JP3874569B2 - Optical plastic lens coloring system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coloring system for optical plastic lenses. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical plastic lens such as a spectacle lens which is colored in a desired coloring pattern and is stable in coloration, particularly a spectacle lens colored in gradation. The present invention relates to a coloring system for an optical plastic lens for efficient production in time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, spectacle lenses are often used not only for the purpose of correcting vision but also for cosmetic effects or medical effects, for example, eye protection from ultraviolet rays. It is getting done. In particular, gradation coloring (gradation coloring) spectacle lenses having higher cosmetic effects occupy a considerable proportion of colored spectacle lenses.
Conventionally, in order to color an eyeglass lens, (1) a method in which a liquid having coloring ability is attached to a base lens and fixed, (2) a coloring film is attached to the eyeglass lens and the coloring contained in the film A method of transferring an agent (diffusion transfer method), (3) a method of coloring an organic dye by heating and sublimation in a gas phase (Japanese Patent Publication No. 35-1384), and the like have been performed.
[0003]
As a method for coloring a spectacle lens by the above method (1), for example, a method disclosed in JP-A-60-235101 is known. The eyeglass lens coloring method disclosed in this publication is a method in which an organic hard coat solution in which a dye is dissolved is applied to the surface of a synthetic resin lens and cured, and the hard coat solution containing the dye is applied to the base lens. Examples of the method of applying to the surface include a dipping method, a spray method, and a spinning method (spinner method). In order to perform gradation coloring by the method (1), the spectacle lens is immersed in a liquid having a coloring ability, and the immersion time is adjusted for each lens portion.
[0004]
In the method (1), when the entire surface of the lens is uniformly colored, colored glasses having a uniform film thickness, no color unevenness on the entire surface, no color tone and density variations, no color fading, and no color tone change. A lens is obtained. However, in this method (1), when gradation coloring is performed by the dipping method, it takes a long time to color the lens, and the colored lens cannot be produced efficiently. Also, the spray method and the spinning method are not suitable for gradation coloring in a small object such as a spectacle lens.
[0005]
In the method (2), a film having gradation is produced by the method (1), and the film is attached to a lens to transfer a colorant. However, in such a method, a flat spectacle lens may be used, but in the case of a curved spectacle lens (with an R), it is difficult to paste a colored film neatly, and accuracy is high. There is a problem.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the method (3), since the degree of sublimation of the colorant is different between yellow, red, and blue, it is difficult to obtain stable coloring, and it is not industrial and gradation coloring is extremely difficult. There are problems such as difficulties.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Under such circumstances, the present invention is capable of efficiently producing an optical plastic lens such as a spectacle lens colored in a desired coloring pattern and stable in coloration, particularly a spectacle lens colored in gradation in a short time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coloring system for optical plastic lenses which is well manufactured.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventor of the present invention, as a result of earnestly researching to develop a coloring system for efficiently producing a spectacle lens colored in gradation in a short time, is a coloring system using an ink jet method, and includes lens coloring information storage means. Based on this finding, it is found that the object can be achieved by a coloring information selection means, a coloring agent discharge amount control means in an ink jet printer, and a coloring system having information transmission means for transmitting coloring information to the control means. The present invention has been completed.
[0009]
That is, the present invention includes (A) a lens coloring information storage means having a plurality of information relating to the coloring of an optical plastic lens in which a cured film of a water-soluble polymer is formed on the surface, and (B) the lens coloring information storage means. (C) discharging from the colorant discharge mechanism of the ink jet printer based on the information obtained by the selection means. Control means for controlling the amount of the one or more colorants; coating means for applying the colorant onto the cured film of the plastic lens from the colorant discharge mechanism of the inkjet printer; and heating means for heating the plastic lens; , colored optical plastic lenses and a means for cleaning by washing with water the plastic lens after heating Temu, as well as,
(A) a lens coloring information storage means having a plurality of information relating to the coloring of an optical plastic lens having a cured film of a water-soluble polymer formed on the surface; and (B) a lens stored by the lens coloring information storage means. Selection means for selecting arbitrary coloring information from among the coloring information, and (C) one or a plurality of colorants discharged from the colorant discharge mechanism of the ink jet printer based on the information obtained by the selection means (D) a transmission means for transmitting information obtained by the selection means to the control means via a communication line; and curing of the plastic lens from the colorant discharge mechanism of the inkjet printer. water and applying means for applying a colorant onto the coating, a heating means for heating the plastic lens, the plastic lens after heating There is provided a coloring system of the optical plastic lens having a means for washing by.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The optical plastic lens coloring system of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “the coloring system of the present invention”) is a system for coloring an optical plastic lens, preferably a spectacle lens, by an inkjet method. (A) Lens coloring information storage means, (B) Color information selection means, and (C) Colorant discharge amount control means , and (D) Color information transmission means may be provided.
[0011]
In the coloring system of the present invention, an ink jet method is used for coloring the base lens. The method of applying the colorant by this ink jet method can (1) effectively use the ink (colorant), (2) Based on a database and application stored in a computer, it can be applied to a desired color tone and density, and (3) it can be applied in a short time.
[0012]
Next, each means in the coloring system of the present invention will be described.
(A) Lens coloring information storage means:
The lens coloring information storage means is a means for storing various information relating to the coloring of the lens for coloring the optical plastic lens. As a representative example of this means, the lens coloring information is stored in a computer. Can be mentioned.
Examples of various information relating to the coloring of the lens include a coloring database for each dye and each lens relating to the thickness of the cured film, the amount of the dye contacted with the lens, the heat treatment temperature, the heat treatment time, and the like.
[0013]
(B) Coloring information selection means:
The coloring information selection means is means for selecting and extracting necessary information from various lens coloring information stored by the lens coloring information storage means described above. Means can be provided.
[0014]
(C) Colorant discharge amount control means:
Based on the lens coloring information obtained by the above-described (B) coloring information selection means, it is means for controlling the amount of one or more colorants discharged from the colorant discharge mechanism of the ink jet printer. By this control means, a colored optical plastic lens having a desired color tone and color density can be obtained. In this system, a plurality of colorant discharge amount control means can be provided.
[0015]
(D) Coloring information transmission means:
This coloring information transmission means is means for transmitting the lens coloring information obtained by the above-mentioned (B) coloring information selection means to the (C) colorant discharge amount control means via a communication line.
Preferred examples of the communication line include those using the Internet, intranet, WAN, LAN, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
By using such coloring information transmission means, remote operation becomes possible.
[0016]
The optical plastic lens coloring system of the present invention described above is shown in FIG.
Examples of the optical plastic lens to be colored in the coloring system of the present invention include optical lenses used for spectacle lenses, contact lenses, camera lenses, projector lenses, telescope lenses, magnifier lenses, and the like. However, those used for spectacle lenses are particularly suitable. Specifically, methyl methacrylate homopolymer, copolymer having methyl methacrylate and one or more other monomers as monomer components, diethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate homopolymer, diethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate and one or more other monomers Examples thereof include a plastic lens made of a copolymer containing a monomer as a monomer component, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, polythiourethane, a sulfur-containing polymer, and the like.
[0017]
In the coloring system of the present invention, an optical plastic lens in which the coloring is performed it is obtained by forming a cured coating of a water-soluble polymer on the surface thereof. The water-soluble polymer is not particularly limited and may be any water-soluble polymer as long as it has excellent solubility in an aqueous medium, is highly safe, is inexpensive, and does not react with the disperse dye or does not easily react. The compound can be appropriately selected from these compounds. Examples of such water-soluble polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid metal salt, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, etc., and polyvinyl alcohol, which is particularly safe and inexpensive. Polyethylene glycol and the like are preferable. These water-soluble polymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0018]
The method for forming the cured film of the water-soluble polymer on the surface of the optical plastic lens is not particularly limited. For example, the water-soluble polymer is dissolved in an aqueous medium to prepare an aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymer. It is advantageous to form a cured film of a water-soluble polymer by applying a coating treatment to the surface of the optical plastic lens using this and then heating. The aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymer is prepared by adding and dissolving the water-soluble polymer in a proportion of preferably 2 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the aqueous medium. Further, the viscosity of the aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymer is preferably in the range of 5 × 10 ^{−3 to} 500 × 10 ⁻³ Pa · s (Pascal · second) at room temperature, and particularly 10 × 10 ^{−3 to} 100 × 10 ⁻ A range of ³ Pa · s is preferred. If this viscosity is too low, an aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymer coated on the surface of the optical plastic lens will easily flow, and it will be difficult to form a cured film of the water-soluble polymer with the required thickness. It becomes difficult to coat the lens surface with a uniform thickness.
As the aqueous medium, water is used. If necessary, water to which an organic solvent having miscibility with water is appropriately added can be used as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired.
[0019]
The method of coating the aqueous solution of the water-soluble polymer on the surface of the optical plastic lens is not particularly limited as long as it is a method capable of uniformly coating the surface of the optical plastic lens without unevenness. A direct coating method, a dipping method, a spray method, or the like can be used by a method such as brush coating or spin coating. Any of these methods can be suitably used as long as an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer is coated on the lens surface as uniformly as possible.
Thus, after coating the surface of an optical plastic lens with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer, the lens is usually at a temperature in the range of 100 to 200 ° C., preferably 120 to 150 ° C., for 10 minutes to 6 hours. A water-soluble polymer cured film is formed by heating and drying for about 30 minutes to 3 hours.
[0020]
In this way, by forming a cured film of a water-soluble polymer on the surface of an optical plastic lens, when the colorant comprising an aqueous dyeing solution is applied by an inkjet printer, the colorant is absorbed by the water-soluble polymer. The dye is uniformly held in the cured film, and the applied colorant is prevented from flowing off, agglomerating, or unevenly distributed from the surface of the optical plastic lens. Furthermore, as will be described later, the optical plastic lens coated with the colorant is heat-treated so that the dye retained in the water-soluble polymer film penetrates and diffuses inside the plastic lens, and then the lens surface is changed. When the water-soluble polymer is washed away by washing with water, the dye remaining on the surface also flows together, and the dye can be easily removed. In addition, since the water-soluble polymer has a poor affinity with the dye, it also plays a role in facilitating the diffusion and diffusion of the dye into the plastic lens when heat-treated.
[0021]
As the colorant used in the coloring system of the present invention, an aqueous dyeing solution obtained by dissolving and / or suspending a disperse dye in an aqueous medium is suitable.
The above-mentioned disperse dyes are generally dyes hardly soluble in water, and are widely used for dyeing optical plastic lenses as suspensions dissolved and / or dispersed in water. Sometimes called a sublimation dye or sublimation dye. Particularly preferred dyes include Dianix Blue AC-E and Dianix Red AC-E manufactured by Daistar Japan Co., Ltd., Disperse dye Kayalon Polyester Color Yellow manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. (Kayalon Polyester Colors Yellow) 4G-E and Kayalon Polyester Colors Scarlet 2R-E.
[0022]
In the present invention, it is preferable to prepare an aqueous dyeing solution by dissolving and / or suspending these disperse dyes in an aqueous medium. The concentration of the disperse dye in the aqueous dyeing solution is preferably as high as possible in order to increase the dyeing concentration of the optical plastic lens. Also, since it is used as ink for inkjet printer, in order to avoid clogging of inkjet printer nozzle, the particle diameter of disperse dye that is completely dissolved or suspended without being completely dissolved is less than the diameter of inkjet printer nozzle In other words, it is preferably processed by a method such as filtration or centrifugation so as to be several tens of microns or less, preferably 20 microns or less. The concentration of the disperse dye in this aqueous dyeing solution is usually selected in the range of 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 3 to 10% by weight.
[0023]
As the aqueous medium, water is used, but if necessary, an organic solvent miscible with water, a pH adjuster, a surfactant, an antifoaming agent, as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. Water with appropriate addition of preservatives and the like can also be used.
In the present invention, the colorant is applied by an ink jet printer to an optical plastic lens, particularly preferably an optical plastic lens surface on which a cured film of a water-soluble polymer is formed. From the lens coloring information stored by the lens coloring information storing means, the necessary coloring information is selected by the information selecting means, and the colorant discharging mechanism of the ink jet printer is discharged based on the selected coloring information. The amount of the colorant is controlled by the discharge amount control means. One colorant or a plurality of colorants may be used.
[0024]
In this way, the colorant is applied to the surface of the cured film by the ink jet printer, and the dye retained in the cured film is diffused into the lens by the heat treatment based on the selected coloring information. The heating temperature at this time is usually 80 to 200 ° C, preferably 85 to 150 ° C. The heating time is usually selected in the range of 10 minutes to 24 hours, preferably 30 minutes to 3 hours. In general, the higher the heating temperature and the longer the heating time, the higher the dyeing density. Therefore, the lens characteristics and dyeing properties are avoided so that the surface shape of the optical plastic lens is not deformed or yellowed. In consideration of the balance, it is desirable to select the optimum values of the heating temperature and the heating time for each lens material and the desired dyeing density.
The heating furnace used for this heat treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that can uniformly heat an optical plastic lens. For example, any of an electric furnace, a hot air circulating furnace, an infrared oven, a microwave oven, and the like is used. be able to.
[0025]
After heating is completed, the optical plastic lens surface, since a water-soluble polymer (cured film) and dyes which can not be diffused into is left, in order to remove them, the cleaning processing intends row . In that case, if the water-soluble polymer in which the dye remains is removed, the lens surface becomes almost clean. Therefore, in order to efficiently wash a large number of optical plastic lenses in a short time, a water washing treatment is performed . It is preferable to perform ultrasonic cleaning or the like.
[0026]
【Example】
EXAMPLES Next, although an Example demonstrates this invention further in detail, this invention is not limited at all by these examples.
[0027]
Example 1
(1) Preparation of ink for inkjet printer 60 parts by weight of distilled water, 7 parts by weight of glycerin, 18 parts by weight of ethylene glycol, 8 parts by weight of urea, 2 parts by weight of diethanolamine, surfactant [manufactured by Nikko Chemicals, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl Ether type, trade name NP-7.5) 5 parts by weight of 4 GE-E disperse dye Kayalon Polyester Color Yellow (Kayalon Polyester Colors Yellow) manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. is added to 0.2 part by weight of an aqueous solvent. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for a whole day and night to prepare a dyeing liquid in which some disperse dyes were suspended. A small amount of insoluble matter was removed from this suspension by suction filtration using Whatman filter paper No. 3 to prepare an ink for an ink jet printer.
[0028]
(2) Coating of water-soluble polymer To 100 parts by weight of distilled water, 5 parts by weight of N-vinylpyrrolidone polymer [manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., molecular weight of about 25,000] is added, and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours to completely dissolve. I let you. A base lens (power +1.00 diopter, center thickness 2.5 mm, convex lens with an outer diameter of 75 mm) of a sulfur-containing plastic lens (trade name Teslalid) of HOYA Corp. is immersed in the aqueous solution at room temperature. The lens was placed on a donut-shaped jig that could be fixed around, and heated in an oven at 120 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a coating of N-vinylpyrrolidone polymer on the surface.
[0029]
(3) Dyeing of optical plastic lenses Based on a coloring database for each dye and each lens relating to the thickness of a cured film prepared in advance, the amount of disperse dye to be brought into contact with the lens, the heat treatment temperature and the heat treatment time. Individual coloring data (the thickness of the cured coating, the amount of disperse dye to be brought into contact with the lens, the heat treatment temperature, the heat treatment time) relating to the desired dyeing density and color tone were determined, and dyeing was performed based on this data.
[0030]
Using the ink prepared in (1) above, a desired dyeing pattern was printed on one side of the lens obtained in (2) above using an inkjet printer. The lens with the ink attached was placed on a donut-shaped jig that could be fixed around and heated in an oven at 130 ° C. for 60 minutes. After cooling, it was taken out, ink was adhered to the opposite surface in the same manner, and heated under the same conditions. After cooling, both surfaces of the lens were washed with water to remove the dried water-soluble polymer and the remaining disperse dye, thereby producing a gradation-colored spectacle lens. When this colored lens was wiped with a cloth with acetone, color fading did not occur, and the dyeing density in the vicinity of the center measured by a light transmittance of 550 nanometers using a spectrophotometer was 30%. Moreover, the whole was dye | stained uniformly.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the optical plastic lens coloring system of the present invention, an optical plastic lens such as a spectacle lens that is colored in a desired coloring pattern and is stable in coloration, particularly a gradation-colored spectacle lens can be obtained in a short time. It can be manufactured efficiently.
Also, by providing a plurality of information selection means and a plurality of ink jet printers, it is possible to efficiently color optical plastic lenses by an ink jet method, and furthermore, by using communication means such as the Internet, Intranet, WAN, and LAN. Remote control is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a coloring system for an optical plastic lens of the present invention.

Claims (4)

(A) a lens coloring information storage means having a plurality of information relating to the coloring of an optical plastic lens having a cured film of a water-soluble polymer formed on the surface; and (B) a lens stored by the lens coloring information storage means. Selection means for selecting arbitrary coloring information from among the coloring information, and (C) one or a plurality of colorants discharged from the colorant discharge mechanism of the ink jet printer based on the information obtained by the selection means Control means for controlling the amount of
Application means for applying a colorant onto the cured film of the plastic lens from the colorant discharge mechanism of the inkjet printer, heating means for heating the plastic lens , and means for washing the heated plastic lens by washing with water An optical plastic lens coloring system. (A) a lens coloring information storage means having a plurality of information relating to the coloring of an optical plastic lens having a cured film of a water-soluble polymer formed on the surface; and (B) a lens stored by the lens coloring information storage means. Selection means for selecting arbitrary coloring information from among the coloring information, and (C) one or a plurality of colorants discharged from the colorant discharge mechanism of the ink jet printer based on the information obtained by the selection means And (D) a transmission means for transmitting information obtained by the selection means to the control means via a communication line;
Application means for applying a colorant onto the cured film of the plastic lens from the colorant discharge mechanism of the inkjet printer, heating means for heating the plastic lens , and means for washing the heated plastic lens by washing with water An optical plastic lens coloring system.   The optical plastic lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical plastic lens has a surface coated with a water-soluble polymer aqueous solution and then heated to form a cured film of the water-soluble polymer. Plastic lens coloring system.  The coloring of the optical plastic lens according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water-soluble polymer is at least one selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid metal salt, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol. system.

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