(19)
(11) EP 0 484 036 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.08.1992 Bulletin 1992/32

(43) Date of publication A2:
06.05.1992 Bulletin 1992/19

(21) Application number: 91309762.2

(22) Date of filing: 22.10.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B24B 13/005
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 29.10.1990 US 604097

(71) Applicant: COBURN OPTICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Rotenberg, Don H.
    Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137 (US)
  • Hyslop, Ronald T.
    Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137 (US)
  • Coleman, Milton
    Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402 (US)

(74) Representative: Jenkins, Peter David et al
PAGE WHITE & FARRER 54 Doughty Street
London WC1N 2LS
London WC1N 2LS (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Reinforced thermoplastic components for use in the manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses and methods of making such components


    (57) Components for use in the formation of a finished or partially finished ophthalmic lens, such as lens blocks (10) and prism rings and edging blocks and adapters for example, are formed from a carbon fiber reinforced crystalline thermoplastic containing at least 30% by weight carbon fiber based on the total weight of the component. The reinforced thermoplastic has a minimum tensile strength of at least about 20,000 psi, a minimum flexural strength of 2 x 10⁴ psi, a minimum flexural modulus of 2 x 10⁶ psi, and a specific gravity of less than 1.60. The lens block (10) includes a unique arrangement of ribs (18) to strengthen the block and increase its heat transfer properties. Metal finishing centers (44) are inserted into the block and are ultrasonically vibrated or heat staked in order to cause the plastic material to flow around and into serrations formed on the finishing centers.






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