Patent ID: 6068464
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B29C,B29D,Y10S

Abstract:
A structure for forming a lens from a lens-forming fluid, comprising:a. a gasket having a first end, an opposed second end, a body portion joining the first end to the second end and having an outer surface, a bore extending axially through the body portion, the bore forming an interior surface, and at least one port formed intermediate the outer surface of the body portion and the bore, the port being separated from the ambient air by the outer surface of the body portion and being in fluid communication with the bore;b. a front mold having a forward surface, an opposed back surface, and an edge circumscribing the front mold, wherein the edge is of a size to be complementarily received within at least a portion of the bore of the gasket so that the edge and the interior surface of the gasket form a seal therebetween; andc. a rear mold having a forward surface, an opposed back surface, and a rim circumscribing the rear mold, wherein the rim is sized to be complementarily received within at least a portion of the bore of the gasket so that the rim and the interior surface of the gasket form a seal therebetween,wherein, when the front mold and the rear mold are both disposed within the bore of the gasket, a volume is formed between the back surface of the front mold and the forward surface of the rear mold and the interior surface of the gasket for receiving the lens-forming fluid, andwherein at least one of the front mold and the rear mold is axially movable within the bore relative to the other mold disposed within the bore to a desired one of a plurality of axial separation distances between the molds to provide a different volume for receiving the lens-forming fluid for each separation distance and to compensate for the shrinkage of the lens-forming fluid when it is cured by an ultraviolet light to form the lens.