US Patent 8002852 Lens dyeing method and lens dyeing apparatus

A method of dyeing a lens, comprises the steps of: (a) applying a dyeing ink containing a sublimable dye onto a base material to produce a dyeing base body; (b) placing the dyeing base body and the lens so that a dye-applied surface of the dyeing base body and a surface of the lens to be dyed face each other in noncontact relation, and heating the dyeing base body under substantially a vacuum condition to sublimate and deposit the applied dye on the lens; and (c) heating the dye deposited surface of the lens by irradiation of infrared rays from one direction to fix the deposited dye on the lens.