U.S. patent application number 10/641986 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-29 for artificial fingernail and fingernail extension.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kiss Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Han, Kyu Sang.
Application Number | 20040079381 10/641986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34637097 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040079381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Han, Kyu Sang |
April 29, 2004 |
Artificial fingernail and fingernail extension
Abstract
An artificial fingernail is provided. In one aspect, the
artificial fingernail includes a polymeric body having a fingernail
shape and first and second sections. The first section is made of a
first translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part
and a front distal part. The back proximal part has an upper
surface that has been treated by etching. The front distal part has
an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion
extending beyond a portion of the upper and lower portions of the
front distal part. The second section is made of a second opaque
polymeric material with an upper portion, a lower portion, and an
intermediate portion. The upper portion and the lower portion of
the second section extend beyond an end of the intermediate portion
of the second section to form a receiving area for the intermediate
portion of the front distal part. The intermediate portion of the
front distal part is disposed within and lockingly engaged by the
receiving area.
Inventors: |
Han, Kyu Sang; (Port
Washington, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM COLLARD
COLLARD & ROE, P.C.
1077 NORTHERN BOULEVARD
ROSLYN
NY
11576
US
|
Assignee: |
Kiss Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34637097 |
Appl. No.: |
10/641986 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10641986 |
Aug 15, 2003 |
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10281500 |
Oct 28, 2002 |
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10641986 |
Aug 15, 2003 |
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10348718 |
Jan 22, 2003 |
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10348718 |
Jan 22, 2003 |
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10281500 |
Oct 28, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2031/005 20130101;
A45D 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/073 |
International
Class: |
A45D 029/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An artificial fingernail comprising a polymeric body having a
fingernail shape and first and second sections; said first section
being made of a first translucent polymeric material and having a
back proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by
etching and a front distal part with an upper portion, a lower
portion, and an intermediate portion extending beyond a portrait of
said upper portion and said lower portion of said front distal
part; and said second section being made of a second opaque
polymeric material with an upper portion, a lower portion and an
intermediate portion, said upper portion and said lower portion of
said second section extending beyond an end of said intermediate
section to form a receiving area for said intermediate portion of
said front distal part, said intermediate portion of said front
distal part being disposed within and lockingly engaged by said
receiving area.
2. An artificial fingernail comprising: (a) a polymeric body having
a fingernail shape with an upper surface and a lower surface; (b) a
first layer of deformable material applied to a first section of
said lower surface, said layer adapted to conform to an upper
surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural
fingernail; and (c) a second layer of polymeric material disposed
beneath a second section of said lower surface and adjacent to said
first layer of deformable material; wherein said polymeric body is
made from a translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal
part with an upper surface that has been treated by etching and a
front distal part having at least a portion extending above said
second layer of polymeric material so that said second layer is
visible through said portion of said front distal part.
3. An artificial fingernail comprising: (a) a polymeric body having
a fingernail shape with an upper surface and a lower surface, and
first and second sections; and (b) a layer of deformable material
applied to at least a portion of said lower surface, said layer
adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when
applied to the natural fingernail; wherein said first section is
made of a first translucent polymeric material and has a back
proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by
etching; wherein said second section is made of a second opaque
polymeric material; and wherein said layer of deformable material
is applied to extend underneath at least a portion of said first
section and said second section.
4. An artificial fingernail extension comprising a polymeric body
having a first and second sections, said first section having a
stepped upper surface forming a receiving area in a portion of said
upper surface, said second section being disposed in said receiving
area; and said first section being made of a first translucent
polymeric material and having a back proximal part adapted to be
disposed on an upper surface of a natural fingernail and a front
distal part having an end adapted to abut against an end of the
natural fingernail; and said second section being made of a second
opaque polymeric material disposed above said front distal part and
a portion of said back proximal part.
5. An artificial fingernail comprising a polymeric body having a
fingernail shape and first and second sections; said first section
being made of a first translucent polymeric material; and said
second section being made of a second opaque polymeric
material.
6. An artificial fingernail comprising: (a) a polymeric body having
a fingernail shape and made of a translucent polymeric material;
and (b) a film polymeric disposed on at least a portion of an upper
surface of said polymeric body by an in mold decoration
process.
7. An artificial fingernail comprising: (a) a polymeric body having
a fingernail shape and made of a translucent polymeric material;
and (b) a film disposed on at least a portion of a lower surface of
said polymeric body by an in mold decoration process.
8. An artificial fingernail comprising: (a) a polymeric body made
of a translucent polymeric material having a fingernail shape with
an upper surface and a lower surface; (b) a layer of deformable
material applied to at least a portion of said lower surface, said
layer adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural
fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail; and (c) a film
disposed by an in mold decoration process between at least a
portion of said lower surface of said polymeric body and said layer
of deformable material.
9. The artificial fingernail according to claim 8 wherein said
polymeric body has a back proximal part with an upper surface that
has been treated by etching.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Ser. No.
10/281,500 filed Oct. 28, 2002 and of U.S. Ser. No. 10/348,718
filed Jan. 22, 2003 which is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.
Ser. No. 10/281,500.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to artificial fingernails and
fingernail extensions and in particular to an artificial fingernail
having a portion of its upper surface having etched to created a
frosted appearance. The present invention also relates to an
artificial fingernail adapted to conform to varying finger sizes
and shapes, and a method of making same, and an artificial
fingernail and fingernail extension having portions with different
colors or having a film disposed therein by an in mold decoration
process.
[0004] 2. The Prior Art
[0005] The prior art contains many patents directed to artificial
fingernails or other natural fingernail coverings and methods of
applying them using various forms of adhesives. See, e.g. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,632,134 to Reid; U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,305 to Mann; U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,745,934 and 4,751,935 to Mast et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
4,767,648 to Hokama et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,835 to Franz et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,813 to Carroll; and U.S. Pat. No.
6,394,100 to Chang.
[0006] Artificial fingernails are typically made of
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS plastic is
useful because it bonds with nail glue and is readily dissolved by
acetone which facilitates nail removal. However, ABS plastic cracks
easily and is relatively, inflexible which prevents the artificial
nail from conforming to a particular user's finger. As a result,
artificial fingernails are made in a variety of sizes. However,
fingernail shapes are different, and it is impractical to make
nails to accommodate the various shapes for each customer. Instead,
artificial fingernails are typically sold in standard sets by size
and length, but these sets cannot precisely fit all people.
[0007] Another drawback with known artificial fingernails is that
their appearance is usually readily distinguishable from natural
nails. Generally, the better the artificial fingernail fits at the
cuticle area, the more the artificial fingernail will resemble a
natural nail. Achieving this fit with artificial fingernails,
however, is difficult and often requires considerable skill in
shaping and filing the artificial fingernail.
[0008] To address the problem of making an artificial fingernail
accommodate a specific user's hand, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,234 to
Gifford and U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,217 to Coker et al. make a mold
from the user's hand with which to construct a custom-made
artificial fingernail. These processes are complicated, and there
is still a need for an artificial fingernail that is more
universally conformable to varying finger sizes and shapes.
[0009] Artificial fingernails, like natural fingernails, are often
decorated by applying nail polish to one or more portions of the
nail. An artificial fingernail that can be produced with portions
having different colors in a simple and economical way would
therefore be useful.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An artificial fingernail and fingernail extension is
provided. In one aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a
polymeric body having a fingernail shape and first and second
sections. The first section is made of a first translucent
polymeric material and has a back proximal part and a front distal
part. The back proximal part has an upper surface that has been
treated by etching. The front distal part has an upper portion, a
lower portion, and an intermediate portion extending beyond a
portion of the upper and lower portions of the front distal
part.
[0011] The second section is made of a second opaque polymeric
material with an upper portion, a lower potion and an intermediate
portion. The upper and lower portions of the second section extend
beyond an end of the intermediate portion of the second section to
form a receiving area for the intermediate portion of the front
distal part. The intermediate portion of the front distal part is
disposed within and lockingly engaged by the receiving area.
[0012] In another aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a
polymeric body having a fingernail shape with an upper surface and
a lower surface. A first layer of deformable material is applied to
a first section of the lower surface. The deformable material layer
is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail
when applied to the natural fingernail. A second layer of polymeric
material is disposed beneath a second section of the lower surface
and adjacent to the first layer of deformable material.
[0013] The polymeric body is made from a translucent polymeric
material and has a back proximal part and a front distal part. The
back proximal part has an upper surface that has been treated by
etching. The front distal part has at least a portion extending
above the second layer of polymeric material so that the second
layer is visible through that portion of the front distal part.
[0014] In a further aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a
polymeric body having a fingernail shape with an upper surface, a
lower surface, and first and second sections. A layer of deformable
material is applied to at least a portion of the lower surface. The
deformable material layer is adapted to conform to an upper surface
of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail.
[0015] The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric
material and has a back proximal part with an upper surface that
has been treated by etching. The second section is made of a second
opaque polymeric material. The deformable material layer is applied
to extend underneath at least a portion of the first section and
the second section.
[0016] In a further aspect, the artificial fingernail is a
fingernail extension including a polymeric body having first and
second sections. The first section has a stepped upper surface
which forms a receiving area in a portion of the upper surface. The
second section of the polymeric body is disposed in the receiving
area.
[0017] The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric
material and has a back proximal part and a front distal part. The
back proximal part is adapted to be disposed on an upper surface of
a natural fingernail. The front distal part has an end adapted to
abut against an end of the natural fingernail.
[0018] The second section is made of a second opaque polymeric
material disposed above the front distal part and a portion of the
back proximal part.
[0019] In a further aspect, an artificial fingernail is provided
having a fingernail shape and first and second sections. The first
section is made of a first translucent polymeric material, and the
second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material.
[0020] In further aspects, an in mold decoration process is used to
produce an artificial fingernail with a film disposed on a portion
of an upper or lower surface of a translucent fingernail-shaped
polymeric body.
[0021] In a further aspect, an artificial fingernail is provided
including a polymeric body, a layer of deformable material, and a
film disposed by an in mold decoration process between at least a
portion of the lower surface of the polymeric body and the layer of
deformable material. The polymeric body has a fingernail shape and
may be treated by etching at the upper surface of a back proximal
part thereof. The deformable material layer, which is applied to at
least a portion of the lower surface of the polymer body, is
adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when
applied to the natural fingernail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose
of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0023] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of a the embodiment shown in any of
FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention shown as an
extension to a wearer's natural fingernail.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the
artificial fingernail of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an
artificial fingernail of a preferred embodiment. The term
"artificial fingernail" is meant to include both a full-cover nail
intended to be applied over the entire surface of a wearer's
natural fingernail and a fingernail extension intended to be
applied to a portion of a wearer's natural fingernail.
[0037] Artificial fingernail 10 includes a polymeric body 20 having
the general overall shape and configuration of a natural
fingernail. Polymeric body 20 may be a conventional plastic
artificial fingernail and is preferably made from a mixture of
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic and a polycerbonate,
but may be made from any plastic-like material commonly employed in
the manufacture of artificial nails, such as ABS plastic, nylon,
tenite acetate, vinyl acetate, polycerbonates, polyvinyl chloride,
etc., using conventional injection holding techniques known in the
art.
[0038] Examples of suitable hard materials for polymeric body 20
are Styrolux.RTM.684D (SBC), a styrene-butadiene block copolymer
available from BASF Corporation; Cyro.RTM.40 (acrylic base), an
acrylic-based multipolymer available from Cyro Industries of
Rockaway, N.J.; Lexane KR01(PC)(trade name), a polycarbonate
available from GE Plastics; K-resin.RTM.(SBC), a styrene-butadiene
copolymer available from Chevron Phillips Chemical Company;
TP-UXS(MMBS) (trade name), a methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene
terpolymer available from DENKA of Tokyo, Japan;
Starex.RTM.5010(ABS), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene available
from Samsung Cheil Industries; Zylar.RTM.220(SMMC) and Nas.RTM.30,
styrene methyl methacrylate copolymers available from Nova
Chemicals; and Toyalac 920 (clear ABS), an acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene available from Toray Resin Company.
[0039] Polymeric body 20 has a first section 22 and a second
section 24. First section 22 is made of a first translucent
polymeric material which preferably simulates the color of a
natural fingernail. The term "translucent" is meant to include both
transparent or clear materials and tinted materials that permit
materials disposed underneath to be visible there through. First
section 22 has a front distal part 30 and a back proximal part 40.
Front distal part 30 has an upper portion 32, a lower portion 34,
and an intermediate portion 36 extending beyond a portion of upper
and lower portions 32, 34. Back proximal part 40 has an upper
surface 42 that has been treated to render it opaque by chemical or
mechanical etching. The term "opaque" is meant to include frosted
surfaces which may permit a small amount of light to pass through.
Preferably, upper surface 42 of back proximal part 40 has a curved
"half moon" perimeter with the intersection with front distal part
30 to simulate the area of a natural fingernail. Back proximal part
40 preferably tapers to a smaller thickness, for example 0.03 mm to
0.1 mm, at its proximal end.
[0040] Second section 24 is made of a second opaque polymeric
material, which is preferably a different color than front distal
part 30 of first section 22 to provide an appearance of a "french
tip" or french manicure in which second section 24 has a white or
near-white appearance and front distal part 30 has another color.
For example, nail polish of a selected color may be applied to
front distal part 30.
[0041] The polymeric material for second section 24 may be the same
or different as the polymeric material for first section 22.
[0042] Second section 24 has an upper portion 52, a lower portion
54, and an intermediate portion 56. Upper portion 52 and lower
portion 54 extend beyond the proximal end of intermediate portion
56 to form a receiving area for intermediate portion 36 of front
distal part 30. Intermediate portion 36 is disposed within and
lockingly engaged by the receiving area, such as by friction
engagement of intermediate portion 36 with the walls of second
section 24 defining the receiving area.
[0043] Polymeric body 20 is preferably sized so that at least a
portion of second section 24 extends from the wearer's natural
fingernail.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of an artificial
fingernail. Artificial fingernail 100 includes a polymeric body
120, a first layer 130 made of deformable material, and a second
layer 150 of polymeric material.
[0045] Polymeric body 120 has the general overall shape and
configuration of a natural fingernail with an upper surface 122 and
a lower surface 124. Polymeric body 120 may be made from the same
translucent polymeric material as first section 22 of polymeric
body 20 of the first embodiment, using conventional injection
molding techniques known in the art.
[0046] Polymeric body 120 has a front distal part 126 and a back
proximal part 128. Preferably, front distal part 126 has a greater
thickness than back proximal part 128 as shown in FIG. 2. For
example, front distal part 126 may be 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm in thickness
and back proximal part 128 may be 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm in
thickness.
[0047] Back proximal part 128 has an upper surface 142 that has
been rendered opaque by chemical or mechanical etching. Preferably,
upper surface 142 of back proximal part 128 has a curved "half
moon" perimeter at the intersection with front distal part 126 to
simulate the area of a natural fingernail adjacent to the cuticle
area.
[0048] Deformable material layer 130 is applied to a first section
162 of lower surface 124 on the inside of polymeric body 120. Layer
130 is generally of uniform thickness, for example 0.8 mm to 5.0,
but may decrease in thickness (i.e. taper) at the proximal end of
back part 128 to facilitate attachment and blending with the
natural fingernail and to conform to the contour of polymeric body
120. Layer 130 is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a
natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail. The
deformable material may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or
thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or mixture thereof and is
preferably silicone, a silicone derivative, rubber of other
material which will deform under pressure to conform to the contour
of the wearer's natural fingernail. For example, material suitable
for forming soft contact lenses such as silicone elastomers,
silicone-containing macromers, hydrogels, silicone-containing
hydrogels, siloxanes, siloxane macromers, and mixtures thereof may
be used. The deformable material may be applied under polymeric
body 120 by spray molding, double injection, manual application or
any other suitable application.
[0049] Examples of suitable soft or deformable materials are
Versaflex.RTM.OM9-802CL, a thermoplastic elastomer alloy available
from GLS Corporation of Arlington Heights, Ill.; TPE40ANS200 (trade
name), a thermoplastic elastomer alloy available from Advanced
Elastomer Systems; Elastollan.RTM.TPU, a thermoplastic polyurethane
elastomer available from BASF Corporation; Estane TPU (trade name),
a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer available from Noveon, Inc.;
and Engage 8407 TPU, a polyolefin elastomer available from Du Pont
Dow Elastomers of Wilmington, Del.
[0050] Second layer 150 of polymeric material is disposed beneath a
second section 164 of lower surface 124 of polymeric body 120 and
adjacent to first layer 130 of deformable material. At least a
portion of front distal part 122 extends above second layer 150 so
that second layer 150 is visible through that portion of first
distal part. For example, second layer 150 may be white or
near-white in color and front distal part 122 may be clear or
tinted so that the color of polymeric layer 150 shows through.
Deformable material layer 130 may be translucent, for example clear
or tinted, so that the color of the wearer's natural fingernail, or
such color as tinted by the color of deformable layer 230, may be
visible through polymeric body 120.
[0051] Artificial fingernail 100 may be readily manufactured in a
number of standard sets by size and length as with conventional
artificial fingernails. A user can then select the desired size and
length that approximates the user's finger size and shape. However,
unlike conventional artificial fingernails, due to the layer of
deformable material applied to the lower surface, each artificial
nail will conform more closely to the user's natural fingernail
when applied thereto.
[0052] After selecting the artificial fingernail, the user applies
a selected conventional adhesive, such as an
ethylcyanoacrylate-based glue, to the natural fingernail.
Artificial fingernail 100 is then placed on the natural fingernail
so as to substantially cover it and pressure is applied by pressing
down on artificial nail 100. Such pressure causes deformable layer
130 to compress and conform to the contour of the upper surface of
the wearer's natural fingernail, thereby providing a better fit. If
desired, once applied, artificial fingernail 100 may be trimmed and
shaped using a nail file.
[0053] FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of an artificial
fingernail, which like the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, is adapted
to conform to varying finger sizes and shapes. Artificial
fingernail 200 includes a polymeric body 220 and a layer of
deformable material 230.
[0054] Polymeric body 220 has the general overall shape and
configuration of a natural fingernail with an upper surface 222, a
lower surface 224, a first section 221, and a second section 223.
Polymeric body 220 may be made from the same material as polymeric
body 20 of the first embodiment, using conventional injection
molding techniques known in the art.
[0055] First section 221 is made of a first translucent polymeric
material and is preferably clear or tinted in color. The back
proximal part 240 of first section 221 has an upper surface 242
that has been rendered opaque by chemical or mechanical etching,
leaving the front distal part 226 of first section 221 translucent,
for example clear or tinted, so that the color of deformable
material layer 230, which may likewise be clear or tinted, or the
color of the wearer's natural fingernail, is visible therethrough.
Preferably, upper surface 242 of back proximal part 240 has a round
"half moon" perimeter at the intersection with front distal part
226 to simulate the area of a natural fingernail adjacent to the
cuticle area.
[0056] Second section 223 is made of a second opaque polymeric
material which is preferably a different color than front distal
part 226 of first section 221 to provide the appearance of a
"french tip" or a french manicure in which second section 223 has a
white or near-white appearance and front distal part 226 has
another color. The polymeric material for second section 223 may be
the same or different as the polymeric material for first section
221.
[0057] Deformable material layer 230 is applied to at lest a
portion of lower surface 224 on the inside of polymeric body 220.
Preferably, layer 230 is applied to extend underneath at least a
portion of first section 221 and second section 223.
[0058] Layer 230 may be generally of uniform thickness, for example
0.8 to 1.0 mm, but may decrease in thickness at the proximal end of
back part 240 to facilitate attachment and blending with the
material fingernail. Except for its proximal end, back part 240 and
the rest of polymeric body 220 has a thickness in the range of 1.0
mm. to 5.0 mm. Layer 230 is adapted to conform to an upper surface
of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail. The
deformable material may be the same material used for deformable
layer 130 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 and may be applied by similar
application techniques to polymeric body 220.
[0059] Artificial fingernail 200 may be readily manufactured in a
number of standard sets by size and length as in the previous
embodiment.
[0060] After selecting the artificial fingernail, the user applies
a selected conventional adhesive, such as an
ethylcyanoacrylate-based glue, to the natural finger. Artificial
fingernail 200 is then placed on the natural fingernail so as to
substantially cover it and pressure is applied by pressing down on
artificial fingernail 200. Such pressure causes deformable layer
230 to compress and conform to the contour of the upper surface of
the wearer's fingernail and also to the cuticle area of the
wearer's finger, thereby providing a better fit. If desired, once
applied, artificial fingernail 200 may be trimmed and shaped using
a nail file.
[0061] The artificial fingernail of the embodiments shown in FIGS.
2 and 3 has the further advantage of permitting the polymeric body
to be made from a wide variety of hard substances while also
enabling the artificial fingernail to be easily removable by
conventional acetone removers. Because the deformable layer
contacts the wearer's fingernail,. materials that do not readily
dissolve in acetone may be used for the polymeric body without
sacrificing ease of removability.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the artificial fingernails
according to any of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The
proximal end of the artificial fingernail has a frosted surface 70
having a curved "half-moon" edge 72. The chemical or mechanical
etching gives surface 70 a white or near white appearance to
simulate the color of a natural fingernail adjacent to the cuticle
area.
[0063] The distal end 80 has a white or near-white appearance and
the intermediate section 90 has another color. In the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 3, distal end 80 may be made from a polymeric material
having a white or near-white appearance, and intermediate section
90 may be made from a clear or tinted polymeric material.
[0064] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, distal end 80 receives its
color from the polymeric material 150 visible through the front
distal part 126 of translucent polymeric body 120.
[0065] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, intermediate section 90
may receive its color from the natural fingernail or the deformable
layer visible through the upper surface of intermediate section
90.
[0066] FIG. 5 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of an artificial
fingernail in the form of an extension or "tip" adapted to be
placed on or near the end of a wearer's natural fingernail for an
appearance of longer nails. Artificial fingernail extension 300
includes a polymeric body 320 having first and second sections 321,
323.
[0067] Polymeric body 320 has the general overall shape and
configuration of the distal end of a natural fingernail. Polymeric
body 320 may be made from the same material as the polymeric bodies
of the previous embodiments, using conventional molding techniques
known in the art.
[0068] First section 321 is made of a first translucent polymeric
material which may be clear or tinted. Second section 323 is made
of a second opaque polymeric material which is, for example, white
or near-white in appearance. The polymeric material for second
section 323 may be the same or different as the polymeric material
for first section 321.
[0069] First section 321 has a stepped upper surface 330 defined by
generally vertical edge 332 and generally horizontal edge 334
extending to the distal end 336 of first section 321. The stepped
upper surface forms a receiving area in a portion of upper surface
330 into which second section 323 is disposed.
[0070] First section 321 has a back proximal part 340 adapted to be
disposed on an upper surface 312 of a natural fingernail 320 and a
front distal part 350 adapted to abut against an end 314 of natural
fingernail 310.
[0071] Second section 323 is disposed above front distal part 350
and a portion of back proximal part 340 of first section 321.
[0072] FIGS. 6-8 show a fifth preferred embodiment of an artificial
fingernail which is preferably formed by double injection molding.
Artificial fingernail 400 includes a polymeric body 420 having
first and second sections 421, 423.
[0073] Polymeric body 420 has the general overall shape and
configuration of a natural fingernail. First section 421 is
preferably made of a first translucent material and second section
423 is preferably made of a second opaque polymeric material, which
may be the same or different as the polymeric material for first
section 421. Second section 423 is preferably white or near-white
in appearance and first section 421 is preferably clear or tinted.
However, first section 421 may be opaque and second section 423 may
be translucent.
[0074] In forming artificial fingernail 400, the polymeric material
of first section 421 is first injected through a channel 410 and
fills the back-end of the mold. Following hardening or curing of
first section 421, the polymeric material of second section 423 is
then injected which covers channel 410 in the finished product as
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0075] FIG. 9 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of an artificial
fingernail which is formed by an in mold decoration process. This
process which is also known as film insert molding is accomplished
by inserting a decorated or other formed film into the cavity of
the molding tool and infecting plastic behind them. In mold
decoration is an efficient and cost effective process because the
part is decorated during the molding cycle.
[0076] Artificial fingernail 500 includes a polymeric body 520 and
a film 550 disposed on at least a portion of an upper surface 522
of polymeric body 520 by an in mold decoration process.
[0077] Polymeric body 520 has the general overall shape and
configuration of a natural fingernail. Polymeric body is made of a
translucent polymeric material and as in previous embodiments may
be clear or tinted. Film 550 is preferably opaque and is white or
near-white in appearance. Alternatively or in addition, film 550
may be printed with a design.
[0078] FIG. 10 shows a seventh preferred embodiment of an
artificial fingernail which, like the embodiment shown in FIG. 9,
is formed by an in mold decoration process.
[0079] Artificial fingernail 600 includes a polymeric body 620 and
a film 650 disposed on at least a portion of a lower surface 624 of
polymeric body 620 by an in mold decoration process.
[0080] As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, polymeric body 620 has
the overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail and is
made of a translucent polymeric material, preferably clear or
tinted. Film 650 is similar to film 550 in the previous embodiment
and may be white, near-white or printed with a design. As polymeric
body 620 is translucent, the color or printed design of film 650
will be visible through translucent polymeric body 620.
[0081] FIG. 11 shows an eighth preferred embodiment of an
artificial fingernail which, like the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9
and 10, is formed by an in mold decoration process.
[0082] Artificial fingernail 700 includes a polymeric body 720, a
layer 730 of deformable material, and a film 750 disposed by an in
mold decoration process between at least a portion of a lower
surface 724 of polymeric body 720 and deformable material layer
730.
[0083] Polymeric body 720 has the general overall shape and
configuration of a natural fingernail. Polymeric body 720 may be
made from the same translucent polymeric material as the
translucent polymeric material used in the previous
embodiments.
[0084] Deformable material layer 730 is applied to at least a
portion of lower surface 724 of polymeric body 720. Layer 730 is
adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when
applied to the natural fingernail. The deformable material may be
the same material as is used to make the deformable material layer
of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-3.
[0085] Film 750 is disposed between at least a portion of lower
surface 724 of polymeric body 720 and deformable layer 730 using a
conventional in mold decoration process. Film 750 is similar to
films 550 and 650 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-10 and may be
white, near-white or printed with a design. Preferably, film 750 is
disposed toward the distal end of artificial fingernail 700 so that
the color or printed design of film 750 will be visible through
translucent polymeric body 720 to provide an appearance of a
decorated tip with a printed design or a "french tip" or french
manicure in which the distal end has a white or near-white
appearance and at least a portion of the proximal portion of the
artificial fingernail has another color.
[0086] FIG. 12 shows a ninth preferred embodiment of an artificial
fingernail which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.
[0087] Artificial fingernail 800 includes a polymeric body 820 a
layer 830 of deformable material, and a film 850 disposed by an in
mold decoration process between at least a portion of the lower
surface 824 of polymeric body 820 and deformable material layer
830.
[0088] Polymeric body 820 has a back proximal part 840 with an
upper surface 842 that has been rendered opaque by chemical or
mechanical etching as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. Film
850 is similar to films 550, 650 and 750 in the embodiments shown
in FIGS. 9-11.
[0089] Although several embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes
and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended
claims.
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