Abstract: A method of in-mold coating utilizing an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. At the beginning of the cycle the mold opens and a charge of liquid coating solution is deposited onto the lower mold insert. A ophthalmic wafer is deposited on the coating to spread it across the insert surface. The mold is closed and a pre-cure phase elapses before the thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity above the wafer. The process provides coated and functionally enhanced lenses upon ejection from the molding machine.

Abstract: A method for in-mold coating of an injection molded thermoplastic lens that resides in an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. An optical lens is initially formed by injecting molten thermoplastic resin into an edge-gated lens-forming cavity held closed under a primary clamp force. The mold is opened at a time when the lens is rigid enough to retain its shape. An unpressurized full metered charge of coating is applied onto the center of the lens. The coating is co-molded by ramping up the clamp force from zero to a secondary clamp force less than the primary clamp force to compress the coating into a uniformly thick, fringe-free layer.

Abstract: A method for in-mold coating of an injection molded thermoplastic lens that resides in an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. An optical lens is initially formed by injecting molten thermoplastic resin into an edge-gated lens-forming cavity held closed under a primary clamp force. The mold is opened at a time when the lens is rigid enough to retain its shape. An unpressurized full metered charge of coating is applied onto the center of the lens. The coating is co-molded by ramping up the clamp force from zero to a secondary clamp force less than the primary clamp force to compress the coating into a uniformly thick, fringe-free layer.

Abstract: A method for in-mold coating of an injection molded thermoplastic lens that resides in an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. An optical lens is initially formed by injecting molten thermoplastic resin into an edge-gated lens-forming cavity held closed under a primary clamp force. The mold is opened at a time when the lens is rigid enough to retain its shape. An unpressurized full metered charge of coating is applied onto the center of the lens. The coating is co-molded by ramping up the clamp force from zero to a secondary clamp force less than the primary clamp force to compress the coating into a uniformly thick, fringe-free layer.

Abstract: A method to produce in-mold coated lenses, and the coated lenses produced by the method. A cliche (80a) with a measured amount of thermoset acrylate-based coating solution is provided on, or adjacent to, the parting line of an injection molding machine. An inflatable silicone bladder (70b) is dipped into the cliche to pickup a thin film of coating. The bladder is transported along a vertical axis or plane or other path to press the coating against the heated mold insert (46a). The bladder pauses while the coating pre-cures and the bladder is peeled off, leaving the coating on the mold insert. The mold is closed and a thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity to form a coated ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A method to produce in-mold coated lenses, and the coated lenses produced by the method. A cliché with a measured amount of thermoset acrylate-based coating solution is provided on, or adjacent to, the parting line of an injection molding machine. An inflatable silicone bladder is dipped into the cliché to pickup a thin film of coating. The bladder is transported along a vertical axis or plane or other path to press the coating against the heated mold insert. The bladder pauses while the coating pre-cures and the bladder is peeled off, leaving the coating on the mold insert. The mold is closed and a thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity to form a coated ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A method of in-mold coating utilizing an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. At the beginning of the cycle the mold opens and a charge of liquid coating solution is deposited onto the lower mold insert. A ophthalmic wafer is deposited on the coating to spread it across the insert surface. The mold is closed and a pre-cure phase elapses before the thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity above the wafer. The process provides coated and functionally enhanced lenses upon ejection from the molding machine.

Abstract: A method for in-mold coating of an injection molded thermoplastic lens that resides in an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. An optical lens is initially formed by injecting molten thermoplastic resin into an edge-gated lens-forming cavity held closed under a primary clamp force. The mold is opened at a time when the lens is rigid enough to retain its shape. An unpressurized full metered charge of coating is applied onto the center of the lens. The coating is co-molded by ramping up the clamp force from zero to a secondary clamp force less than the primary clamp force to compress the coating into a uniformly thick, fringe-free layer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to injection mold resins, like polycarbonate, to form solid optical lenses. The lenses are ideally suited for use as very thin coating carriers. The method involves closing the mold with a clamp force less than the force exerted on the insert during injection. During injection the mold is allowed to breathe thereby overcoming many of the obstacles associated with injection molding very thin lenses. As the injection pressure subsides, the mold begins to close to perform a coining operation, resulting in a strong, high yield carrier or lens.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which utilize polycarbonate to form solid optical lenses. The polycarbonates may be selected from high molecular weight linear or branched species. Viscosity and melt flow are specified for improved mechanical properties. The method provides lenses with greater resistance to cracking and crazing, for example, in instances where flaws are subject to strain and require containment.

Abstract: The mold comprises two dies mounted in a sheath to slide along the axis of the sheath and each presenting a forming face facing the other. The two dies and the sheath are provided with intrinsic heat transfer means. A parison or preform of said thermoplastic material is placed between the two dies and the assembly is enclosed in the sheath; the dies and the sheath are heated by their intrinsic heat transfer means up to a forming temperature. The dies are moved towards each other to shape the material by plastic deformation until a predetermined relative position is reached corresponding to the thickness desired for the lens; the dies and the sheath are cooled by their intrinsic heat transfer means down to an unmolding temperature; and the finished lens is extracted from the mold.

Abstract: A method for thermoforming a thin thermoplastic carrier with uniformity of thickness at optical quality. The sheet to be thermoformed is heated and placed on a vented platform equipped with a mold insert. The thermoformer's platens clamp a shroud over the sheet. A low pressure air stream is introduced into the shroud and deflected from a direct path leading to the mold insert.

Abstract: The mold comprises two dies mounted in a sheath to slide along the axis of the sheath and each presenting a forming face facing the other. The two dies and the sheath are provided with intrinsic heat transfer means. A parison or preform of said thermoplastic material is placed between the two dies and the assembly is enclosed in the sheath; the dies and the sheath are heated by their intrinsic heat transfer means up to a forming temperature; The dies are moved towards each other to shape the material by plastic deformation until a predetermined relative position is reached corresponding to the thickness desired for the lens; the dies and the sheath are cooled by their intrinsic heat transfer means down to an unmolding temperature; and the finished lens is extracted from the mold.

Abstract: For each lens molding cycle, the method comprises the following steps: raising the wall of the mold cavity to a heating temperature higher than or equal to the molding temperature of said material; filling the molding cavity with said material; at the end of filling, increasing the pressure of said material introduced in this way into the molding cavity up to a compacting pressure; and bringing the wall of the molding cavity to a cooling temperature to cool said molded material down to an unmolding temperature below its molding temperature, said cooling temperature being lower than said unmolding temperature. The molding cavity begins to be filled with said material before the heating temperature has been reached. Once both the compacting pressure of said material and the heating temperature of the molding cavity wall have been reached, they are both maintained for a given length of time.

Abstract: A mold half-block possesses at least one mold recess defined transversely by the working face of a shell provided with heat-transfer parts that are intrinsic and both-way (both heating and cooling), the shell including a base that receives all of the heat-transfer parts and a removable insert fitted on the base and carrying the working face, the insert having no intrinsic heat-transfer parts and being thermally regulated solely by heat transfer with the base. The insert is in the form of a cap which fits over at least a head portion of the base, and the heat-transfer parts of the base are allocated to the head portion of the base having the insert fitted thereover.

Abstract: The mold half-block possesses at least one mold recess defined transversely by the working face of a shell provided with heat-transfer means that are intrinsic and both-way (both heating and cooling), said shell comprising a base that receives all of the heat-transfer means of said shell and a removable insert fitted on the base and carrying the working face, said insert having no intrinsic heat-transfer means and being thermally regulated solely by heat transfer with said base. The insert is in the form of a cap which fits over at least a head portion of the base, and the heat-transfer means of the base are allocated to the head portion of the base having the insert fitted thereover.

Abstract: The mold comprises two dies mounted in a sheath to slide along the axis of the sheath and each presenting a forming face facing the other. The two dies and the sheath are provided with intrinsic heat transfer means.

Abstract: For each lens molding cycle, the method comprises the following steps:

Abstract: This invention relates to a visually clear blend comprising:(A) about 1 to 99 weight % of a polyarylate based on alkylbisphenol-A, and(B) about 99 to 1 weight % of an aliphatic polyester.

Abstract: An improved reusable multiactive electrophotographic element has a charge-transport layer comprising a triarylamine charge-transport material in a binder comprising a polyester containing recurring units having the structure ##STR1##