Method and apparatus for holding a mold assembly and molding an optical lens using the same

Abstract

An apparatus and method for holding a mold assembly and molding an optical lens using the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for holding a mold assembly, wherein the mold assembly includes a front mold, a back mold and a strip wrapping around the edges of the front mold and back mold to form a sleeve. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base. The second portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base. The first portion and the second portion are pivotally coupled together at the bottom parts so that the top part of the first portion and the top part of the second portion can be closed to define a housing for receiving the mold assembly therein, wherein the top part of the first portion and the top part of the second portion can also be opened for receiving the mold assembly in the housing.

1 - 62 . (Cancelled).  
     
     
         63 . A method for holding a mold, wherein the mold has an optical surface and a second surface opposite the optical surface and is characterized by a radius R m , comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a first ring that has a longitudinal axis and a plurality o teeth formed in a circle, wherein the circle has a radius, R c , complementary to the radius of the mold, R m ; and    b. picking up the mold with the plurality of teeth towards the second surface of the mold to receive and hold the mold so that the optical surface of the mold is facing away from the first ring.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising the steps of: 
 c. providing a second ring that has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of teeth formed in a circle, wherein the circle has a radius, R′ c , complementary to the radius of the mold, R m ; and    d. directing the mold so that the optical surface of the mold is facing the second ring and the first ring and the second ring are co-axial;    e. pushing the first ring towards the second ring so that the second ring receives and holds the mold with the optical surface of the mold facing towards to the second ring; and    f. removing the first ring from the mold.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising the step of rotating the second ring so as to position the mold at a desired orientation.  
     
     
         66 - 67 . (Cancelled)