Method and apparatus for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens

Abstract

The invention provide a method for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens or a mold for making the ophthalmic lens or a medical device other than ophthalmic lens. The method comprises spraying at least one layer of a coating liquid onto an ophthalmic lens using a spraying process selected from the group consisting of an air-assisted atomization and dispensing process, an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process, a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, a piezo-electric jet printing process, a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process, and a thermal jet printing process. The coating can comprise a property/functionality pattern or a color image or combination of both.

1 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . An apparatus for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens or a mold for making the ophthalmic lens comprising: 
 1) a means for securing the ophthalmic lens or the mold and    2) a device capable of spraying a layer of a coating liquid onto the ophthalmic lens using a spraying process selected from the group consisting of an air-assisted atomization and dispensing process, an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process, a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, a piezo-electric jet printing process, a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process, and a thermal jet printing process.    
   
   
       40 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is an air-assisted atomization and dispensing process.  
   
   
       41 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process.  
   
   
       42 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process.  
   
   
       43 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is an electro-mechanical jet printing process.  
   
   
       44 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is a piezo-electric jet printing process.  
   
   
       45 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process.  
   
   
       46 . An apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the spraying process is a thermal jet printing process.  
   
   
       47 . An automatic apparatus for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens or a mold for making the ophthalmic lens comprising: 
 1) a securing means for securing the ophthalmic lens or the mold;    2) spraying device, which is capable of spraying a layer of a coating liquid onto the ophthalmic lens or the mold using a spraying process selected from the group consisting of an air-assisted atomization and dispensing process, an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process, a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, a piezo-electric jet printing process, a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process, and a thermal jet printing process; and    3) a computer system capable of controlling the positioning of the dispensing head of the spraying device on the ophthalmic lens or the mold and dispensing the coating liquid.    
   
   
       48 . An apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said spraying device is capable of dispensing droplets having a volume of less than 200 picoliters.  
   
   
       49 . An apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said spraying device is capable of dispensing droplets having a volume of less than 100 picoliters.  
   
   
       50 . An apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said spraying device is capable of dispensing droplets having a volume of less than 50 picoliters.  
   
   
       51 . An apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said spraying device is capable of dispensing droplets having a volume of less than 10 picoliters.  
   
   
       52 . An apparatus of  claim 47 , further comprising a patterned mask between the dispensing head of the spraying device and the ophthalmic lens or the mold.  
   
   
       53 . (canceled)