Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Colored Contact Lenses and Method of Making the Same
The present invention relates to colored contact lenses capable of making a
wearer's eyes larger and more defined and with more shine, while remaining
natural by
blending seamlessly with the eye. The present invention also relates to
methods for
designing and manufacturing colored contact lenses of the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For cosmetic purposes, colored contact lenses having one or more colorants
dispersed in the lens or printed on the lens are in high demand. These colored
contact
lenses enhance the natural beauty of the eye, or provide unique patterns on
the iris of the
wearer, or provide non-cosmetic patterns.
In general, there are two types of colored contact lenses. The first are
contact
lenses which use essentially transparent enhancement colors that allow the
color of the
natural iris to show through but combine with that natural color to produce a
new
appearance. Such transparent colored lenses are typically used to turn a light
eye (e.g.,
green) to a slightly different hue (e.g., aqua). This class of colored lenses
may not be able
to change an underlying dark- colored brown iris to blue. The second category
is the
class of opaque colored lenses having a continuous opaque pattern that fully
covers the
iris or having an intermittent opaque pattern that does not fully cover the
iris. Opaque
colored contact lenses can effectively and substantially modify the wearer's
eye color.
Certain contact lens consumers showed interest in enhancing their eyes without
dramatically changing their natural eye color. They wanted their eyes to
appear larger
and more defined and with more shine, while remaining natural by blending
seamlessly
with the eye. However, these consumers did not want anyone to know they were
wearing
contact lenses, and any design would need to be natural.
Accordingly, there are still needs for colored contact lenses that are capable
of
making eyes larger and bolder with enhanced contrast while maintaining the
wearer's
natural underlying iris structure and color.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a colored contact lens, comprising a first print of a
first
color and a second print of a second color, wherein the first print is an
annular ring of
gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print is an annular ring of speckle
pattern,
wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern comprises of clusters of wherein
the annular
ring of speckle pattern comprises clusters of regular or irregular shapes
distributed
annularly, wherein the regular or irregular shapes consists of a large number
of circular
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dots, wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern has non-smooth inner and
outer
borders, wherein the second print is located on the inside of the first print,
wherein the
first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first
print and the
second print are concentric with the center of contact lens.
In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making a colored
contact lens, comprising the steps of:
providing a preformed contact lens; and
applying a first print pattern of opaque colored dots of a first color onto a
surface of at
least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the contact lens, wherein
the first print
is an annular ring of gradient dot matrix,
applying a second print pattern of opaque colored dot of a second color onto
the surface
of the contact lens, wherein the second print is an annular ring of speckle
pattern,
wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern comprises clusters of regular or
irregular
shapes distributed annularly, wherein the regular or irregular shapes consists
of a large
number of circular dots, wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern has non-
smooth inner
and outer borders, wherein the second print is located on the inside of the
first print,
wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same,
wherein the first
print and the second print are concentric with the center of contact lens.
In still another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making a
colored
contact lens, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a mold including a first mold half having a first molding
surface defining the
anterior surface of a contact lens and a second mold half having a second
molding
surface defining the posterior surface of the contact lens, wherein the first
and second
mold halves are configured to receive each other such that a contact lens
forming cavity
is formed between the first and second molding surfaces;
(b) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, a second
print pattern of
opaque colored dot of a second color to onto at least one of molding surfaces
of a lens
mold, wherein the second print is an annular ring of speckle pattern, wherein
the annular
ring of speckle pattern comprises clusters of regular or irregular shapes
distributed
annularly, wherein the regular or irregular shapes consists of a large number
of circular
dots, wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern has non-smooth inner and
outer
borders, and
(c) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, a first
print pattern of
opaque colored dots of a first color onto the surface of the mold, wherein the
first print is
an annular ring of gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print is located on
the inside of
the first print, wherein the first color and the second color are different or
the same,
wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with the center of
contact lens.
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These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the
following
description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the
following
drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and
modifications of the invention may be affected without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the novel concepts of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DF?AW1NGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art contact lens;
FIG. 2 illustrates a first print pattern which is a pattern of annular ring of
a gradient dot
matrix in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a second print pattern which is an annular ring of speckle
pattern.
FIG. 4 illustrates a third print pattern which is a first tulip flower ring
pattern.
FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth print pattern which is a second tulip flower ring
pattern.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of contact lens which contains two print
patterns (Fig. 2 and
Fig. 3) in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of contact lens which contains three print
patterns (Fig. 2,
Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a third example of contact lens which contains four print
patterns (Fig. 2,
Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention. It
will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be
made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of
the invention.
For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can
be used on
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended
that the
present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the
scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of
the
present invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the following detailed
description.
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
discussion is a
description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the
broader
aspects of the present invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the
same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to
which this
invention belongs. Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory
procedures are well known and commonly employed in the art. Conventional
methods
are used for these procedures, such as those provided in the art and various
general
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references. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventors also
contemplate the
plural of that term.
A "contact lens" refers to an object that can be placed on or within a
wearer's eye.
A contact lens can correct, improve, or alter a user's eyesight, but that need
not be the
case. A contact lens can be of any appropriate material known in the art or
later
developed, and can be a soft lens, a hard lens, or a hybrid lens. A contact
lens can be
tinted before printing any color patterns. A contact lens can be in a dry
state or a wet
state. "Dry State" refers to a soft lens in a state prior to hydration or the
state of a hard
lens under storage or use conditions. "Wet State" refers to a soft lens in a
hydrated state.
The "front or anterior surface" of a contact lens, as used herein, refers to
the
surface of the lens that faces away from the eye during wear. The anterior
surface, which
is typically substantially convex, may also be referred to as the front curve
of the lens.
The "rear or posterior surface" of a contact lens, as used herein, refers to
the
surface of the lens that faces towards the eye during wear. The rear surface,
which is
typically substantially concave, may also be referred to as the base curve of
the lens.
A "colored contact lens" refers to a contact lens (hard or soft) having a
color image
printed thereon. A color image can be a cosmetic pattern, for example, iris-
like patterns,
Wild EyeTM patterns, made-to-order (MTO) patterns, and the like. A color image
can be a
single color image or a multi-color image. A color image is preferably a
digital image, but
it can also be an analog image.
The term "eye color" refers to the color of the eye iris.
The term "ordinary viewer" is intended to mean a person having normal 20/20
version standing about 5 feet from a person wearing the lenses of the
invention.
The term "non-opaque" as used herein is intended to describe transparent or
translucent color or a part of the lens that is uncolored or colored with
transparent or
translucent coloring.
A "colored coat" refers to a coating on an object and having a color image
printed
therein.
A "colorant" means either one or more dyes or one or more pigments or a
mixture
thereof that is used to print a pattern of colored elements on a contact lens.
"Dye" means a substance that is soluble in a solvent or water and that is used
to
impart color. Dyes typically have low opacity and are nearly transparent or
translucent.
Dyes can cover both optical regions of contact lenses and non-optical regions
of contact
lenses.
A "pigment" means a powdered substance that is suspended in a liquid in which
it
is insoluble. Pigments are used to impart color. Pigments, in general, are
more opaque
than dyes.
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The term "a conventional or non-pearlescent pigment" as used herein is
intended
to describe any absorption pigments that impart color based on the optical
principle of
diffuse scattering and its color is independent of its geometry. While any
suitable non-
pearlescent pigment may be employed, it is presently preferred that the non-
pearlescent
pigment is heat resistant, non-toxic and insoluble in aqueous solutions.
Examples of
preferred non-pearlescent pigments include any colorant permitted in medical
devices
and approved by the FDA, such as D&C Blue No. 6, D&C Green No. 6, D&C Violet
No. 2,
carbazole violet, certain copper complexes, certain chromium oxides, various
iron oxides,
phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, titanium dioxides, etc. See Marmiom
DM
Handbook of U.S. Colorants for a list of colorants that may be used with the
present
invention. A more preferred embodiment of a non-pearlescent pigment include
(CI. is the
color index no.), without limitation, for a blue color, phthalocyanine blue
(pigment blue
15:3, C.I. 74160), cobalt blue (pigment blue 36, C.I. 77343), Toner cyan BG
(Clariant),
Permajet blue B2G (Clariant); for a green color, phthalocyanine green (Pigment
green 7,
C.I. 74260) and chromium sesquioxide; for yellow, red, brown and black colors,
various
iron oxides; PR122, PY154, for violet, carbazole violet; for black, Monolith
black C-K
(CIBA Specialty Chemicals).
"Pearlescence" means having a pearly luster; resembling a pearl in physical
appearance; or a color having a shiny, slightly reflective appearance.
A "pearlescent pigment" refers to a class of interference (effect) pigments,
which
are transparent thin platelets of low refractive index material (e.g.,
transparent mica
platelets) coated with optically thin coating of a high refractive index
material (e.g., metal
oxide, such as, for example titanium oxide or iron oxide), and which impart
color mainly
based on the optical principle of thin-film interference. The optically thin
coating of metal
oxide can be comprised of single or multiple thin layers of metal oxide.
Optically thin
coatings applied to the platelets contribute interference effects, which allow
the
appearance to vary depending upon illumination and viewing conditions. The
color is
determined by the coating thickness, the refractive index and the angle of
illumination.
Optically thin coatings are also responsible for the rich, deep, glossy effect
due to partial
reflection from the metal oxide and partial transmission through the mica
platelets. This
class of pigment can provide pearly luster and iridescent effects.
Pearlescent pigments which are mica platelets with an oxide coating are
commercially available from by the Englehard Corp. of Iselin, N.J., under the
"Mearlin
Pigment" line, such as "Hi-Lite Interference Colors," "Dynacolor Pearlescent
Pigments",
"MagnaPearl", "Flamenco," and "Celini Colors." Additional manufacturers of
pearlescent
colorants are: Kemira, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia, the pigments having the
trade name
"Flonac Lustre Colors"; and EM Industries, Inc. of Hawthorne, N.Y., the
pigments having
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the trade name "Affair Lustre Pigments".
The term "pearlescently colored" as used herein is intended to describe an
element of a colored pattern that is colored with a pearlescent colorant
(i.e., containing at
least one pearlescent pigment).
In the case of pearlescent pigments, it is important during processing to
minimize
platelet breakage and maintain a sufficient level of dispersion. Pearlescent
pigments
require gentle handling during mixing and they should not be ground, or
subjected to
prolonged mixing, milling or high shear since such operations can damage the
pigments.
Particle size distribution, shape and orientation strongly influence final
appearance.
Milling, high shear mixing or prolonged processing of pearlescent pigments
should be
avoided since such operations might lead to delamination of metal oxide coated
layer,
fragmentation of platelets, platelet agglomeration and platelet compaction.
Delamination
of metal oxide, compaction, fragmentation and agglomeration will reduce
pearlescent
effects.
The term "shining effect" as used herein is intended to describe the effect by
using
a combination of small elements in the design and inks that may be brighter in
color than
the rest of the pattern and/or have a pearlescent structure to provide eye
appearance of
reflection with a sparkling luster. Metallic or pearlescent pigments may
impart shine,
sparkle, or brightness by the nature of their flake type or structure. In
addition, a shiny,
sparkly, or bright appearance may also be achieved by increasing the lightness
and/or
chroma of the ink color compared to other parts of the pattern or compared to
the natural
iris. In CIELAB terminology, this would equate to a higher L* (lightness)
and/or C*
(chroma) value of the elements that are meant to give the appearance of shine,
sparkle,
or brightness compared to the L* or C* of the rest of the print pattern and/or
the natural
iris.
An "uneven or jagged or irregular border or peripheral edge" as used herein
refers
to a border or a peripheral edge on which the outmost positions have radial
distances
(i.e., from the lens center) which differ from each other by at least about
20%. A "even
border or peripheral edge" as used herein refers to a border or a peripheral
edge on
which the outermost positions have substantially constant radial distances
(i.e., from the
lens center), namely differing from each other less than 20%.
The term "percent of print coverage or dot coverage" refers to the portion of
the
total area within the region covered by the color dots as measured by using
Adobe
Photoshop graphics image editing software) to determine the number of pixels
on an
area. The percent of print coverage is calculated as follows:
% print coverage = [(number of pixels of dot coverage area) / (number of
pixels of a total
area)] x 100
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85532214
Total area = printed area + un-printed area
"Hydrogel" means a cross-linked polymer having equilibrium content between
about
and 90 percent water.
A "lens-forming material" refers to a polymerizable composition which can be
cured
(i.e., polymerized and/or crosslinked) thermally or actinically (i.e., by
actinic radiation) to
obtain a crosslinked polymer. Examples of actinic radiation are UV
irradiation, ionized
radiation (e.g. gamma ray or X-ray irradiation), microwave irradiation, and
the like. Thermal
curing or actinic curing methods are well-known to a person skilled in the
art. Lens-forming
materials are well known to a person skilled in the art such as: HEMA-based
hydrogel and
silicone hydrogel.
A "HEMA-based hydrogel" refers to a hydrogel obtained by copolymerization of a
polymerizable composition comprising hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).
A "silicone hydrogel" refers to a hydrogel obtained by copolymerization of a
polymerizable composition comprising at least one silicone-containing monomer
or at least
one silicone-containing macromer.
"Hydrophilic," as used herein, describes a material or portion thereof that
will more
readily associate.
A "print-on-mold process for producing colored contact lenses" refers to a
process for
molding a colored contact lens described in U.S. Patent No. 5,034,166 to
Rawlings et al.
This invention is directed to a colored contact lens designed to enhance a
wearer's
natural eye color and make them bolder while providing a very natural
appearance as
perceived by the ordinary viewer.
For example, certain dark-eyed contact lens consumers have shown interest in
enhancing their eyes without dramatically changing their natural eye color.
They want their
eyes to appear darker, bolder, and larger-appearing, and with more shine,
while remaining
natural by blending seamlessly with the eye. However, these consumers did not
want anyone
to know they were wearing contact lenses, and any design would need to be
natural. Light-
colored (i.e. blue or green) and medium-colored (i.e. hazel, light brown)
contact lens
consumers also show similar interest in enhancing their eyes dramatically, yet
naturally,
without changing their natural eye color.
It is discovered that such cosmetic effects (i.e., enhancing a wearer's eye
color and
make them bolder while providing a very natural appearance) can be achieved by
placing a
colored design on a contact lens to improve the contrast of the wearer's eye,
particularly their
limbus. This design can be applied by printing onto a contact lens through
conventional
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85532214
means. This invention has illustrated certain designs and colors which provide
this color on
eye yet blends with the wearer's natural eye color. The
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invention described here is a series of rings placed on top of each other to
provide the
desired effect. This first print layer is a diffuse pattern with gradient dot
matrix which
allows the underlying limbus and iris structure to be seen. The design of the
first print of
the present invention help to provide both attributes of a natural-looking
pattern and a
high contrast with the wearer's natural eye, especially when the first print
is superimposed
with the second print. The first print blocks some of the light reflecting off
the underlying
iris and allows good blending with the natural eye. The second print is an
annular ring of
speckle pattern, the annular ring of speckle pattern comprises clusters of
irregular
speckle shape distributed annularly, and the speckle shape consists of a large
number of
small dots, the annular ring of speckle pattern has non-smooth inner and outer
borders.
The second print is located on the inside of the first print, and a circular
border
differentiates the first and the second prints, wherein the circular border is
even or jagged,
wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same,
wherein the first
print and the circular border are concentric with the center of contact lens.
The width of
the speckle annular ring pattern is about 30-90% of the width of the annular
ring of
gradient dot matrix. The second print of an annular ring of speckle pattern
can enhance
the first print of the annular ring of gradient dot matrix. The annular ring
of speckle pattern
is superimposed with the annular ring of gradient dot matrix pattern, wherein
the inner
diameter of the speckle pattern is smaller than the inner diameter of the
gradient dot ring
and the centers of the rings are concentric to each other. The enhanced
annular ring of
gradient dot matrix pattern provides an even more attractive design with
perceived even
larger and bolder eyes than the non- enhanced annular ring of gradient dot
matrix pattern.
The two layers superimposed provide the desired colored design, which covers
and accentuates the wearer's natural limbal ring and eye color more than a
single layer
by itself. On eye, the pattern provides an attractive design with perceived
larger and
bolder eyes. It is also discovered that such cosmetic effects (i.e., enhancing
a wearer's
eye color and make them bolder while providing a very natural appearance)
works
particularly well for contact lens wearer having a dark-eye as well as many
other eye
colors. The larger appearance is created by increasing the size of the design
pattern
such that it results in a larger pattern on the final lens to achieve the
desired on-eye
appearance of a larger iris. This first print pattern of the present patent
application is
intended to cover the outer portions of the natural iris (outside the natural
pupil area), the
natural limbus, and a portion of the natural sclera, just outside the natural
iris. Therefore,
according to the present patent application, the larger appearance is created
by
increasing the size of the first print pattern of annular ring of gradient dot
matrix and
enhanced by the second print of an annular ring of speckle pattern. It is
further
discovered that the above described contact lens further comprises a third
print of a third
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color gives brightness and depth to a naturally dark eye. The same or extra
colors, hues
and shades add further depth, thereby providing a contact lens capable of
making a
subtle change and enhancing the color of the iris of a dark-eyed person
wearing the lens
while imparting a very natural appearance. According to the present
application, the third
print is a first tulip flower ring pattern, the third print has an identical
or smaller outer
diameter than that of the second print; the third print has a smaller inner
diameter than
that of the second print, wherein a tulip flower has a shape comprising two
elements: a
first element is a vermicular shape having a thicker center and thinner having
a first end
and a second end ; a second element is a mirror image of the first element,
the first end
of the first element and the first end of the second element are converged to
touch each
other and the second end of the first element and the second end of the second
element
are diverged, wherein the tulip flower is repeated annularly around to form a
ring with the
converged points pointing inwards, wherein the first color, the second color
and the third
color are different or the same, wherein the first print, the second print and
the third print
are concentric with the center of contact lens.
It is still further discovered that the above described contact lens further
comprises
a fourth print of a fourth color, the fourth print is a second tulip flower
ring pattern, wherein
the second tulip flower ring is formed by repeating the tulip flower annularly
around to
form a ring with the diverged points pointing inwards (toward pupil). The
fourth print has
tulip flowers annularly around to form a ring with the diverged points
pointing inwards
(toward pupil) while the third print has tulip flowers annularly around to
form a ring with
the converged points pointing inwards (toward pupil). Since the third print
pattern and the
fourth print pattern are offset, leeway is given to accentuate the same or
extra colors to
give the contact lens pattern for more natural look and add still Furth depth.
According to this patent application, shine, sparkle, or brightness may be
imparted
to the eye by using a combination of small elements in the design and inks
that may be
brighter in color than the rest of the pattern or have a pearlescent
structure. Metallic or
pearlescent pigments may impart shine, sparkle, or brightness by the nature of
their flake
type or structure; however, a shiny, sparkly, or bright appearance may also be
achieved
by increasing the lightness and/or chroma of the ink color compared to other
parts of the
pattern or compared to the natural iris. In CIELAB terminology, this would
equate to a
higher L* (lightness) and/or C* (chroma) value of the elements that are meant
to give the
appearance of shine, sparkle, or brightness compared to the L* or C* of the
rest of the
print pattern and/or the natural iris.
In CIELAB color space, the L* value refers to the lightness of a color
compared to
a gray scale ranging from black to white. C* refers to the chroma of a color,
or the
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departure of a color moving away from the gray scale. This is similar, but not
exactly the
same as, the saturation of a color. The hue angle, h , refers to the hue of
the color which
can be thought of as a basic color name: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and
purple.
To impart shine, sparkle, or brightness to a contact lens, the intended
elements
should be between 10 and 90 L* units above the other colors used in the
cosmetic lens or
the C* of the intended elements should be between 10 and 90 C* units above the
other
colors used in the cosmetic lens. Ideally, both the L* and the C* should be
between 10
and 90 units above the color of the other colors used in the cosmetic lens.
For example, a print pattern with a black outer ring and some brown speckle
pattern elements meant to blend into the eye might also include some flecks
such as
small flame shapes that might be orange or yellow in color, and may or may not
include a
pearlescent pigment such as mica. Orange and yellow colors have higher L* and
C*
values than brown colors, by their nature, as brown is considered a low chroma
orange
color, and not considered a hue on its own. In this instance, the orange and
yellow colors
would be at least 10 L* and/or C* units higher than the black and brown colors
used in the
lens.
The hue of the elements intended to impart shine may or may not be similar to
the
ink in the rest of the print pattern. For example, blue elements with higher
L* and C* units
may be used on this otherwise brown and black cosmetic lens.
In one respect, the invention provides a colored contact lens, comprising a
first
print of a first color and a second print of a second color, wherein the first
print is an
annular ring of gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print is an annular
ring of speckle
pattern, wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern comprises of clusters of
wherein the
annular ring of speckle pattern comprises clusters of regular or irregular
shapes
distributed annularly, wherein the regular or irregular shapes consists of a
large number
of circular dots, wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern has non-smooth
inner and
outer borders, wherein the second print is located on the inside of the first
print, wherein
the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the
first print and
the second print are concentric with the center of contact lens.
As well known in the art, a color is generally described mainly by the
following
inter-related terms: hue, chroma, intensity, saturation, luminance,
brightness, value and
opacity.
The term "different colors" is intended to describe that two colors are
different in at
least one of hue, chroma, intensity, saturation, luminance, brightness, value,
and opacity.
The term "second color different from said first color" (or some similar
language) as used
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herein is intended to mean that both colors are of totally different colors,
such as blue and
hazel; or that both colors are the same hue, but have different lightness,
values such as
light blue and dark blue.
The term "an annular ring of gradient dot matrix" is intended to mean
gradually
increase local colored dot coverage in a radial direction (from the center to
the edge) of
an annular ring by increasing the print density. For example, the larger
number of printed
colored dots within an area near the exterior periphery edge of an annular
ring causes the
appearance of a darker exterior periphery edge of the annular ring than the
interior
periphery edge of the annular ring. Alternately, while fixing the spacing of
the center of
each dot, the larger size of colored dots within an area near the exterior
periphery edge of
an annular ring causes the appearance of a darker exterior periphery edge of
the annular
ring than the interior periphery edge of the annular ring. Alternately, the
print density can
be decreased by removing printed area, such as by removing print from a high
print
density region (i.e. circular voids). The interior peripheral edge of an
annular ring refers to
an edge being closest to the center of the colored lens. The exterior
peripheral edge of an
annular ring refers to an edge being farthest to the center of the colored
lens. Alternately,
the gradient dot matrix can be composed of a consistent dot density.
The printed colored dots or void areas can have any shape, regular or
irregular,
such as circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, elongated, etc. All
colored dots or
void areas can have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all printed dots
or void areas
have substantially similar shape. More preferably, all printed dots or void
areas have
circular shapes.
The range of dot sizes is preferably from 0.01 to about 0.5 mm. The spacing
between dots is preferred from 0.01 to about 0.3 mm. Also, the removed printed
areas
are circles (i.e. circular voids) from 0.01 to about 0.3 mm, with spacing from
0.01 to
0.3mm.
FIG. 1 as an example illustrates a prior art contact lens. It has a non-opaque
pupil
section 20 in the center of lens, and an annular iris section 21 surrounding
the pupil
section. For hydrophilic lenses, a transparent peripheral section 22 surrounds
iris section
21. A colored, opaque, intermittent pattern is located over the entire iris
section 21, as
shown in FIG. 1. The pattern leaves a substantial portion of the iris section
within the
interstices of the pattern non-opaque. The non-opaque areas of iris section 21
appear
white in FIG. 1.
Figure 2 as an example schematically illustrates a "first print pattern" which
consists of an annular ring of gradient dot matrix. The dots, preferably
opaque dots, can
have any shape, regular or irregular, such as circular, oval, triangular,
square, hexagonal,
elongated, etc. All dots can have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all
dots have
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substantially similar shape. More preferably, all dots have circular shapes.
The first print
pattern is concentric with the center of a lens and has a substantially even
exterior
peripheral edge and a substantially even interior peripheral edge. The
exterior peripheral
edge of the first print has a diameter from about 12.5 mm to about 15 mm and
the width
of the first print is from about 0.8 mm to about 3.5 mm and preferred from
about 2.0 mm
to about 3.0 mm. The first print can be many colors, for example, black, blue,
gray,
brown, light blue, turquoise, violet, dark-violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow
or green. A
preferred color for the first print is black or brown.
FIG. 3 illustrates a "second print pattern" which is an annular ring of
speckle
pattern. According to the present application, the annular ring of speckle
pattern
comprised clusters of regular or irregular shapes, such as circular, oval,
triangular,
square, hexagonal, elongated, etc. distributed annularly, wherein the regular
or irregular
shapes consists of aõlarge number of circular dots, According to the present
invention, a
large number of circular dots refer to from 4 to 2500, preferable from 10 to
1500, more
preferable from 15 to 500 and even more preferable from 20 to 300 of circular
dots. The
width of the speckle annular ring pattern is about 30-90% of the width of the
annular ring
of gradient dot matrix.
FIG. 4 illustrates a "third print pattern" which is a tulip flower pattern in
accordance
with the present invention, the third print is a first tulip flower ring
pattern has a shape
comprising two elements, the first element is a vermicular shape having a
thicker center
and thinner at a first end and a second end ; the second element is a mirror
image of the
first element, the first end of the first element and the first end of the
second element are
converged to touch each other and the second end of the first element and the
second
end of the second element are diverged, wherein the tulip flower is repeated
annularly
around to form a ring with the converged points pointing inwards to create a U-
shaped
chalice shape.
A third element is a reduced in size of the first element and sits within the
U-
shaped chalice and contact at least one side.
According to the present invention, the tulip flower shapes may contain all
three
elements, or optionally just the first two elements. This shape is repeated
annularly
around to form a ring with the converged points pointing inwards.
FIG. 5 illustrates a "fourth print pattern" which is a second tulip flower
pattern in
accordance with the present invention. The second tulip flower pattern also
consists of
tulip flower shapes that have been repeated around an annular ring. The second
tulip
flower shape is the same as the first tulip flower shapes shown in Fig. 3 with
the following
exception: 1) the tulip flower shape is repeated annularly around to form a
ring with the
converged points pointing inwards to the center of contact lens pattern; 2)
tulip flower
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shape is smaller or bigger.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of contact lens which contains two print
patterns to
form an enhanced outer ring pattern which is the combination of annular ring
of gradient
dot matrix of FIG. 2 and annular ring of speckle pattern of FIG. 3. The inner
diameter of
the annular ring of speckle pattern is smaller than the inner diameter of the
gradient dot
annular ring and the centers of the rings are concentric to each other. This
annular ring of
speckle pattern creates better blending with the natural iris.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of contact lens which contains three print
patterns
(Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 7
design is a
three print pattern where the top-most pattern is a dark, well-defined outer
ring specifically
meant to increase the appearance of the iris diameter. Superimposed with the
gradient
dot pattern (Fig. 2) is an annular ring of speckle pattern (Fig. 3). The
annular ring of
speckle pattern comprised clusters of regular or irregular shapes distributed
annularly,
wherein the regular or irregular shapes consists of a large number of circular
dots. The
annular ring of speckle pattern has non-smooth inner and outer borders.
According to the
present invention, the width of the speckle annular ring pattern is about 30-
90%,
preferably about 35-80% and more preferably 40-70% of the width of the annular
ring of
gradient dot matrix. When evaluating the layers separately, the inner diameter
of the
speckle pattern is smaller than the inner diameter of the gradient dot ring
and the centers
of the rings are concentric to each other. This speckle pattern creates better
blending with
the natural iris. The combination of patterns forming the enhanced outer ring
pattern is
shown in Figure 6.
FIG. 8 illustrates a third example of contact lens which contains four print
patterns
(Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 design is
a four print pattern where the top-most pattern is a dark, well-defined outer
ring
specifically meant to increase the appearance of the iris diameter. The fourth
layer is a
second tulip flower ring pattern which consists of similar tulip flower shapes
that have
been repeated in different manners around an annular ring, comparing to the
first tulip
flower ring pattern.
The second tulip flower ring pattern also has a shape comprising two elements,
the first element is a vermicular shape having a thicker center and thinner at
a first end
and a second end ; the second element is a mirror image of the first element,
the first end
of the first element and the first end of the second element are converged to
touch each
other and the second end of the first element and the second end of the second
element
are diverged, wherein the tulip flower is repeated annularly around to form a
ring with the
diverged points pointing inwards (toward to pupil) to create a U-shaped
chalice shape.
A third element is a reduced in size of the first element and sits within the
U-
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shaped chalice and contact at least one side.
This shape may contain all three elements, or optionally just the first two
elements. This shape is repeated annularly around to form a ring with the
converged
points pointing inwards (toward to pupil) for a first tulip flower print
pattern layer as shown
in Fig. 4. The other pattern layer uses this shape, also repeated annularly
around to form
a ring, but with the diverged points pointing inwards (toward to pupil) for a
second tulip
flower print pattern as shown in Fig. 5.
The combination of the four patterns create a thick, dark outer ring that
blends
with both the other layers and the natural iris and a lace-like structure with
thick long
waves overlapping randomly such that there are areas of no coverage and areas
where
both layers overlap to create a design that blends well with the natural iris
and may
provide depth, sparkle, or shine to the appearance of the lens.
The combination of the four patterns is illustrated in Figure 8. The first
tulip flower-
like print pattern in this design is approximately 85% - 95% of the diameter
of the
enhanced outer ring print pattern. Additionally, the second tulip flower print
pattern is
approximately 80% - 95% of the diameter of the enhanced outer ring print
pattern.
On eye, the pattern in accordance with the invention provides an attractive
design
with perceived larger and bolder eyes.
A colored contact lens can be made by applying an ink directly onto a
preformed
contact lens. A preferred method for applying an ink onto a contact lens in
accordance
with this invention is through printing, for example, pad- transfer printing
and/or inkjet
printing using an ink, preferably a water-based ink.
An ink typically comprises at least one colorant, a binder polymer, and a
solvent.
An ink can optionally include a crosslinker, a humectant, a surfactant, a
monomer, a
polymerization initiator, an antimicrobial agent, an antioxidant agent, an
anti-kogating
agent, and other additives known in the art.
A colorant comprises at least one dye or preferably one pigment. Conventional
and/or pearlescent pigments can be used in the invention.
A solvent can be water (water-based inks) or any appropriate organic solvent
(organic solvent-based inks). Any known suitable solvents can be used, so long
as they
can dissolve the binder in the ink of the invention and aid in the stability
of the colorant.
Examples of preferred solvents include water, or water mixed with one or more
co-
solvent. Alternately, organic solvents such as alcohols, glycols, ketones,
esters, methyl
ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone could be used.
"A binder polymer" refers to a crosslinkable polymer that comprises
crosslinkable
groups and can be crosslinked by a crosslinker or upon initiation by a
chemical or
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physical means (e.g., moisture, heating, UV irradiation or the like) to trap
or bind
colorants onto or into a contact lens such as that term is known in the art.
The term crosslinkable groups is employed herein in a broad sense and is
intended to encompass, for example, functional groups and photo crosslinkable
or
thermally crosslinkable groups, which are well-known to a person skilled in
the art. It is
well known in the art that a pair of matching crosslinkable groups can form a
covalent
bond or linkage under known reaction conditions, such as, oxidation-reduction
conditions,
dehydration condensation conditions, addition conditions, substitution (or
displacement)
conditions, free radical polymerization conditions, 2+2 cyclo-addition
conditions, DieIs-
Alder reaction conditions, ROMP (Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization)
conditions,
vulcanization conditions, cationic crosslinking conditions, and epoxy
hardening
conditions. For example, an amino group is covalently bondable with aldehyde
(Schiff
base which is formed from aldehyde group and amino group may further be
reduced); an
hydroxyl group and an amino group are covalently bondable with carboxyl group;
carboxyl group and a sulfo group are covalently bondable with hydroxyl group;
a
mercapto group is covalently bondable with amino group; or a carbon-carbon
double
bond is covalently bondable with another carbon-carbon double bond. Exemplary
covalent bonds or linkage, which are formed between pairs of crosslinkable
groups,
include without limitation, alkane (carbon-carbon single bond), alkene (carbon-
carbon
double bond), ester, ether, acetal, ketal, vinyl ether, carbamate, urea,
amine, amide,
enamine, imine, oxime, amidine, iminoester, carbonate, orthoester,
phosphonate,
phosphinate, sulfonate, sulfinate, sulfide, sulfate, disulfide, sulfinamide,
sulfonamide,
thioester, aryl, silane, siloxane, heterocycles, thiocarbonate, thiocarbamate,
and
phosphonamide.
Exemplary crosslinkable groups include, without limitation, hydroxyl group,
amine
group, amide group, sulfhydryl group, ¨ODOR (R and R' are hydrogen or 01 to CB
alkyl
groups), halide (chloride, bromide, iodide), acyl chloride, isothiocyanate,
isocyanate,
monochlorotriazine, dichlorotriazine, mono- or di-halogen substituted
pyridine, mono- or
di-halogen substituted diazine, phosphoramidite, maleimide, aziridine,
sulfonyl halide,
hydroxysuccinimide ester, hydroxysulfosuccinimide ester, imido ester,
hydrazine,
axidonitrophenyl group, azide, 3-(2-pyridyl dithio)proprionamide, glyoxal,
aldehyde,
epoxy, olefinically unsaturated radicals.
A binder polymer in the ink can be any polymer which is compatible with lens
material. A binder polymer can be prepared by polymerization of monomers
containing
vinyl alcohol, vinyl butyral, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,
hydroxy 01 to Cs
alkyl ester of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, amino Ci to 08 alkyl ester
of acrylic and
methacrylic acid, glycerol esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid,
vinylpyrrolidone,
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vinylchloride, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylacrylamide, and the like.
Mixtures of these
different monomers could be made to form various copolymers. Other polymers
could
include various cellulosic resins, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, or
polyamides that
have at least one crosslinkable group. Preferably, monomers used in preparing
a binding
polymer is the same as that for monomers used in making a lens.
An ink for printing a colored lens of the invention can be prepared according
any
known suitable methods. For example, first a solution of binding polymer and
solvent is
prepared and this solution is mixed with paste containing the colorant to form
an ink.
Pad transfer printing is well known in the art (see. For example, United
States Patent
Nos. 3,536,386 to Spivack; 4,582,402 and 4,704,017 to Knapp; 5,034,166 to
Rawlings etal.).
A typical example of this printing follows. An image is etched into metal to
form a cliché. The
cliché is placed in a printer. Once in the printer, the cliché is inked by
either an open inkwell
doctoring system or by a closed ink cup sliding across the image. Then, a
silicone pad picks
up the inked image from the cliché and transfers the image to the contact
lens. The silicone
pads are made of a material comprising silicone that can vary in elasticity.
The properties of
the silicone material permit the inks to stick to the pad temporarily and
fully release from the
pad when it contacts a contact lens or a mold. Appropriate pad-transfer
printing structures
include, but are not limited to, Tampo-type printing structures (Tampo vario
90/130), rubber
stamps, thimbles, doctor's blade, direct printing, or transfer printing as
they are known in the
art.
Any known suitable silicone pad can be used in the present invention. Silicone
pads
are commercially available. However, different pads could give different print
qualities. A
person skilled in the art will know how to select a pad for a given ink.
Clichés can be made of ceramics or metals (e.g., steel). Where a cliché is
made of a
steel, it would be desirable to neutralize the pH of a water-based ink (e.g.,
adjusted pH to 6.8
- 7.8) by adding a buffer (such as, for example, phosphate salts). Images can
be etched into
a cliché according to any methods known to a person skilled in the art, for
example, by
chemical etching or laser ablation or the like. It is also desirable to clean
clichés after use
using standard cleaning techniques known to a person skilled in the art, such
as, for
example, immersion in a solvent, son ication, or mechanical abrasion.
It is understood that either the anterior (convex) or posterior (concave)
surfaces of the
lens may be printed, but printing the anterior surface is presently preferred.
Printing the lens using an inkjet printing process is described in published
US Patent
Application Nos. 2001/0050753, 2001/0085934, 2003/0119943, and 2003/0184710.
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In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a colored contact lens may further
comprise a clear coating covering at least the colored area of a lens. A clear
coating can be
formed on the colored area by applying a layer of a clear polymerizable
solution free of any
colorant onto the lens surface with color prints and then polymerizing the
layer of clear
polymerizable solution. A clear coat may minimize leaching of a colorant and
may enhance
wearer's comfort.
Alternatively, a colored contact lens of the invention can be made according
to a
print-on-mold process similar to those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,034,166
to Rawlings et
al. An ink can be applied first on the molding surface of one or both mold
portions by using
pad transfer printing (or pad printing) or inkjet printing to form a colored
coat (with a color
image). A colored coat can be applied on the molding surface defining the
posterior
(concave) surface of a contact lens or on the molding surface defining the
anterior surface of
a contact lens or on both mold portions. Preferably, a colored coat (with a
color image) is
applied on the molding surface defining the anterior surface of a contact
lens.
Optionally, a transferable coating can be applied to a molding surface of a
mold
before applying the ink by pad transfer printing. A transfer coating is
intended to describe a
coating which can be detached from a molding surface of a mold and become
integral with
the body of a contact lens molded in the mold. A transferable coating can be
applied to a
molding surface of mold by any suitable techniques, such as, for example,
spraying, printing,
swabbing, or dipping. A transferable coating can be prepared from a solution
comprising
polymerizable components and free of any colorants. For example, a
transferable coating
with substantially uniform thickness (less than 200 microns) can be prepared
by spraying a
molding surface with a solution having the composition (without colorant) of
an ink to be used
or a solution of prepolymer or a lens-forming material to be used. This
transferable coating
can optionally be dried or cured to form a transferable clear film (without
any pigment but
optionally with dyes including reactive dyes). One or more colored patterns
can then be
printed on this transferable coating or film. By applying a transferable
coating before printing,
one can make a colored lens in which printed colored patterns are embedded
just below a
film derived from the transferable coating. Such a lens may be more
comfortable for wearing
and have much less susceptibility to colorant leaching out of the colored
lens.
After printing an ink of the invention on a molding surface of a mold, the
printed ink
can be cured by UV or other actinic radiation to form a colored film in
accordance with the
invention. It is desirable that the printed ink is cured actinically to an
extent to minimize loss
of pattern definition of the colored coat resulted from subsequent filling of
a lens-forming
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material.
Lens molds for making contact lenses are well known to a person skilled in the
art
and, for example, are employed in cast molding or spin casting. For example, a
mold (for
cast molding) generally comprises at least two mold sections (or portions) or
mold halves, i.e.
first and second mold halves. The first mold half defines a first molding (or
optical) surface
and the second mold half defines a second molding (or optical) surface. The
first and second
mold halves are configured to receive each other such that a lens forming
cavity is formed
between the first molding surface and the second molding surface. The molding
surface of a
mold half is the cavity-forming surface of the mold and in direct contact with
lens-forming
material.
Methods of manufacturing mold sections for cast-molding a contact lens are
generally
well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The process of the present
invention is not
limited to any particular method of forming a mold. In fact, any method of
forming a mold can
be used in the present invention. The first and second mold halves can be
formed through
various techniques, such as injection molding or lathing. Examples of suitable
processes for
forming the mold halves are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,444,711 to Schad;
4,460,534 to
Boehm et al.; 5,843,346 to Morrill; and 5,894,002 to Boneberger et al.
Virtually all materials known in the art for making molds can be used to make
molds
for making contact lenses. For example, polymeric materials, such as
polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene, PMMA, Topas COC grade 8007-S10 (clear amorphous
copolymer of ethylene and norbornene, from Ticona GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany
and
Summit, New Jersey), or the like can be used. Other materials that allow UV
light
transmission could be used, such as quartz glass and sapphire.
Any lens-forming materials can be used in the invention and is not presently
considered a critical part of this aspect of the invention. Lens forming
materials that are
suitable in the fabrication of contact lenses are illustrated by numerous
issued US patents
and familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred lens-forming materials are
capable of
forming hydrogels. A lens-forming material can comprise one or more
prepolymers,
optionally one or more vinylic monomers and/or macromers and optionally
further include
various components, such as photoinitiator, visibility tinting agent, fillers,
and the like. It
should be understood that any silicone-containing prepolymers or any silicone-
free
prepolymers can be used in the present invention.
A preferred group of lens-forming materials are prepolymers which are water-
soluble
and/or meltable as described above. It would be advantageous that a lens-
forming material
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comprises primarily one or more prepolymers which are preferably in a
substantially pure
form (e.g., purified by ultrafiltration). Therefore, after
crosslinking/polymerizing by actinic
radiation, a contact lens may require practically no more subsequent
purification, such as
complicated extraction of unpolymerized constituents. Furthermore,
crosslinking/polymerizing
may take place solvent-free or in aqueous solution, so that a subsequent
solvent exchange
or the hydration step is not necessary.
A person skilled in the art will know well how to actinically or thermally
cure the lens-
forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens.
In a preferred embodiment, where a lens-forming material is a solution,
solvent-free
liquid, or melt of one or more prepolymers optionally in presence of other
components,
reusable molds are used and the lens-forming material is cured actinically
under a spatial
limitation of actinic radiation to form a colored contact lens. Examples of
preferred reusable
molds are those disclosed in U.S. patent application Nos. 08/274,942 filed
July 14, 1994,
10/732,566 filed December 10, 2003, 10/721,913 filed November 25, 2003, and
U.S. Patent
No. 6,627,124.
In this case, the lens-forming material is put into a mold consisting of two
mold
halves, the two mold halves not touching each other but having a thin gap of
annular design
arranged between them. The gap is connected to the mold cavity, so that excess
lens
material can flow away into the gap. Instead of polypropylene molds that can
be used only
once, it is possible for reusable quartz, glass, or sapphire molds to be used,
since, following
the production of a lens, these molds can be cleaned and dried rapidly to
effectively remove
the uncrosslinked prepolymer and other residues, using water or a suitable
solvent.
Reusable molds can also be made of Topas COC grade 8007-S10 (clear amorphous
copolymer of ethylene and norbornene) from Ticona GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany
and
Summit, New Jersey. Since the mold halves do not touch each other in the
region of the lens
to be produced, i.e. the cavity or actual mold faces, damage as a result of
contact is ruled
out. This ensures a high service life of the molds, which, in particular, also
ensures high
reproducibility of the contact lenses to be produced.
The two opposite surfaces (anterior surface and posterior surface) of a
contact lens
are defined by the two molding surfaces while the edge is defined by the
spatial limitation of
actinic irradiation rather than by means of mold walls. Typically, only the
lens-forming
material within a region bound by the two molding surfaces and the projection
of the well
defined peripheral boundary of the spatial limitation is crosslinked whereas
any lens-forming
material outside of and immediately around the peripheral boundary of the
spatial limitation is
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not crosslinked, and thereby the edge of the contact lens should be smooth and
precise
duplication of the dimension and geometry of the spatial limitation of actinic
radiation. Such
method of making contact lenses are described in U.S. patent application Nos.
08/274,942
filed July 14, 1994, 10/732,566 filed December 10, 2003, 10/721,913 filed
November 25,
2003, and U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124.
A spatial limitation of actinic radiation (or the spatial restriction of
energy
impingement) can be effected by masking for a mold that is at least partially
impermeable to
the particular form of energy used, as illustrated in U.S. patent application
Nos. 08/274,942
filed July 14, 1994 and U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124 or by a mold that is highly
permeable, at
least at one side, to the energy form causing the crosslinking and that has
mold parts being
impermeable or of poor permeability to the energy, as illustrated in U.S.
patent application
Nos. 10/732,566 filed December 10, 2003, 10/721,913 filed November 25, 2003
and U.S.
Patent No. 6,627,124. The energy used for the crosslinking is radiation
energy, especially UV
radiation, gamma radiation, electron radiation or thermal radiation, the
radiation energy
preferably being in the form of a substantially parallel beam in order on the
one hand to
achieve good restriction and on the other hand efficient use of the energy.
It should be understood that an ink of the invention should have a good
transferability
of the colored coat from a mold to a contact lens and a good adhesion to the
molded lens.
The resultant colored contact lens is essentially smooth and continuous on the
surface
containing the color film.
The good transferability and adhesion may be resulted largely from
interpenetrating
network formation during curing of the lens-forming material in the mold.
Without limiting this
invention to any particular mechanism or theory, it is believed that the ink
binders of the
invention can form interpenatrating networks (IPN's) with the lens material of
a hydrogel lens.
Adhesion of an ink of the invention to the lens by IPN formation does not
require the
presence of reactive funtional groups in the lens polymer. The lens-forming
material is
crosslinked in the presence of crosslinked binder polymer in the colored film
to form IPNs. It
is understood that some (residual) ethylenically unsaturated groups in the
binder polymer
may not be consumed during curing of the colored coat to form the colored
film. These
residual ethylenically unsaturated groups may undergo crosslinking reaction to
bind the
binder polymer to the lens material during the curing of the lens-forming
material in the mold.
It is also understood that adhesion between lenses and ink could be enhanced
by
direct linkage (bond formation) between binder polymer and lens polymer. For
example, a
binder polymer containing nucleophilic groups could undergo reactions with
lens polymer that
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contains electrophilic groups such as epoxy, anhydride, alkyl halide and
isocyanate.
Alternatively one could bind ink to lenses by having electrophilic groups in
the ink binder
polymer and nucleophic groups in the lens polymer. Curable inks could also be
made be
incorporating both nucleophilic and electrophilic functionality into to binder
polymer.
In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making a colored
contact
lens, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a preformed contact lens; and
(b) applying a first print pattern of opaque colored dots of a first color
onto a surface
of at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the contact lens,
wherein the first print
is an annular ring of gradient dot matrix,
(c) applying a second print pattern of opaque colored dot of a second color
onto the
surface of the contact lens, wherein the second print is an annular ring of
speckle pattern,
wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern comprises of clusters of irregular
speckle shape
distributed annularly, wherein the speckle shape consists of a large number of
small dots,
wherein the annular ring of speckle pattern has non-smooth inner and outer
borders, wherein
the second print is located on the inside of the first print, wherein the
first color and the
second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the second
print are
concentric with the center of contact lens.
In still another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for making a
colored
contact lens, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a mold including a first mold half having a first molding
surface defining
the anterior surface of a contact lens and a second mold half having a second
molding
surface defining the posterior surface of the contact lens, wherein the first
and second mold
halves are configured to receive each other such that a contact lens forming
cavity is formed
between the first and second molding surfaces;
(b) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, a second
print pattern
of opaque colored dot of a second color to onto at least one of molding
surfaces of a lens
mold, wherein the second print is an annular ring of speckle pattern, wherein
the annular ring
of speckle pattern comprises of clusters of irregular speckle shape
distributed annularly,
wherein the speckle shape consists of a large number of small dots, wherein
the annular ring
of speckle pattern has non-smooth inner and outer borders, and
(c) applying, by using pad-transfer or inkjet printing technique, a first
print pattern of
opaque colored dots of a first color onto the surface of the mold, wherein the
first print is an
annular ring of gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print is located on
the inside of the
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85532214
first print, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the
same, wherein the
first print and the second print are concentric with the center of contact
lens.
Any known suitable lenses made of any lens-forming material can be used to
practice
this invention. Preferably, hydrogel lenses or silicone-containing hydrogel
lenses are used to
practice this invention. Examples of preferred lenses include: without
limitation, lenses
described in Loshaek's U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,240; lenses prepared from a water-
soluble
crosslinkable poly (vinyl alcohol) prepolymer as described in U.S. pat. Nos.
5,583,163 and
6,303,687; lenses made from a water-soluble crosslinkable polyurea prepolymer
as
described in US Patent No. 6,479,587 and a co-pending U.S. patent application
No.
60/525,100 filed November 25, 2003 entitled "Crosslinkable polyurea
prepolymers"; and the
like. It is understood that any commercial available lenses, such as, for
example, FOCUS
DAILIES , ACUVUE , etc., can be used to practice this invention.
Although various embodiments of the invention have been described using
specific
terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes
only. The words
used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be
understood that changes
and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit or
scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In
addition, it should
be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged
either in whole
or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not
be limited to the
description of the preferred versions contained therein.
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