# US 10,371,866 B2 · Optical element having a coating for enhanced visibility of a mark and method for making the optical element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,866 B2 - Document ID: US10371866B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/556,326 - Filed: 2016-03-10 - Published: 2018-04-05 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-10 - Assignees: Transitions Optical, Inc. - Applicants: Transitions Optical, Ltd. - Inventors: Jennine M. Frease; Joseph D. Turpen; William D. Carpenter; Kevin J. Stewart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371866B2 ## CPC - G02B 1/10: Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements (G02B1/08 takes precedence) - B24B 13/0055: {Positioning of lenses; Marking of lenses} - B29D 11/00009: {Production of simple or compound lenses} - B29D 11/00317: {Production of lenses with markings or patterns} - B29D 11/00865: {Applying coatings; tinting; colouring (printing, marking or copying processes B41M; identification in general G09F3/00; producing decorative effects in general B44C; positioning or marking of lenses B24B13/0055)} - G02C 7/022: {Ophthalmic lenses having special refractive features achieved by special materials or material structures (G02C7/049 takes precedence)} - G02C 7/024: {Methods of designing ophthalmic lenses} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00) ## Abstract The present invention relates to an optical element that includes a mark (18). The optical element has a first coating layer (22) over at least a portion of a surface of an optical substrate (20) having the mark (18) on the surface of the optical substrate, and one or more additional coating layers (24) over at least a portion of the first coating layer (22). The first coating layer has a first refractive index, and the optical substrate and the mark may have a second refractive index. A difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index has an absolute value of 0.02 to 0.24. At least one of the first coating layer (22) and the one or more additional coating layers (24) may be applied by a controlled deposition of a coating material in droplet form. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical element comprising: (a) a first coating layer over at least a portion of a surface of an optical substrate having a mark on the surface of the optical substrate; and (b) one or more additional coating layers over at least a portion of the first coating layer, wherein, the first coating layer has a first refractive index and the optical substrate and the mark have a second refractive index, and a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index has an absolute value of 0.02 to 0.24, wherein the one or more additional coating layers have a third refractive index, and wherein a difference between the second refractive index of the optical substrate and the mark and the third refractive index has an absolute value of less than 0.02, wherein the first coating layer enhances a visibility of the mark when a source of electromagnetic energy is viewed through the optical element or when the electromagnetic energy is reflected from the optical element, and wherein an absence of the first coating layer reduces or eliminates a visibility of the mark when a source of electromagnetic energy is viewed through the optical element or when the electromagnetic energy is reflected from the optical element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein the first coating layer covers at least a portion of the mark on the surface of the optical substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein the mark is an optical reference mark, an indicia, or a topographical mark. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mark protrudes from the surface of the optical substrate or wherein at least a portion of the mark is depressed into the surface of the optical substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein the first refractive index has a range of 1.37 to 2.14. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein the second refractive index has a range of 1.45 to 1.90. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first coating layer and the one or more additional coating layers is prepared from a mixture of two or more coating compositions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein the first coating layer is selected from single or multi-layer thermoplastic clear films, single or multi-layer crosslinked clear films, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein the first coating layer includes at least one of a static dye and a photochromic compound. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The optical element of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first coating layer and the one or more additional coating layers is on at least one of a concave surface, convex surface, and a planar surface of the optical element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of producing an optical element according to claim 1, the method comprising: (a) applying a first coating layer over at least a portion of a surface of an optical substrate having a mark on the surface of the optical substrate; and (b) applying one or more additional coating layers over at least a portion of the first coating layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising pre-treating at least a portion of the surface of the optical substrate prior to applying the first coating layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the pre-treating comprises a corona treatment, plasma treatment, ultraviolet radiation treatment, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first coating layer and the one or more additional coating layers is applied by a controlled deposition of a coating material in droplet form. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the controlled deposition of the coating material is performed using a piezo-electric inkjet printing apparatus or a thermal inkjet printing apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first coating layer and the one or more additional coating layers is applied at least one of linearly and uniformly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising curing the first coating layer prior to applying the one or more additional coating layers or after applying one or more additional coating layers over at least a portion of the first coating layer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the curing comprises heat treatment, radiation treatment, electron beam treatment, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) An optical element obtainable by the method of claim 11.