Toilet – Methods
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-02
2002-03-19
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Methods
C132S073000, C132S285000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06357451
ABSTRACT:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
None.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to the field of forming an imitation finger nail on a finger nail of a human, the term “finger” including a thumb as well as all other fingers on a human hand. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for forming a predictable and uniformly shaped imitation finger nail. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for shaping and sculpting an imitation finger nail both to provide a uniform imitation finger nail and to disclose a well-defined lunula associated with an imitation finger nail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Application of synthetic materials to finger nails, including a thumb nail (individually, a “finger nail,” and collectively, “finger nails”) to provide a longer, attractive, or more uniformly shaped imitation finger nail is a complex, technical process requiring that a technician who is applying synthetic materials to finger nails (“technician”) possess significant levels of manual dexterity, artistic capabilities, a variety of tools, and infinite patience. For many technicians, the current processes are not readily mastered. The results, therefore, are neither predictable nor uniform in appearance.
Customer demand, however, requires that a technician be able to mount synthetic materials on finger nails in a manner to produce an artificial or imitation synthetic finger nail (“imitation finger nail”) that is securely mounted on an underlying actual, real finger nail of a customer (referred to either as “finger nail” or, for emphasis, “true finger nail”). The technician also must be able to shape synthetic materials, including acrylic compounds, to produce an imitation finger nail that appears to be an authentic true finger nail. The technician, therefore, must be able to shape and sculpt synthetic materials into an imitation finger nail that substantially replicates in appearance the anatomical features of a true finger nail, including the free margin (the distal end of a true finger nail that often is clipped to control finger nail growth) and the lunula (the substantially pink portion of epidermis extending distally from the cuticle of a true finger nail). A technician also must be able to shape and sculpt an imitation finger nail that is anatomically consistent with other components of a true finger nail, including the nail matrix (the proximal edge of a finger nail not usually visible because it is subtended by the cuticle), the body of the true finger nail, the sole of the finger (the distal end of a finger beneath the free margin of a true finger nail), and the nail bed (that portion of the epidermis on which a true finger nail rests).
A technician also must be able to reshape an imitation finger nail. One process for reshaping an imitation finger nail is known as backfilling. After an imitation finger nail is formed on a true finger nail, a finger nail will, of course, grow. An imitation finger nail will, therefore, because the imitation finger nail is attached to a growing finger nail, begin to extend distally outward from a lunula on a true finger nail, and from the location on which the technician positioned the imitation finger nail, resulting in a gap. A gap generally is formed between the proximal end of the imitation finger nail and the cuticle of the true finger nail. A technician, therefore, must be capable of applying synthetic materials to the gap by, for example, the process of backfilling the gap.
Consumer demand to produce an imitation finger nail that appears to be a true finger nail requires the technician to shape and sculpt an imitation finger nail to disclose a portion of the imitation finger nail that appears to replicate the substantially pink lunula of a true finger nail. In addition, many customers require a technician to apply imitation finger nails in such a way as to produce a variety of different contours and shapes of visible lines defining the lunula (“lunula line”). For example, customers may require a lunula line to be substantially natural, substantially triangular, substantially semicircular, or other configurations.
Current apparatus and methods for achieving such results are complex, costly, unpredictable, and time-consuming. Current apparatus and methods also require the technician to possess significant technical skills associated with using and operating various tools and equipment available for achieving such results. For example, one form of lunula line sought by customers is the “French smile line.” The French smile line, using current apparatus and methods for backfilling, is achieved by use of a cone-shaped drill bit affixed to a hand-held drill. After painstakingly carving a white lunula line, the technician must also employ one or more additional drill bits to shape and sculpture the free edge of the imitation finger nail. The current steps are inherently problematical because the technician must guess how deep into the synthetic material to drill, yet avoid contact with the nail bed. A variety of techniques and methods are used by technicians to reduce guessing associated with those objectives, but none has proven predictable. For example, some technicians draw a lunula line on the imitation finger nail with a pencil before using a drill bit to trench the desired shape and configuration of the lunula line. If the trenched lunula line is proven incorrect, substantial time and cost is lost trying to correct the mistake with replacement synthetic material.
Another problem associated with current apparatus and methods for forming an imitation finger nail is reduction of the thickness of the true finger nail. Currently, a technician may file or nip the synthetic material applied to a true finger nail. In the process of filing or nipping the synthetic material, a portion of the true finger nail may also be removed by nipping. It would be preferable for the technician to be able to file or otherwise abrade unwanted synthetic material being used to form an imitation finger nail from areas adjacent to the lunula line, and reapply synthetic material using an apparatus that provides a substantially consistent, uniform lunula line.
A problem to be solved, therefore, is to provide an apparatus, and a method for using the apparatus, that provides an imitation finger nail having the appearance of a true finger nail that is simple to practice, cost effective, does not require substantial manual dexterity to use or apply, allows the technician to provide a variety of lunula lines, and yields predictable, uniform results.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for using the apparatus that provides the appearance of a true finger nail that is simple to practice, cost effective, does not require substantial manual dexterity to use or apply, allows the technician to provide a variety of lunula lines, and yields predictable, uniform results.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of using the apparatus that produces an imitation finger nail that is securely mounted on a finger nail.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of using the apparatus that produces an imitation finger nail that substantially replicates in appearance the anatomical features of a finger nail.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of using the apparatus that will produce a variety of shapes and contours of lunula lines associated with an imitation finger nail.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of using the apparatus that minimizes degradation of the true finger nail by permitting a technician to use less synthetic material adjacent the true finger nail while forming a substantially predictable and consistent lunula line on the imitation finger nail.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for backfilling the gap that occurs as th
Law Offices of Ray R. Regan
Manahan Todd #E.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for forming an imitation finger nail does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for forming an imitation finger nail, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for forming an imitation finger nail will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2828480