Abstract: A method of edging a contact lens secured in a mold member includes removing a peripheral edge section of the contact lens by circumferentially cutting the edge thereof at an angle less than 90.degree. of the central axis of the mold member.

Abstract: A container for transporting laboratory-type animals comprises a base and a lid, wherein the base and the lid when assembled define a volume for receiving one or more laboratory animals therewithin. The base includes a flange for contacting the lid, wherein the lid is removably attached to the flange of the base with removable stitching.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surfaces of the polymeric objects by adding a polymerizable surfactant to the monomer mix used to form the object. Also disclosed are surface-modified objects prepared by this method, which is particularly suited for modifying the surfaces of contact lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatic, intermittent feed of workpieces into a lathe. The apparatus includes a collet having a side entry for receiving workpieces and a workpiece positioning aperture, in alignment with the lathe spindle, for finally positioning the workpieces for machining. The collet further includes dowel pins that initially position the workpiece and a plunger that reciprocates intermittently to advance and press the individual workpieces into the positioning aperture. The apparatus includes a delivery chute for intermittently dropping the individual workpieces into the collet assembly side access for initial positioning. A control system positions the collet assembly to receive the workpiece, releases the workpiece from the delivery chute, actuates the plunger to press the workpiece into final position for machining, actuates machining, and, at its completion, actuates the plunger to withdraw the workpiece whereupon it drops from the machine by gravity.

Abstract: Copolymers useful as contact lens materials are the polymerization product of a mixture comprising:(a) an itaconate;(b) a compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: each A is independently an activated unsaturated radical;each R is independently selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical containing ether linkages, a halogen-substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical, and a halogen-substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical containing ether linkages;each R' is independently a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 divalent hydrocarbon radical; andn averages about 15 to about 50;(c) an ethylenically unsaturated organosiloxane monomer; and(d) a hydrophilic monomer.

Abstract: An improved method for generating a toric surface on a molding tool for forming contact lens molds comprises:(a) providing a tool which comprises an elongated body and a molding portion at one end of the tool, wherein the molding portion comprises a surface which is substantially spherical;(b) applying a force to the elongated body so as to distort the spherical surface of the molding portion;(c) machining a substantially spherical curve in the distorted surface while maintaining the applied force; and(d) releasing the applied force, wherein the spherically cut surface assumes a toric shape upon release of the applied force.

Abstract: A method for improving the antibacterial efficacy of an ophthalmic solution, particularly a solution for the care of contact lenses, comprises providing an article molded from a plastic resin including an inorganic carrier retaining antibacterial metal ions, and placing the ophthalmic solution in contact with the plastic resin.

Abstract: Copolymers useful as a contact lens material are prepared from a mixture comprising:(a) an N,N-dialkyl(meth)acrylamide monomer; and(b) a monomer represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is methyl or hydrogen;R.sup.2 is --O-- or --NH--;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently a divalent radical selected from the group consisting of --CH.sub.2 --, --CHOH-- and --CHR.sup.6 --;R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently a branched C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; andn is an integer of at least 1, and m and p are independently 0 or an integer of at least 1, provided that the sum of m, p and n is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Abstract: When molding shaped articles such as contact lenses from monomeric mixtures containing silicone monomers and hydrophilic monomers, the wettability of the resulting article is improved by using a mold material produced from a resin comprising a copolymer of an alpha, beta, olefinically unsaturated mononitrile and at least one comonomer to enhance melt processability.

Abstract: A mold assembly includes first and second mold sections having respective first and second mold cavity defining surfaces, the first mold cavity defining surface terminating in an encircling peripheral rim and the second mold cavity defining surface terminating in a deformable peripheral annulus disposed at a diameter corresponding to the rim, and cooperating tapers depending from each of the first and second molds for relatively centering the molds.

Abstract: An improved method for generating a toric surface on a molding tool for forming contact lens molds comprises: providing a tool which comprises an elongated body and a molding portion at one end of the tool, wherein the molding portion comprises a surface which is substantially spherical; applying a force to the elongated body so as to distort the spherical surface of the molding portion; machining a substantially spherical curve in the distorted surface while maintaining the applied force; and releasing the applied force, wherein the spherically cut surface assumes a toric shape upon release of the applied force.

Abstract: A process for preparing silicone hydrogel contact lenses where machining operations are employed to produce a lens having a desired final shape. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses are prepared by:providing a monomeric mixture comprising a silicone-containing monomer, a hydrophilic monomer and an organic diluent;charging the mixture to a mold and curing the formulation in the mold to obtain a shaped article;removing organic diluent from the shaped article to improve machineability of the article; andmachining the shaped article to obtain a contact lens having a desired configuration.

Abstract: An improved process for spincasting contact lenses with differently shaped concave lens surfaces from the same mold design comprises providing molds with uniformly shaped concave surfaces, and spincasting in the molds a series of polymerizable mixtures. Contact lenses with differently shaped concave lens surfaces are obtained by varying the ratio of the monomers and an organic diluent in the polymerizable mixtures.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surfaces of polymeric objects by adding a polymerizable surfactant to the monomer mix used to form the object. Also disclosed are surface-modified objects prepared by this method, which is particularly suited for modifying the surfaces of contact lenses.