Abstract: A method for fabricating a lenticular screen, wherein a platen is provided which has a flat surface and lenticular grooves machined into the flat surface. An optically curable material, such as a UV-curable polymer, is placed onto the platen sufficiently to fill the lenticular grooves. An optically transparent base substrate, such as glass, is then placed on top of the optically curable material. Finally, the optically curable material is irradiated through the substrate using a lamp.

Abstract: A plastic optical element producing method produces a plastic optical element by an ejection molding, and includes the step of cooling an optical surface of the plastic optical element with priority in a state where a temperature of the plastic optical element is within a predetermined temperature range which is less than or equal to a glass transition temperature of the resin material.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating and an apparatus for forming a coating on an optical fiber capable of improving the work speed in recoating a coating forming portion of the optical fiber are provided. A coating removed part of a coated optical fiber, which is the portion where a coating of the optical fiber is formed, is set in a mold. A light-curing resin is provided on the coating removed part. Then, with the light-curing resin heated to the glass transition temperature thereof by a Peltier element, a heater and a temperature control unit, a light for curing is irradiates from a light source to cure the light-curing resin.

Abstract: A method for photopolymerizing a monomer mixture to form a lens involves charging to a mold a monomer mixture including lens-forming monomers, and exposing the monomer mixture in the mold to a light source including light in the visible region of the spectrum. The method is useful for monomer mixtures that include a UV-absorbing compound and/or a tinting agent. Preferably, the monomer mixtures include a polymerization initiator including a phosphine oxide moiety.

Abstract: A low-cost method of making unique and printable holographic papers and the like with the aid of radiation-curable coatings and flexible embossed or engraved flexible web film masters, and as a single, non-laminated sheet; and novel improved diffraction-refraction and holographic high-gloss surface papers, boards and the like, clear, metallized, pigmented or tinted.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a molded article. In one embodiment, radiation is delivered to the mold assembly in a controlled manner by fiber optics. In an alternate embodiment, a diffuser attached to a fiber optics bundle serves as a molding surface. This allows the polymerizable material between the diffuser and mold portion to be uniformly cured.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a molded article. In one embodiment, an amorphous posterior mold comprising a non-critical surface having a controlled radius of curvature is used to produce molded articles. In an alternate embodiment, ophthalmic lenses are produced using a posterior mold in which the concave surface of the non-critical surface is filled with a liquid having a similar refractive index as the mold material. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed at a predetermined distance adjacent to the mold assembly to alter the irradiation path to the mold assembly. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed within the concave surface of the posterior lens.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a cast optical device. The mold assembly includes at least one mold portion having a non-critical surface with fresnel or diffractive geometry. Alternately, a fresnel lens or diffractive lens may be placed at a predetermined distance from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of manufacture of molded polymeric devices using variable frequency microwaves. Molded polymeric devices include, for example, contact lenses, corneal rings, intraocular lenses and drug delivery devices such as anterior or posterior chamber inserts. Contact lenses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses as well as, lens blanks lathed into finished contact lenses. Molded polymeric devices further include medical devices such as prosthetics including hip joints. According to the present invention, a mold having a cavity the shape of the desired molded polymeric device, the cavity containing a composition comprising one or several monomers having double polymerizable bonds, is placed in a microwave chamber. The mold can be plastic, glass, ceramic or metal. Plastic is preferred. The mold is then swept with at least one range of microwave frequencies to polymerize the composition, thus forming the molded polymeric device.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a production method for an optical disc, capable of obtaining a good S/N ratio without deterioration of the stamper quality due to reaction with an electron attractive group contained in a resist material. The processes of forming a resist film on a substrate, patterning the resist film on the substrate by an electron beam cutting, forming a nickel alloy thin film on the patterned resist film, forming a nickel layer on the nickel alloy thin film by the electrocasting, and injection molding of a resin, using the nickel layer peeled off from the nickel alloy thin film as a stamper, are provided. The nickel alloy thin film has a composition containing Ni element as the main component as well as Ru element by less than 25% by weight.

Abstract: Retroreflective prism sheeting is formed in a mold with textured facets and/or windows thereon. Smaller prisms are formed adjacent larger prisms. Optionally, the optical axis of the prisms may be tilted with respect to one another, preferably in a negative direction. The textured facets or windows provide more uniform retroreflected light intensity distribution and whiteness of the sheeting.

Abstract: A method of forming an ophthalmic lens using a composite ophthalmic lens vacuum mold to quickly and inexpensively produce, on-site, multi-focal, prescription and non-prescription optical quality eyeglasses, with or without photochromic, and photochromic non-prescription (e.g., sunglasses, safety glasses, reading glasses, etc.) optical quality eyeglass via a vacuum remolding. The method further includes a rigid remolding process for forming the composite ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: An optical-quality part such as an ophthalmic lens is provided having a PET polarizing film integrally bonded thereto and, optionally, a hard coating integrally bonded to either the PET polarizing film or to the optical construct containing the PET polarizing film. In a preferred construction, the lens material or film may be surface treated, either physically and/or chemically, for integrally bonding the film to the lens material. Similarly, in another preferred construction, the film may be physically and/or chemically surface treated for integrally bonding a hard coating to the PET film.

Abstract: The structure of the barium titanate changes from cubic to tetragonal when the cooling temperature passes through the Curie temperature. This cooling process induces 90° and 180° domains in the crystal. The 90° domains, especially, are difficult to eliminate. In the present invention of this technique, the crystal is vibrated to release and dissipate the stress in the crystal, and pressed in the a-axis direction of the crystal. The vibrating contact cumulates the strength and differs from a continual press such as in the uniaxial pressure method. Consequently, only a slight force is needed to re-orient the domains, and thus eliminate the 90° domains.

Abstract: In order to realize a compact construction of an apparatus for producing an optical recording medium while shortening the time required for transporting a mold, there is provided an apparatus for producing an optical recording medium by curing a curable resin (102b) between a substrate (101) and a mold (103), including: a mold fixing mechanism (2) for fixing the mold (103); a transporting mechanism (1) for transporting the substrate (101) to which the curable resin (102b) has been applied to a position where the mold (103) is fixed, and placing the substrate (101) on the mold (103) such that the surface of said substrate to which the curable resin (102b) has been applied faces the mold (103); a resin curing mechanism (3) for curing the curable resin (102b) which has been sandwiched between the mold (103) and the substrate (101) by the action of the transporting mechanism (1); and a separating mechanism (4) for separating the resin (102) that has been cured by said resin curing mechanism (3), together with the

Abstract: A process and device for resurfacing damaged compact discs by melting a thin layer of the optical surface of said compact disc so that it reflows and fills any scratches or other imperfections. The result is a smooth and optically transparent surface equivalent to the condition of a new compact disc.

Abstract: A method of making a lens, such as a contact lens, with a colored portion involves introducing a lens-forming monomer mixture and an ionic colored material to a lens mold, applying an electrical field to the monomer mixture and the colored material, whereby the colored material migrates in response to the electrical field to form a desired pattern, and curing the lens-forming monomer mixture with the colored material forming a desired colored pattern in the lens.

Abstract: Optically heterogeneous display elements utilize fused pigment particles, which may be manufactured with polymer shells having desired charge, photoresponse, or density characteristics. The particles may be microencapsulated prior to formation of the display element, so that the element is formed internally within the container in which it is permanently housed. The element may function as a bichromal display, a light valve, or a programmable magnetic element.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. The lens forming unit may include an LCD filter disposed between activating light sources and a mold assembly. The mold assembly preferably includes two mold members held together by a gasket. The gasket preferably includes four protrusions spaced at 90 degree intervals about the gasket. A lens forming composition may include a first photochromic compound, a second photochromic compound and a light effector. The light effector may alter the color of a lens when exposed to photochromic activating light, when compared to a lens formed from a lens forming composition which does not include a light effector.

Abstract: A device that utilizes a method to heat dyes to color plastic lenses. The device is an electrically heated outer tank containing a heat transfer medium. An inner tank containing a dye solution is placed in side the outer tank. Lenses are placed in the dye solution along with sensor probes and microprocessor control to maximize dye diffusion into the lenses and minimize boil over of the tanks. Spill containment and agitation stirring are also features which enhance diffusion of dye into the lenses while minimizing boil over.

Abstract: A light-curable polymer material for making an intraocular lens is a mixture of components consisting of oligourethanemethacrylate, octylmethacrylate, oligocarbonatemetharcrylate, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone and 2,4-ditretbutylortoquinone, wherein the aforesaid components are taken in the following weight % ratio: 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone 0.1-0.7 2,4-ditretbutylortoquinone 0.001-0.006 octylmethacrylate  8-42 oligocarbonatemethacrylate 2-8 oligourethanemethacrylate balance. Also proposed are a method for making an elastic intraocular lens in which the aforesaid compounds are used as the initial components, and an elastic intraocular lens produced by this method.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method involving microwaves for making polymer optical fiber cable and graded index optical fibers. The polymer can be any shape including, but not limited to, sheets, films or cable. The present invention also includes improved polymer optical fibers that incorporate quinine and quinone based compositions that shift the wavelength of radiation from ultraviolet radiation to visible radiation.

Abstract: A method of making rotating element sheet material utilizing magnetic latching is disclosed. First a plurality of rotating elements, each element having a magnetized segment, are mixed with an elastomer and a plurality of magnetic particles to attract the magnetic particles to the magnetized segments. Then a magnetic field is applied to orient the elements in a common direction. When the rotating elements have all been oriented in a common direction, they are held in that orientation for a long enough period of time to allow the magnetic particles to migrate in the elastomer to the regions of the elastomer in the vicinity of the magnetized segments of the elements. The elastomer is then cured to form an elastomer substrate with trapped rotating elements and magnetic particles. The elastomer substrate is then immersed into a bath of dielectric plasticizer which is absorbed more readily by elastomer than by the rotating elements.

Abstract: A plurality of reflectors respectively having the same rough reflecting surfaces are formed substantially simultaneously on a transparent substrate of a large area. A photosensitive resin film is formed on a surface of a transparent substrate. An embossing die having a rough working surface is pressed against a photosensitive resin part of the photosensitive resin film and the photosensitive resin part is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from below the transparent substrate to form a prehardened photosensitive resin part. Those steps are repeated to form a plurality of prehardened, embossed photosensitive resin parts on the transparent substrate, and then parts not prehardened of the photosensitive resin film are removed by etching. The prehardened, embossed photosensitive resin parts are heated for hardening, and a metal reflecting film is formed on the hardened embossed photosensitive resin parts to complete a plurality of reflectors.