Patents by Inventor Gerald Fournand

Gerald Fournand has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120300170
    Abstract: An optical article having anti-fogging properties, comprising a substrate having one main face coated with an anti-reflecting stack of layers of low refractive index (Ll) and high refractive index (HI) including an outermost and innermost layer, wherein the outermost layer of the anti-reflecting stack is a sandwich layer comprising a core portion interleaved between two side portions, said core portion being made of SiO2, SiOx with 1?x<2, a mixture of SiO2 and SiOx or a mixture of SiO2 and/or SiOx with 10% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the mixture, of AI2O3, having a physical thickness ranging from 20 to 150 nm, preferably 30 to 80 nm and being formed by vacuum evaporation deposition in a vacuum chamber at a deposition rate of at least 1.10 nm/s and/or maintaining a pressure higher than or equal to 1×10?4 mbar, preferably ranging from 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, Agnes Jallouli
  • Publication number: 20120070654
    Abstract: Methods for edging optical articles comprising two main faces, at least one of which being coated with an outermost layer comprising fixing the optical article to a chuck with a holding pad that adheres to both the optical article and the chuck, wherein the surface of the holding pad contacting the optical comprises an adhesive material; and edging the optical article with an edging device; wherein prior to fixing the optical article to the chuck, at least one temporary layer of an organic material is formed onto said outermost layer of the optical article, the organic material of the temporary layer comprising at least one organic compound having a fluorinated functional moiety and at least one linking functional moiety capable of establishing at least one intermolecular bond or interaction with the adhesive material of the holding pad. Optical articles obtained via these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Dominique Conte, Gérald Fournand, Agnès Jallouli, Laurianne Vagharchakian
  • Patent number: 8125721
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens holder (1) comprising a supporting means (2) and a first and a second arm (10, 20, 30) defining a lens holder general plane, first and second arms being relatively movable with regards to each other and each arm having spaced apart first and second end portions (10a, 20a, 30a, 10c, 20c, 30c) and an intermediate portion (10b, 20b, 30b), the arms being mounted on the supporting means through their first end portions and the second end portions of each arm comprising an optical lens accommodating means (21, 22) facing each other, whereby an optical lens (3) can be maintained within the accommodating means of the first and second arms with its optical axis orthogonal to the general plane of the lens holder through at least one, preferably one or two contact points between the lens periphery and each of the first and second lens accommodating means, wherein at least the second end portion of each arm comprises a material having a dielectric constant at 1 MHz equal to or hig
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie General d'Optique
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, James A. Reed, Danne Wright
  • Patent number: 8082756
    Abstract: Methods for edging optical articles comprising two main faces, at least one of which being coated with an outermost layer comprising fixing the optical article to a chuck with a holding pad that adheres to both the optical article and the chuck, wherein the surface of the holding pad contacting the optical comprises an adhesive material; and edging the optical article with an edging device; wherein prior to fixing the optical article to the chuck, at least one temporary layer of an organic material is formed onto said outermost layer of the optical article, the organic material of the temporary layer comprising at least one organic compound having a fluorinated functional moiety and at least one linking functional moiety capable of establishing at least one intermolecular bond or interaction with the adhesive material of the holding pad. Optical articles obtained via these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Dominique Conte, Gérald Fournand, Agnès Jallouli, Laurianne Vagharchakian
  • Patent number: 7997957
    Abstract: A process for edging an optical lens for conforming the optical lens to the size and shape of a lens frame into which the optical lens is to be accommodated, said process comprising: a) providing an optical lens having a convex surface, the convex surface being provided with an anti-smudge topcoat rendering the optical lens inappropriate for edging; b) fixing a mounting element on the convex surface of the optical lens, preferably on its center, by means of an adhesive pad adhering both to the mounting element and the convex surface of the optical lens to form a mounting element/optical lens assembly; c) placing the mounting element/optical lens assembly in a grinding machine so that the optical lens is firmly maintained; and d) edging the optical lens to the intended size and shape, wherein, prior to step (b) of fixing the mounting element, the anti-smudge topcoat on the convex surface of the optical lens is pre-treated with a solvent selected from the group consisting of alkanols and dialkylketones under a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, Agnes De Leuze-Jallouli, Bruce Keegan
  • Patent number: 7727581
    Abstract: A process is provided where at least one main face of an optical lens is subjected to a corona discharge or atmospheric plasma treatment. The optical lens is dipped in a curable coating composition to deposit a layer of the curable coating composition on said main face, and is then cured. During the whole process, the optical lens is carried by a same lens holder so that the lens face is freely accessible and without necessitating manual handling of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d' Optique
    Inventors: Agnès Jallouli, Gerald Fournand, James A. Reed, Danne Wright
  • Patent number: 7563327
    Abstract: An apparatus for dip coating lenses comprises a tank for containing a coating liquid, a coating chamber for receiving one or more ophthalmic lenses. The tank is in fluid communication with the coating chamber for permitting the flow of coating liquid between the tank and the coating chamber. The apparatus has a first position where the coating chamber is located above the tank and second position where the tank is located above the coating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Claudine Biver, Gerald Fournand
  • Publication number: 20090059383
    Abstract: A process for edging an optical lens for conforming the optical lens to the size and shape of a lens frame into which the optical lens is to be accommodated, said process comprising: a) providing an optical lens having a convex surface, the convex surface being provided with an anti-smudge topcoat rendering the optical lens inappropriate for edging; b) fixing a mounting element on the convex surface of the optical lens, preferably on its center, by means of an adhesive pad adhering both to the mounting element and the convex surface of the optical lens to form a mounting element/optical lens assembly; c) placing the mounting element/optical lens assembly in a grinding machine so that the optical lens is firmly maintained; and d) edging the optical lens to the intended size and shape, wherein, prior to step (b) of fixing the mounting element, the anti-smudge topcoat on the convex surface of the optical lens is pre-treated with a solvent selected from the group consisting of alkanols and dialkylketones under a
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, Agnes De Leuze-Jallouli, Bruce Keegan
  • Publication number: 20080044561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying the surface of nanoparticles, comprising providing nanoparticles, activating the surface of said nanoparticles by treatment with energetic species, and treating said nanoparticles with at least one gaseous phosphorus-containing compound having at least one functional group selected from a phosphoric acid group, a phosphonic acid group, a phosphinic acid group, a phosphinous acid group, salts thereof and derivatives thereof, a phosphine group and derivatives thereof, a phosphine oxide group and derivatives thereof, a phosphite group and a phosphonium group, resulting in chemical grafting of said phosphorus-containing compound on the surface of the nanoparticles. The invention also relates to a method of preparation of a stabilized dispersion of nanoparticles using the above prepared nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Agnes De Leuze-Jallouli, Gerald Fournand, Susan Stanczyk
  • Publication number: 20070201150
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens holder (1) comprising a supporting means (2) and a first and a second arm (10, 20, 30) defining a lens holder general plane, first and second arms being relatively movable with regards to each other and each arm having spaced apart first and second end portions (10a, 20a, 30a, 10c, 20c, 30c) and an intermediate portion (10b, 20b, 30b), the arms being mounted on the supporting means through their first end portions and the second end portions of each arm comprising an optical lens accommodating means (21, 22) facing each other, whereby an optical lens (3) can be maintained within the accommodating means of the first and second arms with its optical axis orthogonal to the general plane of the lens holder through at least one, preferably one or two contact points between the lens periphery and each of the first and second lens accommodating means, wherein at least the second end portion of each arm comprises a material having a dielectric constant at 1 MHz equal to or hig
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, James Reed, Danne Wright
  • Publication number: 20070183056
    Abstract: Methods for edging optical articles comprising two main faces, at least one of which being coated with an outermost layer comprising fixing the optical article to a chuck with a holding pad that adheres to both the optical article and the chuck, wherein the surface of the holding pad contacting the optical comprises an adhesive material; and edging the optical article with an edging device; wherein prior to fixing the optical article to the chuck, at least one temporary layer of an organic material is formed onto said outermost layer of the optical article, the organic material of the temporary layer comprising at least one organic compound having a fluorinated functional moiety and at least one linking functional moiety capable of establishing at least one intermolecular bond or interaction with the adhesive material of the holding pad. Optical articles obtained via these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Dominique Conte, Gerald Fournand, Anges Jallouli, Laurianne Vagharchakian
  • Publication number: 20070141358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for edging an optical article comprising the following steps: providing an optical article having two main faces, at least one of which being coated with an outermost layer; fixing the optical article to a chuck by means of a holding pad, the surface of the holding pad to be contacted with the optical article being coated with an adhesive material; and edging the optical article; wherein prior the step of fixing the optical article to the chuck, at least one temporary protective layer of an organic material is formed onto said outermost layer of the optical article, the organic material of the temporary protective layer comprising at least one organic compound having a fluorinated functional moiety, and a linking functional moiety capable of establishing at least one intermolecular bond or interaction with the adhesive material of the holding pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Agnes Jallouli, Gerald Fournand
  • Patent number: 7217440
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for replacing an initial outermost coating layer of a coated optical lens with a layer of a new final coating having surface properties different from those of said initial outermost coating which comprises: (a) providing a coated optical lens having an initial outermost coating layer having a surface contact angle with water of at least 65°; (b) subjecting the initial outermost coating layer to a treatment with activated chemical species at about atmospheric pressure, and for less than one minute, in order there is obtained a treated surface having a contact angle with water of 10° or less; and (c) depositing on said treated surface a layer of a final coating having surface properties different from those of said initial outermost coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Agnès de Leuze Jallouli, Gérald Fournand
  • Publication number: 20070104891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for depositing an anti-fouling top coat onto the outermost coating layer of a coated optical article, comprising the following steps: a) providing an optical article having two main faces, at least one of which being coated with an outermost layer; b) treating said outermost layer with energetic species resulting in surface physical attack and/or chemical modification; and c) vacuum evaporating a liquid coating material for an anti-fouling top coat by means of an evaporation device, resulting in the deposition of the evaporated coating material onto the treated outermost layer of the optical article, wherein prior to the vacuum evaporation step of the liquid coating material, said liquid coating material has been treated with energetic species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventor: Gerald Fournand
  • Publication number: 20060032438
    Abstract: An apparatus for dip coating lenses comprises a tank for containing a coating liquid, a coating chamber for receiving one or more ophthalmic lenses. The tank is in fluid communication with the coating chamber for permitting the flow of coating liquid between the tank and the coating chamber. The apparatus has a first position where the coating chamber is located above the tank and second position where the tank is located above the coating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL, COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Claudine Biver, Gerald Fournand
  • Patent number: 6991827
    Abstract: An apparatus for dip coating lenses comprises a tank for containing a coating liquid, a coating chamber for receiving one or more ophthalmic lenses. The tank is in fluid communication with the coating chamber for permitting the flow of coating liquid between the tank and the coating chamber. The apparatus has a first position where the coating chamber is located above the tank and second position where the tank is located above the coating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Claudine Biver, Gerald Fournand
  • Patent number: 6972914
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens holder comprising a supporting means and a first and a second arm defining a lens holder general plane, first and second arms being relatively movable with regards to each other and each arm having spaced apart first and second end portions and an intermediate portion, the arms being mounted on the supporting means through their first end portions and the second end portions of each arm comprising an optical lens accommodating means facing each other, whereby an optical lens can be maintained within the accommodating means of the first and second arms with its optical axis orthogonal to the general plane of the lens holder through at least one, preferably one or two contact points between the lens periphery and each of the first and second lens accommodating means, wherein at least the second end portion of each arm comprises a material having a dielectric constant at 1 MHz equal to or higher than the dielectric constant of the optical lens material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, James A. Reed, Danne Wright
  • Publication number: 20050208212
    Abstract: The process comprises the steps of: (a) subjecting said at least one main face of an optical lens to a corona discharge or atmospheric plasma treatment; (b) dipping the optical lens in a curable coating composition to deposit a layer of the curable coating composition on said main face; and (c) curing the curable coating composition layer; wherein during the whole process the optical lens is carried by a same lens holder so that the said lens face is freely accessible and without necessitating manual handling of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Agnes Jallouli, Gerald Fournand, James Reed, Danne Wright
  • Publication number: 20050207033
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens holder comprising a supporting means and a first and a second arm defining a lens holder general plane, first and second arms being relatively movable with regards to each other and each arm having spaced apart first and second end portions and an intermediate portion, the arms being mounted on the supporting means through their first end portions and the second end portions of each arm comprising an optical lens accommodating means facing each other, whereby an optical lens can be maintained within the accommodating means of the first and second arms with its optical axis orthogonal to the general plane of the lens holder through at least one, preferably one or two contact points between the lens periphery and each of the first and second lens accommodating means, wherein at least the second end portion of each arm comprises a material having a dielectric constant at 1 MHz equal to or higher than the dielectric constant of the optical lens material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Gerald Fournand, James Reed, Danne Wright
  • Publication number: 20050098098
    Abstract: An apparatus for dip coating lenses comprises a tank for containing a coating liquid, a coating chamber for receiving one or more ophthalmic lenses. The tank is in fluid communication with the coating chamber for permitting the flow of coating liquid between the tank and the coating chamber. The apparatus has a first position where the coating chamber is located above the tank and second position where the tank is located above the coating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Claudine Biver, Gerald Fournand