WATER SLIDE OR SLIP DECALS FOR FINGERNAIL(S) AND/OR TOENAIL(S) DECORATION

Abstract

A decal system for fingernail(s) and toenail(s) comprising of water slide or slip decals for improved nail decoration. A method that allows a desired pattern, print, image or other color(s) to be transferred onto fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) from the water slide or slip decal. By placing the carrier sheet on top of the desired fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) surface and applying water or a like substance the decal is transferred from its origination onto the bed of the fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s). The present invention permits fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) to be decorated quickly, neatly and easily. Advantages include an enhanced form of expression in personal style on fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) without necessarily having to rely on a skilled nail technician or artist.

Description

This relates to nail decoration. More specifically, to consumers having a means to transfer designs, patterns or colors to decorate their own or others fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s). Nail art is often complex requiring a person to visit a third party to achieve a unique look on their nails. This is often done through the use of sticker decals, stencils, paintbrushes and/or airbrush. It will typically require an excessive amount of money and an excessive amount of time from the patron. What to wear on fingernails and/or toenails is often a conscious decision . . . that is, a means to express one's personal style or possibly a current trend—a definite form of fashion. These two realities can work against each other. As a result, due to expense or lack of time, consumers typically will only apply art to their big toe or to select fingernails. Consumers continually seek out new effective and efficient ways to express themselves through the décor of their nails.

Both U.S. Patent No. 20050150508 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,183 show nail art systems. These systems use materials and procedures for placement which are related to self-adhesive or rub-on transfer art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,183 states, “The present invention permits fingernails to be decorated without the use of liquid nail polish, adhesives, or wet decals and, therefore, needs no time to dry and can be done quickly, neatly and easily.” U.S. Patent No. 20050150508 repeatedly refers to a “self-adhesive” appliqué. The term “self-adhesive” per Merriam Webster Online states, “(it is a product) having a side coated with an adhesive that sticks without wetting”. Neither product requires moistening in order to adhere to a nail surface. Therefore, neither U.S. patent should be considered a water-slide or a slip decal.

One method used to optimize highly detailed prints or color(s) being transferred to nails is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,478, U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,487, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,375 where stamping or stenciling is used to decorate nails. These systems focus on enhancing the nail bed with a number of different types of design options. For example; alphabet letters, flowers, vines, swirls, etc. are transferred to nails through this system. These decorating systems do not allow for the entire nail to be contiguously covered in a pattern, design or color.

Fingernail(s) contiguously covered in a pattern, design or color(s) are possible through such patents as U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,860, U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,517, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,166. These patents utilize computer software, a printer and/or inkjet to produce an infinite number of possible designs and patterns that print directly onto the nail bed(s). These nail systems are often expensive for purchase by an end user and appear to be marketed for use in a salon where a trained third party can execute it.

In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, no nail system or nail art formerly developed provides a method or embodiment to obtain patterns, details, prints or solid colors transferred to nails through the use of a water-slide or slip decal.

ADVANTAGES

This embodiment represents a product not currently available on the market and represents a product that has not yet been patented. The embodiment is an innovative method to compliment manicures and/or pedicures for any age. The embodiment is an innovative method to compliment manicures and/or pedicures for artificial and/or natural nails. It is a “step up” from traditional nail polish, airbrush, stencils, self-adhesive decoration, foils, etc. Advantages include a method to express oneself through the art on ones fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) by use of waterslide or slip decals. It does not require a third party for application. It does not require a skilled professional for application. It does not require a licensed technician for application. It does not require an artistic individual for application.

Accordingly, several advantages are to provide improved nail decoration to the consumer, to provide a means to assist one in expressing personal style through nail decoration, and to provide a nail art decorating system that is quicker, more inexpensive, and easier to apply than current methods. Still further advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

An improved nail art decorating system has the ability to transfer patterns to nails contiguously and to the entire nail bed, nail plate or to any portion of the nail based on current trends (ex: tips, lunula, etc.). These nail patterns, designs, images and/or colors are applied by the end consumer or by a third party. The transfer patterns are in sheet form or pre-cut in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate the many creative uses by the end consumer. This allows a user to utilize the decal on fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) but does not limit creative use of the decal on other surfaces. The decal is a water slide or slip decal with an infinite number of different designs, patterns, images and/or color(s). The decal may or may not have to be coated with a combination of nail polish(s) for a base, to set, to seal and/or to gloss the decal before or after placed on the nail bed or nail plate.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hand with an embodiment placed on the entire nail

FIG. 2 is a foot with an embodiment placed on the entire nail

FIG. 3 is a hand with examples of possible embodiment placement

FIG. 4 is a foot with examples of possible embodiment placement

FIG. 5 dimension ranges of the embodiments when pre-cut

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 30 embodiment placement on the fingernail bed not including fingernail tip
  • 32 embodiment placement on the entire fingernail bed
  • 34 embodiment placement on the lunula of the fingernail bed
  • 36 embodiment placement on the fingernail tip
  • 40 embodiment placement on the toenail bed not including toenail tip
  • 42 embodiment placement on the entire toenail bed
  • 44 embodiment placement on the lunula of the toenail bed
  • 46 embodiment placement on the toenail tip
  • 50 sample embodiment cut out dimensions for fingernail and/or toenail bed
  • 52 sample embodiment cut out dimensions for fingernail and/or toenail tip
  • 54 sample embodiment cut out dimensions for fingernail and/or toenail lunula

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hand with a sample pattern of the embodiment on the entire nail bed.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a foot with a sample pattern of the embodiment placed on the entire nail bed.

FIG. 3 are examples of the embodiment and placement of the embodiment on the fingernail. Embodiment placement options include the entire fingernail bed minus the fingernail tip (30), the entire fingernail bed (32), the lunula of the fingernail bed (34), and/or the fingernail tip (36). The examples described in this description and drawn in the figure(s) are not limited to any specific digit (thumb, pointer finger, middle finger, ring finger or pinky finger) . . . instead, are mere examples of possible placement on any one or all digit(s) of the hand.

FIG. 4 are examples of the embodiment and placement of the embodiment on the toenail. Embodiment placement options include the entire toenail bed minus the toenail tip (40), the entire toenail tip (42), the lunula of the toenail bed (44), and/or the toenail tip (46). The examples described in this description and drawn in the figure(s) are not limited to any specific digit (big toe, second toe, middle toe, forth toe or pinky toe) . . . instead, are mere examples of possible placement on any one or all digit(s) of the foot.

FIG. 5 shows cut out dimensions of embodiment(s). These dimensions include ranges of widths and ranges of lengths for the entire fingernail and/or toenail bed (50), for the fingernail and/or toenail tip (52) and for the fingernail and/or toenail lunula (54).

Operation:

In operation one uses the embodiment to decorate fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s). The embodiment requires direct placement onto the nail bed and water or any similar liquid type substance to be applied to the embodiment in order to release the embodiment from its backing and onto the nail bed. The embodiment can be placed onto the nail bed after a base coat has been applied to the nail bed or without any sort of base coat applied to the nail bed. After the embodiment has been set directly on the nail bed, a topcoat, seal, and/or gloss coat may or may not be used directly on the embodiment. The user can alter the embodiment from its original sheet form by cutting it into smaller pieces or shapes before use. The user can alter the embodiment from its pre-cut form by further cutting it into smaller pieces or different shapes before use. Since the embodiment is released through the use of water any similar liquid type substance it avoids the application methods described in prior art.

ADDITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Additional embodiments are shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4; in each case the sheet embodiment has been pre-cut into specific shapes to ease application for the user. These pre-cut forms include dimension ranges for easier application to the entire nail bed, for easier application to the nail tip and for easier application to the nail bed lunula.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the “Water Slide or Slip Decals for Fingernail(s) and/or Toenail(s) Decoration” provides a fashionable alternative that is easier and quicker than the current methods available on the market. You are never too old or too young to express yourself through the limitless décor available through this embodiment for fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s). Whether it is a solid color, a fabulous design, a transferred image or a funky print . . . the sky is the limit. Nails can be one's canvas without having to sit in a nail tech chair for hours on end.

While my above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but rather as an exemplification of one or several embodiment(s) thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible. For example the infinite colors, patterns, and/or images transferable on the embodiment. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A decal system for fingernail(s) and/or toenail(s) comprising of water slide or slip decals for improved nail decoration.

2. A decal system in claim 1 wherein said body allows for varied options for nail decoration including but not limited to full nail bed placement, nail tip placement, nail bed lunula placement or whatever placement coincides with current trends.

3. A decal system in claim 1 wherein said body can be a full sheet or pre-cut of varied shapes or sizes for placement on the nail bed or for full nail cover.

4. A decal system in claim 1 wherein said body contains infinite options of pattern(s), licensed prints, solid color(s), image(s), prints or otherwise to enhance the look and style of current nail art as we know it.

5. A decal system in claim 1 wherein said body may or may not include use of traditional nail polish before and/or after decal placement to enhance the look or longevity of said nail decal.