Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to artificial nail products and, more particularly, to a thickset artificial nail tip device that eliminates the need for applying acrylic materials on top of an artificial nail tip and that reduces the amount of filing time required after application of an artificial nail tip, thereby making the application of an artificial nail tip to a natural fingernail fast and easy. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Artificial nails have been used for several decades as a way to cosmetically enhance the appearance of a person&#39;s natural fingernails. The French manicure look is popular with wearers of artificial nails. Typically, a French manicure look is achieved with artificial nails by the adherence of white plastic tips to the wearer&#39;s natural nail beds. The white plastic tips are sized according to the dimensions of the wearer&#39;s natural nails. After cutting down the white plastic tips to a preferred length and filing them to a desired shape, such as square, oval, or round, a natural color acrylic material is then overlaid onto the entire nail, including the natural nail and the white plastic tip. Once the acrylic material has dried and hardened, the surface of the nail can then be filed and buffed to a smooth finish. Another popular manicure look is known as the “pink and white” nail. The pink and white nail look also employs white plastic tips, which are sized according to the dimensions of the wearer&#39;s natural nails. After cutting down the white plastic tips to a preferred length and filing them to a desired shape, such as square, oval, or round, two acrylic colors—white and pink—are then overlaid onto the nail. The white acrylic color is overlaid on the white plastic tip, while the pink acrylic color is applied to the natural nail bed. Once the acrylic material has dried and hardened, the surface of the nail can then be filed and buffed to a smooth finish. Yet another popular manicure look incorporates multi-colored decorative acrylic designs. For this look, different acrylic colors are applied to the artificial nail, as desired by the wearer. Still other popular manicure looks are achieved by different methods, such as by airbrushing or hand painting designs on the artificial nails. 
         [0003]    The aforementioned manicure looks and methods used to achieve them are often time consuming and expensive, both for manicurists and their customers. For example, application of the acrylic material to the natural and artificial fingernail takes time. In addition, a certain level of skill is required in order to control the flow of the wet acrylic material, to maintain the thickness of the acrylic layer, and to create multi-colored designs. 
         [0004]    A need therefore exists for a device and method that reduces the amount of time and skill involved in achieving various manicure looks using artificial nails. 
         [0005]    The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a thickset artificial nail tip device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination: a pigmented body having a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the body has a thickness that is substantially thicker than a thickness of a natural fingernail of a wearer, and the proximal edge has a substantially concave curvature adapted to correspond to a curvature of a natural fingernail of a wearer; and a well region positioned adjacent to the proximal edge and adapted to be adhered to a natural fingernail of a wearer, wherein the well region has a thickness that is substantially thinner than the thickness of the body. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a thickset artificial nail tip device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination: a pigmented body having a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the body has a thickness that is substantially thicker than a thickness of a natural fingernail of a wearer, die body has a length that is substantially greater than a length of a natural fingernail of a wearer, the proximal edge is adapted to be adhered to a natural fingernail of a wearer, and the proximal edge has a substantially concave curvature adapted to correspond to a curvature of a natural fingernail of a wearer. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for applying an artificial nail tip to a natural nail bed is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a thickset artificial nail tip device comprising, in combination: a pigmented body having a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the body has a thickness that is substantially thicker than a thickness of a natural fingernail of a wearer, and the proximal edge has a substantially concave curvature adapted to correspond to a curvature of a natural fingernail of a wearer; and a well region positioned adjacent to the proximal edge and adapted to be adhered to a natural fingernail of a wearer, wherein the well region has a thickness that is substantially thinner than the thickness of the body; affixing the thickset artificial nail tip device to a natural fingernail of a wearer, such that a portion of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail is exposed; trimming the thickset artificial nail tip device to a desired length; applying nail color to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail and the well region; allowing the nail color to dry and harden; and filing the proximal edge of the thickset artificial nail tip device such that the nail color and proximal edge form a smooth surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a thickset artificial nail tip device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 1  in position on a fingernail of a wearer, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 2 , illustrating an application of acrylic material to a fingernail of a wearer and a portion of the thickset artificial nail tip device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the filing of acrylic material, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a thickset artificial nail tip device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 5  in position on a fingernail of a wearer, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 6 , illustrating an application of acrylic material to a fingernail of a wearer, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 7 . illustrating the filing of acrylic material, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side, cross-sectional view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side, cross-sectional view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 9  in position on a fingernail of a wearer, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side, cross-sectional view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 11 , illustrating an application of acrylic material to a fingernail of a wearer and a portion of the thickset artificial nail tip device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side, cross-sectional view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a side, cross-sectional view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 13  in position on a fingernail of a wearer, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side, cross-sectional view of the thickset artificial nail tip device of  FIG. 15 , illustrating an application of acrylic material to a fingernail of a wearer, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4  and  9 - 12 , an embodiment of a thickset artificial nail tip device  1  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  includes two regions: a body  2  and a well region  3 . (The well region  3  is shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  9 - 11 .) 
         [0026]    The body  2  is preferably relatively thick and substantially elongated. In this regard, in this embodiment, the thickness of the body  2  is preferably greater than the thickness of a natural fingernail  4 , and the length of the body  2  is preferably greater than the length of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , as best demonstrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Although in this embodiment the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  extends substantially beyond the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , the dimensions of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  may be shortened or lengthened, as desired, in order to suit the needs or preferences of individual wearers. The body  2  includes a proximal edge  2   a  and a distal edge  2   b . Preferably, the body  2  is shaped to correspond to the shape and curvature of a natural fingernail  4  of a wearer of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  as best seen in  FIG. 2 . Thus, in this embodiment, the proximal edge  2   a  has a curvature that follows the curvature of a free edge  4   a  (as seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of a wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 . However, it may be desired to employ other shapes for the proximal edge  2   a  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 , depending on the preferences of the wearer. For example, a wearer may desire that the proximal edge  2   a  be scalloped, jagged, zigzagged, and the like, or formed into a variety of other shapes. 
         [0027]    In this embodiment, the body  2  is colored. The body  2  may be of a color, such as white, that is consistent with a French manicure or the “pink and white” nail style, or may be of some other desired color or colors. In this way, it should not be necessary to apply a color coat of acrylic material to the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 . This helps to reduce the amount of time necessary for creating a French manicure, “pink and white” nail style or other desired look with artificial nails. 
         [0028]    The well region  3  is preferably relatively thin and transparent. In this way, the well region  3  may be positioned on a natural fingernail  4  of a wearer of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  such that a nail bed of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4  appears deeper. Thus, this embodiment is especially usefull for wearers having relatively shallow natural nail beds. Transparency of the well region  3  allows the well region  3  to blend in with the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , such that the well region  3  becomes invisible after application of nail color  6  to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and as further discussed below. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  is comprised of a relatively strong material that is resistant to cracking, chipping, or breaking, such as acrylic, plastic, or some other desired material. However, the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  should also be amenable to filing (such as with an emory board), cutting (such as with manicure scissors or clippers), and the like, in order that it may be shaped according to the wearer&#39;s preferences. For example, depending on the preferences of the wearer, the distal edge  2   b  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  may be squared, rounded, or oval shaped. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2-4  and  11 - 12  demonstrate use of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 . The thickset artificial nail tip device  1  may be adhered to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4  with an adhesive, glue, or the like that is suitable for use with artificial nails, using standard manicurist protocol. Prior to applying the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  to a wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , it is preferred that the surface of the natural fingernail  4  be roughened with a file or the like. Roughening of the surface of the natural fingernail  4  helps to improve the adhesion of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 . The thickset artificial nail device  1  may be positioned on the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4  such that the well region  3  covers a tip of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 . In this way, a wearer with relatively shallow nail beds may achieve a look in which her nail beds appear deeper than they actually are. 
         [0031]    Following application of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , nail color  6  may be applied to the natural fingernail  4  with a brush  5 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 12 , or by some other desired method. In a preferred embodiment, the nail color  6  corresponds to colors used for French manicures, for a “pink and white” nail style, or some other desired color or colors. The nail color  6  may consist of nail lacquer, acrylic material, UV gel, or some other material suitable for application to natural nails. The nail color  6  should be applied from the cuticle of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4  up to the proximal edge  2   a  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 , such that the nail color  6  completely covers the well region  3 . In a preferred embodiment, after application to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , the nail color  6  has a thickness that is slightly thicker than the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 . After the nail color  6  is applied, the well region  3  should not be visible. The relative thickness of the body  2  compared to the relative thinness of the well region  3  helps to prevent ninoffof nail color  6  that is applied to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 . This helps to create a neat appearance in the area where the nail color  6  and thickset artificial nail tip device  1  meet, which should reduce or avoid altogether a need to clean this area after the nail color  6  is applied. After the nail color  6  is applied, it should be allowed to dry and harden. 
         [0032]    Once the nail color  6  has dried and hardened, the surface of the nail color  6  maybe smoothed with a file  7 , as shown in  FIG. 4  so that the entire area including the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4  and the thickset artificial nail tip device  1  has a smooth and even finish. After use of the file  7 , it may be desired to complete the look by applying a clear top coat or shiny UV gel top coat (not shown) over the entire nail surface including the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4  and the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8  and  13 - 16 , another embodiment of a thickset artificial nail tip device  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  comprises a body  12 . 
         [0034]    As with the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 , the body  12  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  is preferably relatively thick and substantially elongated. In this regard, in this embodiment, the thickness of the body  12  is preferably greater than the thickness of a natural fingernail  14 , and the length of the body  12  is greater than the length of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 , as best demonstrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Although in this embodiment the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  extends substantially beyond the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 , the dimensions of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  may be shortened or lengthened, as desired, in order to suit the needs or preferences of individual wearers. The body  12  includes a proximal edge  12   a  and a distal edge  12   b . Preferably, the body  12  is shaped to correspond to the shape and curvature of a natural fingernail  14  of a wearer of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 , as best seen in  FIG. 6 . Thus, in this embodiment, the proximal edge  12   a  has a curvature that follows the curvature of a free edge  14   a  (as seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) of a wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 . However, it may be desired to employ other shapes for the proximal edge  12   a  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 , depending on the preferences of the wearer. For example, a wearer may desire that the proximal edge  12   a  be scalloped, jagged, zigzagged, and the like, or formed into a variety of other shapes. 
         [0035]    In this embodiment, the body  12  is colored. The body  12  maybe of a color, such as white, that is consistent with a French manicure or the “pink and white” nail style, or may be of some other desired color or colors. In this way, it should not be necessary to apply a color coat of acrylic material to the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 . This helps to reduce the amount of time necessary for creating a French manicure, “pink and white” nail style, or other desired look with artificial nails. 
         [0036]    Unlike the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  9 - 12 , the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-8  and  13 - 16  lacks a well region. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-8  and  13 - 16  may be particularly suitable for individuals having relatively deep natural nail beds, and who may not need to artificially deepen their nail beds. 
         [0037]    As with the thickset artificial nail tip device  1 , preferably, the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  is comprised of a relatively strong material that is resistant to cracking, chipping, or breaking, such as acrylic, plastic, or some other desired material. However, the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  should also be amenable to filing (such as with an emory board), cutting (such as with manicure scissors or clippers), and the like, in order that it may be shaped according to the wearer&#39;s preferences. For example, depending on the preferences of the wearer, the distal edge  12   b  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  may be squared, rounded, or oval shaped. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 6-8  and  15 - 16  demonstrate use of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 . The thickset artificial nail tip device  10  may be adhered to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14  with an adhesive, glue, or the like that is suitable for use with artificial nails, using standard manicurist protocol. Prior to applying the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  to a wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 , it is preferred that the surface of the natural fingernail  14  be roughened with a file or the like. Roughening of the surface of the natural fingernail  14  helps to improve the adhesion of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 . The thickset artificial nail device  10  may be positioned on the tip of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 . 
         [0039]    Following application of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 , nail color  16  may be applied to the natural fingernail  14  with a brush  15 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 16 , or by some other desired method. In a preferred embodiment, the nail color  16  corresponds to colors used for French manicures, for a “pink and white” nail style, or some other desired color or colors. The nail color  16  may consist of nail lacquer, acrylic material, UV gel, or some other material suitable for application to natural nails. The nail color  16  should be applied from the cuticle of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14  up to proximal edge  12   a  of the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 . In a preferred embodiment, after application to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  4 , the nail color  16  has a thickness that is slightly thicker than the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 . The relative thickness of the body  12  compared to the relative thinness of the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14  helps to prevent runoff of nail color  16  that is applied to the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14 . This helps to create a neat appearance in the area where the nail color  16  and thickset artificial nail tip device  10  meet, which should reduce or avoid altogether a need to clean this area after the nail color  16  is applied. After the nail color  16  is applied, it should be allowed to dry and harden. 
         [0040]    Once the nail color  16  has dried and hardened, the surface of the nail color  16  may be smoothed with a file  17 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , so that the entire area including the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14  and the thickset artificial nail tip device  10  has a smooth and even finish. After use of the file  17 , it may be desired to complete the look by applying a clear top coat or shiny UV gel top coat (not shown) over the entire nail surface including the wearer&#39;s natural fingernail  14  and the thickset artificial nail tip device  10 . 
         [0041]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: a