U.S. patent application number 15/022203 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for nail molding device and nail molding method.
The applicant listed for this patent is PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to HIRONORI KUMAGAI.
Application Number | 20160227900 15/022203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52812713 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160227900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KUMAGAI; HIRONORI |
August 11, 2016 |
NAIL MOLDING DEVICE AND NAIL MOLDING METHOD
Abstract
A nail forming device forms a drawing pattern on the surface of
a nail (or an artificial nail) by using a photo-curable resin. The
nail forming device includes a light source, an optical drawing
unit for partially curing the photo-curable resin by using light
emitted by the light source, and a controller for controlling the
light source and the optical drawing unit. According to the nail
forming device, a drawing pattern may be easily formed.
Inventors: |
KUMAGAI; HIRONORI; (Osaka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. |
Osaka-shi, Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52812713 |
Appl. No.: |
15/022203 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
September 18, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/004811 |
371 Date: |
March 15, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/00 20130101;
A45D 31/00 20130101; A45D 2029/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/00 20060101
A45D029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 9, 2013 |
JP |
2013-211539 |
Claims
1. A nail forming device for forming a drawing pattern on a surface
of a nail or an artificial nail by using a photo-curable resin, the
device comprising: a light source; an optical drawing unit for
partially curing the photo-curable resin by using light emitted by
the light source; and a controller for controlling the light source
and the optical drawing unit.
2. The nail forming device according to claim 1, wherein the
controller controls the light source and the optical drawing unit
according to a density of the drawing pattern.
3. The nail forming device according to claim 2, wherein a
radiation time of the light that is emitted by the light source on
a drawing area where the drawing pattern is to be formed is
controlled by the controller, and wherein the radiation time is
determined for each section of the drawing area.
4. The nail forming device according to claim 2, wherein a level of
output of the light that is emitted by the light source on a
drawing area where the drawing pattern is to be formed is
controlled by the controller, and wherein the level of output of
the light is determined for each section of the drawing area.
5. The nail forming device according to claim 2, further comprising
a nail detector for detecting a three-dimensional shape of the nail
or the artificial nail, wherein the controller controls at least
one of the light source and the optical drawing unit according to
first information detected by the nail detector.
6. The nail forming device according to claim 5, further comprising
a light source output measurement unit for measuring a level of
output of the light source, wherein the controller controls at
least one of the light source and the optical drawing unit
according to second information measured by the light source output
measurement unit.
7. The nail forming device according to claim 1, wherein the light
source includes a plurality of light sources with different
wavelengths.
8. The nail forming device according to claim 1, wherein the light
source is configured to a semiconductor laser, and wherein the
optical drawing unit is configured to a reflection mirror.
9. A nail forming method for forming a drawing pattern on a surface
of a nail or an artificial nail by using a photo-curable resin, the
method comprising: coating the surface of the nail or the
artificial nail with the photo-curable resin; partially curing the
photo-curable resin; and removing a non-cured part of the
photo-curable resin, wherein, in the curing, the photo-curable
resin is partially cured by using a nail forming device including a
light source, an optical drawing unit for partially curing the
photo-curable resin by using light emitted by the light source, and
a controller for controlling the light source and the optical
drawing unit.
10. The nail forming method according to claim 9, wherein the
controller controls the light source and the optical drawing unit
according to a density of the drawing pattern.
11. The nail forming method according to claim 10, wherein a
radiation time of the light that is emitted by the light source on
a drawing area where the drawing pattern is to be formed is
controlled by the controller, and wherein the radiation time is
determined for each section of the drawing area.
12. The nail forming method according to claim 10, wherein a level
of output of the light that is emitted by the light source on a
drawing area where the drawing pattern is to be formed is
controlled by the controller, and wherein the level of output of
the light is determined for each section of the drawing area.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a nail forming device and a
nail forming method for drawing on nails or artificial
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] With a nail art of drawing on the surface of a nail, a user
generally has a desired design drawn by a nail technician at a nail
salon. As the material of the nail, a gel nail made of a
photo-curable resin is widely used. With the widespread of gel
nails, consume the nail art are on the increase.
[0003] In recent years, due to the facility of the gel nails, more
and more users are applying the nail art themselves. As a product
for supporting application of the nail art by users themselves, a
starter kit, which is a set of gels and a resin curing lamp, is
being sold.
[0004] For example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose methods for
having a resin-coated finger (nail) inserted into an opening
portion of a resin curing lamp, and for radiating the entire finger
inserted in the opening portion by the resin curing lamp. Patent
Literature 3 discloses a configuration of a pen-type resin curing
lamp with a small light radiation area, which takes into account
the influence of UV light for resin curing on the human body.
Patent Literature 4 discloses a configuration which includes a
two-wavelength light source to be used according to the type of a
photo-curable resin.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] PTL 1: Utility Model Registration No. 3151698
[0006] PTL 2: Utility Model Registration No. 3183499
[0007] PTL 3: Utility Model. Registration No. 3179777
[0008] PTL 4: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.
2011-98073
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A nail forming device according to a mode of the present
invention is a nail forming device for forming a drawing pattern on
a surface of a nail or an artificial nail by using a photo-curable
resin, the device including a light source, an optical drawing unit
for partially curing the photo-curable resin by using light emitted
by the light source, and a controller for controlling the light
source and the optical drawing unit.
[0010] Also, a nail forming method according to a mode of the
present invention is a nail forming method for forming a drawing
pattern on a surface of a nail or an artificial nail by using a
photo-curable resin. There are included coating the surface of the
nail or the artificial nail with the photo-curable resin, partially
curing the photo-curable resin, and removing a non-cured part of
the photo-curable resin. Also, in the curing, the photo-curable
resin is partially cured by using a nail forming device including a
light source, an optical drawing unit for partially curing the
photo-curable resin by using light emitted by the light source, and
a controller for controlling the light source and the optical
drawing unit.
[0011] According to the configurations described above, a drawing
pattern may be easily formed on the surface of a nail or an
artificial nail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a nail forming device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of a reflection mirror
configuring the nail forming device according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing drawing patterns.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a light radiation
state of the nail forming device according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a nail forming method
that uses the nail forming device according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0017] Before describing an exemplary embodiment, a problem
inherent in a conventional nail art will be described.
[0018] Conventionally, the drawing skill of a user greatly affects
the drawing of a nail art by the user himself/herself. Also, even
if the drawing skill is high, in the case of drawing on the nails
of the user himself/herself, it is difficult to achieve the same
drawing accuracy for the nails of the dominant hand and the nails
of the hand which is not the dominant hand.
[0019] Moreover, even in the case where a nail technician in a nail
salon is to perform drawing, there is a limit on the drawing skill.
However, higher accuracy is demanded for drawing.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0020] In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0021] <Configuration of Nail Forming Device 2>
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing nail forming device 2
for drawing a nail art (for forming a drawing pattern) on nail 1.
Nail forming device 2 is nail forming device 2 for forming a
drawing pattern on the surface of nail 1 (or an artificial nail) by
using photo-curable resin 3, and includes light source 4, optical
drawing unit 5 for partially curing photo-curable resin 3 by using
light that is emitted from light source 4, and controller 6 for
controlling light source 4 and optical drawing unit 5.
[0023] In the present exemplary embodiment, photo-curable resin 3
that is cured with UV light is used.
[0024] Light source 4 emits light of a wavelength by which
photo-curable resin 3 is cured. Most of the gel nails
(photo-curable resin 3) that are currently commercially available
need wavelengths ranging from about 365 nm to 410 nm to be cured.
Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor
laser having a wavelength peak at around 405 nm is used as light
source 4. Also, scanning reflection mirror 7 whose angle of
reflection is controlled by controller 6 is used as optical drawing
unit 5.
[0025] As scanning reflection mirror 7, a known mirror such as a
polygon mirror or a galvanometer mirror is used.
[0026] <Configuration of Reflection Mirror 7>
[0027] Next, the configuration of reflection mirror 7 be described
in detail with reference to FIG. 2.
[0028] Reflection mirror 7 is configured from actuator 8 and mirror
unit 12. Actuator 8 is driven in two axes, and is a MEMS (Micro
Electro Mechanical Systems) device that uses an Si substrate and a
piezoelectric film. By configuring optical drawing unit 5 by
actuator 8, nail forming device 2 may be miniaturized.
[0029] Actuator 8 includes rectangular support frame 9, rectangular
movable frame 10 disposed on the inside of support frame 9,
rectangular movable unit 11 disposed on the inside of movable frame
10, first vibration units 14, and second vibration units 16.
Movable frame 10 is connected to support frame 9 by first vibration
units 14. A pair of first vibration units 14 is to twist around
first rotation axis 13. Movable unit 11 is connected to movable
frame 10 by second vibration units 16. Second vibration units 16
are to twist around second rotation axis 15 that is orthogonal to
first rotation axis 13. Additionally, first vibration units 14 are
provided with first drive units 17. First drive units 17 are
connected to controller 6. Twisting of first drive unit 17 is
controlled by a control signal from controller 6. Although not
shown, first drive unit 17 has a laminate structure where a
piezoelectric layer of PZT or the like is interposed between upper
and lower electrodes made of Ti, Au or the like. By applying a
potential difference between the upper and lower electrodes of
first drive unit 17, twisting of first vibration unit 14 around
first rotation axis 13 is excited.
[0030] Like first vibration unit 14, second vibration units 16 are
provided with second drive units 18. Second drive units 18 are
connected to controller 6. Twisting of second vibration unit 16
around second rotation axis 15 is excited by second drive unit
18.
[0031] Mirror unit 12 is disposed on the surface of movable unit 11
of actuator 8 configured in the above manner, and reflection mirror
7 may scan light emitted by light source 4 in the directions of two
axes.
[0032] <Operation of Nail Forming Device 2>
[0033] Next, an operation of nail forming device 2 will be
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0034] Controller 6 controls light source 4 and optical drawing
unit 5. Controller 6 controls the amount of radiation and radiation
time of light that is emitted by light source 4, the angle of
reflection of mirror unit 12 provided to actuator 8, and the like.
The surface of photo-curable resin 3 coating the surface of nail 1
is scanned by the light, and photo-curable resin 3 is partially
cured. A drawing pattern is thus formed.
[0035] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, when forming a drawing
pattern, if there is a density difference in the drawing pattern,
pattern collapse is more likely to occur in an area where the
drawing pattern is dense, compared to an area where the drawing
pattern is rough. The cause of this pattern collapse is assumed to
be blurring caused by diffusion of radiated light inside
photo-curable resin 3. Accordingly, if same control is performed
for when a dense drawing pattern is to be formed and when a rough
drawing pattern is to be formed, the following problem will occur.
If a drawing condition suitable for a dense drawing pattern is set,
and a rough drawing pattern is formed, the rough drawing pattern is
not desirably formed due to lack of exposure.
[0036] However, with nail forming device 2, which uses scanning
reflection mirror 7 as described, above, light source 4 and optical
drawing unit 5 are controlled by controller 6, and photo-curable
resin 3 may be partially cured. Unlike exposure with photomask,
nail forming device 2 of the present exemplary embodiment may set a
control condition for each section obtained by dividing a drawing
area. Accordingly, even if there is a density difference in a
drawing pattern, the control condition may be made different
between a drawing area where a dense drawing pattern is to be
formed and a drawing area where a rough drawing pattern is to be
formed. That is, controller 6 may form an optimal drawing pattern
by controlling light source 4 and optical drawing unit 5 according
to the density of a drawing pattern. Formation of an optimal
drawing pattern according to the density of a drawing pattern may
be realized in the following manner.
[0037] The radiation time of light that is emitted by light source
4 on a drawing area on which a drawing pattern is to be formed is
controlled by controller 6. The radiation tune is determined for
each section of the divided drawing area.
[0038] Also, the level of output of light that is emitted by light
source 4 on the drawing area on which a drawing pattern is to be
formed is controlled by controller 6. The level of output of light
is determined for each section of the drawing area.
[0039] Optimal control may be realized for each section obtained by
division, by a combination of control conditions for the radiation
tune of light and the level of output of light.
[0040] Also, in the case of performing control on a per section
basis as described above, controller 6 has to perceive a drawing
pattern. Thus, nail forming device 2 is desirably provided with
communication unit 19 for obtaining a drawing pattern from outside.
As communication unit 19, a wired communication unit such as an
USB, or a wireless communication unit such as a wireless LAN or
Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used. Additionally, in the
present exemplary embodiment, a wireless LAN is used as
communication unit 19.
[0041] Moreover, with respect to a drawing pattern, a drawing
pattern that is selected in advance by using a smartphone, a
personal computer or the like is transferred to controller 6 by
using a wireless LAN as communication unit 19. If a drawing pattern
is input to nail forming device 2 from outside, the latest designs
may be easily introduced even if designs are frequently updated.
Accordingly, a drawing pattern may be selected from a large number
of designs. Depending on the situation, users may link together and
form a community.
[0042] <Details of Configuration of Nail Forming Device
2>
[0043] Nail forming device 2 desirably includes positioning unit 20
for determining the position of nail 1 on which drawing is to be
performed. The present exemplary embodiment describes a guide for
restricting the amount of insertion of a finger by causing the tip
of nail 1 to come into contact with the guide, and for fixing the
position of nail 1. The method described above is not restrictive
as long as the position of nail 1 may be fixed. Providing
positioning unit 20 allows the position of nail I to be fixed, and
therefore allows application of a detailed drawing.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of nail 1 has a convex
curved shape. Accordingly, the radiation distance from reflection
mirror 7 is different for edge part 1a and center part 1b of nail
1. However, nail forming device 2 has a configuration where a
semiconductor laser whose radiation light has high linearity is
used as light source 4, and where light with high linearity is
radiated on nail 1 via reflection mirror 7, and thus a variation in
a beam spot diameter caused by a difference in the distance from
light source is small, and deterioration of drawing accuracy on a
curved surface is suppressed. Accordingly, highly detailed drawing
is enabled.
[0045] Furthermore, angle of incidence .theta.1 of light on tangent
plane 1c of edge part 1a of curved nail 1 is smaller than angle of
incidence .theta.2 on tangent plane 1d of center part 1b of the
nail, and thus the radiation area of light is greater at edge part
1a than at center part 1b. Accordingly, the amount of received
light per unit area is smaller at edge part la than at center part
1b. Therefore, light output to edge part 1a of nail 1 is desirably
made greater than light output to center part 1b of nail 1. Besides
using the method for performing adjustment based on the level of
intensity of output light, adjustment may be performed by making
the radiation time of light on edge part 1a longer than the
radiation time of light on center part 1b of nail 1.
[0046] Additionally, adjustment of the radiation time may be
controlled by adjusting the displacement rate of the angle of
reflection of reflection mirror 7. However, it is difficult to
finely adjust the angle of reflection. As a method for controlling
the radiation time without controlling the angle of reflection,
there is light emission control for the light source. The light
control is control of the number of times the light source is
switched on during a period of scanning of a unit area by light. If
a semiconductor laser is used, the number of times of switching on
may be controlled by controlling a clock signal for performing
light emission control of the semiconductor laser. If the
semiconductor laser is used as the light source, the radiation time
may be easily adjusted.
[0047] Moreover, a case where a semiconductor laser with high light
linearity is used as light source 4 has been described above with
respect to nail forming device 2, but a semiconductor light
emitting element or a UV lamp whose radiation light is greatly
diffused may alternatively be used as light source 4. in the case
where the semiconductor light emitting element or the UV lamp is
used, light linearity of radiation light may be obtained by
interposing a collimator lens (not shown) between light source 4
and reflection mirror 7. If light linearity of radiation light may
be obtained, the same effect as when a semiconductor laser is used
may be achieved.
[0048] Furthermore, instead of using scanning reflection mirror 7
as described above as drawing means, a projection device such as a
digital mirror device or a liquid crystal device may be used as
scanning means.
[0049] Also, by providing storage unit 21 to controller 6, and
storing typical drawing patterns in advance in storage unit 21,
drawing may be performed based on stored drawing patterns. If
controller 6 is provided with storage unit 21, a drawing pattern
may be selected without using communication unit 19, and time may
be reduced by the length of the transfer time for the drawing
pattern.
[0050] Furthermore, to determine a control condition with respect
to the curved shape of nail 1, nail forming device 2 further
includes nail detector 22 for detecting the three-dimensional shape
of nail 1, and controller 6 controls at least one of light source 4
and reflection mirror 7 according to first information detected by
nail detector 22.
[0051] Feedback control is enabled by inputting information (first
information) detected by nail detector 22 to controller 6 as
appropriate. Accordingly, correction control for the angle of
reflection of reflection mirror 7 and a radiation tinning of light
source 4 is enabled at nail forming device 2. Additionally, nail
detector 22 may be a camera that uses images or may use various
methods including an optical method that uses light reflection, for
example. By performing feedback control by using nail detector 22,
detailed drawing may be performed even if nail 1, which is a
drawing target, moves.
[0052] Furthermore, nail forming device 2 further includes light
source output measurement unit 23 for measuring the level of output
of light that is emitted by light source 4, and controller 6
controls at least one of light source 4 and reflection mirror 7
according to second information that is measured by light source
output measurement unit 23.
[0053] By performing feedback control by information (second
information) measured by light source output measurement unit 23,
nail forming device 2 may perform drawing with even higher
accuracy.
[0054] Additionally, light source output measurement unit 23 may be
configured from beam splitter 23a provided on an optical path and
photodetector 23b, for example.
[0055] <Nail Forming Method>
[0056] A nail forming method that uses nail forming device 2
described above will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0057] First, a user coats the surface of his/her nail 1 on which
the nail art is to be applied with photo-curable resin 3, which is
a nail material (resin-coating step S1). In the resin-coating step,
the entire nail is simply coated, and there is no need to form a
drawing pattern by photo-curable resin 3.
[0058] Next, a drawing pattern is selected, and control of the
radiation position and the radiation time of light is performed by
controller 6 according to the drawing pattern and feedback
information such as the three-dimensional shape nail 1 and the
level of output, and the photo-curable resin is partially cured at
drawing area 3a (curing step S2). Additionally, in the curing step,
nail forming device 2 described with reference to FIG. 1 is used,
and controller 6 controls at least one of light source 4 and
reflection mirror 7 according to the density of the drawing
pattern. Control of the radiation time, the level of output of
light and the like for nail forming device 2 is as described above,
and description here is omitted.
[0059] Next, photo-curable resin 3 in non-cured area 3b, which is
not ted with light and which is not cured, is removed (removal step
S3). A desired drawing pattern may be formed by the series of
processes of resin-coating step S1, curing step S2, and removal
step S3.
[0060] Also, if resin-coating step S1, curing step S2, and removal
step 53 described above are repeatedly performed, a
three-dimensional drawing pattern having a laminate structure may
be formed. Also, by using a gel nail with differently colored
layers, a colorful drawing pattern may be formed.
[0061] Moreover, since the curing wavelength is different depending
on the type of photo-curable resin 3, a plurality of light sources
4 with different wavelengths are desirably provided as light source
4. At the time of control of light sources 4 by controller 6, the
control condition is desirably different for each of different
waveforms.
[0062] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment described above, an
example is described according to the case in which the nail art is
applied on the surface of nail 1, but the same effects may be
obtained also when the nail art is applied on an artificial nail by
nail forming device 2 of the present exemplary embodiment.
[0063] Still further, in the present exemplary embodiment, an
example is described according to the case in which a user applies
the nail art on his/her own nail 1 by nail forming device 2, but
nail forming device 2 may be installed at a nail salon, and a nail
technician may use nail forming device 2 of the present exemplary
embodiment. If nail forming device 2 of the present exemplary
embodiment is used by nail technicians, the drawing accuracy may be
prevented from being varied depending on the skill of each nail
technician, or the application time may be reduced.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0064] The nail forming device of the present invention may easily
form a drawing pattern on nails or artificial nails. It is
particularly advantageous in the case of a user forming a drawing
pattern on his/her own nails.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0065] 1 Nail
[0066] 2 Nail forming device
[0067] 3 Photo-curable resin
[0068] 3a Drawing area
[0069] 3b Non-cured area
[0070] 4 Light source
[0071] 5 Optical drawing unit
[0072] 6 Controller
[0073] 7 Reflection mirror
[0074] 8 Actuator
[0075] 9 Support frame
[0076] 10 Movable frame
[0077] 11 Movable unit
[0078] 12 Mirror unit
[0079] 13 First rotation axis
[0080] 14 First vibration unit
[0081] 15 Second rotation axis
[0082] 16 Second vibration unit
[0083] 19 Communication unit
[0084] 20 Positioning unit
[0085] 21 Storage unit
[0086] 22 Nail detector
[0087] 23 Light source output measurement unit
[0088] 23a Beam splitter
[0089] 23b Photodetector
* * * * *