Waterman's sunglass lens

• US 20050099589A1
• Filed: 11/30/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: High Performance Optics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Andy Ishak
• Inventors: Ishak, Andy
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,118 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/16 Laminated or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/10 Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/12 Polarisers

Abstract

An improved ten-layer performance polarized lens for sunglasses. The lens design maximizes visual acuity while minimizing blue-light transmission using a multi-layer dielectric mirror to reduces glare and overall light transmission, two layers of high-contrast blue-blocking amber CR-39 plastic or polycarbonate, sandwiching a polarizing layer. An outer hydrophobic overcoat is also provided to protect against haze, delamination, and smudging, The foregoing layers are arranged to provide a balanced light transmission profile optimum for use on the water in which 100% of UV-A & B light is absorbed to at least 400 nm. The resulting dielectric-mirrored sunglass lens reduces both overall light transmission and ocular photochemical damage.

Claims

1. A sunglass lens, comprising:

a multilayer dielectric mirror for reducing glare and overall light transmission, said dielectric mirror comprising at least six thin film dielectric layers;

a first layer of ophthalmic plastic colorized with high-contrast blue-blocking amber-tint;

a second layer of ophthalmic plastic colorized with said high-contrast blue-blocking amber-tint;

a polarizing layer encapsulated between said first and second ophthalmic plastic layers;

whereby said layers are arranged to provide a balanced light transmission profile in which substantially 100% of UV-A &

B light is blocked to at least 400 nm, and average blue light transmission of said lens is less than 0.4%.

2. The sunglass lens according to claim 1, wherein said first and second layers are CR-39™

plastic.

3. The sunglass lens according to claim 1, wherein said first and second layers are polycarbonate.

4. The sunglass lens according to claim 1, wherein said multi-layered dielectric mirror further comprises six thin film layers vacuum deposited atop said first layer of plastic for further reducing light transmission and glare.

5. The sunglass lens according to claim 4, wherein said multi-layered dielectric mirror further comprises a thickness of between 2-3 nm.

6. The sunglass lens according to claim 4, wherein said multi-layered dielectric mirror further comprises six alternating layers of TiO₂ and SiO₂.

7. The sunglass lens according to claim 6, wherein said TiO₂ has a high refractive index of approximately 2.35 and said SiO₂ has a low refractive index of about 1.45.

8. The sunglass lens according to claim 1, wherein said polarizing filter layer is molecularly bonded between said first and second ophthalmic plastic layers to avoid haze and delamination.

9. The sunglass lens according to claim 1, wherein said first layer of ophthalmic plastic and second layer of ophthalmic plastic are both colorized with medium amber-tint.

10. The sunglass lens according to claim 9, wherein said first and second layers are CR-39™

plastic.

11. The sunglass lens according to claim 9, wherein said first and second layers are polycarbonate.

12. The sunglass lens according to claim 9, wherein said multi-layered dielectric mirror further comprises six thin film layers vacuum deposited atop said first layer of plastic for further reducing light transmission and glare.

13. The sunglass lens according to claim 12, wherein said multi-layered dielectric mirror further comprises a thickness of between 2-3 nm.

14. The sunglass lens according to claim 12, wherein said multi-layered dielectric mirror further comprises six alternating layers of TiO₂ and SiO₂.

15. The sunglass lens according to claim 14, wherein said TiO₂ has a high refractive index of approximately 2.35 and said SiO₂ has a low refractive index of about 1.45.

16. The sunglass lens according to claim 9, wherein said polarizing filter layer is molecularly bonded between said first and second ophthalmic plastic layers to avoid haze and delamination.

17. The sunglass lens according to claim 9, wherein said first layer of ophthalmic plastic and second layer of ophthalmic plastic are both colorized with medium amber-tint that limits average blue light transmission of said lens to less than 0.4%.

9-1. A sunglass lens, comprising:

a first layer hydrophobic overcoat for protection;

a second layer dielectric mirror for reducing light transmission and glare, said dielectric mirror comprising a plurality of thin film dielectric layers;

a third layer blue-blocking amber-tinted ophthalmic plastic material;

a fifth layer blue-blocking amber-tinted ophthalmic plastic material;

a fourth polarizing layer molecularly bonded to said third and fifth plastic layers and sandwiched there between to avoid haze and delamination;

whereby said layers are arranged to provide a balanced light transmission profile optimum for use on the water in which substantially 100% of UV-A &

B light is blocked and at least 99% of blue light is blocked at up to 490 nm.