# US 8,739,571 B2 · Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing optical element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,571 B2 - Document ID: US8739571B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/188,850 - Filed: 2011-07-22 - Published: 2012-02-02 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-30 - Assignees: Olympus Corporation - Applicants: Hiroyuki Shibuki - Inventors: Hiroyuki Shibuki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739571B2 ## CPC - C03B 23/0013: {by pressing (C03B21/04, C03B23/02, C03B23/04, C03B23/18, C03B23/26 take precedence)} - C03B 11/122: {Heating} - C03B 40/02: by lubrication; Use of materials as release or lubricating compositions - C03B 2215/50: Structural details of the press-mould assembly - C03B 2215/66: Means for providing special atmospheres, e.g. reduced pressure, inert gas, reducing gas, clean room - C03B 2215/72: Barrel presses or equivalent, e.g. of the ring mould type - C03B: MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES ## Abstract A manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical element includes: supplying a gas containing a mold-release acceleration substance to the space between a first mold and a second mold which sandwich an optical material and face each other; and pressurizing and transforming the optical material by bringing the first and second molds relatively close to each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical element, the method comprising: supplying a gas containing a mold-release acceleration substance to a space between a first mold and a second mold which sandwich an optical material; heating an inert gas and supplying the heated inert gas to the space between the first and second molds to heat and soften the optical material; and pressurizing and transforming the heated and softened optical material by moving the first and second molds towards each other, wherein the mold-release acceleration substance is generated by heating raw material for the mold-release acceleration substance, wherein the step of supplying the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance comprises reducing an amount of the mold-release acceleration substance supplied to the space between the first mold and the second mold during the pressuring and transforming step, and wherein the mold-release acceleration substance is at least one of a hydrocarbon and graphite, or the mold-release acceleration substance is obtained by a reaction of a hydrocarbon or a halogenated hydrocarbon in a raw material form. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 1, wherein the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance is a mixed gas which is a mixture of the inert gas and the mold-release acceleration substance, the step of heating the inert gas comprises heating the mixed gas, and the step of supplying the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance is at least partially performed simultaneously with the step of heating and softening the optical material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 1, wherein the step of supplying the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance to the space between the first and second molds is performed independently from the step of supplying the heated inert gas. ### Claim 4 A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical element, the apparatus comprising: a mold-release acceleration gas supply unit having: a gas heater for heating raw material for a mold-release acceleration substance to generate the mold-release acceleration substance, and an adjustment valve configured to supply a gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance at a first flow rate to a space between a first mold and a second mold which sandwich an optical material; an inert gas supply unit having a heater for heating an inert gas and supplying the heated inert gas to the space between the first and second molds to heat and soften the optical material; and a pressurization unit with a drive unit configured to move the first and second molds towards each other to pressurize and transform the heated and softened optical material, wherein in response to the drive unit moving the first and second molds towards each other, the mold-release acceleration gas supply unit adjusts the adjustment valve to reduce the first flow rate of the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance supplied to the space between the first mold and the second mold, and wherein the mold-release acceleration substance is at least one of a hydrocarbon and graphite, or the mold-release acceleration substance is obtained by a reaction of a hydrocarbon or a halogenated hydrocarbon in a raw material form. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 4, further comprising a mixed gas supply path that mixes the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance and the inert gas before it is supplied to the space between the first and second molds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 5, wherein the gas heater of the mold-release acceleration gas supply unit is further configured to heat the mixed gas before it is supplied to the space between the first and second molds. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical element according to claim 4, wherein the mold-release acceleration gas supply unit supplies the gas containing the mold-release acceleration substance to the space between the first and second molds independently from the inert gas supply unit supplying the heated inert gas.