Abstract: The invention relates to a self-adhesive, plasticizer-containing laminate consisting ofa) a film-forming polymeric layer containing dyestuffs and/or pigments,b) a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, andc) a removable, preferably siliconized protective film covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer,the film-forming polymeric layer a) of which is at least entirely covered by a layer being resistant towards the other components of the laminate and towards the materials used in the production of the laminate. The invention further relates to the use of said laminate as artificial nails applicable to toenails or fingernails.

Abstract: The present application relates to artificial nail tips, particularly artificial nail tips which have an attachment area with an axial curvature and a cut-out portion which provide a comfortable and conforming fit to a variety of natural nails while maintaining structural integrity. The axial curvature of the attachment area of the nail tips is of a dual radius design which provides a more comfortable and conformable fit while helping to maintain the structural integrity of the nail tip. The cut-out portion of the nail tips is of a "V" shape which allows the nail tip attachment area to deform with less structural resistance while maintaining structural integrity. It is preferable that the V shaped cut out be at least slightly rounded at its apex to provide even greater structural integrity when the nail tip is deformed.

Abstract: A method for applying color to the surface of nails of the hands and feet is provided in the form of a base coat, acrylic spray paint and a top sealing coat. The method is performed by first applying a base coat in the usual method to the nail surface, spraying the acrylic paint on the nail surface and then sealing the acrylic paint by applying a top coat. Once the top sealing coat is dry, the user washes her hands with soap and water so as to remove any overspray of acrylic paint which came into contact with the surrounding skin or cuticle. The system can be used in association with finger shields which would serve to protect the surrounding skin and cuticle or in association with stencil designs.

Abstract: An artificial fingernail tip having a body portion with an underside surface and outer surface. The underside and outer side surfaces extend between a leaning and a trailing end. A security element is positioned between the leading end and the trailing end and extends from the underside of the body portion and towards the trailing end. The security element is a projection constructed to define a slot which receives a user's natural fingernail to resist attachment.

Abstract: French manicure templates comprising a lower template positionable in a horizontal plane wherein a representation of a human hand and aligning notches are printed thereon, and a wedge shaped upper template, positionable in overlapping relationship with the lower template such that a person's hand may be interposed therebetween; the upper template is provided with corresponding aligning notches and a plurality of variable size nail masks about the peripheral edge thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a decorative pattern on a finger or toe nail using fixture that may be a two part hinged fixture that receives a screen and holds it in juxtaposition to a nail. Articulated arms or a base plate position the fixture relative to the finger or toe, with the nail exposed through the fixture. A screen is inserted into the fixture. A coloring liquid is put onto the screen and is expressed through the screen by a squeegee that coacts with the fixture and resiliently deflects the screen. The part of the fixture holding the screen can be pivoted up and away from the nail to avoid smearing and facilitate changing of the screen. Multi-color patterns can be made by using a plurality of screens with different coloring liquids, such as nail polishes or lacquers.

Abstract: The fingernail polish protector of the invention has a finger-encircling piece, elongated pieces extending in parallel from opposing sides of the finger-encircling piece, an upper piece hinged to one of the elongated pieces and latchable to the other elongated piece, and at least one lower finger-retaining portion extending downward between said finger encircling piece and the distal end of said elongated piece. The fingernail polish protector may also include an upper finger-retaining portion extending upward from an elongated piece. The protector may be attached to open ends of the fingers of a glove.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely and efficiently applying a coating to the nails of ones hands and toes and covering the cuticle and skin tissue bounding the nails to prevent coating from being applied thereto and to precisely define the area of coating applied to the nails. An adhesive backed mask is provided for covering the cuticle and skin tissue which has a cut-out portion for framing the nail to be coated. A plurality of masks are provided in a booklet and are removable therefrom for use, preferably by tearing a mask from a page of the booklet with a portion of the page on which it is adhered.

Abstract: A manicure sheet for use in manicuring fingernails comprising a left-and-right pair of masking sheets which are stuck onto the left and right halves of the fingertip for masking skin parts proximate to the nail. Each sheet has in its tip part an L-shaped incision (11) defined by a basal side (12) corresponding to the nail's basal edge and a perpendicular side (13) corresponding to either of the nail's opposite edges. The sum of the lengths of the joined basal sides of the L-shaped incisions in the left-and-right pair of masking sheets (1) and (2) is made larger than the length of the basal side of the nail.

Abstract: A fingernail shield includes a tube having a diameter larger than that of a typical human finger and an adhesive within the tube for securing the tube to a finger. The fingernail shield preferably has an octagonal cross-section and is tapered to form a frustum shape. The tube may have a notch at one end for locating the adhesive, and is preferably made of a transparent, colored plastic. A method of protecting drying polish on the nail of a finger using this shield, includes the steps of placing the shield around a finger over the nail, orienting the shield so that the adhesive is adjacent to the side of the finger opposite the nail, pressing the side of the finger opposite the nail against the adhesive to secure the shield to the finger, leaving the shield secured to the finger until the polish hardens, and pulling the finger out of the adhesive and withdrawing it from the shield.

Abstract: A device for use in removing finger nail polish while protecting the user's fingers and nails from deleterious effects of contact with nail polish remover solution. The device includes a pair of elongate imperforate channel-like members which underlie and extend between a pair of user's fingers and which mount therebelow a swab adapted to be impregnated with polish remover and rubbed against the nails having polish to be removed.

Abstract: A manicure shield is set forth provided with an elongate convex shield to overlie a fingernail to prevent inadvertent contact with a nail and a foreign object during a drying procedure subsequent to the applying of a liquid convering and the like. The shield is formed with a plurality of parallel downwardly depending legs pivotally mounted to an upper, relatively rigid polymeric ring integrally secured to a lower resilient recircling ring for securement about a finger adjacent an associated fingernail of an individual. The lower ring may alternatively be defined by a pair of resiliently biased legs for securement to an individual's finger. A flexible tab secured to an upper surface of the upper ring is in contact with the rear convex surface of the shield to maintain the shield in an upper or lowered position.

Abstract: A method for making sets of artificial fingernails wherein a single scene spans a set of 10 artificial fingernails. An image is photographically imprinted on a semi-rigid layer of photographic film. A layer of transparent plastic film is laminated over the layer of photographic film. The individual artificial fingernails are punched out of the layer of photographic film, and each is contoured by means of a heated press so that each artificial fingernail has a compound curvature wherein a proximal portion has a generally cylindrical curvature and a distal portion has a generally spherical curvature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely and efficiently applying a coating to the nails of ones hands and toes and covering the cuticle and skin tissue bounding the nails to prevent coating from being applied thereto and to precisely define the area of coating applied to the nails. An adhesive backed mask is provided for covering the cuticle and skin tissue which has a cut-out portion for framing the nail to be coated. A plurality of masks are provided in a booklet and are removable therefrom for use, preferably by tearing a mask from a page of the booklet with a portion of the page on which it is adhered.

Abstract: This nail polish kit is designed to provide color and protection to fingernails with little effort on the part of a user. Primarily, it consists of a very thin colored body with a rounded end for substantail mating engagement with the cuticle of a person's finger. There are a multiple number of these articles in a kit and each is adhered to two paper strips that are peeled away to apply the body to the fingernails of a person's hand. The opposite end of the colored body also extends past the front of the fingernail for using scissors to cut it to conform to the curved extending end of the fingernail.

Abstract: An artificial nail tip includes a snap-off portion that can be removed in order to better attach the nail tip to problem nails. The artificial nail tip has a forward section that normally extends beyond the front edge of the nail plate and a thinner rear section, attached to the front section, which is attachable with adhesive to the nail plate. A series of perforations incorporated in the rear section permits a portion of the rear section to be snapped off. Removal of the removable portion permits the nail tip to be flattened and more efficiently and effectively attached to certain types of problem nails. It allows the remaining portion of the nail plate to be exposed to the air thereby decreasing the possibility of fungus infections such as are common with prior art artificial nail tips.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for constructing artificial fingernails. A fingernail form is inserted underneath the fingernail against the fingertip. A preferably acrylic-based compound is spread over the fingernail form and natural fingernail with a vibratory brush to create a lengthened fingernail having a natural appearance and great durability.