Patent ID: 6186736
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29L

Abstract:
A method for rapid and efficient removal and transportation of molded contact lens fabricating articles, each having optical surfaces thereof, from a molding station at a first location to a remote fourth location without contacting the optical surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:removing the articles from the molding station, releasably holding the articles, and transporting the articles to an intermediate location with a linearly reciprocating first assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof;receiving, at the intermediate location, and inverting said articles about an axis in the horizontal plane with a rotating flipper assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof;depositing the inverted articles at a second location with the rotating flipper assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof;receiving the articles from the rotating flipper assembly at the second location with a linearly reciprocating second assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof;transporting the articles to a third location with the linearly reciprocating second assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof;receiving the articles from the linearly reciprocating second assembly at the third location with a linearly reciprocating third assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof; andtransporting the articles to a fourth location with the linearly reciprocating third assembly, without contacting the optical surfaces thereof.