Molding processes

US6113817A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Novartis AG · CH

Inventors

• Peter Herbrechtsmeier · Königstein, DE
• Karl Baur · Kornwestheim, DE
• Roger Biel · Aschaffenburg, DE
• John Golby · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Roland Hauck · Stockach, DE
• Peter Hagmann · Erlenbach a.Main, DE
• Axel Heinrich · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Otto Kretzschmar · Lorsch, DE
• Anette Lang · Großostheim, DE
• Achim Müller · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Thomas Schulz · Bad Pyrmont, DE
• Bernhard Seiferling · Goldbach, DE
• Werner Steffan · Eichenbühl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 24, 1998
• Grant date: Sep 5, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 24, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B08B3/02
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Efficient and consistent processes for manufacturing moldings, especially ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses. The processes comprises a series of improvements, including improvements in the areas of conditions for dispensing liquid prepolymer into lens molds, male and female mold mating, reusable molds, mold cleaning, lens separation from molds (demolding), lens handling, and in-line inspection. Cyclic series of processing steps are also disclosed. Additionally, an improved molding tool is disclosed, with the molding tool including a male mold housing and a female mold housing, each of which have disposed therein a plurality of mold halves.