Patent · US Expired

Photochromic glass

US4190451A · kind A · utility

82Cited by
7References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 28, 1979
Grant dateFeb 26, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 28, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S501/903
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The instant invention is concerned with transparent photochromic glass compositions which not only exhibit desirably rapid darkening and fading characteristics, but which also demonstrate the other physical and optical properties required for use in ophthalmic applications. Such glasses utilize the presence of silver chloride and/or silver bromide crystals to impart photochromic behavior in a narrowly-defined composition range within the alkali metal aluminoborosilicate base system. Copper ions are also included in the composition to perform as a sensitizing agent. The glasses have the capability of being either thermally tempered or chemically strengthened to comply with the United States Food and Drug Administration regulations for lenses used in ophthalmic applications. Improved independence of temperature effects upon the photochromic properties can be achieved where the copper level, expressed as CuO, is maintained between about 0.004-0.02% by weight, the chloride value, expressed as Cl, is held between about 0.1-0.25% by weight, the silver content, expressed as Ag, is included between about 0.15-0.3% by weight, and the quantity of bromide, expressed as Br, is varied between a…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.