Abstract: A contact lens is provided for correction of corneal distortions by provision of a low modulus hydrogel volume placed within the contact lens structure to overlay the pupil area and conform to corneal irregularities without print-through distorting the outer surface of the contact lens. The lenses thereby provide spherical, multifocal, astigmatic, and prismatic corrections without any requirement for orientation control. Corrections for conitis and corneal irregularities are also possible without the need for additional lens modifications. These lenses can also accommodate tear pumping, high oxygen transmission, edges off-the-eye, visibility tints and cosmetic tints.

Abstract: An injection mold insert and a method of fabricating an injection mold insert for molding lens molds which provides a plurality of replicates of a single master mold mandrel which may be produced, for example, by diamond point. The mandrel is used to electroform an electroform mold insert component having an optical quality surface which forms a surface of an injection mold. An adhesive is used to fixedly attach the electroform mold insert to a separately machined mold insert substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of lens molds used in the formation of optical contact lenses, the apparatus including a center gate aligned on the central axis of the lens mold cavity for delivery of the melt polymer in an axisymmetrical manner. The methodology produces lens molds of extremely precise dimensions as measured against lens molds produced with side gated technology.

Abstract: A sealing device automatically seals a gap between a door bottom and a floor in response to closing movement of the door. The sealing device includes a support element attachable to the door bottom, a seal actuating element movably supported from the support element by spring elements, and a sealing element carried by the seal actuating element. The sealing device may be mounted to the inside or outside of a door, or mortise-mounted in the door, and may be mounted to left- or right-opening hinged doors, or to sliding or articulated closures, and may be provided as an after market or OEM device. The spring elements in the preferred embodiment are one-piece and are integrally connected to both the support element and the seal actuating element, thereby forming a one-piece sealing device preferably made of plastic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel extruder screw and method for extruding low melt viscosity polymers which form an anisotropic melt phase. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus according to the present invention employ a high rate of rotational speed of the extruder screw in combination with a relatively low compression ratio and a high volume rate of flow through a compression section in order to effectively extrude the low melt viscosity liquid crystalline polymers. The particular design of the screw is dictated by the unique rheology of the polymers which are difficult to effectively move along the helix of the screw due, in part, to the extremely low viscosity. Each dimension and each relative size of the various sections of the screw must be carefully controlled in order to effectively extrude the unique material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel extruder screw and method for extruding low melt viscosity polymers which form an anisotropic melt phase. In a preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus according to the present invention employ a high rate of rotational speed of the extruder screw in combination with a relatively low compression ratio and a high volume rate of flow through a compression section in order to effectively extrude the low melt viscosity liquid crystalline polymers. The particular design of the screw is dictated by the unique rheology of the polymers which are difficult to effectively move along the helix of the screw due, in part, to the extremely low viscosity. Each dimension and each relative size of the various sections of the screw must be carefully controlled in order to effectively extrude the unique material.

Abstract: There is described a self-propelled railroad track ballast broom machine having a first broom unit operatively mounted at the rear of the machine frame and a second broom unit operatively mounted at the front of the frame. The broom units have substantially cylindrical brooms extending transversely of the railroad track and deflector boxes located forwardly of each of the brooms. The brooms have gaps sufficiently wide, and so spaced apart thereon, as to avoid broom contact with the rail heads in normal tangent track sweeping operations. When the machine enters into track curves, the first broom unit is so far behind the machine rear axle that it is transversely displaced relative to the track center. Compensating transverse movement can be applied to the first broom unit to maintain the broom gaps in line with the rail heads and the ends of the broom in operative engagement with both the track shoulder edges.