Optical Lens Printing Primer for Homogeneous Inkjet Tinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for coloring optical lenses are limited by the chemical nature of the substrate, leading to reproducibility and homogeneity issues, and existing inkjet printing methods struggle with ink fixation and diffusion, resulting in non-homogeneous final appearances.
Innovation Solution
A method using a transparent printing primer with an aqueous dispersion of polymer, enhanced by colloids or absorbent polymers to improve ink diffusion and absorption, applied via inkjet printing, allowing for stable, optically transparent, and cosmetically acceptable tinted optical lenses compatible with any substrate chemical nature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional immersion coloring method is used, then coloring can be achieved, but industrial reproducibility and color homogeneity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional immersion mechanical coloring system with an inkjet printing system that deposits coloring agents directly onto the lens surface. This substitution enables precise digital control of color deposition, improving both industrial reproducibility and color homogeneity through programmable printing patterns and controlled ink formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the coloring approach by changing from bulk immersion coloring to surface-level inkjet deposition with specific ink formulations containing solvents, pigments, and adhesion promoters. This parameter change in the coloring method enables better control over color distribution and improves reproducibility across production batches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printing is used to color lenses, then substrate chemical nature independence is achieved, but ink fixation and diffusion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specially formulated ink composition that acts as an intermediary between the inkjet printer and the lens substrate. The ink contains solvents, pigments, and adhesion promoters that facilitate proper fixation and diffusion on various substrate types, enabling universal substrate compatibility while maintaining color homogeneity through controlled chemical interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite ink formulations combining multiple components (solvents, pigments, adhesion promoters) that work together to achieve proper ink fixation and diffusion. This composite material approach allows the ink to adapt to different substrate chemical natures while maintaining consistent coloring quality across various lens materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing inkjet printing methods are used, then substrate independence is improved, but final appearance homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes inkjet printing parameters including ink formulation (solvents, pigments, adhesion promoters), deposition conditions, and drying parameters to achieve homogeneous appearance. These parameter adjustments ensure consistent color distribution and fixation across different substrate types, resolving the appearance homogeneity issue while maintaining substrate independence.
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
The method achieves stable, optically transparent, and cosmetically acceptable tinted optical lenses with uniform or gradient tints, compatible with any substrate, overcoming previous limitations in reproducibility and homogeneity.
Implementation Method 1
a binder for the printing primer, which is an aqueous dispersion of polymer, the receptivity to inks of this binder being enhanced by combining it with means which make it possible to improve the diffusion of the inks into said binder layer and/or with means which make it possible to enhance the properties of absorption of the inks into said binder layer
Implementation Method 2
the receptivity to inks of this binder being enhanced by combining it with means which make it possible to improve the diffusion of the inks into said binder layer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for coloring an optical lens comprising a transparent printing primer, capable of being colored by inkjet printing. Said coloring method uses a technique of inkjet printing of said printing primer to obtain a colored optical lens, independently of the chemical nature of the compounds constituting the substrate of said lens. The invention also concerns the resulting colored lens.