Methods Relating to Molding Optical Lenses

Abstract

A method that includes providing a cavity defined by at least a portion of a mold and a closure member attached to the portion of the mold, the portion of the mold being oriented vertically and having a top and a bottom, and a sealing material being positioned near the bottom and attached to the closure member; puncturing the sealing material and the closure member with an instrument near the bottom, the puncturing creating an opening in the sealing material; and introducing a polymerizable composition into the cavity through the instrument. A method useful in testing sealing materials. Other methods are also disclosed.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a cavity having at least one opening over which a piece of sealing material is positioned, the cavity containing liquid;   puncturing the piece of sealing material with an instrument, thereby creating a sealing material opening for a period of time;   applying a vacuum to the cavity; and   noting a cavity pressure approximately when a first bubble forms around gas entering the liquid through the sealing material opening from outside the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the cavity pressure is greater than or equal to 10 millimeters of mercury and less than or equal to 505 millimeters of mercury. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where the cavity pressure is greater than or equal to 75 millimeters of mercury and less than or equal to 505 millimeters of mercury. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where the cavity pressure is less than or equal to 505 millimeters of mercury. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 retracting the instrument from the piece of sealing material; and   where the sealing material opening possesses a size that decreases after the instrument is retracted.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where the providing comprises:
 providing a cylinder having a sealed top opening, a bottom opening, an inner wall defining a cavity, and a piece of sealing material positioned over the bottom opening.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where the instrument is controlled using a robot. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where the method is a method for testing the utility of a piece of sealing material for a lens molding operation, and where the method further comprises:
 repeating the providing, puncturing, applying, and noting for at least a second piece of sealing material; and   selecting a piece of sealing material among those tested for use in the lens molding operation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , where the piece of sealing material includes silicone and the second piece of sealing material includes neoprene. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tracking any liquid loss through the sealing material opening.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where the applying a vacuum comprises applying a vacuum using a venturi. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , where the providing comprises:
 providing a cylinder having a sealed top opening, a bottom opening, an inner wall defining a cavity, and a piece of sealing material positioned over the bottom opening, and where the at least some liquid is introduced into the cavity after the piece of sealing material is positioned over the bottom opening.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , where the piece of sealing material comprises silicone. 
     
     
         14 . A method of evaluating the self-sealing nature of a piece of material, the method comprising:
 piercing a piece of material with an instrument, the piece of material being positioned over an opening to a cavity containing liquid, the piercing creating a puncture opening;   retracting the instrument from the piece of material;   applying a vacuum to the cavity; and   noting a cavity pressure approximately when a first bubble of gas from outside the cavity forms within the liquid near the puncture opening.   
     
     
         15 - 33 . (canceled)