Method and system for obtaining a custom optical article having at least one predetermined optical characteristic

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for obtaining a custom optical article having at least one predetermined optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region selected from absorbance and transmittance by thermal transfer by sublimation technology from a printed support including a support and at least one ink (C, M, Y) printed on the support according to a certain inking level. The at least one ink includes at least one sublimable dye selected from visible dyes, invisible dyes, and combinations thereof. The present invention is particularly applicable to ophthalmic lens components, but may relate to any optical article that is dyed and / or provided with an invisible light absorber such as an IR, UV, and / or blue light absorber. The method includes controlling the inking level of at least one ink (C, M, Y) to obtain the custom optical article by using an experimentally determined variation law of at least one predetermined optical property according to the inking level of the at least one ink.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for obtaining a custom optical article having at least one predetermined optical property in the visible and / or invisible light regions by means of sublimation technology from a support printed with at least one visible and / or invisible ink. The present invention may relate to any optical article dyed with a visible dye and / or provided with an invisible light absorber such as an IR, UV or blue light absorber, but is particularly applicable to ophthalmic lens components.

Background Art

[0002] As is known, most of the dyeing techniques implemented in recent years for ophthalmic lenses may include the following: - A dipping-dyeing method of dyeing the lens by immersing it in an aqueous dyeing bath, and - A dyeing method by thermally transferring a coloring dye from a printed paper onto the lens by means of continuous sublimation and absorption steps. For the disclosure of such a technique, reference is made, for example, to page 15, lines 1 to 7 of WO 2020 / 064640A1 pamphlet. In this pamphlet, a mixture of three sublimable dyes is printed on a specific paper, and then the dye is transferred by sublimation from the specific paper to the concave surface of the lens, and finally the lens is heated so that the dye diffuses into the lens mass.

[0003] The main drawback of ophthalmic lens dyeing by the sublimation-absorption method is that this method involves an inherent diffusion, and in many cases, the color variation for each lens pair during lens manufacturing has to be compensated by a dipping-dyeing step for correction so as to ensure color matching for the customer.

[0004] International Publication No. WO 2020 / 025595 A1 pamphlet discloses a method and system for identifying a customized color lens. The method includes identifying a target colorimetric data set, providing access to a database containing data representing colors, using a plurality of simulation modules to calculate colorimetric data through a plurality of simulations of a lens substrate combined with a specific dye combination, composition, and amount of a dye mixture or combined with a plurality of stacks corresponding to the composition and thickness of a specific layer based on the data from the database, and performing color matching between the colorimetric data from the plurality of simulations and the target colorimetric data to identify one or a plurality of combinations of the lens substrate and the specific dye mixture or the specific multi-layer stack.

[0005] International Publication No. WO 2020 / 025595 A1 pamphlet does not relate to a dyeing method by sublimation and absorption from printed paper, and the printed paper is not used to measure optical parameters thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining a custom optical article including a main surface having at least one predetermined (i.e., desired) optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region selected from absorbance and transmittance by thermal transfer through sublimation technology from a printed support including a support and at least one ink printed on the support according to an inking level. The at least one ink includes at least one sublimable dye selected from visible dyes, invisible dyes, and mixtures thereof, whereby the modification step of the optical article can be omitted, and thus the final step of the above-described immersion-dyeing can be avoided.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] For this purpose, the method according to the invention comprises controlling the inking level of at least one ink by using an experimentally determined law of variation of at least one predetermined optical property as a function of the inking level of at least one ink so as to obtain said custom optical article.

[0008] Thus, according to the method of the invention, it is possible to obtain said custom optical article simply by analyzing / correcting the printed support before carrying out the sublimation step, and by this analysis / correction operation, it is possible to directly obtain at least one predetermined optical property for the finally obtained optical article without carrying out any correction step for adjusting its optical properties. As a result, in order to guarantee the optical properties (e.g., color and / or invisible light absorption requirements) prescribed for the customer, in addition to the thermal transfer process, an immersion-dyeing final correction step is also not required, and thus, by the method of the invention, it is possible to compensate for variations or fluctuations in the inking level on the support.

[0009] Therefore, by ensuring that the correct inking level is obtained on the support printed with at least one ink so as to match the previously specified target absorbance and / or transmittance values for said optical article, any final correction step process can be omitted. In other words, the custom optical article can advantageously be obtained only from the inking level of at least one ink.

[0010] As will be explained below, the method of the invention is applicable not only to ophthalmic lens parts, but also to any optical article that is dyed and / or provided with an invisible light absorber and that may not be in the ophthalmic field.

[0011] It should also be noted that the method of the invention is generally applicable to a support that is opaque to visible light and that is made, for example, of paper or cardboard.

[0012] When a plurality of inks (i.e., some visible dyes and / or some invisible dyes) are to be printed, these inks must be printed separately on the support (i.e., do not form a mixture of inks), and it should be further noted that then the ink levels of each ink must be controlled separately, as detailed in the following examples.

[0013] According to another feature of the present invention, the law of variation of at least one predetermined optical property according to the inking level of at least one ink is - a first experimental correlation between the optical parameters of at least one ink on the printed support and its inking level, wherein the optical parameters of at least one ink are selected from the K / S ratio of its absorption coefficient to scattering coefficient, its optical density, its colorimetric coefficient, for example its colorimetric lightness L*, colorimetric coefficients a* and b*, and combinations thereof, the first experimental correlation and - a second experimental correlation between at least one predicted optical property of a custom optical article, selected from the maximum absorbance value and the minimum transmittance value of the optical article and measured at at least one given wavelength in the visible and / or invisible light regions, and the optical parameters of at least one ink can be experimentally determined using a combination of.

[0014] Preferably, the optical parameter of at least one ink used in both the first and second experimental correlations is the K / S ratio of the absorption coefficient K to the scattering coefficient S, which is the Kubelka-Munk relationship: K / S = (1 - R∞) 2 / 2R∞ is defined by, where R∞ represents the diffuse reflectance of a layer of infinite film thickness.

[0015] Also preferably, at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article is its maximum absorbance value.

[0016] Advantageously, according to the above features of the present invention, - The first experimental correlation can be approximated as a linear correlation of y = ax + b, where y represents the optical parameter of at least one ink on the printed support, x represents the inking level of at least one ink, and a and b are constants representing at least one ink. - The second experimental correlation can be approximated as a linear correlation of y = a'x + b', where y represents at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, x represents the optical parameter of at least one ink on the printed support, and a' and b' are constants representing at least one ink.

[0017] More preferably, the optical parameter of at least one ink used in both the first and second experimental correlations is their K / S ratio as defined above, and at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article is its maximum absorbance value.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention that can be combined with any of the above features, the method includes compensating the inking level of at least one ink by the available data of the reference optical article pre-manufactured by the thermal transfer from the first experimental correlation and a similar printed support, and each of the reference optical articles includes a main surface having at least one known optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region similar to at least one predetermined optical property, and the available data of the reference optical article is obtained from the first and second experimental correlations.

[0019] Specifically, the method according to this preferred embodiment includes - calculating a compensation coefficient from the reference value and the measured value of the optical parameter for at least one ink, wherein the reference value of the optical parameter is derived from the available data of the reference optical article and corresponds to the at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, and then - obtaining the compensated inking level of at least one ink from the calculated compensation coefficient. It may include.

[0020] As described above, the optical parameter of at least one ink used is preferably its K / S ratio defined above, and at least one predetermined optical property of the custom optical article is more preferably its maximum absorbance value.

[0021] It should be noted that by this compensation of the inking level on the printed support that will be reprinted at the newly compensated inking level, it is thus possible to simply and accurately obtain at least one predetermined optical property of the optical article by taking into account both the first and second experimental correlations based on the available data of the reference optical article.

[0022] It should also be noted that the available data of the reference optical article can be advantageously provided by a computer program configured to control the inking level of at least one ink in order to obtain the custom optical article, together with the calculation of the compensation coefficient and the resulting compensated inking level.

[0023] More preferably, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method is a) printing on a support by means of at least one printer according to an inking level specified for at least one ink, the support being opaque to visible light and made of, for example, paper or cardboard; b) measuring, on the printed support, the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink by means of reflectance spectrophotometry; c) converting the reflectance parameter R into the measured value of the optical parameter of at least one ink by using the relationship between the reflectance parameter R and the optical parameter; d) comparing the measured value of the optical parameter of at least one ink obtained in c) with the reference value of the optical parameter of at least one ink and identifying the difference between the two values; e) If the difference identified in d) is not zero, calculate a compensation coefficient equal to the ratio of the reference value of the optical parameter to the measured value of the optical parameter for at least one ink, and then obtain a corrected inking level for at least one ink from the calculated compensation coefficient according to the law of three, f) Reprinting on the support according to the compensated inking levels of at least one ink obtained in e); g) Optionally, repeating steps b) to f) sequentially for at least one ink with at least one newly compensated inking level until the newly measured value of the optical parameter of at least one ink becomes equal to the reference value of the optical parameter; h) To obtain the main surface of a custom optical article having the at least one predicted optical property that matches at least one predetermined optical property, thermally transfer by sublimation at least one dye of at least one ink printed at the current or newly compensated inking level onto the optical article to be customized, and an optional fixing step according to the constituent material of the optical article on which the dye has been sublimated, the sublimated dye being fixed on the optical article, for example, by air convection at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to irreversibly fix the dye on the optical article, this time and temperature depending on the material of the optical article (for example, in the case of an optical article made of Ormix® it is 100 - 160 °C for 1 hour), or, according to another example, by an absorption step carried out by surface irradiation such as IR / UV laser irradiation. including.

[0024] Preferably, step c) is carried out by using, as the optical parameter, the K / S ratio of the absorption coefficient K to the scattering coefficient S of at least one printed ink, which is defined by the Kubelka - Munk relationship: K / S = (1 - R∞) 2 / 2R∞.

[0025] Note that steps d) and g) may alternatively be performed taking into account a given tolerance (i.e., each measured value is substantially equal to the corresponding reference value within this tolerance) when comparing the following: - When comparing the current or newly measured value of the optical parameter with its reference value in step d), and - When comparing the current or newly measured value of the optical parameter of at least one ink with the reference value of the optical parameter in step g).

[0026] According to another general feature of the invention, which may be related to any of the foregoing features and embodiments, the method further comprises successively printing the support a plurality of times to detect changes in the inking over time by the at least one printer for a given recipe of at least one ink, and compensating for the detected changes in inking by, for example, increasing the inking level of the at least one ink in response to a previously detected decrease therein, to provide a consistent value of at least one measured value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink and of at least one predetermined optical property of the custom optical article.

[0027] As explained above, at least one predetermined optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region is preferably the maximum absorbance value of the optical article measured at at least one given wavelength in the visible and / or invisible light region.

[0028] According to another general feature of the invention, which may be related to any of the foregoing features and embodiments, the method may further comprise matching a new printer to a reference printer by using a correction factor, the correction factor being (i) The measured value of the reflectance parameter R of the at least one ink printed on the support by the reference printer and the new printer with the same printing parameters, The measured reflectance parameter R is converted into a measured value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink, such as the K / S ratio, to obtain an equivalent ink level calculated for the at least one ink, and for the at least one ink, an ink level ratio equal to the equivalent ink level calculated for the new printer / the equivalent ink level calculated for the reference printer is specified. The ink level ratio is obtained from the measured reflectance parameter R, which represents a correction factor to be applied to the printing parameters of the new printer in order to match the new printer with the reference printer, or (ii) a measured value of the visual transmittance Tv on the custom optical article, The at least one ink is printed on the support by the reference printer and the new printer with the same printing parameters, and sublimation is performed to obtain a custom optical article for the at least one ink printed by both printers. The measured transmittance Tv value is converted into a measured absorbance A value, and a ratio obtained as a result for the at least one ink is calculated. The absorbance ratio is equal to the absorbance estimated from the transmittance measured by the new printer / the absorbance estimated from the transmittance measured by the reference printer. A straight line corresponding to the absorbance at the characteristic wavelength of the at least one ink with respect to the ink level is obtained. If the two straight lines obtained for both printers have different slopes, a slope ratio equal to the slope obtained by the new printer / the slope obtained by the reference printer is calculated, and the correction factor to be applied to the at least one ink printed by the new printer is determined by this slope ratio, which is obtained from the measured visual transmittance Tv value.

[0029] According to another general feature of the invention, which may be related to any of the foregoing features and embodiments, the method may further include the step of monitoring the inking level of the at least one ink printed on the support according to setting printing parameters that define the setting inking level by the at least one printer, and the step of monitoring includes measured reflectance parameter R values of the at least one ink, The measured reflectance parameter R values are converted into measured values of at least one optical parameter of the at least one ink, such as the K / S ratio, to obtain an equivalent inking level calculated for the at least one ink, An inking level is calculated that defines a correction factor equal to the equivalent inking level / setting inking level of the at least one ink. If the correction factor is outside a predetermined range for the at least one ink, for example less than 0.9 or greater than 1.1, at least one second printing of the at least one ink is performed in a similar manner, and the corresponding correction factor is determined again for the at least one ink, If the correction factor for the at least one ink after at least one second printing is still outside the range, the ink cartridge of the at least one printer is replaced.

[0030] According to a first example of the invention, at least one predetermined optical property is in the visible light region, and at least one ink includes at least one primary color consisting of cyan and / or magenta and / or yellow (CMY, i.e., the subtractive color model). The primary colors are printed separately on the support (i.e., not mixed together thereon), and then the inking level of each primary color ink is controlled separately.

[0031] According to a second example of the invention, which may optionally be combined with the first example above, at least one predetermined optical property is in the invisible light region, and at least one ink includes an invisible single-component dye selected from optical articles, such as UV absorbers, IR absorbers, and blue light absorbers for ophthalmic lenses.

[0032] According to another general feature of the invention, which may be related to any of the foregoing features, embodiments and examples, the thermal transfer comprises: (i) drying the printed support; (ii) transferring at least one ink from the dried printed support onto the surface of an optical blank intended to form the custom optical article by sublimation under vacuum heating; (iii) fixing at least one dye in a surface sublayer of the optical blank, for example a few microns thick, to form the main surface of the custom optical article.

[0033] The invention also relates to a system for obtaining a custom optical article comprising a main surface having at least one predetermined optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region selected from absorbance and transmittance, by means of thermal transfer via a sublimation technique from a printed support comprising a support and at least one ink printed on the support according to an inking level, said at least one ink comprising at least one sublimable dye selected from visible dyes, invisible dyes, and mixtures thereof.

[0034] According to the invention, the system comprises at least one printer and a computer-readable medium equipped or coupled to the at least one printer, the computer-readable medium being accessible by a processor and, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to control the inking level of at least one ink by using an experimentally determined law of variation of at least one predetermined optical property according to the inking level of the at least one ink, in order to obtain a custom optical article, carrying one or more stored instruction sequences of a computer program.

[0035] According to another feature of the invention, the system may further comprise a reflectance spectrophotometer configured to measure the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink on the printed support, The one or more stored instruction sequences can be configured to implement the variation law of at least one predetermined optical property according to at least one ink leveling of the ink, and the variation law is - A first experimental correlation between at least one optical parameter of at least one ink on a printed support and its inking level, wherein the optical parameter is calculated from the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink, and its absorbance coefficient to scattering coefficient K / S ratio, its optical density, its colorimetric coefficient L*, colorimetric coefficients a* and b*, and a first experimental correlation selected from combinations thereof; - A second experimental correlation between at least one predicted optical property of a custom optical article selected from the maximum absorbance value and the minimum transmittance value of the optical article and measured at at least one given wavelength in the visible or invisible light region, and the optical parameter of at least one ink is experimentally determined by using a combination of

[0036] According to another feature of the system of the present invention, - The first experimental correlation can be approximated as a linear correlation of y = ax + b, where y represents the optical parameter of at least one ink on the printed support, x represents the inking level of at least one ink, and a and b are constants; - The second experimental correlation can be approximated as a linear correlation of y = a'x + b', where y represents at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, x represents the optical parameter of at least one ink on the printed support, and a' and b' are constants.

[0037] According to another feature of the system of the present invention, The one or more stored instruction sequences may be configured to compensate the inking level of the at least one ink by the first experimental correlation and the available data of a reference optical article pre-manufactured by the thermal transfer from a similar printed support, each of the available optical articles includes a main surface having at least one known optical property in a visible and / or invisible light region similar to at least one predetermined optical property, and the available data of the reference optical article is obtained from the first and second experimental correlations, The one or more stored instruction sequences may be, - calculating a compensation factor from a reference value and a measured value of an optical parameter for at least one ink, the reference value of the optical parameter being derived from the available data of the reference optical article and corresponding to the at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, - obtaining a compensated inking level of the at least one ink from the calculated compensation factor may be configured to.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] In this description, the terms "comprise" (and any grammatical variations thereof such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any grammatical variations thereof such as "has" and "having"), "contain" (and any grammatical variations thereof such as "contains" and "containing"), and "include" (and any grammatical variations thereof such as "includes" and "including") are open-ended conjunctive verbs. These are used to define the presence of the recited features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. As a result, a method or a process within a method that "comprises", "has", "contains", or "includes" one or more steps or elements has those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to having only those one or more steps or elements.

[0040] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions referring to amounts, ranges, reaction conditions, etc. of components used in this specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, unless otherwise indicated, the representation of an interval of values "from X to Y" or "between X and Y" according to the present invention means including the values of X and Y.

[0041] Visible and / or invisible light regions, visible and / or invisible dyes The "visible light region" includes the light region visible to the human eye, that is, the light region whose wavelength is within the visible region range of 380 to about 750 nm. Such a light region includes, for example, the emission range of LED-based digital devices of 380 to 500 nm, preferably 430 to 470 nm, most preferably 440 to 460 nm), and the blue-violet emission of 400 to 455 nm corresponding to the harmful part of blue emission defined in ISO TR20772:2018 and several peer-reviewed papers (Marie et al., Cell Death and Disease, 2020), (Marie et al., Cell Death and Disease ,2 018), (Arnault, Barrau et al., 2013).

[0042] "Visible dye" relates to dyes that absorb light in the so-called visible light region.

[0043] The "invisible light region" includes the light region invisible to the human eye, that is, the light region whose wavelength is outside the visible region range of 380 to about 750 nm. These invisible light regions include the ultraviolet (UV) region, the near-infrared (NIR) region, and the infrared (IR) region.

[0044] "Invisible dye" relates to dyes that absorb light in the so-called invisible light region.

[0045] Optical article The optical article according to the present disclosure is at least one ophthalmic lens or optical filter or optical glass or optical material suitable for human vision, or an optical film or patch intended to be fixed on a substrate, or a specific layer of a multilayer optical film, for example, at least one ophthalmic lens intended to be used in an ophthalmic lens or a substrate for specifying the vision and / or refraction of a subject, or an optical film or patch intended to be fixed on a substrate, or an optical glass or optical material, or any kind of safety device including a safety glass or safety wall intended to face an individual's eye, for example, a protective device such as a safety lens or mask or shield.

[0046] The optical article can be implemented as an eyewear item having a frame that at least partially surrounds one or more ophthalmic lenses. By way of non-limiting example, the optical article can be glasses, sunglasses, safety goggles, sports goggles, contact lenses, intraocular implants, active lenses having an amplitude modulation function such as polarized lenses or having a phase modulation function such as autofocus lenses, and the like.

[0047] An optical film or patch intended to be fixed on at least one ophthalmic lens or optical glass or optical material or substrate suitable for human vision can provide an optical function to a user, i.e., a wearer of the lens.

[0048] It can be, for example, a corrective lens for addressing myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and / or presbyopia, i.e., a spherical, cylindrical, and / or progressive refractive power lens for a user with refractive anomalies. The lens can have a fixed refractive power and provide a refractive power such as that provided by a single-focus lens, or it can be a progressive lens having a variable refractive power.

[0049] The optical article of the present invention can be made of any known mineral and / or organic optical material, including, in certain cases of the resulting ophthalmic lens component, for example, a mineral (i.e., made from mineral glass) or an organic (i.e., polymer) ophthalmic substrate, and the ophthalmic substrate is made from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

[0050] Implementation of the ophthalmic lens Example Among the thermoplastic resins suitable for ophthalmic substrates, there are (meth)acrylic (co)polymers, especially polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), thio(meth)acrylic (co)polymers, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polycarbonates (including homopolycarbonates, copolycarbonates, and PCs with specified sequences of copolycarbonates), polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycarbonate / polyester copolymers, cycloolefin copolymers such as ethylene / norbornene copolymers or ethylene / cyclopentadiene copolymers and combinations thereof, and thermoplastic ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers.

[0051] Among the thermosetting resins suitable for ophthalmic substrates, there may be polyurethanes (PU), polythiourethanes, polyol(allyl carbonate)(co)polymers, polyepisulfides, and polyepoxides. Other thermosetting resins that can be used have a refractive index between 1.5 and 1.65, typically an acrylic type (co)polymer close to 1.6. These acrylic (co)polymers are obtained by polymerization of a (meth)acrylic monomer blend and optionally an allyl and / or vinyl aromatic monomer. The (meth)acrylate (i.e., acrylate or methacrylate) monomers can typically be monofunctional or polyfunctional and have 2 to 6 (meth)acrylate groups. These monomers can be derivatives of compounds such as aliphatic, cyclic, aromatic, polyalkoxylated, bisphenol, etc., and / or can have other functional groups such as epoxy, thioepoxy, hydroxyl, thiol, sulfide, carbonate, urethane, and / or isocyanate functional groups.

[0052] Exemplary thermosetting resins for ophthalmic substrates include - cycloolefin copolymers such as ethylene / norbornene or ethylene / cyclopentadiene copolymers; - homopolymers and copolymers of allyl carbonates of linear or branched aliphatic or aromatic polyols such as the homopolymer of diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate); - Homopolymers and copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and its esters, optionally derived from bisphenol A; - Homopolymers and copolymers of thio(meth)acrylic acid and its esters; - Homopolymers and copolymers of allyl esters optionally derived from bisphenol A or phthalic acid and an allyl aromatic such as styrene; - Copolymers of urethane and thiourethane; - Homopolymers and copolymers of epoxy; and - Homopolymers and copolymers of sulfide, disulfide and episulfide are included.

[0053] The ophthalmic substrate may be obtained by polymerization of a blend of the above monomers, or may further contain a blend of these polymers and (co)polymers.

[0054] Particularly recommended organic ophthalmic substrates are - Homopolymers or copolymers of allyl carbonates of diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), i.e., linear or branched aliphatic or aromatic polyols, more preferably substrates obtained by (co)polymerizing, for example, the homopolymer of diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate) sold under the trademark CR-39® by PPG Industries, and the resulting substrates are sold as trademark ORMA® lenses, - Substrates made of polythiourethane copolymers, such as so-called "MR-7", "MR-8" (the resulting substrates are sold under the trademark of ORMIX® lenses), "MGC N19", MR-10, or "MR-1.74" lens substrates, etc., sold by Mitsui, or - Thermoplastic substrates of the polycarbonate type.

[0055] For certain applications, it is preferred that the major front surface of the substrate be coated with one or more functional coatings prior to the deposition of an optional multilayer inorganic coating. These functional coatings conventionally used in optical systems can be, without limitation, an impact-resistant primer layer, a wear-resistant and / or scratch-resistant coating, a polarizing coating, a photochromic coating, or a coloring coating. Generally, this major front surface of the substrate is thus coated with an impact-resistant primer layer, a wear-resistant coating, and / or a scratch-resistant coating, or an impact-resistant primer layer coated with a wear-resistant coating and / or a scratch-resistant coating.

[0056] The multilayer inorganic coating can be deposited on a wear-resistant and / or scratch-resistant coating which can be any layer conventionally used as a wear-resistant and / or scratch-resistant coating in the field of ophthalmic lenses. These wear-resistant and / or scratch-resistant coatings are preferably hard coatings based on poly(meth)acrylate or silane generally containing one or more mineral fillers intended to increase the hardness and / or refractive index of the once-cured coating, and they are preferably produced from a composition containing at least one alkoxysilane and / or one hydrolyzate thereof obtained, for example, by hydrolysis with a hydrochloric acid solution and optionally condensation and / or a curing catalyst. Coatings based on hydrolyzates of epoxysilanes as described in French Patent No. 2702486 (European Patent No. 0614957), U.S. Patent No. 4,211,823, and U.S. Patent No. 5,015,523 can be mentioned.

[0057] One preferred composition for a wear and / or scratch resistant coating is disclosed in the document of French Patent No. 2702486 in the name of the applicant. This includes the hydrolysis products of epoxy trialkoxysilane and dialkyldialkoxysilane, colloidal silica, and a catalytic amount of an aluminum-based curing catalyst, such as aluminum acetylacetonate, and the remainder consists essentially of solvents conventionally used for formulating such compositions.

[0058] The wear and / or scratch resistant coating composition can be deposited on the main surface of the substrate by dip coating or spin coating. Thereafter, it is cured using a suitable process (preferably thermally or under UV). The thickness of the wear and / or scratch resistant coating generally ranges from 2 μm to 10 μm, preferably from 3 μm to 5 μm.

[0059] Prior to the deposition of the wear and / or scratch resistant coating, it is possible to deposit a primer coating (also called a tie layer) on the substrate that improves the resistance of the final product to impact and / or the adhesion of subsequent layers. This coating can be any of the impact resistant primer layers conventionally used for articles made of transparent polymers.

[0060] Among the preferred primer compositions, there may be mentioned compositions based on thermoplastic polyurethane such as those described in JP-A-63-141001 and JP-A-63-87223, poly(meth)acrylic primer compositions such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,015,523, compositions based on thermosetting polyurethane such as those described in European Patent No. 0404111, and compositions based on poly(meth)acrylic latex or polyurethane latex such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,316,791 and European Patent No. 0680492. Preferred primer compositions are polyurethane-based compositions and latex-based compositions, particularly polyurethane latex optionally containing polyester units.

[0061] In the primer composition, it is also possible to use blends of these latexes, particularly blends of polyurethane latex and poly(meth)acrylic latex.

[0062] Before a multilayer inorganic coating is deposited on a substrate optionally coated with, for example, a wear-resistant layer, it is possible to perform a chemical or physical activation treatment on the surface of the optionally coated substrate with the intention of enhancing the adhesion of the coating. This pretreatment is generally carried out under vacuum. This can be a matter of treatment by an energy species such as an ion beam (ion precleaning or IPC), a corona discharge treatment, an electron beam, an ultraviolet treatment, or a plasma under vacuum, generally an argon or oxygen plasma. This can also be a matter of surface treatment with an acid or a base and / or surface treatment with a solvent (water or an organic solvent).

[0063] The various layers of the multilayer inorganic coating and the optional underlayer are preferably deposited by vacuum film formation using one of the following techniques: (i) Evaporation, optionally with the aid of an ion beam, (ii) Ion beam sputtering, (iii) cathode sputtering, or (iv) plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

[0064] These various techniques are described in the books "Thin Film Processes" and "Thin Film Processes II" by Vossen & Kern, Ed., Academic Press, in 1978 and 1991 respectively.

[0065] The particularly recommended technique is vacuum evaporation.

[0066] Preferably, the deposition of each layer of the coating and any optional underlayer is carried out by vacuum evaporation.

[0067] The ophthalmic lens can be made antistatic, that is, not to retain and / or generate recognizable static charges, by incorporating at least one conductive layer in the multilayer inorganic coating. This conductive layer is preferably disposed between two layers of the inorganic coating and / or adjacent to the high refractive index layer of this coating. Preferably, this conductive layer is disposed directly below the low refractive index layer and ideally forms the penultimate layer of the coating, disposed directly below the outermost (low refractive index, e.g., silica-based) layer of the coating.

[0068] The conductive layer must be thin enough not to change the transparency of the coating and is preferably made of a highly transparent conductor. In this case, its thickness preferably varies in the range of 1 nm to 15 nm, more preferably 1 nm to 10 nm. This conductive layer preferably contains an optionally doped metal oxide selected from indium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and mixtures thereof. Indium-tin oxide (In2O3:Sn in the case of tin-doped indium oxide), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al), indium oxide (In2O3), and tin oxide (SnO2) are preferred. More preferably, this optically transparent conductive layer is a layer of indium-tin oxide (ITO) or a layer of tin oxide.

[0069] The ophthalmic lens may also include supplementary functions, which include, for example, but not limited to, - a coating formed on the outer (i.e., exposed) surface of the multilayer inorganic coating that can modify its surface properties, such as an anti-fouling or anti-fog top coat (outer coating), - specific filter functions, such as UV, violet (400 nm - 460 nm), or IR filters, etc., incorporated within the coating or directly into the substrate, and / or - a polarization function and the like.

[0070] Typically, it can be hydrophobic and / or oleophobic, and generally has a thickness of 10 nm or less, preferably 1 nm to 10 nm, more preferably 1 nm to 5 nm. As the antifouling coating, a fluorosilane or fluorosilazane type coating that can be obtained by depositing a fluorosilane or fluorosilazane precursor containing at least two hydrolyzable groups per molecule is preferably used. The precursor fluorosilane preferably contains a fluoropolyether group, more preferably a perfluoropolyether group. These fluorosilanes are well-known and are described, inter alia, in U.S. Patent No. 5,081,192, U.S. Patent No. 5,763,061, U.S. Patent No. 6,183,872, U.S. Patent No. 5,739,639, U.S. Patent No. 5,922,787, U.S. Patent No. 6,337,235, U.S. Patent No. 6,277,485, and European Patent No. 0933377. One preferred hydrophobic and / or oleophobic coating composition is sold under the trade name KP 801 M(R) by Shin-Etsu Chemical. Another preferred hydrophobic and / or oleophobic coating composition is sold under the trade name OPTOOL DSX(R) by Daikin Industries. This is a fluororesin containing a perfluoropropylene group.

[0071] Therefore, the ophthalmic lens can include, for example, a substrate continuously coated on its main front surface with an impact-resistant primer layer, an abrasion-resistant and / or scratch-resistant layer, a multilayer inorganic coating, and a hydrophobic and / or oleophobic topcoat.

[0072] For the main rear surface of the substrate, it can be continuously coated, for example, with an impact-resistant primer layer, an adhesion-resistant and / or scratch-resistant layer, an antireflection coating preferably having a low reflectivity in the UV region, and a hydrophobic and / or oleophobic coating.

[0073] As described above, the ophthalmic lens obtainable by the method of the present invention is stained with a visible dye obtained from the primary colors C, M, Y and / or is provided with at least one invisible light absorber such as an IR, UV, and / or blue light absorber.

[0074] Measurement of the optical parameters of the printed support and the optical properties of the optical article Fixed The optical parameters of at least one ink on the printed support can be as follows: - The Kubelka-Munk relationship K / S = (1 - R∞) 2 / 2R∞, where R∞ represents the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink measured by reflectance spectrophotometry (obtained from the diffuse reflectance of a layer of infinite film thickness on the printed support), and its K / S ratio of the absorption coefficient to the scattering coefficient. - As is known, OD = log 10 R, where R is the minimum value of the measured reflectance, and its optical density OD. And / or - The colorimetric coefficients such as its colorimetric lightness L* and colorimetric coefficients a* and b*, which refer to the reflected light on the front surface in the international color system CIE L*a*b*, are calculated at 380 to 780 nm considering the standard light source D65 and the observer (angle 10°). The observer is the "standard observer" defined in the international color system CIE L*a*b*.

[0075] Regarding the optical article, the optical properties can be, in particular, as follows: Rv(%) - Visual reflectance (weighted average of the spectral reflectance over the entire visible spectrum from 380 nm to 780 nm, calculated using the formula shown in ISO 13666:1998 and measured according to ISO 8980-4, which is the average ray reflectance in the visible region). Regarding the spectral reflectance, this is defined as the ratio of the spectral radiant flux reflected by the material to the incident spectral radiant flux at any specified wavelength. Rm(%) - Average reflectance (average value of the spectral reflectance over the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm). Tv(%) - Visual transmittance (mean relative light transmittance in the visible region, weighted according to the sensitivity of the eye at each wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 to 780 nm, calculated using the formula shown in ISO 13666-1998 and measured under D65 illumination conditions, which means the visual sensation transmittance within the visible region). Absorbance: The proportion of incident radiation that is neither reflected nor transmitted, according to ISO 13666:1998. Particularly with respect to a lens, absorption is characterized by the specific absorbance α i = Φα / Φ in where Φα is the radiant flux absorbed between the incident and exit surfaces of the lens, represented by Φ in - Φ ex and Φ in is the radiant flux that has passed completely through the lens. When the absorption of the lens varies with wavelength, the internal spectral absorbance α i of the lens is similarly determined for each wavelength λ of the incident light.

[0076] For the method implemented according to the present invention Example 1. A first series of experiments for obtaining a custom ophthalmic lens having a predetermined maximum absorbance in the visible region by sublimation and absorption and dyed with the C, M, and / or Y primary colors (see FIGS. 1 to 9c ) 1.1. The first preferred embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4c ) According to the first embodiment of this first series of experiments, the optical parameters of the C, M, Y inks on the printed support used for the first and second experimental correlations are selected to be the K / S ratio, and this method is implemented by performing the following successive steps: a) Commercially available Printing on paper by a printer according to a 50% inking level (i.e., half of the maximum ink amount, e.g., 2000 dpi) specified for each of the primary colors C, M, Y (the primary colors are printed separately, see FIG. 1), b) On the printed paper, the step of separately measuring the reflectance parameter R of each of the printed primary colors C, M, and Y by reflectance spectrophotometry (measurement according to wavelength, refer to the three graphs in FIGS. 2a to 2c), c) For each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, and Y, for the calculation of each K / S ratio, select the wavelengths of 520 nm for magenta, 410 nm for yellow, and 650 nm for cyan from the graphs in FIGS. 2a to 2c. And the relationship between R and K / S (K / S = (1 - R) 2 / 2R) is used to convert the measured reflectance parameter R into a value of the K / S ratio, d) For each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, and Y, this measured value of the K / S ratio obtained in c) is compared with the reference value of K / S from the data of the reference lens manufactured from the same paper by the same sublimation step and having the same maximum absorbance, and these data are available from the software storage medium coupled to the printer and are the results of the first and second experimental correlations (as described below with respect to FIGS. 3a to 3c and FIGS. 4a to 4c respectively) step and the step of specifying the difference between both the measured value and the reference value, e) For each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, and Y, if the difference specified in d) is not zero, calculate the compensation coefficient "CC" equal to the ratio of the reference value of K / S to the measured value of K / S [i.e., CC = (K / S) reference / (K / S) measured , and then, from the calculated compensation coefficient, obtain the compensated inking level "CIL" according to the rule of three [for example, for the current inking level of 50% of each primary color C, M, Y, CIL = CC × 2000 dpi], f) The step of reprinting on the paper according to the compensated inking levels of each of the separate primary colors C, M, and Y obtained in e), g) Optionally, repeat steps b) to f) sequentially for each of the separate primary colors C, M, and Y at at least one newly compensated inking level until the newly measured value of the K / S ratio of each of the separate primary colors C, M, and Y becomes equal to the reference value of the K / S ratio, h) Transferring, by sublimation, each of the primary colors C, M, Y printed at the current or newly compensated inking level onto an ophthalmic lens, which will thus be customized and will exhibit a desired predetermined maximum absorbance.

[0077] Regarding step d) and as seen in FIGS. 3a - 3c, the inventors have demonstrated that, according to the present invention, there is actually a proportional relationship between the K / S ratio of the separately printed primary colors C, M, Y and their inking levels, which is proven as follows: - FIG. 3a for M at 520 nm, which shows that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.0054x - 0.1275 (R 2 = 0.9981), where y represents the K / S ratio of M and x represents the inking level of M in dpi. - FIG. 3b for Y at 410 nm, which shows that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.0046x - 0.0012 (R 2 = 0.9893), where y represents the K / S ratio of Y and x represents the inking level of Y in dpi. - FIG. 3c for C at 650 nm, which shows that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.0047x - 0.1046 (R 2 = 0.9935), where y represents the K / S ratio of C and x represents the inking level of C in dpi.

[0078] As seen in FIGS. 4a - 4c, the inventors have also demonstrated that there is a proportional relationship between the maximum absorbance of the Ormix® lens and the K / S ratio obtained for each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, Y, which is proven as follows: - FIG. 4a for M, which shows that the second experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.4009x + 0.0491 (R 2 = 0.9922), where y represents the maximum absorbance of M and x represents the K / S ratio measured for M at 520 nm. - Figure 4b for Y, which shows that the second experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.7925x + 0.0472 (R 2 = 0.9868), where y represents the maximum absorbance of Y and x represents the K / S ratio measured for Y at 410 nm. - Figure 4c for C, which shows that the second experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.3558x - 0.0621 (R 2 = 0.9903), where y represents the K / S ratio of C and x represents the inking level of C at 650 nm.

[0079] As a result, the inventors have demonstrated that the color of the lens identified by its maximum absorbance is directly related to its, or each primary color C, M, Y's inking level on the printed paper, and that inking level can be controlled by the K / S ratio to predict the maximum absorbance of the lens by the compensation factors applied to the current inking levels of each primary color C, M, Y.

[0080] Specifically, the compensation factors are calculated from the reference values and measured values of the K / S ratio for each of C, M, Y, and then, as a result of the simple rule of three, the compensated inking levels are obtained for each of the primary colors C, M, Y. The reference values of the K / S values were selected according to the first day when the printing of the paper in C, M, Y was started.

[0081] Tables 1 and 2 below detail exemplary embodiments of the method of the present invention according to this first preferred embodiment of the first series of experiments.

[0082]

Table 1

[0083] From the compensation coefficients calculated for each of the initially printed C, M, and Y, the reflectances R of C, M, and Y are re-measured from the compensated ink levels CIL obtained by the rule of three from each of the compensation coefficients CC (CIL = CC × 2000 dpi for an initial current ink level of 50%). Then, as described above, to the new K / S ratio, and as a result, it is converted to a new compensation coefficient. Finally, the predicted maximum absorbance obtained from the newly measured K / S ratio matches (i.e., is equal to) the reference K / S ratio, thus matching the predicted maximum absorbance to be obtained for the custom lens.

[0084]

Table 2

[0085] When the newly calculated compensation coefficient becomes equal to 1.00 (or approximately equal according to a given tolerance), this means that the newly measured K / S ratio matches the reference K / S ratio and thus the predetermined maximum absorbance to be obtained for the lens. And the printed paper containing that, or each primary color C, M, Y, is thermally transferred by sublimation in step h) above, and then the sublimated dye is fixed to the lens blank, for example, by absorption, whereby, by proper fixation of the primary colors to the surface sublayer (a few microns thick) of the lens blank, an ophthalmic lens showing the desired maximum absorbance is finally obtained.

[0086] As seen in the graphs of FIGS. 9a - 9c showing the daily variation of the K / S ratio of the printed paper for the primary colors M, Y, C including the minimum and maximum errors of the K / S ratio values, in order to keep the ink level or each primary color, and thus the reproducible primary colors for the ophthalmic lens obtained, substantially constant daily, Commercially available Prin Type of it was additionally necessary to adjust (i.e., control) the ink level daily. Specifically, as soon as a significant decrease in the ink level for one primary color was detected, the printer was adjusted to print that primary color according to a correspondingly increased ink level.

[0087] 1.2. Other embodiments of the first series of experiments (see FIGS. 5a to 8c) ) 1.2.1. According to other embodiments of FIGS. 5a to 5c, the optical parameters of the M, Y, C inks on the printed paper used for the first and second experimental correlations are selected to be optical density, and this method is carried out by performing the same consecutive steps a) to h) as shown in item 1.1 above. As an exception, steps c) to g) are carried out using the proportional relationships demonstrated by the inventors between the optical density of each of the separately printed primary colors M, Y, C and their respective ink levels on the printed paper, and between the maximum absorbance of the Ormix® lens and the optical density obtained for each of the printed primary colors M, Y, C.

[0088] Specifically, using M, Y, C Commercially available As seen in FIGS. 5a to 5c obtained after printing on paper by a printer, the inventors have demonstrated that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation of y = ax + b, where y represents the optical density of M, Y, C, and x represents the coefficient as a percentage of the 2000 dpi ink level of M, Y, C in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c respectively.

[0089] 1.2.2. According to other embodiments of FIGS. 6a to 6c, the optical parameters of the C, M, Y inks on the printed paper used for the first and second experimental correlations are selected to be colorimetric lightness L*, and this method is carried out by performing the same consecutive steps a) to h) as shown in item 1.1 above. As an exception, steps c) to g) are carried out using the proportional relationships demonstrated by the inventors between the colorimetric lightness L* of each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, Y and their respective ink levels on the printed paper, and between the maximum absorbance of the Ormix® lens and the colorimetric lightness L* obtained for each of the printed primary colors C, M, Y.

[0090] Specifically, using C, M, Y Commercially availableAs can be seen in FIGS. 6a to 6c obtained after printing on paper by a printer, the inventors have demonstrated that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation of y = ax + b, where y represents the colorimetric lightness L* of C, M, and Y, and x represents the coefficients as percentages of the 2000 dpi inking levels of C and M and the 1200 dpi inking level of Y in FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c, respectively.

[0091] 1.2.3 According to other embodiments of FIGS. 7a to 7c, the optical parameters of the C, M, and Y inks on the printed paper used for the first and second experimental correlations are selected to be the colorimetric coefficient a*, and this method is performed by executing the same sequential steps a) to h) as shown in item 1.1 above, with the exception that steps c) to g) are performed using the proportional relationships demonstrated by the inventors between the colorimetric coefficient a* of each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, and Y and their respective inking levels on the printed paper, and between the maximum absorbance of the Ormix® lens and the colorimetric coefficient a* obtained for each of the printed primary colors C, M, and Y.

[0092] Specifically, using C, M, and Y Commercially available As can be seen in FIGS. 7a to 7c obtained after printing on paper by a printer, the inventors have demonstrated that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation of y = ax + b, where y represents the colorimetric coefficient a* of C, M, and Y, and x represents the coefficients as percentages of the 2000 dpi inking levels of C, M, and Y in FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, respectively.

[0093] 1.2.4. According to other embodiments of FIGS. 8a - 8c, the optical parameters of the C, M, Y inks on the printed paper used for the first and second experimental correlations are selected to be the colorimetric coefficient b*, and this method is performed by executing the same sequential steps a) - h) as shown in Section 1.1 above, with the exception that steps c) - g) are performed using the proportional relationships demonstrated by the inventors between the colorimetric coefficient b* of each of the separately printed primary colors C, M, Y and their respective inking levels on the printed paper, and between the maximum absorbance of the Ormix® lens and the colorimetric coefficient b* obtained for each of the printed primary colors C, M, Y.

[0094] Specifically, using C, M, Y Commercially available As can be seen in FIGS. 8a - 8c obtained after printing on paper by a printer, the inventors have demonstrated that the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation of y = ax + b, where y represents the colorimetric coefficient b* of C, M, Y, and x represents the coefficient as a percentage of the 2000 dpi inking level of C, M, Y in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c, respectively.

[0095] It should be noted that generally, any type of commercially available sublimable C, M, Y inks useful in the ophthalmic field can potentially be used in the present invention.

[0096] 2. A second series of experiments (see FIGS. 10 - 15) for obtaining custom ophthalmic lenses having predetermined transmission and / or maximum absorbance in both the visible region (M and C primary colors) and the invisible region (UV absorber) by sublimation and absorption ) Seven recipes 1 - 7 each containing a predetermined inking level of magenta (M) and cyan (C) (excluding the yellow Y primary color) and a commercially available sublimable UV absorber useful in the ophthalmic field were printed separately by the same Commercially available printer as detailed in Table 3 below.

[0097] [Table 3]

[0098] 2.1. First Preferred Embodiment (see Figures 10 to 12 and Figure 15) ) According to the first embodiment of this second series of experiments, the optical parameters of the UV-invisible ink on the printed support used for the first and second experimental correlations are selected to be the K / S ratio, and this method was carried out by performing the following successive steps: a) Commercially available Printing on paper by a printer according to a predetermined inking level of UV for separately printed recipes b) Measuring separately the reflectance parameter R of each of the printed recipes by reflectance spectrophotometry on the printed paper (measurement according to wavelength, see the graph in Figure 10) c) For each separately printed recipe, by selecting the wavelength of 410 nm in Figure 10 for the calculation of each K / S ratio, converting the measured reflectance parameter R to a value of the K / S ratio using the relationship between R and K / S (K / S = (1 - R) 2 / 2R) d) For each separately printed recipe, comparing this measured value of the K / S ratio obtained in c) with the reference value of K / S from the data of the reference lenses manufactured from the same paper by the same sublimation and dye fixation steps and having the same minimum transmittance or maximum absorbance, these data being available from the software storage medium coupled to the printer and being the result of the first and second experimental correlations (as will be explained below with respect to Figures 11 to 13 respectively), and identifying the difference between both the measured value and the reference value e) For each separately printed recipe, if the difference identified in d) is not zero, the ratio of K / S of the reference value of K / S to the measured value, i.e., CC = (K / S) reference / (K / S) measuredCalculating a compensation coefficient "CC" equal to [the value], and then obtaining a compensated ink level "CIL" [e.g., for the current ink level of 2250 dpi of Recipe 1, CIL = CC × 2250 dpi] from the calculated compensation coefficient according to the rule of three, f) For each separate recipe obtained in e), reprinting on paper according to the compensated ink level, g) Optionally, repeating steps b) - f) sequentially for that or each separate recipe at at least one newly compensated ink level until the newly measured value of the K / S ratio for each of the separate recipes is equal to the reference value of the K / S ratio, h) Thermally transferring by sublimation the dyes of each recipe printed at the current or newly compensated ink level onto an ophthalmic lens customized to exhibit a desired predetermined maximum absorbance or minimum transmittance.

[0099] Regarding step d), the inventors have demonstrated that, according to the present invention, there is actually a proportional relationship between the K / S ratio of each separately printed recipe and the ink level of the UV absorber in the printed recipe, which is evidenced by FIG. 11 where the first experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.0011x - 0.2574 (R 2 = 0.9359), where y represents the K / S ratio of M and x represents the ink level of the UV absorber in the range of 2250 - 2550 dpi.

[0100] The inventors have also demonstrated that there is a proportional relationship between the lens transmittance at 415 nm of an ORMA® lens and the K / S ratio measured at 410 nm for each separately printed recipe (i.e., for each ink level of the UV absorber), which is evidenced by FIG. 12 showing that the second experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = -30.348x + 117.08 (R 2 = 0.8993), where y represents the transmittance and x represents the K / S ratio.

[0101] In FIGS. 11 and 12, note that the black bars (vertical in FIG. 11 and horizontal in FIG. 12) represent the minimum and maximum values obtained for the K / S ratio among five measurements made on the printed paper.

[0102] Furthermore, the inventors have demonstrated that there is a proportional relationship between the maximum absorbance of the ORMA® lens and the inking level of the UV absorber that defines the printed recipe, which is shown by FIG. 13 where the second experimental correlation is close to a linear correlation such as y = 0.0005x - 0.6213 (R 2 = 0.9797), where y represents the maximum absorbance and x represents the inking level of the UV absorber.

[0103] In other words, the inventors have demonstrated that the absorption / transmission power of the lens is directly related to the inking level of the UV absorber on the printed paper, and this inking level is controlled by the K / S ratio to predict the maximum absorbance or minimum transmittance of the lens by means of a compensation factor applied to the current inking level of that or each recipe.

[0104] Specifically, the compensation factor is calculated from the reference value of the K / S ratio of the UV absorber and the measured value of the K / S ratio, and then, as a result of the simple rule of three, the compensated inking level of the UV absorber is obtained. The reference value of the K / S value is selected according to the first day when the printing of the paper in the recipe was started.

[0105] Tables 4 and 5 below detail exemplary embodiments of the method of the present invention according to this first preferred embodiment of the second series of experiments.

[0106]

Table 4

[0107] From the compensation factors calculated for the UV absorber first printed in each recipe, the reflectance R is again measured from the compensated inking level CIL derived from each compensation factor CC by the law of 3, and then converted to the new K / S ratio as described above, resulting in a new compensation factor, and finally, the predicted maximum absorbance or minimum transmittance obtained from the newly measured K / S ratio matches (i.e., is equal to) the reference K / S ratio, thus matching the predetermined maximum absorbance or minimum transmittance that will be obtained for the custom lens.

[0108]

Table 5

[0109] When the newly calculated compensation factor becomes equal to 1.00 (or approximately equal according to a given tolerance), this means that the newly measured K / S ratio matches the reference K / S ratio, and thus the predetermined maximum absorbance or minimum transmittance that will be obtained for the custom lens. The printed paper containing the UV absorber is thermally transferred in step h) above by a fixing step such as sublimation and subsequent absorption onto the lens blank, and as a result, the UV absorber is properly fixed in the surface sublayer (a few micrometers thick) of the lens blank, and finally, an ophthalmic lens showing the desired maximum absorbance or minimum transmittance is obtained.

[0110] As can be seen in the graph of FIG. 16 showing the daily variation of the K / S ratio at 410 nm of the printed paper for the UV absorber (including the minimum and maximum errors of the K / S ratio value, at 60% of the maximum inking level), in order to maintain a substantially constant daily inking level of the UV absorber and thus a reproducible absorbance or transmittance for the obtained ophthalmic lens, Commercially available Prin Type of an additional daily adjustment of the inking level was required. Specifically, as soon as a significant decrease in the inking level of the UV absorber was detected, the printer was adjusted to print this UV absorber according to an increased inking level accordingly.

[0111] It should be noted that generally, any commercially available sublimable UV absorber useful in the ophthalmic field can be used in the present invention.

[0112] 2.2. Other embodiments of the second series of experiments (see FIGS. 14-15) ) 2.2.1. According to the comparative embodiment of FIG. 14, the optical parameter for the UV absorber on the printed paper used in the first and second experimental correlations is selected to be its optical density. By the method of the present invention, very satisfactory results are obtained at low to medium inking levels (about 2250-2450 dpi) of the UV absorber, and a proportional relationship is observed between the optical density of the UV absorber and the inking level. However, this is not seen at higher inking levels (above about 2450 dpi) of the UV absorber, which was close to a cubic function - thus not a linear function.

[0113] 2.2.2. According to another comparative embodiment of FIG. 15, the optical parameter for the UV absorber on the printed paper used in the first and second experimental correlations is selected to be the reflectance of the paper. By the method of the present invention, similarly, very satisfactory results are obtained at low to medium inking levels (about 2250-2400 dpi) of the UV absorber, and a proportional relationship is observed between the reflectance of the paper and the inking level of the UV absorber. However, this is not seen at higher inking levels (above about 2400 dpi) of the UV absorber, which was close to another cubic function - thus not a linear function.

[0114] 3. Experiment for obtaining custom ophthalmic lenses dyed with C, M, and / or Y primary colors by matching a new printer with a reference printer using a correction factor (see FIG. 17~19c for reference) 3.1. Experiment using the measured value of the reflectance parameter R on printed paper Test The three primary colors M, Y, and C were printed with the same printing parameters (e.g., 2000 dpi) by each of the reference printer and the new printer.

[0115] Each printer thus printed on paper, and for each of the obtained colors M, Y, and C, the reflectance was measured.

[0116] Using the conversion ratio K / S already detailed, for each of the colors M, Y, and C and for each printer, what corresponds to the calculated dpi was obtained (e.g., 1994 dpi of M printed by the reference printer vs. 2015 dpi of M printed by the new printer).

[0117] Thereafter, the dpi ratio was specified for each of the colors M, Y, and C, and this ratio is equal to the dpi calculated for each of M, Y, and C with respect to the new printer / the dpi calculated with respect to the reference printer.

[0118] This ratio represents the correction to be brought to the printing parameters of the new printer in order to match this new printer with the reference printer. Performed

[0119] 3.2 Experiment using the measured visual transmittance Tv values of the obtained ophthalmic lenses (see Figure 17~19c for reference): The three primary colors M, Y, and C were printed with the same printing parameters (e.g., 2000 dpi) by each of the reference printer and the new printer.

[0120] Sublimation and absorption processes were performed on the three colors M, Y, and C printed by both printers using six identical ophthalmic lenses.

[0121] Thereafter, the transmittance spectra obtained for each of these six lenses were measured by the spectrophotometer "Cary 60".

[0122] Figure 17As can be seen, for each color M, Y, and C obtained from each printer, the measured lens transmittance Tv values were converted to absorption rate A values (by using the well-known relationship A = 2 - logTv). As a result, it became possible to enhance / differentiate each color more finely (i.e., distinguish more precisely), which is because, while they were sufficiently characteristic for each color and appeared in the form of absorption rate peaks centered around specific wavelengths, the transmittance spectra of each color were not very characteristic (i.e., it had a certain broad crease rather than a peak, refer to the absorption rate spectrum in Fig. 17 ).

[0123] The absorption rate ratios of each color M, Y, and C were calculated, and this ratio was equal to the absorption rate estimated from the transmittance measured with the new printer / the absorption rate estimated from the transmittance measured with the reference printer.

[0124] Fig. 18a to 18c and 19a - 19 In c As can be seen, the obtained straight lines corresponding to the characteristic wavelengths of M, Y, and C for each color absorption rate at dpi (i.e., color density) were traced. In particular, refer to the graphs of the absorption rate of the corrected lens against dpi for each of the separate primaries of M, Y, and C in Fig. 19a to 19c .

[0125] When the two straight lines obtained for each of the two printers had different slopes, a slope ratio equal to the slope obtained by the new printer / the slope obtained by the reference printer was calculated, and based on this slope ratio, the correction factors applied to each color M, Y, and C obtained by the new printer were determined (for example, the new printer could supply more ink than the reference printer). In one example, the slope ratio of the new printer / reference printer was about 0.85.

[0126] Table 6 below shows exemplary correction factors obtained for the slope ratios of the new printer / reference printer for the three colors M, Y, and C

[0127]

Table 6

[0128] Both of the methods disclosed in the above items 3.1 and 3.2 are reliable and seem to lead to similar results. However, it should be noted that the method of item 3.2 using the measured value of the visual transmittance Tv on the ophthalmic lens is preferred in order to take into account any possible unexpected negative effects arising from the entire process (from the first printing step to the sublimation and absorption steps). It is preferred to use the measurement of the visual transmittance Tv of the ophthalmic lens in order to take into account all possible unexpected / adverse effects arising from the entire process (from the initial printing process to the sublimation and absorption processes).

[0129] 4. Experiment to monitor the inking level of the printer (replacing a simple conventional visual monitor for ink replenishment) Figures 20a to 20c Refer to ) The printer printed the three primary colors M, Y, and C with the same printing parameters (e.g., 2000 dpi).

[0130] The reflectance parameter R of each printed color obtained on the paper was measured together with other optical parameters.

[0131] Using the conversion ratio K / S detailed above, a simulation (i.e., a computationally equivalent estimate) of dpi was obtained for each of the colors M, Y, and C (e.g., 1994 dpi for M, 2215 dpi for Y, and 1800 dpi for C).

[0132] Specifically, the operator compared the 2000 dpi (set printing parameter) measured for M, Y, and C of the printed paper, and Table 7 below shows the dpi obtained by some exemplary simulations using the K / S conversion ratio from the measurements of the analyzed paper.

[0133]

Table 7

[0134] The ratio of the equivalent dpi / set printing parameters of each color M, Y, C (2000 dpi in this example) was calculated. Table 8 below shows the exemplary correction factors finally obtained in this way.

[0135]

Table 8

[0136] For at least one of the three primary colors M, Y, C, if the correction factor indicated by the ratio defined above is either less than 0.9 or greater than 1.1 (i.e., there is a difference exceeding ±10%), a second printing of the relevant color was performed and the corresponding correction factor was determined. If the relevant correction factor after this second printing was still outside the range of the ±10% difference, it was determined that the ink cartridge should be replaced with another one.

[0137] It should be noted that this monitoring method according to the present invention can be automated as an advantage, and ink remaining amount alerts that require cartridge replacement can be generated for at least one of the primary colors M, Y, C.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining a custom optical article comprising a main surface having at least one predetermined optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region selected from absorbance and transmittance, by thermal transfer using sublimation technology from a printed support comprising a support and at least one ink printed on the support according to an inking level, wherein the at least one ink comprises at least one sublimable dye selected from visible dyes, invisible dyes, and mixtures thereof, A method comprising the step of controlling the inking level of the at least one ink to obtain the custom optical article by using an experimentally identified variation law of the at least one predetermined optical property in accordance with the inking level of the at least one ink.

2. The variation law for the at least one predetermined optical property corresponding to the inking level of the at least one ink is, - A first experimental correlation between the optical parameters of the at least one ink on the printed support and the inking level, wherein the optical parameters of the at least one ink are selected from the K / S ratio of its absorbance coefficient versus scattering coefficient, its optical density, its colorimetric coefficient, for example, its colorimetric lightness L*, colorimetric coefficients a* and b*, and combinations thereof, - A second experimental correlation between at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, selected from the maximum absorbance and minimum transmittance values ​​of the optical article and measured at at least one given wavelength in the visible and / or invisible light region, and the optical parameter of the at least one ink. The method according to claim 1, which is experimentally determined by using a combination of the following.

3. - The first experimental correlation is a linear correlation of the form y = ax + b, where y represents the optical parameter of the at least one ink on the printed support, x represents the inking level of the at least one ink, and a and b are constants representing the at least one ink. - The second experimental correlation is a linear correlation of the form y = a'x + b', where y represents the at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, x represents the optical parameter of the at least one ink on the printed support, and a' and b' are constants representing the at least one ink. The method according to claim 2.

4. The step includes compensating the inking level of the at least one ink with the first experimental correlation and available data of a reference optical article pre-fabricated by thermal transfer from a similar printed support, each of the reference optical articles comprising a main surface having at least one known optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region similar to the at least one predetermined optical property, and the available data of the reference optical article is obtained from the first and second experimental correlations. - A step of calculating a compensation coefficient from reference values ​​and measured values ​​of the optical parameters for the at least one ink, wherein the reference values ​​of the optical parameters are derived from available data of the reference optical article and correspond to the at least one predicted optical characteristic of the custom optical article, and thereafter, - A step of obtaining the compensated inking level of the at least one ink from the calculated compensation coefficient, The method according to claim 2 or 3, including the method described in claim 2 or 3.

5. a) A step of printing on the support using at least one printer according to a specified inking level for the at least one ink, wherein the support is opaque to visible light and is made of, for example, paper; b) The step of measuring the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink on the printed support by reflectance spectrophotometry, c) A step of converting the reflectance parameter R of the at least one ink to the measured value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink by using the relationship between the reflectance parameter R and the optical parameter, d) The step of comparing the measured value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink obtained in c) with the reference value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink and identifying the difference between the two values, If the difference determined in e) and d) is not zero, calculate a compensation coefficient equal to the ratio of the measured value of the optical parameter to the reference value of the optical parameter for the at least one ink, and then obtain the compensated inking level for the at least one ink from the calculated compensation coefficient by the rule of three, f) The step of reprinting onto the support according to the compensated inking level of the at least one ink obtained in e), g) optionally repeating steps b) to f) sequentially for at least one ink at at least one newly compensated inking level until the newly measured value of the optical parameter of at least one ink equals the reference value of the optical parameter. h) The steps of thermally transferring the at least one dye of the at least one ink printed at the current or newly compensated inking level onto the optical article to be customized by sublimation to obtain the main surface of the custom optical article having the at least one predicted optical properties that match the at least one predetermined optical properties, The method according to claim 4, including the method described in claim 4.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of printing multiple times sequentially on the support to detect changes in inking over time by the at least one printer for a given recipe of the at least one ink, and compensating for the detected changes in inking by adapting, for example, increasing the inking level in response to a previously detected decrease, to provide consistent values ​​for the at least one measured value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink and for the resulting at least one predetermined optical property of the custom optical article.

7. The process further includes the step of matching the new printer to the reference printer by using a correction factor, wherein the correction factor is: (i) A measure of the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink printed on the support by the reference printer and the new printer using the same printing parameters, The measured values ​​of the optical parameters of the at least one ink, such as the K / S ratio, are converted to obtain a calculated equivalent inking level for the at least one ink, and for the at least one ink, an inking level ratio equal to the equivalent inking level calculated for the new printer / the equivalent inking level calculated for the reference printer is identified. The inking level ratio represents the correction coefficient that will be applied to the print parameters of the new printer in order to match the new printer to the reference printer. From the measured value of the reflectance parameter R, or (ii) A visual transmittance Tv measurement on the custom optical article, The at least one ink is printed onto the support by the reference printer and the new printer with the same printing parameters, and the sublimation is performed on the at least one ink printed by both printers to obtain the custom optical article. The transmittance Tv measurement is converted to an absorptive A measurement, and the resulting ratio for the at least one ink is calculated, wherein the absorptive is equal to the absorptive estimated from the transmittance measured in the new printer / the absorptive estimated from the transmittance measured in the reference printer. A straight line is obtained for the at least one ink corresponding to the absorptivity versus the inking level at its characteristic wavelength, and if the two straight lines obtained for both printers have different slopes, a slope ratio equal to the slope obtained by the new printer / the slope obtained by the reference printer is calculated, and this slope ratio is derived from a visual transmittance Tv measurement that identifies the correction coefficient to be applied to the at least one ink printed by the new printer. The method according to claim 5, which can be obtained.

8. The step further includes monitoring the inking level of the at least one ink printed on the support by the at least one printer according to a setting print parameter that defines a setting inking level, wherein the monitoring step includes a reflectance parameter R measurement for the at least one ink. The measured value of the reflectance parameter R is converted into a measured value of the optical parameter of the at least one ink, such as the K / S ratio, to obtain a calculated equivalent inking level for the at least one ink. An inking level ratio is calculated that defines the equivalent inking level / correction factor equal to the set inking level for the at least one ink, and if the correction factor is outside a predetermined range for the at least one ink, for example, less than 0.9 or greater than 1.1, then at least one second print of the at least one ink is performed in the same manner, and the corresponding correction factor is again identified for the at least one ink. If the correction coefficient of the at least one ink is still outside the range after the at least one second print, the ink cartridge of the at least one printer is replaced. The method according to claim 5.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one predetermined optical property in the visible light and / or invisible light region is the maximum absorption value of the optical article measured at at least one given wavelength in the visible light and / or invisible light region.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one predetermined optical property is in the visible light region, the at least one ink comprises at least one primary color consisting of cyan and / or magenta and / or yellow (CMY), the primary colors are printed separately on the support, and the inking level of each primary color is controlled separately.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one predetermined optical property is in the invisible light region, and the at least one ink comprises an invisible single-component dye selected from UV absorbers and IR absorbers for optical articles.

12. The aforementioned thermal transfer is (i) drying the printed support, (ii) Transferring the at least one dye of the at least one ink from the dried printed support to the surface of the optical article intended to form the custom optical article by sublimation by vacuum heating, (iii) Fixing the at least one dye to a surface sublayer of the optical article, for example, several micrometers thick, to form the main surface of the custom optical article, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one predetermined optical property of the custom optical article is obtained solely from the inking level of the at least one ink, and a final step for modification, such as a dipping dyeing step, is omitted.

14. A system for obtaining a custom optical article comprising a main surface having at least one predetermined optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region selected from absorbance and transmittance, by thermal transfer using sublimation technology from a printed support comprising a support and at least one ink printed on the support according to an inking level, wherein the at least one ink comprises at least one sublimable dye selected from visible dyes, invisible dyes, and mixtures thereof, The system comprises at least one printer and a computer-readable medium equipped with or coupled to the at least one printer, wherein the computer-readable medium carries one or more stored instruction sequences of a computer program, which are accessible from a processor and, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the inking level of the at least one ink in order to obtain the custom optical article by using experimentally identified variation rules of the at least one predetermined optical property depending on the inking level of the at least one ink.

15. The system further includes a reflectance spectrophotometer configured to measure the reflectance parameter R of at least one ink on the printed support, The above or a plurality of stored instruction sequences are configured to implement the variation rule of the at least one predetermined optical property depending on the inking level of the at least one ink, the variation rule is, - A first experimental correlation between the optical parameters of the at least one ink on the printed support and the inking level, wherein the optical parameters are calculated from the reflectance parameter R of the at least one ink and selected from the K / S ratio of its absorbance coefficient versus scattering coefficient, its optical density, its colorimetric coefficient, for example its colorimetric lightness L*, colorimetric coefficients a* and b*, and combinations thereof, - A second experimental correlation between at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, selected from the maximum absorbance and minimum transmittance values ​​of the optical article and measured at at least one given wavelength in the visible and / or invisible light region, and the optical parameter of the at least one ink. The system according to claim 14, which is experimentally determined by using a combination of the following.

16. - The first experimental correlation is a linear correlation of the form y = ax + b, where y represents the optical parameter of the at least one ink on the printed support, x represents the inking level of the at least one ink, and a and b are constants. - The second experimental correlation is a linear correlation of the form y = a'x + b', where y represents the at least one predicted optical property of the custom optical article, x represents the optical parameter of the at least one ink on the printed support, and a' and b' are constants. The system according to claim 15.

17. The above or a plurality of stored instruction sequences are configured to compensate for the inking level for the at least one ink by the first experimental correlation and available data of a reference optical article pre-fabricated by thermal transfer from a similar printed support, each of the available reference optical articles comprising a main surface having at least one known optical property in the visible and / or invisible light region similar to the at least one predetermined optical property, and the available data of the reference optical article is obtained from the first and second experimental correlations. The aforementioned, or a plurality of, stored instruction sequences are - The system is configured to calculate a compensation coefficient from the reference value and measured value of the optical parameter for the at least one ink, wherein the reference value of the optical parameter is derived from the available data of the reference optical article and corresponds to the at least one predicted optical characteristic of the custom optical article, and thereafter, - Obtain the compensated inking level of the at least one ink from the calculated compensation coefficient. The system according to claim 15 or 16, configured as described above.

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