Method and device for producing contact lens elements and injection mold used therefor

An apparatus for producing a contact lens material which has two opposite lens-forming surfaces and which provides a contact lens or a lens blank which gives said contact lens, said apparatus being characterized by comprising:

• injection-molding means having a fixedly positioned stationary die and a movable die which are superposed on each other such that said movable die is movable relative to said stationary die in directions toward and away from said stationary die, said stationary and movable dies cooperating with each other to define therebetween at least one first mold cavity for injection-molding a first resin mold having a molding surface which gives one of the opposite lens-forming surfaces of said contact lens material and at least one second mold cavity for injection-molding a second resin mold having a molding surface which gives the other of the opposite lens-forming surfaces, said first resin mold which has been injection-molded in said at least one first mold cavity being held on one of said stationary and movable dies with its molding surface being removed from the other of said stationary and movable dies while said second resin mold which has been injection-molded in said at least one second mold cavity is held on the other of said stationary and movable dies with its molding surface being removed from said one of said stationary and movable dies when said stationary and movable dies are separated away from each other;
• moving mechanism for moving said stationary and movable dies of said injection-molding means relative to each other, so that said first and second resin molds which are held on one and the other of said stationary and movable dies are opposed with each other in a vertical direction;
• and
• molding material supplying means for supplying a molding material which gives said contact lens material, into one of said first and second resin molds which is held on said movable die, so that said molding material is accommodated and kept in said one resin mold.

An apparatus for producing a contact lens material which has two opposite lens-forming surfaces and which provides a contact lens or a lens blank which gives said contact lens, said apparatus being characterized by comprising:

• first injection-molding means having a fixedly positioned stationary die and a movable die which are superposed on each other such that said movable die is movable relative to said stationary die in directions toward and away from said stationary die, said stationary and movable dies cooperating with each other to define therebetween at least one first mold cavity for injection-molding a first resin mold having a molding surface which gives one of the opposite lens-forming surfaces of said contact lens material, said first resin mold which has been injection-molded in said at least one first mold cavity being held on said stationary die with its molding surface being removed from said movable die when said stationary and movable dies are separated away from each other;
• second injection-molding means having a fixedly positioned stationary die, and a movable die which is located below said stationary die such that said movable die is movable relative to said stationary die in directions toward and away from said stationary die, said stationary and movable dies cooperating with each other to define therebetween at least one second mold cavity for injection-molding a second resin mold having a molding surface which gives the other of the opposite lens-forming surfaces of said contact lens material, said second resin mold which has been injection-molded in said at least one second mold cavity being held on said movable die with its molding surface being removed from said stationary die when said stationary and movable dies are separated away from each other;
• moving mechanism for moving said stationary die of said first injection-molding means which holds said first resin mold thereon and said movable die of said second injection-molding means which holds said second resin mold thereon, relative to each other, so that said first and second resin molds, which are respectively held on said stationary die of said first injection-molding means and said movable die of said second injection-molding means, are opposed with each other in a vertical direction;
• and
• molding material supplying means for supplying a molding material which gives said contact lens material, into said second resin mold which is held on said movable die of said second injection-molding means, so that said molding material is accommodated and kept in said second resin mold.