Patent Description:
Gel nail art is a decorate beautification work of nails, which is considered as an art design nowadays. The gel nail art has the characteristics of the diversification of various forms. According to the hand shape, the finger nail shape, the color of the skin, clothing and other requirements, the gel nail art is a process of nail disinfection, cleaning, care, maintenance, and decorate beautification. Currently, during the gel nail process, phototherapy is used for accelerated weathering. Some people used to do a hand care at first before using the phototherapy manicures. However, exfoliator results in thinning of the skin, which further cause skin aging if the fingernail is directly exposed under the phototherapy lamp such as UV or blue light without sunscreen. The improper gel nail art may cause nail damage, which even causes separation of the nail and the nail bed under the nails and eventually leads to shorter nail bed. Therefore, healthy nail composition as well as the right nail tools are required.

Several photocurable nail gel compositions are known in the prior art for adornment of natural fingernails or artificial nail tips. <CIT> discloses nail gel compositions containing thixotropic additive(s) and in some cases dispersants for additional dispersant stability. The thixotropic pigmented gel has prolonged shelf life and long-time storage at ambient conditions. <CIT> disclose photocurable compositions exhibiting excellent durability (adhesion maintainability to nails) which contain a methacrylamide monomer, Component (B), which is preferably N,N-dimethylacrylamide and a (meth)acrylic monomer having an acidic group, Component (C). Compositions which do not contain components (B) and (C) exhibit poor adhesive property at the interface with the adherend. Applicant has developed the world's first soft gel nail extension system. The Gel-X tips are fast and easy to apply using a proprietary Extend Gel adhesive composition. The use of Gel-X nail extension systems as an alternative to traditional acrylic or hard gel extensions has been disclosed. See, tutorial video entitled "How to Apply Apres Gel X Nail Extensions", available at https://www. com/watch?v=MNczt_gcU_w.

The invention is advantageous in that it provides an artificial nail tip and curing composition set and applying method thereof, which not only decorates fingernails but also protects the fingernails.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an artificial nail tip and curing composition set and applying method thereof, which not only can reduce the curing and hardening time of the artificial nail tip on the fingernail but also can prevent unnecessary damages to fingernails.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an artificial nail tip and curing composition set and applying method thereof, which includes an Extend Gel for firmly affixing the artificial nail tips, namely GEL-X tips, to the surface of the fingernails.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an artificial nail tip and curing composition set and applying method thereof, which protects the fingernails and reduces the UV damage.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by an artificial nail tip and curing composition set, comprising:
at least an artificial nail tip, namely GEL-X tip, an Extended Gel, an edge-off flat brush, a nail filing device, a pH Bonder, and a Non-Acidic Gel Primer, wherein the pH Bonder forms a pH Bonder layer on a surface of a fingernail, wherein the Non-Acidic Gel Primer forms a Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer overlapped on the pH Bonder layer, wherein the Extend Gel forms a Extend Gel layer overlapped on the Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer, wherein an underside contact surface of the GEL-X tip is filed by the nail filing device to provide a rough affixing surface and the Extend Gel is applied on an underside contact surface of the Gel-X tip by the edge-off flat brush until at least the rough affixing surface is completely covered with the Extend Gel to form an adhering layer, wherein the underside contact surface of the Gel-X tip is contacted with the Extend Gel layer on the fingernail in such a manner that the Gel-X tip is firmly affixed on the fingernail.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are also attained by an applying method of a nail tip composition, comprising the steps of:.

In one embodiment, the step (d) can be accomplished by filing the underside contact surface of the Gel-X tip by a nail filing device.

In one embodiment, the step (g) can be executed under exposure to UV or LED lighting for at least two minutes for curing and hardening.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Referring to <FIG> of the drawings, an artificial nail tip and curing composition set <NUM> according to a preferred embodiment is illustrated, wherein the nail tip curing composition set <NUM> comprises an Extend Gel <NUM>, an edge-off flat brush <NUM>, a nail filing device <NUM>, a plurality of artificial nail tips <NUM> embodied and named as GEL-X tips, a pH Bonder <NUM>, and a Non-Acidic Gel Primer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The Extend Gel <NUM> is used as GEL-X tips adhesive.

As shown in <FIG> of the drawings, before using the nail tip curing composition set <NUM>, a fingernail <NUM> is wiped to be cleaned by a cotton pad <NUM> soaked with rubbing alcohol, so that the fingernail <NUM> is cleaned to remove oil and dust thereon.

As shown in <FIG> of the drawings, the pH Bonder <NUM> is applied on the fingernail <NUM> to form a pH Bonder layer on the surface of the fingernail <NUM>. When the pH Bonder layer applied on the fingernail <NUM> is aired rapidly, the Non-Acidic Gel Primer <NUM> is applied on the fingernail <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> of the drawings, the Non-Acidic Gel Primer <NUM> is applied on the fingernail <NUM> to form a Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer on the surface of the fingernail <NUM>, which is overlapped on the pH Bonder layer. When the Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer applied on the fingernail <NUM> is aired rapidly, the edge-off flat brush <NUM> is used to apply a thin layer of the Extend Gel <NUM> to the fingernail <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> of the drawings, the thin layer of the Extend Gel <NUM> is applied on the fingernail <NUM> to form an Extend Gel layer overlapped on the Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer.

As shown in <FIG> of the drawings, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Extend Gel layer formed by the Extend Gel <NUM> and overlapped on the Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer on the fingernail <NUM> is cured with a LED lamp <NUM> for a period of time, such as about <NUM> seconds. Alternatively, the Extend Gel layer formed by the Extend Gel <NUM> and overlapped on the Non-Acidic Gel Prime layer on the fingernail <NUM> can also be cured with UV lamp for a period of time, such as about <NUM> minutes.

Regarding to the artificial nail tips, namely Gel-X tips <NUM>, made of for example acrylic material, are used as the artificial nail tips according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Before attaching the Gel-X tips <NUM> on the fingernails, a rough affixing surface <NUM> is provided on an underside contact surface <NUM> of each Gel-X tip, which is the lower inner portion of the Gel-X tip having a surface area approximately equal to the surface area of the fingernail that the Gel-X tip is going to in contact with and affixing thereon. The rough affixing surface <NUM> can be made when it is manufacturing to provide a coarse surface other than the generally smooth surface required on the underside surface and topside surface of the finger nail. On the rough affixing surface <NUM>, multiple indented grooves <NUM> are formed.

According to the preferred embodiment, the rough affixing surface <NUM> is provided by means of the nail filing device <NUM>. The underside contact surface <NUM> is filed by the nail filing device <NUM> to form the rough affixing surface <NUM> having multiple small indented grooves <NUM> thereon, as shown in <FIG>. It is appreciated that a health fingernail will generally have a smooth surface. In order to enhance the affixing of the artificial nail tip on the fingernail surface, the conventional way to slightly file the fingernail surface and then apply the glue thereon for adhering the artificial nail tip on the fingernail. To prevent causing unnecessary damages to the fingernail, the formation and providing of the rough affixing surface <NUM> on the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM> is essential for affixing the Gel-X tips <NUM> to the fingernails according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In other words, starting from a base portion of the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip, generally half of the underside contact surface <NUM> is filed to form the rough affixing surface <NUM>. The rough affixing surface <NUM>, especially the presence of the multiple indented grooves <NUM> formed thereon making the surface <NUM> a coarse surface, greatly increases the contacting surface area of the rough affixing surface <NUM> to pick up the Extend Gel <NUM>. Therefore, when the Gel-X tip adhesive, i.e. the Extend Gel <NUM>, can be retained to the rough affixing surface <NUM> of each of the Gel-X tips <NUM> than a smooth surface having the same size.

As shown in <FIG> of the drawings, a small drop of the Extend Gel <NUM>, which is enough to cover the natural fingernail, is applied to a base portion of the rough affixing surface <NUM> of the underside contact surface <NUM> of Gel-X nail tip <NUM> by the edge-off flat brush <NUM>, generally about <NUM>/<NUM> of the surface area of the natural fingernail, to form an Extend Gel tip layer on the rough affixing surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM>. The Extend Gel <NUM> will flow into the multiple indented grooves <NUM> and be retained therein. In other words, the multiple indented grooves <NUM> of the rough affixing surface <NUM> can retain more Extend Gel <NUM>. Therefore, when the rough affixing surface <NUM> is in contact with the fingernail surface, the Extend Gel layer will attach and affix the Gel-X tip <NUM> onto the fingernail <NUM>, wherein the retaining of the Extend Gel <NUM> in the multiple indented grooves <NUM> substantially increases the thickness of the Extend Gel <NUM> between the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM> that effectively increases the adhering bonding of the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM> so as to more firmly affix the Gel-X top <NUM> with the fingernail <NUM> with less curing and hardening time.

Referring to in <FIG> of the drawings, after the Extend Gel <NUM> is applied on the rough affixing surface <NUM> of the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM>, the Gel-X nail tip <NUM> is pressed onto the fingernail <NUM> gradually from base to tip of the Gel-X nail tip <NUM> to prevent air bubbles or lifting and to ensure a tight seal.

As shown in <FIG> of the drawings, an external force is pressed down the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM>, and then the fingernail <NUM> with the Gel-X tip <NUM> are cured with the LED lighting <NUM> of the LED lamp <NUM> for seconds such as about <NUM> seconds. The LED lamp <NUM>, which can be a LED flashlight as shown in <FIG> or a bridge light for sitting on a table surface to define a receiving cavity between the LEDs provided on an underside of the bridge light and the table surface, so that fingernail <NUM> with the Gel-X tip <NUM> pressing down thereon can be placed within the receiving cavity and treated under the LED lighting <NUM>. Eventually, the external force pressing down the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM> is removed and the LED lighting <NUM> from the LED lamp <NUM> is applied around the Gel-X tip <NUM> to ensure all sides of the Gel-X tip <NUM> being cured and hardened.

Then, as shown in <FIG> of the drawings, the entire fingernail <NUM> with the Gel-X tip <NUM> affixed thereon can be cured under the LED lamp <NUM> for a few seconds such as <NUM> seconds, until the Extend Gel tip layer on the rough affixing surface <NUM> of the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the Extend Gel layer on the fingernail <NUM> are cured and hardened integrally to form a bonding Extend Gel layer between the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM>. In maximum, application of about <NUM> minutes of LED lighting to affix the Gel-X tip <NUM> on the fingernail <NUM> could be more than enough. Alternatively, the entire fingernail <NUM> is cured by the UV lamp for a few minutes such as about <NUM> minutes.

It is worth mentioning that since the Extend Gel <NUM> of the Extend Gel tip layer is retained in the indented grooves <NUM> of the rough affixing surface <NUM> of the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM>, the Extend Gel <NUM> retained in the indented grooves <NUM> can act like roots to hold the Gel-X tip <NUM> to the fingernail <NUM> that greatly enhances the bonding and adhering ability of the cured and hardened bonding Extend Gel layer between Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM> while a relatively thin bonding Extend Gel layer is enough to affix the Gel-X tip <NUM> on the fingernail <NUM> firmly for a relatively longer lift span for at least couple weeks. Also, the thinner the bonding Extend Gel layer, the shorter the curing and hardening time by the LED lighting is required that can greatly shorten the total time required for affixing ten nail tips to ten fingernails of the user.

To detach the Gel-X tips <NUM> from the fingernails <NUM>, the user may simply soaking the fingernail <NUM> with the Gel-X tip <NUM> thereon into an acetone for a period of time and the Gel-X tip <NUM> will separate from the fingernail <NUM>.

It is worth mentioning that the Extend Gel <NUM> is used as a GEL-X tip adhesive. The chemical formulation of the Extend Gel <NUM> is based on acrylate/methacrylate chemistry, and contains monofunctional and multifunctional acrylate/methacrylate monomers/oligomers and photoinitiators. The Extend Gel <NUM> in the uncured state is a potential sensitizer, a primary eye irritant and a moderate skin irritant.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> of the drawings, the chemical composition of the Extend Gel <NUM> includes a Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomer <NUM>, a <NUM>-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate <NUM>, a <NUM>-Hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone <NUM> and a Phenylbis(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide <NUM>.

More specifically, a basic proportion range of the Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomer <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%, a basic proportion range of the <NUM>-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%, a basic proportion range of the <NUM>-Hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%, and a basic proportion range of the Phenylbis(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%.

It is worth mentioning that the specific gravity of the Extend Gel <NUM> is <NUM>-<NUM> and the Vapor Pressure, (mm Hg) is C:<<NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> of the drawings, the nail tip composition kit <NUM> further comprises a MSDS top gel coat <NUM> applied on the fingernail <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> of the drawings, the chemical composition of the MSDS top gel coat <NUM> includes a Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomers <NUM>, a <NUM>-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA) <NUM>, a Di-Trimethylolpropane Tetraacrylate <NUM>, a PETMP <NUM>, and a Polyether-Modified Polysiloxane <NUM>.

More specifically, a basic proportion range of the Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomers <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM> a basic proportion range of the <NUM>-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%, a basic proportion range of the Di-Trimethylolpropane Tetraacrylate <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%, a basic proportion range of the PETMP <NUM> by weight is <NUM>-<NUM>%, and a basic proportion range of the Polyether-Modified Polysiloxane <NUM> is <NUM>-<NUM>%.

It is worth mentioning that the boiling point of the MSDS top gel coat <NUM> is <NUM>°F.

It is worth mentioning that the flash point (°F) of the MSDS top gel coat <NUM> is <NUM>°F.

It is worth mentioning that the specific gravity of the MSDS top gel coat <NUM> is <NUM>.

It is worth mentioning that when users need to take off the GEL-X tips <NUM>, they can either wrap in cotton soaked acetone in the foil or literally soak the fingernail <NUM> with the GEL-X tips <NUM> in a bowl of acetone.

Also referring to <FIG> of the drawings, an applying method of a nail tip composition according to the above preferred embodiment comprises the following steps.

(<NUM>) Use rubbing alcohol to wipe the fingernail <NUM> to clean off oil and dust on the fingernail <NUM>.

(<NUM>) Apply the pH Bonder <NUM> to the fingernail <NUM> so as to form a pH Bonder layer on the surface of the fingernail <NUM>.

(<NUM>) Apply the Non-Acidic Gel Primer <NUM> to the fingernail <NUM> so as to form a Non-Acidic Gel Primer layer overlapped on the pH Bonder layer.

(<NUM>) Use the edge-off flat brush <NUM> to apply a thin layer of the Extend Gel <NUM> to the fingernail <NUM> so as to form an Extend Gel layer overlapped on the Non-Acidic Gel Primer layer.

(<NUM>) Cure the Extend Gel <NUM> on the fingernail <NUM> with the LED lamp <NUM> for about <NUM> seconds.

(<NUM>) File the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM> by the nail filing device <NUM> to form the rough affixing surface <NUM>.

(<NUM>) Use the edge-off flat brush <NUM> to apply a small drop of the Extend Gel <NUM> to at least a base portion of the rough affixing surface <NUM> of the underside contact surface <NUM> of the Gel-X tip <NUM> to form an Extend Gel tip layer.

(<NUM>) The Gel-X tip <NUM> is pressed onto the fingernail <NUM> gradually from base to tip thereof to prevent air bubbles and to ensure a tight seal.

(<NUM>) An external force is pressed down on the Gel-X tip <NUM> and the fingernail <NUM> until the Extend Gel tip layer on the rough affixing surface <NUM> is cured and hardened with the Extend Gel layer on the fingernail <NUM>, such that the Gel-X tip <NUM> is firmly attached to the fingernail <NUM>.

(<NUM>) Cure the Gel-X tip <NUM> with the LED flashlight <NUM> for about <NUM> seconds.

(<NUM>) The external force is removed and the LED flashlight <NUM> is rotated around the Gel-X tip <NUM> to ensure all sides cured.

(<NUM>) Cure the entire fingernail <NUM> in the LED lamp <NUM> for <NUM> seconds.

It is worth mentioning that, alternatively, the step (<NUM>) is able to be replaced by a step: (<NUM>) Cure the Extend Gel <NUM> on the fingernail <NUM> with the UV lamp for about <NUM> minutes.

It is worth mentioning that alternatively, the step (<NUM>) is able to be replaced by a step: (<NUM>) Cure entire fingernail <NUM> in the UV lamp for about <NUM> minutes.

It is worth mentioning that in the applying method of the nail tip composition kit <NUM> according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chemical composition of the Extend Gel <NUM> includes <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomer <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the <NUM>-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the <NUM>-Hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone <NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the Phenylbis(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide <NUM>.

It is worth mentioning that the applying method of the nail tip composition kit <NUM> further comprises a step of: applying the MSDS top gel coat <NUM> used on the fingernail <NUM>.

It is worth mentioning that in the applying method of the nail tip composition kit <NUM> according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chemical composition of the MSDS top gel coat <NUM> includes <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the Polyurethane Acrylate Oligomers <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the <NUM>-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) <NUM>. <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the Di-Trimethylolorocane Tetraacrylate <NUM>. <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the PETMP <NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of the Polyether-Modified Polysiloxane <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An artificial nail tip and curing composition set (<NUM>) for a fingernail (<NUM>), comprising:
at least one artificial nail tip, the artificial nail tip having an underside surface which can be filed into a plurality of indented grooves (<NUM>);
an adhesive composition consisting of:
(a) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of polyurethane acrylate oligomers (<NUM>);
(b) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of <NUM>-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (<NUM>);
(c) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of <NUM>-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (<NUM>);
(d) <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight of phenylbis(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (<NUM>); and
wherein the adhesive composition is applied to the plurality of indented grooves (<NUM>) on the underside of an artificial nail tip and to a surface of a fingernail (<NUM>);
wherein curing and hardening the adhesive composition with UV light or LED light for about <NUM> minutes forms a bonding layer between the indented grooves (<NUM>) on the underside of the artificial nail tip and the surface of the fingernail (<NUM>); and
wherein the bonding layer affixes the artificial nail tip to the surface of the fingernail (<NUM>) for at least two weeks.