Method of Configuring and Applying Gel Nail Tips

Abstract

A method of configuring and applying gel nail tips includes applying one or more layers of gel polish and gel art design on a set of gel nail tips while the set of gel nail tips is temporarily secured and supported on a configuring stand, and then the set of gel nail tips with gel polish applied and cured is adhered to the natural nails of the user respectively with a gel base adhesive composition under light, so as to avoid getting the gel polish on the skin and cuticles of the user.

Claims

1. A method of configuring and applying gel nail tips, comprising: (a) preparing a set of gel nail tips sized and shaped to fit sizes, shapes and curvatures of natural nails of a user to be applied with the set of gel nail tips thereon; (b) temporarily securing and priming an underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips on a configuring stand with the nail surface of each of the set of gel nail tips facing frontwards; (c) applying one or more layers of gel polish on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips; (d) curing each of the one or more layers of gel polish on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips under light; (e) detaching each of the gel nail tips with one or more layers of gel polish applied from the configuring stand; (f) applying a bead of a gel base adhesive composition to a base of the underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips; and (g) adhering each of the set of gel nail tips with gel polish applied thereon to the top surface of the corresponding natural nail of the user by pressing and holding for 10-30 seconds.

2. The method, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (a) further comprises a step of forming a rough affixing surface on the underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips by filing and buffering at least a portion of the underside contact surface.

3. The method, as recited in claim 1, before the step (g), further comprising a step of applying a layer of the gel base adhesive composition to top surfaces of the natural nails of the user.

4. The method, as recited in claim 2, before the step (g), further comprising a step of applying a layer of the gel base adhesive composition to top surfaces of the natural nails of the user.

5. The method, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (b) further comprises a step of applying nail art design on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips.

6. The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein the step (b) further comprises a step of applying nail art design on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips.

7. The method, as recited in claim 3, wherein the step (b) further comprises a step of applying nail art design on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips.

8. The method, as recited in claim 4, wherein the step (b) further comprises a step of applying nail art design on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips.

9. The method, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (g) comprises steps of: (g1) gradually pressing each of the gel nail tips onto the top surface of the corresponding nail of the user, from a base to a tip of the gel nail tip, to ensure a tight seal and to prevent air bubbles; and (g2) continuing pressing and holding each of the gel nail tips onto the corresponding top surface of the nail of the user for 10-30 seconds.

10. The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein the step (g) comprises steps of: (g1) gradually pressing each of the gel nail tips onto the top surface of the corresponding nail of the user, from a base to a tip of the gel nail tip, to ensure a tight seal and to prevent air bubbles; and (g2) continuing pressing and holding each of the gel nail tips onto the corresponding top surface of the nail of the user for 10-30 seconds.

11. The method, as recited in claim 4, wherein the step (g) comprises steps of: (g1) gradually pressing each of the gel nail tips onto the top surface of the corresponding nail of the user, from a base to a tip of the gel nail tip, to ensure a tight seal and to prevent air bubbles; and (g2) continuing pressing and holding each of the gel nail tips onto the corresponding top surface of the nail of the user for 10-30 seconds.

12. The method, as recited in claim 6, wherein the step (g) comprises steps of: (g1) gradually pressing each of the gel nail tips onto the top surface of the corresponding nail of the user, from a base to a tip of the gel nail tip, to ensure a tight seal and to prevent air bubbles; and (g2) continuing pressing and holding each of the gel nail tips onto the corresponding top surface of the nail of the user for 10-30 seconds.

13. The method, as recited in claim 9, wherein the step (g) further comprises a step of: (g3) after removal of pressure, applying light to each of the gel nail tips for a length of time sufficient to completely cure and harden the adhesive composition and form a bonding layer between each of the gal nail tips and the corresponding nail of the user.

14. The method, as recited in claim 10, wherein the step (g) further comprises a step of: (g3) after removal of pressure, applying light to each of the gel nail tips for a length of time sufficient to completely cure and harden the adhesive composition and form a bonding layer between each of the gal nail tips and the corresponding nail of the user.

15. The method, as recited in claim 11, wherein the step (g) further comprises a step of: (g3) after removal of pressure, applying light to each of the gel nail tips for a length of time sufficient to completely cure and harden the adhesive composition and form a bonding layer between each of the gal nail tips and the corresponding nail of the user.

16. The method, as recited in claim 12, wherein the step (g) further comprises a step of: (g3) after removal of pressure, applying light to each of the gel nail tips for a length of time sufficient to completely cure and harden the adhesive composition and form a bonding layer between each of the gal nail tips and the corresponding nail of the user.

17. A gel nail tip applying and curing composition set for natural nails of a user, comprising: a set of gel nail tips each being made of gel material and having an underside contact surface which can be filed to form a rough affixing surface; a nail filing device configured for buffing at least a portion of the underside contact surface of each of the set gel nail tips to form the rough affixing surface; an adhesive composition adapted for adhering the underside contact surfaces of the set of gel nail tips to top surfaces of the natural nails of the user respectively; and a flat brush for applying the adhesive composition to the underside contact surfaces of the set of gel nail tips and to the top surfaces of the natural nails of the user respectively; wherein the gel nail tip applying and curing composition set is adapted for configuring and applying the gel nail tips on the natural nails of the user by: (a) preparing the set of gel nail tips sized and shaped to fit sizes, shapes and curvatures of the natural nails of the user to be applied with the set of gel nail tips thereon; (b) temporarily securing and priming the underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips on a configuring stand with the nail surface of each of the set of gel nail tips facing frontwards; (c) applying one or more layers of gel polish on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips; (d) curing each layer of gel polish on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips under light; (e) detaching each of the gel nail tips with one or more layers of gel polish applied from the configuring stand; (f) applying a bead of the gel base adhesive composition to a base of the underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips; and (g) adhering each of the set of gel nail tips with gel polish applied thereon to the top surface of the corresponding natural nail of the user by pressing and holding for 10-30 seconds.

18. The gel nail tip applying and curing composition set, as recited in claim 17, wherein the step (a) further comprises a step of forming a rough affixing surface on the underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips by filing and buffering at least a portion of the underside contact surface.

19. The gel nail tip applying and curing composition set, as recited in claim 18, wherein the step (g) comprises steps of: (g1) gradually pressing each of the gel nail tips onto the top surface of the corresponding nail of the user, from a base to a tip of the gel nail tip, to ensure a tight seal and to prevent air bubbles; and (g2) continuing pressing and holding each of the gel nail tips onto the corresponding top surface of the nail of the user for 10-30 seconds.

20. The gel nail tip applying and curing composition set, as recited in claim 19, wherein the step (g) further comprises a step of: (g3) after removal of pressure, applying light to each of the gel nail tips for a length of time sufficient to completely cure and harden the adhesive composition and form a bonding layer between each of the gal nail tips and the corresponding nail of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating gel art design applied to gel nail tips adhered on natural nails of a user according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method of configuring and applying gel nail tips according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIG. 3A is a schematic view illustrating gel nail tips with different sizes and shapes for the user to select to fit her or his natural nails according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIG. 3B is a schematic view illustrating a set of gel nail tips prepared for applying to natural nails of one hand of the user as an example according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic views illustrating the cleaning of the natural nails of the user with buffer and file according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] FIG. 5A is a schematic view illustrating the filing of the gel nail tip by a file according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] FIG. 5B is a schematic view illustrating the filing of the base portion of the gel nail tip by an electric nail filing device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a configuring stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a gel polish applying and curing composition according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the applying of gel polish on the nail surface of a gel nail tip temporarily secured and supported on the configuring stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating steps of applying gel art design on the get nail tip according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10F are schematic views illustrating the steps of adhering the gel nail tip on the natural nail of the user according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a curing of the adhering of the gel nail tip to the natural nail according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0078] The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 2, a method of configuring and applying gel nail tips according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The method of configuring and applying gel nail tips comprises the following steps: [0080] (A) Prepare a set of gel nail tips 10, as shown in FIG. 3B, sized and shaped to fit sizes, shapes and curvatures of natural nails 21 of a user 20 to be applied with the set of gel nail tips 10 thereon.

[0081] The user 20 may purchase a plurality of gel nail tips 10, made of gel material (preferably soft gel material), with different sizes and shapes as shown in FIG. 3A. Then two sets of gel nail tips 10, each set having five gel nail tips 10, with sizes and shapes fitting the five natural nails 21 of each hand of the user 20 are picked and prepared for configuring and applying, as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0082] Soft gel material, also known as soak-off gel, is a type of gel used in the creation of artificial nails, including soft gel tips. Soft gel material is different from hard gel, which is a thicker, more rigid material that is typically used for sculpting and building extensions on the natural nail. Soft gel, on the other hand, has a more lightweight, flexible and pliable texture, which makes it ideal for creating natural-looking extensions and overlays. Soft gel tips are easier to remove, as they can be soaked off using acetone.

[0083] Before or after the step (A), the user 20 is preferred to clean up the natural nails 21 with buffer 31 and file 32, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, so as to pick up the gel nail tips with the right size and shape to best fit her or his natural nails 21.

[0084] The preparation of the set of gel nail tips 10 is preferred to include configuring steps of: [0085] filing sides of each of the set of gel nail tips 10 at an angle by the file 32, as shown in FIG. 5A; and [0086] forming a rough affixing surface 111 on a base portion 110 of an underside contact surface 11 of each of the set of gel nail tips by filing and/or buffing at an angle by the file 32.

[0087] The filing of the base portion 110 of the underside contact surface 11 of each of the set of gel nail tips can be executed by the file 32 as shown in FIG. 5A or an electric nail filing device 53 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0088] On the rough affixing surface 111, multiple small indented grooves 1111 are formed by filing. The rough affixing surface 111 can also be made when it is manufacturing to provide a coarse surface as shown in FIG. 3B other than the generally smooth surface required on the underside contact surface 11 and top surface 211 of the natural nail 21. The formation and providing of the rough affixing surface 111 on the underside contact surface 11 of the gel nail tip 10 is essential for affixing the gel nail tip 10 to the natural nail 21 to prevent causing unnecessary damages to the natural nail 21. Preferably, starting from the base portion 110 of the underside contact surface 11 of the gel nail tip 10, generally half of the underside contact surface 11 is preferred to be provided with the rough affixing surface 111, as shown in FIG. 3B, which is a coarse surface that greatly increases the contacting surface area to pick up and retain adhesive composition. [0089] (B) Temporarily secure and prime an underside contact surface 11 of each of the set of gel nail tips 10 on a configuring stand 40 with the nail surface 12 of each of the set of gel nail tips 10 facing frontwards.

[0090] The underside contact surface 11 of each of the set of gel nail tips 10 is secured and primed to a preparation station post 41 of the configuring stand 40 by sticking with sticky element 42 such as a reusable sticky putty that can be kneaded into any shape and is acid-free & solvent-free reusable adhesive stays pliable without drying out. The sticky putty 42 is used to stick to the underside contact surface 11 of each of the set of gel nail tips 10 so as to secure the set of gel nail tips on the preparation station posts 41 of the configuring stand 40 respectively by sticking the sticky putty 42 to the corresponding preparation station post 41, as shown in FIG. 6. [0091] (C) Apply gel polish on the nail surfaces 12 of the set of gel nail tips 10. [0092] (D) Cure the gel polish on the nail surfaces of the set of gel nail tips under light.

[0093] According to the preferred embodiment, a gel nail tip applying and curing composition set 50 is used for gel polish application. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the gel nail tip applying and curing composition set as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 11,304,492, invented by the inventor of the present invention, may comprise a gel base adhesive composition 51, an edge-off flat brush 52, the nail filing device 53, a pH bonder 54, a non-acidic gel primer 55, a top gel coat 56, and one or more gel polishes 57 with different colors.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 8, a thin layer of base coat is applied to the nail surface 12 of the gel nail tip 10 temporarily secured and supported on the preparation station post 41 of the configuration stand 40 by the sticky putty 42 and cured under light, such as UV and LED lamp. Then, one or more thin layers of gel polish 57 are applied to nail surface 12 of the gel nail tip 10, starting at the base and working way up to the tip while ensuring evenly applied. After each coat of gel polish 57 is applied, it is cured under light, such as UV or LED lamp, generally takes 30-60 seconds per coat.

[0095] Before applying the gel polish, it is preferred to clean the gel nail tips 10 to free of any debris and buff the surfaces of the gel nail tips 10 temporarily secured on the configuring stand to create a smooth and even surface.

[0096] After the one or more base color gel polish layers are applied and cured, as shown in FIG. 9, a nail artist or technician can apply the gel art design thereon by using a fine brush or a dotting tool to create the desired gel art design on the nail surface 12 of each of the set of gel nail tips 10 with different colors, shapes and patterns. Then, the gel art design layer is cured under light, such as UV or LED lamp.

[0097] Finally, a thin layer of top coat may be applied to the nail surface 12 of the gel nail tip 10 and cured under light to protect the gel polish layer and provide a glossy finish. A tacky or sticking layer may form after curing the top coat that can be removed with rubbing alcohol or a special gel polish cleanser.

[0098] Since the application of the gel polish and gel art design on the set of gel nail tips 10 is processed on the configuring stand 40, no gel polish will be getting on the skin and cuticles of the user. The gel polish of the gel nail tip can be applied by the user 20 or the nail technician perfectly no matter the user or the nail technician is a right hander or a left hander. Before adhering to the natural nails 21 of the user 20, the gel nail tips 10 with gel polish and gel art design applied can be cleaned and smoothened in preferred condition. If any dissatisfaction of the gel polish application is found to any piece of gel nail tip 10 by the user, the user may simply reapply the gel polish to another gel nail tip 10 to substitute the dissatisfaction one to adhere to her or his natural nails 21. [0099] (E) Detaching each of the gel nail tips with gel polish applied from the configuring stand. [0100] (F) Apply a bead of an adhesive composition to a base of the underside contact surface of each of the set of gel nail tips. [0101] (G) Adhere each of the set of gel nail tips with gel polish applied thereon to the top surface 211 of the corresponding natural nail 21 of the user by pressing and holding for 10-30 seconds, preferably 15 seconds.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 10A of the drawings, a pH bonder 54 is applied on the nail surface 12 to form a pH Bonder layer on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21. When the pH Bonder layer applied on the top surface 211 is aired rapidly, the non-acidic gel primer 55 is applied on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B of the drawings, the non-acidic gel primer 55 is applied on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21 to form a non-acidic gel prime layer on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21, which is overlapped on the pH bonder layer. When the non-acidic gel prime layer applied on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21 is aired rapidly, the edge-off flat brush 52 is used to apply a thin layer of the gel base adhesive composition 51 to the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10C of the drawings, the thin layer of the gel base adhesive composition 51 is applied on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21 to form a gel base adhesive layer overlapped on the non-acidic gel prime layer.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 10D, the gel base adhesive layer formed by the gel base adhesive composition 51 and overlapped on the non-acidic gel prime layer on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21 is cured under light such as UV or LED lamp 60 for a period of time, such as about 30 seconds.

[0104] It is appreciated that the rough affixing surface 111 is formed on the underside contact surface 11 of each of the gel nail tips 10 during the preparation of the set of gel nail tips 10. The rough affixing surface 111, especially the presence of the multiple indented grooves 1111 formed thereon making the rough affixing surface 111 a coarse surface, as shown in FIG. 5B, greatly increases the contacting surface area of the rough affixing surface 111 to pick up the gel base adhesive composition 51. Therefore, when the gel base adhesive composition 51, can be retained to the rough affixing surface 111 of each of the gel nail tips 10 than a smooth surface having the same size.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 10E, a bead of the gel base adhesive composition 51, which is enough to cover the natural nail 21, is applied to a base portion of the rough affixing surface 111 of the underside contact surface 11 of gel nail tip 10 by the edge-off flat brush 51, generally about of the surface area of the natural nail 21, to form a gel adhesive layer on the rough affixing surface 111 of the gel nail tip 10. The gel base adhesive composition 51 will flow into the multiple indented grooves 1111 and be retained therein. In other words, the multiple indented grooves 1111 of the rough affixing surface 111 can retain more gel base adhesive composition 51 Therefore, when the rough affixing surface 111 is in contact with the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21, the gel adhesive layer will attach and affix the gel nail tip 10 onto the natural nail 21, wherein the retaining of the gel base adhesive composition 51 in the multiple indented grooves 1111 substantially increases the thickness of the gel base adhesive composition 51 between the gel nail tip 10 and the natural nail 21 that effectively increases the adhering bonding of the gel nail tip 10 and the natural nail 21 so as to more firmly affix the gel nail tip 10 with the natural nail 21 with less curing and hardening time.

[0106] Referring to in FIG. 10F of the drawings, after the gel base adhesive composition is applied on the rough affixing surface 111 of the underside contact surface 11 of the gel nail tip 10, the gel nail tip 10 is pressed onto the natural nail 21 gradually from base to tip of the gel nail tip 10 to prevent air bubbles or lifting and to ensure a tight seal. The gel nail tip 10 is adhered on the top surface 211 of the natural nail 21 of the user 20 by pressing and holding for 10-30 seconds.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 11, the curing time is expediated when an external force is pressed down the gel nail tip 10 and the natural nail 21 under light 61 such as an LED lamp 60 for seconds such as about 10-15 seconds. The LED lamp 60 can be a LED flashlight or a bridge light for sitting on a table surface to define a receiving cavity between the LEDs provided on an underside of the bridge light and the table surface, so that natural nail 21 with the gel nail tip 10 pressing down thereon can be placed within the receiving cavity and treated under the LED lighting. After the external force pressing down the gel nail tip 10 and the natural nail 21 is removed, the LED lighting can be remained applying around the gel nail tip 10 to ensure all sides of the gel nail tip 10 being cured and hardened.

[0108] To detach the gel nail tips 10 from the natural nails 21, the user may simply soaking the natural nails 21 with the gel nail tips 10 thereon with a remover agent such as an acetone for a period of time, for example couple seconds, and then the gel nail tips 10 are capable of being popped off and separating from the natural nails 21 easily.

[0109] In other words, the step (G) further comprises steps of: [0110] (g1) gradually pressing each of the gel nail tips onto the top surface of the corresponding nail of the user, from a base to a tip of the gel nail tip, to ensure a tight seal and to prevent air bubbles; [0111] (g2) continuing to press each of the gel nail tips onto the corresponding top surface of the nail of the user; and [0112] (g3) after removal of pressure, applying the UV or LED light to each of the gel nail tips for a length of time sufficient to completely cure and harden the adhesive composition and form a bonding layer between each of the gal nail tips and the corresponding nail of the user.

[0113] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a gel nail tip applying and curing composition set for a nail of a user, comprising: [0114] at least one gel nail being made of gel material and having an underside contact surface which can be filed to form a rough affixing surface; [0115] a nail filing device configured for buffing at least a portion of the underside contact surface of the gel nail tip to form the rough affixing surface; [0116] an adhesive composition adapted for adhering the underside contact surface of the gel nail tip to a top surface of the nail of the user; and [0117] a flat brush for applying the adhesive composition to the underside contact surface of the gel nail tip and to the top surface of the nail of the user; [0118] wherein the gel nail tip applying and curing composition set is adapted for applying the gel nail tips on the natural nails of a user through the step (A) to step (G) described above.

[0119] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

[0120] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.