Sola International, Inc.

Sola Group Ltd.

Jeffrey M Kingsbury

Michael J Tuhtan

Robert H Juul

Ray Steven Spratt

Simon John Edwards

Michael Alan Morris

Colin Maurice Perrott

Martin P Rolph

Martin D Rolph

Disclosed are novel molding methods for injection molding thermoplastic lens elements and particularly adapted for the manufacture of steeply curved and/or thin-centered lenses.

Process for molding thermoplastic lenses and, steeply curved and/or thin lenses produced thereby

Disclosed are novel molding methods for manufacturing thin thermoplastic lenses and, in particular, minus ophthalmic lenses that have thickness of about 1 mm or less at the thinnest point thereof. The molding methods disclosed provide for lenses which lack any abrasion or polishing artifacts on the surface and also lack any negative fining marks below the nominal surface.

Molding method for manufacturing thin thermoplastic lenses

A lens has two or more layered sections of thermoplastic material, and a substantially homogenous formation in which at least one of the layered sections has an active photochromic material present. The article is made by: forming a mould cavity from first and second mould halves; loading the mould cavity with a first thermoplastic material; curing or partially curing that material; changing the second mould half to define a subsequent mould cavity in which the cured or partially cured material is present; loading the subsequent mould cavity with a subsequent thermoplastic material; and completing any uncompleted curing of the first and subsequent thermoplastic materials. At least one of the thermoplastic materials is loaded with an active photochromic material.

Method of making a moulded photochromic lens

A lens has two or more layered sections of thermosetting material, and a substantially homogenous formation in which at least one of the layered sections has an active photochromic material present. The article is made by: forming a mould cavity from first and second mould halves; loading the mould cavity with a first thermosetting material; partially curing that material; changing the second mould half to define a subsequent mould cavity in which the partially cured material is present; loading the subsequent mould cavity with a subsequent thermosetting material; and curing the first and subsequent thermosetting materials. At least one of the thermosetting materials is loaded with an active photochromic material.

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Cotati, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey M Kingsbury