Abstract: In a mold, at least a first half includes an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side; a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; and an insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part, for holding the insert member. The insert member fixer is made of a shape memory alloy, and presses and holds the insert member when the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, to make a center axis alignment of the insert member with respect to the body member.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in part, a method and apparatus for lens casting in which two molds, preferably formed of plastic, are interconnected or joined together via a ring to form a mold cavity having substantially the same dimensions of the lens to be formed therein. The invention is further directed to compositions and methods used in lens casting. In a first implementation the invention includes a mold having a ring having an interior periphery; a front mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface, an edge circumscribing the lens-forming surface that is sized to be complementarily received within a portion of the interior periphery of the ring, and a base having dimensions greater than the interior periphery; and a rear mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface.

Abstract: A method for making a lens barrel includes the steps of: (a) forming a fusible mold core having at least one flange; (b) applying an insulating layer on the fusible mold core; (c) disposing the fusible mold core in a lens-barrel-forming mold; (d) feeding a molding material into the lens-barrel-forming mold to form the lens barrel between the lens-barrel-forming mold and the fusible mold core and adhered to the fusible mold core, the lens barrel having at least one inner cam groove corresponding to the flange of the fusible mold core; (e) removing the lens barrel together with the fusible mold core from the lens-barrel-forming mold; and (f) fusing the fusible mold core for separating the fusible mold core from the lens barrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix suitable for use in the replication of a plastic element having a positive microstructure, comprising a first wear-resistant layer that is supported by a carrier element, wherein the matrix comprises a heating means for supplying electrical heat energy through the wear-resistant layer or carrier element. The invention further relates to a plastic element producing machine and a method for the manufacture of a plastic element having a surface with a positive microstructure.

Abstract: A method of producing a polarized lens and a casting die used therein are provided to allow a polarized film to be securely positioned within a casting die and a polarized lens to be cast in a uniform density and be almost free from any distortion on the surface so as to secure the stable uniformity of a lens as produced, which method comprises the steps of hot-pressing a polarized film 2 that is formed into a shape substantially corresponding to one of mobile portions 12 into a curved shape adaptable into a curvature of the lens; descending one of mobile portions 12 so as to generate a recess H thereat; mounting the polarized film 2 as shaped with the curvature into the recess H and closing a casting die 1; injecting a fused lens molding resin M into a cavity within the casting die 1 from a gate 13 with the lens molding resin M filled in a runner 13a engaged to the casting die 1; and taking out a prototype lens Lb in which the lens molding resin M is integrally jointed with the polarized film 2 when the mold

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of a recording medium comprises sequential steps of: (a) providing a substrate/workpiece comprising a topographically patterned surface including a plurality of projections and depressions corresponding to a pattern to be formed in a surface of the recording medium; (b) forming a thin release layer in conformal contact with the topographically patterned surface by means of a dry process; (c) forming a thicker layer of a material in conformal contact with the thin passivation layer on the topographically patterned surface; and (d) separating the thicker layer of material from the topographically patterned surface to form therefrom a stamper/imprinter including an imprinting surface having a negative image replica of the topographically patterned surface, separation of the thicker layer of material from the topographically patterned surface being facilitated by the thin release layer formed by the dry process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for moulding a lens, between a first mould (2) and a second mould (6) which consists in: machining at least one of the moulds (2) into the shape of the lens to be obtained, before moulding. The invention enables to obtain finer lenses, while limiting the required amount of hardenable material for making the lens.

Abstract: A mold of ductile metal has a shape comprising consecutive sub-shapes corresponding to respective optical sub-elements having substantially identical shapes arranged in a pattern. The mold is shaped by means of a die having a die surface corresponding to the sub-shape, which sub-shape is imprinted in the ductile metal with a predetermined force one at a time in consecutive positions in accordance with the pattern, each position corresponding to a single optical sub-element.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of molding an automotive front lamp assembly that prevents the formation of a sink on the reflector by cutting an area into an injection molding tool so that when the reflector is molded, a glare prevention feature is formed in approximately the same location as the sink would have been formed.

Abstract: A transfer arm holds a plurality of preforms arranged in a single line and simultaneously drops and supplies the preforms downward. A positioning arm has a pair of arm split members split in its widthwise direction. The arm split members have positioning surfaces formed on their contact surfaces to be brought into contact with outer peripheries of the preforms. After the preforms are dropped and supplied from the transfer arm, the arm split members of the positioning arm are opened and closed so that the positioning surfaces are brought into contact with the outer peripheries of the preforms. Thus, the performs are properly positioned.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an optical disk master including fabricating a precursor formed from a substrate including at least one layer of metallic material and having at least one protuberance or indentation guiding track; preparing the precursor by superposing on the substrate at least one layer of a first material and a second material different from the first material; eroding at least a portion of a surface of one of the materials to only allow to subsist one of the materials at a site of the guiding tracks; depositing on the surface a reactive resin; personalizing the precursor by structuring the reactive surface as a function of information specific to the master to locally eliminate the reactive resin; performing etching zones of the second material at a site of unmasked guiding tracks; and eliminating subsisting deposits of resin and the first material outside of the zones where it is covered by the second material.

Abstract: An optical coupler arrangement which is employed for replicating surface features of diverse types of optical devices. Also disclosed is to a novel method of accurately replicating surface features of optical devices; particularly through the utilization of the novel optical coupler arrangement.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a forming die unit held by a die holding member, comprising steps of discharging a pressure transmitting medium from at least one of the forming die unit and the die holding member to the other one so as to apply a power in a direction that the forming die unit is spaced away from the die holding member; and displacing the forming die unit relatively to the die holding member.

Abstract: An antireflective member with stability and a low reflectance at low cost may be provided by performing an antireflective treatment to a substrate in a molding process of the substrate. A roughened surface with a continuous pattern in a fine pyramidal shape is formed on a surface of a transparent substrate, the roughened surface is a diffraction surface with zeroth-order diffraction to visible light, and the pattern of the roughened surface is transferred from a mold at a transfer rate of not less than 70%.

Abstract: Selective area stamping of optical elements may be performed to make multiple micro-optic components on one or two sides of a substrate may be fabricated using a batch process. The presence of molding material may be controlled on the substrate through the use of gaps.

Abstract: An optical component has working surfaces separated by neutral surfaces which constitute discontinuities between the working surfaces. The component is made by a method which comprises: forming, in a mould, surfaces complementary to the working and neutral surfaces of the component; and moulding the component on these surfaces of the mould. The step of forming the complementary surfaces in the mould is carried out by continuous cutting of a block of material using a cutting tool.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light guide plate (70) includes: providing a first substrate (30); coating a photo-resist (600) on the first substrate; exposing the photo-resist using a photo mask; developing the photo-resist; anisotropically dry etching the first substrate; removing remaining photo-resist (640), thereby providing a mold (40); providing a second substrate (50) and a hot-embossing machine (80), and conducting hot-embossing of the second substrate using the mold and the hot-embossing machine, thereby providing the light guide plate. By using the above-described dry etching and hot-embossing methods, a pattern of the photo mask is precisely transferred to the first substrate and the light guide plate. A diameter of the each of micro-dots formed on the light guide plate is as little as 10 nanometers. Thus a uniformity of luminance and color provided by the entire light guide plate is improved.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical element forming die, includes the steps of: cutting a base member to form a base optical surface of the base member while rotating the base member; cutting an outer circumferential surface of the base member so that an optical axis of the base optical surface is identical to a rotation center of the outer circumferential surface of the base member while rotating the base member; forming an optical surface having a predetermined pattern onto the base optical surface of the base member; forming an electroforming mold having an optical transfer surface complementary to the optical surface of the base member by electroforming wherein the electroforming is conducted with the base member; and cutting an outer circumferential surface of the electroforming mold on the basis of the outer circumferential surface of the base member.

Abstract: A method of fabricating holographic colored contact lens is provided. A lens-making mold having multiple micro-lines on the peripheral surface is used to fabricate the contact lens and at the same time the micro-line pattern is copied onto the contact lens to form a light interference zone, which causes light waves to break up to produce light diffraction around the eyes, such that a holographic impression of a person's eyes can be created through the lenses. The perceived eyes through the lenses change color when looking from a different angle. This contact lens makes use of grating diffraction principles to impart colors on the eyes of a person wearing the contact lenses, without using any chemical colorants in the lens-making process; therefore wearing such contact lens is much healthier as opposed to a conventional colored contact lens.

Abstract: A lens molding die for producing a lens, which comprises a base member made of a hard material and having one surface of a predetermined shape; and a resin-molded layer formed on the one surface of the base member and having a surface shape corresponding to a predetemined shape of a lens to be molded. The resin-molded surface is to be made of a resin material which is inactive with a material which is to be molded by the lens molding die. The resin-molded layer is formed by introducing the material into the space formed between the one surface of the base member and a transfer surface formed on a transfer die correspondingly to the surface of a lens to be produced to be cured by heat or ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymer optical waveguide, including the steps of: preparing a mold; bringing into close contact with a cladding substrate which has good adhesiveness to the mold; introducing, by capillarity, a curable resin; and curing the introduced curable resin, wherein one through hole or multiple through holes arranged at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction of the core portion are opened to form the one or more resin input ports or one or more resin output ports in order for both the cut ends to be used as resin output portions; and after the curable resin is introduced into the concave portion, a resin pushing member is inserted into each of the one or more resin input ports and/or the one or more resin output ports, to thereby perform the step of introducing the curable resin into the concave portion of the mold by capillarity.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for assembling first and second mold parts having contact lens forming surfaces, wherein said first mold part has a reaction mixture on said contact lens forming surface, said apparatus comprising movement preventing means which prevents said first mold part from moving while said second mold part is controllably moved from a first position wherein said second mold part is not in contact with said reaction mixture on said first mold part to a position wherein the majority of said contact lens forming surface of said second mold part has been wetted by said reaction mixture on said first mold part.

Abstract: A component including a part having a concave and convex configuration for one of the enabling one of light convergence, light diffusion and light diffraction, being formed as a reflective film. The outline of the concave and convex configuration viewed from a right angle relative to a horizontal face has a half moon-shape, and a direction of a straight line part of the half moon-shape of each concave and convex configuration matches a direction of the horizontal face, and a plurality of the concave and convex configurations are combined.

Abstract: A method for producing a light guide plate mold (2) with V-shaped grooves (27) includes the steps of: providing a mold substrate (20); applying a first photoresist (22) onto a main surface (21) of the substrate; forming a first pattern on the first photoresist by photolithography with a first patterned mask (24); etching regions of the main surface not covered by the first photoresist, and removing the first photoresist thereby providing the substrate having substantially U-shaped grooves (26) thereon; applying a second photoresist (32) onto the modified main surface; forming a second pattern on the second photoresist by photolithography with a second patterned mask (34), the second patterned mask having smaller transmissive regions (342) compared to those (242) of the first patterned mask; etching regions of the modified main surface not covered by the second photoresist, and removing the second photoresist, thereby providing the substrate having the V-shaped grooves thereon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micro-lens in which at least one first lens is first molded using a compression technique. A lens holder is produced including a hole in which the first lens is seated. A second lens is formed on a bottom surface of the lens holder. The first and second lenses are combined by aligning the first and second lenses along an optical axis in the hole of the lens holder. Thus, a hybrid micro-lens composed of a diffractive lens and a refractive lens, along with an array of the hybrid micro-lenses are easily manufactured.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for assembling first and second mold parts having contact lens forming surfaces, wherein said first mold part has a reaction mixture on said contact lens forming surface, said apparatus comprising movement preventing means which prevents said first mold part from moving while said second mold part is controllably moved from a first position wherein said second mold part is not in contact with said reaction mixture on said first mold part to a position wherein the majority of said contact lens forming surface of said second mold part has been wetted by said reaction mixture on said first mold part.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a manufacturing process for optical data storage disks that makes use of a check disk very early in the production cycle. The check disk can be replicated directly from the master without destroying the master. The check disk may then be tested in order to validate the pattern created on the master. In some cases, the check disk may be delivered to customers, allowing the customers to verify the check disk. Once the check disk has been verified, the master can be used to create one or more stampers, which can be used in a mass production process for creating optical data storage disks. However, if the check disk is defective or otherwise not acceptable, the production cycle can be halted prior to creating any stampers. In this manner, the invention can be used to avoid creation of defective stampers or other defective mass production tools.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a first diffractive optical part having a phase type diffractive grating, and a second diffractive optical part having a phase type diffractive grating formed of a material differing from that of the first diffractive optical part. The first diffractive optical part and the second diffractive optical part are disposed in proximity to each other with an air layer. Each of the first diffractive optical part and the second diffractive optical part has a mark for aligning them with the optical effective areas thereof.

Abstract: A digital optical information disk contains content and/or non-content information on both sides of a single substrate produced by a process that embosses the surfaces of both sides substantially simultaneously. Simultaneous molding substantially eliminates the need for lamination when two or more data layers are to be provided. Preferably, the disk is relatively small, such as less than 50 mm in diameter and can replicate marks or features with a z-dimension magnitude of about 80 mm or more. The disk remains within a specified opto-mechanical range of an optical transducer and has little, if any, non-planarity (warp) or other distortion. The disk can be used for reading pre-written or mastered content, e.g., in a user's device, and/or can include information or features that permits or supports utility functions, allowing the user to record data thereon such as tracking, sector, location, timing, synchronization features or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A lens forming apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a first lens curing unit, a second lens curing unit and a conveyor system for moving mold assemblies between the two units. The apparatus may also include an anneal unit configured to apply heat to a substantially polymerized lens. The apparatus may be used to form an eyeglass lens from a lens forming composition that may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a structure surrounds a space between the projection system and a substrate table of the lithographic projection apparatus. A gas seal is formed between said structure and the surface of said substrate to contain liquid in the space.

Abstract: A method of producing a master cast used in making a contact lens mold, comprising the steps of: rotating a master cast blank, having an outer surface, about a first rotational axis and cutting at lest one first surface onto the outer surface of the master cast blank; and rotating the master cast blank about a plurality of secondary rotational axes, each secondary rotational axis being different from the first rotational axis, and cutting a portion of a ridge-off surface from the outer surface of the master cast blank while rotating at each secondary rotational axis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for molding an IOL comprising first and second mold halves each having an optic forming surface and haptic forming surfaces which together define a mold cavity in the shape of the IOL to be molded therein when the mold halves are assembled together. An injection port is formed and connects to one of said haptic forming surfaces or the optic forming surface wherethrough a polymerizable material is injected into the mold cavity. A venting port is formed and connects to another haptic wherethrough air escapes from the mold cavity as the polymerizable material is injected through the injection port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a lens includes a front mold (90) which has a reflective, UV absorptive surface, a back mold (50) which is UV light transmissive and a gasket (60) which holds the molds and defines a lens forming cavity (78) therebetween which receives polymerizable resin material (130). The resin (130) in the lens forming cavity (78) is exposed to a source of UV light (20) to cure the resin (130) and form the lens. Photochromatic coatings can be applied to the lens and cured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing optical information storage media and multi-layered optical information storage media. Paired information storage structures have characteristic wavelength and polarization states, and from which recorded information can be read by a laser beam having similar wavelength and polarization-state characteristics.

Abstract: Ordered, monodisperse macroporous polymers, their corresponding ordered, monodisperse colloids, and methods of preparing them are disclosed. The methods use an ordered, monodisperse colloidal template to define the polymer pore morphology, which in turn acts as a mold for the growth of a new ordered, monodisperse colloid. The macroporous polymer may be prepared with either spherical or ellipsoidal pores from a wide variety of polymeric systems. The new ordered, monodisperse colloid may be grown from a wide variety of materials including ceramics, semiconductors, metals and polymers. These materials are potentially useful in optical, micro-filtering and drug delivery applications.

Abstract: A flexible optical element useful for optical wiring is provided, in which a light emitting portion is disposed to a core end face of a flexible polymeric optical waveguide channel sheet having a film substrate clad, a core and a clad layer covering the core. A method which enables of manufacturing the optical element in a simple and convenient manner at a low cost is also provided.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of manufacturing a hollow optical reflector of the type which comprises a rear body overmolded around the convex rear external face of a front insert, the concave front internal face of which is covered with a reflective layer, the method comprising: a step of producing the insert by forming; a step of overmolding the body on the insert; and a step of depositing the reflective layer on the concave front face of the insert; wherein the step of depositing the reflective layer is prior to the forming step.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molds for the production of contact lenses and other ophthalmic articles. By using an inorganic material to coat the optical surfaces and sidewalls of mold parts made from clear-resin materials, manufacturers can produce lens molds with greater dimensional stability and chemical resistance. In addition to protecting the clear resin from interaction with otherwise reactive monomers from which the molded article is made, such coatings can also be used to achieve preferential release of the molded article. The resulting mold is especially useful for providing an economical way to improve manufacturing quality of contact lenses.

Abstract: A microlens array having a substrate and microlenses of a substantially circular profile provided on the substrate and each arranged such that a major axis and a minor axis thereof, which pass through a center of the substantially circular profile and intersect at 90 degrees, are substantially equal in length to each other, and sectional forms at faces vertical to an axis parallel to the major axis or the minor axis are, respectively, made of the same curved shape at any position.

Abstract: An optical element formed from a transparent optical material includes two refraction surfaces, a first reflection surface group having a plurality of internal reflection surfaces arrayed in a predetermined direction, a second reflection surface group opposing the first reflection surface group and having at least one internal reflection surface and two side surfaces opposing each other in parallel to the predetermined direction. Light incident from one of the refraction surfaces is alternately reflected by the internal reflection surfaces of the first reflection surface group and the internal reflection surface of the second reflection surface group and guided to the other refraction surface.

Abstract: A cutting method for cutting an optical lens and/or a molding die therefor includes rotating the optical lens and/or the molding die about the optical axis, moving a cutting blade in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis to cut the optical lens and the molding die, and varying the feed pitch of the cutting blade in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis in accordance with the position of the optical lens and/or the molding die in the radial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix suitable for use in the replication of a plastic element having a positive microstructure, comprising a first wear-resistant layer that is supported by a carrier element, wherein the matrix comprises a heating means for supplying electrical heat energy through the wear-resistant layer or carrier element. The invention further relates to a plastic element producing machine and a method for the manufacture of a plastic element having a surface with a positive microstructure.

Abstract: A mold apparatus is arranged to produce molded optical elements. The apparatus includes a first mold unit for defining mold cavities and flow passageways, and a second mold unit having a patterned surface for sealing against the first unit. The patterned mold surface may be formed with a plurality of optical patterns, and mold pins may be used to complete the mold cavities. The patterned surface may be formed on a flat metal puck. The puck may be replaced by another puck insert so that the apparatus can be used to produce products having different optical characteristics. Other parts of the apparatus may be changed out to produce molded optical elements of various sizes and shapes. A variety of techniques are described for forming micro-refractive, diffractive and/or other patterns in the metal puck surface.

Abstract: As a method of fabricating aspherical microstructures, a protruding microstructure is formed on a substrate, an aspherical-profile forming layer is formed on the substrate and the protruding microstructure, and the aspherical-profile forming layer is hardened. An aspherical profile is formed on the protruding microstructure due to a surface tension of the aspherical-profile forming layer in the step of forming the aspherical-profile forming layer, and the aspherical profile is maintained through the step of hardening the aspherical-profile forming layer.

Abstract: Tools and methods for making molded an optical integrated circuit including one or more waveguides are disclosed. In one embodiment, a molding die is provided that includes a substrate that has a topographically patterned first surface. A conformal protective film is provided over the first surface of the substrate. The substrate may be formed of silicon or gallium arsenide, and may be patterned using conventional semiconductor patterning techniques, such as plasma etching. The protective film may be metal (e.g., nickel or titanium), diamond, or some other hard material. Typically, a plurality of such molding dies are formed from a wafer of the substrate material. The die is pressed into a moldable material, such as thermal plastic, to form the wave guide(s) of the optical integrated circuit. A plurality of the dies may be mounted around the curved surface of a heated roller, and a heated tape of the waveguide material may be fed under the roller in a mass production process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a mold assembly and molding an optical lens using the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for holding a mold assembly, wherein the mold assembly includes a front mold, a back mold and a strip wrapping around the edges of the front mold and back mold to form a sleeve. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base. The second portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and a mold for improving the release of a molded ophthalmic device from a mold. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first mold half and second mold half each having opposing top surfaces at least one of which has been hollowed out to define a cavity for forming said ophthalmic device and at least said first mold half further defining a boundary for a release element, said boundary is part of said cavity, said release element comprising a ramped surface, said cavity having a corresponding ramped surface, and said release element having its widest part near the top surface of said at least said first mold half that defines said release element therein. The mold of this invention has a hollowed-out portion as part of the cavity to provide a release element to the molded ophthalmic device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a diffusion plate for use in a screen plate of projection TV is disclosed. The diffusion plate having a plurality of quadrangular pyramid protrusions almost over one side thereof is manufactured by means of injection molding process of plastic material. This method uses a first molding die having a first molding die surface, a pre-molding die capable of forming a first volume of molding cavity in matching with the first molding die, and a second molding die capable of forming a second volume of molding cavity smaller than the first volume in matching with the first molding die.

Abstract: A method for making an organic glass lens or lens blank which comprises providing a two-piece mold defining a molding cavity having a vertical axis which is part of a fixed reference system comprising said vertical axis and a horizontal axis which intersects at the center of the mold, a liquid tight annular closure member disposed at the periphery of the mold pieces for maintaining the two mold pieces and closing the molding cavity, wherein the annular closure member comprises at least a portion thereof made of a material that is initially gas permeable but becomes gas impermeable when in contact with a liquid polymerizable composition.