Patent US4720188A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4720188A
Expired / Lapsed
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Process for manufacturing colored contact lenses and lenses made by the process
Assignee: WJ ACQUISITION CORP
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Filing: 1987-06-25
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Granted: 1988-01-19
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Expires: 2007-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A process for manufacturing colored contact lenses and the lens manufactured by the process. A transparent contact lens having a central pupil section and a surrounding iris section has a colorant applied in a pattern to the entire iris section such that at least about ten percent of surface of the iris section is covered by colorant. The produced lens is capable of coloring the iris of the wearer, yet permits visualization of the structure of the iris. A fundamental color change, e.g. from brown to blue, is possible, yet the colored iris has a natural appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 Julius Z. Knapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:20
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00865; B29D11/00894; B29D11/00903; G; G02; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/02; G02C7/04; G02C7/046; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0018; B29K2995/0025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a process for manufacturing a colored contact lens comprising providing a transparent contact lens, applying a colorant to the surface of such contact lens and rendering the colorant resistant to removal by ocular fluids, where the contact lens has a central pupil section and an iris section surrounding such pupil section, the improvement comprising applying the colorant in an intermittant pattern, the elements of the pattern being undiscernable to the ordinary viewer, over the entire iris section in a manner such that at least about ten percent of the iris section is covered and such that a sufficient amount of the iris within the interstices of the pattern is left uncovered to permit visualization of the structure of the iris of the lens wearer's eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a process for manufacturing a colored contact lens comprising providing a transparent contact lens, applying a colorant to the surface of such contact lens and rendering the colorant resistant to removal by ocular fluids, where the contact lens has a central pupil section and an iris section surrounding such pupil section, the improvement comprising applying the colorant in an intermittant pattern, the elements of the pattern being undiscernable to the ordinary viewer, over the entire iris section in a manner such that at least about ten percent of the iris section is covered and such that a sufficient amount of the iris within the interstices of the pattern is left uncovered to permit visualization of the structure of the iris of the lens wearer's eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 where the colorant covers at least about 20 percent of the surface of the iris section of the lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 where the colorant covers at least about 30 percent of the surface of the iris section of the lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 3 where the colorant covers up to 80 percent of the surface of the iris section of the lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the lens is manufactured from a hydrophilic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the lens is manufactured from a hydrophilic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the lens is manufactured from a hydrophilic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the lens is manufactured from a hydrophilic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the colorant is a translucent colorant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the colorant is a translucent colorant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the colorant is a translucent colorant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the colorant is a translucent colorant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the colorant is an opaque colorant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the colorant is an opaque colorant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the colorant is an opaque colorant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the colorant is an opaque colorant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A contact lens suitable for changing the apparent tint of the lens wearer's iris comprising: (1) a transparent pupil section (2) a transparent iris section surrounding such pupil section (3) a translucent colorant deposited on a surface in an intermittant pattern, the elements of the pattern being undiscernable to the ordinary viewer, over the entire iris section such that at least about thirty percent of the surface of the iris section is covered by the colorant but a sufficient portion of the surface of the iris section is free of colorant thereby permitting visualization of the structure of the iris of the lens wearer's eye.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
A contact lens suitable for changing the apparent tint of the lens wearer's iris comprising: (1) a transparent pupil section (2) a transparent iris section surrounding such pupil section (3) a translucent colorant deposited on a surface in an intermittant pattern, the elements of the pattern being undiscernable to the ordinary viewer, over the entire iris section such that at least about thirty percent of the surface of the iris section is covered by the colorant but a sufficient portion of the surface of the iris section is free of colorant thereby permitting visualization of the structure of the iris of the lens wearer's eye.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lens of claim 17 constructed of a hydrophilic material and further comprising a transparent peripheral section surrounding said iris section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 17 wherein the colorant is deposited as translucent dots.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 18 wherein the colorant is deposited as translucent dots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3536386A
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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) | 1991-01-18 | 1991-07-20 | 1992-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-18 | 1995-07-20 | 1996-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-18 | 1999-07-20 | 2000-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |