Method and apparatus for cooling lens edge during dry processing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing a periphery of a lens includes holding the lens to be processed, providing at least one edge processing system, disposing the at least one edge processing system and the periphery of the lens proximal one another in a processing position, dry edging the periphery of the lens with the at least one edge processing system to a predetermined configuration, and cooling the periphery of the lens during the edging step with a cooling medium other than a liquid.

1 . A method for processing a periphery of a lens, comprising:
 holding the lens to be processed;   providing at least one edge processing system;   disposing the at least one edge processing system and the periphery of the lens proximal one another in a processing position;   dry edging the periphery of the lens with the at least one edge processing system to a predetermined configuration; and   selectively cooling the periphery of the lens during the dry edging step with a liquid or with a cooling medium other than a liquid.   
   
   
       2 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein cooling the periphery of the lens includes directing a gaseous substance thereto. 
   
   
       3 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 2 , wherein cooling the periphery of the lens includes directing cooled, compressed air thereto. 
   
   
       4 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein cooling the periphery of the lens includes supplying compressed air to a cooling apparatus, cooling the compressed air, and directing the cooled, compressed air to the periphery of the lens. 
   
   
       5 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 4 , wherein supplying compressed air to a cooling apparatus includes supplying compressed air at a temperature of approximately 70° F. (21° C.) to the cooling apparatus. 
   
   
       6 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 4 , wherein supplying compressed air to a cooling apparatus includes supplying compressed air to a vortex tube. 
   
   
       7 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 4 , wherein directing the cooled, compressed air includes directing compressed air at a temperature of approximately 30° F.-40° F. (−1° C.-5° C.) to the periphery of the lens. 
   
   
       8 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 4 , wherein directing the cooled, compressed air includes delivering the cooled, compressed air from the cooling apparatus to a nozzle assembly disposed proximal the at least one edge processing system and the periphery of the eyeglass lens. 
   
   
       9 . The method of processing as recited in  claim 8 , wherein delivering the cooled, compressed air to the nozzle assembly includes providing a delivery tubing and insulating the delivery tubing so as to prevent condensation. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for processing a periphery of a lens, comprising:
 a lens holding system for holding a lens;   at least one edge processing system;   control means for controlling operation of the lens holding system and the at least one edge processing system so as to process a periphery of the lens to a predetermined configuration; and   a cooling system for cooling the periphery of the lens during edge processing with a cooling medium other than a liquid.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the cooling system comprises a cooling apparatus that directs a gaseous substance to an area proximal the at least one edge processing system and the periphery of the lens. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cooling apparatus directs cooled, compressed air to the area proximal the at least one edge processing system and the periphery of the lens. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cooling apparatus includes an air inlet for receiving a supply of compressed air, means for cooling the compressed air, and an air outlet for directing the cooled, compressed air to the periphery of the eyeglass lens. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the air inlet receives the supply of compressed air at a temperature of approximately 70° F. (21° C.). 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the air outlet directs cooled, compressed air a temperature of approximately 30° F.-40° F. (−1° C. -5° C.) to the periphery of the lens. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the means for cooling the compressed air includes a vortex tube. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the cooling apparatus further includes a nozzle assembly disposed proximal the at least one edge processing system and the periphery of the lens. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the cooling apparatus further includes a delivery tube disposed between the air outlet and the nozzle assembly, the delivery tube being insulated so as to prevent condensation. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one edge processing system comprises an abrasive wheel. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said lens holding system includes opposing adhesive pads for holding the lens therebetween. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the lens comprises an eyeglass lens. 
   
   
       22 . In an apparatus for processing a periphery of a lens comprising a lens holding system; at least one edge processing system; and a control system for controlling operation of the lens holding system and the at least one edge processing system so as to process the periphery of the lens to a predetermined configuration; the improvement comprising:
 a cooling system including a cooling apparatus for providing a cooling medium other than a liquid to the periphery of the lens during dry edge processing.   
   
   
       23 . The improvement as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the cooling apparatus includes a compressed air inlet, a cooling device, and a compressed air outlet, said cooling device cooling compressed air to approximately 30° F.-40° F. (−1° C.-5° C.) prior to exiting the compressed air outlet. 
   
   
       24 . The improvement as recited in  claim 23 , further comprising a nozzle assembly connected to the compressed air outlet, the nozzle assembly directing the cooled, compressed air to the periphery of the lens during edge processing. 
   
   
       25 . The improvement as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the cooling apparatus includes an air regulator to regulate the pressure of compressed air delivered to the air inlet and a cooling regulator to adjust a temperature of compressed air exiting from the compressed air outlet. 
   
   
       26 . The improvement as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the cooling system further includes means for providing a liquid to the periphery of the lens during dry edge processing. 
   
   
       27 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said cooling system for cooling the periphery of the lens during edge processing selectively cools the periphery of the lens with a liquid or with a cooling medium other than a liquid as determined by a user.