Abstract: A forming device includes a sleeve member mountable between lower and upper mold units to hold a glass blank and having a stepped sleeve wall that defines first, second and third slot sections, and annular first and second shoulder faces. The second slot section is smaller than the third slot section and larger than the first slot section, and has top and bottom ends connected directly to the third and first slot sections. The first shoulder face extends radially at the junction of the first and second slot section to support the glass blank. A portion of the sleeve wall extends axially and upwardly from the first shoulder face to limit the glass blank from movement. The second shoulder face extends at the junction of the second and third slot sections to hold a lens formed from the glass blank.

Abstract: A glass forming system includes a first rotating device disposed in a first processing station defining a reception region, a first heating region, a first transfer region and a first cooling region, and a second rotating device disposed in a second processing station defining a second transfer region, a second heating region, a forming region and a second cooling region. The second rotating device holds at least one forming unit and is turnable to move the forming unit between the regions of the second processing station. The first rotating device holds at least one sleeve member which is movable between the first and second rotating devices and mountable on the forming unit. The first rotating device is turnable to move the sleeve member between the regions of the second processing station.

Abstract: A continuous glass forming system includes a forming room and at least one forming unit which is advanced successively through a first loading/unloading station, a first heating station, a first forming station, and a first cooling station which are provided within the forming room. The forming unit includes lower and upper mold units, and a sleeve member removably assembled between the lower and upper mold units. The lower and upper mold units have respective first and second forming faces to form a glass blank into a lens. The sleeve member has support faces to support respectively the glass blank and lens. A transfer device moves into or out of the forming room to load or unload the sleeve member into or from the forming unit.

Abstract: A glass forming system includes a first rotating device disposed in a first processing station defining a reception region, a first heating region, a first transfer region and a first cooling region, and a second rotating device disposed in a second processing station defining a second transfer region, a second heating region, a forming region and a second cooling region. The second rotating device holds at least one forming unit and is turnable to move the forming unit between the regions of the second processing station. The first rotating device holds at least one sleeve member which is movable between the first and second rotating devices and mountable on the forming unit. The first rotating device is turnable to move the sleeve member between the regions of the second processing station.

Abstract: A continuous glass forming system includes a forming room and at least one forming unit which is advanced successively through a first loading/unloading station, a first heating station, a first forming station, and a first cooling station which are provided within the forming room. The forming unit includes lower and upper mold units, and a sleeve member removably assembled between the lower and upper mold units. The lower and upper mold units have respective first and second forming faces to form a glass blank into a lens. The sleeve member has support faces to support respectively the glass blank and lens. A transfer device moves into or out of the forming room to load or unload the sleeve member into or from the forming unit.

Abstract: A forming device for forming a glass blank into a lens, includes lower and upper mold units, and a sleeve member removably mountable between the lower and upper mold units to hold the glass blank. The sleeve member has a sleeve wall defining a slot which includes a first slot section smaller in diameter than the glass blank, and a second slot section substantially equal in diameter to the glass blank. The sleeve wall has a first shoulder face formed between the first and second slot sections to support the glass blank, and a second shoulder face formed around the second slot section to support the lens. The second slot section serves to align the glass blank with the lower and upper mold units.