Lightpath Technologies, Inc.

Techna Vision Incorporated

William H Weitzel

Ugur Ortabasi

Robert W Millar

Theodore V Kachel

Ralph C Dawson

Clarence F Rydeen

Robert L Griffith

An apparatus and process are provided for depositing a polymeric element having a gradient in index of refraction that traverses the element from one surface to an opposite surface (axially graded refractive index). Two (or more) monomers are mixed in varying proportions and spray-deposited onto a substrate to form a layer. Each layer is then exposed to light to form a polymeric layer, and another layer deposited. Where the light is UV radiation and a light-sensitive catalyst that is also sensitive to the ambient atmosphere is used, then an inert gas dispenser, which provides an inert gas over the monomer layer, may be employed in conjunction with the UV radiation. Several layers are thus spray-deposited and exposed to light, each layer comprising a different mix of the two monomers, thereby providing each layer with a different index of refraction. After the prescribed number of layers has been deposited, the polymeric element is heat-treated to cause fusion of the layers and diffusion of components, thereby smoothing out the gradient profile. The apparatus and process of the invention are also useful in producing structural gradients in polymeric elements.

Method of producing large polymer optical blanks with predictable axil

A spin coater suitable for spin coating spectacle lens molds with polymerizable coating composition. The spin coater includes a drawer which rotatably mounts at least one chuck thereon, which drawer is slidable between a front and rear position within a housing to sequentially allow application of a coating by the spinning chucks in the front chamber of the housing, followed by polymerization thereof in the rear chamber. Each chuck of the spin coater is provided with a mold seat defined by a ledge and adjacent lip, the lip automatically centering the mold in the seat axis by virtue of its dimensions in relation to the mold. The chuck also has a lengthwise resilient vacuum conduit, preferably in the form of a bellows, which has an open end which can sealingly engage against a seated mold, such that when a vacuum is applied through the vacuum conduit the mold is urged firmly against the ledge of the mold seat. A method of producing a coated spectacle lens, preferably using such a spin coater, involves providing two different abrasion resistent coatings on front and rear molding surfaces of a form, which coatings are only partially polymerized. The form is then filled with resin which is cured and the coated formed lens is separated from the form. The coatings on the lens are then preferably further polymerized by exposure to actinic light.

Spin coater

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Lakeside, CA, United States of America

William H Weitzel