Lens tinting fixture and system utilizing said fixture

Abstract

There is disclosed a fixture or apparatus for use in the tinting of a contact lens or the like. The fixture includes a tube having a body portion and a closed end portion, which includes an annular masking structure to support the lens and define a ring-like unmasked area. Proximate the masking structure, a tinting medium receiving chamber is defined. A method for using the fixture is also disclosed. In an upright position, the tube body portion is filled with a preparatory solution. Into this fluid-filled tube, a contact lens is dropped. As the dropped lens passes through the liquid column, the hydraulic forces acting thereon produce a state of dynamic equilibrium, with the lens convex side down. This action tends to properly position and center the lens as it comes to rest upon the mask structure. Next, a mandrel device is inserted into the tube to fix the lens in place against the mask. The mandrel is locked into position in the tube, the tinting chamber is drained and then the tube is then inverted to drain the remainder of the column of fluid from the body portion. Tinting medium is subsequently introduced into the tinting chamber and a permanent tint is applied to the unmasked annular area of the lens.