Artificial nail with upstanding feature and method of use

Abstract

The artificial nail includes a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the concave lower surface having a size and a curvature configured for placement in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail, the upper surface including an upstanding feature separating and delineating regions abutting opposite sides of the feature. In a method of use, a first liquid hardenable coating material is applied to one of the regions, and a second liquid hardenable material to a second of the regions, such that the first material and the second material are separated and delineated by the upstanding feature. The nail is then abraded to a desired appearance such as of a French manicure.

1 . An artificial nail, comprising:
 a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and upper and lower surfaces extending therebetween, the member having a curved sectional shape such that the lower surface is concave, and the upper surface is convex, the upper surface being configured and adapted for receiving a liquid decorative or protective coating applied in covering relation thereto, and at least a portion of the lower surface adjacent to the distal end portion being configured and adapted for placement in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail; and   an upstanding feature bounding at least a portion of the upper surface and configured for separating a coating applied to the portion of the upper surface in abutting relation to one side of the feature, from a coating applied in abutting relation to an opposite side of the feature.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial nail of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding feature extends across a sideward extent of the upper surface. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial nail of  claim 2 , wherein the upstanding feature has a curve shape. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial nail of  claim 3 , wherein the curve shape is three dimensional. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial nail of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding feature comprises a bend in the member. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial nail of  claim 1 , wherein the member is of molded plastics material and the upstanding feature is molded on the member. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial nail of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding feature is attached to the member. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial nail of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding feature is configured to stiffen the member. 
     
     
         9 . An artificial nail, comprising:
 a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the lower surface adjacent to the distal end portion being configured and adapted for adhering in overlaying substantially conforming relation to at least a portion of a natural fingernail or toenail; and   the upper surface including an upstanding feature extending at least  1  millimeter thereabove and configured for delineating and separating coatings applied to regions in abutting relation to opposite sides of the feature.   
     
     
         10 . The artificial nail of  claim 9 , wherein the upstanding feature extends across a sideward extent of the upper surface. 
     
     
         11 . The artificial nail of  claim 9 , wherein the upstanding feature has a curve shape. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial nail of  claim 11 , wherein the curve shape is three dimensional. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial nail of  claim 9 , wherein the upstanding feature comprises a bend in the member. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial nail of  claim 9 , wherein the member comprises a molded plastics material and the upstanding feature is molded on the member. 
     
     
         15 . The artificial nail of  claim 9 , wherein the upstanding feature is attached to the member. 
     
     
         16 . The artificial nail of  claim 9 , wherein the upstanding feature is configured to stiffen the member. 
     
     
         17 . A method of applying an artificial nail to a natural fingernail or a natural toenail, comprising steps of:
 providing an artificial nail comprising a thin member having a distal end portion, an opposite free end portion, and a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface extending between the end portions, at least a portion of the concave lower surface having a size and a curvature configured for adhesion of the lower surface in overlaying relation to at least a portion of the natural fingernail or the natural toenail, the upper surface including an upstanding feature configured and positioned for separating and delineating a first region abutting one side of the feature from a second region abutting an opposite side of the feature;   applying a first liquid hardenable coating material to the first region, and a second liquid hardenable material to the second region, such that the first material and the second material are separated and delineated by the upstanding feature.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising additional steps of:
 allowing the first material and the second material to harden; and   abrading the hardened first material, the hardened second material, and the upstanding feature into a shape resembling a natural nail.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first hardenable material comprises a first color, and the second hardenable material comprises a second color which contrasts with the first color. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the upstanding feature has curve shape and forms a smile line between the first material and the second material to impart a look of a French manicure to the nail.