Artificial nail attachment system

Abstract

The invention is a device for applying artificial nails to the natural nails of a user. The device includes a central file that can be used to file a user's fingernails or toenails. A variety of artificial nails are positioned around the outer perimeter of the emery board via a plurality of stems. Advantageously, one surface of the nail file includes a housing that can be sized and shaped with a central indentation to removably attach any of a wide variety of accessories, such as a nail glue pen. The device therefore streamlines application of the artificial nails to the natural nails of a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial nail application device comprising:
 a nail file defined by a top surface, an opposed bottom surface, and a thickness therebetween;   a plurality of stems positioned about an outer circumference of the nail file;   a plurality of nails defined by a top surface, an opposed bottom surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of each nail is releasably attached to a corresponding stem;   an optional housing positioned on the top or bottom surface of the nail file, wherein the housing is configured to releasably attach an accessory item.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the nail file includes one or more ceramic, glass, metal, crystal, or emery board materials. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the nail file has a length and width of about 3-6 inches and a thickness of about 0.1-3 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stems are evenly spaces about the entire outer circumference of the nail file. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer circumference of the nail file includes a gap area configured without stems, the gap area represents about 5-40 percent of a total circumference of the nail file. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nails are each about the same size. same shape, or both. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one nail differs in size, shape, or both compared to the remainder of the plurality of nails. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is selected from fingernail polish, fingernail glue, and fingernail polish remover. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is off centered on the face of the file. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the natural nail is a fingernail or toenail. 
     
     
         11 . A method of applying an artificial nail to a natural nail of a user, the method comprising:
 releasably positioning an adhesive container within the housing of the device of  claim 1 ;   applying a desired amount of adhesive from the adhesive container onto a top surface of the user's natural nail;   positioning a desired artificial nail onto the adhesive on the top surface of the natural nail;   allowing the adhesive to dry;   applying light pressure to separate the artificial nail from the corresponding step, whereby the artificial nail remains is separated from the device and attached to the natural nail;   repeating the process for each desired natural nail.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising buffing or shaping the artificial nail using the file. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the outer circumference of the nail file includes a gap area configured without stems. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the gap area represents about 5-40 percent of a total circumference of the nail file. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the natural nail is a fingernail or toenail. 
     
     
         16 . A kit comprising:
 a plurality of artificial nail application devices of  claim 1 , wherein each device differs with respect to a length, width, shape, or color of the nails;   a plurality of different accessories configured to releasably fit within the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the accessory is selected from fingernail polish, fingernail glue, and fingernail polish remover. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the outer circumference of the nail file includes a gap area configured without stems, the gap area represents about 5-40 percent of a total circumference of the nail file. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of nails are each about the same size. same shape, or both. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein at least one nail differs in size, shape, or both compared to the remainder of the plurality of nails.