Method and apparatus for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens

Abstract

The invention provide a method for applying a coating to an ophthalmic lens or a mold for making the ophthalmic lens or a medical device other than ophthalmic lens. The method comprises spraying at least one layer of a coating liquid onto an ophthalmic lens using a spraying process selected from the group consisting of an air-assisted atomization and dispensing process, an ultrasonic-assisted atomization and dispensing process, a piezoelectric assisted atomization and dispensing process, an electro-mechanical jet printing process, a piezo-electric jet printing process, a piezo-electric with hydrostatic pressure jet printing process, and a thermal jet printing process. The coating can comprise a property/functionality pattern or a color image or combination of both.

1 - 52 . (canceled)  
   
   
       53 . An ophthalmic lens comprising thereon a color image, a coating having a surface property/functionality pattern, an asymmetrical coatings, or combination thereof, wherein the surface property/functionality pattern comprises at least one first set of zone and a second set of zones, wherein the first set of zones has a first set of surface properties and/or functionalities while the second set of zones has a second set of surface properties and/or functionalities, wherein the first set of surface properties and/or functionalities is different from the second set of surface properties and/or functionalities.  
   
   
       54 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 53 , wherein the ophthalmic lens comprises the coating having the surface property and/or functionality pattern.  
   
   
       55 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 54 , wherein the first set of surface properties and/or functionalities is imparted by a first coating liquid while the second set of surface properties and/or functionalities is imparted by a second coating liquid, wherein each of the first and second coating liquids comprises at least one polyionic material and optionally one or more materials or additives selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial, an antibacterial, a colorant, a cell growth inhibitor, a cell growth inducing material, a visibility tinting agent, and an ultraviolet light tinting dye,  
   
   
       56 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 55 , wherein the property/functionality pattern comprises zones with regular shapes or irregular shapes or combination thereof.  
   
   
       57 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 56 , wherein the coating further comprises a color image selected from the group consisting of a cosmetic pattern, an inversion mark, a SKU code, and an identity code  
   
   
       58 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 57 , wherein the property and/or functionality pattern is integrated with the color image in the coating.  
   
   
       59 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 55 , wherein the property/functionality pattern comprises checkerboard pattern, rings, zones comprising shaped regions therewithin, multiple concentric annular zones, annular zones with outer and inner starbursts, or combination thereof.  
   
   
       60 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 54 , wherein the property/functionality pattern comprises zones with regular shapes or irregular shapes or combination thereof.  
   
   
       61 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 60 , wherein the coating further comprises a color image selected from the group consisting of a cosmetic pattern, an inversion mark, a SKU code, and an identity code  
   
   
       62 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 61 , wherein the property and/or functionality pattern is integrated with the color image in the coating.  
   
   
       63 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 54 , wherein the property/functionality pattern comprises checkerboard pattern, rings, zones comprising shaped regions therewithin, multiple concentric annular zones, annular zones with outer and inner starbursts, or combination thereof.  
   
   
       64 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 63 , wherein the coating further comprises a color image selected from the group consisting of a cosmetic pattern, an inversion mark, a SKU code, and an identity code  
   
   
       65 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 64 , wherein the property and/or functionality pattern is integrated with the color image in the coating.  
   
   
       66 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 54 , wherein the coating further comprises a color image selected from the group consisting of a cosmetic pattern, an inversion mark, a SKU code, and an identity code  
   
   
       67 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 66 , wherein the property and/or functionality pattern is integrated with the color image in the coating.  
   
   
       68 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 54 , wherein the ophthalmic lens has the asymmetrical coatings.  
   
   
       69 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 53 , wherein the ophthalmic lens is a contact lens.  
   
   
       70 . The ophthalmic lens of  claim 69 , wherein the contact lens comprises a flourine- or siloxane-containing polymer.