Template Or Mask Patents (Class 132/285)
  • Publication number: 20080138140
    Abstract: Nail Works is a nail polish bottle's cap acting as an application tool to aid in the process of polishing. Nail Works includes a nail polish bottle filled with paint, a lid with depending wand having a brush and the lid with an attached nail. The attached nail may slide into a position that is appropriate for use and then retract into its original position. The nail bearing the color of paint within the bottle is thin and concave in nature and acts as a scraping device to rid the cuticles of excess paint. Its sleek dimensional design allows it to lye flush against the customer's nail bed facilitating in correct color choice based upon skin tone and not just looks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Debra Lynn Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080121247
    Abstract: A thickset artificial nail tip device has two regions, including a well region that may be affixed to and blend in with a portion of a natural nail bed of a wearer, and a thicker body region that may extend beyond the natural nail bed of a wearer. The thicker body region may include a single color or multicolor design and may help to eliminate a need for applying acrylic materials on top of the artificial nail tip. In one embodiment, the well region is absent, so that the thickset artificial nail tip device may be used on a long natural nail bed. The thickset artificial nail tip device may eliminate the need for applying acrylic materials on top of an artificial nail tip and reduce the amount of filing time required after application of an artificial nail tip, thereby making the application of an artificial nail tip to a natural nail bed fast and easy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Quy Le Tran
  • Publication number: 20080121246
    Abstract: It is intended to provide an applicator, by which a line with a constant width can be accurately and easily drown on the nail either by the dominant hand or the non-dominant hand, in enjoying nail art (i.e., painting nails), in particular, French nail. Namely, an applicator for nail art (1) comprising the main applicator part made of porous material, a raised fabric material or a brush-like material, which is capable of absorbing and retaining a liquid, provided with a nail guide member (3) for leading a nail tip and a nail application member (4) which is attached to the nail guide member (3) and has a flat surface suitable for the application. In a preferred case, two or more pairs of the nail guide member and nail application member are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Yuko Saito, Masumi Mitsunaga
  • Publication number: 20080099037
    Abstract: Disclosed is an artificial nail having a nail base, the nail base having an upper surface comprising a first plane and one or more second planes abutting the first plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are arranged to have different tilt angles so that a protruding boundary line is formed between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Sung Yong Chang
  • Patent number: 7290550
    Abstract: The present invention provides a painting holder, a painting holder feeding unit, a printer unit having the holder and feeding unit, and an art painting apparatus with such a printer unit for automatic vending machines. The painting holder consists of a housing connected to a bracket of a feeding unit, a spring-biased finger base movably set within the housing so as to be elastically biased upward in the housing, a locking member hinged to the right-hand sidewall of the housing, and normally biased in a direction by a first torsion coil spring, and a finger cover hinged to the left-hand sidewall of the housing, and biased in a direction by a second torsion coil spring. The finger cover also has a painting opening at a predetermined position thereof, and is locked by the locking member. The art painting apparatus has a high resolution of not less than 1,200 dpi, thus accomplishing a highly active and clear painting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: D & Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hyun Sim
  • Publication number: 20070186949
    Abstract: A protective fingernail cover having a top portion, a bottom portion and a retention band. The bottom portion is joined to the top portion define an enclosure that is adapted to at least partially receive a person's fingernail. The retention band extends from at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion. The retention band is capable of extending around the person's finger when the protective fingernail cover is placed over the person's fingernail to thereby retain the protective fingernail cover in a fixed position with respect to the person's fingernail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Fritz Boothe
  • Patent number: 7134440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-adhesive tip guide application device for applying tip guides during a French manicure. The present invention allows the user to use both hands in applying the guides to a nail. The device includes an elongated frame having a series of arms extending substantially perpendicularly away from the frame. Each arm contains at least one releasably secured arch-shaped tip guide. The frame also contains a releasably-secured release liner. When removed, the frame can be secured to any surface, thereby more easily allowing the user to apply the guides to the nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Danice Dombeck
  • Patent number: 6634367
    Abstract: A finger tip enclosure apparatus for fitting over and sealingly enclosing a user finger tip and its fingernail includes an enclosure shell having a tubular shell side wall with a side wall proximal end and a side wall distal end, the side wall proximal end including a sealing structure protruding radially inward for making circumferential sealing contact with side surfaces of a human finger, the side wall distal end being sealingly joined to and closed by a distal end wall. The apparatus may retain a fingernail polish solvent in prolonged contact with the fingernail so that polish on the fingernail is dissolved or softened for removal while freeing the to move about and perform manual tasks, and alternatively may retain medication in prolonged contact with the finger tip and fingernail, and still alternatively may shield the finger tip and fingernail from contamination and abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Kathleen Hunter Abraham, Fred F. Anthony
  • Publication number: 20030089378
    Abstract: The invention provides a manicure tool, including a guide head having a curved lower edge. The lower edge has a longitudinal curve and a rearward curve. In another aspect, the lower edge is concave. A method for applying a manicure material to a nail to form a border is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Tot T. Chu
  • Patent number: 6382217
    Abstract: A process for fabricating custom fit removable and reusable false metal fingernails. The steps include pouring impression material around the fingernail and nail bed and forming a negative finger impression of the fingernail and nail bed. The negative finger impression is now filled with an investment material for forming a positive investment impression of the fingernail and nail bed. An artificial plastic fingernail tip is now attached to the nail bed of the fingernail on the positive investment impression. Wax is now spread in the fingernail bed next to the cuticle for covering an area in the bed not covered by the plastic tip. One end of a wax sprue is now melted and attached to a center portion of the plastic fingernail tip. Another end of the wax sprue is inserted into a top of a rubber ring former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Wade Coker, Denise Marie-Coker
  • Patent number: 6357451
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an imitation finger nail. An apparatus for forming an imitation finger nail includes a flexible sheet. Each sheet may be provided with a self-adhesive material on one side of the sheet. A removable cap is formed in the sheet. In addition, a slot may be formed in the sheet for engaging a finger nail. A plurality of substantially parallel lines may be provided on a first surface of the sheet adjacent the slot. A plurality of substantially curved lines intersecting the substantially parallel lines also may be provided on the first surface of the sheet. One or more ears attached to opposite edges of the sheet are provided for helping to secure the bendable and conformable sheet to a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Gerri Carter
  • Patent number: 6336462
    Abstract: A template may be formed from such as surgical tape, having an opening cut therein in the shape of an eyebrow. The template may have a low-tack adhesive coating on one side, or a depilatory coating, or one of each on both sides of the substrate. When used for eyebrow shaping, the adhesive side is adhered to the skin, and colouring is applied through the opening. When used for waxing, the depilatory coating is applied to the region around the shape of the eyebrow to be left after the depilation procedure. The depilatory coating may be a heat-activated composition, or a pressure-activated composition. The templates may be provided in pairs, in rolls of groups of pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Gianna Santelli, Bonita J. Lischka
  • Patent number: 6305389
    Abstract: A Mascara Application Guard made of a hypoallergenic material such as silicone is presented. It has an irregular shape, and is about 109 mm long and about 52 mm wide. The guard has different sized curvatures to fit the different size of eyes found in human beings. At one end of the guard, a curvature of approximately 25 mm is used for persons having small sized eye sockets. At the opposite end of the guard a medium size curvature of approximately 32 mm is available for persons having medium sized eye sockets. A very large curvature is located perpendicular to the medium sized curvature. This larger curvature is approximately 34 mm in radius. Each of the three curvatures has a raised edge in order to facilitate its use. The guard is used by placing it underneath the lower eyelashes or on top of the upper eyelashes. Mascara may then be applied to the eyelashes. The guard prevents the mascara from also being deposited on the skin underneath the guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Virginia Bakken
  • Patent number: 6293283
    Abstract: A fingernail cover includes a decorative topper to fill the gap between the outgrown artificial fingernail and the cuticle of the underlying natural fingernail. The fingernail cover may also include a decorative sleeve to slip over the tip of the artificial fingernail. The fingernail cover may be used to conceal damaged fingernails, to maintain an attractive appearance of artificial nails without requiring application of nail polish, or to increase the strength of the artificial or natural fingernails. The fingernail cover may be fabricated from a material selected from among metal, gold, silver, other precious metals, metal electroplated with precious or other metal and colored injection molded plastic, particularly “neon” colors. Also, instead of sizing the decorative topper to fill the indicated gap, the topper may instead be sized to cover the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Michele Washington
  • Patent number: 6286517
    Abstract: Inkjet printing technology is used to apply selected designs on fingernails or toenails. The nail-printing device applies highly detailed, customized, multicolored designs that are scaled to precisely fit within the boundary of each individual nail. The device comprises an ink jet print head, a holder for aligning the digits or nails, a camera to image the nails, a computer to acquire, store and analyze the image, and a control system that directs the ink jet print head to apply the scaled design to the nails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Pearl Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. Weber, Michael R. Weber, Luiz B. Da Silva
  • Patent number: 6213131
    Abstract: A fingernail stenciling system for applying novel and decorative shapes and designs upon fingernails. The fingernail stenciling system includes a carrying case having a plurality of compartments disposed inside thereof, and also includes a stencil member having a plurality of openings therein, each opening having a distinctive design and shape, and further includes a base member, an elongate member, and a finger support member, and also includes an airbrush nozzle connected to a portable air compressor and having a hopper for holding and providing paint used to paint one's fingernails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Larry Vien, Lieng Hong Vang
  • Patent number: 6196234
    Abstract: An artificial fingernail includes a fingernail body having an inner face extending from a tail end to an opposing tip end. At least a portion of the inner face of the fingernail body has a configuration substantially identical in complement to the exposed top surface of a specific real fingernail. As a result, the inner surface of the fingernail body can be selectively secured in a precision fit on the real fingernail so as to substantially cover all of the exposed top surface of the real fingernail. The fingernail body is integrally molded as a discrete unit comprised of an acetone resistant thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ova Nail Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig P. Gifford
  • Patent number: 6085756
    Abstract: A apparatus 10 for painting nails is provided. The nail polishing apparatus includes a substantially "U"-shaped nail abutting portion 12 and an integrally formed substantially "V"-shaped portion 14. Portion 12 includes a slot 18 into which a user can insert a finger 68. Surface 16 of portion 12 effectively covers the skin and/or cuticles 78, 80 surrounding the finger nail 72, thereby preventing unnecessary application of nail polish to these areas. Portion 14 is adapted to pivotally support finger 68 and nail 72 at some distance above a surface 68.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventors: David John Sexton, Deborah Lee Sexton
  • Patent number: 6067996
    Abstract: Inkjet printing technology is used to apply a selected design on a fingernail or toenail. The nail printing device applies highly detailed, customized, multicolored designs that are scaled to the size and shape of the individual nail. The device comprises an ink jet print head; a holder for aligning the digit or nail, and a control system that contains the nail designs in an electronic digital form, scales and corrects the designs to the individual nail size and shape, and directs the ink jet print head to apply the scaled design to the nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Pearl I. LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. Weber, Luiz B. Da Silva, Michael R. Weber
  • Patent number: 6024099
    Abstract: A hand-operated self-contained machine made out of molded plastic for applying an image on a nail of a person's digit or an object, such as, a golf ball, consisting of a base frame including side rails. An element is provided to establish a reference point. An image creating holder is integrally molded to the side rails. An indexed wheel holding a plate containing a plurality of images is supported on the holder and can be indexed to any one of a plurality of positions. An image composed of an image defining coating material is created at one image position on the plate. A positioning member receives and adjustably positions a person's digit or object relative to the location of the created image in an appropriate orientation relative to the reference point. A transfer member is mounted on the side rails movable for transferring the created image from the image creating plate to the person's nail or object and a manually operable drive member drives the transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Fashion Nails, Inc.
    Inventors: Nevin C. Jenkins, Rande W. Newberry, Antonio Lebron
  • Patent number: 6012461
    Abstract: A fingernail sculpting teaching system for use in practicing the creation of an artificial fingernail on a typical human finger. The teaching system includes a cylinder for simulating a typical human finger. Formed at each end of the cylinder is a visual marker, shaped to simulate a typical human nail bed, on which is placed the material comprising the artificial fingernail bed. A form may be provided adjacent the visual marker for receiving the material comprising the artificial fingernail free edge. The cylinder may be provided with a cover to faciliate removal of the artificial fingernail from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Linda C. McKew
  • Patent number: 5988178
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nail tip sizing tool is performed by providing a handle with at least one slot and a set of artificial nail tips of different widths and lengths with each nail tip having a cuticle end and a tip end. The tip ends of at least selected ones of the nail tips are cut to establish a substantially uniform nail tip length as measured between the cuticle end and the cut tip end. The cut tip ends are then inserted equal distances into at least one slot of the handle such that the cuticle ends of the nail tips are substantially aligned and the nail tips are in adjacent side-by-side relationship in progressively nail tip width size. Since the nail tip sizing tool has nail tips identical to the nail tips stored in "tip boxes" of the operator, once sizing is performed, the selected artificial nail tip is identical to the sized artificial nail tip of the nail tip sizing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Christina S. Bair
  • Patent number: 5975087
    Abstract: An artificial nail overlay on which a predetermined picture or pattern has been pre-printed. The overlay is flattened to be dyed or printed so that it provides advantage of removing the separate designing work on silk fabrics during the attaching process of the artificial nail to a natural nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignees: Sung Yong Chang, Terry Kim, Jun Hee Lee
    Inventor: Sung Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 5957142
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping with application of make-up includes a handle having a pair of spaced apart arms, which are connectable with an applicator mask. The applicator mask has an elongated end which is positioned along an individual's eyelid to help with the application of make-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Cindy Ann Karafilis
  • Patent number: 5934290
    Abstract: Systems of the invention for forming artificial fingernails include methods, apparatus and kits. A form implement is fashioned into a complementary shape of a fingernail. Acrylic material in a gelatinous state, applied to a base comprised of a natural fingernail and optionally an artificial fingernail tip, is molded by further application of a form. A form of the invention tends to shape the acrylic material in a preferred manner before it hardens in the polymerization process. The form, left in intimate contact with the hardening acrylic material, imparts its shape and texture to the material. A form, thereafter having been removed from a newly created artificial fingernail, creates a superior looking nail having a smooth transparent look which is more natural and desirable. In addition, forms of the invention result in better shaped nails having less defects than nails formed via commonly known techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventors: George H. Carroll, Arthur A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5931166
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for decorating or coloring fingernails or toenails. According to the method, a subject's fingernail is scanned to obtain an image and the image is transferred to a computer. The computer then maps out the fingernail surface and scales a selected image or design to fit on the fingernail. This information is then used by the computer to activate an inkjet assembly to print out the stored image on the fingernail surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: Paul J. Weber, Michael R. Weber, Luiz B. Da Silva
  • Patent number: 5927293
    Abstract: An artificial nail tip facilitates the creation of "French" nails. The nail tip includes a dam which divides the surface of the nail into two regions. By applying acrylic materials of different colors to the two regions, filling the regions up against the dam, one creates a nail having more than one color, and having a well-defined boundary between regions of different color. In another embodiment, the dam is affixed directly to the fingernail, and some of the acrylic material is applied to a temporary form that is attached to the fingernail. As in the first embodiment, two differently-colored acrylic materials are applied to different regions, up to the dam, to create a "French" nail. The present invention makes it possible to create "French" nails without the need for extensive training or talent, since the dam provides a guide for the application of the differently-colored acrylics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: American Consolidated Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lin Halpern
  • Patent number: 5924428
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a masking device utilized during the application of nail polish to a fingernail. In one embodiment, the masking device includes a clamp having a first finger gripping portion and a second finger-gripping portion. A flexible shield portion is connected to the clamp and extends distally therefrom and conforms to the shape of a finger so as to cover a proximal portion of the fingernail. The shield portion includes a distal edge defining either a curved or straight line across the fingernail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Betty W. Song
  • Patent number: 5916653
    Abstract: A dental decal (10) for application on a person's tooth (24) is disclosed. The dental decal includes a substrate (12) formed of non-toxic, moisture-resistant polyethylene film material, a design (18) printed on one face of the substrate with non-toxic ink, and a layer of non-toxic, ingestible, medical grade adhesive (20) on the other face of the substrate for permitting the dental decal to be firmly affixed to the person's tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventors: Maria A. Kunstadter, Michael K. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5901714
    Abstract: A new nail polish template for protecting the skin adjacent a nail from contact with nail polish while painting the nail. The inventive device includes a generally trapezoidal member having top and bottom surfaces, opposite first and second sides, and opposite third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides of the member. The member also has a plurality of nested portions. Each portion of the member is extended from the first side of member towards the second side of the member. Each of the portions is separable from member to define a cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Marilyn L. Benkart
  • Patent number: 5890499
    Abstract: The present invention is an ergonomic mascara shield specifically designed to provide a barrier or protective shield over the upper and lower eyelid areas of a user's face to prevent smearing during the application of mascara. The device is comprised of an ergonomically designed eye portion being both angled and concave relative to an ergonomic handle portion integrally attached to the eye portion. The eye portion is adapted to fit even the deepest set eyes through its curvature and relative angle to the handle. The handle is designed to curve around the cheekbone and brow ridge thereby allowing the eye portion to rest comfortably and perfectly where desired in the eye socket. The handle likewise provides a contoured surface area to facilitate griping and positioning of the mascara shield in a preferred position against the lower or upper eyelids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventors: Olga Fuentes, Rene Fuentes
  • Patent number: 5873375
    Abstract: A method of applying multi-colored designs to substrates such as fingernails or toenails. A mask/stencil is prepared by cutting a design in a thin flexible plastic sheet held on a backing sheet by a low tack adhesive. Preferably, the mask/stencil is cut in a computer driven plotter using a sharp blade in place of the usual pen. The mask/stencil is removed from the backing sheet and placed on the substrate with openings corresponding to the design. A colorant is applied over the mask/stencil and areas of the substrate exposed through the openings. The mask/stencil is then removed, leaving colored areas corresponding to mask/stencil openings. Additional mask/stencils with different openings corresponding to other portions of the final multi-color design are then applied, coated and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: James Johnson, Dianne Dagnolo
  • Patent number: 5865196
    Abstract: A hair stylist face shield for shielding the face are of a client receiving hair styling services. The hair stylist face shield includes a face screening member, a rigid, elongated handle, an air filter element and two stacks of transparent, peel-off, eye opening cover members. The molded plastic face shield member is molded to form a face receiving cavity contoured to receive therein the chin, nose, eye, forehead and cheek areas of a user and includes a mouth/nose area opening and two eye openings. The handle is rigidly connected to the inner surface wall of the chin area of the face member and extending downwardly away from the chin covering area of the face screening member. The air filter element is adhesively secured to the interior of the face screening member and covers the mouth/nose area opening such that all air drawn through the mouth/nose area opening must be drawn through the air filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Mary L. Foote
  • Patent number: 5848597
    Abstract: A new nail wrap molder for helping form silk wraps on a fingernail to match the natural contour of the fingernail. The inventive device includes an elongate base portion and a form portion extending from the upper surface of the base portion. The form portion has an arcuate upper forming surface designed for resting a fingernail on to permit the application and forming of a silk wrap or artificial nail on the fingernail. The form portion also has an abutment wall orientated towards the proximal end of the base portion which is designed for abutting the tip of a finger against it when the fingernail to be molded rests upon the arcuate upper forming surface of the form portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: June Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5832936
    Abstract: Graduated artificial fingernail tips for creating longer fingernails includes an artificial fingernail tip and length-indiciating indicia on an upper surface of the tip. The length-indicating indicia may be numbers or letters corresponding to graduated trim points. A method for applying the graduated artificial fingernail tips is also provided which includes buffing out the indicia after conventional adhesion of the tip to the natural nails. The graduated tips and method enable a quick and easy application of the tips to create a manicure with nails of substantially uniform length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: S & B Nail Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra A. Pruchnic, Bruce A. Pruchnic
  • Patent number: 5823205
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a nail filing guide is provided for controlling the shape and quality of symmetry of a nail, particularly a fingernail. The nail filing guide comprises a digit rest and a shape wall; the shape wall having an outer contour defining a desired nail shape and a thickness size to accommodate the size of the nail. The outer contour of the wall has an angle established to shape a nail perpendicular to the growth pattern of the nail and a contour to accommodate the desired contour of the nail. Specific embodiments of the nail guides include a pointed contour, a blunt contour, a so-called opaque contour, and a round contour. Extending outward from the shape wall is a support porch for guiding a nail file rested against the support porch. Importantly, the tip of the shape wall is curved to conform generally to the natural lateral curve of the nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Bill Stankovic
  • Patent number: 5816269
    Abstract: A temporary tattoo can be formed on a person's skin, using a stencil mechanism that has flexibility and adhesive attachment to the skin surface. For handling and storage purposes, the flexible stencil sheet is sandwiched between a backing sheet and a protective carrier sheet. In use of the stencil mechanism, the protective carrier sheet and stencil sheet are torn away from the backing sheet to expose an adhesive film on the stencil sheet. After the stencil sheet has been adhesively attached to the skin surface the carrier sheet is peeled off of the stencil sheet to expose the stencil openings. Colored dye is applied through the stencil openings to form a temporary tattoo on the skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Khadija Mohammed
  • Patent number: 5813415
    Abstract: The Nail Easel Detailing and Storage Kit for applying nail polish and ornamentation to artificial fingernails, comprises a convenient durable unit (10) with an attached lid (12) having a removable easel (26) with a multitude of angles and levels to apply nail polish, enamels and artistic ornamentation to at least ten displayed artificial fingernails. Artificial fingernails are applied by releasable double-sided adhesive tabs to the nail station (32) having a specifically designed convex head, suspending a releasable fingernail. A storage compartment (20) within the base of a unit provides the opportunity to store supplies including but not limited to, artificial fingernails, decals, pinstripes, fingernail adhesive, double-sided adhesive tabs, files and buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Susan Slali
  • Patent number: 5803094
    Abstract: Acrylic and fiberglass fingernails are applied using an aid having a flexible fingernail support shield wrappable around the end of a human finger defining an aperture suitable to receive a fingernail. A substantially conical resilient pinching member defining an expandable slit is placed over the flexible support shield and the fingernail augmentation is applied over the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bruce Becker, Gregory Pearson Becker
  • Patent number: 5782379
    Abstract: A device for dispensing and holding artificial fingernails for decoration includes a housing having an upper work platform, and a plurality of magazine assemblies disposed within the housing. Each of the magazine assemblies includes a body for storing a plurality of artificial fingernails in stacked relation, and a spring biased plunger disposed in the body for urging the artificial fingernails upwardly within the body. The device further includes a slide having a plurality of slide members which are slidable through the respective magazine bodies for engaging the rear edge of the uppermost fingernail in each of the magazine assemblies and advancing the fingernail outwardly through an exit opening in the body of each of the magazine assemblies. The exit openings are disposed on the upper work surface of the work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: JoAnn M. Traub, Craig C. Selvage
  • Patent number: 5782249
    Abstract: There is provided an improved process and apparatus for cutting and/or fingernails. The process includes the step of providing laser radiation to cut or score the nails, and optionally cooling the site of administration of the laser beam. The nails can be coated with colored lacquers to provide a multicolored design when melted by the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: Paul J. Weber, Michael R. Weber, Robert Weber
  • Patent number: 5743277
    Abstract: A device and method for forming an artificial finger nail of varying configurations from a nail coating composite of liquid composition, hardenable to form a hard substance, deposited in one of a set of mold inserts for controlling contour and shape of a sculptured nail. The device includes a set of mold inserts consisting of at least one selected mold insert and adapted to be slidably mounted in a frame for controlling positioning of an insert relative to a finger nail of a user. The device includes a frame with an arcuate base having a coplanar arcuate retainer with a guide for supporting the selected mold insert and arranged to form an elongated reservoir for receiving the nail coating composition superimposed on the nail of a user. The contour and shape of a sculptured nail so formed is determined by the configuration of the selected mold insert slid in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Cynthia L. Moreshead
  • Patent number: 5724999
    Abstract: A finger nail is decorated with an image printed on a piece of glossy coated paper, such as from a magazine, by applying a film-forming substance over the image to the piece, the substance including a resin and a solvent that is capable upon drying of forming a film that is sufficiently flexible and extensible to permit it to conform to the surface of the nail. After allowing the substance to dry and form the film, the paper under the film is wetted with water and the paper is removed to leave a film/image/paper-coating sandwich that is substantially free of paper fibers. The sandwich is cut to form a blank of a size and shape to fit the margins of the cuticle bordering the finger nail. The sized and shaped blank is applied to the finger nail, and a settable nail top coat substance in liquid form is applied over the blank and allowed to dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Ho Choong Kim
  • Patent number: 5699816
    Abstract: An adjustable fingernail protector for protecting the paint or polish on a fingernail after a manicure, which is attached to the finger primarily ahead of the first knuckle and behind the fingernail to avoid significantly impairing the motion of the hands. The fingernail protector includes a fingernail protective shield having a supporting base and a hood, and a securing band adapted to releasably secure the supporting base to the finger to maintain the protective shield on the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Cherylann Company
    Inventors: Cheryl Ann Banes, Joseph Born
  • Patent number: 5645090
    Abstract: A device, kit and method used in applying polish to a finger nail for obtaining a french manicure. The device can be removably engaged around a finger tip to establish a line of demarcation that approximates the curve of the tip of the finger nail. This line of demarcation allows an individual to apply a band of finger nail polish along the tip of the finger nail, while preventing the polish from contacting the portion of the finger nail away from the fingertip. The device is sufficiently flexible to be deflected from a nail-engaging position to a removing position when a force is applied against opposed sides of the device. The disclosed kit includes one or more of these devices, a container of finger nail polish and an applicator to apply the finger nail polish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Juhl, Christian and Christian, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Juhl, S. Rozan Christian, Max L. Christian, Clarence Zierhut
  • Patent number: 5638837
    Abstract: A device used when applying polish to a tip of a finger nail includes a body having a size sufficient to prevent polish from being applied to a shielded portion of the finger nail away from the tip. A passageway extends through the body and has a size sufficient to receive the tip of the nail on one side of the body and allow access by a user of the device to the tip of the nail on the other side of the body. A kit adapted for applying polish to a tip of a finger nail includes the device. A kit includes a container of finger nail polish and an applicator to apply the polish to the tip of the nail after a finger is secured to the device to permit an individual to obtain a french type manicure. A method of applying polish to a tip of a finger nail constructs a device having a body made to expose the tip of the nail while shielding the remainder of the nail. The tip of the nail is positioned in the device to expose the tip while preventing access of the polish to the remainder of the nail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Juhl, Christian and Christian, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Juhl, S. Rozan Christian, Max L. Christian, Karen Davis
  • Patent number: 5613506
    Abstract: A device for removing a manicure coating from a nail at a fingertip is formed of a container, a soft material impregnated with a manicure removing solution and disposed in the container, a closure removably attached to the upper portion of the container for opening and closing the container, an inner closure rotatably attached to the upper portion of the container and having an opening and a cover for closing the opening, and a sheath attached to the inner closure and extending downwardly therefrom to be situated inside the container. The sheath has a side portion, an inner space at least partly surrounded by the side portion and communicating with the opening, and an open portion formed at the side portion. When the fingertip is inserted into the sheath through the opening, the nail can be located in the open portion. In this position, when the finger is turned together with the inner closure, the manicure coating can be removed from the nail by the manicure removing solution contained in the soft material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Sumie Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 5613507
    Abstract: An attachable member for creating sculptured nails and a method for using the same. The attachment member is designed to fit beneath the fingernail of the user upon the insertion of a template beneath the nail of the user. The template is the pattern upon which a brush-applied liquid powder acrylic mix or similar product is applied. Adjacent to the template and forming an outline for the pattern is a groove designed to define the edge and form it to a uniform thickness and shape and to catch the excess mix. Outside of the groove is an adjacent area for wiping off excess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Superb Solutions
    Inventors: Janice F. Geer, James W. Geer
  • Patent number: 5577521
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for polishing fingernails. The polishing fingernail device comprises an integral structure having a forward portion for the fingernail section and a rearward portion for a portion of the finger rearwardly from the fingernail. The forward portion extends about the side ends of the nail and the rear end of the nail. In another embodiment the forward portion includes a section which extends under and about the forward portion of the nail being treated. The rearward portion extends about the top and side portion of the finger with a mechanism, such as a belt to releasably secure the polishing fingernail device to the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Steven Neitlich
  • Patent number: 5540243
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting fingernails are described. A fingernail protector includes: a resilient arcuate section having a proximal open end and a distal open end, the arcuate section 1) defining a first axis, 2) including a recess formed in the resilient arcuate section that defines a hinge axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis, the recess increasing the flexibility of the resilient arcuate section with regard to the first axis and 3) subtending an angle of at least approximately 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hands Unlimited Inc.
    Inventor: Cheryl A. Simonton