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US 5,151,106 AGranted
Method for tinting a hydrophilic polymer by incorporating a reactive dye into the polymer prior to polymerization
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsDebabrata Bhaumik, Patrick K. Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrophilic polymer, e.g., provided as a contact lens, is tinted by a method which incorporates a reactive dye into the polymer during formation of the latter. Following physical entrainment of the reactive dye in the polymer, the polymer is contacted with an aqueous solution of a base which catalyzes the reaction of the dye with the polymer. In this way, the dye becomes permanently covalently bound to the polymer.
Claims26
A method for tinting a hydrophilic polymer which comprises:
- a) subjecting a hydrophilic polymer-forming composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (ii) a reactive dye and (iii) a polymerization initiator which does not chemically affect the reactive dye to polymer forming conditions to provide a hydrophilic polymer in which the reactive dye is substantially uniformly incorporated therein;
- and,
- b) contacting the polymer with an aqueous solution of a base which catalyzes the reaction between the polymer and the reactive dye, the reactive dye thereby becoming covalently bound to the polymer.
A method for tinting a hydrophilic polymer which comprises:
- a) subjecting a hydrophilic polymer-forming composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (ii) a reactive dye and (iii) a polymerization initiator which does not chemically affect the reactive dye to polymer forming conditions to provide a hydrophilic polymer in which the reactive dye is substantially uniformly incorporated therein;
- and,
- b) contacting the polymer with an aqueous solution of a base which catalyzes the reaction between the polymer and the reactive dye, the reactive dye thereby becoming covalently bound to the polymer;
- wherein the aqueous solution of the base is heated to at least about 50.degree. C.
1 more element
A method for tinting a hydrophilic polymer which comprises:
- a) subjecting a hydrophilic polymer-forming composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (ii) a reactive dye and (iii) a polymerization initiator which does not chemically affect the reactive dye to polymer forming conditions to provide a hydrophilic polymer in which the reaction dye is substantially uniformly incorporated therein;
- and,
- b) contacting the polymer with an aqueous solution of a base which catalyzes the reaction between the polymer and the reactive dye, the reactive dye thereby becoming covalently bound to the polymer;
- wherein (iii) the polymerization initiator is other than a peroxide-type polymerization initiator.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.