Solvent application of boron pyrromethene dye to polymer prior to injection molding

Abstract

The embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for incorporating dye compounds into various polymer materials. In some cases, organic solvents having high boiling points may be utilized to dissolve, disperse, or suspend dye compounds which may then be applied to a polymer material.

1 . A method, comprising:
 injection molding a polymer-dye mixture into an article, the polymer-dye mixture comprising a polymer, a dye compound, and a solvent,   wherein the solvent is not mineral oil.   
     
     
         2 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGME), 1,4-dioxane, p-xylene, polydimethylsiloxane, penta-phenyl trisiloxane, phenyl-methyl polysiloxane, dimethylformamide, dibutyl phthalate, propylene carbonate, 1-phenoxy-2-propanol, triethyl citrate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (BEHA), or bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (BEHS). 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (BEHA). 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is in the form of a pellet. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a substantially optically transparent polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is polycarbonate. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the polymer-dye mixture comprises the dye compound dispersed within the polymer or formed as a coating on the polymer. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the dye compound is a boron pyrromethene compound. 
     
     
         17 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the article is an optical filter included in eyewear. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 21 , wherein the eyewear is a lens, a goggle, eyeglasses, or a visor. 
     
     
         24 . A method, comprising:
 contacting a dye compound with a polymer in the presence of a solvent to form a polymer-dye mixture,   wherein the solvent is not mineral oil.   
     
     
         25 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the solvent is diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGME), 1,4-dioxane, p-xylene, polydimethylsiloxane, penta-phenyl trisiloxane, phenyl-methyl polysiloxane, dimethylformamide, dibutyl phthalate, propylene carbonate, 1-phenoxy-2-propanol, triethyl citrate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (BEHA), or bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (BEHS). 
     
     
         32 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the solvent is bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (BEHA). 
     
     
         33 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the polymer is in the form of a pellet. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the polymer is a substantially optically transparent polymer. 
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the polymer is polycarbonate. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the polymer-dye mixture comprises the dye compound dispersed within the polymer or formed as a coating on the polymer. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the dye compound is a boron pyrromethene compound. 
     
     
         41 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method as in claim  45 , wherein the article is an optical filter included in eyewear. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A method as in  claim 46 , wherein the eyewear is a lens, a goggle, eyeglasses, or a visor.