Personalized ornamental articles

Abstract

A method for obtaining a fingerprint and making a fingerprint ornamental article includes sending a kit to a customer including a thermoplastic medium, so that a person can imprint a fingerprint, and receiving the fingerprint from the customer after the fingerprint is imprinted onto the thermoplastic medium. Using thermoplastic medium allows the fingerprint to be easily formed and sufficiently set, so that the fingerprint is not compromised between the time the fingerprint is made and the time the fingerprint is received by the ornamental article manufacturer.

1 . A kit to obtain an order for an ornamental article with an impression made thereon comprising:
 a thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material is configured to be softened so that an impression can be made thereon and is configured to be hardened after the impression is made to set the impression, the thermoplastic is configured for a molding process for producing the ornamental article with the impression made thereon;   instructions for use, the instructions for use having information on how to soften and harden the thermoplastic material to respectively make the impression and set the impression;   an order form, the order form is configured for completion with information on the ornamental article; and   a packaging that contains the thermoplastic material, instructions for use, and the order form.   
   
   
       2 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a return envelope. 
   
   
       3 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the return envelope is a postage paid return envelope. 
   
   
       4 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a bag, the bag is configured to contain the thermoplastic material during transit. 
   
   
       5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the impression is a fingerprint of a person. 
   
   
       6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises polycaprolactone. 
   
   
       7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material is non-toxic and biodegradable. 
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material is configured to be softened at about 60° C. 
   
   
       9 . A method for obtaining an order for an ornamental article with an impression made thereon comprising:
 a) sending a kit to a customer, the kit comprising
 a thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material is configured to be softened so that an impression can be made thereon and is configured to be hardened after the impression is made to set the impression, the thermoplastic is configured for a molding process for producing the ornamental article with the impression made thereon; 
 instructions for use, the instructions for use having information on how to soften and harden the thermoplastic material to respectively make the impression and set the impression; 
 an order form, the order form is configured for completion with information on the ornamental article; and 
 a packaging that contains the thermoplastic material, instructions for use, and the order form; and 
   b) receiving the thermoplastic material after an impression has been made and set on the thermoplastic material.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising receiving a request from the customer prior to sending the kit. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising cataloguing the thermoplastic material on which the impression has been made and set. 
   
   
       12 . A method for manufacturing an ornamental article with an impression made thereon comprising:
 a) sending a kit to a customer, the kit comprising
 a thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material is configured to be softened so that an impression can be made thereon and is configured to be hardened after the impression is made to set the impression; 
 instructions for use, the instructions for use having information on how to soften and harden the thermoplastic material to respectively make the impression and set the impression; 
 an order form, the order form is configured for completion with information on the ornamental article; and 
 a packaging that contains the thermoplastic material, instructions for use, and the order form; 
   b) receiving the thermoplastic material after an impression has been made and set on the thermoplastic material;   c) forming a mold from the thermoplastic material on which the impression has been made and set;   d) forming a wax model with the mold;   e) weighing the wax model to determine an amount of casting material;   f) creating an investment mold using the wax model and burning out the wax of the wax model;   g) casting an ornamental article with the impression in the investment mold by using the determined amount of casting material; and   h) polishing, if needed, the cast ornamental article with the impression.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the kit further comprises a return envelope. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the return envelope is a postage paid return envelope. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the kit further comprises a bag, the bag is configured to contain the thermoplastic material during transit. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the impression is a fingerprint of a person. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises polycaprolactone. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the thermoplastic material is non-toxic and biodegradable, and is configured to be softened at about 60° C. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising cataloguing the thermoplastic material on which the impression has been made and set.