Lens Patents (Class 264/1.32)
  • Publication number: 20090146328
    Abstract: A method provides a machineable silicon-containing lens blank by removal of diluent from the lens blank. The method involves casting a lens blank in a mold, wherein the lens blank is made of a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising a silicone-containing monomer and an organic diluent; removing the lens blank from the mold; and removing organic diluent from the lens blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald J. Koch, Jay F. Kunzler, James A. Bonafini, JR.
  • Patent number: 7540982
    Abstract: A molding lens with indentations for measuring eccentricity and a method for measuring eccentricity thereof are disclosed. At least one indentation concentric with an optical surface is respectively disposed on a front plane and a rear plane of the molding lens on area outside the optical surface while the indentation is observed by means of a measuring microscope. Moreover, the eccentricity of the molding lens is detected by eccentricity test function of the measuring microscope and the eccentric direction is defined so as to modify the lens mould and replace conventional eccentricity test that uses a transmission eccentric scale indicator in combination with a jig. Thus the cost of test equipment is reduced, test procedure is simplified and efficiency of mould modification is improved. Therefore, it's more convenient to manage manufacturing of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: E-Pin Optical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: San-Woei Shyu, Chi-Hsiung Wang, Chih-Hsiung Huang
  • Publication number: 20090121369
    Abstract: A pressing device is provided so as to abut on an upper face of a drum mold of a mold to press the drum mold downward and fix the drum mold on a pedestal. While the drum mold is fixed to the pedestal by the pressing device, an upper mold is detached from and attached to the drum mold by a clamper. Further, a lower mold is engaged with a tapered engaging part of the drum mold through a tapered engaging part and fixed to the pedestal through the drum mold by the pressing device. According to this molding apparatus, the drum mold and the lower mold can be easily fixed to the pedestal by the pressing device irrespective of the presence or absence of an outer drum arranged in the outer periphery of the drum mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Shinji TANAKA
  • Patent number: 7532405
    Abstract: A micro lens includes a base material and a lens formed on the base material, wherein the lens is disposed at an opening on the base material, and the opening is formed by covering a surface of the base material with a first monolayer; and the first monolayer has critical surface energy of 22 mN/m or lower and shows non-affinity for a lens material in comparison with a region within the opening, and is fixed to the surface of the base material via a covalent bind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Mino, Takeo Yasuho
  • Publication number: 20090109536
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic optical element with excellent durability and an optical pickup device with excellent pickup property. The plastic optical element is an plastic optical element with a gas barrier film comprising a resin substrate and provided thereon, at least one ceramic layer, the residual stress of the ceramic layer being from 0.01 to 100 MPa in terms of compression stress, and a density ratio Y (=?f/?b) satisfying the following inequality: 1?Y>0.95 wherein ?f represents a density of the ceramic layer, and ?b represents a density of a layer which has the same composition ratio as the ceramic layer and which has been formed by thermal oxidation or thermal nitridation of a metal which is a base material of the ceramic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fukuda, Hiroaki Arita
  • Patent number: 7525732
    Abstract: In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shin-ichi Uehara, Yuko Sato, Ken Sumiyoshi, Setsuo Kaneko, Jin Matsushima
  • Publication number: 20090102078
    Abstract: Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: CooperVision
    Inventors: Neil G. Goodenough, Gregg A. Dean
  • Publication number: 20090091048
    Abstract: A top mold capable of holding a substrate and a bottom mold including a cavity having a molding portion corresponding to a geometry of a lens are prepared. Then the substrate with a plurality of chips mounted thereon is fixed to the top mold. Then a translucent resin material is introduced into the cavity and alters to be molten resin. Then the top mold and the bottom mold are closed together to immerse the plurality of chips in the molten resin and also distribute the molten resin in the cavity uniformly. Then the molten resin alters to be a translucent mold product to provide a lens member. Subsequently the top mold and the bottom mold are opened to detach from the bottom mold the substrate bearing the lens member. Then the substrate bearing the lens member is removed from the top mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Kazuki Kawakubo
  • Patent number: 7510281
    Abstract: This invention is to provide an inexpensive lens can be worn without attention to the existence of the addition power segment of conventional polarizing lens, it and a bench lens are formed integrally on the rear surface of a polarizing member 6. The present inventors constituent a polarizing member 9 by sandwiching poly vinyl alcohol 3 as a polarizing film with poly carbonate 2 whose both surfaces are stretched, and mold resin 2? on the rear side of the polarizing member, and arrange an addition power segment 8 integrally on the rear surface, make the molded resin poly carbonate sandwiches the polarizing film. The top and the bottom of this member are cut as FIGs. to form lens at low costs, and the adhesion among respective resins is increased, and to secure the impact resistance and it is possible to create a lens without detachment because of same resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Sun-Ray Corporation, Sankoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Munakata, Kaoru Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7508604
    Abstract: The manufacturing method uses a substrate including an SOI layer (112), a SiO2 layer (114) and a Si layer (116). A lens surface (118) is formed on the surface of the SOI layer (112) of the substrate. A lens region including the lens surface (118) and an edge section (120) there around is formed by removing the SOI layer (112), with the exception of a section corresponding to the lens region, until the SiO2 layer (114) is exposed, such that the SOI layer (112) only remains in the lens region. A lens holding section (122) that holds the lens region is formed by removing the Si layer (116), with the exception of a section of the Si layer (116) corresponding to the lens holding section (122), until the SiO2 layer (114) is exposed at the rear surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoko Kotani
  • Patent number: 7500844
    Abstract: A mold for molding an optical element, in particular using a reaction injection molding method (RIM). The mold comprises a generally circular shaped, mold cavity having a geometrical center and a main plane, a sprue base with a longitudinal axis and a feed connection that makes the sprue base communicate with a feed sill of the mold cavity, the longitudinal axis of the sprue base and the geometrical center of the mold cavity defining a mold symmetry plane orthogonal to the main plane of the mold cavity, which intersection with said main plane defines a mold main axis, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the sprue base together with a line perpendicular to the main plane of the mold cavity forms an angle ranging from 0 to 30°, preferably from 0 to 15°. Methods of using the mold and objects made thereby are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique
    Inventors: Matthieu Koscher, Noémie Lesartre
  • Publication number: 20090062101
    Abstract: An optical glass of the present invention has optical constants of a refractive index (nd) within a range from 1.75 to 1.85 and an Abbe number (? d) within a range from 35 to 45, comprises SiO2 and B2O3 as essential components and one or more components selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5 and WO3, has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 580° C. or below and has weathering resistance (surface method) of Class 1 or Class 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA OHARA
    Inventor: Susumu Uehara
  • Publication number: 20090054547
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a transparent moulding comprising a blend of a first thermoset polymeric material forming the matrix of said moulding, and of a second polymeric material dispersed within said first material, said method comprising at least the following stages: i) preparation of a liquid polymerizable mixture by dissolving said second polymeric material in a thermosetting polymerizable composition that is a precursor of said first thermoset polymeric material, ii) filling of a mould with the liquid polymerizable mixture obtained in stage i), iii) cooling of the liquid polymerizable mixture in the mould to a temperature T less than or equal to 0° C., iv) initiation of the polymerization of said cooled liquid polymerizable mixture at a temperature T? less than or equal to 0° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optique)
    Inventors: Fabien Berit-Debat, Noemie Lesartre
  • Publication number: 20090021842
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an electrowetting-based variable-focus lens, comprising: (a) providing an enclosure having a cavity (17) and at least one channel (27, 28; 59) communicating at one end with the cavity and at the other end emerging at the exterior surface of the lens; (b) filling the cavity with first and second liquids (44, 47) that are immiscible and of different refractive indices via the channel; and (c) hermetically scaling the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Bruno Berge, Jerome Peseux, Bertrand Boutaud, Pierre Craen
  • Patent number: 7468397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain cationic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. Such properties include the ability to extract the polymerized medical devices with water. This avoids the use of organic solvents as is typical in the art. The polymer compositions comprise polymerized silicon-containing monomers end-capped with polymerizable cationic hydrophilic groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Derek Schorzman, Jay Kunzler
  • Publication number: 20080310186
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micro-lens array and light-emitting device, comprising forming a first structured polymer film with close packed surface cavities having a mean diameter of less than 20 micrometers and a relatively lower surface energy surface, forming a transparent second structured film with an array of microlenses formed thereon corresponding to the cavities of the first structured film, wherein the second structured film comprises a relatively high surface energy material and has a refractive index greater than 1.45, and wherein the microlenses are randomly distributed, separating the second structured film with the micro-lens array from the first structured polymer film, and attaching the second structured film to a transparent substrate or cover of a light-emitting device through which light is emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Krishnan Chari, Charles W. Lander, Liang-Sheng Liao, Paul D. Yacobucci
  • Patent number: 7462305
    Abstract: A rigid optical sheet manufacturing method capable of manufacturing an optical sheet at high productivity and low manufacturing costs, and an optical sheet are provided. An optical sheet 1 includes a transparent thermoplastic resin base 2 formed of a thermoplastic resin that is rigid at temperatures not higher than its glass transition point, and a first optical structure 3 formed on one of the surfaces of the thermoplastic resin base 2. The first optical structure 3 is formed by pressing a material for forming the first optical structure 3 together with the flexible thermoplastic resin base 2 having a surface temperature not higher than the glass transition point and an internal temperature not lower than the glass transition point by a radiation-curable resin shaping roller 14. Preferably, the material forming the first optical structure 3 is a radiation-curable resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Honda
  • Publication number: 20080280100
    Abstract: A microlens transcription molding roller used for transcription-molding a plurality of microlenses on a sheet includes a plurality of microlens molding surfaces arrayed on an outer circumference of the roller along one spiral around an axis of the roller at a constant interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: AKIRA AMANO, Sumihisa Kondo
  • Publication number: 20080277811
    Abstract: A mould set for making contact lenses comprising a first unitary half mould set comprising a plurality of male mould halves in a first array and a second unitary half mould set comprising a plurality of female mould halves in a second array, wherein the arrays are such as to permit the engagement of respective pairs of male and female mould halves to define a corresponding set of mould cavities therebetween, and to permit engagement of each said female mould half with a different said male mould half by relative rotation of the first and second array about an axis of rotation, such that the male and female mould halves can be engaged in a plurality of different relative orientations. The shape and/or orientation of the male mould halves in the first array, and the female mould halves in the second array is not identical for each mould half in each said array, whereby relative rotation results in the definition of different sets of respective mould cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: SAUFLON CL LIMITED
    Inventors: Gary Colin Miller, Francis Maurice Germain Erard
  • Patent number: 7443596
    Abstract: A method for centering a drop of liquid (2) on a given point on a surface (4). The inventive method consists in forming a bell-mouthed recess (6), whereby said recess has a curvature at any point at the limit of contact between the drop and the recess that is lower than or opposite to the curvature of a circle (TC) that is tangent to the surface of the recess to said point and at a symmetrical point (CP2) of said surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Varioptic
    Inventor: Bruno Berge
  • Publication number: 20080258322
    Abstract: Methods of producing silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses include contacting one or more delensed silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant. The methods can be steps of an extraction/hydration procedure used in the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In some examples, contacting silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens products with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant can significantly reduce or prevent surface distortion of the ophthalmic lens resulting from the extraction procedure. Some methods include subsequently contacting the silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition consisting essentially of water and a surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Jay Scott Daulton, Charlie Chen, Tim Warren
  • Publication number: 20080251958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a light absorbing prepolymer having a molecular weight of between about 7,000 and about 100,000 and polymeric units derived from and least one reactive light absorbing component and monomers selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic monomers, hydrophobic monomers and mixtures thereof. The compositions of the present invention are useful for the manufacture of ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Frank F. Molock, Christopher Fenoli
  • Publication number: 20080246171
    Abstract: The present invention includes molds for forming ophthalmic lenses, such as contact lens. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatus, molds and methods for fashioning mold parts used to fashion an ophthalmic lens which includes cooling a mold structure used to fashion a mold part prior to depositing a molten material into the mold structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory L. Berckmiller, Vincent H. Barre, Timothy P. Freeman, Scott F. Ansell, Changhong Yin, Jason M. Tokarski
  • Publication number: 20080231963
    Abstract: A fluidic optical device, systems utilizing fluidic optical devices, methods for manufacturing fluidic optical devices and actuators are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Holochip Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Batchko, Justin D. Mansell, Andrei Szilagyi, Allen F. Crabtree
  • Publication number: 20080218869
    Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence Jacobowitz, Casimer DeCusatis
  • Publication number: 20080185744
    Abstract: A thermal conductive system for curing ophthalmic devices within molds includes pairs of lower and upper heating units that are relatively displaceable for both clamping anterior and posterior mold parts together and conducting heat through the mold parts for curing the ophthalmic devices. The molds can be mounted in thermal engagement with the lower heating units, and the molds can be moved together with the lower heating units into thermal engagement with the upper heating units. Control systems individually regulate the temperatures of the heating units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Larry C. Hovey, Charles P. Henning
  • Publication number: 20080185601
    Abstract: A process includes the steps of: 1) heating a mold at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 200° C.; 2) feeding a silicone encapsulant composition including a mold release agent, where the composition has a viscosity ranging from 100 cps to 3,000 cps at operating temperatures of the process, to an assembly for preventing the silicone encapsulant composition from flowing backward out of the assembly; 3) injecting the silicone encapsulant composition from the assembly into a mold having a horizontal orientation and having a mold cavity through a gate, where the mold cavity has a top and a bottom, a vent is located at the top of the mold cavity, the vent comprises a channel 0.1 mm to 1 mm wide by 0.0001 mm to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Lawrence Frisch, Maneesh Bahadur, Ann Norris
  • Patent number: 7407607
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to ophthalmic molds and methods useful for casting ophthalmic moldings. In one aspect, the invention relates to a mold for casting an ophthalmic molding formed from a first mold half detachably affixed to a second mold half, whereby the mold has a top and bottom; and a cavity formed by the first and second mold halves, wherein the cavity receives a lens forming material through an opening at the bottom of the mold and vents gas and excess lens forming material from an opening at the top of the mold. In another aspect, this invention relates to methods for casting opthalmic moldings, particularly intraocular lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Rafael Victor Andino, Tracey Weldon, Richard Charles Turek
  • Patent number: 7402032
    Abstract: A mold apparatus (200) includes an upper mold (40) and a lower mold (50). The upper mold includes an upper guide sleeve (42), an upper mold seat (44), and an upper mold core (46). The lower mold includes a lower guide sleeve (52), a lower mold seat (54) and a lower mold core (56). The upper guide sleeve has a hole (422) defined thereof. The upper seat has an aperture (442) defined thereof. The upper mold seat is fixed below the upper guide sleeve. The lower guide sleeve has a hole (522) defined thereof. The lower seat has an aperture (542) defined thereof. The lower mold seat is fixed on the lower guide sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Sheng Tu
  • Patent number: 7399176
    Abstract: A device for aligning a first and a second shell mold comprises a first gripper for holding the first shell mold, a second gripper for holding the second shell mold, and a centering station. Both grippers can be displaced relative to one another and relative to the centering station along a predetermined axis and can rotate individually as well as synchronously about the axis. The centering station comprises a supporting body, which supports spring elements arranged along a circle, said axis running through the center of the circle. For centering, the shell mold is moved into the centering station by the gripper and then removed from the gripper so that the shell mold is held solely by the spring elements. The radial forces of the spring elements uniformly acting upon the shell mold from all sides cause the shell mold to be displaced into the center of gravity of the forces. Afterwards, the shell mold is gripped once again by the gripper and moved out from the centering station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Interglass Technology AG
    Inventor: Urs Probst
  • Publication number: 20080164402
    Abstract: The present invention addresses a mould for forming a ceramic green body useful for producing at least one optical lens consisting of optoceramics. The invention further refers to the use of such a mould. The (negative) form of the mould is close to the final geometry of the body to be formed (near net shape principle), at least regarding one functional area of at least one surface of the lens to be formed, which can be described by the following equation: y ? ? 1 = c ? ( ? x ? + b ) 2 1 + 1 - ( k + 1 ) ? c 2 ? ( ? x ? + b ) 2 + a 1 ? ( ? x ? + b ) 2 + a 2 ? ( ? x ? + b ) 4 + a 3 ? ( ? x ? + b ) 6 + a 4 ? ( ? x ? + b ) 8 + … ? , ( equation ? ? B ) wherein b is a constant and amounts to >zero and describes the deviation of the negative form of the mould from the form of the surface of the at least one lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Yvonne Menke, Ulrich Peuchert, Yoshio Okano, Steffen Reichel
  • Patent number: 7393477
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a microlens, comprising providing a substrate with at least a dielectric layer thereon, forming a first thin film on the dielectric layer surface, etching the first thin film to form at least a micro bump, and forming a second thin film on the micro bump surface and dielectric layer surface, wherein the second thin film and the micro bump form the microlens. The present invention microlens can be applied in the environment with high temperature, and a passivation layer is not required for the present invention microlens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ho-Sung Liao
  • Patent number: 7375178
    Abstract: High refractive index, melt processable polyphosphonates and methods for preparing the same are provided. These polymers are particularly useful for optical and ophthalmic parts, such as lenses. A method of preparing optical and ophthalmic lenses by injection molding the polymers of the present invention into the form of the optical or ophthalmic lenses is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Hosadurga K. Shobha, Venkat Sekharipuram, James E. McGrath, Atul Bhatnagar
  • Patent number: 7368072
    Abstract: Described are contact lenses having photochromic materials within the central or pupillary area of the lens and methods for manufacturing such lenses. In one method, a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material is added to the pupillary region of a casting mold containing a polymerizable monomer that can be at least partially cured before and/or after the addition. Another method involves providing an amount of polymerizable photochromic monomer for the pupillary region and an amount of polymerizable non-photochromic monomer for the remainder of the contact lens in a casting mold. The photochromic and non-photochromic monomers can differ by their degree of polymerization, viscosity and/or density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Van Gemert, Anil Kumar, Frank P. Mallak, Robert W. Walters
  • Patent number: 7365919
    Abstract: A article having a micro-sized shape being formed on the surface of the article by pressing a die onto the surface, wherein the elastic modulus of the article at room temperature is in the range of 1-4 GPa, the thickness of the article after forming is equal to 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less and the aspect ratio of the micro-sized shape is equal to 1 or more. A forming method to produce an article comprising the steps of setting the temperature of a die having a micro sized shape to be equal or higher than the glass transitional temperature of material having an elastic modulus of 1 to 4 (GPa) pressing the die to the material to transfer the micro sized shape to the material, and cooling the die having the micro sized shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyakoshi, Kazumi Furuta, Masahiro Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7354536
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical component having an optical element and a holder attached to the optical element, comprising the steps of: inserting a blank for the optical element into a through hole of the holder wherein the through hole has a narrowed portion at which the blank is prevented from passing through the through hole; sucking at least the blank from an upper side thereof in a state where the blank is inserted into the through hole; transporting the holder and the blank simultaneously to a molding device; placing the blank on a molding surface of the molding device; and heating and pressurizing the blank in the molding device so that the blank is deformed to obtain a predetermined optical surface and is press-fitted to an inner face of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 7354150
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Insight Equity A.P.X., L.P.
    Inventors: Hideyo Sugimura, Xuzhi Qin, Michael S. Boulineau
  • Publication number: 20080061458
    Abstract: There is provided a mold formed of fluorocarbon resin to prevent a resin, which is a material of a lens of a LED package, from adhering to the mold even without using a separate release film, and a method of manufacturing the light emitting package using the mold. The mold includes a plurality of cavities formed in an upper surface thereof to hold a resin for forming lenses of the light emitting diode package. The mold and the method using the mold prevents adherence of the resin without using a separate release film, allowing formation of a lens with a smooth surface and formation of a protrusion or an indentation on the surface of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Young Sam Park, Hun Joo Hahm, Seong Yeon Han, Chul Hee Yoo
  • Patent number: 7332110
    Abstract: An annular insert (4) is arranged in the optical component molding cavity of a mold to surround an outer periphery of raw material resin in a direction in which the resin is distributed in the cavity to limit the distribution of the raw material resin and define an outer profile of a lens (L). With this arrangement, it is only necessary to provide raw material resin only by a quantity equal to the volume of the region surrounded by the molding surfaces of upper and lower mold inserts (14, 24) and the inner peripheral edge of the annular insert (4) of the mold, so that the required volume of the raw material resin can be reduced. Since the pressure is preserved at the outer periphery of the distributed resin by the presence of the annular insert (4), the residual strain of the resin is minimized to prevent generation of sink mark, thereby providing excellent optical characteristics on the lens (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Inoue, Kiyohiro Saito, Tadayoshi Uehara
  • Publication number: 20080036964
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided a plastic polarized lens with excellent processability and the like, and a method of producing the same. The plastic polarized lens is obtained 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicants: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Hopnic Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Miura, Yoshimitsu Aiiso
  • Patent number: 7326373
    Abstract: An improved method is disclosed, for forming a wafer into a complex, curved shape, for use in an optical part. The method includes a step of moving the wafer into contact with a molding surface having a predetermined non-cylindrical, aspheric curved shape, to form the wafer into a corresponding shape. The step of moving is sufficient, by itself, to form the wafer into the desired non-cylindrical, aspheric curved shape, without the need for additional forming steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Younger Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Jotinderpal Sidhu, Thomas A. Balch
  • Patent number: 7320515
    Abstract: A method of forming a polarized optical lens including an optical lens of certain curvature and a polarized piece, wherein the polarized piece is made up of cellulose protective film, adhesive and polarized thin film, and is pressed to matched curvature as injected and plasticized optical lens. The cellulose protective film of the polarized piece is then peeled off, and through the use of injection and plasticization principle, polarized thin film is combined and pasted to the inner surface or outer surface of the optical lens. This synthesized lens is then placed in the ring of an optical mold. Light adjustment and color change liquid colophony is then injected through a through-hole in the ring, and through the clamping of synthesized lens and light adjustment and color change liquid colophony, the whole set then solidifies and forms a shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Tony Optical Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juei-Tse Lin
  • Publication number: 20080001318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain cationic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. Such properties include the ability to extract the polymerized medical devices with water. This avoids the use of organic solvents as is typical in the art. The polymer compositions comprise polymerized silicon-containing monomers end-capped with polymerizable cationic hydrophilic groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Derek Schorzman, Jay Kunzler
  • Publication number: 20080001317
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and appartus for forming a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens, wherein the biomedical device is formed with a mold part which is water soluble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jason Tokarski, Kevin P. McCabe, Vincent H. Barre, Changhong Yin, Thomas Wilkinson, Robert J. Watterson, Jeffery S. Longo
  • Patent number: 7294293
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffraction optical element, according to the present invention, includes the steps of: supplying a photocurable resin onto a surface of a light-transmitting molding die in which a grating pattern is formed on the surface; irradiating the photocurable resin with light having a first wavelength through the molding die so as to cure a part of the photocurable resin; irradiating the photocurable resin with light having a second wavelength, which is longer than the firs wavelength, through the molding die so as to cure at least a part of the photocurable resin; and removing the cured resin from the molding die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7280278
    Abstract: A variety of structures and methods used to adjust the shape, radius and/or height of a microlens for a pixel array. The structures affect volume and surface force parameters during microlens formation. Exemplary microlens structures include a microlens frame, base, material, protrusions or a combination thereof to affect the shape, height and/or radius of the microlens. The frame, base and/or protrusions alter the microlens flow resulting from the heating of the microlens during fabrication such that a height or radius of the microlens can be controlled. The radius can be adjusted by the height differences between the microlens and frame. The bigger the difference, the smaller the radius will be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich C. Boettiger, Jin Li
  • Publication number: 20070222095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous processes for the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Diana Zanini, James D. Ford
  • Publication number: 20070210466
    Abstract: A mold for an optical component is provided in which a first tapered surface is provided in a first mold while a second tapered surface is provided in a second mold. In the mold for the optical component, a curved surface distance which is a distance between a first mold curved surface and a second mold curved surface is greater than a lens thickness which is a distance between a first lens surface and a second lens surface in a state where the second tapered surface is contact with the first tapered surface. Moreover, the second tapered surface moves to a position where the curved surface distance is equal to the lens thickness, to elastically transform the first mold and fit onto the first tapered surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicants: FUJIFILM Corporation, FUJINON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Saeki, Masanori Utsugi
  • Patent number: 7268949
    Abstract: A microlens array sheet and a manufacturing method thereof. The microlens array sheet comprises: a transparent substrate; bases formed on the transparent substrate, the bases having the same height as a result of a planarization process conducted for the upper portions of the bases, microlenses formed on the bases; and a gap-filling film applied on the resulting structure, in which the bases have the same height. The method comprises the steps of: depositing base-forming molds on a transparent support substrate or film and loading a material to be used as bases between the base-forming molds; polishing the upper portion of the material for use as bases so as to form bases having the same level, and removing the base-forming molds; depositing microlenses on the formed bases; and depositing a gap-filling film on the resulting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignees: LG Electronics Inc., LG Micron Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hoon Oh, Hyouk Kwon, Tae-Sun Lim, Young-Joo Yee, Ki-Won Park, Dong-Mug Seong, Gun-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7265907
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an optimal manufacturing method of a microlens to diffuse light. According to exemplary embodiments, a manufacturing method of microlens includes forming a generally convex shaped lens portions made from a light transmissive resin on a substrate having light transmissivity, and curing the lens portions, forming the lens portions being a process in which a plurality of the lens portions are formed so as to be coupled on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hironori Hasei