Abstract:
An apparatus for molding polystyrene mold halves which are used, with a complementary mold halves, for subsequent molding of a soft contact lens such as a hydrogel soft contact lens. The apparatus is designed with superior heat conduction capacity so as to minimize the molding cycle time, while simultaneously producing uniformly precise and accurate optical quality surfaces. Molten polystyrene is provided via a hot runner system to a plurality of mold cavities, each of which is defined by first and second structural elements, the first having a convex surface and the other having a concave surface. In a specific variation, the convex surface provides the optical quality surface to the concave surface of the mold half produced thereby. The structural element which defines the convex surface includes a hollow cylindrical bushing and a removable power insert mounted therein, which may be changed so that the prescription strength of the contact lens to be formed by the mold may be varied. In a first embodiment, the power insert includes only a convex surface at its operational end. In a second embodiment, the power insert includes an annular flat surface surrounding the convex surface, defining at the junction therebetween a discontinuity of curvature, which imparts a sharp edge to the mold half formed thereby. The power insert may be constructed of pure steel, or alternatively, it may be made of brass, copper chromium, or cobalt-nickel alloyed martensitic steel. The power insert may be coated with a surface layer of nickel phosphor or silicone oxide, or chrome nitride. These layers may be turned to their proper thicknesses and dimensions by diamond cutters, and they may be thermally hardened.
Abstract:
Disclosed are mold halves useful in molding a contact lens by polymerization of a polymerizable composition disposed between the mold halves. The mold halves are of rigid thermoplastic, preferably polystyrene, transparent to ultraviolet light.
Abstract:
A packaging arrangement for the containment in a blister package of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. Provision is made for incorporating support structure in the form of stiffening groove or wall elements (30,48) in flanges (12) of base members (10,40,50) of the blister packages to facilitate an improved attachment between the base members of the blister packages housing the contact lenses, and a flexible cover sheet (36) utilized for sealing engagement with the base members while incorporating additional strength to the blister package structures.
Abstract:
A cover-forming laminated clear plastic film packaging material for at least one container, such as the base member of a blister package which is adapted to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed is a transparent or translucent laminated multi-layered plastic film material constituting a covering label for the container, incorporating a silicon oxide barrier layer. The laminate may be imprinted over a surface extent thereof with a specific pattern of indicia and legends.
Abstract:
This invention provides a blister pack (10) comprising a base (11) and a cover (12), wherein said base comprises a recess (13) which houses a contact lens (17) and solution (18), wherein the thickness of the material of said recess is less than 0.75mm, and said recess houses less than 0.75ml solution.
Abstract:
A packaging arrangement for the sealed containment of at least one hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution, comprising at least one injection molded or thermoformed plastic base member (10;40) having a cavity (20;42;52) for containing a contact lens immersed in said solution, said base member (10;40) including a planar flange (12) extending outwardly about the periphery of the outer edge of said cavity (20;42;52), said cavity (20;42;52) consisting of an indentation extending from the plane of the upper surface of said flange (12), and a depending wall (48) projecting downwardly from a bottom surfact of said flange (12) closely inwardly of the peripheral edges (14,16) of said flange (12) and extending about at least portions of the periphery of said flange (12); characterised in that the upper surface (24) of said flange (12) has a raised surface area (22) extending about said cavity (20;42;52) for facing a superimposed cover sheet (36) in contacting relationship.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the manufacture of lens molds used in the formation of optical contact lenses, the apparatus comprising a center gate aligned on the central axis of the lens mold cavity for delivery of the melt polymer in an axisymmetrical manner. The methodology produces lens molds of extremely precise dimensions as measured against lens molds produced with side gated technology.