Abstract: An article comprising a shaped, plastic layer or body comprising crosslinked polymer with hard and soft segments or moieties and having a microstructure-bearing surface is prepared by a process comprising filling a mold master, bearing or encoded with the microstructure to be replicated, with a fluid, castable, one-part, preferably solvent-free, radiation addition-polymerizable, crosslinkable, synthetic, organic oligomeric composition (or precursors thereof) having "hard" segments and "soft" segments, exposing the resulting cast composition to radiation, preferably actinic radiation such as ultraviolet radiation, and thereby forming said article, e.g., a retroreflective cube-corner sheeting, Fresnel lens or video disc.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a concave lens of resin material and adapted to be used, for example, in spectacles, video projection devices, etc., whereby raw material is fed into substantially the center thinner portion of the mold first and then radially outwardly until the material reaches the periphery, thereby to eliminate weld lines in the produced lenses.

Abstract: A free flowing stream of molten metal is motioned to encounter a higher diameter and faster moving free flowing stream of a cooling liquid, such encounter resulting in the splitting of the molten metal into droplets. The droplets in contact with the cooling liquid and entrained therewith are allowed to solidify by cooling; optionally they may undergo further splitting before complete solidification by impingement upon a target arranged to intercept the course of the cooling stream.

Abstract: A method of controlling the peripheral flattening of the convex aspheric surface on soft contact lenses by providing a soft lens having a spherical convex surface and aspheric concave surface. The concave aspheric surface having a longer radius at the center and progressive shorter radii toward the edge. When this lens is in place on the eye, the convex spherical surface becomes an aspheric surface having a shorter radius at the center and progressively longer radii toward the edge.

Abstract: Finished and semi-finished ophthalmic lenses are made by polymerizing the monomer while it is sealed in an oxygen-impermeable envelope.

Abstract: A system in process for producing an improved plastic molded optical element such as a mirror or lens is provided. The molded optical body has at least a surface portion designed for effective interfacing with incident light by reflection or refraction. Discontinuities form reference points at fixed positions on the molded optical surface. The reference points can include a projection or recess formed at the center of the lens system on the optical axis having a sufficient magnitude in size for measurement to determine a spatial position of the optical element but limited in size to prevent any perceptible aberration to be introduced within the desired application of the optical element.

Abstract: A matrix having a surface of silica glass which is suitable for the manufacture of articles of synthetic resin in which the surface of the matrix comprises a monolayer of an aliphatic alcohol, as well as a method of manufacturing articles having a surface of synthetic resin while using the matrix.

Abstract: Hydrogels, e.g. hydrogel contact lens are prepared by casting, preferably spin casting, hydrophilic gels in a plastic mold, preferably polypropylene in the presence of a surface active agent.

Abstract: An oxygen permeable, wettable, optically acceptable vision correction lens can be made from homopolymers of aminoglycans, substituted aminoglycans, or crosslinked polymers thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a light-transmitting element of a synthetic resin, which comprises(1) preparing a mixture composed of at least three monomers, said monomers having a difference in the ease of polymerization under given polymerization conditions, and that monomer in the monomeric mixture which is easiest to polymerize being capable of giving a polymer having a lower refractive index than a polymer from any of the other monomers in the monomeric mixture,(2) maintaining the monomeric mixture in a predetermined shape, and(3) thereafter applying to the monomeric mixture maintained in the predetermined shape such polymerization conditions that polymerization begins at the outside portion of the predetermined shape of the monomeric mixture and proceeds gradually toward its inside portion, thereby to form a polymeric article in which the proportion of polymer units derived from the monomer which is easiest to polymerize is largest at said outside portion and gradually decreases toward its inside portion and t

Abstract: A device and method for spin casting articles such as lenses employing a polymerization tube in conjunction with a plurality of molds such that the tube is adapted to accommodate the plurality of molds in an interference fitting and sliding relationship so that rotation of the polymerization tube will cause the molds to rotate at the same speed while maintaining the concentricity of the molds to the spinning axis of the tube to produce quality spun cast articles.

Abstract: A device for the centrifugal casting of articles in a rotatable polymerization column which includes retaining means disposed in the lower end of the column for communicating with a mold therein whereby the rotational speed of said mold and other vertically arranged molds above it are made substantially synchronous with the rotational speed of the column.

Abstract: A device and method for spin casting articles, such as lenses, employing a rotatable polymerization column in conjunction with a plurality of molds such that the column is adapted to accommodate a plurality of gravity fed molds in a loose mating engagement that insures rotation of the molds to be synchronized to the speed of rotation of the column to produce quality spun cast articles.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting device and method employing a rotatable polymerization column adapted to accommodate a plurality of vertically aligned molds and being associated with an arrangement of advancing means and mold feeding means which are synchronized to intermittently and automatically advance a mold containing a polymerizable or curable composition in the mold cavity over the polymerization column and then automatically force feeding said mold into the polymerization column.

Abstract: A molded article having excellent optical characteristics and obtained by injection molding a resin composition of a bis(hydroxyphenyl)alkane polycarbonate resin having an average molecular weight of 12000 to 18000 and containing 0.005 to 0.5 wt %, based on the resin, of a phosphorous ester represented by the general formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent an alkyl or aryl group, and R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, an alkyl or aryl group, at a resin temperature of 330.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at a mold temperature of 50.degree. to 110.degree. C., and a method for producing such articles.

Abstract: Disclosed, in a method for preparing a preformed thermoplastic/thermoset wafer for lamination to a prefinished ophthalmic lens, the improvement comprising: storing the preformed thermoplastic/thermoset wafer immediately after manufacture under refrigerating conditions; and subjecting said stored wafer to a temperature of 90.degree. to 120.degree. F. at 50% to 70% RH for no more than 48 hours just prior to lamination of same to an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate moulding compositions which contain delaminated kaolin may be processed into highly-reflecting objects.

Abstract: A silver-tin-copper master alloy powder useful as a dental filling when amalgamated with mercury and having improved properties for that utility can be obtained by the steps of:(a) pulverizing an alloy containing silver, tin and copper into a first spherical powder by high pressure water, inert gas or similar pulverization(b) drying and forming said first powder into a coherent shaped article;(c) sintering the shaped article at an elevated temperature; and(d) pulverizing the sintered shaped article by machining into a master alloy powder.

Abstract: A method of making cosmetic hydrogel contact lenses which alter the apparent color of the iris by employing small light reflecting particles imbedded in a colored transparent matrix.Cosmetic contact lenses as described herein are of a dual purpose to correct the visual errors and change the apparent color of the eye. The material iris pattern is visible through the lens providing a natural appearance.

Abstract: Plastic contact lenses are formed in a casting process in which the required amount of lens-forming material is charged into a mold half, the mating lens half is inserted but only far enough to contact at least the surface of the lens-forming material. Next the inserted part is allowed to dwell or is slowly withdrawn for a sufficient distance to cause the liquid lens-forming material to move to the center of the two molding surfaces and to approximate a column between the two molding surfaces. The moveable mold portion is then quickly inserted into the mold pushing the lens-forming material uniformly outwardly and displacing any air between the two molding surfaces to form a contact lens devoid of air bubbles and entrained air.

Abstract: A method of making cosmetic contact lenses which alter the apparent color of the iris by employing small light reflecting particles imbedded in a colored transparent matrix.Cosmetic contact lenses as described herein are of a dual purpose to correct the visual errors and change the apparent color of the eye. The material iris pattern is visible through the lens providing a natural appearance.

Abstract: The lens is molded in a concave lens mold, the liquid lens monomer is placed in the concave mold and a controlled stream of gas is directed at the center of the liquid surface and shapes the concave lens surface upon polymerization of the monomer.

Abstract: The Fresnel lens is provided, as viewed in cross-section, with a face formed with a plurality of spirally arranged teeth, each whereof includes a light ray refracting portion and a connection flank to the next adjacent refractive portion, in each tooth the angle included between any such refractive portions and the adjoining connection flank being less than 90.degree..

Abstract: A water-absorptive contact lens made of a copolymer comprising units of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid and at least one saccharide selected from D-galactose, D-glucose and D-mannose and units of at least one member selected from a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer, which has excellent oxygen permeability and affinity for the eye and can be worn continuously for a long period of time. The contact lens is prepared by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid with a ketalized saccharide and a hydrophilic monomer and/or a hydrophobic monomer, and after forming the resulting copolymer into a contact lens, if necessary, treating the copolymer having a shape of contact lens with an acid to convert the ketal groups into hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A lens having a set of physical features provided on the edge thereof for permitting a set of reference marks to be placed on the lens surface together with an apparatus for applying these physical features to the lens. The apparatus comprises a mold assembly in which the gasket is provided with a plurality of precisely located ridges which define a plurality of corresponding notches formed on the edge of the lens to locate, for example, the distance portion optical center and the 0.degree.-180.degree. lines of a progressive power lens. The gasket is additionally provided with other ridges adapted to mate with grooves formed on the mold member defining the progressive lens surface to ensure proper alignment of that member with the gasket.

Abstract: A process for collecting continuous polymer filaments centrifugally ejected from the spinning nozzles of a spinning head rotating at a high velocity is provided wherein the ejected filaments are caught by the surface of an annular form, flowing down liquid or by an annular wall surface wetted by a liquid flowing down thereon, spaced apart from and surrounding the spinning head and concentrically opposed to the head; then moved downwards from the location where the filaments are caught, by the flowing down liquid and if necessary, together with two or more guides; and dropped on a belt moving below the spinning head in the lateral direction and taken up in the form of multifilaments or dropped on the belt in the form of an ellipse long in the width direction of the belt and after adhering selvage materials to both the side end parts of the filaments, taken up in the form of a weft web of the ejected filaments.

Abstract: A shield for admitting laser beams to a target in a reaction chamber while obstructing exit of target ejected debris from the chamber is formed by coating the opposable faces of two supports with a layer of release agent and a coating protecting the release layer. A bead of transparent epoxy compound is then pressed between the two supports to form an epoxy shield. While the shield is on one support a framing holder is epoxied to the shield.

Abstract: Metal powder having low oxygen and carbon contents and suitable for powder metallurgy may be obtained by using, as an atomizing medium, a special composition containing an alcohol having 1-4 carbon atoms and water as its essential components when impinging the atomizing medium against a molten metal in a state isolated from the ambient air to produce the metal powder.

Abstract: New polymers are disclosed comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, L is a divalent linking group, and each X is independently chloro or bromo. The polymers are capable of providing a relatively high index of refraction in combination with a relatively high Abbe number and can be utilized as raw materials in the manufacture of plastic optical articles or elements such as lenses or prisms and in the manufacture of optical films and coatings.

Abstract: A method for encapsulation of a liquid or meltable solid material, comprises the steps of forming a jet of a material to be encapsulated, simultaneously forming a coaxial jet of a capsule-forming material surrounding the jet of the material to be encapsulated, forming a coaxial jet of a heated circulating liquid surrounding the coaxial composite jet of the capsule-forming material and the material to be encapsulated, introducing the resultant coaxial triple jet into a flow of a cooling liquid to form capsules composed of a core of the material to be encapsulated and a capsule or coating film of the capsule-forming material. The heated circulating liquid has a temperature close to or higher than that of the capsule-forming material.

Abstract: The invention relates to soft contact lenses having a water content of at least about 45% and comprising a hydrated copolymer of a major proportion of an hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, up to 12% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid or anhydride, a minor proportion of a cross-linking monomer and a minor proportion of styrene or a substituted styrene, the free acid or anhydride groups being in salt form.

Abstract: A copolymer composition, specially adapted for use in fabricating a contact lens comprises a copolymer of comonomers which include about 1-95 parts by weight of hydroxy silane esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid and about 99-5 parts by weight of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkanol ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid.Contact lenses and contact lens blanks are formed of such copolymer by conventional techniques and also by injection molding.

Abstract: Protein hydrogel structures formed from natural proteins having an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or less by dissolving the protein in an aqueous acidic solution, subjecting the protein to vapor phase crosslinking with at least two crosslinking agents, and air drying to a moisture content not exceeding 10 percent. The drying may be effected by treatment with a water-miscible organic solvent or by air drying. The structures may be in the form of soft contact lenses, films, fibers, and prosthetics.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pelletization of heat-liquifiable materials, such as metallurgical slags, consists of feed means for the molten material, these feed means depositing the material on a downwardly-extending feed plate over which it flows while it is mixed with water, if water is necessary to promote the expansion of the molten material and for control of the cooling. The material then flows on to a first rotating radially-vaned drum or rotor by which it is projected into the air for simultaneous cooling and pelletization. The feed means comprises flow control means such that any flow greater than a predetermined maximum is fed onto a second feed plate disposed above the first, from which the excess molten material flows on to a second rotating radially-vaned drum or rotor operative in like manner to the first. The flow control means may comprise for example a dam over which the excess material flows.

Abstract: A visual information carrier comprising a single layer sheet of transparent synthetic polymer having dispersed therein a fluorescent dye. The sheet is not subject to white fracture and has profilings on at least one surface, which are produced by deformation of the sheet and which form visually perceivable, colored information.

Abstract: Normally solid materials, e.g. metals or metal alloys, are provided as solid particulates, and preferably as fine spherical to almost spherical, as well as fiber-like, particulates, including solid particulates of a metallic glassy structure, by contacting a molten stream of the material, which at a temperature within 25 percent of its equilibrium melting point .degree.K. has a surface tension of 10 to 2500 dynes/cm. and a viscosity of 0.001 to 1 poise, preferably from 10.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. above its melting point, with a rapidly moving wall of a centrifugally disposed rotating liquid quench fluid, e.g. water or an oil, etc., in a manner adapted to disrupt the stream with breaking of the stream into molten globules or particles and to quench rapidly those globules or particles into the solid particulates. The produced solid particulates subsequently are separated from the liquid quench fluid and classified to find utility for example in powder metallurgical applications.

Abstract: A process for producing atomized, powdered metal or alloy is disclosed. Streams of molten metal or alloy are forced through orifices whose openings are so small that the surface tension of the molten metal or alloy would otherwise prevent the flow of molten metal or alloy through the orifice.

Abstract: An increase in fine particle metal production is realized when the descending molten metal stream is caused to impinge upon one of two descending fluid streams at a locus offset from the locus of intersection of the two descending fluid streams.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for correcting visual refractive errors of the human eye. In this method, a contact lens is fitted to the patient's eye, the lens being oxygen permeable, wettable, and having an oxygen permeable crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A lens having a high refractive index with a low dispersion produced by copolymerizing a polyfunctional allyl monomer with at least one monomer selected from the group represented by the general formula A: ##STR1## X: H, CH.sub.3, Cl Y: H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7, iso-C.sub.3 H.sub.7, OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.11, Cl, Br, CH.sub.2 Cl, CH.sub.2 Br, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, SCH.sub.3m=0, 1, 2n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.This lens is excellent in its transmittance, pencil hardness, impact resistance, dyeability, coating adhesion, solvent resistance, workability, etc.

Abstract: An ultraviolet absorbing lens for use by aphakics formed by copolymerizing a monomer suitable for making lenses and a copolymerizable ultraviolet absorber for absorbing radiation having wavelength of 340 to 450 mmu.

Abstract: Process for forming optically clear lenses or artifical corneas from a reaction product of 4,4' dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, polytetramethylene ether glycol and ethylene oxide-capped trimethylol propane. The resulting polyurethane is optically clear and suitable for use as an artificial cornea, or a permanently implantable lens.

Abstract: An optical lens having an absorbance of less than about 0.1 for visible radiation of a wavelength in the range of from about 400 to about 600 nanometers is prepared from a crosslinkable acrylic composition. The composition consists essentially of an acrylic monomer and an acrylated urethane oligomer and exhibits a shrinkage upon curing of less than about 0.4%. The lens is prepared by introducing the crosslinkable composition into a lens-forming means and curing it until it is substantially crosslinked.

Abstract: The granulation of molten material, blast furnace slag for example, is accomplished by wetting the slag with a stream of water and thereafter transporting the thus formed granules away from the point of granulation with the water stream. Water consumption is minimized and average grain size increased by employing a multi-layer water stream defined by currents having different temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: An optically isotropic device or component made of an optically isotropic polymeric material which is a blend of two completely miscible polymers which have opposite optical anisotropies. The blend has zero birefringence which is not substantially affected by processing of the blend into the optical device or component.

Abstract: A polygonally shaped, multifaceted rotary scanner comprising a plurality of optically flat, reflective surfaces on the facets. The reflective surfaces are integrally bonded to a multifaceted, polygonal base at precise angles to the axis of rotation by a replication technique in which each optically flat reflective surface is produced on the surface of a flat master preform, and the flat master preform is then accurately located in position at the precise angle relative to the base by contact with upper and lower facets of a master multifaceted polygonal fixture. The flat reflective surface is then adhesively bonded to the corresponding facet of the polygonal base (while the polygonal base is arranged concentrically between the upper and lower facets of the fixture) by the application of a small quantity of a liquid adhesive to the surface of the facet of the polygonal base. On hardening, the adhesive bonds the reflective layer of each master preform to the appropriate facet of the polygonal base.

Abstract: Coarse particle size zinc sulfide is treated with a solution of alkali metal halide to make it adaptable for hot-pressing into shaped, polycrystalline windows which is more transparent in the visible to near visible and infrared spectral regions than untreated coarse particle size zinc sulfide.

Abstract: Protein hydrogel structures formed from natural proteins having an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or less by dissolving the protein in an aqueous acidic solution, crosslinking the protein, and air drying to a moisture content not exceeding 10 percent. The thus dried structure may or may not be bleached with an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent and thoroughly washed with water. The washed structure is dehydrated by treatment with a water-miscible organic solvent, washed with water, and redried to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent. The structures may be in the form of soft contact lenses, films, fibers, and prosthetics.

Abstract: A soft contact lens is provided by: pouring an excess amount of an original solution for producing a soft contact lens into a concave mold; placing a convex mold on said concave mold and overflowing the excess of said original solution to thereby uniformly fill said original solution in a space between said concave mold and said convex mold; gelling said original solution between the two molds to form therebetween a lens having a tensile strength of at least about 0.1 kgf/cm.sup.2 ; immersing said lens and said two molds in a liquid to peel said lens from said molds; and extracting the thus-peeled lens via an extraction treatment with water.

Abstract: Contact lenses are fabricated from a copolymer of a polysiloxanylalkyl acrylic ester and an alkyl acrylic ester. The copolymer has increased oxygen permeability.