DELINEATING NAIL FOR NAIL TREATMENT APPLICATIONS AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A delineating nail for creating quick, consistent, and high quality nail treatments is disclosed herein. The delineating nail may have a substrate with a base end and a tip end. A guide of various configurations may extend from the substrate at the base end. The delineating nail may be attached to a natural nail such as with one or more adhesives. One or more decorative coatings may then be applied to the substrate, natural nail, or both. The guide may shape the decorative coatings to produce various designs on the natural nail. In this manner, the delineating nail may be used by nail technicians of virtually any skill level. With the delineating nail, even inexperienced technicians can provide consistent and high quality nail treatments in a rapid manner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to cosmetic nail treatments and in particular to a method and apparatus for rapid application of consistent high quality cosmetic nail treatments.

2. Related Art

Nail salon treatments are extremely popular. Typically however, these treatments are time consuming and involve a great deal of skill on the part of the technician applying the treatment. For example, traditional nail treatments involve the painting of colors and designs onto the nails. The colors, designs, and other aspects of nail treatments must be carefully applied to the nails to provide a treatment that is satisfying to customers. The difficulty in applying a high quality treatment is increased due to the fact that nails provide only a small surface area in which to work. In addition, customers of nail salons are often highly perceptive and even the slightest imperfection in a nail treatment will not go unnoticed.

From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A delineating nail is disclosed herein. The delineating nail is generally configured to provide consistent high quality nail treatments for nails of the fingers, toes, or both. In addition, the delineating nail has the advantage of increasing the speed at which consistent high quality nail treatments may be applied, even for nail technicians having limited experience or skill.

The delineating nail may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment a delineating nail for a nail salon nail treatment may comprise a substrate having a base portion and a tip portion and a top surface and a bottom surface. The substrate may have a curved shape to engage a natural nail, and the base portion may have an indented end. A guide may extend upward from the top surface at the base portion of the substrate. The guide may have a shape configured to conform to the curved shape of the substrate and the indented end of the base portion. It is noted that the indented end may have a curved shape.

The guide itself may have various configurations as the following examples illustrate. The guide may be oriented laterally across the substrate. The guide may extend at an acute angle relative to the substrate, or alternatively the guide may extend at an obtuse angle relative to the substrate. The guide may have one or more decorative shapes formed therein.

In another example, the delineating nail for nail salon nail treatments may comprise a substrate and a guide extending upward from a top surface of the substrate at a proximal end of the substrate. The guide may be configured to form a shape of one or more decorative coatings. In addition, the guide may have a height configured to define the thickness of the decorative coatings. The substrate may have a curved shape to conform to a natural nail, the guide.

As stated, the guide may have various configurations as the following additional examples illustrate. The guide may have a curved shape configured to form a “smile line” in the decorative coatings. The guide may extend upward from the top surface at an acute angle relative to the substrate. The guide may extend upward from the top surface at an obtuse angle relative to the substrate. The guide may have a ribbon-like shape. The guide may comprise one or more decorative shapes configured to form a corresponding design in the decorative coatings. The guide may extend upward 1-3 mm from the top surface of the substrate.

Various methods for applying or using a delineating nail are also provided herein. The methods may also be configured in various ways. In one example, a method for applying one or more nail treatments with a delineating nail is provided. The method may comprise attaching the delineating nail to a natural nail such that a guide of the delineating nail extends upward from the natural nail, and applying a first decorative coating to a tip portion of the delineating nail, forming at least one first shape with the first decorative coating by shaping the first decorative coating with a first side of the guide. It is noted that the delineating nail may be attached to the natural nail such that the guide of the delineating nail is at a distal portion of the natural nail. In addition, applying the first decorative coating may comprise completely covering a substrate of the delineating nail.

A second decorative coating may be applied to the natural nail. At least one second shape may be formed with the second decorative coating by shaping the second decorative coating with a second side of the guide. The second decorative coating may be blended into the first decorative coating at the guide. It is noted that forming the first shape and forming the second shape may comprise forming a curve corresponding to a curved shape of the guide. It is also noted that the guide may be filed to adjust the shape of the guide or the height of the guide.

The method may also include attaching one or more additional delineating nails to one or more additional natural nails, and applying the first coatings to the additional natural nails. With the delineating nail, the first shape may be formed in the first coatings on the additional natural nails with a guide of the additional delineating nails such that at least one first shape of the additional natural nails and the first shape of the natural nail are formed into a substantially identical shape.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 1B is a top view of an exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 1C is a bottom view of an exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 1D is a front view of an exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 1E is a back view of an exemplary delineating nail;

FIGS. 2A-2E are perspective views of exemplary decorative shapes of a delineating nail;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary nail treatment created with a delineating nail;

FIG. 3B is a side view of an exemplary nail treatment created with a delineating nail;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an exemplary nail treatment having decorative shapes created with a delineating nail;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an exemplary delineating nail applied to a natural nail;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a shortened exemplary delineating nail applied to a natural nail;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view illustrating shaping of an exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view illustrating coating an exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 4E is a perspective view illustrating a coated exemplary delineating nail;

FIG. 4F is a perspective view illustrating coating a natural nail; and

FIG. 4G is a perspective view illustrating a nail treatment created with a delineating nail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

Nail treatments such as those provided by nail salons are extremely popular. In general, such treatments improve the appearance of nails and may be highly customized to suit various tastes. Each nail has a relatively small surface area and thus care must be taken in applying nail treatments.

In addition, technicians applying treatments must be highly skilled in order to provide high quality nail treatments, especially for treatments which involve high levels of manual dexterity, multiple steps or stages, or are otherwise complex. It can take a great deal of time and training before a technician is able to apply nail treatments to the satisfaction of a nail salon's customers. This is especially so given that the hands and fingers are often visible to a person. Therefore, any imperfections of a nail treatment is readily noticed either at the time of application or thereafter.

These factors increase the time it takes to apply a treatment, even for highly skilled technicians. This is a drawback for nail salon customers because they may not have the necessary time in order to get their desired nail treatment. This is also a drawback for nail salons in that the salons are limited, by time, to a maximum number of nail treatments per day or other period of time. This is directly tied to a nail salon's revenues.

As will be described further below, the delineating nail herein has a number of advantages. The delineating nail allows technicians of varying skill levels to apply high quality and consistent nail treatments, even for difficult to apply treatments. The delineating nail also allows technicians, especially those having limited experience or those that are less skilled, to apply nail treatments consistently and more quickly than has been traditionally done. The time saved and consistent high quality results yields better customer satisfaction and increased customer volume for a nail salon.

In addition, the delineating nail reduces overhead. As will be detailed further below, the delineating nail generally reduces or eliminates the need for certain tools or implements which would otherwise be needed to apply a nail treatment. These tools become coated with nail polish or the like and, as such, must be disposed of or repeatedly cleaned. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,283,703, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,090, U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,714, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,428 disclose nail masking tools which become coated with nail polish during use. With the delineating nail, not only is the cost of the tool or implement saved, but also the time in using and maintaining/cleaning tools or other implements.

The delineating nail will now be described with respect to FIGS. 1A-1E which show various views of an exemplary delineating nail. Referring to FIG. 1A, it can be seen that the delineating nail 104 may have a proximal or base end 108 and a distal or tip end 112. It is noted that the axis from the base end 108 to the tip end 112 of the delineating nail 104 will be referred to herein as the delineating nail's vertical axis while a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular axis between the sides of the delineating nail will be referred to as its horizontal axis.

In one or more embodiments, the delineating nail 104 may include a substrate 120 which supports various decorative coatings such as finishes, pigments, appliqués, or the like. A decorative coating may be one or more substances used to alter the appearance of a nail. For example, a decorative coating may be nail polish, powder, or the like. The decorative coating may be colored, clear, transparent, translucent or various combinations thereof. Decorative coatings may also have distinct viscosities. For example, one decorative coating may be fluid-like while another is more like a gel. The delineating nail's guide 116, substrate 120, or both may be configured for differing types of decorative coatings as will be described further below.

The delineating nail 104 may be shaped in various ways. In FIG. 1A it can be seen that the delineating nail 104 may be curved along its vertical axis in one or more embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1B-1C, it can be seen that the delineating nail 104 may also or alternatively be curved along its horizontal axis. For example, the substrate 120 may be curved along the vertical axis, horizontal axis, or both. In one or more embodiments, the delineating nail 104, its tip end 112, base end 108, and/or substrate 120 may be configured to emulate the shape of a natural nail. It is contemplated that the delineating nail 104 may have a variety of curves other than those shown. For example, the delineating nail 104 may have a sharper curve or a more gentle curve in various embodiments. This allows the delineating nail to suit a wide variety of customer tastes.

In one or more embodiments, the delineating nail 104 may taper along its vertical axis. For example, the substrate 120 may be tapered as it approaches the tip end 112. This can be seen in the exemplary delineating nails 104 of FIGS. 1B-1C. As can be seen, this tapering may be used to emulate the shape of a natural nail. In embodiments, that are not tapered, it is contemplated that the delineating nail 104 may be filed to create the desired tapering, if such tapering is desired.

In addition, the delineating nail 104 may have various sizes. For example, the delineating nail 104 may be various widths, lengths, or both to be used with customers of various sizes. Though shown as longer along the vertical axis, it will be understood that shortened embodiments may be provided. For example, the length of the vertical axis may be a similar or shorter length than the horizontal axis in some embodiments. This is beneficial in that it eliminates or reduces the need for a technician to shorten the delineating nail 104, eliminating or reducing wasted material, as will be discussed further below.

Referring back to FIG. 1A, the delineating nail 104 includes a highly advantageous feature in the fact that it includes at least one delineating guide 116. In general, the delineating guide 116 provides a structure which delineates, guides, or shapes the application of one or more decorative or other coatings as they may be applied during a nail treatment. In this manner, these coatings may be quickly and consistently applied by technicians of varying skill levels.

Unlike a nail treatment tool, the guide 116 also need not be removed at all, let alone carefully removed such as is the case with treatment tools. For example, careless removal of a tool may cause nail polish or the like to become smudged requiring further work to clean the smudge or other unwanted blemish. Also, the guide 116 need not be cleaned or maintained as it is intended that the guide come into contact with one or more decorative coatings.

The guide 116 may extend upward from the substrate 120 of the delineating nail 104. For example, as can be seen from FIG. 1D-1E, which respectively illustrate a front and back view of the delineating nail 104, the guide 116 may extend upward from the surface of the substrate 120. In this manner, the guide 116 may form a barrier or the like that defines or molds the shape of a decorative coating when applied to the delineating nail 104, as will be described further below.

In one or more embodiments, the guide 116 may extend at an edge of the substrate 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the guide extends from an edge of the substrate 120 at a base end 108 of the substrate. It is noted that the guide 116 may extend upward from other portions of the substrate 120 in some embodiments. For example, the guide 116 may extend from a portion of the substrate 120 adjacent the base end edge or elsewhere. In this manner, the guide 116 may be positioned between the base end 108 and tip end 112 of a delineating nail 104.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1B-1C, the guide 116 may define a curved shape. This permits decorative coatings to be applied incorporating at least one curve. This allows the boundary between decorative coatings to be clearly delineated. For example, the “smile line” of a Pink and White, French Tip, or similar nail treatment may be created with a curved guide 116. Because the curve may be defined by the guide 116, the guide allows a technician to apply a decorative coating with a predefined curve. It is contemplated that delineating nails 104 may be selected for use in a treatment based on the curve of their guides 116. Without the guide 116, this curve would have to be manually created, a task which may be time-consuming, difficult, or even impossible for some technicians. In one or more embodiments, the curve may emulate that of a person's cuticle or natural nail.

It is noted that a guide 116 may define various shapes, including curves. For example, the guide 116 may be straight, have concave or convex curves, or a combination thereof. In addition, a guide 116 may comprise a variety of one or more decorative shapes. Because the guide 116 may be used to shape a decorative coating, the various shapes of the guide allow a decorative coating to have design including the one or more decorative shapes. This is beneficial in that even designs having complex shapes may be easily applied to a nail through use of the guide 116.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate exemplary decorative shapes 204 which may be used. As can be seen, a variety of decorative shapes 204 are possible and one or more decorative shapes may be used to decorate a nail. In addition, it is contemplated that a variety of combinations of shapes may be used. FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary guide 116 having a curved shape and an angled decorative shape 204 (like that of a triangular or other point). FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary guide 116 having three triangular decorative shapes 204, while FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary guide having three decorative shapes 204 that are rounded. FIG. 2D illustrates that the decorative shapes 204 may have elongated or other sizes.

FIG. 2E illustrates an exemplary guide 116 having an “edge-to-edge” decorative shape 204. As can be seen, in the embodiment shown, the guide 116 may extend from a portion of the substrate 120 between the base end 108 and tip end 112 of the delineating nail 104. In this manner, a portion of the substrate 120A may be behind the guide 116. This is beneficial in that the portion of the substrate 120A behind the guide 116 provides surface area for attaching the delineating nail 104 to a natural nail. Without the portion of the substrate 120A behind the guide, there may not be sufficient surface area to secure the delineating nail 104 in some embodiments.

It is noted that one or more decorative shapes 204 may extend forward or backward from the guide 116. For instance, an exemplary guide 116 may have a decorative shape 204 extending away from the tip 112 of the delineating nail 104. Again, this is beneficial in that it allows the guide 116 to shape a decorative coating in different ways as desired.

The decorative shapes 204 are advantageous in that they allow decorative coatings to be applied in those shapes. As can be seen from FIGS. 2A-2E, these shapes would typically be very difficult, if not impossible, to create by hand. This is especially so given the small size of a nail. Moreover, the decorative shapes 204 may be configured to produce a variety of intricate and aesthetically pleasing designs as part of a nail treatment.

It is contemplated that a guide 116 may have a closed shape in one or more embodiments. For example, a guide 116 may have a circular, rectangular, polygonal, or other geometric shape where the ends of the guide meet one another (i.e., form a closed shape). Guides 116 have a closed shape may also include one or more decorative shapes 204. This provides for a wide variation in nail treatment designs that may be created through use of a delineating nail 104.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary nail treatments that have been applied using the delineating nail 104. As shown, the delineating nail 104 has been applied to a user's finger 312 such as by attaching at least a portion of the delineating nail to the user's natural nail 316. It is noted that in this embodiment, the tip end 112 of the delineating nail 104 has a shortened length. As can be seen, the nail treatments may comprise one or more decorative coatings, which may be applied to the delineating nail 104, the natural nail 316, or both. For example, the treatments shown illustrate that one decorative coating 308 may be applied to the delineating nail 104 and another decorative coating 304 may be applied to the natural nail 316.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, it can be seen that the substrate 120 of the delineating nail 104 provides a surface that supports the decorative coating 308. It can also be seen that the delineating guide 116 of the delineating nail 104 defines the shape of at least a portion of the decorative coating 308. As shown for example, the guide 116 of the delineating nail 104 defines a curved or crescent shape for the decorative coating at the base end 108 of the delineating nail.

As stated, the guide 116 may extend from the substrate 120 of the delineating nail 104 in one or more embodiments. This allows the guide 116 to form a barrier for the decorative coating 308 that may be used to define the shape of the decorative coating. For example, as can be seen, the decorative coating 308 of the delineating nail 104 extends to the guide 116. Likewise, the decorative coating 304 of the natural nail 316 extends to the guide 116 as well. In this manner, one or more decorative coatings may be shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, this allows the nail treatments decorative coatings 304,308 to have a decorative curve.

The height or extension length of a guide 116 may be used to define the thickness of a decorative coating in one or more embodiments. For example, as can be seen from FIG. 3B, a decorative coating 304,308 may have the same or substantially the same thickness as the height of the guide 116. It is contemplated that a decorative coating 304,308 may extend above the guide 116 in some situations, such as to hide the guide from view. Alternatively, or in addition, the guide 116 may have a color which blends in with a decorative coating 304,308 so that the guide cannot be seen. For example, the guide 116 may be the same color as one of the decorative coatings 304,308. The guide 116 may also be translucent or transparent to be hidden or blend in.

The one or more embodiments, the height or extension length of the guide 116 may be set according to the type of decorative coating 304,308 to be used with the delineating nail 104. For example, the guide 116 may be higher for a gel-like decorative coating, while the guide 116 may be shorter for more fluid-like decorative coatings. Alternatively or in addition, the height may be set according to the type of nail treatment to be applied. For example, for sculpted treatments, the height of the guide 116 may be higher than for non-sculpted treatments. In one embodiment, the guide 116 may be between 1-3 mm for example to produce a sculpted look having a corresponding thickness. For non-sculpted treatments or flatter treatments, the guide 116 may extend a smaller amount above the substrate 120. For example, the guide 116 may have a height similar to that of one, a few, or more layers of nail polish.

As can be seen from FIG. 3B, the decorative coatings 304,308 may have a relatively substantial thickness. This allows a highly desirable three-dimensional sculpted appearance to be created by the nail treatment. This type of nail treatment traditionally requires a great deal of skill to properly apply. Use of the delineating nail 104 allows the sculpted appearance to be easily and consistently created even by technicians having lower skill levels. This is because the guide 116 assists with shaping decorative coatings 304,308 as well as with ensuring the decorative coatings are the proper height or thickness.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3A and 3C for example, the guide 116 shapes a portion of the first decorative coating 308. In FIG. 3A, the guide 116 has been crescent shaped and thus gives the decorative coating 308 a crescent shape where it meets the guide. In FIG. 3C, the guide 116 includes a plurality of decorative shapes 204 which give the decorative coating 308 a curved shape having the decorative shapes incorporated therein. As can be seen from FIG. 3B, the guide 116 may also calibrate the thickness of the decorative coating 308 such that the thickness is near or the same as the height of the guide.

The guide 116 also shapes one or more additional decorative coatings which may be applied to as part of a nail treatment. For example, in FIGS. 3A-3C, a second decorative coating 304 has been applied behind the base 108 of the delineating nail 104, namely behind the guide 116 of the delineating nail. The guide 116 also defines a shape for the second decorative coating 304 while keeping the decorative coatings substantially separated. This is highly beneficial in that any differentiation between characteristics of the decorative coatings (e.g., color, texture, sheen, translucency, transparency, luminosity, glossiness, the like, or a combination thereof) can be maintained. In addition, as stated, the height of the guide 116 may calibrate the thickness of the second decorative coating 304 or other decorative coating. For example, in FIGS. 3A-3C it can be seen that the decorative coatings 304,308 form a smooth nail treatment having a sculpted look. This is the case even where a more complex design is desired, such as the design having decorative shapes shown in FIG. 3C.

Application of the delineating nail will now be described with regard to FIGS. 4A-4G. Though described in the following in an exemplary sequence, it will be understood that the steps herein may be performed in various orders. Referring to FIG. 4A, it can be seen that the delineating nail 104 may be attached to a natural nail 316. Typically, the delineating nail 104 will be attached at the tip or distal portion of a natural nail 316, however, it is noted that the delineating nail 104 may be attached to various portions of a natural nail 316. In one or more embodiments, the delineating nail 104 may be positioned such that its guide 116 may shape a decorative coating at a desired location on the natural nail 316. For instance, in FIG. 4A, the delineating nail 104 has been attached such that the guide 116 extends upward near the distal end of the natural nail 316. One or more adhesives or the like may be used to attach the delineating nail 104 to the natural nail 316.

The delineating nail 104 may be attached such that the tip 108 of the delineating nail extends from the natural nail 316, such as shown. Once attached, the delineating nail 104 may be trimmed to a desired length. It is noted that the delineating nail 104 may be provided at the desired length. In these embodiments, trimming need not be performed. As shown in FIG. 4B, a portion of the tip 112 may be trimmed, shortening the substrate 120 of the delineating nail 104.

If necessary, the shape of the delineating nail 104 may be adjusted or fine-tuned. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the delineating nail 104 may be filed with a file 404. To illustrate, the substrate 120 may be filed to generate a desired taper. The guide 116 may also be filed to round any edges or to adjust the height of the guide. In addition, the guide 116 may be rounded, or further rounded if not already by filing.

Once the delineating nail 104 is shaped as desired, one or more decorative coatings may be applied. For example, as shown, a first decorative coating 308 may be applied at the tip 112 of the delineating nail 104. An applicator 408 may be used to apply the decorative coating 308 in one or more embodiments. To illustrate, as shown, an applicator 408 such as in the form of a brush may be used to apply the decorative coating. Typically, the decorative coating 308 will be applied to the substrate 120.

As the decorative coating 308 is applied and contacts the guide 116, at least a portion of the decorative coating may take the shape of the guide. This has been illustrated in FIGS. 4D-4E. As can be seen, the decorative coating 308 has taken the curved shape corresponding to that of the guide 116. In addition, the decorative coating 308 has a thickness corresponding to the height of the guide 116. It is noted that excess amounts of decorative coating 308 (such as shown in FIG. 4D), if any, may be cleaned off the delineating nail 104. Removing the excess causes the decorative coating 308 to take the shape of the tip 112, such as shown in FIG. 4E.

It can be seen that the guide 116 allows the curved (or other shape) to be easily formed. For instance, a technician may place the decorative coating 308 on the substrate 120 and simply spread or move the decorative coating to cover the substrate 120 as desired. In the embodiment shown for example, the technician brushes the decorative coating 308 onto the substrate 120. As the decorative coating 308 comes into contact with the guide 116, it is shaped according to the guide.

In contrast to traditional nail treatments, the technician need not manually shape the decorative coating 308 to form the desired curve (or other shape). This is highly advantageous in that it allows the desired shape to be quickly and easily created. In addition, the shape may be created in a consistent manner even by less skilled or experienced technicians. In fact, the delineating nail allows treatments having identical or nearly identical curves, decorative shapes, or other configurations to be applied to multiple or all of a customer's natural nails. Consistency is extremely advantageous in nail treatments due to the fact that individual nails are close in proximity making inconsistencies or mistakes readily visible. In fact, even difficult to apply nail treatments may be quickly and easily applied with consistency by utilizing the delineating nail 104. For example, a sculpted nail treatment having a three-dimensional look may be created quickly, easily, and consistently. This is because the shape of the guide 116 may be used to shape the decorative coating while the height of the guide calibrates the thickness of the nail treatment.

Moreover, the guide 116 allows decorative shapes to be easily formed by a decorative coating, such as those described above with regard to FIGS. 2A-2E. These shapes may be highly intricate and/or small. A guide having one or more decorative shapes 204 allows these designs to be easily, quickly, and consistently created in the same manner described above. For example, a technician may spread a decorative coating such that it molds to the guide 116 and any of the guide's decorative shapes 204.

The applicator 408 may be used to apply one or more additional decorative coatings of the nail treatment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4F, an applicator 408 in the form of a brush is being used to apply a second decorative coating 304 behind the guide 116. The second decorative coating 304 will typically have one or more different characteristics (e.g., color, texture, sheen, translucency, transparency, luminosity, glossiness, the like, or a combination thereof) as compared to the first decorative coating. To illustrate with one non-limiting example, in a pink and white application the first decorative coating 308 may be white while the second decorative 304 coating may be pink, or vice versa.

In general, the second decorative coating 304 will be applied to the natural nail 316 with at least a portion of the second decorative coating being shaped by the guide 116. This can be seen by FIG. 4G where the first decorative coating 308 and the second decorative coating 304 are shaped by the guide 116. As can be seen, the decorative coatings 304,308 share the curved shape defined by the guide 116.

The one or more additional decorative coatings, such as the second decorative coating 304, may be applied just as easily, quickly, and consistently as the first decorative coating 308. For example, the second decorative coating 304 may be applied to the natural nail 316 and spread or moved to cover the natural nail. As the second decorative coating 304 comes into contact with the guide 116, the second decorative coating takes the shape of or molds to the guide. In addition, the thickness of the second decorative coating 304 may be calibrated by the height of the guide 116. In this manner, a smooth nail treatment may be created, such as shown in FIG. 4G.

If desired, decorative coatings may be blended at the guide 116 of a delineating nail 104. This may be done to create an aesthetically pleasing transition between decorative coatings. For example, a gradient may be created between decorative coatings of different colors. Of course, blending is not required if not desired, such as in the case where a “hard” transition between decorative coatings is desired. As stated above, in one or more embodiments, a decorative coating may be used to conceal the top of the guide 116 from view. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the top of the guide 116 may be visible. This creates a unique design that may include one or more decorative shapes. For example, the top of the guide 116 may be used as a decorative feature of a nail treatment. To illustrate, the guide 116 may have a first color (or other characteristic) that sets it off from one or more decorative coatings having different colors (or characteristics). In one exemplary embodiment, the guide 116 may form a line between decorative coatings. The guide 116 may have a variety of widths in these (and other) embodiments. This allows the line or border between decorative coatings to be wider or narrower as desired.

It is contemplated that a delineating nail may comprise a plurality of guides in one or more embodiments. For example, a delineating nail may have two or more guides extending from its substrate along its horizontal axis. Each of the guides may have its own shape or a similar shape. In addition the guides may be angled relative to one another. Application of one or more decorative coatings may occur in the manner already described. Namely, a decorative coating may be applied such that it molds to or takes the shape of at least one of the guides.

The delineating nail may be formed from various materials, such as natural and synthetic materials. In one or more embodiments, a rigid or semi-rigid material may be used. For example, one or more plastics, such as nylons, acrylics, or the like may be used. In one or more embodiments, the one or more materials may share characteristics with natural nails such as to emulate the rigidity and “feel” of natural nails. The one or more materials used may be opaque, translucent, and/or transparent.

It is noted that the delineating nail, or portions thereof, may be formed from different materials. For example, the guide may be a different material than the substrate in some embodiments. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, at least the guide may be formed from one or more materials chosen for their appearance. For example, the guide may be formed from materials of various colors. In embodiments, where the guide is to be a visible part of a nail treatment it is contemplated that a variety of aesthetically pleasing and/or attention getting materials may be used. For example, in addition to various colors, the guide may be formed of a material that glows (such as glow in the dark material), shines, sparkles, or the like.

The delineating nail may be formed in various ways. For example various manufacturing processes, such as injection molding, stamping, extruding, or the like, may be used to form a delineating nail or portions thereof. It is contemplated that the delineating nail may be formed in one or more sections which are attached together. For example, in one embodiment, the substrate and guide may be separately formed and adhered or otherwise attached together to form the delineating nail.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.

Claims

1. A delineating nail for a nail salon nail treatment comprising:

a substrate having a base portion and a tip portion and a top surface and a bottom surface, the substrate having a curved shape to engage a natural nail, the base portion having an indented end; and

a guide extending upward from the top surface at the base portion of the substrate, the guide having a shape configured to conform to the curved shape of the substrate and the indented end of the base portion.

2. The delineating nail of claim 1, wherein the guide is oriented laterally across the substrate.

3. The delineating nail of claim 1, wherein the guide extends at an acute angle relative to the base portion of the substrate.

4. The delineating nail of claim 1, wherein the guide extends at an obtuse angle relative to the base portion of the substrate.

5. The delineating nail of claim 1, wherein the guide has one or more decorative shapes formed therein.

6. The delineating nail of claim 1, wherein the indented end has a curved shape.

7. A delineating nail for nail salon nail treatments comprising:

a guide configured to define a shape of one or more decorative coatings as the one or more decorative coatings are applied, the guide having a height configured to define a thickness of the one or more decorative coatings; and

a substrate comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the substrate having a curved shape to conform to a natural nail, the guide extending upward from a top surface of the substrate at the proximal end.

8. The delineating nail of claim 7, wherein the guide has a curved shape configured to form a “smile line” in the one or more decorative coatings.

9. The delineating nail of claim 7, wherein the guide extends upward from the top surface at an acute angle relative to the substrate.

10. The delineating nail of claim 7, wherein the guide extends upward from the top surface at an obtuse angle relative to the substrate.

11. The delineating nail of claim 7, wherein the guide has a ribbon-like shape.

12. The delineating nail of claim 7, wherein the guide comprises one or more decorative shapes configured to form a corresponding design in the one or more decorative coatings.

13. The delineating nail of claim 7, wherein the guide extends upward 1-3 mm from the top surface of the substrate.

14. A method for applying one or more nail treatments with a delineating nail comprising:

attaching the delineating nail to a natural nail such that a guide of the delineating nail extends upward from the natural nail.

applying a first decorative coating to a tip portion of the delineating nail;

forming at least one first shape with the first decorative coating by shaping the first decorative coating with a first side of the guide;

applying a second decorative coating to the natural nail; and

forming at least one second shape with the second decorative coating by shaping the second decorative coating with a second side of the guide.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising blending the second decorative coating into the first decorative coating at the guide.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising filing the guide to adjust the shape of the guide.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the delineating nail is attached to the natural nail such that the guide of the delineating nail extends upward at a distal portion of the natural nail.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein applying the first decorative coating comprises completely covering a substrate of the delineating nail.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the at least one first shape and forming the at least one second shape comprises forming a curve corresponding to a curved shape of the guide.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

attaching one or more additional delineating nails to one or more additional natural nails;

applying the one or more first coatings to the one or more additional natural nails; and

forming the at least one first shape in the one or more first coatings on the one or more additional natural nails with a guide of the one or more additional delineating nails, wherein the at least one first shape of the one or more additional natural nails and the at least one first shape of the natural nail are formed into a substantially identical shape.