Patent ID: 9102108
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: B29D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for making colored contact lenses, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a mold comprising a male mold half having a first molding surface and a female mold half having a second molding surface, wherein the male and female mold halves are configured to receive each other such that a mold cavity is formed between the first and second molding surfaces when the mold is closed, wherein at least one of the first and a second molding surfaces is optically-transparent or translucent; (2) applying a colored print onto an area of a to-be-printed molding surface wherein the to-be-printed molding surface is selected from the first and second molding surfaces; (3) automatically inspecting the colored print applied on the printed mold half by (a) capturing a first picture, wherein the first picture comprises a first image of the mold half with the colored print applied thereon with a camera, (b) analyzing the first image to determine if there are any defects in the colored print and (c) rejecting the mold half having defects in the colored print thereon, wherein the first picture is taken with a camera which is aligned, in a precisely predetermined manner, with the mold half having the colored print thereon, wherein predetermined alignment of the camera with the mold half ensures that the center of the first image of the mold is located substantially at a predetermined pixel in the first picture; (4) dispensing a specific amount of a lens-forming material into one of the male and female mold halves after successfully passing automatic inspection of the step (3); (5) mating the male and female mold halves to close the mold; (6) curing the lens-forming material located between the two mold halves, thereby forming a molded colored contact lens, wherein the colored print detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the colored contact lens; (7) separating the mold into the male and female mold halves, wherein the colored contact lens adheres to one of the male and female mold halves; and (8) removing the colored contact lens from the lens-adhering mold half.