Lens polishing pad and apparatus

Abstract

A polishing pad or button for ophthalmic lenses has a flexible cover and a substantially rigid base. The cover has cutouts in a gyre or spiral pattern that may be eccentric from the geometric center of the button. The cutouts may enhance distribution of a polishing fluid across the working surface of the button as the button is moved across a lens. The base may have an undercut around its periphery, which may cause the button to attain a domed shape for conformance to a concave, convex, or saddleback lens surface as the button is pressed against the lens. The button may be used in a conventional lens polishing apparatus.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A polishing button for use in an ophthalmic lens polishing apparatus, the button comprising:
 a substantially stiff and substantially non-absorptive base; and   a substantially flexible cover that is attached to an upper surface of the base;   wherein the cover includes separated cutouts in a gyre pattern, wherein each cutout is a different length so that the gyre pattern is eccentric from a geometric center of the button.   
     
     
         3 . A polishing button for use in an ophthalmic lens polishing apparatus, the button comprising:
 a substantially stiff and substantially non-absorptive base; and   a substantially flexible cover that is attached to an upper surface of the base;   wherein the cover includes cutouts in a gyre pattern, wherein the cover includes dimples adjacent and aligned to the inward points of the cutouts.   
     
     
         4 . A polishing button for use in an ophthalmic lens polishing apparatus, the button comprising:
 a substantially stiff and substantially non-absorptive base; and   a substantially flexible cover that is attached to an upper surface of the base;   wherein the cover includes separated cutouts in a gyre pattern, wherein the base includes an undercut of reduced diameter around its periphery.   
     
     
         5 . The button of  claim 4 , wherein the undercut is sufficient to permit the button to assume a domed shape when the cover is pressed against a concave, flat, convex or saddleback shaped surface with polishing pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The button of  claim 5 , wherein the polishing pressure is about 1 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The button of  claim 2 , wherein the base is closed cell foam. 
     
     
         8 . The button of  claim 2 , wherein the cover is polyurethane material. 
     
     
         9 . The button of  claim 2 , further comprising a chuck to which the base is attached at a bottom surface of the base, wherein the base is narrower toward the chuck and wider toward the cover. 
     
     
         10 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The button of  claim 3 , wherein the base is closed cell foam. 
     
     
         24 . The button of  claim 3 , wherein the cover is polyurethane material. 
     
     
         25 . The button of  claim 3 , further comprising a chuck to which the base is attached at a bottom surface of the base, wherein the base is narrower toward the chuck and wider toward the cover. 
     
     
         26 . The button of  claim 4 , wherein the base is closed cell foam. 
     
     
         27 . The button of  claim 4 , wherein the cover is polyurethane material. 
     
     
         28 . The button of  claim 4 , further comprising a chuck to which the base is attached at a bottom surface of the base, wherein the base is narrower toward the chuck and wider toward the cover.