Ophthalmic Lens Removable Coating Release Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eye-care professionals lack the ability to allow customers to try prescription glasses with specific optical features and coatings in real-life conditions without having to stock all possible prescriptions and combinations, as custom-made lenses cannot be easily returned or resold.
Innovation Solution
A removable coating system for ophthalmic lenses that includes a release layer which does not alter the optical properties of the lens and can be easily activated to detach a temporary second coating, allowing for trial and removal without affecting the lens's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a temporary coating system with release layer is applied to allow trial of optical features, then the ease of operation for customer trial is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional layers
Solution Approach 1:
The coating system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a permanent first coating layer providing baseline optical properties, and a temporary second coating layer that can be independently applied and removed. This segmentation allows the trial coating to be separated from the permanent lens structure, enabling easy application and removal while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A release layer is introduced as an intermediary between the substrate and the second coating layer. This release layer facilitates temporary adhesion during the trial period and can be activated to release the second coating, enabling easy removal without damaging the substrate or permanent coating. The release layer acts as a mediator that controls the bonding and release cycles.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom-made lenses are manufactured for each prescription, then the optical precision is improved, but the loss of time for manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first permanent coating layer is pre-applied to the substrate during standard lens manufacturing, establishing the baseline optical properties and prescription-specific characteristics. This preliminary coating allows the lens to be manufactured using standard processes without requiring custom coating for each trial case, reducing manufacturing time while maintaining precision for permanent lenses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all possible prescriptions and coating combinations are stocked for trial, then the adaptability for customer trial is improved, but the loss of substance through unsold inventory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second coating layer is extracted as a separate, removable component that can be applied temporarily to existing lenses. This allows customers to trial different optical features (such as anti-reflective, photochromic, or polarized coatings) on their prescription lenses without requiring the seller to maintain inventory of multiple permanent lens variations. The coating can be applied, trialed, and then removed, eliminating the need to stock diverse lens combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical properties of the lens can be temporarily modified by applying different second coating layers with varying characteristics (anti-reflective, photochromic, polarized, etc.). This allows the same physical lens to exhibit different optical parameters during trial periods, providing customers with multiple trial options without creating physical inventory variations. After trial, the coating is removed and the lens returns to its original state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables eye-care professionals to provide customers with a temporary trial of optical features, such as antireflective coatings, without modifying the lens's optical properties and allows for easy removal, facilitating customer experience and reducing the risk of custom-made lens returns.
Implementation Method 1
The release layer can thus be an hydrophilic material, which is thus adapted to incorporate aqueous liquids at the interface between the release layer with one or both of the substrate or the second coating
Implementation Method 2
the material of the release layer may have a degradation activated by a chemical, by irradiation such as UV light or temperature under 80°C
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The invention pertains to an optical device comprising a substrate (40) with two main faces, and, on at least one face, a first coating (43) which is in contact with a second coating (44), the first coating being positioned between the second coating (44) and the substrate (40), the first coating (43) is a release layer, adapted so that it can be selectively activated in order to diminish mechanical properties or adhesion enabling the second coating (44) to be fastened to the substrate.