Claims
- 1. A method of forming an optical lens, the method comprising the steps of:
a) mixing together an optically clear dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer in an amount to render the composition semi-solid and malleable, and an initiator to form a semi-solid polymerizable composition, wherein the dead polymer and the reactive plasticizer exhibit compatibility at temperatures not higher than 100° C., and wherein the polymerizable composition remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage when polymerized; b) shaping the semi-solid composition into a desired geometry; and c) exposing the semi-solid composition to a source of polymerizing energy; to give the resultant optically clear lens comprising a crosslinked polymer network of reactive plasticizer within an entangled dead polymer.
- 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically clear lens comprises a semi-interpenetrating crosslinked polymer network of reactive plasticizer within an entangled dead polymer.
- 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the polymer network of reactive plasticizer is further crosslinked to the dead polymer.
- 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically clear lens comprises interpenetrating reactive plasticizer polymeric chains within an entangled dead polymer.
- 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically clear lens is impact-resistant.
- 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically clear lens exhibits high fidelity replication.
- 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically clear lens exhibits dimensional stability.
- 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the optically clear lens is an ophthalmic lens.
- 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the semi-solid composition is shaped by placing the semi-solid composition in contact with a mold, the mold corresponding to the desired geometry.
- 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the semi-solid is shaped by placing it into about the center of the mold, such that shaping the semi-solid while optionally heating causes the semi-solid composition to flow radially outward.
- 11. A method according to claim 1 which further comprises the step of providing a waiting period at a predetermined temperature after the composition is shaped and before exposing to the source of polymerizing energy.
- 12. A method of forming a shaped article, the method comprising the steps of:
mixing together a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer in an amount to render the composition semi-solid and malleable, and an initiator to form a semi-solid polymerizable composition, which exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization; shaping the semi-solid composition into a desired geometry; and exposing the semi-solid composition to a source of polymerizing energy, to give the resultant article.
- 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the semi-solid composition is shaped by placing the semi-solid composition in contact with a mold, the mold corresponding to the desired geometry.
- 14. A method according to claim 12 which further comprises the step of providing a waiting period at a predetermined temperature after the composition is shaped and before exposing to the source of polymerizing energy.
- 15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the semi-solid is shaped by placing it into about the center of the mold, such that shaping the semi-solid while optionally heating causes the semi-solid composition to flow radially outward.
- 16. A method of forming a shaped article, the method comprising the steps of:
mixing together a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer in an amount to render the composition semi-solid and malleable, and an initiator to form a semi-solid polymerizable composition, which exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization; forming the semi-solid composition into a pre-form; providing a mold corresponding to a desired geometry; placing the pre-form into the mold; compressing the mold, with optional heating, so that the semi-solid composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of the mold; and exposing the semi-solid composition to a source of polymerizing energy, to give the resultant article.
- 17. A method according to claim 16 which further comprises the step of providing a waiting period at a predetermined temperature after the pre-form is compressed in the mold and before exposing to the source of polymerizing energy.
- 18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the pre-form is placed in contact with the mold at about the center of the mold, such that compressing the mold while optionally heating causes the semi-solid composition to flow radially outward.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 511,661, filed on Feb. 22, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part application of International patent application No. PCT/US99/22048, filed on Sep. 22, 1999 and designating the United States, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/101,285, filed on Sep. 22, 1998; the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60101285 |
Sep 1998 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09511661 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
10004453 |
Dec 2001 |
US |
Parent |
PCT/US99/22048 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Child |
09511661 |
Feb 2000 |
US |