Demolding and delensing methods and systems in the manufacture of silicone hydrogel contact lenses

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Methods and apparatus for separating mold sections removing a lens product , from the separated mold sections and transferring the lens product to a processing tray are provided and include contacting assembled mold sections with a warm fluid to break fused portions between the mold sections and using , one or more wedge shaped elements to pry apart and separate the mold sections one from the other. A vacuum head having multiple vacuum ports is employed for lifting the newly molded lens product from a mold section and for releasing the lens from the vacuum head into a processing tray. A cylinder of flowing air directed around the circumference of the lens is effective to maintain the …