MXPA96001644A - Posthidratation method and apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packing conta lenses - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention, which relates to a post-treatment procedure for contact lenses and the packages in which the lenses are placed, includes several assemblies that are ideally suited to perform the various steps that are associated with the post-treatment procedure. These various assemblies include: a deionized water injection assembly that fills the packing elements before the lenses are inserted into them, a lens transfer and insert assembly that removes contact lenses from hydration paddles, alters their distribution spatial storage and deposit in the packaging elements, a temporary storage station, including segregating and integrating devices, and providing a site to temporarily retain a group of lens packaging pallets during the interruption of subsequent assemblies; and inspection of low vibration lens packaging that removes the pallets from a conveyor line, inserts them onto the low vibration inspection assembly conveyor line, and inspects the lenses to determine which are optically correct, a deionized water extraction assembly that removes the deionized water from the packing elements of the A first rotating lens packaging transport assembly that removes the lens packaging elements from the pallet and deposits those that are optically correct on a consolidation conveyor line, a consolidation conveyor line and a packaging transport assembly. rotating lens, the former consolidating the lenses into regular arrangements, and the latter by rotating them and transporting them to the final station, and an assembly of saline injection and foil wrap sealing, which fills the packages with saline and then seals with heat a foil wrap to the tops of the packing elements

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS OF POSTHIDRATACIQN TO TRANSPORT. INSPECT AND PACK CONTACT LENSES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUEST The present invention is a continuation in part of the previous application "Automated Apparatus and Method for Preparing Contact Tenses for Inspection and Packaging" (Automated Apparatus and Method for Preparing Contact Lenses for Inspection and Packaging), U.S.S. H .0 & / 2S & , 557 (VTN-0066) which has also been assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. - Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of manufacture of contact lenses. Very particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus that removes contact lenses from a first series of vanes, inserts them into corresponding packaging elements of a second series of vanes, and transports the lens packing elements to inspection assemblies. and final packaging sealing. 2. - Description of the Previous Technique The molding of contact lenses is described in the patent of E.U.A. No. 4, 495,313 to Larsen; patent of E.U.A. No. 4,640.4 &9 of Larsen et al .; patent of E.U.A. No. 4,660,336 to Larsen et al .; patent of E.U.A. No. 4, ñß9, ó64 of Larsen and others; and patent of E.U.A. No. 5,039,459 to Larsen et al., All of which have been assigned to the assignee of the present invention. These prior art references describe a method of producing contact lenses wherein each lens is formed by sandwiching a monomer or mixture of monomers between an anterior curve (bottom) mold section and a posterior curve (upper) mold section. , carried in an arrangement of two by four molds. The polymer is polymerized, thus forming a lens that is then removed from the mold sections and subsequently treated in a hydration batch and packaged for use by the consumer. The patents of E.U.A. Nos. 5,0fi0,639 and 5,094,609 describe respectively a method for hydrating contact lenses and a chamber for hydrating contact lenses formed with a monomer or monomer mixtures described in the above patents. The process described in these patents significantly reduces the production time by hydrating the lens and releasing the lens from the mold cavity with deionized water and a small amount of surfactant without any salt, so that neutralization does not occur during the hydration process. ionic ion of the polymer from which the preform is made, which consumes time. When deionized water is used, the final step in the procedure is to introduce pH regulated saline into the final package with the lens and then seal the lens inside the package to achieve the final lens balance (ion neutralization, final hydration. and final lens dimension) in the packaging at ambient temperature or during sterilization. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4,961,620, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a final package for a contact lens, wherein the package is formed from a transparent plastic material such as polypropylene and a sheet metal laminate which is heat sealed to my mo. While the patents of E.U.A. 5,060, "539 and 5,094,609 contemplate that the entire process of hydration and transfer to the final package can take place in a fully automated manner described in the prior patents, and while the chamber and method described in the prior patents allowed for automated manipulation of the lens during hydration, the automated equipment suitable for transporting the lenses at high production speeds and keeping the waste rates of manufactured lenses low because the delay and debridement of the lenses had not been readily available or taught by the anior ior technique.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A manufacturing assembly line may include an apparatus for the manufacture of a product and packaging therefor. In addition, an apparatus that is directed to the insertion of the product in the packaging and / or to the inspection of the product can be provided. In addition, recent developments in the inspection of contact lenses produced in accordance with the above methods has allowed the. inspection of automated lenses, as taught in U.S.S.N. 06 / 994,564, entitled "Lens Inspection Method and Apparatus" (Method and Apparatus of Inspection of Lenses) (VTN 0037) (Case of Representative 9275) assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In addition, recent developments in hydration and automated manipulation of wet contact lenses, as taught in U.S.S.N. 06 / 256,556, entitled "Automated Method and Apparatus for Hydrating Soft Contact Lenses" (Automatic Method and Apparatus for Moisturizing Soft Contact Lenses) (VTN-0074) (Proxy Case 6996), also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, It has allowed the automatic robotic manipulation of lenses during hydration, and before the inspection of the same by the automated lens inspection system.

Automated manufacturing procedures often include steps that are particularly sensitive to interruption. For example, with respect to the manufacture of the contact lens mold sections, the successful molding of thermoplastic elements having sufficiently good optical surfaces requires that the temperature fluctuations in the molding station remain stable. However, other devices of the manufacturing line are subject to frequent interruption; that require supplying materials again, replacing parts, etc. For example, materials for the manufacture of packaging materials can be supplied in segmented rolls that, once they are exhausted, must be replaced. The design of a manufacturing line, which includes appliances of both types, should provide temporary storage areas in which the parts that are being manufactured with only one appliance can be temporarily maintained as another is interrupted for a short time. Therefore, one. The goal of those skilled in the art is to provide one or more temporary storage area accumulators to be used in manufacturing lines to regularize said fluctuations. Again, with respect to the manufacture of contact lenses, recent developments are described in U.S.S.N. 06 / 256,557, entitled "Automated Apparatus and Method for Preparing Contact Lenses for Inspection and Packaging" (Automated Apparatus and Method for Preparing Contact Lenses for Inspection and Packaging "(VTN-0066) (Proxy Case 9010), also assigned to the transferee of the present invention, in which a temporary storage station is incorporated into the production line, for the purpose of allowing the continuous function of some appliances, while other appliances are interrupted. The specification of USSN 06 / 256,557 is incorporated Here by reference, the present invention is directed to the portion of the contact lens assembly line in which: a pallet of packing elements is filled with an amount of deionized water; a series of contact lenses, which have been molded, hydrated and washed, they are removed from a pallet and inserted into the respective packing elements, the combined series of packing and lent elements they are respectively transported to a temporary storage station; the series of elements are transferred to a low vibration conveyor belt line; contact lenses are inspected for faults; the deionized water is removed from the packages; the combined elements are removed from their pallets, the packages containing defective lenses are deposited on a conveyor belt that deposits the elements in a collection tank, and the packages that contain correct lenses are deposited in a line of correct lenses; the lenses of the correct lens line are consolidated in a regular arrangement and transported in a pallet; and a quantity of saline solution is introduced into the packages and a sheet cover is heat sealed to the package. Very specifically, with respect to the assemblies which carry out the above-introduced process, and which encompass the apparatus of the present invention, the deionized water injector assembly is a device for injecting an amount of deionized water into the packaging elements in a lollipop. This deionized water injector assembly is mounted above a conveyor belt line along which regularly arranged packaging element pallets are transported from a far manufacturing site to a second site where they receive contact lenses. The spatial distribution of the regular arrangement of the packing elements is specifically set to equalize the optical arrangement in the inspection station. The lens removal and insert assembly of the present invention is a lens transfer device that raises lenses of hydration vanes in a first site and deposits them, together with an additional dose of deionized water, to the packaging elements in a second site. In addition to transferring the lenses, the device also alters the spatial distribution of the lenses from their orientation on the hydration vanes to an orientation corresponding to the packing elements (and the lens inspection station). Very especially, with respect to the means by which the lenses are extracted from the hydration vanes and transferred to the packing elements, the hydration vanes comprise a series of concave depressions in which the lenses are arranged, together with a amount of deionized water. The bottom of the depressions comprises at least one hole through which a fluid can be expelled, lifting the lens therein out of the depressions. The lens transfer assembly comprises a series of elongated projection elements extending downwardly, each projection member having a convex lens transfer surface on which the raised lens can be secured by surface tension. The convex lens transfer surface of the projection is further designed with an annular skirt elevated around the tip which prevents the lens from moving out of the desired position during transfer. The lens that has been transferred to the convex lens transfer surfaces on the projections of the lens transfer device may have air bubbles on its exposed surface. Small bubbles, if allowed to remain on the surface of the lens through the inspection procedure, may interfere with proper inspection, and cause the lens to be determined improperly as defective and be discarded unnecessarily. At least one jet of air is blown over each lens to eliminate air bubbles from its outer surface.

The projections of the lens transfer assembly are displayed in rows on parallel beams that are slidably mounted on guide rails. The parallel beams are coupled together by means of piston / cylinder elements, and pulled together once the lenses have been removed and the bubble blowing step has been carried out. This action alters the relative spacing of the lenses with respect to an axis, whereby the lenses will be arranged to match the arrangement provided by a lens inspection palette. The lens transfer assembly is then linearly translated to the second site, towards position above the inspection pallet. The projections of the lens transfer assembly are further designed with an inner conduit, extending from a small hole in the lens transfer surface of the projection to a reservoir of deionized water, through which deionized water can be selectively expelled. With the projections, and the lenses secured thereto, in a position above the packings, a small jet of deionized water is expelled through each hole, decoupling contact lenses from the lens transfer surfaces therein. and depositing them in the packages that were loaded in the inspection bearer. The pallet and packing elements that now contain contact lenses are then transported through a conveyor belt to a temporary storage station. Very specifically, the pallets are transported to a segregation apparatus that directs alternate pallets on parallel conveyor lines. The conveyor lines extend a sufficient distance, from their first ends to their far ends, in such a way that a significant temporary delay can be accommodated and the lenses can be stored without having to stop the molding line which requires a time of long start The temporary storage station taught in U.S.S.N. 6/256, 55 /, entitled "Automated Apparatus and Method for Prepapng Contact Lenses for Inspection and Packaging" (Automatic Apparatus and Method for Preparing Contact Lenses for Inspection and Packaging), is located after the inspection station, in a point of the manufacturing line in which the packages containing the lenses have been drained of deionized water. Devoid of a liquid environment, let the lenses rest no more than 1? minutes »before rejecting them. Moving from the temporary storage station to a point on the line where the lenses are in a bath of deionized water allows indefinite retention without damaging the lenses. At the far end of the temporary storage station, at the ends of the parallel conveyor lines along which the pallets can be stored, there is an integrating assembly that integrates alternate pallets of two conveyor lines to continue to the next station. More specifically, the parallel conveyor lines of the temporary storage station have mounted at their end (the end towards which the pallets are transported), a device that selectively fuses the two paddle streams to pass over the next conveyor belt. In the mode of the temporary storage station which is described very particularly below with respect to the figures, the conveyor lines that transport the pallets to the temporary storage station and which extend after the temporary storage station are collinear and immediately "adjacent" to a first of the two parallel conveyor lines. Therefore, the segregating device first allows a single palette to advance over the first line dt? temporary storage and then transfer the next pallet to the second parallel temporary storage line »In a similar but inverse way, the integrating device operates by allowing a pallet of the first line of temporary stacking to pass, then transporting a pallet dt? the second temporary storage line to the conveyor line that continues beyond the station d «? temporary storage so it can continue, and then start again allowing the next pallet to pass the first temporary storage line.

In alternative variations of this apparatus, the segregating and integrating devices continuously or selectively divide and consolidate the vane stream along the two temporary storage lines. In the first variation, the vane flow is divided by the separator and is consolidated by the integrator at all times during the operation of the manufacturing line. In the alternate variation, the segregator and integrator are hooked only under circumstances in which subsequent stations have been interrupted. The segregator of this alternative variation would operate only during interrupted times; the integrator would work after resuming the subsequent assemblies until there are no more pallets on the second temporary storage line. It is understood that there is a variety of alternative temporary storage algorithms that the segregator and iptegrator devices can use to separate and join the pallets, all of which are equivalent in function and exist within the scope of this invention. The vane stream that continues at the temporary storage station is transported to a collection site. On this site the pallets are lifted from the conveyor line by a low vibration blade transfer assembly and placed on a low vibration conveyor belt. The low vibration conveyor belt transports the pallets through the inspection station where a determination of the optical properties of the hydrated and packaged lenses is made. It is understood that proper inspection of the lenses may not occur if the perceived optical properties of the lenses are distorted by air bubbles that have adhered to the surface of the lenses. The waves and alterations within deionized water dt? The packaging has a similar distortion effect, producing false determinations of defects. Therefore, the low vibration conveyor line provides means to minimize the distortions that are produced by alterations in the water. However, it is understood that in order to maintain the same flow velocity of the product through the system, the reduction in the velocity of the paddle current along the vibration conveyor line ba a must be compensated for by a corresponding increase in the density of the pallets that move along it. The vibration vane transfer assembly therefore places successive vanes adjacent to one another on the vibration line ba a, such that the space between the vanes is substantially reduced from the previous conveyor lines. The determination of the degree of optical correction of each lens in each pallet is stored in the memory of a controller / processor in such a way that subsequently means can be used to separate the correct lens from the defective one. However, first the pallets containing packages filled with deionized water are transported to a water extraction assembly. Only after the degree of optical correction of the lenses has been determined can the appropriate saline solution be introduced into the package. The delay in the introduction of the saline until after the lenses have been inspected allows the line to proceed much faster, as indicated above, since the optical and physical characteristics of the lens require several hours in the saline solution. to balance It is understood that this balance is advantageously carried out in sealed packages, once the lenses have been removed from the manufacturing line. At the inspection station, a beam of light or pulse is directed from sources onto the lens packages, is received by a vertical lens unit, and directed and focused on a screen to produce a lens image. The image is converted to an electrical information signal that is processed to determine if the lens is acceptable for use by the consumer. The lens ejection results are stored in the programmable logic controller that coordinates the subsequent consolidation and transfer assemblies. After the inspection, the pallets are lifted in a water extraction assembly that is mounted above the conveyor line. A device for extracting deionized water from packages containing contact lenses is taught in U.S.S.N. 06/999, 234 entitled "Solution Removal Nozzle", which has also been assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Once the water has been removed, the packages are transported along the conveyor line to a lens packing collection point. On this site the packages are lifted by a pallet lens packaging transfer assembly and moved to alternative conveyor lines. Very particularly, there are alternative variations of the lens packing transfer assembly; a first in which the lens packing elements are removed from all the pallets, in which only those packages containing a correct lens are removed. It is understood that the first variation transports the packages on a reject conveyor line, and pauses during transportation to deposit any incorrectly formed lenses and the packages in which they are deposited. The assembly then transports the remaining correctly formed lenses and gaskets to the correct lens carrier line. In the second variation, the lens packet transfer assembly removes only properly formed lenses and packages from the pallets and transports them to the correct lens carrier line. Any rejected lenses are then removed from the inspection vanes in a subsequent collection procedure. In any variation, it is understood that the determinations made by the inspection assembly, which were stored in memory by the processor / controller here are driven by the lens packing transfer assembly. Very specifically, with respect to the lens packing transfer assembly, a series of folded projections that extend downward from a vacuum manifold first are placed directly above the packages on a pallet. Lowering from one position from the top, bringing the tips of the projections into contact with the packages and producing a vacuum in an internal open volume, the packages are secured to the lens packet transfer assembly. As indicated above, the processor / controller can control the selective collection of the op- tional lens packaging correctly, or the assembly can collect all the lens packages. In any case, the desired lens packages are transported to the correct lens carrier line, where the vacuum is released and the lens packages are dropped from the tips of the projections. Whatever the case may be, the arrangement of lens packages that are ultimately deposited on the correct lens carrier line are not necessarily in a regular arrangement, as they were on the pallet (having removed the improperly formed lens packing elements). The line of correct lens packing elements, therefore, also performs a consolidation function, whereby the lens packages are brought back together in a regular distribution. Very specifically, the conveyor line carries the items to separate pen structures. A first lens package is transported between the converging guide rails (which align the lens packing along an axis of motion), and toward a pen. The first inline lens package is stopped by a gate at the far end. The next lens pack follows the first and is stopped when it comes into contact with the first one. Once a predetermined number of lens packages has entered the pen, and a regular arrangement of lens packaging has been established, the lens packages are removed from the conveyor line and deposited on a final packaging pallet. Most particularly, the lens packing elements are removed from the pen, towards which they have been directed by a conveyor line, by rotating the lens packing transfer assembly. That assembly comprises an arrangement of folded projections similar in many respects to those of the lens packing transfer assembly, which lifts the array of lens packing elements and places them on pallets. The assembly further includes a rotating movement that rotates the arrangement of elements to equalize the orientation of the pallets used for primary packaging.

Once the lens packing elements have been deposited on the pallets, they enter a saline and sealing dose assembly. Very specifically, the stalls are moved in increments to their position below a saline deposition unit. That unit comprises a row of fluid dispensers that fill the packages with saline solution. As the paddles are brought into correspondence in increments below the fluid dispensers, a saline solution regulated in its pH is injected into each of the packages and each of the lenses begins its equilibrium procedure, equalizing the tonicity of a human eye (which has an equivalent salinity). Once the packages have been filled with saline, the paddles continue forward and are sealed with a foil wrap. Most particularly, with respect to the device that applies and seals the foil wrapper to the package, an elongated section of the foil wrapping material is advanced through a printer (to print information related to particular lens specifications). The sheet is then cut into sections that are imensioned to be coupled through the upper portions of a packing element arrangement. The sheet sections and the lens packing assemblies are advanced in alignment with one another. A vacuum holding head holds a section of sheet and lowers the packing elements, placing the section in contact with them. Once the foil wrapping is in place, a sealing mechanism is brought into contact with the packaging and heat sealing the packaging foil in a single short-cycle high-temperature sealing operation. The sealed packages are then advanced beyond the sealing assembly where they can be stored during equilibration, and finally packaged for distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and assemblies of the present invention set forth in the above brief description of an automated apparatus for combining such as inspecting and sealing contact lenses and packing elements can be more readily understood by one skilled in the art with reference to the following detailed description of Preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are designated by identical reference numerals in all various views in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packing element into which a blank can be inserted; contact lens, which serves both as a lens receptacle during inspection and as a portion of the primary contact lens package. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an inspection pallet used to convey a plurality of the packing elements illustrated in Figure 1 through the various assemblies and stations of the present invention. Figures 3a and 3b are elevational views, side and front views respectively, of an apparatus that fills packing elements on a pallet with an amount of degassed deionized water. Figure 4 is a top view of the hydration paddle in which the hydrated and washed lenses are presented in a first site. Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are side, top and perspective views, respectively, of the lens insertion and transfer assembly that removes the molded contact lenses from the hydration paddle, alters their relative spacing and places the lens. contact in the packing elements. Figure 6 is a side view of a projection element of the lens transfer and insertion assembly in which the lenses are arranged. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an air expulsion fluid removal mechanism for removing bubbles from the outer surface of contact lenses. Figure 6 is a top view of the vane transfer unit that transfers paired pairs of the lens transfer conveyor line to the temporary storage conveyor line. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the temporary storage station through which the pallets carrying the lens packing elements are directed. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the segregating device that is deposited at the entrance to the temporary storage station. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the integrating device that is disposed at the output of the temporary storage station. Figure 12 is a general view showing the assembly station sites of the post hydration apparatus of the present invention, including the inspection station and the deionized water extraction assembly. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the low vibration blade transfer assembly that transports the blades that carry the lens packing elements of the conveyor line to the low vibration inspection conveyor line. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the first rotating lens packing transfer assembly that removes the packages and lenses from the inspection vanes and deposits the optically correct lens packages on the correct packaging and lens conveyor line. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the correct packaging and lens conveyor line that further serves to consolidate the lens packaging elements in a regular arrangement. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the second rotating lens packer assembly that removes regular arrangements of the lens packaging assemblies from the correct packaging and lens conveyor line and deposits them on pallets for saline injection and sealing with foil wrap. Figure 17 is a conceptual diagrammatic illustration of the saline injector and the foil wrap sealing assembly. Figure 16 is a side view of the saline injector and the foil wrapped seal assembly. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the saline injection sub-assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention was designed for (and is particularly adapted for) used in the post-hydration processing section of an automated contact lens production facility. Contact lenses molded in an automated production line, such as the one described in the co-pending application U.S.S.N. 06 \ 256, 654, entitled "Consolidated Contact Lens Moiding" (VTN-0772) (Attorney Docket 9016); hydrated in the hydration system as described in U.S.S.N. 06 \ 256,556, entitled "Auto ated Method and Apparatus for Hydratmg Soft Contact Lenses"; and automatically inspected as described in 06X994,564, entitled "Lens Inspection Method and Apparatus" are particularly benefited by the present invention. The present invention will be described herein with respect to its specific assemblies and apparatuses, and to the figures that illustrate these characteristics. Very specifically, the present invention will be described with reference to the following various assemblies: First, the deionized water injection assembly that fills the packing elements before the lenses are inserted therein; Second, the lens transfer and insert assembly that receives the lenses from the hydration paddle, alters its spatial distribution and injects packing elements into them; Third, the temporary storage station, and the segregating and integrating devices included therein, which provide a temporary storage region for temporary holding of a group of lens packaging pallets during the interruption of subsequent assemblies; Fourth, low vibration lens packaging water transport, inspection and removal assemblies that remove the inspection pallets from a conveyor line and insert them into the low inspection assembly conveyor line, determines which lens packaging is optically correct , and then remove the deionized water from the packages; Fifth, the lens packet transfer assembly, which removes the lens packaging elements from the pallet and deposits those lens packages that have been determined to be optically correct on a correct packaging and lens conveyor line. Sixth, the correct packaging and lens conveyor line and the lens packing transfer assembly, said conveyor line consolidating the optically correct lens packaging elements into regular arrangements, and the lens packing transfer assembly extracts the disposables and rotates the elements in the horizontal plane, and transports them to another line of pallets; and Seventh, the saline injector and foil wrap seal assemblies, which introduce the appropriate saline solution to the lens packing elements and heat seal a foil label over the top of the packing element for shipping and identification .

DEIONIZED WATER INJECTION ASSEMBLY Referring now to Figure 1, a suitable packaging element 10 is illustrated in a perspective view.

The packing element 10 is described more fully in the copending application U.S.S.N. 995,607, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The packaging element 10 can be formed by injection molding or can be thermally formed from plastic sheet material, such as polypropylene. The packaging element 10 includes a platform portion 12 of substantially rectangular shape, which can be visually divided into laterally distinct portions 14a and 14b, by means of matching slots 16a and 16b that are formed on opposite sides of the platform portion. . The first portion 14a defines a concave depression that is particularly well adapted to receive therein and transport a contact lens and fluid. The second portion 14b is generally flat, providing an ideal site for contact with vacuum lifting means in that it provides a stable surface against which it sits. The package carrier is further defined by a portion of wall 16 that descends at an angle, outward and downward from the platform portion 12 at one end thereof, forming an angular flange member. Descending down the corners of the platform portion 12, at opposite ends thereof, there is a pair of correspondence tabs 20 and 22, only one of which can be seen in Figure 1. The correspondence tabs 20 and 22 are used, together with the angular flange 16 and the matching slots 16a and 16b, to align the element 10 during robotic manipulation. In particular, slots 16a and 16b are provided on each side of platform 12 whereby they can cooperate with matching pins on vane carrier vanes. The flange structures 16, 20 and 22 coincide with the topolopic structure of the vanes on which the packaging elements are disposed, providing therein additional securing means for retaining the element on the vane. As indicated above, the first portion 14a of the platform includes a curved depression 24 which is of essentially semispherical configuration, generally conforming to a curvilinear shape of a contact lens (not shown). Therefore, contact lenses are adapted to be stored in depression 24, in a sealed condition while immersed in a suitable sterile aqueous solution, in a manner similar to that described in US Pat. No. 4,691,620 of Martinez: that has been assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The perpendicular extension of the wall portion 16 descending outwardly and downwardly of the platform member 12 to the height or depth of the depression 24 providing in the same self-ineffectiveness of the packing element. The concave depression 24 also includes a plurality of small gripping marks 26 that are used to assist in retaining a contact lens in the centered position of the depression 24 during the removal of deionized water in the deionized water extraction assembly that will be described more fully below, with reference to the corresponding figures below. The outer edge of the depression 24 includes a raised annular rim 26 which is provided to increase the heat sealing efficiency of the foil label in the foil seal assembly that seals contact lenses and packing elements for commercial distribution . A cut 30 is used to facilitate securing the foil wrapper when it is removed by a consumer to access and use the lens contained therein. Referring now to Figure 2, an inspection palette on which the packing elements are transported to the deionized water injection assembly, through the lens transfer assembly, the lens inspection assembly and the deionized water extraction assembly, to the lens packaging transfer assembly, is shown in a perspective view. The pallet 40 includes first and second parallel rows 42, 44 of cavities 46 which are configured to receive the lower side of the depression 24 of the packing element 10. The parallel row 42, 44 of cavities are separated by a channel 46 which is defined by two walls 50a, 50b. The wall corresponding to the row 44 descends downwards and outwards, the angle of the slope being specifically fixed to receive flatly thereon a descending wall portion 16 of each packing element 10 arranged in the row 44. The edge outer 54 of row 42 is similarly inclined to receive thereon the wall portions 16 of the packaging elements 10 arranged in row 44. The pallet is further provided with a pair of elongated slots 56,56 for receiving the correspondence tabs 20,22 of the packaging element. The slots corresponding to 56.56 also provide a positive clamping surface for transferring means that lift, rotate and transport the pallet. In addition, the pallet 40 includes pins corresponding to 52 that engage the packing elements on the side edges. These correspondence pins 52 engage the mail slots 16a, 16b of the packaging elements 10 to provide additional accuracy in their correspondence, specifically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pallet. The combination of inclined walls 50b and 54, grooves 56, 56, and corresponding pins 52, each of which engages corresponding features of the packing elements, provides particularly effective means for securing against rotational bias. The inspection vane 10 is also provided with three registration openings 60, on either side of the vane 40, which are used by means associated with assemblies of the present invention to transport and lock the vane in place during the operation thereof. . As suggested in Figure 2, the packaging elements 10 are manufactured in series of 16, and are deposited on pallets 40 in predetermined arrangements, typically 2 X 6. The pallets and packages are transported, through the conveyor line , to the deionized water injection assembly in series of two, oriented to define between them an arrangement that is 4 X 6. Referring now to Figures 3a and 3b, deionized water injection assembly 100 is shown in a view anterior and side view. This assembly 100 comprises four separate elements: a water dispenser head 110; a series of vertically oriented coordinated stops 120a, b; a palette location device 130; and a water flow drainage unit 140. The water dispenser head 110 is moved up and down with respect to a conveyor line 102 and the paddles 40 ther The vertically oriented coordinated stops 120a, b are used to stop the advance of the vanes 40, and feed a pair of vanes per cycle. The pallet locator device 130 receives the pair of pallets that are advancing 40, advances itself and the pallets horizontally to a first water assortment site, then to a second assortment site. Once the packages have been filled, after the second site, the pallet locator device 130 is moved vertically, which allows the pallets 40 to continue the advance along the conveyor belt 102. The locator device 130 tilts downwardly. of the conveyor line, vertically aligned with the water supply head 110, to trap the waste water from the spout. As illustrated in figure 3a, the series of vertically oriented stops 120a, b coordinate the pallets 40 forward, before dosing them. Each of the stops 120a, b includes a vertically aligned plate 122 having one of its facial planes perpendicular to the axis of movement of the conveyor line 102. The plate 122 is coupled to a cylinder / c cylinder 124, whose selective vertical drive makes advancing the plate 122 in the stream of vanes 40 advancing along the conveyor line 102. As illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the deionized water dispenser head 110 includes a horizontally arranged tilting support plate 112. The support plate 112 has 16 holes 116 arranged in a 4 X 4 matrix. The upper part of the plate 112 receives a series of 16 flexible hoses 114, for example Tygon tube or other fluid conduit, for supplying deionized water to a series of 16 elongated narrow Teflon tubes 116 extending downwardly from the bottom of the plate 112 and are particularly well adapted to deliver precise doses of deionized water therethrough. Teflon is a particularly desirable material for such use since water generally does not adhere to Teflon surfaces in large droplets that may fall off at inappropriate times in the deposition cycle. The plate 112 is coupled, on a side edge, to a piston / c 11 indro 111, which can be operated to raise and lower the head 110 (and Teflon tubes 116) in accordance with a predetermined deposition cycle of deionized water which is described more fully later. Below the conveyor line, vertically aligned with the water supply head 130, it is a water drainage unit 140 which is arranged to trap any excess water that may emanate from the jet during the purge cycle or erroneous feedings of the water. cycle. The water draining unit comprises a sump 142 having an inclined base, forming therein a funnel shape, directing the water thereof to the hole 144 in the base. The hole 144 is coupled to a drain pipe 146 that carries the drainage water away from the assembly to a remote location. The fourth element of the deionized water injection assembly 100 comprises a vane locator device 130. This element receives a pair of pallets 40 that are advancing and first holds them in position below the deposition head 10 in a first position so that the first 16 depressions 24 of the packaging elements can be filled with deionized water. Once the first 16 depressions 24 have been filled, the pallet locator device 130 is horizontally moved to a second position, thus relocating the pallets 40 to a second position below the deposition head 110. In this position, the second 16 depressions 40 of the pair of vanes 40 receive an amount of deionized water. Once the second water deposition step takes place, the matching device releases the pallets, rises to allow the pallets to advance below it and tilts to the pallet locating site (the first site). Very specifically with respect to the elements of the pallet locating device 130, the locating device comprises a pair of spaced arms 131, 132 extending laterally through the conveyor line 102, and which are ideally spaced apart to receive and retain pairs of pallets. 40 that advance to the conveyor line 102. The arms 131, 132 are coupled at their lateral ends 133 to a vertically oriented piston / cylinder 134 that raise and lower the arms 132 in accordance with the time of the deposition cycle. In addition to the piston / cylinder 134 vertically oriented, the arms 131, 132 are coupled together by means of an elongate pole member 135 and a piston / cylinder 136 vertically oriented. The drive of the piston / cylinder 136 causes the arms to move relative to one another. Specifically, the arm 131, which is located in front of the deposition head, upstream of the deposition head with respect to the flow of the conveyor line 102, remains stationary as the other arm 132 is directed downstream of the head of deposition 110, moving the pair of vanes 40 therein, towards the second deposition position. During the operation of all the assembly functions according to a predetermined time regulation program with the advance of a pair of pallets 40 along the conveyor line 102, towards the assembly. Once * a pair of paddles 40 have passed the first of the coordinated vertical stops 120a, the plates 122 are raised, so that the additional paddles 40 can be restricted to continue towards the water dosing site. The two pallets 40 continue to advance until they reach the second of the vertical stops 120b, at which point the pallet locating device 130 descends to its position holding the pallet in the first deposition position. Then deionized water is injected through the Teflon tubes 116 into the first 16 depressions 24 of the vanes. Once the water has been injected, the vertical stop 120b is retracted and the horisontally orientated p iston / c i 1 indro 136 of the locating device 130 is actuated, thus advancing the vanes 40 to the second deposition position. Once the second sene of 16 depressions 24 has been filled with deionized water, the arms 131, 1332 are lifted by the piston / cylinder 134 vertically oriented, and the piston / cylinder 136 horizontally oriented retracts. Once the first pair of pallets 40 have advanced past the assembly 100, the vertical stop 120a is lowered to allow the next pair of pallets through the assortment station, and the second series of vertical stops 120b to be lifted. After the second palette pairs have advanced, the vertical stops 120b are raised to prevent the next pallets 40 from entering, and the cycle is repeated. Once the packaging elements 10 have each received an amount of deionized water, the packaging elements and the pallets are transferred along the conveyor line to a lens loading site where each depression 24 receives a lens of contact by a load assembly described later.

ASSEMBLY OF TRANSFER AND INSERTION OF LENSES Referring now to Figure 4, a hydration paddle 200 of contact lenses is shown in a top view where the imaginary lines correspond to internal structures of the hydration paddle. The hydration paddle 200 comprises 32 semi-spherical depressions 202 in which the contact lenses are transported through a series of extraction stations, which are described more fully in the copending application U.S.S.N. 06 \ 256,556, entitled "Auto ated Method and Apparatus for Hydrating Soft Contact Lenses" (Method and Automated Apparatus for Hydrating Contact Lenses), also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The hydration paddle 200 has a plurality of conduits 206 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the paddle. These conduits 206 are coupled, by means of internal branch conduits 206, to small holes 204, one of which is disposed at the bottom of each depression 202, at the bottom thereof. The holes 204 are thus coupled in gas and / or fluid flow communication with an external supply, by which a fluid or gas can be selectively introduced between the surface of the depressions 2 2 and a lens disposed therein. The selective introduction of this gas or fluid, through the hole 204, is used to push the lenses upwards so that they can adhere to the corresponding convex lens attachment surface of the projection elements of the transfusion assembly. lenses as described later. Referring now to Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, contact lens transfer assembly 210 is shown in side, top and perspective views, respectively. The assembly 210 generally comprises a head element 240 and a mounting unit 220 that linearly translates a double axis. First, with respect to the mounting unit 220 which linearly translates a double ee, a mounting bracket 222 is coupled on its lower horizontal surface 222a to the head element 240. The mounting bracket 222 in turn is mounted to an element of base 224, in connection with which, the mounting bracket 222 can be lifted or lowered by means of a vertically oriented translation mechanism. It is understood that a variety of means for raising and lowering the mounting bracket 222 including an articulated robot can be employed. However, a preferred mechanism comprises a ball screw driver 110 for reciprocally moving the head from one position to another. As illustrated in Figure 5c, the base member 224 is mounted on a horizontal rail 226, along which it is moved in accordance with the driving means drive. In Figure 5c, it is shown that the drive means 226 is a ball screw, however, it is understood that a variety of alternative translation means may be employed to provide an equivalent function. For example, the translation means may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic piston / ci 1 indro device, or may comprise a scissor arm assembly. The ball screw is preferred for its precision, mechanical simplicity, long-term operating capacity and efficiency. With respect to the head element 240, a coupling element 242 is fixed at its upper end to the lower surface of the mounting bracket 222. The lower end of the coupling element 242 is made to coincide with a pair of guide plates 244 which they are substantially parallel and are kept in separate relation to one another by means of transverse bars. Slidably mounted on the transverse bars 246, also in spaced relation to one another, are a series of four horizontal support beams 246. The support beams 246 are slidably mounted on the transverse bars 246 so that they can be pulled together or separated. according to its proper location. The means by which support beams 246a ~ d can move in relation to one another are provided by a pair of pistons / ilindros 250, 252. The embodiment of Figure 5b shows that the first piston / cylinder 250 is coupled to the two internal beams 246b, c, and the second piston / cylinder 252 is coupled to the two external beams 246a, d. As shown in Figure 5b, the second piston / cylinder ndro is directly matched to a bracket 254 on one of the external beams 246a, and is matched to a link plate 256 that couples the piston / cylinder 252 with the bracket. 260 which is fixed to the external beam 246d. The first piston / cylinder 250 is directly coupled to the brackets 262a, 262b which in turn are made to coincide with the two internal beams 246b, c. Extending downward from each support beam 246a-d there is a plurality of projection elements 264, to which the lenses adhere during the transfer. In the preferred embodiment, there are 32 projections 264, mounted in a 4 X 6 array of four beams and eight projections per beam, which correspond to the 32 depressions 202 of the lens hydration paddle 200. Selective drive of the pistons / cylinders 250,252, which causes the beams to move in relation to one another, causes the relative spacing of the projection elements 264 to be altered. Referring now also to Figure 6, a side view of a projection member 264 is provided. The projection member 264 comprises an elongated shape having a convex lens attachment surface 266, the curve of the surface 266 corresponding generally to the curvature of the concave surface of a contact lens. A central hole 266 extends through the projection 264 from the top 270 to the lens transfer surface 266. This hole 266 is included for the selective ejection of a fluid therethrough, where said fluid may be water deionized, as will be described below with respect to the deposition of a lens in a corresponding packing element 40. The end of each projection 264 includes an annular slotted skirt 272 that separates the shape of the curve from the lens transfer surface 266 of the generally cylindrical arrow portion 274 of the projection 264. This grooved skirt 272, which includes vertically oriented alternating grooves 272a and skirt elements 272b helps retain the lens on the fixing surface 266 and prevents it from slipping, otherwise move from your position. The vertically aligned slots 1 2a are designed to provide a channel through which a fluid or gas that is directed upward into the lens transfer surface can flow smoothly. Facepiece elements 272b are provided to prevent a contact lens from slipping off the lens transfer surface when said fluid or gas is directed onto the surface. A circular mounting disc 271 is disposed above the cylindrical arrow of the projection 264, in a remote position of the tip 266. The mounting disc can be coupled to the upper or lower surface of the corresponding support beam 246, Such that the upper part of the projection 264 can be coupled to an external supply of fluid such as deionized water with the lens transfer surface 266 extending downwards. In any case, the upper portions 270 of the projections 264 are coupled to the tubes 273, which are preferably flexible, and which can selectively supply fluids such as air or deionized water to the central hole 266 according to the predetermined operation of the assembly. As illustrated in Figure 5c, during operation a hydration paddle is advanced along the lens transport line 275 to a position directly below the lens transfer assembly 210. The linear translation assembly unit Double axis 220 lowers the head arrangement 240 so that the lens transfer surfaces of the projections 264 are located directly above the depressions 202 of the vane. Once in position, a quantity of air is directed through the conduits 206,206 in the plate. This air causes the contact lenses to float from the depressions and pass to the lens fixing surfaces 266 of the projections 264. As the lenses have been carried on the pallet through the various extraction stations before arriving to the lens transfer assembly 210, the lenses and depressions 2 2 of the vane have residual deionized water therein. The deionized water helps the lens adhere to the surface 266 of the projection 264 by means of surface tension. Although the lens will adhere to the curved lens attachment surface 266 with or without additional surfactant, a surfactant may be added to more efficiently wet the surfaces together / promote lens retention due to the surface tension of the deionized water and the surrounding atmospheric pressure. In the transfer, it is convenient to locate each of the projection tips 266 within 1.5 mm of the lens to ensure a direct and accurate transfer. Occasionally, the outer surface of the lens may have air bubbles, in the deionized water, attached to it. If bubbles still persist, and do not dissolve, or if they are otherwise removed from the lens, subsequent inspection of the degree of optical correction of the lenses will be affected. The degassed degassed water is used in the hydration apparatus to minimize the formation of bubbles, and to ensure that air bubbles are removed from the lens surface, when the head element 240 and the projections 264 are lifted, the assembly assembly transports them to a bubble blowing unit 260 disposed between the hydration transport line 275 and the packaging element pallet line 102. Referring now to figure 7, a cross-sectional view of a projection is shown 264 carrying a lens and a depression 262 of the bubble blowing unit 260. The bubble blowing unit 260 comprises a plate 264 having a regular arrangement of depressions 262 therein. The regular arrangement of depressions 262 is designed to coincide with the space of the projections 264 of the head of the lens transfer assembly 240. The base of the depressions 262 includes a through hole 266, which forms the mouth of a conduit 266 that is extends down to the air supply means. Selective expulsion of air through the conduit is directed into the lens that adheres to the lens attaching surface 266 of the projection 264. The force of the air jet can cause the lens to travel through the fastening surface 266 , however, the slotted skirt 272 prevents the lens from sliding more than a portion of a lens radius from the center position. 4; The jet removes the bubbles from the lens surface so the inspection procedure will not falsely identify such air bubbles as fabrication errors in the lens itself. Once the bubble removal procedure has been carried out, the pistons / cylinders 250,252 are actuated to join the beams 246. This change in the relative distribution of the lenses perpendicular to the beams 246 (so the four rows of eight projections are brought close to each other, but the spatial separation of the projections within the rows remains unchanged), it is necessary because the distribution of packing elements on the inspection palette 40 is fixed according to the apparatus of Inspection station, which is not the same as the relative separation of the lenses during the molding ohdratac ion. Once the pistons / cylinders 250,252 have fixed the projections 264, and the lenses on themselves, in the appropriately distributed arrangement, the zonally oriented hop translating means 226 carries the head element 240 and the lenses to a position above the the pallet 40 on the conveyor line 102. When the lenses are located above their corresponding depressions 202, a quantity of deionized water is discharged from the tip of the projection, by means of the central hole 266, towards the space between the lens and the lens fixing surface. This amount of deionized water is sufficient to alter the adhesion by surface tension of the lens to the surface, causing the lens to be carried along with the water towards the packing element 10. The contact lenses and the lens packing elements are brought on the pair of inspection pallets 40, by the conveyor belt 102 to the next station which is the temporary storage station. The projections of the lens transfer assembly then return to its open disposition, and the head element 240 is tilted back to its receiving position above the hydration line 275, and waits for the next batch of contact lenses.

AM0RTI6UACIQN STATION (SEGREGATING AND INTEGRATING DEVICES) The manufacturing process for contact lenses is the large part determined by the handling requirements of the lenses themselves. For example, one of the most important restrictions around which all molded article handling assemblies are designed is that the optical surfaces should not be touched. The most important handling requirement for the assembly of the present is that the lenses, once they have been hydrated, should not be allowed to remain dry for more than 15 minutes.

As is the case with most manufacturing line machinery, the assemblies of the present invention, which together form the lens hydration apparatus, require periodic maintenance and / or replenishment of materials used in manufacturing. For example, the primary packing station (the saline injection and sheet wrap sealing assemblies) require periodic replacement of the foil wrapping material that is heat sealed to the packing elements. However, the performance of other assemblies is likely to be interrupted. However, the molding pentambles need to be maintained in continuous operation for the proper balance that is critical for optimum performance quantities. To ensure that certain assemblies are allowed to operate continuously, and periodic maintenance and replenishment of other stations is still provided, one or more temporary storage stations are needed. The ideal position for a temporary storage station should be one where the lenses remain in a watery environment. The temporary storage station of the present invention is located between the lens transfer assembly and the inspection station. The pallets 40, which have been filled with deionized water, and in which the contact lenses have been deposited, each define an arrangement of 2 X 6. In pairs, the pallets define an arrangement of 4 X 6. At the station lens insertion (the lens transfer assembly) the pairs of vanes are advanced from side to side; the elongated axis defined by the columns of 6 depressions, of each pallet being parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor line. Referring now to Figures 6, 9, 10 and 11, they are perspective views of the temporary storage station, including the segregating unit, and the integrating unit, respectively. As illustrated in Figure 9, the temporary storage station comprises first, second, third and fourth segments 304, 306, 312 and 316 of a conveyor line, each of which is deposited for movement of the pallets in the same direction . A segregation unit 320 is located after the first segment 304, and an integrating unit 340 is located before the fourth segment. The second and third segments 306, 312 run parallel to each other, each starting at the segregation unit 320 and ending at the integrating unit 340. A first segment 304 of the conveyor line is arranged perpendicular to the lens transfer conveyor line. 102 that advances the pallets of the lens transfer assembly, as discussed above. Referring specifically to Figure 6, the end of the lens transfer line 102 and the beginning of the first segment 304 of the temporary storage conveyor line, and the side vane transfer unit 306 which transfers the vanes 40 of the first to the last they are shown in a top view. As the pairs of paddles 40 reach the end of the lens transfer conveyor line 102 they are stopped by a guide 300. The paddles 40 are pushed by a push plate 302 of the lens transferring 102, on the first segment 304 of the temporary storage conveyor line. Particularly with respect to the movement of the thrust plate 302, the thrust plate 302 includes an arm 303 extending from its rear portion which is coupled by a driving action to a slidable member 305 that is deposited beyond the wall element 300. The selective actuation of the slidable member 305 in the forward direction provides the linear lateral movement of the push plate 302 and transfers the vanes 40 to the first segment 304 of the temporary storage conveyor line. The reverse actuation of the slidable member 305 tilts the push plate 302 to its position to receive the next pair of vanes 40. It is understood that a variety of mechanisms can be employed that provide for the proper movement of the push plate; examples being a ball screw, piston / hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic or air elements, or mechanical scissor devices. As the pairs of inspection vanes 40 are transferred to the first segment 304 of the temporary storage line, they are translated from a parallel relationship to a tandem relationship, because the segment 304 is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the transfer conveyor line. of lenses 102. Now the pair is advanced in tandem with one paddle following the other, each having its axis oriented perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the first segment 304 of the temporary storage conveyor line. The pallets 40 are advanced in tandem to a segregation unit 320 which allows alternate pallets 40, for example the first of the pairs, to advance linearly to a second segment 306 of the temporary storage conveyor line; the second segment 306 of the temporary storage conveyor line being co-limeal with the first segment 304. A vertical stop mechanism 310a, which is similar in shape and function to the vertical stop 120 of the deionized water injection assembly, is disposed before of the segregator 320 to allow only one pallet of the para towards the segregator 320. With respect to the second palette of the pairs, the segregator 320 transfers them to the third segment 312 of the temporary storage conveyor line, which runs parallel to the second segment 306. Vertical stops 310b, 310c which are arranged on the second and third segments 306,312 of the temporary storage conveyor line, are located to prevent premature advancement of the pallets 40 on the conveyor belts until the transfer is complete. The segregator 320 is continuously engaged, providing both a constant separation of individual pallets 40 from one another, and a double rail retention line for the pallets 40 during interruptions in the subsequent assemblies of the manufacturing line. The pallets 40 thus form parallel lines extending along the second and third segments 306,312 for distances determined to be sufficient to store the number of pallets 40 that will occur during normal service interruptions in the manufacturing line, such as example 20 minutes. At the far ends of the second and third segments 306,312, an integrating unit 340 is provided to fuse the two paddle streams 40 so that they can advance, in a regularly separated unit stream, along the fourth segment 316 of the storage conveyor belt. temporary, to the inspection station. Again, the vertical stops 30d, 310e are located at the ends of the segments 306,312 respectively, and are engaged to ensure that only one pallet 40 enters the integrator in a given time. The integrator 340 remains engaged during the normal operation of the manufacturing line, but is unhooked to stop the advance of any additional pallets 40 when an interruption occurs. During this time, the vanes 40 that continue to advance from the lens transfer assembly are stored in lines parallel to the second and third segments 306,312 of the temporary storage conveyor belt. Once the interruption is completed, the integrator 340 is re-engaged and merges the stored pallets into a direct current. A final vertical stop 310f is disposed at the outlet of the integrator 340 to prevent premature advance or bias on the energized conveyor belt, and to allow separation between the pallets 40 in the fourth segment 316, as they enter the inspection station . Referring specifically to Figure 10, which is a perspective view of the segregating unit, particular attention is given to the features and function of the segregator 320. A housing 321, which is an inverted L-shaped member is mounted on the edge lateral of the conveyor line, at the coupling point of the first and second segments 304,306. Extending outwardly from the L-shaped member 321 are a pair of substantially parallel guide rails 323. The rails 323 are received by a stationary plate 327 which is mounted on the outer side edge of the third segment 312 of the storage conveyor belt. temporary. A first movement plate 329 is slidably mounted on the guide rails 323 in such a way that the plane of this first plate 329 is aligned vertically and parallel to the direction of 0 movement of the conveyor belt. This first plate 329 swings from a first position between the second and third conveyor belt segments 306,312 and a second position in the stationary plate 327. A second moving plate 331 is, similarly mounted to the guide rails 323, and to drive means. (not shown) such that it can swing from a position on the outer lateral edge of the second conveyor bar segment 306 to a position between the second and third segments 306,312. The first and second plates 329,331 are maintained in a spaced apart relationship such that a pallet 40 can be transferred therebetween, from the first segment 304 to the third segment 312 under selective tilting of the plates 329,331 along the rails of guide 323. During operation, as can be inferred from Figure 10, the tilting of the plates 329,331 is selectively controlled in such a way that the alternate blades are transferred to the third segment 312. It is understood that a variety of driving means and / or Coupling means can be used to pivot the plates 329, 311 together, for example the guide rails can comprise the threading and the mounting of the plates 329, 311 for the same comprise a nut that can be translated along the guide rails 323 by the rotation of it. A separate but equivalent design includes a piston / air cylinder mounted within the L-shaped member 321 which is coupled to the driving plate 321 and tilts it. In such a design, coupling means, for example a row bar matching both plates 329, 331, can be used to subordinate the movement of the plate 329 to the movement of the driving plate 331. Referring now to Figure 11, which is a perspective view of the integrating unit, a detailed description of the characteristics and functions of the integrating unit is provided. Similar in many aspects to the segregation unit 320, the integrator is essentially the same device that operates the inverse. A housing element 341, which is L-shaped, is mounted to the outer lateral edge of the second segment 312 of the temporary storage conveyor belt. A pair of guide rails 343 extend outwardly from the housing member 341 and are received by a stationary plate 347 mounted on the outer lateral edge of the third segment 312 of the temporary tread conveyor belt. A plurality of separate movement plates 349,351 are slidable and mounted to the guide rails 343 such that the planes of these plates 349,351 are aligned vertically and in parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. The second movement plate 351 is coupled to the drive means (not shown) in such a manner that it can swing from a position on the outer lateral edge of the second conveyor segment 306 to a position between the second and third segments 306,312. The 5 first and second plates 349,351 are maintained in a separate relationship such that a pallet 40 can be transferred therebetween, from a third segment 312 to the fourth segment 316 under selective tilting of the plates 349,351 along the guide rails 343. During the operation, as can be inferred from FIG. 11, the tilting of the plates 349,351 is selectively controlled in such a manner that alternate blades, one of the second segment 306 followed by one of the third segment 312, advance to the fourth segment 316. It is understood that a variety of driving means and / or coupling means can be used to swing the plates 349,351 together, for example the guide rails 343 can be threadably coincided with a threaded hole or nut in the plates 349,351. A separate but equivalent design includes a piston / air cylinder mounted inside the "shaped" member. L 341 which is coupled to the driving plate 351 and which tilts thereto. In said design, coupling means can be used, for example a fixed bar which coincides with both plates 349,35.1, to subordinate the movement of the plate 349 to the movement of the driving bar 351. LOW VIBRATION LENS TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY. INSPECTION ASSEMBLY AND WATER EXTRACTION ASSEMBLY Referring now to Figure 12, a diagrammatic top view of the present invention is provided. As illustrated, the lens transfer station 299, wherein the lenses are transferred to the packing elements on the inspection vanes 40 is sequentially followed by the temporary storage station 399. The vanes, which have advanced through the Temporary storage station are transferred through a conveyor belt station 499 to the inspection station 359, by a low vibration conveyor assembly as described below. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a low vibration transfer assembly that transfers the inspection pallet of the conveyor belt 316 to the inspection station. When a pallet 40 has passed through the integrating unit of the temporary storage assembly and has passed the fourth segment of the temporary storage conveyor belt, it is moved to a parking area 325 as illustrated in Figure 9 described above. In this parking area 325, an aerial double-axle transport carrier is tilted, picks up the single pallet 40 for transfer to the automatic lens inspection station as illustrated in Figure 13. The aerial section transport is a Transport Mechanism of Double axis Hauser, and is used to isolate the automatic lens inspection system from the rest of the post hydration line. It is important that the vibrations of the lenses and the deionized water is minimized during this transport and throughout the inspection line so that water waves are avoided, since they can produce optical distortions which in turn can cause false determinations in the quality of the lenses. Using a double axle transport mechanism, the pallet can be smoothly transported to the automatic lens inspection system, and thus avoid such vibrations that could otherwise alter the inspection results. After the first pallet has been lifted from the area of this ionization, the next pallet can advance to the parking area to be taken to the inspection line conveyor. The double inspection mechanism conveys the pallets of the temporary storage conveyor, where the pallets are advanced at a given speed and spacing, to the inspection line, where the speed of the pallets is substantially reduced to avoid vibration. Therefore, it is necessary that the spacing of the pallets on the inspection conveyor belt be close enough so that the inspection conveyor belt can accommodate the same number of pallets in a given time. The low vibration paddle transfer assembly 400 comprises a pair of paddle holding plates 402a, 402b that are mounted in spaced relationship with each other, to corresponding blocks 404a, 404b. One of the clamping plates 402a is slidable to its block 404a so that the selective actuation of an extension mechanism (housed within the block 404a) extends or reduces the space between the two clamping plates 402a, 402b. The blocks 404a, 04b are mounted to a common wall element 406 that is slidably mounted to a base member 406. A second drive mechanism (not shown) is disposed between the base member 406 and coupled with the common wall 406 of such so that the wall 406 can be selectively raised or lowered. The base member 406 is mounted on a horizontal rail 410 having translation means for tilting the complete assembly from a position above the parking area 325 to the inspection station conveyor line 420. During operation, the low vibration vane transfer assembly 400 pivots to the parking area 325 to receive a vane 40. The common plate 406 is lowered, thereby locating the vane tether plates 402a, 402b adjacent to the side edges of the vane 40. The drive member within the block 402a is actuated to bring the plates closer together, thereby bringing the internal surfaces of the plates 402a, 402b in contact with the paddle 40. Once the paddle has been securely held by the side plates 402a, 402b, the common wall 406 is lifted, and the pallet is transported to the inspection station conveyor line which is disposed perpendicularly to the fourth segment 316 of the temporary storage conveyor line. Once in its position above the inspection conveyor line 420, the pallet 40 is lowered onto the line and released by actuation of the plate expansion mechanism. The pallet is then taken to the inspection station. Once the paddle is transferred to the vibration lens transfer assembly ba to 400 it rises and tilts back to the parking area 325 to receive the next pallet 40. In the Automatic Lens Inspection System, the inspection pallets 40 they are transported through the system as a pulse of light is directed through the lens and contact lens packages and focused on a camera to generate a lens image below it. Preferably, the camera includes a pixel array, each of which generates a respective electrical signal proportional to, or representing, the intensity of the light incident on the pixel. Those electrical signals are then digitally processed to determine if the lens is acceptable for consumer use. Suitable methods for processing or analyzing the electrical signals of the pixel array are described in copending applications numbers 993,756 and 995,261 entitled "Automatic Lens Inspection System", the description of which is described here by reference. Separate systems are used to inspect the 16 lenses carried by a pallet. After completing the test for the last lens bank, the Automatic Lens Inspection System sends a block of data with the results of visual inspection to the programmable logic controller used to consolidate the lenses for packaging. That information is used by the lens packaging transfer assembly as described below. After the lenses have been inspected by the automatic lens inspection system, the pallet is lifted by the second double-axle aerial section transport and placed on the conveyor belt for transport to the deionized water removal station (which is station 699 in Figure 12). The deionized water is removed by a specially configured nozzle as described in U.S.S.N. 06 / 999,234, entitled "Solution Re oval Nozzle", the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. As described in the beginning, deionized water is used to center the lens inside the packaging carrier during the inspection procedure, but is removed before packing, to allow a precise dose of a saline solution regulated in its pH in the package. final, as will be described in detail later. After removal of the deionized water, the lenses, packing carriers and inspection vanes are transported to the lens packing transfer assembly that removes the packing elements and lenses therefrom, deposits the optically incorrect lens packaging (as shown). determined by the inspection station) on a conveyor belt for defective lenses, and deposit the correct lens packages on the correct lens conveyor belt. FIRST ASSEMBLY OF TRANSFER OF PACKING OF ROTATING LENSES Referring now to Figure 15, the lens packing transfer assembly, is shown in a perspective view, in a position above a lens packaging pallet and to which the deionized water has been removed. The assembly 500 comprises a bracket 502 pivotably coupled to the lower end of a vertical shaft 504. The shaft 504 in turn is coupled at its upper end rotation means 506 by which the arrow 504 and the support 502 can be selectively rotated 90 degrees according to the predetermined location of the pallet 40 or the orientation of the conveyor bar (see Figure 16) on which lens packages are deposited. It is understood that the rotation means 506 may comprise an air cylinder having stops that for example correspond to a rotation of 90 degrees in such a way that the arrow can be tilted between two orientations that are perpendicular. The rotating means 506 is disposed within a mounting platform 501, which in turn is coupled to a double-axle transport sub-assembly (the horizontal rail thereof is identified as element 503 in Figure 15). The double axle transport sub-assembly transports the support 502 from a first site to a second site, for example, from a position above the water extraction conveyor line to a position above the consolidation transport line ( which is described more fully with reference to Figure 16). Extending downward from the holder 502 is a series of elastic folded projections 506 having a generally elliptical shape. The projections 506 each have an open tip 51o at its lower ends which forms an inlet towards a central volume extending the length of the projection. The upper ends of the projections 506 are coupled to the vacuum tubes 512 such that the central volume of the projections is in relation to the flow of the sealed gas with the tubes 512 that are individually coupled to a vacuum source (not shown) . Each tube has a separate valve; the valves are independently controlled by a processor according to signals received from the inspection station with respect to which the lens packages contain correct lenses. The selective activation of the vacuum source, therefore, would provide a low pressure suction at the tips 510 of the projection 506. When this low pressure suction is employed, the tips 510 of the projections can be placed on a flat surface , thus sealing the central volume, and securing the flat surface to the projection 506. During operation, a pallet 40 having lens packs, from which deionized water has been removed, is transported to the first site, the lens packs being substantially aligned with the projections 506 of the first rotating lens transfer assembly 500. The projections 506 are directed until their tips 510 contact the flat surface portion 46b of the packing element, forming a sealing interference therewith. . The selective actuation of the valves that control the production of a vacuum within each projection 506 causes the packing elements and lenses to be lifted off the pallet. It is understood that all lens packaging can be removed from the. pallet 40 and the subsequent actuation of the valves can be used to deposit the incorrectly molded lenses on a separate conveyor belt of defective lenses, and the optically correct lenses on the correct lens conveyor belt, or alternatively, only the correct lenses are transfused. rides, and subsequently rejected lenses are removed from the inspection palette by alternative means. This procedure can be used to increase (or shorten) the cycle time of the transfer device. Once the proper lens packaging is removed from the correct pallet; the manifold 502 and the projections 506 are rotated 90 degrees by the rotating means 506 while simultaneously being tilted up laterally by the double axle transport subassembly. The projections 506 are relocated on the consolidating conveyor belt, at which point the vacuum within the projections 506 that are holding the lens packages is released, and the lens packages are deposited on the conveyor belt. Once the optically correct lens packages have been deposited, the assembly 500 is tilted back to extract a new series of lens packages from the next inspection palette 40. CONSOLIDATION TRANSPORT BAND AND SECOND ASSEMBLY ROTATING LENS PACKING The first rotary lens packing assembly 500 deposits the optically correct lens gaskets on the consolidation band 602 as shown in Figure 16. The consolidation belt comprises a drive surface of the belt type 604 on the which the two rows of pairs of lenses are transported. The transport surface 604 is divided into parallel longitudinal channels 605 by a guide wall 606. As shown in Figure 16, the rows of lens packages may not be regularly distributed over the surface of the conveyor when they are deposited. The lens packages are transported along the conveyor belt until the first gaskets make contact with the movable gate element 610. The gate element 610 interferes with the continuous transport of the first lens packages in each of the channels 605. As the advancement of the first lens packages is stopped, the packages that follow subsequently come into contact with the first packages, being consolidated into a regularly separate arrangement. A detector block is disposed above the surface of the conveyor belt 604, at a site upstream of the gate element 610. An additional detector can be located at a distance where a specific number of lens packages can be aligned between the same in a parking position 609. For example, the lens packaging arrangement is located between the wall element 606 and the detector element 610 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16 is 2 x 5. The gate element 610 provides a controlled flow of only the correct number of lens packages needed to complete the 2 x 5 provision in the parking position. Referring now also to Figure 17, there is shown a perspective view of a second rotating lens packaging transfer assembly 650. Once a complete 2 X 5 lens packaging arrangement is arranged in this parking position 609, a second rotary lens pack transfer assembly 650 lowers a series of suction projections that removes the arrangement, rotates and transports the lens packages to a blade of the saline injection and sheet wrap sealing assembly. Very specifically with respect to the second rotary lens packet transfer assembly, the assembly comprises features that are similar in most aspects to the first lens packet transfer assembly 500. The assembly includes a 652 holder that is mounted to the end bottom of a rotary arrow 654. The upper end of the arrow 654 engages rotation means (not shown) that rotate the support through 90 ° in the horizontal plane. Extending downward from the holder 652 is a regularly spaced arrangement of projections 656, the tips 660 of which are hollow so that a vacuum can be created therethrough. This vacuum is used to securely retain the lens packing elements during transport. The projections 656, which are hollow to form a conduit through which vacuum can be created, are coupled to the tubes 662, in the support 652 for the purpose of supplying the vacuum pressure to the tips 660 of the projections. The rotary shaft 654 is coupled, via the rotating means, to a mounting platform 651. The mounting platform is in turn mounted to dual-axis drive means (the rail 653 comprises the horizontal axial component along which the assembly platform is moved). During operation, the assembly is located above the consolidation conveyor line 602, in the parking position 609, as the arrangement of the lens packages is consolidated. Once the detector elements have determined that a complete 2 X 5 arrangement has been formed, the manifold 652 and the projections 656 are lowered by the dual axis drive means. A vacuum is created at the tips 660 of the projections once the lens packages are contacted so that a secure hold is maintained on the lens packages. The manifold 652 and the projections 656 are then lifted, rotated and moved to a position above the paddle current of the next assembly. As with the first rotary lens packaging transfer assembly 500, the rotating means and the dual-axis drive preferably comprise, respectively, an air cylinder with stops at 90 °, and a pair * of screw mechanisms of ball I 0 perpendicular.

INJECTION ASSEMBLY OF SALINE SOLUTION AND SEALING OF SHEATH WRAPPING Referring now to Figures 16, 19 and 20, several perspective views of the saline injection and sheet envelope sealing assembly 700 are shown. Figure 16 is a schematic of the assembly device including a conveyor loop 702 which it has a plurality of vanes 704 spaced apart therefrom. The paddle stream is intermittently driven in such a manner that the paddles stop at the various sub-assembly stations that are sequentially spaced along the conveyor belt 702. The related assemblies and sub-assemblies cooperate to provide saline solution and Heat-sealed covers to previously unsealed lens packages include the second rotating lens packet assembly 650 disposed on the front of the conveyor belt 704, the saline injector subassembly 750 located adjacent to the front part of the conveyor belt 704. the conveyor belt, a short distance downstream of the transfer assembly 650, a sheet collecting and placing unit 777 that receives the sheet from a printing machine, and a heat sealing unit 760 that seals the sheet to the packages. Each of the fixed vanes 704 is particularly designed to support a packaging arrangement of individual lenses of 2 X 5. However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of this assembly can be designed, in accordance with the number of projections of the second. 650 rotating lens pack transfer assembly, and the size of the 609 parking station of the consolidating conveyor belt, to accommodate a different number of rows and a different number of packages in each row. With specific reference to FIG. 20, in the saline injector sub-assembly 750, the lens packages are filled with a saline solution having tonicity compatible with the human eye. The stationary vanes 704 are advanced, with lens packages thereon, below a horizontal beam 752. The beam 752 is coupled at one side end to the mounting base 754 which is adjacent to the conveyor belt loop 702. 1 X 5 arrangement of dosing tubes 756 extends from beam 752 and is supplied with saline via ducts 756, each of which is supplied by a separate metering pump (not shown). As the advancement of the vanes 704 toward a position aligned with the dosing tubes 754 increases, the dosing pumps are actuated so that a precise dose is deposited in the packing depressions 24. Each contact lens is therefore submerged in saline solution. The saline pump pumping rate and the diameter of each dosing tube 756 is chosen so that the saline solution does not splash out of any of the depressions in the packages, which is very important since any amount of saline solution splashed on it. Annular flange 26 would interfere with subsequent sheet sealing operations. The optical verification probes (not shown) can be mounted on the front of the saline injector sub-assembly to verify that the lens packages are present on the progressing paddle 704 so that the dosing tubes 756 do not provide a solution saline to the empty pallets. Additional detectors may be mounted in a similar manner along the conveyor belt, downstream of the saline 750 injector, to detect the presence of the appropriate metered dose of saline in each lens package. A variety of said detectors are available, and are taught in the copending application U.S.S.N. 06 / 431,691, entitled "Linear Packaging Array" (Provision of Linear Packing) (Proxy Case No. 9401), for example, can be a reflection detector as it is commercially available from O ron, or it may be a proximity detector or fiber optic probe, as is commercially available from Keyence as model 24W-V25R, used with an amplifier, model 24W-AA1C. Each detector checks and checks for proper saline height in each lens package. Referring again to Figure 16 and also to Figure 19, at a subsequent sheet receiving and laying station 775, a pair of sheet strips are placed on the 2 x 5 packing base arrangement, each sheet strip covering a column of 1 x 5 packing elements. The sheet strips have all the identification signs required for the final packaging printed thereon. The top cover sheets are produced by a sheet marking machine according to the patent application description of U.S.S.N. 06X106,366, entitled "Double Sided Foil Printing" (VTN-0069) (case of Proxy 9013). The sheet marking machine extends at a right angle to the linear baler, as indicated by the arrow on the SHEET in Figure 16. The pair of foil strips are received from the marking machine and placed by a reception and placement unit. of sheet on the top of each row of 1 x 5 of the 2 x 5 arrangement of packing bases. An optional mechanical clamping station 777 locates each strip of sheet to ensure that it is properly located and aligned in relation to the lens packages in the pallet 704. In addition, a subsequent cover presence verification station can be used to verify the correct general location of each strip of sheet. At a subsequent 760 station the foil strips are heat sealed to the lens packages. Very specifically, a series of heated sealing heads, mounted at spaced intervals along the length of the heating head plate 762, and supported by a pneumatic cylinder or press 764, presses the sheet strips against the packages of lenses such that the sheet and annular flanges 26 of the packing elements are crushed between the heated sealing heads and the vane 704. A final optical inspection station (not shown) can be located downstream of the sealing station heat 760 including a plurality of optical sensing probes for examining the outer edges of each sheet metal strip on the lens packaging arrangement to evaluate that the sheet is located and heat sealed appropriately and accurately relative to the disposition of lens packaging. In the position further downstream, the robotic assembly 790, which has a plurality of vacuum suction cups removes the sealed 1 x 5 package arrangement from the paddle 704, and transports them to an exit position. Although the assemblies, embodiments and variations of the present invention for the post-hydration handling of contact lens packing elements are described in detail here, it is to be understood that the description and teachings of the present invention will suggest many alternative designs to the experts. in the technique. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is understood and intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims (7)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A posthidratation apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements, said apparatus comprising: a deionized water injection assembly that injects deionized water into a plurality of packing elements; a first lens transfer assembly that receives contact lens elements from a lens pallet at a first site, and deposits them on said packing elements thereby forming a series of lens packaging elements; an inspection station for optically inspecting contact lenses; a deionized water extraction assembly to remove deionized water from the lens packages; a first lens packaging transport assembly to separate a first series of lens packages that pass inspection from a second series of lens packages that fail the inspection, and transporting the first series of lens packages to a packing station; and a saline injection and foil wrap sealing assembly located to receive the first series of lens packages to inject a quantity of saline into the lens packages, and to heat seal a foil label to a series of lens packaging.

2. A posthidrata ion apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 1, further characterized in that the package station further comprises a consolidation conveyor line for receiving the first series of lens packages. of the first lens packaging transport assembly, relocating the first series of lens packages in regular arrangements, and transporting the arrangement to said assembly of saline injection and sheet wrap sealing.

3. An automatic storage apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 2, further characterized in that it comprises a second lens packaging transport assembly, which extracts the regular arrangements of the first lens assembly. Lens packet series of the consolidation line, and transports them to the assembly of saline injection and sheet wrap sealing.

4. A post-treatment device for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a lens packaging transport line for transporting the second series of lens packages to a reservoir of distant waste collection, and because the first lens packaging transport assembly transports the second senes of lens packaging to the lens packaging transport line and deposits the second series on it.

5. A posthidratation apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements in corresponding packaging elements, comprising: a deionized water injection assembly that injects deionized water into packaging elements that are arranged in a packaging pallet; a first lens transfer assembly that receives contact lens elements from a lens pallet at a first site, and deposits them on said packing elements thereby forming a series of lens packaging elements; a temporary storage station along which said packaging pallets containing said lens packing elements can be temporarily stored; a deionized water extraction assembly to remove deionized water from the lens packages; a first lens packaging transport assembly that transports the lens packaging to a packing station; and and a foil injection and seal wrap assembly located to receive the lens packages to inject a quantity of saline therein, and to heat seal a foil label to a series of lens packages.

6. A posthidratation apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 5, further characterized in that it comprises: a first conveyor line and a second conveyor line; a plurality of intermediate separated transport segments; at least one segregating mechanism for receiving a plurality of said packaging pallets of the first conveyor line and directing the selected ones thereof along the selected ones of said separated intermediate conveyor segments; and at least one integrating mechanism for receiving a plurality of said packaging pallets from each of said intermediate intermediate conveyor segments, and fusing the packaging pallets on the second conveyor line.

7. A posthidratation method for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements comprising the steps of: injecting deionized water into the packing elements; inserting the lenses into said packing elements, thus forming a series of packing elements; inspect the lenses to determine if the contact lenses are optically correct or optically correct; extract the deionized water from the lens packages; separate optically correct contact lenses from those that are not optically correct; injecting saline into said lens packages containing optically correct contact lenses; and heat sealing a foil wrap to the lens package containing saline. 6. A posthidratation method for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 7, further characterized in that it comprises transporting the seals of lens packaging containing lens packages containing lenses that are not optically correct to waste collection means him years. 9. A method of postability to transport, inspect, pack elements of contact lenses according to claim 7, further characterized in that said steps of extracting the lenses from a hydration blade and inserting the lenses into said elements of packaging, further comprising the change of the relative spatial distribution of contact lenses. 10. An optional method for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 9, further characterized in that said step of extracting the lenses from a hydration vane comprises: ejecting an amount of air through down each lens to propel it towards lens carrying media. 11. A method of posthidrata ion for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 10, further characterized in that said step of ejecting an amount of air below each lens is followed by the step of directing A jet of air in each lens for the purpose of removing air bubbles that may adhere to the surface of the lens. 12. A posthydraction apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements in corresponding packaging elements, comprising: a deionized water injection assembly that injects desiomad water into the packing elements; a lens transfer assembly that receives contact lens elements from a lens palette at a first site, alters the spatial relationship of the lenses, transports the lenses to a second site, and deposits the lenses toward said packing elements thus forming a series of lens packaging elements; a deionized water extraction assembly to remove deionized water from the lens packages; a lens packaging transport assembly for transporting lens packaging to a packing station; and a saline injection and sheet wrap sealing assembly located to receive the lens packages and to inject a quantity of saline thereinto, and to heat seal a sheet label to a top surface of the packages Of lenses. 13. A posthidratation apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 12, further characterized in that said lens transfer comprises: a series of guide rails; a plurality of beam elements, desirably mounted in parallel on at least one of said horizontal guide rails; at least means coupled to said beam elements for tilting them along the guide rails with respect to each other; a plurality of projecting elements disposed in a linear arrangement, extending downwardly from at least one of said beams, said projections comprising each: an elongated arrow having an upper and a lower end, a lens transfer surface at the lower end of the arrow for securely receiving and retaining thereon a contact lens, a slotted annular skirt disposed along the arrow adjacent said tip, for maintaining the contact lens in a predetermined position; and a translation mechanism for tilting said mounting bracket in at least one direction. 14. A post-treatment device for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 13, further characterized in that said projection elements also comprise a central hole, extending from the upper end to the lower end , to receive through it, and selectively expel from it, a quantity of fluid. 15. A posthoding apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 12, further characterized in that said lens palettes comprise: a plate having a plurality of depressions, each of said depressions having at least one hole therein, depressions in which a contact lens can be deposited; and a plurality of internal conduits within said plate, which extend from each of the holes to a source of fluid, whereby the selective expulsion of fluid through the conduits causes a contact lens in said depression to be transferred. to the lens transfer assembly. 16. A posthidratation apparatus for transporting, inspecting and packaging contact lens elements according to claim 12, further characterized in that it comprises an air jet unit located in said second site, said air jet unit comprising; a plate having a plurality of a regularly separated depression therein, said regular separation corresponding to the spatial distribution of said projections; at least one hole in each of said depressions; a duct extending from said air reservoir far to said hole in each of said depressions; air pressure means for selectively directing air through said duct, outwardly of said through hole, and in a contact lens which is secured to the lens transfer surface of said projection to remove any bubbles present thereon. same METHOD AND POSTHIDRATATION DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING. INSPECT AND PACK CONTACT LENSES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, which relates to a post-treatment procedure for contact lenses and the packages in which the lenses are placed, includes several assemblies that are ideally suited to perform the various steps that are associated with the post-treatment procedure. These various assemblies include: a deionized water injection assembly that fills the packing elements before the lenses are inserted therein; a lens transfer and insert assembly that removes contact lenses from hydration paddles, alters their spatial distribution and deposits them in the packing elements; a temporary storage station, including segregating and integrating devices, and providing a site for temporarily retaining a group of lens packaging pallets during the interruption of subsequent assemblies; a low vibration lens packaging transport and inspection assembly that removes pallets from a conveyor line. inserts them on the low vibration inspection assembly conveyor line, and inspects the lenses to determine which are optically correct; a de-ionized water extraction epsamble that removes the deionized water from the lens packing elements; a first rotatable lens packing transport assembly, which removes the lens packing elements from the pallet and deposits those that are optically correct on a consolidating conveyor line; a consolidation conveyor line and a rotating lens packing transport assembly, the former consolidating the lenses into regular arrangements, and the latter making them rotate and transport them to the final station; and an assembly of saline injection and sheet wrap sealing, which fills the packages with saline solution and then heat seals a foil wrap to the tops of the packing elements. 33