WO2015132734A1 - 3d printed nails - Google Patents

3d printed nails Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015132734A1
WO2015132734A1 PCT/IB2015/051576 IB2015051576W WO2015132734A1 WO 2015132734 A1 WO2015132734 A1 WO 2015132734A1 IB 2015051576 W IB2015051576 W IB 2015051576W WO 2015132734 A1 WO2015132734 A1 WO 2015132734A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nail
user
printing
nails
design
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2015/051576
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Moyal
Original Assignee
Daniel Moyal
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daniel Moyal filed Critical Daniel Moyal
Publication of WO2015132734A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015132734A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D31/00—Artificial nails
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
    • B29C64/112—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y80/00—Products made by additive manufacturing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/02—Framework
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D29/00—Manicuring or pedicuring implements
    • A45D2029/005—Printing or stamping devices for applying images or ornaments to nails

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to creating custom fit artificial fingernails and/or 3D decorations on the nail and specifically to a system and method for creating custom fit artificial fingernails using a scanner or camera(s) for measuring a fingernail for custom fitting an artificial fingernail and/or 3D decorations on the nail and a 3D printer to print them.
  • Artificial fingernails exist in various forms. A customized artificial fingernail can be made to fit the exact contour and dimensions of a natural fingernail. This offers considerable advantages in comfort, appearance, and durability over non-custom fit fingernails commonly available. However, custom fitting an artificial fingernail poses special challenges and problems. Commonly used methods for production of artificial fingernails are very labor intensive, time consuming and require significant skill.
  • a pre-made artificial fingernail is attached to a real finger by an adhesive or a supporting sheet.
  • the supporting sheet is attached just under the tip of a real finger, then a thermoset material (mainly acrylic type) is applied onto the natural fingernail from the cuticle of the natural finger and sculpted to cover the whole artificial fingernail, so that a uniform extended surface is created.
  • This process is repeated for each finger.
  • the thermoset material dries naturally or under ultraviolet lighting, intensive and abrasive filing is applied to create a desired shape for each fingernail. Since this method builds up an artificial fingernail by adding material little by little manually, it gained the name of "nail sculpture.”
  • the last step of this process is to paint the top surface of the artificial fingernails with nail polish to display the desired color or
  • pre-made artificial fingernails may be pasted onto the natural fingernail.
  • mass-produced artificial fingernails have limited choices in their shapes, lengths, styles and fit.
  • a person's fingernail is different from another person's in its cuticle, width, length, and three-dimensional (3D) shape. Therefore, mass-produced artificial fingernail cannot fit exactly to a user's natural fingernail.
  • such an artificial fingernail is forced onto a natural fingernail surface, and glued on with an adhesive.
  • Another option is to custom manufacture every artificial fingernail.
  • This process may consist of creating a plaster mold from a series of precise impressions of a natural fingernail, then the mold can be used to create an artificial fingernail by either injection molding or casting.
  • the creation of artificial nails by using this process is still time consuming, costly and requires considerable work to turn the rough cast into the finished product. It is also impractical to perform this process in a nail salon
  • a 3D printing system of artificial nails comprising a 3D printer configured to receive a 3D printer input file and to print an artificial nail accordingly, said printer input file comprising captured 3D data of a user's finger adapted to a selected nail shape.
  • the system may further comprise input means configured to capture said 3D data of a user's fingers.
  • the input means may comprise a 3D scanner.
  • the input means may comprise at least one camera.
  • the system may further comprising Graphical User Interface (GUI) means configured to enable selection of said nail shape.
  • GUI Graphical User Interface
  • The may further comprise processing means configured to receive said captured 3D data, identify a nail therein, receive a nail shape selection, adapt said selected nail shape to said identified nail and prepare said 3D printer input file for printing said adapted nail shape.
  • the 3D printer my comprises at least one of a finger carrier, a palm and a foot carrier.
  • the system may additionally comprise containers configured to contain different solutions.
  • the solutions may comprise at least one of nails building solution, support structures building solution, primary coating solution and paints.
  • the system may further comprise drying means configured to dry said artificial nails.
  • the drying means may comprise a UV light source.
  • the system may additionally comprise a suction device configured to suck toxic vapors.
  • the GUI means may be further configured to enable selection of nail design; the system may further comprise processing means configured to adapt said selected nail design to said identified nail; and the 3D printer may additionally comprise a design printer configured to apply said adapted selected designs.
  • the designs may comprise at least one of: images, symbols, initials, cartoon characters, logos, simple multicolored shading or gradients, textures, patterns, customized designs, scenery, logos, names and French nail.
  • the system may additionally comprise preparation tools configured to prepare the user's nail.
  • the preparation tools may comprise at least one of: a file, sandpaper and primary coating.
  • a method of 3D printing artificial nails comprising: - receiving 3D data of a scanned user's finger;
  • the method may further comprise receiving user's nail design selection and printing said nail design selection on said 3D printed nail.
  • the method may further comprise receiving user's nail design selection and 3D printing said artificial nail may comprise 3D printing said nail and design.
  • the method may further comprise displaying a 3D image illustration of the user's finger comprising said adapted nail shape.
  • the method may further comprise activating vapors suction.
  • the method may further comprise activating a drying process.
  • the method may further comprise activating a nails preparation process.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the system components for carrying out the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of the nails 3D printing device according to the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is an enlargement of a user's nail
  • Fig. 4 is an enlargement of the palm carrier and the wrist holder according to
  • Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the 3D print head assembly and an optional inkjet print head assembly
  • Fig. 6A demonstrates an adjustment of the optional inkjet print head assembly over the user's nail
  • Fig. 6B demonstrates another embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 7 is an example of a size tab of the shape menu
  • Fig. 8 is an example of a finish tab of the shape menu
  • Fig. 9 is an example of a color tab of the design menu
  • Fig. 10 is an example of a pattern tab of the design menu
  • Figs. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are a flowchart showing the process performed by the system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the nails identification algorithm and the printing preparations according to the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a system and method for applying 3D printed artificial nails on a user's one or multiple fingernails or toenails using 3D printing and optionally inkjet printing technology.
  • Shape refers to nails shape, size, finish, curvature, etc.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the system 50 according to the present invention, comprising:
  • 3D input means 60 such as a 3D scanner or a 3D camera or any arrangement known in the art (e.g. more than one camera) for capturing or digitizing 3- dimensional data of a user's nails, such as for example, Go!SCAN 3DTM available from http://www.creaform3d.com/en/metrology-solutions, or Panasonic Lumix 3D
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • GUI 80 for displaying nail shapes and design for user selection
  • FIG. 1 A is a schematic drawing showing a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 1A all the system components 60-90 are incorporated in a single device 100, especially designed for artificial nails printing.
  • the device 100 comprises a nails 3D scanning/printing device 1 10 and a computer 120 that communicates with a controller 135 that is responsible for translating computer commands into electrical signals that activate:
  • An input tray 137 for accommodating the user's finger or palm(s) or feet.
  • a 3D scanner or camera(s) or digitizer 140 that scans or captures or digitizes the user's fingers.
  • a 3D nails printer 150 that prints the artificial nails with the selected
  • Optional drying means e.g. a UV light source 160 for the drying stage.
  • Optional preparation tools 195 configured to prepare the user's natural nails to the artificial nails printing process.
  • the computer comprises a data base 130 of shapes, lengths, colors, textures, patterns, etc. for the user to select from.
  • the system 100 also comprises a user application 170, running on the computer 120, that enables the user to control the process via an input device 175 (such as keyboard, mouse, touchpad, etc.) a graphical user interface (GUI) 180 that guides the user through the entire process including design selections; and a screen 190 that is used to select user specifications, display the 3D image of the fingers before the process (optional) and a 3D image illustration of how the fingers are going to look with the user selected nails shape and designs at the end of the process.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the artificial nails 3D printing and/or the designs printing may be done separately for each finger or simultaneously for the entire hand/foot.
  • the preferred embodiment has the computer, controller, scanning or capturing or digitizing unit and printing unit integrated into one compact apparatus
  • an alternative embodiment could have the computer and display monitor connected by cable to a remote nails 3D scanning/printing device.
  • the system may comprise a separate controller for each component (137- 165 and 195 of Fig. 1A) instead of one controller that controls them all.
  • the device may use support structures, as known in the art of 3D printing, in order to print a nail that is longer than the users' finger boundaries.
  • the support structures may be printed as part of the nail printing process or before the process starts and removed or dissolved at the end of it.
  • the 3D data of the finger is analyzed by software in the computer 120, using image processing methods such as, for example, a combination of color selection and edge detection algorithms, such as discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6286517(B1 ), incorporated herein by reference.
  • Fig. 1 B is a schematic drawing showing a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention.
  • the scanner 140B may be any stand-alone 3D scanner/camera/digitizer known in the art and the 3D data may serve as input to the system 100B.
  • Fig. 1 C is a schematic drawing showing a third embodiment of the system according to the present invention.
  • the 3D printed nails may be printed separately instead of directly on the user's digits.
  • the user's fingers may be scanned or digitized by any 3D scanner/camera/digitizer 140C known in the art.
  • the 3D data may serve as input for a 3D printer 1 10C incorporated in a system 100C that includes the GUI components running on a computer and the analysis software.
  • GUI and analysis software may reside on a standalone computer communicating with the scanner and the 3D printer.
  • the printing process may use different raw materials for each stage: the preparation stage, the 3D nail printing stage and the design printing stage.
  • the preparation stage the system may use:
  • Solvents and nail dehydrators - acetone, ethanol and isopropanol include, but are not limited to, ethers, esters, glycol ethers, chlorinated solvents, siloxanes, tetrahydrofuran, methanol and other higher molecular weight alcohols and suitable combinations thereof.
  • the solvents are used to prepare the nail plate for receiving acrylic polymerization by removing oils and residues.
  • Primers - etching type of primers are acids such as methacrylic acid. Fingernail primers can be based on acrylic monomers, derivatives of acrylic monomers, monomer in acetone or isopropanol, or other monomers in other solvents, or solvent alone without monomer.
  • Acrylic monomers - specific but not limiting examples of mono (meth)acryloyl esters include: methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate , butyl (meth)acrylates, hydroxy ethyl (meth)acrylates, butoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, 2- ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, ethoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, t-butyl aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, methoxyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, phosphoethyl
  • glycol(meth)acrylate phenoxyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate
  • (meth)acrylate 2-(meth)acryloxyethylsuccinic acid, 2-(meth)acryloylethylphthalic acid, 2-(meth)acryloyloxypropylphthalic acid, stearyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylates, tetrahydrofufuryl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylamides and allyl monomersethyl methacrylate monomer.
  • Suitable acetoxy methacrylate monomers are any which have high solvency, low volatility, low toxicity, and, preferably, lack of odor, including, for example, methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, ethoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, propoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, isopropoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, butoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, isobutoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate,
  • Hydroxy functional methacrylate monomers may be included in the liquid component portions so as to modify the mechanical properties of the cured polymer fingernail/coating.
  • those methacrylate monomers having little or no odor are included in the liquid component of the present invention, generally in an amount from about 5 percent to about 65 percent by weight of liquid component.
  • Exemplary hydroxy methacrylate monomers are hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, hydroxy propyl methacrylate, hydroxy butyl methacrylate, glycerol mono and di methacrylates, sorbitol di, tri, and methacrylates, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
  • Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate possesses a mild, distinct odor, therefore limiting its concentration in the liquid component to an amount not greater than about 20 percent by weight of liquid component.
  • the most preferred hydroxy methacrylate monomer is hydroxy ethyl methacrylate and/or hydroxy propyl methacrylate, in an amount from about 0.5 percent to about 30 percent by weight of liquid component.
  • the acrylic monomers react to create acrylic polymers.
  • Urethane (meth)acrylates useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a urethane group.
  • Examples include urethanes based on aliphatic, aromatic, polyester, and polyether polyols and aliphatic, aromatic, polyester, and polyether diisocyanates capped with (meth)acrylate endgroups.
  • Isocyanate prepolymers can also be used in place of the polyol/diisocyanate core.
  • Epoxy (meth)acrylates and epoxy urethane (meth)acrylates, useful in the present invention have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and, optionally, a urethane group.
  • Examples include epoxy (meth)acrylates based on aliphatic or aromatic epoxy prepolymers capped with (meth)acrylate endgroups.
  • a aliphatic or aromatic urethane spacer can be optionally inserted between the epoxy and the
  • Acrylated polyester oligomers useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a polyester core.
  • Acrylated polyether oligomers useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a polyether core.
  • Acrylated acrylate oligomers useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a polyacrylic core.
  • Crosslinkers- polyfunctional methacrylate monomers - specific but not limiting examples of difunctional methacryloyl esters include: 1 ,4 butane diol
  • di(meth)acrylate Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate, methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1 ,10 decanediol di(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, 2-methyl-1 ,8-octane diol di(meth)acrylate, glycerin di(meth)acrylate, ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, triethylenglycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethoxypropoxy di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, propoxy
  • dimethacrylate trimethylene glycol dimethacrylate, terra ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, dipropylene glycol
  • dimethacrylate tripropylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1 ,4-butanediol dimethactylate, 1 ,3-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1 ,6-hexadeciol dimethacrylate, 1 ,5-hexanediol dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate, t1 , 12-dodecane-diol
  • dimethacrylate 2,2-bix [4'-(3"-methacryloy]-2"-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]propane (bix-GMA), 2,2-bis(4'-methacryloyl phenyl)propane (bis-phenol A dimethacrylate), ethoxylated bis-phenol A dimethacrylate, dimethacrylate-terminated aliphatic and aromatic urethanes, trimethylol-propane trimethacrylate, glycerol dimethacrylate. Sorbitol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetra methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
  • Methacrylate terminated and/or functional polymers are also contemplated, such as the hydroxy ethyl methacrylate adducts of styrene/-maleic anhydride copolymers and methyl vinyl ether/-maleic anhydride copolymers.
  • Crosslinkers are used to increase the mechanical strength of the cured polymer fingernail/coating, improving such properties as stiffness, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance.
  • Combinations of monomers and oligomers In addition to the above-described (meth)acrylate-based polymerizable monomers, other polymerizable monomers, oligomers or polymers of monomers which contain at least one free radical polymerizable group in the molecule may be used without any limitations in the curable gel. These monomers may contain an acidic group to improve adhesion.
  • a compound having at least one free radical polymerizable group includes not only a single component but also a mixture of polymerizable monomers. Thus combinations of two or more materials containing free radical polymerizable groups may be used in combination. The Combinations react to create acrylic polymers.
  • Polymerization photoaccelerators - the tertiary amine accelerators are generally known in the art, and are preferably aromatic tertiary amines such as N,N- dimethyl-p-toluidine, N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine, ⁇ , ⁇ -dimethyl aniline, and/or 4-(dimethylamino)phenethyl alcohol (U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,551 ).
  • the accelerator is usually employed at a concentration of from about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of liquid component.
  • the preferred tertiary amine accelerators are N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine and N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine. Others:
  • Some examples of the above-mentioned components include, but are not limited to melamine, N,N-dimethylformamide, 1 ,5- diaminopentane and dibutylamine.
  • the polymerization photoaccelerators are used to accelerate photo-polymerization reaction.
  • Examples of these include: benzyl ketones, monomeric hydroxyl ketones, polymeric hydroxyl ketones, .alpha. -amino ketones, acyl phosphine oxides, metallocenes, benzophenone, benzophenone derivatives, and the like.
  • Specific examples include 1 -hydroxy-cyclohexylphenylketone, benzophenone, 2-benzyl- 2-(dimethylamino)-1 -(4-(4-morphorlinyl)phenyl)-1 -butanone, 2-methyl-1 -(4- methylthio)phenyl-2-(4-morphorlinyl)-1 -propanone, diphenyl-(2,4,6- trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide, benzyl-dimethylketal, isopropylthioxanthone, and mixtures thereof.
  • the polymerization photoinitiators are used to initiate the start of polymerization.
  • Polymerization inhibitors - butylate hydroxy toluene (BHT), Methyl ether of hydroquinone (MEHQ), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone.
  • polymerization inhibitors are used to prevent a premature reaction of the methacrylate monomers and to assure adequate shelf life.
  • the plasticizers are used to contribute to the flowability of the formulation.
  • Acrylic polymers - preferred acrylic polymers are poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl-co-butyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl-co-methyl methacrylate),
  • acrylic polymer poly(methyl-co-butyl methacrylate) and mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred amounts of acrylic polymer are about 95 percent to about 99.5 percent, based on weight of solid or gel component.
  • gel types of polymers which include acrylate and methacrylate oligomers, urethane acrylate and methacrylate oligomers, and epoxy acrylate and epoxy methacrylate oligomers.
  • the acrylic polymer in the solid or gel component is preferably a polymer or copolymer of ethyl or methyl methacrylate. Finely divided poly(ethyl)
  • poly(methyl-co-butyl) methacrylate) have been found to be most suitable.
  • These finely divided polymers or copolymers are generally included in the powder portion at from about 80 percent to about 99.5 percent by weight polymeric powder.
  • the gel is comprised of 70-80% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 20- 30% by weight glycol HEMA-methacrylate (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), 3-5% by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, and 3-5% by weight benzophenone.
  • the gel is comprised of 60-70% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 5-10% by weight 2- hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 5-10% by weight isobornyl methacrylate, and up to 1 % by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone.
  • Another embodiment of the gel is comprised of 50-60% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 15-20% by weight HEMA, 15-20% by weight hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and up to 1 % by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone.
  • UV-curable gel comprised of 58% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 20% by weight hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 20% by weight hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and 2% by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone was added sequentially, with hand stirring, three pigment concentrate pastes.
  • Each pigment concentrate paste was a dispersion of pigment in an organic liquid composed of butyl acetate solvent (30.0%-40.0%), ethyl acetate solvent (20.0%-30.0%), nitrocellulose (10.0%- 20.0%), and isopropyl alcohol solvent 1.0%-5.0%.
  • the pigments were Ti02, D&C Red #6, and D&C Red #7 Light, and the amounts of dispersion added were 0.1 , 5.9, and 2.8 grams, respectively.
  • Secondary polymers - may include finely divided polyvinyl acetate).
  • Heat-sensitive initiator for heat-polymerization - suitable polymerization initiators are conventional soluble peroxide or azo initiators such as benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxy-2-ethyl hexanoate, 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile or 2,2'-azobis((2,4-dimethylvaloronitrile, cumene hydroperoxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate, potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate, metal peroxides, hyponitrous acid esters, and metal chelate compounds, barbituric acid derivatives, and the like.
  • soluble peroxide or azo initiators such as benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, t
  • Benzoyl peroxide is preferred.
  • Preferred amounts of polymerization initiator are about 0.5 percent to about 3.0 percent, based on weight of solid or gel component.
  • the polymerization catalyst can be combined with the other constituents of the solid or gel component in any convenient way. One preferred way of combining the polymerization catalyst is to grind it into the surface of the granular or powdered solid or gel component. For the design printing stage, if performed by one or more inkjet heads, the system may use:
  • Pigments - colors - the pigment concentrates which are used in the invention generally contain 10-50% pigment which may be dispersed in an organic liquid comprised of one or more chemicals selected from solvents, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and ethylenically unsaturated oligomers.
  • the organic liquid may also comprise non-reactive polymer, filler, and dispersant.
  • the organic liquid may comprise as non-reactive polymers
  • the organic liquid has one continuous phase whereas the pigment is a discontinuous phase of the pigment concentrate.
  • suitable solvents are butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, xylene, toluene, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone.
  • ethylenically unsaturated monomers are (meth)acrylic esters, and examples of ethylenically unsaturated oligomers are urethane (meth)acrylates.
  • the concentrates may be dispersed in the same UV-curable monomers and/or oligomers as used in the gel formulation by any means, for example by shearing of the pigment directly into the organic liquid.
  • the organic liquid in which the pigment is dispersed comprises ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, and nitrocellulose.
  • the organic liquid also comprises a solvent.
  • Suitable pigments which can be incorporated into the concentrates include barium, calcium and aluminum lakes, iron oxides, chromates, molybdates, cadmiums, metallic or mixed metallic oxides, talcs, carmine, titanium dioxide, chromium hydroxides, ferric
  • Preferred pigments include D&C Black No. 2, D&C Black No. 3., FD&C Blue No. 1 , D&C Blue No. 4, D&C Brown No. 1 , FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Green No. 6, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 5, D&C Orange No. 10, D&C Orange No. 1 1 , FD&C Red No. 4., D&C Red No. 6, D&C Red No. 7, D&C Red No. 17, D&C Red No. 21 , D&C Red No. 22, D&C Red No.
  • D&C Red No. 31 D&C Red No. 33, D&C Red No. 34, D&C Red No. 36, FD&C Red No. 40, D&C Violet No. 2, Ext. D&C Violet No. 2, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 7, Ext. D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, D&C Yellow No. 1 1 , as well as others listed on the FDA color additives website, and Annex IV of the Cosmetic Directive 76/768/EEC, Coloring Agents Permitted in Cosmetics.
  • the ratio of pigment concentrate to gel composition is preferably equal to or less than 1 :2.
  • the use of high color pigment content in these final gels can reduce the ability to cure thick films and thus thinner coats of the resulting gel are preferred.
  • gels with lower viscosity than those typically used as builder gels are preferred, however high viscosity gels can also be used.
  • Lower viscosity gels are preferred since their application properties are similar to standard nail polishes. Gel viscosities as measured at 25° C, 1 ⁇ 2 sec shear, on a TA
  • the pigment concentrate can be supplied separately from the gel so that the system can mix them together before application.
  • Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of the nails 3D printing device 200 according to the present invention, comprising: a palm carrier 205 that is mounted on a device base 270 and is configured to fix a user's palm with the aid of a wrist holder 210, a moving platform 215 that slides on rails 225 that are mounted on both sides of device base 270; a 3D print head assembly 235, a design print head assembly 240 and a 3D scanner 140 such as for example "NextEngine" 3D scanner provided by http://www.nextengine.com, that are connected to connector 230 which slides over rail 220 that is mounted on moving platform 215.
  • a palm carrier 205 that is mounted on a device base 270 and is configured to fix a user's palm with the aid of a wrist holder 210, a moving platform 215 that slides on rails 225 that are mounted on both sides of device base 270
  • a 3D print head assembly 235 such as for example "NextEngine" 3D scanner provided by http://www.nextengine.
  • the connector 230 slides over the rail 220 in the directions of dual headed arrow 250.
  • the platform 215 moves in the directions of dual headed arrow 255.
  • the connector 230 and the platform 215 are configured to move according to a coordinate system 265 in order to adjust the scanner 140 and both print heads over the user's nail.
  • the device 200 applies customized, highly detailed, multi-shaped and optionally multicolored nail shapes and designs, in various lengths, that are scaled to the size and shape of each nail.
  • the device analyzes the physical shape of each nail and scales the selected nails shape and design(s) to fit the user's nail.
  • the 3D nail print head and the design print head may comprise: a single 3D print head performing both nail building and design application, or - two (or more) 3D print heads simultaneously or sequentially performing both nail building and design application, or a 3D print head performing the nail building and an inkjet head applying design.
  • the one or more heads are translated over the nail while the finger is stationary in the palm carrier.
  • the translation is typically in two directions, across the length and width of all the nails.
  • the print heads can also be translated in the vertical direction, along the depth (or height) of the nail, as depicted by arrow 260.
  • the palm carrier may be replaced with a finger holder.
  • the scanner 140 may be replaced with at least one camera, or with any digitizing device known in the art, as mentioned above.
  • the system 200 may comprise a drying device such as a UV light source 160 (Fig. 1A).
  • the UV light source may be connected to connector 230 and configured to dry the nails during or after the printing process.
  • the drying device is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove and may be any drying device known in the art.
  • the system 200 may comprise a suction device 165 (Fig. 1A), as known in the art.
  • the suction device may be connected to connector 230 and configured to suck toxic vapors that are discharged during the printing process.
  • the suction device is preferably connected to a filter (not shown) to filter the toxic vapors.
  • Fig. 3 is an enlargement of a user's nail showing an artificial 3D printed nail 310 and a support structure 320.
  • the 3D printed nails and the support structure(s) may be printed from the same material or from different materials.
  • Fig. 4 is an enlargement of exemplary palm carrier 205 and wrist holder 210.
  • Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the 3D print head assembly 235 and the optional inkjet print head assembly 240.
  • Fig. 6A demonstrates an adjustment of the inkjet print head assembly 240 over the user's nail.
  • the system 200 may comprise two palm carriers 205A and 205B and two wrist holders 21 OA and 210B that are mounted one on each side of the device base 270 and are configured to fix the user's palms in order to print both hands / toe nails simultaneously
  • the artificial nail shapes are pre-defined and stored in the computer data base, from where they can be fetched and viewed on a display monitor by the user application for selection by the user. These shapes may include different lengths, finishes, etc.
  • Some nail designs can also be pre-defined and their images stored in the computer data base, from where they can be fetched and viewed on a display monitor for selection by the user. These designs may include holiday images or common symbols such as flags, flowers, animals, celestial objects, astrological symbols, initials, cartoon characters, logos of sport teams, and famous works of art. They can also include simple multicolored shading or gradients, textures and patterns.
  • the pre-defined designs can be somewhat altered electronically in form or colors selected, according to the user's taste, before the designs are applied.
  • the user may provide the design or image in an electronic form or in a form that can be scanned and converted into an electronic form that is fed into the system.
  • These personalized designs can include photographs of people or scenery, logos of local teams, names, etc. French nail designs that segment the nail surface into different areas that are colored differently can also be applied.
  • the artificial nails' shapes and designs are stored in digital form in the computer data base and are manipulated electronically to scale the design (i.e. reduce, enlarge, distort) in one, two, or three dimensions to fit the individual nail.
  • the computer and control system correct for the curvature of the nail to optimize the appearance of the nail and the nail image.
  • Figs. 7-10 show an exemplary user interface according to the present invention:
  • Fig. 7 is an example of a size selection sub-menu of the shape menu.
  • Fig. 8 is an example of a finish selection sub-menu of the shape menu.
  • Fig. 9 is an example of a color selection sub-menu of the design menu.
  • Fig. 10 is an example of a pattern selection sub-menu of the design menu.
  • a user who wishes to apply artificial nails may need to prepare her nails for the process, namely, she may need to file the nails before the artificial nails printing in order to make sure that they will stay fixed to the natural nail. Oily or ridgy nail may repulse the artificial nail and weaken its grip on the natural nail.
  • this preparation stage is done by the system, namely, the device may include integrated nail preparation tools (195 of Fig.1 A) in order to prepare the user's nails to the artificial nails printing process.
  • the preparation stage may include: a. Filing, smoothing, etc. by a file, sandpaper and the like.
  • a primary coating as an intermediate adhesive between the natural nail and the artificial one (primary stage).
  • the preparation stage takes place before step 1 170 of Fig 1 1 B and may include at least one of steps a and b above.
  • Figs. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are a flowchart showing the process performed by the system according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • a user who wishes to apply artificial nails is asked by the system in step 1 100 to put her palm or finger at a specific designated place in the device.
  • the device captures a 3D image of her finger(s).
  • the system displays "shape menu" of artificial nails length, finish, etc. from an artificial nails data base, that the user may select from in step 1 1 15.
  • the system asks the user if she wishes to add a design; the design may be: color, texture, pattern, etc. (as mentioned above).
  • step 1 125 the system displays a "designs menu" that the user may select from in step 1 130 and in step 1135 the system adjusts the user's shape and design selections to the user's finger(s) (according to the algorithm described in conjunction with Fig.12); if in step 1 120 no design is requested, the system goes to step 1 140 and adjusts the user's nail shape selections to the user's digits (according to the algorithm described in conjunction with Fig.12). In step 1 145 a 3D image illustration of the user's digits with the selected specifications is displayed.
  • a menu including various nail shapes already including designs may be presented to the user, to make a single selection of shape and design.
  • step 1 150 the user is asked if she is satisfied with the outcome; if she isn't she may repeat the process from step 1 1 10. If she is satisfied with the outcome she is asked in step 1 155 to put her hand (or finger) at the specific designated place in the device and stay still.
  • step 1 160 the device checks if the user put her hand (or finger) at the designated place and has been still for a pre-defined period of time. If she hasn't, the system goes back to step 1 155; if she has, the system asks her to stay still and notifies her that the printing is about to begin in step 1165 (Fig. 1 1 B). An optional preparation stage may take place now, as mentioned above (not shown).
  • step 1 170 the system activates the toxic vapors suction (optional).
  • step 1 175 the system checks if support structures are needed; if they are, in step 1 180 the device prints the support structures for each finger; if they are not, the system goes to step 1185.
  • step 1 185 the device starts the artificial nails 3D printing and drying process according to the prepared 3D printer input (step 1235 of Fig. 12).
  • step 1 190 the system checks if the user has selected a nails design; if she did (in step 1 130), the device starts nails design printing and drying process in step 1 195 according to the prepared design printer input (step 1255 of Fig. 12) and when the process is done the system displays a completion message 1 197; if the user has not selected a nails design, the system displays a completion message 1 197.
  • step 1 198 the system resets.
  • the user may repeat the shapes and designs selection process up to a point that she is satisfied with the outcome.
  • the support structures may be printed as part of the artificial nails 3D printing process.
  • the same process may be used on toenails.
  • Fig. 12 is a flowchart 1200 showing the nails identification algorithm and the printing preparations according to the present invention.
  • step 1205 the algorithm receives 3D data of the user's finger. From the 3D data, it calculates the user's nail boundaries (1210), the nail curvature characteristics (1215) and the nail orientation (1220). For the shape adjustments the algorithm fetches the nail shape in step 1225 (according to the user selection), adjusts the shape to the user's nail in step 1230, prepares the 3D printer input in step 1235 and sends it to printing in step 1240. For the design adjustments the algorithm fetches the nail design in step 1245 (according to the user selection), adjusts the design to the user's nail in step 1250, prepares the design printer input in step 1255 and sends it to printing in step 1260.

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Abstract

A 3D printing system of artificial nails, comprising a 3D printer configured to receive a 3D printer input file and to print an artificial nail accordingly, said printer input file comprising captured 3D data of a user's finger adapted to a selected nail shape.

Description

3D PRINTED NAILS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to creating custom fit artificial fingernails and/or 3D decorations on the nail and specifically to a system and method for creating custom fit artificial fingernails using a scanner or camera(s) for measuring a fingernail for custom fitting an artificial fingernail and/or 3D decorations on the nail and a 3D printer to print them.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This patent application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 61/948,060, filed 5 March 2014, this U.S. Provisional Patent Application incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
BACKGROUND
Artificial fingernails exist in various forms. A customized artificial fingernail can be made to fit the exact contour and dimensions of a natural fingernail. This offers considerable advantages in comfort, appearance, and durability over non-custom fit fingernails commonly available. However, custom fitting an artificial fingernail poses special challenges and problems. Commonly used methods for production of artificial fingernails are very labor intensive, time consuming and require significant skill.
In one method a pre-made artificial fingernail is attached to a real finger by an adhesive or a supporting sheet. The supporting sheet is attached just under the tip of a real finger, then a thermoset material (mainly acrylic type) is applied onto the natural fingernail from the cuticle of the natural finger and sculpted to cover the whole artificial fingernail, so that a uniform extended surface is created. This process is repeated for each finger. Once the thermoset material dries naturally or under ultraviolet lighting, intensive and abrasive filing is applied to create a desired shape for each fingernail. Since this method builds up an artificial fingernail by adding material little by little manually, it gained the name of "nail sculpture." The last step of this process is to paint the top surface of the artificial fingernails with nail polish to display the desired color or
Alternatively, pre-made artificial fingernails may be pasted onto the natural fingernail. However, such mass-produced artificial fingernails have limited choices in their shapes, lengths, styles and fit. A person's fingernail is different from another person's in its cuticle, width, length, and three-dimensional (3D) shape. Therefore, mass-produced artificial fingernail cannot fit exactly to a user's natural fingernail. Usually, such an artificial fingernail is forced onto a natural fingernail surface, and glued on with an adhesive. Another option is to custom manufacture every artificial fingernail. This process may consist of creating a plaster mold from a series of precise impressions of a natural fingernail, then the mold can be used to create an artificial fingernail by either injection molding or casting. The creation of artificial nails by using this process is still time consuming, costly and requires considerable work to turn the rough cast into the finished product. It is also impractical to perform this process in a nail salon
environment.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a 3D printing system of artificial nails, comprising a 3D printer configured to receive a 3D printer input file and to print an artificial nail accordingly, said printer input file comprising captured 3D data of a user's finger adapted to a selected nail shape.
The system may further comprise input means configured to capture said 3D data of a user's fingers.
The input means may comprise a 3D scanner. The input means may comprise at least one camera.
The system may further comprising Graphical User Interface (GUI) means configured to enable selection of said nail shape. The may further comprise processing means configured to receive said captured 3D data, identify a nail therein, receive a nail shape selection, adapt said selected nail shape to said identified nail and prepare said 3D printer input file for printing said adapted nail shape. The 3D printer my comprises at least one of a finger carrier, a palm and a foot carrier.
The system may additionally comprise containers configured to contain different solutions.
The solutions may comprise at least one of nails building solution, support structures building solution, primary coating solution and paints. The system may further comprise drying means configured to dry said artificial nails.
The drying means may comprise a UV light source.
The system may additionally comprise a suction device configured to suck toxic vapors.
The GUI means may be further configured to enable selection of nail design; the system may further comprise processing means configured to adapt said selected nail design to said identified nail; and the 3D printer may additionally comprise a design printer configured to apply said adapted selected designs.
The designs may comprise at least one of: images, symbols, initials, cartoon characters, logos, simple multicolored shading or gradients, textures, patterns, customized designs, scenery, logos, names and French nail. The system may additionally comprise preparation tools configured to prepare the user's nail.
The preparation tools may comprise at least one of: a file, sandpaper and primary coating.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of 3D printing artificial nails, comprising: - receiving 3D data of a scanned user's finger;
- receiving user's nail shape selection;
- adapting said selected nail shape to said received 3D data; and
- 3D printing said artificial nail according to said adapted shape. The method may further comprise receiving user's nail design selection and printing said nail design selection on said 3D printed nail.
The method may further comprise receiving user's nail design selection and 3D printing said artificial nail may comprise 3D printing said nail and design.
The method may further comprise displaying a 3D image illustration of the user's finger comprising said adapted nail shape.
The method may further comprise activating vapors suction.
The method may further comprise activating a drying process.
The method may further comprise activating a nails preparation process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.
With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a
fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the system components for carrying out the present invention; Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of the nails 3D printing device according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an enlargement of a user's nail;
Fig. 4 is an enlargement of the palm carrier and the wrist holder according to
embodiments of the invention;
Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the 3D print head assembly and an optional inkjet print head assembly;
Fig. 6A demonstrates an adjustment of the optional inkjet print head assembly over the user's nail; Fig. 6B demonstrates another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is an example of a size tab of the shape menu;
Fig. 8 is an example of a finish tab of the shape menu;
Fig. 9 is an example of a color tab of the design menu;
Fig. 10 is an example of a pattern tab of the design menu; Figs. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are a flowchart showing the process performed by the system according to the present invention; and
Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the nails identification algorithm and the printing preparations according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present invention provides a system and method for applying 3D printed artificial nails on a user's one or multiple fingernails or toenails using 3D printing and optionally inkjet printing technology.
In the following description:
"Shape" refers to nails shape, size, finish, curvature, etc.
"Design" refers to nails color, pattern, texture, etc. Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the system 50 according to the present invention, comprising:
1. 3D input means 60, such as a 3D scanner or a 3D camera or any arrangement known in the art (e.g. more than one camera) for capturing or digitizing 3- dimensional data of a user's nails, such as for example, Go!SCAN 3D™ available from http://www.creaform3d.com/en/metrology-solutions, or Panasonic Lumix 3D
1 available from http //Panasonic ne aye/iumix .
2. Processing means 70 - CPU and memory means required for:
a. Receiving a captured 3D nail data from the 3D input means 60;
b. Receiving user selections of nail shape and design from the graphical user interface (GUI) 80 and creating 3D printer input incorporating these selections.
3. GUI 80 for displaying nail shapes and design for user selection;
4. 3D printing means for printing artificial nails according to the input file received from the processing means 70. Fig. 1 A is a schematic drawing showing a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 1A all the system components 60-90 are incorporated in a single device 100, especially designed for artificial nails printing. The device 100 comprises a nails 3D scanning/printing device 1 10 and a computer 120 that communicates with a controller 135 that is responsible for translating computer commands into electrical signals that activate:
• An input tray 137 for accommodating the user's finger or palm(s) or feet.
• A 3D scanner or camera(s) or digitizer 140 that scans or captures or digitizes the user's fingers.
• Printing materials and paint containers 145.
• A 3D nails printer 150 that prints the artificial nails with the selected
specifications.
• An optional design printer 155 that applies the user selected additions (design). · Optional drying means, e.g. a UV light source 160 for the drying stage.
• An optional suction device 165 to suck toxic vapors and prevent leakage.
• Optional preparation tools 195 configured to prepare the user's natural nails to the artificial nails printing process.
The computer comprises a data base 130 of shapes, lengths, colors, textures, patterns, etc. for the user to select from. The system 100 also comprises a user application 170, running on the computer 120, that enables the user to control the process via an input device 175 (such as keyboard, mouse, touchpad, etc.) a graphical user interface (GUI) 180 that guides the user through the entire process including design selections; and a screen 190 that is used to select user specifications, display the 3D image of the fingers before the process (optional) and a 3D image illustration of how the fingers are going to look with the user selected nails shape and designs at the end of the process.
The artificial nails 3D printing and/or the designs printing may be done separately for each finger or simultaneously for the entire hand/foot.
Although the preferred embodiment has the computer, controller, scanning or capturing or digitizing unit and printing unit integrated into one compact apparatus, an alternative embodiment could have the computer and display monitor connected by cable to a remote nails 3D scanning/printing device. Furthermore, the system may comprise a separate controller for each component (137- 165 and 195 of Fig. 1A) instead of one controller that controls them all.
According to embodiments of the invention, the device may use support structures, as known in the art of 3D printing, in order to print a nail that is longer than the users' finger boundaries. The support structures may be printed as part of the nail printing process or before the process starts and removed or dissolved at the end of it.
According to embodiments of the invention, the 3D data of the finger is analyzed by software in the computer 120, using image processing methods such as, for example, a combination of color selection and edge detection algorithms, such as discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6286517(B1 ), incorporated herein by reference.
Fig. 1 B is a schematic drawing showing a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 B, the scanner 140B may be any stand-alone 3D scanner/camera/digitizer known in the art and the 3D data may serve as input to the system 100B. Fig. 1 C is a schematic drawing showing a third embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 C, the 3D printed nails may be printed separately instead of directly on the user's digits. Thus, the user's fingers may be scanned or digitized by any 3D scanner/camera/digitizer 140C known in the art. The 3D data may serve as input for a 3D printer 1 10C incorporated in a system 100C that includes the GUI components running on a computer and the analysis software.
Alternatively, the GUI and analysis software may reside on a standalone computer communicating with the scanner and the 3D printer.
The printing process may use different raw materials for each stage: the preparation stage, the 3D nail printing stage and the design printing stage. For the preparation stage the system may use:
1. Solvents and nail dehydrators - acetone, ethanol and isopropanol. Other useful solvents include, but are not limited to, ethers, esters, glycol ethers, chlorinated solvents, siloxanes, tetrahydrofuran, methanol and other higher molecular weight alcohols and suitable combinations thereof. The solvents are used to prepare the nail plate for receiving acrylic polymerization by removing oils and residues. Primers - etching type of primers are acids such as methacrylic acid. Fingernail primers can be based on acrylic monomers, derivatives of acrylic monomers, monomer in acetone or isopropanol, or other monomers in other solvents, or solvent alone without monomer. Both methacrylic acid and unsaturated carboxylic derivatives, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,993, as well as solvents and modified solvent mixtures, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,005 are suitable. The primers (primary coating) are used to help the printed nails adhere to the user's nail surfaces. 3D printing stage the system may use: Acrylic monomers - specific but not limiting examples of mono (meth)acryloyl esters include: methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate , butyl (meth)acrylates, hydroxy ethyl (meth)acrylates, butoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, 2- ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, ethoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, t-butyl aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, methoxyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, phosphoethyl
(meth)acrylate, methoxy propyl (meth)acrylate, methoxy polyethylene
glycol(meth)acrylate, phenoxyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate,
phenoxypolyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl
(meth)acrylate, 2-(meth)acryloxyethylsuccinic acid, 2-(meth)acryloylethylphthalic acid, 2-(meth)acryloyloxypropylphthalic acid, stearyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylates, tetrahydrofufuryl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylamides and allyl monomersethyl methacrylate monomer. Suitable acetoxy methacrylate monomers are any which have high solvency, low volatility, low toxicity, and, preferably, lack of odor, including, for example, methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, ethoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, propoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, isopropoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, butoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, isobutoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate,
methoxyethoxymethyl methacrylate, ethoxyethoxymethyl methacrylate, acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate, and tertiary-butoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, and the like. Hydroxy functional methacrylate monomers may be included in the liquid component portions so as to modify the mechanical properties of the cured polymer fingernail/coating. Preferably, those methacrylate monomers having little or no odor are included in the liquid component of the present invention, generally in an amount from about 5 percent to about 65 percent by weight of liquid component. Exemplary hydroxy methacrylate monomers are hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, hydroxy propyl methacrylate, hydroxy butyl methacrylate, glycerol mono and di methacrylates, sorbitol di, tri, and methacrylates, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof. Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate possesses a mild, distinct odor, therefore limiting its concentration in the liquid component to an amount not greater than about 20 percent by weight of liquid component. The most preferred hydroxy methacrylate monomer is hydroxy ethyl methacrylate and/or hydroxy propyl methacrylate, in an amount from about 0.5 percent to about 30 percent by weight of liquid component. The acrylic monomers react to create acrylic polymers.
Acrylic oligomers - urethane acrylate oligomers, urethane methacrylate oligomer, epoxy acrylate oligomer, polyester acrylate oligomer, aromatic acid oligomer, alkylcyanoacrylate, polyalkylcyanoacrylate, and epoxy methacrylate oligomers, and the like, which can be used in combination with polyfunctional acrylates or methacrylates such as: ethylene glycol diacrylate and alkoxy acrylates or methacrylates. Urethane (meth)acrylates, useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a urethane group.
Examples include urethanes based on aliphatic, aromatic, polyester, and polyether polyols and aliphatic, aromatic, polyester, and polyether diisocyanates capped with (meth)acrylate endgroups. Isocyanate prepolymers can also be used in place of the polyol/diisocyanate core. Epoxy (meth)acrylates and epoxy urethane (meth)acrylates, useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and, optionally, a urethane group.
Examples include epoxy (meth)acrylates based on aliphatic or aromatic epoxy prepolymers capped with (meth)acrylate endgroups. A aliphatic or aromatic urethane spacer can be optionally inserted between the epoxy and the
(meth)acrylate endgroup(s). Acrylated polyester oligomers, useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a polyester core. Acrylated polyether oligomers, useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a polyether core. Acrylated acrylate oligomers, useful in the present invention, have at least two or more acryloyl or methacryloyl groups and a polyacrylic core. These reactive urethanes, epoxies, polyesters, polyethers and acrylics are available from several suppliers including BASF Corporation, Bayer MaterialScience, Bomar Specialties Co, Cognis Corporation, Cytec Industries Inc, DSM NeoResins, Eternal Chemical Co, Ltd, IGM Resins, Rahn AG, Sartomer USA, LLC, and SI Group, Inc. The acrylic oligomers react to create acrylic polymers.
Crosslinkers- polyfunctional methacrylate monomers - specific but not limiting examples of difunctional methacryloyl esters include: 1 ,4 butane diol
di(meth)acrylate, 1 ,6 hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, 1 ,9 nonanediol
di(meth)acrylate, Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate, methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1 ,10 decanediol di(meth)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, 2-methyl-1 ,8-octane diol di(meth)acrylate, glycerin di(meth)acrylate, ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, triethylenglycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethoxypropoxy di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, propoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, propoxylated ethoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, bisphenol-A glycidyl dimethacrylate, tricyclodecanedimethanol di(meth)acrylate, glycerin di(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated glycerin di(meth)acrylate, bis acrylamides, bis allyl ethers and allyl (meth)acrylates. Examples of in and or higher (meth)acryloyl esters include trimethylol propane tri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated glycerin tri(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated trimethylolpropane
tri(meth)acrylate, ditrimethylol propane tetra(meth)acrylate, pentaerythntol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythntol tetra(meth)acrylate, propoxylated pentaerythntol tetra(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate,
dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, and ethoxylated isocyanuric acid
tri(meth)acrylates. ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol
dimethacrylate, trimethylene glycol dimethacrylate, terra ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, dipropylene glycol
dimethacrylate, tripropylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1 ,4-butanediol dimethactylate, 1 ,3-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1 ,6-hexadeciol dimethacrylate, 1 ,5-hexanediol dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate, t1 , 12-dodecane-diol
dimethacrylate, 2,2-bix [4'-(3"-methacryloy]-2"-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl]propane (bix-GMA), 2,2-bis(4'-methacryloyl phenyl)propane (bis-phenol A dimethacrylate), ethoxylated bis-phenol A dimethacrylate, dimethacrylate-terminated aliphatic and aromatic urethanes, trimethylol-propane trimethacrylate, glycerol dimethacrylate. Sorbitol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetra methacrylate, and mixtures thereof. Methacrylate terminated and/or functional polymers are also contemplated, such as the hydroxy ethyl methacrylate adducts of styrene/-maleic anhydride copolymers and methyl vinyl ether/-maleic anhydride copolymers.The
Crosslinkers are used to increase the mechanical strength of the cured polymer fingernail/coating, improving such properties as stiffness, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance.
Combinations of monomers and oligomers - In addition to the above-described (meth)acrylate-based polymerizable monomers, other polymerizable monomers, oligomers or polymers of monomers which contain at least one free radical polymerizable group in the molecule may be used without any limitations in the curable gel. These monomers may contain an acidic group to improve adhesion. A compound having at least one free radical polymerizable group includes not only a single component but also a mixture of polymerizable monomers. Thus combinations of two or more materials containing free radical polymerizable groups may be used in combination. The Combinations react to create acrylic polymers.
Polymerization photoaccelerators - the tertiary amine accelerators are generally known in the art, and are preferably aromatic tertiary amines such as N,N- dimethyl-p-toluidine, N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine, Ν,Ν-dimethyl aniline, and/or 4-(dimethylamino)phenethyl alcohol (U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,551 ). The accelerator is usually employed at a concentration of from about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent by weight of liquid component. The preferred tertiary amine accelerators are N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine and N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine. Others:
polyethyleneglycolamine, polyoxypropyleneamine, polyethyleneglycol- polyoxypropyleneamine, polyoxypropylenediamine, polyethyleneglycol- polyoxypropylenediamine, polyethyleneglycoltriamine, polyethyleneglycol- polyoxypropylenetriamine. Some examples of the above-mentioned components include, but are not limited to melamine, N,N-dimethylformamide, 1 ,5- diaminopentane and dibutylamine. The polymerization photoaccelerators are used to accelerate photo-polymerization reaction.
Polymerization photoinitiators - the formulation contains a photoinitiator.
Examples of these include: benzyl ketones, monomeric hydroxyl ketones, polymeric hydroxyl ketones, .alpha. -amino ketones, acyl phosphine oxides, metallocenes, benzophenone, benzophenone derivatives, and the like. Specific examples include 1 -hydroxy-cyclohexylphenylketone, benzophenone, 2-benzyl- 2-(dimethylamino)-1 -(4-(4-morphorlinyl)phenyl)-1 -butanone, 2-methyl-1 -(4- methylthio)phenyl-2-(4-morphorlinyl)-1 -propanone, diphenyl-(2,4,6- trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide, phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide, benzyl-dimethylketal, isopropylthioxanthone, and mixtures thereof. The polymerization photoinitiators are used to initiate the start of polymerization. Polymerization inhibitors - butylate hydroxy toluene (BHT), Methyl ether of hydroquinone (MEHQ), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone. The
polymerization inhibitors are used to prevent a premature reaction of the methacrylate monomers and to assure adequate shelf life.
Plasticizers - dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), diethylphthalate (DEP). The plasticizers are used to contribute to the flowability of the formulation. Acrylic polymers - preferred acrylic polymers are poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl-co-butyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl-co-methyl methacrylate),
poly(methyl-co-butyl methacrylate) and mixtures thereof. Preferred amounts of acrylic polymer are about 95 percent to about 99.5 percent, based on weight of solid or gel component. Also suitable are the so-called gel types of polymers which include acrylate and methacrylate oligomers, urethane acrylate and methacrylate oligomers, and epoxy acrylate and epoxy methacrylate oligomers. The acrylic polymer in the solid or gel component is preferably a polymer or copolymer of ethyl or methyl methacrylate. Finely divided poly(ethyl
methacrylate), poly(ethyl-co-methylmethacrylate), poly(ethyl-co-butyl
methacrylate), and poly(methyl-co-butyl) methacrylate) have been found to be most suitable. These finely divided polymers or copolymers are generally included in the powder portion at from about 80 percent to about 99.5 percent by weight polymeric powder.
Possible liquid/gel injectable formulations - there are many possible
embodiments of the formulation. In some embodiments the gel is comprised of 70-80% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 20- 30% by weight glycol HEMA-methacrylate (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), 3-5% by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, and 3-5% by weight benzophenone. In certain other embodiments the gel is comprised of 60-70% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 5-10% by weight 2- hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 5-10% by weight isobornyl methacrylate, and up to 1 % by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone. Another embodiment of the gel is comprised of 50-60% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 15-20% by weight HEMA, 15-20% by weight hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and up to 1 % by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone. For example: To 49.6 grams of UV-curable gel comprised of 58% by weight an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, 20% by weight hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 20% by weight hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and 2% by weight hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone was added sequentially, with hand stirring, three pigment concentrate pastes. Each pigment concentrate paste was a dispersion of pigment in an organic liquid composed of butyl acetate solvent (30.0%-40.0%), ethyl acetate solvent (20.0%-30.0%), nitrocellulose (10.0%- 20.0%), and isopropyl alcohol solvent 1.0%-5.0%. The pigments were Ti02, D&C Red #6, and D&C Red #7 Light, and the amounts of dispersion added were 0.1 , 5.9, and 2.8 grams, respectively.
1 1 . Secondary polymers - may include finely divided polyvinyl acetate).
12. Flow modifier - Silica and/or secondary finely divided polymers such as
polyvinyl acetate).
13. Heat-sensitive initiator for heat-polymerization - suitable polymerization initiators are conventional soluble peroxide or azo initiators such as benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxy-2-ethyl hexanoate, 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile or 2,2'-azobis((2,4-dimethylvaloronitrile, cumene hydroperoxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate, potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate, metal peroxides, hyponitrous acid esters, and metal chelate compounds, barbituric acid derivatives, and the like. Benzoyl peroxide is preferred. Preferred amounts of polymerization initiator are about 0.5 percent to about 3.0 percent, based on weight of solid or gel component. The polymerization catalyst can be combined with the other constituents of the solid or gel component in any convenient way. One preferred way of combining the polymerization catalyst is to grind it into the surface of the granular or powdered solid or gel component. For the design printing stage, if performed by one or more inkjet heads, the system may use:
1. Pigments - colors - the pigment concentrates which are used in the invention generally contain 10-50% pigment which may be dispersed in an organic liquid comprised of one or more chemicals selected from solvents, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and ethylenically unsaturated oligomers. The organic liquid may also comprise non-reactive polymer, filler, and dispersant. For example, the organic liquid may comprise as non-reactive polymers
nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and similar cellulose-based polymers and other synthetic non-reactive polymers, with or without solvent. The organic liquid has one continuous phase whereas the pigment is a discontinuous phase of the pigment concentrate. Examples of suitable solvents are butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, xylene, toluene, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. Examples of ethylenically unsaturated monomers are (meth)acrylic esters, and examples of ethylenically unsaturated oligomers are urethane (meth)acrylates. The concentrates may be dispersed in the same UV-curable monomers and/or oligomers as used in the gel formulation by any means, for example by shearing of the pigment directly into the organic liquid. In one embodiment the organic liquid in which the pigment is dispersed comprises ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, and nitrocellulose. In another embodiment the organic liquid also comprises a solvent. Suitable pigments which can be incorporated into the concentrates include barium, calcium and aluminum lakes, iron oxides, chromates, molybdates, cadmiums, metallic or mixed metallic oxides, talcs, carmine, titanium dioxide, chromium hydroxides, ferric
ferrocyanide, ultramarines, titanium dioxide coated mica platelets, and/or bismuth oxychlorides, Preferred pigments include D&C Black No. 2, D&C Black No. 3., FD&C Blue No. 1 , D&C Blue No. 4, D&C Brown No. 1 , FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Green No. 6, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 5, D&C Orange No. 10, D&C Orange No. 1 1 , FD&C Red No. 4., D&C Red No. 6, D&C Red No. 7, D&C Red No. 17, D&C Red No. 21 , D&C Red No. 22, D&C Red No. 27, D&C Red No. 28, D&C Red No. 30. D&C Red No. 31 , D&C Red No. 33, D&C Red No. 34, D&C Red No. 36, FD&C Red No. 40, D&C Violet No. 2, Ext. D&C Violet No. 2, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 7, Ext. D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, D&C Yellow No. 1 1 , as well as others listed on the FDA color additives website, and Annex IV of the Cosmetic Directive 76/768/EEC, Coloring Agents Permitted in Cosmetics. These pigments are homogenously dispersed into the concentrate and then the concentrate is incorporated into the final gel product by blending without the need for high shear processing. The ratio of pigment concentrate to gel composition is preferably equal to or less than 1 :2. The use of high color pigment content in these final gels (>0.4 pph) can reduce the ability to cure thick films and thus thinner coats of the resulting gel are preferred. To accomplish this, gels with lower viscosity than those typically used as builder gels are preferred, however high viscosity gels can also be used. Lower viscosity gels are preferred since their application properties are similar to standard nail polishes. Gel viscosities as measured at 25° C, ½ sec shear, on a TA
Instruments AR500 Rheometer of around 3000 poise are considered high viscosities whereas gel viscosities of <25 poise are preferred. In some
embodiments the pigment concentrate can be supplied separately from the gel so that the system can mix them together before application.
Fig. 2 shows one embodiment of the nails 3D printing device 200 according to the present invention, comprising: a palm carrier 205 that is mounted on a device base 270 and is configured to fix a user's palm with the aid of a wrist holder 210, a moving platform 215 that slides on rails 225 that are mounted on both sides of device base 270; a 3D print head assembly 235, a design print head assembly 240 and a 3D scanner 140 such as for example "NextEngine" 3D scanner provided by http://www.nextengine.com, that are connected to connector 230 which slides over rail 220 that is mounted on moving platform 215.
The connector 230 slides over the rail 220 in the directions of dual headed arrow 250. The platform 215 moves in the directions of dual headed arrow 255. The connector 230 and the platform 215 are configured to move according to a coordinate system 265 in order to adjust the scanner 140 and both print heads over the user's nail.
The device 200 applies customized, highly detailed, multi-shaped and optionally multicolored nail shapes and designs, in various lengths, that are scaled to the size and shape of each nail. The device analyzes the physical shape of each nail and scales the selected nails shape and design(s) to fit the user's nail. The 3D nail print head and the design print head may comprise: a single 3D print head performing both nail building and design application, or - two (or more) 3D print heads simultaneously or sequentially performing both nail building and design application, or a 3D print head performing the nail building and an inkjet head applying design.
The one or more heads are translated over the nail while the finger is stationary in the palm carrier. The translation is typically in two directions, across the length and width of all the nails. The print heads can also be translated in the vertical direction, along the depth (or height) of the nail, as depicted by arrow 260.
According to embodiments of the invention the palm carrier may be replaced with a finger holder.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the scanner 140 may be replaced with at least one camera, or with any digitizing device known in the art, as mentioned above.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 200 may comprise a drying device such as a UV light source 160 (Fig. 1A). The UV light source may be connected to connector 230 and configured to dry the nails during or after the printing process. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the drying device is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove and may be any drying device known in the art.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 200 may comprise a suction device 165 (Fig. 1A), as known in the art. The suction device may be connected to connector 230 and configured to suck toxic vapors that are discharged during the printing process. The suction device is preferably connected to a filter (not shown) to filter the toxic vapors.
Fig. 3 is an enlargement of a user's nail showing an artificial 3D printed nail 310 and a support structure 320. The 3D printed nails and the support structure(s) may be printed from the same material or from different materials.
Fig. 4 is an enlargement of exemplary palm carrier 205 and wrist holder 210. Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the 3D print head assembly 235 and the optional inkjet print head assembly 240.
Fig. 6A demonstrates an adjustment of the inkjet print head assembly 240 over the user's nail. According to embodiments of the present invention, as depicted in Fig. 6B, the system 200 may comprise two palm carriers 205A and 205B and two wrist holders 21 OA and 210B that are mounted one on each side of the device base 270 and are configured to fix the user's palms in order to print both hands / toe nails simultaneously
The artificial nail shapes are pre-defined and stored in the computer data base, from where they can be fetched and viewed on a display monitor by the user application for selection by the user. These shapes may include different lengths, finishes, etc.
Some nail designs can also be pre-defined and their images stored in the computer data base, from where they can be fetched and viewed on a display monitor for selection by the user. These designs may include holiday images or common symbols such as flags, flowers, animals, celestial objects, astrological symbols, initials, cartoon characters, logos of sport teams, and famous works of art. They can also include simple multicolored shading or gradients, textures and patterns. The pre-defined designs can be somewhat altered electronically in form or colors selected, according to the user's taste, before the designs are applied. In another embodiment of the present invention, for a customized design, the user may provide the design or image in an electronic form or in a form that can be scanned and converted into an electronic form that is fed into the system. These personalized designs can include photographs of people or scenery, logos of local teams, names, etc. French nail designs that segment the nail surface into different areas that are colored differently can also be applied.
The artificial nails' shapes and designs are stored in digital form in the computer data base and are manipulated electronically to scale the design (i.e. reduce, enlarge, distort) in one, two, or three dimensions to fit the individual nail. The computer and control system correct for the curvature of the nail to optimize the appearance of the nail and the nail image.
Figs. 7-10 show an exemplary user interface according to the present invention: Fig. 7 is an example of a size selection sub-menu of the shape menu.
Fig. 8 is an example of a finish selection sub-menu of the shape menu.
Fig. 9 is an example of a color selection sub-menu of the design menu.
Fig. 10 is an example of a pattern selection sub-menu of the design menu.
A user who wishes to apply artificial nails may need to prepare her nails for the process, namely, she may need to file the nails before the artificial nails printing in order to make sure that they will stay fixed to the natural nail. Oily or ridgy nail may repulse the artificial nail and weaken its grip on the natural nail. In an embodiment of the present invention, this preparation stage is done by the system, namely, the device may include integrated nail preparation tools (195 of Fig.1 A) in order to prepare the user's nails to the artificial nails printing process.
The preparation stage may include: a. Filing, smoothing, etc. by a file, sandpaper and the like.
b. Applying a primary coating as an intermediate adhesive between the natural nail and the artificial one (primary stage). In such embodiments the preparation stage takes place before step 1 170 of Fig 1 1 B and may include at least one of steps a and b above.
Figs. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are a flowchart showing the process performed by the system according to embodiments of the present invention.
A user who wishes to apply artificial nails is asked by the system in step 1 100 to put her palm or finger at a specific designated place in the device. In step 1 105 the device captures a 3D image of her finger(s). In step 11 10 the system displays "shape menu" of artificial nails length, finish, etc. from an artificial nails data base, that the user may select from in step 1 1 15. In step 1 120 the system asks the user if she wishes to add a design; the design may be: color, texture, pattern, etc. (as mentioned above). If she does, in step 1 125 the system displays a "designs menu" that the user may select from in step 1 130 and in step 1135 the system adjusts the user's shape and design selections to the user's finger(s) (according to the algorithm described in conjunction with Fig.12); if in step 1 120 no design is requested, the system goes to step 1 140 and adjusts the user's nail shape selections to the user's digits (according to the algorithm described in conjunction with Fig.12). In step 1 145 a 3D image illustration of the user's digits with the selected specifications is displayed.
According to embodiments of the invention, a menu including various nail shapes already including designs may be presented to the user, to make a single selection of shape and design.
In step 1 150 the user is asked if she is satisfied with the outcome; if she isn't she may repeat the process from step 1 1 10. If she is satisfied with the outcome she is asked in step 1 155 to put her hand (or finger) at the specific designated place in the device and stay still. In step 1 160 the device checks if the user put her hand (or finger) at the designated place and has been still for a pre-defined period of time. If she hasn't, the system goes back to step 1 155; if she has, the system asks her to stay still and notifies her that the printing is about to begin in step 1165 (Fig. 1 1 B). An optional preparation stage may take place now, as mentioned above (not shown). In step 1 170 the system activates the toxic vapors suction (optional). In step 1 175 the system checks if support structures are needed; if they are, in step 1 180 the device prints the support structures for each finger; if they are not, the system goes to step 1185. In step 1 185 the device starts the artificial nails 3D printing and drying process according to the prepared 3D printer input (step 1235 of Fig. 12).
In step 1 190 the system checks if the user has selected a nails design; if she did (in step 1 130), the device starts nails design printing and drying process in step 1 195 according to the prepared design printer input (step 1255 of Fig. 12) and when the process is done the system displays a completion message 1 197; if the user has not selected a nails design, the system displays a completion message 1 197.
In step 1 198 the system resets.
The user may repeat the shapes and designs selection process up to a point that she is satisfied with the outcome.
According to embodiments of the present invention the support structures may be printed as part of the artificial nails 3D printing process.
The same process may be used on toenails.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart 1200 showing the nails identification algorithm and the printing preparations according to the present invention.
In step 1205 the algorithm receives 3D data of the user's finger. From the 3D data, it calculates the user's nail boundaries (1210), the nail curvature characteristics (1215) and the nail orientation (1220). For the shape adjustments the algorithm fetches the nail shape in step 1225 (according to the user selection), adjusts the shape to the user's nail in step 1230, prepares the 3D printer input in step 1235 and sends it to printing in step 1240. For the design adjustments the algorithm fetches the nail design in step 1245 (according to the user selection), adjusts the design to the user's nail in step 1250, prepares the design printer input in step 1255 and sends it to printing in step 1260.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A 3D printing system of artificial nails, comprising a 3D printer configured to
receive a 3D printer input file and to print an artificial nail accordingly, said printer input file comprising captured 3D data of a user's finger adapted to a selected nail shape.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising input means configured to capture said 3D data of a user's fingers.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said input means comprise a 3D scanner.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein said input means comprise at least one camera.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising Graphical User Interface (GUI) means configured to enable selection of said nail shape.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising processing means configured to
receive said captured 3D data, identify a nail therein, receive a nail shape selection, adapt said selected nail shape to said identified nail and prepare said 3D printer input file for printing said adapted nail shape.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said 3D printer comprises at least one of a finger carrier, a palm and a foot carrier.
8. The system of claim 1 , additionally comprising containers configured to contain different solutions.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said solutions comprise at least one of nails
building solution, support structures building solution, primary coating solution and paints.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising drying means configured to dry said artificial nails.
1 1 . The system of claim 10, wherein said drying means comprise a UV light source.
12. The system of claim 1 , additionally comprising a suction device configured to suck toxic vapors.
13. The system of claim 5, wherein said GUI means are further configured to enable selection of nail design; the system further comprising processing means configured to adapt said selected nail design to said identified nail; and wherein said 3D printer additionally comprises a design printer configured to apply said adapted selected designs.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said designs comprise at least one of: images, symbols, initials, cartoon characters, logos, simple multicolored shading or gradients, textures, patterns, customized designs, scenery, logos, names and French nail.
15. The system of claim 1 , additionally comprising preparation tools configured to prepare the user's nail.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said preparation tools comprise at least one of: a file, sandpaper and primary coating.
17. A method of 3D printing artificial nails, comprising:
- receiving 3D data of a scanned user's finger;
- receiving user's nail shape selection;
- adapting said selected nail shape to said received 3D data; and
- 3D printing said artificial nail according to said adapted shape.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving user's nail design selection and printing said nail design selection on said 3D printed nail.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving user's nail design selection and wherein said 3D printing said artificial nail comprises 3D printing said nail and design.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying a 3D image illustration of the user's finger comprising said adapted nail shape.
21 . The method of claim 17, further comprising activating vapors suction.
22. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating a drying process.
23. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating a nails preparation
process.
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