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: An optical film is placed over a liquid crystal display to manipulate the polarized light exiting the top polarizing layer of the display such that the light is less likely to become blocked out by the polarized sunglasses of a user viewing the device. The manipulation may include retarding the axis of the light or diffusing the light.

Abstract: A photochromic polyurethane laminate that is constructed to solve certain manufacturing difficulties involved in the production of plastic photochromic lenses is disclosed. The photochromic laminate includes at least two layers of a resinous material and a photochromic polyurethane layer that is interspersed between the two resinous layers and which contains photochromic compounds. The polyurethane layer is formed by curing a mixture of a solid thermoplastic polyurethane, at least one isocyanate prepolymer, at least one photochromic compound, and a stabilizing system.

Abstract: A photochromic melanin-containing optical plate is described. The plate has a lamination structure comprising one or two functional film layers containing photochromic compounds and melanin pigments. The photochromic melanin-containing optical plate absorbs high-energy visible-light while indoor and darkens to a sunscreen while outdoors. The plate can be advantageously used in eyewear optical articles such as ski goggles, sunscreen lenses, eyewear lenses, etc.

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 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: A photochromic polyurethane laminate that is constructed to solve certain manufacturing difficulties involved in the production of photochromic lenses is disclosed. The photochromic laminate includes at least two layers of a transparent resinous material and a photochromic polyurethane layer that is interspersed between the two resinous layers and which contains photochromic compounds. The photochromic layer has a thickness of from 5 &mgr;m to 80 &mgr;m. The photochromic host material may be a thermoset or thermoplastic polyurethane. A laminate of this construction can be conveniently incorporated into a plastic lens through an insert injection molding process.

Abstract: A functional wafer of the present invention is disclosed to solve manufacturing difficulties involved in the production of optical elements such as polycarbonate ophthalmic lenses. The functional wafer may include a front layer, a functional layer, and a back layer, whereas the front layer and the back layer are bonded to the functional layer with or without additional adhesive. Said functional layer is smaller than at least the front layer by about 0.5 mm to 5 mm along the perimeter edge. A functional wafer of this construction can be conveniently and effectively incorporated into a lens through an insert injection molding process, in which said back layer will be in contact with the lens material.

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 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.