Polarizing plate with melanin
View Patent ↗The present invention is directed to the incorporation of melanin in an optical article with polarization properties. Such an article includes a first polymer layer containing a polarizing agent, a second polymer layer containing melanin and wherein the second polymer layer is disposed upon the first polymer layer.
1. An optical element comprising:
a polymer layer containing a polarizing agent; and
a polyurethane melanin layer comprising one or more polyurethanes selected from the group of polyurethanes consisting of: polyester-based polyurethane, polyether-based polyurethane, and polycarbonate-based polyurethane;
the polyurethane melanin layer disposed upon the polymer layer.
2. The optical element of claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane melanin layer is adhesive.
3. The optical element of claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane melanin layer is protective.
4. The optical element of claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane melanin layer is supportive.
5. An optical lens comprising:
a protective layer;
an adhesive layer disposed upon the protective layer;
a polarizing film layer disposed upon the adhesive layer;
a polyurethane melanin layer disposed upon the polarizing film layer, the polyurethane melanin layer comprising one or more polyurethanes selected from the group of polyurethanes consisting of: polyester-based polyurethane, polyether-based polyurethane, and polycarbonate-based polyurethane; and
a support layer disposed on the polyurethane melanin layer.
6. The optical lens of claim 5 , wherein the polyurethane melanin layer bonds to the polarizing film layer through press- or thermal-lamination.
7. The optical lens of claim 5 , wherein the polyurethane melanin layer is adhesive.
8. A method of making an optical lens comprising:
creating a polymer layer containing a polarizing agent;
creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprising one or more polyurethanes selected from the group of polyurethanes consisting of: polyester-based polyurethane, polyether-based polyurethane, and polycarbonate-based polyurethane; and
adhering the polyurethane melanin layer to the polymer layer.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprises extruding a polyurethane melanin mix onto a release liner.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprises casting a polyurethane melanin mix upon a support layer.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprises casting a polyurethane melanin mix upon a protective layer.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprises incorporating a polyurethane melanin mix into a liquid adhesive.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprises incorporating a polyurethane melanin mix into a protective layer.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of creating a polyurethane melanin layer comprises incorporating a polyurethane melanin mix into a support layer.
15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of adhering the polyurethane melanin layer to the polymer layer comprises employing press-lamination.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of adhering the polyurethane melanin layer to the polymer layer comprises employing thermal-lamination.
17. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of adhering the polyurethane melanin layer to the polymer layer comprises employing one or more adhesives selected from the group of adhesives consisting of: urethane adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, and vinyl latex adhesives.