FR2812629A1 - Processing of a photochromic glass for firm connection to spectacle frames for sunglasses involves applying antireflection layer on side nearest to wearer's eye and specular layer on other side - Google Patents

Abstract

Processing of a photochromic glass (1) for integration with spectacle frames for sunglasses involves antireflection treatment on the internal side (4) intended to be nearest to the wearer's eyes, and treatment to produce a mirror surface on the external side (6) furthest from the wearer's eyes. Preferred Features: The antireflection treatment involves deposition at least one or several equally thick layers of similar or different anti-reflecting material, especially metallic oxide, on the internal side (4) of the glass. Production of the mirror surface on the external side (6) of the glass involves depositing at least one layer of specular material. Coloration of the photochromic glass (1) can be achieved, preferably before the antireflection treatment, by depositing at least one layer of a coloring material on the internal side (4) of the photochromic glass (1). Deposition of the anti-reflection layer, the specular layer and the coloring layer is performed by vacuum evaporation, after heating the photochromic glass (1). An Independent claim is given for a photochromic glass that has been processed according to the above method.

Description

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The present invention relates, on the one hand, to a process for treating a photochromic glass and, on the other hand, to the photochromic glass obtained through the application of this process.

This invention relates to the eyewear industry and relates, more particularly, to the field of the manufacture of lenses intended to be mounted in a spectacle frame of the solar type.

We already know a certain number of methods relating to the treatment of a photochromic glass consisting in applying a coating, consisting of at least one layer, on one of the sides of this glass.

Such a treatment leads to attenuating the transmission of light over at least part of the light spectrum, which allows the development of a protective solar glass.

 The present invention aims to improve the performance of such a solar glass through the application of a new treatment to the latter.

To this end, the present invention relates to a method for treating a photochromic lens intended to be made integral with the frame of a pair of sunglasses, said photochromic lens having an internal side oriented in the direction of the face of the wearer. these glasses as well as, oriented in an opposite direction, an external side, characterized in that one proceeds, on the one hand and at the level of said internal side, to an anti-reflective treatment of this photochromic lens and, on the other hand and on the external side, to a mirror treatment of said photochromic lens.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the anti-reflective treatment consists in depositing, at the internal side of said photochromic glass, at least one layer of an anti-reflection material, in particular a metal oxide.

An additional characteristic concerns the fact that the anti-reflective treatment consists in depositing, successively, several layers of an anti-reflective treatment which, as the case may be - have an equal or different thickness; - And / or include an anti-reflective material of the same nature or of a different nature.

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 According to an additional characteristic, the shimmering treatment consists in depositing, at said external side of said photochromic glass, at least one layer of a shimmering material.

Another characteristic is that a coloring of said photochromic glass is carried out by depositing at least one layer of a coloring material at the internal side of said photochromic glass.

In fact, it is preferable to color said photochromic glass before applying the anti-reflective treatment.

An additional characteristic relates to the fact that on said photochromic glass is deposited, as the case may be, at least one layer of an anti-reflective material and / or at least one layer of a shimmering material and / or at least one layer of a coloring material and that the deposition of such a layer takes place by vacuum evaporation, in particular after heating said photochromic glass.

The present invention also relates to a photochromic lens intended to be made integral with the frame of a pair of sunglasses, said photochromic lens having an internal side oriented in the direction of the face of the wearer of these glasses as well as oriented in an opposite direction, an outer side, characterized in that said photochromic glass is covered, on the one hand and at its internal side, by at least one layer of an anti-reflective material and, on the other hand and at the level on its external side, by at least one layer of a shimmering material.

According to another characteristic, this glass comprises several layers of an anti-reflective material, these layers, as the case may be - having an identical or different thickness; - And / or comprising an anti-reflective material of the same or different nature.

An additional characteristic consists in that the glass is covered, at its internal side, by at least one layer of a coloring material, in particular covered by at least one layer of an anti-reflective material.

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 The advantages of the present invention consist in that the treatment described above makes it possible to remarkably improve the performance of a photochromic lens, this from the point of view of the transmission of light, and, consequently, of the protection of the wearer of this glass.

In fact, the application of such a treatment makes it possible to obtain a photochromic lens which, on the one hand and in a clear state, is in category 2 of protection and, on the other hand and in l dark state, is in category 3 of protection, this from a photochromic lens which, on the one hand and in the clear state, is located in category 1 of protection and, on the other hand and to the dark state is in category 2 of protection.

More specifically, after application of this treatment, there is a photochromic lens whose percentage of light transmission is, on the one hand and in a clear state, between 19 and 27% and, on the other hand hand and dark, between $ 8 and $ 12.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows, relating to embodiments which are given only by way of indicative and nonlimiting examples.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawing in which - FIG. 1 corresponds to a schematic side view of a photochromic lens according to the invention and secured to a spectacle frame; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, in section and from the side, corresponding to detail A of the glass shown in FIG. 1.

The present invention relates to the field of the eyewear industry and relates, more particularly, to the field of the manufacture of lenses intended to be mounted in a spectacle frame of the solar type.

In fact, the invention relates more specifically to a photochromic type glass 1 intended to be made integral with the frame 2 of a pair of sunglasses 3.

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 This photochromic lens 1 has, on the one hand, an internal side 4, oriented towards the face of the wearer of these glasses 3, and delimited by an internal face 5.

This photochromic lens 1 has, on the other hand and oriented in a direction opposite to the internal side 4, an external side 6 delimited by an external face 7.

The invention therefore relates to a method for treating this glass 1, characterized in that, on the one hand and at the level of said internal side 4, an anti-reflective treatment of this photochromic glass 1 is carried out and, on the other hand part and on the external side 6, to a shimmering treatment of said photochromic lens 1.

As regards said anti-reflective treatment, this consists in depositing at least one layer 8, 8A of an anti-reflection material 9 at the internal side 4 of said photochromic glass 1, for example, at the internal face 5 of the last.

It will be observed that such an anti-reflective material 9 is preferably constituted by a metal oxide.

 However and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anti-reflective treatment consists in depositing, successively, several layers 8, 8A of an anti-reflective material 9.

It will be observed that very good results are obtained for two layers 8, 8A of anti-reflective material 9 as shown in FIG. 2.

 It will be noted that the anti-reflective material 9 used for each of these layers 8, 8A can be, as the case may be, of the same nature or of a different nature.

For example, it is possible to deposit a first layer 8 based on a first metal oxide, in particular of the magnesium fluoride type, and a second layer 8A based on another metal oxide, in particular of the titanium dioxide type. .

Such an embodiment makes it possible to define anti-reflection layers 8, 8A having a different refractive index.

In this regard, the deposition of a layer 8 of an anti-reflective material 9, in particular a metal oxide, takes place by evaporation on said photochromic glass 1, this inside an enclosure in which it has, beforehand , the air vacuum was achieved.

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 In order to allow optimum adhesion of this anti-reflection material 9 to said glass 1, it is sometimes preferable to heat the latter, in particular to a temperature of the order of 400 C. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable in the case of a photochromic glass of the mineral type knowing, however, that the present invention is in no way limited thereto.

In addition, it will be observed that each of these layers 8, 8A has a determined thickness 10, 10A, which may be, as the case may be, equal or different from one layer 8 to the other 8A.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, it is also possible to determine the order and / or the thickness 10, 10A and / or the nature of the anti-reflective material 9 of the successive layers 8, 8A so that they produce a wavelength phase opposition effect.

As regards the shimmering treatment, this consists of depositing, at the level of said external side 6 of the photochromic glass 1, at least one layer 11, 11A of a shimmering material 12.

 It will be observed that such a deposit is made at said external side 6 of said photochromic glass 1, in particular at the level of the external face 7 of the latter.

 Again, it will be noted that, in the case of a plurality of layers 11, 11A, the shimmering material 12 used for each of these layers 11, 11A may be, as the case may be, of the same nature or of a different nature.

 The deposition of such a layer 11, 11A takes place, here again, by evaporation on said photochromic glass 1, this inside an enclosure in which the air vacuum has previously been produced.

 In order to allow optimal adhesion of the shimmering material 12 to said glass 1, it is again here sometimes preferable to heat the latter.

In addition, it will be observed that, in the case of a plurality of layers 11, 11A, each of these has a determined thickness 13, 13A, which may be, as the case may be, equal or different from a layer 11 to the other 11A.

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 Again, it is possible to determine the order and / or the thickness 13, 13A and / or the nature of the shimmering material 12 of the successive layers 11, 11A.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the treatment also consists in coloring said photochromic glass 1, such coloring being carried out by depositing at least one layer 14, 14A of coloring material 15 at the inner side 4 of said photochromic lens 1.

In this regard, it will be noted that such a coloring material 15 is preferably constituted by a gray color or a brown color. It will be observed that, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the deposition of two layers 14, 14A of a coloring material 15 makes it possible to obtain good results.

According to another characteristic and in the case of a plurality of layers 14, 14A, the coloring material 15 used for each of these layers 14, 14A can be, as the case may be, of the same color or of different color.

In addition, it will be noted that the deposition of a layer 14 of such a coloring material 15 takes place, here again, by evaporation on said photochromic glass 1, this inside a chamber in which it has, at beforehand, an air vacuum was created.

Again, it is sometimes preferable to heat the photochromic glass 1 before making such a deposit.

In the case of a plurality of layers 14, 14A, each of these layers 14, 14A has a determined thickness 16, 16A, which may again be equal or different from one layer 14 to another 14A .

According to another characteristic of the present invention, it is also possible to determine the order and / or the thickness 16, 16A and / or the nature of the coloring material 15 of the successive layers 14, 14A.

Thus, the method according to the invention consists in ensuring, on the internal side 4 of the photochromic glass 1, on the one hand, an anti-reflective treatment and, on the other hand, a coloring of this photochromic glass 1.

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 In this regard, it should be observed that, according to a first embodiment, the glass 1 is anti-reflective treatment before ensuring the coloring of the latter.

 However and according to a preferred embodiment, said photochromic glass 1 is colored before applying the anti-reflective treatment.

To do this, it is, first of all, deposited, at the level of the internal side 4 of the photochromic glass 1, in particular at the level of the internal face 5 of the latter, at least one layer 14 of a coloring material 15.

After ensuring the coloring of this glass 1, it is ensured that, over the layer or layers 14 of coloring material 15, there is deposited at least one layer 8 of an anti-reflective material 9.

Another embodiment relating to a plurality of layers, as the case may be, of coloring material 15 and / or of anti-reflection material 9, consists in alternately depositing a layer 14 of a coloring material 15 with a layer 8 of anti-reflective material 9.

 The present invention relates, "also, to a photochromic glass 1 obtained through the application of the method described above.

Such a photochromic glass 1 is covered, on the one hand and at its internal side 4, by at least one layer 8 of an anti-reflective material 9 and, on the other hand and at its external side 6, by at minus a layer 11 of a shimmering material 12.

In fact, such a glass 1 preferably comprises several layers 8, 8A of an anti-reflective material 9, these layers 8, 8A having, as the case may be, an identical or different thickness 10, 10A.

 When such a glass 1 comprises several layers 8, 8A of an anti-reflective material 9, these layers 8, 8A comprise an anti-reflective material 9, as the case may be, of identical or different nature.

According to another characteristic of this glass 1, it is covered, at its internal side 4, by at least one layer 14 of a coloring material 15.

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 This or these layers 14 of a coloring material 15 cover or are covered by at least one layer 8 of an anti-reflective material 9.

I1 is given, in the following description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Such an embodiment consists in carrying out, on the one hand and at the level of said external side 6, a shimmering treatment of said photochromic glass 1.

Such a shimmering treatment consists in depositing, at said external side 6 of said photochromic glass 1, in particular on its external face 7, at least one layer 11 of a shimmering material 12. Preferably this layer 11 is unique.

On the other hand and on the internal side 4, a coloring as well as an anti-reflective treatment of this photochromic glass 1.

The coloring of said glass 1 consists in depositing at least one layer 14, preferably two 14, 14A, of a coloring material 15, in particular of gray and / or brown color, this, preferably, on the internal face 5 of said photochromic glass. 1.

We then proceed to an anti-reflective treatment consisting in depositing at least one layer 8, preferably two 8, 8A, of an anti-reflective material 9, this, preferably, over the layer 14 or the layers 14, 14A coloring material 15.

The application of such a process to a photochromic glass 1 enables the latter to reach a percentage of light transmission comprised, on the one hand and in the clear state, between 19 and 27%, preferably approximately equal at 23% and, on the other hand and in the dark state, between 8 and 12%, preferably approximately equal to 9%.

In this regard, it will be observed that the application of the only coloring treatment to said photochromic glass 1 allows the latter to achieve a percentage of light transmission which is, on the one hand and in the clear state, approximately equal to 70 % t 4% and, on the other hand and in the dark state, approximately equal to $ 20 t 2 $.

Also, a photochromic lens thus colored is, on the one hand and in a clear state, in category 1 of protection and, on the other hand and in the dark state, in category 2 of protection.

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 The application of the anti-reflective treatment and the shimmering treatment to this colored glass makes it possible to obtain a photochromic glass which, on the one hand and in the clear state, is in category 2 of protection and, on the other hand and in the dark state, is in category 3 of protection Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited thereto and that may make various modifications to the forms, materials and combinations of these various elements, without thereby departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

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Claims (10)

 CLAIMS 1) Method for treating a photochromic lens (1) intended to be made integral with the frame (2) of a pair of sunglasses (3), said photochromic lens (1) having an internal side (4 ) oriented towards the face of the wearer of these glasses (3) as well as, oriented in an opposite direction, an external side (6), characterized in that one proceeds, on the one hand and at the level of said internal side (4), to an anti-reflective treatment of this photochromic glass (1) and, on the other hand and on the external side (6), to a shimmering treatment of said photochromic glass (1). 2) treatment method according to claim 1, characterized in that the anti-reflective treatment consists in depositing, at the internal side (4) of said photochromic glass (1), at least one layer (8, 8A) of a material anti-reflective (9), in particular a metal oxide. 3) Treatment method according to claim 2, characterized in that the anti-reflective treatment consists in depositing, successively, several layers (8, 8A) of an anti-reflective material (9) which, as the case may be - have a thickness (10 , 10A) equal or different; - And / or comprise an anti-reflective material (9) of the same nature or of a different nature. 4) treatment method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shimmering treatment consists in depositing, at said external side (6) of said photochromic glass (1), at least one layer (11, 11A) of a shimmering material (12).  5) treatment method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one proceeds to a coloring of said photochromic glass (1) by depositing at least one layer (14, 14A) of a coloring material (15 ) at the internal side (4) of said photochromic lens (1). <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  6) Treatment method according to claim 5, characterized in that one proceeds to the coloring of said photochromic glass (1) before applying the anti-reflective treatment. 7) Treatment method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that one deposits on said photochromic glass (1), as the case may be, at least one layer (8) of an anti-reflective material ( 9) and / or at least one layer (11) of a shimmering material (12) and / or at least one layer (14) of a coloring material (15) and that the deposition of such a layer (8, 11, 14) is done by vacuum evaporation, in particular after having heated said photochromic glass (1). 8) Photochromic glass (1) intended to be made integral with the frame (2) of a pair of sunglasses (3) of the solar type, said photochromic glass (1) having an internal side (4) oriented in the direction of the face of the wearer of these glasses (3) as well as, oriented in an opposite direction, an external side (6), characterized in that said photochromic lens (1) is covered, on the one hand and at its internal side (4 ), by at least one layer (8) of an anti-reflective material (9) and, on the other hand and at its external side (6), by at least one layer (11) of a shimmering material (12 ). 9) Photochromic glass (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises several layers (8, 8A) of an anti-reflective material (9) and that these layers (8, 8A), as the case may be - have the same or different thickness (10,10A); - And / or comprise an anti-reflective material (9) of the same or different nature. 10) Photochromic glass (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it is covered, at its internal side (4), by at least one layer (14) of a material dye (15), in particular covered by at least one layer (8) of an anti-reflective material (9).