An eyeglass frame including at least a portion of an electronic device enclosed within at least one element thereof and a method of enclosing at least a portion of an electronic device within at least one element of an eyeglass frame

Abstract

An eyeglass frame (10) comprising at least a portion of an electronic device (20) encapsulated within at least one element (11) of the eyeglass frame (10), wherein the at least one element (11) of the eyeglass frame (10) is composed of a plasticized cellulose acetate mixture, wherein the composition of the mixture is such that at least a portion (12) of the at least one element (11) encapsulating at least a portion of the electronic device (20) contains at least one solvent in a negligible mass percentage. (Figure 1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an eyeglass frame comprising at least a portion of an electronic device encapsulated within at least one element thereof, and a method for encapsulating at least a portion of the electronic device within at least one element of the eyeglass frame. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, it is known that at least a portion of the frame of eyeglasses includes electronic devices.

[0003] Known methods for incorporating electronic devices into a portion of an eyeglass frame include: beginning with two rigid cellulose acetate sheets constituting part of the frame, wherein the sheets consist only of a polymer, a plasticizer, and any additives. Material is removed to hollow out at least one of the two plastic surfaces of the two sheets, forming a cavity capable of accommodating at least some electronic components of the electronic device. The electronic components are deposited into the cavity volume thus formed, and then the two sheets are joined together. The joining of the two cellulose acetate portions can be implemented using different methods.

[0004] As explained in US10088695B2, one such method involves applying a solvent to the surface of at least one of the two sheets to be joined, then applying pressure in a direction perpendicular to the bonding plane and applying a temperature suitable for solvent evaporation and acetate sintering, thereby bonding the two sheets together. Other methods couple the two sheets together by applying sufficiently high temperatures and pressures to bring the plastic material on the surfaces of the two sheets above their melting points. This causes the cellulose acetate to solidify into a single piece as the coupling termination temperature decreases.

[0005] The downside is that packaged electronic devices must withstand pressure and temperature stress, but some components of electronic devices cannot sometimes withstand temperatures exceeding 100°C.

[0006] Another suitable method is to press the two parts of the material together and heat the plastic material using radio frequencies (such as microwaves). This latter method allows for more precise heating of only the surface areas of the two sheets to be joined to their melting point.

[0007] On the downside, the packaging method of electronic devices can leave behind delamination and poor aesthetics, which may lead to cracks and damage to eyeglass frames. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and obtain an eyeglass frame in which at least a portion of electronic equipment is encapsulated within at least one element of the eyeglass frame, achieving better encapsulation without leaving any traces, and wherein the eyeglass frame is more durable, more flexible and less prone to delamination.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a method for encapsulating at least a portion of an electronic device within at least one element of an eyeglass frame, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the eyeglass frame of independent claim 1 and the method of independent claim 13.

[0011] Other features are provided in the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, which should be understood as exemplary and not restrictive, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a side view of some components of the eyeglass frame of the present invention, which encapsulate a portion of the electronic device of the present invention within them;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a step in inserting the portion of an electronic device between two sheets, wherein once sintered, the two sheets will form an eyeglass frame element portion therein containing the portion of the electronic device;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a rigid electronic card, which is part of an electronic device (track, recess, interlock) with a mechanically coupled metal core installed.

[0016] Figure 4 Another flexible printed circuit (FPC) bonded to a metal core is presented;

[0017] Figure 5 An electronic card with a metal core was provided. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Referring to the above figures, an eyeglass frame 10 is shown, which includes at least a portion of the electronic device 20 encapsulated within at least one element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10, formed by a method of encapsulating at least a portion of the electronic device 20 within at least one element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10.

[0019] For example, element 11 refers to the nose pad, bridge, or temple of the eyeglass frame 10.

[0020] In the figure, the electronic device 20 includes a portion within at least a portion 12 of an element 11 encapsulated in the frame 10 and a portion 21 that protrudes at least partially to the outside.

[0021] For example, the portion 21 that protrudes at least partially from the outside of the component 11 is a connector for supplying power to the electronic device 20 or for exchanging data with the electronic device 20.

[0022] The at least one element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10 is composed of a mixture of plasticized cellulose acetate suitable for conversion from the first composition to the second composition.

[0023] The first composition of the plasticized cellulose acetate mixture includes a solvent dissolved in the mixture.

[0024] The solvent dissolved in the first mixture preferably includes at least one of the following: acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, or ethyl lactate.

[0025] The softening point of the first composition, which includes plasticized cellulose acetate and a solvent, is lower than that of plasticized cellulose acetate alone.

[0026] The second composition of the mixture causes at least a portion 12 of the at least one element 11 that contains at least a portion of the electronic device 20 to contain a negligible mass percentage of solvent, for example, less than 2 wt%. It should be understood that this negligible mass percentage value is merely an example and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0027] The method of the present invention for realizing the described and required eyeglass frame 10 includes a plurality of steps that are sequential in time.

[0028] The method includes a first step in which at least one element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10 comprises two separate elements 111 and 112 arranged in a plane, both made of a first composition of the mixture. More generally, the two elements 111 and 112 can both be defined as sheets.

[0029] Following the first step, the method provides a second step, which includes inserting at least a portion of the electronic device 20 between the two separate sheets 111, 112.

[0030] The method then includes a third step, comprising heating to the softening point of the mixture and applying contact pressure between the two separate sheets 111, 112, wherein the mixture contains plasticized cellulose acetone and / or solvent present in at least a portion 12 of the at least one element 11.

[0031] The method then includes a fourth step, wherein sufficient time is allowed to allow two separate and partially softened sheets 111, 112 to encapsulate at least a portion of the electronic device 20 therebetween.

[0032] Partial softening means that the solvent causes the softening temperature of the first mixture to be lower than that of the plasticized cellulose acetate, so not all the material is sintered, but only a portion of it is softened.

[0033] Subsequently, the method includes a fifth step, in which the composition of the mixture of the at least portion 12 of the at least one element 11 is transformed from a first composition to a second composition by sintering between two sheets 111 and 112, evaporating the at least one solvent, and encapsulating the at least portion of the electronic device 20 within the at least portion 12 of the at least one element 11.

[0034] Once the at least portion of the electronic device 20 has been encapsulated within the at least portion 12 of the at least one element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10, it should be noted that the at least portion 12 of the at least one element 11 encapsulating the at least portion of the electronic device 20 contains a negligible percentage by mass of solvent.

[0035] This method originates from a special production technique using plasticized cellulose acetate elements, known as composite solvent blocks. In this method, pure cellulose acetate polymer powder is mixed with a plasticizer and one or more solvents capable of dissolving the polymer itself, along with any additives. The resulting formulation is mixed until a homogeneous mixture with a viscous paste-like appearance and a high solvent content is obtained. This paste can then be mechanically and thermally processed into various geometries, such as sheets 111, 112, and / or cubes of arbitrary variable thickness and size, and other common two-dimensional or three-dimensional geometries.

[0036] Various dyes can also be introduced in this first step.

[0037] These components are then mixed together in a mold, and sufficient pressure and temperature are applied to ensure sintering into a single block, hence also called a solvent block. The resulting block still contains a high percentage of solvent in its matrix and can be slit into sheets 111, 112 and other geometries of arbitrary thickness. These sheets 111, 112 are then coupled together again by applying temperature and pressure.

[0038] The applied temperature is much lower than the softening point of plasticized cellulose acetate. In fact, the processing point of plasticized cellulose acetate is 180-200°C, while the application temperature is below 90°C, because this is sufficient to utilize the solvent already present within the material, thereby ensuring that the polymer at the interface between the two components has sufficient fluidity to penetrate to the surface it contacts. Therefore, this entire method is called the composite solvent block technology.

[0039] The second step of the method includes inserting at least a portion of the electronic device 20 of any shape (even an irregular shape) between two elements 111, 112 arranged in a plane obtained in the first step, and then sintering in the fourth step after heating in the third step, thereby encapsulating at least a portion of the electronic device 20 within the polymer of the at least portion 12 of the at least one element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10.

[0040] Advantageously, this method does not require specific preparation of one of the two surfaces of the at least two elements 111, 112 obtained on a single plane, such as by removing material to form a cavity as in the prior art. In fact, the mixture of the first composition is a solvent-rich polymer with its inherent flexibility and ductility, allowing the sheets 111, 112 of the first composition mixture to deform to fit the shape of the electronic device 20 inserted therein, ensuring almost no residual cavity. Once at least a portion of the electronic device 20 is inserted between the two sheets 111, 112 in a manner that can be described as a "sandwich-like" arrangement, they are heated and pressurized in a third step, causing all the material of the first composition mixture surrounding the electronic device 20 to come into contact with each other and sinter into a single piece. Advantageously, also in the third step of the method, the flexibility of the solvent-rich mixture absorbs most of the mechanical stress caused by the compression of the two sheets 111, 112, maintaining the integrity of the internal electronic device 20. Once the encapsulation of at least a portion of the electronic device 20 is completed, the portion 12 of the element 11 obtained as a result of the fourth step behaves like a continuous monolithic material in a polymer matrix, excluding the volume occupied by the encapsulated electronic device 20.

[0041] The applied temperature is preferably below 90°C, and even more preferably 30-50°C, and the pressure is less than 3 bar.

[0042] After the fourth step of sintering, the fifth step involves the evaporation of the solvent: this process can be carried out under ambient conditions or under a heated environment to accelerate the process.

[0043] Advantageously, once the solvent evaporates from the plastic matrix, turning the mixture into a second composition, the mechanical properties of the material are comparable to those of plasticized and extruded cellulose acetate, including the latter's stiffness.

[0044] This solvent is preferably present in the mixture at a proportion of 5-25 wt%.

[0045] Even more preferably, the percentage of the at least one solvent in the first composition of the acetate mixture is 10-15 wt%. Advantageously, this mass percentage of solvent in the first composition allows the dissolved polymer paste to be processed with precise geometry while maintaining its flexibility and the possibility of low-temperature sintering.

[0046] The third step is to raise the temperature of at least a portion 12 of the element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10, preferably requiring the temperature to be below 90°C.

[0047] Temperatures below 90°C are equivalent to the softening point of the mixture containing the solvent in the first composition.

[0048] Advantageously, this temperature range ensures that the electronic components of the electronic device 20 are not damaged, and in particular, any batteries of the electronic device 20 are not damaged.

[0049] The third step of the method preferably involves compressing the two sheets 111 and 112 under a pressure of 1.5-5 bar. Lower pressure will result in incomplete sintering between the two acetate mixture components, while excessive pressure may damage the electronic components or cause unwanted relative displacement between the acetate components and between the electronic components themselves.

[0050] Advantageously, at the end of the fourth step of the method, since the solvent is present in the matrix, the material sinters with itself and does not need to produce depressions, so the adhesion between the two sheets 111, 112 that form at least part 12 of element 11 by sintering will not leave obvious adhesive lines.

[0051] Due to the presence of solvents, the acetate itself binds without leaving adhesive lines, forming a continuous and uniform material.

[0052] Exposing the electronic components and battery of electronic device 20 to high temperatures (80-90°C) for extended periods, such as days or weeks, may cause damage. Therefore, it is advantageously envisioned that the fifth step includes drying at least a portion 12 of the at least one component 11 at a low temperature to prevent premature aging of the battery and thereby avoid damage to the battery's connection and charging.

[0053] Low temperature is defined as a temperature below the softening temperature of the first composition of the mixture.

[0054] The drying cycle at low temperature is no less than 5 days, and a ventilated or vacuum oven is also used.

[0055] The study of contraction phenomena was also considered.

[0056] At the end of the fifth step, a post-fabrication step can be envisioned, in which at least a portion 12 of element 11 is in the form of an acetate sheet and is successfully flattened after being deformed during the drying process in the fifth step, thereby preserving the electronic components of the electronic device 20 encapsulated within element 11.

[0057] The post-fabrication step includes processing at least a portion 12 of the dried component 11 around the packaged electronic device 20 to form component 11 of the eyeglass frame 10, for example... Figure 1 The shape of the temples of the glasses shown.

[0058] For example, at a softening temperature T of 25-50°C and a compression pressure P of 0.5-2.5 bar, the third step was tested for 0.5-2.5 hours using calendered sheets 111 and 112 containing 15 wt% solvent.

[0059] Another test was conducted on the rolled and cut sheets 111 and 112 containing 10 wt% solvent for 1-5 hours at a softening temperature T of 40-60℃ and a compression pressure P of 1-10 bar for both sheets 111 and 112.

[0060] The thickness of component 11 is ultimately controlled by several factors, such as the size of the rolled / cut sheet and the thickness gauge used in the fourth sintering process.

[0061] The thickness gauge is preferably 4-8mm.

[0062] During the drying process in the fifth step, the sintered sheet of at least one portion 12 of the at least one element 11 must be 10-20% thicker than the desired final size.

[0063] Finally, it is preferable to use a second 4mm thickness gauge to perform the final flattening.

[0064] Advantageously, after drying and flattening, the sheet of at least a portion 12 of the at least one element 11 can be milled by processing around the encapsulated electronic device 20.

[0065] Even more preferably, the electronic components of the electronic device 20 are covered with a protective material that can adequately protect the electronic components from the extreme environmental effects of vibration and high concentrations of chemical solvents.

[0066] The protective material is characterized by the fact that it must initially be a low-viscosity fluid, so as to completely fill all parts of the electronic device 20, prevent mechanical stress, be impermeable to sensitive reagents such as air or water, and be non-corrosive to electronic components.

[0067] The curing of this protective material for electronic components is carried out at temperatures below 60°C, requiring an exothermic process and / or ultraviolet radiation.

[0068] Once sintered and solidified, the protective material maintains dimensional stability.

[0069] The preferred protective material is polyurethane, which offers good dimensional stability, good adhesion to mixtures, and is safe for skin contact.

[0070] Advantageously, the method includes covering the electronic device 20 with a protective material (preferably polyurethane) prior to the second step of the method.

[0071] The acetate eyeglass frame 10 contains a metal core to help limit deformation over time and adjust the shape of the frame itself, such as adjusting convexity and alignment. The solution employs different construction techniques, advantageously allowing the addition of electronic components 20 without compromising this aspect, coupling the electronic components 20 together with the metal structural elements.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, the encapsulation portion of the electronic device 20 can be a rigid electronic card integrated with the metal core 30 of the temple of the eyeglasses, which is an element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10, via mechanical coupling (such as mechanical track, recess, or interlocking coupling).

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, the encapsulation portion of the electronic device 20 can be a flexible printed circuit, also known as an FPC, which is attached to the metal core 30 by adhesive 40.

[0074] Figure 5 An electronic card with a metal core is provided, wherein the metal core itself serves as core 30.

[0075] At least two tests are required to confirm the finished eyeglass frame 10 of the present invention.

[0076] The first test includes detecting the presence of a negligible percentage of trace solvent in a portion 12 of an element 11 of an eyeglass frame 10 encapsulating an electronic device 20, wherein the trace solvent originates from a second composition of a first composition of a mixture as described above, which is a physical transformation of the mixture.

[0077] The second test is that, when encapsulating at least a portion 12 of the element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10 containing the electronic device 20, there are advantageously no recesses, steps, or other connection points between the various portions of the element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10. The portion of the electronic device 20 encapsulated within an element 11 of the eyeglass frame 10, such as the temple, is perfectly encapsulated, making it impossible to distinguish between the wall of the temple 11 and the wall of the electronic component 20.

[0078] Alternatively, multiple electronic devices 20 can be encapsulated in one or more elements 11 of the eyeglass frame 10.

[0079] Alternatively, only a portion 12 of element 11 may be made from the first mixture composition.

[0080] Alternatively, a first composition of the mixture may be provided to include a variety of solvents with softening points lower than those of plasticized cellulose acetate.

[0081] This invention, conceived in this way, can be modified and varied in many ways, all within the same inventive concept. In practice, the materials used and their dimensions can be of any type, depending on the technical requirements.

Claims

1. A method of encapsulating at least a portion of an electronic device (20) within at least one element (11) of an eyeglass frame (10), The at least one element (11) of the eyeglass frame (10) is composed of a mixture of plasticized cellulose acetate suitable for conversion from the first composition to the second composition. The first composition of the plasticized cellulose acetate mixture contains 5-25 wt% of at least one solvent dissolved in the mixture. The softening point of the first composition is below 90°C and below the softening point of plasticized cellulose acetate. The second composition of the mixture wherein at least a portion (12) of the at least one element (11) comprising at least a portion of the electronic device (20) contains less than 2 wt% of the at least one solvent, The method includes: In the first step, at least one element (11) of the eyeglass frame (10) comprises two separate sheets (111, 112) composed of the first composition of the mixture. The second step involves inserting at least a portion of the electronic device (20) between two separate sheets (111, 112). The third step involves heating the material to the softening point of the first composition present in at least one portion (12) of the at least one element (11), and applying a contact pressure of 1.5-5 bar between the two separate sheets (111, 112). Fourth, allow sufficient time for two separate, partially softened sheets (111, 112) to encapsulate at least a portion of the electronic device (20) between them. The fifth step involves converting the composition of the mixture of at least a portion (12) of the at least one element (11) from a first composition to a second composition by sintering between the two sheets (111, 112), evaporating the at least one solvent, and encapsulating the at least a portion of the electronic device (20) within the at least a portion (12) of the at least one element (11).

2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the percentage of the at least one solvent in the first composition of the acetate mixture is 10-15 wt%.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one solvent comprises at least one of the following: acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the softening point of the first composition is 30-50°C.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the third step of the method comprises compressing the two sheets (111, 112) to a pressure of 1.5-3 bar.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fifth step includes drying at least a portion (12) of the at least one element (11) at a low temperature, where low temperature means a temperature below the softening temperature of the first composition of the mixture.

7. The method of claim 6, characterized in that the method includes a post-processing step, wherein, after the sheet has been deformed by the third and fourth steps of the method, in the drying process of the fifth step, the at least portion (12) of the at least one element (11) having a sheet shape is flattened.

8. The method of claim 7, characterized in that, in the post-fabrication step, after drying, at least a portion (12) of the at least one element (11) is processed around the packaged electronic device (20) to complete the element (11) of the frame (10).

9. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one element (11) of the eyeglass frame (10) includes the nose pads, bridge, and temples of the eyeglass frame (10).

10. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electronic device (20) is covered with a protective polyurethane material prior to the second step of the method.

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