Abstract: A process of dosing a starting material (SM) for optical lenses, into a female mold half (2), comprises the steps of: positioning a dosing tip (1) at a start position (P2) above the female mold half (2) and close to the edge of or laterally outside that portion (20) defining the lens-shaping surface, creating a continuous flow of starting material (SM) through the dosing tip (1) into the female mold half (2), moving the dosing tip (1) from the start position (P2) towards an end position (P3) in the region of the center of the female mold half (2) once the starting material (SM) has contacted the surface (21) of the female mold half (2) with the dosing tip (1) being in the start position (P2), wherein the continuous flow of starting material (SM) through the dosing tip (1) and the movement of the dosing tip (1) from the start position (P2) to its end position (P3) are controlled such, that a continuous bead (B) of starting material (SM) is deposited on the surface (21) of the female mold half (2) and that

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens , e.g. a contact lens, is centered in a concave trough (10) of an inspection cell (1) which is filled with liquid (W). The inspection cell (10) has a channel (11) which is in communication with the concave trough (10). Centering of the ophthalmic lens is achieved by applying a pulse (P) of a fluid to the liquid (W) so as to whirl up the ophthalmic lens (CL) and by allowing the ophthalmic lens (CL) to settle down in the center of the concave trough (10).

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens (CL), e.g. a contact lens, is centered in a concave trough (10) of an inspection cell (1) which is filled with liquid (W). The inspection cell (10) has a channel (11) which is in communication with the concave trough (10). Centering of the ophthalmic lens is achieved by applying a pulse (P) of a fluid to the liquid (W) so as to whirl up the ophthalmic lens (CL) and by allowing the ophthalmic lens (CL) to settle down in the center of the concave trough (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for the plasma treatment of molds (2), in particular for contact lens molds, comprises a treatment chamber (50), in which a first electrode (51) is arranged facing a carrier (1;4) for carrying the molds (2) to be treated. The carrier (1;4) forms the second electrode (52) and comprises a first metal plate (10;40) having holes (100;400) therein and a second metal plate (11;41) which is arranged spaced apart from the first metal plate (10;40), and which is connected to the first metal plate (10;40) in an electrically conductive manner (12,13;43). The molds (2) are arranged on the second metal plate (11;41) with their molding surfaces (210) facing towards the first electrode (51) and are exposable to plasma through the holes (100;400) in the first metal plate (10;40).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cuvette for an ophthalmic lens, for testing the latter using an optical inspection system, said cuvette comprising a hollow space to be filled with a liquid and has an axis coinciding, in the test position of the cuvette, with the optical axis of an inspection system and, between a first viewing glass at the top and a second viewing glass at the bottom, a removable lens support is arranged in the lower area of the hollow space, so as to allow a free floating inspection of the lens at a defined inspection position when the lens support is removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for singulating ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.

Abstract: In a method of drying molds or mold parts for the manufacture of optical lenses, in particular ophthalmic lenses and especially contact lenses, the mold or mold part to be dried is exposed to drying air. For this purpose, humid pressurized air (T) is used to which the mold or mold part is exposed.

Abstract: A contact lens gripper comprising a tweezers gripper (1;4) having first (10;40) and second (11;41) gripper arms hingedly connected to an actuation support (12;42) for moving the free ends of the arms towards and away from each other so as to grasp and release a soft contact lens (CL).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, e.g. contact lenses, in particular soft contact lenses, comprises the steps of molding in a high volume manufacturing process a plurality of lenses (CL) having different properties, and transferring the respective molded lenses (CL) that have the same properties to a respective intermediate buffer (1;1a) so as to store therein a bulk of lenses (CL) having the same properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cuvette for an ophthalmic lens, for testing the latter using an optical inspection system, said cuvette comprising a hollow space to be filled with a liquid and has an axis coinciding, in the test position of the cuvette, with the optical axis of an inspection system and, between a first viewing glass at the top and a second viewing glass at the bottom, a removable lens support is arranged in the lower area of the hollow space, so as to allow a free floating inspection of the lens at a defined inspection position when the lens support is removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automatic inspection of tinted contact lenses, in an automatic lens manufacturing process. The method comprises the use of a dark-field inspection unit, which allows to effectively detecting cosmetic defects even in correspondence of the iris print.

Abstract: A process of dosing a starting material (SM) for optical lenses, into a female mould half (2), comprises the steps of: positioning a dosing tip (1) at a start position (P2) above the female mould half (2) and close to the edge of or laterally outside that portion (20) defining the lens-shaping surface, creating a continuous flow of starting material (SM) through the dosing tip (1) into the female mould half (2), moving the dosing tip (1) from the start position (P2) towards an end position (P3) in the region of the centre of the female mould half (2) once the starting material (SM) has contacted the surface (21) of the female mould half (2) with the dosing tip (1) being in the start position (P2), wherein the continuous flow of starting material (SM) through the dosing tip (1) and the movement of the dosing tip (1) from the start position (P2) to its end position (P3) are controlled such, that a continuous bead (B) of starting material (SM) is deposited on the surface (21) of the female mould half (2) a

Abstract: In a method of drying molds or mold parts for the manufacture of optical lenses, in particular ophthalmic lenses and especially contact lenses, the mold or mold part to be dried is exposed to drying air. For this purpose, humid pressurized air (T) is used to which the mold or mold part is exposed.

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: The invention is concerned with the problem that with known plastic casting moulds, especially those of polypropylene, the lenses produced with these moulds have a slippery surface. The invention solves this problem through the use of polymers which are notable for their very low oxygen permeability.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the problem that with known plastic casting moulds, especially those of polypropylene, the lenses produced with these moulds have a slippery surface. The invention solves this problem through the use of polymers which are notable for their very low oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which the cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.