Artificial nails including application tabs

Abstract

A preformed artificial nail assembly comprising an artificial nail sized to correspond to at least a portion of said natural nail, and an application tab extending from the distal end of the artificial nail, the application tab having a neck portion and a body portion, said neck portion being disposed between the body portion and the distal end of the artificial nail, the body portion being disposed at an angle to the artificial nail such that the body may be readily grasped by the user to facilitate placement of the artificial nail on the natural nail. Embodiments includes a tab that twists from the connection to the artificial nail to the tab body, and a tab or gating structure that extends from the bottom surface of the artificial nail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 739,371 filed Apr. 24, 2007FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to human nail decorations, and more specifically the invention pertains to structure and methods for placement of preformed artificial nails and tips for adherence to human nails.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]For various aesthetic reasons, many individuals wish to possess elongated fingernails or fingernails having a more finished or polished appearance. However, some are unable or unwilling to grow their own natural fingernails out to the desired length. Alternately, they may not have the time, skill, or financial wherewithal to maintain or obtain a more finished appearance that may result from well manicured and / or polished nails. As a result, entire industries have developed around the artificial supplementation and enhancement of natural nails. Such e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The invention provides a nail application tab that extends generally from the distal end of the nail, the body of the application tab being disposed at an angle to a plane including the top or bottom surface of the artificial nail. Typically, the application tab is disposed at approximately a normal angle to a plane containing the top surface of the artificial nail when taken along the centerline, although the tab may be disposed at an alternate angle, preferably greater than 30°. The application tab may extend from one or more of any of the distal edge, or top or bottom surface of the nail. After placement, the application may be severed by any appropriate means. Separation may be facilitated by a weakened area provided by, for example, a perforation, an area of reduced thickness, a score line, or a reduced cross-sectional area.

[0015]The extension of the tab or other gating feature used in the molding of the artificial nail may be particularly advantageous in de-gating or separating the nail from the tab, tree or other molding structure.

[0016]In order to place the artificial nail on a natural nail, the user may grasp the generally vertically extending tab with the thumb and middle finger of the applying hand to apply the artificial nail to the natural nail of the receiving hand or a foot. Once the nail is placed, while continuing to hold the application tab, the user uses the index finger of the applying hand to lightly press the artificial nail into a final secured position on the receiving natural nail until such time as the adhesive secures the artificial nail in place. The user may then sever the application tab from the artificial nail by any appropriate means, such as snapping, tearing, or cutting. In this way, the artificial nail with tab provides ergonomic arrangement that facilitates nail placement with one hand.

Problems solved by technology

However, some are unable or unwilling to grow their own natural fingernails out to the desired length.

Alternately, they may not have the time, skill, or financial wherewithal to maintain or obtain a more finished appearance that may result from well manicured and / or polished nails.

Inasmuch as the adhesive used in placing artificial nails is generally tacky, it is difficult to make adjustments to the position of the artificial nail on the natural nail once initial placement is made.

Attempts to reposition the artificial nail relative to the natural nail or to remove and replace the artificial nail may result in either a substandard appearance to the artificial nail, or time consuming additional cleaning of the artificial nail and repetition of the placement process.

When utilizing smaller artificial nails, however, the free edge is very short, and does not extend far beyond the user's natural nail or finger tip, if at all.

Accordingly, such short nails can be particularly difficult to accurately place on the user's natural nail by simply grasping the artificial nail using one's fingers.

This tacky, adhesive pad, however, has proven unreliable in use, however, inasmuch as the retaining force exerted by the adhesive on the artificial nail typically deteriorates over time such that it does not exert a consistent retaining force on the artificial nail.

Moreover, should the adhesive pad become contaminated with dust or the like, it becomes generally useless in that it does not exhibit adequate force to retain a series of nails for placement.

This tool likewise exhibits deficiencies.

While the “shovel” tool does not deteriorate with use, it is cumbersome to utilize.

Conversely, if the tool does not exert adequate retaining force to hold the artificial nail during the placement process, the tool may allow artificial nail to move within the gap, making accurate placement of the artificial nail against the natural nail significantly more difficult.

Unfortunately, however, the Chinn tab is not ergonomic, and is difficult and cumbersome to use.

Similar difficulties are encountered in placing the nails disclosed in other references, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,595 to Aylott, for example.

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