Patent ID: 6511617
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B29C,B29D,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for the automated molding of contact lenses from a hydrogel, said apparatus comprising;(a) a transport means for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to and from a plurality of stations, each of said contact lens molds having first and second mold parts; (b) a first automated station for receiving a plurality of first mold parts and depositing therein a predetermined amount of a hydrogel to be cured; (c) a second automated station for receiving said plurality of first mold parts and assembling each first mold part with a second mold part to define a contact lens mold cavity and to remove any excess hydrogel from said cavity; (d) a third automated station for curing said hydrogel in said cavity; (e) a fourth automated station for removing said second mold part from said first mold part and said molded contact lens, and assembling a plurality of said contact lenses and mold parts in an array for robotic handling; (f) a robotic transfer head, said head facilitating transfer of said plurality of lenses to a package load station, said robotic transfer head having a plurality of contact lens carriers arranged to correspond to said array, each of said carriers having a convex lens attachment surface to receive a contact lens, and a fluid means for introducing a fluid between said convex lens attachment surface and said contact lens, said lens being retained thereon during transfer by surface tension; (g) at least one controller for controlling said automated stations and said robotic transfer head, said at least one controller positioning said robotic transfer head and initiating the introduction of said fluid by said fluid means to transfer said contact lenses to said packages.