Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives and methods of preparing water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives comprising the steps of dissolving the chitosan or chitosan derivative into an aqueous acidic solution and reacting the chitosan or chitosan derivative with an acetylating agent in the presence of a phase transfer reagent. The present invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical preserving composition comprising: (a) at least one chitosan or chitosan derivative and (b) at least one buffer solution, as well as methods of preserving contact lens solutions and disinfecting contact lens using such composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives and methods of preparing water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives comprising the steps of dissolving the chitosan or chitosan derivative into an aqueous acidic solution and reacting the chitosan or chitosan derivative with an acetylating agent in the presence of a phase transfer reagent. The present invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical preserving composition comprising: (a) at least one chitosan or chitosan derivative and (b) at least one buffer solution, as well as methods of preserving contact lens solutions and disinfecting contact lens using such composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a mold assembly and molding an optical lens using the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for holding a mold assembly, wherein the mold assembly includes a front mold, a back mold and a strip wrapping around the edges of the front mold and back mold to form a sleeve. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base. The second portion has a top part, a bottom part, and a middle part connecting the top part and the bottom part, the middle part including a base and a holder coupled to the base.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to an optical surface of an optical device. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of placing a coating solution in a cliche of a cliche plate, transferring the coating solution from the cliche to deformable body of a transfer pad, and pressing the transfer pad to the optical surface so as to transfer the coating solution from the deformable body of the transfer pad to the optical surface. The method further includes a step of irradiating the coating solution associated with the optical surface at a wavelength of microwave so as to form a coating layer on the optical surface. The coating layer can be further cured to form a desired coating on a proper optical surface. The optical device can be an optical lens having at least one optical surface, or a mold that can be used to produce an optical lens. In other words, the present invention allows a coating to be applied directly to an optical surface of an optical lens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives and methods of preparing water soluble, randomly substituted partial N-, partial O-acetylated chitosans or chitosan derivatives comprising the steps of dissolving the chitosan or chitosan derivative into an aqueous acidic solution and reacting the chitosan or chitosan derivative with an acetylating agent in the presence of a phase transfer reagent. The present invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical preserving composition comprising: (a) at least one chitosan or chitosan derivative and (b) at least one buffer solution, as well as methods of preserving contact lens solutions and disinfecting contact lens using such composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a mold for casting optical lens. Two molding shells and a closure member form a mold with a molding cavity. To fill the mold a fluid lens-forming material is introduced into the molding cavity through a casting opening formed in the closure member. Air is venting out during the filling process through a venting opening also formed in the closure member. Both the casting opening and the venting opening are located in the upper portion of the molding cavity but spaced apart from each other at an acute angle.

Abstract: A method for labeling an identification mark on a lens for inventory control. The identification mark is placed onto the facing inside surface of a mold by an ink jet printer and is remained there when the lens-forming liquid is cured. Once the lens is formed, but before the demolding, the identification mark is transferred from the mold to the lens. The identification mark contains information identifying the lens' properties such as the power of the lens and can be used for inventory control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical preserving composition comprising: (a) at least one chitosan or chitosan derivative and (b) at least one buffer solution, as well as methods of preserving contact lens solutions and disinfecting contact lens using such composition. The present invention is further directed to a method of preparing O-acetylated chitosan or chitosan derivatives comprising the steps of dissolving the chitosan or chitosan derivative into an aqueous acidic solution and reacting the chitosan or chitosan derivative with an acetylating agent in the presence of a phase transfer reagent.

Abstract: A method for curing a lens-forming fluid, including exposing the lens-forming fluid to an ultra-violet light, wherein the exposure time is between twenty seconds and thirty minutes, which can completely cure the fluid. The exposure can occur by placing the lens-forming fluid intermediate a plurality of ultraviolet light sources, in which the intensity of the ultra-violet light is at least 1.2.times.10.sup.-2 watts per square centimeter at a wavelength of 350 nanometers. The lens-forming fluid preferably is a monomer. The prior art, in contrast, requires significantly longer exposure times to cure monomer or other lens-forming fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a lens using a structure having a front mold, a rear mold, and a gasket having opposed ends and defining an axially extending bore in which the front and rear molds are disposed within the bore and spaced apart from each other therein, comprising a piston for axially moving within the bore of the gasket a selected one of the front mold or the rear mold relative to the other mold to a desired one of a plurality of axial separation distances between the molds. A needle also preferably also communicates with the bore of the gasket between the molds to provide fluid communication between the outer surface of the gasket and the bore to facilitate axial movement of the molds relative to each other. Another needle is used for injecting a desired amount of a lens-forming fluid into the bore of the gasket intermediate the front and rear molds, in which the fluid is cured to form the lens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting lens without using a gasket that can be used to form all powers and geometric shapes of lenses. An elastomeric strip is used to wrap around the edges of two molds to form a sleeve-like structure, which in turn cooperates with the molds to form a molding cavity. Moreover, this sleeve-like structure does not crumple or shrink during the lens polymerization process. Instead, it allows the molds to slide axially within it to compensate for any shrinkage that occurs during the lens polymerization process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling a lens-forming structure, the structure having a front mold, a rear mold, and a gasket defining an axially extending bore, including a collet for supporting the gasket so that at least one of the front mold or the rear mold are insertable into the bore thereof, a robotic arm for inserting the front mold into the bore of the gasket, and a piston for inserting the rear mold into the bore of the gasket. The piston axially moves within the bore of the gasket a selected one of the front mold or the rear mold relative to the other mold to a desired one of a plurality of axial separation distances between the molds. Alternatively, the robotic arm can move the selected mold relative to the other mold.

Abstract: A color display that includes an array of pixels having a top side and an opposite bottom side. Each pixel includes a material having a first optical state exhibiting birefringence and a second optical state different from the first optical state. Each pixel also includes an element capable of driving the pixel to a selected one of the first optical state or the second optical state. A first selected group of pixels of the array has a first pair of axes of optical birefringence when each pixel of the first selected group is in the first optical state and at least a second selected group of pixels of the array has a second pair of axes of optical birefringence, different from the first pair of axes of optical birefringence, when each pixel of the second selected group is in the first optical state. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent the bottom side and a polarizing layer, having a predetermined polarity orientation, is disposed adjacent the top side.

Abstract: A gasket defining an axially extending bore therethrough, a front mold having a an edge circumscribing the front mold, wherein the edge is of a size to be complementarily received within at least a portion of the bore of the gasket so that the edge and the bore form a seal therebetween, and a rear mold having a rim circumscribing the rear mold, wherein the rim is sized to be complementarily received within at least a portion of the bore so that the rim and the bore form a seal therebetween. When the front mold and the rear mold are both disposed within the bore of the gasket, a volume is formed between the back surface of the front mold and the front surface of the rear mold and the interior surface of the gasket. A selected one of the front mold or the rear mold is axially and slidably movable within the bore relative to the other mold disposed within the bore to a desired one of a plurality of axial separation distances between the molds, whereby the volume is different for each separation distance.

Abstract: A color display that includes an array of pixels having a top side and an opposite bottom side. Each pixel includes a material having a first optical state exhibiting birefringence and a second optical state different from the first optical state. Each pixel also includes an element capable of driving the pixel to a selected one of the first optical state or the second optical state. A first selected group of pixels of the array has a first pair of axes of optical birefringence when each pixel of the first selected group is in the first optical state and at least a second selected group of pixels of the array has a second pair of axes of optical birefringence, different from the first pair of axes of optical birefringence, when each pixel of the second selected group is in the first optical state. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent the bottom side and a polarizing layer, having a predetermined polarity orientation, is disposed adjacent the top side.

Abstract: Collimated white light is transmitted through a transparent lens mold having a molded lens resting on a curved surface thereof. A telecentric lens and a camera having a digital output are used to view the illuminated lens to obtain pixel image data of the lens. The pixel image data is analyzed by a computer to detect deformities in the molded lens.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a textile fiber to reduce the amount of UV light passing through a fabric produced from said treated fiber comprising treating a textile fiber with 0.1 to 6.0% by weight on the fiber, of a UV absorber of the formula (1) ##STR1## wherein A is the radical of a UV absorber, B is the radical of a UV absorber or is a water-solubilizing group and X is F or Cl, and textile fabrics and articles of clothing produced from said fabrics. Fabrics prepared from the treated fibers are useful in making clothing which provides protection against UV radiation for skin which is covered by the clothing, especially lightweight summer clothing.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a container body defining a solution retaining chamber therein, the container having an outlet for dispensing the solution from the chamber and means for removing a component from the solution as the solution is dispensed from the chamber through the container outlet. A method is provided for administering to a patient a pharmacologically active substance which substance is stable only at a pH value which is extreme in the acidic or alkaline region and at which pH value the substance cannot be administered without causing discomfort and/or injury to the patient. The substance is maintained in a solution or dispersion at the pH at which it is stable until the time of administration. At this time the substance is administered through a chamber containing an ion exchange resin which changes the pH of the solution or dispersion to a value which will not cause discomfort and/or injury to the patient.