Devices And Methods For Contacting Keratinaceous Nails With Solutions

Abstract

Methods and devices for contacting a keratinaceous-based nail and/or a coating on such a nail comprise placement over the nail and/or coating a cover that is sized to cover all or at least a portion of a keratinaceous-based nail, from the nail bed to the tip of the nail, the cover being structured to apply an elastically-deflected downward force on the nail to provide the nail with a complete and comprehensive contact with an absorbent member positioned against an inside surface of the cover and carrying a quantum of fluid material for contacting with the nail or a coating on the mail, maintaining contact of the fluid material to the keratinaceous-based nail or coating by operation of the elastically-deflected downward force of the cover applied to the nail or nail coating.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application that claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/845,889, filed Jul. 12, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to methods of contacting keratinaceous-based nails with solutions for treating the nail, including applying solutions to remove coatings from the nail. This disclosure particularly relates to devices for covering the nail and methods for assuring comprehensive contact between the solution and the nail to improve the efficacy of the treatment.

The placement of coatings on keratinaceous-based nails, i.e., fingernail and toenails, has been known and practiced for centuries. Such coatings typically include nail polish or lacquers that apply a color or even a decoration to a nail. In more recent time, the practice of applying coatings in the nature of acrylic-based materials to keratinaceous-based nails has been practiced to enhance the attractiveness and esthetic look of natural nails.

Once such a coating, or several layers of coatings, has been applied to a nail, the coating may last for several days or weeks. Eventually, however, it becomes necessary or desirable to remove all of the coatings from the keratinaceous-based nail, either to re-apply a coating or coatings or to allow the natural nail to remain exposed to natural conditions.

There are many known methods for removing coatings from keratinaceous-based nails, the most common being the application of acetone or similar solutions that are specifically formulated to remove nail polish, lacquers or other coatings. Acetone and similar solutions are used to remove acrylic nail coverings as well. Some coating applications are relatively simple to remove by wiping the nail area with a pad saturated with the solution. Other coatings, and particularly acrylic nails that comprise one thick layer or several layers of acrylic material, are more difficult to remove and require the nail area to be soaked with solution for up to thirty minutes, or even longer.

To provide prolonged contact between the solution and the coating, the digit to which the nail is attached is typically bathed in a bowl or other container of solution for a time sufficient to loosen or remove the coating. This method presents many problems, including the fact that the nail owner is immobilized and required to sit, often uncomfortably, for up to thirty minutes with the tips of all digits poised in a bowl of acidic solution. This method of soaking the nails in solution also exposes the remaining part of the digit to the acidic solution, which damages the skin.

Alternatively, the coating on the nail may be contacted with a pad which has been saturated with solution. Most typically, cotton balls or pads are used for this purpose. The pad may be placed on the coating for a time sufficient to promote softening or removal of the coating. The tips of the digits may be covered with sheets of aluminum foil, which is the more typical method used in salons. Allowing the saturated pad to merely rest on the coating has the inherent problem of a potential dislodgement of the pad from the coating, or a partial dislodgement so that a comprehensive contact between the pad and the nail is not maintained. Additionally, cotton balls or cotton pads are insufficiently absorbent to retain the fluid within the ball or pad, and the acidic solution drips from the cotton onto the user's hands, clothes and on to surrounding surfaces where it can cause damage.

The use of aluminum foil or other similar wrapping means has several inherent problems. First, the wrapping of the nail and saturated pad with individual sheets of foil is a time-consuming effort such that a considerable time elapses between the time that the first nail and pad is wrapped and the time that the last nail and pad is wrapped. As a result, the contact time between the solution and coatings varies with each nail and processing times may vary widely enough that some coatings are removed and others are not. Further, aluminum foil does not provide sufficient pressure between the pad and the coating to provide a comprehensive and complete contact of solution to all surfaces of the coating. That, coupled with the fact that foil wrap tends to allow the solution to evaporate from the pad results in uneven contact between the solution and the coating. Moreover, foil wraps can be bulky and still leave the nail owner immobilized for a prolonged period of time.

The need for sufficiently prolonged contact between the solution and the coating presents numerous problematic issues as noted above. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide methods and devices for assuring a comprehensive contact between a solution and the coating on a keratinaceous-based nail to facilitate removal of the coating, or to provide other specialized treatments of nails, as described more fully hereinafter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a method of contacting a keratinaceous-based nail with a solution comprises providing a cover sized to substantially enclose a keratinaceous-based nail from the nail bed to the tip of the nail and from one side of the nail to the other side of the nail, the cover being structured to apply an elastically deflected downward force on the nail; providing an absorbent member positioned against an inside surface of the cover, the absorbent member having retained therein a fluid material; providing a keratinaceous-based nail; inserting the keratinaceous-based nail within the cover to position the absorbent member against the nail or a coating applied to the nail, and maintaining contact between the fluid material and the keratinaceous-based nail by operation of the elastically-deflected downward force of the cover applied to the keratinaceous-based nail and the suitably shaped absorbent member.

In certain embodiments of this aspect, the fluid material is applied to the absorbent member prior to inserting the keratinaceous-based nail into the cover.

In other embodiments, the method further comprises terminating contact between the absorbent member and the keratinaceous-based nail by removing the cover against which the absorbent member is positioned on an inside surface thereof, and removing the absorbent member from the inside surface of the cover.

In yet other embodiments, the absorbent member is constructed to be refurbishable for reuse.

In still other embodiments, the absorbent member is positioned in permanent securement to an inside surface of the cover.

In certain other embodiments, the absorbent member is positioned in releasable engagement with an inside surface of the cover.

In still other embodiments, the cover is structured to reduce evaporation of the fluid material during contact with the keratinaceous-based nail.

In other embodiments, the cover is made of a flexible elastomeric or polymeric material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to enable the cover to provide the elastically-deflected downward force on the nail.

In yet other embodiments, the cover is made of a flexible material that is resistant to degradation by acetone and is able to withstand chemical or temperature-based sterilization techniques.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, a flexible cover for covering a keratinaceous-based nail comprises a body portion having a front side and an opposing back side, the front side and back side being joined to each other about a peripheral edge; an opening formed in the body portion between the front side and opposing back side, the opening being sized to receive a keratinaceous-based nail at its attachment to a digit; an inside surface located within the body portion positioned when in use for orientation toward a keratinaceous-based nail; and an absorbent member positioned against the inside surface of the body portion.

In certain embodiments of this aspect, at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is made of a flexible material having a modulus of elasticity to provide an elastically-deflected downward force against a nail on which the cover is placed to hold the absorbent member in uniform and constant contact with a nail in use.

In certain embodiments, the absorbent member is sized to cover and contact a keratinaceous-based nail from the nail bed to the nail tip and from one side of the nail to the other side of the nail, the absorbent member being structured to absorb and retain a fluid material for contacting against a nail or coating on the nail when the cover is placed on a nail.

In further embodiments, the absorbent member is saturated with a fluid material.

In yet other embodiments, the absorbent member is permanently affixed to the inside surface of the body portion.

In still other embodiments, the absorbent member is releasably affixed to the inside surface of the body portion.

In certain embodiments, the absorbent member is constructed to be cleaned after use and re-saturated for subsequent use.

In other embodiments, at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is made of a material that is resistant to degradation by acetone.

In yet other embodiments, at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is made of a material that contains a UV inhibitor.

In a third aspect of the disclosure, a nail treatment kit includes a plurality of nail covers, the nail covers being made of a material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to provide an elastically-deflected downward force against a keratinaceous-based nail when applied to a digit to which the nail is attached, each of the nail covers of the plurality having an absorbent member positioned along an inside surface of the nail cover.

In certain embodiments, the nail treatment includes a fluid solution for application to and absorption by the absorbent member of each nail cover.

These elements, advantages and other aspects of the disclosure and various embodiments are further clarified in the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which depict what is currently considered to be the best mode of the invention:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are depictions of a first aspect of the methods of the disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are depictions of a second aspect of the methods of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of a nail cover in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation of the nail cover shown in FIG. 3, taken at line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an end view in elevation of the nail cover shown in FIG. 3, taken at line 5-5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure showing a partial cover and an absorbent member;

FIG. 7 is an end view in elevation of a partial nail cover of another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an end view in elevation of a nail cover of a further alternative embodiment, and depicts an absorbent member as it would be positioned for affixation to an inside surface of the nail cover;

FIG. 9 is an end view in elevation of a nail cover of another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an end view in elevation of a nail cover of yet another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a nail treatment kit in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a nail treatment kit in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosure, methods of contacting a keratinaceous-based nail with a solution comprise providing a cover, providing an absorbent member that retains a fluid solution and applying the cover and absorbent member to a keratinaceous-based nail for treatment of the nail or a coating attached to the nail. As used herein, “keratinaceous-based” means a nail or other bodily structural feature, and portions of nails, that are made of keratin material, and are meant to include nails of all animals, including humans. The keratinaceous-based nail may, most typically, be attached to a digit, such as a finger or a toe of the animal and includes, but is not limited to, fingernails and toenails of animals, including humans. For ease of discussion, the term “nail” may be used herein as an equivalent to the term “keratinaceous-based nail.”

The methods of the disclosure involve, and are principally described herein as, the contacting of a solution to a nail or an area of a nail in the practice of the aesthetic enhancement of human fingernails. However, the methods described herein are equally as applicable to medical, experimental or diagnostic procedures or treatments of keratinaceous-based nails that involve the contacting of the nail with a medicament or other composition to treat a disease condition. Therefore, the methods described herein are not limited to the cosmetics industry and may be practiced in any number of fields.

The methods of the disclosure address the problems or deficits that are known with conventional treatments or applications involving applying a solution to a nail or coating on a nail, namely achieving a comprehensive and complete contact of the solution with the nail for a time sufficient to achieve the desired effect of the treatment or contact, and to do so in a quick and facilitated method that enables the person applying the solution to complete the application quickly, and to allow the owner of the nails to be mobile or unfettered during the time of treatment.

These advantages are achieved in the methods of the disclosure by providing a nail cover that is constructed of a flexible material that has a modulus of elasticity sufficient to provide an elastically-deflected downward force or pressure on the nail to assure a complete and comprehensive contact between the solution and the nail. These objectives are also achieved by providing an absorbent member that is suitably shaped and constructed to assure a comprehensive contact of a fluid material to a nail or coating on a nail so that the treatment is complete for the intended purpose.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first aspect of the disclosure in which a digit, here shown as a finger 20, has a keratinaceous-based nail 22 attached to the end of the finger 20. The keratinaceous-based nail 22 is defined by having a nail bed 24 and nail tip 26, a first side 28 of the nail and a second side 30 of the nail. The nail 22 may or may not have a coating applied to the natural keratin of the nail. However, in this description, the nail 22 may be presumed to have a coating 32 for illustrative purposes

In accordance with a first embodiment, an absorbent member 40 is provided for placement over the nail 22. The absorbent member 40 is sized in dimension to cover at least a portion of the nail 22, and may, in one particularly suitable embodiment, be sized to cover the entire nail 22 from the nail bed 24 to the nail tip 26 and from one side 28 of the nail to the second side or opposing side 30 of the nail, as shown in FIG. 1A.

The absorbent member 40 is made of a material or substance that allows the absorbent member 40 to be saturated with a solution such that when the absorbent member 40 is placed on the nail 22 and/or against the coating 32, the solution is brought into contact with a specified portion, or the entire area, of the nail 22 and/or coating 32. The absorbent member 40 may, as one example, be made of a woven type of material, and may comprise a lower layer 42 that is oriented for placement against the nail 22 and/or coating 32. The absorbent member 40 may also have an upper layer 44 that is positioned to be oriented away from the nail 22.

The absorbent member 40 is most preferably made of a foam material having an open-celled or closed cell construction, or having both open-cells and closed cells. A particularly suitable foam material has a minimum density of about 1.5 lbs./ft.³ and a cell count of from about 60 to 100 cells per square inch. The foam material may also have a fluid retention capacity of greater than 45 g/4 cubic inch and a tensile strength of at least 30 psi. The material thus described is able to absorb and retain fluid materials with little or no dripping or loss of fluid material, thereby assuring that one the absorbent member is in contact with the nail or coating, a consistent and comprehensive contact or delivery of fluid to the nail or coating is made. The absorbent member provides a “soaking” of the nail or coating which results in a faster or complete treatment of the nail or coating. In certain treatments or applications, such as acrylic nail treatment, the nail soaking that is accomplished with the absorbent member 40 of the disclosure ensures a complete removal and reduces or eliminates the need to scrap or abrade the nail to get residual material off of the nail. This factor provides a significant advantage over known methods of nail treatment or coating removal because scraping or abrading the nail can lead to fungal or bacterial infiltration of the nail, which is a common occurrence in professional salons.

The method further includes the impregnation or saturation of the absorbent member 40 with a fluid material or solution prior to contact of the absorbent member 40 to the nail 22. The solution may be any chemical or composition that removes coatings, such as nail polishes, lacquers and/or acrylic material (i.e., artificial nails) from the nail 22. Thus, the solution may be, for example, acetone. The solution may also be a medicament or other type of composition for treating a condition of the nail, such as fungus, for example.

The method further includes the positioning of a cover 50 over the digit or finger 20 after the absorbent member 40 has been positioned on the nail 22. The cover 50 is structured with a body portion 52 having a front side 54 and a back side 56, the two sides 54, 56 being joined by a peripheral edge 58 that extends about the front side 54 and back side 56. An opening 60 is defined between the front side 54 and the back side 56 of the cover 50 providing a point of insertion of the finger into the cover 50. The absorbent member 40 is preferably shaped to simulate or match the circumferential shape or dimension of the cover 50.

The cover 50 is made of a flexible material that has a modulus of elasticity such that when the peripheral edge 58 of the cover 50 is squeezed inwardly, the opening 60 enlarges to accommodate insertion of the finger 20 and nail 22. Once positioned on the nail 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the modulus of elasticity of the cover 50 is sufficient to generate an elastically-deflected downward force F of the cover 50 against the nail 22, which thereby causes the absorbent member 40 to make a complete and comprehensive contact with the nail surface area to assure complete contact of the fluid material with the nail 22 and/or coating 32. Any suitable material that provides the stated property of downward force. By way of example, the cover 50 may be made of a polymer plastic that is able to withstand chemical and/or temperature sterilization, including but not limited to plastisol. Preferably, the plastisol material may have a Shore A hardness of between about 60 to 70 and have a minimum modulus at 100% strain of about 520 to 580 psi. In one embodiment, the material may have a minimum tear strength of about 140 ppi. These details of construction are by way of example only.

It can be readily seen that construction of the cover 50 facilitates a quick placement of the cover 50 on the nail 22, thereby eliminating the need to wrap the finger and nail with foil, which is time-consuming. In one embodiment, the cover 50 is made of a flexible plastic, polymeric or elastomeric material that is composed of material which is resistant to degradation or modification from exposure to solutions such as acetone, or other compositions that may be used to treat nail conditions or to remove nail polish, lacquers or acrylic material of artificial nails. As merely one example, the cover 50 may be made from vinyl, although other material compositions are suitable. The cover 50 may also include a UV-resistant component, which also aids in rendering the cover 50 resistant to degradation from harsh or acidic compositions or materials.

The cover 50, one embodiment, is also structured and made of a material that prevents or reduces the evaporation of the solution from the absorbent member 40. This is a particular advantage that is not achievable with the convention foil used to wrap the nail. The cover 50 is also structured and made of material that enables the cover 50 to be used repeatedly, which is not achievable with foil covers. The fact that the covers 50 can be reused is a benefit to the environment and the user. When the cover 50 is made of certain materials, such as plastisol, the covers can be sterilized in accordance with regulatory agency requirements and reused. This is an especially important advantage for use in professional salons.

In another and preferred embodiment of the methods of the disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the method may comprise providing a cover 60 that is especially constructed and adapted for contacting a fluid material with, to or against a keratinaceous-based nail 22 or a coating 32 on a nail 22. In this aspect of the method, the cover 60 is sized to substantially enclose a keratinaceous-based nail 22 from the nail bed 24 to the tip 26 of the nail and from one side 28 of the nail to the other side 30 of the nail, the cover 60 being structured to apply an elastically deflected downward force on the nail, as described previously.

The cover 60 includes an absorbent member 62 positioned against an inside surface of the cover 60, and the absorbent member 62 contains an absorbed amount of a fluid material. In the method, a keratinaceous-based nail is inserted in the cover 60 to position the absorbent member 62 against the nail or a coating applied to the nail and contact between the fluid material and the keratinaceous-based nail is maintained by operation of the elastically-deflected downward force of the cover applied to the keratinaceous-based nail 22. Contact of the fluid material with the nail or coating is further enhanced or assured by the shape of the absorbent member.

Thus, in this method, a cover 60 having an absorbent member 62 positioned on an inner surface of the cover 60, and which has been impregnated with a solution, is positioned on the digit or finger 20 to cover a selection portion or all of the nail 22 and/or coating 32 to provide a complete and comprehensive contact between the solution and the nail 22 and/or coating 32. As depicted in FIG. 2B, the specially adapted cover 60 also provides an elastically-deflected downward force F against the nail 22 and/or coating 32. As also suggested in phantom line in FIG. 2B, the absorbent member 62 may be sized in length to extend a portion 67 beyond the opening 80 of the cover 60. The extended portion 67 provides an advantage of capturing any fluid material that may be released from about the nail during treatment and facilitates treatment. The extended portion 67 may extend approximately one-quarter inch or more past the opening 80.

The specially adapted cover 60 cover of this method is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and FIGS. 3 through 5. The cover 60 comprises a body portion 64 having a front side 66 and an opposing back side 68. The front side 66 and opposing back side 68 are joined to each other about a peripheral edge 70 that extends from a first free end 67 of the body portion 64 to a second free end 69 of the body portion 64.

The front side 66 has a first inside surface 74, as seen in FIG. 5, positioned for orientation toward a keratinaceous-based nail 22. The back side 68 has a second inside surface 76 positioned for orientation toward an area of a digit in opposing disposition to a keratinaceous-based nail attached to the digit (e.g., the pad of the finger tip). An opening 80 is defined between the front side 66 and the back side 68, between the first free end 67 and second free end 69, that is sized to receive a keratinaceous-based nail at its attachment to a digit, thereby accommodating insertion of the nail 22 within the cover 60 to be enclosed thereby.

The absorbent member 62 is positioned along the first inside surface 74. As illustrated in phantom in FIG. 3, the absorbent member 62 is sized in width P1 and length P2 to cover and contact a keratinaceous-based nail 22 from the nail bed 24 to the nail tip 26 and from one side 28 of the nail to the other side 30 of the nail, as previously described. The absorbent member 62 is shaped or configured to simulate the circumferential configuration of the cover 60, thereby imparting a further advantage over conventional methods because a comprehensive contact is made between the absorbent member 62 and the nail or coating, thereby eliminating the need to scrape or abrade the nail to remove residual matter left by an incomplete contact between the fluid mater and the nail. Scraping or abrading the nail, as is commonly necessary with conventional methods and modes of treatment, can lead to fungal or bacterial infection of the nail. In alternative embodiments, the absorbent member 62 may be sized to cover at least a selected portion of the nail.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the absorbent member 62 is made of a foam material that is selected to absorb a fluid material or solution and to substantially retain the fluid material within the foam until the absorbent pad 62 is brought into contact with or against the nail 22, thereby substantially preventing dripping of the fluid material from the absorbent pad 62. An exemplary foam material has the properties previously described herein, although other suitable materials may be used to make the absorbent member 62.

The dimensions of the cover 60 may vary, especially if sized to accommodate adult-sized animals or humans versus pre-adult or child-sized animals in humans. Generally, however, the cover 60 has a height dimension H (FIG. 4) that is sufficient in length to extend from the tip of the tip of the keratinaceous-based nail to the nail bed, and a distance that extends beyond or behind the nail bed. By way of example only, the height H of the cover may be from one inch to one and one quarter inch.

The depth dimension D (FIG. 4) of the cover 60, as defined or measured between the outer surfaces of the front side 66 and the back side 68 may vary as well. By way of example, however, the depth dimension D may be from 0.20 inches to 0.35 inches. The width dimension W of the cover 60 is generally selected to be one to one and one half times the width of the digit in order to assure a snug fit of the cover 60 on the digit. Thus, in the instance of a cover 60 for a human adult finger, the width dimension W may be from 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches. The dimension X of the width of the opening 80 may, by way of example only, be from 0.18 inches to 0.30 inches.

These dimensions are suitable for constructing covers 60 that are to be used on human fingernails. The covers 60 may also be sized and dimensioned for adapted use on toenails of humans. In such embodiments, the covers 60 may, for example, be sized in width W to be from about 0.50 inches to about 0.75 inches, and may be sized in height H from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. In the case of a cover 60 dimensioned for use on the human large toe, the cover 60 may be sized in width W to be from about 1.0 inches to 1.45 inches, and may be sized in height to be from about 0.50 inches to about 0.75 inches. The dimension X of the width of the opening 80 may, by way of example only, be from 0.18 inches to 0.50 inches.

The specially adapted cover 60 is made of a flexible plastic, elastomeric or polymeric material that provides the elastically-deflected downward force F on the nail and/ or coating as previously described. The cover 60 may, most suitably, be made of a material that renders the cover 60 resistant to degradation by acetone or other acidic solutions or medicaments. The material may also include a UV-resistant component that also aids in rendering the cover 60 resistant to degradation from acetone. Most importantly, the cover 60 is made of material, such as plastisol for example, that is capable of being sterilized by chemical (e.g., Barbisol) or temperature sterilization techniques so that the cover 60 can be reused repeatedly.

The absorbent member 62 of the specially adapted cover 60 may be made of a material that does not adhere to either the digit or the nail and/or coating on the nail, thereby allowing the placement and of removal of the cover 60 to be rapidly executed. The specially adapted cover 60 thus provides notable advantages previously unknown in devices used to carry out the methods of applying solutions to keratinaceous-based nails and/ or coatings on such nails.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the absorbent member 62 that is positioned against the inside surface 74 of the body portion 64 is affixed to the inside surface 74 in some suitable manner as a comprehensive construction of the cover 60. Various exemplar systems for carrying out the affixation of the absorbent member 62 to the body portion 64 are illustrated in FIGS. 6-9. In one embodiment, the absorbent member 62 may be permanently affixed to the body portion 64. Accordingly, the absorbent member 62 may be secured to an inside surface 74 of the body portion 64, only one side of which is depicted in FIG. 6 for ease of illustration, by a device such as applications of adhesive material 86 that are applied to the inside surface 74. When a first surface 90 of the absorbent member 62 is positioned against the inside surface 74 of the cover 60, the adhesive applications 86 securely engage the absorbent member 62 to hold it in place. In this embodiment, the adhesive is selected to provide permanent bonding between the cover 60 and the absorbent member 62. This arrangement of cover and permanently affixed absorbent member 62 would be a suitable application where the cover and absorbent member 62 are to be disposed after one use, if desired.

In alternative embodiments, the absorbent member 62 may be affixed to the body portion 64 of the cover 60 in a releasably affixed manner. For example, the adhesive applications may comprise an adhesive that is selected to retain the adhesive quality of the material so that the absorbent member 62 can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the adhesive applications, and thus the cover 60. This arrangement is particularly suitable in applications where the cover 60 is constructed to be reused repeatedly. That is, the absorbent member 62 member may either be removed from the cover 60 and refurbished, such as by washing to remove residual fluid solution and other materials from the absorbent member 62, or the absorbent member 62 may be replaced with a new and previously unused absorbent member 62.

In other embodiments where the absorbent member 62 is releasably affixed to the body portion 64 of the cover 60, the body portion 64 may be configured in some manner that allows or enables the absorbent member 62 to be releasably affixed to the cover 60. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 for example, the body portion 64, only a portion of which is depicted in FIG. 7, may be formed with one or more upstanding barbs 94 that extend outwardly from an inside surface 96 of the body portion 64. When the absorbent member 62 is positioned against the inside surface 94 of the body portion 64, the barbs 94 engage the absorbent member 62, such as by providing a mechanical shear force against the absorbent member 62 or by insertion of one or more barbs 94 into the thickness of the absorbent member 62. The absorbent member 62 may easily be removed from inside the cover 60 my lifting the absorbent member 62 off of the barbs 94. The cover 60 may then be rinsed and/or sterilized for later reuse and the absorbent member 62 may either be sacrificed, refurbished or replaced.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the absorbent member 62 may be releasably affixed to the interior surface 98 of the body portion 64, where the interior surface 98 is along the peripheral edge 70 of the cover 60. In this embodiment, the absorbent member 62 may have longitudinal sides 102, 104 that, in use, register against the interior surface 98. The longitudinal sides 102, 104 may be covered with a releasable adhesive 108 that assures an affixation of the absorbent member 62 to the interior surface 98 of the body portion 64. Alternatively, the interior surface 98 may be configured with barbs in a manner previously described. In this embodiment, the absorbent member 62 is inserted into the cover 60 by imposing a longitudinal bend along a center axis 110 of the absorbent member 62 and inserting the absorbent member 62 so as to register against an inside surface 74 of the cover 60. As the flexible absorbent member 62 springs back to a planar configuration, as shown, the affixation device along the longitudinal sides 102, 104 of the absorbent member 62 engage the interior surface 98 of the body portion 64. Once the cover 60 has been used, the absorbent member 62 can be dislodged from the interior surface 98 by pulling it away therefrom. The absorbent member 62 may then be refurbished for reuse or may be replaced.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment where the cover 60 may be configured with devices, such as flanges 114, 116 formed along an interior surface 98 of the body portion 64, such that the absorbent member 62 can be slid into registration against an inside surface 74 of the cover 60. After use, the used absorbent member 62 can then be easily removed from registration against the inside surface 74 and refurbished or replaced.

In another suitable embodiment of the disclosure, the method of applying a fluid material to a nail or coating on a nail, using any one of the embodiments described thus far, includes saturating the absorbent member 62 with a fluid solution when the absorbent member 62 is positioned against the inside surface 74 or interior surface 98 of the cover 60. This may be accomplished by taking the cover 60 with affixed absorbent member 62 and applying the fluid material to the absorbent member 62 to saturate or impregnate the absorbent member 620 with the fluid material, and then insert the nail into the cover 60 as previously described.

In a further embodiment, the cover 120, as shown in FIG. 10, may be constructed with an absorbent member 62 positioned or affixed, either permanently or releasably, against the inside surface or interior surface of the cover 120 where the absorbent member 62 is pre-loaded with a selected fluid material. The absorbent member 62 may be structured with a protective sheath 124 that covers the surface of the absorbent member 62 to aid in retaining the fluid material in the absorbent member 62. The protective sheath 124 may then be peeled away from the absorbent member 62 immediately prior to use of the cover 120. This embodiment particularly facilitates the ease of use of the cover 120.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a nail treatment kit 150 is provided, as shown in FIG. 11, which includes a packaging member 152 that holds a plurality of nail covers 50, the nail covers 50 being made of a material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to provide an elastically-deflected downward force against a keratinaceous-based nail when applied to a digit to which the nail is attached. The nail covers 50 may be constructed in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein. The nail treatment kit 150 also includes a package 154 containing a plurality of absorbent members 40 capable of impregnation with a solution, and a container 156 containing at least one liquid solution for impregnating the plurality of absorbent members 40.

In another aspect of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 12, a nail treatment kit 160 comprises a packaging component 162 containing a plurality of specially adapted covers 60, in accordance with the various embodiments described herein. The covers 60 are made of a material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to provide an elastically-deflected downward force against a keratinaceous-based nail when applied to a digit to which the nail is attached, and the covers 60 are structured with an absorbent member 62 positioned along an inside surface of the nail cover as previously described. The nail treatment kit 160 also includes at least one liquid solution 164 for impregnating the absorbent member 62 of each of the plurality of nail covers 60.

The various aspects of this disclosure can be adapted for a multitude of applications and purposes a noted herein. Therefore, detailed descriptions or constructions are by way of example only.

Claims

1. A method of contacting a keratinaceous-based nail with a solution, comprising:

providing a cover sized to substantially enclose a keratinaceous-based nail from the nail bed to the tip of the nail and from one side of the nail to the other side of the nail,

the cover being structured to apply an elastically deflected downward force on the nail;

providing an absorbent member positioned against an inside surface of the cover, the absorbent member having retained therein a fluid material;

providing a keratinaceous-based nail;

inserting the keratinaceous-based nail within the cover to position the absorbent member against the nail or a coating applied to the nail; and

maintaining contact between the fluid material and the keratinaceous-based nail by operation of the elastically-deflected downward force of the cover applied to the keratinaceous-based nail.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid material is applied to the absorbent member prior to inserting the keratinaceous-based nail into the cover.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising terminating contact between the absorbent member and the keratinaceous-based nail by removing the cover, against which the absorbent member is positioned on an inside surface thereof, and removing the absorbent member from the inside surface of the cover.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the absorbent member is structured to be sterilizable by chemical and/or temperature to be refurbished for reuse.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent member is positioned in permanent securement to an inside surface of the cover.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent member is positioned in releasable engagement with an inside surface of the cover.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cover is structured to reduce evaporation of the fluid material during contact with the keratinaceous-based nail.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a flexible polymer material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to enable the cover to provide the elastically-deflected downward force on the nail.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a flexible material that is resistant to degradation by acetone.

10. A flexible cover for covering a keratinaceous-based nail, comprising;

a body portion having a front side and an opposing back side, the front side and back side being joined to each other about a peripheral edge;

an opening formed in the body portion between the front side and opposing back side, the opening being sized to receive a keratinaceous-based nail at its attachment to a digit;

an inside surface located within the body portion positioned when in use for orientation toward a keratinaceous-based nail; and

an absorbent member positioned against the inside surface of the body portion.

11. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is made of a flexible material having a modulus of elasticity to provide an elastically-deflected downward force against a nail on which the cover is placed to hold the absorbent member in uniform and constant contact with a nail in use.

12. The flexible cover of claim 11, wherein the absorbent member is sized to cover and contact a keratinaceous-based nail from the nail bed to the nail tip and from one side of the nail to the other side of the nail, said absorbent member being structured to absorb and retain a fluid material for contacting against a nail or coating on the nail when the cover is placed on a nail.

13. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein the absorbent member is saturated with a fluid material.

14. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein the absorbent member is permanently affixed to the inside surface of the body portion.

15. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein the absorbent member is releasably affixed to the inside surface of the body portion.

16. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein the absorbent member is structured to be after use and re-saturated for subsequent use.

17. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is made of a material that is resistant to degradation by acetone.

18. The flexible cover of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the body portion of the cover is made of a material that is sterilizable by chemical and/or temperature techniques.

19. A nail treatment kit, comprising:

a plurality of nail covers, said nail covers being made of a material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to provide an elastically-deflected downward force against a keratinaceous-based nail when applied to a digit to which the nail is attached, each said nail cover of said plurality having an absorbent member positioned along an inside surface of the nail cover.

20. The nail treatment kit of claim 19, further comprising a fluid solution for application to and absorption by the absorbent member of each nail cover.