Artificial nail with raised decorative portion

Abstract

An ornamental accessory for a fingernail comprises an overlay, a cover and at least one decorative element. A recess is formed in the top surface of the overlay for receiving the decorative element and the cover is fixed over the recess to form an enclosed pocket for containing the decorative element. The decorative elements may be metallic flakes, glitter, confetti, natural gemstones, artificial gemstones or combinations thereof and are preferably freely movable within the pocket of the overlay. In an alternate embodiment, the overlay includes a raised decorative portion formed on the top surface as opposed to a recess. A method for adorning a fingernail or toenail in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of attaching an overlay having a recess formed therein to the natural fingernail or toenail of a wearer, inserting at least one decorative element within the recess and adhering a cover to the top surface of the overlay over the recess thereby forming an enclosed pocket in the overlay for containing the decorative element. The present invention may also be provided as a kit for adorning fingernails or toenails.

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         9 . An ornamental accessory for a fingernail comprising an overlay having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first end and a second end, said first end having a shape and size approximating the shape and size of at least the end of the fingernail or toenail of a wearer for attachment thereto, and said top surface having a raised decorative portion integrally formed thereon.  
     
     
         10 . An ornamental accessory as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said raised decorative portion has a textured surface.  
     
     
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         19 . An ornamental accessory as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said overlay is made from a mixture of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic and a polycarbonate.  
     
     
         20 . An ornamental accessory as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said first end of said overlay has a shape and size approximating the shape and size of the outer end of the fingernail of a wearer.  
     
     
         21 . An ornamental accessory as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said first end of said overlay has a shape and size approximating the shape and size of a full fingernail of a wearer.