WO2011126575A2

WO2011126575A2 - Color changing artificial nail

Info

Publication number: WO2011126575A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/000641
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ben Shand Farber; Edmond Edward Routhier
Original assignee: Ben Shand Farber; Edmond Edward Routhier
Priority date: 2010-04-08
Filing date: 2011-04-08
Publication date: 2011-10-13
Also published as: WO2011126575A3

Abstract

The present invention is intended to provide a color changeable artificial nail having an external appearance which can be changed in response to the application of an electrical charge. To this end the present invention provides an artificial nail comprising a bistable material, such as a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, which comprises a material changeable in visible external color in response to the application of an electrical charge, preferably via an activation device.

Description

COLOR CHANGING ARTIFICIAL NAIL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

[0001] The present invention relates to a color changing artificial nail, and particularly relates to an artificial nail constructed to change color in response to an electrical charge applied to a one or more layers of bi-stable material.

[0002] A number of inventions relating to artificial nails have been patented. These inventions include an artificial nail of the type made of a suitably-shaped sheet material, nail-shaped plastics, a metal piece, ceramic, or the like, and arranged so as to be attachable to the surface of a natural nail through a pressure- sensitive adhesive layer provided on the rear surface of the artificial nail. These inventions also include an artificial nail with a recess portion into which a top end of a natural nail can be inserted so that the artificial nail can be removably fitted to the natural nail. In some of those inventions, a pattern, a colored layer, or the like is provided on the surface of the artificial nail as ornamentation.

[0003] Li (U.S. 2007/0237906 Al) describes a photodisplay device in which an optically addressed image can be viewed indefinitely, erased and readdressed with a new image. Optically responsive reversible photochiral materials are incorporated into a bistable cholesteric liquid crystal in an electrooptic display cell. A high resolution image exposed on the cell is fixed by a low voltage pulse to unpattemed electrodes and can be, at a later time, erased with a relatively high voltage pulse.

[0004] Shibahashi (U.S. 4920991) describes a thermochromic Artificial nail that includes an artificial nail having an external appearance which can be reversibly or quasi-reversibly changed in response to a change in temperature. Gifford (U.S. 6196234 Bl) describes a combination of a plastic polymer that is glued or double stick taped to the nail with nail polish brushed on afterwards. None of these inventions provide the user to quickly and easily choose the color and/or design of their nails. The invention described herein does.

[0005] The basic artificial nail may be one of the conventionally known various types, such as the type made of a suitably-shaped sheet material, nail- shaped plastics, a metal piece, ceramic, or the like and arranged so as to be attachable to a surface of a natural nail. The color changing bistable layer may be provided on a portion of or on the whole of the surface of the artificial nail, and comprise a polymer substrate and a topical bistable color changing film. In the system using the above mentioned bistable color changing film, the color, design or color mixed with the design so that the artificial nails surface exhibits its one external appearance when the material is changed by the Active Memory Stick or frequency device. In the system above, it is possible to utilize the bistable materials described above.

[0006] Preferably, the above mentioned materials are made of or combine with a precision fit and malleable polymer, metal or ceramic having the bistable material layered on top. The bistable material (either using a metal receiver piece, a transparent conductive material, or other electrically conductive material such as indium tin oxide or a transparent conductive flexible carbon nanotube film allows it to mate or create a temporary electromechanical connection with the activation device and can receive certain voltages and frequencies from a device, such as an iPhone or other portable device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is intended to provide a color changeable artificial nail having an external appearance which can be changed in response to the application of an electrical charge. To this end the present invention provides an artificial nail comprising a bistable material, such as a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, which comprises a material changeable in visible external color in response to the application of an electrical charge by an activation device.

[0008] Bistable displays, and others of its kind, were designed for use in flat- panel displays for television and computer screens. This technology, however, has applications in other, previously untapped, commercial areas. It is an object of this invention to incorporate bistable material into artificial nails. There are several types of bistable material that can be used. For instance, photonic crystals such as those made by Opalux Inc., which uses electrically activated structured photonic crystals to produce devices that can be electrically tuned to reflect any color in the visible, UV, or IR spectrum. Opalux's lead technology in this cluster is "P-Ink" (short for Photonic Ink). P-Ink combines the Photonic Crystal structure with electrically active polymer materials. These respond to voltage and current and cause precise and predetermined changes to the Photonic Crystal structure, which in turn shifts the reflected color.

[0009] Kent Display Inc. uses cholesteric LCD technology, achieving a monochromatic contrast ratio as high as 25: 1 with a peak reflectivity

approaching 40 percent of incident light, when measured normal to the plane of the display. According to the company, Ch-LCD can be manufactured with the same cost as the super twisted nematic (STN) and is simpler to construct and the tolerance on the cell dimensions are less demanding. Ch-LCD can achieve full color operation without color filters. Reflex LCDs utilize cholesteric liquid crystals, producing an image from reflected light. Cholesteric liquid crystals are bistable, exhibiting both a bright reflecting state and a dark non-reflecting state without any voltage applied. Because of bistability, Reflex LCDs will retain an image indefinitely without power. Some Reflex displays have retained the same image without power for over 10 years with no degradation. Cholesteric should be defined as of, relating to, or being the phase of a liquid crystal characterized by arrangement of molecules in layers with the long molecular axes parallel to one another in the plane of each layer and incrementally displaced in successive layers to give helical stacking.

[0010] Another bistable material that can be used is SiPix's microcup technology, which involves a micro scale container which holds minute quantities of fluid and particles. The display structure, typically 150μπ thin, is built upon a flexible PET plastic substrate, which may include a transparent conductor such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). The contents of the microcup are hermitically sealed to protect them from the environment. The microcup structure is said to enable the thinnest and most flexible electrophoretic display. The partition walls provide not only fine resolution, but also impact resistance. Because each microcup is individually sealed, the EPD film can be cut to any shape and size. [0011] Although the electrophoretic technology is fundamentally the same, E Ink uses a double particle in a clear fluid, while SiPix uses a single white particle in a dye. Depending on the application, it uses a honeycomb or waffle like structure, which is filled with dyes and particles. According to the company, the simple structure eliminates issues with particles colliding. Since the microcups can be filled with different color dyes, it is possible to make a full-color system without external filters.

[0012] The SiPix microcup is manufactured using a high-speed roll-to-roll embossing process. Several grid shapes are available for the embossing: square or rectangular grid or a hexagonal grid. When an electric current is applied, the charged particles migrate through the dielectric fluid. If the particles at the visible surface are white, that is the color that is seen by the viewer.

Alternatively, if the alternate color particles migrate, that is the color seen. The company offers displays with alternate colors of black, red, green, blue or gold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the color changing bistable Layer 10 separated/exploded view from the artificial nail 12 prior to manufacturing.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the color changeable artificial nail 14, which includes the bistable layer 10 combined with the artificial nail 12.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the underside of the color changeable artificial nail 14.

[0016] FIG.4 shows a perspective view of the color changeable artificial nail 14 prior to application onto a human fingertip.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of activation device 16 connecting to computer 26.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the activation device 16 and a color changeable artificial nail 14 prior to the activation device 16 "activating" the bistable layer 10 in the color changeable artificial nail 14.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a system block diagram of the internal elements of an embodiment of the activation device 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the color changing bistable Layer 10 separated/exploded view from the artificial nail 12 prior to manufacturing. A bistable layer 10 is shown in the shape of a nail. The bistable layer 10 may include a chiral nematic liquid crystal photodisplay comprising a liquid crystal layer including cholesteric liquid crystal material, said liquid crystal material comprising nematic liquid crystal and at least one photosensitive chiral additive, wherein said photosensitive chiral additive is adapted to change a reflective wavelength of said liquid crystal layer at exposed regions at which addressing electromagnetic radiation is incident on said liquid crystal layer thereby producing a planar image in a planar texture of said liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal material should include electrically conductive layers flanking the liquid crystal layer, and have a means for applying an electric field to said liquid crystal layer between the conductive layers, wherein the electrical addressing means applies the electric field at a magnitude that switches the exposed regions to a focal conic texture producing a fixed negative image.

[0021] Further, depending on which type of bi-stable material is used, there are a variety of ways to activate the bistable material and thus to change the color of the nail. This material currently uses the application of an electric field (or the application of a particular voltage/frequency to the material) to activate the material and change the color. As discussed, 'bi-stable' means that the material is stable at two different voltages. As such, the state of the material remains stable when there is no charge applied to the material, and during a second state, e.g. when a voltage/frequency is applied. The cholesteric LCD technology utilizes the application of a certain voltage to cause a realignment of the crystals in the material and thus changes the way they are visually perceived. The liquid crystal particles may include micron and/or nano size, of any possible shape, with or without charge, magnetic and/or superparamagnetic. The activation device produces and applies an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, to the bi-stable material. [0022] Other types of bi-stable materials that can be used that are changeable given the application of a voltage or change in electric fields include the following:

(a) electrophoresis (the migration of charged colloidal particles or molecules through a solution under the influence of an applied electric field);

(b) nanochromic display e.g. printed electronic displays on flexible substrate materials (such as those manufactured by NTerra Inc.);

(c) interferometric modulator (electrically switched light modulator comprising a micro-machined cavity that is switched on and off using driver ICs similar to those used to address LCDs that can include hundreds of thousands of individually addressable iMoD elements);

(d) cholesteric bistable TN (twisted nematic) wherein the surface alignment directions at the two electrodes are perpendicular to each other and so the molecules arrange themselves in a helical structure (or twist);

(e) Photochromic materials can go from one state A to a second state B by light radiation, usual ultra violet (UV). The second state B can be changed by heat or by light at another wavelength, usually in the visible range, back to the A state. Photochromic is different from thermochromic because it involves light, and not necessarily heat, to reverse from B to A;

(f) electro wetting (the change in solid electrolyte contact angle due to an applied potential difference between the solid and the electrolyte);

(g) electro fluidic, which uses voltage to pull water-based spots of colored ink and spread them over the pixels, which are typically coated with highly reflective aluminum; electrochromic (materials of reversibly changing color when a burst of charge is applied);

(h) photonic crystals, which are periodic optical nanostructures that are designed to affect the motion of photons in a similar way that periodicity of a semiconductor crystal affects the motion of electrons; and

(i) Reverse Emulsion electrophoretic Display (REED) uses nano-droplets of a polar liquid, which are composed of a blue dye and surfactants in a measured ratio. These droplets are dispersed in a non-polar liquid. When energy is applied, the droplets reassemble in the liquid. The technology is purported to use less energy than currently available electrophoretic technologies, and have faster switching speeds, which would make video possible. Moreover, it can be produced using existing LCD manufacturing techniques.

[0023] Figure 2 shows the bistable layer 10 combined with the artificial nail 12. This combination is a color and design changeable artificial nail 14 that changes color in response to the activation device 16. Typically, the bistable layer 10 changes to the desired color and design in response to the activation device 16 touching a specific part of the artificial nail. Other technologies allow the bistable layer 10 to change color in response to a specific frequency from a device such as an portable electronic device (e.g. cellular phone, Smartphone, personal digital assistant, portable computer, etc. with an attachment) within a certain proximity to the artificial nail color changeable artificial nail 14.

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates the underside of the color changeable artificial nail 14. The electrical leads/ contact points 30 for the activation device 16 are preferably located, as on this figure, on the end of the nail 14 for convenience. This will allow easy access to the electrical leads 30 by the user.

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates the color changeable artificial nail 14 prior to application onto a human fingertip. Adhesion material, such as glue or other material typically used in nail salons, is applied to the underside of the color changeable artificial nail 14 shortly before being applied to the nail/fingertip of the user.

[0026] Figure 5 illustrates the computer 26 application and activation device 16 combination. The activation device 16 can download coded software from a computer to change the color scheme of the active nail. A perspective of the activation device 16 being inserted into a station/computer 26 for download after purchase of the desired color/design. The window 18 that allows the user to scroll through the various colors and designs downloaded from the

station/computer. The activation device 16 is shown here with a USB connector 32 allowing it to easily connect to most computers 26 via a USB port 24.

However, this is not a requirement. It is anticipated that other methods of inputting information into the activation device 16 will become common place (e.g. Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency, etc.). The activation device 16 may also include an on/off button 36 or switch. This button 34 may also allow the user to scroll through colors/designs stored in the activation device 16. An LED light(s) 34 can indicate information such as power, charge, charge fault, low battery, and USB connection.

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective view of activation device 16 "activating" the bistable layer 10 in the color changeable artificial nail 14. In this embodiment, electrical leads 20 from the activation device 16 come into contact with electrical leads from the color changeable artificial nail 14. The activation device 16 is preferably configured to mate precisely with the tip/contour of the color changeable artificial nail 14 to ensure the leads from the Nail and the activation device 16 make a consistent connection. Electrical leads 20 on the activation device 16 are shown on the end of the device for easy access by the nail 14. The electrical leads 30 on the nail should be able to make contact with the electrical leads 20 located on the activation device 16. This electrical connection allows the instructions from the activation device 16 to be transferred to the color changeable artificial nail 14. Preferably, the electrical leads of the color changeable artificial nail 14 will be located on the nail's underside, so as not to be noticeable. However, this is not a requirement. Thus, all the electronic components and assemblies which provide the interface capability and power to execute the color change event are preferably not part of the color changeable artificial nail 14 and are not permanently connected to the conductive leads. If the leads 30 are visible, they may be on the underside of the tip of the nail or protruding from the edge of the tip of the nail. The leads 30 may also be transparent, and may be on the top of the nail or the underside of the nail. The leads will be consistent in size and placement relative to the tip of the nail for each type/size of nail.

[0028] Figure 7 is a system block diagram of the internal elements of an embodiment of the activation device 16. The activation device 16 comprises a variety of components connected in a manner to support the primary and secondary functions of the invention. Referring to the system block diagram of figure 7, the a custom ASIC 41 provides the required signals and controls to activate and change the color of the display material 10. The main input to the ASIC 41 is from an embedded micro-controller 42. The embedded microcontroller 42 provides all the necessary controls and responses to execute the input given to the controller 42 by the user. Communications to the microcontroller 42 from a host computer 26 is via the I/O port interface 32. The invention's I/Oport 32 functions as a device. User input to the micro-controller 42 can also be via the input tack style switches 36. Via the switches 36, the user can turn on the invention with a simple push and hold for (xx) seconds on the middle switch. The invention is turned off in the same manner. The top and bottom switches 36 are used to scroll through the color palette available on the display 18. The micro-controller's program keeps track of the switch states at all times when the device is on. During the on state, a simple push of the middle switch 34 will select the color desired by the user. Once selected, the microcontroller 42 will switch the output from the display to the connection interface 20 via the analog switch 36. The invention is now ready for connection to the intended object that uses the same material as the display 18. A simple push of the middle switch 34 again will re-configure the Analog Switch back to the display 18.

[0029] Other support or secondary functions of the invention include the battery 46, a voltage regulator 47, a battery charger 45, and status LED's 34. Here, the middle switch and the LED are both combined as element 34. The battery 46 is preferably a Lithium Polymer cell. To provide proper charging, a I/O compatible Lithium battery charger 45 is used. The charger 45 contains all the necessary functions to safely charge the invention's battery 46 in 2 hours or less. The initiation of charge and monitoring of charge state is performed by the micro-controller 42. When the micro-controller 42 detects that 5 volts is available via the I/Oport 24, 32, it will initiate a request to the host computer 26 for the required amount of supply current. If the request is granted, the microcontroller 42 will initiate a charge cycle. Once the charge cycle is initiated, the micro-controller 42 will monitor the charge regulator 47 for and end of charge condition and charge fault condition. The available fault conditions are over temperature, under temperature, and improper battery voltage. In addition, if 5 volts is detected on the USB port but host port connection is not established, the micro-controller 42 will initiate charge as it is assumed the voltage available is from a passive input such as a portable wall mount supply. To provide a stable voltage to the invention's circuits, a voltage regulator 47 is used. The regulator 47 is a low drop out type. The regulator 47 can provide a stable output voltage of 3.3V with as little as 3.5V on its input. This will enable the invention to maximize the available energy from the battery 46. The micro-controller 42 will also monitor the battery voltage to detect a low battery state and alert the user. If the battery voltage drops below a specified value during the low battery state, the micro-controller 42 will shut down all primary functions and enter the off state. The status LED's 34 will indicate to the user the state of the invention. The states available include, but not limited to, are ON, Charge, Charge Fault, Low Battery, and USB Connection.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Preferably, the invention is professionally applied by a qualified nail technician, however this is not a requirement of the invention. The consumer can then choose the color and/or design they wish. It is anticipated that a large variety of colors and designs will be available for download from an authorized website or other source. These colors/designs may be downloaded directly to the activation device, or to another device, such as a computer, cell phone, or other electronic device, and then transferred to the activation device. Once the nail is applied properly, the activation device is applied to the nail to activate the bistable material. This activation will probably be done via direct contact between the activation device and the bi-stable material, or more specifically, the electrical leads from the activation device to the electrical leads of the bi-stable material in the nail. However, there are alternatives whereby no physical contact is required, such as when the bi-stable material is activated via a magnetic field. The color change will take place very quickly, then the activation device is removed, leaving the nail with the desired color/design. The color/design will remain until the activation device is once again applied, or the nail is removed.

[0031] The activation device may hold a plurality of colors/designs within its memory, thus allowing the user to change the appearance of the nail as they wish. For example, the user might download five different colors into the activation device, then take that activation device with them to a social event. The user might then spontaneously decide to change the color of their nails to one of the five they've downloaded, and do so by simply using the activation device as described above.

[0032] It is anticipated that designs for the nails could be created by

artists/designers, then sold to the owners of the authorized website. Thereafter, users can purchase these designs, much in the way that applications ("Apps") for cell phones are bought and sold.

[0033] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0034] In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0035] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0036] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

claimed is:

An apparatus for changing the color of a nail, comprising:

a. a color changeable bi-stable material of generally the size and shape of a human fingernail or toenail, configured to be placed on a human nail, comprising:

i. a top side and an underside,

ii. generally the same size and shape as an artificial nail, and iii. one or more layers of color changeable bistable material;

b. a means to control the state of the bistable material.

The apparatus for changing the color of an artificial nail of claim 1 , wherein the means to control the state of the bistable material comprises an activation device, said activation device comprising:

a. A housing, which contains electronics; and

b. A means to produce and apply specific voltages and/or

electrical quantities or effects, such as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, to the bi-stable material.

The apparatus for changing the color of an artificial nail of claim 1 , further comprising:

a. An artificial nail having a top side and an underside; wherein the underside of the bistable material abuts, and is attached to, the top of the artificial nail;

b. A clear plastic coating located on the top side of the color changeable bistable layers.

The apparatus for changing the color of an artificial nail of claim 2, further comprising:

a. Electrical leads attached to the bistable material; and

b. Electrical leads attached to the activation device. The apparatus for changing the color of an artificial nail of claim 1 or 2, wherein the means to produce and apply an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves to the bi-stable material is an electronic device comprised of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controlled by an embedded micro-controller which provides all the necessary controls, memory, and responses to execute output given to the ASIC and the input given to the micro-controller by the user via electronic switches, buttons, or other means, said ASIC and microcontroller are powered via battery or connection to a power supply.

a. Adhesive material located on the underside of the bi-stable material.

a. Adhesive material located on the underside of the artificial nail.

A method of producing a color changeable nail, comprising:

a. combining artificial nail material, such as acrylic, with one or more layers of color changeable material;

b. changing the color of the color changeable material via the activation of an activation device, said activation device comprising:

i. A housing that contains electronic components, including a

power supply;

ii. drivers to send electrical signals from the activation device to the color changeable material;

iii. clocking device;

iv. control device to control the drivers, power and clocking device; v. memory component;

vi. I/O interface; vii. A viewable display made of the same material as the bi-stable layer; and

viii. Input/output controls that allow the user to operate the device.

The apparatus for changing the color of a nail of claim 1 , wherein the color changeable material comprises optically responsive reversible photochiral materials that are incorporated into a multi layered bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material.

A method of producing a color changeable nail, comprising:

a. Adhering bistable material onto a plastic substrate, said bistable

material comprising exposed electrical leads, said plastic substrate comprising:

i. a top side;

ii. an under side;

iii. A general size and shape of an artificial nail.

The method of producing a color changeable nail of claim 10, wherein the bistable material is adhered to the top side of plastic substrate.

The method of producing a color changeable nail of claim 10, wherein the bistable material is adhered to the under side of plastic substrate.

A method of producing a color changeable nail, comprising:

a. Forming bistable material into the size and shape of an artificial nail having a top side and a bottom side;

b. Placing the formed bistable material into an injection mold device; c. Coating the bistable material with a clear plastic protective coating on at least the top side or the bottom side.

14. A method of producing a color changeable nail, comprising:

a. Combing a bistable material and a plastic substrate; b. Placing the combined bistable material and plastic substrate into an injection mold device;

c. Coating the bistable material with a clear plastic protective coating on at least the top side or the bottom side.

A method of applying a color changeable nail, comprising:

a. Coating a natural nail with a pre-mixed monomer and polymer gel with a brush, or similar application tool;

b. Placing a gel-activator onto the monomer- polymer gel using a brush or other application tool;

c. Adhering bistable material onto the monomer- polymer gel.

The method of applying a color changeable nail of claim 15, further comprising:

a. Exposing the nail to ultra-violet (UV) light.