Method and apparatus for cleaning ophthalmic lenses
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.
1. A device for cleaning ophthalmic lenses comprising:
a vessel configured to store an ophthalmic lens when the lens is being cleaned with cleaning liquid;
a gripper configured to grip an ophthalmic lens such that the gripper can place an ophthalmic lens within the vessel;
wherein the vessel comprises an inlet for liquids;
wherein the vessel comprises a sieve through which liquid in the vessel can pass to enter a discharge line, wherein the sieve is sized to prevent the passage of a stored ophthalmic lens through the sieve; and
wherein the vessel comprises an outlet below the sieve, wherein an ophthalmic lens can be discharged through the outlet with at least some of the cleaning liquid into a shaft having a bore that can be selectively opened and closed.
2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the inlet is designed in the form of nozzles that are arranged at an upper edge of the vessel.
3. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the vessel is arranged in such a way that one or more lenses can be delivered for cleaning into the vessel through the outlet below the sieve.
4. A device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the vessel is arranged in such a way that one or more lenses can be delivered for cleaning into the vessel through the outlet below the sieve.