Patent ID: 8767133

Claim:
An optical control device comprising: an optically clear first substrate comprising at least a curved first major surface; a conductive layer adjacent the curved first major surface of the first substrate; an alignment-polarizer layer adjacent the conductive layer, wherein the alignment-polarizer layer comprises an oriented chromonic material that further comprises at least one pleochroic dye; an optically clear second substrate comprising at least a curved first major surface, wherein the curved first major surface of the first substrate, and the curved first major surface of the second substrate, are mated so as to define a cavity therebetween; and, a liquid crystal material layer between the alignment-polarizer layer and the curved first major surface of the second substrate and the liquid crystal material layer being in contact with the alignment-polarizer layer; wherein the conductive layer is disposed on the curved first major surface of the first substrate and wherein the alignment-polarizer layer is bonded to the conductive layer by a layer of cured optically clear adhesive therebetween, and wherein the optically clear first substrate is a glass substrate and wherein the optical control device is a curved autodarkening filter of an eye protection apparatus.