Artificial fingernail and fingernail extension

Abstract

An artificial fingernail is provided. In one aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a polymeric body having a fingernail shape and first and second sections. The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part and a front distal part. The back proximal part has an upper surface that has been treated by etching. The front distal part has an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion extending beyond a portion of the upper and lower portions of the front distal part. The second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material with an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion. The upper portion and the lower portion of the second section extend beyond an end of the intermediate portion of the second section to form a receiving area for the intermediate portion of the front distal part. The intermediate portion of the front distal part is disposed within and lockingly engaged by the receiving area.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/281,500 filed Oct. 28, 2002 and of U.S. Ser. No. 10/348,718 filed Jan. 22, 2003 which is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/281,500.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to artificial fingernails and fingernail extensions and in particular to an artificial fingernail having a portion of its upper surface having etched to created a frosted appearance. The present invention also relates to an artificial fingernail adapted to conform to varying finger sizes and shapes, and a method of making same, and an artificial fingernail and fingernail extension having portions with different colors or having a film disposed therein by an in mold decoration process.

[0004] 2. The Prior Art

[0005] The prior art contains many patents directed to artificial fingernails or other natural fingernail coverings and methods of applying them using various forms of adhesives. See, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,134 to Reid; U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,305 to Mann; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,745,934 and 4,751,935 to Mast et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,648 to Hokama et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,835 to Franz et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,813 to Carroll; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,100 to Chang.

[0006] Artificial fingernails are typically made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS plastic is useful because it bonds with nail glue and is readily dissolved by acetone which facilitates nail removal. However, ABS plastic cracks easily and is relatively, inflexible which prevents the artificial nail from conforming to a particular user's finger. As a result, artificial fingernails are made in a variety of sizes. However, fingernail shapes are different, and it is impractical to make nails to accommodate the various shapes for each customer. Instead, artificial fingernails are typically sold in standard sets by size and length, but these sets cannot precisely fit all people.

[0007] Another drawback with known artificial fingernails is that their appearance is usually readily distinguishable from natural nails. Generally, the better the artificial fingernail fits at the cuticle area, the more the artificial fingernail will resemble a natural nail. Achieving this fit with artificial fingernails, however, is difficult and often requires considerable skill in shaping and filing the artificial fingernail.

[0008] To address the problem of making an artificial fingernail accommodate a specific user's hand, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,234 to Gifford and U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,217 to Coker et al. make a mold from the user's hand with which to construct a custom-made artificial fingernail. These processes are complicated, and there is still a need for an artificial fingernail that is more universally conformable to varying finger sizes and shapes.

[0009] Artificial fingernails, like natural fingernails, are often decorated by applying nail polish to one or more portions of the nail. An artificial fingernail that can be produced with portions having different colors in a simple and economical way would therefore be useful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An artificial fingernail and fingernail extension is provided. In one aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a polymeric body having a fingernail shape and first and second sections. The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part and a front distal part. The back proximal part has an upper surface that has been treated by etching. The front distal part has an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion extending beyond a portion of the upper and lower portions of the front distal part.

[0011] The second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material with an upper portion, a lower potion and an intermediate portion. The upper and lower portions of the second section extend beyond an end of the intermediate portion of the second section to form a receiving area for the intermediate portion of the front distal part. The intermediate portion of the front distal part is disposed within and lockingly engaged by the receiving area.

[0012] In another aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a polymeric body having a fingernail shape with an upper surface and a lower surface. A first layer of deformable material is applied to a first section of the lower surface. The deformable material layer is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail. A second layer of polymeric material is disposed beneath a second section of the lower surface and adjacent to the first layer of deformable material.

[0013] The polymeric body is made from a translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part and a front distal part. The back proximal part has an upper surface that has been treated by etching. The front distal part has at least a portion extending above the second layer of polymeric material so that the second layer is visible through that portion of the front distal part.

[0014] In a further aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a polymeric body having a fingernail shape with an upper surface, a lower surface, and first and second sections. A layer of deformable material is applied to at least a portion of the lower surface. The deformable material layer is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail.

[0015] The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by etching. The second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material. The deformable material layer is applied to extend underneath at least a portion of the first section and the second section.

[0016] In a further aspect, the artificial fingernail is a fingernail extension including a polymeric body having first and second sections. The first section has a stepped upper surface which forms a receiving area in a portion of the upper surface. The second section of the polymeric body is disposed in the receiving area.

[0017] The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part and a front distal part. The back proximal part is adapted to be disposed on an upper surface of a natural fingernail. The front distal part has an end adapted to abut against an end of the natural fingernail.

[0018] The second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material disposed above the front distal part and a portion of the back proximal part.

[0019] In a further aspect, an artificial fingernail is provided having a fingernail shape and first and second sections. The first section is made of a first translucent polymeric material, and the second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material.

[0020] In further aspects, an in mold decoration process is used to produce an artificial fingernail with a film disposed on a portion of an upper or lower surface of a translucent fingernail-shaped polymeric body.

[0021] In a further aspect, an artificial fingernail is provided including a polymeric body, a layer of deformable material, and a film disposed by an in mold decoration process between at least a portion of the lower surface of the polymeric body and the layer of deformable material. The polymeric body has a fingernail shape and may be treated by etching at the upper surface of a back proximal part thereof. The deformable material layer, which is applied to at least a portion of the lower surface of the polymer body, is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0023] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of a the embodiment shown in any of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention shown as an extension to a wearer's natural fingernail.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 7 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an artificial fingernail of a preferred embodiment. The term “artificial fingernail” is meant to include both a full-cover nail intended to be applied over the entire surface of a wearer's natural fingernail and a fingernail extension intended to be applied to a portion of a wearer's natural fingernail.

[0037] Artificial fingernail 10 includes a polymeric body 20 having the general overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail. Polymeric body 20 may be a conventional plastic artificial fingernail and is preferably made from a mixture of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic and a polycerbonate, but may be made from any plastic-like material commonly employed in the manufacture of artificial nails, such as ABS plastic, nylon, tenite acetate, vinyl acetate, polycerbonates, polyvinyl chloride, etc., using conventional injection holding techniques known in the art.

[0038] Examples of suitable hard materials for polymeric body 20 are Styrolux®684D (SBC), a styrene-butadiene block copolymer available from BASF Corporation; Cyro®40 (acrylic base), an acrylic-based multipolymer available from Cyro Industries of Rockaway, N.J.; Lexane KR01(PC)(trade name), a polycarbonate available from GE Plastics; K-resin®(SBC), a styrene-butadiene copolymer available from Chevron Phillips Chemical Company; TP-UXS(MMBS) (trade name), a methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene terpolymer available from DENKA of Tokyo, Japan; Starex®5010(ABS), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene available from Samsung Cheil Industries; Zylar®220(SMMC) and Nas®30, styrene methyl methacrylate copolymers available from Nova Chemicals; and Toyalac 920 (clear ABS), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene available from Toray Resin Company.

[0039] Polymeric body 20 has a first section 22 and a second section 24. First section 22 is made of a first translucent polymeric material which preferably simulates the color of a natural fingernail. The term “translucent” is meant to include both transparent or clear materials and tinted materials that permit materials disposed underneath to be visible there through. First section 22 has a front distal part 30 and a back proximal part 40. Front distal part 30 has an upper portion 32, a lower portion 34, and an intermediate portion 36 extending beyond a portion of upper and lower portions 32, 34. Back proximal part 40 has an upper surface 42 that has been treated to render it opaque by chemical or mechanical etching. The term “opaque” is meant to include frosted surfaces which may permit a small amount of light to pass through. Preferably, upper surface 42 of back proximal part 40 has a curved “half moon” perimeter with the intersection with front distal part 30 to simulate the area of a natural fingernail. Back proximal part 40 preferably tapers to a smaller thickness, for example 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm, at its proximal end.

[0040] Second section 24 is made of a second opaque polymeric material, which is preferably a different color than front distal part 30 of first section 22 to provide an appearance of a “french tip” or french manicure in which second section 24 has a white or near-white appearance and front distal part 30 has another color. For example, nail polish of a selected color may be applied to front distal part 30.

[0041] The polymeric material for second section 24 may be the same or different as the polymeric material for first section 22.

[0042] Second section 24 has an upper portion 52, a lower portion 54, and an intermediate portion 56. Upper portion 52 and lower portion 54 extend beyond the proximal end of intermediate portion 56 to form a receiving area for intermediate portion 36 of front distal part 30. Intermediate portion 36 is disposed within and lockingly engaged by the receiving area, such as by friction engagement of intermediate portion 36 with the walls of second section 24 defining the receiving area.

[0043] Polymeric body 20 is preferably sized so that at least a portion of second section 24 extends from the wearer's natural fingernail.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail. Artificial fingernail 100 includes a polymeric body 120, a first layer 130 made of deformable material, and a second layer 150 of polymeric material.

[0045] Polymeric body 120 has the general overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail with an upper surface 122 and a lower surface 124. Polymeric body 120 may be made from the same translucent polymeric material as first section 22 of polymeric body 20 of the first embodiment, using conventional injection molding techniques known in the art.

[0046] Polymeric body 120 has a front distal part 126 and a back proximal part 128. Preferably, front distal part 126 has a greater thickness than back proximal part 128 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, front distal part 126 may be 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm in thickness and back proximal part 128 may be 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm in thickness.

[0047] Back proximal part 128 has an upper surface 142 that has been rendered opaque by chemical or mechanical etching. Preferably, upper surface 142 of back proximal part 128 has a curved “half moon” perimeter at the intersection with front distal part 126 to simulate the area of a natural fingernail adjacent to the cuticle area.

[0048] Deformable material layer 130 is applied to a first section 162 of lower surface 124 on the inside of polymeric body 120. Layer 130 is generally of uniform thickness, for example 0.8 mm to 5.0, but may decrease in thickness (i.e. taper) at the proximal end of back part 128 to facilitate attachment and blending with the natural fingernail and to conform to the contour of polymeric body 120. Layer 130 is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail. The deformable material may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or mixture thereof and is preferably silicone, a silicone derivative, rubber of other material which will deform under pressure to conform to the contour of the wearer's natural fingernail. For example, material suitable for forming soft contact lenses such as silicone elastomers, silicone-containing macromers, hydrogels, silicone-containing hydrogels, siloxanes, siloxane macromers, and mixtures thereof may be used. The deformable material may be applied under polymeric body 120 by spray molding, double injection, manual application or any other suitable application.

[0049] Examples of suitable soft or deformable materials are Versaflex®OM9-802CL, a thermoplastic elastomer alloy available from GLS Corporation of Arlington Heights, Ill.; TPE40ANS200 (trade name), a thermoplastic elastomer alloy available from Advanced Elastomer Systems; Elastollan®TPU, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer available from BASF Corporation; Estane TPU (trade name), a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer available from Noveon, Inc.; and Engage 8407 TPU, a polyolefin elastomer available from Du Pont Dow Elastomers of Wilmington, Del.

[0050] Second layer 150 of polymeric material is disposed beneath a second section 164 of lower surface 124 of polymeric body 120 and adjacent to first layer 130 of deformable material. At least a portion of front distal part 122 extends above second layer 150 so that second layer 150 is visible through that portion of first distal part. For example, second layer 150 may be white or near-white in color and front distal part 122 may be clear or tinted so that the color of polymeric layer 150 shows through. Deformable material layer 130 may be translucent, for example clear or tinted, so that the color of the wearer's natural fingernail, or such color as tinted by the color of deformable layer 230, may be visible through polymeric body 120.

[0051] Artificial fingernail 100 may be readily manufactured in a number of standard sets by size and length as with conventional artificial fingernails. A user can then select the desired size and length that approximates the user's finger size and shape. However, unlike conventional artificial fingernails, due to the layer of deformable material applied to the lower surface, each artificial nail will conform more closely to the user's natural fingernail when applied thereto.

[0052] After selecting the artificial fingernail, the user applies a selected conventional adhesive, such as an ethylcyanoacrylate-based glue, to the natural fingernail. Artificial fingernail 100 is then placed on the natural fingernail so as to substantially cover it and pressure is applied by pressing down on artificial nail 100. Such pressure causes deformable layer 130 to compress and conform to the contour of the upper surface of the wearer's natural fingernail, thereby providing a better fit. If desired, once applied, artificial fingernail 100 may be trimmed and shaped using a nail file.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail, which like the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, is adapted to conform to varying finger sizes and shapes. Artificial fingernail 200 includes a polymeric body 220 and a layer of deformable material 230.

[0054] Polymeric body 220 has the general overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail with an upper surface 222, a lower surface 224, a first section 221, and a second section 223. Polymeric body 220 may be made from the same material as polymeric body 20 of the first embodiment, using conventional injection molding techniques known in the art.

[0055] First section 221 is made of a first translucent polymeric material and is preferably clear or tinted in color. The back proximal part 240 of first section 221 has an upper surface 242 that has been rendered opaque by chemical or mechanical etching, leaving the front distal part 226 of first section 221 translucent, for example clear or tinted, so that the color of deformable material layer 230, which may likewise be clear or tinted, or the color of the wearer's natural fingernail, is visible therethrough. Preferably, upper surface 242 of back proximal part 240 has a round “half moon” perimeter at the intersection with front distal part 226 to simulate the area of a natural fingernail adjacent to the cuticle area.

[0056] Second section 223 is made of a second opaque polymeric material which is preferably a different color than front distal part 226 of first section 221 to provide the appearance of a “french tip” or a french manicure in which second section 223 has a white or near-white appearance and front distal part 226 has another color. The polymeric material for second section 223 may be the same or different as the polymeric material for first section 221.

[0057] Deformable material layer 230 is applied to at lest a portion of lower surface 224 on the inside of polymeric body 220. Preferably, layer 230 is applied to extend underneath at least a portion of first section 221 and second section 223.

[0058] Layer 230 may be generally of uniform thickness, for example 0.8 to 1.0 mm, but may decrease in thickness at the proximal end of back part 240 to facilitate attachment and blending with the material fingernail. Except for its proximal end, back part 240 and the rest of polymeric body 220 has a thickness in the range of 1.0 mm. to 5.0 mm. Layer 230 is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail. The deformable material may be the same material used for deformable layer 130 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 and may be applied by similar application techniques to polymeric body 220.

[0059] Artificial fingernail 200 may be readily manufactured in a number of standard sets by size and length as in the previous embodiment.

[0060] After selecting the artificial fingernail, the user applies a selected conventional adhesive, such as an ethylcyanoacrylate-based glue, to the natural finger. Artificial fingernail 200 is then placed on the natural fingernail so as to substantially cover it and pressure is applied by pressing down on artificial fingernail 200. Such pressure causes deformable layer 230 to compress and conform to the contour of the upper surface of the wearer's fingernail and also to the cuticle area of the wearer's finger, thereby providing a better fit. If desired, once applied, artificial fingernail 200 may be trimmed and shaped using a nail file.

[0061] The artificial fingernail of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has the further advantage of permitting the polymeric body to be made from a wide variety of hard substances while also enabling the artificial fingernail to be easily removable by conventional acetone removers. Because the deformable layer contacts the wearer's fingernail,. materials that do not readily dissolve in acetone may be used for the polymeric body without sacrificing ease of removability.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the artificial fingernails according to any of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The proximal end of the artificial fingernail has a frosted surface 70 having a curved “half-moon” edge 72. The chemical or mechanical etching gives surface 70 a white or near white appearance to simulate the color of a natural fingernail adjacent to the cuticle area.

[0063] The distal end 80 has a white or near-white appearance and the intermediate section 90 has another color. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, distal end 80 may be made from a polymeric material having a white or near-white appearance, and intermediate section 90 may be made from a clear or tinted polymeric material.

[0064] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, distal end 80 receives its color from the polymeric material 150 visible through the front distal part 126 of translucent polymeric body 120.

[0065] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, intermediate section 90 may receive its color from the natural fingernail or the deformable layer visible through the upper surface of intermediate section 90.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail in the form of an extension or “tip” adapted to be placed on or near the end of a wearer's natural fingernail for an appearance of longer nails. Artificial fingernail extension 300 includes a polymeric body 320 having first and second sections 321, 323.

[0067] Polymeric body 320 has the general overall shape and configuration of the distal end of a natural fingernail. Polymeric body 320 may be made from the same material as the polymeric bodies of the previous embodiments, using conventional molding techniques known in the art.

[0068] First section 321 is made of a first translucent polymeric material which may be clear or tinted. Second section 323 is made of a second opaque polymeric material which is, for example, white or near-white in appearance. The polymeric material for second section 323 may be the same or different as the polymeric material for first section 321.

[0069] First section 321 has a stepped upper surface 330 defined by generally vertical edge 332 and generally horizontal edge 334 extending to the distal end 336 of first section 321. The stepped upper surface forms a receiving area in a portion of upper surface 330 into which second section 323 is disposed.

[0070] First section 321 has a back proximal part 340 adapted to be disposed on an upper surface 312 of a natural fingernail 320 and a front distal part 350 adapted to abut against an end 314 of natural fingernail 310.

[0071] Second section 323 is disposed above front distal part 350 and a portion of back proximal part 340 of first section 321.

[0072] FIGS. 6-8 show a fifth preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail which is preferably formed by double injection molding. Artificial fingernail 400 includes a polymeric body 420 having first and second sections 421, 423.

[0073] Polymeric body 420 has the general overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail. First section 421 is preferably made of a first translucent material and second section 423 is preferably made of a second opaque polymeric material, which may be the same or different as the polymeric material for first section 421. Second section 423 is preferably white or near-white in appearance and first section 421 is preferably clear or tinted. However, first section 421 may be opaque and second section 423 may be translucent.

[0074] In forming artificial fingernail 400, the polymeric material of first section 421 is first injected through a channel 410 and fills the back-end of the mold. Following hardening or curing of first section 421, the polymeric material of second section 423 is then injected which covers channel 410 in the finished product as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail which is formed by an in mold decoration process. This process which is also known as film insert molding is accomplished by inserting a decorated or other formed film into the cavity of the molding tool and infecting plastic behind them. In mold decoration is an efficient and cost effective process because the part is decorated during the molding cycle.

[0076] Artificial fingernail 500 includes a polymeric body 520 and a film 550 disposed on at least a portion of an upper surface 522 of polymeric body 520 by an in mold decoration process.

[0077] Polymeric body 520 has the general overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail. Polymeric body is made of a translucent polymeric material and as in previous embodiments may be clear or tinted. Film 550 is preferably opaque and is white or near-white in appearance. Alternatively or in addition, film 550 may be printed with a design.

[0078] FIG. 10 shows a seventh preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail which, like the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, is formed by an in mold decoration process.

[0079] Artificial fingernail 600 includes a polymeric body 620 and a film 650 disposed on at least a portion of a lower surface 624 of polymeric body 620 by an in mold decoration process.

[0080] As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, polymeric body 620 has the overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail and is made of a translucent polymeric material, preferably clear or tinted. Film 650 is similar to film 550 in the previous embodiment and may be white, near-white or printed with a design. As polymeric body 620 is translucent, the color or printed design of film 650 will be visible through translucent polymeric body 620.

[0081] FIG. 11 shows an eighth preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail which, like the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, is formed by an in mold decoration process.

[0082] Artificial fingernail 700 includes a polymeric body 720, a layer 730 of deformable material, and a film 750 disposed by an in mold decoration process between at least a portion of a lower surface 724 of polymeric body 720 and deformable material layer 730.

[0083] Polymeric body 720 has the general overall shape and configuration of a natural fingernail. Polymeric body 720 may be made from the same translucent polymeric material as the translucent polymeric material used in the previous embodiments.

[0084] Deformable material layer 730 is applied to at least a portion of lower surface 724 of polymeric body 720. Layer 730 is adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail. The deformable material may be the same material as is used to make the deformable material layer of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-3.

[0085] Film 750 is disposed between at least a portion of lower surface 724 of polymeric body 720 and deformable layer 730 using a conventional in mold decoration process. Film 750 is similar to films 550 and 650 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-10 and may be white, near-white or printed with a design. Preferably, film 750 is disposed toward the distal end of artificial fingernail 700 so that the color or printed design of film 750 will be visible through translucent polymeric body 720 to provide an appearance of a decorated tip with a printed design or a “french tip” or french manicure in which the distal end has a white or near-white appearance and at least a portion of the proximal portion of the artificial fingernail has another color.

[0086] FIG. 12 shows a ninth preferred embodiment of an artificial fingernail which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

[0087] Artificial fingernail 800 includes a polymeric body 820 a layer 830 of deformable material, and a film 850 disposed by an in mold decoration process between at least a portion of the lower surface 824 of polymeric body 820 and deformable material layer 830.

[0088] Polymeric body 820 has a back proximal part 840 with an upper surface 842 that has been rendered opaque by chemical or mechanical etching as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. Film 850 is similar to films 550, 650 and 750 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-11.

[0089] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An artificial fingernail comprising a polymeric body having a fingernail shape and first and second sections;

said first section being made of a first translucent polymeric material and having a back proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by etching and a front distal part with an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion extending beyond a portrait of said upper portion and said lower portion of said front distal part; and

said second section being made of a second opaque polymeric material with an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion, said upper portion and said lower portion of said second section extending beyond an end of said intermediate section to form a receiving area for said intermediate portion of said front distal part, said intermediate portion of said front distal part being disposed within and lockingly engaged by said receiving area.

2. An artificial fingernail comprising:

(a) a polymeric body having a fingernail shape with an upper surface and a lower surface;

(b) a first layer of deformable material applied to a first section of said lower surface, said layer adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail; and

(c) a second layer of polymeric material disposed beneath a second section of said lower surface and adjacent to said first layer of deformable material;

wherein said polymeric body is made from a translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by etching and a front distal part having at least a portion extending above said second layer of polymeric material so that said second layer is visible through said portion of said front distal part.

3. An artificial fingernail comprising:

(a) a polymeric body having a fingernail shape with an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sections; and

(b) a layer of deformable material applied to at least a portion of said lower surface, said layer adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail;

wherein said first section is made of a first translucent polymeric material and has a back proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by etching;

wherein said second section is made of a second opaque polymeric material; and

wherein said layer of deformable material is applied to extend underneath at least a portion of said first section and said second section.

4. An artificial fingernail extension comprising a polymeric body having a first and second sections,

said first section having a stepped upper surface forming a receiving area in a portion of said upper surface, said second section being disposed in said receiving area; and

said first section being made of a first translucent polymeric material and having a back proximal part adapted to be disposed on an upper surface of a natural fingernail and a front distal part having an end adapted to abut against an end of the natural fingernail; and

said second section being made of a second opaque polymeric material disposed above said front distal part and a portion of said back proximal part.

5. An artificial fingernail comprising a polymeric body having a fingernail shape and first and second sections;

said first section being made of a first translucent polymeric material; and

said second section being made of a second opaque polymeric material.

6. An artificial fingernail comprising:

(a) a polymeric body having a fingernail shape and made of a translucent polymeric material; and

(b) a film polymeric disposed on at least a portion of an upper surface of said polymeric body by an in mold decoration process.

7. An artificial fingernail comprising:

(a) a polymeric body having a fingernail shape and made of a translucent polymeric material; and

(b) a film disposed on at least a portion of a lower surface of said polymeric body by an in mold decoration process.

8. An artificial fingernail comprising:

(a) a polymeric body made of a translucent polymeric material having a fingernail shape with an upper surface and a lower surface;

(b) a layer of deformable material applied to at least a portion of said lower surface, said layer adapted to conform to an upper surface of a natural fingernail when applied to the natural fingernail; and

(c) a film disposed by an in mold decoration process between at least a portion of said lower surface of said polymeric body and said layer of deformable material.

9. The artificial fingernail according to claim 8 wherein said polymeric body has a back proximal part with an upper surface that has been treated by etching.