Nail covering

Abstract

Waterless thin adhesive films bearing ink or pigment are transferred by pressure and/or heat (e.g. body heat) without using water to release the film from the backing. Excess film on the skin adjacent the sides or cuticle is not a problem, as this can be wiped clean following a top coat cure on the nail. Because the waterless thin adhesive is already dry and clean, a greater number of top coat formulations can be applied to the film remaining on the nail without delay to secure the film, providing an effective and durable nail covering lasting longer (up to 3 weeks in some cases) without losing its shine or decorative benefits.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of applying a nail covering comprising:
 preparing a coating application strip having a base layer, an ink layer and an adhesive layer;   applying the coating application strip to a clean and dry finger or toe nail to cause the adhesive layer to stick to the nail;   removing the base layer from the nail, leaving the adhesive layer and the ink layer on the nail, wherein said coating application strip when applied to the nail is thin and easily damaged by casual rubbing or contact with objects; and   applying a top coat to the nail to protect the adhesive layer and the ink layer on the nail,   wherein the coating application strip is dimensioned to be larger than the nail, and said removing comprises:   providing an excess of the adhesive layer and the ink layer beyond the edges of the nail on a surrounding skin, and cleaning said excess following said applying a top coat, wherein the cleaning removes said excess without affecting the adhesive layer and the ink layer on the nail and protected by the top coat.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein a tool is used to apply pressure on the base layer to cause the adhesive layer to attach to the nail. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the coating application strip comprises a transfer coating layer between the base layer and the ink layer. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the coating application strip comprises a transfer coating layer between the base layer and the ink layer. 
     
     
         6 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said cleaning comprises wiping said excess. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said cleaning comprises using a cleaning or toning product. 
     
     
         12 - 26 . (canceled)