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: In a process for treating moulds or mould halves (3) for the production of ophthalmic lenses, in particular contact lenses, the moulds or mould halves (3) are exposed to a plasma at least in the area of their shaping surfaces (310).

Abstract: A casting mold half (5, 5a) for producing contact lenses comprises a mount (50) and an insert (51, 51a), which is arranged at one end of the mount (50) and can be connected to the mount (50) and which has a shaping surface (510) for the shaping of the front or rear surface of the contact lens to be produced. The insert (51, 51a) consists in the region of the shaping surface (510) of a material which is permeable to the energy crosslinking the starting material of the contact lens. Finally, a mask made of a material impermeable to the energy crosslinking the starting material is provided for spatially delimiting this energy. The mask comprises a separate surround (512) made of a material impermeable to the energy crosslinking the starting material of the contact lens, which surrounds the edge region of the shaping surface (510) of the insert (51, 51a).

Abstract: A gripper (1) for contact lenses comprises a gripper head (10) which has a bearing surface (100) for a contact lens (CL) and in which one or more openings (101, 102) are provided through which an underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens (CL) against the bearing surface (100), and through which an overpressure can be applied in order to release the contact lens (CL) from the bearing surface (100). Channels (103) are provided in the bearing surface (100) and connect a plurality of openings (101, 102) to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell for an ophthalmic lens, for testing the latter with an optical inspection system, said cell comprising a hollow space (11, 31) which is filled with a liquid and has an axis (12, 32) coinciding, in the test position, with the optical axis of an inspection system and, in the test position of the cell, is delimited from above by a viewing glass (13, 33) for the optical test and has, underneath the viewing glass, a test trough (14, 34) for the ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the problem of ensuring optimum removal of flowable material from a container and, in particular, reducing the amount of material remaining in the container. This is achieved through a rigid, elongated, hollow basic element (2), the lower end region (3) of which can be placed on the bottom (7) of the container (6), and which has recesses (4) for removal of the flowable material.

Abstract: In a process for removing bubbles from viscous polymer solutions (P) in which the content of dissolved gases lies below the saturation limit, the viscous polymer solution (P) is subjected to a superatmospheric pressure. The superatmospheric pressure is such that the gases contained in the bubbles of the polymer solution (P) dissolve.

Abstract: A mold assembly for producing a plurality of contact lenses includes a front curve fixture assembly, a base curve fixture assembly and a plurality of mold cavities. The plurality of mold cavities are defined by a surface on either the front or the base curve fixture assembly and is disposed in a zig-zag manner relative to each other. Each of the plurality of mold cavities includes a retention edge for complimentary engagement with a mold. The retention edge of a first subset of the plurality of mold cavities is spaced apart from a selected fixture mating surface at a first distance and the retention edge of a second subset of the plurality of mold cavities being spaced apart from the selected fixture mating surface at a different second distance so that a plurality of molds may be placed in adjacent cavities so as to overlap the mold flanges.