Masking device for a nail and method for masking a nail

Abstract

A masking device for masking a portion of a nail includes a shield portion having a first operative surface configured to contact the nail, a distal edge configured to expose a distal tip of the nail, an elongated strap portion formed integrally with the shield portion and projecting in a first direction and a strap receiving portion formed integrally with the shield portion and projecting in a second direction opposite the first direction. A plurality of fastening elements are disposed along a length of the elongated strap portion. The strap receiving portion has an engaging member for releasably engaging a respective fastening element of the plurality of fastening. elements. The shield portion, the elongated strap portion and the strap receiving portion are formed from a single flexible material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A masking device for masking a portion of a nail, the masking device comprising:
 a) a shield portion comprising a first operative surface configured to contact the nail, a first distal edge configured to expose a distal tip of the nail, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge opposite said first lateral edge;   b) an elongated strap portion projecting from said first lateral edge in a first direction, said elongated strap portion formed integrally with said shield portion and comprising a plurality of fastening elements disposed along a length of said elongated strap portion; and   c) a strap receiving portion projecting from said second lateral edge in a second direction opposite said first direction, said strap receiving portion formed integrally with said shield portion and comprising an engaging member for releasably engaging a respective fastening element of said plurality of fastening elements,   wherein said shield portion, said elongated strap portion and said strap receiving portion are formed from a single flexible material.   
     
     
         2 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield portion further comprises a second operative surface configured to contact a nail, said second operative surface disposed opposite said first operative surface. 
     
     
         3 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield portion further comprises a second proximal edge configured to expose a distal tip of a nail, said second proximal edge disposed opposite said first distal edge. 
     
     
         4 . The masking device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first distal edge has a first radius of curvature and said second proximal edge has a second radius of curvature different from said first radius of curvature. 
     
     
         5 . The masking device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first distal edge is dimensioned to expose a distal tip of a larger nail and said second proximal edge is dimensioned to expose a distal tip of a smaller nail. 
     
     
         6 . The masking device according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of fastening elements comprises a plurality of slits disposed along said elongated strap portion and said engaging member comprises a slit disposed on said strap receiving portion. 
     
     
         7 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated strap portion comprises a serrated edge, said plurality of fastening elements comprise a plurality of angled teeth and said engaging member comprises a slot through said strap receiving portion. 
     
     
         8 . The masking device according to  claim 1  wherein said single flexible material comprises silicone. 
     
     
         9 . A method for masking a portion of a nail, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a masking device formed from a single flexible material and comprising a shield portion, an elongated strap portion formed integrally with said shield portion and a strap receiving portion formed integrally with said shield portion;   b) selectively positioning said shield portion on a nail such that a first operative surface of said shield portion contacts a portion of the nail to be masked and a first distal edge of said shield portion exposes a portion of a distal tip of the nail to be coated;   c) looping said elongated strap portion around a finger associated with the nail; and   d) securing the masking device to the finger by engaging a fastening element of said elongated strap portion with an engaging member of said strap receiving portion.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claims 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) releasing the masking device from the finger;   b) selectively positioning said shield portion on a second nail such that a second operative surface of said shield portion disposed opposite said first operative surface contacts a portion of the second nail to be masked and said first distal edge of said shield portion exposes a portion of a distal tip of the second nail to be coated;   c) looping said elongated strap portion around a second finger associated with the second nail; and   d) securing the masking device to the second finger by engaging a fastening element of said elongated strap portion with an engaging member of said strap receiving portion.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claims 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) releasing the masking device from the finger;   b) selectively positioning a second proximal edge of said shield portion over a second nail thereby exposing a portion of a distal tip of the second nail to be coated and covering a portion of the second nail not to be coated, wherein said second proximal edge is disposed opposite said first distal edge and has a second radius of curvature different from a first radius of curvature of said first distal edge;   c) looping said elongated strap portion around a second finger associated with the second nail; and   d) securing the masking device to the second finger by engaging a fastening element of said elongated strap portion with an engaging member of said strap receiving portion.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of dimensioning said first distal edge for exposing a distal tip of a larger nail and dimensioning said second proximal edge for exposing a distal tip of a smaller nail. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of securing the masking device to the finger by engaging a fastening element of said elongated strap portion with an engaging member of said strap receiving portion comprises engaging a first slit selected from a plurality of slits disposed along said elongated strap portion with a second slit disposed on said strap receiving portion. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said step of securing the masking device to the finger by engaging a fastening element of said elongated strap portion with an engaging member of said strap receiving portion comprises engaging at least one angled tooth selected from a plurality of angled teeth disposed on at least one serrated edge of said elongated strap portion with a slot through said strap receiving portion.