U.S. patent application number 16/582028 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-31 for artificial fingernail extension.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daisy Nail Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Loc Dac Duong.
Application Number | 20200405034 16/582028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004349868 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200405034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duong; Loc Dac |
December 31, 2020 |
ARTIFICIAL FINGERNAIL EXTENSION
Abstract
An artificial fingernail extension has opposing top and bottom
surfaces with opposing distal and proximal ends and two opposing
sides extending between the proximal and distal ends. An offset
ledge is formed in the bottom surface, extends along the proximal
end between the opposing sides, is thinner than an average
thickness immediately adjacent the offset ledge, has a textured
surface, and optionally has a transparency differing by 20% from
the transparency of the immediately adjacent nail portion. The
textured surface improves adhesion and along with the transparency
differences improves alignment during use.
Inventors: |
Duong; Loc Dac; (Anaheim,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Daisy Nail Products, Inc. |
Anaheim |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004349868 |
Appl. No.: |
16/582028 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62866530 |
Jun 25, 2019 |
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62873129 |
Jul 11, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 31/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 31/00 20060101
A45D031/00 |
Claims
1. An artificial fingernail extension for use with a person's
fingernail, comprising: an artificial fingernail extension having
opposing top and bottom surfaces and extending along a longitudinal
axis, a distal end and a proximal end and two opposing sides
extending between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end
having an offset ledge formed in the bottom surface e so as to face
the fingernail during use and extending between the opposing sides,
the offset ledge having a thickness about 50% of an average
thickness of the artificial fingernail extension immediately
adjacent to the offset ledge, the surface of the offset ledge being
textured to have a surface roughness greater than a surface
roughness of the bottom of the artificial fingernail extension, the
surface roughness comprising a matt finish.
2. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the
offset ledge has a uniform length measured parallel to the
longitudinal axis.
3. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 2, wherein the
uniform length is between 3 and 6 mm.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein a bottom
surface of the offset ledge has a different and rougher surface
texture than the bottom surface of the artificial fingernail
extension immediately adjacent the offset ledge.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the top
and bottom surfaces are polished.
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the
offset ledge has a transparency that is about 15%-40% different
from the transparency of the immediately adjacent portion of the
artificial fingernail extension so as to enhance the contrast
between the offset ledge and the remainder of the artificial
fingernail extension.
13. (canceled)
14. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the
offset ledge is about 50% transparent and a portion of the
artificial fingernail extension immediately adjacent the offset
ledge is about 70% transparent.
15. An artificial fingernail extension for use with a person's
fingernail, comprising: an artificial fingernail extension having
opposing top and bottom surfaces and extending along a longitudinal
axis, a distal end and a proximal end and two opposing sides
extending between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end
having an offset ledge formed in the bottom surface so as to face
the fingernail during use and extending along the entire proximal
end, the offset ledge having a thickness about 50% of an average
thickness of the artificial fingernail extension immediately
adjacent to the offset ledge, the surface of the offset ledge being
textured with a matt finish having a rougher surface texture than
the bottom surface of the artificial fingernail extension
immediately adjacent the offset ledge, the artificial fingernail
extension having a length along the longitudinal axis of about 3
mm-6 mm, the offset ledge having a transparency through the matt
finish that differs from the transparency of the immediately
adjacent portion of the artificial fingernail extension by about
15% to 30% in transparency, so as to enhance the contrast between
the offset ledge and the remainder of the artificial fingernail
extension.
16. The artificial fingernail extension of 15, wherein the top and
bottom surfaces are polished, and the offset ledge has a
transparency of about 50%.
17. A method of applying an artificial fingernail extension to a
person's fingernail using the artificial fingernail extension of
claim 1, comprising the steps of: applying a fingernail adhesive to
the textured offset ledge; aligning the offset ledge with the
distal end of the person's fingernail; and placing the offset ledge
on top of the person's fingernail with an interior edge of the
offset ledge at a distal end of the person's fingernail.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the offset ledge has a length
along the longitudinal axis of about 2-6 mm.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the
fingernail extension has a convex curve between the proximal and
distal ends in the direction a finger bends, and the proximal end
is curved convexly from side to side.
22. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the
proximal end and the offset ledge are curved toward the distal end
and in a direction that a finger curls, and are also curved
convexly from side to side.
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/866,530 filed Jun.
25, 2019 and Provisional Patent Application No. 62/873,129 filed
Jul. 11, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference
BACKGROUND
[0002] Artificial fingernails are connected to a person's existing
nails to enhance or change the appearance of the fingernails, to
protect the underlying natural fingernails or nail beds, or
combinations thereof. The artificial fingernails may be adhered to
the underlying natural fingernails along the entire length of the
nail body, but as the natural nail grows the artificial fingernail
moves away from the cuticle and a recess begins to appear between
the cuticle and the bottom end of the artificial nail and the
recess creates an undesirable visual effect. To avoid the formation
of this recess and to avoid adhesives over the entire nailbed, a
fingernail extension may be fastened to the free end or distal end
of the natural fingernail. But such fingernail extensions have a
large length of the artificial fingernail cantilevered from the
distal end, and increased breakage occurs as the length of the
artificial fingernails increases. Further, axial and rotational
alignment of the fingernail extensions with the underlying
fingernail are problematic and adequate adhesion of the fingernail
extensions with the underlying fingernail are also problematic.
There is thus a need for an improved fingernail tip extension.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] An artificial fingernail extension is provided with opposing
top and bottom surfaces, opposing distal and proximal ends and two
opposing sides extending between the proximal and distal ends. An
offset ledge is formed in the bottom surface and extends along the
proximal end between the opposing sides. The offset ledge is
thinner than an average thickness immediately adjacent the offset
ledge, has a textured surface with a roughness greater than the
bottom surface of the artificial nail, and optionally has a
transparency differing by about 20% from the transparency of the
immediately adjacent nail portion. The transparency difference
preferably arises because of a difference in thickness of the
offset ledge versus the immediately adjacent portion of the
artificial nail but may arise from a difference in transparency of
the material forming the offset ledge and the immediately adjacent
portion of the nail, or both. The textured surface improves
adhesion and along with the transparency differences improves the
ability of to align the artificial fingernail extension with the
underlying natural nail during use. The increased transparency of
the offset ledge and the increased contrast of the offset ledge
each helps to improve alignment of the artificial nail with the
underlying natural nail.
[0004] There is thus provided an artificial fingernail extension
for use with a person's fingernail. The fingernail extension has
opposing top and bottom surfaces and extends along a longitudinal
axis. The fingernail extension has a distal end and a proximal end
and two opposing sides extending between the proximal and distal
ends. The proximal end has an offset ledge formed in the bottom
surface so as to face the fingernail during use and extends between
the opposing sides of the fingernail extension. The offset ledge
has a thickness about 35% to 65% of an average thickness of the
artificial fingernail immediately adjacent to the offset ledge. The
surface of the offset ledge is textured.
[0005] In further variations, the offset ledge has a uniform length
along the longitudinal axis, and that uniform length is
advantageously between about 3 and 6 mm. The offset ledge may have
a thickness of about 40% to 60% the thickness of the artificial
fingernail extension immediately adjacent the offset ledge.
Advantageously, the 40% thickness difference occurs with thinner
nails and the 60% difference occurs with thicker nails, with the
offset ledge thickness varying from about 15 mm to 23 mm. Further,
the artificial fingernail may be straight, but preferably has a
convex curve between the proximal and distal ends in the general
direction a person clenches the fingers to make a fist so the
curvature of the fingernail extension follows the natural curvature
of average fingernails. Similarly, the artificial fingernail is
also curved convexly from side to side to better conform to the
shape of a person's natural fingernail.
[0006] Further, a bottom surface of the offset ledge may have a
different and rougher surface texture than the bottom surface of
the remainder of the artificial fingernail. The bottom surface of
the offset ledge has a matt finish and the top and bottom surfaces
of the remainder of the artificial nail advantageously have a
polished finish. The offset ledge advantageously may have a
thickness of about 0.15 mm to 0.23 mm and the artificial fingernail
immediately adjacent the offset ledge may have a thickness of about
0.35 mm to 0.38 mm.
[0007] The offset ledge advantageously has a transparency that is
about 15%-40% different from the transparency of the immediately
adjacent portion of the artificial fingernail so as to enhance the
contrast between the offset ledge and the remainder of the
artificial fingernail. The combined reduction in thickness of the
offset portion combined with a more transparent portion relative to
the immediately adjacent portion of the nail may achieve the 15% to
40% change in transparency. While the transparency of the offset
ledge is advantageously about 15% to 40% different (and preferably
greater) greater than the immediately adjacent portion of the
artificial fingernail, it is believed advantageous if the
transparency is about 15% to 30% more transparent than the
immediately adjacent the offset ledge to enhance visibility of the
offset ledge.
[0008] Less preferable is achieving that level of transparency by
the reduction in thickness of the offset portion alone. These
differences in transparency advantageously include the surface
texturing of the offset layer, so the same variation in
transparency is achieved when the offset layer is textured as
described herein, for the various thicknesses and texturing
roughness of the offset layer. Advantageously, the offset ledge is
about 50% transparent and a portion of the artificial fingernail
immediately adjacent the offset ledge is about 70% transparent
(e.g., because of differences in thickness or in the transparency
of the basic material), and the offset ledge has a transparency
about 15% to 30% different from a transparency of the immediately
adjacent the offset ledge to enhance visibility of the offset
ledge.
[0009] There is also provided an artificial fingernail extension
for use with a person's fingernail where the artificial fingernail
has opposing top and bottom surfaces that extend generally along a
longitudinal axis (because the nails typically curve they deviate
from the strict longitudinal axis). The artificial fingernail has a
distal end and a proximal end and two opposing sides extending
between the proximal and distal ends and joining the top and bottom
surfaces. The proximal end has an offset ledge formed in the bottom
surface so as to face the fingernail during use. The offset ledge
extends along the entire proximal end, from side to side of the
artificial fingernail. The offset ledge has a thickness about 40%
to 60% of an average thickness of the artificial fingernail
immediately adjacent to the offset ledge. The surface of the offset
ledge is textured and has a rougher surface texture than the bottom
surface of the artificial fingernail immediately adjacent the
offset ledge. The artificial fingernail has a length generally
parallel to the longitudinal axis of about 3 mm-6 mm. The offset
ledge has a transparency that is different from the transparency of
the immediately adjacent portion of the artificial fingernail by
being about 15% to 30% less transparent if the artificial
fingernail is clear, but is about 15% to 30% more transparent if
the artificial fingernail is colored, so as to enhance the contrast
between the offset ledge and the remainder of the artificial
fingernail. In further variations, the top and bottom surfaces may
be polished, and the offset ledge has a transparency of about
50%.
[0010] There is also provided a method of applying an artificial
fingernail extension to a person's fingernail using any of the
artificial fingernails described above or described herein. The
method includes the steps of applying a fingernail adhesive to the
textured offset ledge and then aligning the offset ledge with the
distal end of the person's fingernail by looking through the offset
ledge from the top surface of the artificial fingernail or by using
the difference in transparency to align the artificial fingernail,
and then placing the offset ledge on top of the person's fingernail
with an interior edge of the offset ledge at a distal end of the
person's fingernail. After the adhesive hardens sufficiently so it
does not dislodge or shift position during later steps of the
manicure the artificial nail is blended with the person's
underlying fingernail, usually by applying a gel or other filler to
the person's natural fingernail and smoothing the artificial
fingernail and applied gel or filler with a file or abrasive
material, or by using an abrasive material to smooth down or blend
the adhered end of the artificial fingernail with the person's
underlying fingernail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other advantages and features of the invention
will be better appreciated in view of the following drawings and
descriptions in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout,
and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension
having a square distal end;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the artificial fingernail
extension of FIG. 1 showing a textured area;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an end view of the artificial fingernail extension
of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along section 4-4 of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of the artificial fingernail extension
of FIG. 1 on a person's finger;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 5 showing a
straight, artificial fingernail extension in cross section along
the longitudinal axis;
[0018] FIG. 7 is cross sectional view of a straight artificial
fingernail extension;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a curved artificial
fingernail extension;
[0020] FIG. 9A is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension
having a round distal end;
[0021] FIG. 9B is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension
having an almond-shaped distal end;
[0022] FIG. 9C is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension
having a coffin-shaped distal end; and
[0023] FIG. 9D is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension
having a pointed distal end.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] As used herein, the following part numbers refer to the
following parts: 10--artificial fingernail; 12--distal end;
14--proximal end; 16--finger; 18--natural fingernail;
20--longitudinal axis; 22--right side; 24--left side; 26--top
surface; 28--bottom surface and 30--offset ledge.
[0025] As used herein, the longitudinal axis 20 extends direction
along a person's finger when held horizontally, with the vertical
direction extending in the direction of gravity and the later
direction extending in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal and
vertical planes. The relative orientations and directions top and
bottom, up and down, upward and downward are with respect to the
vertical axis. The relative orientations and directions inner and
outer, inward and outward are with respect to the longitudinal axis
extending through the middle of a person's finger.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an artificial fingernail extension
10 is shown as extending in a longitudinal direction and having a
distal end 12 and an opposing, proximal end 14. The proximal end 14
is curved in a direction along the longitudinal axis 20 toward the
distal end 12 to form a curve having a center extending away toward
the distal end of the artificial fingernail extension 10 (FIGS. 1,
2 and 5). The proximal end 14 and the entire artificial fingernail
extension 10 have a convex curvature between the sides of the
fingernail extension 10 as seen in FIGS. 3-4. The finger 16 has a
natural fingernail 18. The curved proximal end 14 is preferably
symmetric about the longitudinal axis 20 and advantageously has a
configuration selected to conform to the distal edge of a person's
fingernail 18. Continuously curved surfaces are preferred for the
shape of the curved proximal end 14, as are segments of circles,
ellipses or parabolas, with the curves centered on the longitudinal
axis of the fingernail extension 10. The fingernail extension 10 is
also advantageously curved along a length of the longitudinal axis
20 so as to conform to the curved top surface of a person's
fingernail 18 and this results in a convex curve between the distal
and proximal ends of the artificial fingernail, curved in the
general direction a finger bends when clenching the fingers into a
fist.
[0027] The fingernail extension 10 has opposing right and left
sides 22, 24, respectively, when looking from the top downward
toward the fingernail extension when the extensions are orientated
to fasten to a person's fingernail. The right and left sides 22, 24
of the proximal end 14 of the fingernail extension 10 are adjacent
the lateral nail folds and nail groove of a finger during use of
the fingernail extension. The artificial fingernail extension thus
advantageously is curved from side 22 to side 24 as are the natural
fingernails of a person and the curve is convex shaped.
[0028] The fingernail extension 10 has opposing top and bottom
surfaces 26, 28, respectively, with the distance between the
opposing top and bottom surfaces preferably being substantially the
same distance or thickness. As used herein, "substantially the
same" refers to a variation of 10% and the use of "about" refers to
a variation of 15%. The bottom side 28 of the fingernail extension
at the proximal end 14 has a reduced thickness that forms an offset
ledge 30 having a longitudinal length that is advantageously from
about 2-6 mm, and preferably about 2-4 mm or 3-5 mm, and ideally 3,
4 or 5 mm. Offset ledges 30 having longer longitudinal lengths are
believed suitable, but less desirable. The offset ledge 30
advantageously extends from side 22 to side 24 and has
substantially the same thickness and advantageously has
substantially the same length measured along the longitudinal axis.
The offset ledge 30 is advantageously less than about 1/5 the
length of the fingernail extension 10 along the longitudinal axis,
is advantageously about 1/5 to 1/10 the length of the extension.
The thickness of the offset ledge 30 may be selected for ease of
use by the manicurist or user, in which case the offset ledge
thickness is reduced in order to reduce the effort needed to blend
the outer or top surface 26 of the fingernail extension with the
outer surface of the fingernail 18.
[0029] The offset ledge 30 may thus have a convex curve from side
22 to side 24, and advantageously also curves toward the distal end
12 to conform to the shape of the end of a person's nail plate at
the hyponychium. The proximal end of the artificial nail and the
offset ledge may thus have a complex curve in three dimensions
which results in a proximal end conforming in shape to the
hyponychium.
[0030] Offset ledges 30 having a thickness of 20% to 40% the
thickness of the fingernail extension immediately adjacent the
offset ledge, and preferably about 30% to 40% the thickness of the
fingernail extension immediately adjacent the offset ledge, are
believed suitable. A stronger connection is believed achievable if
the thickness of the offset ledge 30 is about 30% to 60% the
thickness of the fingernail extension immediately adjacent the
offset ledge, with an offset of 40% to 50% believed suitable. As
used herein, the term "immediately adjacent" means a length that is
equal to the axial length of the offset ledge 30 along axis 20.
Because a person's fingernail curves about three axes, the above
description of and reference to the offset ledge having an axial
length or a uniform axial length, is understood to accommodate
variations encompassed by the natural curvature of a person's
fingernails, which curvature may vary among fingernails of the same
person, and which may vary among different persons. Thus, for
example, an offset ledge 30 with a length of 1 mm encompasses not
just the axial length but any variations caused by the curvature of
the interior end of the offset ledge 30 which is generally a
portion of a circle centered on a longitudinal axis through the
top, middle portion of the nail, and which curves downward toward
the cuticle and the lateral nail fold. In short, variations caused
by difficulties and uncertainties in measuring the dimensions are
accommodated, with an implicit variation of 15% in such dimensions
believed sufficient to encompass the variations in a person's
nails.
[0031] Advantageously, for an artificial nail having a thickness of
0.35 mm to 0.38 mm (0.14-0.15 inches), the offset ledge 30 has a
thickness of 0.15 mm-0.23 mm (0.006-0.09 inches). These thicknesses
may be average thicknesses. For an artificial nail having a
thickness T, an offset ledge 30 having a thickness of 35% to 65% of
T is believed preferred, and a thickness of 40% to 60% is believed
more preferable, and a thickness of about 50% preferred.
[0032] Because the proximal end 14 is curved into the fingernail
extension 10, the offset ledge 30 forms a crescent-shaped strip
following that curvature on the proximal end 14. The thickness of
the offset ledge 30 is advantageously uniform from side 22 to side
24. The offset ledge 30 may be formed by grinding the proximal end
14 to reduce the thickness and texture the offset ledge, or the
nail extension may be molded to have the reduced thickness at the
offset ledge and molded to have the desired texturing finish, or a
combination of the two methods can be used. If grinding is used,
the axial length of the offset ledge 30 is advantageously the width
of the grinding wheel.
[0033] The top and bottom surfaces 26, 28 advantageously have a
shiny, polished surface finish. This polished surface may be
achieved by molding. But the offset ledge 30 advantageously has a
textured surface on the bottom side of the artificial nail and
facing downward, toward the person's fingernail 18 during use and
this textured surface is shown by the dashed lines in the figures
that indicate surface texturing. This textured surface is also
achieved during molding of the fingernail extensions 10, or by
other means such as grinding with an abrasive wheel. The textured
surface is selected to be rough enough to substantially improve
adhesion with the nail adhesive used to fasten the fingernail
extension 10 to the underlying fingernail 18 compared to a
non-textured surface such as a polished surface, while not causing
stress risers that induce cracking and fracture or fatigue fracture
of the offset ledge 30 during periods of extended use,
advantageously 10 to 20 days, and preferably from two to four
weeks. The textured surface is preferably a matt finish,
manufactured as a "crude" finish with a surface roughness of about
74 .mu.m, RMS believed suitable. A surface roughness of 0.35 to 0.7
Ra (micro-inches) is believed suitable, with a texture of 0.8 to
2.8 Ra believed usable but less desirable.
[0034] The surface finish on the remainder of the artificial nail
other than the offset ledge 30 is advantageously a polished finish.
A surface roughness of 0.1 to 0.3 RA (micro-inches) is believed
suitable.
[0035] The artificial fingernail extensions 10 may be made from any
suitable material. Various thermoplastic materials are commonly
used in the formation of artificial nails, such as, by way of
example only, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene
(PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene and
polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and combinations thereof, by
coextrusion or otherwise. Also believed suitable for use are
cellulose acetate and other cellulose esters, nylon, clear
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, acrylic resin and
polystyrene. Furthermore, the composition of material in the nail
body is preferably consistently uniform throughout.
[0036] The fingernail extensions 10 are typically made in clear,
natural, and white colors with the clear nail extensions being
effectively 100% transparent when the top and bottom surfaces have
a polished finish. If the fingernail extension is made of clear
material then the texturing on the offset ledge 30 advantageously
provides a visually perceptible contrasting appearance to the
unaided eye compared to the clear remainder of the fingernail
extension 10. Advantageously the offset ledge is made of a material
with a transparency differing by about 15% to 30% from the
immediately adjacent portion of the fingernail extension before
polish or gel is applied. As the fingernail extension is clear in
this example, the offset ledge 30 is less transparent by about 15%
to 30% compared to the immediately adjacent portion of the nail
extension, and advantageously about 20% less transparent, with the
texturing on the offset ledge 30 contributing almost all of that
difference in transparency as the material itself is clear. But
preferably the thinner (textured) offset ledge still results in an
offset ledge 30 sufficiently transparent that one can see through
the offset ledge with the texturing increasing the contrast.
Advantageously, the offset ledge has a transparency of about 40% to
80% for the clear nail extension, with transparencies of about 50%
and 70% believed advantageous within that range. These differences
in transparency are before use. The crescent shape formed by the
offset ledge 30 is visible when viewed through the outer or top
surface 26 of the nail extension, and that crescent shape may be
used to help align the proximal end 30 during use. The texturing
and reduced thickness contribute to this difference in
appearance.
[0037] If the fingernail extension 10 is made of natural color
material then it is not transparent. For a natural colored
fingernail extension 10, the thinner offset ledge 30 advantageously
provides a contrasting appearance to the unaided eye compared to
the darker and naturally colored remainder of the fingernail
extension 10, even when looking through the outer or top surface 26
of the fingernail extension. But preferably the thinner offset
ledge 30 has about 15% to 30% more transparent than the immediately
adjacent portion of the fingernail extension 10 when viewed through
the polished top surface 26, even with the texturing on the offset
layer. The offset ledge is preferably about 20% more transparency
even though the ledge 30 is textured. The transparency arises from
the material used, or from the reduced thickness of the offset
ledge or both. Thus, the reduction in thickness of the offset layer
may result in increasing transparency of the naturally colored nail
by the desired amount when the offset layer is textured, or the
transparency of the material used to form the artificial nail may
be changed to contribute. For example, naturally colored artificial
nails having a normal transparency of 60% may be made with a
transparency about 20% to 30% greater and preferably with a
transparency of about 10% greater. For natural colored nail
extensions, a transparency of about 70% is believed suitable. That
increased transparency of the material, combined with the reduced
thickness of offset ledge 30 and texturing of offset ledge 30
results in the specified transparency when viewed through the
polished top surface 26. The offset ledge advantageously has a
transparency of about 40% to 60% and preferably about 50%, when
viewed through a polished top surface 24 of the fingernail
extension. These transparency differences are before use. The
crescent shape formed by the offset ledge 30 on a naturally colored
fingernail extension is visible and may be used to help align the
proximal end 30 with a person's natural fingernail during use, and
the increased transparency of that crescent shaped, offset ledge 30
may also be used for such alignment.
[0038] For a white colored fingernail extension 10, the thinner
offset ledge 30 advantageously provides a contrasting appearance to
the unaided eye compared to the less transparent and white colored
remainder of the fingernail extension 10, when looking through the
outer or top surface 26 of the fingernail extension. Preferably,
the thinner offset ledge 30 has about 15% to 30% more transparent
than the immediately adjacent portion of the white-colored
fingernail extension 10 when viewed through the polished top
surface 26, even with the texturing on the offset layer. The offset
ledge is preferably about 20% more transparency even though the
ledge 30 is textured. The transparency arises from the material
used, or from the reduced thickness of the offset ledge or both.
Thus, the reduction in thickness of the offset layer may result in
increasing the transparency of the white-colored nail by the
desired amount when the offset layer is textured, or the
transparency of the material used to form the artificial nail may
be changed to contribute. For example, white-colored artificial
nails having a normal transparency of 60% may be made with a
transparency about 20% to 30% greater and preferably with a
transparency of about 10% greater. For white-colored nail
extensions a transparency of about 70% is believed suitable. That
increased transparency of the material, combined with the reduced
thickness of offset ledge 30 and texturing of offset ledge 30
results in the desired transparency when viewed through the
polished top surface 26. The offset ledge advantageously has a
transparency of about 40% to 60% and preferably about 50%, when
viewed through a polished top surface 24 of the fingernail
extension. The transparency differences in these examples are
before use. The crescent shape formed by the offset ledge 30 on a
white-colored fingernail extension is visible and may be used to
help align the proximal end 30 with a person's natural fingernail
during use, and the increased transparency of that crescent offset
ledge 30 may also be used for such alignment.
[0039] The transparency refers to the passage of ambient visible
light such that 50% transparent refers to passing 50% of the
ambient, visible light. Transparency is preferably determined at an
illumination of 800 lumens on the fingernail extension using a
light source at 5000.degree. K. The particular illumination and
color temperature are not believed critical as the majority of
manicurists can visually see through the offset ledge 30 in their
work environment to align the interior edge of the offset ledge
with the distal end of a person's fingernail to adhere the
artificial nail to the fingernail.
[0040] As seen in FIGS. 7-8, the fingernail extensions 10 may be
straight or curved along the direction of the finger and
fingernail. The curvature is preferably selected to match or
approximate the natural curvature of the fingernails 18 extending
from a person's fingers. The fingernail extensions also curve from
left to right sides 22, 24 to conform to the curvature of a
person's fingers, with the extensions being thin enough that the
bend to conform to the individual shape of the person's nails.
[0041] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, the artificial
fingernail extensions 10 may have different shapes on the distal
ends 12, including rounded (FIG. 9A), almond shaped (FIG. 9B),
coffin shaped (FIG. 9C) and pointed (FIG. 9D). Thus, a variety of
straight and curved fingernail extensions 10 are provided with an
offset ledge 30 having a textured surface to provide a strong and
fast connection to a fingernail 18.
[0042] In use, the manicurist selects the fingernail extension 10
to be used and optionally looks through the offset ledge 30 to
compare the shape of the offset ledge to the shape of the distal
edge of the underlying fingernail. The fingernail may be shaped to
better conform to the shape of the offset ledge 30 if desired. The
manicurist then applies an adhesive to at least one of the textured
offset 30 or the distal end of the fingernail 18. The textured
surface and the offset 30 cooperate to help retain the liquid
adhesive within the bounds of the textured offset 30. The
manicurist then looks through the proximal end 30 of the fingernail
extension 10 and uses the visible contrast between the offset
textured portion 30 and the adjacent fingernail extension to
position the fingernail extension 10 relative to the underlying
fingernail. The manicurist then places the textured offset ledge 30
against the distal end of the underlying fingernail 18 and, as
needed, slides the fingernail extension 10 longitudinally until the
distal edge of the fingernail 18 contacts the interior edge of the
offset ledge 30, and slides the fingernail extension laterally
until the offset ledge is visually centered on the fingernail.
Advantageously, the offset ledge 30 overlaps or has its proximal
edge aligned with the hyponychium so as to lend the appearance of a
French manicure. The conforming shapes of the interior end of the
offset ledge 30 and the distal end of the fingernail 38 help align
and center the fingernail extension 10 on the fingernail 18. The
contrasting texture and visibility of the textured offset ledge 30
allows easy rough alignment and positioning of the fingernail
extension 10 with the fingernail 18. The ability of the manicurist
to see the shape of the offset ledge 30 through the thickness of
the proximal end 30 of the fingernail extension allows easy
alignment and positioning of the fingernail extension with the
fingernail as the proximal end 14 approaches the fingernail 18, and
when the offset ledge contacts the fingernail.
[0043] The textured surface on the offset ledge 30 provides
improved adhesion, especially compared to an adhesive applied to
the polished finish on the remainder of the surfaces of the
fingernail extension 10. The textured surface thus provides a
stronger and more durable connection with the artificial fingernail
extension.
[0044] After the offset ledge 30 is adhered to the person's
fingernail 30 and the adhesive is set or hardened, the manicurist
will sand down the overlapping edge of the offset ledge 30 to more
closely conform to the person's fingernail 18. Alternatively, the
manicurist may add a layer of gel, adhesive or filler around the
proximal end 14 and the outer edge of the outer ledge 30 and when
hardened, file or sand that added material to more smoothly blend
to the fingernail 18. The manicurist may then add any sealant,
clearcoat, or color coat desired on the outer surface 26 of the
fingernail extension 10 or other portions of the nail
extension.
[0045] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0046] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention, including various ways of texturing the offset ledge 30.
Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone,
or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to
be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the
invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
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