Patents by Inventor Edward Travnicek

Edward Travnicek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8128224
    Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Insight Equity A.P.X, LP
    Inventors: Alan D. Maki, Eric J. Woelfle, Darrell B. Kroulik, Thomas J. Moravec, Edward A. Travnicek, Martin L. Hage
  • Publication number: 20060244909
    Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Maki, Eric Woelfle, Darrell Kroulik, Thomas Moravec, Edward Travnicek, Martin Hage
  • Patent number: 7077985
    Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Vision-Ease Lens
    Inventors: Alan D. Maki, Eric J. Woelfle, Darrell B. Kroulik, Thomas J. Moravec, Edward A. Travnicek, Martin L. Hage
  • Publication number: 20030214080
    Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: BMC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Maki, Eric J. Woelfle, Darrell B. Kroulik, Thomas J. Moravec, Edward A. Travnicek, Martin L. Hage
  • Publication number: 20030008149
    Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Moravec, Martin L. Hage, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 6420514
    Abstract: The removal of certain reaction impurities in the manufacture of polysulfone polymers has been found to reduce the undesirable coloration in the final resin. Control of synthesizing reactions, manufacturing processes, and/or purification of specific ingredients assists in the removal of specific, undesirable impurities. The yellowness index, as determined by ASTM D1925 or ASTM E313, in the commercial grades of polysulfone resins has consistently been well above 1.0 for commercial polysulfone resins. The present invention provides polysulfone polymers after processing (e.g., injection molding) where the yellowness index is below 1.00, below 0.75, below 0.50, and even below 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Vision - Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Hage, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 6337409
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: wherein R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a first stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a first nitrogen-substituted group, and a first nitrogen-substituted ring compound; A and B are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, substituted phenyl, and substituted naphthyl, provided that at least one of A or B is substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl; and any substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at A or B is selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a second stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a second nitrogen-substituted group, and a second nitrogen-substituted ring compound, provided that at least one substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at either A or B is phenyl, naphthyl, or furyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Hughes, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 5759450
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, and R.sub.10 are each selected from hydrogen, a first stable organic radical, an organic heterocyclic group, halogen, a first nitrogen-substituted group, and a first nitrogen-substituted ring compound; A and B are each selected from hydrogen, substituted phenyl, and substituted naphthyl, provided that at least one of A or B is substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl; and any substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at A or B is selected from hydrogen, a second stable organic radical, an organic heterocyclic group, halogen, a second nitrogen-substituted group, and a second nitrogen-substituted ring compound, provided that at least one substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at either A or B is phenyl, naphthyl, or furyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Hughes, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 5705102
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, and R.sub.10 are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, a halogen, a nitrogen-substituted group, and a nitrogen-substituted ring compound and wherein A is a substituted divalent aromatic radical that includes substituents selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen and the stable organic radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Hughes, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 5628935
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, and R.sub.10 are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, a halogen, a nitrogen-substituted group, and a nitrogen-substituted ring compound and wherein A is a substituted divalent aromatic radical that includes substituents selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen and the stable organic radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Hughes, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 5531935
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, and R.sub.11 are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a first stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a first nitrogen-substituted group, and a first nitrogen-substituted ring compound; A and B are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, substituted phenyl, and substituted naphthyl, provided that at least one of A or B is substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl; and any substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at A or B is selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a second stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a second nitrogen-substituted group, and a second nitrogen-substituted ring compound, provided that at least one substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at either A or B is phenyl, naphthyl, or furyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: BMC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Hughes, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 4165158
    Abstract: Casting a contact lens directly to finished size, shape and edge configuration. Casting is accomplished between concave and convex mold halves which respectively provide lens front and base curve forming surfaces. The rim of the concave front-forming surface is circular and makes continuous line contact with a spherical surface extended annularly about the convex base curve-forming surface to produce a vanishing thin edge without flashing about the cast lens. Provision is made for modification of the cross-sectional configuration of the circular rim and/or annular mold surface according to changes in lens edge profile needed to meet particular requirements for optimum lens fitting comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 4141941
    Abstract: Producing from a single contact lens casting mold, lenses of a number of different sizes by including in the casting precursor for each lens, a controlled amount of an extractable diluent of low volatility which is extracted after casting to cause the resulting lens to shrink a calculable amount. Variations in amounts are used to produce corresponding variations in sizes of cast and extracted lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 4135792
    Abstract: Warpage-free spectacles comprised of plastic lenses and plastic frames wherein the frames are constructed of materials having the same or lower tensile elastic modulus and/or the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the lens material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventors: Emil W. Deeg, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 4127638
    Abstract: Polymeric rods suitable for manufacturing contact lenses may be improved by casting the rod in Teflon or in a Teflon-coated tube. Contact lens materials containing NVP as a monomer are preferably cast in tubes made of Teflon or having Teflon coating on the interior surface. The rods thus cast are substantially free of strain, have a uniform diameter, a smooth, continous exterior surface and an absence of voids therein. When initial polymerization is conducted at a moderate temperature in a water bath, the mixture is polymerized homogeneously to provide superior uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia M. Cuffe, Albert R. LeBoeuf, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 4114993
    Abstract: A method of finishing silicone lenses which avoids weakening, scratching or tearing the lens is disclosed and a filled silicone lens coated with an unfilled silicone elastomer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 4102567
    Abstract: Lens material suitable for ophthalmological use including implantation in the eye as an intraocular lens and as an ultra thin contact lens. The lenses are fabricated of polymethylmethacrylate (hereinafter PMMA) which PMMA is characterized by its very high molecular weight and almost complete freedom from strain. The PMMA may optionally be lightly cross-linked. The lens material is characterized by good machinability, color uniformity, and optical quality. It is substantially strain free and free from warpage when fabricated into extremely thin lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia M. Cuffe, Albert R. LeBoeuf, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 3996187
    Abstract: Reinforced silicone elastomers, having improved tensile strength and particularly tear strength, include at least copolymers of aryl siloxanes and alkyl siloxanes, in a particular ratio of aryl to alkyl substituents, having reflective indices matched to the index of refraction of a silicone filler, forming optically clear material, useful for soft contact lenses.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to optically clear, reinforced, inter-polymers of aryl and alkyl siloxanes, forming silicone elastomeric, soft plastic contact lenses.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany silicone elastomers, when unfilled, generally have excellent optical clarity and are usually water white in color. The tensile strength, and especially the tear strength, of such elastomers is poor, however. By filling the elastomers with fine particulate solids, the silicone gum stock will produce, when vulcanized and cured, an elastomer with much improved strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Edward A. Travnicek
  • Patent number: 3996189
    Abstract: Reinforced silicone elastomers, having improved tensile strength and particularly tear strength, include at least copolymers of aryl siloxanes and alkyl siloxanes, in a ratio of aryl to alkyl substituents providing 6 to 16 mole percent phenyl chosen to provide a refractive index matched to the index of refraction of a silica filler, form optically clear material useful for soft contact lenses. Preferably two copolymers are used and each has methyl groups with 6 to 16 mole percent phenyl groups. One of the two copolymers contains terminal vinyl groups and the other copolymer contains terminal (R).sub.2 HSi--O-- groups. Platinum materials are used to catalyze the vulcanization of the copolymer mix. These elastomers are useful for a variety of optical products, e.g., contact lenses, intraocular implants and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: American Optical Corporation
    Inventor: Edward A. Travnicek