Transfer and centering system for contact lenses

A method of transferring a lens-shaped article from a first support to a centered position on a second support, said lens-shaped article including a concave surface and a convex surface, the first support including a support surface for supporting the convex surface of the article, and the second support including a receiving surface for receiving the convex surface of the article, said method comprising:

• (a) removing the article from the first support with a transfer tool such that the article is centered with respect to the transfer tool, the transfer tool comprising a plunger comprising an elongated body, a tip at a lower end of the elongated body that includes a contacting surface, a conduit extending through the elongated body, said conduit connected to a vacuum source and terminating at an opening in the contacting surface of the tip, and a sleeve surrounding the elongated body of the plunger, the sleeve and plunger being slideable with respect to each other;
• wherein the article is removed from the first support by positioning the tip near the concave article surface while the plunger is in an extended position with respect to the sleeve and activating the vacuum source of the transfer tool;
• (b) transferring the article to a centered position on the second support receiving surface, by moving the plunger to a retracted position with respect to the sleeve, placing the sleeve over a portion of the second support having an outer diameter generally corresponding to an inner diameter of the sleeve, and contacting the convex article surface with the receiving surface and inactivating the vacuum source of the transfer tool.