US4110244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photochromic plastic material
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1977-05-04
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Granted: 1978-08-29
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Expires: 1997-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing photochromic plastic materials is disclosed which is characterized by forming a transparent polymeric shape from a mixed polymer consisting of a polyester resin made by esterification of an unsaturated polybasic organic acid with a polyhydric alcohol, and a polar vinyl monomer, swelling a surface layer of the cured polymeric shape with a polar solvent, absorbing silver and halide ions into the swelled surface layer, and collapsing the swelled surface layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Hovey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:44
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K9/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A photochromic material comprising a transparent cured polymer having micro-porous surface channels, said channels containing a photochromically effective amount of a silver halide crystallized in situ and having a crystal size in the range of 30 to 500A wherein said polymer consists essentially of a cross polymerized mixture of at least one unsaturated polyester resin produced by esterification of a polybasic, unsaturated organic acid with a polyhydric alcohol and a polar vinyl monomer, said polyester resin and polar vinyl monomer being present in a ratio between about 0.1:1 and 100:1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A photochromic material comprising a transparent cured polymer having micro-porous surface channels, said channels containing a photochromically effective amount of a silver halide crystallized in situ and having a crystal size in the range of 30 to 500A wherein said polymer consists essentially of a cross polymerized mixture of at least one unsaturated polyester resin produced by esterification of a polybasic, unsaturated organic acid with a polyhydric alcohol and a polar vinyl monomer, said polyester resin and polar vinyl monomer being present in a ratio between about 0.1:1 and 100:1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The photochromic material of claim 1 wherein the silver halide is silver chloride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The material as set forth in claim 2 wherein said polar vinyl monomer is selected from the group consisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, vinyl succinamide, vinyl phthalimide, acrylic acid, 2-methacrylic acid, 3-methacrylic acid, vinylacetic acid, 3-vinylpropionic acid, 4-vinylpyridine, 5-vinyl 2-picoline, vinylformamide, vinylacetonitrile, acrylamide, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The material as set forth in claim 2 wherein said polybasic unsaturated organic acid is selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The material as set forth in claim 2 wherein said polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 2'2'dimethyl propanediol, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The material as set forth in claim 2 wherein said polyester resin is a copolymer selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol bis (allyl carbonate), diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl benzene phosphonate, and mixtures thereof copolymerized with up to about 70% of unsaturated vinyl monomer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The material as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first component comprises diethylene glycol bis (allyl carbonate) copolymerized with between 5 and 50% of an unsaturated vinyl monomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The material as set forth in claim 7 wherein said polyester resin is copolymerized with an unsaturated vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylic acid esters, methacrylic esters, and mixtures thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-28 | 1982-02-27 | 1982-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-28 | 1986-02-27 | 1986-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-28 | 1990-02-27 | 1990-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |