Patent ID: 6071440
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: B29C,B29D,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of using a production line pallet for carrying a plurality of contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line facility for sequential automated processing of the assemblies at a plurality of automated stations in the production line, said method comprising:(a) providing a pallet;(b) providing a plurality of recesses in a surface of said pallet for receiving and positioning a plurality of individual contact lens mold assemblies for automated processing, each contact lens mold assembly comprising a first mold half and a complementary second mold half;(c) providing a registration means in said pallet for enabling precise positioning of said pallet at said plurality of automated stations in said production line facility, said recesses and said registration means cooperating to position said contact lens assemblies for automated processing of said assemblies at a plurality of said automated stations; and(d) providing a vacuum using an outer perimeter of said pallet surface which cooperates with a vacuum seal at one of said automated stations to create, with said pallet, a sealed volume for processing said mold assemblies under vacuum.