Patent ID: 7077874
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: B29D,C09D,D06P,G02B,G02C

Abstract:
1. A method of dyeing a plastic lens, comprising: applying, selectively or in combination, a first ink comprising a sublimatable disperse yellow dye, a second ink comprising a sublimatable disperse red dye, and a third ink comprising a sublimatable disperse blue dye, to a base body using an ink jet printer to form a print area on the base body; placing the base body and the lens so that the print area faces, but does not contact, a surface of the lens to be dyed; and heating at least the print area of the base body under a vacuum to sublimate and deposit the dye on the surface of the lens; wherein: the yellow dye is an anthraquinone dye, or a quinophthalone dye; the red dye is an anthraquinone dye or an azo dye of thiazole type; the blue dye is an anthraquinone dye; and each of the first, second and third inks further comprises a dispersant for dispersing the respective dye in an aqueous system, a humectant for preventing drying of the respective ink, and a hydrophilic polymeric material for preventing sublimation of the respective humectant during sublimation of the respective dye; and the respective polymeric materials are selected so as not to deteriorate a dispersion stability of the dye.