Abstract: A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes contacting one or more dye compositions including at least one of a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or any combination thereof, with an optical element having a continuous coating including at least one alignment zone. At least a portion of the dye composition diffuses into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating.

Abstract: An optical article that includes an optical element and an anisotropic coating layer formed over at least a portion of the optical element. The anisotropic coating layer can include a first light-influencing zone comprising at least one first anisotropic material and a second light-influencing zone comprising at least one second anisotropic material. The at least one of the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone further include at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material such that the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone exhibit a different color property, a different photochromic-dichroic reversible change, a different amount of polarization, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A curable photochromic composition can include: (a) a first component having a first compound with at least two active hydrogen-functional groups and an active hydrogen-functional group equivalent weight of at least 1000; (b) a second component having at least one of a polyisocyanate and a blocked polyisocyanate; and (c) at least one photochromic compound. The ratio of total isocyanate and blocked isocyanate group equivalents of the second component to total active hydrogen-functional group equivalents is at least 4:1.

Abstract: A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes providing an optical element including a coating having at least one alignment zone. A dye composition is contacted with the coating. The dye composition includes at least one of: a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or a combination thereof to diffuse at least a portion of the dye composition into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating to provide the gradient tint and the gradient polarization. A kit for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. An optical article prepared from a method for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization.

Abstract: An optical article that includes an optical element and an anisotropic coating layer formed over at least a portion of the optical element. The anisotropic coating layer can include a first light-influencing zone comprising at least one first anisotropic material and a second light-influencing zone comprising at least one second anisotropic material. The at least one of the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone further include at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material such that the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone exhibit a different color property, a different photochromic-dichroic reversible change, a different amount of polarization, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes providing an optical element including a coating having at least one alignment zone. A dye composition is contacted with the coating. The dye composition includes at least one of: a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or a combination thereof to diffuse at least a portion of the dye composition into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating to provide the gradient tint and the gradient polarization. A kit for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. An optical article prepared from a method for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization.

Abstract: A method for making a coated substrate (10), such as a polymeric lens (11), includes positioning a heat sink (22) of a heat-conductive and/or heat reflective material adjacent a sidewall (16) of the substrate (10) and subjecting the substrate (10) to a coating and curing process. A coating assembly (76) includes a substrate (10), such as a polymeric lens (11), and a heat sink (22) adjacent a sidewall (16) of the substrate (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers that include residues of at least one monomer represented by the following Formula (I). With reference to Formula (I), at least one of E1 and E2 independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group, such as a (meth)acryloyl group. Monomers represented by Formula (I) and monomer residues thereof have alignment properties, such as photoalignment properties. The present invention also relates to alignment layers that include such polymers, and articles of manufacture, such as optical elements, that include one or more such alignment layers.

Abstract: A method for preparing an optical element which colors in a non-uniform linear pattern is provided.

Abstract: A method for coloring an optical element in a non-uniform linear pattern is provided. The method includes (a) preparing at least one colorant composition containing at least one photochromic material; (b) depositing the colorant composition on at least one surface of the optical element in a controlled, predetermined pattern using an inkjet printing apparatus to provide a linearly gradient color pattern on the optical element when the optical element is exposed to actinic radiation; and (c) drying the colorant composition on the surface of the optical element. An optical element prepared by the method also is provided.

Abstract: A curable photochromic composition can include: (a) a first component having a first compound with at least two active hydrogen-functional groups and an active hydrogen-functional group equivalent weight of at least 1000; (b) a second component having at least one of a polyisocyanate and a blocked polyisocyanate; and (c) at least one photochromic compound. The ratio of total isocyanate and blocked isocyanate equivalents of the second component to total active hydrogen-functional group equivalents of the first component is at least 4:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula (I). With reference to Formula (I), at least one of E1 and E2 independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group, such as a (meth)acryloyl group. The compounds of the present invention can be used alone and/or in combination with polymers prepared from such compounds, such as to form or as one or more components of an alignment layer.

Abstract: An inspection unit (10) for photochromic lenses (84) has a housing (12) defining an interior (14). At least one ultraviolet light source (32a, 32b) provides ultraviolet radiation into the housing interior (14). An inspection platform (54) is movable into and out of the housing interior (14) via at least one slide assembly (56). The inspection platform (54) includes a light table (58) having a translucent viewing area (62) and at least one inspection light source (64) located under the translucent viewing area (62).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of coating a lens, such as a segmented multifocal lens. The method includes, providing a lens support (1), which is in the form of a ring, that includes a central axis (11), an outer wall (14), an inner wall (17) that is positioned between the central axis and the outer wall, an upper beveled surface (20) that converges downward toward the central axis, and a lower surface (29). The method further includes positioning a lens (3) such that an outer edge (74) of a forward surface (65) thereof abuts a portion of the upper beveled surface of the lens support. At least one coating composition is applied over the rear surface (68) of the lens, so as to form a coated lens (3?) having at least one coating layer (89) over the rear surface thereof.

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).

Abstract: Compounds that have ultraviolet light absorbing properties, and which can also have mesogenic properties. Compositions that include one or more such compounds. Articles of manufacture that include one or more such compounds, such as optical elements that include an optical substrate and a layer that includes at least one such compound.

Abstract: Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for new photoalignment (co)polymer materials which demonstrate improved adhesion to a substrate. The (co)polymeric structure includes at least one photochemically active chromophore and at least one adhesion promoter group. Articles of manufacture, optical elements, ophthalmic elements and liquid crystal cells which include at least one photoalignment layer made from the photoalignment (co)polymer materials and methods for formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spin coater that can be used to apply multiple coating compositions over an optical substrate, is described. The spin coater includes, a coater bowl configured to collect excess coating material expelled from an optical substrate being coated, a rotatable chuck configured to receive and rotate the optical substrate in the bowl during coating, a plurality of coating reservoirs, each containing a coating material, and an indexable coating reservoir platform containing the plurality of reservoirs and configured to index a selected reservoir into a dispensing position above the coater bowl. The spin coater can include or have associated therewith at least one curing station, in which each curing station is independently configured to cure at least partially at least one applied coating material. Each curing station can include at least one of a thermal curing station, a UV curing station, and/or an IR curing station.

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.