The present invention recognizes that lenses, such as contact lenses, can be pigmented using ink that include polymers or polymerizable monomers, preferably the same monomers used to make the lens. Preferably, such lenses are made using bonding agents. The ink can be used to make images on or within the lens. Images made using these inks are preferably digital and can be used in a variety of printing methods, including ink-jet printing.

Tinted lenses and methods of manufacture

A laser-based method and system for processing targeted surface material and article produced thereby are provided The system processes the targeted surface material within a region of a workpiece while avoiding undesirable changes to adjacent non-targeted material The system includes a primary laser subsystem including a primary laser source for generating a pulsed laser output including at least one pulse having a wavelength and a pulse width less than 1 ns A delivery subsystem irradiates the targeted surface material of the workpiece with the pulsed laser output including the at least one pulse to texture the targeted surface material The pulsed laser output has sufficient total fluence to initiate ablation within at least a portion of the targeted surface material and the pulse width is short enough such that the region and the non-targeted material surrounding the material are substantially free of slag

Laser-based method and system for processing targeted surface material and article produced thereby

The present invention provides a chemical ink comprises a solvent, a binder polymer, a colorant and optionally a crosslinker. The ink of the invention has one or more of the following characteristics: a viscosity lower than about 50 centipoises; a surface tension of from about 20 mN/m to about 60 mN/m; a particle size of less than about 5 μm; prolonged stability; an appropriate color level (visible by eye); uniform drop formation; jet stability; good adhesion to contact lenses; good transfer from a mold to a lens made in the mold; and stability of ink in inkjet nozzles. The ink of the invention is useful for inkjet printing of a high-quality color image on a contact lens or a mold so as to produce a colored contact lens.

Ink formulations and uses thereof

A method of making a colored contact lens comprises printing at least one layer of a colorant onto a contact lens using a printing process selected from the group consisting of ink jet printing, electrophotographic printing, thermal transfer printing, and photographic development printing. Printing can be done directly on the contact lens, on a film in a mold where the contact lens is formed, or on a cliche pad. Multiple layers of colorants can be printed onto a contact lens.

Printing colored contact lenses

Apparatus including a plurality of droplet ejection devices, an electric source and a controller. Each droplet ejection device includes a fluid chamber having an ejection nozzle, an electrically actuated displacement device associated with the chamber, and a switch having an input connected to the electric source, an output connected to the electrically actuated displacement device, and a control signal input that is controlled by the controller to control whether the input (and thus the electric source) is connected to the output (and thus the electrically actuated device). The electrically actuated displacement device changed the volume of the chamber as a capacitance associated with the electrically actuated displacement device changes in charge between an actuated condition and an unactuated condition.

Individual jet voltage trimming circuitry

An ink tank includes a reservoir body for containing an ink supply. The reservoir body has a top opening. A top cover is attached to the reservoir body to close the top opening. The top cover has an outer surface. The top cover is formed from a molded material. An RFID tag is integrated into the top cover by one of insert molding the RFID tag in the top cover when the top cover is molded or securing the RFID tag in a recessed region of the top cover.

Ink tank having integrated rfid tag

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a inkjet printhead having an internal ink reservoir, an ink via in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, a filter tower extending into the ink reservoir, and one or more walls at the base of the filter tower. In order to promote the movement of bubbles toward and into the ink via, the wall(s) at the base of the filter tower can converge and be inclined toward the ink via, and can have one or more protrusions thereon and/or recesses therein.

Air funneling inkjet printhead

A multi-fluid body (10) and an ejection head substrate (28) connected in fluid flow communication with the multi-fluid body (10) for ejecting multiple fluids therefrom. The multi-fluid body (10) includes at least two segregated fluid chambers (32, 34). Independent fluid supply paths lead from each of the fluid chambers (32, 34) providing fluid to multiple fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate (28). The ejection head substrate (28) is attached adjacent an ejection head area of the body. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate (28) have a flow path density of greater than about one flow paths per millimeter.

Multi-fluid ejection device

A multi-chamber liquid ink jet printhead cartridge is provided that includes two or more adjacently disposed and parallel rectangular ink storage chambers with at least one additional rectangular ink storage chamber disposed in front of and perpendicularly with the parallel chambers, Enclosed channels connect the chambers to corresponding orifices which are located under the front chamber.

Ink jet printhead cartridge

In a system for laser welding work pieces along a collapsing weld interface, methods and apparatus include providing welding pads and/or stop projections on either or both of the work pieces to control the manner or amount of collapse. Preferably, the stop projections exist a separation distance from the weld interface while the welding pads exist at and form a portion of the weld interface. Buffers are taught between the weld interface and stop projection. The work pieces may comprise inkjet printhead lids and bodies. In another aspect, the invention teaches methods of laser welding inkjet printhead lids and bodies according to whether the inkjet printhead body embodies a mono or color ink body type and especially includes selective control of one or more laser light sources to illuminate the inkjet printhead lid in a specific pattern of light.

Ganesh Vinayak Phatak

Papers

Ink tank having integrated rfid tag

Air funneling inkjet printhead

Multi-fluid ejection device

Ink jet printhead cartridge

Laser welding methods and structures and control therefor including welded inkjet printheads