Compositions and Process for Applying Protective Covering and Extensions to Fingernails
Compositions and Process for Applying Protective Covering and Extensions to Fingernails
US4669491
Folder:
Year:
Abstract:
A process, requiring minimal skills, for applying a protective acrylic coating, with or without extending the tips, to the human fingernail as afforded by (1) clearing and roughening the surface of the nail, (2) applying a layer of liquid acrylic monomer, (3) applying a powdered polymethacrylate ester to the wetted nail surface, (4) removing loose powder and smoothing the nail surface, (5) brushing on, as one would with nail polish, a second layer of liquid acrylic monomers and, after curing, (6) finishing the nail in the conventional manner.
Type of document:
Language:
United States Patent 119]
4,669,491
[11] Patent Number:
Weisberg et al. [45] Date of Patent: Jun. 2, 1987
[54] COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESS FOR 4,222,399 9/1980 Ionescy ............................... .. 132/73
APPLYING PROTECHVE COVERING AND 4,299,243 11/ I981 Umstattd .. 132/73
EXTENSIONS To FINGERNAILS 4,407,310 10/1983 Jadow . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 132/73
4,450,848 5/1984 Ferrigno ............................. .. 132/ 73
[75] Inventors: Renee Weisberg, 1137 Village Circle
Dr. s., Phoenix, Ariz. 85022; OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Lawrence J. Kreballm, Glen Ellyn, Balsam, M. S., Cosmetic’s Science and Technology,
Ill. 1978, pp. 482, 483, 464, and 470, vol. 1.
[73] Assignee: Renee Weisberg, Phoenix, Ariz. ,S,i1§‘::l'c1l’ gfsmetics Science & Techmlogy 1957’ pp‘
[21] App 1' N0” 680578 Primary Examiner—Gregory E. McNeil]
[22] Filed: Dec. 11, 1984 Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fay, Sharpe, Beall, Fagan,
Minnich & McKee
Related U.S. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT
[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 636,987, Aug. 2, 1984. A process’ requiring minimal Skins, for applying a pro_
51 Int. Cl.4 ........................................... .. A45D 29/00 tective acrylic coating, with or without extending the
[ l _ ,
[52] U.S. Cl. ................................... .. 132/73; 132/885; tips, to the human fingernail as afforded by (1) clearing
424/70 and roughening the surface of the nail, (2) applying a
[58] Field of Search ........................................ .. 132/73 layer of liquid acrylic monomerr (3) applying a pow-
[56] References Cited dered polymethacrylate ester to the wetted nail surface,
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2,288,386 6/1942 Belden ................................. ..132/73
2,941,535 6/1960 Lappe 132/73
3,856,026 12/1974 Gaydos .... .. 132/73
3,928,113 12/1975 Rosenberg .......................... .. 132/73
(4) removing loose powder and smoothing the nail sur-
face, (5) brushing on, as one would with nail polish, a
second layer of liquid acrylic monomers and, after cur-
ing, (6) finishing the nail in the conventional manner.
15 Claims, No Drawings
4,669,491
1
COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESS FOR APPLYING
PROTECTIVE COVERING AND EXTENSIONS TO
FINGERNAILS
This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. pa-
tent application Ser. No. 636,987, filed Aug. 2, 1984.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions and
processes for applying strong protective acrylic ccat-
ings to fingernails and toenails with or without artificial
extensions to the nails.
Numerous techniques for applying protective coat-
ings for fingernails, with or without extensions to the
nails, exist today. The types of artificial nails produced
by these techniques can be classified as (1) glue-on nails,
(2) nail wraps, (3) sculptured nails, and (4) nail dips.
Glue-ons are pre-formed plastic fingernails having
the desired, usually extended shape of the natural nail.
These are glued directly on to the fingemail. Because of
the wide variety of nail shapes, glue-on nails are diffi-
cult to fit. As the nails grow, the glue-on nails move
distally creating an unsightly ledge across the base of
the nail. This is repaired either by removing the artific-
ial nail and attaching a new one or by filling in behind
the ledge by a sculpturing technique as described be-
low. The former repair is expensive because it must be
performed every two to three weeks and the removed
nail cannot be reused. The latter repair requires the
skills of a scupltured nail technician.
In the nail wrap method a piece of paper or fabric is
cut to the shape of the natural nail, glue is applied to the
. natural nail and the paper of fabric is pressed into the
glue. The paper or fabric is then smoothed insofar as
possible and folded over the free edge of the nail. The
folds are glued to the underside of the nail and more
glue is applied to the paper or fabric in successive layers
until the surface is smooth. This type of artificial nail
has many problems. First of all, the nail is made of glues,
usually the lower cyanoacrylate esters, which do not
produce a particularly strong nail. The single lamina of
paper or cloth adds little strength to the composite.
Secondly, the surface of the natural nail is a complex
curve and it is difficult for the paper or fabric to con-
form to the surface without forming folds. Under the
nail, the folded over paper or fabric forms convolutions
which are unattractive when viewed from the edge or
from undemeath. Moreover, these folds harbor dirt and
microorganisms. If edge folds are not used or if the nails
are trimmed, the edge is ragged and readily delami-
nates. As with glue-ons, the artificial nails move distally
as the nail grows and must be filled in or the artificial
fingernail must be removed and replaced with a new
nail wrap.
Nail sculpting has become popular with those who
are unsatisfied with the methods described above. How-
ever, nail sculpting requires a great deal of training and
skill. In this method, preparation of the natural nail is
important because the thick, tough acrylic nail becomes
permanently attached to the point where it is applied.
The nail is first cleaned, roughened, and treated with a
bromide. It is then coated with glue, usually a cyanoac-
rylate ester, or a primer containing methacrylic acid
which binds the acrylic to the natural nail. Then the
sculpturist wets a small brush with a liquid consisting of
a blend of mono-, di- and trimethacrylate esters and a
promoter, usually N, N, dimethyl-para-toluidine which
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is capable of inducing the decomposition of benzoyl
peroxide at room temperature. The wetted brush is then
dipped into a finely powdered polymethacrylate ester
which contains benzoyl peroxide. The liquid and pow-
der form a dough which begins to cure (i.e., harden or
polymerize) immediately. The dough is then quickly
placed onto the prepared nail and smoothed or sculp-
tured in place. More dough is added until the nail is
covered and filled to the desired, uniform thickness and
shape. Filing, buffing and, sometimes, the addition of
more dough result in a strong, albeit thick nail ready for
polish. If the fingernail is to be extended, a form with a
non-adhering upper surface is placed under the edge of
the nail and the sculpturing is continued out over the
form. The form is removed after the dough is cured.
Extraordinary skills are required for this procedure.
The dough must be of a precise consistency. If it is too
thin, it is runny and cures slowly and sometimes does
not cure at all. If it is too thick, it is weak due to air
bubbles and stress cracks. If the sculpturist pauses too
long between applying each brush full of dough, the
bond is poor and the nail cracks essily. If the dough is
not placed and worked skillfully an excessive amount of
filing is required to remove humps and lumps to pro-
duce an attractive nail.
Recently, a method of applying artificial‘ fingernails
called nail dipping has been introduced. In this method,
the natural nail is coated with a high-viscosity glue of
the cyanoacrylate ester type. The wetted nail is then
briefly dipped into a powdered, uncross-linked poly-
methacrylate ester. Any excess powder is brushed off
and the surface is smoothed partially by filing and light
buffing. This rough surface is then sealed or filled in by
applying a low-viscosity cyanoacrylate ester glue in one
or more coats until the powder no longer protrudes
above the surface. The surface is then filed and buffed
and is ready for the application of nail polish.
It is apparent that this method circumvents the fitting
problems of glueing-on and wrapping and the skills
required of sculpting. However, the finished nail is not
strong. The cyanoacrylate ester glues, although adher-
ent, are not structurally sound: Layers as thick as artific-
ial nails if not supported by opposing substrates break
easily. The uncross linked polyethylmethacrylate pow-
der is weak per se and lends little toughness to the
polycyanoacrylate ester surrounding it. Thus, the dip
process nail may be stronger than nail polish but it is
much weaker than a sculpted acrylic nail.
It follows, therefore, that there is a present need for
strong, easily appliable, repairable, fillable, artificial
nails and a better procedure to repair and strengthen
natural nails and to apply the artificial nails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to provide a new
method for applying artificial fingernails and repairing
and strengthening natural fingernails which neither
requires the extraordinary skills of the sculpturing
method nor presents the fitting problems of the wrap-
ping and glue-on methods. It is a second but not lesser
object of this invention to provide compositions of mat-
ter which are essential to the success and simplicity of
this new method while providing a protective artificial
nail or nail coating having excellent strength and a
glossy surface which, imparts a gloss or wet look to
ordinary fingernail polishes applied thereto.
The procedure and compositions are described as
follows with the understanding that this description
’ 4,669,491
3
should not be construed as limiting the scope of our
invention but should be considered as examples thereof.
As in the application of any artificial fingernail the
first step is the proper preparation of the surface of the
natural nail. All traces of nail polish and residues of
previous artificial nails are removed with an oilless nail
polish remover and a glue and nail solvent respectively.
Glue and nail solvents preferably contain major por-
tions of acetonitrile, methylene chloride, acetone, ethyl
acetate and closely homologous solvents such as propi-
onitrile, 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane, butan-2-one, methyl
acetate and butyl acetate. In particular, we have found
that solvents for cyanoacrylate ester glues should con-
tain at least 90 vol % acetonitrile if the remainder is a
non-solvent such as water, isopropanol or such hydro-
carbons as mineral spirits or toluene. Similarly, the
ketones such as acetone and the few non-hazardous
chlorocarbons such as methylene chloride should not be
diluted more than 30% with non-solvents such as were
mentioned above. The esters such as ethyl and butyl _
acetates are slower to dissolve cyanoacrylate ester poly-
mers and should not be diluted with non-solvents at all.
However, the better solvents such as acetonitrile, ace-
tone and methylene chloride can be mixed in any pro-
portion with one another to provide fast and effective
solvents for cyanoacrylate ester polymers. Many other
organic liquids such as the N-alkyl and N,N-dialkyl
formamides and acetoamides and certain esters such as
tetrahydrofuran are effective solvents for cyanoacrylate
ester glues from a mechanical standpoint but their toxo-
logical properties are in doubt and should not be consid-
ered until their safety is proven.
EXAMPLES
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bornanone, cineole, safrole, bornyl chloride, 2-phenox-
yethanol, benzyl alcohol and ethanol.
It is sufficient that no more than 1% by weight of any
one of the above named biocides and no more than 2%
total of all of the above named biocides be employed in
water-free solutions because the solvents evaporate
after the solution is spread the nail, leaving the active
biocides as a thin film on the nail at a total concentration
of essentially 100%.
It is preferred that as many different biocidal com-
pounds be used together as is practicable. Each biocide
has a “map” of effectiveness against bacteria, yeasts and
fungi. Not even the most effective antibiotics have a
map which encompasses all microorganisms, e.g., one
might be effective against Gram-positive bacteria only
whereas another might be effective against Gram-nega-
tive bacteria only. Thus, to kill the greatest number of
species of microorganisms, one should employ the
greatest number of biocides restricted only by practical-
ity, compatability, and kill map overlap.
The preferred acidic biocidal compounds include
thymol, chlorothymol, benzoic acid, the p-hydroxyben-
zoate alkyl esters, 4- and 6-phenyl-2-chlorophenyl, car-
vocrol and (the FDA regulated compound) hexachlo-
rophene, should it be allowed for use on fmgemails.
There are many other biocidal compounds which
perform very well in this application from a technical
standpoint but which have practical limitations such as
color in the case of the nitroforans, odor in the case of
allicin, irritation in the case of 2-phenylphenol, insolu-
bility in the cases of boric acid and sodium benzoate,
toxicity in the case of the mercurials and both cost and
regulations in the cases of such antibiotics as Bacitracin
and Griseofulvin. They are, however, considered to be
The following solvents are useful for removing arti- 35 within the scope of our invention.
ficial nails which are attached with glues.
TABLE I
We have found that the solvent blend for our biocides
Example #
2345678
Component 1
9 10 ll 12 l3 l4 l5 l6
Acetonitrile, vol % 100 94 90 90 50 50 34
Acetone, vol % 6 50 50 33
Methylene chloride, vol % 50 50 33
Butan-2-one, vol %
Methyl acetate, vol %
Ethyl acetate, vol %
Isopropyl acetate, vol %
N——Butyl acetate, vol %
Propionitrile, vol %
1,1,1-trichloroethane, vol %
Methyl isobutylketone, vol %
Water, vol %
Odorless mineral spirits, vol %
5
Toluene, vol % 5
50 25
100 50 40 25
100 30 25
25
25
50 25 10
25
50 25 l0
50
30
25
After the nail has been cleaned, a water-free solution
of biocides is applied to prevent or inhibit the growth of
bacteria, yeast and fungi between the artificial and natu-
ral nails. Of the few non-perscription, non-toxic, non-
irritating, non-hygroscopic, organic soluble, effective
biocides available for this purpose, some are acidic or
phenolic. These include benzoic acid, thymol and the
para-hydroxybenzoic esters.
We have found that certain combinations of non-
acidic antimicrobial agents in certain water-free blends
of organic solvents provide protection against growth
of bacteria, yeasts and fungi without affecting the cure
rate or the bond strength of the glue layer. The biocides
include the quarternary ammonium halides such as n-
alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, cetyl pyridin-
ium bromide, 5-methyl-2-isopropyl-cyclohexanol, 2-
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should have the following six qualities; (1) volatility
sufficient to evaporate quickly from the nail, (2) sol-
vency for natural body oils and oils and greases custom-
arily used in cosmetics, (3solvency for water but not
hygroscopic, (4) low viscosity so that it can penetrate
the upper cellular layers of the fingemail, (5) water
azeotropy and (6) solvency for all of the biocides.
The combined said qualities enable the solvent to
place the biocides both on and deeply into the nail and
at the same time carry bond-destroying oils and some
superfluous water deep into the nail. Additional super-
fluous water is removed by co-evaporation. Only quasi-
chemically bound water remains on the surface of the
4,669,491
5
nail along with that fraction of the biocides which did
not penetrate into the upper cell layers.
Such solvents include especially acetone, methyl
acetate and ethyl acetate, alone or in admixture, for
fastest evaporation and best penetration. Evaporation 5
and penetration can be retarded, as desired, by the addi-
tion of higher boiling and more viscous solvents such as
ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, butan-2-one, pentan-
2-one, pentan-3-one, methyl isobutyl ketone, n-propyl
acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl ace-
tate and sec-butyl acetate. Typical blends would include
(1) 75 vol % acetone, 20 vol % methyl acetate and 5
vol % ethanol
(2)60 vol % acetone, 39 vol % ethyl acetate and 1 vol '
ethanol, 15
(3) 50 vol % acetone, 30 vol % ethyl acetate, 10 vol
% butan-2one, 5 vol % n-butyl acetate and 5 vol %
ethanol and
(4) 80 vol % acetone, 19.5 vol % methyl acetate and
0.5 vol % ethanol, the last being added as a component
of commerically available solutions of quarternary am-
monium salts such as n-a1kyldimethylbenzyl-ammonium
chloride.
When applying the acrylic nail of this invention it is
best to use a biocide without acidic components. The
biocidal solution can be applied either before or after
roughening the nail by the liquid abrasive of this inven-
tion described below because the liquid abrasive does
not introduce new microorganisms as would a rigid
filing device such as an emery board.
The next step in the preparation of the natural nail for
applying the artificial nail of this invention consists of
roughening the nail to provide physical interlocking of
the natural nail with the glue and to present a surface of
fresh, chemcially bound protein instead of partly de- 35
composed protein in the process of becoming chemi-
cally debonded. »
The preferred roughness for applying artificial nails is
not that produced by sandpaper or an emery board such
that the scratches are visible to the naked eye. This
process leaves loosened high ridges and shards which
break away easily and provide cavems for entrapment
of air which weakens the bond between the glue and the
natural nail. In addition, these roughening devices are
harsh and potentially injurious to the skin around the
nail.
We have found that suspensions of finely divided
inorganic minerals and salts in volatile organic solvents
or water when rubbed briskly over the natural nail will
remove the “shine” from the nail and leave a matte 50
finish which forms an excellent bond.
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Since the natural nail is very soft almost any mineral
with a measurable hardness on the Moh scale will suf-
fice. Talc (Mol hardness about 1.0) produces a rough-
ened surface after only a few seconds of rubbing. Other
suitable minerals include kaolin, gypsum, calcite, dolo-
mite, magnesite, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth,
fumed silica, powdered silica, garnet, spinel, pumice,
corundum and zinc oxide.
Generally the mineral particle size should be smsller
than 80 mesh and preferably smaller than 100 mesh.
Even fumed silica with paticle sizes below 0.01 microns
provides a nail surface which bonds satisfactorily.
The suspending liquid is preferably one which evapo-
rates quickly enough to enable the operator to proceed
to the next step without waiting. Generally, the lower
members of the homologous series of alcohols ketones
and esters are preferred. Water is satisfactory but it
takes too long to evaporate in humid weather. Other
organic compounds such as the nitropropanes and odor-
less mineral spirits are satisfactory from a technical
standpoint but some customers do not like the oily
“feel” of these liquids.
The lower alcohols have a special advantage (besides
being antiseptic) in that they do not dissolve synthetic
fabrics. The supending liquid could spill onto the gar-
ments of the operator or the customer and dissolve or
fuse the synthetic fabrics if the liquid contained major
portions of ketones or acetate esters. Also, cotton balls
which are useful matrices for applying the buffing mix-
ture are sometimes made of blends of cotton and syn-
thetic fibers. Such a matrix would become tacky and
fused when saturated with a ketone or ester and leave
plastic deposits on the nails of the customer and the
fingers of the operator. Thus, if an operator were to use
a buffing liquid composed chiefly of ketones or esters,
she or he must use buffing matrices made only of natural
materials. This problem is relieved if the ketones or
esters are diluted with non-solvents. For example, 80
vol % acetone and 20 vol % water or 70% ethyl acetate
and 30% odorless mineral spirits do not significantly
attack the cottonpolyester blends currently used in the
manufacture of cotton balls.
Numerous matrices are suitable for applying the
roughening suspension to the natural nail. Cotton balls,
small pieces of towel, sponges, foamed soft plastics and
even the finger can be used.
EXAMPLES
The following buffing media were prepared by addi-
tion with agitation of the solids, measured by weight, to
the liquids, measured by volume (or the reverse proce-
dure) followed by adjustment of the pH to slightly
alkaline if necessary.
TABLE II
Component
Examp1e#
1234567891011 121314
Butyl acetate, ml
Ethyl acetate, ml
lspropyl alcohol, ml
Water, ml
lsoamyl acetate, ml
Acetone, ml
Fumed silica M—5’, g
Fumed silica EH-5*, g
Talc, >100 mesh, g
Kaolin >100 mesh, g
Diatomaceous earth, g
Pumice, >100 mesh, g
Corundum, >100 mesh, g
20 l0 15 10
5
l0 20 15 20 l0 12
20 10 20
20
1.0 1.5
1.0 0.7
1.0 2.0 0.5
1.5
1.0 1.0
0.8
0.6
4,669,491
7
TABLE II-continued
Example #
Component 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
91011
12 l3 l4
.03 .035 .2 .04
Triethanolamine, ml
Zinc Oxide, g
.02 .045
4
_j
‘Grade designation of Cab-O~Sil mfd. by Cabot Corp.
The next step is the application of a layer of liquid
metacrylate monomer blend. This blend contains a
promoter, usually N, N-dimethyl-p-toluidine, to initiate
decomposition of the benzoyl peroxide in the powder
described below. This monomer blend also contains one
or more dissolved polymers and/or inorganic fillers to
increase the viscosity to approximately that of finger-
nail polishes. This enables the user to apply acrylic
monomers with the ease of applying nail polish. The
monomer blend consists of three major parts A, B and
C. Part A is composed preferably as follows:
TABLE III
Usable Range, Preferred
Components Vol % Vol %
Ethyl methacrylate 30-90 50-75
Isobutyl methacrylate 1-50 5-15
Trimethylolpropane 2-20 5-15
trimethacrylate
PEG 200 dimethacrylate 1-10 2-7
Hydroxyethylmethacrylate 0.001-1.0 .01—0.5
N,N—dimethyl-p-toluidine . 1-6.0 .5-3.0
D + C Violet #2 ’ .0001-0.1 .001-.02
(w/v, gms/m/of A)
Cyasorb UV 5411 ® .0001-0.1 .00l—.02
(W/V. gms/m/of A)
Ethylmethacrylate is the major monomer of Part A.
If less than 30 vol. % of this monomer is used, the fin-
gernail produced will be too soft. Since ethylmethacry-
late has a strong odor, odorless isobutylmethacrylate is
added to the monomer blend to prevent the odor from
being too strong. However, if the monomer blend con-
tains more than 50 vol % of isobutylmethacrylate, the
nail produced is too soft. Trimethylopropane trimethyl-
methacrylate is the preferred cross-linker for this blend
and produces an extremely hard nail but, because of its
expense, no more than 20 vol % is used. This blending
may be perfumed as desired. The Drug & Cosmetic (D
& C) Violet #2 dye is added as a 0.1-1.0% (w/V) solu-
tion in hydroxyethyl methacrylate to obscure any yel-
lowing in the acrylic nail. Other ethylene glycol ether
dimethacrylates such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate,
di-, ti- and tetra-ethylene glycol dimethacrylates and
blends thereof may be substituted for polyethylene gly-
col (PEG) 200 dimethacrylate which is used to com-
patablize the violet dye. Hydroxyethylmethacrylate is
used as a solvent for the violet dye. Cyasorb UV-
5411 ® is an ultraviolet light absorber added to protect
the fingernail against yellowing and cracking with the
passage of time. Other ultra-violet absorbers such as
solol, benzophenone-1, benzophenone-6, Cyasorb UV-
9 ®, may be substituted for Cyasorb UV-541 that por-
tions of the artificial nails or nail coatings according to
the present invention can be in place approximately six
months.
Other monomer blends may be used in the process of
this invention, the blend:
Isobutylmethacrylate, 75-95 vol %
Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 5-25 vol %
N,N-dimethyl-para toluidine, 0.5-8.0 vol %
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has the advantage of low odor although the nail is softer
than most wearers prefer.
For a very hard nail, the blend:
Methyl methacrylate, 90-98 vol %
Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, l-10 vol %
N,N-dimethyl-para-toluidine, 0.2-2.0 vol %
is well suited from a technical standpoint. However, the
USFDA presently prohibits the use of methylmethacry-
late in artificial fingernails for interstate commerce.
Should this prohibition be removed blends containing
methylmethacrylate would be preferred for extra-hard
artificial nails.
Part B is one or more non-reactive or “dead” poly-
mers and is used for the purpose of increasing viscosity.
It is added to part A in the proportion of 2-40 g per 100
ml and preferably 5-25 g. Classes of polymers suitable
for this application include the cellulose esters, toluene-
sulfonamide-formaldehyde condensation polymers,
polyesters of the diol terephthalate group, polyvinyl
acetals especially polyvinyl butyrol, nylons, polycar-
bonates, terminated polymethacrylates and polyure-
thanes. Molecular weight ranges should be selected
such that the polymers are soluble in methacrylate es-
ters but still have strength properties equal to or greater
than the cured part A. Cellulose acetate butyrate is
preferred.
Part C consists of inorganic powders added to part A
in the proportion of 0.5—20 g of C per hundred ml. of
part A and preferably 1.0-10 g. It is preferred that the
high viscosity of the monomer blend not be achieved
entirely with dissolved polymers which interfere with
the curing of the monomers. We have found that part of
the desired flow property can be obtained with fine
inorganic powders, at least finer than 200 mesh and
preferably finer than 325 mesh. Neutral to slightly alka-
line minerals and inorganic salts which do not interfere
with the monomerpromoters include talc, the kaolins,
Fuller’s earth, wollastonite, gypsum and dolomite, inter
alia. _
Before the monomer blend cures, a powdered
polymethacryate ester, to which has been added ben-
zoyl peroxide, is applied to the wet surface. This should
be done about three seconds after the monomer blend is
applied.
The polymethacrylate ester is preferably polyethyl-
methacrylate or copolymers of ethyl methacrylate with
methylmethacrylate or isobutylmethacrylate but con-
taining no more than 50% of these other co-monomers.
As manufactured by the conventional suspension poly-
merization process, the polymer contains trace amounts
of residual benzoyl peroxide as well as free radical chain
termini which are chemically reactive toward acrylic
and methacrylic esters. Also, these polymethacrylates
are naturally produced in particle sizes from about 60
mesh/inch to finer than 325 mesh. We have found that
these polymers are improved for the purposes of this
invention by removing all particles larger than 80 mesh,
by restricting particles larger than 100 mesh to less than
5% by weight and by adding an additional 1-8% and
perferably 3—6% of benzoyl peroxide. If less than 3%
4,669,491
9
benzoyl peroxide is present in the powder, the nail cures
too slowly to be practical in a salon. Also, it might not
cure at all. If more than 8% benzoyl peroxide is present,
the finished nail contains too many low molecular
weight polymers and is brittle (if highly cross-linked) or
ranges from soft to tacky. The benzoyl peroxide should
be thoroughly blended with the polymer and should
have a particle size of less than 100 mesh. A benzoyl
peroxide Lupersol AA, manufactured by the Pennwalt
Corporation has been found to be satisfactory for the
practice of this invention. The use of other forms of
benzoyl peroxide such as sprayed-on acetone solutions
and the use of percentages and particle sizes outside of
the preferred values should be regarded as personal
preference and within the scope of this invention.
When the powder is applied to the wet nail the poly-
mer instantly sticks to the glue. Loose powder is
brushed off The powdery surface is then buffed lightly
to remove any protrusions difficult to cover in the sub-
sequent steps and also to insure that the surface of the
powder is fresh, that is, free of skin oils, and contains the
maximum surface population of benzoyl peroxide and
free radicals.
This surface should not be touched. If it is, it should
be buffed again to re-expose fresh surface.
The buffing of the powdered surface can be accom-
plished with any of the commercially available fine
sanding or buffing pads or with a fine-grained every
board.
After buffing is complete, the powder is coated with
a second layer of methacrylic monomers blend. This
acrylic coating begins to cure immediately by the com-
bined actions of the promoter, benzoyl peroxide and
live polymer termini on the methacrylic monomers. As
soon as this coating is no longer tacky, a second coating
of the same material may be applied if a thicker nail is
desired. Optionally, the second coating can be a similar
blend of methacrylic esters containing one or more
inorganic fillers and lesser amounts of dissolved poly-
mer such that the second coat has the flow properties of
a “ridge filler” and generates a smooth surface, or the
second coating can be a commercially available ridge
filler or base coat.
After the acrylic coat is hard, it is filed smooth and
buffed. Application thereafter of ridge filler (if neces-
sary) base coat, polish and top coat is carried out in the
conventional manner.
EXAMPLES
Fingernails according to the process and composi-
tions of the present invention were prepared as follows:
1. The nails were cleaned and remnants of polish, old
glue and previous artificial fingemails were removed
using a solvent comprising 96% acetonitrile.
2. A biocide solution comprising a solvent essentially
consistig of 80by volume acetone and 20% by volume
methyl acetate to which is added 0.D5—2.0% by vol-
ume of biocide, was applied to each nail.
3. The cuticle at the base of the nail was pushed back
and the surface of the natural nail was roughened
with an abrassive suspension comprising two grams
of talc having a particle size smaller than 100 mesh
and suspended in 20 ml of isopropyl alcohol.
4. A layer of liquid methacrylate monomer blend was
brushed on said blend comprising:
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Components Preferred Vol %
Ethyl methacrylate 50-75
Isobutyl methacrylate 5-15
Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate 5-15
PEG 200 dimethacrylate 2-7
Hydroxyethylmethacrylate .0l-0.5
N,N—-dimethyl-p—toluidine .5—3.0
D + C Violet No. 2 (w/v, g/ml of A) .O0l—.02
Cyasorb UV 5411 (w/v, g/ml of A) .O0l—.02
To each 100 ml of this monomer blend was added 5-25
grams of cellulose butyrate acetate and 0.0 to 10
grams of talc.
. After about 2 to 5 seconds, the wet surface of the glue
covered nail is inverted and rested onto or pressed
into a finely powdered polymethacrylate ester
wherein the particle size is smaller than 80 mesh and
further wherein particles larger than 100 mesh com-
prise less than 5% by weight of the polyethyleneme-
thacrylate ester. This powder also contains 3-6
weight % benzoyl peroxride catalyst having a parti-
cle size less than 100 mesh. The fingernail remains
applied to the surface of the powder for just an in-
stant.
. The fingernail coated with polymethacrylate ester
powder was brushed to remove loose powder.
. The adhering powder was filed, sanded and buffed
lightly to remove high spots and expose a fresh cata-
lyst surface. The surface was brushed again to re-
move loose powder.
. The liquid blend of methacrylate was again brushed
on to the surface of each nail in the manner of apply-
ing nail polish.
9. After hardening, the surface was filed, sanded, buffed
and/ or smoothed and was ready for the conventional
application of one or more ridge fillers, base coats,
polishes, top coats and/ or dryers. _
The resulting fingemails were thinner and more
graceful than sculptured nails and had the form and
shape of the wearer’s natural nails. Unlike the nail dip
process, this surface was hard and durable and nail
polish applied thereto does not chip off. Moreover, the
surface of_ the polished nail has a high gloss or wet look.
As the natural nail grows, an uncovered portion of the
natural nail becomes increasingly visible. This portion
can easily be filled in using the above process and com-
position.
The same process and compositions above were ap-
plied to fingemails which had been artificially extended
by adhering an artificial to the edge of the nail. The
same beneficial results were observed.
The fingemails produced according to the process
compositions of the present invention present many
benefits and advantages not obtained with the four
types of artificial fingemails described above. In partic-
ular, this process is relatively simple and does not re-
quire the high level of skill necessitated by the glue-on,
nail wrap and sculptured nail processes. Also, if mis-
takes are made in the process of the present invention,
they are easily correctable since the compositions, in-
cluding an applied artificial fingemail can be removed
by an application of the glue and nail solvent used in
step 1 above. In the four cited prior art processes, mis-
takes are usually filed or cut off.
Liquid coatings used in the prior art processes often
spattered onto the skin surrounding the fingemail and
caused a buming sensation. Sometimes the wearer’s
(II
ON
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®
4,669,491
11
fingers became bonded together and there was some
likelihood that the manicurist’s skin could become
bonded to that of the wearer. To avoid these problems,
applicant’s first of all insured that the viscosity of both
the glue and the monomer blend would be high enough
for the composition to remain on the nail and not run
onto the surrounding tissue. Also, solution does get on
the skin, it is easily removed by an application of the
solvent.
While the present invention has been specifically
described with respect to examples, each with varia-
tions employable with the others and modifications, for
the specific features of the present invention, they also
indicate a breadth for the broader aspects of the present
invention, so that the present invention includes both
the specific elements and further embodiments, modifi-
cations and variations not disclosed, all within the spirit
and scope of the following claims.
We claim:
1. A process for applying a protective acrylic coating,
to the human fingernail comprising:
(a) cleaning the nail with an oil-free nail polish re-
mover follower by cleaning with a solvent contain-
ing at least one of the groups consisting of acetoni-
trile, methylene chloride, acetone, ethylacetate,
proprionitrile, 1,1,l-trichloroethane, butane-2-one,
methylacetate and butylacetate;
(b) roughening the surface of the nail;
(c) applying a layer of liquid methacrylic monomer
blend to the surface of the nail;
(d) applying a layer of powder comprising polymeth-
acrylic ester to the surface of the liquid while still
wet;
(e) applying a second layer of a liquid methacryate
monomer blend to the surface produced by step
(d);
(f) curing the coating produced by step (e); and
wherein after the nail cleaned, a water free solution of
biocide is applied, said biocide being at least one
selected from the group consisting of n-alkyldime-
thylbenzylammonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium
bromide, 5-methyl-2-isopropyl-cyclohexanol, 2-
bornanone, cineole, safrole, bomyl chloride, 2-
phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, ethanol, thymol,
chlorothymol, benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoate
alkyl esters, 4-and 6-phenyl-2-chlorophenol, carva-
crol and hexachlorophene.
2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the sol-
vent comprises 96% by volume acetonitrile.
3. A process according to claim 1, wherein a solvent
for the biocide solution is at least one of the group con-
sisting of acetone, methylacetate, ethylacetate, ethanol,
l—propanol, 2-propanol, butan-2-one, pentan-2-one, pen-
tan-3-one, methyl isobutyl ketone, n-propyl acetate,
isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, and
sec-butyl acetate.
4. The process according to claim 3 wherein the
solvent for the biocide solution is at least one of the
group consisting of acetone, methylacetate and ethy-
lacetate.
5. The process according to claim 4, wherein the
solvent for the biocide solution is 80% acetone and 20%
methylacetate by volume.
6. The process according to claim 4, wherein the
roughening step is performed by briskly rubbing with
an abrasive suspension containing at least one of talc,
kaolin, gypsum, calcite, dolomite, magnesite, wollaston-
ite, diatomaceous earth, fumed silica, powdered silica,
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garnet, spinel, pumice, corundum, and zine oxide sus-
pended in at least one of volatile organic solvents and
water.
7. A process according to claim 6 wherein, the abra-
sive suspension comprises 2 g of talc suspended in 20 ml
of isopropyl alcohol.
8. The process according to claim 4, wherein the
powder applied in step (d) comprises at least one of
polyethylmethacrylate, copolymers of ethylmethacry-
late with methylmethacrylate and copolymers of ethyl-
methacrylate with isobutylmethacrylate, having a parti-
cle size smaller than 80 mesh wherein said powder con-
tains no more than 5% by weight of particles larger
than 100 mesh.
9. The process according to claim 8, wherein said
powder also contains 1-8% by weight and preferably
3—6% of benzoyl peroxide, said benzoyl peroxide hav-
ing a particle size of less than 100 mesh.
10. A process according to claim 4, wherein after step
(d) and before step (e), loose powder not adhered to the
surface of the glue is brushed off and the resulting sur-
face is then buffed lightly.
11. A process according to claim 4 wherein after step
(e), the fingemail is at least one of filed, sanded, buffed
and smoothed.
12. A process according to claim 4, wherein before
step (a) is performed, an artificial fingemail tip is ap-
plied to the free edge of the fingernail to artificially
extend said nail.
13. A process for applying a protective acrylic coat-
ing, to the human fingernail comprising:
(a) roughening the surface of the nail;
(b) applying a layer of liquid methacrylic monomer
blend to the surface of the nail;
(c) applying a layer of powder comprising polymeth-
acrylic ester to the surface of the liquid while still
wet;
(d) applying a second layer of a liquid methacryate
monomer blend to the surface produced by step
(0);
(e) curing the coating produced by step (d);
wherein the monomer blend comprises three parts, A,
B and C and further wherein part A comprises:
3014 90 vol % of Ethyl methacrylate,
1-50 vol % of Isobutyl methacrylate,
2-20 vol % of Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate,
1-10 vol % of PEG 200 dimethacrylate,
0.001-1.0 vol % of Hydroxyethylmethacrylate,
0.1-6.0 vol % of N,N-dimethyl-toluidine,
0.000l—0.l g/ml of total A D+C Violet #2,
0.000l—0.1 g/ml of total A cyasorb UV 5411;
part B is one or more non-reactive polymers selected
from the group consisting of cellulose esters, tol-
uene-sulfonamide-forrnaldehyde condensation pol-
ymers, polyesters of the diol terephthalate group,
polyvinyl acetals, nylons, polycarbonates, termi-
nated polymethacrylates and polyurethanes,
wherein part B is provided in the range of 2-40 g
per 100 ml of part A and preferably 5-25 g, and
part C is at least one selected from the group consist-
ing of talc, kaolin, gypsum, Fuller’s earth, dolomite
and wollastonite provided in an amount of 0.5-20 g
of C per 100 ml of part A and preferably 1-l0
grams per milliliter, and
having a particle size smaller than 80 mesh and con-
taining no more than 5% by weight of particles
larger than 100 mesh.
4,669,491
13 14
14. A process according to claim 13, wherein before ' Ethyl methacrylate: 50-75
step (a), the nail is cleaned with an oil-free nail polish Isobutyl methacrylate: 5-15
remover followed by cleaning with a solvent containing Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate: 5-15
at least one of the groups consisting of acetonitrile, PEG (polyethylene glycol) 200 dimethacrylate: 2-7
methylene chloride, acetone, ethylacetate, proprioni- 5 Hydroxyethylmethacrylate; 0.01-0.5
trile, 1,1,1,-trichloroethane, butane-2-one, methy1ace- N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine: 0.5-3.0
tate and butylacetate. D+C Violet No. 2 (g/ml of A): 0.001—0.02
15. The process according to claim 13, wherein part Cyasorb UV 5411 (g/ml of A): 0.01-0.02.
A comprises: * * * * *
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