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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.