Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C39/00—Shaping by casting, i.e. introducing the moulding material into a mould or between confining surfaces without significant moulding pressure; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C39/14—Shaping by casting, i.e. introducing the moulding material into a mould or between confining surfaces without significant moulding pressure; Apparatus therefor for making articles of indefinite length
  • B29C39/18—Shaping by casting, i.e. introducing the moulding material into a mould or between confining surfaces without significant moulding pressure; Apparatus therefor for making articles of indefinite length incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. casting around inserts or for coating articles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B33/00—Swimming equipment attachable to the head, e.g. swim caps or goggles
  • A63B33/002—Swimming goggles
  • A63B33/004—Swimming goggles comprising two separate lenses joined by a flexible bridge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C43/22—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of indefinite length
  • B29C43/28—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of indefinite length incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/70—Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/805—Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/83—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
  • A63B2220/833—Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
  • B29K2105/24—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped crosslinked or vulcanised
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2221/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as reinforcement
  • B29K2221/006—Thermosetting elastomers

Definitions

• the present relates to swim goggles having a structure that include a photochromic material and to methods of manufacturing such swim goggles and photochromic swim goggle structures.
• an elastomeric swim goggle structure comprising a base having sealing areas connected to two base members joined together by a bridge portion, each of the base members having side end portions opposite the bridge portion and each of the base members is adapted for sealably mounting a lens, the structure being composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material reversibly changing appearance in proportion to intensity and duration of exposure to UV radiation, the at least one photochromic material is at least one of within the elastomeric material or coated onto an outer surface of the structure.
• swim goggles comprising: an elastomeric structure including sealing areas connected to two base members joined together by a bridge portion, each base members having side end portions opposite the bridge portion and are adapted for sealably mounting a lens, the structure is composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material reversibly changing appearance in proportion to intensity and duration of exposure to UV radiation, the at least one photochromic material is at least one of within the elastomeric material or coated onto an outer surface of the structure; a lens sealably mounted in each base members; and a head strap interconnecting the side ends of the base members for securing the swim goggles to a wearer's face.
• an elastomeric swim goggle structure comprising a sealing area connected to a base, the base having opposite side end portions and the base member is adapted for sealably mounting a lens, the structure being composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material reversibly changing appearance in proportion to intensity and duration of exposure to UV radiation, the at least one photochromic material is at least one of within the elastomeric material or coated onto an outer surface of the base.
• swim goggles comprising an elastomeric structure including a sealing area connected to a base member, the base member having opposite side end portions and is adapted for sealably mounting a lens, the structure is composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material reversibly changing appearance in proportion to intensity and duration of exposure to UV radiation, the at least one photochromic material is at least one of within the elastomeric material or coated onto an outer surface of the structure; a lens sealably mounted in the base member; and a head strap interconnecting the side ends of the base for securing the swim goggles to a wearer's face.
• the sealing areas are removable.
• the base and the sealing areas are substantially composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material adapted for reversibly altering its color upon exposure to ultraviolet radiations.
• the base is substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the sealing areas are substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material as defined above.
• the two base members and the bridge portion are integrally formed.
• each base members having a nose portion opposite the side end portion, the base members are joined by the nose bridge which is a nose strap interconnecting the nose portion of each base members.
• the nose strap is substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic materials.
• the at least one photochromic material is selected from the group consisting of a hexa-diyneoic acid, hepta-diyneoic acid; N-ethanol-hexa-diynamide, N-ethanol- hepta diynamide; hexa-diyn-ethylene diamide, hepta-diyn-ethylene diamide or combinations thereof.
• the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of: styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends (TPOs), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), thermoplastic elastomers or thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic copolyesters and thermoplastic polyamides.
• the elastomeric material is at least one of silicon elastomer, neoprene and fluorosilicon elastomer.
• the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, nitrile/butadiene rubber, silicon, fluorosilicon, polyvinylchloride, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or combinations thereof.
• two or more photochromic materials may be further combined with a non-photochromic material to impart color to the swim goggle structure under light conditions which would not activate any of the photochromic materials or to tint or modify one or more of the colors imparted by one or more activated photochromic material.
• a UV absorber masking layer may be applied over the swim goggle structure.
• the UV absorber masking layer may have separate portions, each of which may have a different concentration of a UV absorber than the others.
• a known amount of UV absorber in a portion of the UV absorber masking layer corresponds to a known amount of UV radiation absorbed.
• a method for manufacturing swim goggles comprising an elastomeric structure including sealing areas connected to two base members joined together by a bridge portion, each base members having side end portions opposite the bridge portion and are adapted for sealably mounting a lens
• the method comprising the steps of: providing a molding device for molding the swim goggles; preparing an elastomeric composition comprising an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material; placing a pair of lens in the molding device; integrally forming the two base members joined together by a bridge portion of the elastomeric composition in a molding process using the molding device such that each base members are sealably mounted to one of the pair of lens; curing the two base members joined together by a bridge portion in the molding device to form the elastomeric structure with the base members and the bridge portion being substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material; forming a head strap; and interconnecting the head strap
• a method for manufacturing swim goggles comprising an elastomeric structure including sealing areas connected to two base members joined together by a bridge portion, each base members having a side end portion and a nose portion opposite the side end portion and are adapted for sealably mounting a lens
• the method comprising the steps of: providing a molding device for molding the swim goggles; preparing an elastomeric composition comprising an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material; placing a pair of lens in the molding device; forming the two base members of the elastomeric composition in a molding process using the molding device such that each base members are sealably mounted to one of the pair of lens; curing the two base members in the molding device to form the elastomeric structure with the base members being substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material; forming a nose strap; interconnecting the nose strap to the nose portion of each base members; forming a head
• the step of forming the two base members of the elastomeric composition further comprises the sealing areas connected to each of the two base members.
• the methods further comprising the step of forming the sealing areas; and connecting the sealing areas to each of the two base members.
• the elastomeric composition is entirely composed of the elastomeric material thereby forming a swim goggle structure entirely composed of the elastomeric material.
• the methods further comprises the steps of applying a layer of polymeric film having at least one photochromic material dissolved or suspended therein to a surface of the swim goggle structure and then heating the film near to but below the melting point of the at least one photochromic material for a time sufficient to incorporate the photochromic material into the surface layer.
• Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a pair of goggles according to one embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a pair of goggles according to another embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view across line 2-2 of the goggles of Fig. 1 and 2;
• Fig.4 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing the swim goggle of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• Fig.5 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing the swim goggle of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• swim goggles 20 of the present disclosure includes a swim goggle structure 30 substantially composed of an elastomeric material, where "substantially” means that at least a majority (i.e. at least 50% by weight) of swim goggle structure 30 is composed of the elastomeric material.
• elastomeric material as used herein is understood to refer to any suitable elastomeric material which may be used for the purposes of a swim goggle structure.
• the elastomeric material as defined herein includes thermoplastic elastomers or thermoplastic rubbers (TPR) which are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. Suitable elastomeric material will be further described below.
• TPR thermoplastic elastomers or thermoplastic rubbers
• the swim goggles structure 30 comprises a base 32. More particularly, the base 32 includes two base members 34,36 joined together by a bridge portion 38, each base members 34,36 having side end portions 40,42 opposite the bridge portion 38 and are adapted for sealably mounting a lens 44,46.
• the expression "sealably mounting” as used herein is understood to refer to the base members 34,36 defining slots respectively for mounting the lenses 44,46 and the members 34,36 are formed integrally around a periphery of the lenses 44,46 and thereby sealing the goggles to the wearer's face and/or sealing the lenses 44,46 so as to protect the wearer's eyes from water, thus the sealing resists water entry.
• the base members comprises sealing areas 70 connected to each of the base members 34, 36 for sealing the goggles 20 to the person wearing the goggles 20. It is understood that the each of the sealing areas 70 may be connected to the base by any suitable means known in the art with respect to swim goggles. Alternatively, each of the sealing areas 70 may be removable (i.e. detachable from each of the base members 34,36) to permit, for example, their replacement or to access the lens 44,46 for maintenance purpose or their replacement if needed.
• the base 32 and the sealing areas 70 are substantially composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material.
• photochromic material as used herein is understood to refer to any suitable material adapted for reversibly altering its color upon exposure to ultraviolet radiations.
• the base 32 is substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the sealing areas 70 are substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material as defined above.
• reversibly alter its color or “reversibly change appearance” means that the photochromic material reversibly changing color is transiting, for example, from a first possibly color state to a second possibly color state upon exposition to UV radiation and back to the first possibly color state upon reversed.
• the structure 30 may be entirely composed of the elastomeric material and a surface thereof may be coated in part or in its entirety with a coating composition comprising at least one photochromic material.
• the swim goggles 20 also includes a head strap 48 interconnecting the side ends portions 40,42 of the base members 34, 36 for securing the swim goggles 20 to a wearer's face.
• the strap 48 is substantially composed of the elastomeric material.
• the head strap 48 may also be made of any other suitable material for the purposes of a swim goggle structure. It is understood that the head strap 48 may interconnect the side ends portions 40,42 by any suitable means known in the art.
• the head strap 48 is looped in channels 60,62 of the side ends portions 40,42, respectively.
• the head strap 48 has a fastener 63 to allow the tightness of the head strap 48 to be adjusted about the person's head.
• the head strap 48 may be attached to a fastener at the side ends portions 40,42, respectively.
• the head strap 48 may be also composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material.
• structure 30 and the head strap 48 may be integrally formed.
• the swim goggle structure 130 of the swim goggles 120 comprises two base members 134, 136.
• Each base members 134, 136 has a nose portion 152, 154 and a side end portion 140, 142 opposite the nose portion 152, 154.
• the base members 134, 136 are joined by a nose strap 150 interconnecting the nose portion 152, 154 of each base member 134, 136.
• the nose strap 150 may interconnect the nose portion 152, 154 by any suitable means known in the art.
• each of the nose portions 152, 154 provide releasable anchor means engageable with one of the opposite end portions 156, 158 of the nose strap 150 respectively.
• Each base member 134, 136 is sealably mounting a lens 144, 146.
• Each of the base member 134, 136 comprises sealing areas 170 connected to each of the base members 134, 136 for sealing the goggles 120 to the person wearing the goggles 120.
• each of the sealing areas 170 may be removable (i.e. detachable from each of the base members 134, 136) to permit, for example, their replacement or to access the lens 144, 146 for maintenance purpose or their replacement if needed.
• the base members 134, 136 and the sealing areas 170 are substantially composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material.
• the base members 134, 136 are substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the sealing areas 170 are substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material as defined above.
• the structure 130 may be entirely composed of the elastomeric material and a surface thereof may be coated in part or in its entirety with a coating composition comprising at least one photochromic material.
• the nose strap 150 is substantially composed of the same elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic materials.
• the nose strap 150 may be made of any other suitable material for the purposes of a swim goggle structure.
• the nose strap may be made of a rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone or fluorosilicone elastomer.
• the nose strap is made of synthetic rubber, such as, for example neoprene.
• the swim goggles 120 also includes a head strap 148 interconnecting the side ends portions 140, 142 of the base members 134, 136 for securing the swim goggles 120 to a wearer's face as in Figure 1. Accordingly, it is understood that the head strap 148 may interconnect the side ends portions 140, 142 by any suitable means known in the art. The head strap 148 may be attached to openings 160, 162 at the side ends portions 140, 142, respectively as shown in Figure 1.
• the head strap 148 may be composed of the elastomeric material and optionally the at least one photochromic material.
• the head strap 48 may also be made of any other suitable material for the purposes of a swim goggle structure.
• structure 130 and the head strap 148 may be integrally formed.
• the swim goggles of the present disclosure may comprises a base having opposite side end portions and is adapted for sealably mounting a lens.
• the base comprises a sealing area connected to the base for sealing the goggles to the person wearing the goggles. It is understood that the sealing area may be connected to the base by any suitable means known in the art with respect to swim goggles.
• the swim goggles also includes a head strap interconnecting the opposite side ends portions of the base for securing the swim goggles to a wearer's face.
• the sealing area may be removable as described previously.
• the base and the sealing area are substantially composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material adapted for reversibly altering its color upon exposure to ultraviolet radiations.
• the base is substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the sealing area is substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material as defined above.
• the elastomeric material are selected from the group consisting of: styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends (TPOs), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), thermoplastic elastomers or thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic copolyesters and thermoplastic polyamides.
• the base or base members is/are produced of silicon elastomer or fluorosilicon elastomer.
• Other possible materials for the base or base members are rubber, nitrile/butadiene rubber, silicon, fluorosilicon, polyvinylchloride, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or combinations thereof.
• the preferred elastomeric material may be combined with one of a variety of photochromic materials that has previously not been compounded due to believed incompatibility with the referenced elastomers.
• Suitable photochromic materials include those selected from the group consisting of anthraquinones, naphtopyrans, phhalocyanines, spiro-oxazines, chromenes, pyrans including spiro-pyrans and fulgides.
• Suitable photochromic molecules also include but are not limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5, 882,556 Mar. 16, 1999 to Perrott et al. which is specifically incorporated by reference herein.
• the photochromic materials of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of conjugate amide, acid, alcohol diacetylenes, or diynes of less than 8 carbons or less than 10 carbons in length, however longer carbon chains can also be used.
• the conjugated diacetylenes are between 6 and 7 carbons in length.
• the photochromic material combined with the elastomeric resin to produce a swim goggle structure 30, 130 are selected from the group consisting of a hexa- or hepta- diyneoic acid; N-ethanol-hexa- or N-ethanol-hepta diynamide; and hexa- or hepta- diyn- ethylene diamide or combinations thereof.
• the length of these photochromic agents is such that they combine unexpectedly with the preferred elastomeric resin of the base described above and overcome the problem of mixing/compounding of elastomeric resin and photochromic material or die of the prior art.
• the step of preparing the elastomeric composition is understood herein as mixing or/and blending/compounding the elastomer/photochromic formulations typically in a molten state.
• the formulation includes less than or equal to 5 weight% photochromic material as a % weight of the formulation.
• the formulation includes 2 weight% or less photochromic material as a % weight of the formulation.
• the formulation is made of 1 weight% or less photochromic material as a % weight of the formulation.
• the photochromic material is a hexa- or hepta- diyneoic acid and combined with at least one of silicon and fluorosilicon.
• the photochromic material is selected from N-ethanol-hexa- or N-ethanol-hepta diynamide; and hexa- or hepta- diyn-ethylene diamide or combinations thereof combined with nitrile/butadiene rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or combinations thereof, where EPDM is particularly preferred.
• the photochromic material of the coating composition to be coated on the surface of the structure 30, 130 in part or in its entirety are as defined above.
• the side end portions 40,42 opposite the bridge portion include the photochromic material.
• Each lens 44,46, 144, 146 is anchored or embedded into the base members 34,36, 134, 136.
• the lens 44,46, 144, 146 is sealed in the hermetically so that water does not enter between the lens 44,46, 144, 146 and the base members 34,36, 134, 136.
• the sealing area 70, 170 is made with a gap 72, 172 that compresses to better seal the goggles 20, 120 to the person wearing the goggles 20, 120.
• the lens 44,46, 144, 146 may also include a photochromic material that alter its color when exposed to UV radiation. Forming of the lens 44,46, 144, 146 comprising a photochromic material may be done by a variety of different ways familiar to those in the arts.
• Figure 3 illustrates a possible orientation for the sealing area 70, 170 and the gap 72, 172 in a generally parabolic shape that compresses to the wearer sealing the goggles 20, 120 at two point on the outer and inner surfaces of the lens 44,46, 144, 146.
• the structure 30, 130 may be entirely composed of the elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material can be infused or permeated into the entire swim goggle structure 30, 130 or into a surface layer portion of the swim goggle structure 30, 130.
• the photochromic material can be brought into contact with a surface or surfaces of the elastomeric swim goggle structure 30, 130 to accomplish its permeation therein by various methods including, but not limited to, coating a solution containing at least one photochromic material onto the surface of the elastomeric swim goggle structure 30, 130, applying a layer of polymeric film having the photochromic material dissolved or suspended therein to the surface of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 and then heating the film near to but below the melting point of the photochromic material for a time sufficient to incorporate the photochromic material into the surface layer.
• the at least one photochromic material includes ultraviolet light stabilizers and anti-oxidants to prolong the life of the photochromic material.
• two or more photochromic materials may be used in order to achieve two or more colored effects.
• one photochromic material may be selected to reversibly alter its color under certain light conditions while another photochromic material may also be added to reversibly alter its color under different light conditions.
• the swim goggle structure 30, 130 would have one color under the first light conditions and another, different color under different light conditions.
• the two or more photochromic materials may be further combined with a non-photochromic material to impart color to the swim goggle structure 30, 130 under light conditions which would not activate any of the photochromic materials or to tint or modify one or more of the colors imparted by one or more activated photochromic material.
• a UV absorber masking layer may be applied over the swim goggle structure 30, 130 coated with at least one photochromic material.
• the UV absorber masking layer may also be applied over the swim goggle structure 30, 130 composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material.
• the UV absorber masking layer may have separate portions, each of which may have a different concentration of a UV absorber than the others.
• regions of the photochromic material coating or region of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material that are covered by portions of the UV absorber masking layer that have a greater concentration of the UV absorber will take longer to reversibly alter its color upon exposure to ultraviolet.
• one of the separate portions of the UV absorber masking layer is a gradient analog portion wherein the UV absorber is present in progressively greater concentration. Remaining portions of the UV absorber masking layer have a uniform density of UV absorber. Each of the remaining portions of the UV absorber masking layer has a higher concentration of UV absorber than in the gradient portion with the one of the remaining portions of the masking layer having a higher concentration than the other remaining portions of the UV absorber masking layer.
• the UV absorbent gradient and remaining portions of the UV absorber masking layers may each be calibrated to a specific UV index range. The remaining portions of the masking layers would be indicators of caution and danger respectively.
• the respective concentrations of UV absorber in the UV absorber masking layer function selectively to adjust the response time of the photochromic material. So, for example, a UV absorber may absorb UV radiation, thereby decreasing the amount of radiation reaching the photochromic material. The more UV radiation absorbed by a portion of the UV absorber masking layer, the more sunlight necessary to cause the photochromic material to reversibly alter its color. Therefore, the more UV absorber a portion of the UV absorber masking layer contains, the greater the exposure to sunlight required to produce a color change in the swim goggle structure 30, 130.
• UV absorber refers to a substance that absorbs radiation having a wavelength of from about 230 nanometers (nm) to about 365 nm.
• ethyl cellulose is a UV absorber.
• the amount of UV absorber present in a portion of the UV absorber masking layer affects the response time of a region of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 covered by that portion of the UV absorber masking layer.
• the more UV absorber present in a portion of the UV absorber masking layer the more exposure to sunlight necessary to reach the swim goggle structure 30, 130 and cause the photochromic material to reversibly change color.
• a known amount of UV absorber in a portion of the UV absorber masking layer corresponds to a known amount of UV radiation absorbed. Because the photochromic material reversibly changes color only after exposure to a known amount of sunlight, the amount of exposure required for a color change in a specific region of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 can be manipulated by selecting the amount of UV absorber in a corresponding portion of the masking layer.
• the photochromic material in a corresponding first region of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 could be made to change color after an exposure of about 25 mvV/m 2
• the photochromic material in a corresponding second region of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 could be made to change color after an exposure of about 70 mvV/m 2
• Table 1 shows the possible threshold levels of UV radiation that are indicated by the swim goggle structure 30, 130 of the invention.
• Adjustments in the amount of radiation absorbed in select portions of the UV absorber masking layer can be made by adjusting the thickness of those portions of the UV absorber masking layer or by adding additional UV absorber to those portions of the UV absorber masking layer.
• suitable UV absorber that absorb UV radiation include light stabilizers such as benzophenones, benzotriazoles, and triazines.
• the mixture used to form the masking layer may further comprise solvents, binders, surfactants, viscosity control agents, polymers, and the like.
• a block diagram of a method 80 for manufacturing the swim goggle structure 30 of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated.
• a swim goggle structure 30 being substantially composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material adapted for reversibly changing appearance in proportion to intensity and duration of exposure to UV radiation is manufactured.
• the swim goggle structure 30 of the swim goggle 20 is as described above.
• a molding device for molding the swim goggles structure 30 is provided;
• step 84 an elastomeric composition comprising an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material is being prepared;
• step 86 a pair of lens 44,46 is placed in the molding device
• step 88 at least the sealing areas 70 connected to each of the base members 34,36 joined together by a bridge portion 38 are formed of the elastomeric composition in a molding process using the molding device such that each base members 34,36 are sealably mounted to one of the pair of lens 44,46;
• step 90 the sealing areas 70 connected to each of the base members 34,36 joined together by a bridge portion 38 formed in the molding device are cured to form the elastomeric structure with the sealing areas 70 connected to each of the base members 34, 36 and the bridge portion 38 being substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material;
• step 92 at least forming a head strap 48
• step 94 the head strap 48 is interconnected to the side ends 40,42 of the base members 34,36 for securing the swim goggles 20 to a wearer's face.
• the sealing areas 70 may be formed separately and connected to each of the base members 34,36 in a subsequent step;
• the step 88 may also included the head strap
• a block diagram of a method 100 for manufacturing the swim goggle structure 130 of Fig. 2 in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated.
• a swim goggle structure 130 being substantially composed of an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material adapted for reversibly changing appearance in proportion to intensity and duration of exposure to UV radiation is manufactured.
• the swim goggle structure 130 of the swim goggle 120 is as described above.
• step 102 of the manufacturing method 100 a molding device for molding the swim goggles structure 130 is provided;
• step 104 an elastomeric composition comprising an elastomeric material and at least one photochromic material is being prepared;
• step 106 a pair of lens 144, 146 is placed in the molding device;
• step 108 at least the sealing areas 170 connected to each of the two base members 134, 136 are formed of the elastomeric composition in a molding process using the molding device such that each base members 134, 136 are sealably mounted to one of the pair of lens 144, 146;
• step 1 10 the sealing areas 170 connected to each of the two base members 134, 136 formed in the molding device are cured to form the elastomeric structure with the sealing areas 170 connected to each of the base members 134, 136 being substantially composed of the elastomeric material and the at least one photochromic material;
• step 1 a nose strap 150 is formed
• step 1 14 the nose strap 150 is interconnected to the nose portion 152, 154 of each base members 134, 136;
• step 1 a head strap 148 is formed
• step 1 18 the head strap 148 is interconnected to the side ends 140, 142 of the base members 134, 136 for securing the swim goggles 120 to a wearer's face.
• the sealing areas 170 may be formed separately and connected to each of the two base members 134, 136 in a subsequent step;
• the step 108 may also included the head strap
• the swim goggle structure 30, 130 may be manufactured by extrusion by adding at least one photochromic material to an extrudable elastomer material which combination is then extruded into a plastic sheet which is then formed into the swim goggle structure 30, 130.
• the head strap 48, 148 may also similarly be manufactured by extrusion.
• the elastomeric composition of method 80, 100 may be entirely composed of the elastomeric material thereby forming a swim goggle structure 30, 130 entirely composed of the elastomeric material.
• the alternate embodiment further comprises a step of applying a layer of polymeric film having the at least one photochromic material dissolved or suspended therein to a surface of the swim goggle structure 30, 130 in part or in its entirety and then heating the film near to but below the melting point of the at least one photochromic material for a time sufficient to incorporate the photochromic material into the surface layer.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Optical Filters (AREA)

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Citations (3)

• 2013
  • 2013-03-28 WO PCT/CA2013/050257 patent/WO2013149338A1/fr not_active Ceased

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