Abstract: A process for the automatic manufacturing of different toric optical lenses having a front surface and a rear surface having a predetermined rotational orientation relative to one another, and with at least one of the front and rear surfaces having a toric portion, comprises forming a first toric lens by: introducing a starting material into a lens mold (3) comprising a male mold half (30) and a female mold half (31) defining a mold cavity between the shaping surfaces of the male and female mold halves, the shaping surfaces being arranged at a first rotational position relative to one another and at least one of them being toric, and curing the starting material in the mold cavity to form the first toric lens.

Abstract: A drying nozzle (1) for drying a peripheral portion of an ophthalmic lens (CL), in particular a contact lens, comprises an inlet (30) for the supply of a pressurized gas and a continuous annular outlet gap (11) having a predetermined width (W) through which the pressurized air is capable of being supplied to the peripheral portion of the ophthalmic lens (CL).

Abstract: A process for the automatic manufacturing of different toric optical lenses having a front surface and a rear surface having a predetermined rotational orientation relative to one another, and with at least one of the front and rear surfaces having a toric portion, comprises forming a first toric lens by: introducing a starting material into a lens mold (3) comprising a male mold half (30) and a female mold half (31) defining a mold cavity between the shaping surfaces of the male and female mold halves, the shaping surfaces being arranged at a first rotational position relative to one another and at least one of them being toric, and curing the starting material in the mold cavity to form the first toric lens.

Abstract: A printing station for producing a layer of coloring for a contact lens, comprising a transport system to carry and transport a molding tool which comprises at least one contact lens forming mold, a pad unit comprising at least one pad, and a blade unit suitable to carry and ink a cliché with an ink. When in use the pad transfers an inked image from the cliché to the contact lens forming mold. The printing station further at least partially cures the inked image after it has been transferred to the mold and cleans the pad.

Abstract: A drying nozzle (1) for drying a peripheral portion of an ophthalmic lens (CL), in particular a contact lens, comprises an inlet (30) for the supply of a pressurized gas and a continuous annular outlet gap (11) having a predetermined width (W) through which the pressurized air is capable of being supplied to the peripheral portion of the ophthalmic lens (CL).

Abstract: The invention provides a printing station for producing colored contact lenses with high quality color images. The printing station of the invention comprises: (a) a transport system (1) to carry and transport a molding tool (2) which comprises at least one contact lens forming mold; (b) a pad unit (4) comprising at least one pad; (c) a blade unit (5) suitable to carry and ink a cliché (9) with an ink; wherein when in use the pad transfers an inked image from the cliché to the contact lens forming mold; d) curing means to at least partially cure the inked image after it has been transferred to the mold; (d) cleaning means to clean the pad/s (7). The printing station is preferably integrate in a partially or fully automated contact lens production line.