Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
1
Description
ARTIFICIAL NAIL/TIP ARRANGEMENTS HAVING
MULTIPLE SECTIONS
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to artificial nails and/or artificial
tips for nails. More
particularly, the present invention relates to arrangements, systems and
methods for
providing artificial nail or tip arrangements having multiple sections.
Background Art
[2] Artificial nails are generally used to enhance the cosmetic appearance
of fingers and/
or toes, and may also be used to replace missing or damaged natural nails or
possibly
enhance the appearance of the existing nails. Typically, artificial nails or
tips can be
used to obtain a desired nail length and/or shape when the natural nail is too
weak to
grow without breaking. The use of artificial nails or tips may also be
preferred in
certain situations since the nail polish may better adhere to the artificial
nail surface
compared to the surface of a natural nail.
[3] It is known in the art to provide artificial nail arrangements which
are formed from
multiple sections. Such arrangements can be made from thin, molded plastic
sections
which are bonded together to form a general shape of a natural nail. In order
to attach
the separate sections to one another, a bonding adhesive can be applied to one
or more
of the sections. The sections are then positioned with respect to each other
such that
they form the shape ci a natural nail. Typically, two or more adjacent
sections,
together, form a top surface of the nail arrangement.
[4] There are several drawbacks associated with such existing nail
arrangements. For
example, typically, the bond between adjacent sections has a tendency to fail,
thus
resulting in a separation of one or more sections of the nail arrangement from
the
remaining sections. Another drawback with such known artificial nail
arrangements is
that their appearance is usually readily distinguishable from natural nails.
For example,
often the bonding of the adjacent sections which form the top surface of the
nail ar-
rangement results in such top surface having noticeable bumps and/or seams.
Achieving a substantially smooth top surface with the conventional artificial
nail ar-
rangements can be difficult, and often requires considerable skill in applying
the nail
arrangement.
[5] Accordingly, there is a need for a nail arrangement having multiple
sections in which
a strong bond is provided between adjacent sections of the nail arrangement
and
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
2
which, additionally, appears at least somewhat in distinguishable from natural
nails.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[6] There is a need for a nail arrangement having multiple sections in
which a strong
bond is provided between adjacent sections of the nail arrangement and which,
addi-
tionally, appears at least somewhat in distinguishable from natural nails.
Technical Solution
[7] An artificial nail or tip arrangement comprising:
[8] a first section having a first top surface and a first bottom surface;
a second section
being adjacent to the first section and having a second top surface and a
second bottom
surface; wherein the first and second sections form a combined arrangement
which has
a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be
provided at a
front portion of the natural nail and the proximal end being configured to be
provided
opposite to the distal end, wherein the distal end is provided further away
from a
cuticle portion of the natural nail than the proximal end; and wherein at
least one first
portion of the first bottom surface overlays the second top surface such that
at least one
second portion of the second top surface overlaid by the first bottom surface
forms an
acute angle with respect to the first top surface at a contact point with the
second top
surface.
[9] A method for providing an artificial nail or tip arrangement
comprising:
[10] providing a first section having a first top surface and a first
bottom surface;
providing a second section adjacent to the first section having a second top
surface and
a second bottom surface; forming the combined arrangement from the first and
second
sections, the combined arrangement having a proximal end and a distal end, the
distal
end being configured to be provided at a front portion of the natural nail of
a user, and
the proximal end being configured to be provided opposite to the distal end,
and the
distal end being provided further away from a cuticle portion of the natural
nail than
the proximal end; and overlaying at least one portion of the second top
surface with the
first bottom surface such that the at least one portion of the second top
surface overlaid
by the first bottom surface forms an acute angle with respect to the first top
surface at a
contact point with the second top surface.
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
2a
In one aspect, there is provided an artificial nail or tip arrangement
comprising:
a first section having a first top surface and a first bottom surface; and
a second section being adjacent to the first section and having a second top
surface and
a second bottom surface;
wherein the first and second sections form a combined arrangement which has a
proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be provided
at a front
portion of the natural nail and the proximal end being configured to be
provided
opposite to the distal end,
wherein the distal end is provided further away from a cuticle portion of the
natural
nail than the proximal end;
wherein at least one first portion of the first bottom surface overlays the
second top
surface such that at least one second portion of the second top surface
overlaid by the
first bottom surface forms an acute angle with respect to the first top
surface at a contact
point with the second top surface; and
wherein the at least one portion of the firs bottom surface overlays the
second top
surface to form an interface, wherein the interface comprises a first segment
comprising
a substantially continuous curve, and wherein the interface comprises a second
segment
disposed distally with respect to the first segment which extends
substantially parallel to
the first top surface, the first segment extending in a curved direction that
is different
than a direction of extension of the first top surface.
In another aspect, there is provided an artificial nail or tip arrangement
comprising:
a first section having a first top surface and a first bottom surface;
a second section being adjacent to the first section and having a second top
surface and
a second bottom surface;
wherein the first and second sections form a combined arrangement which has a
proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be provided
at a front
portion of the natural nail and the proximal end being configured to be
provided
opposite to the distal end,
wherein the distal end is provided further away from a cuticle portion of the
natural
nail than the proximal end;
wherein at least one first portion of the first bottom surface overlays the
second top
surface such that at least one second portion of the second top surface
overlaid by the
first bottom surface forms an acute angle with respect to the first top
surface at a contact
portion with the second top surface; and
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
2b
a third section having a third top surface and a third bottom surface,
wherein the third section is provided closer to the cuticle portion of the
natural finger
nail than the first section, and adjacent to the second section,
wherein the second and third sections form a combined arrangement which has a
further proximal end and a further distal end, the further distal end being
configured to
be provided opposite to the distal portion and closer to a center portion or a
rear portion
of the natural nail,
wherein at least one first portion of the third bottom surface overlays a
section of the
second top surface such that least one further portion of the second top
surface overlaid
by the second bottom surface forms an acute angle with respect to the third
top surface
at a contact portion with the second top surface.
In a further aspect, there is provided a method for providing an artificial
nail or tip
arrangement comprising:
providing a first section having a first top surface and a first bottom
surface;
providing a second section adjacent to the first section having a second top
surface and
a second bottom surface;
forming the combined arrangement from the first and second sections the
combined
arrangement having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being
configured to
be provided at a front portion of the natural nail of a user, and the proximal
end being
configured to be provided opposite to the distal end, and the distal end being
provided
further away from a cuticle portion of the natural nail than the proximal end;
and
overlaying at least one portion of the second top surface with the first
bottom surface
such that the at least one portion of the second top surface overlaid by the
first bottom
surface forms an acute angle with respect to the first top surface at a
contact portion with
the second top surface,
wherein the at least one portion of the first bottom surface overlays the
second top
surface to form an interface comprising a plurality of segments, wherein the
interface
comprises a particular segment comprising a substantially continuous curve,
and
wherein the interface comprises a further segment disposed distally with
respect to the
particular segment which extends substantially parallel to the first top
surface, the first
segment extending in a curved direction that is different than a direction of
extension of
the first top surface.
In a further aspect, there is provided a method for providing an artificial
nail or tip
arrangement comprising:
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
2c
providing a first section having a first top surface and a first bottom
surface;
providing a second section adjacent to the first section having a second top
surface and
a second bottom surface;
forming the combined arrangement from the first and second sections, the
combined
arrangement having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being
configured to
be provided at a front portion of the natural nail of a user, and the proximal
end being
configured to be provided opposite to the distal end, and the distal end being
provided
further away from a cuticle portion of the natural nail than the proximal end;
overlaying at least one portion of the second top surface with the first
bottom surface
such that the at least one portion of the second top surface overlaid by the
first bottom
surface forms an acute angle with respect to the first top surface at a
contact point with
the second top surface; and
providing a third section having a third top surface and a third bottom
surface,
wherein the third section is provided closer to the cuticle portion of the
natural finger
nail than the first section, and adjacent to the second section,
wherein the second and third sections form a combined arrangement which has a
further proximal end and a further distal end, the first distal end being
configured to be
provided opposite to the distal portion and closer to a center portion or a
rear portion of
the natural nail,
wherein at least one first portion of the third bottom surface overlays a
section of the
second top surface such that at least one further portion of the second top
surface
overlaid by the second bottom surface forms an acute angle with respect to the
third top
surface at a contact point with the second top surface.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[1 1] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing
out and distinctly
claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present invention,
it is
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
3
believed that the invention will be better understood from the following
description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:
[12] FIG. 1 is a side view (fa nail or tip arrangement in accordance with
one exemplary
embodiment;
[13] FIG. 2 is a top view of the nail or tip arrangement in accordance with
one exemplary
embodiment;
[14] FIG. 3 is a side view of the nail or tip arrangement in accordance
with another
exemplary embodiment;
[15] FIG. 4 is a side view of the nail or tip arrangement in accordance
with yet another
exemplary embodiment;
[16] FIG. 5 is a side view of a nail or tip arrangement in accordance with
one exemplary
embodiment; and
[17] FIG. 6 is a top view of the nail or tip arrangement in accordance with
one exemplary
embodiment.
[18] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters,
unless
otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or
portions of
the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection
with the il-
lustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be
made to
the described embodiments without departing from the true scope of the
subject invention as defined by the appended claims.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[19] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,
arrangements,
systems and methods for providing artificial nail or tip arrangements having
multiple
sections may be provided to address at least such need and others.
[20] In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an
artificial nail or a tip
arrangement can be provided. The exemplary arrangement may include a first
section
having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a second section positioned
adjacent to
the first section having a top surface and a bottom surface. The first and
second
sections may form a combined arrangement having a proximal end and a distal
end. At
least one portion of the bottom surface of the first section may contact the
top surface
of the adjacent second section such that the portion of the top surface of the
second
section overlaid by the bottom surface of the adjacent first section may form
an acute
angle with respect to the top surface of the first section.
[21] In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method can
be provided
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
4
for providing an artificial nail or a tip arrangement. In particular, a first
section having
a top surface and a bottom surface can be provided, an adjacent second section
having
a top surface and a bottom surface can also be provided. Further, the combined
ar-
rangement may be formed from the first and second sections. It is also
possible to
overlay at least one portion of the top surface of the second section with the
bottom
surface of the adjacent first section such that the portion of the top surface
of the
second section overlaid by the bottom surface of the adjacent first section
may form an
acute angle with respect to the top surface of the first section.
[22] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include arrangements,
systems and
methods for providing artificial nails/tips. While the exemplary arrangements,
systems
and methods of the present invention may be applied to any bodily extension,
e.g., a
finger or a toe, they are particularly useful for a cosmetic or visual
enhancement of fin-
gernails. The exemplary embodiments may be used in both retail applications
(e.g.,
full-coverage nails, etc.) and also in professional applications (e.g., an
acrylic method,
etc.).
Mode for the Invention
[23] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an artificial nail/tip
arrangement 10
comprising two sections. The artificial nail/tip arrangement 10 can be
generally shaped
to simulate the appearance of a natural nail. For example, one or more of the
artificial
nail/tip arrangements 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention may have approximately rectangular or curved shapes with their
lengths
being larger than their widths. fbwever, the exemplary artificial nail/tip
arrangements
may also be provided in any shape or size depending on the desired application
thereof.
[24] For purposes of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
the term
"artificial nail" may include, but not limited to, both a full-cover nail
which may be
intended to be applied over the entire surface of a wearer's natural nail and
a nail
extension which may be intended to be applied to a portion of a wearer's
natural nail.
A wearer's natural nail may be a fingernail or a toenail. Accordingly,
artificial nails
according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be
artificial
nails sized and shaped to be applied to a wearer's fingernails or toenails. In
one
exemplary embodiment, the artificial nail/tip arrangement 10 may be
manufactured in
a number of standard sets by size and length, such that the user/wearer can
then select
the desired size and length that approximates the user's/wearer's nail size
and shape.
[25] As shown in FIG. 1, the nail/tip arrangement 10 may be sized such that
at least a
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
portion of the arrangement 10 extends distally up to and/or from a wearer's
natural nail
(e.g., from the cuticle thereof). In certain exemplary embodiments, the
nailltip ar-
rangement 10 may comprise a first section 20 having a top surface 60 and a
bottom
surface 80, as well as a second section 30 having a top surface 70 and a
bottom surface
90. In one exemplary embodiment, second section 30 may be disposed immediately
and laterally adjacent the first section 20 and be overlaid by at least a
portion of the
first section 20. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first section 20 and
the section
30, when adjoined, may form a combined arrangement having a distal end 40 and
a
proximal end 50, with the proximal end being at or near the cuticle of the
wearer's
finger (a natural nail 15). In an alternative exemplary embodiment, either or
both of the
first section 20 and the second section 30 may comprise one or more
subsections,
which combined, may form the first section 20 and second section 30,
respectively.
[26] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end
50 may be
configured to be provided on the cuticle portion of the natural nail 15. In a
iirther
exemplary embodiment, the distal end 40 may be configured to be provided at a
front
portion of the natural nail 15 which is opposite to and away from the cuticle
portion.
[27] In certain exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom
surface 80 of the
first section 20 overlays at least a portion of the top surface 70 the second
section 30 to
form an interface 95. In one exemplary embodiment, the interface 95 between
adjacent
sections 20, 30 may comprise one or more segments. For example, as shown in
FIG. 1,
the inteiface 95 can comprise a single segment including a substantially
continuous
curve. As shown in FIG. 1, according to one exemplary embodiment of the
present
invention, the top surface 70 of the second section 30 can have a curved shape
that
curves away from the top surface 60 of the first section 20. According to
another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the top surface 70 of the
second
section 30 can have a section which can have a straight shape that extends in
at least
partially a straight manner away from the top surface 60 of the first section
20. To that
effect, at least a portion of the bottom surface 80 of the first section 20
may have a
shape that can substantially correspond in shape to at least one portion of
the top
surface 60 of the first section 20.
[28] In one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the top surface 70
of the second
section 30 may form an angle with respect to a portion of the top surface 60
of the first
section 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the top surface 70
of the
second section 30 configured to be provided at a distance from the cuticle,
such as in a
position at or near a tip of the finger, may form an acute angle with respect
to a top
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
6
surface 60 of the first section 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
1, the
bottom surface 80 of the first section 20 contacts the top surface 70 of the
second
section 30 across substantially its entire length. Alternatively, a portion of
the first
section 20 may extend distally beyond the second section 30 such that a
portion of the
bottom surface 80 of the first section 20 does not contact the top surface 70
of the
second section 30.
[29] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a nail/tip arrangement 10 according
to certain
exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the top
surface
60 of the first section 20 and the top surface 70 of the second section 30
form a sub-
stantially smooth top surface of the nail/tip arrangement 10. Additionally,
while FIG. 2
illustrates an exemplary embodiment where the top portion 60 of the first
section 20
extends laterally from distal end 40 a particular distance toward the proximal
end 50, it
should be appreciated that the top portion 60 of the first section 20 may
extend from
the distal end 40 laterally toward the proximal end 50 for any alternative
distance.
[30] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a nail/tip
arrangement 100
according to the present invention. As with the exemplary embodiments
described
above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary nail/tip arrangement 100
may
comprise a first section 110 having a top surface 120 and a bottom surface
125, as well
as a second section 130 having a top surface 135 and a bottom surface 140. As
with
previously-described exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom
surface
125 of the first section 110 can overlay at least a portion of the top surface
135 the
second section 130 to form an interface 145. As an alternative to previously-
described
exemplary embodiments, the interface 145 between adjacent sections may
comprise a
plurality of segments. For example, with reference to similar elements in FIG.
2, the
interface 145 may comprise a first segment comprising a substantially
continuous
curve and a second segment disposed distally with respect to the first segment
which
can extend substantially parallel to the top surface 120 of the first section
110. Ac-
cordingly, the portion of the top surface 135 of the second portion 130 which
cor-
responds to the second segment of the interface 145 may also extend
substantially
parallel to the top surface 120 of the first section 110. Nevertheless, as
with
previously-described exemplary embodiments, a portion of the top surface 135
of the
second section 130, which is configured to be provided at a particular
distance from
the cuticle, may form an acute angle with respect to a top surface 120 of the
first
portion 110.
[31] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nail/tip arrangements 10, 100
may be
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
7
generally of a uniform thickness, for example, about 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm, and may
decrease in thickness (e.g., taper) toward the proximal end 50 to facilitate
the at-
tachment and blending with a natural nail 15. In alternative exemplary
embodiments,
the nail/tip arrangements 10, 100 may have any thickness, and can taper
depending on
any preferred aesthetics and/or other factors.
[32] In farther exemplary embodiments of the present invention, one or more
sections
which comprise the nail/tip arrangements 10, 100 may be provided in a
particular color
or a plurality of colors. Referring again to FIG. 1, in one exemplary
embodiment, the
first section 20 may be provided in a different color from one or more
remaining
sections of the nail/tip arrangement 10. For example, in one exemplary
embodiment,
the first section 20 may comprise a white color (nail polish) cif-white or
near-white
color, wherein the second section 30 may comprise a contrasting or different
color
(nail polish) thereby providing the appearance of a "French tip" or "French
manicure."
Additionally, for example, the second section 30 may comprise a translucent
polymeric material which can simulate the color of a natural fingernail.
Alternatively,
either or both of the first section 20 and/or the second section 30 may be
provided in
any color.
[33] In yet a farther exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the
first section 20
may have a color which is substantially uniform through a thickness of the
section. For
example, the first section 20 may be formed from a substantially homogenous
material
such that an appearance of the first section 20 is substantially the same
extending from
the top surface 60 to the bottom surface 80. In this manner, the appearance of
a colored
first section 20 of the nail/tip arrangement 10 would not be diminished by
scratching,
chipping, rubbing and/or peeling as is the case with artificial nails, where
the color can
be applied as a thin layer disposed over the distal tip section 40. Moreover,
the first
section 20 formed with a substantially uniform color through its thickness
according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may reduce or eliminate the
steps
of coating the artificial nail section with a thin layer of nail polish or
other colored
solution, as well as the additional step of sealing the thin colored layer of
the artificial
nail/tip arrangement 10 with a sealing agent.
[34] In an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
application of
the exemplary nail/tip arrangement 10 to the natural nail 15 can be as
follows. After
the selection of an appropriately sized nail/tip arrangement 10, the user may
apply a
selected conventional adhesive, such as an ethylcyanoacrylate-based glue, to
the
natural nail 15. The second section 30 of the nail/tip arrangement 10 may then
be
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
8
placed on the natural nail 15 so as to cover substantially all or a portion of
the surface
of the natural nail 15. Pressure may be applied to the nail/tip arrangement 10
by
pressing down on the second section 30. Such pressure may cause the second
section
30 to compress and conform to the contour of the surface of the wearer's
natural nail
15, thereby likely providing a better fit. Subsequently, the user may apply a
selected
conventional adhesive to the top surface 70 of the second section 30. The
first section
20 may then be placed at least partially on or overlap the top surface 70 to
form the
exemplary combined nail/tip arrangement 10. If desired, once applied, the
nail/tip ar-
rangement 10 may be trimmed and shaped using a nail file. Alternatively, the
nail/tip
arrangement may be applied to a natural nail 15 using any known methods.
[35] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the nail/tip arrangement 10 may
be provided
to the user as a unitary piece. That is, in such exemplary embodiment, the
nail/tip ar-
rangement 10 can be provided to the user with the first section 20 bonded to
the second
section 30. Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, the application of the
nail/tip
arrangement 10 can involve merely adhering the combined nail/tip arrangement
10 to
the surface of the wearer's natural nail 15.
[36] FIG. 4 illustrates still another exemplary embodiment of the nail/tip
arrangement 100
according to the present invention. As with the exemplary embodiments
described
above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the exemplary nail/tip arrangement 200 may
comprise a first section 20 having a top surface 60 and a bottom surface 80,
as well as
a second section 30 having a top surface 70 and a bottom surfitce 90. As with
previously-described exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom
surface
80 of the first section 20 can overlay at least a portion of the top surface
70 the second
section 30 to form an interface 95. As an alternative or in addition to
previously-
described exemplary embodiments, a third section 205 includes a bottom surface
210
which can be provided on a portion 85of the top surface 70 of the second
section 30
which is provided at or near the cuticle of the finger nail or on a portion of
the top
surface 70 of the second section 30 which is away from, positioned opposite to
or at a
distance from the first portion 20. For example, the interaction between the
bottom
surface 210 of the third section 205 and the portion 85 of the top surface 70
of the
second section 30 can form another interface 220.
[37] According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at
least the
portion 85 of the top surface 70 cf the second section 30 can have a curved
shape that
curves away from a top surface 215 cf the third section 205. According to
another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least the portion 85 of the
top
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
9
surEce 70 of the second section 30 can have a section which can have a
straight shape
that extends in at least partially a straight manner away from the top surface
215 of the
third section 205. To that effect, at least a portion of the bottom surface
210 of the
third section 205 may have a shape that can substantially correspond in shape
to the
portion 85 of the top surface 70 of the second section 30.
[38] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of a
nail/tip arrangement
300 according to the present invention. As with the exemplary embodiments
described
above with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the exemplary nail/tip arrangement 300 may
comprise a first section 20 having a top surface 60 and a bottom surface 80,
as well as
a second section 30 having a top surface 70 and a bottom surface 90. As with
previously-described exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom
surface
80 of the first section 20 can overlay at least a portion of the top surface
70 the second
section 30 to form an interface 95. Additionally, abutting sections of top
surface 60
of the first section 20 and the top surface 70 of the second section 30 may
form a top
interface 305. While top interface 305 is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 as forming
a curved
interface, the top interface 305 may have any configuration such as, for
example,
straight, angled, or the like. As an alternative or in addition to previously-
described
exemplary embodiments, a slight bump or ridge 310 may be provided along the
top
interface 305. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the ridge 310 may
be
formed by slightly increasing the thickness of either or both of the first
section 20 and
the second section 30 near the top interface 305. In one exemplary embodiment,
the
ridge 310 may be configured to assimilate the natural look of a French
manicure. As
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in a painted/natural French
manicure, a
slight bump is formed along the French line due to the additional layer of
nail polish.
[39] In yet farther exemplary embodiment, the nail/tip arrangement 10, 100,
200, 300
and/or the sections 20, 30, 120, 130, 205 thereof may be formed by injection
molding.
For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the nail/tip arrangement 10 and/or
the
sections 20, 30, 205 thereof may be formed by the hot tip gate process and/or
the
runner system method as described in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0237027. In an
alternative exemplary embodiment, the artificial nail/tip arrangement 10 may
be
formed by any known method.
[40] In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the nail/tip
arrangements
10, 100, 200, 300 and/or sections 20, 30, 205 thereof may be formed from any
plastic-
like material commonly employed in the manufacture of artificial nails, such
as ABS
plastic, nylon, tenite acetate, vinyl acetate, polycarbonates, polyvinyl
chloride, and the
CA 02719213 2017-01-04
like, or any mixture thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the materials for
the first
section 20, the second section 30 and/or the third section 205 may be chosen
so as to
be compatible and bond with each other chemically so that the sections adhere
together
and the risk of separation between sections is minimized. Additionally, such
materials
may be chemically resistant to certain products, such as nail polish or
adhesives used
to apply the nail/tip arrangements 10, 100, 200 to the wearer's natural nail
15.
[41] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention.
Various modi-
fications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to
those skilled
in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that
those skilled
in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements and methods
which,
although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of
the
invention and are thus within the scope of the present invention.
Industrial Applicability
[42] While the exemplary arrangements, systems and methods of the present
invention
may be applied to any bodily extension, e.g., a finger or a toe, they are
particularly
useful for a cosmetic or visual enhancement of fingernails. The present
invention may
be used in both retail applications (e.g., fiill-coverage nails, etc.) and
also in pro-
fessional applications (e.g., an acrylic method, etc.).
