WO2005009307A1

WO2005009307A1 - Nose-shaping device and method for forming the same

Info

Publication number: WO2005009307A1
Application number: PCT/SG2004/000221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wing Feh Hui
Original assignee: Wing Feh Hui
Priority date: 2003-07-28
Filing date: 2004-07-27
Publication date: 2005-02-03

Abstract

A nose-shaping device (700) and a method for forming the same are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the nose-shaping device (700) is made of a sheet of aluminum, which is formed into a shape resembling the shape of a desired human nose. In a second embodiment, the nose-shaping device (700) is made of resiliently biased plastic, which is cast into a shape (760F) resembling the shape of a desired human nose. The nose-shaping device (700) changes the appearance of the nose of a wearer into the shape of the nose-shaping device (700) when applied thereto.

Description

Nose-Shaping Device and Method for Forming the Same

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a nose clip. In particular, it relates to a nose clip for shaping the nose of a wearer and a method for forming the same.

Background

Nowadays, people are more conscious of their appearance. Generally, the more visually appealing a person is the more confident the person feels. One of the most notable body part which significantly contributes to the overall appearance of a person is the nose. While some people are blessed with aesthetically formed nose with proportional size and shape, others are not. Typically, a less visually appealing nose is large and broad, has a low nose-bridge, is bulbous or has substantially large round nostrils.

To address the undesirable characteristics of less visually appealing nose, people typically resort to plastic surgeries, which cost a lot of money. Further, the person has to undergo much pain and suffering during and after these surgeries. The results of these surgeries are permanent and might not guarantee the nose shape the person desires. Further, the high cost of such surgeries mean that only those who are financially well off can afford them.

It is therefore desirable to provide a nose-shaping device, which is non-surgically invasive and yet affordable to most people.

Summary

A nose-shaping device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. In a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a nose-shaping device for shaping the nose of a wearer comprising: a resiliently biased body having a 2-D shape characterized by at least two fingers extending outwardly from the center thereof, the body being formed into a 3-D shape having a first profile, the first profile resembling a portion of the profile of a nose, the at least two fingers being capable of exerting substantially opposing forces onto the nose and compressing the nose to provide a substantially sharper looking nose when applied thereto, wherein the opposing forces exerted by the at least two fingers impart the first profile of the resiliently biased body onto a portion of the nose of a wearer having a second profile for shaping the nose into the first profile.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method for forming a nose- shaping device comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of deformable resiliently biased material; removing a portion of the deformable resiliently biased material to obtain a 2- D design cutout and a 2-D design holder, the 2-D design cutout being the removed portion of the deformable resiliently biased material defined by the outline of a 2-D shape, the 2-D design holder being the remaining of the sheet of deformable resiliently biased material having a mold cavity resembling the outline of the 2-D shape, the outline of the 2-D shape being a unitary structure characterized by at least two fingers extending outwardly from the center thereof, the center of the 2-D shape being a joining end of one end of each of the at least two fingers and the other end of each of the at least two fingers being a free end thereof; and forming the 2-D design cutout into a 3-D shape having a first profile, the first profile resembling a portion of the profile of a nose, the 3-D shape having first and second surfaces, the first surface being a mating surface for mating with the surface of the nose and the second surface being an exposed surface, the at least two fingers being capable of exerting substantially opposing forces onto the nose and compressing the nose to provide a sharper looking nose when applied thereto, wherein the opposing forces exerted by the at least two fingers impart the first profile of the 3- D shape onto a portion of the nose of the wearer having a second profile for shaping the nose into the first profile, the 3-D shape being the nose-shaping device.

Brief Descriptions of The Drawing

Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a human nose before applying a nose-shaping device of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows an example of the human nose of FIG.1 with a nose-shaping device of the present invention applied thereto;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of various designs of a nose-shaping device according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a flow-chart of a method for forming the nose-shaping device of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a patterned aluminum sheet used for forming a nose-shaping device according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the patterned aluminum sheet of FIG. 5 separated into a 2-D design cutout and a 2-D design holder;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the 2-D design cutout of FIG. 6 formed into a desired nose-shaping device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the 2-D design holder of FIG. 6 formed to replicate the formed design cutout of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the formed design holder of FIG. 8 made ready for use as a mold for casting the nose-shaping device of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

A nose-shaping device and a method for forming the same are described hereinafter. Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures of the drawing, wherein like elements are identified with like reference numerals.

People with less visually appealing noses similar to the nose 100 as shown in FIG. 1 have to resort to expensive surgery to modify the shape of their noses. Generally, less visually appealing nose is characterized by broad alar-facial grooves 110 with alar- sidewalls (not shown) extending outwardly from the center axis of the nose 100 causing the nose to look broad with bulbous or non-sharp tip-defining point 130. Some less visually appealing noses also have low nose-bridges (rhinion) 120 and substantially large round nostrils 140. The shape of the nose 100 can be non- surgically altered into a more visually appealing shaped nose 200 simply by wearing a customized nose-shaping device 250, as shown in FIG. 2, which is formed by using a method according to embodiments of the invention. The nose-shaping device 250 has spans or fingers 252 extending outwardly from the center thereof where the fingers 252 are joined.

The shaped nose 200 is more proportioned and sharper compared to the unshaped nose 100. The nose 200 is substantially narrower with a slightly high nose-bridge 220, a sharper tip-defining point 230, and slender elongated nostrils 240 (not apparent from the drawing).

The narrow shaped nose 200 is shaped by the fingers 252 of the nose-shaping device 250 exerting substantial opposing forces 260F and 262F on the alar-sidewalls of the unshaped nose 100. As the opposing forces 260F and 262F are applied to the alar- sidewalls, the shaped nose 200 is slightly compressed to provide the appealing slender elongated nostrils 240 without closing the air passages of the nose. The fingers 252 also exert another set of forces 264F and 266F on the supratip (not shown) of the unshaped nose 100 to elevate the nose-bridge 120 to obtain the slightly high nose- bridge 220.

The nose-shaping device 250 can be of various designs. In particular, the fingers 252 of the nose-shaping device 250 can be of different designs for providing enhanced control over the application of the forces in shaping the nose as well as for decorative purposes. Examples of some of the various designs of the nose-shaping device 250 according to embodiments of the invention are shown in FIG. 3. The non-joining or free ends of fingers 312 of a nose-shaping device 310 as seen in FIG. 3 are substantially broader compared to the joining end 343. This is to provide better support to and distributes the forces 260F and 262F over a larger area of the alar- sidewalls. Each of the free ends of fingers 322 of a nose-shaping device 320 as seen in FIG. 3 splits into two. This design also provides the desired support to and distribute the forces 260F and 262F over a larger area of the alar-sidewalls. Further the splitting also provides ventilation to the alar-sidewalls, thus helping to substantially prevent perspiration from forming on the nose when the nose-shaping device 320 is worn.

For added style, the fingers 252 of the nose-shaping device 250 can be made in a zigzag design such as fingers 332 of a nose-shaping device 330 as seen in FIG. 3. To further provide comfort to the wearer, a cushion 344 is attachable to a substantial portion of each of the inner surface of the free ends of fingers 342 of a nose-shaping device 340 as seen in FIG. 3. The cushion 344 also functions as grip for providing traction between the nose and the nose-shaping device 340 to minimize the nose- shaping device 340 from slipping off the nose when it is worn. Accessory-mounting receptacles 346 can also be attached to the outer surface of the fingers 342 for allowing the wearer to mount accessories, such as jewelry, thereto. Moreover, artistic decorations or designs 348 can be applied to the fingers joining end 343 as seen in FIG. 3. A nose ring 350 or the like accessory is also mountable to the nose-tip end of the fingers joining portion 343.

A method 400 for forming the nose-shaping device 250 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. In a step 402, a pattern or design 502 of the nose-shaping device 250 is applied onto a sheet of deformable resiliently biased material 500, such as Aluminum sheet or the like deformable resiliently biased metal, as shown in FIG. 5. The application of the design 502 on the Aluminum sheet 500 is achieved by drawing, tracing or sticking the design 502 thereon. The Aluminum sheet 500 is preferably thick enough to provide a resilient and yet deformable structure, typically between 0.3mm to 2mm in thickness. If the Aluminum sheet 500 is too thick, the nose-shaping device 250 may be too heavy and unsightly. The breadth and length of the Aluminum sheet 500 is selected such that is it large enough to provide ample support to the nose of a wearer when used to form the nose-shaping device 250. The design 502 is subsequently cut along its outline and separated from the Aluminum sheet 500 to provide a 2-D design cutout 602 and a 2-D design holder 604 as shown in FIG. 6 in a step 404. The design holder 604 has a mold cavity 606, which has exactly the same shape as the design cutout 602. The design holder 604 is used for forming the nose-shaping device 250 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Alternatively, in the step 404, the 2-D design cutout 602 and 2-D design holder 604 can also be obtained by stamping the Aluminum sheet 500 with a stamp having the outline of the design 502. Thus, the step 402 of patterning or applying the design 502 on the Aluminum sheet 500 is not required.

The 2-D design cutout 602 comprises of two fingers 601 extending outwardly from the center thereof where one end of the fingers 601 are joined. The 2-D design cutout 602 is formed into a 3-D design cutout, which is the nose-shaping device 250, having a desired shape and size appropriate for the nose of a wearer in a step 406. In the step 406, the nose-shaping device 250 is formed by using a bending rod 610 (as shown in FIG. 6) or the like tool having similar functional surface, having an appropriate diameter, as a guide for placing the 2-D design cutout 602 thereon and shaping the 2- D design cutout 602 to conform to a portion of the surface of the bending rod 610. To shape the 2-D design cutout 602 to conform to the portion of the surface of the bending rod 610, the bending rod 610 is secured, preferably in one hand, and forces 660F and 662F are applied to each side of the center of the 2-D design cutout 602 about the center thereof along transverse axis 612, substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis 614, of spans or fingers of the 2-D design cutout 602 as shown in FIG. 6. The portion of the surface of the bending rod 610 is representative of a desired bridge of the nose of a wearer. Thus, the diameter of the bending rod 610 is preferably selected to provide the portion of the surface of the bending rod 610 with a radius of curvature according to a desired dimension of the shaped nose-bridge of the wearer. The outcome of this bending process is a 3-D design cutout having a profile resembling a portion of the profile of a desired shaped nose with the two fingers 601 capable of exerting substantially opposing forces 260F, 262F, 264F, and 266F as described in the foregoing on the nose of the wearer when it is worn. In addition, using the same bending rod 610, the free ends 603 of the fingers 601 of the design cutout 602 can be bent (applying force 760F) slightly inward towards each other, as shown in FIG. 7, for latching with the alar-facial grooves of and further compressing the alar-sidewalls of the nose of the wearer when in use. The outcome of bending the 2-D design cutout 602 in the manner described above is a nose-shaping device 700 as shown in FIG. 7. The bending method is repeated until a desired nose shape and comfort is obtained when the nose-shaping device 700 is worn. Typically, the profile of the nose-shaping device 700 is narrower and sharper than the nose of the wearer so that when the nose-shaping device 700 is worn, the nose of the wearer is shaped into the profile of the nose-shaping device 700. The final nose-shaping device 700 can be attached with accessory-mounting receptacles 346 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, nose piercing is no longer needed. Alternatively, the accessory-mounting receptacles 346 can be obtained by lancing the nose-shaping device 700 from the mating surface thereof. Preferably, the accessory-mounting receptacles 346 are obtained by lancing the mating surface of the design cutout 602 before it is formed into the nose-shaping device 700. Further, the nose-shaping device 700 can also be spray painted with different colors or artistic designs to transform the nose-shaping device 700 into an integrated piece of wearable jewelry.

In a second embodiment according to the invention, a method for forming the nose- shaping device 250 using the 2-D design holder 604 is described hereinafter. The steps in the method 400 for forming the nose-shaping device 250 according to the first embodiment are incorporated herein.

In the second embodiment, once the 2-D design cutout 602 is formed into the desired 3-D shape, the formed 3-D design cutout is used as a guide or model for forming the 2-D design holder 604, preferably using the same bending rod 610 used in the first embodiment, into the same shape as the formed design cutout 602 to provide a 3-D design holder or nose-shaping mold or cast 800, as shown in FIG. 8, for forming the nose-shaping device 250 therefrom.

Using the nose-shaping mold 800, resilient plastic nose-shaping devices can be cast therefrom. To do this, two sheets of plastic transparency 910 and 920, or the like removable veneering materials, are adhered to both sides of the nose-shaping mold

800 to act as walls for the mold cavity 606, to provide a ready-to-use mold 900 as shown in FIG. 9. A curing liquid substance, such as a liquid plastic (e.g. urethane mixed with a hardener) or an epoxy resin mixed with a hardener, is subsequently introduced into the mold cavity 606 through a small aperture or inlet in one of the sealing plastic transparency. The curing liquid substance is allowed to cure, preferably at room temperature. The curing liquid substance can be introduced into the mold cavity 606 by using a syringe 930 or the like liquid delivering devices.

Once the curing liquid substance is cured, the plastic transparencies 910 and 920 are removed (simply by pealing off) and a cast nose-shaping device 250 is produced. Typically, the cast nose-shaping device is translucent, thus, forming the nose-shaping device less obvious when worn by the wearer. However, the nose-shaping device can be made to have a variety of colors by simply adding different color dyes to the curing liquid substance. Further, the cast nose-shaping device can be decorated and attached with accessory-mounting receptacles to provide a finished nose-shaping device such as the ones shown in FIGs. 3 and 7.

In the foregoing manner, a nose-shaping device and a method for forming the same are described according to the embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes, modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A nose-shaping device for shaping the nose of a wearer comprising: a resiliently biased body having a 2-D shape characterized by at least two fingers extending outwardly from the center thereof, the body being formed into a 3-D shape having a first profile, the first profile resembling a portion of the profile of a nose, the at least two fingers being capable of exerting substantially opposing forces onto the nose and compressing the nose to provide a substantially sharper looking nose when applied thereto, wherein the opposing forces exerted by the at least two fingers impart the first profile of the resiliently biased body onto a portion of the nose of a wearer having a second profile for shaping the nose into the first profile.

2. The nose-shaping device as in claim 1, wherein the resiliently biased body is one of a thin aluminum sheet formed into the first profile and a plastic molded into the first profile.

3. The nose-shaping device as in claim 1, further comprising an accessory- mounting receptacle extending from the resiliently biased body for mounting a decorative accessory thereto.

4. The nose-shaping device as in claim 1, wherein the resiliently biased body is for receiving art works thereon for decoration thereof.

5. The nose-shaping device as in claim 1, wherein the resiliently biased body is shaped for aesthetic appeal.

6. A method for forming a nose-shaping device comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of deformable resiliently biased material; removing a portion of the deformable resiliently biased material to obtain a 2-

D design cutout and a 2-D design holder, the 2-D design cutout being the removed portion of the deformable resiliently biased material defined by the outline of a 2-D shape, the 2-D design holder being the remaining of the sheet of deformable resiliently biased material having a mold cavity resembling the outline of the 2-D shape, the outline of the 2-D shape being a unitary structure characterized by at least two fingers extending outwardly from the center thereof, the center of the 2-D shape being a joining end of one end of each of the at least two fingers and the other end of each of the at least two fingers being a free end thereof; and forming the 2-D design cutout into a 3-D shape having a first profile, the first profile resembling a portion of the profile of a nose, the 3-D shape having first and second surfaces, the first surface being a mating surface for mating with the surface of the nose and the second surface being an exposed surface, the at least two fingers being capable of exerting substantially opposing forces onto the nose and compressing the nose to provide a sharper looking nose when applied thereto, wherein the opposing forces exerted by the at least two fingers impart the first profile of the 3-D shape onto a portion of the nose of the wearer having a second profile for shaping the nose into the first profile, the 3-D shape being the nose-shaping device.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the step of providing the sheet of deformable resiliently biased material comprises the step of providing a sheet of aluminum.

8. The method as in claim 6, wherein the step of removing the portion of the deformable resiliently biased material comprises the steps of: applying the 2-D shape onto the sheet of deformable resiliently biased material by using one of drawing, tracing, and sticking the design thereon; and cutting the portion of deformable resiliently biased material along the outline of the 2-D shape applied thereon.

9. The method as in claim 6, wherein the step of removing the portion of the deformable resiliently biased material comprises the step of stamping the sheet of deformable resiliently biased material with a stamp having the outline of the 2-D shape.

10. The method as in claim 6, wherein the step of forming the 2-D design cutout into the 3-D shape having the first profile comprises the steps of: providing a bending surface; abutting the center of the 2-D design cutout with a portion of the bending surface; and applying forces to each side of the center of the 2-D design cutout along transverse axis thereof thereby bending the 2-D design cutout to conform to the surface of the portion of the bending surface to provide the 3-D shape.

11. The method as in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: abutting the mating surface of the free end of one of the at least two fingers of the 3-D shape with a portion of the bending surface; and applying a force on the exposed surface of free end of the one of the at least two fingers of the 3-D shape thereby bending the free end of the one of the at least two fingers of the 3-D shape for latching with one of the alar-facial grooves of the nose of the wearer when in use.

12. The method as in claim 10, wherein the step of providing the bending surface comprises the step of providing a convex bending surface.

13. The method as in claim 6, further comprising the step of forming an accessory-mounting receptacle extending from the exposed surface of the 3-D shape for mounting a decorative accessory thereto.

14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the step of forming the accessory- mounting receptacle comprises the step of lancing the mating surface to produce a protrusion on the exposed surface of the 3-D shape, the protrusion being the accessory-mounting receptacle.

15. The method as in claim 13, wherein the step of forming the accessory- mounting receptacle comprises the step of coupling an accessory-mounting receptacle to the exposed surface of the 3-D shape.

16. The method as in claim 6, further comprising the steps of: forming the 2-D design holder to replicate the first profile of the 3-D shape to obtain a 3-D mold having an inner surface and an outer surface; providing two sheets of removable veneering material; coupling one sheet of removable veneering material to the inner surface and the other to the outer surface of the 3-D mold, the mold cavity of the 3-D mold being sealed by the two sheets of removable veneering material; and introducing a curing liquid substance into the mold cavity through an aperture in one of the sheet of removable veneering material and allowing the curing liquid substance to cure upon which the nose-shaping device is made.

17. The method as in claim 16, wherein the step of providing the two sheets of removable veneering material comprises the step of providing two sheets of plastic transparency.

18. The method as in claim 16, wherein the step of introducing the curing liquid substance into the mold cavity comprises the step of using a syringe to deliver the curing liquid substance into the mold cavity.

19. The method as in claim 16, wherein the step of introducing the curing liquid substance into the mold cavity comprises the step of introducing a liquid mixture of resin and hardener into the mold cavity.

20. The method as in claim 19, further comprising the step of adding a color dye to the liquid mixture.

21. The method as in claim 16, wherein the step of introducing the curing liquid substance into the mold cavity comprises the step of introducing a liquid mixture of urethane and hardener into the mold cavity.

22. The method as in claim 16, further comprising the step of coupling an accessory-mounting receptacle to the exposed surface of the cured liquid substance for mounting a decorative accessory thereto.