US4544572A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coated ophthalmic lenses and method for coating the same
Assignee: Signet Optical Corp
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Filing: 1983-08-15
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Granted: 1985-10-01
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Expires: 2003-08-15
Abstract
Abstract An ophthalmic lens and a method for providing a thin coating thereon is disclosed. The coatings render the surfaces of the devices resistant to abrasion and have an SEB abrasion resistance of at least 20 psi. They are optically clear, aberration-free, and provide essentially exactly an optical surface having the desired surface configuration. The coating compositions employed contain reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups and are applied to a mold face and partially reacted. The coated mold is then used to cast the ophthalmic device.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy C. Sandvig
- 👤 Dean A. Ersfeld
- 👤 Eric P. Berg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:45
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J5/00; G02B1/105; G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/10; G02B1/11; G02B1/111; G02B1/12; G02B1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of providing a thin, optically clear coating to at least one optical surface of an ophthalmic device comprising the steps of: applying a layer of a composition comprising a material containing reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups to at least a first face of a mold used to manufacture said ophthalmic device, wherein said face imparts a desired optical configuration to a first optical surface of said ophthalmic device; reacting said composition to a degree that said composition forms a non-abrasion-resistant film that is dry, at least weakly adhered to said first face, and exactly replicates said first face in an aberration-free manner; filling said mold with an organic liquid material capable of hardening to a solid, room temperature-stable state; and hardening said organic liquid material so as to form said ophthalmic device, intimately bond said film to the hardened organic material, render said film abrasion-resistant, and adhere said film to said optical surface of said hardened organic material more firmly that it adheres to said face.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of providing a thin, optically clear coating to at least one optical surface of an ophthalmic device comprising the steps of: applying a layer of a composition comprising a material containing reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups to at least a first face of a mold used to manufacture said ophthalmic device, wherein said face imparts a desired optical configuration to a first optical surface of said ophthalmic device; reacting said composition to a degree that said composition forms a non-abrasion-resistant film that is dry, at least weakly adhered to said first face, and exactly replicates said first face in an aberration-free manner; filling said mold with an organic liquid material capable of hardening to a solid, room temperature-stable state; and hardening said organic liquid material so as to form said ophthalmic device, intimately bond said film to the hardened organic material, render said film abrasion-resistant, and adhere said film to said optical surface of said hardened organic material more firmly that it adheres to said face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 including the further step of removing said device from said mold wherein said film adheres to said first optical surface and separates essentially completely from said mold face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composition is partially reacted by exposing it to a temperature in the range of from 35° C. to 100° C. for from 1 to 10 minutes before filling said mold with said organic liquid material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composition is partially reacted by exposure to activating radiation until said composition exhibits a degree of unsaturation in the range of from about 30% to 90% of the unsaturation it possessed prior to reaction before filling said mold with said organic liquid material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said face of said mold is positioned at an angle from the horizontal in the range of about 45° to 60° prior to applying said composition thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said composition is applied to the top edge of said first face so that said composition covers an arc having a central angle in the range of from about 140° to 160°, and allowed to flow across said face of said mold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said composition is reacted by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said composition is reacted by exposure to electron beam radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said coating is reacted until it exhibits a degree of unsaturation in the range of from 40% to 75% of the unsaturation it possessed prior to reaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said coating is reacted until it exhibits a degree of unsaturation in the range of 55% to 70%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of applying a thin layer of said composition to a second face of said mold, wherein said second face forms a desired optical configuration on a second surface of said ophthalmic device, and partially reacting said composition on said second face.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said material containing reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups is selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, acrylic anhydrides, ethylenically unsaturated anhydrides, olefinic compounds, acrylamides, ethylenically unsaturated amides and urethanes, vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, vinyl epoxy resins, vinyl silanes, vinyl siloxanes, vinyl heterocycles, melamines, poly(ethylenically unsaturated alkoxyalkyl) compounds, blends, polymers, and copolymers thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
315 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said material containing reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups is a poly(ethylenically unsaturated alkoxyalkyl) compound of the formula A 1 --Z--A 2 wherein (a) A 1 and A 2 are independently groups having terminal ethylenic unsaturation said groups having the formula: ##STR21## in which (1) R 1 is selected from hydrogen or methyl (2) R--O-- is a monovalent residue of an aliphatic terminally unsaturated primary alcohol, ROH, where R is selected from the formulae ##STR22## wherein E is selected from the formulae ##STR23## wherein a and c are independently integers of from 1 to 6, b is zero or an integer of from 1 to 6, R 4 is selected from hydrogen or methyl, R 5 is an aliphatic group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms which may be interrupted with up to two groups selected from the class consisting of oxygen and ##STR24## R 5 having a valence of m+1 wherein m is an integer of 1 to 5, (3) R 2 is selected from the group of hydrogen, ##STR25## wherein R 6 is selected from alkyl and alkenyl groups having up to 5 carbon atoms, R 7 is an aliphatic group of up to 8 carbon atoms or an aromatic group of up to 8 carbon atoms, (4) R 3 is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and up to one catenary oxygen in the group, and (b) Z is a heterocyclic group of the formula: ##STR26## wherein X is a divalent group required to complete a 5-membered heterocyclic ring and is selected from the group of ##STR27## wherein R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , and R 11 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and phenyl groups, and A 3 is the same as A 1 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said composition further includes a reaction initiator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said composition further includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polymers, stabilizers, antioxidants, flexibilizers, colorants, fillers, surfactants, flow aids, and hardness enhancers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said ophthalmic lens comprises a spectacle lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said ophthalmic lens comprises a multifocal spectacle lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 including the further step of post reacting said composition after said organic liquid has hardened.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of providing a thin, optically clear, abrasion-resistant coating on at least one optical surface of an ophthalmic device comprising the steps of: positioning a mold used to manufacture said ophthalmic device such that a first face thereof is at an angle of from about 45° to 60° from the horizontal, wherein said first face is capable of imparting a desired optical configuration on a first optical surface of said device; applying a quantity of a composition comprising a material containing reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups across the top edge of said first face so that said composition covers an arc having a central angle in the range of from about 140° to 160°; allowing said composition to flow across said first face and form a thin layer thereon covering said face; reacting said composition to a degree that said composition forms a non-abrasion resistant film that is dry, at least weakly adhered to said first face, and exactly replicates said first face in an aberration-free manner; filling said mold with an organic liquid material capable of hardening to a solid, room temperature stable state; and hardening said liquid material so as to form said ophthalmic device, render said dried film abrasion-resistant and adhere said dried film to the surface of said device more firmly than it adheres to said face.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of providing a thin, optically clear, abrasion-resistant coating on at least one optical surface of an ophthalmic device comprising the steps of: positioning a mold used to manufacture said ophthalmic device such that a first face thereof is at an angle of from about 45° to 60° from the horizontal, wherein said first face is capable of imparting a desired optical configuration on a first optical surface of said device; applying a quantity of a composition comprising a material containing reactive ethylenically unsaturated groups across the top edge of said first face so that said composition covers an arc having a central angle in the range of from about 140° to 160°; allowing said composition to flow across said first face and form a thin layer thereon covering said face; reacting said composition to a degree that said composition forms a non-abrasion resistant film that is dry, at least weakly adhered to said first face, and exactly replicates said first face in an aberration-free manner; filling said mold with an organic liquid material capable of hardening to a solid, room temperature stable state; and hardening said liquid material so as to form said ophthalmic device, render said dried film abrasion-resistant and adhere said dried film to the surface of said device more firmly than it adheres to said face.
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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) | 1988-09-30 | 1989-04-01 | 1989-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-04-01 | 1993-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-04-01 | 1997-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |