US5674557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for transiently wetting lens molds in production of contact lens blanks to reduce lens hole defects
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-29
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2015-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Hydrophilic contact lens molds are transiently modified to provide a water dynamic contact angle equal to or less than 100° by treatment with a wetting agent which may be water or a surfactant composition which provides a mold surface having a water wetting force of at least 70 mg to afford a reduction in lens hole defects in hydrophilic contact lens manufacture.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Widman
- 👤 James Jen
- 👤 John Enns
- 👤 Mehmet Burduroglu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:24
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29D11/0048; B29D11/00519; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/56; B29D11/00038; B29D11/00125; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
In a process for molding hydrophilic hydrogel contact lenses from a reactive monomer mixture in which cooperating concave and convex mold faces are interposed in molding relation about a cavity formed therebetween to form a contact lens blank, containing reactive monomer mixture the improvement which comprises treating at least one of said mold faces with a transient coating of an agent comprising condensed water vapor to facilitate wetting of said mold face with the reactive monomer mixture whereby lens hole defects and or puddle defects in said contact lens blanks are reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a process for molding hydrophilic hydrogel contact lenses from a reactive monomer mixture in which cooperating concave and convex mold faces are interposed in molding relation about a cavity formed therebetween to form a contact lens blank, containing reactive monomer mixture the improvement which comprises treating at least one of said mold faces with a transient coating of an agent comprising condensed water vapor to facilitate wetting of said mold face with the reactive monomer mixture whereby lens hole defects and or puddle defects in said contact lens blanks are reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said agent further comprises a surfactant effective to render more homogeneous the high surface energy domains present on the mold surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said agent is absorbable by said reactive monomer mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the convex backcurve is pretreated with the wetting agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mold is constructed of a hydrophobic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said hydrophobic material in polystyrene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the wetting agent as applied to the optical mold surface exhibits a water wetting force of at least 70 mg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the treated optical surface of the convex mold exhibits a water dynamic contact angle of less than or equal to 100°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a process for molding contact lens blanks including filling a concave lens mold with a reactive monomer mixture, juxtaposing therewith in mating molding relation a convex lens mold, the improvement which comprises pretreating at least one of the optical surfaces of said molds with water vapor to condense an even coating of moisture thereon to enhance wettability of the optical surface to the reactive monomer mix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a process for molding contact lens blanks including filling a concave lens mold with a reactive monomer mixture, juxtaposing therewith in mating molding relation a convex lens mold, the improvement which comprises pretreating at least one of the optical surfaces of said molds with water vapor to condense an even coating of moisture thereon to enhance wettability of the optical surface to the reactive monomer mix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a process for molding hydrophilic hydrogel contact lenses from a reactive monomer mixture in which cooperating concave and convex mold faces are interposed in molding relation about a cavity formed therebetween to form a contact lens blank, containing reactive monomer mixture the improvement comprising maintaining a relative humidity of from about 60% to about 80% in the cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a process for molding hydrophilic hydrogel contact lenses from a reactive monomer mixture in which cooperating concave and convex mold faces are interposed in molding relation about a cavity formed therebetween to form a contact lens blank, containing reactive monomer mixture the improvement comprising maintaining a relative humidity of from about 60% to about 80% in the cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |