Patent ID: 6783603
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: B08B,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for cleaning contact lens molds comprising the steps of: providing at least one front curve lens mold carrier for securely holding a plurality of front curve mold halves and at least one base curve lens mold carrier for securely holding a plurality of base curve mold halves, wherein the numbers of said front curve mold halves and said base curve mold halves are equal; respectively securing each of the front and base curve mold halves to its corresponding mold carrier in a way such that, when the front curve lens mold carrier engages with the base curve lens mold carrier, each front curve lens mold half engages one base curve lens mold half to form a stable mold for manufacturing a contact lens; transporting each of the mold carriers with the lens mold halves secured thereto into a cleaning station, wherein the cleaning station comprises at least one cleaning assembly which, in combination with the mold carrier, forms a number of substantially enclosed areas corresponding to the number of the lens mold halves; forming the substantially enclosed areas, wherein one lens mold half is housed in each substantially enclosed area which has an inlet and an outlet; injecting compressed gas onto the lens mold half housed within each substantially enclosed area through the inlet to dislodge any debris present on the lens mold half; and providing an outflow of gas from said enclosed area through the outlet to remove the dislodged debris.