Patents by Inventor Manfred Melzig

Manfred Melzig 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: 6936725
    Abstract: A photochromic compound suitable for use as a single substance for photochromic tinting of a transparent plastic article so that the tinted article has a neutral gray or brown color in the excited state, is made by fusing at least two non-identical photochromic sections to an aromatic structure. The photochromic sections are selected so that the different absorption wavelengths of the excited photochromic sections give rise to a neutral gray or brown color in the plastic material and are selected from the group consisting of oxazines and pyrans. At least one of the photochromic sections is not an indolino spiropyran. The aromatic structure to which the photochromic sections are fused is selected from the group consisting of benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene. The positions of fusion of the photochromic sections on the aromatic structure are directly adjacent to the oxygen atom of the pyran or the oxygen or nitrogen atom of the oxazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Melzig, Herbert Zinner
  • Patent number: 6933325
    Abstract: A high refractive index, curable, synthetic resin composition comprising a core resin composition composed of a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated compounds, and an initiation system containing both photo and thermal initiators, particularly a photochromic resin composition which further includes at least one photochromic dye. Also a curing process, which includes a combination of multi-step radiation curing and thermal annealing. Articles produced of cured composition exhibit superior physical and, in appropriate cases, photochromic properties and can be easily mass produced on a commercial scale due to short processing time and use of readily available chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Qiang Zheng, Donald Scott Nelson, Charles William Carper, Jr., Manfred Melzig, Herbert Schuster, Herbert Zinner
  • Publication number: 20050096467
    Abstract: Photochromic 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran compounds corresponding to formula I in which the groups R1 to R7 and B? have defined meanings and the use of such photochromic compounds in synthetic resin articles of all types, particularly for ophthalmic purposes. The photochromic 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran derivatives have particularly long-waved absorption maxima in the open form, and when used in photochromic eyeglass lenses, produce essentially blue color tones which have a high darkening capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6881850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic heterocyclically annellated indenochromene derivatives and the use thereof in plastics of all types, particularly for ophthalmic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6853471
    Abstract: A photochromic synthetic resin (i.e., plastic) object characterized by a permanently increased contrast relative to the contrast of prior art photochromic synthetic resin objects, such that the photochromic synthetic resin object according to the invention exhibits improved contrast in the stationary states and in every intervening phase, including both darkening and lightening. The photochromic synthetic resin objects of the invention are particularly useful as lenses for eyeglasses, especially for sports glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Sommer, Michael Voegt, Gerd-Peter Scherg, Manfred Melzig
  • Publication number: 20040267013
    Abstract: Specific photochromic 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]-pyran compounds useful with various types of synthetic resin materials to form photochromic articles, especially ophthalmic lenses, and photochromic articles formed with such compounds. The compounds of the invention have especially long-wave absorption maxima in the open form thereof and enable violet to blue tints to be obtained when used in photochromic articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Publication number: 20040092743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic heterocyclically annellated indenochromene derivatives and the use thereof in plastics of all types, particularly for ophthalmic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6686468
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic h-annellated benzo[f]chromene derivatives and their use in synthetic resins of all types, especially for ophthalmic applications. In particular, the present invention relates to photochromic compounds derived from benzo[f]chromenes, which in the open form have especially long-wave absorption maxima making it possible to obtain violet to blue tints when used in phototropic glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6683709
    Abstract: Photochromic pyran compounds and their use in synthetic resin objects of all types, especially for ophthalmic applications, particularly spiro compounds having a fluorene structure derived from naphthopyrans, which are known as spirofluorenopyrans. By introducing respectively only one strongly electron donating or withdrawing group at specific positions in the periphery of the pyran dye, photochromic compounds obtained which in the excited state are distinguished by an expanded color spectrum, while simulataneously offering comparably good bleaching rates and good durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Udo Weigand, Manfred Melzig
  • Patent number: 6660727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic heterocyclically annellated indenochromene derivatives and the use thereof in plastics of all types, particularly for ophthalmic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Publication number: 20030158284
    Abstract: A high refractive index, curable, synthetic resin composition comprising a core resin composition composed of a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated compounds, and an initiation system containing both photo and thermal initiators, particularly a photochromic resin composition which further includes at least one photochromic dye. Also a curing process, which includes a combination of multi-step radiation curing and thermal annealing. Articles produced of cured composition exhibit superior physical and, in appropriate cases, photochromic properties and can be easily mass produced on a commercial scale due to short processing time and use of readily available chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Qiang Zheng, Donald Scott Nelson, Charles William Carper, Manfred Melzig, Herbert Schuster, Herbert Zinner
  • Publication number: 20030045714
    Abstract: A photochromic compound suitable for use as a single substance for photochromic tinting of a transparent plastic article so that the tinted article has a neutral gray or brown color in the excited state, is made by fusing at least two non-identical photochromic sections to an aromatic structure. The photochromic sections are selected so that the different absorption wavelengths of the excited photochromic sections give rise to a neutral gray or brown color in the plastic material and are selected from the group consisting of oxazines and pyrans. At least one of the photochromic sections is not an indolino spiropyran. The aromatic structure to which the photochromic sections are fused is selected from the group consisting of benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene. The positions of fusion of the photochromic sections on the aromatic structure are directly adjacent to the oxygen atom of the pyran or the oxygen or nitrogen atom of the oxazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Manfred Melzig, Herbert Zinner
  • Publication number: 20030040623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic h-annellated benzo[f]chromene derivatives and their use in synthetic resins of all types, especially for ophthalmic applications. In particular, the present invention relates to photochromic compounds derived from benzo[f]chromenes, which in the open form have especially long-wave absorption maxima making it possible to obtain violet to blue tints when used in phototropic glasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Publication number: 20020169315
    Abstract: Photochromic pyran compounds and their use in synthetic resin objects of all types, especially for ophthalmic applications, particularly spiro compounds having a fluorene structure derived from naphthopyrans, which are known as spirofluorenopyrans. By introducing respectively only one strongly electron donating or withdrawing group at specific positions in the periphery of the pyran dye, photochromic compounds obtained which in the excited state are distinguished by an expanded color spectrum, while simulataneously offering comparably good bleaching rates and good durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Udo Weigand, Manfred Melzig
  • Publication number: 20020118431
    Abstract: A photochromic synthetic resin (i.e., plastic) object characterized by a permanently increased contrast relative to the contrast of prior art photochromic synthetic resin objects, such that the photochromic synthetic resin object according to the invention exhibits improved contrast in the stationary states and in every intervening phase, including both darkening and lightening. The photochromic synthetic resin objects of the invention are particularly useful as lenses for eyeglasses, especially for sports glasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Sommer, Michael Voegt, Gerd-Peter Scherg, Manfred Melzig
  • Publication number: 20020052499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans as well as their use in synthetic resins of all types, especially for ophthalmic purposes. In particular, the present invention relates to photochromic naphthopyran compounds, for which a further ring system is bonded to the f side of the naphthopyran.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Manfred Melzig, Claudia Mann, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6373615
    Abstract: A neutral-colored gray photochromic plastic article which remains almost completely color-neutral or gray both during darkening as well as during bleaching. The plastic article according to the invention may be employed as a neutral-color gray photochromic ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6342459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic 2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans as well as their use in synthetic resins of all types, especially for ophthalmic purposes. In particular, the present invention relates to photochromic naphthopyran compounds, for which a further ring system is bonded to the f side of the naphthopyran. The inventive photochromic dyes generally have the general formula (I) wherein n, R1, R2, R3, X, B and B′ are defined as in claim 1. The inventive compounds are distinguished by good darkening and decolorizing properties and a very good service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Manfred Melzig, Claudia Mann, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 6331625
    Abstract: Photochromic spirofluorenopyran compounds corresponding to the general formula (I): in which B, B′, R1 to R4 and G have the meanings defined herein. The compounds of the invention are useful in the production of photochromic articles, particularly articles made of synthetic resin materials, and exhibit rapid darkening and brightening rates, as well as long useful service lives. By appropriate selection of substituents, it is possible to adjust the properties of the compounds such as absorption maxima (color), brightening rate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Udo Weigand, Manfred Melzig
  • Patent number: 6315928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran derivatives and to their use in plastics of all types, especially for ophthalmic purposes. In particular, the present invention relates to spiro compounds derived from naphthopyrans and having a fluorene structure, referred to as spirofluorenopyrans, in which an annelated ring system is joined by a spiro bond to the central carbon atom of the fluorene structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand