Abstract: A kit is assembled for the use in easily preparing mold impressions of a natural nail surface. The kit includes a master tray, which may include markings by number or illustration indicating a relationship between the desired mold results and related nail surfaces, i.e., fingers or toes. The kit optionally includes individual nail enclosures, which may fit inside the master tray, making it easy to take accurate and predictable impressions of each desired natural nail surface. The kit also includes mold impression material which maintains dimensional stability and accurately reflects the desired nail surface object. Further, a dispenser is included in the kit to allow for dispensing the impression material into the optional nail enclosures and upon the nail surface. The result of this kit is the easy collection of desired impression mold of natural nail surfaces.

Abstract: Methods are described delineating a means of taking an impression molding of a natural nail surface, converting that impression into a three dimensional data structure, separating any surrounding tissue from the natural nail surface, permitting easy manipulation in the creation of a desired three dimensional artificial fingernail object. With the desired digital three dimensional artificial nail object, a tool path is created that permits a desired customized artificial nail to be physically produced from a chosen material consisting of plastics, metals or ceramics, by using a CNC machine. The invention has many applications but the preferred embodiments show its application on fingernails and toenails.

Abstract: A nail surface mold enclosure is shown making it easy in preparing mold impressions of a natural nail surface. The enclosure may be of various sizes to fit the largest of nail surfaces. This enclosure simplifies the process of taking accurate and predictable impressions of a desired natural nail surface so that an average consumer can successfully create the desired impression result. The enclosure provides rigidity to impression molding material. Holes are placed on the infusing end of the enclosure to insure that the impression molding material adequately covers the entire nail surface and excess material is exposed through these holes thus preventing voids or inverted pressure gaps. The result of the nail surface mold enclosure is the easy collection of a desired impression of the natural nail surface. While the invention has many applications, it is anticipated that it will be easier to acquire impressions of natural finger and toe nail surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is a method and process to manufacture an artificial nail blank by injecting raw material into a mold. The nail blank may be comprised of plastic, metal or ceramics. An obvious design would permit the manufacture of the blank to accommodate one artificial nail, or any number of digits. The blank may be a solid color or may have multiple colors contained within it. Multi colored blanks may have specialized artistic designs to accommodate a french-nail look where the color is found to imitate the curve a natural nail tip and where the color is consistent throughout the blank. The application of the invention results in a wide scope of possible implementations including a use for creating artificial fingernails and artificial toenails.

Abstract: The invention is a method, process and computer program to automatically create a customized three-dimensional artificial nail object based upon an actual/existing digitized nail surface. This particular invention generates the overall desired three-dimensional nail surface by using key reference points contained in the digitized nail surface to automatically create new three-dimensional data along supplied parameters. The application of the invention results in a wide scope of possible implementations including a use for creating artificial fingernails and artificial toe-nails.

Abstract: The invention is a method, process and computer program to automatically create a customized three-dimensional artificial nail object by morphing based upon an actual/existing digitized nail surface. This particular invention generates the overall desired three-dimensional nail surface by taking the digitized nail surface and morphing it into a preexisting and preferred artificial nail surface by using key reference points contained in the digitized nail surface. The application of the invention results in a wide scope of possible implementations including a use for creating artificial fingernails and artificial toenails.

Abstract: The invention is a method, process and computer program to automatically create a customized three-dimensional artificial nail object by library reference based upon an actual/existing digitized nail surface. This particular invention generates the overall desired three-dimensional nail object by taking measurement reference points of the digitized nail surface and selecting an appropriate finished three-dimensional artificial nail object that matches the reference points thus creating a preferred artificial nail object. The application of the invention results in a wide scope of possible implementations including a use for creating artificial fingernails and artificial toenails.

Abstract: The invention is a method, process and computer program to automatically create a customized three-dimensional artificial nail object by welding based upon an actual/existing digitized nail surface. This particular invention generates the overall desired three-dimensional nail object by taking the digitized nail surface and welding it to a preexisting desired nail tip thus creating a preferred artificial nail object. The application of the invention results in a wide scope of possible implementations including a use for creating artificial fingernails and artificial toenails.

Abstract: The invention is a method and process of facilitating detection of a nail surface by digitizing devices. The detection method and process is facilitated by applying a coating composition or a stencil to the nail surface. The method and process utilizes a coating composition which is applied to the nail surface. The coating composition is derived from any substance that can be applied to a nail surface, which may include opaque and/or matte type paints or stencils which digitizing devices would be benefited to utilize in distinguishing the nail surface from surrounding tissue. The coating composition may be applied permanently or temporarily. The coating composition may be soluble or non-soluble. The simple application method and process results in a wide scope for application as, for example, to a fingernail or toenail.