APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONTACT LENSES

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging contact lenses. The apparatus includes a plurality of lens carriers (14), a plurality of lifts (18), a plurality of contact lens containers (24) and either a plurality of platens (16) or a plurality of mandrels. One of the containers (24) is mounted on a respective one of the carriers (14). Each of the platens or each of the mandrels is individually supported by one of the lifts. The lifts apply pressure, within a precetermined range, to each of the containers. A heated mandrels (32) is disposed above the plurality of containers (24). The heated mandrel is movable between a retracted position above the plurality of containers and an engaged position immediately adjacent to the plurality of containers. A lidstock (26) is selectively movable between a retracted position and an insert position. The inserted position is between the heated mandrel (32) and the plurality of containers (24), whereby in the inserted position the lidstock is flexedly held in position at least until the heated mandrel contacts the lidstocks while moving to the engaged position. The apparatus includes a lidstock having indicia printed thereon. The lidstock is fed from a roll under tension. A vision alignment inspection system checks the print quality on the lidstock and simultaneously checks for registration of the lidstocks within the apparatus.