APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING LENS CARRIERS

摘要

Novel method and apparatus are disclosed for handling carriers (104) for sof t contact lenses in a lens manufacturing system. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, article handling devices are located beneath a pre- cure station (110) and a curing station (112) of the system to move lens carriers within those stations. Pursuant to a second aspect of the invention , in a preferred embodiment multiple sets of assemblies are provided for movin g a multitude of lens carriers into, through, and out from the pre-cure statio n and the curing station. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the curing station is provided with an intelligent buffer.