Apparatus and method for molding optical lenses

An apparatus for molding optical lenses comprising:

• a) a first molding shell having a first rounded peripheral surface with a first diameter and defining a longitudinal axis;
• b) a second molding shell having a second essentially rounded peripheral surface with a second diameter greater than said first diameter, said second molding shell having, further, an inner shell surface, and an outer shell surface opposite to said inner shell surface;
• c) a sealing element surrounding said first molding shell;
• d) means for radially clamping said sealing element against said first peripheral surface;
• e) a clamping ring for axially clamping said second molding shell with said inner shell surface against a radial front surface of said sealing element, such that said molding shells are arranged essentially parallel to each other along said axis, a hollow cavity being enclosed between said molding shells and said sealing element, said hollow cavity having a shape corresponding to a shape of a lens to be molded, said clamping ring being arranged on said outer shell surface and engaging said second molding shell with a clamping element at a peripheral rim of said second molding shell, said radially clamping means and said moans clamping ring being structurally distinct and independent one from the other, said clamping ring being provided with at least one gap extending axially therethrough along a portion of the periphery of the clamping ring,
• f) means for feeding said second molding shell from a magazine, said feeding means comprising a displacement unit, said displacement unit having a holding element engaging said second molding shell on said outer shell surface, said displacement unit being adapted to feed said second molding shell to said radial front surface along a radial direction from a position offset from said axis with said holding element extending parallel to said axis, said holding element being adapted to pass through said gap when said clamping ring is held at an axial distance from said radial front surface when said displacement uinit is moved along said radial direction.