Suction Cup Liquid Removal from Contact Lens Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the production of contact lenses, liquid carry-over from one bath to another can contaminate or dilute the subsequent liquid bath, requiring frequent purification or replacement, which reduces efficiency and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a suction cup with a concave wall and suction orifice to remove liquid from the convex bottom of a container as it is transported from one liquid bath to another, applying suction without contact to prevent contamination and dilution, utilizing a pneumatic linear drive for precise positioning and vacuum supply for efficient liquid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If containers are transferred from one liquid bath to another during contact lens production, then contact lenses can be treated with different liquids (rinsing, extraction, coating), but liquid carry-over contaminates or dilutes subsequent liquid baths, requiring frequent purification or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup removes liquid from the container bottom before the container enters the subsequent liquid bath. This preliminary removal action prevents liquid carry-over contamination, allowing the same liquid bath to be used for longer periods without purification or replacement, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment versatility and liquid loss
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup extracts liquid adhering to the container bottom through suction orifices. By taking out the harmful liquid carry-over before it enters the subsequent bath, the system maintains liquid bath purity while preserving the ability to perform multiple treatment steps with different liquids
2Loss of substance
If suction is applied to remove liquid from the container bottom, then liquid carry-over is reduced, but the suction cup must be positioned very close to the convex bottom without contact
Solution Approach 1:
A leakage stream of air acts as an intermediary between the suction cup and the container bottom. This air stream allows the suction cup to be positioned close to the convex bottom for effective liquid removal while preventing direct contact, thereby reducing the precision requirements for positioning and avoiding contamination from contact
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by introducing a leakage stream of air between the suction cup and container bottom. This pneumatic intermediary enables effective suction while maintaining a non-contact relationship, resolving the positioning precision challenge
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces liquid carry-over, minimizing contamination and dilution, thereby extending the time before liquid bath purification or replacement is needed, enhancing the efficiency and consistency of contact lens treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
applying the suction through the at least one suction orifice arranged in the concave wall of the suction cup
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method of removing a liquid from a container (1) for accommodating an ophthalmic contact lens, in particular a soft contact lens, during transporting the container (1) from a liquid bath (13) to a subsequent processing station (14), the method comprising the steps of: - transporting the container (1) from the liquid bath to the subsequent processing station, - generating suction (20), and - applying the suction (20) to a bottom (11) of the container (1) during the step of transporting the container (1) from the liquid bath to the subsequent processing station, thereby removing the liquid from the container (1).