Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens includes: providing a metal sheet and a stamping mold; forming a light shield of a predetermined shape and size from the metal sheet using the stamping mold; providing an injection mold, the injection mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity defining a molding surface that corresponds to the light shield in shape and size; placing the light shield in the mold cavity, wherein the light shield is pasted to the molding surface; and forming a lens with the light shield using the injection mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable, organic polymeric photochromic composition comprising: a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material; a polymeric polyol having carbonate groups along its backbone and having a number average molecular weight greater than 5000 g/mole; and a curing agent having reactive functional groups capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups on the polymeric polyol. After curing and after the Photochromic Performance Test the composition demonstrates a T1/2 fade rate of less than 200 seconds. Also provided is a photochromic article comprising a rigid substrate and a photochromic organic polymeric coating applied to a surface of the substrate. The photochromic organic polymeric coating comprises the composition described above.

Abstract: The present invention describes ophthalmic lens products comprising a multilayer wafer and an injection-molded polycarbonate inner portion. The multilayer wafer includes a dyed, photochromic or polarized layer between a tinted inner layer and an outer polymeric layer. The inner layer may be solid or gradient-tinted. The polycarbonate inner portion of the lens product is directly fused to the tinted inner layer of the multilayer wafer during injection molding. The invention further describes a method to produce a gradient-tinted polarized polycarbonate eyewear lens product by obtaining a multilayer wafer having an outer layer, an inner polycarbonate layer, and a polarized layer between the inner and outer layers, applying a gradient tint to the wafer's inner layer, placing the gradient tinted wafer within an injection-molding cavity, and injecting molten polycarbonate directly against the wafer's gradient-tinted layer to form the inner portion of the lens product and to fuse it to the wafer.

Abstract: The present invention provides inks and methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The ink of the invention comprises an actinically-curable binder copolymer comprising fluorine-containing segments and is characterized by having capability to be cured actinically or thermally to form a colored film on a molding surface of a mold or a silicone hydrogel contact lens and by having an increased durability in a solvated state in a silicone-hydrogel lens formulation in relation to a control colored film obtained from a control ink including an actinically-curable fluorine-free binder copolymer. The invention also provides methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses based on print-on-mold processes for producing colored contact lenses.

Abstract: There is described a process for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens and an apparatus for forming an ophthalmic lens, in particular a silicone hydrogel contact lens, wherein in a mold assembly a first and a second mold half (101, 102) are first arranged in an intermediate closed position in which the mold surfaces of the two mold halves are spaced apart from each other at a distance increase (d1) of preferably 1 to 100 ?m relative to a final distance (d0) in a final closed position, and wherein, during curing of the lens forming material (202), the mold surfaces (105, 106) of the mold halves (101, 102) are actively or passively moved or moving from the intermediate closed position to the final closed position, where the distance increase (d1) is 0.

Abstract: A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about 10000 ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionoperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement for applying a layered structure onto a convex surface of a lens. After thermoforming the layered structure, a curvature direction of the layered structure is inverted. The structure is then applied on the lens surface by continuously pushing the structure against the lens surface, starting from a contact point between a convex surface of the structure and the convex surface of the lens. The curvature direction of the layered structure is then inverted again, so that it recovers the curvature direction that resulted from thermoforming. Stresses within the layered structure are then reduced, and the structure can be assembled with the lens without defects.

Abstract: Curved lenses and methods for making curved lenses are described. One embodiment of a method of making a curved lens includes curving a lens blank made of a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers. The lens blank is curved by engendering rotational motion about a rotational axis of a roller having a forming surface thereon and lateral motion of a belt in contact with the forming surface. The lens blank is heated and pressed between the belt and the forming surface at a pressure, the pressure being supplied by tension on the belt. The pressure is maintained for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the forming surface. Methods of the invention may be used to make curved lenses with different polarization properties and curvatures.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing enhanced optics fabrication for making a concave focusing optical lens with a selected material of a crystal or an amorphous material and a support member. A cut-out is formed in the support member with a depth based upon the final, desired curvature of the concave focusing optical lens. The cut-out is partially filled with an epoxy and the selected crystal or amorphous material is placed on top thereby creating a quasi-vacuum seal. A vacuum pump is connected to the support member, providing a set vacuum level until the epoxy has hardened and the selected crystal or amorphous material has achieved its final curvature. Vacuum pressure is substantially uniformly applied to the crystal, providing substantially uniform stresses on the surface of the final concave focusing optical lens.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wafer-level lens array, a method of manufacturing a wafer-level lens array, a lens module, and an imaging unit that can prevent the influence of, for example, the shrinkage of a forming material, prevent the positional deviation between lenses when the wafer-level lens arrays overlap each other or when the wafer-level lens array overlaps an imaging element array, and be easily designed. A method of manufacturing a wafer-level lens array including a substrate unit and a plurality of lens units that is arranged on the substrate unit includes: forming the substrate unit; and integrally forming the lens units that are made of a resin having substantially the same optical characteristics as a material forming the substrate unit with the substrate unit.

Abstract: Molded articles, such as a lens, are produced by multiple repetitions of a transfer process composed of the transformation step of bringing a transfer member (62) provided with a transfer configuration area consisting of the same configuration as that of a lens part with aspherical configuration or the configuration opposed to the lens part with aspherical configuration into contact with a photohardening resin to thereby transform the photohardening resin in conformity with the transfer configuration of the transfer member (62); the hardening step of irradiating at least a transformed area of the transformed photohardening resin with light by the use of a light irradiation unit (60) to thereby attain hardening; and the departing step of letting the photohardened resin and the transfer member depart from each other.

Abstract: A plastic polarized lens of the present invention, comprising: a polarized film containing thermoplastic polyester, a coat layer containing a urethane-based resin comprised of a structural unit derived from compound having hydroxyl group and a structural unit derived from aromatic diisocyanate, which is formed over at least one surface of the polarized film and a substrate layer containing a thiourethane-based resin, which is formed over at least the coat layer of the coat layer-attached polarized film.

Abstract: The present invention provides molds useful in contact lens production, which molds incorporate a centering and spacing feature in the form of tabs on one of the mold halves. The spacing feature both centers the mold halves in relationship to each other and permits free flow of excess monomer from the mold. Additionally, the spacing feature aids in height control of the one mold half in relation to the other mold half.

Abstract: The invention relates to a LED light source comprising a preferably aspheric glass lens having an aspect ratio of more than 0.1.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method of the invention is characterized by using a solvent mixture including at least one organic solvent which dissolves the polymerizable material in a lens-forming composition and a small amount of water. By having a small amount of water in the lens-forming composition, the mechanical strength of lenses cast-molded from the lens-forming composition can be sufficiently high so that the lenses can survives during mold opening and demolding process, thereby increasing the production yield.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a micro lens array, wherein lenses having various standards are easily manufactured by forming a micro lens array by adjusting a vacuum condition in a vacuum chamber. The apparatus including: a vacuum chamber including a vacuum space therein; a vacuum unit for forming a vacuum inside the vacuum chamber; an upper frame disposed inside the vacuum chamber and to which a substrate is installed on a lower surface of the upper frame; an elevator for ascending and descending the upper frame; a lower frame disposed below the upper frame; a master plate disposed on the lower frame and includes a plurality of molding grooves on an upper surface of the master plate; and a heater installed to a side of the master plate to heat up the master plate.

Abstract: A method of producing a plastic polarized lens with excellent processability and the like by injecting a mixture of a specified isocyanate compound and a specified active hydrogen compound into a lens-forming mold wherein a polarized film containing a thermoplastic polyester is fixed, followed by polymerization and curing.

Abstract: A resin molded product includes a primary molded object molded by a primary molding die, and a secondary molded object formed to be integrated with the primary molded object by a secondary molding die, the secondary molding die including a shared molding die which shares a part of the primary molding die. The primary molded object includes a rotation regulation portion making a mutual concave-convex fit engagement at a joint portion between the primary molded object and a molding surface of the shared molding die and regulating rotation and shift of the primary molded object in circumferential directions about a center axis of the primary molded object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing optical sheet having an improved appearance, optical sheet, and an image display device having the optical sheet.

Abstract: The plastic polarized lens (10) of the present invention contains a polarized film (12) and layers (resin layers) (14a and 14b) comprising a thiourethane-based resin stacked over both surfaces of the polarized film (12), and the polarized film contains an organic coloring compound represented by the following general formula (1).

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing contact lenses using ophthalmic lens molds having a molding surface comprising a thermoplastic polymer, the molding surface having a percent polarity from 3% to 20% and a surface energy from about 25 mN/m to about 40 mN/m to cast mold a polymerizable composition having a surface tension from about 20 mN/m to about 25 mN/m, wherein a surface energy differential of the surface tension of the polymerizable composition less the surface energy of the molding surface less than or equal to zero (0); and silicone hydrogel contact lens bodies so manufactured are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the fields of polymer chemistry, materials science and ophthalmology. More particularly it relates to optical components and method(s) of preparing same from hydrophobic acrylic (HA) monomer(s) that exhibit reduced or eliminated glistenings when implanted in a patient's eye. The method of this invention uses a mixture of one or more low temperature initiators (LTI) combined with one or more high temperature initiators (HTI), to polymerize one or more HA monomers to produce an optical HA polymer which, when used to manufacture an optical component and implanted as with an intraocular lens (IOL), exhibit reduced glistenings to the patient.

Abstract: This invention is related to lenses and the associated processes used to manufacture lenses. In particular, the present invention is related to a process for designing and creating bifocal, multifocal, and single vision ophthalmic lenses by modulating an energy source.

Abstract: Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses comprise a polyvinylalcohol polarizer film or similar type of material laminated with triacetate or similar type material on one or both sides, wherein the polarizer film has a polarizing efficiency equal to or exceeding 99% and a transmittance percentage equal to or exceeding 35% and a retarder film (e.g., norbornene copolymer resin) laminated on a front surface of the polyvinylalcohol polarizer film laminated with triacetate and aligned to produce a desired circular polarization responsive to specified retardation wavelengths. Thermoforming and press polishing techniques may be used to fabricate/curve the blanks into lenses. The lenses (optical elements) may be used in an injection molding process to add thickness.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polarizing eyeglass lens comprising forming an orientation layer on a substrate, sliding a rubbing member across the orientation layer in a state of contact with the orientation layer to form curved rubbing traces on a surface of the orientation layer, forming a polarizing layer by depositing and orienting a dichroic dye on the orientation layer, and subjecting the polarizing layer to a treatment of immobilizing the dichroic dye in the polarizing layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous processes for the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: step A of forming a first resin layer 23 by allowing a first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended in a manner so as to bury and enclose cores 22; step B of forming a second resin layer 25 by allowing a second liquid-state resin having a viscosity higher than that of the first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended on the first resin layer 23, after or while the first resin layer 23 is heated; and step C of forming an over-cladding layer 26 by curing the first resin layer 23 and the second resin layer 25.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicone resin lens obtained by molding and curing a silicon resin composition into a lens, wherein the lens has a refractive index at 400 nm of 1.5 or more, a ratio of a refractive index at 400 nm to a refractive index at 596 nm of 1.01 or more, an Abbe's number of 45 or more, and an absolute value of a differential of refractive indexes against temperatures, dn/dT, of 250×10?6/degrees C. or less. Further, the present invention provides a method for preparing the silicone resin lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the silicone resin lens is prepared in conditions where a ratio of a molding shrinkage ratio found after subjecting the silicone resin composition to post-cure to a molding shrinkage ratio found after subjecting the silicone resin composition to molding is 0.8 to 1.2.

Abstract: A lens film and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The lens film manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming an alignment film on a glass substrate; rubbing the alignment film along a rubbing direction; dispersing a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material between the alignment film of the glass substrate and a lens mold; rolling the lens mold along a rolling direction to make the LCP material to form a lens film. A plurality of liquid crystal molecules of the lens film is affected by the alignment film to align along the rubbing direction. The lens film and a base panel having a polarization direction are operated in a LCD apparatus. The angle between the rubbing direction and the polarization direction is less than 15°.

Abstract: A lens including a lens portion having two opposite oblong surfaces at least one of which is a curved lens surface having a refractive power is disclosed. At both ends in a longitudinal direction of the lens portion, first and second flange portions are provided each of which tapers toward the lens portion and has a slant surface slanting with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lens portion and connected with one of the oblong surfaces. An angle of the slant surface of the first flange portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lens portion is different from an angle of the slant surface of the second flange portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lens portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for chip-cutting plastic material optical lenses. The point of chip-cutting on the lens is cooled. The chip-cutting is effected by means of lathing. The point of chip-cutting is locally cooled down to a temperature at which the plastic material becomes brittle such that the chip breaks into bits.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for generating one or both of an ophthalmic lens precursor with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens precursor is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture.

Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus for generating an ophthalmic lens with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for demolding lens mold assemblies are described in which the lens mold assemblies are positioned below a puncher header each with at least one punch pin. The puncher header is then moved against the lens mold assemblies so that the at least one punch pin of each puncher punches through a lens mold layer of a first mold part to then push against a second lens mold layer of a second mold part to separate the two parts in a demolding process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microlens includes forming a microlens by pressing a microlens mold having a reverse shape of a microlens formed therein on a microlens-forming film formed on a substrate to transfer the reverse shape of the microlens to the microlens-forming film. The microlens mold is formed by irradiating an inorganic resist film which is formed on a mold substrate with exposure light by relative two-dimensional scanning, and etching an exposed region of the inorganic resist film to form the reverse shape of the microlens. The irradiation intensity of the exposure light is adjusted to correspond to the depth of the reverse shape of the microlens from the surface of the inorganic resist film on the basis of profile data of the reverse shape of the microlens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin composition for optical components, which is an ultraviolet-curable transparent resin composition used as a material for an optical component, in which the resin composition includes (A) an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule thereof, (B) an oxetane compound having one or more oxetanyl groups in one molecule thereof and (C) a photo-acid generator, and in which the component (C) is contained in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a total amount of the components (A) and (B). The present invention also relates to an optical component obtained by using the resin composition for optical components, and a production method thereof.

Abstract: A micro-optical element includes a support substrate, a micro-optical lens in a cured replication material on a first surface of the support substrate, and an opaque material aligned with and overlapping the micro-optical lens along a vertical direction.

Abstract: Curved lenses and methods for making curved lenses are described. One embodiment of a method of making a curved lens includes curving a lens blank made of a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers. The lens blank is curved by engendering rotational motion about a rotational axis of a roller having a forming surface thereon and lateral motion of a belt in contact with the forming surface. The lens blank is heated and pressed between the belt and the forming surface at a pressure, the pressure being supplied by tension on the belt. The pressure is maintained for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the forming surface. Methods of the invention may be used to make curved lenses with different polarization properties and curvatures.

Abstract: Curved lenses and methods for making curved lenses are described. One embodiment of a method of making a curved lens includes curving a lens blank made of a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers. The lens blank is curved by heating and pressing the lens blank between a convex member and a concave member at a first pressure, ramping the pressure sigmoidally to a higher pressure over a period of time, and maintaining the higher pressure for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the convex member and concave member. Methods of the invention may be used to make curved lenses with different polarization properties and curvatures.

Abstract: The invention provides molds useful in the production of contact lenses having seamless edges and in which molds movement of one mold half in relation to the other mold half is decreased. These results are attained by providing mold halves with shoulder stops and seam-matching features.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Fresnel lens includes the flowing steps: a. providing a mixture for forming the Fresnel lens; b. providing a lower mold on which the mixture is disposed; c. vacuumizing the mixture on the lower mold; d. providing an upper mold to exert a pressure on a top surface of the mixture; e. vacuumizing the mixture on the lower mold again; and f. heating the mixture on the lower mold to harden the mixture whereby the Fresnel lens can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of forming thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) into an optical lens. Suitable TPUs contain urethane (—NHCOO—) repeating units that are present in at least 23% by weight. This range of urethane weights is an indicator of a flexural modulus above 1,400 MPa. The TPUs have refractive indices above 1.54 and Abbe numbers above 27. They have glass transition temperatures above about 100 degrees C. The selected TPU can be injection molded to form ophthalmic lenses, that are well suited for use in rimless spectacles. The lenses are highly solvent resistant, while at the same time being readily tintable. The lenses made according the invention meet FDA 21 CFR 801.41 Impact Requirement, and ANSI Z87.1 high velocity impact (HVI) standard.

Abstract: An infrared absorbing polarized eyeglass lens substrate includes a polarizing element including a polarizing film and a polyurethane resin material containing an infrared absorbing agent and covering both surfaces of the polarizing film, and an eyeglass lens substrate made of a polyurethane resin not containing an infrared absorbing agent and configured to be ground for adjusting lens power. The polarizing element is superposed on one side of the eyeglass lens substrate and integrated therewith by insert molding which accompanies polymerization reaction of the polyurethane resin material.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold, concludes: winding a tape around peripheral surfaces of a first molding die and a second molding die to assemble a mold; forming on the tape an injection port for injecting a resin material for forming a plastic lens into the mold; and forming a tab by cutting out a part of the tape non-circularly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic benzopyranobenzopyrans with additional fusion and to the use thereof in plastics of all types, in particular for ophthalmic purposes. The compounds according to the invention are photochromic benzopyran compounds which can also be regarded as derived from 9-oxa-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene.

Abstract: An optical lens is obtained by injection-molding a polyester resin containing a diol unit containing from 40 to 99% by mol of a unit derived from ethylene glycol and from 1 to 60% by mol of a unit derived from a diol having from 3 to 16 carbon atoms, and a dicarboxylic acid unit containing 50% by mol or more of a unit derived from a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A luminescent converter for a light emitting element (e.g., LED) includes a transparent, sol-gel-derived ceramic matrix having particles of at least one type of phosphor embedded therein that change a wavelength of the input light to light that has a different wavelength. The ceramic matrix is 20-80% porous with a majority of the pores having a diameter in a range of 2-20 nm. A method of making this converter includes preparing a sol-gel ceramic matrix embedded with the particles of phosphor in the matrix, and drying the matrix at no more than 600° C. to form the converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polarizing lens comprising: polishing in a constant direction one of surfaces of a first mold for forming one of surfaces of a lens; forming a polarizing film by coating a coating liquid containing a dichroic dye on the surface that has been polished; disposing a second mold, for forming the other surface of the lens, opposite the first mold with a prescribed gap therebetween, and forming a cavity by occluding the gap, wherein the two molds are disposed so that the polarizing film is positioned within the cavity; and casting a lens starting material liquid containing a curable component into the cavity and conducting a reaction to cure the curable component within the cavity to obtain a polarizing lens having the polarizing film on a lens substrate.

Abstract: Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses decode three-dimensional content displayed on televisions or computer monitors. Sheets from which the lenses are cut have either (i) a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at ?45 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal; (ii) a polarizing axis of ?45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal; or (iii) a polarizing axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal.

Abstract: Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones, a mold advancement system for moving the contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones, and a controlled atmosphere within the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact lens mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system.