Transitions Optical, Ltd.

The present invention relates to, a curable photochromic composition that includes: (a) a photochromic compound; (b) a hydrazide functional material having at least two hydrazide groups that are reactive with carbonyl groups selected from ketone groups and aldehyde groups; (c) a first carbonyl-functional component including a (meth)acrylate polymer having at least two carbonyl groups that are reactive with hydrazide groups; and (d) at least one of, (d1) a second carbonyl-functional component having at least one carbonyl group that is reactive with hydrazide groups, and/or (d2) a non-reactive component. The non-reactive component is free of functional groups that are reactive with the hydrazide functional material, the first carbonyl-functional component, and the second carbonyl-functional component. The present invention also relates to an article that includes: a substrate; and a photochromic layer over at least one surface of the substrate, where the photochromic layer is formed from the curable photochromic composition of the present invention.

A system for marking a coated optical article ( 10 ) having at least one first mark ( 18 ) on a surface of a substrate ( 20 ) of the coated optical article ( 10 ) includes at least one mark ( 18 ) identification device having at least one electromagnetic radiation source ( 111 ) configured to irradiate at least a portion of the surface of the substrate ( 20 ) having the at least one first mark ( 18 ) with electromagnetic radiation ( 119 A, 123 ). The at least one mark ( 18 ) identification device further includes at least one imaging device configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic radiation ( 119 A, 123 ) reflected from the surface of the substrate ( 20 ) having the least one first mark ( 18 ) and determine a position of the at least one first mark ( 18 ) on the surface of the substrate ( 20 ). The system further includes at least one marking device configured for marking the coated optical article ( 10 ) with at least one second mark ( 180 ) based on the position of the at least one first mark ( 18 ).

Provided are photochromic optical articles including an optical substrate and an at least partial anisotropic layer disposed on the at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. The anisotropic layer includes an anisotropic polymer; a photochromic-dichroic dye, a photochromic dye, or combination thereof; a mesogenic hindered amine light stabilizer; and a mesogenic antioxidant. Provided are photochromic coated articles including a substrate and an anisotropic coating layer on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. The anisotropic coating layer is formed from a polymerizable composition including a polymerizable anisotropic material; a photochromic-dichroic dye, a photochromic dye, or combination thereof; a mesogenic hindered amine light stabilizer; and a mesogenic antioxidant.

The present invention relates to curable photochromic compositions which include a polycarbodiimide, an at least di-functional first carboxylic acid functional material having at least two carboxylic acid groups, an optional second carboxylic acid functional material having at least three carboxylic acid groups, a photochromic compound, and an aprotic organic solvent. The curable photochromic compositions have an equivalents ratio of carbodiimide equivalents of the polycarbodiimide to a total carboxylic acid equivalents of the first and optional second carboxylic acid functional materials of from 0.5:1 to 10:1 when the second carboxylic acid functional material is not present; and from 0.5:1 to 3:1 when the second carboxylic acid functional material is present. The present invention, more particularly, relates to curable photochromic coating compositions, and curable photochromic adhesive compositions.

Optionally polymerizable mesogen compounds are disclosed that include a polyvalent non-mesogenic core X to which is bonded three or four separate extensions, where each extension independently includes, in sequence, a linking group -L-, and a mesogen group—[Mesogen]. The mesogen compounds are represented by the following Formula (I), With reference to Formula (I), v is 3 or 4; t is 0 or 1; at least one Mesogen includes at least four cyclic groups; each -L- independently has an average chain length of at least 15 bonds; and at least one -L- has an average chain length of at least 25 bonds. Liquid crystal compositions are disclosed that include such mesogen compounds, and optical elements that include such mesogen compounds.

The present invention relates to, a curable photochromic composition that includes: (a) a photochromic compound; (b) a polyisocyanate including at least two isocyanate groups; and (c) a reactive component having at least two reactive groups that are each reactive with the isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate. Each reactive group of the reactive component is independently selected from primary amine and imine, provided that at least one reactive group of the reactive component is selected from imine. The curable photochromic composition further includes (d) a non-reactive component that is free of functional groups that are reactive with the polyisocyanate and said reactive component. The present invention also relates to an article that includes: a substrate; and a photochromic layer over at least one surface of the substrate, where the photochromic layer is formed from the curable photochromic composition of the present invention.

An inspection apparatus configured for inspecting optical articles includes an inspection chamber having an inspection station and a holding chamber having an indexable holding platform with a plurality of holding slots each configured for receiving a holder adapted for securing the optical article. The indexable holding platform is configured to index a selected holder into an inspection position. The inspection apparatus further includes a gripper mechanism configured for transferring the selected holder from the inspection position to the inspection chamber. A method of inspecting an optical article using an inspection apparatus is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to, a curable photochromic composition that includes a photochromic compound, a trialkoxysilane functional material having at least two trialkoxysilane groups, and a segmented polymer that includes at least one first segment, and at least one second segment. Each first segment, of the segmented polymer, independently includes a (meth)acrylic polymer segment, and/or a fluoroethylene vinyl ether polymer segment. Each second segment, of the segmented polymer, independently includes, a polycarbonate segment, a polyester segment, a polyether segment, a polyurethane segment, or combinations thereof. The present invention also relates to an article that includes: a substrate; and a photochromic layer over at least one surface of the substrate, where the photochromic layer is formed from the curable photochromic composition of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a photochromic compound having a core fused ring structure represented by at least one of the following Formula (Ia) or Formula (IIa), (Ia) (IIa) Independently for each of Formula (Ia) and Formula (IIa): R 1 is in each case independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, —SO 2 R 5 , or —C(O)—XR 5 , where, X is selected from a single bond, —N(R 5 )—, or —O—, and R 5 in each case is independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; and B and B′ are each independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl. The present invention also relates to photochromic compositions and articles including such photochromic compounds.

Provided is a photochromic film laminate including (a) a first polymeric film layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and (b) an adhesive layer over at least a portion of and in direct contact with the first surface of the first polymeric film layer (a). The adhesive layer is formed from a composition of a thermoplastic polyol having a number average molecular weight greater than or equal to 30,000 g/mol; a poly(anhydride); and a photochromic material. The thermoplastic polyol (i) is present in the composition in an amount greater than or equal to 60 percent by weight based on total combined weight of solids present in the thermoplastic polyol (i) and the poly(anhydride) (ii). Also provided is an optical article prepared with the photochromic film laminate.