Abstract: An in-line process for making a thin film electronic device on a substrate is described comprising the steps of: a) depositing a structurable layer onto a substrate; b) depositing a patternable material onto the structurable layer in a first pattern; and c) etching the structurable layer in areas uncovered by the patternable material. The steps are carried out without intermediate exposure of the substrate to ambient air.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to an in-line process for making a thin film electronic device on a substrate. The process includes depositing a structurable layer onto a substrate and depositing photoresist material onto the structurable layer in a first pattern. The process also includes developing the photoresist material, etching the structurable layer in areas uncovered by the photoresist material and removing the remaining photoresist material. The process may be performed without intermediate exposure of the substrate to ambient air.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing at least one processing operation on a substrate, the apparatus being provided with at least one process chamber and a vacuum lock for the purposes of placing the substrate from the surroundings into a process chamber without the reduced pressure in the respective process chamber being lost, the vacuum lock comprising a vacuum chamber which is bounded by a number of walls and to which a vacuum pump is connected, while in one of the walls at least one supply opening is provided, and for the purpose of the or each process chamber in one of the walls a process chamber opening belonging to a respective process chamber is provided, the at least one supply opening being externally closable with an outer cover and being closable from the vacuum chamber with an inner cover. Further disclosed is an assembly of such an apparatus with a transport device for supplying substrates to a supply opening of the vacuum lock and removing same.

Abstract: A method for the injection moulding of a plastic article, such as CD or a DVD, comprises the following steps: the provision of a mould (1) having at least two mould parts (2, 3), the provision of positioning elements (9, 22) for positioning the mould parts (2, 3) with respect to one another in a nominal mutual spacing such that a mould cavity (6) is obtained, injecting a fluid material into the mould cavity (6) under pressure, influencing the positioning elements (9, 22) in such a way that the nominal distance between the mould parts (2, 3) is maintained when injecting the material (26) into the mould cavity (6) under pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing at least one processing operation on a substrate, the apparatus being provided with at least one process chamber and a vacuum lock for the purposes of placing the substrate from the surroundings into a process chamber without the reduced pressure in the respective process chamber being lost, the vacuum lock comprising a vacuum chamber which is bounded by a number of walls and to which a vacuum pump is connected, while in one of the walls at least one supply opening is provided, and for the purpose of the or each process chamber in one of the walls a process chamber opening belonging to a respective process chamber is provided, the at least one supply opening being externally closable with an outer cover and being closable from the vacuum chamber with an inner cover. Further disclosed is an assembly of such an apparatus with a transport device for supplying substrates to a supply opening of the vacuum lock and removing same.

Abstract: In a soft contact lens manufacturing process, an injection molding machine (IMM) produces many thermoplastic injection molded front curve (FC) and back curve (BC) mold parts, each of which mold parts is subsequently used only once to mold a single soft contact lens. An inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes provide for the precise transfer to and alignment of the FC and BC molds in pallets during their transfer from the IMM to pallets on an assembly line in a high speed automated commercial production operation. A rotatable FC transfer arm and a rotatable BC transfer arm transfer the FC and BC molds from the IMM machine to the pallets in an inlay station. The precisely aligned transfer is provided by two alignment rods of an alignment assembly which pass through two alignment apertures in the pallet and then pass through two alignment apertures in one of the FC or BC alignment arms.

Abstract: A device for producing disposable lenses providing a concave mold and a convex mold for each lens, filing the concave mold with liquid starting material for the lens, and positioning the convex mold so as to enclose the starting material includes a first carousel, a first station, which is arranged along the first carousel, for depositing the concave mold at a set position on the carousel, a second station for filling the deposited concave mold with starting material for a lens, a third station for depositing the convex mold so as to enclose the starting material, and a fourth station for removing the assembly having concave mold and convex mold with enclosed starting material the first carousel.

Abstract: This invention provides an arrangement for moving an item from a first station to a transfer tube comprising a transfer tube, a transfer arm for placement of the item on the transfer tube, and alignment means for aligning the item with the transfer tube.

Abstract: In a soft contact lens manufacturing process, an injection molding machine (IMM) produces many thermoplastic injection molded front curve (FC) and back curve (BC) mold parts, each of which mold parts is subsequently used only once to mold a single soft contact lens. An inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes provide for the precise transfer to and alignment of the FC and BC molds in pallets during their transfer from the IMM to pallets on an assembly line in a high speed automated commercial production operation. A rotatable FC transfer arm and a rotatable BC transfer arm transfer the FC and BC molds from the IMM machine to the pallets in an inlay station. The precisely aligned transfer is provided by two alignment rods of an alignment assembly which pass through two alignment apertures in the pallet and then pass through two alignment apertures in one of the FC or BC alignment arms.

Abstract: A system for producing disc-like optical data carriers comprises an injection-molding machine for manufacturing a disc-like substrate, and a finishing device for applying a reflective layer to the substrate and for applying a protective layer to the reflective layer. The injection-molding machine and the finishing device are integrated in a single production unit. An optical inspection unit is also integrated in the production unit.