U.S. patent application number 09/968217 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for artificial nail with raised decorative portion.
This patent application is currently assigned to KMC EXIM CORP.. Invention is credited to Chang, Sung Yong.
Application Number | 20020023656 09/968217 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36371764 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020023656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang, Sung Yong |
February 28, 2002 |
Artificial nail with raised decorative portion
Abstract
An ornamental accessory for a fingernail comprises an overlay, a
cover and at least one decorative element. A recess is formed in
the top surface of the overlay for receiving the decorative element
and the cover is fixed over the recess to form an enclosed pocket
for containing the decorative element. The decorative elements may
be metallic flakes, glitter, confetti, natural gemstones,
artificial gemstones or combinations thereof and are preferably
freely movable within the pocket of the overlay. In an alternate
embodiment, the overlay includes a raised decorative portion formed
on the top surface as opposed to a recess. A method for adorning a
fingernail or toenail in accordance with the present invention
includes the steps of attaching an overlay having a recess formed
therein to the natural fingernail or toenail of a wearer, inserting
at least one decorative element within the recess and adhering a
cover to the top surface of the overlay over the recess thereby
forming an enclosed pocket in the overlay for containing the
decorative element. The present invention may also be provided as a
kit for adorning fingernails or toenails.
Inventors: |
Chang, Sung Yong; (Roslyn
Heights, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ronald J. Baron, Esq.
HOFFMANN & BARON, LLP
6900 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset
NY
11791
US
|
Assignee: |
KMC EXIM CORP.
|
Family ID: |
36371764 |
Appl. No.: |
09/968217 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09968217 |
Oct 1, 2001 |
|
|
|
09662014 |
Sep 14, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/200 ;
132/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/200 ;
132/73 |
International
Class: |
A45D 029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 2000 |
KR |
10-2000-0025963 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ornamental accessory for a fingernail or toenail comprising;
an overlay having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first
end and a second end, said first end having a shape and size
approximating the shape and size of at least the end of a
fingernail or toenail of a wearer for attachment thereto, and said
top surface having a recess formed therein; a cover fixed to said
top surface of said overlay over said recess to form an enclosed
pocket in said overlay; and at least one decorative element
contained in said pocket of said overlay.
2. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
cover is transparent.
3. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at
least one decorative element is freely movable within said pocket
of said overlay.
4. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at
least one decorative element is selected from the group comprising
metallic flakes, glitter, confetti, natural gemstones and
artificial gemstones.
5. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
recess extends through said bottom surface of said overlay and said
ornamental accessory further comprises a bottom cover fixed to said
bottom surface of said overlay over said recess to form an enclosed
pocket in said overlay.
6. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
overlay is made from a mixture of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
(ABS) plastic and a polycarbonate.
7. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
first end of said overlay has a shape and size approximating the
shape and size of the outer end of the fingernail of a wearer.
8. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
first end of said overlay has a shape and size approximating the
shape and size of a full fingernail of a wearer.
9. An ornamental accessory for a fingernail comprising an overlay
having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first end and a
second end, said first end having a shape and size approximating
the shape and size of the end of the fingernail of a wearer for
attachment thereto, and said top surface having a raised decorative
portion formed thereon.
10. An ornamental accessory as set forth in claim 9, wherein said
raised decorative portion has a textured surface.
11. A method for adorning a fingernail or toenail comprising in any
order which provides an adornment the steps of: attaching an
overlay to the natural fingernail or toenail of a wearer, said
overlay having a recess formed in a top surface thereof; inserting
at least one decorative element within said recess; and adhering a
cover to said top surface of said overlay over said recess thereby
forming an enclosed pocket in said overlay for containing said at
least one decorative element.
12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cover is
transparent.
13. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said at least one
decorative element is freely movable within said pocket of said
overlay.
14. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said at least one
decorative element is selected from the group comprising metallic
flakes, glitter, confetti, natural gemstones and artificial
gemstones.
15. A kit for adorning fingernails or toenails comprising: an
assortment of overlays shaped and sized to be attached to the
natural fingernails or toenails of a wearer, each of said overlays
having a recess formed in a top surface thereof; a plurality of
covers shaped and sized to be adhered to said top surfaces of said
overlays over said recesses to form enclosed pockets in said
overlays; and an assortment of decorative elements sized to be
contained in said enclosed pockets formed in said overlays.
16. A kit as set forth in claim 15, wherein said covers are
transparent.
17. A kit as set forth in claim 15, wherein said decorative
elements are sized to be freely movable within said pockets of said
overlays.
18. A kit as set forth in claim 15, wherein said decorative
elements are selected from the group comprising metallic flakes,
glitter, confetti, natural gemstones and artificial gemstones.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the art of ornamental
accessories for fingernails or toenails, and, in particular, to an
artificial fingernail having an enclosed pocket for containing one
or more decorative elements.
[0002] It has been known in the art of adorning the hands to
provide ornamental fingernail accessories made from thin, molded
plastic members manufactured generally in the shape of a
fingernail. Indeed, numerous artificial fingernail manufacturers
have provided a variety of combinations of materials, arrangements,
and colors in fingernail accessories. With the advent of such
artificial fingernail accessories, the wearer could now have
intricately pre-designed fingernails that are simply attached to
the natural fingernail and then later easily removed.
[0003] For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,813 to Carroll discloses a
full cover artificial fingernail molded with an inlay on its top
surface. The overall product is colored to simulate the style of a
French fingernail, having lighter colored cuticle and tip end
portions and a darker colored central portion.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,935 to Mast, et al. discloses an
artificial fingernail or tip of polymer plastic containing a light
defusing means that provides a textured roughened surface to obtain
a natural appearing contrast between the front portion and the
cuticle portion of the nail.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,610 to Orsini discloses a method of
making a set of artificial fingernails wherein a single scene
extends across a set of ten artificial fingernails. The image is
photographically imprinted on a semi-rigid layer of film and a
layer of transparent plastic film is laminated over the layer of
photographic film.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,991 to Shebahachi, et al. a
thermochromic artificial nail is disclosed which includes a
thermochromic material changeable in visible external color in
response to a change in temperature.
[0007] Each of the references set forth above discloses different
structures and combinations to provide ornamental fingernail
accessories. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide an ornamental fingernail accessory having a unique
decorative feature. It is a further object of the present invention
to provide a kit and a method that allows the wearer to ornament
the fingernail accessory as desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is an ornamental accessory for a
fingernail and a method and kit for making the same. The accessory
generally includes an overlay, a cover and at least one decorative
element. The overlay has a top surface and a bottom surface and a
first end and a second end. The first end has a shape and size
approximating the shape and size of at least the end of a
fingernail or toenail of a wearer for attachment thereto. The top
surface has a recess formed therein for receiving at least one
decorative element. The cover is fixed to the top surface of the
overlay over the recess to form an enclosed pocket for containing
one or more decorative elements.
[0009] Preferably, the cover is transparent so that the decorative
elements can be seen from the top surface of the overlay. The
decorative elements may be metallic flakes, glitter, confetti,
natural gemstones, artificial gemstones or combinations thereof and
are preferably freely movable within the pocket of the overlay.
[0010] In an alternate embodiment, the overlay includes a raised
decorative portion formed on the top surface as opposed to a
recess. Preferably, the raised decorative portion has a textured
surface.
[0011] A method for adorning a fingernail or toenail in accordance
with the present invention includes the steps of attaching an
overlay, having a recess formed therein, to the natural fingernail
or toenail of a wearer, inserting at least one decorative element
within the recess and adhering a cover to the top surface of the
overlay over the recess thereby forming an enclosed pocket in the
overlay for containing the decorative element.
[0012] The present invention may also be provided as a kit for
adorning fingernails or toenails. The kit includes an assortment of
overlays, decorative elements and covers. The overlays are in
various shapes and sizes to be attached to the natural fingernails
or toenails of a wearer. Each of the overlays has a recess formed
in a top surface thereof for receiving one or more selected
decorative elements. The covers are shaped and sized to be adhered
to the top surfaces of the overlays over the recesses to form
enclosed pockets for containing the decorative elements. Thus, the
wearer can create an ornamental fingernail accessory as
desired.
[0013] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following description, taking in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be
pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the ornamental
fingernail accessory formed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the ornamental
fingernail accessory shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2;
[0016] FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of the ornamental fingernail accessory shown in FIG. 1 taken along
the line 2-2;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment
the ornamental fingernail accessory formed in accordance with the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ornamental
fingernail accessory shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4;
and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit for adorning
fingernails formed in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ornamental accessory 10
formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. The
ornamental accessory 10 generally includes an overlay 10 having a
recess 22 formed therein, a cover 26 fixed over the recess to form
an enclosed pocket and one or more decorative inserts 24 contained
in the pocket.
[0021] The overlay 10 is made using conventional injection molding
techniques and may be made from any known artificial fingernail
material. Preferably, the overlay 10 is made from a mixture of
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic and polycarbonate.
The overlay 12 includes a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16, a
first end 18 and a second end 20 that is distal to the first end
18. The first end 18 has a shape and size approximating the shape
and size of at least the end of a fingernail or toenail of a wearer
for attachment thereto. For example, in the case of a fingernail
tip, the first end 18 is in the shape and size approximating the
shape and size of only the end of a fingernail of a wearer. In the
case of a full fingernail cover, the first end 18 is in
approximately the shape and size of a full natural fingernail.
[0022] The overlay 12 includes a recess 22 formed in the top
surface 14 of the overlay. The recess 22 may be formed during
forming of the overlay 12 or may be subsequently provided using
conventional machining or cutting techniques. In the preferred
embodiment, the recess 22 is proximal to the second end 20 of the
overlay 12. The recess 22 may extend from the top surface 14 to a
desired depth in the overlay 12 as shown in FIG. 2a or it may
extend all the way through the overlay 12 from the top surface 14
to the bottom surface 16.
[0023] Placed inside the recess 22 is at least one decorative
element 24. The decorative elements 24 may be any esthetically
pleasing materials that are sized to fit within the recess 22.
Preferable materials include metallic flakes, glitter, confetti,
natural gemstones and artificial gemstones.
[0024] A cover 26 is fixed to the top surface 14 of the overlay 12
over the recess 22 to form an enclosed pocket to contain the
decorative elements 24 therein. If the recess 22 extends to the
bottom surface 16 of the overlay, a second cover 36 fixed to the
bottom surface of the overlay is required. In either case, the
decorative elements 24 are preferably freely movable within the
pocket formed by the recess and the cover 26 or covers 26 and 36.
Preferably, at least the upper cover 26 is made of a thin
transparent material so that the decorative elements 24 may be
easily seen through the cover 26 from the top surface 14 of the
overlay 12. The covers 26 and 36 are also preferably provided with
a pressure sensitive adhesive along their peripheries to facilitate
fixing the covers to the overlay. Alternatively, an adhesive may be
applied to the covers and/or overlay upon assembly. Thus, the
covers 26 and 36 may be permanently secured to the overlay 12 or
they may be temporarily attached so that the user may later remove
the cover 26 and place different decorative elements 24 within the
recess 22.
[0025] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. In the alternate embodiment, the ornamental
accessory 50 is made of an overlay 52 with a top surface 54, a
bottom surface 56 a first end 58 and a second end 60 as described
above. However, as opposed to a recess, the top surface 54 of the
overlay 52 is formed with a raised decorative portion 62. The
raised decorative portion 62 is formed during molding of the
overlay 52 and may be of any ornamental shape or size. Preferably,
for added esthetics, the raised decorative portion 62 has a
textured surface in contrast to a smooth top surface of the
overlay. This is accomplished by providing corresponding textures
to the cavity surfaces of the mold used to form the overlay.
[0026] The ornamental accessory of the present invention may be
offered as part of a kit 100, as shown in FIG. 5, that allows the
wearer to design and assemble any desired arrangement of ornamental
accessories. The kit 100 generally includes an assortment of
overlays 106, covers 108 and decorative elements 110 contained in a
storage box 102. The storage box 102 is made with a number of three
sided compartments 104 and a lid 112 that may be secured in a
closed position to contain all of the kit components.
[0027] The kit 100 includes an assortment of differently sized
overlays 106 which are sized and shaped to be attached to natural
fingernails or toenails of the wearer. Each of the overlays 106
includes a recess formed in its top surface as described above. The
kit 100 also includes an assortment of differently sized covers 108
that are used to cover correspondingly sized recesses in the
overlays 106. The kit 100 further includes an assortment of
decorative elements 110 that may be placed in the recesses of the
overlays 106 and then covered by the covers 108 by the wearer. It
is envisioned that the kit may include any type of decorative
elements, such as metallic flakes, glitter, confetti, natural
gemstones and artificial gemstones.
[0028] In use, the wearer would first choose an overlay 106 that is
close in size to the fingernail or toenail upon which the overlay
is to be applied. The wearer then selects one or more desired
decorative elements 110, or combinations thereof, and places them
within the recess of the overlay. After placing the decorative
elements 110 within the recess, a correspondingly sized cover 108
is selected and fixed to the top surface of the overlay 106 over
the recess to thereby contain the decorative elements therein.
Again, the covers are preferably provided with a pressure sensitive
adhesive to facilitate attachment. Alternatively, the kit 100 may
include a small container of adhesive that the wearer would apply
when assembling the accessory. Once assembled, the overlay 106 is
attached to the natural nail using known techniques. As a result,
the wearer can create any number of desired ornamental arrangements
for the natural nails and can remove and replace the arrangements
as desired.
[0029] While there has been described what is presently believed to
be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the
art will realize that various changes and modifications may be made
to the invention without departing from the spirit of the
invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and
modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *