Abstract: A method of making a one-piece intraocular lens formed from a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and an alkoxy-alkylmethacrylate. The intraocular lens is foldable so as to be insertable through a small incision in the eye. Copolymers of the lens have an equilibrium water content of from about 10 to about 38 percent by weight based on the total weight of the hydrated copolymer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising the steps of grinding, fine grinding, and polishing a surface of an optical article made of transparent thermoplastic material, one of the steps of fine grinding or polishing consisting of treating the surface with a solvent or a mixture of solvents. The invention is applicable to lenses for spectacles.

Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly heating a shrinkable casing around a relatively non-shrinkable object. The system may be referred to as a sleeve shrinking quick dip heat system. As one example, the present invention may be used to shrink a sleeve around a strand, such as fiber or copper. In the electrical and electronic fields, the present invention may be used to shrink sleeves or tubing around, for example, copper strands, wires, connectors, or components. A contact approach to heating the a loaded sleeve is used wherein a predetermined temperature profile is applied to prevent the trapping of air during shrinking. Ramp-up time is eliminated by use of a heater block that remains near or at heat shrinking temperatures, while selectively transferring heat to the sleeve according to the desired temperature profile.

Abstract: A method of performing a uniform illumination pattern in a back-light plate using sand-blasting process. This method mainly includes two steps. The first step is to perform a manufacturing process, for example a chemical etching process or a laser-cutting process, to form a hole mask on a metal plate with a predetermined hole pattern. The second step is to position the hole mask of the metal plate on one illuminating face of the back-light plate to perform a sandblasting process. A plurality of recesses, each being no deeper than a predetermined depth, are consequently formed to serve as a uniform illumination pattern of the back-light plate. When visible light emits into the back-light plate, the plurality of recesses on the illuminating face make the emitted visible light uniformly illuminated.

Abstract: A light guiding plate is manufactured with accuracy and at low cost. This invention comprises a cylindrical roller, which has a heater built-in, rotating while fixing a stamper having a dot pattern formed on its surface, substrate fixing means for reciprocating along a lower portion of the cylindrical roller in accordance with rotation of the cylindrical roller as fixing a resin substrate, and pressing means for pressing the stamper, which is fixed to the cylindrical roller, onto a surface of the resin substrate, which is fixed to the substrate fixing means, with a constant pressure.

Abstract: A method for forming a thermoplastic preform into a lens by compression molding between a pair of molds is provided. In another aspect of the invention a set of novel preforms made from a thermoplastic material is provided. The preforms have different radii of curvature. Preferably each different curvature preform comes in different weights desirably two or three different weights. A series of mating concave and convex mold halves are provided for use with the preforms. According to the invention a limited number of concave mold halves are provided. A wide range of single vision and multifocal lenses can be supplied from three (3) to six (6) base curve concave molds halves having different radii of curvatures. According to the invention a first concave mold half with a radius of curvature of less than two (2) diopters is provided. Each successive concave mold half has a radius of curvature of from one (1) to three (3) diopters greater than the previous mold half in the series.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly compound lenses having a plastic coating on a plastic lens is described. A mold, after rotational orientation, is placed in a gimbal assembly to provide for the proper tilt. This gimbal assembly forms part of a fixture attached to an indexing means which moves for complete assembly of a molding fixture and then moves the molding fixture through a chamber to cure the resin. A preform, after rotational orientation, is held, by a preform gripper placed above the mold, and with sufficient clearance between the mold and the preform to allow the correct resin thickness during the curing portion of the process. The fixture is also provided with members to firmly grip the preform gripper so as to maintain its orientation throughout the curing process.

Abstract: In an optical element having an optical axis and formed by resin-molding using molds, the position of the optical axis at a lens surface is set at the position of a pinpoint gate serving as an inlet for resin, and a doughnut-shaped light-shielding zone for blocking light is provided in such a manner as to surround a cut portion of the resin at the pinpoint gate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lens of gradient dielectric constant and methods for the production of same. The lens includes an inner core comprising a cured or fused substantially homogenous blend of glass spheres, curable or fusible binder and, as needed to increase dielectric constant, a low-loss dielectric material. The inner core preferably has a dielectric constant of about 2.0, and an interstitial void volume (representing trapped air space between elements of the cured or fused material) of from about 30% to about 50%. The lens also includes an outer shell layer comprising a cured or fused substantially homogenous blend of hollow glass spheres and curable or fusible resin. The outer shell layer preferably has a dielectric constant of about 1.0, and an interstitial void volume of from about 30% to about 50%. In addition, the lens includes a minimum of one, and preferably two or more intermediate layers, the intermediate layers having a dielectric constant falling between 1 and 2.

Abstract: An optical-quality plastic part is provided having a PET polarizing film formed to contour with the optical requirements of the plastic construct without jeopardizing its optical, mechanical or cosmetic properties.

Abstract: A cylindrical embossment roll whose outer circumferential surface is formed with a micro-asperity pattern is prepared. A substrate is coated with a thin resin film. The substrate is held by a transfer stage, and a micro-asperity pattern is formed on the thin resin film by pressing the outer circumferential surface of the embossment roll against the thin resin film with a pressurizing mechanism while rolling the embossment roll on the thin resin film.

Abstract: The method for making an optical lens which includes: filling a molding cavity vertically oriented and defined by two mold pieces at the periphery of which is disposed an annular closure member with a polymerizable synthetic composition through a disposable check valve provided in the closure member; polymerizing the composition to form the lens; and recovering the lens with the disposable check valve imprisoned within the polymerized composition at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A method for shaping an optical fiber with various geometries while minimizing unwanted artifacts in the core of the optical fiber. The method facilitates control of sag in the region of the core that is exposed to a beam of optical energy. The sag is reduced, if not eliminated, by maintaining the cross-sectional area of the core that is exposed to the beam at thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: A method for peeling a lens sheet having two pairs of opposite portions from a forming mold comprises the first to third peeling steps. The first peeling step is to pull up a pair of opposite portions of a lens sheet, which is formed on a forming mold, to peel partially the lens sheet from the forming mold. The second peeling step is to pull up the other pair of opposite portions of the lens sheet to peel partially the lens sheet from the forming mold. The third peeling step is to pull up further the two pairs of opposite portions to peel entirely the lens sheet from the forming mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive reflector comprising a series of steps. A thin plastic film having a backing material is thermoformed into the rough shape of the reflector. The thermoformed film is called a pre-form. The pre-form has a concave surface and a convex surface. The backing material forms the convex surface. The pre-form is placed within an injection molding press with the concave surface juxtaposed a mold core. Molten reinforced plastic material is injected into the mold adjacent to the backing material. The plastic material heats and fuses to the backing material to form a reflector. After the plastic material has cooled, the reflector is removed from the injection mold as a finished reflector.

Abstract: A method of cast molding an intraocular implant from two or more dissimilar materials using disposable molds. The subject cast molding method is particularly useful in the production of intraocular lenses manufactured from dissimilar materials. It is desirable to produce intraocular lenses from dissimilar materials in order to optimize the optical characteristics of the intraocular lens optic portion and to optimize stability and flexibility characteristics of the intraocular lens haptic elements.

Abstract: A method and work material for making embossed blanks for sample packages and other free-standing three dimensional display items from a sheet-type work material includes a printer for printing a graphic image on the work material, and a processing mechanism for performing work operations on the work material. The sheet-type work material has a top layer of sheet material, an intermediate layer of sheet material, and a carrier layer of sheet material, with a first layer of adhesive material bonding the top and intermediate layers of sheet material together, and a second layer of adhesive material bonding the intermediate and carrier layers of sheet material together. Any, all, or a combination of the top, intermediate, or carrier layers of sheet material may have shape retaining deformability characteristics to aid in holding an embossed design in the work material.

Abstract: On the pressing surface of a die, a first protrusion having a substantially triangular cross section and a second protrusion having a length which is greater than a width thereof and a substantially trapezoidal cross section in planes extending through both length and width dimensions thereof are provided. By press forming, a groove with a substantially V-shaped cross section to mount an optical part, and a groove with a substantially inverse-trapezoidal cross section providing an alignment marking are formed, being inverse-transferred in correspondence with the respective protrusions on one principal surface of a glass substrate. Forming such a pattern on a glass substrate produced with a die enables alignment of the glass substrate with a mask for photolithography with high accuracy.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a plastic optical fiber by heating and drawing either one end portion of a transparent plastic rod, a plastic optical fiber having a cross sectional form approximately similar to the cross sectional form of the transparent plastic rod, the transparent plastic rod is heated by exposing near infrared ray which is radiated from a near infrared ray source. This can prevent the plastic optical fiber from causing to blow many bubbles on the surface and heat degradation to allow the plastic optical fiber to be obtained with a high quality.

Abstract: An optical element molding method for molding an optical element having an asymmetrical optically functional surface by pressing a heated preform in which, after a center part of a transfer surface of a molding die and a center part of the preform are brought into contact with each other, peripheries of the center part of the preform are brought into contact with the transfer surface, to transfer the form of the transfer surface to the preform. Consequently, the optically functional surface shape can be favorably transferred to the preform.

Abstract: The fixture of the invention provides a bottom portion into which a mold half is placed. Movably mounted above the bottom portion is a top portion having two horizontal plates adapted to slide relative to each other to control the X direction and Y direction and hold a preform or wafer. The top portion is further adapted to allow for the adjustment of the relative angle between the preform or wafer and mold half, as well as adjustment of the distance between the top portion and bottom portion.

Abstract: A process for cold- and hot-working of methacrylate optic conductors (M), of cylindric or of any other shape, that allows a beam of light, inserted into said conductors, to be totally inwardly reflected according to the angles contained in the limit angle of the total internal reflection, and determines the emission according to beam angles—in theory—180° amplitude but, in the practical industrial realizations, of 30° or 56°, from the section of the conductor opposed to the one carrying the reflection means (2).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface-emitting backlight is provided with the steps of forming a lead frame and resin-made molded case by insert molding, attaching light sources, which are red, blue and green LED dies, to contacts of the lead frame provided in a hollow space of the molded case, forming a light guide section by filling the hollow space with a transparent or semitransparent resin, and thereafter attaching a reflector sheet, and lens sheets (or diffuser sheets) in accordance with the applications of the backlight.

Abstract: A one-piece intraocular lens formed from a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and an alkoxy-alkylmethacrylate. The intraocular lens is foldable so as to be insertable through a small incision in the eye.

Abstract: Gas-permeable hard contact lenses are produced by hot press-stretching a crosslined gas-permeable hard contact lens material and then machining the press-stretched material. The gas-permeable hard contact lenses are formed from a crosslinked gas permeable hard contact lens material which is hot press-stretched to have a compression ration of 5 to 50% and a compression-flexure fracture strength of 300 to 1,500 g. Efficiently produced gas-permeable hard contact lenses are produced which are free of optical strains, excellent in transparency, small internal stress and comfortable to wear with improved durability strength.

Abstract: A continuous process for imparting a striking glittering or sparkling appearance to a roll of initially non-glittering cube corner sheeting includes exposing the sheeting to a combination of heat and pressure. The process includes passing the sheeting through an extended heated zone and applying pressure to the sheeting after it has been heated. At least one belt is employed to support or carry the sheeting as the sheeting is passed through the heated zone and as the pressure is applied. In one embodiment the sheeting is sandwiched between a pair of endless belts that pass through the extended heated zone, the nip, and a cooling zone downweb of the nip. The process is particularly advantageous for converting rolls of non-glittering cube corner sheeting into rolls of glittering cube corner sheeting.

Abstract: A mold assembly for forming an ophthalmic lens, the mold assembly comprising a first mold and a second mold which cooperate with each other to define therebetween a mold cavity having a profile following that of the ophthalmic lens, wherein the improvement comprises: at least one of the first and second molds being a coated mold consisting of a body portion including a backing surface having rigidity and mechanical strength enough to withstand a molding operation for forming the ophthalmic lens in the mold cavity, and a thermoplastic film retained on the body portion such that the thermoplastic film covers the backing surface of the body portion, the thermoplastic film having a molding surface which partially defines the mold cavity and which gives a corresponding one of opposite surfaces of the ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A method of continuously fabricating a lens excellent in various optical characteristics and having no nonuniformity in the characteristics over a total of the lens and a lens fabricated by the method. A first step for forming thiourethane prepolymer and a second step for making thiourethane prepolymer react with at least one urethane forming monomer are carried out in an extruder or in a reactor having an extruding device at a succeeding step, extruded thermoplastic thiourethane-urethane copolymer for optical use is elongated in a sheet-like shape, a lens precursor is formed by punching out the copolymer elongated in a sheet-like shape and the lens precursor is pressed such that a predetermined curved face is provided at least on one face of the lens precursor.

Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective article comprising on the top surface thereof a retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in a contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a substantially planar position.

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: A hexagonal mold is formed by a unitary base and a unitary cover. Each of the base and the cover form three of the six surfaces of a hexagonal mold cavity when the cover is placed on top of the base. The hexagonal mold may be used to form field emission display spacers and field emission display microchannels by placing etchable single fibers in the hexagonal mold to form hexagonal multiple fiber preforms. The preforms are then drawn to form multiple fibers that are placed in a rectangular mold to form a rectangular fiber block. The rectangular fiber block is then sliced into sheets which are then placed between a field emission display baseplate and a field emission display faceplate.

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 bead disposition is imaged while performing illumination by reflection illumination or penetration illumination so that a peak point of brightness brighter than the outside of a bead is observed in the inside of the bead and the circumferential portion of the bead is darker than the outside of the bead. A peak point of brightness in the inside of a bead is detected from the image data and adjacent pixels are successively painted with the peak point of brightness as a starting point, wherein the adjacent pixels have a brightness level of t2 or greater. Then, the image data is binarized. A space filling percentage of beads is calculated from the number of white or black pixels of an obtained binary image. Alternatively, binarization can also be performed after detecting a circle or circular arc pattern corresponding to a dark portion in the circumferential portion of bead from the image data by a pattern matching method and painting the inside of the circle or circular arc.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method for manufacturing an optical assembly for use in an optical flying head are provided. The optical assembly may include a solid immersion lens and a magnetic coil. Techniques are provided for fabricating the solid immersion lens and the magnetic coil. Techniques are also provided for installing the optical assembly into a slider for the optical flying head. Other embodiments are described in which a solid immersion lens is installed in or is integral with a transparent slider. A magnetic coil may also be installed in these embodiments.

Abstract: A blur film is made of a polymeric film material transmissive to infrared energy of a selected waveband, which is affixed to a surface of a substrate transmissive to energy of the same selected infrared waveband. The blur film has a texture or a plurality of lenslets thereon, where the surface of each lenslet is a surface of revolution. In a spatial-filter wheel application, the blur film and substrate are affixed to a support, which in turn is rotatably mounted on a drive. The support is structured such that a portion of its circumference is covered by the blur film and a portion of its circumference is not covered by the blur film. The spatial-filter wheel is rotated in front of a detector to produce alternating blurred and direct images on the detector.

Abstract: An optical component is manufactured by precisely measuring the final volume of the optical component, precisely measuring an amount of optical material that will yield that final volume, and discharging it through a nozzle to form a spherically-shaped optical agglomerate, pressing the spherically-shaped optical agglomerate into a disc-shaped optical preform, and then using the disc-shaped optical preform to mold an optical component of a precise final volume. The disc-shaped preform fits stably on a convex upper surface of a lower mold, and the molding operation progresses uniformly and smoothly, thereby yielding a final form optical component.

Abstract: Diffusely reflective articles manufactured from optical bodies including continuous and disperse phases are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such articles. Also disclosed are underdrawn continuous/disperse phase optical bodies that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations. The articles, methods and optical bodies of the present invention preferably allow for post-forming of the optical bodies while retaining desired levels of diffuse reflectivity in the articles formed from the optical bodies.

Abstract: A continuous extrusion process is provided capable of producing graded index plastic optical fiber at commercially useful speeds, e.g., at least 1 m/sec for 250 &mgr;m outer diameter fiber. Moreover, it is possible to predict the refractive index profile of the fiber, prior to actual fabrication, by performing a finite element analysis using various parameters of the extrusion process. Such prediction allows one to tune the parameters of the process to obtain a desirable outcome, while avoiding the need for substantial trial and error with the extrusion equipment.

Abstract: A view angle control sheet comprising a non-oriented light permeable polymer layer having cracks of regular directionality is disclosed. The view angle control sheet of the present invention has good view angle control property and can easily be obtained at low cost. The sheet having good view angle control property with respect to two or more directions can also easily be obtained as required at low cost. The view angle control sheet of the present invention can be used in office equipment displays, automobile meters, outdoor displays, windows and the like to desirably control view angles.

Abstract: A method for cutting and edge sealing cells of cellular retroreflective sheeting is disclosed using a specially designed apparatus and tool. Sheeting having a thickness T is heated to a thermoforming temperature to form a heated sheeting. Pressing the unheated tool, the heated sheeting, and a substrate together results in cutting and edge sealing of the heated sheeting. The tool has a radiused ridge for cutting and edge sealing with the shape of the ridge similar to the shape desired for the edge seal. A height H of the ridge is defined relative to the thickness of the sheeting. The fraction of the ridge height to the thickness of the sheeting is less than one and more than 0.2. The tools may be mounted on a perimeter of a wheel for continuously slitting and edge sealing strips of cellular sheeting. The retroreflectivity of the sheeting is maximized by (1) minimizing the width of the sealed edges while (2) maximizing the number of closed cells along the sealed edges that can withstand a water holdout test.

Abstract: A laminated light-polarizing composite lens is efficiently produced by bonding a pre-formed polarized sheet to the front convex surface of a molded polycarbonate lens in an autoclave. Excellent optical properties are obtained by the replication from a polished glass surface to the front surface of the lens. The outer surface layer of the finished lens is isotropic and thus does not produce unwanted birefringence effects. The method is especially well suited for the production of optically corrected decentered polycarbonate lenses. The process is simple and easily changed to produce lenses with different base curves and colors.