Claims
- 1. A method for laminating a first lens wafer to a second wafer with a layer of radiation-curable adhesive disposed within the interface between the two lens wafers and forming an ophthalmic composite lens, comprising the following steps:
- placing the composite lens within an enclosure formed between a first flexible sheet located on a first side of the composite lens and conformable to a curvature of the lens, and a second flexible sheet located on a second side of the composite lens and conformable to a curvature of the lens, wherein at least one of the first and second flexible sheets defines a transmissive portion extending adjacent to the enclosure for permitting the transmission of radiation at a selected wavelength therethrough;
- evacuating air from the enclosure and drawing the first and second flexible sheets into conforming engagement with the composite lens received within the enclosure, and in turn pressing the lens wafers together and spreading the adhesive through the wafer interface; and
- transmitting radiation at the selected wavelength through the transmissive portion of at least one of the first and second flexible sheets and into the composite lens to cure the adhesive.
- 2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of partially evacuating the enclosure for a predetermined period of time to allow for initial spread of the adhesive, and then further evacuating the enclosure to further spread the adhesive through the wafer interface.
- 3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of applying an adhesive including oxygen inhibitors to the interface between the two lens wafers, and introducing an inert gas into the enclosure to purge oxygen therefrom prior to evacuating the enclosure.
- 4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of exposing the sides of the first and second flexible sheets external to the enclosure to atmospheric pressure to press the lens wafers together and spread the adhesive through the wafer interface.
- 5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the following step: sealing the first and second flexible sheets along a line of joinder, and after curing the adhesive, transporting the composite lens within the sealed sheets.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a divisional application divided from prior application Ser. No. 08/620,468 filed Mar. 22, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,163.
US Referenced Citations (34)
Foreign Referenced Citations (6)
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63-276542 |
Nov 1988 |
JPX |
08156099 |
Jun 1996 |
JPX |
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GBX |
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Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
European Search Report from the corresponding European application. |
Sola Optical USA, "Owner's Manual for the Matrix.RTM. Lens Processing System, version 1.5", Oct. 1995. |
Untitled literature describing the manufacture of eyeglass lenses, pp. 15-34 (dated more than one year prior to the filing date of this application). |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
620468 |
Mar 1996 |
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