Double colored nail applique having an ultraviolet cured layer, method of making and using

Abstract

A double colored nail appliqu, method of manufacturing and using, the appliqu having two different decorations sequentially via the user removing the top coat of a second colored enamel layer to expose an underlying base coat with a different, first colored enamel layer. The base coat is covered by a UV adhesive layer that protects it during the removal of the top coat. The nail appliqu may further comprise a metallic foil layer directly above or below the UV layer; a design imprinted on the top or bottom coat of enamel; and, a clear coat of enamel covering the top coat. Removal of the top coat(s) by the user does not damage the underlying coats/layers. Therefore, one nail appliqu can be used to offer two different appearing manicures without having to apply a new nail appliqu.

Claims

1. A method of changing the decoration of a nail appliqu, by a user, from a first decoration to a second decoration, comprising the steps of: a. providing a nail appliqu with a first decoration, comprising: i. a substrate layer; ii. a first adhesive layer onto the substrate layer; iii. a partially-cured base coat comprising a first colored enamel on top of the first adhesive layer; iv. a translucent or a translucently pigmented second adhesive UV layer on top of the base coat, wherein the second adhesive UV layer is curable by exposure to ultraviolet radiation and is able to protect the base coat from damage; v. a partially-cured top coat comprising a second colored enamel on top of the second adhesive UV layer, wherein said top coat is manually separable from said second adhesive UV layer; vi. wherein the nail appliqu is stretchable with the base coat, the second adhesive UV layer, and the top coat stretchable at substantially the same rates as each other; b. detaching the first adhesive layer of the nail appliqu from the substrate layer; c. applying the first adhesive layer onto a surface of a human nail wherein the adhesive layer secures the nail appliqu to the surface of the nail; d. cutting the nail appliqu to more closely conform to the shape of the human nail, and allowing the nail appliqu to dry completely; and, e. changing the nail appliqu decoration by the user manually removing the entire top coat comprising the second colored enamel by the user without damaging the nail appliqu to provide the appliqu with a second decoration comprising the translucent or translucently pigmented second adhesive UV layer covering the base coat comprising the first colored enamel, wherein the remaining applique layers remain fully intact.

2. The method of changing the decoration of a nail appliqu of claim 1, further comprising: a. providing atop the second adhesive UV layer of the nail appliqu a metallic cold-stamped foil layer comprising a porous metal film with a plastic sheet removed; b. passing ultraviolet radiation through the porous metal film to cure the second adhesive UV layer; c. changing the nail appliqu decoration by the user manually removing the entire top coat without damaging the underlying layers, to display the appliqu with a second decoration comprising the metallic foil layer, and the translucent or translucently pigmented second adhesive UV layer covering the base coat comprising the first colored enamel, wherein the remaining appliqu layers are fully intact.

3. The method of changing the decoration of a nail appliqu of claim 1, further comprising providing a design imprinted on the top coat comprising the second colored enamel layer and/or on the base coat comprising the first colored enamel layer.

4. The method of changing the decoration of a nail appliqu of claim 1, further comprising: a. providing atop the second adhesive UV layer a metallic cold-stamped foil layer of a metallized plastic sheet comprising a porous metal film with a plastic sheet removed; b. passing ultraviolet radiation through to cure the second adhesive UV layer; and c. changing the nail appliqu decoration by the user manually removing the entire top coat and the entire metallic cold-stamped foil layer without damaging the underlying layers to display the appliqu with a second decoration comprising the translucent or translucently pigmented second adhesive UV layer covering the base coat comprising the first colored enamel, wherein the remaining appliqu layers are fully intact.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire top coat is peeled off to expose the underlying layer, and without damaging the second UV adhesive layer, or the base coat comprising the first colored enamel layer.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the entire top coat is peeled off to expose the underlying metallic cold-stamped foil layer, and without damaging the metallic cold-stamped foil layer, the second adhesive UV layer, or the base coat comprising the first colored enamel layer.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the top coat and the metallic cold-stamped foil layer are peeled off without damaging the second adhesive UV layer, or the base coat comprising the first colored enamel layer.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the base coat, the second adhesive UV layer, the metallic cold-stamped foil layer, and the top coat are coextensive with each other in an uncured state, a partially-cured state, and a cured state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of a double color/design nail appliqu on a removable substrate according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of a multilayer foil nail appliqu on a removable substrate according to a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the a UV layer resides directly beneath a metallic foil layer;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of a multilayer foil nail appliqu on a removable substrate according to a third embodiment of the present invention wherein the metallic foil layer resides directly beneath the UV layer, and the top coat is clear enamel;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of a multilayer foil nail appliqu on a removable substrate according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention the metallic foil layer resides directly beneath the UV layer, and the top coat is a design printed on the second enamel layer; and,

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of a set of nail appliqus after they have been cut from a laminated sheet prepared according to an embodiment of a method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Nail Appliqus Double Colored/Design

(7) In some embodiments, the present invention includes a multi-layered nail appliqu having a different color/design in first and second layer of nail enamel. In a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the nail appliqu is built up in a layer-by-layer fashion on top of a releasable substrate. The nail appliqu is soft and stretchable to cover a user's fingernail or toenail, but is hardened (e.g., with the aid of a user's body heat, or at room temperature) when it is applied to the fingernail or toe nail. For the purposes of the present disclosure, fingernails and toenails are referred to, collectively, as nails.

(8) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of nail appliqu 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the nail appliqu 10 is provided adhered to a removable substrate 12 from which the nail appliqu 10 can be detached. Turning to FIG. 1, a nail appliqu 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multi-layer structure including: a first adhesive layer 14, comprising an adhesive suitable for adhering the nail appliqu to the nail and removably adhering the nail appliqu to the substrate 12; a first, base coat 16 comprising partially dried-cured nail enamel residing on the first adhesive layer 14; a second adhesive UV cured layer 18 residing on the base coat 16; and, a second coat 20 comprising a partially dried-cured nail enamel residing on the second adhesive UV cured layer 18. The second coat 20 is a different color, with or without an imprinted design, than the base coat 16. An aesthetic design may be printed on the first and/or second coat to give a different decoration to each. For example, the base coat 16 and the second coat 20 may comprise the same color of enamel but have a different design printed thereon, thus giving a different decoration to the appliqu when the second coat 20 with a second design imprinted thereon is manually removed by the user to expose the base coat 16 with a first imprinted design.

(9) The nail applique may further comprise a top coat of a clear nail enamel (not shown) covering the second coat 20. The second adhesive layer 18 includes an adhesive substance that may be cured (e.g., gelled and/or hardened) by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (also referred to as UV radiation), and is also referred to herein as a UV adhesive layer.

Nail Appliqus with Metallic Foil

(10) In some embodiments, the present invention includes a dual color/design multi-layered nail appliqu having metallic foil or film as at least one of the layers (nail appliqu) residing between the two layers of partial dried nail enamel of different color/designs and a UV cured layer. In a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the nail appliqu is built up in a layer-by-layer fashion on top of a releasable substrate. By way of a non-limiting example as illustrated in FIG. 2, the layers may comprise from bottom to top: adhesive material; a first nail enamel layer with a first design/color; a UV cured layer; a metallic foil layer (optional); a second nail enamel layer with a second design/color; and, a top coat of clear enamel (optional). The nail appliqu is soft and stretchable to cover a user's fingernail or toenail, but is hardened (e.g., with the aid of a user's body heat, or at room temperature) when it is applied to the fingernail or toe nail.

(11) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of nail appliqu 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprising two layers of partially dried enamel of different colors and/or designs. (It is noted that designs are optional throughout the embodiments disclosed herein and are not specifically depicted in FIGS. 1-4 because they do not comprise a complete layer within the appliqu, but are rather printed onto the base or top enamel layer by methods well known in the art). In one embodiment, the nail appliqu 30 is provided adhered to a removable substrate 32 from which the nail appliqu 30 can be detached.

(12) As illustrated in FIG. 2, a nail appliqu 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multi-layer structure including: a first adhesive layer 34, comprising an adhesive suitable for adhering the nail appliqu to the nail and removably adhering the nail appliqu to the substrate 32; a base coat 36 comprising a partially dried-cured nail enamel of color/design (1) residing on the first adhesive layer 34; a second UV adhesive layer 38 residing on the base coat 36; a layer of metallic foil or film 40 residing on the second UV adhesive layer 38; and a top coat 42 of partially dried-cured nail enamel of color/design (2) covering the metallic foil or film. The difference in the decoration of the base coat 36 and the top coat 42 is attributable to their different color and/or design, as well as the layer of UV gel and metallic foil covering the base coat 36.

(13) The second UV adhesive layer 38 includes an adhesive substance that may be cured (e.g., gelled and/or hardened) by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (also referred to as UV radiation), and is also referred to herein as a UV adhesive layer.

(14) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of a nail appliqu 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the nail appliqu 50 is provided adhered to a removable substrate 62 from which the nail appliqu 50 can be detached. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a nail appliqu 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multi-layer structure including: a first adhesive layer 64, comprising an adhesive suitable for adhering the nail appliqu to the nail and removably adhering the nail appliqu to the substrate 62; a base coat 66 comprising partially dried nail enamel residing on the first adhesive layer 64; a layer of metallic foil or film 68 residing on the base coat 66; a UV adhesive layer 70 residing on the metallic foil or film 68; a second coat 72 comprising partially dried nail enamel layer with a second design/color residing on the UV adhesive layer 70; and, a top coat of a clear nail enamel 74 covering the second coat 72. The UV adhesive layer 70 includes an adhesive substance that may be cured (e.g., gelled and/or hardened) by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (also referred to as UV radiation).

(15) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a vertical cross-section of nail appliqu 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the nail appliqu 80 is provided adhered to a removable substrate 82 from which the nail appliqu 80 can be detached. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a nail appliqu 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multi-layer structure including: a first adhesive layer 84, comprising an adhesive suitable for adhering the nail appliqu to the nail and removably adhering the nail appliqu to the substrate 82; a base coat 86 comprising partially dried/cured nail enamel residing on the first adhesive layer 84; a layer of metallic foil or film 88 residing on the base coat 86; a UV adhesive layer 90 residing on the metallic foil or film 88; a second coat 92 comprising partially dried nail enamel layer with a second design/color residing on the UV adhesive layer 90; and, a design pattern 94 imprinted in the second coat 92. The UV adhesive layer 90 includes an adhesive substance that may be cured (e.g., gelled and/or hardened) by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (also referred to as UV radiation).

(16) Turning now to the materials that may be used to form the layers of the nail appliqu 10, 30, 50, 80 of FIGS. 1-4, in it may first be noted that suitable materials for each of the adhesive or nail enamel layers may be obtained commercially, or may be developed on a custom basis using materials and methods known in the art. In embodiments of the invention, the aforesaid layers should maintain their dimensional stability during curing in the manufacturing process and/or while on the user's nails. If the dimensions of the layers do change, such changes should occur to a similar degree across each of the layers such that the layers remain co-extensive (i.e., cover each other to the same extent) to avoid wrinkling or distortion of the nail appliqu, or, more specifically, the foil layer. The dimensional stability of the metallic foil or film layer 40, 68, 88 in FIGS. 2-4 will typically be less of a concern for reasons discussed elsewhere herein. The materials used for the various layers should also, when working together, provide a structure having physically properties (e.g., stretch ability, flexibility, tear resistance, etc.) that are desired in the final product (i.e., the nail appliqu), and should stretch or flex without wrinkling the appliqu or the foil layer. These properties may be similar to those of certain nail enamel appliqus presently known in the art, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,862, filed May 11, 2005, (published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0255061, published Nov. 17, 2005), the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

(17) Turning to the first adhesive layer 14, 34, 64, 84 in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, the adhesive used therein should be able to adhere firmly to a nail when cured. The adhesive may be applied to the substrate 12, 32, 62, 82 in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, as a liquid or melted from a hardened state, and may contain solvents that volatilize readily at a human body temperature or below, such as low-molecular-weight acetates or alcohols. The adhesive of the first adhesive layer 14, 34, 64, 84 should also be of a type that will release readily from the substrate 12, 32, 62, 82, which may be made of a material, such as a thin sheet of silicon-coated release liner paper or aluminum laminate plastic film. A suitable thickness for the first adhesive layer in some embodiments of the present invention would be about 10-15% of the total thickness dof the finished appliqu. Adhesives and substrates suitable for use in the present invention are similar to those discussed further in the aforesaid U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,862 with regard to nail enamel appliqus. Exemplary adhesives suitable for the present invention include acrylic co-polymer adhesives.

(18) Nail appliqu with partially-dried/cured enamel: Turning to the base coat of the first nail enamel layer with a first design/color 16, 36, 66, 86, and the second nail enamel layer with a second design/color 20, 42, 72, 92 in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, it should be noted that in various embodiments of the present disclosure, these coats may be formed from commercially available or custom-made nail enamels. Preferably, the enamel layers are comprised of liquid nail enamel that is applied to a substrate. Before the enamel is fully driedit is sealed in a protective package to prevent complete drying. The enamel thus fully cures on a fingernail once applied theretosimilar to the manner in which conventional nail polish cures.

(19) The nail enamel may be organic solvent-based, or aqueous-based, or be of a UV-curable type. Desirable physical properties and compositions of the nail enamels will depend on such factors as the method of applying the two color/design layers, or the temperature at which the layers are to be cured. Organic solvent-based nail enamels having viscosities of 1500-4000 centipoise (60 rpm) at room temperature (e.g., about 20 C.) may have particular utility in the present invention. Nail enamel properties and formulations are discussed in the aforesaid U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,862 with regard to nail enamel appliqus, any may readily be adapted by those having ordinary skill in the art to produce clear coats suitable for use with the present invention.

(20) Design Layers:

(21) the base coat of the first nail enamel layer with a first design/color 16, 36, 66, 86, and the second nail enamel layer with a second design/color 20, 42, 74, 94 in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, may further comprise a pattern creating an artistic or ornamental design imprinted on colored or clear enamel. The design pattern does not normally comprise a complete layer (e.g. is not co-extensive). Methods of imprinting the designs onto nail appliqus are well known in the art. Exemplary methods are disclosed in US 20050255061 filed May 11, 2005.

(22) A variety of combinations of the two layers are envisioned herein, such as: a base coat of a solid first color and a second top coat of a solid second color comprising a design imprinted thereon that when manually removed by the user (e.g. nail polish or rubbing with soft cloth) leaves the base coat displaying the first solid color and protected by a UV cured layer with or without a metallic foil layer adjacent to the UV layer; vice versaa base coat with a solid first color comprising a design pattern imprinted thereon and protected by a UV cured layer with or without a metallic foil layer; two solid colored layers; a base coat with a design imprinted thereon that is covered by a protective UV layer that is exposed when a second colored layer is removed.

(23) In one embodiment of the present invention, the top coat 74 in FIG. 3, is made from a clear (e.g., transparent or translucent) enamel, so that the underlying layer may be seen. It may also function to protect the appliqu from chipping and other damage. In some embodiments, the clear coat may include a color, or may include additives (e.g., glitter or mica chips) to enhance the decoration of the finished appliqu.

(24) The layer directly beneath the UV layer (e.g. the base coat in FIGS. 1, 2, or the metallic foil in FIGS. 3, 4) functions as a mechanical barrier between the first adhesive layer and the UV adhesive layer, and also provide a smooth surface for application of the UV adhesive layer.

(25) The UV adhesive layer 18, 38, 56, 76 in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, may include any of a broad range of materials that cure to a gelled or tacky state after an initial exposure to ultraviolet light, and are non-toxic in their cured form. In one embodiment, the UV layer is slightly flexible and is comprised of approximately 10-70% by weight of Aliphatic Urethane Acrylates. In another embodiment, the UV layer is comprised of approximately 15-50% by weight of Aliphatic Urethane Acrylates. And in yet another embodiment, the UV layer is comprised of approximately 20-40% by weight of Aliphatic Urethane Acrylates. The UV layer may also be clear translucent, translucently pigmented, or non-translucent.

(26) In another embodiment, the UV layer has a composition range, by weight, of: 10-25% Polyurethane resin; 1-25% Epoxy resin; 1-20% Polyacrylate resin; and 1-10% Photoinitiators and stabilizers.

(27) Additionally, numerous other materials are available commercially for use in the UV layer, and include polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyacrylate resins, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, a chemical blend of the UV layers may comprise one or more of the following compounds: acrylates, methacrylates, methyl acrylates, urethane or polyurethane(meth)acrylates, urethane methacrylates, ethyl methacrylate (EMA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), hydroxyl ethyl acrylate (HEMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, aliphatic urethane acrylates, aromatic urethane acrylates, lauryl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, 1,3-D glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, (2) propoxylatedneopentyl glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol oxide dimethacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropanetriacrylate, pentaerythritoltriacrylate, and (3) propoxylatedtrimethylol propane triacrylate.

(28) Turning to the metal foil or film layer 40, 58, 78 in FIGS. 2-4, respectively, there are numerous commercially-available products that are suitable for use in the present invention. These products generally comprise a metallic film deposited on a plastic sheet (also referred to as a metallized plastic sheet). Such products are available in a number of metallic colors, including silver and gold, in multicolored forms, or in a holographic-finished form. Aluminum is the metal most commonly-available on plastic sheet, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being among the most commonly-used plastics. The metal films may have thicknesses in the range of 10-1000 nm, more typically 50-100 nm for aluminum. These thicknesses are sometimes expressed in the angstrom units (A), in which 1 nm equals 10 . At such thicknesses, the metallic film can readily be transferred intact onto an adhesive surface, such as that of UV adhesive layer by simple contact between the film and the adhesive. The resulting foil or film layer is typically porous (i.e., there are very small gaps between metallic particles), but it appears to be solid in the appliqu, and may be highly reflective. Because the metallic film is porous and so thin, it may deform (e.g., stretch) to some degree without adversely affecting the decoration of the appliqu. There are numerous cold-stamp foils suitable for use with the present invention that will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art and possession of the present disclosure.

(29) In a method of fabricating a nail appliqu, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a laminated sheet of material is prepared having the layered structure desired for the nail appliqu. The sheet is built up in a layer-by-layer fashion on the releasable substrate 12, 32, 62, 82 by a continuous fabrication process. Such a continuous process is discussed in the aforesaid U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/126,862 with regard to nail enamel appliqus, and suitable adaptations of this process for use in the present invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and in possession of the present disclosure.

(30) Using nail appliqu 10 in FIG. 1 as a non-limiting example, the adhesive layer 14 is deposited directly onto the substrate 12 as a liquid or by melting a solid adhesive onto the substrate 12. Suitable means for depositing an adhesive layer onto a surface during a continuous fabrication process are known in the art. The adhesive is allowed to gel or harden, while retaining its tackiness, before the next layer (i.e., base coat 16) is applied.

(31) Turning to base coat 16, nail enamel is applied directly to the adhesive layer 14, so as to cover the adhesive layer 14, and form a smooth surface for subsequent application of the UV adhesive layer 18. Nail enamels containing organic solvents or water may be heated to evaporate a portion of the solvents or water, thus partially curing the base coat 16. The evaporation step may also be performed at room temperature, depending on the composition of the nail enamel used and the thickness of the base coat 16. The temperature and dwell time for this process are a matter of engineering choice, as they should be coordinated with the overall process rate and the desired quality of the final product. In embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the solvent or water is allowed to remain in the enamel (i.e., the enamel is partially-cured), so that the base coat 16 has a desired degree of stretch ability. If UV-curable nail enamel is used, a heating step may not be needed, since the typical UV-curable enamel typically would not contain solvents or water. Instead, the enamel would be exposed to UV radiation to initiate the curing process. The duration and intensity of the exposure would depend on the formulation of the nail enamel, and would be understood by those knowledgeable in the relevant chemical art, or could be selected according to instructions provided by the manufacturer of the nail enamel.

(32) Turning to the UV adhesive layer 38 and foil layer 40 as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the UV-curable mixture is applied to the surface of the base coat 36. In some embodiments of the present invention, the UV-curable mixture is not exposed to UV radiation until after the foil layer 40 is applied. In such an embodiment of the present invention, the metallic surface of a roll of metallized plastic sheet is put in contact with the UV-curable mixture using methods known in various arts (e.g., in continuous contact printing). The foil adheres to the UV-curable mixture in a porous layer and separates from the plastic sheet. This cold stamping process, which may be performed at room temperature, has advantages over the hot stamping process that is commonly used. Hot stamping requires that application of heat to the foil, which would heat the entire multilayered structure, causing the lower layers of the appliqu to dry out and, possibly, disrupting them. The hot stamping method also requires a die to transfer heat to the appliqu. Such dies often must be specially made. Neither a die nor the application of damaging degrees of heat are required for the cold stamping method used in embodiments of the present invention.

(33) FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment in which the metallic foil layer is applied to the base color/design layer, and then the UV-cured layer is applied on top of the metallic layer.

(34) After the foil layer 40 is applied, the UV-curable mixture is exposed to UV radiation through the porous metallic foil to initiate the curing process. As discussed with respect to the UV nail enamel of some embodiments of base coat 36, the duration and intensity of the exposure would depend on the formulation of the UV-curable mixture, and would be understood by those knowledgeable in the relevant chemical art, or could be selected according to instructions provided by the manufacturer of the adhesive.

(35) Turning to the second nail enamel color/design layer 42, it is applied directly over the foil layer 40, so as to cover the foil layer 40 and the UV adhesive layer 38. The second color/design layer 42 can include a single layer or multiple layers of nail enamel. Nail enamels containing organic solvents or water may be heated to evaporate a portion of the solvents or water, thus partially curing the second (and first) color/design layers. The evaporation step may also be performed at room temperature, depending on the composition of the nail enamel used and the thickness of the layer 42. As with the base coat 36, the temperature and dwell time for this process are a matter of engineering choice, as they should be coordinated with the overall process rate and the desired quality of the final product. In embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the solvent or water is allowed to remain in the enamel (i.e., the enamel is partially-cured), so that the second layer 42 has a desired degree of stretch ability. If UV-curable nail enamel is used, a heating step may not be needed, since the typical UV-curable enamel typically would not contain solvents or water. Instead, the enamel would be exposed to UV radiation to initiate the curing process. The duration and intensity of the exposure would depend on the formulation of the nail enamel, and would be understood by those knowledgeable in the relevant chemical art, or could be selected according to instructions provided by the manufacturer of the nail enamel.

(36) Laminated Sheets and Method of Use

(37) When the top coat 20, 42, 52, 72 in FIGS. 1-4, respectively, has been partially-cured, sets of nail appliqus on the substrate 12, 32, 62, 82 are cut from the laminated sheet. FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of an exemplary set 100 of nail appliqus made according to the foregoing method. Each set 100 may include appliqus of different sizes, such as appliqus 102, 104, 108, 110, 112 to accommodate nails of different sizes. In some embodiments, the appliqus 102, 104, 108, 110, 112 are integrated with a connector 114.

(38) In some of the embodiments of the invention discussed above, the laminated sheet, and thus the nail appliqus, includes a small amount of solvent to keep the appliqus stretchable until they are used. Thus, the appliqu set 100 is sealed inside a package (not shown) that includes a vapor barrier to prevent the loss of solvent from the appliqus.

(39) To use the nail appliqu, the user opens the package and removes the desired appliqu 102, 104, 108, 110, 112 from the connector 114. The user separates the appliqu from its substrate, and applies the adhesive layer (e.g. layer 14, 34, 64, 84 of FIGS. 1-4, respectively) to the nail. The user then stretches the appliqu to cover the nail, removes any excess appliqu overhanging the nail, and trims the appliqu to match the end of the nail (e.g., using a nail file). Body heat from the finger or toe completes the curing process, hardening the appliqu. Since the finished appliqu, as provided in the package, is thin (e.g., about 3.5-9.5 mil, or about 0.09-0.24 mm in overall thickness), the residual solvent can evaporate quickly (e.g., in less than an hour, depending on the user's body temperature and environmental conditions).

(40) When the user desires to change the decoration of the nail appliqu, they merely remove the top coat(s) down to the UV layer comprising clear enamel and/or colored enamel and/or imprinted designs (e.g. FIG. 1, layer 20, FIG. 2, layers 40 and 42; FIG. 3, layer 72 and 74; FIG. 4 layer 92 and 94). The top coats down to the UV layer of the nail appliqu can be detached using methods routinely known in the art, such as: conventional nail polish remover applied to the top coats, and not the underlying coats; by rubbing the appliqu with a remover pad or cloth; and peeled off. For example in FIG. 2, nail appliqus that enable the user to peel off the top coats may further comprise an additional adhesive layer 40 (in lieu of metallic foil layer) directly above the UV layer.

(41) It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as embodied in the appended claims.