US Patent 7134864 Molding apparatus with removable mold cores

A molding apparatus for lenses includes first and second molding units. Each of the first and second molding units has a mold core holder, a plurality of mold cores disposed in the mold core holder, and a plurality of fixing elements. The mold core holder has an abutment surface and a plurality of cavities, each of which includes an open end and a positioning portion. Each fixing element engages removably the positioning portion of a respective cavity, and retains a respective mold core in the respective cavity. Individual removal of the mold cores for replacement is permitted by operating the fixing elements.