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(19) TZZ _ ¥_T (11) EP 2 126 623 B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.: of the grant of the patent: G02C 5/00 (2006.01) G02C 1/02 (2006.01) 14.05.2014 Bulletin 2014/20 C08G 63/40 (2006.01) G02C 5/22 (2006.01) C08L 67/02 (2006.01) (21) Application number: 08714907.6 (86) International application number: (22) Date of filing: 07.03.2008 PCT/CN2008/000454 (87) International publication number: WO 2008/106868 (12.09.2008 Gazette 2008/37) (54) EYEGLASSES AND EYEGLASS FRAMES COMPRISING GLYCOL MODIFIED COPOLYESTERS BRILLEN UND BRILLENGESTELLE MIT GLYKOLMODIFIZIERTEN COPOLYESTERN LUNETTESET MONTURES DE LUNETTES COMPRENANT DES COPOLYESTERS MODIFIÉS PAR UN GLYCOL (84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventors: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR • LAM, Yin, Sang HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT Hong Kong (CN) RO SE SI SK TR • ZHANG, Yan Hong Kong (CN) (30) Priority: 08.03.2007 US 905591 P 05.02.2008 US 26468 (74) Representative: Becker Kurig Straus Bavariastrasse 7 (43) Date of publication of application: 80336 München (DE) 02.12.2009 Bulletin 2009/49 (56) References cited: (73) Proprietor: OKIA Optical Co. Ltd. WO-A2-03/004561 CN-A- 1 400 485 Kowloon, Hong Kong (CN) CN-Y- 2 297 741 CN-Y- 2 372 698 JP-A- 2001 172 376 US-A- 5 804 617 US-A- 5 852 164 US-A1- 2006 142 524 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 2 126 623 B1 Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) EP 2 126 623 B1 Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 [0001] This invention relates to eyeglass frames and eyeglass frame kits made from a polymer composition comprising a glycol modified copolyester such as copolyesters derived from ethylene glycol, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol and dime- thyl terephthalate or terephthalic acid ( e.g., PCTG). This invention also relates to eyeglasses comprising a pair of lenses mounted on the eyeglass frames or eyeglass frame kits disclosed herein. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Eyeglasses, glasses or spectacles generally can be used for vision correction and eye protection from hazards such as UV light or sunlight. Modern eyeglasses generally comprise a pair of lenses mounted on an eyeglass frame which can be worn in front of the wearer’s eyes. The eyeglass or eyeglass frame may be supported by pads on the 15 bridge of the nose and/or by temples placed over the ears. Eyeglass lenses can be made from glass or polymer such as polycarbonate. [0003] Eyeglass frames are generally made from metals, wood, bone, horn, carbon fiber graphite or polymers. Semi- precious or precious stones, such as onyx, turquoise, rhinestones, diamonds and the like, may also be used as accents in frames, especially in the temples. The selection of a frame material is generally based on various properties such as 20 density, texture, aesthetics, cost effectiveness, adjustability, safety, workability, strength, and resistances to breakage, deformation, corrosion, and heat. [0004] A variety of metals can be used for making eyeglass frames. Some common metals used for eyeglass frames include titanium, aluminum, nickel, copper, beryllium, iron, chromium, or a combination or an alloy thereof. Some non- limiting examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel alloys (e.g., MONEL™), titanium alloys (e.g., 25 TICRAL™ and FLEXON™), and aluminum alloys. Although metal eyeglass frames in general are durable, strong and corrosion-resistant, some metal frames, such as nickel alloy frames, may irritate the skin of some wearers. Furthermore, some people may be allergic to the nose pads on metal frames. Most nose pads are generally made of silicone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride and the like. These allergenic materials may cause a reaction on the skin of the wearers who are allergic to such materials. Therefore, there is a need for non-allergic materials such as new polymer compositions 30 for making eyeglass frames. [0005] Wood, bone or horn has recently gained popularity as frame materials because of their unique look and beauty. However, they are generally stiffer, less adjustable and more expensive than other frame materials. Therefore, there is a need for new frame materials such as new polymer compositions that can also provide unique look and beauty but are more flexible, more adjustable and cheaper than wood, bone or horn. 35 [0006] US 5 804 617 A discloses the use of copolyesters for molding eyeglass frames, but does not suggest the use of PCTG for molding eyeglass frames. [0007] CN 1 400 485 discloses an eye-glass unit and eye glasses, wherein a molded unit including several members of eyeglasses uses a combination of hard plastic and shape-memory plastic to avoid sliding and protruding of the members. 40 [0008] Eyeglass frames made from polymers or plastics are generally cost-effective, extremely lightweight and can be produced in a variety of colors and shapes. Some common polymers or plastic for making eyeglass frames include cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate e.g.( , ZYLONITE™) or cellulose propionate, polyamides or nylonse.g. ( , GLIAMIDE™ and polyamide 12), polycarbonates, and blends thereof. However, the above-mentioned polymer or plastic frames may havesome undesirable properties suchas poor dimensional stability and low scratch resistance. Forexample, 45 they may break easier than metal frames. Furthermore, they may age or degrade when exposed to heat, humidity or sunlight. Furthermore, despite the availability of a variety of polymers or plastics for making eyeglass frames, the eyeglass frame technology continues to develop to meet new trends or requirements as well as to adapt modern technologies. Therefore, there is always a need for new polymer frame materials that can provide the desirable properties of plastic frames but are resistant to breakage, heat, humidity and sunlight. 50 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one aspect, provided herein are eyeglass frames according to claim 1. [0010] Preferred embodiments are subject of the subclaims. 55 [0011] In another aspect, provided herein are eyeglass frame kits according to claim 8. [0012] Preferred embodiments are listed in the subclaims. [0013] In another aspect, provided herein are eyeglasses of claim 13. [0014] In another aspect, provided herein are rimless eyeglasses of claim 14. 2 EP 2 126 623 B1 [0015] In another aspect, provided herein are rimless eyeglasses of claim 16. [0016] Further preferred embodiments are listed in the subclaims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 [0017] Figure 1 depicts an elevated view of a full-rim eyeglass (1) containing a pair of lenses (13) mounted on an embodiment of the eyeglass frames disclosed herein. The eyeglass frame comprises a fullrim frame front (11), a pair of temples 10 (12), a pair of hinges (14) and a pair of nose pads (15). Figure 2 depicts an elevated view of a semi-rimless eyeglass (2) containing a pair of lenses (23) mounted on another embodiment of the eyeglass frames disclosed herein. The eyeglass frame comprises a semi-rimless frame front (21), a pair of temples (22), a pair of hinges (24) and a pair of nose pads (25). 15 Figure 3 depicts an elevated view of a rimless eyeglass (3) containing a pair of lenses (34) mounted on an embodiment of rimless eyeglass frames disclosed herein. The rimless eyeglass frame comprises a bridge (33), a pair of end pieces (32), a pair of temples (31), a pair of hinges (36) and a pair of nose pads (35). 20 Figure 4 depicts an elevated view of a rimless eyeglass (4) containing a pair of integrally connected lenses (43) mounted. The rimless eyeglass frame comprises a pair of temples (41), a pair of nose pads (44), and a pair of hinges (45). Each of the hinges (45) comprises an end tip (42). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 25 General Definitions [0018] As used herein, "polymer" refers to a polymeric compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type. The generic term "polymer" embraces the terms "homopolymer," "copolymer," "terpolymer" 30 as well as "interpolymer." [0019] As used herein, a composition that is "substantially free" of a compound or polymer refers to a composition containing less than 20 wt.%, less than 10 wt.%, less than 5 wt.%, less than 4 wt.%, less than 3 wt.%, less than 2 wt.%, less than 1 wt.%, less than 0.5 wt.%, less than 0.1 wt.%, or less than 0.01 wt.% of the compound or polymer, based on the total weight of the composition. 35 [0020] As used herein, a composition that is "free" of a compound or polymer refers to a composition containing 0 wt.% of the compound or polymer, based on the total weight of the composition. [0021] As used herein, "eyeglass prescription" refers to a written order by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist to an optician for eyeglasses. It specifies the optical requirements to which the eyeglasses are to be made in order to correct blurred vision due to refractive errors, including but not limiting to myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. In 40 some embodiments, the eyeglass prescription is determined using a phoropter or an automated refractor. [0022] Provided herein are eyeglass frames comprising a polymer composition wherein the eyeglass frames are generally lightweight and may have improved resistances to breakage, heat, humidity or sunlight.