Mesogen polarizer

Abstract

To provide a polarization filter for ophthalmic lenses, and a substitute polarizer and / or a deflection technique allowing performance having a luminous transmittance close to the theoretical maximum value.SOLUTION: A polarization filter includes a mesogen layer coated on a delay film directly or through an adhesive layer. The polarization filter formed using a thin film or a sheet has the delay of a level specified between a light source and the mesogen layer, for example, a cholesteric mesogen layer, has a lamination structure presenting the linear polarization of light penetrated through a mesogen lamination structure; and therefore the polarization filter can be used for an ophthalmic lens, for example, a spectacle or monocle lens.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 819,377, filed Mar. 15, 2019, entitled Mesogen Polarizer, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the application of mesogen polarizers for ophthalmic lenses, such as spectacle and monocle lenses, and to methods of preparing mesogen polarizers.

Background Art

[0003] Sunglasses are ubiquitous outdoor accessories for the majority of Americans and are widely used throughout the world. They generally fall into two groups: those that are simply tinted products and those that employ the functionality of a polarizing filter. Tinted products reduce the amount of visible light transmitted to the eye by attenuating broadband light independent of the polarization of that light. On the other hand, polarized sunglasses employ an additional filtering component that selectively absorbs or reflects light based on the polarization of that light. This is advantageous for removing the glare of reflected sunlight from surfaces such as water, wet roads, and snow. This removal of reflected glare is beneficial not only in terms of user comfort but also safety. For example, reflected glare from the road surface can adversely affect vision and as a result unintentionally and instinctively slow down a driver, increasing the risk of being rear-ended by a vehicle behind the driver. In addition to comfort and safety aspects, there is also an important fashion element to sunglasses. Many users treat eyewear as an accessory that simply for aesthetic reasons influences the choice of color and transmission level.

[0004] The currently widespread polarized sunglasses are manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol polarizing filters. Descriptions of the manufacture of PVA polarizing films are shown in WO2008111702A1 and WO1999036814A1, which are incorporated herein by reference. In such designs, PVA is doped with iodine or dichroic dyes, and the polarization effect is created by aligning the dye molecules by stretching the PVA film. Dichroic dyes typically absorb light in non-transmissive polarization. However, they also absorb some light at highly transmissive angles. The result is a film with an inherent color that can affect the aesthetics of the lens. This is schematically shown in Figure 1. The polarization efficiency (PE) of the lens is given by the following relationship (based on ISO8980-3:2013(E)):

[0005] Equation 1 Polarization efficiency JPEG2025093984000001.jpg22159

[0006] where τ is the light filtered through a linearly polarized filter rotated to provide maximum and minimum visual transmittance states, H τmax is the maximum visual transmittance, and τ0 is the minimum visual transmittance. Also, by using the maximum and minimum transmittances at a given wavelength, the PE can be calculated for that given wavelength. The theoretically maximum transmittance for a perfect polarizer (PE = 100%) is 50%, i.e., all light in non-transmissive alignment is absorbed or reflected, and all light in maximum transmission alignment is transmitted. An increase in transmittance above 50% requires a decrease in PE, as shown by the rightmost line in Figure 1.

[0007] To simulate the effect of non - polarizing dyes, calculations are performed for different levels of color tone, and different performance curves are shown in Figure 1. What this color tone means is the loss rate of transmission. For example, a color tone of 30% means that a lens without any polarization effect has a maximum transmittance of 70%. This can also be considered to represent the loss caused by the dichroic dye absorbing some light at high - transmittance angles. The performance of numerous commercially available PVA films is included in Figure 1.

[0008] What is becoming clear is the performance limit, and the best - performing products show a color tone with a transmission loss equivalent of more than 20%. This affects the aesthetics of the lens. In order to achieve any color, it may be necessary to first cancel out the excess color caused by the polarizing dye, or find a dichroic dye that meets the requirements of the desired color. Furthermore, it also affects what other functionality can be added to the ophthalmic lens, for example, photochromism or electrochromism based on the need for transmission adjustment.

[0009] It is desirable to develop alternative polarizers and / or polarization techniques that can better separate the visual transmittance from PE and enable performance closer to the theoretical maximum. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to the application of a mesogenic polarizer for ophthalmic lenses, such as spectacle lenses or monocle lenses, and a method for preparing a mesogenic polarizer.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mesogenic polarizer includes a laminate including a film having a defined level of retardation and at least one mesogenic layer coated on the retardation film, and the laminate exhibits a polarization efficiency of more than 50% and a visual transmittance of more than 50% in the visible region.

[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention involves attaching one mesogen layer to a retardation thin film via an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer includes a urethane adhesive, an acrylate adhesive, or an epoxy adhesive in the range of 0.1 to 5 microns in thickness.

[0013] Yet another embodiment is a method for fabricating a mesogen polarizer for an ophthalmic lens. The method includes providing a thin film having retardation control; and coating the thin film with a mesogen layer to form a laminate. This laminate is held in an oven for a period of time within a temperature range for annealing. After annealing, the mesogen layer of the laminate is cured by UV irradiation.

[0014] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent and be elucidated from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Figure 1

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Figures 3A - 3D

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Figure 4A

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Figure 4B

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Figure 4C

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Figure 5

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Figure 6

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Figure 7

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Figure 8

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Figure 10

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Figure 11A

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Figure 11B

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Figure 11C

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Figure 11D

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Figure 13A

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Figure 13B

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Figure 13C

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments defined herein. Rather, these embodiments are shown so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terms used in the detailed description of the embodiments described in the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the present invention. In the drawings, the same numbers refer to the same components.

[0036] A mesogen is a molecule that exhibits a mesophase. They form the functional part of a liquid crystal, and this functional part results in the behavior of a typical liquid crystal, namely an aligned liquid phase. A reactive mesogen can be cured after alignment that can retain properties of a liquid crystal such as birefringence.

[0037] Figure 2 is an illustration of the formation of a reactive mesogen layer. One type of mesogen being studied by the inventors is a cholesteric liquid crystal that forms a helical structure. Cholesteric mesogens naturally form a circularly polarized structure. When this is aligned, there is selective reflection that can be used as a polarizing filter. The degree and wavelength range of the reflection can be adjusted according to a specific polarization angle. Illustrations of cholesteric liquid crystal structures are shown in FIGS. 3A - 3D (Source: hhtp: / / physics.stackexchange.com / questions / 3217 / liquid - crystal - polarizes - light - reflection - question; J. Mater. Sci. C, 2014,6695 - 6705).

[0038] By incorporating a material layer such as a thin film or sheet having a defined level of retardation between a light source or incident light and the mesogen layer, for example a cholesteric mesogen layer, a multilayer stack structure exhibits the functionality of a linear polarizer and has thus been found to be usable for ophthalmic lenses, such as spectacle or monocle lenses.

[0039] Thus, as shown in FIG. 4A, in one embodiment of the present invention, a linearly polarized element formed from a mesogen layer 100 adhered to a thin film 102 having a defined level of retardation is provided. For clarity, the thin film 102 having a defined level of retardation is referred to as a retardation control layer 102, and the combination of the mesogen layer 100 and the retardation control layer 102 is referred to as a laminate structure. The mesogen layer 100 can be adhered directly or indirectly to the retardation control layer 102, for example, by using an adhesive layer 108. Exemplary adhesives include, but are not limited to, urethane, acrylate, epoxy, or other adhesive chemical components. This adhesive should bond well to adjacent layers and be capable of being formed in a geometric configuration specific to lens manufacturing. In some embodiments, the thickness of the adhesive layer 108 is in the range of about 5 to 40 μm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the mesogen layer 100 is about 2 to 3 μm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the retardation control layer 102 is about 25 to 380 μm.

[0040] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the linearly polarized element is formed from a mesogen layer 100 interposed between two retardation control layers 102 and 104. These two opposing retardation control layers 102 and 104 can be formed from the same retardation control layer or from different retardation control layers.

[0041] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the polarizing element further includes a support thin film or a protective thin film or a sheet 106 adhered to the side of the mesogen layer 100 opposite to the retardation control layer 102. For clarity, this support film or protective film is referred to as a support layer 106, and the overall structure incorporating it is referred to as a laminate structure. The mesogen layer 100 can be adhered directly or indirectly to the support layer 106, for example, by using an adhesive layer 108. The support layer 106 may be formed from, for example, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, PVA, or other transparent optical property materials. In some embodiments, the thickness of the support layer 106 is about 50 to 380 μm.

[0042] As further described below and shown in FIG. 4C, in certain embodiments, the polarizing element of the present invention employs a mesogen multilayer having an optical gap layer(s) 110.

[0043] Mesogen technology

[0044] In certain embodiments of the present invention, commercially available mesogen solutions such as Licrivue RMS11-066, RMS11-068, and RMS09-032 (supplied by EMD Performance Materials) are employed to form various linear polarizing elements.

[0045] For example, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a mesogen solution (EMD Performance Materials) containing Licrivue RMS11-086 supplied as a 40 percent solids toluene solution is employed to coat various types of substrates. Licrivue RMS11-086 is formed from a composition comprising:

[0046] (1) 50 - 70% toluene;

[0047] (2) 10 - 30% of APBMP-1,4-bis-[4-(3-acryloyloxypropyloxy)benzoyloxy]-2-methylbenzene (alias: 1,4-bis-[4-(3-acryloyloxypropyloxy)benzoyloxy]-2-methylbenzene) having the following formula: JPEG2025093984000002.jpg37153

[0048] (3) 5 - 10% of AHBPCHP-4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy)-benzoester(4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)-phenyl ester) having the following formula: JPEG2025093984000003.jpg37153;

[0049] (4) 5 - 10% of AHBMP - 4 - [[6 - [(1 - oxo - 2 - propenyl)oxy]hexyl]oxy]benzoic acid 4 - methoxyphenyl ester having the following formula: JPEG2025093984000004.jpg24153;

[0050] (5) 5 - 10% of AHBCP - cyanophenyl 4’-(6 - acryloyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate having the following formula: JPEG2025093984000005.jpg38153;

[0051] (6) 1 - 5% of MPBIS[AHB] - 1,4 - bis - [4-(6 - acryloyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyloxy] - 2 - methylbenzene having the following formula: JPEG2025093984000006.jpg29153;

[0052] (7) 1 - 5% of 2 - methyl - 4’-(methylthio) - 2 - morpholinopropiophenone having the following formula: JPEG2025093984000007.jpg36153; and

[0053] (8) 1 - 5% of (13bS) - 5,6 - dihydro - 4H - naphtho[2,1 - f:1’,2’ - h][1,5]dioxonin - 5 - yl - 4 acryloyloxybiphenyl - 4 - carboxylate.

[0054] Additional exemplary reactive mesogen materials are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0134959 and 2018 / 0163137, and International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO2018099879 and WO2018073159, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0055] Preparation of Mesogen Polarizers

[0056] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary method for preparing a mesogenic polarizer is described below. In these methods, EMD / Merck mesogens were employed. It should be understood that different reactive mesogens may require different preparation methods. The following is provided for illustrative purposes only and not for limitation.

[0057] A. Preparation of the retardation control layer

[0058] The various retardation control layers tested included biaxially stretched polypropylene (BOPP) such as TX-G available from Toray, polycarbonate such as Panlite PC-1151 available from Teijin, and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) available from LOFO.

[0059] For the retardation control layer to act as a retardation layer, it needs to have a retardation targeted at 147 nm within the range of 50 - 260 nm (when measured at 590 nm). Also, it is desirable to have an engineered retardation in the visible spectrum of nominally 380 - 780 nm. The design of the retardation in such a film is done by controlling the phase change between the angles of fast and slow polarization, which in turn results in the control of the resulting polarization state of the light present in the retardation film, i.e., enabling the conversion of linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light. Thus, the performance in the visible spectrum is improved.

[0060] The retardation control layer can be optionally coated using chemical treatments such as polyurethane dispersions, sol-gel coatings, and its thickness will typically be in the range of 0.1 to 5 microns.

[0061] The retardation control layer can be optionally treated using plasma or corona discharge.

[0062] Good mesogen alignment occurs by rubbing the surface of the retardation control layer with a cleanroom woven fabric such as Alpha Wipe TX1009 available from Texwipe. The rubbing force applied to give good alignment was found to be from 0.01 to 0.1 g / sq cm. Rubbing can be done in any direction, and the optimal number of rubs was between 5 and 100 times.

[0063] Good alignment can also be obtained on a polycarbonate film coated, for example, with a polyurethane dispersion or a silane via dip coating or rod coating. The thickness of the coating used varied between 100 nm and 3 microns. Thinner inorganic coatings such as silica, zirconia in the range of 10 to 50 nm can also be used as a means to promote alignment.

[0064] The brittle retardation control layer can be used by coating and aligning the mesogen material and transferring this mesogen coating to a more robust film before curing. In this configuration, the limitations on the retardation level are applied to the transferred film of the mesogen layer.

[0065] Alternative alignment mechanisms include nip coating and plasma treatment. Optionally, the surface energy of the substrate can be matched by methods such as corona discharge or plasma treatment.

[0066] b) Coating

[0067] There are numerous ways to form the mesogen layer:

[0068] Spin coating: Apply approximately 1 mL of the mesogen solution to the substrate. Apply a spin condition between 100 and 2000 rpm for between 10 and 180 seconds. Optionally, the substrate can be spun during the addition of the solution.

[0069] Bar coating: A coating can be metered and supplied to cover the surface of the substrate using a coating bar or a wire wound rod.

[0070] Slot die coating: In this method, the coating fluid is metered out through a die of precise geometric configuration.

[0071] Roll coating via a laminated nip roll: The solution is metered between two membranes or sheets.

[0072] Spray coating: In this method, the mesogen solution is sprayed onto the substrate surface.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4C, multiple layers of the mesogen layer can be stacked. This is achieved by first coating the mesogen, for example, via spin coating, bar coating, etc. After the layer is cured, another mesogen layer is coated on top of the mesogen coating. After coating, the mesogen layer can be annealed and cured before optionally adding yet another layer. Additional treatments such as corona discharge, plasma, etc., or intermediate layers such as urethane adhesives (plural) between the multilayer mesogens can be added.

[0074] c) Annealing

[0075] After applying the mesogen layer, the layer is held for 30 seconds to 30 minutes so that volatile components (plural) (e.g., solvent) can be removed. After this time, the mesogen layer is placed in an air-controlled oven. Good alignment was observed at an annealing temperature between 75 degrees Celsius and 95 degrees Celsius for at least 45 seconds (30 seconds to 10 minutes).

[0076] d) Lamination

[0077] After annealing, the mesogen layer can be transferred to another membrane material, which is optionally coated with materials that assist in the transfer, such as primers, adhesives.

[0078] The membrane having the mesogen layer can be laminated into a structure that helps protect this coated surface. The protective film is typically a film with a low retardation value.

[0079] e) Curing

[0080] The curing of the mesogen layer is achieved by exposure to UV irradiation. A level of UV irradiation of at least 25 mW / sq cm for at least 1 minute is required. Optionally, a nitrogen blanket may be used during the UV curing process. For example, the mesogen formulation provided by EMD has a monomer with acrylate functionality and an initiator that enables crosslinking.

[0081] f) Various Considerations

[0082] This laminate structure can enable a combination of functionalities in conjunction with a polarizing medium. A photochromic agent, a UV or blue blocker, or a dye that can act in a coloring agent can be incorporated into the protective film, the adhesive layer, or the lens material.

[0083] Example 1:

[0084] Example of Fine Tuning of Retardation: (JL0172-3)

[0085] The support layer - polycarbonate lens is molded into a plane with a thickness between 0.25 mm and 3 mm.

[0086] Optionally, a silica surface layer is applied and coated by sputtering to a thickness between 20 nm and 400 nm.

[0087] Spin coat 0.5 mL of Licrivue RMS09-032.

[0088] Anneal at 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute.

[0089] UV cure at 25 mw / sq cm for 1 minute using a nitrogen blanket.

[0090] Apply the retardation control layer to the mesogen surface using a 37 micron thick optical polyurethane adhesive (for example, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 101,368, which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0091] Spectra were measured using a PerkinElmer PE-1050 spectrometer. What the various curves in the plot indicate is that polarized light at different angles with respect to the alignment direction of the mesogen has reached the mesogen sample tested. The incident light was passed through a polarization filter (a Glan-Taylor polarizer crystal supplied by PerkinElmer), and the polarization efficiency was calculated from Equation 1. The sample was set so that the incident polarized light passed through a retardation film and then through the mesogen layer and the support layer or substrate.

[0092] Figure 6 shows a polarization efficiency plot presenting a transmission curve when the incident light with a polarization angle of 90 degrees is aligned. In Figure 6, the polarization angle of the spectrum of the incident light is shown.

[0093] Example 2:

[0094] The retardation of the polycarbonate sheet was aligned by stretching under tension at 145 degrees Celsius.

[0095] The support layer - polycarbonate lens is molded into a plane with a thickness between 0.25 mm and 3 mm.

[0096] Table 1. Comparison of the retardation of the laminated film with respect to the polarization efficiency JPEG2025093984000008.jpg83159

[0097] Although not wishing to be bound by theory, the retardation film is presumed to optimally convert linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light with a retardation close to 147 nm. The circularly polarized light is reflected by the mesogen or passes through the mesogen depending on the angle of the retardation layer with respect to the polarization state of the incident light. Control of the reflected (i.e., polarized) glare is achieved by the alignment of the retardation direction of the film with respect to the polarization state of the light associated with that glare.

[0098] As a further example, a sample consisting of a mesogen coated on a retardation control layer is exemplified. These were examined by directing light through the retardation film and the mesogen and then to the detector. These systems will function in the same manner if there is an additional thicker layer after the mesogen. This thicker layer is representative of a lens blank having a retardation film and a mesogen coating that function as a polarizing filter.

[0099] Example 3:

[0100] An example of a single polycarbonate retardation control layer coated with a mesogen functioning like the construct of Example 1.

[0101] 50 micron polycarbonate (RM147) obtained from Teijin was used.

[0102] PUD (PU400 obtained from Star Polymer) was spin-coated.

[0103] It was dried at 80 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes.

[0104] 0.5 mL of Licrivue RMS09-032 was spin-coated.

[0105] It was annealed at 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute.

[0106] It was UV-cured at 25 mw / sq cm for 1 minute under a nitrogen blanket.

[0107] The spectrum of the polycarbonate retardation control layer coated with a mesogen is shown in Figure 7. Note that light first passes through the retardation control RM147 polycarbonate film and then through the mesogen.

[0108] Next, using a 25 micron polyurethane adhesive layer (note that this adhesive is the same as above), the sample was laminated to a thicker polycarbonate support layer (0.30 mm Teijin Panlite 1151).

[0109] The spectrum of a polycarbonate retardation control layer coated with a mesogen laminated on a thicker polycarbonate support layer is shown in FIG. 8. Note that light first passes through the polycarbonate retardation control layer and then through the mesogen layer.

[0110] Example 4:

[0111] Example of the importance of alignment:

[0112] Rubbing:

[0113] JJ7_5_17-4 Polarization efficiency 75.1%@620nm

[0114] JJ7_6_17-1 Polarization efficiency 19.7%@620nm

[0115] A polyolefin retardation control layer (50 micron BOPP film Treax.TX-G) was spin-coated with RMS11-068. It was dried and annealed at 75 degrees Celsius for 1 minute and UV cured at 25 mW / sq cm for 1 minute.

[0116] The first sample JJ7_5_17-4 was rubbed 100 times using an alpha wipe TX1009, and the second sample JJ7_6_17-1 was not rubbed.

[0117] What this rubbing experiment undoubtedly proves is that when the mesogen laminate JJ7_5_17-4 is rubbed 100 times with an alpha wipe TX1009, the polarization efficiency increases significantly compared to the non-rubbed mesogen laminate JJ7_6_17-1.

[0118] PC coating:

[0119] JJ7_5_17-1 Coating efficiency approximately 0.0%@620nm

[0120] JJ7_12_17-6 Coating efficiency 63.6%@620nm

[0121] The delay control layer, which is the first sample JJ7_5_17-1, was made of 12-mil planarite 1151 and left uncoated.

[0122] The delay control layer, which is the second sample JJ7_12_17-6, was made of planarite 1151 and coated with 0.2-micron PU400, a polyurethane dispersion obtained from Starle Polymer.

[0123] Both samples were coated with mesogen RMS11-068, annealed, and cured as in the previous example.

[0124] What this coating experiment proves is that when the planarite 1151, which is the delay layer, is coated with 0.2-micron PU400, the polarization efficiency of the mesogen laminate JJ7_12_17-6 increases significantly.

[0125] Example 5:

[0126] An example of the transferred mesogen coating (JJ8717-5).

[0127] The BOPP film was spin-coated with RMS11-068 in the same manner as in Example 1. It was then annealed again in the manner of Example 1. At this stage, it was laminated onto a 300-micron polycarbonate delay layer (Planarite PC1151 obtained from Teijin).

[0128] The laminated structure was annealed a second time.

[0129] UV curing was performed for 1 minute using 50 mW / sq cm.

[0130] The BOPP was removed leaving the mesogen layer on the polycarbonate.

[0131] Figure 9 shows the transmittance data of JJ8717-1 at different azimuths of the polarization angle.

[0132] Example 6:

[0133] Examples of mesogens coated via a laminated nip roll.

[0134] RMS11 - 068 was applied to a polycarbonate retardation control layer pre - coated with a polyurethane dispersion (e.g., PU - 400 obtained from Stahl) at a thickness of 0.2 microns. After leaving it for 10 minutes at ambient temperature to dry the solvent, the film was laminated to another coated polycarbonate. The lamination roller was heated to 85 degrees Celsius.

[0135] Figure 10 shows the transmittance data of Example 6.

[0136] Example 7:

[0137] Lamination of mesogen coatings

[0138] The polycarbonate retardation control layer Panlite PC - 1151 was dip - coated (200 nm thickness) using PU400.

[0139] 0.5 mL of Licrivue RMS09 - 032 was spin - coated.

[0140] Annealed at 85 degrees Celsius for 1 minute.

[0141] UV - cured for 1 minute at 0.25 mw / sq cm using a nitrogen blanket.

[0142] Figures 11A - 11D show the spectra of spin - coated mesogens continuously laminated on a polycarbonate retardation control layer. The sample in Figure 11A employs 1 layer of mesogen layer. The sample in Figure 11B employs 2 layers of mesogen layer. The sample in Figure 11C employs 3 layers of mesogen layer. The sample in Figure 11D employs 4 layers of mesogen layer.

[0143] Table 2. Comparison of the number of mesogen laminations on polarization efficiency JPEG2025093984000009.jpg47159

[0144] An alternative method of producing a polarizing element having layers of mesogens consists of adding a spacer layer of a material such as a polyurethane dispersion between the mesogen layers, the spacer layer having a thickness between 0.1 micron and 1 micron. Another alternative is plasma treatment or corona treatment.

[0145] As shown in Figure 12, the application of the spacer layer improves the coated appearance and the uniformity of the coated color. What these results further demonstrate is that by laminating the mesogen coatings, the width of the reflection signal increases. The value of the polarization efficiency demonstrated in this example is similar to that of commercially available polarizing lenses.

[0146] Example 8:

[0147] Blended mesogen coating.

[0148] According to Example 6, all the mesogens are spin-coated onto the coated polycarbonate, annealed, and UV-cured.

[0149] A mesogen solution with a weight ratio of 50:50 of RMS09-032 and RMS11-066 is formulated. 0.5 mL of the formulation is added by spin coating.

[0150] Figures 13A - 13C are spectra of mesogens spin-coated with unformulated RMS09-032 (Figure 13A); unformulated RMS11-066 (Figure 13B); and a 50:50 percent formulation of RMS09-032 and RMS11-066 (Figure 13C) on a polycarbonate retardation control layer.

[0151] What the results are presenting is that the blended mesogens can produce the respective performance of the individual components.

[0152] The performance of this example may be useful for specialized lenses such as fishing lenses.

[0153] The present invention provides in part the following.

[0154] Use of a circular polarizer filter for an ophthalmic lens.

[0155] Implementing this technology by using a retardation control film different from the examples of previously described ophthalmic polarizing elements.

[0156] Controlling the polarization efficiency by using a multilayered mesogen layer that enables high transmittance along with good polarization efficiency.

[0157] Realizing a novel polarizing lens for controlling the wavelength range of the visible region in which the polarizing element functions, thereby selectively reducing glare in a specific color region.

[0158] Forming a polarizing element by laminating a mesogen coating between two films, one of which is a retardation film.

[0159] Fabricating a polarizing element by aligning a mesogen coating on a sacrificial substrate and then transferring it to another substrate more suitable for processing within a lens structure.

[0160] Simplifying the fabrication of the polarizing element, thereby using roll-to-roll manufacturing that does not require stretching with control of dye absorption and / or control of dimensional stability.

[0161] The use of this retardation layer enables the construction of an alignment layer without occurring, for example, through a rubbing process, thereby also simplifying scalability.

[0162] The application of mesogens in a laminated form also facilitates an electrochromic device by using a transparent conductive film in the laminated structure.

[0163] A roll-to-roll technique in which rubbing is applied (e.g., from a rough ceramic cylinder), the mesogen is applied by slot die coating or roll coating, and nip coating / lamination is used as an alignment process.

[0164] A multilayered mesogenic layer that operates to adjust polarized electromagnetic radiation (light) to expand its width.

[0165] A polarizing element that polarizes different portions of the visible spectrum can be selected as the range defining the dichroic function. This results in the possibility of filtering out glare from the blue or other regions of the spectrum.

[0166] A selective polarizing filter for ophthalmic articles that employs reflection rather than absorption to produce selective filtering of light based on the state and wavelength of the incident polarization.

[0167] Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments and applications, those skilled in the art, in light of this teaching, can make additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention as recited in the claims or exceeding its scope. Accordingly, it should be understood that the drawings and description herein are provided by way of example for purposes of facilitating understanding of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope.

Claims

1. 1. A laminate for an ophthalmic lens, comprising: A membrane with a defined level of retardation; and At least one mesogenic layer coated on said retardation film. Including, The stack exhibits both a polarizing efficiency of greater than 50% in the visible region and a luminous transmittance of greater than 50%. Layered.

2. 3. The stack of claim 2, wherein said at least one mesogenic layer is attached to said retardation film via an adhesive layer.

3. The laminate of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a urethane adhesive, an acrylate adhesive, or an epoxy adhesive.

4. The laminate of claim 3 , wherein the adhesive layer has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 5 microns.

5. 2. The stack of claim 1, wherein said at least one mesogenic layer is sandwiched between two retardation films.

6. 2. A stack according to claim 1, wherein a support layer is applied to the side of said at least one mesogenic layer opposite to the side to which said retardation film is applied.

7. The laminate of claim 6 , wherein the support layer comprises a polycarbonate film or a polyvinyl alcohol film.

8. 8. The laminate according to claim 7, wherein the support layer is attached to the side of the at least one mesogenic layer via an adhesive layer.

9. 2. The stack of claim 1, wherein the thin film having the defined level of retardation is in the range of 50 to 260 nm with a target of 147 nm.

10. 2. The stack of claim 1, wherein a plurality of mesogenic layers are coated on said retardation film.

11. 1. A method of making a laminate for an ophthalmic lens, comprising: Providing a membrane with retardation control; coating a mesogenic layer onto said thin film to form said laminate; maintaining said stack in an oven for a period of time within a temperature range that allows for annealing; curing the mesogenic layer of the laminate. The method includes:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein coating the thin film with the mesogenic layer comprises first coating the thin film with an adhesive layer, and then coating the mesogenic layer over the adhesive layer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein coating the thin film with an adhesive layer comprises coating with a polyurethane dispersion or a sol-gel coating.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said annealing comprises holding said stack in said oven at a temperature ranging from 75 to 95 degrees Celsius for said period of time between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein curing the mesogenic layer of the stack comprises exposing the stack to a specific intensity of UV radiation for a period of time.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein curing the mesogenic layer of the stack comprises exposing the stack to UV radiation of at least 25 mW / sq cm for at least 1 minute.

17. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising rubbing the surface of the thin film coated with the mesogenic layer with a cleanroom cloth to effect alignment between the thin film and the coated mesogenic layer.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein rubbing the surface of the thin film covered by the mesogenic layer comprises applying a rubbing force of about 0.01 to 0.1 g / sq cm for between 5 and 100 rubbings to obtain optimal alignment.

19. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transferring the stack formed by coating the mesogenic layer on the retardation film to a protective film, the protective film being optionally coated with a material that aids in the transfer of the mesogenic layer prior to curing.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein coating the protective film comprises coating the protective film with a primer or adhesive.

21. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising coating a second mesogenic layer over the mesogenic layer of the stack and curing the second mesogenic layer.

22. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising first coating an adhesive layer over the mesogenic layer of the laminate and coating the second mesogenic layer over the adhesive layer.

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