JP3979092B2 - Method for applying treatment liquid and optical lens processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for applying a treatment liquid, a method for manufacturing an optical lens using the same, and an optical lens processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an optical lens such as a plastic eyeglass lens, it is generally performed to improve performance and function by subjecting the surface to processing such as primer processing, hard coat processing, dyeing processing, and antireflection processing.
[0003]
The primer processing is processing for imparting functions such as improvement in adhesion between the optical lens substrate and the hard coat film, and improvement in impact resistance. In plastic eyeglass lenses, a method in which a primer solution is applied to the surface of the plastic eyeglass lens and heat-cured is widely used. Conventionally, an immersion method has been mainly used. The dipping method is a method of forming a primer film by holding a plastic spectacle lens with a jig, dipping it in a primer solution, leaving it, and then pulling it up.
[0004]
The hard coat process is a process that provides many functions such as improving the durability of the optical lens surface, improving the adhesion to the deposited film, and stabilizing the dyeability. In plastic eyeglass lenses, a method of applying a hard coat solution to the surface of a plastic eyeglass lens and heat-curing it has been widely used. Conventionally, an immersion method and a spin coating method have been mainly used. The immersion method is a method of forming a hard coat film by holding a plastic spectacle lens with a jig, immersing it in a hard coat solution, leaving it, and then pulling it up. This is a method of forming a hard coat film by discharging a coating liquid and rotating it at a high speed.
[0005]
The dyeing process is a process of dyeing various colors for the purpose of adding fashionability, particularly in the manufacturing process of plastic eyeglass lenses, and an immersion method has been conventionally used as the method. The dipping method is a method in which a plastic spectacle lens is dipped and pulled up in hot water in which dye fine particles are dispersed with a surfactant.
[0006]
The antireflection process is a process for preventing the surface reflection of the optical lens. When surface reflection occurs, the transmittance of the optical system is lowered, the light that does not contribute to imaging is increased, and the contrast of the image is lowered. Therefore, in the case of a plastic eyeglass lens, the wearer can obtain a good field of view by performing antireflection processing. Conventionally, an antireflection film of a plastic spectacle lens has been formed as a single layer film or a multilayer film mainly by a vacuum deposition method. Recently, a curable liquid having an antireflection function has also been devised.
[0007]
On the other hand, as a coating technique capable of applying the treatment liquid only to a necessary place of the optical lens, an application method using an ink jet method and a spray method has been proposed. The application method by the ink jet method and the spray method is a method of discharging the processing liquid as droplets from a minute nozzle. In the inkjet method and spray method, the apparatus can be downsized, and can be applied with a small amount of power, and since the processing liquid is used efficiently, the production cost can be reduced, the amount of solvent used, the amount of waste, etc. Advances in environmental measures can be expected.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the treatment liquid is applied to the surface of the optical lens using the ink jet method and the spray method, there are the following problems.
[0009]
In other words, when the treatment liquid is refined into droplets, a mist-like treatment liquid is generated and floats. Therefore, when the treatment liquid is applied and cured one side at a time, the mist is attached to the surface opposite to the application surface. This is the point that appearance defects are caused by the treatment liquid.
[0010]
The present invention solves such problems, and an appearance generated by adhesion of a mist-like treatment liquid in a treatment liquid application method in which a treatment liquid is finely formed into droplets and applied to the surface of an optical lens. An object is to provide a method for preventing defects.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventor has obtained a treatment liquid coating method in which the treatment liquid is finely formed into droplets using an inkjet method and a spray method and applied to the surface of an optical lens. Smoothing the application surface by leveling performance of the treatment liquid, more specifically, applying the treatment liquid to both sides of the optical lens at the same time, or applying the treatment liquid to one side of the optical lens within the time The application of the other surface, or the application of the other surface before the application surface dries after applying to one surface of the optical lens, occurs due to the adhesion of the mist-like processing liquid It was found that it is effective as a method for preventing the appearance defect.
[0012]
In other words, when the treatment liquid is refined into droplets, a mist-like treatment liquid is generated and floats. Therefore, when the treatment liquid is applied and cured one side at a time, the mist is attached to the surface opposite to the application surface. This treatment liquid causes spotted appearance defects. However, if the other surface is applied at the same time on both sides or before one surface is dried, the leveling performance of the applied liquid works effectively, so that it is smoothed. In addition, leveling performance here means the performance which forms a uniform application | coating surface with the fluidity | liquidity which processing liquid itself has.
[0013]
Therefore, in order to achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is applied by applying an application process in which the processing liquid is finely formed into droplets by an ink jet method and applied to the surface of the optical lens, and the leveling performance of the processing liquid. Leveling step of smoothing the surface, applying the processing liquid to one surface of the optical lens, and after the completion, the processing liquid applied to the one surface is the whole of the one surface Provided is a method for applying a treatment liquid, characterized in that application of the other surface is started in a fluid state.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the processing liquid coating method according to the first aspect, wherein the optical lens is a plastic spectacle lens.
[0021]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the treatment liquid according to the first or second aspect, the treatment liquid is at least one of a raw material for a primer of the optical lens and a raw material for an antireflection film. An application method is provided.
[0023]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the processing liquid application method according to the third aspect, wherein the processing liquid contains a pigment and / or a dye.
[0027]
A fifth aspect of the present invention is an optical lens processing apparatus used in the processing liquid coating method according to the first aspect, wherein the optical lens is held, transported and reversed, and one of the optical lenses. There is provided an optical lens processing apparatus comprising: an ink jet recording head disposed on a surface side; and means for relatively positioning the optical lens and the ink jet recording head.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Examples of the optical lens in the present invention include a spectacle lens, a dimming lens, sunglasses, a camera lens, a telescope lens, a magnifying lens, a projector lens, a pickup lens, and a microlens.
[0030]
The ink jet system, which is one of the liquid applying means of the present invention, is filled with a processing liquid in a pressure chamber provided with a fine nozzle opening having a diameter of 10 to 100 μm and a pressure generating element, and the pressure generating element is electronically By controlling the pressure, the processing liquid in the pressure chamber is pressurized, and the processing liquid is discharged as fine droplets from the nozzle opening at that pressure. Depending on the type of pressure generating element, a piezo method using a piezoelectric vibrator with a piezo element, a bubble jet (registered trademark) method that generates bubbles by heating a processing liquid using a heating element, and the like, There are various methods. In the present invention, any ink jet method can be used.
[0031]
In addition, the spray method includes an air atomization type that atomizes with compressed air, or an airless atomization type that applies high pressure to the material and discharges it from the nozzle tip, etc., depending on the viscosity and discharge amount of the processing liquid It can be appropriately selected and used.
[0032]
The processing liquid discharged by each of the ink jet and spray methods includes a part of the raw material for the optical lens, the raw material for the optical lens itself, a part of the raw material for the optical lens hard coat, and the hard coat film for the optical lens. The raw material itself, a part of the optical lens primer raw material, the optical lens primer raw material itself, a part of the optical lens antireflection film raw material, the optical lens antireflection film raw material itself, etc. It is properly used depending on the curing method. For example, when curing an optical lens raw material, a hard coat film raw material, a primer raw material, and an antireflection film raw material using ultraviolet rays, electron beams, or microwaves, a reaction initiator, a catalyst, a solvent, and a hydrolysis reaction are performed. Since the curing reaction proceeds without adding water or the like to advance, a part of the optical lens raw material excluding them, a part of the hard coat film raw material, a part of the primer raw material, and the antireflection film raw material A part may be used. On the other hand, when curing optical lens raw material, hard coat film raw material, primer raw material, and antireflection film raw material by heating, a reaction initiator, a catalyst, a solvent, water for proceeding the hydrolysis reaction, etc. must be added. Since the curing reaction does not proceed, it is necessary to use an optical lens material, a hard coat film material, a primer material, and an antireflection film material containing them. Moreover, it is also possible to color by including dye and / or a pigment in these process liquids.
[0033]
Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings taking a plastic spectacle lens as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an inkjet type plastic eyeglass lens processing apparatus according to the present invention. The plastic spectacle lens 1 is held by a holding member 2 and has a structure in which a processing liquid 5 is discharged from piezo ink jet recording heads 3 and 4. In FIG. 1, the ink jet recording heads 3 and 4 move in the X direction and the Y direction. However, the plastic spectacle lens 1 side or both may be moved. Although not shown, this processing apparatus has a mechanism for controlling the relative position between the plastic spectacle lens 1 and the ink jet recording heads 3 and 4 by relative positioning means. The shortest distance between the plastic spectacle lens and the ink jet recording head is the distance between the outermost periphery of the plastic spectacle lens and the ink jet recording head when the coated surface is concave, and the plastic spectacle lens when the coated surface is convex The distance between the center of the ink jet recording head and the ink jet recording head is preferably 10 mm or less. Further, in consideration of the accuracy of the landing position of the droplet and the uniformity of the coated surface, 2 mm or less is desirable. Further, in FIG. 1, the treatment liquid 5 is applied to the plastic glasses lens 1 placed flat, but the treatment liquid 5 is applied to the plastic glasses lens 1 placed vertically as shown in FIG. May be.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a spray-type plastic spectacle lens processing apparatus according to the present invention. The plastic spectacle lens 1 is held by a holding member 2 and has a structure in which a processing liquid 5 is discharged from air atomizing spray nozzles 6 and 7. In FIG. 3, the spray nozzles 6 and 7 are configured to move in the X direction and the Y direction, but the plastic glasses lens 1 side or both may be moved. Although not shown, this processing apparatus has a mechanism for controlling the relative position between the plastic spectacle lens 1 and the spray nozzles 6 and 7 by relative positioning means. The shortest distance between the plastic spectacle lens and the spray nozzle is the distance between the outermost periphery of the plastic spectacle lens and the spray nozzle when the coated surface is concave, and the center of the plastic spectacle lens when the coated surface is convex. The distance of the spray nozzle, preferably 300 mm or less. Furthermore, when the uniformity of the coated surface is taken into consideration, it is preferably 100 mm or less. In FIG. 3, the treatment liquid 5 is applied to the plastic glasses lens 1 placed flat, but the treatment liquid 5 is applied to the plastic glasses lens 1 placed vertically as shown in FIG. May be.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of an inkjet plastic eyeglass lens processing apparatus according to the present invention. The plastic spectacle lens 1 is held by a holding member 2 and has a structure in which a processing liquid 5 is discharged from a piezo ink jet recording head 8. In FIG. 5, the ink jet recording head 8 is moved in the X direction and the Y direction. However, the plastic spectacle lens 1 side or both may be moved. Although not shown, the processing apparatus has a mechanism for controlling the relative position of the plastic spectacle lens 1 and the ink jet recording head 8 by relative positioning means. The shortest distance between the plastic spectacle lens and the ink jet recording head is the distance between the outermost peripheral portion of the plastic spectacle lens and the ink jet recording head when the coated surface is concave, and the central portion of the plastic spectacle lens when convex. The distance of the ink jet recording head, which is preferably 10 mm or less. Further, in consideration of the accuracy of the landing position of the droplet and the uniformity of the coated surface, 2 mm or less is desirable. Further, the present processing apparatus has a mechanism for reversing the holding member 2 holding the plastic spectacle lens 1 in the direction opposite to A or A. Although the holding member 2 is reversed in FIG. 6, the ink jet recording head 8 may be reversed.
[0037]
Moreover, FIG. 6 is a figure which shows the other example of the spray type plastic spectacles lens processing apparatus by this invention. The plastic spectacle lens 1 is held by a holding member 2 and has a structure in which a processing liquid 4 is discharged from an air atomizing spray nozzle 9. In FIG. 6, the spray nozzle 9 is moved in the X direction and the Y direction. However, the plastic glasses lens 1 side or both may be moved. Although not shown, this processing apparatus has a mechanism for controlling the relative position between the plastic spectacle lens 1 and the spray nozzle 9 by relative positioning means. The shortest distance between the plastic glasses lens and the spray nozzle is the distance between the outermost periphery of the plastic lens and the spray nozzle when the coated surface is concave, and the center of the plastic glasses lens and the spray when the coated surface is convex. The distance of the nozzle, which is desirably 300 mm or less. Furthermore, when the uniformity of the coated surface is taken into consideration, it is preferably 100 mm or less. Further, the present processing apparatus has a mechanism for reversing the holding member 2 holding the plastic spectacle lens 1 in the direction opposite to A or A. Although the holding member 2 is reversed in FIG. 6, the spray nozzle 9 may be reversed.
[0038]
Example 1
Using a device as shown in FIG. 1, a silicone hard coat liquid is applied to the thiourethane plastic glasses lens 1 previously washed with acetone from the ink jet recording heads 3 and 4 set at a driving frequency of 4.5 kHz. 0.09 g of each was continuously discharged at the same time, and both sides were coated simultaneously. After application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was removed from the holding member 2 and cured at 120 ° C. for 90 minutes.
[0039]
The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0040]
(Example 2)
Using an apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, 0.09 g of silicone hard coat liquid is applied to the thiourethane plastic glasses lens 1 previously washed with acetone from the ink jet recording head 3 set at a driving frequency of 4.5 kHz. Was continuously discharged. Furthermore, before the ejection of the ink jet recording head 3 was completed, 0.09 g of a silicone-based hard coat liquid was continuously ejected from the ink jet recording head 4 set in the same manner, and both sides were applied. After application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was removed from the holding member 2 and cured at 120 ° C. for 90 minutes.
[0041]
The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0042]
(Example 3)
Using a device as shown in FIG. 3, a silicone hard coat solution was applied to the thiourethane plastic eyeglass lens 1 previously washed with acetone from the spray nozzles 6 and 7 set at an air pressure of 0.20 MPa. 0.09 g was continuously discharged, and both sides were coated simultaneously. After application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was removed from the holding member 2 and cured at 120 ° C. for 90 minutes.
[0043]
The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0044]
Example 4
Using an apparatus as shown in FIG. 5, 0.09 g of a silicone-based hard coat solution is applied to the thiourethane-based plastic spectacle lens 1 previously washed with acetone from an ink jet recording head 8 whose driving frequency is set to 4.5 kHz. Was continuously ejected and applied to one surface. Immediately after the application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was inverted and applied to the opposite surface in the same manner. After application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was removed from the holding member 2 and cured at 120 ° C. for 90 minutes.
[0045]
The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0046]
(Example 5)
Among the conditions of Example 4, after the plastic eyeglass lens 1 was inverted, the standing time before applying the opposite surface was set to 60 seconds. The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0047]
(Example 6)
Among the conditions of Example 4, after the plastic eyeglass lens 1 was inverted, the standing time before applying the opposite surface was 180 seconds. The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0048]
(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 4, before applying to the opposite surface of the plastic spectacle lens 1, pre-baking was performed at 80 ° C. for 40 minutes.
[0049]
However, in the hard coat lens thus produced, the adhesion of the mist-like hard coat liquid to the opposite application surface remained in the appearance, resulting in poor appearance.
[0050]
(Example 7)
Using a device as shown in FIG. 6, 0.09 g of silicone hard coat liquid is continuously discharged from a spray nozzle 9 set at an air pressure of 0.20 MPa onto a thiourethane plastic eyeglass lens 1 that has been washed with acetone in advance. And applied to one surface. Immediately after the application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was inverted and applied to the opposite surface in the same manner. After the application, the plastic spectacle lens 1 was taken out from the fixing member 2 and then cured at 120 ° C. for 90 minutes.
[0051]
The hard coat lens thus produced had a good appearance because the leveling performance of the hard coat liquid worked effectively.
[0052]
(Comparative Example 2)
In Example 7, before applying to the opposite surface of the plastic spectacle lens 1, pre-baking was performed at 80 ° C. for 40 minutes.
[0053]
However, in the hard coat lens thus produced, the adhesion of the mist-like hard coat liquid to the opposite application surface remained in the appearance, resulting in poor appearance.
[0054]
In this embodiment, the hard coating of the plastic spectacle lens has been described as an example. However, other processing liquids such as optical lens raw materials, hard coat film raw materials, primer raw materials, etc., and these processing liquids contain dyes and / or pigments. Similar effects can be obtained with the raw material and the antireflection film material.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the method for applying a refined processing liquid to an optical lens, it is possible to prevent appearance defects caused by adhesion of mist-like processing liquid.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet plastic eyeglass lens processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a case where a plastic spectacle lens is placed vertically in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a spray type plastic eyeglass lens processing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a case where a plastic spectacle lens is vertically placed in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet plastic eyeglass lens processing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a spray type plastic eyeglass lens processing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Plastic spectacle lens 2 ... Holding member 3 ... Inkjet recording head 4 ... Inkjet recording head 5 ... Processing liquid 6 ... Spray nozzle 7 ... Spray nozzle 8 ... Inkjet recording head 9 ... Spray nozzle

Claims (5)

A coating process in which the treatment liquid is finely formed into droplets by an inkjet method and applied to the surface of the optical lens; and a leveling process in which the coating surface is smoothed by the leveling performance of the treatment liquid, and the treatment liquid is Applying to one surface of the optical lens, and after the completion, the application of the other surface is started in a state where the treatment liquid applied to the one surface has fluidity over the entire one surface. A method for applying a treatment liquid. The method for applying a treatment liquid according to claim 1, wherein the optical lens is a plastic spectacle lens. The method for applying a treatment liquid according to claim 1, wherein the treatment liquid is at least one of a raw material for a primer of the optical lens and a raw material for an antireflection film. The method for applying a treatment liquid according to claim 3, wherein the treatment liquid contains a pigment and / or a dye. An optical lens processing apparatus used in the processing liquid coating method according to claim 1,
Means for holding, transporting, and reversing the optical lens; an ink jet recording head disposed on one side of the optical lens; and means for relatively positioning the optical lens and the ink jet recording head. An optical lens processing apparatus comprising the optical lens processing apparatus.

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