Abrading – Abrading process – Glass or stone abrading
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-05
2001-03-20
Rose, Robert A. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Abrading process
Glass or stone abrading
C451S461000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203409
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a machine for edging, polishing, and safety beveling the edge of an eyeglass lens. The machine utilizes a two-part tool for edging the lens to an initial predetermined size and configuration, thereafter polishing the resulting edge with a diamond bonded polishing tool, and then forming a safety bevel about the inner corner. The method of the invention is implemented when the two-part tool is engaged with a rotating lens blank, with a water spray being directed at the tool during the polishing and safety beveling operations. The polishing tool of the invention may be used with lenses formed of glass and polymeric materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many eyeglass lenses are manufactured today from polymeric materials, including polycarbonate material. Polymeric or plastic lenses are preferred by consumers in part because of their reduced weight, which increases user comfort when the eyeglasses need to be worn for an extended period. The lens blank is frequently cast in circular configuration, so that each blank needs to be edged, or shaped, to size in order to thereafter be mounted in the frame which has been selected. A further requirement is that a safety bevel be formed about the lens, particularly adjacent the wearer.
Eyeglass frames have two spaced openings in which the finished lenses are mounted. The lens openings come in any number of sizes and configurations. Because there is no standard shape or size, nor a standard prescription, then the optician must shape each lens in a machine, known as an edger, preparatory to fitting the lens into the frame opening.
The frame openings frequently have a bevel or a groove which interfits with a complementarily shaped groove or bevel, respectively, formed about the peripheral edge of the lens. The interfit between the complementary bevel and groove helps to secure the lens within the opening, thereby preventing removal as otherwise could occur. The edging machine forms the bevel or groove about the lens. The position of the bevel or groove is not necessarily fixed relative to the front or back surfaces of the lens, so the edging machine may need to take into account not only formation of the bevel or groove but also where that bevel or groove is to be positioned intermediate the lens surfaces.
Some eyeglass frames have openings which do not completely encircle the lens. The bevel or groove is still provided in order to snap into the frame position, and the bevel or groove is continuous about the lens edge. When a lens is edged, the resulting edge will frequently have a smokey appearance caused by microscopic grooves scored into the edge by the grinding or cutting tool. The smokey finish is undesirable for those frames which have an opening not completely encircling the lens, and the smokey finish should be removed. Polishing is one technique used to remove this smokey finish in order for the finished lens to be acceptable to the user.
The lens edge may be polished through various means in order to remove the smokey finish. Removal of the lens from the edger to permit polishing on a subsequent machine is inconvenient, both because of increased cost and the possibility of loss, damage, or the like, to the lens. Polishing is one of the last steps prior to placing the lens into the frame, so damage to the lens is to be avoided because of the costs already accrued in forming the lens.
Edging of the lens, whether made of glass or polymeric material, can result in a sharp corner at the intersection of the inner surface and the peripheral edge. The sharp corner may present a safety concern, and therefore should be removed. A bevel may be ground about the lens in order to remove the sharp corner, thus forming an angled surface known as a safety bevel.
The disclosed invention is a dry edger which utilizes a two-part combination tool for edging the lens to an initial predetermined size and configuration with a first part of the tool, thereafter with a second part of that same tool completing the edging and size reduction process through a diamond bonded polishing tool which removes the smokey appearance on the edge, and then forming a safety bevel with that same second part. The combination tool of the invention avoids the need to remove the lens from the edger for polishing and safety beveling, thus minimizing handling and damage costs. Polishing of the edge by the polishing tool is facilitated by a water spray directed at the polishing tool. A vacuum removes the water droplets and lens blank particles from the interior of the edger cabinet, thus avoiding damage to electrical components and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A tool for edging and polishing the edge of an eyeglass lens comprises an axially extending rotatable cutter body having first and second radially disposed and axially extending cutter portions. Each cutter portion has a first notch therein for shaping an edge of a lens. The notches are equiaxially spaced along the body. An axially extending polishing tool is secured to the body and is rotatable therewith. The polishing tool has a second notch formed therein for shaping an edge of a lens. The polishing tool has an abrasive coating applied thereto for reducing and polishing the lens edge.
A combination tool for edging and polishing the edge of an eyeglass lens comprises a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical body rotatable on the axis thereof, and a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical polishing tool secured to the body and rotatable therewith. The body includes an edger securable end portion and an oppositely disposed tool contacting portion. The tool contacting portion has an annular radially extending shoulder and an axially extending projection. A bore extends through the shoulder into the body, and the bore is intermediate the projection and the periphery of the body. A threaded bore extends into the projection. The polishing tool has a distal end portion and an oppositely disposed body contacting portion. The body contacting portion includes an annular shoulder and first and second bores, the first bore sized and configured to accept the projection and the second bore sized and configured to correspond to the body shoulder bore. A third bore extends axially through the polishing tool from the distal end portion to the first bore. A bolt extends through the first and third bores, and has a threaded end portion received within the threaded bore for securing the body and the tool. A pin is positioned within the shoulder bore and the second bore for aligning the polishing tool relative to the body.
A machine for edging and polishing the edge of an eyeglass lens comprises a first table selectively movable in a first direction, and first drive means for moving the first table in the first direction. A lens clamping and rotating assembly is secured to the first table and is movable therewith. The assembly includes means for selectively rotating a lens about a first axis extending transverse to the first direction. A second table is selectively movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the first axis. Second drive means are provided for moving the second table in the second direction. A tool is mounted to the second table and is movable therewith. The tool is rotatable on a second axis parallel to the first axis. The tool includes a notched edging portion and a notched abrasive coated polishing portion, and there are means for rotating the tool. A nozzle is secured to the second table and is movable therewith. The nozzle is adjacent to and aligned with the polishing portion for selectively directing a fluid thereto.
A method of edging and polishing the edge of an eyeglass lens comprises the steps of providing a lens blank having an edge. The blank is rotated about the geometric axis thereof. The edge is engaged with a rotary cutter which causes the edge and the blank to achieve a first distressed configuration. The edge is thereafter engaged with a notched rotary cutter for thereby causing the edge to have a bevel formed
Houchens, Jr. Lewis D.
Kennedy Brian H.
Liniak, Berenato, Longacre & White LLC
National Optronics Inc.
Rose Robert A.
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