Coating installation and method for ophthalmic lens
View Patent ↗The installation includes elements for the temporary injection of inert gas; and at least one individual and autonomous casing ( 6 ) provided with a window ( 13 ) and including receiving elements for a support ( 3 ) carrying an ophthalmic lens ( 2 ), and sealing elements ( 21 ) adapted to form around the ophthalmic lens ( 2 ) a sealed enclosure, that enclosure including a non-return inlet member adapted to cooperate with the elements for the temporary injection of inert gas.
1. An installation configured for the coating of ophthalmic lenses, with a coating deposition station ( 1 ), a polymerization station ( 8 ), means ( 4 ) for moving the ophthalmic lenses from the coating deposition station ( 1 ) to the polymerization station ( 8 ), and means for creating an inert gas atmosphere around the ophthalmic lenses, the means for creating an inert gas atmosphere comprising:
means ( 7 ) for the temporary injection of inert gas; and
at least one individual and autonomous casing ( 6 ), including i) a window ( 13 ), ii) receiving means ( 22 ) for a support ( 3 ) carrying an ophthalmic lens ( 2 ), iii) sealing means ( 21 ) configured to form a sealed enclosure around the ophthalmic lens ( 2 ), the sealed enclosure including a non-return inlet member ( 15 ) configured to cooperate with the means ( 7 ) for the temporary injection of inert gas, and iv) a deflector ( 17 ) disposed facing the non-return inlet member ( 15 ).
2. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure further includes a non-return exhaust member ( 16 ).
3. The installation according to claim 2 , wherein the non-return exhaust member includes a duckbill type seal ( 16 ).
4. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the non-return inlet member includes a duckbill type seal ( 15 ).
5. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the means ( 7 ) for the temporary injection of inert gas include a connector ( 30 ) connected to a source of inert gas.
6. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure is formed by the association of the casing ( 6 ) and a base ( 9 ).
7. The installation according to claim 6 , wherein the receiving means include a boss ( 22 ) disposed on the base ( 9 ).
8. The installation according to claim 7 , wherein the sealing means include an O-ring ( 21 ) disposed between the casing ( 6 ) and the base ( 9 ).
9. The installation according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a hinge ( 18 ) configured to articulate the casing ( 6 ) and the base ( 9 ).
10. The installation according to claim 7 , further comprising:
magnets ( 19 ) configured to hold the casing ( 6 ′) against the base ( 9 ′).
11. The installation according to claim 6 , wherein the sealing means include an O-ring ( 21 ) disposed between the casing ( 6 ) and the base ( 9 ).
12. The installation according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a hinge ( 18 ) configured to articulate the casing ( 6 ) and the base ( 9 ).
13. The installation according to claim 6 , further comprising:
magnets ( 19 ) configured to hold the casing ( 6 ′) against the base ( 9 ′).
14. The installation according to claim 6 , further comprising:
toggle clip type clamps configured to hold the casing ( 6 ′) against the base ( 9 ′).
15. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure is formed by the direct cooperation of the casing ( 6 ) and the support ( 3 ).
16. The installation according to claim 15 , wherein the sealing means include a seal ( 21 ′) disposed between the casing ( 6 ′) and the support ( 3 ′).
17. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the window ( 13 ) is configured to filter UVB rays.
18. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the support ( 3 ) carrying the ophthalmic lens ( 2 ) also holds the ophthalmic lens ( 2 ) at the coating deposition station ( 1 ).
19. The installation according to claim 1 , wherein the autonomous casing ( 6 ) is mobile for entering and exiting the polymerization station ( 8 ).