3D Printed Soluble Artificial Nails for Custom Fit and Health Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current artificial nail technologies, such as acrylic and gel nails, and press-on nails, pose health risks to users due to harsh chemicals, allergic reactions, fungal infections, and damage to natural nails, while also exposing salon workers to hazardous chemicals and environmental hazards.

Innovation Solution

A method for creating custom-fit, 3D-printed artificial nails using a mobile application and soluble materials, which are biocompatible, non-toxic, and easily removable with water, eliminating the need for acetone and minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional acrylic or gel artificial nails are used, then nail enhancement and aesthetic appearance are achieved, but health risks increase due to harsh chemicals, allergic reactions, and damage to natural nails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenail enhancement applicationVSAvoidhealth risks from chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of artificial nails from traditional acrylic/gel materials to water-soluble materials, fundamentally altering the material properties to eliminate harmful chemicals while maintaining nail enhancement functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable water-soluble artificial nails that can be easily removed and discarded, eliminating the need for harsh chemical removers and reducing cumulative exposure to harmful substances, thereby protecting natural nail health

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If press-on nails are used, then artificial nail appearance is achieved, but fitting precision and comfort are compromised due to lack of customization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveartificial nail applicationVSAvoidfit to natural nail

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary scanning and measurement of the user's natural nails before manufacturing the artificial nails, creating a digital template that ensures precise customization and perfect fit when the nails are produced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates artificial nails with locally optimized characteristics by scanning each natural nail individually and manufacturing custom-fit artificial nails that match the specific shape, size, and curvature of each natural nail, rather than using one-size-fits-all press-on nails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of repair

If conventional artificial nail removal methods are used, then artificial nails are removed, but natural nails are damaged due to acetone exposure and mechanical abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveartificial nail removalVSAvoiddamage to natural nails

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional removal approach by making the artificial nails themselves water-soluble, so instead of using harsh chemicals to remove non-soluble nails, the nails automatically dissolve in water, completely eliminating damage to natural nails during removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Manufacturing precision

If custom-fit artificial nails are manufactured, then precision and comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom fit to natural nailVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual measurement and fitting processes with automated optical scanning technology and digital modeling, substituting mechanical measurement methods with light-based scanning to capture nail geometry and streamline the custom manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the manufacturing process by using water-soluble materials that simplify production and removal, changing the material parameter to enable easier manufacturing while maintaining custom-fit precision through digital scanning and modeling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a safer, customizable, and environmentally friendly alternative that reduces health risks for users and salon workers, maintains nail health, and minimizes chemical use and environmental harm.

Implementation Method 1

The artificial nails are made from a soluble material that dissolves in water, eliminating the need for acetone and harsh chemicals for removal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12161211B2Soluable 3D printed custom artificial nails designed through a mobile application

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 COCHRAN BRIANNA STORM

AI summary

The current disclosure pertains to the nail service/care industry and includes providing a unique method of offering a nail care service and artificial nail product, to increase nail health for users and environmental safety for employees, as well as offering a custom fit press on nail. The disclosure provides an artificial nail manicure set personalized by the user through a mobile application and 3D printed to each user's natural nail custom specifications with a soluble material.