Patent ID: 6752581
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29L

Abstract:
An apparatus for efficient and rapid removal and transportation of molded contact lens packaging articles from a molding station at a first location, said articles being removed in a first spatial distribution, and being deposited at a remote fourth location in a second spatial distribution, comprising:a linearly reciprocating first assembly for removing the articles from the molding station and transporting the articles to a second location; a linearly reciprocating second assembly for receiving the articles from the first assembly at the second location and transporting the articles to a third location, wherein said linearly reciprocating second assembly comprises: a platform comprising: a plurality of blocks, each block having at least one receiving port therein for receiving an article; at least one guide rail on which said plurality of blocks are mounted, said blocks being mounted such that they may translate along said at least one guide rail; and means for reciprocating said plurality of blocks along said at least one guide rail such that the at least one receiving port of each block is translated with respect to one another; means for linearly reciprocating said platform between the second and third locations; and a linearly reciprocating third assembly for receiving the articles from the second assembly at the third location and transporting the articles to a fourth location wherein said linearly reciprocating third assembly comprises means for altering the spatial distribution of the articles, said linearly reciprocating third assembly further comprises: a vacuum head comprising: at least two vacuum plates; means for reciprocating said vacuum plates together and apart; a column of at least one resiliently bellowed finger extending from each of said at least two vacuum plates, each said finger being capable of grasping and selectively and securably holding one of said articles from said second assembly; andmeans for linearly reciprocating said vacuum head between said third and fourth locations.