CUTICLE TREATMENT DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED LIQUID DISPENSING

Abstract

A cuticle treatment device with integrated liquid dispensing may facilitate simple and one-handed operation to perform a cuticle treatment with the application of a liquid to the cuticle.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to cosmetic treatments and, more particularly, to a cuticle treatment device with integrated liquid dispensing.

Description of the Related Art

In performing a cuticle treatment, such as during a manicure, on a cuticle of a person, the cuticle is typically treated, such as with a liquid and by cutting or forced retraction of the cuticle using a mechanical means, such as a blade or a member enabled to mechanically engage the cuticle. In typical methods of performing such cuticle treatments, the mechanical means was used separately from an applicator of the liquid to the cuticle. Accordingly, typical cuticle treatment devices have included either the mechanical means to mechanically engage the cuticle or a separate applicator for application of a cuticle treatment oil or lotion that helps cuticle to be softened.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a cuticle treatment device is disclosed. The cuticle treatment device may include a cuticle guide having an edge portion enabled to engage a cuticle of a person. In the cuticle treatment device, the edge portion may include both a manicure tool enabled to engage at least a portion of the cuticle from a fingernail associated with the cuticle and a liquid dispenser enabled to apply a liquid to the cuticle. The cuticle treatment device may further include a liquid receptacle in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser and enabled to store a volume of the liquid.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the manicure tool may further include a hard material enabled to separate the cuticle from the fingernail. In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the hard material may be selected from at least one of: a steel, a ceramic, and a metal.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the manicure tool may be formed with a sharpened edge at the edge portion. In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the sharpened edge may be formed into the hard material, and wherein the sharpened edge is enabled to cut the cuticle.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the liquid may include at least one of a cuticle oil, an aqueous solution, and an alcoholic solution.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the liquid receptacle may be removable. In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the liquid receptacle may be refillable with the liquid.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the liquid dispenser may be formed with an elastomeric material enabled to dispense the liquid.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the cuticle treatment device, the elastomeric material may be selected from at least one of: a rubber, a polymer, and a composite material.

In another aspect, a method for treating cuticles using a cuticle treatment device is disclosed. The method may include placing the cuticle treatment device on a cuticle of a person. In the method, the cuticle treatment device may include a cuticle guide having an edge portion, while the edge portion may further include a manicure tool enabled to engage the cuticle. The method may further include engaging the cuticle separately from a fingernail associated with the cuticle by using the cuticle treatment device, and applying a liquid to the cuticle. In the method, the cuticle treatment device may further include a liquid dispenser enabled to apply the liquid to the cuticle and a liquid receptacle in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser, wherein the liquid receptacle is enabled to store a volume of the liquid.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the manicure tool may include a hard material enabled for the engaging the cuticle. In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the hard material may be selected from at least one of: a steel, a ceramic, and a metal.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the engaging the cuticle may further include separating at least a portion of the cuticle from the fingernail.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the engaging the cuticle may further include pushing back at least a portion of the cuticle towards the fingernail.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the engaging the cuticle may further include cutting at least a portion of the cuticle from the fingernail, wherein the manicure tool is formed with a sharpened edge at the edge portion, the sharpened edge enabled for the cutting.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the liquid may include at least one of a cuticle oil, an aqueous solution, and an alcoholic solution.

In any of the disclosed embodiments, the method may further include removing the liquid receptacle from the cuticle treatment device. In any of the disclosed embodiments, the method may further include refilling the liquid receptacle with the liquid.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the liquid dispenser may be formed with an elastomeric material enabled to dispense the liquid. In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the elastomeric material may be selected from at least one of: a rubber, a polymer, and a composite material.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the engaging and applying steps may further include engaging the cuticle by a user holding the cuticle treatment device with one hand, and applying the liquid to the cuticle by the user holding the cuticle treatment device with one hand.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the user may be the person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a cuticle treatment device with integrated liquid dispensing;

FIG. 2 is a depiction of a cuticle treatment device with integrated liquid dispensing;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of cuticle treatment; and

FIG. 4 is a depiction of a cuticle treatment device with integrated liquid dispensing having a removable liquid receptacle.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT(S)

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that the disclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possible embodiments.

Throughout this disclosure, a hyphenated form of a reference numeral refers to a specific instance of an element and the un-hyphenated form of the reference numeral refers to the element generically or collectively. Thus, as an example (not shown in the drawings), device “12-1” refers to an instance of a device class, which may be referred to collectively as devices “12” and any one of which may be referred to generically as a device “12”. In the figures and the description, like numerals are intended to represent like elements.

As noted above, typical cuticle treatment devices have been designed for use by a manicurist on the person. However, the typical cuticle treatment devices may have not been enabled for use using one hand only, and may accordingly be unsuitable for use by persons desiring to perform a self-manicure, such as by using one hand to perform the manicure on the other hand. Accordingly, the use of typical cuticle treatment devices remains somewhat time-consuming and unwieldy and may typically involve the use of both hands to operate when application of the liquid is desired.

Thus, typical cuticle treatment devices have involved the use of both hands of a user when the liquid is dispensed on the cuticle, and have accordingly been unsuitable for use by persons desiring to perform a self-manicure, such as by using one hand to perform the manicure on the other hand.

As will be disclosed in further detail herein, a cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing enables a person to perform a cuticle treatment with fluid dispensing using one hand only. The cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing disclosed herein comprises a cuticle guide having an edge portion in which a manicure tool and a liquid dispenser is included. In the cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing disclosed herein, the manicure tool may be enabled to engage at least a portion of the cuticle from a fingernail associated with the cuticle, while the liquid dispenser may be enabled to apply a liquid to the cuticle. The cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing disclosed herein may further comprise a liquid receptacle that stores a volume of the liquid and is in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser. The manicure tool in the cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing disclosed herein may include a hard material that is enabled to separate the cuticle from the fingernail, while the hard material may form a sharpened edge at the edge portion that is enabled to cut the cuticle. The cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing disclosed herein may be enabled to dispense the fluid stored in the liquid receptable via the liquid dispenser that is integrated into the cuticle guide. The cuticle treatment device with integrated oil dispensing disclosed herein may include a removable liquid receptacle that can be refilled with the liquid.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a cuticle treatment device 100-1 with integrated liquid dispensing. In FIG. 1, cuticle treatment device 100-1 is shown in an upright orientation and includes a cuticle guide 102, shown extending upwards from a liquid receptacle 104 that forms a body of cuticle treatment device 100-1. As shown, cuticle treatment device 100-1 has a substantially cylindrical form and is dimensioned for grasping with the thumb and fingers of a hand for use, similar to a writing instrument. Cuticle guide 102 is shown extending as a hollow cylindrical portion that terminated in an angled oval surface, in a shape similar to an oval resulting from an intersection of an angled plane with a cylindrical tube.

In FIG. 1, an edge portion 102-1 is depicted and is shaped to engage a cuticle of a person. Specifically, at edge portion 102-1, cuticle guide 102 may operate as a manicuring tool that can engage or separate a portion of the cuticle, such as for separation from a fingernail associated with the cuticle. For example, when cuticle guide 102 is formed from a hard material, such as a ceramic or a metal, edge portion 102-1 may include a sharpened edge, such as at the angled oval surface at the tip of cuticle guide 102.

Additionally, edge portion 102-1 may comprise a liquid dispenser that is in fluid communication with liquid receptacle 104 (not visible in FIG. 1, see also FIG. 2). For example, the liquid dispenser may comprise an elastomeric material that extends to liquid receptacle 104 and is in fluid communication with liquid receptacle 104. For example, the liquid dispenser may comprise a conduit or a channel that enables the flow of the liquid from liquid receptacle 104 to edge portion 102-1 for application at the cuticle. The elastomeric material may comprise at least one of a rubber, a polymer, such as polypropylene, and a composite material, such as a filler-reinforced rubber. Although the liquid dispenser comprises the elastomeric material, a hardness or a stiffness of the liquid dispenser may be sufficient to enable simultaneous engagement of the cuticle by the sharpened edge and the liquid dispenser, for example.

Furthermore, as noted, liquid receptacle 104 may be removable, such as by using a threaded connection with cuticle guide 102 to which liquid receptacle 104 is attached in FIG. 2. By removing liquid receptacle 104, liquid receptacle 104 may be refilled with the liquid and then reattached. It is noted that cuticle treatment device 100-1 may be enabled to store various different types of liquids that can be applied to the cuticle, including aqueous solutions, alcoholic solutions, and oils, or various different combinations thereof. The liquids that cuticle treatment device 100-1 is enabled to store and apply to the cuticle may have a range of viscosities. For example, the material used for the liquid dispenser may also be selected based on the type of liquid that is used with cuticle treatment device 100-1. In some embodiments, different liquids may be mixed, such as a solvent and an oil, to produce a desired composition or a desired viscosity for the liquid used in cuticle treatment device 100-1.

In FIG. 2, a cuticle treatment device 100-2 with integrated liquid dispensing is shown. In FIG. 2, cuticle treatment device 100-2 is shown in a downward orientation that may correspond to an orientation that is used during the cuticle treatment, as explained previously. Also visible in FIG. 2 is a channel 202 that may extend from liquid receptacle 104 and edge portion 102-1 that may enable dispensing of the liquid.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart of selected elements of an embodiment of method 300 for cuticle treatment is depicted. It is noted that certain operations described in method 300 may be optional or may be rearranged in different embodiments. Method 300 may be practiced by a user operating cuticle treatment device 100 with integrated liquid dispensing, as disclosed herein.

Method 300 may begin at step 302 by placing a cuticle treatment device on a cuticle of a person, where the cuticle treatment device comprises a cuticle guide having an edge portion, and where the edge portion further comprises a manicure tool enabled to engage the cuticle. At step 304, the cuticle is separately engaged from a fingernail associated with the cuticle by using the cuticle treatment device. In some embodiments, step 304 may include cutting at least a portion of the cuticle from the fingernail, where the manicure tool is formed with a sharpened edge at the edge portion, the sharpened edge enabled for the cutting. At step 306, a liquid is applied to the cuticle, where the cuticle treatment device further comprises a liquid dispenser enabled to apply the liquid to the cuticle and a liquid receptacle in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser and enabled to store a volume of the liquid. It is noted that at least steps 304 and 306 in method 300 may be performed by a user holding the cuticle treatment device using one hand.

In FIG. 4, cuticle treatment device 100-2 with integrated liquid dispensing is shown with liquid receptacle 104 removed. As shown in FIG. 4, liquid receptacle 104 may be removed and opened to enable refilling with the liquid (not shown), as described. It is noted that removal of liquid receptacle 104 may involve separation of cuticle guide 102 from liquid receptacle 104 as shown. In the exploded view of FIG. 4, channel 202 is also visible. It is noted that in some embodiments, channel 202 may include a material that can wick the liquid to deliver the liquid for dispensing by cuticle guide 102, such as a fibrous or a porous material, for example such as cotton fibers among other materials. In one embodiment, the liquid dispenser may be configured to have an opening on its outer surface, where the opening is in fluid communication with channel 202. In this embodiment, the opening allows dispensing of the liquid when the liquid dispenser is pressed on to a portion of a cuticle.

As disclosed herein, a cuticle treatment device with integrated liquid dispensing may facilitate simple and one-handed operation to perform a cuticle treatment with the application of a liquid to the cuticle.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A cuticle treatment device, comprising:

a cuticle guide having an edge portion enabled to engage a cuticle of a person, wherein the edge portion further comprises both a manicure tool enabled to engage at least a portion of the cuticle from a fingernail associated with the cuticle and a liquid dispenser enabled to apply a liquid to the cuticle; and

a liquid receptacle in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser and enabled to store a volume of the liquid.

2. The cuticle treatment device of claim 1, wherein the manicure tool comprises a hard material enabled to separate the cuticle from the fingernail.

3. The cuticle treatment device of claim 2, wherein the hard material is selected from at least one of: a steel, a ceramic, and a metal.

4. The cuticle treatment device of claim 2, wherein the manicure tool is formed with a sharpened edge at the edge portion.

5. The cuticle treatment device of claim 4, wherein the sharpened edge is formed into the hard material, and wherein the sharpened edge is enabled to cut the cuticle.

6. The cuticle treatment device of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises at least one of: a cuticle oil, aqueous solution, and alcoholic solution.

7. The cuticle treatment device of claim 1, wherein the liquid receptacle is removable.

8. The cuticle treatment device of claim 1, wherein the liquid receptacle is refillable with the liquid.

9. The cuticle treatment device of claim 1, wherein the liquid dispenser is formed with an elastomeric material enabled to dispense the liquid.

10. The cuticle treatment device of claim 9, wherein the elastomeric material is selected from at least one of: a rubber, a polymer, and a composite material.

11. A method for treating cuticles, the method comprising:

placing a cuticle treatment device on a cuticle of a person, wherein the cuticle treatment device comprises a cuticle guide having an edge portion, wherein the edge portion further comprises a manicure tool enabled to engage the cuticle;

engaging the cuticle separately from a fingernail associated with the cuticle by using the cuticle treatment device; and

applying a liquid to the cuticle, wherein the cuticle treatment device further comprises a liquid dispenser enabled to apply the liquid to the cuticle and a liquid receptacle in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser, wherein the liquid receptable is enabled to store a volume of the liquid.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the manicure tool comprises a hard material enabled for the engaging the cuticle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hard material is selected from at least one of: a steel, a ceramic, and a metal.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging the cuticle further comprises:

separating at least a portion of the cuticle from the fingernail.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging the cuticle further comprises:

pushing back at least a portion of the cuticle towards the fingernail.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging the cuticle further comprises:

cutting at least a portion of the cuticle from the fingernail, wherein the manicure tool is formed with a sharpened edge at the edge portion, the sharpened edge enabled for the cutting.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid comprises at least one of: a cuticle oil, aqueous solution, and alcoholic solution.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

removing the liquid receptacle from the cuticle treatment device.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

refilling the liquid receptacle with the liquid.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid dispenser is formed with an elastomeric material enabled to dispense the liquid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the elastomeric material is selected from at least one of:

a rubber, a polymer, and a composite material.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging and applying steps further comprise:

engaging the cuticle by a user holding the cuticle treatment device with one hand; and

applying the liquid to the cuticle by the user holding the cuticle treatment device with one hand.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the user is the person.