Abstract: The invention relates to a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system capable of control the temperature, viscosity and colorant concentration of an ink in an ink cup. Such controls are achieved by continuously adding and mixing a cold ink having a composition identical to the ink in the ink cup but having a lower temperature. The continuous addition of a small amount of a cold ink into the ink cup could compensate heat generated by the friction between the ink cup and a cliché and could minimize the evaporation of a diluent in the ink and change in the concentration of colorants in the ink and ink viscosity. The invention also relates to use of a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system of the invention for producing colored hydrogel or silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system capable of control the temperature, viscosity and colorant concentration of an ink in an ink cup. Such controls are achieved by continuously adding and mixing a cold ink having a composition identical to the ink in the ink cup but having a lower temperature. The continuous addition of a small amount of a cold ink into the ink cup could compensate heat generated by the friction between the ink cup and a cliché and could minimize the evaporation of a diluent in the ink and change in the concentration of colorants in the ink and ink viscosity. The invention also relates to use of a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system of the invention for producing colored hydrogel or silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A contact lens includes at least one color changeable region, wherein the color changeable region includes at least one photoluminescence material. When a wavelength of the photoluminescence material having a maximum radiation intensity is WEmMx, an average transmittance in a wavelength range of 400 nm-700 nm of the color changeable region is T4070, a size of a total area of the color changeable region is AC, and a size of a total area of the contact lens is AL, certain conditions relating to WEmMx, T4070 and AC/AL are satisfied.

Abstract: A multi-colored lens for eyewear is disclosed. The lens includes a plurality of segments including a lower segment coated with a blue dye, an upper segment coated with a red/orange dye and middle segment serving to transition between the blue and red/orange dyes. The multi-colored lens provides numerous advantages as a golf aid in assisting the wearer to view the ball. The lower blue segment assists a wearer in viewing a golf ball against a green surface while the upper red/orange segments assists the wearer in viewing the golf ball against a blue or gray sky.

Abstract: A method for inducing a Ganzfeld experience comprises placing full-field opaque or translucent contact lenses on all functioning eyes of a first person. After allowing a period of time to pass for the Ganzfeld effect to occur, a second person may monitor, question, or counsel the first person. The second person may engage the first person in massage or sensual activity, or may investigate psi phenomenon. The second person may physically control or torture the first person. The second person may perform a medical, ophthalmic, or dental procedure on the first person. The contact lenses may be used as a vehicle to apply a drug or other medicant to the first person's eyes.

Abstract: A method for dyeing a transparent article made of a polymeric substrate with gradient tint comprising: a) a first step of photodegrading the polymeric substrate (1) of the transparent article, by irradiation (3) of at least one first surface of the article to UV radiations to produce a gradiently photodegraded surface layer of the polymeric substrate, and b) a second step of dyeing said first face of the article with a dyeing agent so as to diffuse said dyeing agent into the gradiently photodegraded surface layer of the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer (SMP) intraocular lens may have a refractive index above 1.45, a Tg between 10° C. and 60° C., inclusive, de minimis or an absence of glistening, and substantially 100% transmissivity of light in the visible spectrum. The intraocular lens is then rolled at a temperature above Tg of the SMP material. The intraocular device is radially compressed within a die to a diameter of less than or equal to 1.8 mm while maintaining the temperature above Tg. The compressed intraocular lens device may be inserted through an incision less than 2 mm wide in a cornea or sclera or other anatomical structure. The lens can be inserted into the capsular bag, the ciliary sulcus, or other cavity through the incision. The SMP can substantially achieve refractive index values of greater than or equal to 1.45.

Abstract: A method of dyeing a plastic lens including applying a sublimation dye to a dyeing substrate, holding the dyeing substrate on a holding member, holding a plastic lens on the holding member at a position above the dyeing substrate, evacuating a vacuum vessel which accommodates the holding member, transferring the dyeing substrate from the holding member to a heating device provided in the vacuum vessel, so that the dyeing substrate is held to be heatable by the heating device, by vertically moving at least one of the holding member and the heating device, bringing the plastic lens in close proximity to the dyeing substrate by vertically moving at least one of the holding member and the heating device which holds the dyeing substrate, and dyeing the target surface of the plastic lens with the sublimation dye by sublimating the sublimation dye by heating the dyeing substrate using the heating device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for coloring an optical lens comprising a transparent printing primer, capable of being colored by inkjet printing. Said coloring method uses a technique of inkjet printing of said printing primer to obtain a colored optical lens, independently of the chemical nature of the compounds constituting the substrate of said lens. The invention also concerns the resulting colored lens.

Abstract: A method and kit for producing reversibly dyed soft contact lenses. The contact lenses are submerged in saline solution and a dye is added to the saline solution, either directly or by means of a strip that has been impregnated with the dye. Preferred dyes include the common dyes sodium fluorescein, lissamine green, and rose bengal. After a period of time, the lens absorbs the dye and can be removed from the solution and placed on the eye. Once the lens is illuminated with ultraviolet light, it will glow or fluoresce. This creates a dramatic effect, particularly in dimly lit areas. The dyeing method does not utilize heat and thus is reversible. Soaking the lens in additional saline solution for a period of time will cause the dye to return to its non-dyed state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a contact lens having a visible mark including the steps of (i) curing a hydrogel having reactive components including a leuco dye and a silicone component to form the contact lens and (ii) activating the leuco dye in at least a portion of said contact lens to change the color of the leuco dye to create the visible mark; wherein the leuco dye contains at least one methacrylate, acrylate, or styrene functional group, and the leuco dye polymerizes with the silicone component during the curing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a lens having at least one visible mark including the steps of (i) manufacturing a lens containing a leuco dye and (ii) activating the leuco dye t in at least a portion of said contact lens o change the color of the leuco dye to create the visible mark.

Abstract: A process which enables a plastic lenses having a refractive index of 1.7 or greater and, in particular, plastic lenses having a refractive index of 1.7 to 1.8 to be dyed uniformly to a great density without unevenness, which is, specifically, a process for producing a dyed plastic lens which comprises conducting following steps (1), (2) and (3) in this order: Step (1): a step comprising coating a substrate at 60° C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for preparing a photochromic polymeric composition, characterized in that the photochromic polymeric composition is prepared by comprising (meth)acrylamide compound in the reaction mixture useful for the preparation of the photochromic polymeric composition. The present invention also relates to the thus obtained polymeric composition, photochromic articles made from said polymeric composition, and use of said polymeric composition for preparing photochromic articles. The photochromic polymeric composition according to the present invention makes the absorption peak of the photochromic dye therein become longer, thus exhibiting a desired grey with a bit bluish green or grey with a bit blue.

Abstract: A method and kit for producing reversibly dyed soft contact lenses. The contact lenses are submerged in saline solution and a dye is added to the saline solution, either directly or by means of a strip that has been impregnated with the dye. Preferred dyes include the common dyes sodium fluorescein, lissamine green, and rose bengal. After a period of time, the lens absorbs the dye and can be removed from the solution and placed on the eye. Once the lens is illuminated with ultraviolet light, it will glow or fluoresce. This creates a dramatic effect, particularly in dimly lit areas. The dyeing method does not utilize heat and thus is reversible. Soaking the lens in additional saline solution for a period of time will cause the dye to return to its non-dyed state.

Abstract: A method of dyeing a lens, comprises the steps of: (a) applying a dyeing ink containing a sublimable dye onto a base material to produce a dyeing base body; (b) placing the dyeing base body and the lens so that a dye-applied surface of the dyeing base body and a surface of the lens to be dyed face each other in noncontact relation, and heating the dyeing base body under substantially a vacuum condition to sublimate and deposit the applied dye on the lens; and (c) heating the dye deposited surface of the lens by irradiation of infrared rays from one direction to fix the deposited dye on the lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic benzopyrans and to the use thereof in plastics of all kinds, especially for ophthalmic purposes. The inventive compounds are photochromic benzopyran compounds in which a polycyclic aromatic is joined to the 5 and 6 positions of a benzopyran, where the bond in the 6 position is direct and the bond in the 5 position is via a mono- or diatomic bridge.

Abstract: In a method of coloring a dye coating-formed lens by heating, the lens is subjected to half dyeing by changing the heating temperature depending on the lens site. This dyeing method involves heating a lens having a dye coating-formed on the surface thereof in a heating furnace to diffuse a dye into the lens. This method is carried out in a heating furnace having a frame section having the shape of a cube or rectangular parallelepiped, a heating section provided within the frame section, and an insertion port for inserting the lens provided on the bottom surface of the frame section. All or a part of the lens is inserted from the insertion port into a furnace inside of the heating furnace from the lower portion of the heating furnace and heated.

Abstract: A dyeing method of a plastic lens (10), including the steps of placing the lens (10) in a vacuum vapor deposition device (20); placing a base body (1) for dyeing in the vapor deposition device (20), the base body having a dye application area (2) in which a sublimatable dye is applied, so that the dye application area (2) faces a surface of the lens to be dyed; and heating the base body (1) in the vapor deposition device (20) under almost a vacuum, while restraining a rise in temperature of the lens (10), to sublimate the dye, depositing the sublimed dye on the lens.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for colouring an optical lens comprising a transparent printing primer, capable of being coloured by inkjet printing. Said colouring method uses a technique of inkjet printing of said printing primer to obtain a coloured optical lens, independently of the chemical nature of the compounds constituting the substrate of said lens. The invention also concerns the resulting coloured lens.

Abstract: A colorant for ocular lenses represented by the formula (I) defined herein or a colorant for ocular lenses represented by the formula (II) defined herein.

Abstract: A method for preparing the tinted contact lens with the covalently bonded novel reactive tinting compound is disclosed. The reactive tinting compound with mono vinyl functionality is prepared by reacting the reactive dye with a hydrophilic monomer containing both pendent hydroxyl and vinyl groups under an alkaline condition. The water soluble reactive dyes containing either difluoro-chloropyrimidine or ?-sulphatoethylsulphone reactive groups are used for synthesis of the reactive tinting dye. The lens forming materials are photo-polymerized in the presence of the reactive tinting compound to prepare a tinted contact lens. The reactive tinting compound is copolymerized with the lens forming monomers in a single photo-polymerization step that requires no subsequently alkaline soaking or developing step as used in the prior art. In addition, the covalently bonded dye is stable and durable in the lens and does not fade or leach out after multiple high-pressure thermal sterilizations.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for making made-to-order (MTO) or customized silicone hydrogel lenses which have printed images on and/or below lens surfaces. A preferred method of the invention comprises printing and curing an ink on the molding surface of a mold for molding a single-side molded lens blank, producing the single-sided molded lens blank having a molded surface corresponding to one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens to be produced and having an image embedded in the lens body and below lens surface, and directly lathing the lens blank on the side opposite to the molded surface to form the other lens surface. Colored silicone hydrogel lenses produced according to the invention will be useful as daily wear lenses and extended wear lenses. The lenses will allow alteration or enhancement of a patient's eye color.

Abstract: The invention relates to ophthalmic molding formulations and to tinted, high Dk ophthalmic moldings. This invention also relates to a method for making a tinted ophthalmic molding. The method comprises: (a) providing a polymer precursor having cross-linkable or polymerizable groups; (b) providing a pigment dispersion comprising an inorganic or organic pigment and a dispersing agent; (c) mixing the pigment dispersion with the polymer precursor to form a tinted prepolymer mixture; (d) dispensing the tinted prepolymer mixture into a mold; and (e) forming a tinted ophthalmic molding from the tinted prepolymer mixture, the molding comprising a polymer matrix having the pigment entrapped therein. With this method, tinted ophthalmic moldings, particularly edge-to-edge soft, tinted contact lenses having improved properties, are prepared with an improved efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an azo dye of formula wherein D is the radical of a diazo component of the benzene, naphthalene, diphenyl, thiophene, benzothiazole, benzisothiazole, thiadiazole, indazole, benzotriazole, pyrazole, anthraquinone, naphthalic acid imide, chromone, phthalimide or diphenylene oxide series, R1 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl radical and R2 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl radical, with the exception of the compounds of formulae (1a) and (1b) to a process for its preparation and to its use in a process for the production of mass-coloured plastics or polymeric colour particles, and in the dyeing or printing of semi-synthetic or synthetic hydrophobic fibre materials.

Abstract: In a method of coloring a dye coating-formed lens by heating, the lens is subjected to half dyeing by changing the heating temperature depending on the lens site. This dyeing method involves heating a lens having a dye coating-formed on the surface thereof in a heating furnace to diffuse a dye into the lens. This method is carried out in a heating furnace having a frame section having the shape of a cube or rectangular parallelepiped, a heating section provided within the frame section, and an insertion port for inserting the lens provided on the bottom surface of the frame section. All or a part of the lens is inserted from the insertion port into a furnace inside of the heating furnace from the lower portion of the heating furnace and heated.

Abstract: The invention provides a colorant for use in tinting contact lenses in which the binding polymer used is capable of forming an interpenetrating polymer network with the lens material. When the colorants of the invention are applied to uncured lens material that is subsequently cured, the binding polymer forms an interpenetrating polymer network with the lens material embedding the colorant within the lens material resulting in a stable, tinted lens.

Abstract: A dyeing method for dyeing a plastic lens, a plastic lens obtained by use of the dyeing method, and a dyeing system, a dyeing device, and a dyeing jig for a plastic lens are disclosed. The method includes a producing step of producing a print base body on which a print area is printed with a sublimatable dye by a printer under control of a computer, the printer being previously supplied with the dye; a placing step of placing the print base body and a lens to be dyed so that the print area on the base body is brought into nearly close contact with a lens surface to be dyed; and a transferring step of heating at least the print base body to sublimate the sublimatable dye of the print area, thereby transferring the dye to the lens surface to be dyed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which comprises irradiating at least one face of an article with UV radiation, causing the article to be photodegraded over a thickness of at least 1 &mgr;.m. and contacting the irradiated face of the article with a coloring agent, so as to diffuse the coloring agent in the entire thickness of the photodegraded surface layer of the article. The invention is useful for optical and ophthalmologic articles.

Abstract: The invention provides a colorant for use in tinting contact lenses in which the binding polymer used is capable of forming an interpenetrating polymer network with the lens material. When the colorants of the invention are applied to uncured lens material that is subsequently cured, the binding polymer forms an interpenetrating polymer network with the lens material embedding the colorant within the lens material resulting in a stable, tinted lens.

Abstract: Plastic articles, especially plastic optical lenses are tinted by immersing the plastic article in an aqueous dispersion of tinting agent and exposing the dispersion and immersed article to microwave radiation to bring the dispersion to ebullition; the ebullition is maintained for at least 2 seconds with transfer of tinting agent from the dispersion to the article to tint the article; the tinted article is removed from the dispersion and rinsed with water. The method achieves tinting in significantly shorter times than conventional methods and employs water-based dispersions thereby avoiding emission of vapors of organic solvents.

Abstract: A process for tinting a resin for optical materials, the resin containing sulfur, includes dipping the resin for optical materials into a liquid containing an inorganic acid and/or an organic acid and thereafter tinting the resin. Where the organic acid is included in the liquid, the organic acid is a mixture of a first compound (I) having sulfo group and a second compound (II) having phenolic hydroxyl group but not having sulfo group, with a ratio (I)/(II) of the first compound to the second compound, in an amount by weight, being 0.01 to 2.0.

Abstract: A dyeing method of dyeing a plastic lens includes: a step of placing the lens in a predetermined position in a vacuum vapor-deposition device; a step of placing base bodies to be used for a dyeing operation in the vapor-deposition device, each of the base bodies being applied with dyeing solutions each containing a dissolved or fine-grained dispersed sublimatable dye to form a dye application area on each base body, and the base bodies being arranged in opposite positions to each other with respect to the lens so that the dye application area faces each surface of the lens without contact therewith; and a step of heating the base bodies by heat sources under vacuum in the vapor-deposition device, thereby sublimating the dye of the dye application areas to vapor-deposit the sublimated dye on the lens.

Abstract: A dyeing method of dyeing a plastic lens includes: a step of placing the lens in a predetermined position in a vacuum vapor-deposition device; a step of placing a base body to be used for a dyeing operation in the vapor-deposition device, the base body being applied with dyeing solutions each containing a dissolved or fine-grained dispersed sublimatable dye to form a dye application area on the base body, and the base body being arranged so that the dye application area faces the lens without contact therewith; a step of heating the base body under vacuum in the vapor-deposition device, thereby sublimating the dye of the dye application area to vapor-deposit the sublimated dye on the lens; and a step of heating the lens on which the dye has been vapor-deposited at changing heating temperatures, thereby fixing the dye on the lens.

Abstract: The process consists in dissolving a photochromic agent in a solvent, in impregnating the polymeric material with the solution of photochromic agent and in rinsing the polymeric material with an aqueous solution in order to replace the solvent with the aqueous solution. Application: to contact lenses.

Abstract: A process for tinting a resin and a tinted optical material produced by the process. The process comprising dipping a resin into a liquid containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polar inorganic compounds and polar organic compounds and subsequently tinting the resin, wherein the resin is obtained by curing by polymerization of a sulfur-containing compound alone or a composition comprising the sulfur-containing compound, the sulfur-containing compound having in the molecule thereof one or more structures represented by the following formula hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R2, R3 and R4 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Y represents S or O and n represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: A method of incorporating radiation-absorbing agents (i.e., dyes) into polymeric materials. A preferred method involves crosslinking or polymerizing a polymerizable or crosslinkable material in the presence of a polymeric dye. A preferred product is a tinted contact lens comprising poly(vinyl alcohol). The methods offer advantages in reduced fabrication cycles, reduced extractables, elimination of post-polymerization activation steps, elimination of post-polymerization extraction steps and reduced scrap and costs associated with lens handling.

Abstract: It is difficult to efficiently fabricate optical lenses on which gradation coloring is finely implemented. Gradation coloring is implemented on optical lenses by using an optical lens coloring system having an optical lens holding device for holding an optical lens, a coloring agent discharging device provided with one or a plurality of nozzles for discharging coloring agent for coloring the optical lens, and a relative position control device for controlling a relative position of the optical lens holding device and the coloring agent discharging device. The relative position control device controls the relative position of the optical lens holding device and the coloring agent discharging device such that coloring agent discharged out of the coloring agent discharging device arrives at a predetermined plane substantially from a direction normal to a predetermined plane of an optical lens held by the optical lens holding device.

Abstract: A method of incorporating dyes into polymeric materials. The method involved contacting a functionalized dye with a high molecular weight crosslinkable polymer precursor, dispensing the solution into a mold and applying radiation, thereby forming a molded article having dye covalently bonded to the polymer backbone. A preferred product is a visibility tinted disposable contact lens comprising poly(vinyl alcohol). Various embodiments of the innovative method offer advantages in reduced fabrication cycles, reduced extractables, elimination of post-polymerization activation steps, elimination of post-polymerization extraction steps and reduced scrap and costs associated with lens handling.

Abstract: A process for preparing a soft, tinted lens is described. The process comprises the steps of softening and tinting a xerogel lens 1, wherein the softening and the tinting are achieved by immersing the xerogel lens 1 in a single solution 5 capable of softening and tinting the xerogel lens 1.

Abstract: A colored polymer obtained or obtainable by polymerization of a mixture consisting essentially of a dye and a triazine compound having at least two groups selected from alkoxymethylamino and hydroxymethylamino. The colored polymers may be used in the coloration of plastics, inks and colored reprographic toners.

Abstract: An improved method for imparting a tint or color to a soft, hydrogel contact lens by uniformly dispersing a dye throughout the lens. The dye is a water-soluble halotriazine dye. The dye is reacted with a hydrophilic monomer to prepare a reactive dye containing predominantly monofunctionality. The monomer is then subjected to polymerization in the presence of a homogeneous solution of the reactive dye in the monomer under conditions to yield the hydrophilic polymer from which the lens is formed. The dye becomes bonded to the polymer during polymerization. The finished lens does not require soaking in an aqueous solution of the dye to impart the desired tint or color to the lens. Additionally, the dye uniformly dispersed throughout the lens according to the improved method does not leach out of the lens or migrate within the lens. Furthermore, the lens does not need to be washed with aqueous base to bond the dye to the lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light-absorbing contact lens and process for preparing same. A contact lens is tinted with colorants which provide desired spectral transmittance characteristics over the tinted portion of the lens. The contact lens provides transmittance of incident radiation having a wavelength from 500 to 700 nm which is variable and wavelength-dependent. The lens of this invention also preferably filters out ultraviolet and blue light (wavelengths from 200 to about 500 nm). Various transmittance patterns for wavelengths from 500 to 700 nm are obtainable by appropriate choice of colorant combinations; the transmittance curve in this region and the colorants to achieve the desired transmittance characteristics are chosen to fill particular needs of a wearer as for example limiting transmittance of visible light in high intensity light environments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for staining a contact lens, wherein at least part of the surface of the lens consisting of a polymer containing hydroxyl and/or carboxyl groups is coated with a color coating containing as polymer-cross-linking agent a compound with at least two urethane groups or a mixture of such compounds, and urethane exchange is effected for causing cross-linking of polymers, by reacting the urethane groups with the hydroxyl and/or carboxyl groups of the bonding agent polymer and of the lens polymer.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a textile fiber to reduce the amount of UV light passing through a fabric produced from said treated fiber comprising treating a textile fiber with 0.1 to 6.0% by weight on the fiber, of a UV absorber of the formula (1) ##STR1## wherein A is the radical of a UV absorber, B is the radical of a UV absorber or is a water-solubilizing group and X is F or Cl, and textile fabrics and articles of clothing produced from said fabrics. Fabrics prepared from the treated fibers are useful in making clothing which provides protection against UV radiation for skin which is covered by the clothing, especially lightweight summer clothing.

Abstract: A method for using a composition including a neutralizing system and a sequestering agent which prevents the accumulation of inorganic deposits on contact lenses, particularly when used regularly in a conventional hydrogen peroxide disinfection regimen. The neutralizing system includes at least one reducing agent, a reductase, or both. The sequestering agent preferably is gluconic acid, a polymetaphosphate or their salts. Sodium hexametaphosphate is the most preferred sequestering agent; catalase is the most preferred agent for use as the neutralizing system.

Abstract: A method for dyeing an optical component such as a lens or filter. A coating of dyeing solution is formed on a surface of a lens and the lens is subjected to a nonuniform heating treatment in dependence on the position within the surface to obtain the desired color density gradient of the lens. In accordance with the positions within such surface, a nonuniform integrated heating amount distribution provides the desired color density gradient with excellent reproducibility.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for tinting hydrogel materials, such as contact lenses, by dissolving a leuco sulfate ester of a vat dye in an compatible monomer solution, adding an oxidizing initiator to the monomer solution, and oxidizing and polymerizing the monomer solution and dye in the same solution. In one aspect, the oxidation and polymerization are conducted simultaneously whereas in another embodiment, the oxidation of the soluble leuco sulfate ester of a vat dye to the insoluble vat dye and polymerization are conducted sequentially in the same reaction medium.

Abstract: A process for producing a tinted contact lens, which includes dissolving a soluble vat dye in a monomer capable of dissolving the soluble vat dye therein, mixing the monomer having the soluble vat dye dissolved therein and other monomers, polymerizing the monomer mixture and processing the resulting polymer into a shape of a contact lens.

Abstract: An ultraviolet radiation absorbing agent for bonding to an ocular lens. The agent has the formulaA--NH--Bwherein A is an ultraviolet absorbing compound and B is a specific reactive group or a moiety containing reactive group.