Abstract: There is provided a mold component which makes it possible to mold a substrate for an optical recording medium which enables a functional layer having a uniform thickness to be formed thereon without using a resin-coating assisting member. A stamper holder holds a stamper thereon, and has a generally hollow cylindrical shape. An insertion hole formed through a central portion of the stamper has a diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of a cavity-side end of the stamper holder at a higher temperature of the holder than a normal temperature, and is slightly smaller than the outer diameter at the normal temperature of the holder. The cavity-side end inserted into the insertion hole at the higher temperature of the stamper is grasped by a rim of the insertion hole which is reduced in diameter at the normal temperature of the stamper.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing, locating, identifying and coating eyeglass lens mold members for use in the production of eyeglass lenses are disclosed. An embodiment includes storing eyeglass lens mold members in a storage array. A plurality of indicators may be coupled to the storage array and associated with storage locations. A controller may be configured to select mold members, and to identify the locations of the mold members. A user may input mold member identifying information. The controller may activate indicators associated with determined storage location. A mold reader may be used to input the mold member identifying information. The mold reader may detect a light pattern formed by illumination of the identifying information and determine the identity of the mold member based on the light pattern. Additional embodiments relate to separating a cast lens from a lens mold. Such embodiments may include a clamping mechanism for elastically deforming the lens mold.

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. As a result of locating these devices beneath these stations, the desired movement of the carriers can be achieved without increasing the footprint of the station. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention, a complete set of assemblies is provided for moving a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure station and the curing station. This set of assemblies accomplishes this movement in a completely automated, high speed, mass production basis. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.

Abstract: A forming structure for use in an apparatus for making formed polymeric film. The forming structure comprises a first portion comprising a network of interconnecting members defining apertures, the apertures being spaced in a pattern defining a first percent open area, a second portion being solid and having no apertures and zero percent open area; and a third portion being a transition between and joining the first and second portions, the transition portion exhibiting a second percent open area, the second percent open area of the third portion being less than the first percent open area of first portion.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for making slotted tubular dunnage in which a resilient plastic tube having a pair of flanges at opposite sides extending along the length of the tube is held by gripping the flanges at opposite sides of the tube and squeezing sides of the tube together. The apparatus then moves the tube into a slotting position between a steel rule die and a kissing plate while holding the tube with the sides squeezed together. The apparatus then shifts the die against and through the sides of the tube forming a slot therein surrounding a cutout slug of the tube. The apparatus then withdraws the die from the tube while retaining the slug within the slot and moves the tube to a discharged position and discontinues the squeezing of the tube.

Abstract: A lens molding die for producing a lens, which comprises a base member made of a hard material and having one surface of a predetermined shape; and a resin-molded layer formed on the one surface of the base member and having a surface shape corresponding to a predetemined shape of a lens to be molded. The resin-molded surface is to be made of a resin material which is inactive with a material which is to be molded by the lens molding die. The resin-molded layer is formed by introducing the material into the space formed between the one surface of the base member and a transfer surface formed on a transfer die correspondingly to the surface of a lens to be produced to be cured by heat or ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: A gasket and mandrel assembly, including a gasket having an annular main body portion with an anchor flange and a pipe sealing portion. The gasket is foldable between a folded position in which the pipe sealing portion is disposed substantially within the main body portion and an unfolded position in which the pipe sealing portion extends outwardly of the main body portion along its longitudinal axis. A pair of mandrels are respectively fitted on opposite sides of the folded gasket to enclose most of the gasket for casting the gasket within a wall in a concrete structure. At least one of the mandrels includes an annular outer surface aligned parallel or substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gasket.

Abstract: Dismountable casting mold side wall system including a side wall attachable dismountably to the casting mold and a magnet adapted to clamp onto a casting bed so as attach said side wall thereto, in which system the release/clamp operations of the magnet are adapted to take place in the interior space remaining between the exterior sides of said side wall.

Abstract: A vacuum forming roll is assembled from a large plurality of radially extensive interlocking segments. Each segment forms a small angular part of a circumference about the roll, and has a relatively small thickness parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll. The segments are preferably stacked together in an interlocking fashion to form a continuous roll consisting of a plurality of angularly offset circumferential rings. In a preferred embodiment, the segments are formed by manufacturing a small mold designed to form a single segment. This mold may, for exemplary purposes, be an injection mold. The roll mold segments may then be produced quickly and easily using an injection molding process, which, as aforementioned, is efficient for the production of a large number of identical components. The roll mold segments are then assembled to form the roll mold, which is in turn used to shape and perforate a plastic film and thereby manufacture an improved landscape fabric economically.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treatment of oblong articles, such as monofilaments, multifilaments, tapes or webs of plastics, comprises a fixed bottom member (2) and a cover member (3) hingedly secured thereto along one long side, where the cover member (3) in the closed state together with the bottom member (2) define a hot-air channel (12). This hot-air channel extends lengthwise through the apparatus between the bottom member (2) and the cover member (3) from an inlet (14) to an outlet (15) in their respective ends in the apparatus. Means are provided for sealingly closing the slit (17) between abutting portions of the bottom member (2) and the cover member (3). These means for closing the slit (17) on the side of the apparatus being opposite the hinged side of the cover member (3) comprise a sluicing means (16). The sluicing means (16) is adapted to allow a lateral introduction of separate oblong articles into the hot-air channel (12) through a feeding track without completely opening said channel.

Abstract: A die for molding disc substrates, includes, in a stamper, a to-be-held surface that diverges continuously from an inner circumferential surface of a center hole. An inner stamper holder holding the inner circumferential side of the stamper includes a cylindrical body and a claw including a cavity forming surface substantially parallel to the inner circumferential side head surface, and a holding surface diverging tapered toward the cavity holding the to-be-held surface. In the cylindrical body portion, a cylindrical surface that is opposed to the inner circumferential surface of the stamper. The die prevents the claw of the inner stamper holder from projecting from a transfer surface of the stamper and solves a problem of insufficient strength of the inner circumferential side of the stamper.

Abstract: Mould assembly (1) consisting of two interacting mold sections (2, 3). One mold section is provided with a seat (4) and the other mould section with a body (5, 6) that is accurately accommodated by the seat (4), the body/seat interaction having a centering effect. The seat (4) is delimited by a series of ridge-shaped elements (8) that are arranged according to an annular shape. The rigidity thereof in the radial direction is greater than that in the axial direction.

Abstract: A mold assembly (100) formed of a pair of molds (102, 104) and a pair of release plates (118, 120). The molds (102, 104) have holes (126) which extend from outer surfaces into the mold cavities (106). The release plates (118, 120) have pins (122, 124) which pass into the holes (126, 128). When molding is finished, the molds (102, 104) are moved toward the release plates (118, 120). The pins (122, 124) contact the molded article(s) (134) and hold them in position as the molds (102, 104) are withdrawn.

Abstract: A mold for producing concrete articles having a mold bottom part that includes a molded chamber block having a substantially uniform thickness and side parts attached to the molding chamber block by fasteners. The molding chamber block has molding chambers located in an inner region and cutouts located on an edge region. The cutouts form intermediate webs of approximately uniform width, and at least a portion of the cutouts are undercut slots having lateral openings. The fasteners attach the side parts to the molding chamber block via the undercut slots of the cutouts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for cleaning ophthalmic devices. The apparatus has a conveying system for transporting lens mold carriers to a cleaning station. The cleaning station has at least one movable cleaning assembly which is situated above the lens mold carrier and has a recess. When the cleaning assembly is lowered to the lens mold carrier, a substantially enclosed or enclosed cavity containing the lens mold is created by the carrier and the recess of the cleaning assembly. Compressed gas is injected into the cavity to dislodge any debris that may be present on the lens molds, and a vacuum is employed to remove gas and debris from the cavity.

Abstract: A molding assembly includes a mold body, an insert block, and a cooling channel. The mold body has first and second surfaces which are opposite to each other, and a peripheral surface interconnecting the first and second surfaces. The mold body further has a plurality of die cavities, a plurality of runners, and a recess opening at the first surface. The recess extends from the first surface toward the second surface, and ends at a recess bottom surface disposed away from the first surface. The insert block is fitted within the recess and has an inner surface confronting the recess bottom surface, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, and a side wall interconnecting the inner and outer surfaces. The cooling channel is confined by the recess bottom surface of the recess and the inner surface of the insert block.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an injection molding tool that has improved grounding. The injection molding process creates significant amounts of static electricity in the molten thermoplastic. This static electricity can be more adequately dissipated from the system through the addition of one or more paths to ground. In this manner, a significant reduction in charge passing between the stamper and the mirror block can be achieved. By reducing or eliminating the amount of charge passing between the stamper and the mirror block, erosion of the mirror block can be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: Preventing a molded disc substrate from generating a separation pattern. To this end, a molding die 1 includes a pair of stationary die 6 and movable die 7, and an outer circumference ring 16 for molding an outer circumference end of the disc substrate 2. The outer circumference ring 16 is so mounted as to be movable along forward and backward directions in parallel with a moving direction of the movable die 7 toward the stationary die 6, and has a retaining surface 39 for retaining the outer circumference of the molded disc substrate 2.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for lenses includes first and second molding units, each of which has a mold core holder, a plurality of mold cores disposed in the mold core holder, and a clamp unit provided within the mold core holder. The mold core holder has an abutment surface, and a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from the abutment surface and receiving respectively the mold cores. The cavities include cavity walls, respectively. The clamp unit includes a plurality of clamp elements attached to the clamp unit to clamp respectively the mold cores against the cavity walls. Individual removal of the mold cores of the molding units for replacement is permitted by operating the clamp elements.