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