure 130 is a structure composed of a cylindrical shape, a square column, and a polygonal column extending in a vertical direction in an intersection area of the mold connection structure 120. The mold grip structure 130 may function as a reference for alignment when the mold member 100 is moved or used when the mold member 100 is taken out of a work table, or when aligned with the light source member 200.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light source member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2(a), the light source member 200 has a circular hole 211 in the center, a circular plate 210 having a plurality of concave circular grooves H_1 to H_8, a circular groove ( It includes a light source 220 provided in H), a control unit 230 for controlling the light source, and a protective cover 240 extending vertically from the edge of the circular plate 210.

The circular plate 210 has a plurality of circular grooves H_1 to H_8 having a size equal to or similar to the diameter of the individual mold 110 of the mold member 100 described above are processed on the surface. Here, the plurality of circular grooves H_1 to H_8 have a hemispherical shape and are open in a direction perpendicular to the surface. When the plurality of circular grooves H_1 to H_8 are aligned with the plurality of molds 110-1 to 110-8 of the mold member 100, each circular groove H is one-to-one with each mold 110. Corresponds. A circular through hole 211 is provided in the center of the circular plate 210, and the mold grip structure 130 of the mold member 100 may be inserted into the through hole 211.

Referring to FIG. 2(b), a plurality of light sources 220-1 to 220-3 are provided in one circular groove H_1. The light source 220 may be implemented as one or more LEDs in consideration of the intensity, amount of light, and wavelength of light. The light source 220 generates light in a specific band. The light source 220 may be implemented as an ultraviolet LED that generates ultraviolet rays, and at least one or more is provided in the circular groove H. The light source 220 emits light in any one wavelength band of 365 nm, 385 nm, 395 nm, and 405 nm. The light source 220 controls light emission under the control of the control unit 230, and according to an embodiment, the light source 220 may be designed in a structure integrated with the control unit 230 and a power supply unit (not shown) on a PCB substrate. . In addition, the light source 220 may be implemented as another light emitting device capable of generating light having a wavelength of a specific band (350 nm to 410 nm) in addition to the ultraviolet LED.

The controller 230 controls the start of light emission, the end of light emission, and the amount of light of the light source 220. The controller 230 may be provided for each light source 220 or may be designed to manage a plurality of light sources 220 in an integrated manner. The control unit 230 is mounted on a PCB substrate to receive power from a power supply unit (not shown) and controls the operation of the light source 220 by controlling the power supply unit to be supplied to the light source 220.

The side cover 240 shields the light so that the light emitted from the light source 220 is not exposed to the outside while the circular plate 210 and the mold 110 of the mold member 100 are adjacent to each other. In addition, the side cover 240 is designed to have the same shape as the mold member 100 and a slightly larger diameter in order to maintain the alignment of the circular plate 210 and the mold member 100. The side surface of the mold member 100 may be in contact with the mold member 100.

3 is a view for explaining an example of performing photocuring by irradiating light while a light source member approaches a mold member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the light source member 200 is positioned above the mold member 100, and the light source member 200 includes a plurality of molds 110-1 to 110-8 and a circular plate ( After aligning the plurality of circular grooves H_1 to H_8 of 210) with each other, they move downward (see FIG. 3(a)). The light source member 200 becomes closer while being guided by the mold grip structure 130 of the mold member 100 (see FIG. 3(b)). The side cover 240 of the light source member 200 surrounds the side surface of the mold member 100, and the light source member 200 descends downward to be closer to the mold member 100 (see FIG. 3(c)). ). When the light source member 200 is sufficiently close to the mold member 100, it stops moving and emits light from the light source 220 of the light source member 200 to emit light. 110-8), respectively. At this time, the irradiation time is in the range of 3 seconds to 10 seconds, and light is preferably irradiated for 4 seconds to 6 seconds. If the irradiation time is less than 3 seconds, the effect of photocuring does not occur sufficiently, and since the effect of photocuring sufficiently occurs before 10 seconds, there is no difference in the effect of irradiation with light exceeding 10 seconds.

In addition, the light source 220 emits light having a wavelength band of 300 nm to 500 nm, and preferably generates light in a wavelength band of any one of 365 nm, 385 nm, 395 nm, and 405 nm to generate a plurality of molds 110-1 to 110 -8). The alignment structure in a state in which the mold member 100 and the light source member 200 are in close proximity will be described in detail below with reference to separate drawings.

4 is a diagram illustrating an alignment relationship between the mold member and the light source member when the light source member is closest to the mold member and irradiates light according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, when the light source member 200 is sufficiently close to the mold member 100, the transfer is stopped, and light is emitted from the light source 220 to emit a plurality of molds 110-1 to 110 of the mold member 100. Irradiate with -8). In FIG. 4(a), the alignment relationship between the mold member 100 and the light source member 200 in the X1 direction is the same as that of FIG. 4(b). Referring to FIG. 4(b), the light source member 200 comes close to the mold member 100, and the plurality of circular grooves H_1 to H_8 of the light source member 200 are respectively It is arranged to face the molds 110-1 to 110-8 on a one-to-one basis. The plurality of molds 110-1 to 110-8 of the mold member 110 and the plurality of circular grooves H_1 to H_8 of the light source member 200 are arranged to correspond one-to-one, so that the first light source 220-1 is The first mold 110-1 is irradiated with light, the second light source 220-2 irradiates the second mold 110-2, and the third light source 220-3 is a third mold ( 110-3) is irradiated with light, the fourth light source 220-4 irradiates the fourth mold 110-4 with light, and the fifth light source 220-5 is the fifth mold 110-5 Light is irradiated to, the sixth light source 220-6 irradiates light to the sixth mold 110-6, and the seventh light source 220-7 irradiates light to the seventh mold 110-7 Then, the eighth light source 220-8 irradiates light to the eighth mold 110-8.

In the case of the present invention, in a state in which the light source member 200 is aligned with the mold member 100, at least one light source irradiates an ultraviolet ray of a specific band to one mold for a specific time. Photocuring can be completed. This method of the present invention can increase the photocuring effect of the ink colored in the mold by increasing the concentration of light for each mold.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which light is irradiated to a mold by a light source of a photocuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the groove H provided in the light source member 200 and the mold 110 of the mold member 100 are matched one-to-one, respectively. In the case of FIG. 5(a), it is illustrated that one groove H of the light source member 200 is aligned with the convex mold member 100 to irradiate light. In the case of FIG. 5B, one groove H of the light source member 200 is aligned with the concave mold member 100 to irradiate light. When the light source member 200 approaches the mold member 100 (if the distance of X in Fig. 5(a) is narrowed), the ink area printed on the mold member 100 and the light emitted from the light source 220 are irradiated. The photo-curing efficiency is further improved by accurately aligning the areas to be formed.

6 is an exemplary diagram in which a circle pattern design according to an embodiment of the present invention is printed on a mold member. Referring to FIG. 6A, it can be seen that the pattern of the circle lens designed in advance is colored as intended on the mold member. 6(b) shows a pattern of the designed circle lens, and FIG. 6(c) is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6(a). Referring to FIG. 6(c), it can be seen that the designed circle pattern maintains the dot shape and size, and each dot shape is colored without bleeding or missing from each other. If the photocuring method of the present invention is not used, the designed circle pattern is not properly colored on the mold member. This will be described with reference to separate drawings.

7 is a photographic view comparing a circle pattern cured and an uncured circle pattern by a photocuring device for a contact lens in which a circle pattern is colored according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the circle pattern is distorted, such as bleeding or missing, different from the intended design circle pattern, since FIG. 7(a) is not cured. In particular, referring to FIG. 7(a-2), a circle pattern such as a cluster of dots or bleeding is not accurately colored on the mold member 100.

On the contrary, when the light of a specific band of the present invention is irradiated in the range of 5 seconds, it can be seen that the dot shape is maintained like the intended design pattern as shown in FIG. 6(b). In the present invention, the wavelength of light emitted by the light source 220 is 365 nm (see FIG. 7 (b-1)), 385 nm (see FIG. 7 (b-2)), 395 nm (see FIG. 7 (b-3)), and It was confirmed that the ink photocuring speed was increased at 405 nm (see FIG. 7(b-4)) and the designed circle pattern was accurately colored on the mold member 100.

8 is a photographic view in which a result of a photocuring method and a result of not photocuring according to an embodiment of the present invention are compared with each other. Referring to FIG. 8(a), if ink is colored on the mold member 100 and the curing measures are not performed, the design circle pattern is not properly colored on the mold member 100, and a problem occurs in the circle pattern. . That is, the curing operation after coloring the ink is essential, and since thermal curing was used in the past, at least one hour of working time was required for curing. 8(b) is a circle in which a colored circle pattern is designed by curing the ink by irradiating light to the mold for 3 to 10 seconds, preferably for 4 to 6 seconds by the photocuring method according to the present invention. It can be seen that it is reproduced similarly to the pattern.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing time compared to the thermal curing method, and it is possible to solve the problem that the design circle pattern is not reproduced in the mold because it is not cured. It can shorten the manufacturing time and exert a remarkable effect of increasing the manufacturing yield.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a photocuring method for a contact lens colored with a circle pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a step (S910) of preparing a mold member 100 having a plurality of hemispherical molds is performed. Among the mold members 100 having a plurality of hemispherical molds, ink is colored on the mold by a pad printing method (S920). The number of times the ink is colored on the mold may be repeated several times. After the five coloring operations are completed, the light source member 200 located above the mold member 100 is transferred to the lower portion to align the light source member 200 and the mold member 100 with each other (S930). In a state in which a plurality of molds of the mold member 100 and a plurality of circular grooves of the light source member 200 are aligned one-to-one with each other, for a time of 3 seconds to 10 seconds, preferably 365 nm, 385 nm, 395 nm for a time of 4 seconds to 6 seconds And light having any one wavelength of 405nm is irradiated to the mold 110 (S940).

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same level of ink curing effect as thermal curing that takes 1 hour or more by irradiating ultraviolet rays in a specific wavelength band for a very short time. In the case of following this photocuring method, the effect of shortening the manufacturing time of the contact lens colored with the circle pattern is exerted.

The present invention can shorten the ink curing time by irradiating light in a specific band by using a light source member having a structure corresponding to the mold one-to-one to cure the colored ink in each mold of the mold member at a high speed. , As the retention rate of the circle pattern printed on the mold is high, it has a remarkable effect that can increase the manufacturing yield of contact lenses colored with the circle pattern and lower the manufacturing cost.

100: mold member
110: hemispherical mold
120: mold connection structure
130: mold grip structure
200: light source member
210: circular plate
220: light source
230: side cover

Claims (7)

In the photocuring device for a contact lens colored circle pattern,
A mold connection structure comprising a plurality of hemispherical molds arranged in a circle, a plurality of polygonal pillars that fix a pair of molds located on a diagonal line among the plurality of hemispherical molds, and a vertical in the intersection area of the mold connection structure A mold member including a mold grip structure composed of a polygonal column extending in a direction; And
A light source member for drying the ink by individually irradiating light in a specific wavelength band in proximity to the plurality of hemispherical molds after the ink is colored at least once or more in the mold member; Photocuring device.
The method of claim 1,
The light source member supplies power to a circular plate having a circular groove in a position close to the mold member and corresponding to the plurality of hemispherical molds on a one-to-one basis, at least one light source unit provided in the circular groove, and the light source unit And a control unit for controlling the operation of the light source unit and the power unit.
The method of claim 2,
The light source unit is a photocuring device for a contact lens with a colored circle pattern, characterized in that the UV (Ultraviolet) LED (Light Emitting Diode).
The method of claim 3,
The UV LED is a photocuring device for a contact lens with a colored circle pattern, characterized in that the light of any one wavelength band of 365nm, 385nm, 395nm and 405nm is irradiated to the plurality of hemispherical molds.
The method of claim 4,
The control unit is a photocurable device for a contact lens colored with a circle pattern, characterized in that for controlling to maintain the light irradiation time of the UV LED for 3 to 10 seconds.
In the photocuring method for a contact lens colored circle pattern,
A mold connection structure comprising a plurality of hemispherical molds arranged in a circle, a plurality of polygonal pillars that fix a pair of molds located on a diagonal line among the plurality of hemispherical molds, and a vertical in the intersection area of the mold connection structure Pad-printing ink on each mold using a mold member including a mold grip structure composed of polygonal pillars extending in a direction; And
Using a light source member having a plurality of light sources at positions corresponding to the plurality of hemispherical molds on a one-to-one basis, the plurality of light sources are brought close to the plurality of hemispherical molds to simultaneously irradiate light in a specific band to the plurality of hemispherical molds. Curing the printed ink; photocuring method for a contact lens colored circle pattern comprising a.
The method of claim 6,
The curing step comprises curing the ink by irradiating light of any one wavelength band of 365nm, 385nm, 395nm, and 405nm to the plurality of hemispherical molds for 3 to 10 seconds to cure the ink. Photocuring method for use.

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