Patents by Inventor Michael Boulineau

Michael Boulineau 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).

  • Publication number: 20220334298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarization filter for ophthalmic lenses. The polarization filter comprises a mesogen layer coated onto a retardation film, either directly or through an adhesive layer. The present invention further discloses that the polarization filter formed by employing a thin film or sheet, having a defined level of retardation between the light source and the mesogen layer, for example, a cholesteric mesogen layer, the multilayered laminate structure demonstrates linear polarization of the light transmitted through the mesogen laminate structure, and, hence, can be used in ophthalmic lenses, e.g. spectacle or eyeglass lenses. The polarization filter enhances the performance by allowing transmission of the polarization filter closer to the theoretical maximum transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: HOYA Optical Labs of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mulligan, Michael Boulineau, Jeffrey Brown, Jared Johnson, Michael Marshall, Sandy Goebel, Joseph Leaman
  • Patent number: 11420426
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HOYA Optical Labs of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Patent number: 11346989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarization filter for ophthalmic lenses. The polarization filter comprises a mesogen layer coated onto a retardation film, either directly or through an adhesive layer. The present invention further discloses that the polarization filter formed by employing a thin film or sheet, having a defined level of retardation between the light source and the mesogen layer, for example, a cholesteric mesogen layer, the multilayered laminate structure demonstrates linear polarization of the light transmitted through the mesogen laminate structure, and, hence, can be used in ophthalmic lenses, e.g. spectacle or eyeglass lenses. The polarization filter enhances the performance by allowing transmission of the polarization filter closer to the theoretical maximum transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HOYA Optical Labs of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mulligan, Michael Boulineau, Jeffrey Brown, Jared Johnson, Michael Marshall, Sandy Goebel, Joseph Leaman
  • Publication number: 20200292740
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarization filter for ophthalmic lenses. The polarization filter comprises a mesogen layer coated onto a retardation film, either directly or through an adhesive layer. The present invention further discloses that the polarization filter formed by employing a thin film or sheet, having a defined level of retardation between the light source and the mesogen layer, for example, a cholesteric mesogen layer, the multilayered laminate structure demonstrates linear polarization of the light transmitted through the mesogen laminate structure, and, hence, can be used in ophthalmic lenses, e.g. spectacle or eyeglass lenses. The polarization filter enhances the performance by allowing transmission of the polarization filter closer to the theoretical maximum transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Vision Ease, LP
    Inventors: James Mulligan, Michael Boulineau, Jeffrey Brown, Jared Johnson, Michael Marshall, Sandy Goebel, Joseph Leaman
  • Patent number: 9981453
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Vision Ease, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Patent number: 9981452
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Vision Ease, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20160370518
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: VISION EASE, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20160370517
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: VISION EASE, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20160370516
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: VISION EASE, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20070122626
    Abstract: A cast photochromic lens including a photochromic film and a cast resin, curable by heat or radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau, Thomas Moravec, Derek Harris
  • Publication number: 20070087119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to rapidly spin-apply an AR coating system to a backside of a prescription lens. The AR coating system comprises a polyurethane primer layer, a siloxane thermally cured scratch resistant coating layer, a two-layer sol-gel AR coating, and a hydrophobic layer. The process comprising steps of spin-applying each of the layers provides a quick way to furnish a prescription lens that is AR coated on both sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Moravec, Martin Hage, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20060187411
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Boulineau, Eric Woelfle, Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Derek Harris
  • Publication number: 20060039070
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the incorporation of melanin in an optical article with polarization properties. Such an article includes a first polymer layer containing a polarizing agent, a second polymer layer containing melanin and wherein the second polymer layer is disposed upon the first polymer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Hideyo Sugimura, Xuzhi Qin, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20050233153
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20050009964
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau, Xuzhi Qin