Method of holding an ophthalmic lens blank

• Main Authors: SEDLOCK; CAROLE, OXMAN; JOEL D, PARISH, JR.; WILLIAM L, UBEL; F. ANDREW, WILLIAMS; TODD R, BENJAMIN; SHARON R, KO; JOHN H, MARTIN; PHILIP G, SEVERANCE; RICHARD L, GOVEK; MICHAEL, HYDE; PATRICK D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.10.1998
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; ADHESIVES; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F,C08G; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; DYES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; GRINDING; MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; METALLURGY; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; PAINTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; POLISHES; POLISHING; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; TRANSPORTING; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES; WORKING-UP

The present invention provides methods of holding ophthalmic lens blanks using thermoplastic lens blocking compositions. Preferred compositions either comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, or have a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one method, the composition is injected into the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another method, the surface of a lens block comprising the thermoplastic lens blocking composition is heated and formed against the lens blank. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.