NAIL COVERING

Abstract

Waterless thin adhesive films bearing ink or pigment are transferred by pressure and/or heat (e.g. body heat) without using water to release the film from the backing. Excess film on the skin adjacent the sides or cuticle is not a problem, as this can be wiped clean following a top coat cure on the nail. Because the waterless thin adhesive is already dry and clean, a greater number of top coat formulations can be applied to the film remaining on the nail without delay to secure the film, providing an effective and durable nail covering lasting longer (up to 3 weeks in some cases) without losing its shine or decorative benefits.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method of applying a nail covering comprising: preparing a coating application strip having a base layer, an ink layer and an adhesive layer; applying the coating application strip to a clean and dry finger or toe nail to cause the adhesive layer to stick to the nail; removing the base layer from the nail, leaving the adhesive layer and the ink layer on the nail, wherein said coating application strip when applied to the nail is thin and easily damaged by casual rubbing or contact with objects; and applying a top coat to the nail to protect the adhesive layer and the ink layer on the nail, wherein the coating application strip is dimensioned to be larger than the nail, and said removing comprises: providing an excess of the adhesive layer and the ink layer beyond the edges of the nail on a surrounding skin, and cleaning said excess following said applying a top coat, wherein the cleaning removes said excess without affecting the adhesive layer and the ink layer on the nail and protected by the top coat.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein a tool is used to apply pressure on the base layer to cause the adhesive layer to attach to the nail.

4. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein the coating application strip comprises a transfer coating layer between the base layer and the ink layer.

5. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the coating application strip comprises a transfer coating layer between the base layer and the ink layer.

6-9. (canceled)

10. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said cleaning comprises wiping said excess.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein said cleaning comprises using a cleaning or toning product.

12-26. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be better understood by way of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a dry temporary tattoo product showing five layers according to the prior art;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section (c-curve) of the nail covering being applied to a finger nail illustrating tearing of the transfer coating adhered to the backing or base layer at the edges of the nail where the adhesive layer is bonded to the nail;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross section of the nail covering applied to a finger nail with a top coat; and

[0025] FIG. 4, appearing on the drawing sheet with FIG. 1, is a flow diagram illustrating the application steps according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a waterless tattoo as is more fully described in US patent application publication 2006/0154031, published on Jul. 13, 2006 to Brian Tomlinson, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The sheet material of the tattoo 100 has a base layer 110, a transfer coating 120, an ink layer 130, and adhesive layer 140 and a protective top layer 150. Such a waterless tattoo 100 is designed for application of a temporary tattoo to the skin. The top layer 150 is peeled away from the adhesive layer, and the tattoo 100 is pressed against dry skin. With pressure applied to the base layer 110, the adhesive layer 140 sticks to the skin and can allow the base layer 110 to be carefully peeled away from the transfer coating 120 leaving the layers 140, 130 and 120 intact on the skin.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a nail coating strip 100 is prepared for application to a nail. The strip 100 is prepared with a protective top layer 150 that is removed prior to application. The protective top layer simplifies packaging and handling of the strip 100, and could be omitted in cases of suitable packaging that would avoid contact or contamination of the adhesive layer 140. The top layer 150 can be transparent or opaque, and provides visibility of the ink layer when transparent. The backing or base layer 110 can be opaque or transparent. When transparent, it can help the user to align the strip 100 on the nail 220, particularly when the ink layer has a pattern that can be aligned with respect to the nail. Alignment marks can also be provided on an opaque strip 100 to guide the user.

[0028] The strip 100 is oversized with respect to nail 220 of a finger or toe 200, and extends over the nail folds 230 at the sides and front. The strip can be cut to shape to match an edge of the nail at the cuticle 210 or any other side, or it can be extended over all sides. The latter option is simpler in preparing the strip 100. Prior to application, the nail surface can be cleaned of any oil or dirt, and then dried. This can be done with an alcohol wipe if desired.

[0029] An applicator tool 250 of suitable shape, such as a 45-degree angled plastic, wood (e.g. birchwood), or metal stick, can be used to apply pressure to the backing layer 110 to have the adhesive layer 140 bond to the nail surface 220. The tool 250 can be pressed or rubbed particularly around the edge of the nail 220. The balance of the bonding force of the adhesive 140 to the nail 220 versus the bonding force of the base layer to the transfer coating or to the ink layer can be sufficient to have the transfer coating 120 pull away from the base layer 110 and also to tear layers 120,130,140 at tears 240. If the balance of adhesive force is insufficient, then layers 120,130,140 may not tear as they separate from the base layer or they may tear beyond the edges of the nail at the side folds, and possibly at the cuticle base. Any excess of the layers 120,130,140 on the skin extending beyond the nail can be easily cleaned after the application of the top coat 260. The top coat will cover and seal the ink layer. The application of the top coat to the nail surface is done to cover the nail without spilling over onto the side fold or surrounding skin. If the excess of the layers 120,130,140 extend onto the side folds, the top coat is applied on the nail up to the sides. Baby oil, alcohol, water or other cleaning solutions can then be used to remove the excess ink from the skin surrounding the nail.

[0030] Thus, after rubbing with applicator 250, the strip 100 is removed from the nail with the layers 120,130,140 over the nail 220 attached to the nail 220, while a remainder can be attached to the base layer 110. The base layer 110 has to be sufficiently tear-resistant to allow pressure to be applied to it to have the layers 140,130,120 bond and transfer to the nail at the edges.

[0031] In FIG. 3, there is shown the portion of the layers 120,130,140 attached to the nail surface 220 with the application of a top coat 260 that protects and encapsulates the layers 120,130,140. The quality of the encapsulation is enhanced by the thinness of the layers 120,130,140. While it is possible that some of the layers 120,130,140 attach to the side folds of the finger or toe, the bonding is so weak that it can be easily wiped clean. This cleaning can be done after applying, drying and/or curing the top coat. The layers 120,130,140 essentially extend to the edge of the nail, however, it is possible that a gap between the edge of the nail and the layers 120,130,140 is created. Encapsulation of the layers 120,130,140 by the top coat 260 has the advantage that the edges are protected by the top coat. In the case of sticker nail strips, the edges are not well protected.

[0032] While a single application of layers 120,130,140 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that it is possible to apply a second set of layers 120,130,140 on top of a set already applied to the nail, so as to superpose two nail covers. In this case, compatible strips 100 can be used that are applied one on top of each other prior to the application of top coat 260, or alternatively a second strip 100 of a different or complementary design can be used over a first-applied set of layers 120,130,140 covered with top coat 260.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the transfer coating 120 is essential to protect the ink layer 130 when a tattoo 100 is applied to the skin. In the case of strip 100, the transfer coating 120 can be optional, namely when the ink layer 130 is stable and not disturbed by the base layer 110 or by the application of the chosen top coat 260, then coating 120 can be omitted. The top coat 260 will provide the requisite protection of the ink layer 130.

[0034] The steps involved in applying the nail coating according to one embodiment are set out in FIG. 4. With respect to known nail coating techniques, the method taught herein is significantly faster to apply the decorative ink layer to the nail, while the addition of applying the top coat, not done with conventional nail polish strips, provides for a more durable coating with a more vivid appearance.

[0035] The manufacturing of the strips 100 can be done using a variety of processes. An example of a manufacturing process is detailed in the above-mentioned US patent application publication 2006/0154031. The ink or pigment layer 130 can be printed or applied during manufacturing of the sheet material from which strips 100 are cut. Sheet material stock having printed thereon the desired color and/or patterns on layer 130 can be cut into individual strips or rolls or pre-cut sheets and suitably packaged for professional or consumer use.

[0036] Alternatively, layer 130 can be printed, using for example an ink jet or laser printer, onto strips 100 on a more personalized basis, for example at a nail salon, in the home or at a pharmacy. Computer generated images allow for considerable customization of designs or colors.

[0037] Using a printer to print strips 100 also allows consumers and professionals to select the color and/or design of the printed material on the strips 100. For example, one could take a photo image using a smartphone camera of a dress pattern, and edit the image to create a desired nail strip appearance to have a same or complementary look. Images from the user can be sent, for example, to a web server or loaded into a kiosk located at a retail store, pharmacy or point of sale where the user can adjust the scale and/or appearance of the nail strips to be printed. A bank of selectable and/or editable designs can also be provided to the user, along with image editing software that can allow, for example, scaling and cropping of images, as well as making any adjustments for individual nails, if desired. Delivery of the printed nail strips 100 can be done by mail or delivery service, or picked up in-store, for example at a beauty counter in a pharmacy or drug store, or at a printer associated with a kiosk device or a point of sale.

[0038] It will also be appreciated that nail strip designs can be tailored to the dimensions of an individual's finger or toe nails. Measurements can be specified to the web server or kiosk device by taking measurements using a ruler, taking a camera image or by trial and error by providing the user with a size on a scale or other measurement parameters, or by remembering the user's last used dimensions, and allowing the user to adjust the dimensions with subsequent print orders.

[0039] It will also be appreciated that distinctive or innovative nail strip designs made by one person can be shared with friends, with consumers or with other professionals for free or for a fee. Designs can be shared or advertized using Facebook pages or websites, for example.

[0040] As will be appreciated, the ink layer can provide a pattern with a blank or transparent background that can also be combined with any suitable base coat of nail polish color. The ink layer 130 can alternatively be sufficiently opaque so as to avoid the need to apply a base coat of nail polish prior to applying the strip 100. As with conventional nail polish strips, the strips 100 can replace conventional nail polish and have a solid color. In addition to or in place of ink, metallic films or other suitable materials can be used to provide the covering design or color.

[0041] While in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the nail strip 100 is sized to be larger than the nail 220, it is also possible to prepare strips 100 that are made to fit within the nail 220. This alternative can provide an interesting inset image or design on a nail, however, it cannot fully cover the nail 220. The waterless application of the layers 140,130,120 is still an advantage over water decals and water-based temporary tattoos, since there is no water to interfere with the application of the top coat polish and no adhesive is needed prior to application.

[0042] A UV cured or an air cured top coat 260 can be applied, as desired. In some cases, better compatibility with the layers 130 and 120 may be obtained by choosing a gel-based top coat. Suitable top coats are:

Air-cured regular top coat (by Sally Hanson or Essie among others)
Air-cured quick dry top coat (by Sally Hanson or Essie among others)
Air-cured high gloss top coat (by Sally Hanson or Essie among others)
Air-cured matte top coat by (Sally Hanson or Essie among others)
UV-cured soft gel polish (by Shellac or OPI among others)
UV-cured hard gel polish (by BrisaLite or CND among others)
Acrylates polymers used as a top coat (by CND among others)
Acrylates olygomers used as a top coat (by CND among others)
Removal of the nail coating can be done using a suitable remover product for the top coat 260. The layers 120,130 are typically removed with the top coat material.

[0043] A kit can be provided as a single package or as a set of items. The kit can comprise pre-cut nail strips 100, an application tool 250 and suitable instructions based, such as instructions based on FIG. 4. The tool 250 can be of any suitable shape or size to apply the requisite pressure to have the adhesive layer 140 attach to the nail. The tool 250 can be omitted, and the strip 100 can be applied using pressure from the nail technician's thumb or finger or make-up pad. The kit may also comprise the top coat product 260, particularly where there can be concern for compatibility between the top coat and layers 120,130. The strips 100 can also be provided as a roll that the user can cut to the desired length. The kit can in this case include a dispenser and/or a cutting device for this purpose.

[0044] The kit can also comprise a UV lamp or UV LED source for curing the top coat. When a top coat has cured, the fingers or toes can be cleaned using baby oil or isopropyl alcohol, and so the kit can include a quantity of baby oil or other post-application cleaning or toning product.