Transitions Optical, Inc.

Delwin S Jackson

Anil Kumar

Henry Nguyen

John S Ligas

David John Park

Brian Smyth

Linda K Anderson

Philip Miller

Chenguang Li

Rachael L Yoest

Meng He

Truman F Wilt

Rachael L DeMeio

Rachel L DeMeio

Hung Nguyen

A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes contacting one or more dye compositions including at least one of a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or any combination thereof, with an optical element having a continuous coating including at least one alignment zone. At least a portion of the dye composition diffuses into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating.

Method of making optical articles having gradient light influencing properties

An optical article that includes an optical element and an anisotropic coating layer formed over at least a portion of the optical element. The anisotropic coating layer can include a first light-influencing zone comprising at least one first anisotropic material and a second light-influencing zone comprising at least one second anisotropic material. The at least one of the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone further include at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material such that the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone exhibit a different color property, a different photochromic-dichroic reversible change, a different amount of polarization, or a combination thereof.

Optical articles and method of preparing the same

A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes providing an optical element including a coating having at least one alignment zone. A dye composition is contacted with the coating. The dye composition includes at least one of: a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or a combination thereof to diffuse at least a portion of the dye composition into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating to provide the gradient tint and the gradient polarization. A kit for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. An optical article prepared from a method for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization.

Optical article with gradient light influencing properties and method of making the same

A method of making an optical article having multiple light-influencing zones can include: forming an alignment coating layer having a first alignment region and a second alignment region over at least a portion of an optical element; applying at least one anisotropic material over the first alignment region and the second alignment region by an inkjet printing device; and applying at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material over at least one of the first alignment region and the second alignment region to form a first light-influencing zone over the first alignment region and a second light-influencing zone over the second alignment region.

Method of making an optical article with an inkjet printing device

The present invention relates to a polarizing article that includes in order: (a) a substrate; (b) a first orientation facility having a first orientation direction; (c) a first polarized layer, that includes a first dichroic fixed-tint dye and a first liquid-crystal material, and which has a first polarization axis; (d) a second orientation facility having a second orientation direction; and (e) a second polarized layer that includes a second dichroic fixed-tint dye and a second liquid-crystal material, and which has a second polarization axis. The first and second polarization axes are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0&#xb0; and less than or equal to 90&#xb0;. The electromagnetic absorption spectra of the first and second dichroic fixed-tint dyes are different from each other.

Polarizing article and method of forming a polarizing article

Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate having a first surface, a fixed-polarized layer over the first surface of the substrate, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the first surface of the substrate. The fixed-polarized layer optionally includes a fixed-colorant and has a first polarization axis. The photochromic-dichroic layer includes a photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0&#xb0; and less than or equal to 90&#xb0;. The photochromic-dichroic articles can provide, for example, increased optical density and/or increased kinetics when exposed to a given amount of actinic radiation.

Photochromic article having at least partially crossed polarized photochromic-dichroic and fixed-polarized layers

Provided are photochromic articles that include a substrate, a primer layer that includes a first photochromic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the primer layer that includes a photochromic-dichroic compound. The first photochromic compound and the photochromic-dichroic compound each are selected such that the photochromic-dichroic compound has an absorbance of less than or equal to 0.1 at the wavelength of peak absorbance of the underlying first photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to such photochromic articles that further include a topcoat layer over the photochromic-dichroic layer. The topcoat layer can include a second photochromic compound that has an absorbance of less than 0.1 at the wavelength of peak absorbance of the underlying photochromic-dichroic compound. The photochromic articles provide, for example, a combination of linear polarizing properties, and reduced percent transmittance when in a colored or darkened state, such as when exposed to actinic light.

Polarizing photochromic articles

Provided are photochromic articles including a substrate, a primer layer that includes a first photochromic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the primer layer that includes a photochromic-dichroic compound. The first photochromic compound and the photochromic-dichroic compound each are selected such that the photochromic-dichroic compound has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than or equal to the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance of the underlying first photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to such photochromic articles that further include a topcoat layer over the photochromic-dichroic layer, the topcoat layer including a second photochromic compound that has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength of the underlying photochromic-dichroic compound.

Growing community of inventors

Clearwater, FL, United States of America

Delwin S Jackson