CURVED LENSES AND RELATED METHODS
First Claim
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1. A method of making a formed lens, the method comprising:
- obtaining a lens blank comprising, in superposed relation, a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers, the linear polarizer layer having a polarization axis;
heating and applying a pressure to the lens blank by pressing the lens blank between a curved rigid member and a flexible member, thereby causing the flexible member to assume the shape of the curved rigid member; and
maintaining the higher pressure for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the curved rigid member and the flexible member.
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Abstract
Curved lenses and methods for making curved lenses are described. One embodiment of a method of making a curved lens includes curving a lens blank made of a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers. The lens blank is curved by heating and pressing the lens blank between a curved rigid member and a flexible member at a pressure and maintaining the pressure for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the curved rigid member. Methods of the invention may be used to make curved lenses with different polarization properties and curvatures.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of making a formed lens, the method comprising:
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obtaining a lens blank comprising, in superposed relation, a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers, the linear polarizer layer having a polarization axis; heating and applying a pressure to the lens blank by pressing the lens blank between a curved rigid member and a flexible member, thereby causing the flexible member to assume the shape of the curved rigid member; and maintaining the higher pressure for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the curved rigid member and the flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of making a formed lens, the method comprising:
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obtaining a lens blank comprising, in superposed relation, a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers, the linear polarizer layer having a polarization axis; heating the lens blank to a forming temperature by pressing the lens blank at a pressure between a curved rigid member and a flexible member, the curved rigid member being at the forming temperature; maintaining the pressure while heating at the forming temperature for allowing the lens blank to conform to the shape of the curved rigid member; reducing the temperature to a reduced temperature while maintaining the pressure for allowing the lens blank to become a rigid lens having a convex side and a concave side; and removing the rigid lens from between the curved rigid member and flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of making eyewear, the method comprising:
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(a) obtaining a first lens and a second lens, the first lens and second lens comprising, in superposed relation, a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers, the linear polarizer layer having a polarization axis, the first lens and second lens being formed from lens blanks into a desired shape according to the following steps; (i) heating and applying a pressure to the lens blanks separately by pressing the lens blanks between a curved rigid member and a flexible member, thereby causing the flexible member to assume the shape of the curved rigid member; (ii) maintaining the higher pressure for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the curved rigid member and the flexible member; and (b) placing the first lens and second lens into an eyeglass frame.
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Specification