摘要 |
An improved, automated method and apparatus for molding contact lenses generally comprises the steps of: (1) forming anterior and posterior mold cavities in longitudinally spaced relation in first and second webs of material, respectively; (2) dispensing a liquid, curable, lens material (e.g., monomer) in each anterior cavity of the first web; (3) aligning and bringing the posterior and anterior cavities into sequential, mating, centered engagement with each other; (4) curing the lens material captured between respective posterior and anterior molds; and (5) separating the webs to release the lenses cast therebetween. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mold cavities are vacuum-formed in the respective webs, and packaging receptacles are formed in one or both of the webs used to mold the lenses. |