Patent Publication Number: US-2006006092-A1

Title: Artificial fingernail mounting method

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
      This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/584,938, filed on Jul. 1, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to the field of the decorating and mounting of artificial fingernails. In particular, the present invention discloses a apparatus whereby artificial fingernails can be painted and decorated using a minimal amount of actual working time.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Artificial fingernails have gained great popularity in recent years. Artificial fingernails provide women with the ability to display hands with beautiful fingernails. Artificial fingernails can be easily placed and replaced. They provide many advantages over real nails.  
      A number of patents have issued on these items. International Patent Application NO. WO 88/02226 discloses a kit of pre-formed fingernail covers with a unique selection of sizes and duplications that affords an excellent fit for a large majority of women users, while limiting the total number of pieces required to reduce costs, simplify selection, and minimize waste. The individual covers on their opposite ends each provide two different sizes. To assist the fitting process, the covers are displayed on a flexible, transparent card in an anatomical manner.  
      U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0178040 discloses artificial nail tips, particularly artificial nail tips that have an attachment area with an axial curvature and two cutout portions which provide a comfortable and conforming fit to a variety of natural nails while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing damage to the natural nail. The axial curvature of the attachment area of the nail tips is of a single radius design. The cutout portions of the nail tips are on both sides of the attachment portion of the nail tips, leaving a center attachment area narrower and thinner than the remaining nail tip. The attachment area of the nail tip is in a shape that allows for conformation to all natural nails, regardless of the length or curvature of the natural nail while maintaining the strength of the natural and minimizing damage to the natural nail. The shape of the attachment area of the nail tip allows it to conform to the natural nail without losing its structural integrity.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,290 discloses a system for forming artificial fingernails including methods, apparatus and kits. A form implement is fashioned into a complementary shape of a fingernail. Acrylic material in a gelatinous state, applied to a base comprised of a natural fingernail and optionally an artificial fingernail tip, is molded by further application of a form. A form of the invention tends to shape the acrylic material in a preferred manner before it hardens in the polymerization process. The form, left in intimate contact with the hardening acrylic material, imparts its shape and texture to the material. A form, thereafter having been removed from a newly created artificial fingernail, creates a superior looking nail having a smooth transparent look which is more natural and desirable. In addition, forms of the invention result in better shaped nails having less defects than nails formed via commonly known techniques.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,190 discloses a method and apparatus for supplying and using artificial fingernail material wherein the material comprises porous fabric-like material supplied in sheets which are die cut in advance to the appropriate size for a person&#39;s fingernails and are supplied on a backing board upon which they are die cut and within a plastic wrap package appropriately scored so that strips of the plastic may be removed and utilized in pressing the individual fabric fingernail coverings over the nail, which will first be supplied with an artificial tip, and which, with the tip, already has a special adhesive polish material applied, in such manner that the adhesive polish material is forced upwardly through the fabric, after which a finish coating of polish is applied and the fabric nail is trimmed an polished to the appropriate final desired shape.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,551 discloses a false fingernail kit in which false fingernail blanks are formed unitary with a surrounding frame having portions establishing an imaginary envelope within which the blanks are enveloped, the frame being placed in a receptacle having a configuration complementary to the imaginary envelope for establishing a package for the kit. The receptacle includes a window for viewing the packaged fingernail blanks and the frame includes portions defining a compartment in the receptacle for receiving a container of adhesive and a container of adhesive remover. The fingernail blanks are each interconnected with the frame at a limited portion of the blank to facilitate tearing the blank from the frame without mutilation of the blank, and the frame includes basal surfaces for resting the frame in alternate orientations upon a support surface during use of the kit.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,461 discloses a fingernail sculpting teaching system for use in practicing the creation of an artificial fingernail on a typical human finger. The teaching system includes a cylinder for simulating a typical human finger. Formed at each end of the cylinder is a visual marker shaped to simulate a typical human nail bed, on which is placed the material comprising the artificial fingernail bed. A form may be provided adjacent to the visual marker for receiving the material comprising the artificial fingernail free edge. The cylinder may be provided with a cover to facilitate removal of the artificial fingernail from the cylinder.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,957 discloses a process for fabricating a reusable artificial fingernail which enjoys a tight tolerance complimental fit with the natural nail substrate as a result of the method of fabrication. The process may involve the use of the natural nail model as a substrate in conjunction in each case with a secondary substrate forming an extension of the nail, and digit to accept in a continuous fashion a release agent and a coating of a curable material forming an artificial nail curing the acrylic material, preferably by blue light source in the visible spectrum. The preferable material is an acrylic and removing the artificial nail so created, trimming flash and shaping it to the desire final configuration and reapplying with a non-permanent adhesive material.  
      While there are a number of technologies and systems dealing with artificial fingernails, none assist in painting and decoration of artificial fingernails. It would therefore be beneficial if an apparatus existed which would allow a person to place artificial fingernails on to paint and decorate.  
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The artificial fingernail mounting apparatus of the present invention is a simple and low cost method of decorating artificial fingernails which can be painted and decorated using a minimal amount of actual working time. The glue is easy to peel off when dry and does not run or drip, which makes it easy to work with. One of the advantages of the artificial fingernail mounting kit is that you can paint and decorate the nails off of the fingers (on the kit), leaving time to do other things while the nails are drying. If a person makes a mistake, he or she can replace the nail in a matter of seconds.  
      Nail sets can be prepared ahead of time, already decorated, and stored until needed. The artificial fingernail mounting kit would also be a great training aid for beauty students to learn how to paint and decorate nails.  
      It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an artificial fingernail mounting apparatus having a board for supporting a plurality of artificial nail supports; and a bin affixed with the board for holding a plurality of decorating items.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide an artificial fingernail mounting apparatus having a board having a plurality of arced-shaped nail supports to support the nails while they are being decorated; and a bin associated with the board for holding a plurality of decorating items.  
      It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an artificial fingernail mounting apparatus having a board, having a plurality of stem supports to support the nails while they are being decorated; and a bin associated with the board for holding a plurality of decorating items.  
      In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus is provided. The novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus includes a board for supporting a plurality of artificial nail supports; and a bin affixed with the board for holding a plurality of decorating items.  
      In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus is provided. The novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus includes a board having a plurality of arced-shaped nail supports to support the nails while they are being decorated; and a bin associated with the board for holding a plurality of decorating items.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus is provided. The novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus includes a board, having a plurality of stem supports to support the nails while they are being decorated; and a bin associated with the board for holding a plurality of decorating items.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
      The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an artificial fingernail support of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the artificial fingernail support depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the of the artificial fingernail support as depicted in  FIG. 1  along the lines  3 - 3 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an artificial fingernail support of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the artificial fingernail support depicted in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the of the artificial fingernail support as depicted in  FIG. 5  along the lines  6 - 6 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to a system and method for decorating and attaching artificial fingernails. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components across the several views and in particular to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , there is shown an artificial nail support  10 . In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a board  12  having a plurality of arced posts  14 . In a most preferred embodiment the invention will preferably include ten posts  14 , one for each finger of the hands. The posts have an arced shape. In one embodiment, the posts form an arch  16  which match and the size of the nail. Each of the posts holds and supports an artificial fingernail  18 . Each post preferably has a different width and can accommodate nails having different sizes, (e.g. pinky, ring, index and thumb).  
      The nails  18  are posted in place on the arced posts  14 . They may be affixed by a peel off glue or adhesive. The nails can then be decorated with rhinestones, sequins and the like which may be stored and maintained in a bin  20  located proximate to the table. When the nails are finished being decorated, they are removed and can be placed on the hand of the wearer.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 4, 5 , and  6 , an alternative embodiment of an artificial nail support  100  is shown. In this embodiment, the present invention comprises a board  112  having a plurality of posts  114 . In a most preferred embodiment the invention will preferably include ten posts  114 , one for each finger of the hands. The posts  114  have an arced tab  115  on the end. In one embodiment, the arced tabs  115  generally match the size of the nail. Each of the arced tabs  115  holds and supports an artificial fingernail  118 . Each arced tab  115  preferably has a different width and can accommodate nails having different sizes, (e.g. pinky, ring, index and thumb).  
      The nails  118  are posted in place on the arced tabs  115 . They may be affixed by a peel off glue or adhesive. The nails can then be decorated with rhinestones, sequins and the like which may be stored and maintained in a bin  120  located proximate to the table. When the nails are finished being decorated, they are removed and can be placed on the hand of the wearer.  
      In view of the foregoing disclosure, some advantages of the present invention can be seen. For example, a novel artificial fingernail mounting apparatus is disclosed. The artificial fingernail mounting apparatus has a plurality of mounts affixed to a face of the board so that artificial fingernails may be decorated without having to place them on the wearer&#39;s fingers.  
      While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the board in a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be formed of plastic, however any material known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be employed, such as metal, wood, composites, and the like.