Patent ID: 6042754
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of forming an optical article comprising:supplying a rotating turntable having a plurality of spaced die supports for a lower die and an upper die forming an optical article forming die set;rotating the turntable;forming a melt of an optical polymeric material in a melting apparatus and feeding the melt from the apparatus in the form of an unpressurized melt strand;supplying a lower die from a lower die supply device onto one of the die supports;forming and adding a predetermined melt shot portion of the unpressurized melt to the upper surface of the lower die;supplying an upper die from an upper die supply device and positioning the upper die on top of the unpressurized melt forming a melt containing die set comprising, in sequence, a lower die, polymeric material and an upper die;compressing the melt containing die set using a press associated with the die support forming an optical article;releasing the press when the optical article is formed;removing the die set from the rotating turntable;removing the optical article from the die set;recycling the lower die and upper die of the die set to their respective supply devices; andrepeating the above steps until the desired number of optical articles are made.