Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for transferring at least one coating onto at least one geometrically defined surface of a lens substrate to produced a lens substrate coated with at least one functional coating adhering to at least one geometrically defined surface through a layer of transparent adhesive composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for transferring a coating borne by a carrier onto at least one surface of the substrate of an optical article. Specifically, the invention relates to processes for transferring any kind of patterned layer having a refractive index profile from a carrier to the surface of an optical article. The invention allows for manufacture of optical articles presenting high transmittance, low haze, and excellent adhesion performances, and in particular vision corrective optical articles that are customized and optimized to the patient's individual requirements. The invention also contemplates optical articles made by such methods.

Abstract: A transparent, non elastomeric, high refractive index, impact resistant poly(thio)urethane/urea material comprising the reaction product of: a) at least one (?, ?)-diiso(thio)cyanate cycloaliphatic or aromatic polysulfide prepolymer, and b) at least one aromatic primary diamine, in an equivalent molar ratio amine function/iso(thio)cyanate function ranging from 0.5 to 2, wherein, said prepolymer and diamine are free from disulfide (—S—S—) linkage and wherein the (?, ?)-diiso(thio)cyanate polysulfide prepolymer is the reaction product of at least one cycloaliphatic or aromatic diiso(thio)cyanate and at least one (?, ?)-diol prepolymer.

Abstract: A transparent, non elastomeric, high index, impact resistant polythiourethane/urea material comprising the reaction product of: a) at least one (?, ?)-diiso(thio)cyanate cycloaliphatic or aromatic prepolymer having a number average molecular weight ranging from 100 to 3000 gmol?1, and b) at least one primary diamine, in an equivalent molar ratio amine function/iso(thio)cyanate function from 0.5 to 2, preferably from 0.90 to 1.10, wherein, said prepolymer and diamine are free from disulfide (—S—S—) linkage and at least one of the prepolymer or the diamine contains one or more S atoms in its chain.

Abstract: A process for applying a coated or uncoated film onto at least one geometrically defined surface of a lens substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a liquid hot melt adhesive (HMA) composition comprising: 1. at least one HMA base polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg and optionally a melting temperature Tm, with Tg<Tm; 2. at least one polymerizable monomer, oligomer or polymer, more preferably UV polymerizable; and 3.

Abstract: A method for laminating a film on to an optical article and a bi-layer adhesive for use in the method. The bi-layer adhesive includes a latex adhesive layer and an HMA layer sequentially disposed on the film and dried to form a solid layer of uniform thinness throughout to provide optical quality. Various types of films may be employed to provide an optical function. Following optional pre-treatment steps, the adhesives are coated on to the film. An optical hot press technique is used to deliver heat and pressure over a short period of time to form a functionally-enhanced optical article with high adhesive strength.

Abstract: A method for laminating a functional film on to a plastic injection molded lens. An outer layer of the film is selected to perform an HMA-type function when subjected to the heat and pressure of the mold. After forming the lens, the mold is open and the film is loaded in to the empty insert. The residual heat and pressure bonds the film via the HMA to the lens, in a press lamination process. A functionally enhanced lens having a film intimately laminated on to one side.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for forming at least one coating layer on a toric surface of an optical article which comprises: providing an optical article 1 having a toric surface comprising a first principal meridian with a lower radius of curvature r and a second principal meridian with a higher radius of curvature R (r<R) and a periphery 2; depositing on the toric surface at least two drops 2a, 2b of the liquid curable composition, each within one of two opposite sectors S1, S2 centered on the first principal meridian of lower radius of curvature r and having an apex angle up to 40°; applying pressure on said pre-measured amount of liquid curable composition to cause said liquid curable composition to spread over the toric surface of the optical article; curing the liquid curable composition; and recovering an optical article coated with at least one coating layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for coating at least one geometrically defined surface of an optical article's substrate. The process can include: (a) providing a removable carrier made of plastic material and having an internal surface and external surface; (b) providing an optical article comprising a substrate having at least one geometrically defined surface forming a Fresnel lens; (c) depositing a curable coating composition onto either the at least one surface forming a Fresnel lens; (d) moving the carrier and optical article relatively to each other; (e) applying a pressure onto the external surface of the carrier to spread out the curable coating composition to cover said at least one surface forming a Fresnel lens; (f) curing the layer of curable coating composition; (g) withdrawing the removable carrier to recover the substrate of the optical article having at least one Fresnel lens forming surface coated with the cured coating composition.

Abstract: A method for laminating a functional film on to a plastic injection molded lens. An outer layer of the film is selected to perform an HMA-type function when subjected to the heat and pressure of the mold. After forming the lens, the mold is open and the film is loaded in to the empty insert. The residual heat and pressure bonds the film via the HMA to the lens, in a press lamination process. A functionally enhanced lens having a film intimately laminated on to one side.

Abstract: An inflatable membrane apparatus (10) comprising (a) a fluid accumulator (11) having an upper and a lower face and a fluid entrance (12), said lower face being partly formed by an inflatable membrane (14), and (b) a trunconical part (15) projecting outwardly from the lower face of the accumulator whose greater base is closed by at least part of the inflatable membrane (14) and smaller base forms a circular opening, whereby, when pressurized fluid is introduced into the accumulator (11), deformation of the inflatable membrane (14) is guided by the trunconical part.

Abstract: A process for applying a coated or uncoated film onto a first main surface of a lens substrate which can be implemented in a short period of time without any risk of deformation of the lens substrate and which avoids overheating of a temperature sensitive coating borne by a second main surface of the lens substrate opposite to the first main surface. The process combines a unique heating and UV as an activation step for the adhesives. Also contemplated are lenses produced by the process.

Abstract: A method of applying a coated or uncoated film onto a main surface of a lens substrate. In some cases, the film is a coated film having one surface bearing a coating or a coating stack which is transferred from the film to the lens substrate main surface.

Abstract: A process for transferring a coating onto at least one optical surface of a lens blank which comprises: providing a lens blank having at least one geometrically defined surface; providing a support having an internal surface bearing a coating and an external surface; depositing on said geometrically defined surface of said lens blank or said coating a pre-measured amount of a curable glue; moving relatively to each other the lens blank and the support to either bring the coating into contact with the curable glue or bring the curable glue into contact with the geometrically defined surface of the lens blank; applying a sufficient pressure onto the external surface of the support so that the thickness of a final glue layer after curing is less than 100 micrometers; curing the glue; and withdrawing the mold part to recover the lens blank with the coating adhered onto its geometrically defined surface.

Abstract: An inflatable membrane pressing apparatus (1) for a film or coating application or lamination process comprising:—a supporting means (20) for supporting an article, —an inflatable membrane device (30) comprising a pressurized fluid accumulator (35,36) a face of which is partly formed by an inflatable membrane (35); —a holding frame (10) for holding the supporting means and the inflatable membrane device in a spaced apart relationship with the inflatable membrane facing the supporting means; and—a pressurized fluid admission/release means (40) for introducing and releasing pressurized fluid in and from the fluid accumulator to inflate and deflate the membrane, wherein the pressurized fluid admission/release means comprises a pressure relief valve (42) for controlling the pressure of the fluid within the accumulator.

Abstract: A process is provided for rapidly holding an optical article having a convex surface on a holder of a lens machining equipment, the holder being equipped with a suction chuck comprising a cavity with a side wall and sealing means on a front end of the side wall, comprising the following steps: /a/ providing a flexible curved wafer with a concave surface arranged to close the cavity at the front end of the side wall; /b/ a fixing step in which the wafer is fixed onto the holder by providing vacuum between the concave surface of the wafer and the suction chuck; and /c/ a pressing step in which the concave surface of the optical article is pressed onto the concave surface of the wafer, an adhesive material being arranged between the wafer and the optical article The assembly is tight enough for sustaining machining forces, and the lens can be released rapidly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for forming at least one coating layer on a toric surface of an optical article which comprises: providing an optical article 1 having a toric surface comprising a first principal meridian with a lower radius of curvature r and a second principal meridian with a higher radius of curvature R (r<R) and a periphery 2; depositing on the toric surface at least two drops 2a, 2b of the liquid curable composition, each within one of two opposite sectors S1, S2 centered on the first principal meridian of lower radius of curvature r and having an apex angle up to 40°; applying pressure on said pre-measured amount of liquid curable composition to cause said liquid curable composition to spread over the toric surface of the optical article; curing the liquid curable composition; and recovering an optical article coated with at least one coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for transferring a coating borne by a carrier onto at least one surface of the substrate of an optical article. Specifically, the invention relates to processes for transferring any kind of patterned layer having a refractive index profile from a carrier to the surface of an optical article. The invention allows for manufacture of optical articles presenting high transmittance, low haze, and excellent adhesion performances, and in particular vision corrective optical articles that are customized and optimized to the patient's individual requirements. The invention also contemplates optical articles made by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for applying a coated or uncoated film onto at least one surface of a lens substrate. The method can be performed without the use of an adhesive during the application process. The film can be a coated film having one surface bearing a coating or a coating stack which is transferred from the film to the lens substrate main surface at the end of the application step, after withdrawal of the film.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for making a coated optical lens blank free of visible fining lines which comprises: (ix) providing an optical article having at least one fined but unpolished geometrically defined main face; (x) providing a mold part having an internal and external surface; (xi) depositing on said main face of said optical article or on the internal surface of the mold part a requisit amount of a liquid curable coating composition; (xii) moving relatively to each other the optical article and the mold part to either bring the coating composition into contact with the main face of the optical article or into contact with the internal face of the mold part; (xiii) applying pressure to the mold part to spread the liquid curable coating composition on said main face and form a uniform liquid coating composition layer onto the main face; (xiv) curing the liquid coating composition layer; (xv) withdrawing the mold part; and recovering the free of visible fining lines coated optical article.