Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Carole Sedlock

John H Ko

Michael Govek

Joel D Oxman

Todd R Williams

F Andrew Ubel

Sharon R Benjamin

Patrick Darby Hyde

Philip G Martin

William L Parish, Jr

Richard L Severance

James A Weldon

The present invention provides novel preformed base blocks that may be used with thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions. The preformed base block has a rear portion that is sized and adapted to fit the chuck of a lens processing machine and a front portion that has a textured front surface and preferably a negatively tapered peripheral edge. The front portion is adapted to mechanically retain the thermoplastic blocking composition to form a lens block against a lens blank.

Preformed ophthalmic lens base block with textured surface

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone with a modifier selected from the group consisting of carboxylic; straight chain monohydric alcohols; branched chain monohydric alcohols; polyethylene glycols; and polyethylene glycol ethers. The composition may also comprise one or more fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Modified polycaprolactone composition

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Thermoplastic lens blocking material

The present invention provides novel preformed base blocks that may be used with thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions. The preformed base block has a rear portion that is sized and adapted to fit the chuck of a lens processing machine and a front portion that has a negatively tapered peripheral edge. The front portion is adapted to mechanically retain the thermoplastic blocking composition to form a lens block against a lens blank.

Preformed ophthalmic lens base block

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of (i) a hydrocarbon resin, preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon resin; (ii) a side chain crystallizable hydrocarbon polymer or copolymer; and (iii) optionally an modifier or mixture of modifiers, preferably straight chain alcohols. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

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.

Method of holding an ophthalmic lens blank

Polycaprolactone lens blocking material

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsiloncaprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Carole Sedlock