KR20020064981A - Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a colored opaque discontinuous pattern consisting of a non-opaque pupil 20, an iris 22 surrounding the pupil 20 and several elements distributed throughout the iris, which pattern A significant portion of the silver pattern gap becomes non-opaque, and the pattern also covers the iris with an effective amount sufficient to change the apparent color of the iris, the pattern comprising several portions, each of which is each other Different shades, each of which overlaps with other portions at several points, at least one of which is a uniform or non-uniform point, color island, worm, starburst, corkscrew, wheelbarrow, Designed from the group of long nails, thin grooves, radial stripes, zig-zags and stripes, the iris looks very natural while changing the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris It relates to a colored contact lens 10 that may be given the appearance.

Description

COLORED CONTACT LENS WITH A MORE NATURAL APPEARANCE}

Related application

The present invention claims rights to the date of filing of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 174,288, filed Jan. 3, 2000, incorporated herein by reference, under U.S. Patent Act (35 USC) Section 119 (e). .

Previously, in order to change or improve the color of the eyes, colored contact lenses having a simple solid color covering the iris of the eye were used. However, this type of opaque colored contact lenses made the iris appearance look very unnatural. Other types of colored contact lenses have also been developed. For example, U. S. Patent No. 3,679, 504 to Wichterle discloses opaque lenses having one or more colors in which the iris can be artically embodied or photographically reproduced. However, these lenses did not make the iris look natural, and thus had no commercial success. Other attempts to fabricate opaque lenses that make the iris look natural appear in US Pat. No. 3,536,386 to Spivak; US Patent No. 3,712,718 to LeGrand; Neefe US Pat. No. 4,460,523; US Patent No. 4,719,657 to Bawa; U.S. Patent No. 4,744,647 to Meshel et al .; Jenkins, US 4,634,449; European Patent Publication No. 0 309 154 to Allergan; And in British Patent Application No. 2 202 540 A to Igel.

As a preferred embodiment the colored contact lenses described in Knapp US Pat. No. 4,582,402, which discloses contact lenses with colored opaque dots, have achieved commercial success. The Knap's lens uses a simple dot pattern printed in monochrome, so it's simple to produce and simple, making the iris look natural. In the case of a knap lens, the discrete pattern of dots does not completely cover the iris, but usually has enough point density to make it appear continuous color due to the shielding effect seen by an observer of vision. Knap also said that, in close view, most people's irises have more than one color, so that the printing process can be repeated more than once using different patterns of different colors. Even if the printed pattern is not completely uniform, the microstructure of the iris is improved. In the case of these monochromatic knap lenses, which have now been commercially successful, the dots are arranged in an irregular pattern to improve the iris structure. However, commercially available knap lenses or Knap patents do not find the answer to how to arrange a pattern of dots with more than one color to make the iris look more natural.

Various attempts have been made to improve the knap lens. Jahnke, US Pat. No. 5,414,477, describes the use of discrete ink patterns comprising two or more portions of different shades to make the iris look more natural.

Another attempt to make a lens that makes the iris look more natural is disclosed in Rawlings, U.S. Patent No. 5,120,121, which discloses a bundle of interconnected lines that radially spread from the outer periphery of the pupil to the iris outer periphery. line) Start a pattern. EP 0 472 496 A2 also discloses a contact lens having a pattern composed of the same lines as the lines in the iris.

Despite these efforts, efforts have been made in the contact lens industry to find inexpensive colored contact lenses that can improve or change the color of the eyes while giving a unique color and texture to the human iris.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is based on the surprising fact that the use of patterns with opaque portions of various colors can make the iris look more natural. Surprisingly, it can give a more natural appearance to the iris than a multicolored Zanke lens than a monochromatic knap lens. Like mono and bi-color lenses, the lenses of the present invention can fundamentally change the wearer's iris apparent color (for example, from dark brown to pale blue or green). A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a tricolor lens with different colors superimposed, but more colors can be used, and lenses with all three (or more) colors superimposed can be devised.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris. Elements constituting this pattern (hereinafter referred to as "pattern elements or elements") are usually invisible to the observer of vision, and they are associated with the first portion of the pattern element with the first tint. And a second portion of the pattern element with a second color tone different from the first color tone, and a third portion of the pattern element with a third color tone different from the second color tone and different from the first color tone. Each part has a uniform or uneven spot, islands of color, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, long Elements of the form such as spikes, slits, radial stripes, zig-zags and / or streaks may overlap individually or in combination, Have a mixed or blended design. Also, each overlapped portion may or may not extend from one end of the non-opaque pupil to the circumference of the iris. By blending these various parts, it is possible to provide a lens that can give a very natural iris appearance while changing the iris apparent color of the lens wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, and a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris. These pattern elements are usually invisible to an observer of vision, and may include a first portion or outermost starburst of a pattern element with a first tint, and a second tint different from the first tint. And the second part or outer starburst type of the pattern element and the third part or inner starburst type of the pattern element having a third color tone different from the second color tone and the same or different from the first color tone. The area where the outermost starburst type elements are concentrated the most (hereinafter referred to as "element-dense area") is generally located outside the outer starburst type, and the outer starburst type element-dense area is generally It is located outside of the internal starburst type. The outermost starburst type and the outer starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a first uneven border. The outer starburst type and the inner starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a second non-uniform boundary. Thereby, a lens is provided that can change the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris while giving a very natural wearer's iris appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris, the pattern of which is non-opaque. It becomes a state. This pattern covers at least about 25% of the iris area. These pattern elements are usually invisible to the observer of vision. The first part or outermost starburst type of the pattern element has a first color tone, and the second part or outer starburst type of the pattern element has a second color tone different from the first color tone, and the third part or The inner starburst type has a third color tone that is different from the second color tone and that is the same or different from the first color tone. The outermost starburst element-dense region is generally located outside the outer starburst type, and the outer starburst element-dense region is generally located outside the inner starburst type. The outermost starburst type and the outer starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a first non-uniform boundary line. The outer starburst type and the inner starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a second non-uniform boundary. The shortest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the first non-uniform boundary is about 5 to about 60% of the radius of the iris. The longest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the first non-uniform boundary is about 25 to about 95% of the radius of the iris. The shortest distance from the outer circumference of the iris portion to the second nonuniform boundary is about 15 to about 75% of the radius of the iris portion, and the longest distance from the outer circumference of the iris portion to the second nonuniform boundary is about 50 to about 95% of the radius of the iris portion to be. Therefore, such a contact lens can give a very natural wearer's iris appearance while changing the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris, the pattern of which is non-opaque. It becomes a state. This pattern covers at least about 25% of the iris area. These pattern elements are usually invisible to the observer of vision. The first part or outermost starburst type of the pattern element has a first color tone, and the second part or outer starburst type of the pattern element has a second color tone different from the first color tone, and the third part or The inner starburst type has a third color tone that is different from the second color tone and is the same or different from the first color tone. The outermost starburst element-dense region is generally located outside the outer starburst type, and the outer starburst element-dense region is generally located outside the inner starburst type. The outermost starburst type and the outer starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a first non-uniform boundary line. The outer starburst type and the inner starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a second non-uniform boundary. The shortest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the first non-uniform boundary is about 15 to about 50% of the radius of the iris. The longest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the first non-uniform boundary is about 45 to about 95% of the radius of the iris. The shortest distance from the outer circumference of the iris portion to the second nonuniform boundary is about 15 to about 65% of the radius of the iris portion, and the longest distance from the outer circumference of the iris portion to the second nonuniform boundary is about 60 to about 95% of the radius of the iris portion to be. Therefore, such a contact lens can give a very natural wearer's iris appearance while changing the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris, the pattern being non-opaque in large part. It becomes This pattern covers the iris with an amount effective to change the apparent color of the iris. This pattern consists of several parts, each part having a different color tone. These parts may or may not overlap one another at several points. At least one of the various parts may have a uniform or uneven point, color islands, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, wheelbarrows, long nails, fine grooves, radial stripes, zig-zags, and / or stripes. It has a design that can give a very natural iris appearance while changing the iris apparent color of the lens wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris, the pattern of which is non-opaque. It becomes a state. This pattern consists of several elements, covering the iris with an amount effective to change the apparent color of the iris. This pattern consists of several parts, each part having a different color tone. In addition, one of these parts has the darkest hue, one of these parts has the lightest hue, and the element-dense area of the darkest hue is generally located outside the other parts. Such a design can give a very natural wearer's iris appearance while changing the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a colored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern covering the iris, the pattern of which is non-opaque. It becomes a state. This pattern consists of several elements, covering the iris with an amount effective to change the apparent color of the iris. This pattern consists of three or more parts, each part having a different color tone. Each part can overlap other parts at various points. These parts are blended, blended, or shuffled together, creating a unique texture, color, and pattern that makes the contact lens wearer's eyes look natural. In order to blend or blend the parts, in some cases different tones are printed at one location, or at a position so close that the position difference is hardly noticeable. This design provides a lens that can change the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris while giving the wearer's iris appearance a very natural look.

Another colored contact lens having a pattern consisting of several parts (with different shades or colors) can be easily constructed, which is also within the scope of the present invention.

As used herein, the term "non-opaque" refers to a lens portion that is not colored or colored with a translucent pigment.

As used herein, a "second color tone different from the first color tone" (or similar terminology) means a color tone that is completely different from one another, for example blue and light brown, or a color tone that differs in brightness but is light blue, for example, light blue, for example. It is said to be dark blue.

As used herein, "normal observer of eyes" refers to a person having normal 20-20 vision, standing about 5 feet away from a person wearing the lens of the present invention.

The present invention relates to colored contact lenses, and more particularly to colored contact lenses having a plurality of opaque colored portions that form a pattern capable of changing the apparent color of the iris while giving a very natural iris appearance.

1 shows a contact lens pattern according to the present invention.

2 shows an outermost starburst contact lens pattern according to the present invention.

3 shows an external starburst contact lens pattern according to the present invention.

4 shows an inner starburst contact lens pattern according to the present invention.

5A to 5C show three contact lens patterns according to the present invention.

6 shows a contact lens design incorporating the patterns of FIGS. 5A-5C according to the present invention.

7 shows a contact lens pattern with elements removed from the outer periphery of the contact lens pattern according to the present invention.

8 shows a contact lens pattern that is not substantially continuous, in accordance with the present invention.

9 shows three contact lens patterns that are not substantially continuous, in accordance with the present invention.

10 shows three contact lens patterns according to the present invention.

11 shows three contact lens patterns according to the present invention.

12 shows three contact lens patterns according to the present invention and a contact lens design in which the patterns are combined.

Figure 13 shows three contact lens patterns according to the present invention and a contact lens design in which the patterns are combined.

Fig. 14 shows three contact lens patterns according to the present invention and a contact lens design in which the patterns are combined.

Fig. 15 shows a contact lens design combining three patterns according to the present invention.

16 shows a contact lens design combining three patterns according to the present invention.

17 shows a contact lens design combining three patterns according to the present invention.

18 shows a contact lens design combining three patterns according to the present invention.

Fig. 19 shows a contact lens design in which four patterns are combined according to the present invention.

20 shows a contact lens design combining three patterns according to the present invention.

Fig. 21 shows a contact lens design in which four patterns are combined according to the present invention.

Fig. 22 shows a contact lens design in which four patterns are combined according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

1 shows a contact lens 10 according to the invention. This lens has a non-opaque pupil 20 at its center and an annular iris 22 surrounding the pupil. In the case of a hydrophilic lens, an outer circumferential portion (not shown) surrounds the iris portion 22. As shown in FIG. 1, a colored opaque discontinuous pattern is placed on the iris 22. In such a pattern, a significant portion of the iris portion placed in the gap in the pattern remains non-opaque. The non-opaque portion of the iris portion 22 is shown in white in FIG.

The pattern elements are preferably points, particularly preferably points, and as shown in FIG. 1, several points are mixed. Certain portions of iris 22 are covered with dots less dense than others.

The opaque pattern may consist of points of regular or irregular or uniform or non-uniform shape, for example circular, square, hexagonal, rectangular or other shaped points. In addition, these pattern elements may have a form other than dots, which are usually invisible to observers of vision, and cover the equivalent of 10-30%, preferably about 20%, of the iris, and the equivalent of the iris that lies within the portion of the pattern gap. Leave the part non-opaque. The patterns constituting the iris may be shaped like color islands, worms, corkscrews, starbursts, cartwheels, long nails, thin grooves, radial stripes, zig-zags, and stripes. In some cases, a solid background is used to complement the multi-pattern design. By blending these patterns with each other, a colored contact lens is provided that makes the iris of the lens wearer look more beautiful.

An improvement of the present invention is a multicolored pattern that makes the wearer's iris look much more natural than monochromatic or dichroic lenses. To achieve this improvement, a pattern of three (or more) colors is printed on three or more portions. The first portion has a first tint, and the element-dense region of the first portion is generally located inside or outside the iris, ie close to the outer or outer circumference of the annular iris. The first portion may also be referred to as the outermost starburst. A preferred first outer part pattern or outermost starburst type is shown in FIG. 2. The outermost starburst color is most commonly black, or other dark colors such as grey, dark brown or dark blue.

The second part (outer starburst type) has a second color tone different from the first color tone, and the element-dense area of the second part is generally located inside the outermost starburst type, but not always It is surrounded by the outermost starburst type. A preferred second part or external starburst type is shown in FIG. 3. As the outer starburst type, various colors such as blue, gray, brown, light blue, cyan, purple, blue violet, turquoise, yellow or green are used.

The third portion (inner starburst type) has a third color tone that is different from the second color tone and that is the same as or different from the first color tone. The element-tight region of this third part is usually, but not always, located within the other two parts. In general, the element-dense area of this third part is surrounded by the element-dense area of the two parts. A preferred third internal partial pattern or internal starburst type is shown in FIG. 4. Light brown is preferred as the internal starburst type, but other colors such as yellow, yellow green, brown, tan, golden and orange are also used. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 are combined.

In a preferred embodiment, the outermost starburst type and the outer starburst type are distinguished by a first non-uniform borderline, but the outermost starburst type and the outer starburst type elements are actually or seemingly overlapped with each other to achieve the desired effect. It can be mixed or blended. The outer starburst type and the inner starburst type are distinguished by a second non-uniform boundary, but the elements of the outer starburst type and the inner starburst type may actually or apparently overlap, blend or blend with each other. When the patterns of Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are combined to form a tricolor lens, the non-uniform edges of the pattern shown in Fig. 2 merge and overlap with the pattern shown in Fig. 3 to form a gap between the outermost starburst type and the outer starburst type. Will form a first non-uniform boundary line. Also, the non-uniform edges of the pattern shown in FIG. 4 will merge and overlap with the pattern shown in FIG. 3 to form a second non-uniform boundary between the outer starburst type and the inner starburst type.

In some patterns, the outer starburst type may extend more towards the lens periphery than the outermost starburst type. In another pattern, the outer starburst type may extend more towards the pupil than the inner starburst type.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the shortest and longest distances from the outer periphery of the iris to the non-uniform borderline. For example, in one embodiment, the shortest distance from the circumference of the iris to the first non-uniform border is about 5 to about 60% of the radius of the iris and the longest distance from the circumference of the iris to the first non-uniform border is about 25 of the radius of the iris. To about 95%, the shortest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the second non-uniform border is about 15 to about 75% of the radius of the iris, and the longest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the second non-uniform border is about 50 to about about the radius of the iris. 95%.

In another embodiment, the shortest distance from the circumference of the iris to the first non-uniform border is about 15 to about 50% of the radius of the iris and the longest distance from the circumference of the iris to the first non-uniform border is about 45 to about about the radius of the iris. 95%, the shortest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the second non-uniform border is about 15 to about 65% of the radius of the iris, and the longest distance from the outer periphery of the iris to the second non-uniform border is about 60 to about 95% of the radius of the iris. to be.

In another embodiment, some elements constituting the outer starburst pattern may extend to the circumference of the iris portion of the contact lens such that they are located outside of all elements constituting the outermost starburst pattern, and / or Some elements constituting the burst pattern may extend closer to the pupil such that they are located within than all elements constituting the inner starburst pattern.

In another embodiment, the inner starburst pattern is interdigitated with one or both of the outermost starburst pattern and the outer starburst pattern. In addition, the outermost starburst pattern may form a structure engaged with the outer starburst pattern. In such an interlocking structure, one pattern and the other pattern intersect with each other as if the fingers of one hand are clad on the fingers of the other hand.

In another embodiment, at least one portion, preferably at least one portion is uniform or non-uniform, color islands, worms, corkscrews, starbursts, wheelbarrows, long nails, fine grooves, radial stripes, Zigzag and / or striped (see FIGS. 5 to 22) or in a pattern or design consisting of elements forming such a shape. In addition, monochromatic backgrounds are used with multi-pattern designs (see FIGS. 21 and 22). In this design, the parts may be the same as each other in FIGS. 15 and 16 or may be different as in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. For example, if the outermost starburst type is the same as that of FIG. 2 and the outer starburst type is the same as that of FIG. 3, the inner starburst type has radial stripes extending radially toward the iris circumference starting from the inner portion of the iris portion. Can have a mold design. In this embodiment, two or more of the other remaining portions, consisting of several elements, will have a design similar to that described above, leaving a significant portion within the pattern gap non-opaque by forming a combination.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a pattern is provided in which the element-dense region of the darkest color or tinted portion is generally located outside the element-dense region of the other portion. In particular, the element-dense region of the darkest tinted part is generally located outside the lighter tinted part. In another embodiment, different shades are applied such that the element-dense region of the darkest shaded portion is generally located outside the other portion, and then the element-dense region of the darkest portion is generally located outside the remainder of the other portion. Place different parts. This design continues until the element-dense region of the brightest shade is generally located within all other parts.

Another embodiment includes a non-continuous or non-concentric pattern. In other words, this pattern, which may be one of the above-mentioned types, has a distinct non-opaque portion that is clearly identified in the absence of another pattern. However, combining these patterns by overlapping, blending, or mixing with other patterns yields a design that can change the apparent color of the iris and give a very natural iris appearance.

The method of making the opaque portion of the contact lens iris is preferably a printing known from U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,582,402 to Knap, which is incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,034,166 and 5,116,112 to Rollings, which is incorporated herein by reference. The method is to print the lens three times. Generally, the ink of desired color is applied to a plate or clayche in which a desired pattern is concavely engraved. When excess ink is removed by scraping the surface of the platen with a doctor blade, the ink remains only in the recesses. The silicone rubber pad is pressed against the printing plate to lift ink from the recess, and then pressed against the surface of the lens to transfer the pattern to the lens. The printed pattern is then cured to prevent the pattern from being erased from the lens. It is possible to print both the front and back of the lens, but it is now desirable to print the front of the lens.

Preferred lens and ink components for use in practicing the present invention are described in US Pat. No. 4,668,240 to Loshaek, which is known and incorporated herein by reference. Specific components and target weights will be described in detail below. Very briefly, a lens composed of a polymer having —COOH, —OH or —NH ₂ groups is printed with an ink containing a binding polymer having the same functional group, an opaque pigment and a diisocyanate compound. First, a solution containing the binding polymer and the solvent is prepared, and the solution is mixed with a dye-containing paste to make an ink. Preferred binder polymer solutions have a viscosity of about 35,000 CPS for blue, gray, brown and black and 50,000 CPS for green. This opaque ink is printed on the lens surface and cured.

Ink pastes and pigments usable in the present invention can be made in a number of different ways using the components and contents (% by weight) described in the table below. For example, to make a pale brown ink paste, use 63.49% binder solution, 30.00% ethyl lactate, 0.61% titanium dioxide, 0.06% PCN blue, 4.30% IO yellow, and 1.54% IO red. do. Such pigments are used in preferred embodiments, and other pigments or contents may be used. The table below illustrates only a representative of the inks and pigment contents available, and not all of them. Those skilled in the art will be able to develop other ink and pigment contents that can make the iris of a contact lens wearer look beautiful.

Ink Paste Color Code blue grey Gross weight (g) 600 3000 600 3000 ingredient weight% Target weight Target weight weight% Target weight Target weight Ethyl lactate 30.55 183.30 916.50 30.75 184.50 922.50 Binder solution 61.15 366.90 1834.50 59.84 359.10 1795.50 PCN blue 1.21 7.26 36.30 PCN Green 0.23 1.38 6.90 TiO ₂ 7.09 42.54 212.70 7.34 44.04 220.20 IO black 1.83 10.98 54.90 Grinding media 600 3000 600 3000

Ink Paste Color Code Brown Light brown Gross weight (g) 651 3000 651 3000 ingredient weight% Target weight Target weight weight% Target weight Target weight Ethyl lactate 30.00 180.00 900.00 30.00 180.00 900.00 Binder solution 55.10 330.60 1653.00 63.49 380.94 1904.70 PCN blue 0.06 0.36 1.80 TiO ₂ 0.61 3.65 18.3 IO black 5.70 34.20 171.00 IO red 3.45 20.70 103.50 1.54 9.25 46.20 IO yellow 4.30 25.80 129.00 IO Brown 5.75 34.50 172.50 Grinding media 600 3000 600 3000

Ink Paste Color Code green black Gross weight (g) 651 3000 651 3000 ingredient weight% Target weight Target weight weight% Target weight Target weight Ethyl lactate 28.53 185.73 855.90 23.98 156.11 719.40 Binder solution 63.85 415.66 1915.50 64.04 416.90 1921.20 PCN blue 0.03 0.20 0.90 IO black 11.98 77.99 359.4 Cr ₂ O ₃ 7.59 49.41 227.70 Grinding media 850 4298 850 4298

Ink Paste Color Code Turquoise Orange Gross weight (g) 600 3000 600 3000 ingredient weight% Target weight Target weight weight% Target weight Target weight Ethyl lactate 30.00 180.00 900.00 30.00 180.00 900.00 Binder solution 58.16 348.96 1744.80 58.00 348.00 1740.00 PCN blue 0.63 3.78 18.90 PCN Green 2.25 13.50 67.50 TiO ₂ 8.88 53.28 266.40 IO red 6.00 36.00 180.00 Carbazole violet 0.08 0.48 2.40 Hydrophobic IO 6.00 36.00 180.00 Grinding media 600.00 5000.00 850.00 4298.00

Of course, other methods may be used to form the colored opaque elements of the lens. For example, a specific portion of the iris portion of the wet hydrophilic lens is impregnated with a solution of a first substance such as barium chloride. The lens is then immersed in a solution of a second material, such as sulfuric acid, which reacts with the first material, such as barium sulfate, to form an opaque water-insoluble precipitate. In this way, an opaque precipitate is formed in a predetermined pattern in the iris portion of the lens. The entire iris or at least part thereof is then colored with an opaque colorant according to the pattern according to the invention. When the entire iris portion is colored with a translucent pale pigment, the parts in the pattern gap are colored semitransparent, but still non-opaque, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the lens pupil may be colored with a non-opaque pale pigment, since this pale color is inconspicuous since the lens is worn in the dark pupil of the wearer's eye. Another method of opacity includes the use of lasers (US Pat. No. 4,744,647) or the use of unmilled particles (US Pat. No. 4,460,523).

The colored contact lens manufacturing method of the present invention is as follows. At least a transparent contact lens including a pupil and an iris surrounding the pupil is manufactured.

When the lens is made of hydrophilic material, the lens further has an outer circumference surrounding the iris. When carrying out the steps described below using a hydrophilic material, this hydrophilic material is used in an unhydrated state. Preferred hydrophilic materials are described in US Pat. No. 4,405,773 to Roshaek, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The colored pattern can be deposited on the lens iris in any manner. The preferred method currently used is offset pad printing, which will be described in detail below.

A printing plate (not shown) with a flat surface and engraved with a desired annular dot pattern is produced. To make the pattern shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each recess should be about 0.1 mm in diameter and about 0.013 mm in depth. The recess is arranged to cover the annular portion corresponding to the lens iris.

Printed plates can be made by known methods of manufacturing analog or digital integrated circuits. First, make a pattern about 20 times larger than the desired pattern. This pattern is then reduced to a pattern of actual size with portions to be colored darker than other portions, using known photography. The flat surface of the printing plate is covered with a photoresist material that turns water-insoluble upon exposure to light. This photoresist material is covered with a pattern and exposed to light. The photoresist pattern portion is washed off with water and the resulting printed plate is etched to the desired depth. The residual photoresist material is then mechanically removed.

Colorants including pigments and binders or carriers for pigments are deposited on the flat surface of the printing plate and scraped over the pattern with doctor blades. This removes excess ink from the flat surface of the printing plate, leaving the ink only in the recesses. Colorants can be more or less opaque, depending on the degree of color change desired. Opacity can be altered by adjusting the ratio of pigment to binder in the colorant. The desired effect can be achieved by using a very opaque colorant or by using a less opaque colorant to cover more of the iris surface portion.

The pad made of silicone rubber is immersed in silicone oil for easy removal later, and pressed against the pattern to lift the ink from the recess. The ink on the pad is slightly dried to increase the adhesion, and then pressed against the front surface of the contact lens to deposit the ink on the iris in a desired pattern. The pad should be flexible enough to bend along the convex curvature of the front of the lens. For a more natural effect, it is good to repeat the printing step more than once with different patterns of different colors, because the majority of people's irises have been found to have more than one color when observed closely. Even if the printed pattern is not completely uniform, the microstructure of the iris is improved.

The deposited pattern is then removed-prevented to prevent the pattern from being erased from the lens when the lens is worn on the eye and exposed to tears. This anti-removal treatment method depends on the lens material and the pattern. Only air-drying or heating the lens may be sufficient. In the case of hydrophilic lenses, an opaque pattern application method, as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,679,504 to Wiiche, which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used.

Methods of making colored contact lenses generally include applying three colorant portions on the transparent contact lens surface and treating the colorant to prevent it from being erased by tears. The contact lens printed with the pattern has a non-opaque pupil and an iris surrounding the pupil, to which three colorant portions are applied. The first colorant portion or outermost starburst type has a first color tone, the second colorant portion or outer starburst type has a second color tone different from the first color tone, and the third colorant portion or inner starburst type is made of It has a third color tone different from the second color tone and the same or different from the first color tone. The outermost starburst element-dense region is generally located inside and outside the iris and generally outside the starburst element-dense region. The outer starburst element-dense region is generally located outside the inner starburst element-dense region, while the outermost starburst and outer starburst types may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a first non-uniform boundary line. . The outer starburst type and the inner starburst type may overlap, but they are distinguished from each other by a second non-uniform boundary. Thus, a lens is provided that can change the apparent color of the iris of the lens wearer and impart a very natural iris appearance.

The step of depositing the discontinuous pattern on the lens surface includes filling the recess of the first printing plate with the first portion or the outermost starburst pattern engraved with the first colorant, preferably the black colorant. The next step is to press the first flexible pad against the first printing plate and then press the first flexible pad against the lens surface (front or back) to print the first portion.

The next step is to fill the recess of the second printing plate in which the second portion or the outer starburst-shaped pattern is concavely filled with a colorant of a second pigment different from the first color tone, preferably a blue, green, gray or brown colorant. It includes. The next step is to press the second flexible pad against the second printing plate and then press the second flexible pad against the lens surface (front or back) to print the second part.

The last step is a colorant of a third color tone, preferably light brown colorant, different from the second color tone and the same or different from the first color tone, in the recess of the third printing plate in which the third portion or the internal starburst pattern is concavely engraved. Includes filling. The next step is to press the third flexible pad against the third printing plate and press the third flexible pad against the lens surface (front or back) to print the third part.

Although the steps of printing the pattern portions on the lens are listed above in the printing order, the printing order is not important in the present invention, and the present invention covers any printing order. In addition, the process described above also includes the longest and shortest distances required to define the non-uniform boundaries as already listed above.

Another embodiment of printing different layers on the contact lens iris includes ink-jet printing instead of pad-printing each layer. The ink-jet printing method does not require a pad or a printing plate, and since the resolution is higher than that of the pad printing, each colored layer can be printed more precisely, thereby providing a more natural final pattern on the contact lens iris.

Ink-jet printing reduces the number of devices in contact with contact lenses or other devices. For example, the silicon pad is first in contact with a printing plate or clay swatch plate and then with a contact lens. If a part wears due to contact between parts, the part will have to be replaced. In the ink-jet process, the micro-nozzle is not in physical contact with the contact lens or with any device. Therefore, the risk of wear of the micronozzle is reduced.

In addition, since the ink-jet printer is electronically controlled, the computer can easily control the conversion from one color layer to another. Therefore, after determining the contact lens design and separating it into several colored layers, the colored contact lenses can then change the apparent color of the wearer's iris by applying each colored layer to the contact lenses using ink-jet printing. Can make

The present invention provides a lens that can change the appearance of the iris while still embodying the microstructure of the wearer's iris. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, it is possible to vary the function and arrangement of the components used in the invention, and to employ the means illustrated and described herein. It may be replaced with another equivalent to, and one aspect may be used independently of the other aspects.

Claims (93)

It includes a colored opaque discontinuous pattern of non-opaque pupils, irises surrounding the pupils, and several elements distributed throughout the iris, which pattern includes a large portion of the pattern gap. ) Becomes non-opaque, and the pattern also covers the iris with an amount effective to alter the apparent color of the iris, the pattern comprising several parts, each of which has a different color tone to each other. Each part overlaps with another at several points, at least one of which is a uniform or non-uniform point, islands of color, worms, starbursts, skein In a group consisting of corkscrews, spokes, long spikes, slits, radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks Gajyeoseo the selected design, the colored contact lens that can be imparted with a very natural iris appearance while changing the apparent color of the iris of the lens wearer. 2. The colored contact lens according to claim 1, wherein an effective amount is 10 to 30% of the iris area. The colored contact lens according to claim 2, wherein the effective amount is about 20% or more of the area of the iris portion. 4. The colored contact lens of claim 3, wherein the plurality of portions comprises at least three different portions. 5. The colored contact lens of claim 4, wherein the pattern elements comprise three shades of a first hue, a second hue, and a third hue. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first color tone is a color selected from the group consisting of gray, dark brown, dark blue and black, and the second color tone is blue, green, gray, cyan, light brown, light blue, purple, blue violet, and turquoise. , A color selected from the group consisting of yellow and brown, and wherein the third color tone is selected from the group consisting of light brown, yellow, yellow green, brown, tan, golden and orange. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first, second and third shades are blue, green, gray, brown, black, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, purple, blue purple, turquoise, cyan, yellow, yellow green, Indexed colored contact lenses selected from the group consisting of tan, golden and orange. 6. A portion according to claim 5, wherein the portion with the first tint is the portion of the darkest tint, the portion with the third tint is the portion of the brightest tint, and the portion with the second tint is the darkest or the brightest. A colored contact lens having an element-dense area located outside the portion of the lightest shade and generally outside the portion of the lightest shade and the portion of the darkest and least bright shade. The colored contact lens of claim 1, wherein the non-opaque crevice is colorless. The colored contact lens of claim 1, wherein the non-opaque crevice is translucent color. The colored contact lens of claim 1, wherein the pattern elements are transparent. The colored contact lens of claim 1, wherein the colored contact lens is hydrophilic. 2. The colored contact lens of claim 1, wherein the portion comprises a substantially concentric pattern surrounding the pupil. The colored contact lens of claim 13, wherein the substantially concentric pattern has irregular border lines. 14. The colored contact lens of claim 13, wherein the substantially concentric pattern includes protrusions that can extend into the pupil periphery or the iris periphery. It includes a non-opaque pupil, a colored opaque discontinuity pattern consisting of several elements distributed throughout the iris, which are non-opaque in a large portion of the pattern gap. And the pattern also covers the iris with an effective amount sufficient to change the apparent color of the iris, the pattern comprising several portions, the portions of which the pattern is the darkest hue, the lightest hue Each of which has a different hue so as to consist of a portion of and one or more of the darkest and lightest shades, each of which overlaps with other portions at several points, and the element-dense region of the darkest portion is generally Located outside the portion of the brightest shade and outside the portion of one or more darkest and least bright shades As such, the colored contact lens capable of providing even a very natural iris appearance while changing the apparent color of the iris of the lens wearer. The colored contact lens according to claim 16, wherein the effective amount is 10 to 30% of the iris area. 18. The colored contact lens of claim 17, wherein the effective amount is at least about 20% of the area of the iris portion. 19. The colored contact lens of claim 18, wherein the various portions comprise three or more different portions. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the three or more different portions are uniform or non-uniform, dots, color islands, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, wheelwheels, long nails, fine grooves, radial stripes, zig-zags and stripes. The colored contact lens having different patterns consisting of elements selected from the group consisting of a mold. 21. The colored contact lens of claim 20, wherein the pattern elements comprise three shades of a first hue, a second hue, and a third hue. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first color tone is a color selected from the group consisting of gray, dark brown, dark blue, and black, and the second color tone is blue, green, gray, cyan, light brown, light blue, purple, blue violet, and turquoise. , A color selected from the group consisting of yellow and brown, and wherein the third color tone is selected from the group consisting of light brown, yellow, yellow green, brown, tan, golden and orange. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first, second and third shades are blue, green, gray, brown, black, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, purple, cyan, turquoise, cyan, yellow, yellowish green, Indexed colored contact lenses selected from the group consisting of tan, golden and orange. The colored contact lens of claim 16, wherein the non-opaque crevice is colorless. The colored contact lens of claim 16, wherein the non-opaque crevice is translucent color. The colored contact lens of claim 16, wherein the pattern elements are transparent. The colored contact lens of claim 16, wherein the colored contact lens is hydrophilic. 17. The colored contact lens of claim 16, wherein the portion comprises a substantially concentric pattern surrounding the pupil. 29. The colored contact lens of claim 28, wherein said substantially concentric pattern has irregular borders. 29. The colored contact lens of claim 28, wherein the substantially concentric pattern includes protrusions that can extend into the pupil periphery or the iris periphery. It includes a non-opaque pupil, a colored opaque discontinuity pattern consisting of several elements distributed throughout the iris, which are non-opaque in a large portion of the pattern gap. And the pattern also covers the iris with an effective amount sufficient to change the apparent color of the iris, the pattern comprising three or more portions, each of which has a different hue, each of which has several Overlapping with other parts at the point, where the overlapping parts are usually shuffled at different points that are not visible to the observer of vision, thereby changing the iris apparent color of the lens wearer while giving a very natural iris appearance. lens. 32. The colored contact lens according to claim 31, wherein the effective amount is 10 to 30% of the iris area. 33. The colored contact lens of claim 32, wherein the effective amount is at least about 20% of the iris area. 34. The colored contact lens of claim 33, wherein the various portions comprise three or more different portions. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the three or more different portions are uniform or non-uniform, dots, color islands, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, wheelwheels, long nails, fine grooves, radial stripes, zig-zags and stripes. The colored contact lens having different patterns consisting of elements selected from the group consisting of a mold. 36. The colored contact lens of claim 35, wherein the pattern elements comprise three shades of a first hue, a second hue, and a third hue. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first color tone is a color selected from the group consisting of gray, dark brown, dark blue, and black, and the second color tone is blue, green, gray, cyan, light brown, light blue, purple, blue violet, turquoise. , A color selected from the group consisting of yellow and brown, and wherein the third color tone is selected from the group consisting of light brown, yellow, yellow green, brown, tan, golden and orange. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first, second and third shades are blue, green, grey, brown, black, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, purple, cyan, turquoise, cyan, yellow, yellowish green, Indexed colored contact lenses selected from the group consisting of tan, golden and orange. 37. The portion of claim 36 wherein the first tinted portion is the darkest tint portion, the third tinted portion is the lightest tint portion, and the second tinted portion is darkest or lightest. A colored contact lens having an element-dense area located outside the portion of the lightest shade and generally outside the portion of the lightest shade and the portion of the darkest and least bright shade. 32. The colored contact lens of claim 31, wherein the non-opaque crevice is colorless. 32. The colored contact lens of claim 31, wherein the non-opaque crevice is translucent color. 32. The colored contact lens of claim 31, wherein the pattern elements are transparent. 32. The colored contact lens of claim 31, wherein the colored contact lens is hydrophilic. 32. The colored contact lens of claim 31, wherein the portion comprises a substantially concentric pattern surrounding the pupil. 45. The colored contact lens of claim 44, wherein said substantially concentric pattern has irregular borders. 45. The colored contact lens of claim 44, wherein the substantially concentric pattern includes protrusions that can extend into the pupil periphery or the iris periphery. Non-opaque pupils, irises surrounding the pupils, and colored discontinuity patterns consisting of a number of elements distributed throughout the iris, the pattern being non-opaque The pattern also covers the iris with an effective amount sufficient to change the apparent color of the iris, the pattern comprising three or more portions, each of the three or more portions having a different hue, and each of the portions at different points. Overlapping with other portions, where the overlapping portions are blended together to give an appearance with a unique texture and color, and the blending portions are usually invisible to the observer of vision, thus changing the apparent color of the lens wearer's iris. Colored contact lenses that can give a very natural iris appearance. 48. The colored contact lens according to claim 47, wherein an effective amount is 10 to 30% of the iris area. 49. The colored contact lens of claim 48, wherein the effective amount is at least about 20% of the area of the iris portion. 50. The colored contact lens of claim 49, wherein the various portions comprise three or more different portions. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the three or more different portions are uniform or non-uniform, dots, color islands, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, wheelwheels, long nails, fine grooves, radial stripes, zig-zags, and stripes. Colored contact lens comprising different patterns consisting of elements selected from the group consisting of. 52. The colored contact lens of claim 51, wherein said pattern elements comprise three hues of a first hue, a second hue, and a third hue. The method of claim 52, wherein the first color tone is a color selected from the group consisting of gray, dark brown, dark blue, and black, and the second color tone is blue, green, gray, cyan, light brown, light blue, purple, blue violet, and turquoise. , A color selected from the group consisting of yellow and brown, and wherein the third color tone is selected from the group consisting of light brown, yellow, yellow green, brown, tan, golden and orange. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the first, second and third shades are blue, green, gray, brown, black, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, purple, cyan, turquoise, cyan, yellow, yellow green, Indexed colored contact lenses selected from the group consisting of tan, golden and orange. 53. The portion of claim 52 wherein the first tinted portion is the darkest tint portion, the third tinted portion is the lightest tint portion, and the second tinted portion is darkest or lightest. A colored contact lens having an element-dense area located outside the portion of the lightest shade and generally outside the portion of the lightest shade and the portion of the darkest and least bright shade. 48. The colored contact lens of claim 47, wherein the non-opaque crevice is colorless. 48. The colored contact lens of claim 47, wherein the non-opaque crevice is translucent color. 48. The colored contact lens of claim 47, wherein the pattern elements are transparent. 48. The colored contact lens of claim 47, wherein the colored contact lens is hydrophilic. 48. The colored contact lens of claim 47, wherein the portion comprises a substantially concentric pattern surrounding the pupil. 61. The colored contact lens of claim 60, wherein the substantially concentric pattern has irregular borders. 61. The colored contact lens of claim 60, wherein the substantially concentric pattern includes protrusions that can extend into the pupil periphery or the iris periphery. Non-opaque pupils, irises surrounding the pupils, and colored discontinuity patterns consisting of a number of elements distributed throughout the iris, the pattern being non-opaque The pattern also covers the iris with an effective amount sufficient to change the apparent color of the iris, the pattern comprising several portions, the various portions being concentric or radial portions, the portions being blended together to create a unique texture and A colored contact lens that can give a very natural iris appearance while changing the apparent color of the lens wearer by giving a color appearance. 66. The colored contact lens according to claim 63, wherein an effective amount is 10 to 30% of the iris area. 65. The colored contact lens of claim 64, wherein the effective amount is at least about 20% of the area of the iris portion. 66. The colored contact lens of claim 65, wherein the various portions overlap fully or partially overlap. 67. The colored contact lens of claim 66, wherein each of said radial portions is connected to each other. 67. The colored contact lens of claim 66, wherein said radial portions are separated from each other. 67. The colored contact lens of claim 66, wherein each radial portion has an irregular shape. 67. The method of claim 66, wherein each part is selected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray, brown, black, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, purple, blue purple, turquoise, cyan, yellow, yellow green, tan, golden and orange. Colored contact lenses with a hue selected. 67. The portion of claim 66 wherein the first tinted portion is the darkest tint portion, the third tinted portion is the lightest tint portion, and the second tinted portion is darkest or lightest. A colored contact lens having an element-dense area located generally outside the portion of the lightest hue and outside the portion of the one or more darkest or lightest hue, the portion of the darkest hue being the portion of the darkest hue. . 64. The colored contact lens of claim 63, wherein the non-opaque crevice is colorless. 64. The colored contact lens of claim 63, wherein the non-opaque crevice is translucent color. 64. The colored contact lens of claim 63, wherein the pattern elements are transparent. 64. The colored contact lens of claim 63, wherein the colored contact lens is hydrophilic. 64. The colored contact lens of claim 63, wherein the portion comprises a substantially concentric pattern surrounding the pupil. 77. The colored contact lens of claim 76, wherein said substantially concentric pattern has irregular borders. 77. The colored contact lens of claim 76, wherein the substantially concentric pattern includes protrusions that can extend into the pupil periphery or the iris periphery. (a) preparing a transparent contact lens; (b) a non-opaque pupil, an iris surrounding the pupil, the entire iris, comprising applying a plurality of colorant portions to the surface of the contact lens in an amount effective to alter the apparent color of the iris; A colored discontinuous pattern consisting of a number of elements distributed over, the pattern being rendered non-opaque with a significant portion thereof, the pattern also having an effective amount sufficient to alter the apparent color of the iris. The parts overlap each other at different points with the other parts, and the overlapping parts are blended together to give the appearance a unique texture and color, thereby changing the iris apparent color of the lens wearer while giving a very natural iris appearance. Method for producing a colored contact lens that can be. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the effective amount is 10 to 30% of the area of the iris portion. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the effective amount is at least about 20% of the area of the iris portion. 84. The method of claim 81, wherein the various portions comprise three or more different portions. 83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the three or more different portions are uniform or non-uniform, dot, color island, worm, starburst, corkscrew, wheelwheel, long nail, fine groove, radial stripe, zigzag and stripe. The method of manufacturing a colored contact lens comprising different patterns consisting of elements selected from the group consisting of. 84. The method of claim 83, wherein the plurality of colorant portions comprise three shades of first, second, and third shades. 85. The method of claim 84, wherein the first hue is a color selected from the group consisting of gray, dark brown, dark blue, and black, and wherein the second hue is blue, green, grey, cyan, light brown, light blue, purple, blue violet, turquoise And a color selected from the group consisting of yellow and brown, and wherein the third color tone is an index selected from the group consisting of light brown, yellow, yellow green, brown, tan, golden and orange. 85. The method of claim 84, wherein the first, second and third shades are blue, green, grey, brown, black, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, purple, cyan, turquoise, cyan, yellow, yellow green, A method of manufacturing an index colored contact lens selected from the group consisting of tan, golden and orange. 85. The portion of claim 84, wherein the portion with the first tint is the portion of the darkest tint, the portion with the third tint is the portion of the brightest tint, and the portion with the second tint is neither the darkest nor the brightest. Non-tinted portion, the darkest shaded portion generally having an element-dense area located outside the portion of the brightest shade and outside the portion of the at least one darkest or lightest shade Method for manufacturing a contact lens. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the pattern elements are transparent. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the colored contact lens is hydrophilic. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the portion comprises a substantially concentric pattern surrounding the pupil. 93. The method of claim 90, wherein said substantially concentric pattern has an irregular boundary line. 93. The method of claim 90, wherein the substantially concentric pattern includes protrusions that can extend into the outer periphery of the pupil or the periphery of the iris. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein applying the plurality of colorant portions comprises coating each of the plurality of colorant portions using an ink-jet printer.