Nail-art systems

Abstract

This invention relates to providing nail-art systems for improved fingernail and/or toenail decoration. The nail-art nail system comprises flexible, computer-printed nail-art appliqués used to decorate fingernails and/or toenails. They are preferably cut from self-adhesive vinyl film of the sort commonly used in the art of sign-making. They are preferably computer-printed with decorative designs, and computer-cut into the correct nail shapes. Metallic nail-art appliqués of the nail-art system are also preferably manufactured, preferably from self-adhesive metallized sign-lettering film. Gold, silver, aluminum, and other metals may be used. A business systems, kits, and methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

1 ) A nail-art system, relating to providing mass-market self-adhesive appliqués relating to decorating at least one nail on at least one human digit, comprising the steps of: 
 a) selecting at least one set of nail outlines corresponding to at least one subset of typical upper surfaces of such nails with typical extended lengths to provide variations relating to user filing;    b) storing in at least one computer such at least one set of nail outlines;    c) selecting at least one decorative indicia;    d) storing in such at least one computer such at least one decorative indicia;    e) using such at least one computer, associating such at least one set of such nail outlines with such at least one decorative indicia and storing in such at least one computer such association;    f) using such at least one computer, with reference to such association, electronically printing on at least one portion of at least one top surface of at least one self-adhesive film, having at least one removable backing, such at least one decorative indicia; and    g) using such at least one computer, with reference to such at least one set of such nail outlines, performing computer-controlled cutting of such at least one self-adhesive film on such at least one set of nail outlines;    h) wherein there is provided at least one set of nail-art appliqués removable from such at least one removable backing;    i) wherein each nail art appliqué of such at least one set of nail art appliqués may be removed from such at least one removable backing and applied to substantially cover one nail.    
   
   
       2 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said step of electronically printing, the step of displaying such at least one set of nail outlines on at least one output device of such at least one computer.  
   
   
       3 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said step of electronically printing, the step of cleaning such at least one portion of such top surface of such at least one self-adhesive film.  
   
   
       4 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said step of electronically printing, the step of coating such at least one portion of at least one top surface of at least one self-adhesive film with at least one primer.  
   
   
       5 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising, after said step of electronically printing, the step of coating at least one portion of at least one top surface of at least one self-adhesive film with at least one topcoat.  
   
   
       6 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising, after said step of cutting, the step of weeding excess self-adhesive film from around such at least one set of nail-art appliqués.  
   
   
       7 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of electronic printing comprises the step of thermal resin printing.  
   
   
       8 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of electronic printing comprises the step of inkjet printing.  
   
   
       9 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of performing computer-controlled cutting of such at least one self-adhesive film on such at least one set of nail outlines comprises the step of cutting such at least one self-adhesive film while preserving substantially intact such removable backing.  
   
   
       10 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of electronically printing comprises the step of electronically printing on at least one portion of at least one top surface of at least one self-adhesive vinyl film, having at least one removable backing.  
   
   
       11 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of electronically printing comprises the step of electronically printing on at least one portion of at least one top surface of at least one self-adhesive metal film, having at least one removable backing.  
   
   
       12 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 a) offering to sell, via the Internet, such at least one set of nail-art appliqués;    b) receiving at least one order for such at least one set of nail-art appliqués via the Internet;    c) receiving at least one promise of payment for such at least one order; and    d) shipping such at least one set of nail-art appliqués to at least one customer.    
   
   
       13 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving at least one decorative indicia from such at least one customer for use on such at least one set of nail-art appliqués; and    b) electronically printing such at least one decorative indicia onto such at least one set of nail-art appliqués.    
   
   
       14 ) A nail-art system, relating to providing mass-market self-adhesive appliqués relating to decorating at least one nail on at least one human digit, comprising at least one set of nail-art appliqués made by the process according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       15 ) A nail-art system, relating to providing mass-market self-adhesive appliqués relating to decorating at least one nail on at least one human digit, comprising: 
 a) at least one computer interface adapted to select at least one set of nail outlines corresponding to at least one subset of typical upper surfaces of such nails with typical extended lengths to provide variations relating to user filing;    b) at least one computer storage adapted to store such at least one set of such nail outlines;    c) at least one computer interface adapted to select at least one decorative indicia;    d) at least one computer storage adapted to store such at least one decorative indicia;    e) at least one computer processor adapted to associate such at least one set of such nail outlines with such at least one decorative indicia and assist storing in such at least one computer such association;    f) at least one computer processor adapted to control electronic printing, with reference to such association, on at least one portion of at least one top surface of at least one self-adhesive film, having at least one removable backing, such at least one decorative indicia; and    g) at least one computer processor adapted to perform, with reference to such at least one set of such nail outlines, computer-controlled cutting of such at least one self-adhesive film on such at least one set of nail outlines;    h) wherein there may be provided at least one set of nail-art appliqués removable from such at least one removable backing; and    i) wherein each nail art appliqué of such at least one set of nail art appliqués may be removed from such at least one removable backing and applied to substantially cover one nail.    
   
   
       16 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least one computer processor adapted to display such at least one decorative indicia on at least one computer output device.  
   
   
       17 ) A nail-art system, relating to providing mass-market self-adhesive appliqués relating to decorating at least one nail on at least one human digit, comprising the steps of: 
 a) cutting at least one self-adhesive metallic film, having at least one removable backing, around at least one set of outlines of at least one set of nail-art appliqués;    b) wherein there may be provided at least one set of nail-art appliqués removable from such at least one removable backing; and    c) wherein each nail art appliqué of such at least one set of nail art appliqués may be removed from such at least one removable backing and applied to substantially cover one nail.    
   
   
       18 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 a) selecting at least one set of nail outlines corresponding to at least one subset of typical upper surfaces of such nails with typical extended lengths to provide variations relating to user filing;    b) storing in at least one computer such at least one set of nail outlines;    c) selecting at least one decorative indicia;    d) storing in such at least one computer such at least one decorative indicia;    e) using such at least one computer, associating such at least one set of such nail outlines with such at least one decorative indicia and storing in such at least one computer such association; and    f) using such at least one computer, with reference to such association, electronically printing on at least one portion of at least one top surface of such at least one self-adhesive metallic film, having such at least one removable backing, such at least one decorative indicia.    
   
   
       19 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of cutting at least one self-adhesive metallic film comprises the step of cutting at least one SignGold™ gold leaf vinyl.  
   
   
       20 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of cutting at least one self-adhesive metallic film comprises the step of cutting at least one SignGold™ silver leaf vinyl.  
   
   
       21 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of cutting at least one self-adhesive metallic film comprises the step of cutting at least one self-adhesive metallized vinyl film.  
   
   
       22 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of cutting comprises the step of, using at least one computer, with reference to such at least one set of nail outlines, performing computer-controlled cutting of such at least one self-adhesive metallic film on such at least one set of nail outlines.  
   
   
       23 ) A nail-art system, relating to providing mass-market self-adhesive appliqués relating to decorating at least one nail on at least one human digit, comprising at least one set of nail-art appliqués made by the process according to  claim 17 .  
   
   
       24 ) A nail-art system, relating to providing mass-market self-adhesive appliqués relating to decorating at least one nail on at least one human digit, comprising: 
 a) at least one set of self-adhesive electronically-printed vinyl nail-art appliqués on at least one removable backing;    b) wherein each nail art appliqué of such at least one set of self-adhesive electronically-printed vinyl nail art appliqués may be removed from such at least one removable backing and applied to substantially cover one nail;    c) wherein each set of self-adhesive electronically-printed vinyl nail-art appliqués is shaped to correspond to at least one subset of typical upper surfaces of such nails with typical extended lengths to provide variations relating to user filing.    
   
   
       25 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 24 , wherein said at least one set of nail-art appliqués comprises at least about twenty nail-art appliqués.  
   
   
       26 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 24 , further comprising at least one consumer packaging.  
   
   
       27 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 24 , further comprising at least one set of instructions.  
   
   
       28 ) The nail-art system, according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a) at least one consumer packaging; and    b) at least one set of instructions;    c) wherein said at least one set of nail-art appliqués comprises at least about twenty nail-art appliqués.