Photochromic plate containing melanin
A photochromic melanin-containing optical plate is described. The plate has a lamination structure comprising one or two functional film layers containing photochromic compounds and melanin pigments. The photochromic melanin-containing optical plate absorbs high-energy visible-light while indoor and darkens to a sunscreen while outdoors. The plate can be advantageously used in eyewear optical articles such as ski goggles, sunscreen lenses, eyewear lenses, etc.
1 . An ophthalmic article comprising:
a film containing a photochromic substance and a melanin substance and wherein an indoor visible light transmission value of said film is between about 40% to 80% and wherein an outdoor visible light transmission value of said film is between about 5% to about 50%.
2 . The ophthalmic article of claim 1 further comprising a resinous sheet adhered to said film.
3 . The ophthalmic article of claim 1 further comprising two resinous sheets, each adhered to opposite sides of said film, said film including an adhesive.
4 . The ophthalmic article of claim 1 wherein said film is polyurethane.
5 . The ophthalmic article of claim 1 wherein said film is polyvinyl alcohol.
6 . The ophthalmic article of claim 1 wherein said photochromic compound is a naphthopyran derivative.
7 . An optical plate comprising:
a first film containing a photochromic substance; and,
a second film containing a melanin substance;
said optical plate having an indoor visible light transmission value of between about 40% to 80% and an outdoor visible light transmission value of between about 5% to about 50%.
8 . The optical plate of claim 7 further comprising a third film containing a second photochromic compound;
said second film interposed between said first and said third film.
9 . The optical plate of claim 7 wherein said first and second film are bonded together and further comprising a resinous layer disposed on an exposed side of each of said first and second films.
10 . The optical plate of claim 7 wherein said first and second films are bonded together and wherein a resinous layer is disposed on the exposed side of at least one of said first and second film.
11 . The optical plate of claim 7 wherein said first film is comprised of polyurethane and said second film is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol.
12 . The optical plate of claim 9 wherein said resinous layer comprises a polycarbonate homopolymer, a copolymer, or a blending of the two.
13 . The optical plate of claim 10 wherein said resinous layer comprises a polycarbonate homopolymer, a copolymer, or a blending of the two.
14 . A method of creating eye article comprising:
obtaining a host material;
dissolving a melanin compound and a photochromic dye into said host material; and,
allowing said host material to solidify.
15 . The method of creating eye article wherein said article has an indoor visible light transmission value of between about 40% to 80% and an outdoor visible light transmission value of between about 5% to about 50%.
16 . A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising:
placing said solidified host material into an injection mold;
injecting molten resinous material against said host material in said mold; and,
allowing said molten resinous material to harden and thereby providing an eye lens.
17 . A method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising using said solidified host material to form a cast eye lens.
18 . A method of creating an eye article comprising:
obtaining a first host material;
dissolving a melanin compound in said first host material;
obtaining a second host material;
dissolving a photochromic dye into said second host material; and,
combining said first host material and said second host material.
19 . A method as set forth in claim 18 , further comprising using said combined first and second host material to form an injection molded eye lens.
20 . A method as set forth in claim 18 , further comprising using said combined first and second host material to form cast eye lens.
21 . A method according to claim 18 wherein the combining of said first and second host materials includes forming a film having an indoor visible light transmission value of between about 40% to 80% and an outdoor visible light transmission value of between about 5% to about 50%.