Molded lens having an outer circumference and first and second optical surfaces with cut off peripheral portions, and molding die for the molded lens

A molded lens for an optical pickup device, comprising:

• (a) a plane of incidence including a first optical surface;
• (b) a plane of emergence including a second optical surface provided on an opposite side of the molded lens with respect to the plane of incidence;
• and
• (c) a flange portion at a periphery of the plane of incidence and a periphery of the plane of emergence;
• wherein a reference surface for positioning the molded lens, which is perpendicular to an optical axis direction of the molded lens, is formed by one of:
• a surface of the flange portion on a side of the plane of incidence and a surface of the flange portion on a side of the plane of emergence, and wherein the reference surface projects from a corresponding one of the plane of incidence and the plane of emergence in the optical axis direction of the molded lens;
• wherein a flash projects from the molded lens from the side of the one of the plane of incidence and the plane of emergence corresponding to the reference surface, said flash being generated between a sleeve, which forms the reference surface, and a core, which forms the one of the plane of incidence and the plane of emergence corresponding to the reference surface, of a molding die for forming the molded lens, and said core staying in contact with the molded lens after injection molding and being movable with respect to the sleeve to push the molded lens out of the molding die;
• and
• wherein the reference surface projects farther in the optical axis direction than the flash.