Abstract: The present invention is dedicated to a process for improving the adhesion properties between a first coating obtained from a curable composition and a second coating, through the incorporation of a cleavable surfactant in said curable composition and subsequent cleavage thereof. Said process comprises: depositing onto the substrate of an optical article a first layer of a first curable composition comprising at least one cleavable surfactant, curing at least partially said first curable composition, thereby forming a first coating, forming a second coating onto said first coating, wherein, after said first curable composition has been deposited onto the substrate, and before deposition of the second coating, said optical article is subjected to a treatment step resulting in a cleavage of at least a portion of the cleavable surfactant. Curable compositions containing cleavable surfactants and optical articles having deposited thereon stacks of coatings formed by the above process are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid are disclosed throughout the specification. For example, there is provided a method comprising providing a lens having a curved surface, and applying a polarizing liquid to at least a portion of the curved surface by shear flow with a flexible apparatus. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A method for spin coating a surface of an optical article, includes the steps of: selecting as the optical article an article (10) with a concave face (12) able to adopt a facing up position in which its uppermost portion is an edge (15) and selecting the concave face as the surface to be coated; dispensing a predetermined volume of a coating solution (18) on the concave face (12) along the edge (15), the concave face (12) facing up and the solution being dispensed in a top down manner; waiting with no motion of the article (10) for the solution to flow on the concave face (12) until it collects centrally; and spinning the article (10) to force the solution back to the edge (15) of the concave face (12).

Abstract: The present invention is dedicated to a process for improving the adhesion properties between a first coating obtained from a curable composition and a second coating, through the incorporation of a cleavable surfactant in said curable composition and subsequent cleavage thereof. Said process comprises: depositing onto the substrate of an optical article a first layer of a first curable composition comprising at least one cleavable surfactant, curing at least partially said first curable composition, thereby forming a first coating, forming a second coating onto said first coating, wherein, after said first curable composition has been deposited onto the substrate, and before deposition of the second coating, said optical article is subjected to a treatment step resulting in a cleavage of at least a portion of the cleavable surfactant. Curable compositions containing cleavable surfactants and optical articles having deposited thereon stacks of coatings formed by the above process are also described.

Abstract: A process for combining a polythiol reactant and an alkenyl silane reactant to form a polysulfide polysilane. The reactants are combined in a thiol-ene addition process driven by UV radiation. The polysulfide polysilane is then hydrolyzed and may be combined with other hydrolyzed compounds. For coatings, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed and may optionally be combined with nanoparticles. For bulk materials, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed, concentrated, and heated to form a high refractive index material which can be used to form optical articles such as lenses.

Abstract: A system and method for providing photochromic segmented multifocal optical lenses. A latex primer formulation is provided for effectuating adhesion of a surface casting composition onto a lens having a photochromic coating. The method provides efficient, cost effective production of durable photochromic segmented lenses, via secure adhesion of a surface casting layer onto a photochromic substrate while maintaining desirable optical characteristics. A composite optical lens is advantageously formed having a photochromic base lens, a primer composition bonded to a convex surface of said base lens, and a cured casting composition bonded to said primer composition layer. The cured casting formulation includes a segment region to impart multifocal qualities onto the resultant composite optical lens.

Abstract: A process for combining a polythiol reactant and an alkenyl silane reactant to form a polysulfide polysilane. The reactants are combined in a thiol-ene addition process driven by UV radiation. The polysulfide polysilane is then hydrolyzed and may be combined with other hydrolyzed compounds. For coatings, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed and may optionally be combined with nanoparticles. For bulk materials, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed, concentrated, and heated to form a high refractive index material which can be used to form optical articles such as lenses.

Abstract: A composition having a polythiol reactant and an alkenyl silane reactant which are combined to form a polysulfide polysilane. In the process, the reactants are combined in a thiol-ene addition process driven by UV radiation. The polysulfide polysilane is then hydrolyzed and may be combined with other hydrolyzed compounds. For coatings, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed and may optionally be combined with nanoparticles. For bulk materials, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed, concentrated and heated to form a high refractive index material which can be used to form lenses.

Abstract: A method for spin coating a surface of an optical article, includes the steps of: selecting as the optical article an article (10) with a concave face (12) able to adopt a facing up position in which its uppermost portion is an edge (15) and selecting the concave face as the surface to be coated; dispensing a predetermined volume of a coating solution (18) on the concave face (12) along the edge (15), the concave face (12) facing up and the solution being dispensed in a top down manner; waiting with no motion of the article (10) for the solution to flow on the concave face (12) until it collects centrally; and spinning the article (10) to force the solution back to the edge (15) of the concave face (12).

Abstract: A novel photochromic latex formulation is provided, in one embodiment involving the addition of a polyurethane latex to a polyphasic latex, the formulation having improved adhesion qualities, in particular, adhesion onto a hard coat layer. In a preferred embodiment, the polyurethane latex is 20% by weight of the formulation. In addition, an optical article is provided having a coating including a novel photochromic latex formulation in accordance with the present invention, applied via a Front Side Transfer process.

Abstract: A composition having a polythiol reactant and an alkenyl silane reactant which are combined to form a polysulfide polysilane. In the process, the reactants are combined in a thiol-ene addition process driven by UV radiation. The polysulfide polysilane is then hydrolyzed and may be combined with other hydrolyzed compounds. For coatings, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed and may optionally be combined with nanoparticles. For bulk materials, the polysulfide polysilane is hydrolyzed, concentrated and heated to form a high refractive index material which can be used to form lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light polarizing ophthalmic lens comprising a substrate made of organic glass and an optically transparent composite film deposited on the front main face of the substrate, said transparent composite film comprising a latex layer having an outer main face provided with parallel microgrooves, and a polarizing dye material filling at least partially the said microgrooves. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the light polarizing ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A system and method for providing photochromic segmented multifocal optical lenses. A latex primer formulation is provided for effectuating adhesion of a surface casting composition onto a lens having a photochromic coating. The method provides efficient, cost effective production of durable photochromic segmented lenses, via secure adhesion of a surface casting layer onto a photochromic substrate while maintaining desirable optical characteristics. A composite optical lens is advantageously formed having a photochromic base lens, a primer composition bonded to a convex surface of said base lens, and a cured casting composition bonded to said primer composition layer. The cured casting formulation includes a segment region to impart multifocal qualities onto the resultant composite optical lens.

Abstract: Methods of coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid. One method includes providing a lens having a curved surface and a lens axis; and rotating the lens about a rotation axis such that a polarizing liquid flows over at least a portion of the curved surface; the rotation axis being offset from the lens axis. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light polarizing ophthalmic lens comprising a substrate made of organic glass and an optically transparent composite film deposited on the front main face of the substrate, said transparent composite film comprising a latex layer having an outer main face provided with parallel microgrooves, and a polarizing dye material filling at least partially the said microgrooves. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the light polarizing ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light polarizing ophthalmic lens comprising a substrate made of organic glass and an optically transparent composite film deposited on the front main face of the substrate, said transparent composite film comprising a latex layer having an outer main face provided with parallel microgrooves, and a polarizing dye material filling at least partially the said microgrooves. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the light polarizing ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A system and method for coating lenses having a non-uniform surface profile, in particular, segmented multifocal optical lenses. A straight top ophthalmic lens is positioned in a first orientation relative to at least one stationary ultrasonic spray nozzle. The ultrasonic nozzle is placed at a predetermined height above the optical surface of the lens and, as the lens is moved at a predetermined speed in a direction towards the nozzle, a coating composition is applied in atomized form onto the lens surface. In the first orientation, a length of the straight top edge is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the lens towards the nozzle. The method provides uniform and precise application of coatings to segmented multifocal lenses having a segmented portion, with minimal to non-existent coating build-up or bubbling at ridges, and minimal coating waste.

Abstract: A method for providing a polarizing layer on a curved optical element comprises using a support for temporarily carrying the polarizing layer. The support is resilient so that it can conform with the curved surface of the optical element. An adhesive layer is first deposited on the optical element surface, and the polarizing layer is applied on the adhesive layer by pressing the support. Then, the support is peeled so that the polarizing layer remains on the optical element. The method is compatible with high efficiency polarizing layer based on dichroic compounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid are disclosed throughout the specification. For example, there is provided a method comprising providing a lens having a curved surface, and applying a polarizing liquid to at least a portion of the curved surface by shear flow with a flexible apparatus. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Methods of coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid. One method includes providing a lens having a curved surface and a lens axis; and rotating the lens about a rotation axis such that a polarizing liquid flows over at least a portion of the curved surface; the rotation axis being offset from the lens axis. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.