Abstract: A well construction includes a spool (12) that is insertable into a vertical well casing (14). The spool (12) has a skirt (28) that seats against a collar (26) of the well casing (14). The skirt (28) and collar (26) are of a pre-selected angle and material so as to create a sliding and non-sticking engagement between the surfaces of the skirt (28) and the collar (26). A support web (50) extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of the skirt (28) at the location of the skirt (28). A pipe is suspended from a sleeve portion (44) of the spool and a ring portion (53) is formed at the junction of the support web (50) and the sleeve (44). The sliding and non-sticking engagement between the skirt (28) and the collar (28), coupled with the geometry of the spool (12), creates a load distribution in the support web (50) of substantially compressive forces between the surfaces of the skirt (28) and the collar (28), thus minimizing the incidence of breakage in the spool (12).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for blocking plastic lenses wherein an intermediate member in the form of a stiff, lightweight disc is interposed between the lens blank and a low melting point blocking material such that heat from the blocking material is absorbed by the member so as to prevent distortion of the lens blank. The face of the member is shaped so as to intimately conform to the standard convex side of the lens blank and is of a peripheral extent so as to provide stiffening support essentially over the entire surface thereof. The avoidance of lens distortion also enables lenses blocked in this manner to be re-blocked, if necessary, for corrective grinding.