Patents Assigned to Transition Optical, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8563213
    Abstract: Described are various methods of producing non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: (a) preparing one or more aqueous dispersions of a polymerizable component, at least one of which contains a photosensitive material and, wherein the polymerizable components comprise at least one hydrophilic functional group and/or at least one hydrophobic functional group; (b) subjecting the dispersion of (a) to conditions sufficient to form microparticles; (c) at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable component; (d) combining the dispersion with an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; (e) removing water from the dispersion such that the final water content of the non-aqueous dispersion is less than 30 percent by weight; wherein e) is performed before or after d); and (f) reacting any acid functional groups on the surface of the microparticles with a reactive material having at least one epoxy functional group, at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Bowles, Anu Chopra, Randy E. Daughenbaugh, Dennis L. Faler, M. Frank Haley, Paul H. Lamers, Yunyi Lu, Kevin J. Stewart, Cathy A. Taylor, Feng Wang, Elizabeth A. Zezinka
  • Patent number: 8547625
    Abstract: Provided is a photochromic optical article including: (a) an optical substrate; (b) a thermally reversible photochromic material; and (c) reversible thermochromic material capable of at least partially filtering UV/visible light at or below room temperature and becoming less capable of filtering UV/visible light at temperatures greater than room temperature. The reversible thermochromic material (c) is operable for filtering light in the range of from 300 to 450 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Knowles, Stephen D. Straight, Kevin J. Stewart, Forrest R. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 8545015
    Abstract: Provided are photochromic articles including a substrate, a primer layer that includes a first photochromic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the primer layer that includes a photochromic-dichroic compound. The first photochromic compound and the photochromic-dichroic compound each are selected such that the photochromic-dichroic compound has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than or equal to the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance of the underlying first photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to such photochromic articles that further include a topcoat layer over the photochromic-dichroic layer, the topcoat layer including a second photochromic compound that has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength of the underlying photochromic-dichroic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Rachael L. Yoest, Chenguang Li, Delwin S. Jackson, Henry Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8545984
    Abstract: Described herein are compounds generally comprising an indeno[2?,3?:3,4]naptho[1,2-b]pyran structure. Such compounds may be useful for their photochromic properties, and be used in certain photochromic compositions. Such compositions may further comprise other photochromic compositions and/or materials. Additionally, such compounds and/or compositions may be suitable for preparing certain photochromic articles. Also described herein are methods for preparing certain photochromic compounds, compositions, and articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng He, Darrin R. Dabideen, Anil Kumar, Ruisong Xu
  • Patent number: 8535577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include certain indeno-fused naphthopyrans. The indeno-fused naphthopyrans have an amino group (e.g., a piperidino or morpholino group) bonded to the 6-position and hydrogen or a halo group (e.g., fluoro) bonded to the 11-position thereof. The photochromic materials of the present invention can have a closed-form electromagnetic radiation absorption spectrum that is shifted to longer wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths of greater than 390 nm), relative to comparable photochromic materials. The present invention also relates to optical elements, such as eyeglasses, that include the photochromic materials of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anu Chopra, David B. Knowles, Huayun Yu
  • Patent number: 8518546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, Ring-A of the Formula I can be, for example an aryl group, and L1 is a chiral or achiral lengthening group. The compound represented by Formula I can be a photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to photochromic compositions and photochromic articles that include one or more photochromic compounds, such as represented by Formula I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng He, Sujit Mondal, Darrin R. Dabideen, Anil Kumar, Xiao-Man Dai
  • Patent number: 8518305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include a photochromic compound that includes a photochromic substituent (e.g., an indeno-fused naphthopyran) and at least one pendent silane group, which is bonded to the photochromic substituent. The pendent silane groups are selected from certain pendent siloxy-silane groups and/or pendent alkoxy-silane groups represented by general formulas (I) and/or (II) as described in further detail herein. The present invention also relates to photochromic articles, such as photochromic optical elements (e.g., photochromic lenses), and photochromic coating compositions (e.g., curable photochromic coating compositions), that include the photochromic materials of the present invention. The photochromic materials of the present invention have improved compatibility with compositions into which they may be incorporated, for example, coating compositions, such as urethane coating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventor: Massimiliano Tomasulo
  • Patent number: 8512604
    Abstract: An acrylate-based optical coating composition containing a blend of monomers, a metal salt, a Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS), an antioxidant (AO), an initiator and a photochromic dye. The initiator has a range of free radical energy that is below a predetermined level. The cure process is controlled by the catalyst and initiator in combination with the HALS and AO to avoid deleterious reactions that can increase yellowness. The composition is well suited to be applied to a lens and cured in the mold to form a coating with reduced yellowness having high adhesion and abrasion-resistant properties. A photochromic segmented bifocal lens is produced with low photochromic fatigue and favorable % T values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique), Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Berzon, Leo Charles Collett
  • Patent number: 8431039
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula Ia, in which each R1-R6 can in each case be independently selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); R7 is a multivalent linking group, such as L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or divalent optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula Ia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao-Man Dai, Ruisong Xu, Meng He, Anil Kumar, Rachael L. Yoest, Chenguang Li
  • Patent number: 8388872
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photochromic material which is an indeno-fused naphthopyran of structural formulas I or II, having a pi-conjugation extending group bonded to the 11-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran, the pi-conjugation extending group having at least one pendent halo-substituted group bonded thereto. The pi-conjugation extending group extends the pi-conjugation system of said indeno-fused naphthopyran. The 13-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran is substantially free of spiro-substituents. The invention further provides photochromic materials of specified structure, photochromic compositions, photochromic articles and optical elements that include the photochromic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anu Chopra, Jun Deng, Beon-Kyu Kim, David B. Knowles, Frank F. Molock, Jr., Victor A. Montes, Stephen D. Straight, Wenjing Xiao, Huayun Yu
  • Patent number: 8349210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, in which R1-R6 can each independently be selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or —OC(O)—R8—C(O)O—, where R8 can be divalent hydrocarbyl (e.g., —CH2CH2—); each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruisong Xu, Xiao-Man Dai, Anil Kumar, Meng He, Chenguang Li, Rachael L. Yoest
  • Publication number: 20120212840
    Abstract: The present invention provides a curable, organic polymeric photochromic composition comprising: a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material; a polymeric polyol having carbonate groups along its backbone and having a number average molecular weight greater than 5000 g/mole; and a curing agent having reactive functional groups capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups on the polymeric polyol. After curing and after the Photochromic Performance Test the composition demonstrates a T1/2 fade rate of less than 200 seconds. Also provided is a photochromic article comprising a rigid substrate and a photochromic organic polymeric coating applied to a surface of the substrate. The photochromic organic polymeric coating comprises the composition described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven E. Bowles, Cynthia Kutchko, Paul H. Lamers, Jason R. Lewis, David E. Sartori, Robert W. Walters, Feng Wang
  • Publication number: 20120214992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include certain indeno-fused naphthopyrans. The indeno-fused naphthopyrans have an amino group (e.g., a piperidino or morpholino group) bonded to the 6-position and hydrogen or a halo group (e.g., fluoro) bonded to the 11-position thereof. The photochromic materials of the present invention can have a closed-form electromagnetic radiation absorption spectrum that is shifted to longer wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths of greater than 390 nm), relative to comparable photochromic materials. The present invention also relates to optical elements, such as eyeglasses, that include the photochromic materials of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Anu Chopra, David B. Knowles, Huayun Yu
  • Publication number: 20120200907
    Abstract: A photochromic compound is provided, which may be a pyran, an oxazine, or a fulgide. The photochromic compound has at least one substituent Q attached thereto, each Q independently being —N3, —CN, —COOR?, —CCR?, —C(R?)C(R?)R?, —OCOR?, —OCOOR?, —SR?, —OSO2R??, and/or —CON(R?)R?, wherein each R? is hydrogen, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an unsubstituted or substituted alkene or alkyne group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the substituents are halo or hydroxyl and R?? is —CF3 or a perfluorinated alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms. The number, locations and nature of the constituents Q are dependent upon the structure of the photochromic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Meng He, Darrin R. Dabideen, Anil Kumar, Terry A. Kellar, II
  • Publication number: 20120183810
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the Formula I: Wherein substituents R16, R17 and R17? are each independently selected from an electron withdrawing group having a Hammett ?p value of from 0.05 to 0.85, provided that one of R16 and R17 is hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Anu Chopra
  • Patent number: 8211338
    Abstract: A photochromic compound is provided, which may be a pyran, an oxazine, or a fulgide. The photochromic compound has at least one substituent Q attached thereto, each Q independently being —N3, —CN, —COOR?, —CCR?, —C(R?)C(R?)R?, —OCOR?, —OCOOR?, —SR?, —OSO2R??, and/or —CON(R?)R?, wherein each R? is hydrogen, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an unsubstituted or substituted alkene or alkyne group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the substituents are halo or hydroxyl and R?? is —CF3 or a perfluorinated alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms The number, locations and nature of the constituents Q are dependent upon the structure of the photochromic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc
    Inventors: Meng He, Darrin R. Dabideen, Anil Kumar, Terry A. Kellar, II
  • Publication number: 20120157696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making indeno-fused naphthol materials, that involves, with some embodiments, forming an indanone acid intermediate, which can be represented by the following general Formula V, With Formula V, m is from 0 to 4, and R1 for each m, Rg and Rh can each be independently selected from, for example, hydrogen and hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to a method of making an indeno-fused naphthopyran that involves an indanone acid intermediate synthetic route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Anu Chopra, Barry Van Gemert, Wenjing Xiao, Huayun Yu
  • Publication number: 20120157678
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making fused ring compounds, such as indeno-fused naphthols, and fused ring indenopyran compounds, such as indeno-fused naphthopyrans, that each employ an unsaturated compound represented by the following Formula II. Referring to the unsaturated compound of Formula II: Ring-A can be selected from optionally substituted aryl (e.g., phenyl); m can be, for example, from 0 to 4; R1 for each m can be selected from optionally substituted hydrocarbyl (e.g., C1-C6 alkyl) optionally interrupted with at least one linking group (e.g., —O—); and R3 and R16 can each be independently selected from, for example, hydrogen or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, such as C1-C8 alkyl. When Ring-A is a phenyl group, the unsaturated compound represented by Formula II can be referred to as an unsaturated indanone acid/ester compound, or an indenone acid/ester compound (depending on whether R16 is hydrogen, or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL INC.
    Inventors: Meng He, Anil Kumar
  • Publication number: 20120157677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lactone compounds represented by the following Formulas I and II, and methods of making such lactone compounds. The present invention also relates to methods of making other materials from such lactone compounds, such as fused ring indenol compounds (e.g., indeno-fused naphthols), and fused ring indenopyran compounds (e.g., indeno-fused naphthopyrans).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL INC.
    Inventors: Meng He, Darrin R. Dabideen, Ruisong Xu, Anil Kumar
  • Publication number: 20120156521
    Abstract: Described herein are compounds generally comprising an indeno[2?,3?:3,4]naptho[1,2-b]pyran structure. Such compounds may be useful for their photochromic properties, and be used in certain photochromic compositions. Such compositions may further comprise other photochromic compositions and/or materials. Additionally, such compounds and/or compositions may be suitable for preparing certain photochromic articles. Also described herein are methods for preparing certain photochromic compounds, compositions, and articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Meng He, Darrin R. Dabideen, Xiao-Man Dai, Wenjing Xiao, Ruisong Xu, Sujit Mondal, Anil Kumar, Anu Chopra