Patent ID: 6082987
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B29C,B29D,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for assembling a lens-forming structure, the structure having a front mold, a rear mold, and a gasket, wherein the gasket has a first end and a second end, a body portion joining the first end and the second end and having an outer surface, a bore extending axially through the body portion for receiving the front mold and the rear mold, the bore having a longitudinal axis, 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, comprising:a. means for supporting the gasket so that at least one of the front mold or the rear mold are insertable into the bore thereof;b. means for inserting the front mold into the bore of the gasket;c. means for inserting the rear mold into the bore of the gasket; andd. means for axially moving within the bore of the gasket a selected one of the front mold or the rear mold relative to the other mold to a desired one of a plurality of axial separation distances between the molds to provide a different molding cavity intermediate the front and rear molds for each separation distance, the molding cavity being in fluid communication with the port.