U.S. patent application number 13/835747 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for method and product for attaining a french manicure using a dry nail applique.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fa Young Park. Invention is credited to Fa Young Park.
Application Number | 20130206157 13/835747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48944592 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130206157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Fa Young |
August 15, 2013 |
METHOD AND PRODUCT FOR ATTAINING A FRENCH MANICURE USING A DRY NAIL
APPLIQUE
Abstract
A dry nail tip applique for applying nail enamel to a nail tip.
The nail tip applique is configured to conform to the size and
shape of a respective nail tip and allows for a convenient and neat
application of a French-style manicure.
Inventors: |
Park; Fa Young; (Clifton,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Park; Fa Young |
Clifton |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48944592 |
Appl. No.: |
13/835747 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11866678 |
Oct 3, 2007 |
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13835747 |
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11543481 |
Oct 5, 2006 |
8092786 |
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11866678 |
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11126862 |
May 11, 2005 |
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11543481 |
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60570713 |
May 12, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/004 20130101;
A45D 2029/002 20130101; A45D 29/001 20130101; A45D 29/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/73 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/12 20060101
A45D029/12 |
Claims
1. A self-adhesive nail tip appliqueproduct for providing a
French-style nail tip coating, said product comprising: shearable
nail polish material; said dry nail polish material having adhesive
material on at least one surface; said dry nail polish material
being removably affixed to a backing; wherein said nail tip
appliqueproduct comprises a strip having at least a substantially
concave shaped free edge said concave shaped free edge being in the
general shape of a nail tip and substantially conforms to the
curvature of a nail tip, said nail tip appliqueused to apply nail
polish to a nail tip in order to achieve a French manicure, said
nail tip appliquefurther comprising straight-cut side edges, said
side edges being substantially parallel to each other, said strip
being larger than a wearer's nail tip, whereby an area of said
strip that extends beyond a wearer's nail tip is shearable.
2. The product of claim 1 further comprising a substantially convex
edge, said convex edge being disposed substantially opposite of
said concave edge.
3. The product of claim 2, wherein a plurality of said appliques is
aligned in a substantially linear manner wherein a substantially
concave shaped edge of one strip abuts a substantially convex edge
of an adjacent strip.
4. The product of claim 3, wherein said plurality of strips are
separated from one another by kiss cuts, said kiss cuts allowing
for selective removal of one strip from said backing.
5. The product of claim 1 wherein a plurality of nail tip appliques
and a plurality of nail appliques are removably affixed to a common
backing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/866,678, filed Oct. 3, 2007, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/543,481, filed Oct. 5, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,862, filed May 11, 2005,
and which claims domestic priority from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/570,713, filed May 12, 2004. The disclosures of
all of the above-identified patent applications are incorporated by
reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The current invention relates generally to the field of nail
polish, more specifically, to a novel method and apparatus for
attaining a French-style manicure using an instant dry film nail
polish application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of an instant fingernail coating product whereby
nail polish is applied to a fingernail by adhesively securing to it
a dry form of nail polish has become a preferred mode of attaining
a manicure by many users. Such dry nail polish products are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,903,840 and 5,415,903, each of which
is incorporated by reference herein.
[0004] The nail coating product, or instant nail polish referenced
above, confers numerous advantages over conventional, prior art
nail polish applied with a brush in a liquid form. The application
of instant nail polish is faster, easier and cleaner than
conventional nail polish and does not suffer from the numerous
encumbrances associated with wet nail polish such as drying time
and the concern of smearing or smudging.
[0005] However, the previous dry nail coating products are not well
adapted to applying a French-style manicure, wherein the tips of
nails are coated with an enamel of a color that is different from
the rest of the nail. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,840
discloses a dry nail coating application that is pre-printed with a
design or a different color tip portion. Attaining a
French-manicure with the pre-printed configuration is difficult,
requires precision and is prone to imperfection. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 543,481 discloses a novel nail applique in
which a single nail applique is divisible into two separate
portions--one to coat the entirety of a nail and a second one to
coat only the nail's tip. It would be desirable, however, to
fashion a nail tip coating applique that is a separate member,
independent and apart from a nail coating applique.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a novel French-style
dry nail coating applique and a method of applying the same wherein
a tip portion is configured as a separate, independent member that
is adapted to coating the tip of a nail. This allows for the easy
and neat application of a dry, French-style manicure, which
presents an improvement upon the pre-printed configuration of the
prior art, and is independently useful for applying French
tips.
[0007] The inventive nail tip coating applique ("nail tip applique"
herein) comprises a substantially crescent or rounded dry nail
product. After applying a dry nail coating of liquid nail polish to
a fingernail, the separate nail tip applique described herein is
then utilized to add a second coat to the nail's tip. Preferably,
the nail tip application is of a different color or shade from that
of the rest of the nail. The rounded curvature of the inventive
nail tip applique is adapted to conform to the rounded shape and
size of a nail tip. Alternatively, the nail tip applique is applied
first, and then a sheer overlay sheet is applied to cover both the
applied nail tip applique and the rest of the nail, wherein the
sheer overlay sheet may be clear, pink, nude, or other similar
translucent and/or light shades, and functions like a clear enamel
top coat. Another alternative application process includes applying
a full nail applique (i.e., one that covers the entire fingernail)
having a first color, and then applying a nail tip applique having
a second color over the full nail applique, thereby achieving a
combination two-color effect.
[0008] Numerous advantages are realized with the inventive nail tip
applique. The application of a French manicure using liquid nail
polish entails applying a first coating of polish over the entire
surface of a nail and waiting for the first coat to dry before
applying a second coat of nail polish in a fine, neat strip across
the tip of the nail. This process is time consuming, requites
dexterity and is expensive when done at a nail salon. The nail tip
appliques described herein mitigates these problems with an easy
tip coating applicator that requires minimal drying time, is
pre-cut to conform to the shape of a nail tip and is easy to apply.
The nail tip applique could be used on nails coated with ordinary
liquid nail polish or with the dry nail coating products referenced
herein.
[0009] Additional advantages associated with the invention include
the achievement of a perfect curvature or "smile lines" as a result
of the pre-cut nail tip appliques, whereas a user would otherwise
have to paint and shape each nail tip, using both her left and
right hands. Each finger may have differing widths, which can
complicate such painting and shaping.
[0010] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides a
nail tip with a beautiful opaque color that is applied in a neat,
even manner, thereby avoiding the streaking and/or uneven coating
encountered when liquid nail polish is used for creating nail
tips.
[0011] Yet another advantage of the invention is that a user may
simply apply the nail tip appliques, leave them on her nails, and
not have anything to remove. This process is simpler and more
efficient than the known use of guiding tapes in connection with
liquid nail polish, wherein tape is applied to the nails, nail tips
are polished with liquid polish, and the tape is thereafter
removed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a plurality of nail tip appliques
which are attached to a strip of nail appliques, the nail tip
appliques being constructed in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of the plurality of nail tip appliques
shown in FIG. 1,
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of one of the nail tip appliques;
[0016] FIG. 4A is a top view of a finger nail coated with a nail
coating;
[0017] FIG. 4B is a top view of a nail tip applique placed on the
finger nail shown in FIG. 4A;
[0018] FIG. 4C is a top view of the nail tip applique shown in FIG.
4B, the portion of the nail tip applique extending beyond the
finger nail being sheared off by another finger nail;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
diagonal shapes,
[0020] FIG. 5A is a top view of a nail tip applique with a diagonal
shape, as shown in FIG. 5, placed on a finger nail;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 9;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 11;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 12;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 13;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 14; and
[0031] FIG. 16 is a top view of a strip of nail tip appliques with
shapes that are different than the shapes shown in FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0032] The following is a detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings
in which the same reference numerals identify the same elements of
structure in each of the several figures.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, a strip of nail appliques 10 similar,
or identical to those referenced above herein is accompanied by a
plurality of the inventive nail tip appliques 12. Each nail tip
applique 12 contains a section that is rounded or curved 14 and
therefore adapted to conform to the shape of a nail tip. In a
preferred embodiment a series of nail tip appliques 12 is fixed to
a backing sheet of material 16 and the appliques are separated from
one another by way of a kiss cut 18. The kiss cut, which perforates
the nail tip appliquebut not the underlying backing, allows for
nail tip appliques 12 to be removed from the backing 16 on an
individual basis. Preferably, strips of material that is in
communication with nail tip appliques function as a tabs 17, which
can be pulled to facilitate the removal of nail tip applique12 from
their backing 16.
[0034] In an embodiment, a thin sheet of backing material such as
paper, for example, is coated with an adhesive coating. A uniform
layer of partially cured nail polish material in the general shapes
of nail tips is deposited on the backing material forming a film of
nail polish. When the film of nail polish or nail appliqueis
removed from the backing, it has an adhesive surface, which can be
adhesively secured to a fingernail by placing it and pressing on
the nail.
[0035] It is anticipated that the inventive nail tip appliquecan be
produced using the formulations and methods of manufacture
described in the patents and patent disclosures incorporated by
reference herein. The nail tip appliquementioned herein refers to
the finished nail coating product comprising nail polish material
and an adhesive means which is sized and shaped to substantially
conform to the rounded edge of a fingernail tip.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of nail appliques 10
and a plurality of nail tip appliques 12 are removably affixed to a
common paper backing 16. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a strip
of nail tip appliques 12 can be produced, packaged and sold
independent of nail appliques 10.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of nail tip appliques
are secured to a paper backing in a substantially linear fashion
such that the convex-like border 22 of one tip coating abuts the
concave-like border 20 of an adjacent tip coating 19. In an
embodiment, the concave 20 and convex 22 portions are defined by a
kiss cut 18. In one embodiment, a plurality of tip coatings
disposed in a linear configuration accompanies a plurality of nail
coatings, preferably with the nail coatings 10 and tip coatings 12
sharing a common backing.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of nail tip appliques
are cut, each having varying degrees of curvature 14, preferably
substantially corresponding to the varying curvatures of the
various fingernails.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, a single nail tip applique is
preferably a crescent-like shaped strip that has a substantially
concave-like edge 20 and an opposing substantially convex-like edge
22 which respectively comprise the top and bottom borders of the
strip. The sides of the strip are preferably delineated by
straight-cut edges 24 that are substantially parallel to each
other. The sides 24, and therefore the depth of the strip, are
preferably about a halt of an inch. It will be understood by those
of ordinary skill in the art that a nail tip appliquecan be
configured in any of various sizes and shapes so long as it
possesses a rounded section that is adapted to substantially
conform to the curvature of a respective fingernail tip.
[0040] Alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 5-16, the nail tip
appliques can be configured in any of various sizes and shapes
other than the crescent-like shape of FIG. 3. For example, FIG. 5
illustrates a strip of nail tip appliques 34 which have
diagonal-shaped borders, and a common paper backing 36. Unlike the
common paper backing 16 having a linear arrangement of nail tip
appliques, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the common paper
backing 36 of the strip of nail tip appliques 34 shown in FIG. 5 is
shaped to include a plurality of projections 38-52, which vary in
size. One pair of nail tip appliques (i.e., 54A/B; 56A/B; 58A/B;
60A/B; 62A/B; 64A/B; 66A/B; and 68A/B) is releasably fastened to
each of the respective projections 38-52, wherein nail tip
appliques are provided for corresponding fingers of a user's two
hands. For example, the largest projection 38 is sized to support
the pair of large nail tip appliques 54A and 54B, one of which is
applied to a nail on a user's right hand (e.g., right thumbnail),
and the other one of which is applied to a corresponding nail on
the user's left hand (e.g., left thumbnail).
[0041] The nail tip appliques 54A and 54B have diagonal-shaped
borders 70A, 70B, respectively. The nail tip appliques 54A and 54B
disposed on the projection 38 are separated by a kiss cut, which is
coincident with the border 70B. It should be understood that the
present disclosure of the nail tip appliques 54A and 54B disposed
on projection 38 is also applicable to the other seven pairs of
nail tip appliques that are disposed on projections 40-52.
[0042] As can be seen on FIGS. 5-16, the nail tip nail appliques
can be configured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. It should
be understood that the present disclosure of the strip of nail tip
appliques 34 illustrated in FIG. 5 is also applicable to each of
the strips of nail tip appliques illustrated in FIGS. 6-16.
[0043] The strip of nail tip appliques 34 includes a strip of tabs
72 proximate to nail tip appliques 54B, 56B, 58B, 60B, 62B, 64B,
66B, and 68B, which functions like the strip of tabs 17 illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2. More particularly, the tabs 72 can be pulled to
facilitate the removal of nail tip appliques 54B, 56B, 58B, 60B,
62B, 64B, 66B, and 68B from the backing 36. In an embodiment, the
strip of nail tip appliques 34 has another strip of tabs (not
shown) proximate to nail tip appliques 54A, 56A, 58A, 60A, 62A,
64A, 66A, and 68A, and which operate like the tabs 72 to facilitate
the removal of nail tip appliques 54A, 56A, 58A, 60A, 62A, 64A,
66A, and 68A from the backing 36. While not illustrated in FIGS.
6-16, the strips of nail tip appliques depicted in such figures may
also include one or two proximate strips of tabs.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 5A, a finger nail is shown with a nail tip
applique54A applied thereto. The diagonal border 70A of the nail
tip applique54A is also depicted as positioned on the finger
nail.
[0045] Nail tip appliques can be utilized by wearers of traditional
liquid nail polish, for example, as an easier, neater and more
convenient way of applying a French tip. Additionally, people who
wish to have their nails done at a nail salon, but do not want to
spend time waiting for two applications of polish to dry, can buy a
strip of nail tip appliques for self-applying French tips.
[0046] In FIG. 4, a single nail tip applique12 is removed from its
paper backing 16. Beginning with a nail that has already been
coated with a nail coating, via a dry application or otherwise,
(see FIG. 4A), the nail tip appliqueis secondarily placed on a
portion of a nail tip to be coated 28 (see FIG. 4B). The nail tip
appliqueis adhesively secured to the fingernail tip by firmly
pressing on it. Any portion that may extend beyond the edge of the
nail 30 is easily removed by shearing it, for example, with another
fingernail 32 (see FIG. 4C) or with a shearing instrument.
[0047] Alternatively, the nail tip applique could be applied first
and a coating of the rest of the nail (including the tip portion)
could be applied secondarily.
[0048] Having described this invention with regard to specific
embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is not
meant as a limitation since further modifications and variations
may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the
art. It is intended that the present application cover all such
modifications and variation as fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *