SPORTS EYEWEAR PROTECTOR

Abstract

A sports eyewear lens protector 10 for temporarily protecting the sports eyewear lens, the sports eyewear lens protector comprising: at least one disposable protector layer comprising an optically clear film formed from a compostable polymer material, the protector layer include a lens protecting portion 14 for covering at least a portion of the lens of the eyewear, a handle portion 16 extending from a first side of the lens protecting portion for allowing a user of the eyewear to grip and remove the protector layer from the eyewear, and at least two mounting apertures 20a,20b for mounting the lens protector to the sports eyewear lens, each mounting aperture being disposed to a side of the lens protecting portion.

Claims

1. A sports eyewear lens protector for retrofitting to a sports eyewear lens comprising: an optically clear flexible laminate film for fitment to the sports eyewear lens, the laminate film comprising a scratch resistant layer and a support layer attached to a bottom surface of the scratch resistant layer; and an optically clear silicone adhesive for removably adhering the flexible laminate film to the sports eyewear lens, the optically clear silicone adhesive being applied to a bottom surface of the support layer.

2. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the scratch resistant layer is a coating applied to the support layer.

3. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the scratch resistant layer is a hard coating with a hardness rating of 7H, 8H or 9H.

4. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the scratch resistant layer has a thickness of about 18 to 38 μm.

5. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

6. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the support layer has a thickness of about 188 μm.

7. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the optically clear silicone adhesive is pressure sensitive.

8. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the scratch resistant layer is hydrophobic.

9. The sport eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the optically clear silicone adhesive is UV resistant.

10. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the optically clear flexible laminate film has a transparency of 89 to 93%.

11. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the optically clear flexible laminate film has a haze between 1 to 1.2%.

12. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 1, wherein the sports eyewear lens protector is a semi-permanent sport eyewear lens protector.

13. A sports eyewear lens protector for retrofitting to a sports eyewear lens comprising: an optically clear flexible laminate film for fitment to the sports eyewear lens, the laminate film comprising a scratch resistant hydrophobic layer and a support layer attached to a bottom surface of the scratch resistant layer; and an optically clear silicone adhesive for removably adhering the flexible laminate film to the sports eyewear lens, the optically clear silicone adhesive being applied to a bottom surface of the support layer.

14. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 13, wherein scratch resistant hydrophobic layer may have a surface with at least a microscale roughness formed thereon.

15. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 13, wherein the scratch resistant hydrophobic layer may be greater than 90°.

16. A sports eyewear lens protector for temporarily protecting the sports eyewear lens, the sports eyewear lens protector comprising: at least one disposable protector layer comprising a lens protecting portion for covering at least a portion of the lens of the eyewear, a handle portion extending from a first side of the lens protecting portion for allowing a user of the eyewear to grip and remove the protector layer from the eyewear, and at least two mounting apertures for mounting the lens protector to the sports eyewear lens, in which each mounting aperture is disposed to a side of the lens protecting portion, wherein the disposable protector layer is an optically clear film formed from a compostable material.

17. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 16, wherein the compostable material is an acetate ester of cellulose.

18. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 16, wherein the optically clear film has a thickness between 14-500 μm.

19. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 16, wherein the protector layer is hydrophobic.

20. The sports eyewear lens protector of claim 16, wherein the optically clear film has a surface tension between 34-42 mN/m, preferably 38-42 mN/m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a view of a sports eyewear protector according to a first aspect of the present invention;

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a view of a sports eyewear protector according to the first aspect of the present invention with a stack of protector layers;

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a view of a sports eyewear protector according to a second aspect of the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the sports eyewear protector of FIG. 3; and

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a view of the sports eyewear protector of FIG. 3 applied to sports goggles.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0087] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a sports eyewear protector according to the first aspect of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sports eyewear protector has a single disposable protector layer 12. However, in other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 2, more than one protector layer 12 may be provided.

[0088] An optically clear film forms the disposable protector layer. The material of the optically clear film is a compostable material, preferably a compostable polymer material. In the current embodiment, the material of the optically clear film is an acetate ester of cellulose, preferably cellulose diacetate. The cellulose preferably comes from wood fibre or a wood pulp.

[0089] In the current embodiment the optically clear film has a thickness of about 75 μm. The clear optical film has haze of 1.1 to 1.4%, preferably 1.4%, transmittance of about 93%, a refractive index of about 1.485, water vapour transmission rate of about 443 g/m.sup.2/day at 25° C. and 75% relative humidity, a surface tension of 38-42 mN/m, a tensile strength in the range of 80-110 Nmm.sup.−2, and a dynamic friction coefficient in the range of 0.4-0.6. In other embodiments the thickness of the film may be different and have different properties, examples of these are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 further below.

[0090] A lens protecting portion 14 is provided in the disposable protector layer. In the current embodiment, the lens protecting portion 14 is sized to substantially cover a sport eyewear lens. A portion of the peripheral edge of the protective layer is shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of the sports eyewear lens.

[0091] A handle portion 16 extends out from a first side of the lens protecting portion 14. The handle may extend by 7 to 11 cm, preferably 8 to 10 cm.

[0092] A fold line 18, or a score line, reduced thickness section or similar is provided between the lens protecting portion 14 to the handle portion 16.

[0093] In the current embodiment two mounting apertures 20a, 20b are disposed in the lens protecting portion 14, but the number of mounting apertures may correspond to the number of mounting protrusions on the sports eyewear. The mounting apertures 20a, 20b are sized and shaped to correspond to the mounting protrusions. For example, first and second apertures may be spaced apart within the range of 13 to 19 cm, preferably within the range of 14.5 to 16.5 cm and be circular in shape. The layout of the mounting aperture may also correspond to the layout of the mounting protrusions.

[0094] The first mounting aperture 20a is disposed to the first side of the lens protecting portion 14 and inwardly spaced from the fold line 18. The second mounting aperture 20b is disposed to a second side of the lens protecting portion 14 and inwardly spaced from the peripheral edge.

[0095] A gripping aperture 21 is disposed in the handle portion 16 towards the end distal the lens protecting portion 14. The gripping aperture 21 is sized to receive a gloved finger so as to allow a user of the sports eyewear to remove the protective layer 12.

[0096] A first aperture 22 is provided in the handle portion 16. The first aperture 22 has the same size and shape of the mounting apertures 20a, 20b.

[0097] A second aperture 24 is provided in the handle portion 16. The second aperture 24 is the same shape but has a larger size than the first aperture 22 and mounting apertures 20a, 20b.

[0098] During use the first and second apertures 22, 24 of the handle portion 16 provide a means to secure a folded over handle portion 16. In the folded configuration both the first and second aperture 22, 24 receive a mounting protrusion of the sport eyewear. The folded configuration prevents the handle portion 16 from significantly moving as a result of wind.

[0099] A symbol 25 is provided in an indica display region. The symbol 25 is disposed in close proximity to the peripheral edge of the lens protecting portion 14.

[0100] A marker 26 is disposed to the distal end of the handle portion 16. The marker surrounds the gripping aperture 22.

[0101] A first liner may be provided to cover a front face of the protector layer. The first liner protects the front face of the protector layer before the protector is used.

[0102] Adhesive (such as that described below) for affixing the protector layer to the sport eyewear lens or a same or similar protector layer may be provided in some embodiments. The adhesive is provided on a rear face of the protector layer. The adhesive is provided in the lens protecting portion of the protector layer.

[0103] A second liner may be provided to cover the rear face of the protector layer. The second liner protects the adhesive and/or the rear face of the protector layer.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 2, a sports eyewear protector is generally indicated at 30.

[0105] In the current embodiment the sports eyewear protector 30 includes five protector layers 12a-e formed into a stack; however, in other embodiments there may be more or less protector layers. Reference numbers for the same or similar features to those described above will be maintained.

[0106] Adhesive 32 is applied to the rear face of each protector layer 12a-e. The adhesive applied to the first, second, third and fourth protector layers 12a-12d adhere the rear face of the respective protector layer to the front face of the next protector layer in the stack. For example, the rear face of the first protector layer 12a is adhered to the front face of the second protector layer 12b by adhesive 32. To mount the sports eyewear protector 30, the rear face of the fifth protector layer 12e is adhered to the sports eyewear lens.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Thickness 14 μm 24 μm 30 μm 50 μm 75 μm 95 μm Yield 54.11 m.sup.2/kg 31.57 m.sup.2/kg 25.25 m.sup.2/kg 15.15 m.sup.2/kg 10.10 m.sup.2/kg 7.97 m.sup.2/kg Tensile    80-110 Nmm.sup.−2 strength at break Elongation 25-45%   at break E-modulus 2000-2500 N/mm.sup.2 Haze 0.6% 0.7% 0.9% 1.0% 1.4% 1.7% Transmittance 93% Refractive Index .sup.    1.485 W.V.T.R at 2283 g/m.sup.2/day 1279 g/m.sup.2/day 1065 g/m.sup.2/day 639 g/m.sup.2/day 443 g/m.sup.2/day 348 g/m.sup.2/day 25° C. & 75% Rel. H W.V.T.R at n/a 1890 g/m.sup.2/day 1708 g/m.sup.2/day n/a 761 g/m.sup.2/day 254 g/m.sup.2/day 28° C. & 90% Rel. H W.V.T.R at n/a n/a n/a 880 g/m.sup.2/day 850 g/m.sup.2/day n/a 23° C. & 0% Rel. H Equilibrium ±2 moisture content at 23° C. & 50% Rel.H Surface   38-42 mN/m tension Dynamic 0.4-0.6 Friction coefficient

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Thickness 115 μm 150 μm 200 μm 250 μm 300 μm 360 μm 500 μm Yield 6.64 m.sup.2/kg 5.13 m.sup.2/kg 3.82 m.sup.2/kg 3.08 m.sup.2/kg 2.56 m.sup.2/kg 2.14 m.sup.2/kg 1.54 m.sup.2/kg Tensile    80-110 Nmm.sup.−2 strength at break Elongation 30-50%   at break E-modulus 1700-2000 N/mm.sup.2 Haze 1.7% 1.7% 1.9% 2.6% 2.6% 4.9% 6.1% Transmittance 93% Refractive Index 1.490 W.V.T.R at n/a 124.6 g/m.sup.2/day n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 25° C. & 100% Rel. H W.V.T.R at n/a 122.2 g/m.sup.2/day n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 25° C. & 75% Rel. H W.V.T.R at n/a 23° C. & 0% Rel. H Equilibrium ±2% moisture content at 23° C. & 50% Rel. H Surface   34-38 mN/m tension Dynamic 0.4-0.6 Friction coefficient

[0107] In Tables 1 and 2 Haze and transmittance may be determined using the method in ASTM D 1003. The tensile strength at break, elongation at break and E-modules may be determined using the method in ASTM D 882 standard. The surface tension may be according to ISO 8296 DIN 53364.

[0108] In Tables 1 and 2 W.V.T.R stands for water vapour transmission rate, and Rel.H means relative humidity.

[0109] In Tables 1 and 2 the thickness, yield, surface tension may be measured at day of material production.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a sports eyewear protector according to the second aspect of the present invention is generally indicated at 40.

[0111] A support layer 42 is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In the current embodiment the support layer has a thickness of about 188 μm.

[0112] A hard scratch resistant coating layer 44 is disposed to a first surface of the support layer 42. In the current embodiment, the hard scratch resistant coating 44 is created from a UV curable hard coating. Other forms of hard scratch resistant coatings known to the skilled person may be used.

[0113] In the current embodiment the hard scratch resistant coating layer 44 has a thickness of 38 μm. In other embodiments the thickness may differ, for example, the thickness may be 18 μm.

[0114] In the current embodiment, the hard scratch resistant coating layer 44 provides a 9H hardness.

[0115] The support layer 42 and the scratch resistant layer 44 provide the main protective elements of the sport eyewear protector 40 when fitted to the lens of the sports eyewear. A first surface of the hard scratch resistant coating layer may be considered the outer surface of the sports eyewear protector 40.

[0116] Both layers 42, 44 form an optically clear laminate film. The optically clear laminate film is flexible allowing the film to substantially follow a curved sports eyewear lens. In the current embodiment the transparency of the optically clear laminate film is 92% and the haze is 1.2%.

[0117] An optically clear silicone adhesive 46 is disposed to a second surface of the support layer 42 opposite the first surface. The optically clear adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0118] In the current embodiment the optically clear silicone adhesive layer 46 provides an adhesion strength of 7±2 gf/25 mm and has a thickness of 50 μm. In other embodiments the thickness of the optically clear silicone adhesive layer 46 is 30 μm and provides an adhesion strength of 5±2 gf/25 mm. The thickness of the adhesive may differ once the sports eyewear protector is fitted to the lens.

[0119] A first protective liner 48 is attached to a first surface of the hard scratch resistant coating layer 44 by a pressure sensitive silicone adhesive layer 50. The first protective liner 48 can be removed prior to or after fitment of the sports eyewear protector 40 to the sport eyewear lens.

[0120] A second protective liner 52 is attached to the optically clear silicone adhesive layer 46. The second protective liner 52 maintains the optically clear silicone adhesive layer 46 prior to fitment of the sports eyewear protector 40 to the sports eyewear lens.

[0121] FIG. 5 shows the sport eyewear protector 40 applied to sports goggles 54. There are many shapes and types of sports goggles but generally they include a lens 56 and a frame 58 for holding the lens 56. The lens 56 is typically curved and is made from a clear polycarbonate. The frame 58 provides a perimeter to the lens 56.

[0122] In use, the goggles 54 sit on a portion of the user's face and the lens 56 is disposed to the user's eyes. The lens 56 is spaced away from the face by the frame 58 and is typically sized to not overly limit the user's perception.

[0123] To fit the sports eyewear protector 40, the second protective liner 52 is removed. The sports eyewear protector 40 is then aligned with the lens 56, preferably centrally so that it will coincide with the eyes of the user when the goggles 54 are worn. Once aligned correctly, the sports eyewear protector 40 is disposed to the lens 56 which causes the optically clear laminate film to adhere to the lens 56 through the optically clear silicone adhesive 46. The first protective liner 48 may be removed at the same time as the second protective liner 52 or once the sports eyewear protector 40 is adhered to the lens 56.

[0124] In the current embodiment, the sport eyewear protector 40 is sized and shaped so that it fits to a range of different sports eyewear brands.

[0125] The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.