Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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METHOD OF STRENGTHENING AND REPAIRING FINGERNAILS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a method and device for reinforcing
a
natural fingernail. The present invention is also directed to a method and
device for
reattaching or repairing broken or damaged fingernails.
BACKGROUND
Consumers value the appearance of smooth, nicely shaped fingernails. Many
women, in particular, desire long fingernails having such an appearance that
also look
natural and blend effectively into the size and shape of the finger. Many
individuals,
however, simply cannot grow long nails or grow nails which are weak and break
easily.
Various artificial nails have been proposed for use in strengthening,
extending,
and/or repairing fingernails. These artificial nails are commonly used to
strengthen
natural fingernails so as to reduce the possibility of breakage.
Alternatively, the
artificial nails are used to cover imperfections or breaks in the natural
fingernails.
Artificial fingernails known in the art can generally be classified into two
categories:
preformed nails that are applied onto the natural fingernail; and artificial
fingernails
formed by applying a liquid solution or an adhesive composition to the natural
fingernail.
Generally, preformed (prefabricated) artificial nails are applied to the
surfaces of
natural fingernails. These preformed fingernails typically are made of
acrylic,
fiberglass, or plastic. Preformed nails, however, possess a number of
shortcomings.
Since they are not custom-made for every size and shape of finger, they can
look
unnatural or blend ineffectively into the fingers and hand, making them
aesthetically
unappealing. Additionally, because they are typically adhered to the exposed
(top)
portion of a natural nail, they tend to fall off or become dislodged fairly
easily. This
makes them particularly ineffective at strengthening or protecting the natural
nail and
necessitates constant replacement of the artificial nail.
Two major drawbacks of preformed artificial nails involve their method of
application. When these products are adhesively applied onto the majority of
the upper
exposed surface of the natural nail, air pockets typically form between the
artificial nail
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and the natural nail. These air pockets cause the artificial nail to lift off
the surface of
the natural nail. This can create discomfort and become aesthetically
displeasing to the
wearer. More significantly, if the artificial nail remains on the natural nail
with air
pockets captured therebetween, bacteria and fungus can collect in the air
pockets, which
can result in damage to the natural nail and/or cuticle. Where an artificial
nail is
adhered on the leading edge portion of the natural nail, it is difficult to
get a smooth
blend from the surface of the natural nail onto the plastic nail because a
ridge is created
where the artificial nail meets the natural nail. The formation of this ridge
is
particularly noticeable once the natural nail grows out and pushes the ridge
away from
the cuticle and to an area of the nail that is more visible.
The other category of artificial nails consists of forming an artificial nail
in situ
(directly on the nail) on the natural fingernail. Artificial nails that are
formed in situ
employ a form, usually made of plastic, around which the composition is
applied and
allowed to harden. A manicurist or beauty professional then applies a coating
of
adhesive to the top surface of a natural fingernail and to the top surface of
a fingernail
extension.
This type of formed artificial nail, however, also has a number of drawbacks.
For example, formation of this type of artificial nail is time consuming and
requires a
skilled professional or a person having experience in such artificial nail
formation
methods. Because most artificial nails do not usually last longer than about a
week,
constant repeat visits to a cosmetician are required. Additionally, when an
artificially
formed nail breaks off or becomes damaged, the wearer must wait until a visit
is
scheduled with a cosmetician to repair or replace the artificial nail.
While the results obtained from forming an artificial nail are more
aesthetically
pleasing than those obtained with application of a preformed nail, a less than
perfect
integration between the hardened composition, the plastic form, and the
natural
fingernail nonetheless results from such a formation technique. This is due to
the fact
that the plastic form, which is usually placed on the tip of the natural nail
during the
formation process, does not absorb the adhesive and is not integrated into the
hardened
composition to become one piece. As a result, an integrated, whole nail is not
created.
Furthermore, if the plastic form comes off, the hardened composition remains,
leaving
what appears to be a half nail or a nail having two different thicknesses.
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An even greater limitation results from the fact that the formed artificial
nails
are not generally hard enough to protect the natural nail from additional
damage or from
separating and falling off the natural nail. Thus, application of formed
artificial nails
does not adequately reinforce the natural nail so as to provide sufficient
support to
permit growth of long, natural nails.
A general problem with the use of artificial nails, both preformed nails and
those that are formed in situ, is that they thicken the natural nail
significantly, making it
obvious that the wearer has not grown his or her nails naturally. Use of
artificial nails
which are attached or adhered to the top surface of a natural fingernail can
damage the
top of the fingernail and/or make the fingernail brittle. Additionally,
artificial nails are
often difficult or impossible to apply when the user has enlarged, curved
nails
(i.e.,onychogryposis) or eggshell nails (i.e.,onychomalacia; soft, thin, white
nails that
curve down at the free edge of the nail).
A method and device for repairing broken or split fingernails, which does not
rely on application of an artificial nail to the top surface of the natural
fingernail, is
taught in U.S. Patent 5,005,595 issued April 9, 1991 to Aylott ("Aylott"). The
device
of Aylott requires a support portion for positioning the device underneath a
natural nail,
a lip for butting the support portion up against the edge of the natural
fingernail, and a
handle portion attached to the support portion to manipulate the latter.
Attachment of
the device to the natural fingernail is effected by applying adhesive to the
support
portion, positioning the lip of the support portion under and up against the
edge of the
natural fingernail to secure the device thereto, and then removing the handle
portion.
The method of Aylott, however, also has a number of shortcomings. The device
of Aylott is formed to include three separate parts, that is, a handle
portion, a support
portion, and a forward surface which is separated from the support portion by
a lip.
This particular configuration requires specialized molds and, presumably,
molding steps
which make its production both expensive and time consuming. The configuration
of
the Aylott device also relies on a handle portion to manipulate and hold the
device in
place for adhesion to the natural fingernail. During use, however, the handle
portion
only provides pressure to the central portion of the device and does not
provide
consistent pressure on the sides of the device. As such, continuous pressure
between
the entirety of the device and natural fingernail surfaces is not achieved,
potentially
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leaving portions of the device unattached and exposed. The method of Aylott is
skill
and time intensive since it requires multiple steps to perform. After
attachment of the
device to the fingernail, the handle portion must be separated from the
support portion
and the support portion must be shaped to a desired configuration prior to
applying a
$ filler material or a finish to the top of the natural fingernail. As with
other artificial
nails, the device of Aylott is not configured for convenient application to
eggshell nails
or enlarged, curved nails.
Thus, there still exists a need for a method of strengthening, reattaching,
and
repairing a natural nail which does not require extensive materials and skill
to perform
and which can be accomplished conveniently and inexpensively at a moment's
notice.
A further need exists for a method and device that allows individuals that
have
difficulty in growing long, strong natural nails which does not rely only on
the
attachment of materials on the top surface of the natural fingernail and which
permits
the natural fingernail to grow without the assistance of materials or devices
that detract
1$ from the natural look of the wearer's fingernails.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and method for strengthening a
natural
fingernail. The nail reinforcing device comprises a pliable, conformable
material
having a thickness that is less than the thickness of a natural fingernail.
The nail
reinforcing device can be preformed and shaped to correspond to the shape of a
natural
fingernail or can be shaped to correspond to the general shape of the natural
fingernail
to which it is attached or adhered.
The method for strengthening a natural fingernail of the present invention
comprises applying an adhesive to at least a portion of the bottom
(underneath) surface
of the free end of the natural fingernail or to the upper surface of the nail
reinforcing
device. The nail reinforcing device is positioned under the natural fingernail
so as to
provide contact between the upper surface of the body of the nail reinforcing
device and
the bottom surface of the natural fingernail. Adhesive is also applied to at
least a
portion of the top surface of the natural fingernail or to at least a portion
of the upper
surface of the sides of the nail reinforcing device. The nail reinforcing
device includes
sides that are folded so as to provide contact between the upper surface of
the sides of
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the nail reinforcing device and the top surface of the natural nail. The nail
reinforcing
device is then maintained in a stable position to ensure adherence between the
upper
surface of the nail reinforcing device and the bottom and top surfaces of the
natural
fingernail.
The method can additionally include removing the nail reinforcing device after
the natural fingernail has grown out or extended in length and reapplying an
adhesive to
at least a portion of the bottom surface and/or top surface of the natural
fingernail or to
at least a portion of the upper surface of a second nail reinforcing device
and attaching
or adhering the second nail reinforcing device to the extended natural
fingernail.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, a method for
reattaching a broken fingernail comprises applying an adhesive to at least a
portion of
the bottom and/or top surfaces of a detached portion and a remaining portion
of the
broken fingernail or to at least a portion of the upper surface of the nail
reinforcing
device. The nail reinforcing device is then positioned so as to provide
contact between
the upper surface of the nail reinforcing device and the bottom surface of the
detached
portion of the fingernail. The nail reinforcing device is also positioned so
as to provide
contact between the upper surface of the nail reinforcing device and the
bottom of the
remaining portion of the broken fingernail. The sides of the nail reinforcing
device are
folded over and adhered to the top surfaces of the detached and remaining
portions of
the broken fingernail, and the nail reinforcing device is held or maintained
in a stable
position to ensure adherence between the upper surface of the nail reinforcing
device
and the bottom and top surfaces of the detached and remaining portions of the
broken
fingernail.
In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, a method for
repairing a damaged fingernail comprises applying an adhesive to at least a
portion of
the bottom and/or top surfaces of the damaged fingernail or to the upper
surface of the
nail reinforcing device. The nail reinforcing device is then positioned so as
to provide
contact between the upper surface of the nail reinforcing device and the
bottom surface
of the damaged fingernail. The nail reinforcing device is then held or
maintained in a
stable position to ensure adherence between the upper surface of the nail
reinforcing
device and the bottom surface of the natural fingernail. Once the nail
reinforcing
device has been attached or adhered to the natural fingernail, a filler
material is applied
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to a portion of the nail reinforcing device underlying a damaged portion of
the
fingernail to fill the damaged portion of the fingernail. The sides of the
nail reinforcing
device are folded over and adhered to the top surface of the damaged and
filled nail,
and the nail reinforcing device is held or maintained in a stable position to
ensure
adherence between the upper surface of the nail reinforcing device and the
bottom and
top surfaces of the damaged and filled fingernail.
In yet another embodiment of the nail reinforcing device of the present
invention, the sides of the nail reinforcing device are shaped to form a
decorative
pattern on the top surface of the natural fingernail once the sides of the
nail reinforcing
device are folded over and adhered to the top surface of the natural
fingernail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the
advantages of
this invention can be more readily ascertained from the following description
of the
invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the nail reinforcing
device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating application of an adhesive to the
bottom surface of the natural fingernail;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the application of the nail
reinforcing
device to a natural fingernail;
FIG. 4 illustrates a tool useful for manipulating the nail reinforcing device
of
once the nail reinforcing device is placed in contact with the natural
fingernail;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the nail reinforcing device attached to the
bottom surface of the natural fingernail;
FIG. 6 illustrates a nail reinforcing device sized and shaped to include a
decorative pattern once applied to the natural fingernail;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another preferred embodiment of the
nail reinforcing device attached to the bottom surface of the natural
fingernail prior to
being shaped to match the contour of the natural fingernail;
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FIG. 8 illustrates the nail reinforcing device of FIG. 7 after being attached
to the
bottom surface of the natural fingernail;
FIG. 9 is a partial diagrammatic section of a natural fingernail which has
been
reinforced with the nail reinforcing device of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating application of an adhesive to the
bottom surface of the detached portion of a broken fingernail;
FIG. 11 illustrates a method of reattaching a broken fingernail using the nail
reinforcing device; and
FIG. 12 illustrates a method of repairing a damaged fingernail using the nail
reinforcing device.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Refernng to Figure 1, a top view of a first embodiment of nail reinforcing
device 10 of the present invention is shown. Nail reinforcing device 10 can be
formed
from a thin sheet of pliable material having sufficient resiliency to conform
to the shape
of a natural fingernail and having sufficient rigidity to provide support to
the natural
fingernail after being attached to the latter. Suitable materials for use in
making nail
reinforcing device 10 include, for example, polymers, acetate, plastic,
graphite fiber,
vinyl, rubber, or fiberglass. However, nail reinforcing device 10 is most
preferably
made using silk or linen. Nail reinforcing device 10 has a body 11, a front
edge 14, a
back edge 12, sides 16 and 18, and an upper surface 20, which includes the
upper
surface of body 11 and of sides 16 and 18.
Sides 16 and 18 of nail reinforcing device 10 can be of any suitable shape and
size. Preferably sides 16 and 18 are shaped so as to provide maximum coverage
over
and under the corresponding sides of the natural fingernail to which nail
reinforcing
device 10 is to be attached. Most preferably, sides 16 and 18 are shaped and
sized to
permit coverage of stress points located at the sides of the natural
fingernail lying
adjacent to the nail bed, when nail reinforcing device 10 is attached to the
natural
fingernail.
It is understood that nail reinforcing device 10 may be of any suitable
thickness,
as desired, which will vary depending on the inherent strength of the material
used.
Preferably, the thickness of nail reinforcing device 10 is less than the
thickness of the
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natural fingernail and, most preferably, is less than one-half as thick as the
natural
fingernail. Use of a thin material will enhance the aesthetic appearance of
the
reinforced fingernail by making nail reinforcing device 10 either
imperceptible or
barely noticeable. Nail reinforcing device 10 preferably includes holes 1 S
which
facilitate the escape of air trapped between the natural nail and nail
reinforcing device
upon application of nail reinforcing device 10 to the surface of the natural
nail. It is
also understood that nail reinforcing device 10 can include gaps, ridges,
channels, or
any other imprint, texture, or pattern on upper surface 20 that increases the
surface area
thereof so as to facilitate or enhance adhesion of nail reinforcing device 10
to the
10 natural fingernail.
Nail reinforcing device 10 can be formed and shaped by any suitable means,
such as by cutting or sanding, to correspond to the shape of an exposed, lower
surface
portion (see lower surface 26 of Figure 2) of the natural fingernail. In this
fashion, nail
reinforcing device 10 can be preshaped to facilitate its application to the
natural
fingernail. Alternatively, fingernail reinforcing device 10 can be initially
formed in the
general shape and size of the natural fingernail being reinforced and then,
after adhesion
to the fingernail is completed, can be shaped to specifically conform to the
contour of
the natural fingernail, as more specifically described below with reference to
Figures 7
and 8. Due to the resilient, pliable nature of nail reinforcing device 10 and
the fact that
it can be custom-shaped to a desired configuration, nail reinforcing device 10
can be
easily applied to a fingernail having any shape and size (e.g., enlarged,
curved nails and
eggshell nails).
Figures 2, 3, and S illustrate a method for applying nail reinforcing device
10 to
a natural fingernail for purposes of reinforcing the same. As shown in Figure
2, an
adhesive 28, such as an instant glue (e.g., "SUPERGLUE"), is applied to a
lower
surface (underside) 26 of the natural fingernail. Adhesive 28 can,
alternatively, be
applied to upper surface 20 at body 11 of nail reinforcing device 10 instead
of being
applied to lower surface 26. Adhesive 28 can also be applied to both upper
surface 20
of nail reinforcing device 10 and lower surface 26. In yet another alternative
embodiment, upper surface 20 of nail reinforcing device 10 can be pretreated
with
adhesive to facilitate application of the same to lower surface 26 of the
natural
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fingernail, thus obviating the need to apply adhesive to either upper surface
20 or lower
surface 26 prior to application of nail reinforcing device 10 to the natural
fingernail.
As shown in Figure 3, upper surface 20 of nail reinforcing device 10 is then
positioned over lower surface 26 of the natural fingernail, with back edge 12
preferably
abutting a portion 24 of the natural fingernail that is in contact with the
finger (i. e.,
hyponychium), so as to maximize contact between nail reinforcing device 10 and
lower
surface 26. Nail reinforcing device may then be manipulated to smooth any
wrinkles in
nail reinforcing device, to remove any air trapped between nail reinforcing
device 10
and the surface of the natural fingernail or to ensure nail reinforcing device
is ideally
placed.
The tool 51, shown in Figure 4, may be used to manipulate nail reinforcing
device 10 after nail reinforcing device 10 is placed in contact with the
natural nail.
Tool 51 preferably has a smooth surface shaped to generally conform to the
underside
of the natural fingernail. It is also preferred that tool 11 be thin,
sufficiently rigid to
exert pressure on nail reinforcing device 10, yet pliable and shapable so
that, in the
event that tool 11 becomes bonded to nail reinforcing device 10, the
cosmetician could
leave tool 11 in place and shape substantially rigid tool 11 to conform to the
shape and
contour of the natural nail.
After being properly positioned over lower surface 26, nail reinforcing device
10 is held in place to ensure good adherence between upper surface 20 of nail
reinforcing device 10 and lower surface 26 of the natural fingernail. Holding
nail
reinforcing device 10 in position can be accomplished by pressing down against
reinforcing device 10 with a finger or by utilizing any suitably-configured
apparatus or
device (e.g., alligator clips, tweezers, etc.) which permits the user to reach
under the
natural fingernail and press against lower surface 26. Also, any known
apparatus (e.g.,
clamps) can be used to fasten or maintain top surface 20 adjacent to and
overlying sides
16 and 18 onto lower surface 26 so as to complete adhesion between nail
reinforcing
device 10 and the natural fingernail. Alternatively, nail reinforcing device
10 may be
held in position by pinching nail reinforcing device 10 between the bottom
surface of
the natural nail and tool 51 using tweezers, alligator clips, clamps, etc.
As is illustrated in Figure 5, after nail reinforcing device 10 has been
properly
placed on the lower surface of the natural fingernail, an adhesive 28, such as
an instant
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glue (e.g., "SUPERGLUE"), is applied to the top surface 30 of the natural
fingernail.
Adhesive 28 can, alternatively, be applied, to upper surface 20 at sides 16,
18 of nail
reinforcing device 10 instead of being applied to the top surface 30 of the
natural
fingernail. Adhesive 28 can also be applied to both upper surface 20 at sides
16, 18 of
nail reinforcing device 10 and to top surface 30 of the natural nail. In yet
another
alternative embodiment, upper surface 20 of nail reinforcing device 10 can be
pretreated with adhesive to facilitate application of the same to the top
surface 30 of the
natural fingernail, thus obviating the need to apply adhesive to either upper
surface 20
or top surface 30.
After adhesive 28 has been placed on upper surface 20 at sides 16 and 18
and/or
on top surface 30, sides 16 and 18 are folded over and placed in contact with
top
surface 30. Folded sides 16, 18 may be manipulated to eliminate any air
trapped
between the upper surface 20 at sides 16, 18 and top surface 30 of the natural
nail and
to ensure ideal positioning of folded sides 16,18. Folding over and adhering
sides
16,18 to top surface 30 of the natural fingernail is highly desirable because
it provides
enhanced and substantially evenly distributed reinforcement.
As is illustrated in Figure 6, sides 16, 18 of nail reinforcing device 10 may
be
shaped so that a pattern is formed when sides 16, 18 are folded over and
adhered to top
surface 30 of the natural fingernail. Sides 16, 18 of nail reinforcing device
10 may be
preshaped to create various patterns. For example, sides 16, 18 may be pre-
shaped to
create seasonal patterns (e.g., a Christmas tree, a jack-o-lantern, a heart, a
shamrock,
etc.), animals, letters, or numbers. Sides 16, 18 of nail reinforcing device
10, may also
be custom shaped by a cosmetician to meet individual design needs. It is
understood,
however, that sides 16, 18 of nail reinforcing device 10 may also include no
pattern and
may be shaped to serve only reinforcement purposes.
Nail reinforcing device 10, illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 5, is shown as
being
preshaped before application. In an alternative method of application, nail
reinforcing
device 10 is initially formed in a general shape and size that overlaps the
natural
fingernail being reinforced, as shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, nail
reinforcing device 10 is then attached or adhered to lower surface 26 of the
natural
fingernail following the method previously described in conjunction with
Figures 2 and
3, and 5. After adhesion to lower surface 26 is completed, sides 16 and 18 of
nail
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reinforcing device 10 can be shaped, such as by cutting with a pair of
cosmetic scissors
or by filing, to conform to a desired contour and shape. It is also understood
that after
adhesion of nail reinforcing device 10 to lower surface 26 is completed, sides
16, 18
can be shaped to conform to the contour and shape of the natural fingernail
and to
create a pattern after being folded and bonded or adhered to top surface 30.
The method of application of nail reinforcing device 10 may also include
filing
of nail reinforcing device 10 after nail reinforcing device 10 has been
applied to a
natural fingernail. Where sides 16, 18 are not shaped to form a pattern after
being
folded, filing of folded sides 16, 18 may conducted in order smooth or blend
nail
reinforcing device 10 into the contours of the natural nail. Even where sides
16, 18
form a pattern after folding, filing of folded sides 16, 18 may be conducted,
if needed,
to smooth or shape nail reinforcing device 10.
As further shown in Figure 9, which represents a cross-sectional view of a
natural fingernail 32 that has been reinforced with nail reinforcing device 10
by the
method of this invention, nail reinforcing device 10 has a thickness that is a
fraction of
the thickness of natural fingernail 32 to which it is attached. In a preferred
embodiment, the thickness of nail reinforcing device 10 is from about 2 mils
to about
10 mils, which makes nail reinforcing device 10 either hardly visible or not
noticeable
at all, upon close inspection, in relationship to the natural fingernail to
which it is
applied.
Referring to Figures 10 and 1 l, the present method of reinforcing a natural
fingernail can also be used to reattach a detached portion of broken
fingernail. As
shown in Figure 10, this can be accomplished by applying adhesive 26 to
detached
portion 40 of the broken fingernail. As shown in Figure 11, nail reinforcing
device 10
is then attached onto lower surface (underside) 42 of detached portion 40, so
as to
position the section of nail reinforcing device 10 containing back edge 12 in
an
overlapping fashion over detached portion 40 of the broken fingernail. The
detached
portion 40 and attached nail reinforcing device 10 are positioned over the
lower surface
of the broken fingernail, with back edge 12 preferably abutting a portion 24
of the
natural fingernail that is in contact with the finger, using the same
technique described
above with reference to Figure 3. Nail reinforcing device 10 is then held in
position in
order to ensure good adherence between upper surface 20 of nail reinforcing
device 10
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and the lower surface of the natural fingernail (see Figure 3), and sides 16,
18 are folded
over and adhered to top surface 30 of the natural fingernail using the same
technique
described above with reference to Figure 5.
The present method of reinforcing a natural fingernail can also be used to
repair
a damaged fingernail (e.g., chipped or cracked fingernail). This can be
accomplished
by following the techniques described in conjunction with Figures 1 through 4.
After a
preshaped nail reinforcing device 10 has been attached to natural fingernail
32, as
shown in Figure 12, the damaged portion 48 of the natural fingernail can be
repaired by
applying any suitable strengthening material (e.g., polymeric filler) to the
portion of nail
reinforcing device 10 underlying damaged portion 48 of the natural fingernail
to fill the
same.
Alternatively, the method for repairing a damaged fingernail can be
accomplished by using a nail reinforcing device 10 that has not been preshaped
to
conform with the shape of the natural fingernail, attaching nail reinforcing
device 10 to
the natural fingernail, and repairing the damaged fingernail as described
above. After
adhesion to natural fingernail 32 is completed, nail reinforcing device 10 can
be shaped,
such as by cutting with a pair of cosmetic scissors or by filing, to
specifically conform
to the contour of the natural fingernail to which it is attached.
With reference to the methods described in conjunction with Figures 10, 11,
and
12, it is understood that adhesive 28 can, alternatively, be applied to upper
surface 20 of
nail reinforcing device 10 instead of being applied to the lower surface of
the natural
nail. Adhesive 28 can also be applied to both upper surface 20 of nail
reinforcing
device 10 and lower surface 26. In yet another alternative embodiment, upper
surface
20 of nail reinforcing device 10 can be pretreated with adhesive to facilitate
application
of the same to lower surface 26 of the natural fingernail, thus obviating the
need to
apply adhesive to either upper surface 20 or lower surface 26 prior to
application of nail
reinforcing device 10 to the natural fingernail.
Regardless of its intended use (i.e., strengthening, repairing, or
reattachment of a
natural fingernail), the application of nail reinforcing device 10 provides
the necessary
support and structure to a natural fingernail to allow the wearer to grow long
fingernails, while at the same time maintaining a natural, aesthetically-
pleasing look in
the process. Advantageously, use of nail reinforcing device 10 according to
the
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aforementioned methods of application allows natural, unobstructed growth of
the
natural fingernail and further provides reinforcement of stress points located
at the sides
of the natural fingernail, particularly where the free edge of the natural
fingernail and
the nail bed meet. Use of reinforcing device 10 as set forth herein can create
an
embossed or three-dimensional impression on the top surface 30 of the natural
fingernail.
Additionally, as the natural fingernail grows, nail reinforcing device 10
extends
with the natural fingernail. Because of this, it is understood that, as nail
reinforcing
device 10 extends outwardly and away from the forger as the natural fingernail
grows,
nail reinforcing device 10 can be removed and replaced with a new nail
reinforcing
device 10 that has been preshaped to conform to the shape of the now larger,
exposed,
lower surface portion (i. e., lower surface 26 of Figure 2) of the natural
fingernail
according to the methods described above. Alternatively, nail reinforcing
device 10 can
be initially formed to match the overall or general shape and size of the
natural
fingernail and then, after being attached or adhered to the natural
fingernail, shaped to
specifically conform to the contour of the natural fingernail.
Nail reinforcing device 10 can be sold in any of the forms mentioned herein
(e.g., preshaped, nonshaped, with preapplied adhesive, etc.) either
individually or as
part of a kit containing a combination of items necessary for the task of
reinforcing,
reattaching, and/or repairing natural fingernails. A kit can include, for
example, one or
more nail reinforcing device 10, an adhesive, a pair of scissors or nail file,
a device for
use in manipulating or pressing nail reinforcing device 10 against the natural
fingernail,
and a strengthening material.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that various
modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible, without departing
from the
scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
