Compound surface to aid in the fabrication of a lens with a plano surface

Abstract

A molded glass lens is taught that includes a molded three-dimensional reference surface at a first end of the lens body, a first molded optical surface interrupting the three-dimensional reference surface, and a molded second optical surface at a second end of the lens body. The first and second optical surfaces may be plano, convex or concave. The molded three-dimensional reference surface is curvilinear and may be a spherical, aspherical or conical segment. The molded lens may include a second molded three-dimensional reference surface at the second end of the lens body. The molded three-dimensional reference surface is of a specified shape and location with respect to the first and second optical surfaces. By physically locating the lens with the molded three-dimensional reference surface and one of the first or second optical surfaces, the lens can be held in a given orientation. Thus, the molded reference surface(s) at the end(s) of the cylindrical body allow for accurate and safe capture, positioning, handling, and placement for subsequent finishing operations, allowing for the creation of one or more additional lens datums.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.