Methods for coating lenses curved surfaces with a polarizing liquid
AssigneeEssilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
InventorsHerbert Mosse, Richard Muisener
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid are disclosed throughout the specification. For example, there is provided a method comprising providing a lens having a curved surface, and applying a polarizing liquid to at least a portion of the curved surface by shear flow with a flexible apparatus. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.
Claims37
A method for forming a polarizing coating on a curved surface of an ophthalmic lens comprising:
- a) providing an ophthalmic lens having a curved surface, wherein said ophthalmic lens is placed in a holder such that the curved surface of the ophthalmic lens is freely accessible, wherein said holder comprises a curved external surface surrounding the ophthalmic lens curved surface;
- b) providing a flexible apparatus;
- c) depositing a polarizing liquid on an area of the ophthalmic lens curved surface, on the flexible apparatus, or on the external surface of the holder;
- d) applying the flexible apparatus on the curved surface of the ophthalmic lens so that the flexible apparatus matches the curvature of the ophthalmic lens curved surface, the flexible apparatus being flexed to substantially match the curvature of the ophthalmic lens prior to step (d);
- e) moving the flexible apparatus past the deposited polarizing liquid and the ophthalmic lens, whereby a film of the polarizing liquid is formed by shear flow on the ophthalmic lens curved surface, wherein a pressure force substantially normal to the ophthalmic lens curved surface is applied during moving step (e);
- f) drying the film of polarized liquid to form a polarizing coating;
- and
- g) recovering the ophthalmic lens having a curved surface with a polarized coating thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.