JP2015514473A - Nail applique with metal foil - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-layer foil applique for decorating a nail includes a first adhesive layer located on a peelable substrate, a base coat located on the first adhesive layer, and a UV curable adhesive located on the base coat. Cut from a laminated sheet having a layer, a foil layer located on the UV curable adhesive layer, and a topcoat located on the foil layer. The foil is affixed to the UV curable adhesive layer by contact between the metal side of the metallized plastic sheet and the adhesive before the adhesive is cured. The base coat and top coat are formed from organic solvent based nail enamel. Sufficient solvent remains in the applique so that the applique can be stretched before use. The residual solvent evaporates after the applique is applied to the user's nails.

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications]
This application is based on US Provisional Application No. 61 / 621,887 filed on April 9, 2012 and US Provisional Application No. 61 / 799,386 filed on March 15, 2013. All rights reserved and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  The present invention relates to the field of nail polish and nail decoration, and more particularly to nail appliques for decorating hand nails or toenails.

  According to a product that instantly coats the nail of the hand, the nail polish is affixed to the nail of the hand by adhesively fixing the dried nail polish to the nail of the hand. The use of such products is gaining popularity as a way to care for nails. Such products, also known as “nail appliques”, allow a user to decorate hands or toenails in a short time, with color, design or image, or with metallic gloss. Such gloss is provided by using a nail applique containing metal foil or film (hereinafter referred to as “foil applique”).

  A nail applique according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first adhesive layer, a partially cured base coat located on the first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer located on the base coat, and a second A self-adhesive nail applique having a metal foil layer located on the adhesive layer and a partially cured topcoat located on the metal foil layer is included. In some embodiments, the second adhesive layer is cured by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In some other embodiments, the nail applique is stretchable, and the base coat, the second adhesive layer, and the top coat are stretchable at substantially the same rate as each other. In yet another embodiment, the base coat, the second adhesive layer, and the top coat occupy the same region in the uncured state, partially cured state, and cured state. In a further embodiment, the metal foil layer is a single layer that occupies the same area as the second adhesive layer.

  A method of manufacturing a self-adhesive nail applique according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a first adhesive layer; forming a partially cured base coat on the first adhesive layer; Forming a second adhesive layer, forming a metal foil layer on the second adhesive layer, and forming a partially cured topcoat on the metal foil layer. In some embodiments, forming the second adhesive layer includes exposing the adhesive to ultraviolet radiation after forming the metal foil layer.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional schematic view of a multi-layer foil nail applique located on a peelable substrate according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a set of foil appliques after being cut from a laminated sheet prepared in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

  In some embodiments, the present invention includes multiple layers of nail applique (“foil applique”) having a metal foil or film as at least one layer. In the method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the foil applique is formed in such a manner that one layer is overlaid on a peelable substrate. The foil applique is flexible and extensible to cover the user's hand nails or toenails, but when applied to the hand nails or toenails (e.g., due to the effect of the user's body temperature, (Or at room temperature). For the purposes of this disclosure, hand nails and toenails are collectively referred to as “nails”.

  FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional schematic view of a foil applique 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the foil applique 10 is provided adhered to the peelable substrate 12, and the foil applique 10 can be peeled from the peelable substrate 12. Returning to FIG. 1, a foil applique 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first adhesive containing an adhesive suitable for adhering a foil applique to a nail and adhering the foil applique to a substrate 12 in a peelable manner. A layer 14, a base coat 16 that is located on the first adhesive layer 14 and includes a nail enamel, a second adhesive layer 18 that is located on the base coat 16, and a metal foil that is located on the second adhesive layer 18 or A multi-layer structure including a film layer 20 and a clear nail enamel topcoat 22 covering a metal foil or film. The second adhesive layer 18 includes an adhesive that can be cured (eg, gelled and / or cured) by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (also referred to as “UV radiation”), and is referred to herein as “UV adhesive layer”. Is also referred to.

  Here, the material used for forming the layer of the foil applique 10 will be described. First, materials suitable for each of the adhesive layer or the nail enamel layers 14, 16, 18, 22 are obtained from commercial products. Note that it may be customized using materials and methods known to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described layers must maintain dimensional stability during the curing process in the manufacturing process and / or while applied to the user's nails. If the layer dimensions change, the layers 14, 16, 18, 22 remain in the same area (i.e. cover each other to the same extent) and are foil applique, i.e. more specifically in the foil layer. In order to avoid wrinkling or distortion, the layer dimensional changes should occur to the same extent across each of the layers 14, 16, 18, 22. The dimensional stability of the metal foil or film layer 20 is for reasons explained elsewhere in this specification and is typically not a problem. The materials used for the various layers also have the physical properties (eg, extensibility, shrinkage, flexibility, tear resistance, etc.) that are desired for the final product (ie, foil applique) when working together. The structure must be provided and must stretch or bend without causing wrinkles in the applique or foil layer. These properties are known to those skilled in the art for nail enamel appliques, such as US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 126,862 filed May 11, 2005 (US patent application published November 17, 2005). The properties of the nail enamel applique described in publication 2005/0255061) may be similar and all of these disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

  Referring to the first adhesive layer 14, the adhesive used in the first adhesive layer 14 must adhere firmly to the nail when cured. The adhesive may be applied to the substrate 12 in a dissolved state from a liquid or cured state, and may contain a solvent that easily volatilizes at a temperature below the human body temperature, such as low molecular weight acetate or alcohol. . The adhesive of the first adhesive layer 14 is also a type of adhesive that easily peels from the substrate 12, which can be formed of a material such as a silicon coated release liner paper or a thin sheet of plastic film laminated with aluminum. There must be. A suitable thickness for the first adhesive layer is, in some embodiments of the invention, about 10% to 15% of the total thickness of the finished applique. Adhesives and substrates suitable for use in the present invention are adhesives and substrates similar to the nail enamel applique described further in the aforementioned US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 126,862. Exemplary adhesives suitable for the present invention include acrylic copolymer adhesives.

  Referring to base coat 16 and top coat 22, it should be noted that in embodiments of the present invention, base coat 16 and top coat 22 may be formed from commercially available or customized nail enamel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the topcoat 22 is clear (eg, transparent or translucent) so that the foil layer 20 is visible and the finished applique 10 has the desired metallic color and gloss. Of) enamel. In some other embodiments, the clear coat may be colored or contain additives (eg, glitter or mica chips) to enhance the appearance of the finished applique. In such an embodiment, the topcoat must be formulated so that the foil layer remains visible. Although the base coat 16 may also be formed from a clear enamel, the purpose of the base coat 16 is to provide a mechanical barrier between the first adhesive layer 14 and the UV adhesive layer 18 and to apply the UV adhesive layer 18. Is to provide a smooth surface. Suitable thicknesses for the topcoat 22 and the basecoat 16 range from about 35% to about 45% of the total thickness of the finished applique. The nail enamel may be organic solvent based or water based and may be of a UV curable type. The desired physical properties and composition of the nail enamel will depend on factors such as the method of applying each of the basecoat 16 or topcoat 22, or the curing temperature of the layers 16,22. Organic solvent based nail enamel having a viscosity of 1500 centipoise (60 revolutions) to 4000 centipoise (60 revolutions) at room temperature (eg, about 20 ° C.) is particularly useful in the present invention. The properties and formulation of the nail enamel are explained in the above-mentioned description of the nail enamel applique in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 126,862, and those skilled in the art can easily adopt any explanation and Clear coats suitable for use in the invention can be produced.

The UV adhesive layer 18 includes any of a wide range of materials that, after first being exposed to ultraviolet radiation, cure to a gel or sticky state and are not toxic in the cured state. Can do. Many such materials are commercially available and include polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyacrylate resins, polyacetate resins and mixtures thereof. One such material has a composition in the following range by weight.
10-25% polyurethane resin 1-25% epoxy resin 1-20% polyacrylate resin 1-10% photoinitiator and stabilizer

  Referring to the metal foil or film layer 20, there are a number of commercial products suitable for use in the present invention. These products generally comprise a metal film (also referred to as “metallized plastic”) disposed on a plastic sheet. Such products are available in a number of metallic colors such as silver and gold, multicolor or holographic finish. Aluminum is the most prevalent metal among the metals placed on plastic sheets including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most commonly available plastics. In the case of aluminum, the thickness of the metal film can be in the range of 10 nm to 1000 nm, more typically in the range of 50 nm to 100 nm. These thicknesses are sometimes expressed in ohm strong units, and 1 nm is 10 ohm strong. With such a thickness, the metal film can be easily transferred to the surface of the adhesive, for example, the surface of the UV adhesive layer 18 without being damaged, simply by bringing the film and the adhesive into contact with each other. The foil or film layer 20 thus formed is typically porous (i.e., there are minute voids between the metal particles), but is found solid in the applique and is highly reflective. . Since the metal film is porous and thin, it can be deformed (for example, stretched) to some extent without deteriorating the appearance of the applique. One skilled in the art can recognize the existence of a number of cold stamping foils suitable for use in the present invention in accordance with the present disclosure.

  In the method of manufacturing a foil applique such as the foil applique 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a laminated sheet of materials having a layer structure desirable for the foil applique is prepared. The sheets are formed one layer at a time on the peelable substrate 12 by a continuous manufacturing process. Such a continuous process is described in the above-mentioned description of nail enamel applique in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 126,862, and those skilled in the art will be able to use the present invention according to the present disclosure. This process can be applied in a form suitable for use.

  Using the foil applique 10 as a reference, the adhesive layer 14 is placed directly on the substrate 12 as a liquid or by dissolving a solid adhesive on the substrate 12. Appropriate means for placing the adhesive layer on the surface in a continuous manufacturing process are known to those skilled in the art. The adhesive can be gelled or cured while maintaining viscosity until the next layer (ie, base coat 16) is applied.

  Referring to the base coat 16, nail enamel is applied directly to the adhesive layer 14 so as to cover the adhesive layer 14 and then form a smooth surface for applying the UV adhesive layer 18. The base coat 16 can be partially cured by heating the nail enamel containing the solvent or water to evaporate a portion of the solvent or water. The evaporation step may be performed at room temperature depending on the composition of the nail enamel used and the thickness of the base coat 16. The temperature and residence time of this process is a technical choice because it should be adjusted according to the overall processing rate and the quality desired for the final product. In embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the solvent or water may remain in the enamel (ie, the enamel is “partially cured”) so that the base coat 16 has the desired extensibility. When using UV curable nail enamel, a typical UV curable enamel typically does not contain a solvent or water and may not require a heating step. Instead, the enamel is exposed to UV radiation to initiate the curing process. The duration and intensity of exposure will vary depending on the formulation of the nail enamel, but will be understood by those with knowledge of the relevant chemical technology or selected according to the instructions of the nail enamel manufacturer Is.

  Referring to the UV adhesive layer 18 and the foil layer 20, a UV curable mixture is applied to the surface of the base coat 16. In some embodiments of the present invention, the UV curable mixture is not exposed to UV radiation until after the foil layer 20 has been applied. In such embodiments of the invention, the metal surface of the metallized plastic roll is placed in contact with the UV curable mixture using methods known in various technical fields (eg, continuous contact printing). The foil adheres to the UV curable mixture and peels from the plastic sheet in a porous layer. This “cold stamping” process is advantageous over the commonly used “hot stamping” process in that it can be performed at room temperature. Hot stamping requires heating of the foil, so heating the entire multilayer structure can dry and damage the lower layer of the applique. The hot stamping system also requires a stamping machine that transfers heat to the applique. Such stamping machines are often custom-made. In the cold stamping system used in the embodiment of the present invention, neither the stamping machine nor the heating that causes damage is required.

  After the foil layer 20 is applied, the UV curable mixture is exposed to UV radiation through the porous metal foil to initiate the curing process. As described for the UV nail enamel contained in the basecoat 16 of some embodiments, the duration and intensity of exposure will vary depending on the formulation of the UV curable mixture, but those with knowledge in the relevant chemical arts It will be understood if any, or will be selected according to the instructions of the adhesive manufacturer.

  Referring to the top coat 22, the nail enamel is applied directly on the foil layer 20 so as to cover the foil layer 20 and the UV adhesive layer 18. The topcoat 22 can include a single layer or multiple layers of nail enamel. The top coat 22 can be partially cured by heating the nail enamel containing the solvent or water to evaporate a portion of the solvent or water. The evaporation step may be performed at room temperature depending on the composition of the nail enamel used and the thickness of the topcoat 22. As with the base coat 16, the temperature and residence time of this process is a technical choice because it should be adjusted depending on the overall processing rate and the quality desired for the final product. In embodiments of the invention, a portion of the solvent or water may remain in the enamel (ie, the enamel is “partially cured”) so that the topcoat 22 has the desired extensibility. When using UV curable nail enamel, a typical UV curable enamel typically does not contain a solvent or water and may not require a heating step. Instead, the enamel is exposed to UV radiation to initiate the curing process. The duration and intensity of exposure will vary depending on the formulation of the nail enamel, but will be understood by those with knowledge of the relevant chemical technology or selected according to the instructions of the nail enamel manufacturer Is.

  When the foil applique topcoat 22 is partially cured, the set of foil applique on the substrate 12 is cut from the laminated sheet. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary set 24 of foil applique produced by the method described above. Each set 24 may include different sized appliques, eg, appliques 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, to accommodate different sized nails. In some embodiments, the appliques 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are integrated by a connection 36.

  In some embodiments of the invention described above, the laminated sheet, ie, the foil applique, includes a small amount of solvent so that the applique can be stretched until use. Thus, the applique set 24 is enclosed in a package (not shown) that includes a vapor barrier that prevents loss of solvent from the applique.

  To use the foil applique, the user opens the package and removes the desired applique 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 from the connection 36. The user peels the applique from the substrate and attaches the adhesive layer 14 (see FIG. 1) to the nail. The user then extends the applique to cover the nail, removes the excess applique protruding from the nail, and trims the applique so that the applique follows the nail contour (eg, using a nail file). The curing process is completed by the body temperature from the finger or toe, and the applique is cured. Because the finished applique is thin enough to fit in a package (eg, an overall thickness of about 3.5 mil to 5.5 mil, or about 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm), the residual solvent can be quickly removed (eg, user Depending on body temperature and environmental conditions, it can evaporate in less than one hour. The cured applique can be removed from the nail using a conventional nail polish remover.

  It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary, and that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such changes and modifications are within the scope of the present invention as embodied in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

Self-adhesive nail applique,
A first adhesive layer;
A partially cured base coat located on the first adhesive layer;
A second adhesive layer located on the base coat opposite to the first adhesive layer;
A metal foil layer located on the opposite side of the base coat on the second adhesive layer;
A partially cured topcoat located on the metal foil layer opposite the second adhesive layer;
Nail applique with.   The nail applique of claim 1, wherein the second adhesive layer is cured by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.   The nail applique according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nail applique is extensible, and the base coat, the second adhesive layer, and the top coat are extensible at substantially the same rate.   The nail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base coat, the second adhesive layer, and the top coat occupy the same region in an uncured state, a partially cured state, and a cured state. Applique.   5. The nail applique according to claim 1, wherein the metal foil layer is a single layer that occupies the same area as the second adhesive layer and the top coat. 6.   5. The nail applique according to claim 1, wherein the metal foil layer covers substantially all of the second adhesive layer and is covered by substantially all of the top coat. 6.   The base coat forms a mechanical barrier between the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, and provides a smooth surface to which the second adhesive layer is bonded. The nail applique of any one of these.   The nail applique according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second adhesive layer includes a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, and a polyacetate resin.   The nail applique according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the base coat and the top coat includes a nail enamel.   The nail applique of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the metal foil layer has a thickness in the range of about 10 nm to about 1000 nm.   11. A nail applique according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nail applique has a thickness in the range of about 0.10 mm to about 0.15 mm. Further comprising a substrate,
The nail applique according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first adhesive layer is detachably bonded to the substrate. A method of manufacturing a self-adhesive nail applique,
Forming a first adhesive layer;
Forming a partially cured base coat on the first adhesive layer;
Forming a second adhesive layer on the base coat on the opposite side of the first adhesive layer;
Forming a metal foil layer on the second adhesive layer on the opposite side of the base coat;
Forming a partially cured topcoat on the metal foil layer opposite the second adhesive layer;
Including methods.   The step of forming the second adhesive layer includes applying an adhesive that can be cured by exposure to ultraviolet irradiation to the base coat, and forming the metal foil layer, and then applying the adhesive to the ultraviolet irradiation. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising exposing.   Forming the partially cured base coat comprises applying a first nail enamel having a first solvent to the first adhesive layer; and allowing the base coat to stretch. And evaporating part of the solvent.   Forming the partially cured topcoat comprises: applying a second nail enamel having a second solvent to the metal foil layer; and allowing the topcoat to stretch. The method of any one of Claims 13-15 including the step of evaporating a part of solvent of these.   Forming a metal foil layer on the second adhesive layer includes providing a substrate on which a metal foil having a thickness in the range of about 10 nm to about 1000 nm is provided; and attaching the metal foil to the second adhesion layer. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, comprising contacting a layer and pulling back the substrate so that the metal foil adheres to the second adhesive layer and peels from the substrate. The method described. The first adhesive layer is formed on a peelable substrate by forming the first adhesive layer,
Removing the nail applique from the peelable substrate; affixing the first adhesive layer to a user's nail; elongating the nail applique to cover the nail; the base coat and the top 18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising curing a coat at the user's body temperature to cure the nail applique.   The method of claim 18, wherein the base coat, the second adhesive layer, and the top coat extend at substantially the same rate.   20. The base coat, the second adhesive layer, and the top coat shrink by substantially the same amount during the further curing step to prevent wrinkling in the metal foil layer. The method described in 1.

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