Nailz Off Pro

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a system of delivering a solvent to the nail for the removal of polish, gel nails, gel polish, soak-off gel nails, soak-off gel polish or acrylic nails existing on the nail. The system may also be used for the delivery a multitude of substances such as oils, moisturizers, or medicines to the nail or fingertip of a user. The present invention employs the use of a synthetic cap to cover the fingertip to the middle phalanx, or the toe to ensure a substantially air-tight environment for effective delivery of solvents, oils, moisturizers, or medicines. The cap is hypoallergenic, multi-use and can be easily used by a single user (i.e., placing the caps on one hand and also the other).

Description

This nonprovisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/667,805 filed Jul. 3, 2012.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system of delivering a solvent to the nail for the removal of polish, gel nails, gel polish, soak-off gel nails, soak-off gel polish or acrylic nails. The system may also be used for the delivery a multitude of substances such as oils, moisturizers, or medicines to the nail or fingertip of a user. The present invention employs the use of a synthetic or natural cap to cover the fingertip to the middle phalanx, or the toe to ensure a substantially air-tight environment around the nail for effective delivery of solvents, oils, moisturizers, or medicines. The cap is hypoallergenic, multi-use and can be easily used by a single user (i.e., placing the caps on one hand and also the other).

BACKGROUND

Artificial nails and the use of gel nails and polish have boomed in popularity in recent years. Nail salons can be found in virtually every shopping center, offering manicures and pedicures, at a price. It used to be that you could only get gel polish, gel or acrylic nails if you went to a salon. Now, you can buy do-it-yourself artificial nail, and gel polish kits at almost any drugstore. The problem is that the options for the removal of those artificial nails and polishes are limited. The products currently available are either extremely difficult to do by yourself or they are very messy, time-consuming, and expensive.

Currently, the predominant way to remove gel polish, gel nails, acrylic, and polished nails is to soak your fingers in messy, smelly acetone, and use a nail file to grind down the substance which can be harmful to natural nail. Otherwise, one can use a difficult wrap system, which is very hard to use by yourself and expensive since they are disposable after one use. These wrap systems consist of a cotton or non woven pad that must be soaked in an appropriate amount of acetone and an aluminum foil that must be tightly wrapped around each finger. While a user can easily manipulate and accomplish this on the first hand, it is then very difficult to sufficiently wrap the second without assistance. If the foils are not sufficiently wrapped, air can leak into the foils, evaporating the acetone and the polish will not degrade. This leaves the user with a very unsatisfactory result and may lead to increased exposure to the acetone to remove all of the polish.

Removing acrylic nails, gel nails, gel polish, soak-off gel nails, or soak-off gel polish requires a seal around the nail to prevent the acetone from evaporating before it dissolves the product. Additionally, the heat provided naturally by the digit promotes dissolution of the product. As is well known, acetone evaporates rapidly when exposed to air. Thus, if the foils of current systems are not tight, effective removal cannot be accomplished. Moreover, while acetone is only regarded as slightly toxic, prolonged exposure and inhalation of fumes can cause irritation. Some methods using the solvent require the user to soak the fingertips in bowls of acetone for prolonged periods of time, up to 30 minutes. There exists a current need for an economical, and user-friendly way to accomplish acetone removal of nail product in an efficient and swift manner.

Additionally, treatments to the cuticle, general moisturizing, and even medicinal products can be more effective and used more frequently with a system capable of delivering the product directly to the nail. For example, it is common for the nails of the hand or foot to become infected with fungus. Treatment to remove the fungus can be painful and very long in duration. Providing an easy to use system to seal in the antifungal treatment directly to the nail could assist in more efficient termination of the infection. Likewise, it is known that heat can promote the transmission of oils and moisturizers to treat the nail area. An easy-to-use system that traps the natural heat of the digit that a user can employ themselves or by another person, can increase the effectiveness of treatment, and minimize treatment time, and save cost.

While, previous patents describe the use of a cap to prevent ultraviolet light from penetrating the nail (U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,985), and allow for a compressible opening (U.S. Pat. No. 496,610), no method currently exists to provide a clean, simple, and cost-effective solution to the delivery of a multitude of substances (solvents, oils, moisturizers, medicines) to the nail, fingertip or toe in a substantially air-tight environment around the nail.

Other patents provide complex apparatus to enclose parts of the finger and tip to apply solvent (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,998,502), but their structure does not provide a secure air-tight environment between the substance and the nail, and would be cumbersome, if not impossible for a single user to employ. Moreover, the prior art do not allow for the treatment of the cuticle, nail bed, or tip of the finger or toe.

The present invention provides a vast improvement on prior acetone removal systems by providing a very simple process which gives the user a reliable, quick and inexpensive way to remove soak-off gel nails, soak-off gel polish, gel nails, gel polish, acrylic nails and traditional nail polish. Another exceptional advantage of the present system is that the user can continue with other tasks requiring their hands while the removal or treatment process is going on. The caps described in the present system are non-toxic, provide a tight seal between the nail and substance, and are reusable. These attributes allow the user for a safe, cost-effective, and simple system to effectively remove acrylic nails, gel nails, gel polish, soak-off gel nails, soak-off gel polish, or traditional nail polish from the nail and deliver enhanced treatment with oils, moisturizers and medicines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, the Nailz Off Pro system is a simple, user-friendly system that can be employed by a single user or by another to effectively deliver a solvent to the nail.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the Nailz Off Pro system is an effective system for the delivery of oils, moisturizers, and medicines to the nail or cuticle.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the Nailz Off Pro system utilizes a synthetic, hypoallergenic cap to deliver acetone to the nail to effectively remove polish, gel nails, gel polish, soak-off gel nails, soak-of gel polish, or acrylic nails by creating a substantially air-tight environment between the nail, acetone, and cap, while also trapping the natural heat from the digit enclosed within the cap.

Additionally, in one aspect of the invention, the Nailz Off Pro system uses a cap that extends from the fingertip to the middle phalanx to provide a substantially air-tight seal between the nail and the cap or any absorbent surface between the nail and cap.

Moreover, in another aspect of the invention, the Nailz Off Pro system provides a system for the delivery for a variety of substances such as solvent, oils, moisturizers or medicines to the nail where a single user can put the caps on both hands, and use the hands while the caps are present.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an absorbent surface such as cotton ball, cotton pad, or non woven pad is soaked with acetone, placed on the nail, the Nailz Off Pro cap is put on the finger to enclose the fingertip to middle phalanx for 5-10 minutes, the cap is removed with a twisting motion, and the soak-off gel polish or soak-off gel polish is removed with a tool.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, the caps used in the system can be cleaned, disinfected, dried and reused up to 60 times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the accompanying advantages of this invention will be come readily appreciated and understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the Nailz Off Pro system showing the cap and optional absorbent surface, as in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front and side view of the cap of the Nailz Off Pro system showing the optional internal ridges, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the cap of the Nailz Off Pro system, according to ne embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention described in detail herein generally relates to a system for the delivery of a multitude of substances such as solvents, oils, moisturizers and medicines to the nail or nail -bed of a user through the use of a synthetic or natural, hypoallergenic cap extending from the fingertip to the middle phalanx and providing a substantially air-tight seal on the nail surface.

For the purposes of the present invention the term “substance” means any solvent, oil, moisturizer, or medicine used to treat the nail, nail bed, fingertip or toe. This includes, not exclusively: acetone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, alcohol, essential oils, tea tree oil, antifungals, antibacterials, antiseptics, nail strengtheners, cuticle treatments, emollients, salves, vitamins, minerals, and the like.

Additionally, for the purposes of this description of the present invention, the term “digit” refers to any finger or toe. The term “nail” refers to either a fingernail or toenail.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the Nailz Off Pro system being utilized. In one embodiment, an absorbent surface, such as a cotton pad, 110 is soaked with acetone. The absorbent surface 110 is placed on the nail 103, and the cap 104 on the digit, where the cap extends from the finger tip 100, over the first joint (the distal interphalangeal) 101, and to the middle phalanx 102. The second joint 113 (the proximal interphalangeal) may be covered on the smaller digits (such as the small finger or a toe), and may not be covered by the cap on the larger digits (such as the index). In one embodiment, the nail is covered with soak-off gel nail or soak-off gel nail polish. In another embodiments, the user may use a nail file to abrade the surface of a nail with gel polish or acrylics before applying the cotton pad 110 with acetone.

The distal end of the cap 108 is placed as close to the distal end of the nail, and the proximal end of the cap 109 extends at least past the first joint 101 and can extend beyond the second joint 113. Where the cap and system are used on the toes, the cap 104 may cover the entire digit. As shown in all Figures, no slit is provided on the horizontal side 105 of the cap. Such a slit can compromise the air-tight environment between the nail and cap as sought by the present invention (in contrast to prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,502).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 the interior of the cap may contain a plurality of ridges on the upper 106 and lower 107 portions of the cap. The ridges 106, 107 can assist in providing a substantially air-tight seal between the cap 104 and the cotton pad 106 or oils or moisturizers and the nail 103 or fingertip 107. In one embodiment at least one ridge 106, 107 is present on the upper and lower portions of the cap. It is contemplated that the cap in the present invention may contain no ridges 106, 107.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show that in one embodiment the cap comprises a semi-oval shape that at its cross-section is substantially rectangular in nature and having a side-wall 105 extending around the entirety of the cap between an upper and lower portion. FIG. 3 also depicts the ridges 106, 107 that may be present on the interior of the cap of the present invention. The cap in FIGS. 1-3 is compressible such that the side-walls 105 can be pressed together to form a somewhat circular opening sufficient to place a digit within. In the preferred embodiment the side-walls are approximately 1 centimeter in height, but can vary from 6 to 12 millimeters in another embodiment. The substantially flat upper and lower portions are approximately 2.5 centimeters in width in one embodiment, but may vary from 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters in another embodiment.

As in one embodiment, the cap is made of hypoallergenic synthetics including rubberized plastics, polyvinyls (polyvinyl chloride, etc.), polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, nylons, and plastics that are not substantially degraded through the exposure to solvents (such as acetone), oils, moisturizers or medicines used on the nail or fingertip. Moreover, the cap can be made of hypoallergenic rubbers, which are naturally occurring, so long as the solvents, oils, moisturizers, or medicines do not degrade the cap.

In the preferred environment, polyvinyl chloride is used to make a bendable cap that can shape to the digit where it is applied. The thickness of the synthetic or rubber material used can be approximately 1 millimeter as in the preferred embodiment, but may vary from 0.5 millimeters to 2 millimeters in another embodiment. The cap can be sold in a set of 10 (one for each digit), where each cap is substantially the same size. This embodiment allows for cost efficient production, with no negative effect on the product's efficacy.

It is noted, that while the application of solvents will necessitate delivery to the nail 103, the use of oils, moisturizers and other medicines may be more appropriately delivered to the nail bed, fingertip 107, or toe. Thus, the length of the present invention (i.e., the cap 104 extends beyond the nail and to the middle phalanx of a finger digit, and farther for a toe digit) enables delivery to these areas. In the preferred embodiment the length of the cap is approximately 4.5 centimeters, but can be approximately 3 to 6 centimeters in another embodiment.

In one embodiment of the invention, a user wishes to remove soak-off gel nails, or soak-off gel polish from a digit (either finger or toe). First, the cotton pad 110 is soaked with acetone and placed on the nail 103. The cap 104 is placed on the digit so that the distal end 108 of the cap is in proximity to the distal end of the nail 103 and ensuring a substantially air-tight seal between the nail and cotton pad and the cap, for approximately five to ten minutes. The cap 104 is then removed in a twisting motion. The dissolved soak-off gel nail or soak-off gel polish is then removed with a stick tool by scraping of any remnants of the polish from the nail. The cotton pad is discarded. The cap 104 is then rinsed, disinfected, and dried before subsequent use. It is contemplated that the cap 104 of the present system may be re-used between 8 and 60 times.

Similar methodology is employed for the use of solvents to remove acrylic nails gel nails, gel polish, and traditional nail polish. Additionally, for example, tea tree oil (well known for its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties), could be put either on the nail 103 or a cotton pad 110 that is applied to the nail 103. The cap 104 may then be placed on the affected digit so that the distal end 108 of the cap is in proximity to the distal end of the nail 103 for an appropriate treatment time (i.e., 10-30 minutes). After treatment, the cap 104 can be removed, washed, disinfected, and dried for subsequent use. Moisturizers may be similarly employed to accomplish direct delivery of a product to enhance cuticles, nail strength, and the like.

The description contained herein is for purposes of illustration and not for purposes of limitation. Changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments of the description and still be within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, obvious changes, modifications or variations will occur to those skilled in the art. Also, all references cited above are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety, for background and to assist the reader of this disclosure.

While the invention has been shown and described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the various additions, substitutions, or modifications of form, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice and which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements, may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various other modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A method for the delivery of a substance to a nail or a digit comprising:

placing the substance on the nail or distal end of the digit;

placing the digit within a cap by compressing the side walls of the cap, said cap comprised of a hypoallergenic synthetic, such that the distal end of the cap is in proximity to the distal end of the digit, and the fingertip to the middle phalanx or a toe are encased within the cap creating a substantially air-tight environment between the nail, the substance, and the cap for an appropriate treatment time; and

removing the cap.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the substance is a solvent capable of dissolving soak-off gel nails, or soak-off gel polish, the solvent being placed on an absorbent pad, said absorbent pad being placed on top of the nail before the digit is placed within said cap, and the appropriate treatment time is approximately 5 to 10 minutes, wherein after the appropriate treatment time, the cap is then removed by twisting the cap off of the digit, the dissolved material from the soak-off gel nail, or soak-off gel polish present on the nail is removed, and the cap is cleaned, disinfected, and dried for subsequent use.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the substance is an oil, moisturizer, or medicine and the appropriate treatment time is approximately 10 to 20 minutes, after the appropriate treatment time, the cap is removed and cleaned, disinfected, and dried for subsequent use.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the substance is a solvent capable of dissolving gel polish, gel nails, or acrylic nails, said the solvent being placed on an absorbent pad, said absorbent pad being placed on top of the nail before the digit is placed within said cap, and the appropriate treatment time is approximately 10 to 30 minutes, wherein after the appropriate treatment time, the cap is then removed by twisting the cap off of the digit, the dissolved material from the gel polish, gel nail, or acrylic nail present on the nail is removed, and the cap is cleaned, disinfected, and dried for subsequent use.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interior of the cap comprises a plurality of ridges that assist in creating an air-tight environment around the nail and the cap.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cap has a length of approximately 4 centimeters and the width of an upper and of a lower surface of the cap is approximately 2 centimeters, and a sidewall of said cap is approximately 8 millimeters.

7. A method for the delivery of a substance to a nail on a digit comprising:

placing the substance onto an absorbent surface;

placing the absorbent surface onto the nail;

placing the digit within a cap by compressing the side walls and inserting the digit such that the distal end is in proximity with the end of the cap, the cap being comprised of a hypoallergenic synthetic or natural material and said cap capable of encasing the fingertip to the middle phalanx where the digit is a finger, or the toe where the digit is a toe, within the cap and creating a substantially air-tight seal between the nail, absorbent surface, and cap for approximately 5 to 20 minutes;

removing the cap; and

cleaning, disinfecting, and drying the cap for subsequent use.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the substance is acetone and the nail is has soak-off gel nail, or soak-off gel polish on the surface, wherein the appropriate treatment time for the acetone is approximately 5 to 10 minutes, and after the appropriate treatment time, the cap is then removed by twisting the cap off of the digit, then the dissolved material from the soak-off gel nail or soak-off gel polish present on the nail is removed with a tool, and the cap is cleaned, disinfected, and dried for subsequent use.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the interior of the cap comprises a plurality of ridges that assist in creating an air-tight environment around the nail.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the length of the cap is approximately 4.5 centimeters and the width of an upper and of a lower surface of the cap is approximately 2.5 centimeters and a sidewall of said cap is approximately 1 centimeter.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the substance is an oil, moisturizer or medicine.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the cap may be reused up to 60 times.

13. A method for the delivering of a solvent to a nail having soak-off gel nail, soak-off gel polish, gel polish, gel nail, acrylic nail, or traditional nail polish thereon comprising:

placing the solvent onto an absorbent surface;

placing the absorbent surface onto the nail;

placing the digit with the nail within a cap by compressing at least one side wall of the cap, said side walls being approximately 1 centimeter in height, wherein said cap is comprised of a hypoallergenic synthetic or natural material and said cap capable of encasing the fingertip to the middle phalanx, where the digit is a finger, or the toe, where the digit is a toe, said cap creating a substantially air-tight environment between the nail, absorbent surface, and cap, and keeping the cap in place for approximately 5 to 20 minutes;

removing the cap with a twisting motion; and

cleaning, disinfecting, and drying the cap for subsequent use.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the solvent is acetone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, or alcohol.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the interior of the cap comprises a plurality of ridges that assist in creating an air-tight environment around the nail.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the length of the cap is approximately 4 centimeters and the width of an upper and of a lower surface of the cap is approximately 2.5 centimeters.