Abstract: A method for producing a dairy-based product in pieces, the product being mozzarella cheese or a preparation based on dairy products. The method comprises the steps of: realising a first portion of a sheet (10) of the product; cooling the first portion of the sheet (10); obtaining pieces of the product from the first portion of the sheet (10).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for self-preparation of a gastroretentive dosage form being capable of transitioning between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the device comprising an assembly unit including: a compartment configured for accommodating the gastroretentive dosage form in the expanded configuration; and a mechanical system configured for, upon operation of an actuation mechanism: (a) transitioning said gastroretentive dosage form into the collapsed configuration; and (b) locking said collapsed gastroretentive dosage form into the collapsed configuration; wherein the device is configured for being portable.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately dosing moist smokeless tobacco includes a dosing assembly and a dosing air source. The dosing assembly defines a loading chamber and a dosing chamber for containing a quantity of moist smokeless tobacco material. The dosing assembly also includes a discharge opening communicating with the dosing chamber. The dosing air source communicates with the dosing chamber and is operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing assembly so as to move moist smokeless tobacco material from the dosing chamber to the discharge opening. A method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco includes placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus using compressed air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of portions from at least one continuous strand of a food product, in particular for the production of meatballs. The machine comprises: an extrusion device which can deliver a continuous strand in a vertical direction, and a portioning device including at least one cutting system. The cutting system comprises cutting elements (30) which can be moved transversely to the vertical direction between an open position, in which the strand passes between the cutting elements, and a closed position for cutting the strand and forming portions of the food product. In addition, each cutting system comprises ejection means (5) for ejecting the portions downwards from the cutting elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of a composite frozen product in a container, the product being comprised of a frozen confection within an edible casing, wherein the apparatus comprises a forming element having an external surface corresponding to the internal shape of the container, the forming element being further characterised by a passage running through the forming element from an upper opening to a lower opening, the apparatus further comprising means for removing material from the passage of the forming element.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems and apparatuses for producing delivery devices, for example, for oral intake of an agent. In the broadest aspect, the method can include assembling one or more layers including one or more materials with an agent or an agent-releasing formulation to form an integrated, for example a laminated, device; folding the integrated delivery device to form a folded integrated delivery device; and at least partially enclosing the fold delivery device to a form suitable for oral delivery. The integrated device can include a first external layer of a first material; a frame of a second material mounted on the first external layer; an agent-releasing formulation housed within the frame; and a second external layer of the first material mounted on the frame.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.

Abstract: A system for providing single portion viscous or semi-viscous food products utilizes an indexing conveyor to serially dispense pieces of top packaging material thereon, deliver a precise volume of the single serve food product, deposit a top packaging material piece thereon, press the sandwiched layer together to form the final shape of the food product and, optionally, heat seal the top and bottom material pieces to enclose the food product. Optional system layouts include cooling and/or oxygen depleted zones and multiple lane operation and serially adjacent rows of system components wherein the indexing conveyor moves forward by two increments at each indexing cycle.

Abstract: Machine for packaging in capsules, also in a vacuum and/or in a controlled atmosphere, characterized by the fact that a cylindrical wheel (G) with horizontal axis (R), peripherally provided with rows (S) of cavities (A), parallel to said axis (R) and angularly equally distanced by the step (P), preset to be interchangeably equipped with molds (F,-F?) having different formats and geometrically congruent to the format of the capsules to be used (C; C).

Abstract: A food package for sliced food products to be maintained with a fluffed appearance, the package including a rigid base member forming a compartment for receiving the food product and a rigid lid sealed to the compartment. Advantageously, the base member includes a bottom wall and side wall portions that are configured to engage the food product to hold the slices in a fluffed arrangement thereof. Preferably, one or more tapered side wall portions hold the food product upwardly toward the lid and inwardly toward a center of the package. In preferred embodiments, the base member and lid provide a rigid-rigid construction of the food package. In preferred embodiments, the food package is also configured to stand-up in a vertical display orientation and does not require the food product be contained within a sealed pouch within the compartment.

Abstract: An ice cream sandwich apparatus for making and wrapping ice cream sandwiches. The ice cream sandwich apparatus includes a plurality of stations driven by servo motors.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for packaging foodstuff, particularly pizza, comprising a formed packaging tray and a formed cover film, wherein the space provided between the films and containing the foodstuff is gas-treated, and the cover film fixes the foodstuff in the packaging container.

Abstract: A food package for sliced food products to be maintained with a fluffed appearance, the package including a rigid base member forming a compartment for receiving the food product and a rigid lid sealed to the compartment. Advantageously, the base member includes a bottom wall and side wall portions that are configured to engage the food product to hold the slices in a fluffed arrangement thereof. Preferably, one or more tapered side wall portions hold the food product upwardly toward the lid and inwardly toward a center of the package. In preferred embodiments, the base member and lid provide a rigid-rigid construction of the food package. In preferred embodiments, the food package is also configured to stand-up in a vertical display orientation and does not require the food product be contained within a sealed pouch within the compartment.

Abstract: Described is a unit (1) for feeding powdered infusion material to a machine (M) producing packs (3) made from filter material (5). The machine (M) comprises a production line (2) for making such packs (3) and consists of a conveyor (4) with mobile recesses (7) moving in a feed direction (L) designed to be covered with filter material (5) and to form impressions (8) in the filter material (5); rotary feeders (10) fitted to the unit (1) designed to feed an amount or dose (C) of the powdered infusion material into the impressions (8), and rotary precompactors (14) mounted on the rotary feeders (10) acting together with rotary feeders (10) to distribute the doses (C) uniformly inside the impressions (8).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or handling a substantially pure object includes shielding the substantially pure object from the environment by substantially enveloping the object in a fluid. A system for manufacturing a substantially pure object includes a mold for forming the object, and a machine adapted to remove the object from the mold. The machine includes a handling device for gripping the object and removing it from the mold. The handling device includes at least one nozzle through which fluid is delivered to substantially envelope the object during, for example, removal of the object from the mold. The object may be a medical object, such as a syringe, or a component or part thereof, such as a syringe barrel or plunger. In a preferred aspect, a molding process is conducted in a room exhibiting less than Class 100 conditions and/or in such a way that the object does not need to be subsequently cleaned or rinsed, as by air or water washing.

Abstract: A shrink film comprising a polyethylene film of thickness 5 to 500 ?m, wherein the polyethylene comprises an ethylene homopolymer-copolymer mixture having a molecular weight distribution in the range of 5 to 40, and a weight average molecular weight of at least 100 kD.

Abstract: A novel method for the preparation of a pre-filled plastic syringe, and preferably the preparation of a plastic syringe pre-filled with a diagnostic contrast agent wherein said syringe comprises as components a barrel, a tip seal capable of sealing the nozzle of the barrel and a piston capable of sliding in the barrel and sealing the open end of the barrel opposite the nozzle, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one component of said syringe which is molded under conditions which are substantially free of pyrogens and viable and non-viable particulates; and (b) filling and assembling said syringe.

Abstract: Described is a machine (5) for making and packaging articles (1) containing infusion product, the machine (5) being of the type defined by a production line (A) comprising a plurality of operating stations located one after the other and designed to make at least one continuous strip (S) by superposing and sealing two webs of filter paper with measured quantities or charges (4) of infusion product interposed between them at regular intervals; and at least one cutting station (6) for dividing up the strip (S) to form a succession of individual articles (1). The machine (5) further comprises at least one built-in packaging station (8, 8a) for packaging groups of the articles (1) in bag-like packets (10).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.

Abstract: A method for packaging plastic material using a film to surround the material, and more particularly to a method for packaging hot melt adhesives, the resulting package formed thereby, and the film composition used therein. The method is preferably a coextrusion process for packaging a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive by extruding a hot melt adhesive through a die orifice, and coextruding a wax-based polymeric film to surround the hot melt adhesive. The coated adhesive may then be formed into individual packaged units having a finite size and shape. The polymeric film comprises a composition having at least 25% by weight of a wax material, an enthalpy of fusion of at least about 100 J/g, and an elongation value at break of at least about 100%. Any type of hot melt adhesive formulation can be packaged or surrounded by the polymeric film in the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressforming a paperboard sheet into an articulable pressformed container. The apparatus includes a pair of male and female, matingly engagable dies, which have interfacing forming surfaces in the shape of a container for engaging a paperboard sheet. A first one of the dies has a plurality of ridges extending from the forming surface and a second one of the dies has a plurality of grooves within the forming surface. The grooves register with the ridges when the dies matingly engage for creating creases in the paperboard sheet. The invention also includes a method for simultaneously shaping the container and forming fold creases on the container thereby making the container articulable.

Abstract: A sheet interleave system for a reciprocating mold plate patty-forming apparatus includes a hopper for holding sheets, a shuttle, a sheet transfer device, at least one precise position controlled motor, and a drive train. The shuttle has a sheet-holding frame that is slidable between a sheet receiving position and a sheet dispensing position beneath knockout cups of the patty-forming apparatus. The sheet transfer device has a suction device for gripping a sheet from the hopper. The suction device is moveable from a position to grip a sheet from the hopper to a position to place the sheet on the sheet holding frame. The drive train is driven by one or two precise position controlled motor. The drive train is mechanically connected to the carriage and to the sheet transfer device to impart controlled motion thereto.

Abstract: Disposed above a loading section (16), on which horizontally arranged strip-shaped packaging material (P) is longitudinally movable, is a shaping wheel (20), which has an, in relation to the loading section (16), transverse central axis (22) and is rotatable about the latter. The shaping wheel (20) has a cylindrical peripheral surface (24) and contains a plurality of moulds (32) which are disposed at angular intervals, starting from the cylindrical peripheral surface (24), radially in relation to the central axis (22). The peripheral speed of the shaping wheel (20) corresponds to a slip-free rolling of its peripheral surface (24) on the packaging material (P). Each of the moulds (32) contains a piston (50) which is movable back and forth between a retracted position for filling the mould (32) with substance (M) and an advanced position for ejecting the consolidated formed body (F) in a radially outward direction onto the packaging material (P).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing toothbrushes is provided that includes a molding unit for substantially simultaneously molding toothbrush bodies, an element that removes toothbrush bodies from the molding unit, a tufter for securing tufts of bristles to toothbrush bodies to form toothbrushes, and a transport for automatically moving toothbrush bodies from the removal element to the tufter. A process for forming toothbrushes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or handling a substantially pure object includes shielding the substantially pure object from the environment by substantially enveloping the object in a fluid. A system for manufacturing a substantially pure object includes a mold for forming the object, and a machine adapted to remove the object from the mold. The machine includes a handling device for gripping the object and removing it from the mold. The handling device includes at least one nozzle through which fluid is delivered to substantially envelope the object during, for example, removal of the object from the mold. The object may be a medical object, such as a syringe, or a component or part thereof, such as a syringe barrel or plunger. In a preferred aspect, a molding process is conducted in a room exhibiting less than Class 100 conditions and/or in such a way that the object does not need to be subsequently cleaned or rinsed, as by air or water washing.

Abstract: A patty-forming apparatus includes a mold plate having patty-forming cavities and a breather plate arranged over the mold plate. A fill slot is arranged below or above the mold cavities to fill food product into the mold cavity when the mold plate is in a fill position. The breather plate, arranged on a side of the mold plate opposite the fill slot, includes a fill recess open toward the mold plate and arranged to be in registry with the cavities when the mold plate is in the fill position to increase a transverse food product flow area along the longitudinal direction to assist filling of the cavity with food product.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for optimally designing automobile door seals. The system comprises data storage, data management and model design. The data storage consists of a plurality of storage units, each of which has data necessary for each condition. The data management consists of a plurality of mode selection units for selecting a mode from the data storage according to the characteristics of a door seal to be developed. The model design designs a complete door seal by imposing a variety of conditions on a model selected from the data management and performing various tests.

Abstract: A novel method for the preparation of a pre-filled plastic syringe, and preferably the preparation of a plastic syringe pre-filled with a diagnostic contrast agent wherein said syringe comprises as components a barrel, a tip seal capable of sealing the nozzle of the barrel and a piston capable of sliding in the barrel and sealing the open end of the barrel opposite the nozzle, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one component of said syringe which is molded under conditions which are substantially free of pyrogens and viable and non-viable articulates; and (b) filling and assembling said syringe.

Abstract: Disposed above a loading section (16), on which horizontally arranged strip-shaped packaging material (P) is longitudinally movable, is a shaping wheel (20), which has an, in relation to the loading section (16), transverse central axis (22) and is rotatable about the latter. The shaping wheel (20) has a cylindrical peripheral surface (24) and contains a plurality of moulds (32) which are disposed at angular intervals, starting from the cylindrical peripheral surface (24), radially in relation to the central axis (22). The peripheral speed of the shaping wheel (20) corresponds to a slip-free rolling of its peripheral surface (24) on the packaging material (P). Each of the moulds (32) contains a piston (50) which is movable back and forth between a retracted position for filling the mould (32) with substance (M) and an advanced position for ejecting the consolidated formed body (F) in a radially outward direction onto the packaging material (P).

Abstract: Apparatus and process for manufacturing metal powder from a molten mass. The process occurs in an apparatus that includes at least one metallurgical vessel adapted to at least one of treat and prepare a batch of the molten mass, and an atomizing chamber including a nozzle part adapted to sputter a portion of the molten mass, a feed side coupled to the metallurgical vessel, and a discharge side. The atomizing chamber has a longitudinal axis arranged inclined downwardly from the feed side to the discharge side. The apparatus also includes a separator adapted for classifying the metal powder, and an encapsulating facility including at least one container. The metal powder is to be inserted and enclosed within the at least one container. A conveyance unit for powder transport includes an ascending pipe oriented to guide the metal powder upwardly.

Abstract: Process for producing a candle surrounded by a container in which a prefabricated candle blank which does not completely fill the interior of the container is inserted and fixed in the container. An intermediate space between the candle blank and the inside wall of the container is then filled with liquid candle material and the container which has been filled in this way is allowed to cool. In order to be able to fix the inserted candle blank stationary in the container, before insertion into the container, the candle blank is heated on its bottom and its bottom which has become sticky in this way is located on the bottom of the container. The candle blank is immediately fixed in its position by releasing the heat of the heated bottom to the container bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods are provided for producing a plurality of shock absorbing pads. The apparatus preferably has a core pad former for forming particulate core material into a plurality of individual core pads, a core pad encaser positioned downstream from the core pad former for encasing the plurality of individual core pads with a selected sheet of material to thereby form a sheet of a plurality of shock absorbing pads, a pad sheet debulking conveyor positioned adjacent the core pad encaser for debulking the sheet of the plurality of shock absorbing pads and conveying the sheet of the plurality of shock absorbing pads downstream, and a pad separator positioned downstream the pad sheet conveyor for separating the sheet into a plurality of individual shock absorbing pads.

Abstract: A method of making a plate-like frozen raw hamburger-like matter includes: a filling step for filling a constitutional material of the raw hamburger-like matter between a first thermal seal a second thermal seal, provided in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; a deaerating step of pressing the film so that the filled constitutional material is extended until the second thermal seal is provided; a forming step for forming the plate-like raw hamburger-like matter by equalizing the constitutional matter, therein; and a freezing step for maintaining its shape by rapidly freezing the package bag enclosing the raw hamburger-like matter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a food product having a plurality of sections having different characteristics, such as different colors and/or flavors. The method and apparatus has a first nozzle extruding a first stream of a liquid food product having a first characteristic onto a moving platform. The first stream has a height and a width with respect to the platform. A second nozzle extrudes a second stream of a liquid food product having a second characteristic onto the platform. The second stream has a height and a width with respect to the platform. The second nozzle is adjacent to the first nozzle providing adjacent first and second streams on the moving platform. The first stream and second stream spread out such that their heights decrease and their widths increase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the packaging of a hot melt adhesive in a plastic film to prevent the adhesive from blocking during shipping and storage. The hot melt adhesives of the present invention may be thermoplastic or thermosetting in nature. The films used to wrap the adhesive are flexible in nature and are made of polymer composition, which become part of the adhesive once the adhesive is melted.

Abstract: A protective foam cushion-making apparatus dispenses reactive foam components into an interior space between two panels of plastic film to form protective foam cushions. The apparatus includes a supply of plastic film and a film a driving assembly, such as two pliable rollers. A foam component dispensing assembly is interposed between the film panels and injects reactive foam components into the interior space where they are mixed together to form a mass of expandable foam. The plastic film forms a flexible mixing chamber in the area between the two pliable rollers in which the reactive foam components are mixed together after they are dispensed from the foam dispensing assembly.

Abstract: Method for marking an object where the object is placed in a package whereby a pattern in said package is caused to make a marking in said object. Objects being marked with the above method. The invention is especially useful for marking solid or semi-solid formulations of drugs, candy and food-stuff. Specifically the invention is useful to mark nicotine-containing chewing gums. Other solid or semi-solid objects can equally well be marked using the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a hermetically sealed package for a slice of a food item. A web of thermoplastic material is first formed into a tubular arrangement with a hermetic longitudinal seal. To form the tubular arrangement, means are provided for folding a continuous web of thermoplastic material into V-folded condition and for continuously forming a hermetic seal along the open longitudinal edge of the V-folded web. The hermetic seal is formed between the inner surfaces of the front and rear faces of the web to define a tubular web member. The food item which has been formed into a soft mass, is then inserted into the tubular member and the tubular member is flattened to form a thin film tube. Means are provided for forming a hermetically sealed cross-seal which are disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal forward moving direction of the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for shaping and portioning a viscous compounds inside a flexible coating during a feed movement in which the compound inside the coating is deformed by forces acting from outside, the direction of which periodically changes. Here, the forces acting from outside act against the feed movement of the compound and its coating at least partially and for a certain time. In the device, the mass runs inside the coating between two shaping components (1, 2), preferably in the form of a toothed belt.

Abstract: The present application provides a cooked, extruded meat product comprising a meat extrudate having an outwardly facing surface, which meat extrudate is impregnated with an additive in an additive zone which extends inwardly from the surface to a depth of at least 1 mm, typically 1-5 mm. Said meat product may comprise a co-extruded layer of fat or meat emulsion disposed circumjacent the meat layer or core. The present invention also provides a method of making such an extruded meat product and apparatus for the same.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced patterns each formed including depressions (196, 198) and/or grooves (24). Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In the preferred form, the food items include one or more continuous strings (14e, 14f) and one or more continuous, thin strips (14c, 14d) of food adhered to the support material (16).

Abstract: Process and plant for packaging in the fluid state substances which are sticky or soft at room or handling temperature, wherein the substance (A) is cast in a mould (1) provided with holes and lined, by means of vacuum thermoforming, with a thin film of plastic material (4) which is non-sticky at the room temperature and compatible, in the fluid state, with the sticky or soft substance (stage I). The free-surface of this substance thus formed is cooled (stage II) and finally covered with a non-sticky material (25) which is then heat-sealed with the film (stage III). The sealed materials are finally cut in the region of the sealed joint (stage IV).

Abstract: An encapsulated package for a power magnetic device and a method of manufacture therefor. The power magnetic device has a magnetic core subject to magnetostriction when placed under stress. The package includes: (1) compliant material disposed about at least a portion of the magnetic core and (2) an encapsulant substantially surrounding the compliant material and the magnetic core, the compliant material providing a medium for absorbing stress between the encapsulant and the magnetic core, the compliant material reducing the magnetostriction upon the magnetic core caused by the stress from the encapsulant. In one embodiment, the encapsulant includes a vent to an environment surrounding the package. The vent provides pressure relief for the compliant material, allowing the compliant material to substantially eliminate the magnetostrictive effects.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). After extending partially around the periphery of the first forming roller (18), the materials (16, 66) and the food therebetween pass around an adjustable idler roller (70) to between a second abutment nip of the second forming roller (21) and the anvil roller (20).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In a preferred form, the saddle (36') is in the form of a block having first and second lower surfaces (118, 120) corresponding to the shape and located adjacent the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20) in their mating side (32).

Abstract: A protective foam cushion-making apparatus dispenses reactive foam components into an interior space between two panels of plastic film to form protective foam cushions. The apparatus includes a supply of plastic film and a film a driving assembly, such as two pliable rollers. A foam component dispensing assembly is interposed between the film panels and injects reactive foam components into the interior space where they are mixed together to form a mass of expandable foam. The plastic film forms a flexible mixing chamber in the area between the two pliable rollers in which the reactive foam components are mixed together after they are dispensed from the foam dispensing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling foundry cores comprises a conveyor (4) operating between a removal station (1) of a core shooting machine (2) and a transfer station (3), a packing assembly (5) having at least one first manipulator (6) and adhesive applicators (8), and an adjoining dip bath (9), if need be, as well as a subsequent drying oven (10). To automatically and rapidly assemble even complex core packs (20) with the least possible equipment, the apparatus is designed and constructed such that the packing assembly (5) is supplied, the via transfer station (3), with cores (11) from at least two core shooting machines (2), and the first manipulator (6) serves to grip and deposit or stack the cores (11), and that the cores (11) may be placed, one on top of the other, on a carriage (15) or a running gear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously forming hermetically sealed packages of a food item. A continuous web of thermoplastic material is folded and continuously formed with a hermetic longitudinal seal. The food item is inserted between inner surfaces of the tubular web member, which is then flattened to form a thin slice. A hermetic cross-seal is continuously formed transverse to the longitudinal seal. The web can be cooled before the cross-seals are formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing articles, such as syringe barrels, substantially free from contaminants. The apparatus is an enclosure defining at least a class 100 and MCB-3 environment, and includes a molding isolation module and a packaging isolation module. Any contaminants that may exist within the enclosure are removed by the use of horizontal and vertical laminar airflows directed into air filter units. Further, the molding temperature may be selected such that it renders the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants. The molding isolation module and packaging isolation module keep the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants from the time the articles are molded to the time the articles are placed in sealed containers for shipment.

Abstract: An improved, automated method and apparatus for molding contact lenses generally comprises the steps of: (1) forming anterior and posterior mold cavities in longitudinally spaced relation in first and second webs of material, respectively; (2) dispensing a liquid, curable, lens material (e.g., monomer) in each anterior cavity of the first web; (3) aligning and bringing the posterior and anterior cavities into sequential, mating, centered engagement with each other; (4) curing the lens material captured between respective posterior and anterior molds; and (5) separating the webs to release the lenses cast therebetween. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mold cavities are vacuum-formed in the respective webs, and packaging receptacles are formed in one or both of the webs used to mold the lenses.