US5837314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for applying a surfactant to mold surfaces
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-01
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2015-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for employing a surfactant which is provided in order to assist in the release from each other of mold components of a multi-part mold employed in the molding of polymeric articles; for instance, such as a hydrophilic contact lens, upon completion of the molding process for the polymeric articles. The surfactant is applied in the form of a film or coating on surface portions of one of the mold components in order to facilitate the disengagement between the mold components during demolding, and the removal of excess polymeric molding material adhesively deposited on surfaces thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Robert Beaton
- 👤 Wallace Anthony Martin
- 👤 Ture Kindt-Larsen
- 👤 Craig William Walker
- 👤 Gregory Scott Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:57
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/56; B29C33/60; B29C33/58; B29C33/62; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29D11/00038; B29D11/00125; B29D11/00432; B29L; B29L2011/00; B29L2011/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus for applying a surfactant to at least one surface of a mold part of a two-part mold having said first mold part engageable with a cooperative second mold part for the molding of polymer articles, wherein said surfactant assists in the release between said first and second mold parts and enables removal of excess polymer molding material adherent to said at least one surface of said first mold part; said apparatus comprising: a) support means mounting at least one said first mold part being movable to a predetermined location in said apparatus; b) applicator means including at least one surfactant applicator being arranged in spaced relationship above said support means, said at least one surfactant applicator being positionable in vertical alignment with said at least one first mold part; c) means mounting an upwardly opening reservoir containing a surfactant being interposable between said applicator means and said support means for said at least one first mold part at least one pad member arranged in said reservoir for absorbing surfactant from said reservoir; d) actuating means for imparting a vertical downward displacement to said applicator means to cause said at least one surfactant applicator to contact said at least one pad member and assume a quantity of said surfactant therefrom, said actuating means thereafter imparting a vertical upward displacement to said applicator means; e) means for displacing said reservoir mounting means from the interposition thereof in said apparatus between said applicator means and said at least one first mold part, said actuating means for said applicator means displacing said applicator means downwardly to an extent such that the surfactant-wetted surface portions of said at least one surfactant applicator contact said at least one surface of said first mold part so as to impart a coating of said surfactant thereto and f) a cover member fixedly positioned on said reservoir having at least one aperture formed in said cover member in alignment with said at least one pad member to enable said at least one surfactant applicator to contact said at least one pad member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus for applying a surfactant to at least one surface of a mold part of a two-part mold having said first mold part engageable with a cooperative second mold part for the molding of polymer articles, wherein said surfactant assists in the release between said first and second mold parts and enables removal of excess polymer molding material adherent to said at least one surface of said first mold part; said apparatus comprising: a) support means mounting at least one said first mold part being movable to a predetermined location in said apparatus; b) applicator means including at least one surfactant applicator being arranged in spaced relationship above said support means, said at least one surfactant applicator being positionable in vertical alignment with said at least one first mold part; c) means mounting an upwardly opening reservoir containing a surfactant being interposable between said applicator means and said support means for said at least one first mold part at least one pad member arranged in said reservoir for absorbing surfactant from said reservoir; d) actuating means for imparting a vertical downward displacement to said applicator means to cause said at least one surfactant applicator to contact said at least one pad member and assume a quantity of said surfactant therefrom, said actuating means thereafter imparting a vertical upward displacement to said applicator means; e) means for displacing said reservoir mounting means from the interposition thereof in said apparatus between said applicator means and said at least one first mold part, said actuating means for said applicator means displacing said applicator means downwardly to an extent such that the surfactant-wetted surface portions of said at least one surfactant applicator contact said at least one surface of said first mold part so as to impart a coating of said surfactant thereto and f) a cover member fixedly positioned on said reservoir having at least one aperture formed in said cover member in alignment with said at least one pad member to enable said at least one surfactant applicator to contact said at least one pad member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one pad member sealingly contacts against a lower surface of said cover member adjacent the circumference of said at least one aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein seal means extends about said reservoir and a lower surface of said cover member so as to prevent surfactant from spilling out of said reservoir during operation of said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said seal means is positioned in a groove formed in the lower surface of said cover member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said seal means comprises an O-ring seal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover member comprises a flat plate having at least one transparent surface portion to enable visual viewing of the contents of said reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said transparent surface portion is constituted of a rigid transparent plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said first mold parts are mounted in predetermined spaced relationship on said support means each in vertical alignment with respectively one surfactant applicator of a plurality of said applicators, a plurality of said pad members being discretely located in said reservoir each in alignment with respectively one of said surfactant applicators, and a plurality of said apertures being formed in said cover member each in alignment with respectively one of said pad members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said applicator means comprises stamping means and said at least one surfactant applicator comprises a stamp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said actuating means raises said stamping means upwardly into the initial position thereof subsequent to imparting the layer of said surfactant to said at least one surface of said first mold part; and operative means displaces said support means for said at least one first mold part and successively conveys further mold support means mounting at least one other said first mold part into said location in said apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means mounting said at least one pad member comprises operative means for alternatingly positioning said at least one pad member beneath said stamping means and withdrawing said at least one pad member from said location in said apparatus to enable said at least one stamp to advance downwardly into contact with said at least one surface of said at least one first mold part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one pad member comprises a porous member absorptive of a solution in said reservoir containing said surfactant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper surface of said at least one pad member facing said at least one surfactant applicator means is covered by a membrane filter having a mesh size with openings within the range of about 0.5 to 2.0 microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said membrane filter is a nylon filter controlling the amount of surfactant expelled upwardly through said filter response to being contacted by said at least one surfactant applicator so as to deposit a predetermined quantity of said surfactant on contacting surface portions of said at least one surfactant applicator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the surface portions of said at least one surfactant applicator contacting said at least one pad member operatively associated therewith for assuming surfactant therefrom is constituted from rubber or a compound comprising about 90% urethane and 10% silicone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said first mold parts mounted on said support means, each said first mold part comprising a front curve for molding a hydrophilic polymer contact lens and an encompassing flange portion, each said mold means being operatively aligned with respectively one of a plurality of said surfactant applicator whereby contact between said front curve and an associated surfactant applicator transfers a thin film of said surfactant to a facing surface on said flange portion about said front curve from said surfactant applicator so as to thereby at a subsequent demolding operation facilitating detaching of a second mold part comprising a base curve for said lens and a ring of excess molding material adhesively deposited on the surfaces of said flange portion about said front curve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said support means for said first mold parts comprises at least one mold pallet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein spring means resiliently mount each said surfactant applicator on said applicator means to enable each said surfactant applicator to floatingly displace relative to each other upon contacting said respective front curve so as to ensure an even contact to be applied to each said front curve and impart a uniform layer of said surfactant to each said front curve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one surfactant applicator comprises an annular member mounted in an end surface of said applicator means adapted to face said at least one pad member and surface on said at least on first mold part.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said end surface comprises an annular groove for clampingly receiving said surfactant applicator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surfactant comprises a polyethylene oxide sorbitan mono-oleate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surfactant comprises an oleate ester of sorbitol and its anhydrides copolymerized with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide for each mole of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides, of generally the formula: ##STR2##
Claim 24
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for applying a surfactant to at least one surface of at least one first mold part of a two-part mold utilized for the molding of polymer articles so as to facilitate disengagement between said first mold part from a second mold part and the removal of any excess molding material present on said at least one surface on said first mold part, said method comprising the steps of: a) moving support means mounting said at least one first mold part to a predetermined location; b) arranging applicator means including at least one surfactant applicator in spaced relationship above said support means, and positioning said at least one surfactant applicator in vertical alignment with said at least one first mold part; c) coating said at least one surfactant applicator with a layer of surfactant by contacting at least one pad member located in a reservoir containing a supply of said surfactant; d) withdrawing said reservoir containing said at least one pad member to a position offset from said at least one surfactant applicator; and e) displacing said applicator means downwardly to an extent such that surfactant-wetted surface portions of said at least one surfactant applicator contact the at least one surface on said at least one first mold part to impart a coating of said surfactant to said surface.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for applying a surfactant to at least one surface of at least one first mold part of a two-part mold utilized for the molding of polymer articles so as to facilitate disengagement between said first mold part from a second mold part and the removal of any excess molding material present on said at least one surface on said first mold part, said method comprising the steps of: a) moving support means mounting said at least one first mold part to a predetermined location; b) arranging applicator means including at least one surfactant applicator in spaced relationship above said support means, and positioning said at least one surfactant applicator in vertical alignment with said at least one first mold part; c) coating said at least one surfactant applicator with a layer of surfactant by contacting at least one pad member located in a reservoir containing a supply of said surfactant; d) withdrawing said reservoir containing said at least one pad member to a position offset from said at least one surfactant applicator; and e) displacing said applicator means downwardly to an extent such that surfactant-wetted surface portions of said at least one surfactant applicator contact the at least one surface on said at least one first mold part to impart a coating of said surfactant to said surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said applicator means comprises stamping means and said at least one surfactant applicator comprises a stamp.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said stamping means is raised upwardly into the initial position thereof subsequent to coating said surfactant on said at least one first mold part; and displacing said support means from and inserting at least one successive support means into position at said location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein at least the surface portions of said at least one stamp contacting said at least one pad member for assuming surfactant therefrom is constituted from rubber or a compound comprising about 90% urethane and 10% silicone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein each said stamp is resiliently mounted on said stamping means to enable each said stamp to floatingly displace relative to each other upon contacting said respective surface in the flange about the front curve so as to ensure an even contact to be applied thereto and to impart a uniform coating of said surfactant to each said surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
119 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein a plurality of said first mold parts are mounted on said support means forming at least one pallet, each said first mold parts comprising a front curve and encompassing flange portion for molding a hydrophilic polymer contact lens, each said first mold parts being operatively aligned with respectively one said stamp whereby contact between the facing surface on said flange portion of the front curve and an associated stamp transfers a thin film of said surfactant to said surface from said stamp, thereby facilitating subsequent release of a second mold part forming a base curve for molding said leans and a ring of molding material adhesive deposited on said flange surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, comprising alternatingly positioning at least one said pad member beneath said stamping means and withdrawing said pad member from said location to enable said at least one stamp to advance downwardly into contact with said at least one surface on said at least one first mold part.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein said at least one pad member comprises a porous member absorptive of a solution of said surfactant.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein an upper surface of said porous member is covered by a membrane filter having a mesh size with openings within the range of about 0.5 to 2.0 microns.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said filter is a nylon filter controlling the amount of surfactant passed outwardly through said filter in response to pressure exerted thereon by said at least one stamp upon being contacted thereby so as to deposit a predetermined quantity of said surfactant on said at least one stamp.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said surfactant comprises a polyethylene oxide sorbitan mono-oleate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said surfactant comprises an oleate ester of sorbitol and its anhydrides copolymerized with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide for each mole of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides, of generally the formula: ##STR3##
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein about 0.05 to 0.50 mg of surfactant is applied to each said surface of said one mold part.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein a cover member having at least one aperture for said at least one pad member is sealingly mounted over said reservoir.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein said cover member is provided with transparent surface portions to enable viewing of the contents of said reservoir.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |