Patent · US Expired

Mold for molding optical elements

US5015280A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
5References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 1989
Grant dateMay 14, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 22, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S425/808
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A mold arranged between a pair of heater blocks for molding an optical element comprises a pair of first and second elements each having a molding surface for defining a cavity and an outer surface opposite to the molding surface and in contact with a corresponding heater block, and a ring member for guiding the first and second elements. The rear surface of at least one of the first and second elements has a part which is not in contact with the corresponding heater block. Also, another mold comprises a pair of first and second elements each having a molding surface for defining a cavity and an outer surface opposite to the molding surface, a first ring member for guiding the first and second elements, and a second outer ring member made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the first ring member. A molding method for optical elements is such that a glass with a viscosity of 10.sup.12 poise or more is fed to a mold with a temperature at or below the glass transition point, heated to a temperature corresponding to the glass viscosity of 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.10 poise and pressed for 3 to 90 seconds. The glass is then cooled at a rate of 1.5.degree. to 2.5.degree…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.