BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to methods of manicuring nails and repairing damaged nails.
Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1A and 1B show some of the anatomy of a toenail or fingernail (referred to as a nail 10). Referring to FIG. 1A, the nail 10 includes a nail plate 12 that grows from a nail root 14. Referring to FIG. 1B, sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12 extend from the nail root 14 to a distal nail tip 16. Sidewalls 24 and 26 are portions of the skin of the finger or toe positioned alongside the sides 20 and 22, respectively. A cuticle 18 is a layer of dead skin cells that cover a portion of the nail plate 12 near the nail root 14. The cuticle 18 may include a distal overgrown portion 19 that extends onto the nail plate 12.
Referring to FIG. 1A, the nail plate 12 protects a nail bed 30, which is skin under the nail plate 12. The nail bed 30 includes a matrix 32, which produces cells of the nail root 14. As new cells are made, they push older cells forward toward the distal nail tip 16 causing the older cells to become compressed, flat, and translucent. This allows capillaries in the nail bed 30 to be viewable through the nail plate 12 as a pinkish color. The width and thickness of the nail plate 12 is determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix 32. The matrix 32 continues to produce the cells of the nail root 14 as long as the matrix 32 receives nutrition and remains healthy. The nail bed 30 includes a dermis layer below an epidermis layer. Both the nail plate 12 and the epidermis layer move toward the distal nail tip 16 as they grow.
Unfortunately, the nail bed 30 may be abused and damaged by everyday activities. This destroys blood vessels and makes the knuckle nearest the nail 10 difficult to bend because cartilage will build up around joint. This damage can also reduce the size and/or thickness of the nail 10 if the matrix 32 is damaged.
For these reasons, many people manicure their nails to help preserve the nail bed 30 and/or the nail plate 12. Some people wear prosthetic nails (e.g., acrylic nails) as a way of protecting their nail beds and/or the nail plates.
Therefore a need exists for methods of protecting the nail bed 30 and/or the nail plate 12. Methods that promote blood vessel growth and/or health would be particularly desirable. The present application provides these and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a nail that may be a toenail or a fingernail.
FIG. 1B is a top view of the nail of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a kit that may be used to manicure the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of preparing the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B for the application of a gel.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of applying a gel nail polish to the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of applying a builder gel to the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a base gel being applied to the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a bead of builder gel on a gel brush before the builder gel is applied to the nail of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
Like reference numerals have been used in the figures to identify like components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a kit 100 that may be used to protect the nail bed 30 (see FIG. 1A) and/or the nail plate 12 (see FIG. 1A). The kit 100 may be used to manicure the nail 10 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The kit 100 includes an electric powered rotary sanding tool 110 (e.g., a DREMEL® rotary tool with a sanding or grinding attachment), one or more application tools 112, an ultraviolet (“UV”) light source 114, rubbing alcohol 116, a buffing tool 118, a nail file 119, a base gel 120, a gel polish 122, a top gel 124, and a builder gel 130. The application tool(s) 112 may include a gel brush 140, one or more nail polish applicators or brushes 142, one or more cotton balls 144, and the like. The base gel 120, the gel polish 122, the top gel 124, and/or the builder gel 130 may help the body rebuild damaged blood vessels in the nail bed 30 (see FIG. 1A).
The base gel 120 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. The base gel 120 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, hema, cyclohexyl methacrylate, and the like), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), one or more coloring agents (e.g., violet 2), and one or more fruit extracts. For example, the base gel 120 may include about 45% to about 55% by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 10% to about 15% by weight of cyclohexyl methacrylate, about 30% to about 35% by weight of hema, about 3% to about 5% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, up to about 1% by weight of violet 2, and about 2% to about 5% by weight of fruit extracts.
The gel polish 122 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. The gel polish 122 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, hema, and the like), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), one or more natural pigments, and one or more fruit extracts. For example, the gel polish 122 may include about 60% to about 70% by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 25% to about 30% by weight of hema, about 3% to about 5% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, about 3% to about 8% by weight of natural pigments, and about 2% to about 5% by weight of fruit extracts.
The top gel 124 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. The top gel 124 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hema, and the like), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), one or more coloring agents (e.g., violet 2), and one or more fruit extracts. For example, the top gel 124 may include about 40% to about 50% by weight of di-hema trimethylhexyl dicarbamate, about 20% to about 25% by weight of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, about 25% to about 32% by weight of hema, about 2% to about 4% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, up to about 1% by weight of violet 2, and about 2% to about 5% by weight of fruit extracts.
The builder gel 130 may be implemented as a UV curable organic gel. The builder gel 130 may include nail strengthening agents (e.g., hydroxypropyl methacrylate), methacrylate oligomer, monomer (e.g., acrylic liquid), a photoinitiator for UV light (e.g., hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), phosphine oxide ester, and one or more pigments. For example, the builder gel 130 may include about 38% to about 50% by weight of methacrylate oligomer, about 20% to about 30% by weight of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, about 14% to about 18% by weight of monomer, about 3% to about 8% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, about 2% to about 8% by weight of phosphine oxide ester, and about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of pigments.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 200 of preparing the nail plate 12 for the application of the base gel 120 (see FIG. 2), the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2), the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2), and/or the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7).
In first block 210, the rotary sanding tool 110 (see FIG. 2) is used to remove the distal overgrown portion 19 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the cuticle 18 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) extending longitudinally onto the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Referring to FIG. 2, by removing the distal overgrown portion 19 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the cuticle 18 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) more of the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) is available to receive the base gel 120, the gel polish 122, the top gel 124, and/or the builder gel 130.
Then, in block 220 (see FIG. 3), the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) may be buffed using the buffing tool 118. Referring to FIG. 1A, this may smooth the outer surface of the nail plate 12, including any portions made rough (e.g., scratched) by the rotary sanding tool 110 (see FIG. 2) in block 210 (see FIG. 3). Buffing may also help remove any of the distal overgrown portion 19 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the cuticle 18 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) adhered to the outer surface of the nail plate 12.
In block 230 (see FIG. 3), the nail plate 12 is cleaned to remove any particles created by the rotary sanding tool 110 (see FIG. 2) and/or the buffing tool 118 (see FIG. 2). By way of a non-limiting example, the nail plate 12 may be cleaned using one of the cotton ball(s) 144 (see FIG. 2) and the rubbing alcohol 116 (see FIG. 2). Then, referring to FIG. 3, the method 200 terminates. If the rubbing alcohol 116 (see FIG. 2) is used in block 230 to clean the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6), the method 200 ends when the rubbing alcohol 116 has dried.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 300 of applying nail polish to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). In first block 310, the method 200 (see FIG. 3) is performed to prepare the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Then, in block 320, a layer of the base gel 120 (see FIG. 2) is applied to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Referring to FIG. 6, the layer of the base gel 120 may be applied using a first one of the nail polish brush(es) 142. However, instead of painting the base gel 120 onto the nail plate 12 (by pulling the first brush 142 along the nail plate 12 toward the distal nail tip 16) as is traditionally done, the base gel 120 is pushed onto the nail plate 12 with the first brush 142 toward the cuticle 18 (in a direction identified by an arrow 322) and the sides 20 and 22 (see FIG. 1B). The base gel 120 is applied to very near a remaining portion of the cuticle 18. Referring to FIG. 1B, the sidewalls 24 and 26 along the opposite sides 20 and 22, respectively, of the nail plate 12 are lightly pulled away from the nail plate 12 so that the base gel 120 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) may be pushed onto the sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12.
Referring to FIG. 4, in block 330, the layer of the base gel 120 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) is cured. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the layer of the base gel 120 may be placed under the UV light source 114 for a sufficient amount of time to allow the base gel 120 to cure.
Referring to FIG. 6, in block 340 (see FIG. 4), a layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) is applied to the nail plate 12 over the base gel 120. The layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may be applied in substantially the same manner in which the layer of the base gel 120 was applied to the nail plate 12 in block 320 (see FIG. 4). For example, the layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may be pushed onto the nail plate 12 using a second one of the nail polish brush(es) 142 (see FIG. 2). However, more gel polish 122 than base gel 120 may be applied to the nail plate 12. For example, the layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may include as much of the gel polish 122 as possible so the gel polish 122 may be absorbed by the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) to help strengthen the nail plate 12 and/or repair damage to the nail plate 12.
Referring to FIG. 4, in block 350, the layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) is cured. The layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) may be cured in substantially the same manner in which the base gel 120 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) was cured in block 330. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the layer of the gel polish 122 may be placed under the UV light source 114 for a sufficient amount of time to allow the gel polish 122 to cure.
Referring to FIG. 4, in decision block 360, whether to apply another layer of the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) is decided. If the user decides to apply another layer, the decision in decision block 360 is “YES.” Otherwise, the decision in decision block 360 is “NO.”
When decision in decision block 360 is “YES,” the user returns to block 340. However, in block 340, instead of pushing the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2) onto the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6), the gel polish 122 is floated over the previous layer of gel polish 122.
When the decision in decision block 360 is “NO,” in optional block 370, the user may apply a layer of the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) over the gel polish 122 (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 6, the layer of the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) may be applied in substantially the same manner in which the layer of the base gel 120 was applied to the nail plate 12 in block 320 (see FIG. 4). For example, the layer of the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) may be pushed onto the nail plate 12 using a third one of the nail polish brush(es) 142 (see FIG. 2).
Next, referring to FIG. 4, in optional block 380, the layer of the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) is cured. The top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) may be cured in substantially the same manner in which the base gel 120 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) was cured in block 330. For example, the layer of the top gel 124 (see FIG. 2) may be placed under the UV light source 114 (see FIG. 2) for a sufficient amount of time to allow the layer of the top gel 124 to cure. Then, the method 300 terminates. In embodiments in which optional blocks 370 and 380 are omitted, the method 300 terminates when the decision in decision block 360 is “NO.”
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 400 of applying the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). The builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be characterized as being a thick layer that provides many of the same benefits as wearing acrylic nails.
In first block 410, the method 200 (see FIG. 3) is performed to prepare the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Then, in block 420, a first layer of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is applied to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Referring to FIG. 2, the first layer of the builder gel 130 may be applied using the gel brush 140.
Referring to FIG. 6, instead of painting the builder gel 130 onto the nail plate 12 (by pulling the gel brush 140 along the nail plate 12 toward the distal nail tip 16) as is traditionally done with conventional nail polish, the builder gel 130 is pushed onto the nail plate 12 with the gel brush 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) toward the cuticle 18 (in the direction identified by the arrow 322) and the sides 20 and 22 (see FIG. 1B). The builder gel 130 is applied to very near the remaining portion of the cuticle 18. Referring to FIG. 1B, the sidewalls 24 and 26 along the opposite sides 20 and 22, respectively, of the nail plate 12 are lightly pulled away from the nail plate 12 so that the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be pushed onto the sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12. The builder gel 130 is applied to the sides 20 and 22 because the nail plate 12 will get wider when the nail plate 12 is healthy. Thus, the builder gel 130 helps rebuild the nail plate 12.
Referring to FIG. 5, in block 430, the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) applied to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) is cured. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the builder gel 130 may be placed under the UV light source 114 for a sufficient amount of time to allow the layer of the builder gel 130 to cure.
Then, referring to FIG. 5, in block 440, a second thicker layer of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is applied to the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) over the first layer of the builder gel 130. Referring to FIG. 7, in block 440 (see FIG. 5), the user picks up a bead 442 of the builder gel 130 and places the bead 442 in the middle (or center) of the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6). Then, referring to FIG. 1B, the user uses the gel brush 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to pick up and push the bead 442 toward the cuticle 18 and the sidewalls 24 and 26. The sidewalls 24 and 26 along the opposite sides 20 and 22, respectively, of the nail plate 12 are lightly pulled away from the nail plate 12 so that the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be pushed onto the sides 20 and 22 of the nail plate 12. The user also uses the gel brush 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to pull or move the builder gel 130 toward the distal nail tip 16.
Referring to FIG. 5, in block 450, the second thicker layer of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is cured. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the builder gel 130 may be placed under the UV light source 114 for a sufficient amount of time to allow the second thicker layer of the builder gel 130 to cure.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the outer surface of the cured second thicker layer of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) will be smooth and level and does not need to be buffed or filed. However, some excess builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) may be extending from or overhanging the distal nail tip 16. Referring to FIG. 5, in block 460, the nail file 119 (see FIG. 2) is used to file the distal nail tip 16 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) to remove any excess portions of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) that may be extending from or overhanging the distal nail tip 16. In other words, filing is used to clean up any excess builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) on the distal nail tip 16 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). Then, the method 400 terminates.
Applying the first and second layers of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) is analogous to putting armor (or a cast) on the nail plate 12 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6) that protects the nail plate 12 from damage. The first and second layers of the builder gel 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) allow the body to rebuild vessels providing improved circulation and blood flow.
The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20180360189
