Process and apparatus for the production of optical lenses

A process for the production of an optical lens, comprising:

• (a) providing a first mold half with a first mold surface;
• (b) providing a second mold half with a second mold surface facing the first mold surface, wherein the second mold surface is movable in the manner of a piston relative to the first mold surface;
• (c) introducing a lens material between the two mold halves prior to the first and second mold surfaces being in a closed engagement position;
• and
• (d) moving the second mold surface towards the first mold surface until the first and second mold surfaces are in a closed engagement with one another,
• wherein the second mold half includes an essentially hollow-cylindrical portion having an encircling groove therein, wherein the second mold surface is movable in a piston manner within the essentially hollow-cylindrical portion, whereby the step of introducing lens material between the mold surfaces occurs when the second mold surface is moved to a position in which the second mold surface is surrounded by the encircling groove.

An apparatus for the production of an optical lens, comprising:

• (a) a first mold half with a first mold surface;
• (b) a second mold half comprising an inner mold part and a hollow cylindrical outer mold part having an inner wall, said inner mold part having a second mold surface facing said first mold surface and being movable in the manner of a piston along said inner wall of said hollow cylindrical outer mold part towards and away from said first mold surface;
• (c) means for introducing a lens material between the mold surfaces before said mold halves are positioned into a closed engagement with one another;
• and
• (d) means for moving said inner mold part having said second mold surface towards said first mold surface until said mold surfaces are in a closed engagement position such that said mold surfaces form a mold cavity in which the lens material is enclosed.

An apparatus for the production of an optical lens, comprising:

• (a) a first mold half with a first mold surface;
• (b) a second mold half with a second mold surface, wherein the second mold surface is movable in the manner of a piston relative to the first mold surface, and wherein said first and second mold surfaces form a cavity when positioned into a closed engagement with one another;
• and
• (c) means for introducing a lens material between the mold surfaces before the mold halves are positioned into a closed engagement with one another,
• wherein the second mold half includes an essentially hollow-cylindrical portion having an encircling groove therein, wherein the second mold surface is movable in a piston manner within the essentially hollow-cylindrical portion, whereby introduction of lens material between the mold surfaces occurs when the second mold surface is moved to a position in which the second mold surface is surrounded by the encircling groove.