Spin coating optical lenses

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for spin coating optical lenses, comprising the steps of: rotating (S41) at least one optical lens (1) by means of a first coating device (10) for spinning a first coating liquid off of the at least one first lens; collecting (S52) at least a portion of the spun first coating liquid in a first reservoir (51) of a reservoir assembly; and reusing at least a portion of this spun and collected first coating liquid. The invention also relates to an apparatus and to a computer program (product).

Description

[0001] 120668P1423PC 1 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0002] P 2409 PCT

[0003] Description

[0004] Rotatory coating of optical lenses

[0005] The present invention relates to a method and a device for rotary coating of optical lenses as well as a computer program or computer program product for carrying out a method described herein.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve a rotational coating of optical lenses.

[0007] This problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1. Claims 14 and 15 provide protection for a device, a computer program, and a computer program product, respectively, for carrying out a method described herein. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0008] For better addressability, individual features are subsequently referred to as "first", "second", "third", etc. features, which preferably denote different or distinct features from each other, whereby this numbering does not have to be complete, i.e., for example, a "third feature" does not (also) imply a "second feature".

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for spin coating of optical lenses comprises the following steps:

[0010] - Rotating one or more optical lenses by means of, preferably in, a first coating device, wherein (a portion of a coating fluid previously applied to the respective lens) is flung off this / the lens(es), wherein this flung-off coating fluid is referred to as the first coating fluid, 120668P1423PC 2 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0011] P 2409 PCT wherein in a further training one or more of these lenses are rotated after one or more other of these lenses have already been rotationally coated;

[0012] - Collecting at least a portion of this first flung-off coating liquid in a first reservoir of a reservoir arrangement, wherein in a further development the first coating device comprises the first reservoir; and

[0013] - Reusing at least some of this flung-off and collected first coating fluid.

[0014] A fundamental idea of ​​the present invention is therefore the reuse, preferably recycling, of coating fluid flung off during the rotational coating or spin coating of optical lenses. This advantageously reduces material consumption and / or waste during rotational coating.

[0015] One or more of the optical lenses mentioned here may be made of glass or plastic and / or be spectacle lens lenses or semi-finished products (so-called "blanks") used for, or intended or designed for, the manufacture of spectacle lens lenses. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the coating liquids mentioned here may contain colorants and / or lacquers, in a further development, photoresists, or in another version, colorants and / or (photo)lacquers for the production of a coating that is, in a further development, photochromic and / or colored. One or more of the coating devices mentioned here may be, in particular, spin coaters.

[0016] The present invention is particularly advantageous for these applications due to the boundary, operating and process conditions encountered there, without being limited to these.

[0017] The first one, which was ejected and collected in the first reservoir

[0018] Coating fluid can be reused in various ways, 120668P1423PC 3 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0019] P 2409 PCT, for example, is used as a coating fluid for coating lenses, various objects, or the like. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least a portion of the first coating fluid, which is spun off and collected in the first reservoir, is used for coating, and in a particularly advantageous further development, for rotary coating, other optical lenses, since the coating fluid is particularly suitable for this purpose and the logistics are particularly favorable.

[0020] Accordingly, the procedure in one iteration comprises the following steps:

[0021] - Applying a coating fluid comprising flung-off and collected first coating fluid from the first reservoir to one or more further (hereinafter also referred to as "third") optical lenses; and

[0022] - Rotating one or more further (third) lenses by means of, preferably in, the first or another coating device, wherein or in such a way that a portion of the coating fluid (applied to the respective further (third) lens) is flung off this / these lens(es).

[0023] In one embodiment, the coating fluid applied to the further (third) lens(es) can consist of the first coating fluid spun off from the first lens(es) and collected in the first reservoir, i.e., the first coating fluid, optionally after processing, in particular filtration, and / or degassing and / or inspection, can be reused directly or as a coating fluid for rotary coating of the further (third) lens(es), which can reduce effort and / or time.

[0024] In another embodiment, this coating fluid applied to the further (third) lens(es) can, in addition to the first coating fluid flung off the first lens(es) and collected in the first reservoir, have or contain further components, in particular one or more additives and / or further coating fluid, which in a further development is fresh or unused, i.e., the first 120668P1423PC 4 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0025] P 2409 PCT

[0026] Coating fluid, optionally before and / or after processing, in particular filtration, and / or degassing and / or inspection, mixed with one or more additives and / or further fresh or unused coating fluid in a further development process, and this mixture is reused as coating fluid for rotary coating of the further (third) lens(es), which can improve the quality of the rotary coating.

[0027] As can be seen from the distinction between the first and other coating devices, it may be advantageous to reuse first coating fluid collected in the first reservoir in the same first coating device, especially since it is particularly suitable for this purpose, but it may also be advantageous to reuse first coating fluid collected in the first reservoir in another coating device, especially to save time or because it is (still) particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0028] In one version, the coating fluid can be reused multiple times for rotary coating after centrifugal removal. Accordingly, a further development of the process includes the following steps:

[0029] - Collecting at least a portion of the coating fluid flung off by the further (third) lens(es) in a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, wherein in a further development the (first or other) coating device used to rotate the further (third) lens(es) comprises this reservoir; wherein this flung-off coating fluid is also referred to as the third coating fluid; and

[0030] - Reusing at least some of this flung-off and collected (third) coating fluid.

[0031] This (third) coating fluid, which is spun off and collected in the reservoir, can also be reused in various ways. 120668P1423PC 5 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0032] P 2409 PCT is used, for example, as a coating fluid for coating lenses, various objects, or the like. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least a portion of this centrifuged and collected (third) coating fluid is used for coating, and in a particularly advantageous further development, for rotary coating, other optical lenses, since the coating fluid is particularly suitable for this purpose and the logistics are particularly favorable.

[0033] Accordingly, the procedure in a further education course includes the following steps:

[0034] - Applying a coating fluid comprising flung-off and collected third coating fluid from the reservoir in which it has been collected, onto one or more further optical lenses; and

[0035] - Rotating this one or more further lens(es) by means of, preferably in, the first coating device or the other coating device by means of which the third lens(es) was / were rotated, or a further coating device, wherein or in such a way that a portion of the coating fluid (applied to the respective further lens) is flung off this lens(es).

[0036] If different coating liquids are used alternately in the first coating device, for example for producing different, in particular photochromic, coatings, especially of different colors or the like, and / or for coating different lenses, it can be particularly advantageous to collect the different (unused) coating liquids separately from each other or sorted by type (for reuse).

[0037] Accordingly, the procedure in a further education course includes the following steps:

[0038] - Rotating one or more further (hereinafter also referred to as "second") lenses by means of, preferably in, the first coating device, 120668P1423PC 6 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0039] P 2409 PCT wherein or such that (a portion of a coating fluid previously applied to the respective lens) is flung off from this (second) lens(es), wherein this flung-off coating fluid is referred to as the second coating fluid,

[0040] - Collecting at least a portion of this spun-off second coating liquid in a second reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, wherein in a further development the first coating device comprises the second reservoir; and

[0041] - Reusing at least some of this spun-off and collected second coating fluid.

[0042] The second coating fluid, which is spun off and collected in the second reservoir, can be reused in various ways, for example, as a coating fluid for coating lenses, various objects, or the like. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least a portion of the second coating fluid, which is spun off and collected in the second reservoir, is used for coating, and in a particularly advantageous further development, for rotary coating, other optical lenses, since the coating fluid is especially suitable for this purpose and the logistics are particularly favorable.

[0043] Accordingly, the procedure in one iteration comprises the following steps:

[0044] - Applying a coating fluid, which contains flung-off and collected second coating fluid from the second reservoir, to one or more further optical lenses; and

[0045] - Rotating one or more additional lenses by means of, preferably in, the first or another coating device, wherein a portion of the coating fluid (applied to the respective additional lens) is flung off the lens(es). 120668P1423PC 7 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0046] P 2409 PCT

[0047] In a further development, more than two different coating liquids (first coating liquid, second coating liquid and at least one further coating liquid), each spun off during the rotation of optical lenses by means of the first coating device, can be collected in a separate reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, preferably of the first coating device, in the manner described here and reused.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first coating device and / or the other coating device (each) has a receiving space that receives the optical lens(es) that are (each) rotary coated, or is equipped or used for this purpose.

[0049] In a further embodiment, this receiving chamber of the first coating device and / or the other coating device (each) has one or more collecting troughs through which at least a portion of the flung-off coating fluid is collected, or which is / are equipped or used for this purpose. Preferably, the trough(s) has at least a portion of a gradient for the gravity-driven flow of flung-off coating fluid into at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, in a further development, the receiving chamber of the first coating device and / or the other coating device (each) has one or more drainage bores through which at least a part of the flung-off coating liquid, preferably collected by or in the trough(s), is discharged to at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement or which is / are equipped or used for this purpose.

[0051] In one version, the procedure comprises the following steps:

[0052] - Cleaning 120668P1423PC 8 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0053] P 2409 PCT

[0054] - at least one first coating fluid passage of the first coating device through which coating fluid is supplied for the application of this coating fluid to at least one optical lens, or which is equipped or used for this purpose; and / or

[0055] - at least one second coating fluid passage of the first coating device, through which coating fluid is discharged into one or more reservoirs of the reservoir arrangement, or which is equipped or used for this purpose; and / or

[0056] - one or the receiving space of the first coating device for receiving the at least one optical lens to be rotary coated;

[0057] - Collection of cleaning fluid used in this cleaning process after cleaning in a disposal reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, wherein in a further development the first coating device has the second reservoir.

[0058] This allows the coating fluid collected after (each) cleaning to be reused more effectively, especially if different coating fluids are used alternately in the first coating facility, each of which is collected in its own reservoir.

[0059] In a further education course, the procedure includes the following step:

[0060] - Drying at least one coating fluid passage of the first coating device and / or the receiving chamber of the first coating device after cleaning it or the first coating device using a drying fluid, for example compressed air, nitrogen, acetone or the like, wherein acetone or the like may additionally or alternatively advantageously also form the cleaning fluid or be present in it.

[0061] This allows for faster rotary coating of new lenses. 120668P1423PC 9 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0062] P 2409 PCT

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, the procedure in a further education course includes the following step:

[0064] - Initiating cleaning based on the identification of a provided coating fluid.

[0065] In one version, it is checked whether the coating fluid provided (for the rotary coating to be carried out) and the coating fluid used last or in the previous rotary coating have different colors and / or substances, and a cleaning process is initiated if it is found that the coating fluid provided (for the rotary coating to be carried out) and the coating fluid used last or in the previous rotary coating have different colors and / or a cleaning process is initiated if it is found that the coating fluid provided (for the rotary coating to be carried out) and the coating fluid used last or in the previous rotary coating have different substances.

[0066] In this way, contamination of the collected coating fluid can be reduced, preferably avoided.

[0067] In one embodiment, unapplied coating fluid, which is also provided for coating in the first coating unit, is collected in at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, and in a further development, at least in the first reservoir and / or in the second reservoir. In another further development, this unapplied fluid is reused. This advantageously allows for the reuse of residual coating fluid that was not spun off, particularly residues remaining in coating fluid supply passages and / or in containers for providing coating fluid. This further reduces material consumption and / or waste during rotary coating. 120668P1423PC 10 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0068] P 2409 PCT

[0069] In one embodiment, the method includes the following step, preferably performed multiple times:

[0070] - Switching a valve device for selectively directing liquid into different reservoirs of the reservoir arrangement.

[0071] This allows, in one configuration, the first coating liquid to be selectively fed into the first reservoir and / or the second coating liquid into the second reservoir and / or the cleaning liquid into the disposal reservoir.

[0072] In one version, the procedure includes the following step:

[0073] - Processing and / or degassing and / or controlling at least one coating liquid collected in a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, in a further development of the first coating liquid collected in the first reservoir and / or the second coating liquid collected in the second reservoir; wherein a coating liquid comprising this processed and / or degassed and / or controlled coating liquid is applied to at least one optical lens.

[0074] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, at least one coating fluid applied to at least one optical lens, which comprises coating fluid from a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, preferably at least one of the coating fluids mentioned herein, additionally comprises one or more other coating fluids, and in a further development, one or more fresh or unused coating fluids and / or one or more coating fluids that have already been used at least once for rotary coating. Accordingly, a method according to the invention can, in particular, involve mixing a coating fluid collected (for reuse) from a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement with one or more other coating fluids.

[0075] Coating liquids, in a further development of one or more fresh or unused coating liquids and / or one or more that have already been used at least once for rotary coating 120668P1423PC 11 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0076] P 2409 PCT

[0077] Coating fluids, and the reuse of this mixture in a further development as a coating fluid for rotary coating of further optical lenses.

[0078] By processing and / or degassing and / or controlling and / or mixing with one or more coating fluids, especially fresh and / or used coating fluids, the quality of the reused coating fluid and thus, in particular, the rotary coating of further optical lenses can be improved.

[0079] In one embodiment, at least one of the reservoirs of the reservoir arrangement, in a further development the first reservoir and / or the second reservoir and / or the disposal reservoir, (each) has a container which is movable or is moved for handling liquid collected in this reservoir, in a further development is removable or is removed from the first coating device and / or is, preferably manually, transportable or is transported.

[0080] This simplifies the handling of liquid collected in the reservoir.

[0081] In one embodiment, the first coating unit and / or the other coating unit (each) has a gradient by which the flung-off coating fluid is directed by gravity into at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, or the coating unit or the gradient is configured accordingly. This advantageously allows more flung-off coating fluid to be collected.

[0082] In one embodiment, a coating fluid applied to at least one optical lens, and in a further development on the first lens(es) and / or one or more further lenses, in particular the second lens(es) and / or the third lens(es), hardens after application and preferably after a portion of this coating fluid has been flung off by rotating the respective lens, in a 120668P1423PC 12 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0083] P 2409 PCT

[0084] Further training under or through light. This allows for the production of particularly advantageous coatings.

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, coating fluid, especially light-sensitive or light-curing coating fluid, is shielded from ambient light during the centrifugal discharge and / or collection process described here, using appropriate covers or similar devices. This prevents undesirable changes in viscosity and, in particular, hardening of the reusable coating fluid, thus improving its reusability.

[0086] In one embodiment, an identification of a coating liquid applied to at least one optical lens, which comprises coating liquid from a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, is stored and associated with this at least one optical lens, wherein an identification of this coating liquid from the reservoir and the identification of the applied coating liquid are additionally stored and associated with each other.

[0087] It is already standard internal practice to record, for quality assurance purposes, which batch of coating fluid was used for the rotary coating of optical lenses within a specific period (and thus, at least indirectly, assigned to those lenses). By additionally recording the original batch of coating fluid used in a current batch for the rotary coating of optical lenses within a specific period (and thus, at least indirectly, assigned to that current batch), quality assurance can be improved, particularly by identifying defects attributable to the original, reused batch of coating fluid.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for rotary coating of optical lenses, in particular hard and / or 120668P1423PC 13 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0089] P 2409 PCT software, in particular programming and / or control technology, is set up and / or has the following features for carrying out a procedure described herein:

[0090] - a first coating device for applying at least one

[0091] Coating fluid on one or more optical lenses, preferably for applying different coating fluids to several lenses, and for rotating these lens(es), wherein or in such a way that a portion of the coating fluid previously applied to the respective lens is flung off this / these lens(es);

[0092] - a first reservoir of a reservoir arrangement; and

[0093] - a collection device for collecting at least part of the flung-off coating fluid in the first reservoir.

[0094] The first coating unit may comprise, in whole or in part, the first reservoir and / or the second reservoir and / or the collecting unit and / or the valve unit. The collecting unit may, in particular, comprise at least one second coating fluid passage (of the first coating unit) for conveying coating fluid into at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement for collecting this coating fluid in that reservoir, and / or a gradient by which, by gravity, flung-off coating fluid is directed into at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, or which is configured for this purpose, and / or one or more collecting channels for collecting at least a portion of flung-off coating fluid, and / or drain bore(s) for conveying at least a portion of flung-off coating fluid to at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement.In one embodiment, the reservoir arrangement comprises, in addition to the first reservoir, a second reservoir and / or a disposal reservoir. Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, one or more of the reservoirs of the reservoir arrangement of the device, in a further development of the first coating unit, in particular the first reservoir and / or the second reservoir and / or the disposal reservoir, each have a container that is movable for handling liquid collected in that reservoir, preferably removable from the coating unit. (See 120668P1423PC 14 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH.)

[0095] P 2409 PCT

[0096] In one embodiment, the device, or in a further development, the first coating unit, has a control system that controls the device or first coating unit to carry out a process described herein, or is configured for this purpose, particularly by means of software or programming. The device may include another coating unit and / or means for processing and / or degassing and / or controlling at least one coating liquid collected in a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement and / or for mixing it with at least one other coating liquid.

[0097] A means according to the present invention can be configured as hardware and / or software, in particular comprising at least one processing unit, preferably a microprocessor unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like, preferably connected to a storage and / or bus system via data or signals, and / or comprising one or more programs or program modules. The processing unit can be configured to execute instructions implemented as a program stored in a storage system, to acquire input signals from a data bus, and / or to output signals to a data bus. A storage system can comprise one or more, in particular different, storage media, in particular optical, magnetic, solid-state, and / or other non-volatile media. The program can be configured to embody the methods described herein.is capable of executing, so that the processing unit can perform the steps of such procedures and thus, in particular, operate the device. A computer program product may, in one embodiment, include a storage medium, in particular a computer-readable and / or non-volatile medium, for storing a program or instructions, or with a program or instructions stored thereon. In one embodiment, the execution of this program or these instructions by a device or a control system, in particular a computer or an arrangement of several computers, causes the device or control system, in particular the computer(s), to execute a process described herein. 120668P1423PC 15 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH.

[0098] P 2409 PCT

[0099] The procedure or one or more of its steps are to be carried out, or the program or instructions for this purpose are set up.

[0100] In one embodiment, one or more, in particular all, steps of the method are fully or partially computer-implemented, or one or more, in particular all, steps of the method are fully or partially automated, in particular by the device.

[0101] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments. These are shown, in part schematically:

[0102] Fig. 1: a device for rotary coating of optical lenses according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0103] Fig. 2: a method for rotary coating of optical lenses according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Fig. 1 shows a device for rotary coating of optical lenses according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] The device has a first coating device 10 with a holding and rotation device 11 for rotating an optical lens 1 received or arranged in a receiving chamber A and a coating fluid passage 12 for supplying coating fluid from a cartridge 20 connected at an interface 21 for applying the coating fluid to the lens 1.

[0106] When a new cartridge is provided, it is first identified by means of an input interface 22, for example by manual input or recognition of a mark such as a barcode or the like (Fig. 2: step S10).

[0107] If the coating fluid (in) the new cartridge has a different color than the coating fluid used last (S20: “Y”), a 120668P1423PC 16 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0108] P 2409 PCT

[0109] Cleaning is initiated. For this purpose, a controller 100 first switches a valve assembly with valves 31-35 such that cleaning fluid from a container 40 is flushed through the coating fluid passage 12 and the receiving chamber A and collected in a disposal reservoir 41, while a first reservoir 51, a second reservoir 52, and a third reservoir 53 are closed. Optionally, drying can then be carried out, for example, with compressed air, nitrogen, and / or acetone from a container 42. Cleaning and, if necessary, drying and collection are indicated in Fig. 2 by step S30. Cleaning fluids may preferably contain acetone, in particular...

[0110] After cleaning and drying, if necessary, and connecting the new cartridge to interface 21, a control unit 100 switches the valve assembly with valves 31-35 so that containers 40, 41 and 42 are shut off and, depending on which coating fluid is provided in the new cartridge, one of the reservoirs 51-53 is selectively opened (step S40).

[0111] Now, coating fluid is applied to the respective optical lens 1 in a manner known per se, and part of this coating fluid is flung off by rotating the lens in order to rotary-coat the lens, for example with photoresist for a photochromic coating (step S41 or S42 or S43).

[0112] At least a portion of the spun-off coating fluid is guided via a second coating fluid passage 13 to the corresponding reservoir opened by the valve assembly and collected in its container, for example, spun-off first coating fluid in the (container of the) first reservoir(s) 51 (step S51), spun-off second coating fluid in the (container of the) second reservoir(s) 52 (step S52), or spun-off third coating fluid in the (container of the) third reservoir(s) 53 (step S53), where three different reservoirs or coating fluids are purely exemplary for illustrative purposes. 120668P1423PC 17 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0113] P 2409 PCT

[0114] After all lenses intended for the connected cartridge have been coated (S61: "Y", S62: "Y", and S63: "Y"), the cartridge can be partially emptied into the corresponding reservoir 51, 52, or 53 via the second coating fluid passage 13 by the controller 100 switching the valve accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, the coating fluid passage 12 can also be partially emptied by the controller 100 switching the valve accordingly.

[0115] During the spinning and collecting process, the coating liquid is shielded from ambient light, in the exemplary embodiment by a cover 14 and an opaque coating liquid passage 13.

[0116] After the coating fluid has been collected in the appropriate reservoir (container), the collected coating fluid is processed (step S70) and / or mixed (step S80) and / or degassed (step S90) and / or checked (step S100).

[0117] For this purpose, the collected coating fluid is filtered, for example, using a peristaltic pump, through a filter, such as a disc filter. The filtration can be pressure filtration by applying nitrogen. Optionally, the purity and / or concentration of certain additives can also be determined and, if necessary, adjusted by adding them. Preferably, this takes place before degassing.

[0118] Additionally or alternatively, the coating liquid is mixed with another, preferably fresh, coating liquid. Such optional cuvée formation also preferably takes place before subsequent degassing.

[0119] Degassing advantageously ensures that the reusable coating fluid is free of gases that would cause or could cause bubble formation during subsequent reuse. 120668P1423PC 18 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0120] P 2409 PCT

[0121] For quality control or assurance, for example, a spectral measurement of the recycled coating fluid, HPLC analyses and / or sample coatings can be carried out.

[0122] Subsequently, a cartridge containing the coating fluid recycled in this way is provided as a new cartridge and the above-described procedure is carried out again, so that at least part of the coating fluid collected in the respective reservoir is reused.

[0123] The exemplary embodiment illustrates in particular that different coating liquids are collected separately in different reservoirs in order to then be recycled or reused accordingly:

[0124] For example, one or more first optical lenses are first successively rotary-coated with coating fluid from the same connected first cartridge, and the coating fluid flung off in the process, as well as any residues from the first cartridge and / or coating fluid passage 12, are at least partially collected in the first reservoir 51 and subsequently processed and / or mixed with other coating fluid and / or degassed and / or checked, in order to then be provided again as coating fluid in a cartridge and reused for the rotary coating of further optical lenses.

[0125] After the rotational coating of the first optical lenses with coating fluid from the first cartridge and the collection of the coating fluid spun off during this process, as well as any residues from the first cartridge and / or coating fluid passage 12, a second cartridge, identified at input interface 22 and containing a different coating fluid, is connected to interface 21 (after cleaning initiated by the coating fluid change) and one or 120668P1423PC 19 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0126] P 2409 PCT several second optical lenses successively are rotationally coated with coating fluid from this second cartridge and the coating fluid flung off in the process, as well as any residues from the second cartridge and / or coating fluid passage 12, are at least partially collected in the second reservoir 52 and subsequently processed and / or mixed with other coating fluid and / or degassed and / or checked, in order to subsequently be provided again in a cartridge as coating fluid and reused for the rotational coating of further optical lenses.

[0127] If the flung-off coating fluid is collected in the process, it can be reused analogously to the rotary coating of other optical lenses, meaning the original coating fluid can be reused multiple times.

[0128] In Fig. 1, a gradient is schematically and exemplarily indicated by the vertical or sloping coating fluid passages (sections) and reference numeral "G". This gradient directs the flung-off coating fluid and residues from the cartridge or coating fluid passage 12 into the corresponding reservoirs 51, 52, and 53 of the reservoir arrangement by gravity. The gradient also directs the cleaning fluid into the disposal reservoir 41. A drain bore for conveying at least a portion of the flung-off coating fluid to the reservoirs 41, 51-53 of the reservoir arrangement is indicated by "B". This drain bore is located in a collection channel "S" for collecting at least a portion of the flung-off coating fluid.

[0129] Figure 1 also shows, only schematically, another coating device 15 in which the recycled coating fluid described above can alternatively be reused for the rotary coating of further optical lenses in the manner described here. 120668P1423PC 20 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0130] P 2409 PCT

[0131] In the present disclosure, "has an X" does not generally imply an exhaustive list, but is a short form of "has at least one X". 1 and also includes "has two or more X" as well as "has Y in addition to X". Although the preceding description provided examples, it should be noted that a multitude of variations are possible.

[0132] For example, in another particularly advantageous modification, the connection of the cartridge to containers 40 and / or 42 can be omitted. These containers can still be used for cleaning and / or drying the receiving chamber A, or they can be omitted altogether.

[0133] Additionally or alternatively, especially in the aforementioned modification, interface 21 and / or coating fluid passage 12 can also be movable, as indicated by right-left arrows in Fig. 1, in particular to be cleaned and / or dried outside and / or emptied outside or directly into the drain hole.

[0134] Furthermore, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to restrict the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the skilled person with a guideline for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications, particularly with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims and these equivalent combinations of features. 120668P1423PC 21 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH

[0135] P 2409 PCT

[0136] List of reference signs

[0137] I optical lens

[0138] 10 first coating equipment

[0139] II Holding and rotating device

[0140] 12 (first) coating liquid passage

[0141] 13 second coating fluid passage

[0142] 14 Cover

[0143] 15 additional coating equipment

[0144] 20 cartridges

[0145] 21 Interface

[0146] 22 Input interface

[0147] 31-35 Valve (device)

[0148] 40 cleaning fluid containers

[0149] 41 (containers of a) disposal reservoir(s)

[0150] 42 containers

[0151] 51 (container of a) firstZ-n reservoir(s)

[0152] 52 (containers of a) second reservoir(s)

[0153] 53 (containers of a) third reservoir(s)

[0154] 100 Control

[0155] A recording room

[0156] B Drainage hole

[0157] G gradient

[0158] S Collection channel

Claims

120668P1423PC 22 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH P 2409 PCT Patent claims 1. Method for the rotational coating of optical lenses, comprising the steps: - Rotating (S41) at least one optical lens (1) by means of a first coating device (10) for flinging off first coating liquid from the at least one first lens; - Collecting (S51) at least a portion of the first flung-off coating fluid in a first reservoir (51) of a reservoir arrangement; and - Reusing at least some of this flung-off and collected first coating fluid.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by the steps: - Application of a coating fluid comprising spun-off and collected first coating fluid from the first reservoir to at least one further optical lens; and - Rotating this at least one further lens by means of the first or another coating device (10; 15) to fling off a portion of the coating fluid from the at least one further lens.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized by the steps: - Collecting at least a portion of the coating fluid flung off by at least one other lens in a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement; and - Reusing at least some of this flung-off and collected coating fluid.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps: - Rotating (S42) at least one further optical lens by means of the first coating device for the purpose of spinning off second coating fluid from the at least one further lens; 120668P1423PC 23 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH P 2409 PCT - Collecting (S52) at least a portion of the flung-off second coating liquid in a second reservoir (52) of the reservoir arrangement; and - Reusing at least some of this spun-off and collected second coating fluid.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the step: - Clean - at least one first coating fluid passage (12) of the first coating device for supplying coating fluid for applying the coating fluid to at least one optical lens; and / or - at least one second coating fluid passage (13) of the first coating device for discharging coating fluid into at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement; and / or - a receiving chamber of the first coating device for receiving the at least one optical lens to be rotary coated; and the step: - Collecting the cleaning fluid used during this cleaning process in a disposal reservoir of the reservoir arrangement after cleaning.

6. The method of claim 5, characterized by at least one of the steps: - Drying at least one coating fluid passage and / or the receiving area of ​​the first coating unit after cleaning it using a drying fluid; and / or - Initiating cleaning based on the identification of a provided coating fluid. 120668P1423PC 24 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH P 2409 PCT 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that unapplied coating fluid provided for coating in the first coating device is collected in at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the step: - Switching a valve device (31-35) for selectively directing liquid into different reservoirs of the reservoir arrangement.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the step: - Processing (S70) and / or degassing (S90) and / or controlling (S100) at least one coating fluid collected in a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement; wherein a coating fluid comprising this processed and / or degassed and / or controlled coating fluid is applied to at least one optical lens.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one coating liquid applied to at least one optical lens, the coating liquid comprising a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, additionally comprises at least one other coating liquid.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that at least one of the reservoirs of the reservoir arrangement has a container that is movable for handling liquid collected in that reservoir; and / or - that the first coating facility 120668P1423PC 25 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH P 2409 PCT - a gradient (G) for gravity-driven guidance of flung-off coating fluid into at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement; and / or - a receiving space for receiving the at least one optical lens to be rotatably coated, preferably comprising: - at least one collection trough to collect at least some of the flung-off coating fluid and / or - has at least one drain bore for draining at least a portion of the flung-off coating fluid to at least one reservoir of the reservoir arrangement.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - coating fluid applied to at least one optical lens hardens after application; and / or - The coating fluid is shielded from ambient light during spinning and / or collecting.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an identification of a coating liquid applied to at least one optical lens, the coating liquid comprising a reservoir of the reservoir arrangement, is stored associated with at least one optical lens, wherein an identification of this coating liquid from the reservoir and the identification of the applied coating liquid are additionally stored associated with each other.

14. Device for rotary coating of optical lenses, which is configured and / or comprises for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims. 120668P1423PC 26 / 27 Rodenstock GmbH P 2409 PCT - a first coating device (10) for applying at least one coating liquid to at least one optical lens (1) and for rotating to fling off a portion of the applied coating liquid from the at least one lens; - a first reservoir (51 ) of a reservoir arrangement; and - a collection device for collecting at least part of the flung-off coating fluid in the reservoir.

15. Computer program or computer program product, wherein the computer program or computer program product, in particular stored on a computer-readable and / or non-volatile storage medium, contains instructions which, when executed by one or more computers or a device according to claim 14, cause the computer(s) or the device to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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