Method and apparatus for blocking and deblocking a lens

1. A block, comprising:

a block base configured to support a lens for surfacing or finishing;

a cover retained to said base; and

a formable material disposed between said base and said cover in a closed cavity that prevents the transfer of formable material into or out of the cavity once the cover is retained to the block base.

2. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is directly heatable.

3. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said block base is thermally conductive.

4. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said block base carries a heating/cooling arrangement.

5. A block as claimed in claim 4 wherein said heating arrangement is a resistor.

6. A block as claimed in claim 4 wherein said heating arrangement is a p-n junction.

7. A block as claimed in claim 4 wherein said heating arrangement is an adaptation to receive a fluid capable of rendering said formable material pliable.

8. A block as claimed in claim 7 wherein said fluid is a liquid.

9. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said block is heatable by radiation.

10. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is heatable by radiation.

11. A block as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cooling arrangement is a p-n junction.

12. A block as claimed in claim 4 wherein said cooling arrangement is an adaptation to receive a fluid capable of rendering said formable material non-pliable.

13. A block as claimed in claim 12 wherein said fluid is a liquid.

14. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a plastic material.

15. A block as claimed in claim 14 wherein said plastic is a thermoplastic.

16. A block as claimed in claim 14 wherein said plastic is a vinyl.

17. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said formable material is transitionable from a solid phase to a liquid phase at a temperature below a temperature at which any structural change occurs to said cover.

18. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said formable material is transitionable between a solid phase and a liquid phase above a temperature range of about 115.

19. A block as claimed in claim 1 wherein said formable material is a low melt thermoplastic material.

20. A system for blocking a lens comprising:

a block base configured to support a lens for processing;

a cover retained to said base;

a formable material disposed between said base and said cover in a closed cavity that prevents the transfer of formable material into or out of the cavity once the cover is retained to the block base; and

a receptacle configured to receive said base to heat and cool said base.

21. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 20 wherein said receptacle includes a heating arrangement.

22. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 20 wherein said receptacle includes a cooling arrangement.

23. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 21 wherein said heating arrangement is a resistor.

24. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 21 wherein said heating arrangement is a p-n junction.

25. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 21 wherein said heating arrangement is a provision of a fluid capable of rendering said formable material pliable.

26. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 22 wherein said cooling arrangement is a p-n junction.

27. A system for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 22 wherein said cooling arrangement is a provision of a fluid capable of rendering said formabl material non-pliable.

28. A method for blocking a lens comprising:

providing a block having a base configured to support a lens for surfacing or finishing, a cover retained to the base, and a formable material disposed between the base and the cover in a closed cavity that prevents the transfer of formable material into or out of the cavity once the cover is retained to the block base;

heating the block to render the formable material pliable;

applying a lens to said block; and

cooling said block to render said material non-pliable.

29. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 28 wherein said heating is to a temperature sufficient to render said material pliable and insufficient to create a structural change in said cover.

30. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 28 wherein said heating is to a temperature sufficient to phase change said material to a liquid.

31. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 28 wherein said applying includes urging said lens against said cover covering said formable material.

32. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 28 wherein said cooling is to a temperature sufficient to phase change said material to a solid.

33. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 28 wherein said A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 28 wherein said method further comprises deblocking said lens.

34. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 33 wherein said deblocking includes:

reheating said formable material so render said material pliable; and

removing said lens from said block.

35. A method for blocking a lens comprising:

providing a block having a formable material;

rendering the formable material pliable;

deforming said material with a lens;

rendering said formable material non-pliable; and

causing vacuum between the formable material and the lens to hold the lens to the block.

36. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 35 wherein said rendering said formable material non-pliable compresses heating.

37. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 35 wherein said rendering said formable material non-pliable comprises cooling.

38. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 37 wherein said cooling is by direct application of a cold fluid to the material, by direct application of a cold fluid to the block base, by conductively cooling the block base by using coils, p-n junctions, and combinations including at least one of the foregoing.

39. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 36 wherein said heating is by direct application of a hot fluid to the material, by direct application of a hot fluid to the block base, by conductively or inductively heating the block base by using coils, resistance wiring, p-n junctions, arid combinations including at least one of the foregoing.

40. A method for blocking a lens as claimed in claim 35 wherein said causing a vacuum is by thermal contraction of the formable material.

41. A method for deblocking a lens comprising:

heating a formable material of a block; and

removing said lens from said block.

42. A method for deblocking a lens claimed in claim 41 wherein said heating is to cause sufficient thermal expansion of the formable material to reduce a vacuum between the lens and the formable material.

43. A block, comprising:

a block base configured to support a lens for surfacing or finishing;

a cover retained to said base; and

a formable material disposed between said base and said cover, said formable material being selectively changeable between a pliable condition and a non-pliable condition;

wherein in a change between the pliable condition and the non-pliable condition, the formable material is operable to create a vacuum force that attaches the lens to the block.

44. An apparatus for blocking a lens, comprising:

a block having a base configured to support a lens for processing, a cover retained to the base, and a formable material disposed between the base and the cover, the formable material being selectively changeable between a pliable condition and a non-pliable condition;

wherein in a change between the pliable condition and the non-pliable condition, the formable material is operable to create a vacuum force that attaches the lens to the block, and in a change between the non-pliable condition and the pliable condition, the formable material is operable to reduce the vacuum force that attaches the lens to the block.