Patent US4653505A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US2681153A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3900328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for molding glass lenses
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing finished, image forming glass lenses wherein heat-softened optical glass is placed in the cavity of a mold made of glasslike carbon and subjected to heat and pressure. The walls defining the mold cavity have a high surface quality and accuracy, and the cavity is configured to produce lenses of predetermined shapes.
Inventors
- 👤 William F Parsons
- 👤 Gerald E Blair
- 👤 Clarence C Maier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:23
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B11/00; C03B11/06; C03B11/08; C03B11/084; C03B11/086; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C03B2215/00; C03B2215/02; C03B2215/05; C03B2215/07; C03B2215/08; C03B2215/14; C03B2215/24; C03B2215/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A METHOD OF MOLDING GLASS WHICH COMPRISES PRESSING A HEAT SOFTENED GLASS AGAINST A MOLDING SURFACE OF GLASSLIKE CARBON, THE GLASSLIKE CARBON BEING A FROM OF CARBON WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE THERMAL DEGRADATION OF AN ORGANIC POLYMER, WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY CHEMICAL INERT WITH HEATED GLASS AND WHICH IS ISOTROPIC.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A METHOD OF MOLDING GLASS WHICH COMPRISES PRESSING A HEAT SOFTENED GLASS AGAINST A MOLDING SURFACE OF GLASSLIKE CARBON, THE GLASSLIKE CARBON BEING A FROM OF CARBON WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE THERMAL DEGRADATION OF AN ORGANIC POLYMER, WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY CHEMICAL INERT WITH HEATED GLASS AND WHICH IS ISOTROPIC.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of molding glass into a finished lens which comprises pressing a heat softened glass against a molding surface of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and a surface of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide a molding surface which is specular and which has a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of molding glass into a finished lens which comprises pressing a heat softened glass against a molding surface of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and a surface of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide a molding surface which is specular and which has a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of molding glass which comprises the steps of: providing a molding surface of glasslike carbon that defines a mold cavity, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of molding glass which comprises the steps of: providing a molding surface of glasslike carbon that defines a mold cavity, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of molding glass which comprises the steps of: providing relatively separable mold members, at least one of which includes a molding surface of glasslike carbon that defines a mold cavity, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of molding glass which comprises the steps of: providing relatively separable mold members, at least one of which includes a molding surface of glasslike carbon that defines a mold cavity, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of molding glass into a fiNished glass lens which comprises the steps of: providing relatively separable mold members, at least one of which includes a surface of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and the surface of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide a molding surface which is specular, which has a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy and which defines a mold cavity; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of molding glass into a fiNished glass lens which comprises the steps of: providing relatively separable mold members, at least one of which includes a surface of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and the surface of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide a molding surface which is specular, which has a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy and which defines a mold cavity; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of molding glass which comprises the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surfaces.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of molding glass which comprises the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; and pressing a heat softened glass contained within the mold cavity into contact with the molding surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 6 comprising also the step of introducing heat softened glass between the mold members prior to pressing the glass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 7 comprising also the step of heating the mold members prior to introducing the heat softened glass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 6 comprising also the step of moving the mold members away from their cooperating position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 6 comprising also the step of establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of molding glass into a finished lens which comprises the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include surfaces of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and selected surfaces of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide molding surfaces which are specular, which have a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy and which define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position; and pressing a heat softened glass contained with the mold cavity into contact with the molding surfaces.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of molding glass into a finished lens which comprises the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include surfaces of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and selected surfaces of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide molding surfaces which are specular, which have a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy and which define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position; and pressing a heat softened glass contained with the mold cavity into contact with the molding surfaces.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; introducing heat softened glass between the mold members; and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; introducing heat softened glass between the mold members; and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 12 comprising also the step of heating the mold members prior to introducing the glass.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 12 comprising also the step of moving the mold members away from their cooperating position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 12 comprising also the step of establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of molding glass into a finished lens comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include surfaces of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradAtion of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and selected surfaces of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide molding surfaces which are specular, which have a high surface accuracy and a high surface quality and which define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position; introducing heat softened glass between the mold members; and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of molding glass into a finished lens comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include surfaces of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradAtion of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and selected surfaces of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide molding surfaces which are specular, which have a high surface accuracy and a high surface quality and which define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position; introducing heat softened glass between the mold members; and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of molding glass comprising: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; placing heat softened glass between the mold members and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of molding glass comprising: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; placing heat softened glass between the mold members and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 17 comprising also the step of heating the mold members prior to introducing the heat softened glass.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 17 comprising also the step of moving the mold members away from their cooperating position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of molding a finished glass lens comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include surfaces of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and selected surfaces of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide molding surfaces which are specular, which have a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy and which define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position; establishikng a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; placing heat softened glass between the mold members; and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuratiion of the mold cavity.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of molding a finished glass lens comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include surfaces of glasslike carbon, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic and selected surfaces of the glasslike carbon having been finished to provide molding surfaces which are specular, which have a high surface quality and a high surface accuracy and which define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position; establishikng a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; placing heat softened glass between the mold members; and urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuratiion of the mold cavity.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; heating the mold members; placing heat softened glass between the mold members; urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity; and moving the mold members away from their cooperative position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable to a cooperating position and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their cooperating position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; heating the mold members; placing heat softened glass between the mold members; urging the mold members toward their cooperating position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity; and moving the mold members away from their cooperative position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their closed positions, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degraDation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; heating the mold members; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; heat softening a portion of optical glass; placing the heat softened glass between the mold members in their open positions; moving the mold members toward their closed positions to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity; and moving the mold members away from their closed position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their closed positions, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degraDation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; heating the mold members; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; heat softening a portion of optical glass; placing the heat softened glass between the mold members in their open positions; moving the mold members toward their closed positions to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and to press the glass into the configuration of the mold cavity; and moving the mold members away from their closed position to permit removal of the molded glass.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their closed positions, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; heating the mold members; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; heat-softening a portion of optical glass; placing the heat-softened glass between the mold members; closing the mold members until the glass is contacted by the molding surfaces and further closing the mold members until the glass in the mold cavity conforms to the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of molding glass comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when the mold members are in their closed positions, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; heating the mold members; establishing a non-oxidizing atmosphere around the mold members; heat-softening a portion of optical glass; placing the heat-softened glass between the mold members; closing the mold members until the glass is contacted by the molding surfaces and further closing the mold members until the glass in the mold cavity conforms to the configuration of the mold cavity.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of molding glass into an optical element comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when said mold members are in their closed position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; heating the mold members to a temperature within the range from 530*C to 590C; establishing an atmosphere of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen around the mold members; heat softening an optical glass at a temperature within the range from 600C to 700*C; placing the heat softened glass between the mold members in their open position; moving the mold members toward their closed position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and applying a load of from 200 pounds to 300 pounds to the mold members while the molding surfaces are in contact with the glass for a period of from two seconds to twenty seconds; and moving the mold members to their open position to permit removal of the molded glass element.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of molding glass into an optical element comprising the steps of: providing mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include molding surfaces of glasslike carbon that define a mold cavity when said mold members are in their closed position, the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic; heating the mold members to a temperature within the range from 530*C to 590C; establishing an atmosphere of 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen around the mold members; heat softening an optical glass at a temperature within the range from 600C to 700*C; placing the heat softened glass between the mold members in their open position; moving the mold members toward their closed position to bring the molding surfaces into contact with the heat softened glass and applying a load of from 200 pounds to 300 pounds to the mold members while the molding surfaces are in contact with the glass for a period of from two seconds to twenty seconds; and moving the mold members to their open position to permit removal of the molded glass element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
A glass element molded in accordance with the method of claim 1.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
A glass element molded in accordance with the method of claim 12.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
A glass element molded in accordance with the process of claim 17.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
A glass lens molded in accordance with the method of claim 2.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
A glass lens molded in accordance with the method of claim 16.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
A glass lens molded in accordance with the method of claim 20.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
136 words
A mold for producing an optical element having a predetermined shape, a predetermined surface quality and a predetermined surface accuracy, said mold comprising a plurality of mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include walls formed of glasslike carbon that define, when the mold meambers are in their closed positions, at least one mold cavity having a configuration for yielding an optical element having said predetermined shape, said cavity-defining walls having a specular surface and having a surface quality and a surface accuracy substantially equal to the predetermined surface quality and surface accuracy of the opTical element and the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
136 words
A mold for producing an optical element having a predetermined shape, a predetermined surface quality and a predetermined surface accuracy, said mold comprising a plurality of mold members which are relatively movable between open and closed positions and which include walls formed of glasslike carbon that define, when the mold meambers are in their closed positions, at least one mold cavity having a configuration for yielding an optical element having said predetermined shape, said cavity-defining walls having a specular surface and having a surface quality and a surface accuracy substantially equal to the predetermined surface quality and surface accuracy of the opTical element and the glasslike carbon being a form of carbon which has been prepared by the thermal degradation of an organic polymer, which is substantially chemically inert with heated glass and which is isotropic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |