US 12,290,998 B2
Machine and method for obtaining a curved surface for a film structure
Youval Katzman, Zichron Yaakov (IL)
Assigned to Essilor International, Charenton-le-Pont (FR); and Shamir Optical Industry Ltd., Kibbutz Shamir (IL)
Appl. No. 18/016,088
Filed by ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL, Charenton-le-pont (FR); and SHAMIR OPTICAL INDUSTRY LTD., Kibbutz Shamir (IL)
PCT Filed Jul. 13, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/069413
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 13, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/013196, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 20, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 20305820 (EP), filed on Jul. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0271393 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. B29D 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 11/0073 (2013.01) [B29D 11/00788 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A machine for obtaining a curved surface of a film structure that comprises a carrier layer and a functional film, the machine comprising:
an annular support member having a supporting face adapted for supporting the film structure and an opening that is adapted to be covered by the film structure;
a clamping system configured to clamp the annular support member and the film structure when supported by the annular support member;
a forming system configured to, when said film structure is supported by the annular support member and clamped with said annular support member, apply gaseous pressure on the film structure so as to curve said film structure in or through the opening of the annular support member such that the gaseous pressure that is applied on the film structure imparts a curved surface to the film structure;
wherein said opening of the annular support member has a contour that is non-circular.