GB2564656A

GB2564656A - A spectacle lens

Info

Publication number: GB2564656A
Application number: GB1711489.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shuabe Khan Mohammed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-17
Filing date: 2017-07-17
Publication date: 2019-01-23
Also published as: WO2019016495A1; GB201711489D0

Abstract

A method for applying colour to a spectacle lens 700, having a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface and a peripheral surface 730 surrounding the lens between the front and back surfaces, comprises applying ink 740 to at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens. The ink may be permanent ink and it may comprise at least one volatile organic solvent, at least one colourant and at least one resin. The method may further comprise the steps of applying a varnish layer to at least a portion of the ink and/or buffing at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens prior to applying the ink. The spectacle lens produced by this method and pair of spectacles comprising a frame and at least one of such lenses is also claimed, as is a kit of parts for making said spectacles. Spectacles produced in this way may have the advantage of reducing the milk bottle effect whereby white power rings can be seen by an observer viewing the glasses.

Description

A SPECTACLE LENS

The present invention relates to a method for applying colour to a spectacle lens, and a spectacle lens.

Often visible on the edge of a spectacle lens is a white ring, usually caused by the surface roughness of the edge of the spectacle lens, and which may be considered unsightly. The appearance of the spectacle lens to an observer not wearing the spectacles is also affected by reflections in the lens of the white ring, creating a series of concentric rings, visible around the circumference of the lens, extending inwards towards the centre of the lens. This phenomenon is known as a “power ring” reflection, or the “bottle effect” or “coke bottle effect”. This reduces the aesthetic appeal of the spectacle lens. The effect is significantly increased for thicker lenses, where the lens thickness is greater than the thickness of the spectacle frame.

WO 02/08820 A1 teaches a method for painting a coloured coating to a peripheral edge surface of a lens, to reduce the appearance of the white ring. However one of the problems with such a painted coating is its lack of adhesion to the lens edge surface and the subsequent disintegration of the coating. Furthermore, the use of a paintbrush or a paint applicator to paint on the coating is difficult and time consuming, since the coating requires skill to apply in a tidy manner. A significant amount of time is needed for the painted coating to dry, which is further increased when more than one painted coating is applied.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for applying colour to a spectacle lens having a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface and a peripheral surface surrounding the lens between the front and back surfaces, the method comprising applying ink to at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens.

With this arrangement, the ink which is applied can dry quickly and easily and can also be easy to apply. The ink provides the colour to the peripheral surface of the lens.

The ink may be permanent ink.

The ink may be waterproof, i.e. it will not run when exposed to moisture.

The ink may comprise at least one volatile organic solvent, at least one colourant and at least one resin. The resin and colourant may be soluble in the volatile organic solvent but insoluble in water. The volatile organic solvent may

-2comprise at least one solvent such as C1-C12 (e.g. C1-C6) organic solvents such as alcohols (including diols and polyols), hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ester solvents (including lactone solvents), ketone solvents, amide solvents (including lactam solvents such as pyrrolidones), ether solvents and mixtures thereof. Examples of typical solvents include butane, pentane, hexane, toluene, xylene, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, 2-pyrrolidone, 3-pyrrolidone and mixtures thereof.

The ink may comprise a lubricant such as lipids, fatty acids or glycerides for example. Typical glycerides include mono-, di- and tri-glycerides such as glycerol esters of C6 to C24 saturated or unsaturated fatty acids including oleate, linoleate and related compounds. Mixtures of glycerides derived from natural sources may be appropriate.

The resin may be any suitable polymer resin soluble in the volatile organic solvent such as polyolefin resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polycarbamate (polyurethane) resins, polyvinyl resins such as polyvinylchloride resins and mixtures thereof.

In one optional embodiment, the resin may be a resin other than a polyester resin (in particular, a resin other than “Alkyd” type polyester resins). Specifically, the resin may be a resin that does not consist of Alkyd resin or may be a resin that does not comprise Alkyd resin. In a further optional embodiment, the resin may be a resin other than nitrocellulose resin. Specifically, the resin may be a resin that does not consist of nitrocellulose resin or may be a resin that does not comprise nitrocellulose resin.

The ink may be metallic or ultraviolet reactive.

The ink may be opaque or translucent, to provide a desired aesthetic appearance.

An opaque ink will absorb more incoming light than a translucent ink, and be very effective at reducing or eliminating the white ring effect, while a translucent ink will allow light to pass through the ink more easily, thereby resulting in an apparent tinting effect of the spectacle lens. The colour of the ink will influence the tinting effect.

The method may comprise applying a varnish layer to at least a portion of the ink.

-3With this arrangement, the ink layer can be protected from scratching or other abrasion which may cause it to wear away. The varnish may be clear or tinted, and may be gloss, satin or matt finish for example, to provide a desired aesthetic appearance.

The step of applying a varnish layer may comprise applying a varnish using a brush.

Since varnishes may be viscous, this arrangement allows controlled application of the varnish to the desired surface.

The step of applying ink may comprise applying permanent ink using a permanent marker, such as a permanent marker pen.

With this arrangement, the ink can be quickly and easily applied without the need for complex or expensive application equipment. Further, the marker allows easy control of the ink application. The permanent marker may also be known as an “indelible marker”, or a “waterproof marker”.

The permanent marker may have a shaped tip. For example the tip of the permanent marker may have a specific size known in the art, such as ultra fine, wide or any intermediate size. The tip of the permanent marker may have a specific shape, such as a chisel point, bullet tip or wide bristle for example. The size and shape of the permanent marker can provide improved control of application of the ink.

The method may comprise buffing at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens prior to the step of applying ink.

With this arrangement, the buffing procedure can provide a more desirable surface roughness which will aid the adhesion of the ink to the surface and help to prevent the dried ink from coming away from the peripheral surface of the lens.

The method may comprise selecting an ink to match a colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

With this arrangement, a desired aesthetic effect of the spectacle lens being less noticeable can be achieved.

The method may comprise selecting an ink to contrast with a colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

With this arrangement, a desired aesthetic effect of the spectacle lens being more noticeable can be achieved.

The method may comprise applying plural colours of ink to match and/or contrast with colours of a spectacle frame for the lens.

-4Some spectacle frames are coloured with more than one colour, and so in order to match the spectacle lens to the frames to achieve a desired aesthetic effect of the spectacle lens being less noticeable, plural colours of ink can be applied. Alternatively and/or additionally, in order to contrast the spectacle lens from the frames to achieve a desired aesthetic effect of the spectacle lens being more noticeable, plural colours of ink can be applied.

Plural colours may include plural discernible colours in the conventional sense, and/or may refer to different tones or shades of the same colour or similar colours. For example, light and dark tones or shades of the same colour or similar variants.

Excess ink and/or excess varnish can be removed using a solvent such as “Bondeye” (trade mark) lens cleaner which contains alcohol.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a spectacle lens comprising: a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface and a peripheral surface surrounding the lens between the front and back surfaces; and a layer of ink on at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens.

With this arrangement, the white ring effect visible on conventional lenses can be mitigated easily, by the use of ink which can dry quickly and easily and can also be easy to apply.

The ink provides colour to the peripheral surface of the lens.

The ink may be permanent ink.

The ink may be waterproof, i.e. it will not run when exposed to moisture.

The ink may comprise at least one volatile organic solvent, at least one colourant and at least one resin. The resin and colourant may be soluble in the volatile organic solvent but insoluble in water. The volatile organic solvent may comprise at least one solvent such as C1-C12 (e.g. C1-C6) organic solvents such as alcohols (including diols and polyols), hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ester solvents (including lactone solvents), ketone solvents, amide solvents (including lactam solvents such as pyrrolidones), ether solvents and mixtures thereof. Examples of typical solvents include butane, pentane, hexane, toluene, xylene, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, 2-pyrrolidone, 3-pyrrolidone and mixtures thereof.

The ink may comprise a lubricant such as lipids, fatty acids or glycerides for example. Typical glycerides include mono-, di- and tri-glycerides such as glycerol esters of C6 to C24 saturated or unsaturated fatty acids including oleate, linoleate

-5and related compounds. Mixtures of glycerides derived from natural sources may be appropriate.

The ink may be metallic or ultraviolet reactive.

The spectacle lens may comprise a layer of varnish on at least a portion of the ink layer.

With this arrangement, the ink layer can be protected from scratching or other abrasion which may cause it to wear away. The varnish may be clear or tinted, and may be gloss, satin or matt finish for example, to provide a desired aesthetic appearance.

The peripheral surface of the lens under the ink layer may be buffed.

The colour of the ink may match a colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

-6The colour of the ink may contrast with a colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

The layer of ink may comprise plural colours of ink to match and/or contrast with colours of a spectacle frame for the lens.

Some spectacle frames are coloured with more than one colour, and so in order to match the spectacle lens to the frames to achieve a desired aesthetic effect of the spectacle lens being less noticeable, plural colours of ink can be applied. Alternatively and/or additionally, in order to contrast the spectacle lens from the frames to achieve a desired aesthetic effect of the spectacle lens being more noticeable, plural colours of ink can be applied.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a pair of spectacles comprising one or more spectacle lenses according to the second aspect, and/or as produced by the method of the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a spectacle frame and one or more spectacle lenses according to the second aspect, and/or as produced by the method of the first aspect.

Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a pair of spectacles showing a frame and a conventional spectacle lens;

Figure 2A shows schematically a plan view of a conventional hyperopic spectacle lens;

Figure 2B shows schematically a plan view of a conventional myopic spectacle lens;

Figure 3 shows schematically a front view of a conventional spectacle lens;

Figure 4 shows a method for applying colour to a conventional spectacle lens;

-7Figure 5 shows a spectacle lens having a single colour of ink applied to the peripheral surface;

Figure 6 shows a spectacle lens having plural colours of ink applied to the peripheral surface; and

Figures 7A shows a schematic side view of a spectacle lens, not to scale, showing a layer of ink;

Figure 7B shows a schematic side view of a spectacle lens, not to scale, showing a layer of ink and a layer of varnish;

Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are each photographs of a different pair of spectacles having one conventional spectacle lens and one lens according to the invention;

Figure 9A is a photograph of a pair of spectacles having a frame and two conventional spectacle lenses; and

Figure 9B is a photograph of a pair of spectacles having the frame of Figure 9A and two lenses according to the invention.

In the Figures, like reference signs denote like features.

As shown in Figure 1, a pair of spectacles 100 comprises a frame 200 which supports a pair of conventional spectacle lenses 300. Each spectacle lens 300 comprises a front surface 310 which in use is further from the wearer, a back surface 320 which in use is closer to the wearer and a peripheral surface 330 surrounding the lens between the front and back surfaces 310, 320. As can be seen in Figure 1, the portion 210 of the frame 200 which supports the spectacle lens 300 may be much narrower than the width of the peripheral surface 330 of the lens, as shown by the dotted-line boundary 332 of the peripheral surface 330 of the lens 300 in Figure 1.

As seen in Figures 2A and 2B, a conventional lens 300, 400, 500 may take a variety of shapes. One example of a conventional hyperopic lens 400 is shown in Figure 2A as a plan view, i.e. as viewed from above. In a hyperopic lens 400, the front surface 410 and back surface 420 are shaped such that the peripheral surface 430 is wider between the front and back surfaces in the centre of the lens than at the edges.

Conversely, Figure 2B shows an example of a conventional myopic lens 500 as a plan view, i.e. as viewed from above. In a myopic lens 500, the front surface 510 and back surface 520 are shaped such that the peripheral surface 530 is

-8narrower between the front and back surfaces in the centre of the lens than at the edges.

Other lenses may take a range of configurations other than those exemplary lenses shown in Figures 2A and 2B as required for specific prescriptions. For example, the lenses may be biconvex, plano-convex, positive meniscus, negative meniscus, plano-concave or biconcave.

Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of a conventional lens 300, having front surface 310, back surface 320 and peripheral surface 330. As shown schematically, a white ring is visible in the portion of the lens indicated by dotted line 340 when the lens is set in spectacle frame 200. The white ring may be a full circumferential ring, a partial ring, and may appear to an observer as several concentric full or partial rings.

The skilled person in the technical field of spectacles would clearly understand that the shape of the exemplary conventional lens 300 shown in Figure 3 is intended to be non-limiting and can vary depending on the shape of frame 200 into which the lens 300 is to be inserted, or depending on the final desired aesthetic shape of the spectacles 100. For example, the lens 300 may be round, elliptical, square, rectangular or any freeform shape.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary method 600 for applying colour to a spectacle lens according to the invention. The method will be described with reference to a conventional spectacle lens 300 shown in Figures 1 and 3, as well as with reference to a spectacle lens according to the invention as shown in Figures 5, 6, 7A and 7B; however the skilled person will clearly understand that such a method is applicable to any shape of spectacle lens, for example also those conventional lenses 400, 500 shown in Figures 2A and 2B and those shapes of lenses described above.

In step 610, a conventional spectacle lens 300 is provided. At step 612, at least a portion of the peripheral surface 330 of the lens 300 is optionally buffed. The optional buffing step allows a desired surface texture or surface roughness t be achieved, which can aid in adhesion of the ink which is applied in the next step. Buffing can be carried out using conventional buffing equipment known in the art.

At step 614, ink, such as permanent ink, can be applied to at least a portion of the peripheral surface 330 of the spectacle lens 300. Figure 5 shows such a spectacle lens 700, having a monochromic layer of ink 740 applied across the whole peripheral surface 730 of the lens 700. However the skilled person will

-9understand that the ink may equally be applied to only a portion of the peripheral surface 730 of the lens 700. Figure 7A shows a side view not to scale showing a layer of ink 740 on the peripheral surface 730 of a spectacle lens 700.

Ink is less viscous than known painted layers as in the prior art and therefore is easier to apply. It also dries much faster, thereby reducing the time taken to prepare a spectacle lens with reduced “white ring” effect.

The ink may be metallic or ultraviolet reactive to meet aesthetic design requirements, and may be opaque or translucent, to provide a desired aesthetic appearance. An opaque ink will absorb more incoming light than a translucent ink,

- 10and be very effective at reducing or eliminating the white ring effect, while a translucent ink will allow light to pass through the ink more easily, thereby resulting in an apparent tinting effect of the spectacle lens. The colour of the ink will influence the tinting effect.

The colour of the ink chosen may be such to match the colour of the spectacle frame, or to contrast with it, as desired by the aesthetic design of the spectacles. Additionally, since some spectacle frames may comprise plural colours, one or more coloured inks may also be chosen to apply to the spectacle lens, to match and/or contrast with the frames as desired. Alternatively, for spectacle frames comprising a single colour, plural colours of ink may be chosen to apply to the spectacle lens, to match and/or contrast with the frames as desired.

Provision of plural coloured inks can be seen in Figure 6, which shows a spectacle lens 700 having a peripheral surface 730 which has alternating coloured inks 740, 750 applied to the peripheral surface 730 of the lens 700. The skilled person will clearly understand that the plural coloured inks are not limited to two inks or to alternate in the manner shown in Figure 6, and that there may be unequal quantities of each colour of ink as desired, to achieve the aesthetic design.

In the embodiments, the ink may be permanent ink and may be applied using a “permanent marker” pen, also known as an “indelible marker”, or a “waterproof marker”. Such pens allow quick and easy application without the need for complex or expensive application equipment. Further, the pen allows easy control of the ink application. The permanent marker may have a shaped tip. For example the tip of the permanent marker may have a specific size known in the art, such as ultra fine, wide or any intermediate size. The tip of the permanent marker may have a specific shape, such as a chisel point, bullet tip or wide bristle for example. The size and shape of the permanent marker can provide improved control of application of the ink.

Some known permanent markers which may be used include markers such as those sold under the brand Sharpie (trade mark) or Schneider (trade mark).

At step 618, optionally, a solvent such as “Bondeye” (trade mark) lens cleaner which contains alcohol, may optionally be used to remove any excess

- 11 permanent marker before it dries, which may have been applied in error, either to an undesired portion of the peripheral surface, or to a front and/or back surface of the lens 300.

The method includes a drying step 618 for drying of the ink. If the ink is left to dry naturally, the drying process may take up to three hours. This process can be expedited to about twenty minutes for example, by application of cold or warm air, for example by use of a hairdryer on a low temperature setting, or other means of blowing air.

At step 620, optionally, a solvent such as “Bondeye” (trade mark) lens cleaner which contains alcohol, may optionally be used to remove any excess permanent marker after it has dried, which may have been applied in error, either to an undesired portion of the peripheral surface, or to a front and/or back surface of the lens 300.

At step 622, optionally, a varnish can optionally be applied on top of the ink, and/or the peripheral surface 330 of the spectacle lens 300. Figure 7B shows a side view not to scale showing a layer of varnish 760 on top of a layer of two colours of ink 740, 750 on the peripheral surface 730 of a spectacle lens 700. The skilled person will clearly understand that the varnish may also cover one colour of ink 740, or more than two colours of ink, and may also only cover a portion of the ink or all of the ink.

The varnish may be clear or tinted, and provides a protective coating to prevent scratches and abrasion to the underlying surface, be it the peripheral surface 730 of the spectacle lens 700 or the dried ink layer 740, 750.

The varnish may be matt, satin or gloss finish for example, to provide a desired aesthetic appearance. Some exemplary varnishes include varnishes such as “Artists’ Gloss Varnish”, “Artists’ Satin Varnish” and “Artists’ Matt Varnish” produced by “Winsor& Newton™”, and “Gloss Cote”, “Matt Cote” and “Satin Cote” produced by “Humbrol™”.

At step 624, optionally any excess varnish, or varnish accidentally applied to an surface of the lens 300 which is not desired to be varnished, can be removed from the spectacle lens before it dries, using chemicals such as “Bondeye” (trade mark) lens cleaner which contains alcohol. This step may also include removal of any excess ink which has not previously been removed.

At step 626, the varnish is left to dry. This process can take up to half an hour if left to dry naturally, and the drying process can be expedited to about five

- 12 minutes for example, by application of cold or warm air, for example by use of a hairdryer on a low temperature setting, or other means of blowing air.

Finally, at step 628, optionally any excess varnish, or varnish accidentally applied to an surface of the lens 300 which is not desired to be varnished, can be removed from the spectacle lens after it has dried, using chemicals such as “Bondeye” (trade mark) lens cleaner which contains alcohol. This step may also include removal of any excess ink which has not previously been removed.

At this point, the lens 700 is ready for insertion or attachment to a spectacle frame 200.

Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are photographs which serve to illustrate by example the improvement of the new lens 700 compared to a conventional lens 300. Each of these photographs shows a pair of spectacles with a different shaped frame 200 and two lenses, one of which is a conventional lens 300 having a visible white ring 340, and one of which is a lens 700 according to the invention, in which the white rings 340 are not visible.

Figures 9A and 9B each show a pair of spectacles set in the same frame 200, where the pair of spectacles in Figure 9A has two conventional lenses 300 having visible white rings 340, and the pair of spectacles in Figure 9b has two lenses 700 according to the invention, in which the white rings 340 are not visible.

Claims

1. A method for applying colour to a spectacle lens having a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface and a peripheral surface surrounding the lens between the front and back surfaces, the method comprising applying ink to at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink is permanent ink.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ink comprises at least one volatile organic solvent, at least one colourant and at least one resin.

4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising applying a varnish layer to at least a portion of the ink.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of applying a varnish layer comprises applying a varnish using a brush.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of applying ink comprises applying permanent ink using a permanent marker.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising buffing at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens prior to the step of applying ink.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising selecting an ink to match a colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

9. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising selecting an ink to contrast with a colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

10. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising applying plural colours of ink to match and/or contrast with colours of a spectacle frame for the lens.

11. A spectacle lens comprising:

a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface and a peripheral surface surrounding the lens between the front and back surfaces; and a layer of ink on at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the lens.

12. A spectacle lens as claimed in claim 11, wherein the layer of ink is a layer of permanent ink.

13. A spectacle lens as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the ink comprises at least one volatile organic solvent, at least one colourant and at least one resin.

14. A spectacle lens according to any of claims 11, 12 or 13, further comprising a layer of varnish on at least a portion of the ink layer.

15. A spectacle lens according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the peripheral surface of the lens under the ink layer is buffed.

16. A spectacle lens according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the colour of the ink matches the colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

17. A spectacle lens according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the colour of the ink contrasts with the colour of a spectacle frame for the lens.

18. A spectacle lens according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the layer of ink comprises plural colours of ink to match and/or contrast with the colours of a spectacle frame for the lens.

19. A pair of spectacles comprising one or more spectacle lenses according to any of claims 11 to 18, and/or as produced by the method of any of claims 1 to 10.

20. A kit of parts comprising a spectacle frame and one or more spectacle lenses according to any of claims 11 to 18, and/or as produced by the method of any of claims 1 to 10.