Patent ID: 6881269
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: B05D,B29C,B29D,B29L,C23C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for treating the surface of an optical lens, said system comprising: an entry chamber having a first entrance gate and a first exit gate, said first entrance gate and said first exit gate sealing said entry chamber when closed, and said entry chamber including a conveyor extending between said first entrance gate and said first exit gate; a first negative pressure source in selective communication with said entry chamber; a coating chamber having a second entrance gate and a second exit gate, said second entrance gate and said second exit gate sealing said coating chamber when closed, and said coating chamber including at least a pair of spaced apart electrodes disposed therein and a conveyor extending between said second entrance gate and said second exit gate so that said conveyor conveys said lens between said electrodes; a source of plasma gas in communication with said coating chamber to introduce said gas into said coating chamber; a second negative pressure source in communication with said coating chamber; an electrical power source in communication with said electrodes to apply a predetermined electrical potential at each said electrode so that, upon establishment of a predetermined pressure in said coating chamber by said second negative pressure source, a plasma cloud of said gas is established between said electrodes; an exit chamber having a third entrance gate and a third exit gate, said third entrance gate and said third exit gate sealing said exit chamber when closed and said exit chamber including a conveyor extending between said third entrance gate and said third exit gate; and a third negative pressure source in selective communication with said exit chamber, wherein said entry chamber includes an entry lock chamber, an entry hold chamber, and a middle gate, wherein said entry hold chamber is located downstream from said entry lock chamber and in communication with said coating chamber by said first exit gate and said second entrance gate. wherein said middle gate is disposed between said entry hold chamber and said entry lock chamber so that said entry lock chamber and said entry hold chamber are sealed from each other when said middle gate is closed, wherein said first negative pressure source is in selective communication with each of said entry lock chamber and said entry hold chamber, wherein said system includes a source of plasma gas in communication with said entry hold chamber to introduce said gas into said entry hold chamber, wherein said entry chamber communicates with said coating chamber through said first exit gate and said second entrance gate so that said entry chamber conveyor and said coating chamber conveyor communicate to pass said lens from said entry chamber to said coating chamber, and wherein said coating chamber communicates with said exit chamber through said second exit gate and said third entrance gate so that said coating chamber conveyor and said exit chamber conveyor communicate to pass said lens from said coating chamber to said exit chamber.