Abstract: A mold apparatus (200) includes an upper mold (40) and a lower mold (50). The upper mold includes an upper guide sleeve (42), an upper mold seat (44), and an upper mold core (46). The lower mold includes a lower guide sleeve (52), a lower mold seat (54) and a lower mold core (56). The upper guide sleeve has a hole (422) defined thereof. The upper seat has an aperture (442) defined thereof. The upper mold seat is fixed below the upper guide sleeve. The lower guide sleeve has a hole (522) defined thereof. The lower seat has an aperture (542) defined thereof. The lower mold seat is fixed on the lower guide sleeve.

Abstract: A device for aligning a first and a second shell mold comprises a first gripper for holding the first shell mold, a second gripper for holding the second shell mold, and a centering station. Both grippers can be displaced relative to one another and relative to the centering station along a predetermined axis and can rotate individually as well as synchronously about the axis. The centering station comprises a supporting body, which supports spring elements arranged along a circle, said axis running through the center of the circle. For centering, the shell mold is moved into the centering station by the gripper and then removed from the gripper so that the shell mold is held solely by the spring elements. The radial forces of the spring elements uniformly acting upon the shell mold from all sides cause the shell mold to be displaced into the center of gravity of the forces. Afterwards, the shell mold is gripped once again by the gripper and moved out from the centering station.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a polymeric molding. A mold component includes a transmissive portion for passing curing energy such as UV light into the mold cavity. A masking collar is engaged around the transmissive portion to block curing energy from exposing and curing polymeric material outside of the region underlying the transmissive portion.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a polymeric molding. A mold component includes a UV-absorptive material for preventing undesired reflection or transmission of curing energy within the mold cavity, thereby providing more precise control of the edge geometry of the molding.

Abstract: A mold capable of preventing deterioration of the mold even when a material for spherical members is harder than that for the mold, and capable of aligning the center axis between an insert member and a body member thereof with high accuracy even when a pressure of resin filling is applied. The mold has an insert member with a cavity surface, and a body member for supporting the insert member from outside via a plurality of spherical members. Tubular liners harder than the spherical members are provided between the body member and the spherical members and between the insert member and the spherical members.

Abstract: Product forming molds have surfaces conformally coated with a coating composite comprising superabrasive particles. In one embodiment, the mold surface is plated (electrolessly or electrolytically) or coated with a metal having superabrasive particles dispersed therein. In another embodiment, the composite is a SiC composite having superabrasive particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure includes a retroreflective sheeting having an array of transparent prisms formed into pairs of prisms. Each prism includes a base aperture and three intersecting lateral faces meeting at an apex. Each of the lateral faces includes a base edge which forms a portion of the perimeter of the base aperture. The base edge of each lateral face intersects the base edge of a contiguous lateral face to form a base point, the first face of at least one prism in the array including a first face first planar surface and a first face second planar surface. The first face first planar surface and the first face second planar surface are contiguous along an edge having a first and second end points, wherein the apex, the first end point, and a first base point are coplanar and form a continuous edge from the first base point to the apex.

Abstract: A mold includes a first board (10), a second board (20), and a core insert (30). The first board is mounted on the second board, and the core insert is slidably mounted between the first board and the second board, under the control of an adjusting apparatus (40). The adjusting apparatus includes a movable block (41), an elastic component (42), and an adjusting screw (43).

Abstract: The present invention provides molds useful in contact lens production, which molds incorporate a centering and spacing feature in the form of tabs on one of the mold halves. The spacing feature both centers the mold halves in relationship to each other and permits free flow of excess monomer from the mold. Additionally, the spacing feature aids in height control of the one mold half in relation to the other mold half.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a machine bed, a holder unit disposed movably on the machine bed, and an adhesion unit. A method for adhering a light-shielding sheet onto a transparent body includes: (A) moving the transparent body on a machine bed into a holder unit by suction; (B) moving the holder unit on the machine bed in a feeding direction; (C) cooperating with operation of the holder unit so as to apply glue to the transparent body; (D) cooperating with operation of the holder unit so as to move the transparent body on the machine bed to a position under the light-shielding sheet; and (E) pressing the light-shielding sheet against the transparent body so as to adhere the light-shielding sheet onto the transparent body, thereby forming an optical lens unit.

Abstract: A device (20) for assembling a plastic-lens-forming casting mold includes a gasket clamping mechanism (22) which clamps a gasket (2) from its axial direction, a first mold push-in mechanism (23) which pushes in an upper mold (3) fitted in an upper open end of the gasket (2), and a second mold push-in mechanism (24) which pushes in a lower mold (4) fitted in a lower open end of the gasket (2). The gasket clamping mechanism (22) clamps the gasket (2) from the axial direction by a gasket-pressing ring (34) and lower mold ring (35). The first mold push-in mechanism (23) pushes the upper mold (3) into the gasket (2) by a gasket push-in member (58). The second mold push-in mechanism (24) includes a plurality of push pins (68) and pushes up the lower mold (4) to push it into the gasket (2).

Abstract: An exemplary mold for molding lenses includes an upper mold core, a lower mold core, and a shell. The upper mold core has a first convex molding surface. The lower mold core has a second convex molding surface opposite to the first convex molding surface. The shell has an upper portion and a lower portion for respectively accommodating the upper mold core and the lower mold core therein. The shell has an inner step support formed between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Abstract: A member for a resin molding machine wherein it has a face contacting with a molten resin, and at least a part of the face is covered with a film of an oxide of a base material of the face or a component contained in the base material. The use of the member in the molding of a resin allows the prevention of the incorporation of a contaminant associated with the deterioration of a melt of the resin into a molded article from the resin.

Abstract: An annular insert (4) is arranged in the optical component molding cavity of a mold to surround an outer periphery of raw material resin in a direction in which the resin is distributed in the cavity to limit the distribution of the raw material resin and define an outer profile of a lens (L). With this arrangement, it is only necessary to provide raw material resin only by a quantity equal to the volume of the region surrounded by the molding surfaces of upper and lower mold inserts (14, 24) and the inner peripheral edge of the annular insert (4) of the mold, so that the required volume of the raw material resin can be reduced. Since the pressure is preserved at the outer periphery of the distributed resin by the presence of the annular insert (4), the residual strain of the resin is minimized to prevent generation of sink mark, thereby providing excellent optical characteristics on the lens (L).

Abstract: There is described a molding method for molding a product, having a microscopic structure of high aspect ratio. The molding method includes the steps of: setting a temperature of a mold, having a microscopic shape, at a value higher than a glass transition temperature of a material being deformable with heat; pushing the mold against the material at a first velocity, after the material is positioned opposite to the mold so that the microscopic shape contacts the material; pushing the mold against the material at a second velocity being faster than the first velocity; and releasing the mold from the material. The pushing pressure for pushing the mold against the material at the first velocity is equal to or smaller than a half of that for pushing the mold against the material at the second velocity.

Abstract: Isothermal imprint embossing system. In one embodiment, the system includes a heater to pre-heat a disk substrate to an embossing temperature, a die assembly with an embossing foil to imprint the embossable film disposed on the disk substrate, and a heat tunnel disposed between the heater and the die assembly to maintain the embossing temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing an aspherical structure according to the invention includes the steps of: forming a layer on a surface of a substrate so that the layer exhibits an etching rate distribution in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; forming a mask having a predetermined opening shape on the surface of the layer; and etching the layer to thereby form at least one aspherical concave portion. When each concave portion is used as a molding tool so that a resin with which the concave portion is filled is solidified and removed from the concave portions an aspherical lens array can be formed accurately.

Abstract: An injection compression molding method of a lens is provided, where a toggle link mechanism (65) is actuated to close a molding die (50) and a movable die plate (64) is moved to a position establishing a cavity thickness of greater than a thickness of an article to be molded while the die is closed. After injecting a molten resin into the cavity, the molten resin is sealed in the cavity and the toggle link mechanism (65) is actuated to advance the movable die plate (64) toward a fixed die plate (61), the relative position of a rear die plate (62) and the movable die plate (64) is made constant at a position where extension of a tie bar (63) becomes a predetermined value, and the molten resin is cooled for a predetermined time after completion of pressurizing the resin.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a light-guide plate includes preparing an upper mold frame having an inclined inner surface and a lower mold frame having a space therein, preparing a micro pattern plate having a surface including one of a plurality of grooves and a plurality of protrusions formed using photolithographic processes, inserting the micro pattern plate into the space of the lower mold frame, the surface of the micro pattern plate facing the inclined inner surface of the upper mold frame, positioning the upper and lower mold frames together, and injecting light-guide plate forming material into a space between the upper and lower mold frames.

Abstract: Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.

Abstract: A high precision molding device for insert-molding optical lens comprises a stationary sub-mould and a movable sub-mould for engaging with the stationary sub-mould thereby forming a mould cavity therebetween for molding an optical lens. The molded lens has a body and a protection ring extending outside from the body, and is separated from the stationary sub-mould together with the movable sub-mould. The movable sub-mould includes a mould base, a core fixed with the mould base and a pushing means for pushing the molded lens off the movable sub-mould. The pushing means is circumferentially positioned at the mould base. The upper and bottom surfaces of the protection ring of the molded lens form textures to be foggy.

Abstract: An exemplary molding assembly includes: a first mold housing defining a first engaging hole; a second mold housing configured for attachment to the first mold housing; a containing block received in the first mold housing and defining a second engaging hole; a first core member received in the first containing block and having a molding surface thereon; a second core member received in the second mold housing for matching with the first core member; a first elongated adjusting member having a first portion locked by rotational engagement in the first engaging hole and a second portion in threaded engagement with the containing block; a second elongated adjusting member having a first portion locked by rotational engagement in the second engaging hole and a second portion in threaded engagement with the first core member. Lengthwise directions of the first and the second elongated adjusting members are oriented perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a holder for supporting a two optic accommodating intraocular lens device. The holder is capable of holding the device while taking measurements or performing manufacturing process steps on the device and/or packaging the device. In a preferred embodiment, the holder supports the device along the haptics thereof such that the optics remain untouched and unobstructed by the holder. As such, testing and/or processing of the optics during their accommodative and unaccomodative positions may be taken, and the device may be safely packaged and shipped with the holder.

Abstract: A mold 50 for forming optical lenses has a molding portion 10 having a molding surface 12, a thin film 30 is formed on the molding surface, which is made from SiCHxNy, wherein x is in the range of 0.02˜0.10, y is in the range of 0.05˜0.30. A method for manufacturing the mold is also provided.

Abstract: A mold for an optical component is provided in which a first tapered surface is provided in a first mold while a second tapered surface is provided in a second mold. In the mold for the optical component, a curved surface distance which is a distance between a first mold curved surface and a second mold curved surface is greater than a lens thickness which is a distance between a first lens surface and a second lens surface in a state where the second tapered surface is contact with the first tapered surface. Moreover, the second tapered surface moves to a position where the curved surface distance is equal to the lens thickness, to elastically transform the first mold and fit onto the first tapered surface.

Abstract: A mold for an optical component is provided which includes a first mold and a second mold which mold the optical component, a cylindrical body whose rotational symmetry axis is identical with a second symmetry axis about which a second mold is rotationally symmetric, a trunk mold whose rotational symmetry axis is identical with a first symmetry axis about which a first mold is rotationally symmetric, a supporting means which supports the first mold in such a way that the first mold moves relatively to the trunk mold in parallel with the first symmetry axis, and a second tapered surface and a first tapered surface which contacts the second tapered surface, which connect the cylindrical body with the trunk mold in such a way that the second symmetry axis is identical with the first symmetry axis.

Abstract: An adjustable mold includes a distortable boundary, a flexible membrane, and a pressurizer, and method of use thereof. Pressure is applied to the flexible membrane, which causes the membrane to distort over the boundary. The shape of the boundary and the distortion of the flexible membrane control the optical characteristics of a lens resulting from the application and curing of a molding composition placed on the flexible membrane or to cast other items having variable shapes determined in part by the flexible membrane. In addition, a mold edge is used to allow casting in predetermined shapes, reducing need for grinding or edging. Visual and emission device calibration features used in conjunction with calibration reference images allow uniform selective distortion of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A press-molding mold includes a first mold (10), a second mold (20), a complementary element (30) arranged between the first mold (10) and the second mold (20), a washer (40) arranged between the second mold (10) and the complementary element (30), and a bushing (50) for receiving the first mold (10), the second mold (20), the complementary element (30) and the washer (40) therein. The first mold (10) includes a first molding surface (132) and a second molding surface (134) surrounding the first molding surface (132). The second mold (20) includes a third molding surface (232) spatially corresponding to the first molding surface (132). The complementary element (30) includes a fourth molding surface (321) spatially corresponding to the second molding surface (134). The washer (40) has a thickness custom-tailored for maintaining a desired distance between the fourth molding surface and the second molding surface.

Abstract: A light guide plate mold core (1) includes a main body (13) having a molding surface (12) and a plurality of concavities (13a) formed at the molding surface. The main body is made of a material whose thermal conductivity is limited in the range from 0.002 cal/cm.s.K. (calories/centimeter.second.Kelvin) to 0.009 cal/cm.s.K. The thermal conductivity of the material for the light guide plate mold core is less than that of stainless steel. Therefore the rate of spreading of heat in the light guide plate mold core is lower than that of a conventional light guide plate mold core, so that stresses within a formed light guide plate can be released more. Thus by using the light guide plate mold core, a light guide plate having a highly even bottom surface can be manufactured. A method for manufacturing the light guide plate mold core is also provided.

Abstract: A press-molding mold includes a first mold part (10), a second mold part (20), a bushing (40), a first latching pin (50) and a second latching pin (70). The second mold part (20) defines a longitudinal central axis (21) and includes a first positioning portion (211) having an annular groove (212) defined in an outer surface thereof and a plurality of first longitudinal holes (213) defined therein. The bushing (40) includes a second positioning portion (430) defining a second longitudinal through hole (432) configured for alignment with one of the first longitudinal holes (213) and a transverse through hole (434) spatially corresponding to the annular groove (212). The first latching pin (50) latchingly extends through the transverse through hole (434) and insertion into the annular groove (212). The second latching pin (70) latchingly extends through the second longitudinal hole (432) and insertion in one of the first longitudinal hole (213).

Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing toric lenses, apparatuses useful in the method of the invention, and lenses produced according to the method in which method the position of one mold half in relation to its complementary mold half is more precisely controlled so that tilting and rotation of the mold halves in relation to each other is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A rotation table transfers a casting mold M injected with a plastic composition in a circular manner. An active-energy-ray irradiating area is provided to irradiate active energy rays onto the casting mold M in a predetermined angular range when the casting mold M is loaded on the rotation table and the rotation table is rotated once. A servo motor drives the rotation axis of the rotation table. A controller controls the servo motor such that the active energy rays from an ultraviolet lamp are irradiated onto the casting mold M in the active-energy-ray irradiating area for a required time. When the rotation table is intermittently rotated by 60° degrees in a counterclockwise direction, the casting mold M supplied from a supplying/removing area is irradiated by the ultraviolet rays in the active-energy-ray irradiating area, gradually cooled in the cooling area, and returned to the supplying/removing area again and is removed.

Abstract: In a mold, at least a first half includes an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side; a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; and an insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part, for holding the insert member. The insert member fixer is made of a shape memory alloy, and presses and holds the insert member when the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, to make a center axis alignment of the insert member with respect to the body member.

Abstract: A mold for molding a product in a cavity formed by closing the mold is provided. The mold includes a first half; a second half; and a plurality of aligning members which contact respective outer circumferential surfaces of a first die of the first half and a second die of the second half, at least in three directions, when the mold is closed. At least one of the aligning members is moved toward the outer circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die, and then each of the aligning members sandwiches the first die and the second die, which enables a center axis alignment between the first die and the second die.

Abstract: An optical element molding device includes upper and lower mold elements and first and second cavity mold elements. Each of the upper and lower mold elements includes a pedestal and a shaft projecting along a common axis from a flange surface of each pedestal. An optical function transferring surface is formed at the tip of each shaft with the tips facing one another along the common axis. The first cavity mold element extends around these tips and the common axis for molding an optical element by heating and pressuring an optical material arranged between the upper and lower mold elements by their relative movement toward one another along the common axis guided by the first cavity mold element. Various surfaces contact one another in order to limit relative movement of the upper and lower mold elements along the common axis during molding and constrain axial inclination of these mold elements.

Abstract: A center touch method and apparatus for use in a contact lens station for use with a contact lens mold assembly comprising a first mold half and a second mold half. The center touch apparatus comprises a center touch engaging member having a center touch engaging surface for engaging a central portion of a non-molding surface of one of the mold halves. The center touch method comprising driving one of the mold halves toward the other mold half using the center touch engaging member to contact a central area of the non-molding surface of the one mold half.

Abstract: A molding apparatus (200) includes a fixed molding unit (210), a movable molding unit (220), and a guiding sleeve (230). The fixed molding unit includes a first columnar element (212) having a first forming face (226) at a first end (224) thereof. The movable molding unit includes a second columnar element (222) having a second forming face (216) facing the first forming face at a second end (214) thereof. The guiding sleeve defines a guiding through-hole (234) and an opening (232) communicating with the guiding through-hole. The guiding through-hole is configured for receiving and centering the two ends therein. The opening is configured for exposing the ends when the molding apparatus is assembled.

Abstract: A die press is described. In one embodiment, the die press includes an alignment mechanism having one or more flexure members coupled to a die to maintain coupling with the die during a pressing operation.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in part, a method and apparatus for lens casting in which two molds, preferably formed of plastic, are interconnected or joined together via a ring to form a mold cavity having substantially the same dimensions of the lens to be formed therein. The invention is further directed to compositions and methods used in lens casting. In a first implementation the invention includes a mold having a ring having an interior periphery; a front mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface, an edge circumscribing the lens-forming surface that is sized to be complementarily received within a portion of the interior periphery of the ring, and a base having dimensions greater than the interior periphery; and a rear mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface.

Abstract: The invention is a mold and method for using the mold to make a multi-stage intraocular lens. The mold is provided with a gate in fluid communication with a lens portion and/or haptic portion of the mold core. In addition, a gasket is provided around the mold core. As molding material is introduced into the mold via the gate, a vacuum is drawn around and through the gasket to evacuate air trapped in the mold core and to help pull the material through the mold core.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for making made-to-order (MTO) or customized silicone hydrogel lenses which have printed images on and/or below lens surfaces. A preferred method of the invention comprises printing and curing an ink on the molding surface of a mold for molding a single-side molded lens blank, producing the single-sided molded lens blank having a molded surface corresponding to one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens to be produced and having an image embedded in the lens body and below lens surface, and directly lathing the lens blank on the side opposite to the molded surface to form the other lens surface. Colored silicone hydrogel lenses produced according to the invention will be useful as daily wear lenses and extended wear lenses. The lenses will allow alteration or enhancement of a patient's eye color.

Abstract: Optical elements are provided. An optical element is formed by injecting resin material into a mold through a gate in a first direction. The optical element includes a main body, a flange surrounding and connecting the main body, and a curved depression formed between the main body and the flange. The main body has a central axis and a first curved surface. The flange includes an annular abutting surface and a connecting portion. The connecting portion has a connecting surface connecting the first curved surface and the abutting surface. Both of the abutting surface and the connecting surface are perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers for soft contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre-cure station and a curing station of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: This invention provides a mold comprising a first mold half which works in conjunction with a second mold half for forming ophthalmic devices wherein said first mold half comprises at least one changeable cassette comprising inserts for forming said ophthalmic devices. The mold is particularly well-suited for use in an injection molding machine.

Abstract: This invention provides a mold for forming a contact lens comprising an overflow collector, which causes the overflow reactive mixture to be accumulated, and not to spread out as it would upon the typically flat surface of a prior art mold. This invention further provides a method of preventing the formation of contaminating pieces of overflow reactive mixture comprising the step of: preventing the overflow reactive mixture from spreading out on the mold.

Abstract: An optical lens molding apparatus includes a cylindrical mold, a first mold core, a second mold core and a correctional ring. The first and the second mold core have a columnar shape and are disposed inside the cylindrical mold to form a cavity. Furthermore, the first and the second mold core have a planar portion at the end surface facing the cavity. The correctional ring is disposed on the planar portion of the second mold core. The correction ring corrects any face tilting of the molded optical lens due to the tilting of the first mold core. The present invention also provides a precision molding apparatus for forming precision parts.

Abstract: A mold includes a mold insert body made of at least two kinds of materials. The materials have different coefficients of thermal conductivity. The mold insert body includes a union part formed by sintering the materials, and the union part has a configuration set so as to correspond to a cooling way of a molding material flowed in a cavity forming part of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of ophthalmic lenses, and particularly contact lenses, which minimizes damage of the lens in removal from the mold. The ophthalmic lens is produced in a mold having a male part and a female part that are placed in proximate relation to each other to create a lens-forming cavity. At least the female surface of the female part mold is preferably coated with plasma and is irradiated for a predetermined time such that the female surface and/or surface coating is at least partially cured. Once the female surface, and alternately the male surface and other surfaces of the mold, is at least partially cured, a curable lens-forming material is placed into the lens-forming cavity and cured to form an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a cast optical device. The mold assembly includes at least one mold portion having a non-critical surface with fresnel or diffractive geometry. Alternately, a fresnel lens or diffractive lens may be placed at a predetermined distance from the mold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for moulding a lens, between a first mould (2) and a second mould (6) which consists in: machining at least one of the moulds (2) into the shape of the lens to be obtained, before moulding. The invention enables to obtain finer lenses, while limiting the required amount of hardenable material for making the lens.