Functionalized optical laminate, functionalized optical article, eyewear including these, and method for producing these

Abstract

Provided are a functionalized optical laminate, a functionalized optical article, eyewear including these, and a method for manufacturing these. **Solution**: A functionalized optical laminate, a functionalized optical article, eyewear having these, and a method for manufacturing the same. The functionalized optical laminate includes - a first element representing a first single layer or a plurality of functional films (15), - at least one second element selected from a protective liner or a base optical element (1) or a second functional film, - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, and at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') has optical quality and has a colorant (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to functionalized optical layered structures, functionalized optical articles, eyewear including these, and methods for manufacturing these.

Background Art

[0002] The process of preparing functionalized optical layered structures such as ophthalmic tinted lenses involves several manufacturing methods.

[0003] As is known in the prior art, lenses are often colored by introducing a colored additive into molten glass, and similarly, polycarbonate lenses are also injection molded from pre-colored plastic particles. A drawback associated with these methods is the very limited flexibility in the range of colors that can be provided. Further, lenses having widely varying thicknesses exhibit non-uniform transmittance when colored by this method.

[0004] Conventionally, as one of the dyeing methods for plastic lenses for glasses, in most cases, the immersion dyeing method has been adopted. This immersion dyeing method includes preparing a dyeing solution by mixing dyes of the primary colors red, blue, and yellow and dispersing the mixture in water, heating the dyeing solution to about 90°C, and immersing the plastic lens in the heated solution, thereby dyeing the lens.

[0005] As an alternative to the immersion dyeing method, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01277814, a vapor deposition or sublimation dyeing method has been proposed. This method includes heating a sublimable solid dye under vacuum so as to sublime the dye and simultaneously deposit the sublimed dye on a plastic lens heated under vacuum, thereby dyeing the lens.

[0006] More precisely, as disclosed in FIGS. 1a-1c, this type of sublimation method includes a sublimation step (FIG. 1a) in which the optical base element 1 is provided within the sublimation enclosure 2, where the sublimable colorant 3 pre-printed on the surface of the paper support 4 and facing the optical base element 1 is sublimated and then deposited on the opposing surface 6 of the optical base element 1, resulting in the assembly shown in FIG. 1b, where the upper surface 6 of the optical base element 1 is covered by the sublimated colorant 3.

[0007] A further step occurring within the absorption enclosure depicted in FIG. 1c involves fixing the colorant on the surface of the optical base element by exposing the assembly 1, 3 such that the colorant is heated for a sufficient time to allow it to fix to the surface and / or thickness of the base element. Such a method is particularly highly regarded, as it generates relatively little colorant waste and requires no more colorant than is simply printed on the paper and then sublimated and fixed on the lens, in comparison to less sustainable methods such as the immersion coloring method described above.

[0008] However, depending on the chemical properties of the optical-based element 1, the absorption step may last from 1 hour to, in some cases, more than several hours in order for the fixation of the colorant on / through the lens to be effective. Furthermore, due to this relatively long absorption time and temperature, some already functionalized optical-based elements have been found to be unable to withstand such coloring methods and are not relatively sustainable, and thus need to be colored by alternative solutions such as immersion coloring processes. In addition, as depicted in FIG. 1c, in the case of a curved optical-based element, the colorant is usually deposited on the concave surface rather than on the convex surface in order to avoid any movement of the sublimated colorant towards the periphery of the optical-based element that occurs when the colorant is deposited on the convex side. Furthermore, in the absorption step, the resulting colored optical-based element is then inverted (FIG. 1c) so that its colored concave side faces the floor of the absorption oven in order to avoid any movement of the colorant towards the center of the lens during the absorption step and thereby avoid the generation of an unwanted color gradient. As a result, due to this configuration, it is common to observe that some wasted colorant is deposited on the floor base of the absorption enclosure instead of being fixed on the concave surface of the optical-based element. This means that, for a given target lens color, slightly more coloring agent printing is required in anticipation of the coloring agent waste 3' generated during the absorption step.

[0009] Therefore, both the immersion dyeing method and the conventional sublimation dyeing method have the drawback that they cannot provide stably dyed lenses. Specifically, it is difficult to dye lenses due to low dyeability, or to dye lenses in deep or high-density colors. In both cases of the sublimation method and the immersion coloring method, it may not be very possible to dye already functionalized lenses.

[0010] On the other hand, for optical articles, in order to provide articles with specific functions such as scratch resistance and polarization, a further functionalized structure composed of a single or multiple layer structure that can be laminated and adhered to the optical base element can be provided on the optical base element.

[0011] However, in this case, when the optical article must be colored, it is the optical base element that needs to be colored, which avoids differentiation in subsequent coloring, or it is one of the functional layers of the further functionalized structure, which involves a relatively long method of coloring and / or a relatively large amount of dye used to reach the targeted coloring to obtain the darkest optical article.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] Therefore, there is an actual need for new methods that are industrially effective for coloring optical lenses and that do not have the drawbacks of prior art systems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] According to the present disclosure, this goal is achieved by - a first element representing a first single layer or multiple layer functional film, - at least one second element selected from a protective liner or a base optical element or a second functional film, - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality and a colorant, disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, and is obtained by a functionalized optical layered structure having.

[0014] The fact that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a material having a colorant has the advantage of reducing the time required for fixation and the amount thereof required to achieve a specific coloring, in comparison with the time and amount of dye required when the colorant is sublimated on a plastic lens, and also, in some cases, in comparison with the method in which the base element or functional layer of the multilayer structure needs to be dyed. Another advantage is the possible subsequent differentiation due to the speed of the method and the possibility of defining a one-piece flow process.

[0015] Advantageously, the colorant has a sublimable, printable, sprayable, or ink-jetable colorant.

[0016] Preferably, the second element is a base optical element, and at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer defines a peeling force during drying and a peeling force during wetting for separating the first element from the second element, each of which is greater than 13 N / 25 mm.

[0017] More preferably, the decrease between the peeling force of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14’) during drying and the peeling force during wetting is at least 35% or less.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a storage modulus G’ of less than 1.6×10⁵ Pa at 85 °C, preferably 1.5×10⁵ Pa or less, and exhibits a dry peeling force and a wet peeling force, both of which are 20 N / 25 mm, preferably in the range of 21 to 40 N / 25 mm including both ends.

[0019] According to still other aspects of the present invention, the functionalized optical layered structure - The colorant has a sublimable, printable, sprayable, or ink-jetable colorant, - The at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness in the range of 5 μm to 150 μm or more, - The pressure-sensitive adhesive material is selected from compounds based on polyacrylate. - The first element represents a functional film including at least one function selected from boundary coatings such as color, polarization, photochromic, electrochromic, impact resistance, wear resistance, antistatic, antiglare, stain prevention, fog prevention, water repellency, antireflection, or mirror coating, dichroic filters, and spectral filters in a defined wavelength band. It can be in a state where any of the features as described above are considered alone or in combination with each other and / or among those described above.

[0020] The present invention relates to a functionalized optical article having a base element and applied on one surface of the base element, and the functionalized optical layer structure - A first element representing a first single-layer or multi-layer functional film, - At least one second element selected from a protective liner, a base optical element, or a second functional film, - At least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality and having a colorant. and has.

[0021] Advantageously, the functionalized optical layer structure of the functionalized optical article can have any combination of the features of the functionalized optical layer structure described above.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, an eyewear device having a support structure such as a frame and at least one functionalized optical article intended to be enclosed within the support structure and edge-treated according to the dimensions of the support structure, the functionalized optical article having a base element, and a functionalized optical layer structure being applied on the base element, the functionalized optical layer structure - A first element representing a first single-layer or multi-layer functional film, - At least one second element selected from a protective liner, a base optical element, or a second functional film, - At least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in a contact state between at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality and having a colorant; has.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the eyewear device, different layers of the base element of the edge-treated functionalized optical article are adhered to each other, or have no bubbles whatsoever, or peel between continuous layers throughout the edge-treated surface and up to the edge of the optical article.

[0024] Preferably, the functionalized optical layer structure of the eyewear device has any combination of the features of the functionalized optical layer structure described above.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention - A step of providing a functionalized optical layer structure, the functionalized optical layer structure comprising · A first element representing a first single layer or a multi-layer functional film, and · Having at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality, the step; - A step of coloring at least one surface of at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a colorant; relates to a method for manufacturing a functionalized optical layer structure having.

[0026] Ideally, the step of coloring at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a sublimation step, the colorant is sublimable, and in the sublimation step, at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is in a flat form, and the colorant transfer support facing at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is in a flat form. Optionally, at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can also not be flat, i.e., it can be bent if the consumable in which it is incorporated is in a preformed or curved configuration.

[0027] In this case, the distance between the colorant transfer support part and at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is less than 15 mm, preferably less than 12 mm, and preferably more than 5 mm.

[0028] Also, according to an interesting embodiment, the method has an absorption step for fixing the colorant to at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer after the coloring step.

[0029] In this case, advantageously, in the absorption step, at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is arranged such that the surface on which the colorant is deposited constitutes the upper surface of at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

[0030] More preferably, the absorption step allows the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to be softened without dissolution, for example, at a predetermined temperature and time such as less than 1 hour and less than 90 °C, preferably 10 minutes and less than 90 °C, so that the colorant is fixed on the surface and / or penetrates the thickness of the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and has a step of heating the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

[0031] Advantageously, the heating step has a step of heating the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer by convection of air or by surface irradiation such as IR / UV laser irradiation.

[0032] The method for manufacturing a functionalized optical laminate is - The step of coloring at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a colorant is implemented before the step of arranging at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive in contact with the at least one surface of the second element. - The colorant is a sublimable, printable, sprayable, or inkjetable colorant, and the step of coloring at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is, respectively, a step of sublimating, printing, spraying, or inkjetting the colorant on at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. - On the surfaces of the first and second elements intended to be arranged in contact with the at least one adhesive layer, a surface treatment selected from a plasma treatment carried out in an inert nitrogen atmosphere having a dosage in the range of 40 to 100 W·min / m² and a corona treatment carried out in atmospheric air having a dosage in the range of 40 to 50 W·min / m² is applied before the arrangement in the contact state so that the decrease between the peel force in the dry state and the peel force in the wet state is 35% or less including the ends. Any of the features can be had alone or among each other and / or in a state considered among those described above.

[0033] According to a possible embodiment, the PSA supported between two protective liners can also be colored. After the coloring of the PSA, this can be applied to the first element in the form of a functional film and then can be applied onto the second element in the form of an optical base element.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a functionalized optical article, which - A step of thermoforming a functionalized optical layered structure according to the base element curvature of the base element, wherein the functionalized optical layered structure o A first element representing a first single layer or a multilayer functional film, o At least one second element selected from a protective liner or a second functional film, o At least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer arranged in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality and a colorant. Having, the step and - A step of fixing the ophthalmic functional film structure thermoformed on the base element. Having.

[0035] Preferably, the functionalized optical laminate of the above-described manufacturing method can have any combination of the features of the above-described functionalized optical laminate.

[0036] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an eyewear device, the method comprising: - thermoforming an ophthalmic functional film structure according to a base element curvature, the ophthalmic functional film structure comprising: o a first element representing a first single-layer or multi-layer functional film, o at least one second element selected from a protective liner or a second functional film, o at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality and having a colorant, comprising the step of; - fixing the ophthalmic functional film structure thermoformed on the base element; - edge-treating the thermoformed ophthalmic functional film structure applied on the base element according to the dimensions of the support structure. comprising.

[0037] For a more complete understanding of the description provided herein and its advantages, reference should be made to the following brief description in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description in which like reference numerals represent like parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the following description, the figures in the drawings do not necessarily have the correct scale, and certain features may be shown in generalized or schematic form for purposes of clarity and brevity or for purposes of reference. In addition, although the implementation and use of various embodiments are detailed below, it should be understood that this specification provides numerous inventive concepts that can be implemented in various situations. The embodiments described herein are merely representative and do not limit the scope of the invention. Also, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all technical features defined in relation to a process can be replaced, individually or in combination, by an apparatus, and conversely, all technical functions related to an apparatus can be replaced, individually or in combination, by a process.

[0040] To avoid unnecessary details in the implementation of the present invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION Representative processes and apparatuses are detailed herein, but those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of what is described and defined by the appended patent claims.

[0042] Optical article / optical (base) element According to the invention, the optical article has at least one pressure - sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality, having a colorant, and being arranged in contact with at least one surface of a first element and at least one surface of a second element.

[0043] The fact that the pressure - sensitive adhesive layer is a material having a colorant has the advantage of reducing the time required for its fixation and the amount of dye required to achieve a specific coloring, in comparison with the time and amount of dye required when the colorant applicable in the conventional method shown in FIGS. 1a - 1c is sublimated on a plastic lens.

[0044] More specifically, for the purposes of the present invention, an optical article is considered to be transparent when the observation of an image through this element is perceived without a significant loss of contrast. In other words, the interposition of a transparent optical element between the image and the observer of the image does not significantly reduce the quality of the image. In the field of ophthalmology, this definition is considered to be met when the optical element has a haze of 1 or less, preferably 0.4 or less. This definition of the term "transparent" is applicable to all objects considered to be so in the context of the present invention.

[0045] An optical article is defined herein as one of an ophthalmic element / lens, an eye cup, and a vision optical system. Non-limiting examples of ophthalmic elements include not only corrective and non-corrective lenses, which may or may not be segmented, including single vision or multi-vision lenses, but also, without limitation, magnifying lenses and protective lenses or visors such as those found in spectacles, glasses, sunglasses, goggles, and helmets, and other elements used to correct, protect, or improve vision.

[0046] The optical article is composed of an optical base element coated with a functional structure, both of which are described below.

[0047] The ophthalmic base element may be a standard component selected from the group consisting of an optical lens, a window, a visor, preferably an optical lens, more preferably an ophthalmic lens.

[0048] The ophthalmic base element can be selected from the group consisting of a finished lens, a semi-finished lens, a progressive multifocal lens, an afocal lens, a plano lens, a single-focus lens, and a multifocal lens.

[0049] A semi-finished lens (SF) means a lens having one optical surface and another surface that needs to be polished to the wearer's prescription.

[0050] The optical lens element could be manufactured from any material conventionally used in optics. Specifically, the optical base element is manufactured from a plastic which can be a thermoplastic or a thermosetting material. Examples of plastics include polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate and copolymers of polycarbonate, polyolefin, i.e., polynorbornene, polymers and copolymers of diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), (meth)acrylic polymers and copolymers, i.e., (meth)acrylic polymers and copolymers derived from bisphenol A, thio(meth)acrylic polymers and copolymers, urethane and thiourethane polymers and copolymers, epoxy polymers and copolymers, and episulfide polymers and copolymers. In a preferred embodiment, the optical base element is manufactured from polycarbonate having a refractive index of 1.60 to 1.67 or a high refractive index poly(thio)urethane, or episulfide having a refractive index of 1.60 to 1.67. More preferably, the optical base element is manufactured from a (thio)urethane-based prepolymer or an episulfide monomer.

[0051] Functional film structure The functional film structure comprises - a single-layer or multi-layer structure supported by an optional support film or carrier, - at least one layer of an optically quality pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA layer) that permanently holds the functional film structure on the surface of the optical base element, - a peelable protective liner, one of which is in contact with the surface of the PSA layer and the second of which is in direct contact with the support film of the single-layer, multi-layer structure, or functional film structure and is composed of.

[0052] Preferably, the support film is made of cellulose triacetate (TAC) and has a thickness of at least 40 microns, preferably a thickness of 40 μm to 300 μm, and preferably a thickness of 80 to 190 μm. The material of the support film can be selected from the group of films made of cellulose triacetate (TAC), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), urethane polymer (TPU), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), polyester copoblock amide (such as Pebax), and polyimide.

[0053] The functional film structure useful for the present invention includes at least one functional film or a single-layer structure. In other words, the functional film structure may include one or more functional films, and the functional film structure may include different functions.

[0054] Various types of functional films can be utilized. Examples of functional films include colored films, polarizing films, photochromic films, hard coat films, top coat films, anti-fog films, anti-contamination films, anti-reflection films, and anti-static films. The functional film can have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. In other words, this means a single functional film or a layered structure having at least one support film and one or more individual functional layers (coatings or films) having the same or different properties adhered to each other. Thus, according to one embodiment, the functional film may have a support film, and the support film is adapted to be adhered to or fixed to an optical base element using an adhesive layer.

[0055] When different functional films are present, they can be joined to each other due to surface treatment and / or adhesives, and this preferred option is the type of pressure-sensitive adhesive in the fields of optical elements and ophthalmology.

[0056] However, when the functional film structure includes a multi-layer structure having several PSA layers, the PSA layer to be colored according to the present invention is preferably composed of a PSA layer in direct contact with one of two peelable liners, because this is relatively accessible in addition to the simple removal of the protective liner as compared to other PSA layers. However, other PSA layers can also be colored according to the present invention.

[0057] And when the functional film structure includes a single-layer structure, the surface of the PSA layer to be colored according to the present invention is composed of the surface of the PSA layer in direct contact with one of two peelable liners, because this is relatively accessible in addition to the removal of the protective liner.

[0058] Suitable embodiments of the functional film structure useful for the present invention can have those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0216425 from the applicant and included herein, and also in International Publication Pamphlet No. 2020 / 002606 from the applicant and included herein by reference and shown in FIG. 3.

[0059] PSA: "Pressure Sensitive Adhesive" "Pressure Sensitive Adhesive" means a dry contact adhesive having viscoelastic properties that require only very slight pressure to adhere to the surface existing therebetween.

[0060] "Layer of pressure sensitive adhesive" means a layer made from or manufactured from a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive is characterized by its ability not to require activation by water, solvent, or heat in order to exert a strong adhesive holding force on the surface.

[0061] The pressure-sensitive adhesive can be obtained in the form of a continuous layer (i.e., a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer) produced from a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition sandwiched on a releasable liner (i.e., a release liner) or between two releasable liners (referred to as a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, PSA sheet, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, or adhesive transfer tape).

[0062] European Patent No. 3436210 included herein describes a PSA that is particularly useful for optical base elements according to the present invention such that the edges have optimized properties. The pressure-sensitive adhesive constituting the pressure-sensitive layer useful for the present invention has a storage modulus G' at 85 °C of less than 1.6×10 5 Pa, preferably 1.5 or less, more preferably 1.0 to 1.5×10 5 Pa. 85 degrees Celsius corresponds to the maximum temperature that can be applied to the optical element in a typical edge treatment step. Specifically, this corresponds to the maximum theoretical value of the temperature generated in the edge treatment step by the friction of the edge treatment wheel with the lens material when using severe conditions.

[0063] Tv color a * 、b * 、solar lens category The visual transmittance (Tv) is the transmittance of an optical product perceived by an observer under a specified solar radiation (%). The visual transmittance is preferably regarded as the quality of light provided to the user's light through the optical article / product. This is defined by the average transmittance value of the lens in the visible range of 380 to 780 nm weighted by solar irradiation (D65) and the photopic vision function (V lambda). The principle is to measure the spectral transmittance of the optical product at a reference point under normal incidence using a spectrometer.

[0064] Therefore, the functionalized film structure according to the present invention, together with the associated substrate or optical base element, - more than 80% (known as a clear lens of category or class 0), - 43 to 80% (known as sunglasses of category or class 1), - 18 to 43% (known as sunglasses of class 2), - 8 to 18% (known as sunglasses of class 3), - less than 8% (known as sunglasses of class 4). Thus, it can be adapted to define different colorings for sunglasses having different visible light average transmittance coefficients Tv.

[0065] The optical product can have a photochromic lens, an electrochromic lens, a clear lens, a blue cut functional lens, or a sunglass lens.

[0066] Coloring of the PSA according to the present invention Referring to FIGS. 2a to 2g, in order to dye the PSA layer of the functional film structure, the inventors - a step of providing a functionalized optical layered structure 13, the functionalized optical layered structure 13 comprising - a first element representing a first single layer or a plurality of layers of functional film 15, - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 14 having at least one surface protected by a protective liner 17, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having optical quality, having, a step; - a step of coloring at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a colorant; proposes a dyeing method realized by.

[0067] The step of coloring at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a colorant can be realized when the protective liner 17 is removed from the PSA layer surface by some known methods such as sublimation of the colorant, inkjet printing, spraying of the colorant and / or serigraphy, preferably sublimation.

[0068] More preferably, as shown in FIG. 2b, the step of coloring at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a sublimation step involving a sublimable colorant 12.

[0069] Before the sublimation step, the colorant printing step has a step of applying (outputting) a dye ink containing a sublimable dye 12 to a colorant transfer support or base body 11 such as paper by using an inkjet printer.

[0070] As the sublimable dyes (which include decomposed or finely dispersed sublimable dyes), three disperse dye inks of red, blue, and yellow are used, each of which is a commercially available water-based ink. These inks are filled separately in commercially available ink cartridges in the case of an inkjet printer. The cartridges are installed in the inkjet printer. This printer in the present embodiment is a commercially available printer.

[0071] Such a printer can be controlled so that adjustment of color properties (hue, chroma, and others) is handled by drawing software, CCM (computer color matching), or the like. Therefore, data regarding a desired color can be stored in a computer so that a base body having the same color quality can be repeatedly generated as needed. Also, changing colorings (for example, a gradation pattern) are also controlled in digital form, which makes it possible to repeatedly reproduce the base body at the same color density as needed.

[0072] Also, before introducing the structure into the sublimation oven, as disclosed in FIG. 2b, the peelable liner 17 of the functional film structure 13 is removed from the surface of the adjacent PSA layer 14, whereby a PSA nude surface structure 16 composed of the PSA layer 14, the single or multiple layer structure 15, the second peelable liner, and / or the support film 20 if present is defined.

[0073] As disclosed in FIG. 2b, in the sublimation step, the PSA nude surface structure 16 is in a flat form, and the base body 11, which has the colorant 12 pre-printed thereon and whose printed colorant surface faces the PSA nude surface structure 16, is also in a flat form and is preferably disposed above the PSA nude surface structure 16. The opposing surfaces of the base body 11 and the PSA nude surface structure 16 are separated by a distance that is less than 15 mm, preferably less than 12 mm, and preferably more than 5 mm. Specific support means 18 for maintaining both the base body 11 and the PSA nude surface structure 16 in a flat form, parallel to each other, and separated from each other by a specific distance are provided, for example, in the form of a cylindrical interlock sleeve.

[0074] Due to the heat provided by the sublimation lamp 19 disposed above the base body 11 having the printed colorant or dye 12 facing it below the PSA nude surface structure 16 and due to the vacuum provided within the sublimation enclosure 10, the sublimable dye is being ejected from the base body 11 towards the PSA nude surface structure 16 by a vapor deposition transfer dyeing method (FIG. 2b). The sublimation lamp 19 heats the base body 10 and is thus disposed in the vicinity of the base body 11 in order to sublime the dye. Some of these are disposed at an upper position within the enclosure 10 and the other lamps are disposed at a further lower position. As a result, the lamp 19 is disposed at a position opposite to the PSA nude surface structure 16 in relation to the base body 1. The lamp 19 in this embodiment is a halogen lamp, but is not limited thereto. Any lamp or similar thing that heats the base body 11 without coming into contact with it can be used.

[0075] The PSA nude surface structure 16 obtained by sublimating the colorant at its upper part as shown in Figure 2c is covered by a peelable liner 17 and is then transferred to the absorption enclosure 21 shown in Figure 2c, while the base body 11' from which the colorant has been removed can be discarded.

[0076] The purpose of the absorption enclosure 7 shown in Figure 2d is to thermally fix the dye to / through the PSA nude surface structure 16 on which the colorant has sublimated at its upper part, thereby obtaining the PSA coloring structure 14'.

[0077] Preferably, when the PSA nude surface structure 16 sublimated at its upper part while being covered by the peelable liner 17 is introduced into the absorption oven 7, the PSA surface on which the dye has been deposited at its upper part defines the upper surface of the PSA nude surface structure within the enclosure such that the dye only needs to fix on and / or penetrate into the underlying PSA material on which they have been deposited with the natural assistance of gravity and without the risk of movement relative to the perimeter or center of the PSA structure. The reason is that, as predicted with the prior art method described with reference to Figure 1c where the surface of the lens on which the dye has sublimated was relatively low within the enclosure, it is in a flat shape or facing the ground.

[0078] Referring to Figure 3, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a functional film structure of the type described in International Publication No. WO 2020 / 002606 incorporated herein by reference and shown in Figures 3 and 4a will be described. This PSA layer is colored according to the method of the present invention.

[0079] More precisely, this preferred functional film structure, from top to bottom, - a reaction force liner 17, - An optional liner-side sliding layer 22, - A colored PSA adhesive layer 14', and - A functional film or HMC stack (antireflection, hard coating, temporary gripping coat-over layer, film) 15, and - A carrier-side sliding layer 23, and - A carrier layer 20, and has.

[0080] More precisely, such a functional film structure includes a multilayer film surrounded by a carrier layer 20 and a reaction liner 17. The carrier layer 20 can be manufactured from a composition having polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The thickness of the carrier layer 20 may be in the range of 50 to 500 μm. The reaction liner 17 can be manufactured from a composition having polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester (PE). The thickness may be in the range of 50 to 500 μm. According to a specific embodiment, the reaction liner 17 specifically has silicone on its side facing the carrier layer 20. The reaction liner 17 may be a PPI adhesive product sold under the name PPI 0601 (0.075 mm) SILICONISED POLYESTER FILM.

[0081] The functional film 15 extends between the carrier layer 20 and the reaction liner 17 within a predetermined receiving area. The functional film can be a single layer or can be formed from a laminate of layers.

[0082] The receiving area corresponds to an area directly disposed around the functional film that includes space to allow for any small positioning float around the initial positioning of the functional film.

[0083] The functional film can change the light transmission or mechanical properties of an optical article. For example, the functional film can provide any one of polarization, coloring, or coloring filter, hard coat function, anti-reflection function, protective coat, and / or surface quality function or a combination thereof.

[0084] The functional film 15 preferably has a thermoplastic film with a haze value of preferably 0.4% or less. The functional film, when removed from both the carrier layer 20 and the release liner 17 and from any protective film that is intended to be removed when the functional film is present and fixed on the optical article, preferably has a haze value of 0.4% or less as a whole.

[0085] The haze value is measured by light transmission measurement using a Haze-Guard Plus (copyright) haze meter from BYK-Gardner (color difference meter) in accordance with ASTM D1003-00, and ASTM D1003-00 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. All references to the "haze" value in this application are according to this standard. First, the instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Next, the sample is placed on the transmitted light beam of the pre-calibrated meter, and the haze value is received from three different sample locations and averaged.

[0086] The thickness of the functional film 15 may range from 10 to 500 μm. The functional film 15 can be manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polycarbonate and / or cellulose triacetate (TAC, which means triacetate cellulose in French) that can be coated with a hard coat (HC) or anti-reflection (AR) coating forming a part of the functional film 15.

[0087] Furthermore, the functional film 15 generally has additional layers that enable some of the functions described above.

[0088] The carrier layer 20 and the reaction force liner 17 are larger than the receiving area and, specifically, larger than the functional film 15 which is intended to be present within the receiving area in at least one dimension. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the boundary line of the functional film layer 15 is surrounded by the boundary line of the carrier layer 20 and by the boundary line of the reaction force liner 17. This specifically enables the carrier layer 20 to be held, fixed, or clamped to the machine or device without contaminating, soiling, or applying stress to the functional film 15.

[0089] The carrier-side sliding layer 23 can be positioned between the carrier layer 20 and the functional film 15. The carrier-side sliding layer 23 is adapted to allow a positioning float of the functional film 15 in relation to the carrier layer 20. In other words, the carrier-side sliding layer 23 is adapted to reduce the radial stress that would otherwise be imposed on the functional film 15 in the event that it has to be fixed too strongly to the carrier layer 20. In the forming step, it is to be considered that there is a point of maximum rise from the initial plan. It will be presumed that the above-mentioned radial stress extends perceptibly radially from the point of maximum rise.

[0090] The thickness of the carrier-side sliding layer 23 may range from 10 to 500 μm.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the carrier-side sliding layer 23 can have a double-coated tape provided by 3M under the product name 9088 (or also referred to as "High Performance Double Coated Tape 9088 with adhesive 375") or any equivalent product.

[0092] According to another embodiment, the carrier-side sliding layer 23 can have an acrylic adhesive layer. The carrier-side sliding layer can have a total light transmittance of 90% or more and / or a haze value of 1.0 or less. The carrier-side sliding layer is - Tensile meter, - Substrate of a polycarbonate plate having corona treatment, - 90° peel angle, and - Peel speed: 25 mm / min, - Backing material: polyethylene terephthalate film with corona treatment, - Laminating conditions onto the polycarbonate plate: one pass with a 2 kg roller, According to the test method using the above, it can have dry and wet adhesion properties of 25 N / 25 mm or more.

[0093] The acrylic adhesive layer can be sandwiched between two PET release liners. According to the test method using a tensile tester, a peel speed of 0.3 m / min, and a peel angle of 180°, one of the PET release liners can have a peelability of 0.2 N / 50 mm or less, and the other PET release liner can have a peelability of 1.0 N / 50 mm or less.

[0094] The liner-side sliding layer 22 can be positioned in contact with the reaction liner 17 or with a layer fixed to the reaction liner 17. The liner-side sliding layer 22 enables the positioning float of the functional film 15 in relation to the reaction liner 17. In other words, the liner-side sliding layer 22 is adapted to reduce the radial stress imposed on the functional film 15 when it has to be fixed too strongly to the reaction liner 17. In the forming step, it should be considered that there is a point of maximum rise from the initial plan. The above-mentioned radial stress will be estimated to extend perceptibly radially from the point of maximum rise.

[0095] The liner-side sliding layer 22 can be manufactured from a composition having polyethylene (PET). Alternatively, instead of this, the liner-side sliding layer 22 can also be manufactured from the same or a similar composition as one of the carrier-side sliding layers 23 proposed above. Alternatively, instead of this, the liner-side sliding layer may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) according to International Publication No. WO 2017 / 168192, filed on March 29, 2016, incorporated herein by reference. The PSA further preferably has the property of being an optically gray material having a haze value of 0.4% or less.

[0096] The liner-side sliding layer 22 can have a silicone layer on one or both sides. The thickness of the liner-side sliding layer 22 can be in the range of 10 to 100 μm. Specifically, the reaction force liner 17 can have a silicone layer on at least the area in contact with the liner-side sliding layer 22.

[0097] In some examples, the carrier-side sliding layer 23 is a PSA provided by 3M under the name 8141, and the carrier-side sliding layer is provided with a protective sliding film (which can be removed after thermoforming) provided by Nitto under the name SWT10 or SWT10+R. According to other examples, the carrier-side sliding layer 23 is a PSA provided by Nitto under the name CS9621, and the carrier-side sliding layer 23 is provided with a protective sliding film (which can be removed after thermoforming) provided by Nitto under the name SWT10 or SWT10+R. According to other examples, the carrier-side sliding layer 23 is a PSA provided by 3M under the name 9088, also called High Performance Double Coated Tape 9088, together with adhesive 375.

[0098] Also, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the multilayered structure can also include an adhesive layer 14', such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (also referred to as PSA) layer, between the functional film 15 and the liner-side sliding layer 22 or the reaction liner 17. The adhesive layer 14' can be manufactured from the same or a similar composition as one of the carrier-side sliding layer 23 or the liner-side sliding layer 22 proposed above. According to a preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer 14' may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) according to the specification of International Patent Application No. EP3436210 incorporated herein by reference. The PSA further has the property of being an optical grade material preferably having a haze value of 0.4% or less.

[0099] The adhesive layer 14' may be a part of the liner-side sliding layer 22. For example, the adhesive layer 14' may be in direct contact with the reaction liner 17, with a possible silicone layer as the method.

[0100] Advantageously, before the formation of the functional film 15 in terms of its lamination on the optical base element according to the specification of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0216425 incorporated herein by reference, on the surfaces of the first and second elements intended to be arranged in contact with the adhesive layer 14' colored according to the present invention, a surface treatment selected from a plasma treatment carried out in an inert nitrogen atmosphere having a dosage in the range of 40 to 100 W·min / m 2 and a corona treatment carried out in atmospheric air with a dosage in the range of 40 to 50 W·min / m 2 can be applied so that the decrease between the peel force in the dry state and the peel force in the wet state is 35% or less including the ends before the arrangement in the contact state.

[0101] More precisely, before the placement in the contact state, a surface treatment can be applied to the surface of the liner-side sliding layer 22 or the protective liner intended to be in the contact state with the reaction force liner 17 or the colored PSA, or to the surface of the functional film 15, or the carrier-side sliding layer 23, or the second functional film, or the surface of the base optical element intended to be in the contact state with the colored PSA.

[0102] In the illustrated example, before the placement in the contact state with the PSA, the surface treatment is applied to the surface of the base optical element intended to be in the contact state with the colored PSA receiving the corona treatment and to the surface of the functional film 15 intended to be in the contact state with the colored PSA.

[0103] Before the formation of the functional film 15 in terms of its lamination onto the optical base element, according to the International Patent Application Publication No. 2020002606 pamphlet incorporated herein by reference, the reaction force liner 17 is fixed to the carrier layer 20 in at least two, preferably at least three, different zones of the reaction force liner 17. The functional film 15 is maintained between the carrier layer 20 and the reaction force liner 17, preferably with a positioning float resulting from the carrier-side sliding layer 23 and the liner-side sliding layer 22. Such fixation before such formation enables the position of the functional film 15 to be perceptibly maintained in the receiving area in relation to the carrier layer 20 and the reaction force liner 17 at a predetermined position, at least during thermoforming. For this purpose, fixing means are provided (electrostatic forces resulting from the properties of the materials of the reaction force liner 17 and / or the carrier layer 20), and additional means such as glue or adhesive are introduced between the reaction force liner 17 and / or the carrier layer 20, or can result from processes applied to the reaction force liner 17 and / or the carrier layer 20 such as thermoplastic welding. Preferably, the fixing means extend outside the receiving area.

[0104] In addition to the fixing means, the adhesive layer can fix the functional film 15 on the carrier layer 20 and / or on the reaction force liner within the receiving area. The adhesive layer may be a further layer, in which case the adhesive layer 14' or the liner-side sliding layer or the carrier-side sliding layer is a PSA adhesive layer. Such an adhesive layer, in addition to the effect of the fixing means, enables the position of the functional film 15 to be maintained within the receiving area in relation to the carrier layer 20 and / or the reaction force liner 17 at a given position before and during thermoforming.

[0105] This adhesive layer is a further layer, and the adhesive layer 14' and / or the liner-side sliding layer or the carrier-side sliding layer is an adhesive layer, and fixes the functional film 15 within the receiving area on the carrier layer 20 colored according to the present invention and / or on the reaction force liner.

[0106] Specifically, the reaction force liner 17 is configured to swell when a positive pressure is applied on the surface of the carrier layer 20 opposite to the reaction force liner 17.

[0107] When swelling due to the pressure applied on the carrier layer 20, the reaction force liner 17 applies a reaction force to the functional film 15 perceptibly over the entire area of the functional film 15. Accordingly, delamination of some of the edges of the functional film 15 is restricted or, in some cases, prevented.

[0108] After formation and possibly also before that, the reaction force liner 17 may be in contact with the carrier layer 20 for substantially each zone of the reaction force liner 17 that is not in contact with the functional film 15 or does not face the receiving area. According to an embodiment, the fixing between the carrier layers 20 towards the reaction force liner 17 is basically carried out around all of the receiving zones.

[0109] To thermoform the multilayer film according to the International Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 002606 pamphlet incorporated herein by reference, a standard thermoforming apparatus can be used.

[0110] Also, to prevent defects on the multilayer film 2 during thermoforming generated by trapped gas, a gas venting system according to the International Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 002606 pamphlet incorporated herein by reference can also be used.

[0111] In one embodiment that exists, the reaction force liner 17 can be removed after formation from the perspective of the laminating step.

[0112] Specifically, a laminating apparatus is used to enable lamination of a functional film supported by a carrier layer onto an optical article. The laminating apparatus has a mobile element to bring the thermoformed functional film closer to the optical article and / or to bring the optical article closer to the thermoformed functional film. Thereafter, the functional film is in a contact state with the optical article. In a particular embodiment, the thermoformed functional film fixed on the carrier layer has a convex shape and is in a contact state with the concave surface of the optical article. In another embodiment, the thermoformed functional film fixed on the carrier layer has a concave shape and is in a contact state with the convex surface of the optical article. In yet another embodiment, two thermoformed functional films each having a concave and a convex shape are in respective contact states with the convex and concave surfaces of the optical article.

[0113] In one embodiment, a positive pressure is applied from the side of the carrier so as to press the functional film onto the surface of the optical article.

[0114] The pressure can be maintained for a duration of 10 seconds to 10 minutes. This enables the adhesive layer to ensure correct adhesion of the functional film onto the optical article.

[0115] Subsequently, in some embodiments, a cooling step is applied.

[0116] Finally, the carrier layer is removed from the functional film. Also, if present, the carrier-side sliding layer can be removed.

[0117] These final steps result in an optical article having a film fixed on one of its surfaces, either without defects or with a reduced number of defects. The defects are prevented, at least, by using a reaction force liner, and in some embodiments, additional defects can be prevented by using a possible sliding layer and a possible vent.

[0118] In a particular embodiment, the laminating device is a thermoforming device. In a further example, the carrier layer is clamped within the same clamping system in both thermoforming and lamination. The carrier layer can be unclamped, perhaps, to remove the reaction force liner. In such a device, a cooling step can be provided between thermoforming and lamination.

[0119] In a particular embodiment, the silicone that may be present on the carrier layer and / or the reaction force liner can be the silicone provided by Siliconature under the product name SILPHAN S50.

[0120] According to various embodiments, the carrier side of the reaction force liner can be in direct contact with the functional film or with one of the upper layers of the functional film intended to be present on the optical article and intended to provide a function to the optical article.

[0121] PSA Coloring Experiment and Results In the following, an example and several steps for exemplifying the present invention and the main results are provided.

[0122] Printing Step Commercially available different sublimable inks or dyes that are useful in the case of ophthalmic articles and compatible with a selected substrate material (e.g., polycarbonate) are provided in three main colors, namely red, yellow, and blue, which are constituted by a water-based solution overall.

[0123] The printing step of the dye by a specific formulation onto paper transfer can be continued for 2 minutes, and drying can continue for 10 minutes.

[0124] Surface Preparation In a suitable functional film structure 13, as PSA in contact with the functional film 15, there is provided a PSA layer 14 that is commercially available under the name EL5902RT by Nitto, has a thickness of 50 microns, and is intended to be in contact with the optical base element after the application of the suitable functional film structure onto the optical base element. The suitable functional film structure 13 has a multilayered functional film 15 provided with a hard coating layer, an antireflection layer, a carrier-side sliding layer 23, and a carrier 20, as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0125] To maximize the adhesion of the PSA layer 14 intended to be colored by a sublimable dye, two surfaces that come into contact with the colored PSA, namely, on the one hand, the surface of the optical base element where the functional film structure is intended to be applied thereon, and on the other hand, the surface of the functional film 15 of the functional film structure 13, and / or the two surfaces of the PSA itself, are subjected to surface treatment such as corona treatment.

[0126] More precisely, the corona treatment according to US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0216425, which is incorporated herein by reference, is applied on the one hand on the surface of an optical-based element intended to be in contact with the PSA layer to be colored and on the other hand on the surface of a multi-functional film comprising a hard coating and an anti-reflection layer 15 intended to be in contact with the PSA layer to be colored and / or on the two surfaces of the PSA itself.

[0127] Sublimation step As disclosed in Figure 2b, the counter-force liner 17 has been removed from the colored PSA layer so as to obtain a PSA nude surface structure 16 composed of the PSA layer 14, the single or multi-layer structure 15, the second peelable liner, and / or the support film or carrier 20.

[0128] The sublimation step is carried out at a predetermined temperature of 55 °C (link to the sublimation lamp) and a pressure of vacuum (more or less than 0.1 kPa) by means of a 6-minute ramp sublimation cycle.

[0129] After the sublimation step, a PSA nude surface structure 16 is obtained according to Figure 2c, on top of which the colorant has been sublimated while being located on the surface of the PSA layer.

[0130] The counter-force liner 17 is then applied on the surface of the colored PSA layer surface 14 so as to protect it during its transfer to the absorption enclosure 7 (Figure 2d).

[0131] Absorption step As shown in Figure 2d, after the absorption step of the protected colored PSA layer surface 14' structure in the oven at 90 °C for 10 minutes, the sublimated colored dye or colorant is fixed on and / or through the thickness of the PSA layer, thereby obtaining a PSA coloring structure 14'.

[0132] The reaction liner 17 is removed after thermoforming and before applying the functional multilayer structure 15 on the corona-treated surface of the optical base element via the PSA coloring structure 14' by lamination.

[0133] Thermoforming and lamination steps The pressure applied can reach 2 or 3 bar.

[0134] The pressing step is carried out at a temperature applied on the film of about 25 - 80 °C. Also, the temperature for thermoforming may be 80 - 140 °C, or about 120 °C, such as 100 °C - 130 °C, for example 115 °C - 125 °C, etc., and the maximum temperature depends on the base film material, its thickness, and the final target curvature of the film / lens.

[0135] The pressure is maintained for a duration of 10 seconds to 10 minutes. This ensures that the adhesive layer adheres the functional film correctly onto the optical article.

[0136] After this, a cooling step is carried out.

[0137] Finally, the carrier layer is removed from the functional film. Also, the carrier-side sliding layer, if present, can also be removed.

[0138] By these final steps, an optical article having a film fixed on one of its surfaces is obtained without defects or with reduced defects. The defects are prevented at least by using the reaction liner, and in some embodiments, further defects can be prevented by using a possible sliding layer and a possible vent.

[0139] In the embodiment shown in this Figure 2gβ, the functional film is applied on the convex surface of a lens having a radius of curvature of 81 mm. The functional film is thermoformed to have a radius of curvature of 81 mm.

[0140] The adhesive layer 14 is a PSA adhesive commercially available under the name EL5902RT by Nitto, The PSA thickness is 50 μm. The reaction force liner is provided by a film PPI adhesive product under the name PPI0601(0.075mm) SILICONISED POLYESTER FILM.

[0141] Peel test The peel test consists of the step of rolling a 25×70 mm strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive material within the protective film strip. This tape (protective film + adhesive material) is pasted on a plane support on which the film is pre-fixed on its upper part. This test enables testing the adhesive between the film and the protective film. The glass is conditioned for at least 24 hours (at 23°C ± 3°C, 50% RH ± 10%) prior to peeling. The film is peeled at an angle of 90° at a speed of 2.54 cm / min. At half of the test, a predetermined amount of water is added to the interface to measure the wet coat force. The force is expressed in units of N / 25 mm. The software continuously measures the peel force as a function of displacement. This force is averaged over a length of 10 mm to 20 mm for both dry and wet peeling.

[0142] Next, the sample is washed, coated, and finally trimmed by a Kappa (trademark) trimming device. Once trimmed, the sample is inspected to determine whether there are any appearance defects such as separation between the films in the polarized structure. When the laminate has a defect, this is indicated in the "Lens manufacturing" column of the table by an "×" mark. When the trimming has no defects whatsoever, this is indicated in the same column by an "OK" mark.

[0143] Peel test and results Two series of tests (A and B) were carried out with the formulations as shown in Table 1.

[0144]

Table 1

[0145] As disclosed in Table 2 below, in the first series (A), the fact of having or not having absorption was evaluated. To avoid cracking of the anti-reflection laminate located on the consumable (knowing that the HMC laminate can withstand temperatures above 100 °C), two states were set: a non-absorption step and an absorption step at a low temperature (90 °C) for 1 hour.

[0146] In the second series (B), the intermediate absorption time at 90 °C was tested. The results regarding peel strength (Table 2) show that for the adhesion to be within the safe area (dry and wet peel strength > 20 N / 25 mm) from the perspective of adhesion, an absorption of 10 - 20 minutes is sufficient, and the dry and wet adhesion is the same. Perhaps the optimal value of absorption will be about 20 minutes to reach 25 N / 25 mm. In the case of very dark coloration (categories 3 and 4), a relatively long absorption time may be required to fix the dye, and this can be easily determined by those skilled in the art from the study of color changes that occur after several days compared to what was originally deposited.

[0147]

Table 2

[0148] The results of the peel strength of series A (Table 2) show that in the case of no absorption, the peel strength adhesion is reduced (16 N / 25 mm in the case of no absorption vs. 22 N / 25 mm for 1 hour at 90 °C), but the dry and wet peel strengths are the same, which is a good result.

[0149] Figure 4 shows the peel force results with different absorption times in PSA without dye (left hand) and PSA + dye (the other), and under dry and wet conditions. The dashed line corresponds to the minimum adhesion from previous studies on lamination technology. The solid line corresponds to the maximum adhesion of PSA without dye.

[0150] Figure 4 shows that when the dye is sublimated onto the PSA, some adhesion is lost (29 N / 25 mm for the case without dye vs. 25 N / 25 mm for the case with dye), but the resulting adhesion of 25 N / 25 mm in the presence of the dye is considered very good.

[0151] Effect of the distance between the PSA and the transfer paper In the sublimation step, the fact that the PSA layer 14 is in a flat form and the transfer paper is also in a flat form allows for a reduction in the distance between the two objects, and this allows for obtaining a darker lens than that obtained by the same amount of dye in the colorant solution formulation when this is a curved lens that receives the sublimated dye. For example, when this is a curved lens that receives the sublimated dye, in comparison with a relatively dark color having Tv~10% obtained when this is the PSA layer 14 that receives the sublimated dye in the case of the same amount of dye in the colorant solution formulation, Tv~15% is obtained.

[0152] This is verified by the sublimation tests performed with the ink formulation according to Table 3 as follows. - First sublimation with two pairs of plano lenses vs. plano / curved lenses - Second sublimation with three pairs of plano lenses vs. PSA consumables

[0153] In these tests, the absorption time for the PSA consumable was fixed at 1 hour at 90 °C. The PSA patch of the consumable was pasted on the biprism lens (without involving non-optical elements such as the carrier, liner, etc.) so that it was possible to measure the transmittance spectrum of the PSA consumable colored by sublimation. To avoid confusion, in Table 3, it is referred to as the PSA consumable, but this is pasted on the biprism lens for the purpose of operation. The "biprism lens" in the table means the biprism lens colored by sublimation by the standard sublimation method.

[0154]

Table 3

[0155] The results shown in Table 4 represent Tv and color (a * , b * ) obtained on the biprism lens, plano / curved lens, and PSA flat consumable.

[0156] Therefore, when the same amount of dye is on the transfer paper, when the colorant is sublimated onto the biprism lens or PSA flat film, a relatively dark lens is always obtained (Tv is 7.5 - 9.4% with 8.6 for the PSA flat film), while when the inventors used the plano-curved lens, we obtained a relatively bright lens (Tv ~ 15%). This may be due to the fact that when the transfer paper is flat and the colorant is sublimated from a flat support onto another flat substrate (biprism lens or PSA film), these two elements can be relatively close (printed paper and biprism lens or flat PSA film), and the amount of dye required on the paper to obtain a given transmittance is reduced compared to that required in the standard sublimation process from a flat printed paper to a curved lens.

[0157] Dispersion in the coloring step (without a hard coating step) As shown by Tables 4 and 5 below, the dispersion in the sublimation process step is very similar during sublimation on a curved lens and on a flat PSA film.

[0158]

Table 4

[0159]

Table 5

[0160] Tests of different colors and surface treatments Some prototypes in different colors have been successfully laminated and edge-treated on the biprano. Some samples have been edge-treated and no edge defects have been observed. Also, the colored consumables have been laminated and edge-treated on the curved lens with good results.

[0161] Coloring type Due to the use of specific masks applied on the PSA surface in the sublimation step, different coloring types can be obtained, such as complete and uniform coloring, gradient coloring, and specific patterns such as logos or marks.

[0162] Advantages The present invention has reached the objective of providing any sunglass color by high-speed supply technology, because this is a consumable that is colored by a high-speed coloring process (about 15 minutes) in comparison with known solutions that color lenses or films which require about 3 hours. In addition, the coloring of the consumable can be carried out in parallel with the surface treatment of the lens without adding extra time to the manufacturing method, and the final coloring is obtained during the lamination of the functional film on the back side and / or the front side of the lens, that is, no specific additional steps that would lengthen the lamination process are added.

[0163] Furthermore, in comparison with standard sublimation onto lenses, the method according to the present invention has a reduced energy consumption, because the absorption step on the PSA lens requires a very short duration of only about one-tenth to one-twentieth of a minute, because PSA is soft for the dye and a relatively good host in comparison with the lens (while absorption for 10 to 20 minutes at 90 °C is sufficient to ensure good adhesion, the absorption cycle in the standard sublimation process of the dye on the lens is 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours at a high temperature of 125 °C to 160 °C to ensure penetration of the dye inside the hard lens substrate).

[0164] Furthermore, the following other advantages have been observed as a result of the present invention. - Relatively uncomplicated: · Tooling simplicity: Instead of specific tooling for each lens shape, only one tooling system optimized for flat PSA films is required in this case. · Simplicity of formulation / pattern printing independent of the lens substrate or power. In fact, for a given color, only one dye formulation optimized for a flat PSA film is now required, while in the case of conventional methods, different formulations / pattern printings individually adapted for different refractive indices were required to ensure uniformity between the center and the edge of the curved lens that receives the sublimated dye on its curved surface. - From a quality perspective, metamerism has been removed between the substrate and the dispersion due to the hard coating process. - Overall, there is no wet chemistry involved in the process and it can be automated (in-line two-piece process). - Reduction in dye consumption due to the fact that the dye sublimation step is carried out on a flat PSA film instead of from flat paper to a curved lens. In fact, the distance between the flat sublimation paper and the flat film can be the same and can be reduced to a minimum, resulting in a reduction in dye consumption because the greater the distance, the more the dye tends to move to other parts of the vacuum chamber (e.g., the walls) instead of towards the supporting part to be colored. Furthermore, in comparison with conventional sublimation in the lens process, dye loss is prevented in the absorption step because during the absorption step according to the present invention, the dye is confined between the liner / PSA and the TAC. - For a given color, only one dye formulation can be sublimated onto the same PSA layer, which can then be applied on any type of substrate. Thus, the same spectrum and color appearance can be obtained for different substrates. In contrast, in a standard sublimation process, different dye formulations are required for different substrates due to their different chemistries and capabilities to be colored (e.g., polycarbonate and 1.6 substrates). The result is that, apart from the complexity of obtaining the same color from different formulations for each substrate, the spectral curves were different for each substrate even in the case of the same color standard. This has resulted in metamerism. - In the case of sublimation onto PSA, the color applied to the PSA is evident because no further hard coating process is required (the hard coating already exists on the film).

Claims

1. A functionalized optical laminate, comprising: - a first element representing a first single layer or multiple layer functional film (15); - at least one second element selected from a protective liner or a base optical element (1) or a second functional film; - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element; wherein the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') has optical quality and has a colorant (12), the functionalized optical laminate.

2. The functionalized optical laminate according to claim 1, wherein the colorant (12) is a sublimable, printable, sprayable, or inkjetable colorant.

3. The second element is a base optical element (1), and the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') defines a peel force during drying and a peel force during wetting, each of which is greater than 13 N / 25 mm to separate the first element (15) from the base optical element (1). The functionalized optical laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The functionalized optical laminate according to claim 3, wherein the decrease between the peel force of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') during drying and the peel force during wetting is 35% or less.

5. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') has a storage elastic modulus G' of less than 1.6×10 ５ Pa at 85°C, preferably 1.5×10 ５ Pa or less, and has a dry peel strength and a wet peel strength both exceeding 20 N / 25 mm, preferably in the range of 21 to 40 N / 25 mm including the ends. The functionalized optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A functionalized optical article having a base element (1) and having a functionalized optical laminate applied on one surface of the base element, the functionalized optical laminate comprising: - a first element representing a first single layer or multiple layer functional film (15); - at least one second element selected from a protective liner or a base optical element (1) or a second functional film; - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element; wherein the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') has optical quality and has a colorant (12), the functionalized optical article.

7. An eyewear device having a support structure such as a frame and at least one functionalized optical article encapsulated within the support structure, and edge-treated according to the dimensions of the support structure, wherein the functionalized optical article has a base element and has a functionalized optical laminate applied thereon, and the functionalized optical laminate comprises: - a first element representing a first single-layer or multi-layer functional film (15); - at least one second element selected from a protective liner or a base optical element (1) or a second functional film; - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed in a contacting state between at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element; and having; The at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') has optical quality and has a colorant (12), an eyewear device. **Claim 8** A method of manufacturing a functionalized optical laminate, comprising: - providing a functionalized optical laminate, the functionalized optical laminate comprising: - a first element representing a first single-layer or multi-layer functional film (15); - at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and having a step; The at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') has optical quality, and the method comprises the step of coloring at least one surface of the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a colorant (12). **Claim 9** The step of coloring the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a sublimation step, the colorant (12) is sublimable, and in the sublimation step, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is in a flat form, and the colorant transfer support facing the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is in a flat form. The method according to claim 8. **Claim 10** The distance between the colorant transfer support and the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is less than 15 mm, preferably less than 12 mm, and preferably more than 5 mm. The method according to claim 9. **Claim 11** The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, having an absorption step for fixing the colorant to the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer after the coloring step. **Claim 12** In the absorption step, the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed such that the surface on which the colorant is deposited constitutes the upper surface of the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The method according to claim 11. **Claim 13** The absorption step, for example, allows the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, such as a colorant, etc., to be softened without dissolving on the surface, such as less than 1 hour and less than 90° C., preferably less than 10 minutes and less than 90°, and / or allows penetration of the thickness of the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and has a step of heating the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer at a temperature and for a time. The method according to claim 12.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the heating step has a step of heating the at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer by convection of air or by surface irradiation.

15. A method for manufacturing a functionalized optical article, comprising: i. A step of thermoforming a functionalized optical layer structure according to the base element curvature of the base element (1), wherein the functionalized optical layer structure comprises:

1. A first element representing a first single layer or a multi-layer functional film (15); 2. At least one second element selected from a protective liner or a second functional film; 3. At least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (14') disposed in contact with at least one surface of the first element and at least one surface of the second element, having optical quality and having a colorant (12); and a step; ii. A step of fixing the thermoformed functionalized optical layer structure on the base element. A method having the above steps.

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