METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SUNGLASS LENSES WITH A PREDETERMINED GRADIENT

摘要

A method for forming sunglass lenses with a predetermined optical gradient, namely a polarized gradient, transmissivity gradient or color gradient in which an ink jet printer is used to print a gradient pattern on an oriented sheet, with the ink jet printer being provided with a dye, in one embodiment a dichroic dye and in another embodiment an iodine dye. The printed oriented sheet is incorporated into a lens to provide the lens with the associated gradient.

主权项

1. A method for providing sunglass lenses with a predetermined optical gradient, comprising:
ink jet printing an oriented sheet with dyes in a pattern in which the density of the deposited dye varies in a predetermined pattern under the control of an ink jet printer from one position on the sheet to a different position on the sheet, the dyes being such that the molecules of dye are oriented in accordance with the stretch direction of the oriented sheet; drying the sheet with the printed dye thereon; and, utilizing the dried sheet as a layer within a sunglass lens.