Abstract:
A photographic nail decal system for applying a photographic image onto a nail of a digit. The photographic nail decal system includes a machine for reducing an image and placing the image on a sheet of material having an adhesive backing to form a decal. The system further provides a tool for applying the decals to the nail of a digit and a method of applying and protecting the decals.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to nail decorations and more particularly pertains to a new photographic nail decal system for applying a photographic image onto a nail of a digit. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of nail decorations is known in the prior art. More specifically, nail decorations heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,724,999; 4,974,610; 5,931,166; 3,736,946; 2,864,384; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 346,464. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new photographic nail decal system. The inventive system includes a machine for reducing an image and placing the image on a sheet of material having an adhesive backing to form a decal. The system further provides a tool for applying the decals to the nail of a digit and a method of applying and protecting the decals. 
     In these respects, the photographic nail decal system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of applying a photographic image onto a nail of a digit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of nail decorations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new photographic nail decal system construction wherein the same can be utilized for applying a photographic image onto a nail of a digit. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new photographic nail decal system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the nail decorations mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new photographic nail decal system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art nail decorations, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a machine for reducing an image and placing the image on a sheet of material having an adhesive backing to form a decal. The system further provides a tool for applying the decals to the nail of a digit and a method of applying and protecting the decals. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new photographic nail decal system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the nail decorations mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new photographic nail decal system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art nail decorations, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new photographic nail decal system that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new photographic nail decal system that is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such photographic nail decal system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system for applying a photographic image onto a nail of a digit. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system which includes a machine for reducing an image and placing the image on a sheet of material having an adhesive backing to form a decal. The system further provides a tool for applying the decals to the nail of a digit and a method of applying and protecting the decals. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system that permits positioning of a selectable photographic image on a sheet of adhesive material for ultimate positioning on the nail of a digit. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system that facilitates decorative self-expression by permitting positioning of a selectable photographic image on a decoratively shaped and colored backing. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a new photographic nail decal system that facilitates positioning of a personalized photo image on the nail of a digit. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new photographic nail decal system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the application wand of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the application wand of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention after application. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the copier of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the computer of an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new photographic nail decal system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the photographic nail decal system  10  generally comprises a sheet of clinging material  20 , a machine  30  for applying a photographic image  12  onto the material  20 , an application wand  40 , and an enamel  50 . 
     Once the photographic image  12  is positioned on the material  20 , the material  20  is positionable on a nail  2  of a digit  4 . The material is typically an electro-static material or a poly-vinyl chloride material or another sufficiently flexible, soft and pliable material that it may be pushed against the nail  2  such that the material clings to the nail  2 . The material  20  is positioned such that the photographic image  12  is displayed on the nail  2 . In various embodiments, the material  20  may be transparent, opaque, or colored to provide further customizable decorative possibilities. 
     The application wand  40  is provided for facilitating positioning of the clinging material  20  on the nail  2 . The application wand  40  includes a broadened flexible first end  42  and a broadened flexible second end  46 , each being for pressing against an outer surface  22  of the clinging material for removing air pockets from between the nail  2  and the clinging material  20 . 
     The broadened flexible first end  42  includes a straight outer edge  44  that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the application wand  40 . Thus, the first end  42  provides an extended and relatively pointed end  45  for precise pressing against a selectable portion of the material  20 . The broadened flexible second end  46  includes an arcuate outer edge  48 . 
     In an embodiment, the broadened flexible first end  42  is substantially coplanar with the broadened flexible second end  44 . 
     The machine  30  is preferably either a computer  60  or a copier  70 . The computer  60  would include a scanner component  62  for scanning the photographic image  12  into memory and a printer component  64  for printing the photographic image  12  onto the sheet of clinging material  20 . 
     In an embodiment, the sheet of material  20  includes a plurality of removable sections  29  and the machine  60  is for transferring the photographic image  12  onto each of the removable sections  29 . Thus, multiple copies of the photographic image may be provided on a single sheet. Each of the removable sections  29  is positionable on the nail  2  of the digit  4  such that the removable section  29  clings to the nail  2 . The sheet of material  20  may be provided with eight, ten, eighteen or twenty removable sections  29  to facilitate covering of eight fingers, eight fingers and two thumbs, ten toes, or eight fingers, two thumbs and ten toes. 
     In an embodiment, each of the removable sections  29  includes a decorative outer perimeter shape  27  that maybe in an oval, a star, a triangle, a diamond, a rectangle, a polygon, or a heart. Various combinations may be provided to permit decoration with a single shaped on each digit of both hands, each digit on each hand, different shapes for each digit, or any pattern desired by the user. 
     In an embodiment, an adhesive  14  is coupled to a surface of the clinging material  20  for facilitating clinging of the clinging material  20  to the nail  2 . The adhesive is preferably a mild adhesive to permit easy repositioning of the material  20  on the nail  2  to prevent misalignment of the photographic image on the nail. 
     The clear enamel liquid  50  is provided for applying over the clinging material  20  after the clinging material  20  is positioned on the nail  2  of the digit  4 . The enamel is used to protect and strengthen the nail  2  and prevent scratching of the photographic image  12 . 
     In use, the photographic image is copied onto the material using a machine such as a copier or a computer having a scanner and a printer. The material is then positioned on the nail of a digit. The application wand is used to smooth the material and force air pockets out from between the material and the nail. A coating of enamel is then placed over the material and onto the nail surface surrounding the material to further hold the material to the nail. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.