US4286957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of integrating a photochromic substance into an ophthalmic lens and a photochromic lens of organic material
Assignee: EssilorLuxottica SA
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Filing: 1979-01-10
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 1999-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A process of integrating a photochromic substance, especially a spiropyran or a metal dithizonate, into a transparent substrate of polymerized organic material such as poly [ethylene glycol di-allyl di-carbonate] by thermal transfer, comprising applying the photochromic substance alone or with a solvent and/or thickening agent to the surface of a transparent organic substrate such as a lens disc, and heating until the photochromic substance is sublimed and then diffused and anchored in the organic material of the lens, preferably just beneath the surface to which it is applied. Preferably, the photochromic substance is initially carried on a temporarily support for application.
Inventors
- 👤 Lyliane Le Naour-Sene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/10; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/10; G02C7/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A process of integrating a photochromic substance into a transparent substrate of polymerized organic material comprising the steps of placing a photochromic material containing a photochromic substance into contact with the substrate, and heating the photochromic material thus in contact with the substrate thereby thermally transferring the photochromic substance into the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process of integrating a photochromic substance into a transparent substrate of polymerized organic material comprising the steps of placing a photochromic material containing a photochromic substance into contact with the substrate, and heating the photochromic material thus in contact with the substrate thereby thermally transferring the photochromic substance into the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, the photochromic material initially being carried by a temporary support sheet, comprising applying the temporary support sheet against the substrate to place the photochromic material in contact with the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating step comprises bringing a heating implement of generally the same configuration as the substrate into heat conductive relation with the substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1, comprising before placing the photochromic material into contact with the substrate, preheating the substrate to a temperature less than the temperature at which the photochromic substance is transferred into the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the photochromic substance is a spiropyran.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the photochromic substance is a metal dithizonate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising washing the substrate with a solvent after thermal transfer of the photochromic substance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the organic material is selected from the group consisting of poly [ethylene glycol di-allyl di-carbonate], polycarbonate, methyl polymethacrylate, and transparent polyurethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process of integrating a photochromic substance into a transparent substrate of polymerized organic material comprising the steps of applying a photochromic substance on the transparent substrate and heating the photochromic substance thus in contact with the substrate until the photochromic substance sublimes, and allowing the sublimed photochromic substance to be absorbed into organic material of the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process of integrating a photochromic substance into a transparent substrate of polymerized organic material comprising the steps of applying a photochromic substance on the transparent substrate and heating the photochromic substance thus in contact with the substrate until the photochromic substance sublimes, and allowing the sublimed photochromic substance to be absorbed into organic material of the substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process of making a photochromic ophthalmic lens comprising applying a photochromic material containing at least in part a photochromic substance to a transparent organic ophthalmic lens or lens disc, applying heat to the photochromic material thus in contact with the lens or lens disc until the photochromic substance is thermally transferred from the surface of the ophthalmic lens or lens disc into the organic material constituting the lens or lens disc by sublimation and absorption of the photochromic substance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process of making a photochromic ophthalmic lens comprising applying a photochromic material containing at least in part a photochromic substance to a transparent organic ophthalmic lens or lens disc, applying heat to the photochromic material thus in contact with the lens or lens disc until the photochromic substance is thermally transferred from the surface of the ophthalmic lens or lens disc into the organic material constituting the lens or lens disc by sublimation and absorption of the photochromic substance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process of impregnating a photochromic substance selected from the group consisting of metal dithizonates and spiropyrans into a substrate of transparent polymerized organic material selected from the group consisting of poly[ethylene glycol di-allyl di-carbonate], polycarbonate, methyl polymethacrylate and transparent polyurethane, comprising the steps of applying a photochromic material containing a photochromic substance to the transparent substrate, then heating the photochromic substance thus in contact with the transparent substrate whereby the photochromic substance is absorbed into the organic material of the substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process of impregnating a photochromic substance selected from the group consisting of metal dithizonates and spiropyrans into a substrate of transparent polymerized organic material selected from the group consisting of poly[ethylene glycol di-allyl di-carbonate], polycarbonate, methyl polymethacrylate and transparent polyurethane, comprising the steps of applying a photochromic material containing a photochromic substance to the transparent substrate, then heating the photochromic substance thus in contact with the transparent substrate whereby the photochromic substance is absorbed into the organic material of the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, 9 or 10, further comprising allowing the photochromic substance to penetrate into the organic material of the substrate to a depth immediately beneath the surface to which it was applied.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
A photochromic ophthalmic lens formed by the process of claim 10.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photochromic ophthalmic lens according to claim 13, wherein the photochromic substance is located immediately beneath the surface of the lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process of regenerating aged photochromic substrates according to claim 1 or 9, wherein said steps are repeated on an aged photochromic substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process of regenerating aged photochromic lenses according to claim 10, wherein said steps are repeated on an aged photochromic lens.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, 9 or 10, wherein said heating step comprises heating to about 210° C. for about 30 to 45 seconds.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |