# US 11,994,756 B2 · Method for making a gradient color polar lens with a non-polar near vision zone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,756 B2 - Document ID: US11994756B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/973,939 - Filed: 2019-06-11 - Published: 2021-08-19 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-12 - Assignees: Essilor International - Applicants: Essilor International - Inventors: Hao-Wen Chiu; Srinivasan Balasubramanian; Peiqi Jiang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994756B2 ## CPC - G02C 7/12: Polarisers - B29D 11/00009: {Production of simple or compound lenses} - B29D 11/00644: {polarizing} - B29D 11/0073: {Optical laminates} - B29D 11/00923: {on lens surfaces for colouring or tinting (printing or marking in general B41M)} - G02B 1/08: made of polarising materials - G02B 5/22: Absorbing filters {(G02B5/201 - G02B5/208 take precedence)} - G02B 5/3033: {in the form of a thin sheet or foil, e.g. Polaroid} - G02C 7/105: {having inhomogeneously distributed colouring} - 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) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Disclosed are methods for preparing partially polarized optical articles. A polarizing element is used to cover at least a portion of the front surface of an optical article to form a polarizing zone and a non-polarizing zone on the optical article. The optical article is then tinted to produce a gradual color transition between the polarizing zone and non-polarizing zone of the optical article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of preparing a partially polarized sunglasses lens, the method comprising: providing a lens substrate comprising a front surface and a back surface; covering a portion of the front surface of the lens substrate with a polarizing element to form a polarizing zone that covers a far vision zone of the lens substrate and a non-polarizing zone that covers the near vision zone of the lens substrate, said near vision zone includes a bottom 10 to 50% area of the optical lens; and gradient-tinting the lens substrate to reduce color difference and/or produce a gradual color transition between the polarizing zone and the non-polarizing zone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing one or more additional coatings on the tinted lens substrate, wherein the additional coatings comprise a mirror coating, an anti-reflective coating, an abrasion-resistant coating, a photochromic coating, an anti-smudge coating, an anti-fog coating, a tintable coating, a self-healing coating, an anti-rain coating, an anti-static coating, an anti-UV coating, an anti-blue light coating, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the lens substrate comprises polycarbonate, allyl diglycol carbonate, polyepisulfides, polyamide, trivex, polyacrylics, polyols, polyamines, polyanhydrides, polycarboxilic acids, polyepoxides, polyisocyanates, polynorbornenes, polysiloxanes, polysilazanes, polystyrenes, polyolefinics, polyesters, polyimides, polyurethanes, polythiourethanes, polyallylics, polysulfides, polyvinylesters, polyvinylethers, polyarylenes, polyoxides, polysulfones, poly cyclic olefins, polyacrylonitriles, polyethylene terephtalates, polyetherimides, polypentenes, cellulose triacetate, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the near vision zone comprises about bottom third of the optical lens. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the covering step comprises coating, casting, and/or injection molding. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polarizing element comprises at least a portion of a polarizing wafer and/or a polarizing coating, wherein the polarizing wafer is prepared by forming a single or multi-layer flat polarizing filter comprising at least one polyvinyl alcohol polarizing layer and optional protective and/or functional layers into a curve-shaped wafer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tinting includes a dip tint process, a sublimation dye transfer process, an ink jet printing process, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tinting comprises gradient-tinting only the non-polarizing zone to produce a gradual color transition from the polarizing zone to the non-polarizing zone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tinting comprises gradient-tinting both the non-polarizing zone and the polarizing zone to produce a gradual color transition from the polarizing zone to the non-polarizing zone. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tint used in the tinting step comprises a fixed tint, a photochromic tint, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 11 A partially polarized sunglasses lens comprising: a lens substrate comprising a front surface and a back surface; at least a portion of a polarizing element covering a portion of the front surface of the lens substrate, defining a polarizing zone that covers a far vision zone of the lens substrate and a non-polarizing zone that covers the near vision zone of the lens substrate, of the sunglasses lens, said near vision zone includes a bottom 10 to 50% area of the optical lens; a gradient-tint layer covering the non-polarizing zone and/or polarizing zone with gradual color transition between the polar zone and the non-polar zone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The partially polarized sunglasses lens of claim 11, wherein the near vision zone comprises about bottom third of the optical lens.