Transitions Optical, Inc.

Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc.

Nancyanne Gruchacz

Jeanine A Conklin

Shanti Swarup

Robert W Walters

Jerry L Koenig, Ii

Kevin W Seybert

Robin L Hunt

Joseph David Turpen

William P Blackburn

Michael B Levesque

Glen Todd Owens

Robert J Bowles, Iii

Jerry L Koenig

Jerry L Ii Koenig

A method of preparing a photochromic optical article is provided, which includes: (i) applying a first organic solvent to a surface of an optical substrate, thereby forming an organic solvent wetted surface on the optical substrate; and (ii) applying a curable photochromic coating composition over the organic solvent wetted surface of said optical substrate, thereby forming a curable photochromic coating layer over the surface of the optical substrate. The curable photochromic coating composition includes a second organic solvent, and the first and second organic solvents are miscible with each other. With some embodiments, the first and second organic solvents are the same.

Method of preparing a photochromic optical article using an organic solvent pretreatment and photochromic coating

Describes a photochromic plastic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a polymeric substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one organic photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran and/or fulgide, and (3) a radiation-cured, acrylate-based film coherently appended to the photochromic coating, the acrylate-based film being (a) resistant to removal by aqueous solutions of inorganic caustic, e.g., potassium hydroxide, (b) compatible with organo silane-containing abrasion-resistant coating, and (c) harder than said photochromic coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the radiation-cured acrylate-based film, e.g., an abrasion-resistant coating comprising an organo silane; and a photochromic article having an antireflective coating affixed to the abrasion-resistant coating.

Photochromic optical article

Described are photochromic polyurethane coatings that meet commercially acceptable &ldquo;cosmetic&rdquo; standards for optical coatings. Also described are articles having such coatings. The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 50 to 150 Newtons per mm,and improved photochromic properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Photochromic polyurethane coating and articles having such a coating

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Clearwater, FL, United States of America

Nancyanne Gruchacz