Abstract: A photochromic naphthopyran displays good color distribution when the naphthopyran has a central nucleus of the formula: wherein F is a 5-member, 6-member, or 7-member heterocyclic ring group having only one heteroatom, the heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen, the 2,3 or 3,2 positions of the heterocyclic ring fused to the g, h, or i side; R1 and R2 are the atoms or groups providing photochromic properties to the naphthopyran.

Abstract: A method of making an optical element that includes a thermoplastic power portion, the method including laminating a first thermoplastic sheet to one side of a functional film, laminating a second thermoplastic sheet to a second side of the functional film, and affixing either the first thermoplastic sheet or the second thermoplastic sheet to the power portion, with the other of the first or second thermoplastic sheets being open to atmosphere.

Abstract: A photochromic [1,2-b] naphthopyran having a fluoro substituent in at least one of the 7-position or the 9-position of the naphthopyran provides a stable photochromic compound with a narrow range of absorption. A preferred photochromic naphthopyran has the 2-position of the naphthopyran with two aromatic substituents thereon. It is further preferred to have at least one 2-position aromatic substituent comprising a phenyl group.

Abstract: Benzodioxino-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran compounds having particularly advantageous photochromic properties, such as, high sensitivity/coloration, two distinct absorption bands in the 430-500 nm range and 520-620 nm range of the visible spectrum may be generally described as a naphthopyran having a central nucleus of the formula: wherein F is a 1,4-benzodioxine ring with its 2,3 positions fused to the i, j, or k faces; and R1 and R2 are the atoms or groups providing photochromic properties to the naphthopyran.

Abstract: A method of making an optical element that includes a thermoplastic power portion, the method including laminating a first thermoplastic sheet to one side of a functional film, laminating a second thermoplastic sheet to a second side of the functional film, and affixing either the first thermoplastic sheet or the second thermoplastic sheet to the power portion, with the other of the first or second thermoplastic sheets being open to atmosphere.

Abstract: A method provides high-vacuum vapor coating methods, with the methods producing novel coating compositions with surprisingly increased performance levels over coatings produced from the same materials under different processing conditions. Compounds of the general formulae II, III and IV, defined herein, can be applied by vapor deposition from a merely compacted, rather than fused or sintered porous matrix source with improved performance, even where the same chemicals are used in the coating, at the same coating temperatures. The generally useful materials include silanes and siloxanes, and siloxazanes of formulae I, II, III and IV.

Abstract: A polarizing plate is formed with a non-polyvinyl alcohol based polarizing film, a thermoplastic support layer bonded to one surface of the polarizing thin layer, and a thermoplastic protective layer bonded to the other surface of the polarizing thin layer. The thermoplastic support layer is constructed from the same or similar material as the eyewear plastic article base. The thermoplastic protective layer is constructed from a resin sheet that is non-birefringent or highly birefringent. The polarizing plate can be advantageously used in eyewear articles such as sunglasses and goggles for glare reduction. The polarizing plate can be more advantageously used for the production of eyewear optical articles through an insert injection molding technique due to its high heat stability and moisture resistance.

Abstract: A method of making an optical element that includes a thermoplastic power portion, the method including laminating a first thermoplastic sheet to one side of a functional film, laminating a second thermoplastic sheet to a second side of the functional film, and affixing either the first thermoplastic sheet or the second thermoplastic sheet to the power portion, with the other of the first or second thermoplastic sheets being open to atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel naphthopyrans having an oxygen-containing heterocyclic group F annelated on the i, j, or k side of the naphthopyran ring, having certain substituents at the 2, 5, and 6 positions of the naphthopyran ring.

Abstract: A photochromic polyurethane film of improved light fatigue resistance is disclosed. A stabilizer system combining two hindered amine light stabilizers and one phenolic antioxidant is incorporated in the photochromic polyurethane film in an amount so that the film will have more than 40% of light fatigue improvement and less than 6 units in &Dgr;b* of CIELAB system after a given light fatigue test. The film can be conveniently laminated between two transparent plastic sheets and incorporated into a plastic article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to rapidly spin-apply an AR coating system to a backside of a prescription lens. The AR coating system comprises a polyurethane primer layer, a siloxane thermally cured scratch resistant coating layer, a two-layer sol-gel AR coating, and a hydrophobic layer. The process comprising steps of spin-applying each of the layers provides a quick way to furnish a prescription lens that is AR coated on both sides.

Abstract: The temporary protection of polymeric articles, particularly polymeric articles with optical qualities such as ophthalmic lenses formed by the lamination of individual lens blanks, can be effected by the application of protective polymeric compositions to the surface of the polymer article, the composition being applied as a dry film or coating a film on a surface of the polymeric article. The individual lens blank is prepared for lamination or coating by application of a selective solvent to the polymeric film, the selective solvent dissolving, dispersing or otherwise removing the protective polymeric film but neither reacting with, etching or dissolving the composition of the polymeric article. The solvent even may comprise water or aqueous solutions (especially pH 8.0 to 12), although C1 to C5 alcohols and alkylene glycol ethers may also be used as the solvent.

Abstract: A dichroic dye can be blended with a non-dichroic dye (melanin and melanin derivatives) and still maintain a commercially acceptable level of polarizing efficiency. Efficient polarizers exhibit polarizing efficiencies of greater or equal to 95% and the best are even greater than or equal to 98%. Since melanin has unique features with respect to absorption of wavelengths of light, melanin is very useful to have in combination with a polarizer that takes advantage of this absorption. The blending can be done by a mixture (preferably an aqueous mixture) of melanin and a dichroic dye in a ratio sufficient to achieve the desired color and polarizing effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for molding plastic optical articles with a hard coated film, comprising steps of coating one side of an optical film with a hard coating, pre-curing the hard coating to a tack free state while still maintaining the coating flexibility, making an insert from the coated film for the desired optical article, molding the plastic resin onto the insert through insert injection molding, and post-curing the molded article. The utilization of the pre-curing and post-curing steps have been found to eliminate hard coating cracks during the insert making and the molding step, while providing a hard coating with desired properties. Such an optical article possesses a hard coating integrated on its surface, thus, eliminating the need to further coat the optical article.

Abstract: A plastic optical article manufactured by an insert injection molding process comprises an injected thermoplastic base and a polarizing plate comprising a polarizing film, a thermoplastic support layer bonded to one surface of the polarizing film, and a thermoplastic protective layer bonded to the other surface of the polarizing film. The thermoplastic support layer is constructed from the same or similar material as the thermoplastic base. The thermoplastic protective layer is constructed from a resin sheet having an optical retardance of less than 200 nm in order to minimize the reduction of polarization efficiency by a birefringent material. The plastic optical article does not show interference fringe colors of polarized light if the protective layer faces the polarized light source. The polarizing plate is useful for manufacturing polarized eyewear articles, such as polarized sunscreens and goggles.

Abstract: A dip coating process is disclosed that provides a coating on the surfaces of an optical element with more consistent coating thickness. The objectives of this invention are accomplished by holding the coated optical element so that a meniscus is created between the element and the surface of the coating solution. At such a position, the capillary force generated by the touching meniscus helps drain down excessive coating at the bottom of the substrate to quickly yield a consistent coating thickness over the coated surface.

Abstract: This patent application discloses a waterborne ink for printing marks on ophthalmic lenses, and a process for applying the ink to various coated or uncoated surfaces, especially the surfaces of polycarbonate lenses. The ink produces marks that are free of any ghost images after the removal of the ink. The ink includes preferably an acrylic polymer, a coloring agent, and preferably further includes at least one surfactant as a wetting agent.

Abstract: A method provides high-vacuum vapor coating methods, with the methods producing novel coating compositions with surprisingly increased performance levels over coatings produced from the same materials under different processing conditions. Compounds of the general formulae II, III and IV, defined herein, can be applied by vapor deposition from a merely compacted, rather than fused or sintered porous matrix source with improved performance, even where the same chemicals are used in the coating, at the same coating temperatures. The generally useful materials include silanes and siloxanes, and siloxazanes of various formulae I, II, III and IV.

Abstract: A thermally curable coating is spin applied to the surface of a lens through a process that comprises the following steps: preparing a thermally curable coating composition, spin applying the coating onto one surface of a lens, and curing the coating. The process combines the best features both of the spin application technique and a thermally cured coating to obtain high productivity with high yield in the application process yet provide superior coating properties without requiring stripping or other pretreatment steps, which have negative attributes. The process can also incorporate the use of either a thermoset or a thermoplastic primer to enhance the coating adhesion.

Abstract: The invention includes both a lens box blank and a lens box. The lens box blank that is folded into a lens box may, for example, comprise: a cross-bar alignment of box segments and a vertical stem alignment of box segments; the vertical stem alignment of segments including at least a front flap, a top flap, a bottom flap, and a rear flap separated by folding lines between flaps; the cross-bar alignment of box elements comprising in symmetry about the bottom flap at least two side flaps, at least two support frame top flaps, at least two lens support frame flaps with an opening in each lens support frame flap to nestle a lens, and at least two lens support frame securing flaps. The lens box blank may have at least one of the rear flap segment and the bottom flap has a flap extension thereon. The lens box blank may also have the lens box support frame flap openings as at least partially arcuate.