U.S. patent application number 10/208270 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-12 for artificial nail and method for applying same.
This patent application is currently assigned to KMC EXIM CORP.. Invention is credited to Chang, Sung Yong, Chang, Yong Jin.
Application Number | 20020185144 10/208270 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30115204 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020185144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang, Sung Yong ; et
al. |
December 12, 2002 |
Artificial nail and method for applying same
Abstract
An artificial fingernail includes an opaque crescent-shaped
lunula portion at a proximal end thereof, an opaque nail tip
portion at a distal end thereof opposite the lunula portion, a
substantially clear and transparent nail bed portion between the
lunula portion and the tip portion and a dividing line between the
nail bed portion and the nail tip portion. The nail bed portion
substantially corresponds to the nail bed of a natural fingernail
and is applied over a natural fingernail. The nail tip portion
includes a continuous opaque decoration which obscures a natural
nail tip when the artificial fingernail is applied over a natural
fingernail. The nail bed portion is substantially clear and
transparent allowing the natural nail bed to be visible
therethrough.
Inventors: |
Chang, Sung Yong; (Roslyn
Heights, NY) ; Chang, Yong Jin; (Manhasset,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMANN & BARON, LLP
6900 JERICHO TURNPIKE
SYOSSET
NY
11791
US
|
Assignee: |
KMC EXIM CORP.
|
Family ID: |
30115204 |
Appl. No.: |
10/208270 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10208270 |
Jul 29, 2002 |
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09891806 |
Jun 26, 2001 |
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09891806 |
Jun 26, 2001 |
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09616404 |
Jul 14, 2000 |
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6354304 |
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09891806 |
Jun 26, 2001 |
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09696879 |
Oct 26, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/73 |
International
Class: |
A45D 029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2000 |
KR |
20-2000-0018221 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An artificial fingernail comprising: an opaque crescent-shaped
lunula portion at a proximal end thereof, an opaque nail tip
portion at a distal end thereof opposite the lunula portion; a
substantially clear and transparent nail bed portion between the
lunula portion and the tip portion, the nail bed portion being
adapted to be adhered to a natural fingernail to display at least a
portion of the natural nail bed therethrough; and a dividing line
between the nail bed portion and the nail tip portion.
2. The artificial fingernail as defined in claim 1, wherein the
dividing line is at an angle with respect to a transition line of a
natural nail from bed to tip when the artificial fingernail is
applied over the natural fingernail.
3. The artificial fingernail as defined in claim 1, wherein the
dividing line is generally aligned with a transition line of a
natural fingernail from bed to tip when the artificial fingernail
is applied over the natural fingernail.
4. The artificial fingernail as defined in claim 1, wherein the
opaque lunula portion and the opaque nail tip portion comprise
paint covering a substantial portion thereof, to give the
appearance of a french manicure.
5. The artificial fingernail as defined in claim 4, wherein the
paint is white.
6. The artificial fingernail as defined in claim 1, further
comprising decorative designs applied over the entire
fingernail.
7. The artificial fingernail as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a transparent sealer applied over the artificial nail.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/891,806, filed Jun. 26, 2001, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/616,404, filed
Jul. 14, 2000 and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/696,879, filed Oct.
26, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an artificial nail and to a
method of applying the artificial nail to a natural fingernail. In
particular, the invention relates to an artificial full nail cover
that has the appearance of a natural nail once it is applied.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traditional artificial fingernails are made of an opaque
hard, flexible plastic. They are applied over natural nails with an
adhesive and then covered with nail polish or a topcoat of clear
acrylic. In the case of a nail tip, the seam between the tip and
the nail bed is filled with a filler prior to the application of
the nail polish or topcoat of clear acrylic. These conventional
nails look like natural nails only when covered with polish,
because the artificial nails completely obscure the natural nail
bed underneath.
[0004] Because of the opacity of the artificial nails, a
french-style manicure is impossible. A French-style manicure is one
in which only the nail tip is colored, (usually white) and the nail
bed is left a natural color or tinted only slightly pink. Attempts
at a French-style manicure with artificial nails do not look
natural, because the opaque artificial nails do not look natural,
and because the opaque artificial nail bed portion cannot be made
to look like a natural nail bed. In the case of an artificial nail
tip, because the seam between the opaque nail tips and the natural
nail bed must be filled, the tips cannot be made to look like a
natural nail.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an artificial
nail that provides a naturally looking French-style manicure and
that is easily applied without the need for an experienced nail
technician.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is an artificial full fingernail cover
including an opaque crescent-shaped lunula portion at a proximal
end thereof, an opaque nail tip portion at a distal end thereof
opposite the lunula portion, a substantially clear and transparent
nail bed portion between the lunula portion and the tip portion and
a dividing line between the nail bed portion and the nail tip
portion.
[0007] The nail bed portion substantially corresponds to the nail
bed of a natural fingernail and is applied over a natural
fingernail. The nail bed portion is substantially clear and
transparent, whereas the crescent-shaped lunula portion and the
nail tip portion is provided with a continuous opaque decoration.
Thus, the transparent nail bed portion allows at least a portion of
a natural nail bed to be visible therethrough and the opaque tip
portion obscures at least a portion of a natural nail tip when the
artificial fingernail is applied over a natural fingernail. This
way, the artificial fingernail has the color and appearance of a
natural fingernail, which is especially important when doing a
French manicure.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the dividing line is generally
aligned with a transition line of a natural fingernail from bed to
tip when the artificial fingernail is applied over the natural
fingernail. Alternatively, the dividing line is at an angle with
respect to the transition line.
[0009] To give the appearance of a French-style manicure, white
paint is preferably applied over the lunula portion and the entire
nail tip portion. To give an even more decorative appearance,
decorative designs can be applied over all or a portion of the
nail. Such designs can include airbrushed or printed flowers,
birds, or any other designs. These designs are used in addition to
the opaque coating that covers the lunula portion and the area
corresponding to a natural nail tip. It is important that the
natural nail tip not be visible through the artificial nail,
because the artificial nail would not look natural. Only the
natural nail bed is visible through the artificial nail.
[0010] The artificial nail is further preferably coated with a
topcoat of transparent sealer to protect the opaque coating and
designs. Thus, the nail comes pre-finished and does not need any
additional polish once it is applied to the natural
fingernails.
[0011] In an alternative embodiment, an artificial fingernail tip
made of a transparent, acrylic material is provided. The fingernail
tip comprises an opaque nail tip portion and a transparent base
portion. The nail tip base portion corresponds in size and shape
only to the distal end of a natural fingernail and is applied to
the tip of a fingernail. Additional opaque decorations can be
applied over the nail tip, in any desired pattern, as long as the
nail base portion is left substantially transparent. Thus, a
French-style manicure can be created by having the nail tip portion
of the nail tip covered with a white opaque design. This gives a
much more natural appearance than simply applying a fully opaque
nail tip to the nail.
[0012] The tips are applied to the natural nail with a standard
adhesive. Then, clear acrylic or resin filler is placed over the
natural nail bed, to create a smooth transition between the clear
nail base portion of the tip and the natural nail bed. The filler
too is transparent, so the natural nail bed is visible through the
filler. A clear topcoat of the acrylic is applied over the entire
nail and nail tip, so that the finished nail is smooth, glossy and
natural looking. The layer of clear acrylic over the decorations
also gives the decorations a very attractive three-dimensional
appearance. The acrylic also protects the decorations from
scratches and chipping.
[0013] The artificial nail cover and tip are preferably made from
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic. However, other
materials could also be used.
[0014] The invention also includes an artificial fingernail kit,
comprising at least ten of the artificial nail covers and/or tips
described above, along with a translucent pink adhesive and
transparent filler and coating materials. The adhesive is
preferably an ethylcyanoacrylate, but other adhesives could also be
used. The filler is a standard powder material that is mixed with a
liquid solvent and applied to the nail with a brush. The filler
then quickly hardens into a transparent solid coating.
[0015] The present invention has the advantage over traditional
nail tips in that it provides a clear nail bed portion allowing the
natural nail bed to be visible therethrough. By pre-applying the
opaque coating and the designs to the tip, the present invention
reduces the costs in having the designs applied directly to a
finger while in a nail salon. Also, the transparent outer coating
over the nail tip gives the designs an attractive three-dimensional
appearance. Finally, the artificial nail tip according to the
invention requires little or no filing after application, because
the base of the nail tip is transparent and invisible after it is
applied to the natural nail bed and filled.
[0016] As a result of the present invention, an artificial nail and
a method for applying the nail is provided, in which the natural
nail bed is visible through the artificial nail, and the entire
nail looks as if it were a natural nail. The artificial nail can be
easily applied by a consumer without the need for an experienced
nail technician. Additionally, the artificial nail is simple and
inexpensive to manufacture. Alternatively, an artificial nail tip
and a method for applying the nail tip is provided, in which the
natural nail bed is visible through the artificial nail tip, and
the nail tip looks as if it were part of the natural nail.
[0017] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an
illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the artificial full nail cover
according to the invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the artificial full nail cover
as applied to a natural fingernail.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the layers
of natural nail, adhesive, artificial full nail cover, opaque
coating and outer coating according to the invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
artificial full nail cover according to the invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the alternative embodiment of
the full nail cover shown in FIG. 4.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a top view of another alternative embodiment of
the present invention in the form of an artificial nail tip.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the artificial nail tip of FIG.
6 as applied to a natural fingernail but without the filler and
topcoat.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the layers
of natural nail, artificial nail tip, opaque coating, filler and
outer coating according to the invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a top view of yet another alternative
embodiment of the artificial full nail cover according to the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the alternative embodiment of
the full nail cover shown in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show an
artificial full nail cover 10 according to the invention.
Artificial nail cover 10 is made of a transparent plastic material.
The cover 10 is preferably made of ABS plastic, which can be
trimmed and filed to a desired size and shape. The cover 10
includes a nail bed portion 11, and a nail tip portion 12. The nail
bed portion 11 of the full nail cover 10 substantially corresponds
to the full nail bed 21 of a natural fingernail and is applied over
the nail bed of a natural fingernail. When the nail bed portion 11
is the same approximate size and shape of a full nail bed of a
natural fingernail, the dividing line 13 between bed portion 11 and
tip portion 12 corresponds to a transition line 23 of a natural
nail from natural nail bed 21 to natural nail tip 22. In that case,
the transition line 23 generally corresponds to the end of the
finger 20 and the natural nail tip 22 is that portion of the
natural nail that extends beyond the end of the finger.
[0029] Tip portion 12 is decorated with a continuous opaque
decoration. "Continuously opaque" as used herein means decorations
(primarily by way of color or shade) which have no breaks or
discontinuities. Thus, tip portion 12 can be painted with an opaque
paint 15, e.g. white, to resemble a French-style manicure, whereas
the bed portion 11 remains substantially transparent. However,
additional designs 14 may be applied over the bed portion 11 and
tip portion 12 to enhance the nail's appearance so long as the bed
portion 11 is left substantially transparent.
[0030] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
dividing line 13a between the bed portion 11 and the tip portion 12
is slanted in relation to the transition line 23 of the natural
nail. In other words, the dividing line 13a begins on one side of
the cover 10 at the transition line 23, but as the dividing line
crosses the cover, it extends inwardly into the natural nail bed
21. Here too, the tip portion 12 is painted with an opaque paint
15, preferably white, whereas the bed portion 11 remains
substantially transparent to give a modified French-style manicure
appearance.
[0031] To apply nail cover 10 to a natural fingernail, a
translucent pink adhesive 18, shown in FIG. 3, is applied to the
nail bed portion 11 of the cover 10 in a conventional manner. The
adhesive is preferably an ethylcyanoacrylate, but other adhesives
could also be used. Nail cover 10 is then placed on the natural
nail bed 21 on finger 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The natural
nail tip 22 extends out under tip portion 12, but it is not visible
through the cover 10 due to the opaque nail tip portion 12.
However, because the nail bed portion 11 is substantially
transparent, the natural nail bed 21 is visible through the bed
portion 11. In this way, artificial nail cover 10 resembles a
natural nail. Preferably, a transparent topcoat sealer 16 is
applied over the entire artificial nail for protection.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8 another alternative embodiment of
the present invention in the form of an artificial nail tip 30 is
shown. The artificial nail tip 30 is similar to the full cover 10
shown in FIGS. 1-5, however, the tip is applied only to the outer
end of the natural nail bed 21 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
Artificial nail tip 30 is also preferably made of a transparent ABS
plastic and comprises a nail tip portion 31 and a base portion 32.
The base portion 32 of the tip 30 corresponds in size and shape
only to the distal end of the natural nail bed 21 and is applied to
end of the nail bid 21 and the tip 22 of a fingernail. Again, the
tip portion 31 is coated with an opaque paint 33 to resemble a
French-style manicure, whereas the base portion remains
substantially transparent. Separating the tip portion 31 and the
base portion 32 is a dividing line 34, which corresponds to the
transition line 23 of the natural nail from natural nail bed 21 to
natural nail tip 22. Here too, the dividing line 34 may be askew to
the transition line 23, as discussed above and shown in FIGS. 4 and
5, and decorative designs 35 may be applied over the tip portion 31
and the base portion 32 by air brushing or other means.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the nail tip 30 is attached to a natural
nail with an adhesive so that the tip extends just into the natural
nail bed 21, to create the look of a long natural fingernail. At
this point, a translucent acrylic filler 36 is applied over the
natural nail bed 21 to create a smooth transition to nail tip 30.
The filler 36 is a standard powder material that is mixed with a
liquid solvent and applied to the nail with a brush. The filler
then quickly hardens into a transparent solid coating. The entire
natural nail and nail tip 30 are then covered with a layer of
translucent acrylic 37 to give a glossy attractive appearance and
to enhance the look of design layer 32.
[0034] Similar to the nail cover 10 described above, the natural
nail bed 21 is visible through the nail tip 30 because the base
portion 32, the filler 36 and the outer acrylic layer 37 are all
transparent. Likewise, because the tip portion 31 is opaque, the
natural nail tip 22 is obscured when the artificial nail tip 30 is
applied. The result is a beautiful looking nail in the form of a
French-style manicure that appears very natural and attractive.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, in which same elements have
same reference numerals, still another alternative embodiment of
the present invention is shown. The artificial nail cover 40 shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the full cover 10 shown in FIGS.
1-5. However, in addition to the bed portion 11 and the tip portion
12, the cover 40 is further provided with an opaque crescent-shaped
lunula portion 42 opposite the tip portion. Thus, the cover 40
includes an opaque crescent-shaped lunula portion 42 at a proximal
end thereof, an opaque nail tip portion 12 at a distal end thereof
opposite the lunula portion, a substantially clear and transparent
nail bed portion 11 between the lunula portion and the tip portion
and a dividing line 13 between the nail bed portion and the nail
tip portion. The crescent-shaped lunula portion 42 of the
artificial nail cover 42 is also preferably coated with a white
opaque paint, however, other colors can naturally be used.
[0036] The lunula portion 42 is provided to simulate the naturally
whitish lunula, or distal portion of the natural nail matrix that
is commonly visible under a natural fingernail. Another common term
for the natural lunula is the "cuticle moon". Because the natural
lunula is often visible under some natural fingernails but not
visible under others, it is desirable to provide a set of
artificial fingernail covers having uniform lunula portions for
improved cosmetic appearance.
[0037] Artificial nail cover 40 is also preferably made of a
transparent ABS plastic with the tip portion 12 being coated with
an opaque paint as described above. Thus, the base portion 11,
located between the lunula portion 42 and the tip portion 12,
remains substantially transparent. Separating the tip portion 12
and the base portion 11 is a dividing line 13, which corresponds to
the transition line 23 of the natural nail from natural nail bed 21
to natural nail tip 22. Here too, the dividing line 13 may be askew
to the transition line 23, as discussed above and shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, and decorative designs 14 may be applied over the tip
portion 12 and the base portion 11 by air brushing or other
means.
[0038] Similar to the nail cover 10 described above, the natural
nail bed is visible through the nail cover 40 because the base
portion 11 is clear and transparent. Likewise, because the tip
portion 12 is opaque, the natural nail tip 22 is obscured when the
artificial nail cover 40 is applied. In addition, the opaque
crescent-shaped lunula portion 42 obscures the presence or absence
of the natural lunula to provide a beautiful looking nail in the
form of a uniform French-style manicure that appears very natural
and attractive.
[0039] The pre-fabricated covers 10, 40 and tips 30 can be provided
to the consumer as part of a kit for adorning fingernails.
Preferably, at least ten covers of each variety and ten tips 30 are
provided along with an amount of transparent adhesive, filler and
top coating. The covers 10, 40 and tips 30 provided in the kit will
vary in size according to the different sizes of natural
fingernails. A nail file and additional decorative decals can also
be provided in the kit.
[0040] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to those precise embodiments and that various other
changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in
the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *