ARTIFICIAL NAIL OR TIP ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of artificial nail or tip arrangement and method of making the same can be provided. For example, at least one body can be provided which can have a particular surface with a shape that at least approximately corresponds to a shape of at least one portion of a natural nail. Further, an adhesive layer can be secured to at least one portion of the surface of the body. The adhesive layer can have a first surface which adheres to at least one portion of the particular surface of the body and a second surface which is provided to adhere to an upper surface of the at least one portion of the natural nail when directly applied thereto. Further, a removable layer can be provided which covers at least one section of the second surface of the adhesive layer, and which is removable to expose at least one portion of the second surface of the adhesive layer for an application to the upper surface of the portion of the natural nail. The removable layer can include at least one section which extends outwardly outside a periphery of the body.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to artificial nails (e.g., finger nails or toe nails), nail extensions, tips, etc. and a method of making the same. In particular, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a pre-taped with adhesive for securing the artificial nail to a user's natural nail that has a protective layers extending beyond a periphery of a respective artificial nail, nail extension, tip, etc.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It has been known in the art of adorning the hands to provide ornamental fingernail accessories made from thin, molded plastic members manufactured generally in the shape of a fingernail. (See, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,100 issued to Chang). Indeed, this patent describes an ornamental accessory for a fingernail including an overlay having a reusable pressure adhesive layer pre-applied to a bottom surface thereof for application and bonding to the wearer's natural nail, and a method of making the same. Typically, the wearer applies an amount of a liquid bonding adhesive to the accessory or the natural nail and affix the accessory to the nail. An alternative to this process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,934 issued to Mast et al. which provides an adhesive press-on tab system for attaching artificial fingernails to the wearer's natural nails. The tabs are essentially double-sided adhesive tape with removable liners that are interposed between the artificial fingernail and the natural fingernail.

Attempts have been made to provide an ornamental fingernail having a pre-applied pressure sensitive layer with varying degrees of success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,903 issued to Hoffman et al. describes a self adhesive laminate having an adhesive composition made of an acrylic copolymer requiring acrylic acid and titanium chelate ester. U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,679 issued to Holt et al. describes that an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive known in the art can be used in a method for treating damaged fingernails. U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,384 issued to Hokama et al. describes that a pressure-sensitive adhesive known in the art can be used in a method for accomplishing a rapid and durable manicure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,774 issued to Becker describes that a commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesive can be used in a method for fingernail reinforcement.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,660 to Han describes an artificial fingernail and method of making an artificial fingernail in which the artificial fingernail is pre-taped with an adhesive layer covered by a removable liner during the manufacturing process. In one aspect, the artificial fingernail includes a polymeric body having a shape corresponding with at least a portion of a natural fingernail. An adhesive layer is secured to at least a portion of the lower surface of the polymeric body. The adhesive layer is configured so as to adhere to an upper surface of a wearer's natural fingernail when applied thereto. A removable liner covers the adhesive layer and is removable to expose the adhesive layer for application to the natural fingernail. The removable liner is provided within the periphery of the artificial fingernail.

Although a number of artificial fingernails having pre-applied adhesive are known, there is still a need for an artificial fingernail which is easy to manufacture and to use by the consumer, which has that has a protective removable layer extending beyond a periphery of a respective artificial fingernail, fingernail extension, tip, etc.

Accordingly, there may be a need to address and/or overcome at least some of the deficiencies described herein above.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an artificial fingernail, fingernail extension, tip, etc and method of making can be provided.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, For example, artificial nail or tip arrangement can be provided which can include at least one body that can have a particular surface with a shape that at least approximately corresponds to a shape of at least one portion of a natural nail. Further, an adhesive layer can be secured to at least one portion of the surface of the body. The adhesive layer can have a first surface which adheres to at least one portion of the particular surface of the body and a second surface which is provided to adhere to an upper surface of the at least one portion of the natural nail when directly applied thereto. Further, a removable layer can be provided which covers at least one section of the second surface of the adhesive layer, and which is removable to expose at least one portion of the second surface of the adhesive layer for an application to the upper surface of the portion of the natural nail. The removable layer can include at least one section which extends outwardly outside a periphery of the body.

According to a certain exemplary embodiment, the section(s) of the removable layer can include a tab which is structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the body. The tab can be positioned at an outer edge of the removable layer on an opposite end to a portion of the body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail. As an alternative or in addition, the tab can be positioned at an outer side edge of the removable layer, and extend outside the periphery of the body.

In another exemplary embodiment, the section(s) of the removable layer can include at least two tabs, at least one of which being structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the body. The tabs can be positioned at opposite side edges of the removable layer, and extend outside the periphery of the body. As an alternative or in addition, the tabs can include at least three tabs, and two of the tabs can be positioned at opposite side edges of the removable layer, and at least one of the tabs is positioned at an outer edge of the removable layer on an opposite end to a portion of the body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the section(s) can be bendable such that in a bent state, the section(s) can have a significant portion thereof that is provided within the periphery of the body when view from a top view. For example, the section(s) can be configured to be straightened from the bent state when in use. Further, the section(s) can be detachable from the removable layer.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for making an artificial nail or a nail tip can be provided. For example, at least one body can be formed which can have a shape corresponding to at least one portion of the artificial nail or the nail tip, a first convex surface and a second concave surface in a well portion of a mold part. A composite strip can be disposed over the body, with the composite strip comprising an adhesive layer having first and second layer surfaces and a removable liner. The first layer surface can face the second concave surface of the body, and the second layer surface can be covered by the removable liner. A gas pressure can be applied to the composite strip which presses at least one portion of the adhesive layer into an adhesive contact with the second concave surface of the body. The application of the gas pressure to the portion of the composite strip which adhered to the second concave surface of the at least one body can then be reduced and/or eliminated.

According to a still further exemplary embodiment, it is possible to cut or edge the composite strip to form at least one section provided on top of the composite strip for facilitating a removal of the liner from the adhesive layer. For example, the liner can include at least one section which extends outwardly outside a periphery of the body. Further, the composite strip can include a pressure sensitive adhesive film which can cover on one side of thereof with a silicon treated paper or plastic film.

According to a certain exemplary embodiment of the method, the section(s) of the removable liner can include a tab which is structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the body. The tab can be positioned at an outer edge of the removable liner on an opposite end to a portion of the body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail. As an alternative or in addition, the tab can be positioned at an outer side edge of the removable liner, and extend outside the periphery of the body.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the section(s) of the removable layer can include at least two tabs, at least one of which being structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the body. The tabs can be positioned at opposite side edges of the removable liner, and extend outside the periphery of the body. As an alternative or in addition, the tabs can include at least three tabs, and two of the tabs can be positioned at opposite side edges of the removable liner, and at least one of the tabs is positioned at an outer edge of the removable liner on an opposite end to a portion of the body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the method, the section(s) can be bendable such that in a bent state, the section(s) can have a significant portion thereof that is provided within the periphery of the body when view from a top view. For example, the section(s) can be straightened from the bent state when in use. Further, the section(s) can be detachable from the removable liner.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of an artificial fingernail of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a mold and of processing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the third embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the artificial fingernail of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the third embodiment of FIG. 8.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described exemplary embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Turning now in detail to the drawings, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2 show an artificial fingernail 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The term “artificial fingernail” can include, but is not limited to, a full-cover nail intended to be applied over the entire surface of a wearer's natural nail (e.g., a finger nail or a toe nail), a nail extension or “nail tip” intended to be applied to at least one portion of a wearer's natural nail, and the like.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the artificial nail 10 can include a polymeric body 20 corresponding to a shape of at least one portion of a natural fingernail. The polymeric body 20 can be designed as a full-cover nail, a partial artificial nail portion and/or an artificial nail tip. The polymeric body 20 can be made from a composition of acrylonitrile-butadine-styrene (ABS) plastic and a polycarbonate. Further, the polymeric body 20 can also be made from any plastic-like material commonly employed in the manufacture of artificial nails, such as ABS plastic, nylon, tenite acetate, vinyl acetate, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride, etc.

Examples of suitable hard materials for the polymeric body 20 can include Styrolux® 684D (SBC), a styrene-butadine block copolymer available from BASF Corporation; Cyro® R40 (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 acryloritrile butadiene styrene available from Toray Resin Company.

The polymeric body 20 can have has a thickness of, e.g., between about 0.35 and 0.65 mm, but other thickness of the polymeric body are certainly conceivable. The polymeric body 20 can include an upper surface 22 which is provided to be away from a surface of the wearer's natural nail and a lower surface 24 which is structured to face a top surface of the wearer's natural nail. An adhesive layer 30 can be secured to at least one portion of the lower surface 24, preferably a proximal portion of lower surface 24 which is intended to be closer to a cuticle of the wearer's natural nail. The adhesive layer 30 is configured to adhere to an upper surface of the wearer's natural nail when applied thereto. The adhesive layer 30 can include, e.g., a copolymer of acrylic ester and vinyl acetate formed from an aqueous acrylic copolymer emulsion that has been dried on a carrier film.

A removable liner 40 can be provided to be provided on and cover the adhesive layer 30. Such exemplary liner 40 can be removable from the adhesive layer 30 to expose adhesive layer 30 for the application to the wearer's natural fingernail. In particular, according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the liner 40 includes a tab 42 for facilitating removal of the liner 40 from the adhesive layer 30 extending outwardly beyond the periphery of the polymeric body 20. According to this exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tab 42 can be integrally and/or detachably connected to a front edge of the liner 40, e.g., at and/or a front edge of the polymeric body 20 that is provided at or close to a cuticle of the wearer's natural nail.

Indeed, due to the positioning of the tab 42 beyond the periphery of the polymeric body 20 and/or the artificial nail 10, it is easier and quicker for the user or anyone else to remove the tab 42 from the adhesive layer 30 that is provided on the polymeric body 20. This can be because there is structure to obstruct the user or anyone else from grasping the tab 42 to remove it from the adhesive layer 30. In addition, it is possible to bend the tab 42 to be initially situated under the lower surface 24 when it is packaged. This exemplary configuration (i.e., bending) of the tab 42 can facilitate an easier packaging of the artificial nail 10 (or tip/extension), and possibly reduce and/or prevent damage or unintended removal of the tab 42. When the wearer or anyone else is prepared to remove the tab 42, it can be unbent such that it extends beyond the periphery of the polymeric body 20.

For example, the adhesive layer 30 can include a film including a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the removable liner 40 can include a silicon treated paper or plastic film. According to one embodiment, an unsupported laminating film having a thickness between 0.100 and 0.150 mm can used as adhesive layer 30. The film may be a vinyl film coated on each side with an adhesive. For example, the removable liner 40 can be made from plastic, paper or another material, and have a surface that is in contact with the adhesive layer 30 that is configured for easy removal thereof when pulled by the wearer or anyone else.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for making an artificial fingernail can be provided. For example, at least one polymeric body having a shape corresponding with at least a portion of a natural nail can be formed. For example, in FIG. 3, an injection mold is illustrated which includes a mold part 50 for forming the polymeric body, four polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d being shown. The mold part 50 includes at least one and preferably several cavities or well portions, with four well portions 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, as shown in FIG. 3. Each well portion 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d can have the shape, size and thickness of the respective polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. Each polymeric body 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d formed in mold part 50 has a first convex surface 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and a second concave surface 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d.

After forming polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, a composite strip 300 is disposed over the polymeric bodies. The composite strip 300 can include the adhesive layer 30 having first and second layer surfaces 32, 34 and the removable liner 40. For example, the composite strip 300 can include a pressure sensitive adhesive film covered on one side with a silicon treated paper or plastic film. The first layer surface 32 faces the second concave surfaces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of the polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. The second layer surface 34 can be covered by the removable liner 40.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, gas pressure and/or air pressure can then be directed toward the mold part 50, and specifically toward the second layer surface 34. Thus, in such manner, the first layer surface 32 of the adhesive layer 30 is pushed to contact and adhere to the second concave surfaces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of the polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to utilize one or more robotic arms (not shown in the drawings) to press the composite strip 300 on top of the polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d so that such composite strip 300 contacts these polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. Such robotic arm(s) can be controlled via a computer arrangement (e.g., a microprocessor) which can implement and/or execute the software residing on a computer-accessible medium (e.g., hard disk, floppy drive, memory stick, RAM, ROM, etc.) to control the robotic arm(s) to press the composite strip 300 on top of the polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d.

Further, the polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d can then be removed from mold part 50 with the composite strip portions adhered to the respective concave surfaces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of polymeric bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. Each composite strip 300 can then be cut with a die or other cutting tool in the area 60 shown by the arrows in FIG. 2 to form the removable liner and the tab 42 on the composite strip 300 for facilitating the removal of the liner 40 from the adhesive layer 30. For example, the tab can be formed by cutting through the adhesive layer 300, but not completely through the liner 40 in the area of the tab 42.

A second exemplary embodiment of the artificial fingernail 10 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. All of the parts of this second exemplary embodiment as provided in FIGS. 4 and 5 that are labeled in the same manner as those as provided in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be the same or similar parts. The difference between the first and second embodiments is that another tab 43 is provided at a side of the polymeric body 20 and/or the artificial nail 10. In particular, according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the tab 43 is provided for facilitating removal of the liner 40 from the adhesive layer 30 extending outwardly beyond the periphery of the polymeric body 20. Particularly, the tab 43 can be integrally and/or detachably connected to a right side edge of the liner 40, e.g., at and/or a right side edge of the polymeric body 20.

A third exemplary embodiment of the artificial fingernail 10 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. All of the parts of this third exemplary embodiment as provided in FIGS. 6 and 7 that are labeled in the same manner as those as provided in the second exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be the same or similar parts. The difference between the second and third embodiments is that another tab 44 is provided at an opposite side of the polymeric body 20 and/or the artificial nail 10 from the side at which tab 43 was provided. In particular, the tab 44 can be integrally and/or detachably connected to a left side edge of the liner 40, e.g., at and/or a left side edge of the polymeric body 20.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of the artificial fingernail 10 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. All of the parts of this fourth exemplary embodiment as provided in FIGS. 6 and 7 that are labeled in the same manner as those as provided in the first, second and third exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be the same or similar parts. The difference between the fourth exemplary embodiment and the first, second and third exemplary embodiments is that all three tabs 42, 43, 44 are provided at the respective sides of the polymeric body 20 and/or the artificial nail 10. Thus, the wearer of the artificial nail 10 or anyone else can pull any one or more of the tabs 42, 43, 44 to remove the liner from the adhesive layer 30, so that the adhesive layer can be applied to the top surface of at least one portion of the wearer's natural nail.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Indeed, the arrangements and methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be used with the exemplary embodiments described herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it is explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced herein above are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Claims

1. An artificial nail or tip arrangement comprising:

at least one body have a particular surface with a shape that at least approximately corresponds to a shape of at least one portion of a natural nail;

an adhesive layer secured to at least one portion of the surface of the at least one body, the adhesive layer having a first surface which adheres to at least one portion of the particular surface of the at least one body and a second surface which is provided to adhere to an upper surface of the at least one portion of the natural nail when directly applied thereto; and

a removable layer which covers at least one section of the second surface of the adhesive layer, and which is removable to expose at least one portion of the second surface of the adhesive layer for an application to the upper surface of the at least one portion of the natural nail, wherein the removable layer includes at least one section which extends outwardly outside a periphery of the at least one body.

2. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one section of the removable layer includes a tab which is structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the at least one body.

3. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the tab is positioned at an outer edge of the removable layer on an opposite end to a portion of the at least one body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail.

4. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the tab is positioned at an outer side edge of the removable layer, and extending outside the periphery of the at least one body.

5. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one section of the removable layer includes at least two tabs, at least one of which being structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the at least one body.

6. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the tabs are positioned at opposite side edges of the removable layer, and extend outside the periphery of the at least one body.

7. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the tabs include at least three tabs, and wherein two of the tabs are positioned at opposite side edges of the removable layer, and at least one of the tabs is positioned at an outer edge of the removable layer on an opposite end to a portion of the at least one body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail.

8. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one section is bendable such that in a bent state, the at least one section has a significant portion thereof that is provided within the periphery of the at least one body when view from a top view.

9. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one section is configured to be straightened from the bent state when in use.

10. The artificial nail or tip arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one section is detachable from the removable layer.

11. A method of making an artificial nail or a nail tip, comprising:

(a) forming at least one body having a shape corresponding to at least one portion of the artificial nail or the nail tip, a first convex surface and a second concave surface in a well portion of a mold part;

(b) disposing a composite strip over the at least one body, the composite strip comprising an adhesive layer having first and second layer surfaces and a removable liner, the first layer surface facing the second concave surface of the at least one body, the second layer surface being covered by the removable liner;

(c) applying a pressure to the composite strip so as to press at least one portion of the adhesive layer into an adhesive contact with the second concave surface of the at least one body; and

(d) reducing or eliminating the application of the pressure to the portion of the composite strip which adhered to the second concave surface of the at least one body.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising cutting or edging the composite strip to form at least one section provided on top of the composite strip for facilitating a removal of the liner from the adhesive layer, wherein the liner includes at least one section which extends outwardly outside a periphery of the at least one body.

13. The method according to claim 12, the at least one section of the removable layer includes a tab which is structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the at least one body.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the tab is positioned at an outer edge of the removable layer on an opposite end to a portion of the at least one body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail when provided thereto.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the tab is positioned at an outer side edge of the removable layer, and extending outside the periphery of the at least one body.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one section of the removable layer includes at least two tabs, at least one of which being structured to be grasped outside the periphery of the at least one body.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tabs are positioned at opposite side edges of the removable layer, and extend outside the periphery of the at least one body.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tabs include at least three tabs, and wherein two of the tabs are positioned at opposite side edges of the removable liner, and at least one of the tabs is positioned at an outer edge of the removable liner on an opposite end to a portion of the at least one body which is adapted to be at or near a cuticle of the natural nail.

19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising bending the at least one section such that in a bent state, the at least one section has a significant portion thereof that is provided within the periphery of the at least one body when view from a top view.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one section is configured to be straightened from the bent state when in use.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one section is detachable from the removable liner.

22. The method according to claim 11, wherein the composite strip comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive film covered on one side of thereof with a silicon treated paper or plastic film.

23. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pressure applied to the composite strip is a gas pressure.

24. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one robotic arm applies the pressure to the composite strip.