Moon Curve Cutter Create and Design Tool
The invention is a tool set to use in cosmetic area to cut acrylic powder, to create or design the moon curves, arch lines, and borders, to set different colors and styles of full set or refill of the acrylic nails. The invention is operated and used after the method and process of applying acrylic powder, a mixture of monomer liquid and polymer powder mixed together to sculpture the nail bed for artificial nail enhancement. The invention has several individual shovel sizes that are best match to different fingers to create a natural-looking moon curve and various arch lines design. Each individual shovels has a shovel head and an elongated handle that are constructed together in a single element. Each shovel head is arched upward and convex curve which is attached to the opposite end of the elongated handle.
Claim priority date of the Provisional Application No. 60886222.
BACKGROUND1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to our acrylic nail design tools, specifically to the aesthetic enhancement of perfect curvature designs on top of acrylic nails.
2. Description of Prior Art
Acrylic nails are used to artificially enhance the appearance of natural fingernails. Modern technology allowed development of more natural-looking nail enhancements which bond to the real nail. The term “acrylic nail” covers a range of product types, including any method and process to alter the appearance of the natural nails. One of the acrylic nail methods and processes mentioned hereby is the process of forming a type of resin, known as acrylic powder. The acrylic nails is created by mixing monomer liquid and polymer powder together to form a thick paste, the acrylic powder that becomes moist, to sculpture and smooth over the nail bed. Once the paste or other term “acrylic powder” is hardened and completely dried, the finished look can be filed into desired shapes and/or polished with different colors acrylic powder to create different styles or designs of acrylic nails according to the client's request.
Nowadays, more customers are attracted to wear such beautiful natural-looking nails and styles (i.e. pink and white, glitter color, solar color, tri-color, French nails, etc); therefore, a growing number of nail technicians are challenged to perform such art work that is creative and detailed to satisfy the demand of their clients. The technician also delivers professional, skillful, and artistic service to maintain routine and establish new clientele. Therefore, the technician needs tools to assist them in creating quality and creative designs in an effective and efficient manner. The ultimate goal for the technician is creating a natural-looking and creative full set or refillable acrylic nails that last longer and are healthier.
The method and process for the technician to cut and design the created “moon curve,” the curved line that is tapered to side edges to create a natural fingernail look that is divided by the nail bed and nail tip portion. The technician uses one of the common tool such as the brush to dip in the monomer liquid to carefully draw and edge the moon curve border. This method and process often requires skillful, attention to detail, and a quick hand to perform such tasks with, due to the rapid drying and hardening properties of acrylic powder. Usually, an average of 60-second timeframe (time varies depending on the climate of the surrounding atmosphere) to create the moon curve border while the acrylic powder is still moist. According to the process, the technician could experience frustration to complete the procedure, which results in an uneven moon curve that may require complete repetition of the process. Moreover, this time-consuming method and process for the technician to create the perfect the moon curve border for symmetry and consistency can cause overexposure to the customers' nails bed, due to manual edging the curve with the wet brush that contained monomer liquid. Ultimately, the customer could have a full set of acrylic nails that may not last long and with increased chances of breaking and nail-fingertip separation because of overexposure processes while streamline the moon curve border. Besides, a significant disadvantage of using the brush to edge multiple arch lines or borders on the surface of the nail bed, to be filled or polished with different colors acrylic powder for different designs and styles.
The technician can use other tools in the market to create the moon curve such as US Publication Number 20030089378 to Chu (2003) that discloses a nail apparatus with a curved edge to assist in curve nail design. U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,903 to Tran (1997) discloses an acrylic nail cutter with also a curved edge. However, the disadvantage is that the tools are not provided with various alternate size options. The tool can be too big to fit on small fingers, such as ring and pinky sizes, or too small to fit on a large finger, which affects the arch of the moon curve borders that are not proper, uneven, inconsistency, and the side edges may not tapered to side edges. In this case, an additional touch-up step is usually required by using the wet brush contained monomer liquid to enhance the moon curve properly at the upper arch and the length of the arch line tapered to all edges. Typically, the technician would spend additional time to make the moon curve perfect and symmetrical in respect to each finger in a full set. Also, the customers are at risk to overexpose-to nail beds due to the touch-up step to enhance a perfect natural-looking of the moon curve.
Some technicians attempt to use artificial tips to match up the fingers size to cut the acrylic powder for the moon curve border; however, due to the characteristic of the product, it does not cut well when the acrylic powder hardens. Perhaps, the curve border is crushed as the acrylic powder hardens and the depth of the upper arch is low. In addition, the product is not made to be reused to different customers and/or to soak in acetone or sanitizing liquid to remove debris after each use for hygiene. For example, the substance monomer liquid and polymer powder reacts and changes to dry paste quickly. It would need tools with the strength and density to support a clear cut when the paste hardens. Also, after use, the debris could remain hardened and clogged on the tool; therefore, acetone would be needed to easily remove the debris without damaging the original quality and the natural characteristics of the tool for impressing the moon curve border, arch lines, or borders. In such process, the technician is confronted with issues such as spending additional time to touch up by edging, enhancing, and perfecting the moon curve border. Additionally, the technician needs to dispose the product after use on each customer due to the properties of the materials. Finally, the customer is at risk to overexposure to nail bed with the wet brush during the touch-up process, and extra materials will be used.
SUMMARYIn view of the limitations now present in the process, the present invention provides a new and useful tool set to use in cosmetic area to cut acrylic powder, to create or design not just the moon curve, but also impress various arch lines, to establish borders to set different colors and styles of full-set or refill of acrylic nails. Wherein the invention tool set is operated and used after the method and process of applying acrylic powder, a mixture of monomer liquid and polymer powder that forms into a creamy paste texture to sculpture the nail bed for artificial nail enhancement.
The invention is configured with proper arches that best match to most finger sizes for natural-looking of moon curve border when cut off the acrylic powder. The alternate sizing of the invention is in a set, ranging from small, medium, and large in respect to the fingers (thumb, middle, index, ring, and pinky). The depth of the curve and the width of the arch are the best combination configured with consistency and symmetry to have the impression in designing various moon curves, arch lines, or borders. In addition, the invention is useful in the method of scraping off the acrylic powder at any edge or in between borders on the nail bed. The invention is useful in scooping off the acrylic powder that form lump, bump, or air bubbles while the technician sculpting the nail bed. The invention is further capability in the method of breaking the air bubbles that is trapped in the nail bed for healthier and quality nails. The invention is constructed with quality, strength, and density to work on the acrylic powder that is hardens approximately during 10 seconds before it completely dries. The invention is universally usable and versatile in operation than known apparatus of this kind.
The invention has several significant advantages that will benefit the technician in many ways, including the ability to perform the artwork in a creative, effortless, and less time-consuming process; thereby, minimizing the labor, touch-up, and repetition processes after the process and method of applying the acrylic powder on the nail bed. By having these flexibilities, it would remove the burden, frustration, and pressure for the technician to perform the creative artwork on the acrylic nails. Meanwhile, the use of the invention will reduce the risk of overexposure to the customer's nail bed with liquid due to the cuts of moon curve, arch line, or border on the acrylic nails that are natural-looking and perfectly tapered to side edges. More importantly, it helps to generate a durable seal at the streamline of the moon curve border for healthy nails. Therefore, the present invention will benefits to both technicians and the customers to reduce with suffer in difficulty designing various arch lines and issues such as overexposure, redo, touch-up, time, and materials due to the lack of the use of tool and process. In another aspect, the invention wills benefits to the technicians and customers to enhance the cosmetic look and perform a quality, long lasting, healthy acrylic fingernails and/or toenails.
The invention is comprised of several individual shovels of various sizes in a set. Each of the shovels is comprised of a shovel head and an elongated handle; wherein the shovel head is arched upward and convex curve which is attached to the opposite end of the elongated handle. The elongated handle is also a convex curve through the shovel head. The invention is made of aluminum flashing for quality use, and coated with plastic at the elongated handle for comfortable grip. Each of the shovels is configured with different width of the arch for different sizes. The depth of the curve for the shovels head are consistently the same depth. The shovel head bottom shape is arch upward, curve, and edge to cut, create, and design the moon curve, arch line, or border. The shovel head can be use in scraping and scooping off the acrylic powder any where on the acrylic nail bed. The corner side edges of the shovel head, which is pointy, is also useful in breaking air bubbles or remove tiny particles.
The foregoing has outlined, in general, the physical aspects of the invention and is to serve as an aide to better understanding the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or detail of construction, fabrication, material, or application of use described and illustrated herein. Any other variation of fabrication, use, or application should be considered apparent as an alternative embodiment of the present invention. More details of the invention and processes are described in the embodiments.
2 elongated handle
4 side edges
6 plastic material
8 shovel head
10 width of arch
12 depth of curve
15 moon curve border
16 corner side edge
18 invention
21 finger
23 nail bed
25 nail tip extension
27 acrylic powder
27(a) air bubble
29 technician
31 airbrush gun
33 color paint
35 finger holder
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe invention 18 is comprised of several individual shovels of various sizes in a set, said each shovel sizes range from small, medium, and large that best match to fingers or toes nails ie, thumb, middle, index, ring, and pinky. Each of the shovels is comprised of a shovel head 8 and an elongated handle 2 that are constructed together in a single element; said the shovel head 8 is arched upward and convex curve which is attached to the opposite end of the elongated handle 2, said the elongated handle 2 is also a convex curve through the shovel head 8. The shovel head 8_bottom shape is arch upward, curve, and edge to impress the design of moon curve border 15, arch line, or border when cut off or border the acrylic nails. Additional use of the shovel head 8, said the depth of the curve 12 on shovel head 8, allowing to scope off the acrylic powder 27. Also, the corner side edge 16 of the shovel head 8 is useful in breaking air bubbles or removing tiny particles. The technician 29 employs the tool to cut the acrylic powder to create the perfect natural look of moon curve border 15, and/or to design various arch lines borders on the acrylic nails, wherein the acrylic nails is made from the mixture of monomer liquid and acrylic powder 27 that form harden and dried on the nail bed.
The invention 18 can be constructed with alternate materials such as metal, copper, ion, or plastic 6. However, according to the invention 18, the best mode is to have the invention in aluminum flashing for quality in cosmetic uses, because the characteristic of made in aluminum material can prevent rust, corrosion, and reusable after the proper sanitization. In addition, the invention 18 is easily maintain and/or remove the debris that is clogged on the invention 18 by soaking in acetone to soften the debris and remove it with a cloth. The elongated handle can be plain, granulated, or rubbery made. However, according to the invention 18, the best mode is coated with plastic material to 6 increase solid, strength, and density while the technician 29 hold it and gently presses on against the acrylic powder 27 that is moist. Furthermore, the elongated handle 2 coated with plastic material 6 provides an easy, firm, non-slip and comfortable grip operation, especially, for the technician 29 with sweat hands for non-slip safety. In another aspect, the combination of materials, said the plastic covers the aluminum giving the invention 18 quality, strength, and density to support the cut, scrape, scope, and design on acrylic nails after the application of acrylic powder is applied.
The invention 18 can be constructed in different shape such as making the shovel heads 8, said the primary upper arch and curve at the bottom, and the rest of the shovel head 8 can be modified as round, oval, or desirable shapes. However, according to the invention, the best mode is to have the shovel heads 8 in convex curve to the elongated handle 2 for easily constructed and durable as the shovel head 8_attached to one end of the elongated handle 2 in a single element. The elongated handle 2 can be shaped as round tall, flat long, or combination of narrow at the shovel head 8 and wider to the end of the handle or vice versa.
The invention 18 can be constructed in different size such as making the shovel heads 8 either small, large, or increase sizing to accommodate the fingers 21. However, according to the invention 18, the best mode is to have the shovel heads 8, said [the] width of the arch 10 is configured within a range of 30-70 millimeter and the depth of the curves are configured within a range of 53-58° degree angle. These ranging combinations will provide best match most fingers sizes that are included small, medium, and large fingers (thumb, middle, index, ring, and pinky). The elongated handle 2 can be made in any length or any width as long as it can be fit to hold the invention.
The invention tool set is useful in creating and designing the moon curve border 15, arch lines, or borders in conjunction with the airbrush method, wherein the technician 29 drops in the airbrush paint colors 33 into the air gun that is attached to the air compressor, to spray the colors to design the acrylic nails after the process of nail bed is sculptured and dried. The technician 29 employs the invention using different sizes to border different effect of designs, said the shovel heads 8 is for creating the effect of moon curve border 15, arch lines, and borders by holding the invention straight up and spray along the shape of shovel head. The technician 29 employs the invention using the side edge of the elongated handle to create and design straight lines by holding the tip of the handles in sideway and spray along the length of the handle to achieve straight, diagonal, and zigzag lines designs.
The method and process of operating the invention in conjunction with other standard steps to perform a full set of acrylic nails with creative arch design requested by the customer are following:
Step 1: CleansingThe technician cleans the nails of the customer by sanitizing the hands and soaking hands in water to soften the cuticles. The technician then pushes back or trims the cuticle, and then dissolves oil and grease on the nails surface.
Step 2: Nails ExtensionFor customers who have short nails, weak nail bed, or prefer nails extension, the technician attaches the artificial nail tip with adhesive to create a longer nail bed. The technician trims the length of the nail tip per the customer's request to balance and support the structure of the fingers and nail bed extension.
Step 3: Selecting and Mixing the Acrylic PowderAcrylic powder available in assorted colors included glitter and solar powder colors. An example of pink and white nail styles, the technician choose white or off white color powder to sculpture the nail bed and then light pink color for the inner nail bed. For the glitter colors styles, the technician choose the preferred glitter color powder to sculpture the nail bed and then light pink or natural color for inner nail bed. Similar process for other colors, i.e., solar color powder, uses the preferred colors acrylic powder to sculpture the nail bed. After the technician assist the customer to select the appropriate colors powder, the technician dips the brush with the appropriate ratio of monomer liquid into a dish that contain the particular color acrylic powder to form a beast and paste on top of the nail bed.
Step 4: Sculpturing the Nail BedThe technician spreads and flattens the paste smoothly and then sculptures the nails with the brush according to the nail bed. The technician makes sure the paste is not too thick, lumpy coating, but instead, a smooth and natural-looking one.
Step 5: Removing Air BubblesWhile the technician sculpting the nail bed, the paste could form lump or contained air bubbles. The technician checks and corrects any lumps, bumps, or air bubbles while the paste is still moist. If there are any lumps, bumps, air bubbles, or tiny particle debris, the technician employs the tool to scoop off the affected area. The technician employs the tool to contact the shovel head to scoop off the acrylic powder. Another way to eliminate tiny air bubbles is to use the tool's corner side edge of the shovel head to break the air bubbles. The technician then fixes the corrected area with the brush to smooth or fill in the surface while the acrylic powder is still moist. By eliminating lumps, bumps, or air bubbles with the tool, the acrylic nail bed will be sealed with quality for durability.
Step 6: Cutting Moon CurveThe technician selects the appropriately sized tool of the invention that best match to the finger size and employs it by dipping the tool into monomer liquid in a container. The technician holds the tool straight up while lining side to side of the cuticles against the nail bed, then presses down to cut off the acrylic powder and scrapes forward to the inner portion of the nail bed to remove the acrylic powder. The technician wipes off the shovel head with a cloth to dry or remove any debris. The nail bed is now precise and symmetrical, with a natural-look of moon curved border.
Step 7: Creating Other Arch LinesThe technician employs the tool of the invention to cut other arch lines and curves by selecting the desired sizes and dipping the tool into monomer liquid in a container. The technician holds the tool straight up, aiming at the desire position, then presses down to cut off the acrylic powder and scrapes backward and/or forward as depends on the direction, included between the borders. The technician can cut several borders to differentiate colors powder to design various styles. The technician wipes off the shovel head with a cloth to dry and/or remove any debris. The nail bed is now having a desired arch lines or borders that can be same direction, opposite directions, any angles, opposite angles, etc.
Step 8: Cutting the Free Edge in Round ShapesThe technician selects the appropriately sized tool of the invention that best match to the finger size and employs it by dipping the tool into monomer liquid in a container. The technician holds the tool straight up while lining the side to side edges at the free edge against the nail bed, then presses down to cut off the acrylic powder that is still moist and then scrapes backward to the free edge of the nail bed to remove the acrylic powder. The technician wipes off the shovel head with a cloth to dry or remove any debris. The nail bed's free edge is now precise and symmetrical, with a natural-look of round shape border. This step will reduce the time required to file the free edge by filing the nail tip according to the round shape border.
Step 9: Filling in ColorColors can be creatively filled in with a brush at any defined borders that are created by the invention. For example of the pink and white styles, wherein the original color acrylic powder on the sculptured nail bed is white or off white colors. The second color is usually a light pink color powder that is applied from the inner nail portion to the border of the moon curve for a natural looking full set of fingernails. Another example of glittered color as the original nail bed that was sculptured. The second color can be pink or natural color are used in the inner nail portions, and the outcome of different borders at the nail tip portion can be created by filling in with different preferred colors acrylic powder at any divided borders to create fabulous designs.
Step 10: Filing and Shaping NailsAfter all fingers are done with the previous steps 1-9 above, the acrylic nails are filed with a nail file to smooth and clean the surface and free edges.
Step 11: Polishing StepA final clear top coat and/or clear gel is applied to enhance the shine and to protect the color of the acrylic nails. Finally, a complete and beautiful set of acrylic nails is presented on the customer's hands.
While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.
Claims
1. An acrylic nails powder tool, comprising:
- a. a set of shovels in various sizes,
- b. shovel heads,
- c. elongated handles, and
- whereby, further comprising of different sizes to match the size of fingernails or toenails such as the thumb, middle, index, ring and pinky fingers in respect to small, medium, and large hand.
2. An acrylic nails powder tool of claim 1, further comprising an upward arch that curves at the shovel head, which is shaped to create moon curve, arched line or border, wherein the shovel head is attached to one end of the elongated handle.
3. An acrylic nails powder tool of claim 1, further comprising of a range of 30-70 millimeters for the width of the arch of the shovel heads or an equivalent metric measurement of the range.
4. An acrylic nails powder tool of claim 1, further comprising of a range of 53-58° for the depth of the curve of the shovel heads or an equivalent metric measurement of the range.
5. An acrylic nails powder tool of claim 1, wherein the shovel heads are made of aluminum to prevent rust, corrosion, and are reusable.
6. An acrylic nails powder tool of claim 1, further comprising of a grip around the end of the elongated handle opposite of the shovel head, wherein the grip is coated with plastic a material for an easy and firm grip and comfort.
7. A method for creating a moon curve shape or arch line on full-set or refillable acrylic nails, comprising the following steps:
- a. selecting the appropriate size,
- b. using said shovel head to cut, scrape, scoop, and design the arch line during the process,
- c. applying the acrylic powder on the nail bed, and
- whereby cutting the acrylic powder that hardens to about the last 10 seconds before it completely drying.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the technician performs the scraping task either backward, forward, and/or in between of the acrylic powder.
9. A method of claim 7, wherein the technician performs the scooping task that is either breaking or removing the air bubbles that are trapped in the acrylic powder on the nail bed.
10. A method of claim 7, wherein the technician designs different arch line for filling in different colors of the acrylic powders or polish on acrylic nails including, but not limited to glittered, solar, or multiple colors.
11. A method of claim 7, wherein the technician designs moon curve, arch line, or border by utilizing the tools in conjunction with airbrush spray paint to create and design airbrushed styles.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 11, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 24, 2008
Inventor: Ryan Tan Le (Winchester, CA)
Application Number: 11/776,157
International Classification: A45D 29/00 (20060101);