Abstract: Apparatus for feeding workpieces (37, 38) to the collet (3) of a lens lathe comprises a loading device (12) and a magazine (10) for containing a plurality of workpieces (37, 38). The magazine (10) has an opening (11) at one end through which the workpieces (37, 38) are sequentially removable. The loading device (12) is arranged to accept workpieces (37, 38) sequentially from the magazine (10) at a loading station, and to feed them to the collet (3). The loading device (12) has a pair of star wheels (16) for holding a workpiece (37, 38) removed from the magazine (10), and means (34, 35, 36) for positioning said workpiece at the loading station in a predetermined position with respect to the collet (3). The loading device (12) has piston-and-cylinder devices (20) and (23) for moving the star wheels (16) so as to carry said workpiece (37, 38) from the loading station to the collet (3).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for casting lenses using male and female mould halves, which comprises placing a polymerizable liquid composition into the female mould half, introducing a male mould into the female mould along a substantially vertical axis until the male mould touches the surface of the liquid composition and then allowing the male mould to fall under its own weight into the female mould half and curing or allowing the polymerizable composition to cure. Also included is apparatus suitable for carrying out the casting process which comprises a substantially horizontal support for the female mould, a holder for releasably holding the male mould, means for moving the holder towards and into the female mould along a substantially vertical path passing through the axes of the moulds and means for detecting contact between the male mould and the surface of the liquid composition and causing said holder to release the male mould.

Abstract: A process for casting lenses using male and female mold halves, which includes placing a polymerizable liquid into the female mold, introducing the male mold down into the female mold until the male mold touches the surface of the liquid and then allowing the male mold to fall into the female mold. Also, an apparatus suitable for carrying out the casting process is provided which includes a horizontal support for the female mold, a holder for releasably holding the male mold, a mechanism for moving the holder down towards and into the female mold and a mechanism for detecting contact between the male mold and the surface of the liquid and causing the holder to then release the male mold. The molds are maintained under a predetermined closing pressure during curing by spot welding their flanges together while under that pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine for aligning and attaching partly-worked lens blanks to a block so that the remainder of the blank can be machined. The machine comprises a vee-shaped holder for supporting the block with it axis vertical above a moveable table on which the lens blank is supported. The moveable table is freely moveable in any direction in a horizontal plane and the machine includes means for bringing the block and partly-worked lens into contact and achieving alignment of the axes of the block and lens blank by permitting the lens blank to move in any direction in a horizontal plane. A film of liquid adhesive is provided between the surface of the lens blank and the block which acts both as a lubricant and as a bonding agent when correct alignment has been achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing contact lenses. The method includes enclosing first and second lens blanks in a protective magazine, unloading the lens blanks from the magazine, machining the lens blanks, enclosing the machined lens blanks in another protective magazine, and then transferring this magazine to another machine tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for aligning and attaching partly-worked lens blanks to a block so that the remainder of the blank can be machined. The machine comprises a vee-shaped holder for supporting the block with it axis vertical above a moveable table on which the lens blank is supported. The moveable table is freely moveable in any direction in a horizontal plane and the machine includes means for bringing the block and partly-worked lens into contact and achieving alignment of the axes of the block and lens blank by permitting the lens blank to move in any direction in a horizontal plane. A film of liquid adhesive is provided between the surface of the lens blank and the block which acts both as a lubricant and as a bonding agent when correct alignment has been achieved.