Method and apparatus for molding optical components
AssigneeEssilor International Cie Generale d'Optique
InventorJean Boudet
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Abstract
As in the conventional manner for molding an optical component, a molding cavity is used in combination with a relief chamber with which the molding cavity can selectively communicate. There is no communication between the relief chamber and the molding cavity while the latter is filled. The molding cavity is then placed in communication with the relief chamber. Subsequently, relative displacement of the relief chamber and the molding cavity parallel to the axis of the combination interrupts such communication. The optical component thus molded may be of any kind, such as an optical lens, specifically an ophthalmic lens.
Claims24
A method for molding an optical component from synthetic material in a molding device including a suitably shaped molding cavity and a relief chamber for accommodating excess synthetic material selectively communicable with the molding chamber, the molding cavity and the relief chamber being relatively axially displaceable, the method comprising the steps of:
- filling the molding cavity with an appropriate amount of synthetic material while the molding cavity is out of communication with the relief chamber, pressurizing the molding cavity and bringing the molding cavity into communication with the relief chamber, thereafter axially displacing the molding cavity relative to the relief chamber to interrupt communication therebetween and to sever synthetic material in the molding cavity from synthetic material in the relief chamber, and opening the molding cavity and discharging the molded optical component.
A method for molding an optical component from synthetic material in a molding device comprising a molding cavity and a relief chamber selectively communicable with the molding cavity by axial displacement of the molding cavity relative to the relief chamber comprising the steps of:
- filling the molding cavity with an appropriate quantity of synthetic material for forming an optical component while the molding cavity is axially spaced from and out of communication with the relief chamber, pressurizing the molding cavity and axially displacing the molding cavity relative to the relief chamber to bring the molding cavity into communication with the relief chamber so that excess synthetic material is forced out of the molding cavity into the relief chamber, thereafter again axially displacing the molding cavity relative to the relief chamber to break communication between the molding cavity and the relief chamber and to form the peripheral edge of the optical component, depressurizing the molding chamber and discharging the optical component from the molding cavity.
A method for molding an optical component from synthetic material in a molding device comprising a molding cavity and a relief chamber adapted to be formed by two relatively displaceable parts in spaced apart relation and eliminated when the two parts are close together, the molding cavity thereby being selectively communicable with the relief chamber, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- filling the molding cavity with an appropriate quantity of synthetic material for forming an optical component while the parts are close together, pressurizing the molding cavity and moving the parts away from each other to form the relief chamber directly in communication with the molding cavity, and thereby allowing excess synthetic material to be forced out of the molding cavity into the relief chamber, then axially displacing the molding cavity relative to the relief chamber to break communication therebetween and to form the peripheral edge of the optical component, relieving the pressure in the molding cavity and discharging the optical component from the molding cavity.
A device for molding optical components from synthetic material, said device comprising means defining a molding cavity having a configuration adapted to form a desired optical component, means for filling said molding cavity with synthetic material, means defining a relief chamber selectively communicable with said molding cavity, means for pressurizing the synthetic material in said molding cavity and means for controlling communication between said molding cavity and said relief chamber so that during filling of said molding cavity said molding cavity and said relief chamber are out of communication with each other and during pressurization said molding chamber and said relief chamber are in communication with each other, and means for mounting said molding cavity relative to said relief chamber for relative axial displacement for interrupting communication between said molding cavity and said relief chamber, and for severing synthetic material in said molding cavity from the synthetic material in such relief chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.