Artificial nail with upstanding feature and method of use

Abstract

The artificial nail includes a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the concave lower surface having a size and a curvature configured for placement in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail, the upper surface including an upstanding feature separating and delineating regions abutting opposite sides of the feature. In a method of use, a first liquid hardenable coating material is applied to one of the regions, and a second liquid hardenable material to a second of the regions, such that the first material and the second material are separated and delineated by the upstanding feature. The nail is then abraded to a desired appearance such as of a French manicure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates generally to an artificial nail attachable to the fingernail or toenail region of a finger or toe to cover or form an extension of the nail, and more particularly, which includes an upstanding feature that can be used to separate or delineate coatings applied to different regions of the nail and to form a visible smile line to create a look of a French manicure, and which feature can stiffen or strengthen the structure of the artificial nail.BACKGROUND ART[0002]It has been known in the art of adorning the hands and feet to provide ornamental fingernail and toenail accessories made from thin, molded plastic members manufactured generally in the shape of a fingernail or toenail. Here, it should be noted and understood that as used herein, the terms “artificial fingernail”, “artificial toenail”, and “nail tip” and “fingernail tip” are considered as interchangeable terms for the purposes of the present invention, and that the present invention...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]What is provided is an artificial nail and manner of use, particularly for creating a French manicure look, which is less time consuming, and overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings set forth above.

[0013]As another preferred aspect of the invention, the upstanding feature has a maximum height of from between about 1 millimeter to about 2 millimeters above the upper surface of the member. The feature can also be configured to stiffen and / or strengthen the artificial nail. For this purpose, and to facilitate manufacture and utility for separating and delineating the coatings, the raised feature can be molded in place on the artificial nail member, or formed thereon by bending, folding or other mechanical manipulation, forming a stiffening and strengthening rib and barrier to coatings flow. As another alternative, the upstanding feature can be attached to the nail member in a suitable manner, such as using adhesives, plastics welding such as ultrasonic welding, and the like.

Problems solved by technology

This can be done simply with paint and a mask, but this approach lacks durability.

Creating an attractive smile line in this manner is time consuming and requires some skill, particularly to achieve a smooth line and uniform appearance between adjacent fingers or toes.

Additionally, it is sometimes desired to create a smile line of a contrasting color between the different colored regions of the nail, which requires additional time.

Presently, creating a French manicure look using acrylics is time consuming, on the order of 45 minutes to one hour for a set of ten, making this one of the more time consuming tasks in a salon.

Again, this is a time consuming procedure that reduces salon productivity and requires advanced skill.

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