Abstract:
A glass ophthalmic lens which has been strengthened by thermal tempering or ion exchange treatment has increased impact resistance and durability, but such strengthening does not alter the appearance of the lens sufficiently to render the presence or absence of strengthening visually ascertainable even by one of high skill. It being necessary to inspect for the presence or absence of strengthening prior to dispensing lenses to the public, the present invention contemplates immersion of the lenses in a transparent liquid of approximately the same refractive index as the material of the lenses and projection of linearly polarized light through the fluid and lens. Viewing of the thus illuminated lens through a light polarizing analyzer reveals readily observable stress patterns in strengthened lenses and a lack of such patterns in non-strengthened lenses.
Abstract:
There is provided by the process of the invention a silicate glass which provides protection against mechanical hazards and short and long wavelength ultraviolet radiation while at the same time high transmission of light in the visible range of the spectrum is maintained. By the process of the invention, the incorporation of cerium oxide into the glass followed by ion exchange strengthening using a mixture of potassium salt and silver nitrate provide a synergistic reduction in transmission of light in the ultraviolet range of the spectrum not heretofore obtainable by the use of either cerium oxide or silver staining of the glass alone.
Abstract:
The invention achieves local variation, or a continuous gradation, in photochromic or phototropic properties across the face of glass lenses and lens blanks, especially those of ophthalmic quality. The lenses and lens blanks contain all those ingredients required to produce photochromic or phototropic behavior. They are exposed to a locally variable temperature field or environment, in such manner as to, in at least one portion of the lens or lens blank cause the temperature therein to exceed the strain point but not the softening point of the glass. In other portions of the lens or lens blank the temperature is below the strain point, thus causing development of phototropic or photochromic behavior only in those portions of the lens or lens blank exposed to the temperatures above the strain point.
Abstract:
Glass lenses, or lens blanks, containing all the ingredients necessary to produce phototropic, or photochromic behavior, are treated in a conventional production furnace to produce a locally variable heat treatment, wherein at least one portion thereof is raised to a temperature exceeding the glass strain point but not the softening point, and other portions are heated to variable temperatures decreasing from the strain point. The treatment causes development of phototropic, or photochromic, behavior only in those portions of the lenses, or lens blanks, exposed to the temperature above the strain point. The lenses resulting are characterized by trichromatic coefficients, x=0.310 and y=0.321, in the unactivated state and x=0.314 and y=0.319, in an activated state.
Abstract:
Laser glasses having high resistance to self-damage during operation are formed in all ceramic melting units, in the presence of a fining agent to eliminate the formation of metallic inclusions and semi-conductive inclusions and using base glass compositions with reduced tendency toward microphase separation and devitrification. The major ingredients of the glass batches include silicon dioxide, alkali and alkaline earth nitrates, carbonates and fluorides. The method involves introducing oxidizing compounds into the reaction mixture in a sufficient amount that during the reaction and fining phase, oxidizing conditions are maintained throughout the entire volume of the glass melt.
Abstract:
Warpage-free spectacles comprised of plastic lenses and plastic frames wherein the frames are constructed of materials having the same or lower tensile elastic modulus and/or the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the lens material.
Abstract:
Glass lenses, or lens blanks, containing all the ingredients necessary to produce phototropic, or photochromic, behavior, are treated in a conventional production furnace to produce a locally variable heat treatment, wherein at least one portion thereof is raised to a temperature exceeding the glass strain point but not the softening point, and other portions are heated to variable temperature decreasing from the strain point. The treatment causes development of phototropic, or photochromic, behavior only in those portions of the lenses, or lens blanks, exposed to the temperature above the strain point. The lenses resulting are characterized by trichromatic coefficients, x=0.306 and y=0.307, in the unactivated state and x=0.324 and y=0.321, in an activated state and including a small but effective quantity of cobalt oxide.
Abstract:
A chemically durable, biologically inert optical implant lens formed of a low density natural or synthetic crystal, such as Corundum, Sapphrie, Ruby, Sircon, Strontium Titanate, Diamond, Anatase or Ruby.
Abstract:
An ophthalmic glass lens having a compressively-stressed surface zone after ion exchanging which is at least 120 microns in depth, formed from an alkali metal oxide silicate glass comprising by weight about 4 to about 15 percent sodium oxide and about 3 to about 15 percent potassium oxide. There is a compressively-stressed surface layer having a strength of at least 25,000 psi. The total amount of sodium, potassium and other alkali metal oxides is up to about 20 percent. The total amount of zinc oxide, lanthanum oxide, magnesium oxide, and calcium oxide is about 8 to 15 percent, and there is about 3 to about 15 percent phosphorus pentoxide. An ion exchange process takes place at a temperature either above or below the strain point of conventional ophthalmic crown glass to produce satisfactory physical properties in the ophthalmic glass lens.