Methods and devices for applying solid nail coating to mammalian and artificial nails

Abstract

Devices, methods, and kits for making and using a graphic film laminate to decorate fingernail and/or toenail are provided. In one aspect, a thermally-curable vinyl-based pressure-sensitive self-adhesive nail cover/coating laminate is provided.

1 . A method of applying a nail coating laminate for nail decoration comprising:
 providing a thermal-sensitive vinyl nail cover laminate wherein the vinyl nail laminate further comprises a nail graphics selected by the user to be applied to a nail surface and the laminate being releasably attached to a backing material;   cleaning the nail surface to which the nail cover laminate is to be applied, the nail surface having a curved contour;   removing the nail cover laminate from the backing material;   applying the nail cover laminate onto the nail surface;   applying heat to the nail cover laminate disposed over the nail surface and conforming the nail cover laminate according to the contour of the nail surface; and   shaping the nail cover laminate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising curing the nail cover laminate disposed over the nail surface after shaping by applying heat to the laminate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vinyl nail cover laminate comprises a clear coat vinyl top layer and a cast film middle layer with a bottom backing layer. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein shaping of the nail cover laminate is by filing of the laminate. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein shaping of the nail cover laminate is by cutting of the laminate. 
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacture for a thermal sensitive vinyl film laminate for fingernail or toenails decoration comprising:
 laminating a clear cast vinyl film top layer onto a graphics cast film vinyl film substrate.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  further comprising:
 providing a nail graphics selected by the user to be applied to the desired nail; 
 printing the nail graphics onto a nail coating film substrate; 
 heat-curing the nail graphics onto the film substrate; 
 laminating a clear top layer vinyl film onto the heat-cured graphics film substrate; 
 cutting the graphics laminate into predetermined sizes, shapes or sheets for application onto the nail; 
 removing the excess material after cutting; and 
 packaging the nail cover laminates. 
 
     
     
         8 . A nail decoration kit comprising:
 a ready to apply thermal-curable pressure sensitive self-adhesive cast vinyl laminate for decorating a fingernail or a toenail, with the laminate comprising a cast vinyl top layer, a cast film middle layer, and a bottom backing layer.   
     
     
         9 . The nail decoration kit of  claim 8 , wherein the cast vinyl top layer comprises UV absorbers. 
     
     
         10 . A method of decorating a nail comprising:
 applying a thermal-sensitive vinyl film laminate to decorate a fingernail or a toenail, with the laminate comprising a cast vinyl top layer, a cast film middle layer, and a bottom backing layer.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the vinyl film laminate is transparent. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the laminate is a pressure sensitive self adhesive laminate. 
     
     
         13 . A nail coating laminate comprising:
 a thermal-sensitive clear cast vinyl film top layer laminated onto a thermal-sensitive cast vinyl film middle layer wherein said cast vinyl film middle layer comprises a self-adhesive bottom face; and   a bottom backing layer with self-adhesive disposed thereon configured to releasably and peelably adhere to the cast vinyl film middle layer.   
     
     
         14 . The laminate according to  claim 13  further comprising a nail graphics. 
     
     
         15 . The nail coating of  claim 13 , wherein the thermal-sensitive clear cast vinyl film top layer comprises UV absorbers. 
     
     
         16 . A nail coating laminate comprising:
 a clear cast polymeric film top layer laminated onto a thermal-sensitive cast film middle layer wherein said cast film middle layer comprises a self-adhesive bottom face; and   a bottom backing layer configured to releasably and peelably adhere to the cast film middle layer.   
     
     
         17 . The laminate of  claim 16 , wherein the thermal-sensitive cast film middle layer has graphics therein which are visible through the top layer. 
     
     
         18 . The nail coating laminate of  claim 16 , wherein the clear polymeric film top layer comprises UV absorbers. 
     
     
         19 . A method of applying a nail coating laminate comprising:
 providing the nail coating laminate of  claim 16 ;   removing the bottom backing layer;   applying the nail cover laminate onto a nail surface; and   conforming the nail cover laminate to the nail surface upon the application of heat.