Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold, cure and package soft contact lenses. A conveyor system transports an array of molds through a plurality of automated work stations. The front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture and assembled and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. The assembly is precured and then transported through a cure station using UV radiation to complete polymerization, The assemblies are then pried apart in an automated station, with any excess monomer adhering to the removed mold half. The newly molded lens is then hydrated and separated from the front curve mold half in a hydration station. Following hydration the array of lens is automatically deposited into a plurality of packages with a robotic transfer device having a plurality of figures which transfer the lenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. A molding station injection molds first and second mold parts for the production of the lenses and these mold parts are transferred to an inert gas or low oxygen environment wherein a series of automated stations receive the mold parts, deposit a polymerizable hydrogel within the first mold part, assemble and clamp the first and second mold parts together, apply radiant energy for polymerizing the hydrogel and subsequently separate the mold parts.

Abstract: A base member for a blister package for the containment of a contact lens includes a planar flange extending outwardly about a cavity for housing the contact lens. Proximate the peripheral edge of the flange, there is formed a continuous groove into which there is pressed the material of a flexible cover sheet of the blister package so as to clampingly engage the base member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual contact lens mold assemblies, the assemblies each being a front curve mold half and a back curve mold half, each mold half having annular circumferential flanges, is included. The apparatus includes a device for applying steam to the back curve mold half to form a temperature gradient from the front mold half to the back mold half. The apparatus also includes a second device to pry the mold halves apart.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for employing a surfactant which is provided in order to assist in the release from each other of mold components of a multi-part mold employed in the molding of polymeric articles; for instance, such as a hydrophilic contact lens, upon completion of the molding process for the polymeric articles. The surfactant is applied in the form of a film or coating on surface portions of one of the mold components in order to facilitate the disengagement between the mold components during demolding, and the removal of excess polymeric molding material adhesively deposited on surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A base member for a blister package for the containment of a contact lens includes a planar flange extending outwardly about a cavity for housing the contact lens. Proximate the peripheral edge of the flange, there is formed a continuous groove into which there is pressed the material of a flexible cover sheet of the blister package so as to clampingly engage the base member.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. At a first station, front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer. At a second station, a surfactant coating may be applied to a flange on the front curve mold half to provide subsequent preferential adhesion of any excess hydrogel to a back curve mold half at the time the mold halves are separated. At a third station, the mold halves are assembled under vacuum, and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. This clamping step firmly seats the back curve mold half, severs any excess monomer from the monomer in the cavity, defines the lens edge, and seals the cavity in a vacuum. Following assembly of the mold halves, the assembly is transported to a precure station and reclamped, and the monomer is precured with actinic radiation, such as UV, to partially cure the monomer to a gel like consistency.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for the containment in a blister package of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. Provision is made for incorporating support structure in the form of stiffening groove or wall elements in flanges of base members of the blister packages to facilitate an improved attachment between the base members of the blister packages housing the contact lenses, and a flexible cover sheet utilized for sealing engagement with the base members while incorporating additional strength to the blister package structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating individual contact lens mold assemblies that each contain a contact lens mold between a front curve mold half and a back curve mold half, each of the mold halves having annular circumferential flanges, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first device for applying steam at a first temperature to the back curve mold half to form a temperature gradient ranging from about 2.5.degree. C. to 6.0.degree. C. between the back curve mold half relative to the front curve mold half, and, a second device including a set of pry tools that are inserted between the circumferential flanges of the front mold and back mold halves of the contact lens mold assembly, the pry tools including a first set of pry fingers for retaining the front curve mold half and a second set of pry fingers for biasing the back curve mold half upwardly at a predetermined force with respect to the front curve mold half to effectively remove the back mold half therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and transporting ophthalmic lens mold sections from a mold, and generally comprising first, second, and third assemblies. The first assembly removes the lens mold sections from the mold and transports the lens mold sections to a first location, the second assembly receives the lens mold sections from the first assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a second location, and the third assembly receives the lens mold sections from the second assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a third location. Preferably, the first assembly includes a hand to receive the lens mold sections from the mold and to releasably hold the lens mold sections, and a support subassembly connected to the hand to support the hand and to move the hand between the mold and the first location.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for employing a surfactant which is provided in order to assist in the release from each other of mold components of a multipart mold employed in the molding of polymeric articles; for instance, such as a hydrophilic contact lens, upon completion of the molding process for the polymeric articles. The surfactant is applied in the form of a film or coating on surface portions of one of the mold components in order to facilitate the disengagement between the mold components during demolding, and the removal of excess polymeric molding material adhesively deposited on surfaces thereon.