Patent Publication Number: US-2023148730-A1

Title: Fingertip Covering Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/280,649, which was filed on Nov. 18, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of nail devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fingertip cover device that is comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid. The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device and a second end further comprised of a top surface that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered, with the exception of the nail. Therefore, the nail can then be decorated while the skin area around the nail is protected from overspray. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nail art is an extremely popular means of creative self-expression. With advancements in recent technology, there are nearly endless ways to decorate natural or artificial nails. However, many decorating techniques that involve spraying nails can be extremely messy. As a result, the fingertip skin around the nails can be stained or covered in nail spray. To avoid this, nail technicians will commonly apply a vinyl, U-shaped tape around each nail to cover the fingertip skin or apply a brush-on liquid latex around the fingertip skin in the same manner. However, both methods contain inherent limitations, as they take a significant amount of skill, effort, and time to apply and remove. In addition, both methods are not reusable. Further, some individuals may be allergic to latex, so brush-on latex is not an option. Brush-on latex is also undesirable due to its tendency to try out quickly and become unusable. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting fingertip skin while decorating nails. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that covers the fingertip skin of a user while allowing the nails of the user to remain unobstructed such that they can be decorated. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fingertip cover device. The device is comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device and a second end further comprised of a top surface that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered, with the exception of the nail. Therefore, the nail can then be decorated while the skin area around the nail is protected from overspray. 
     In this manner, the fingertip cover device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting and covering fingertip skin while decorating nails. While doing so, the device also allows the nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, the fingertip cover device is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fingertip cover device. The device is primarily comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening, and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body may be any color known in the art, may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque, and may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device. The body also has a second end, wherein the top surface of the second end is further comprised of a continuous opening that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered, with the exception of the nail. In one embodiment, the device may have a kit of multiple devices of differing sizes to accommodate differing lengths, widths, circumferences and shapes of fingers. In another embodiment, the body has a removable, adhesive film covering that is adhered to the outer surface of the body to prevent overspray from a nail paint or other nail-related spray while the device is worn on a fingertip. In a further embodiment, the body material is washable, such that any overspray can be washed off the body. In this manner, the device can be easily reused without being covered in overspray. 
     The device is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, at least one device is placed on at least one fingertip of a finger of a user by placing the fingertip through the continuous opening of the first end. Then, the nail of the fingertip can be pulled through the continuous opening of the second end, and the body can be repositioned as necessary such that only the nail is exposed and the rest of the fingertip is covered by the device. Once in position, the nail can be sprayed using a spraying device to spray a decorative spray onto the nail. Then, the device remains around the fingertip and nail as the nail dries. Once the nail has dried, the device can be removed from the fingertip by retracting the fingertip from the body via the first opening. It should be noted that this process can then be repeated or done simultaneously for all other fingers of a user. 
     Accordingly, the fingertip cover device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting fingertip skin while decorating nails. While doing so, the device also allows the nail or nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, the fingertip cover device is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. In this manner, the fingertip cover device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of using vinyl and latex to protect and cover fingertip skin while decorating nails known in the art. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a plurality of fingertip cover devices of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a plurality of fingertip cover devices of the present invention while worn on a plurality of fingers of a user and while the nails of the user are being sprayed by a spraying device in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a flowchart of one potential method of using one potential embodiment of a fingertip cover device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting and covering fingertip skin while decorating nails. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that covers the fingertip skin of a user while allowing the nail or nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a fingertip cover device primarily comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. The body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body may be any color known in the art, may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque, and may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device. The second end of the body has a top surface that is further comprised of a continuous opening that exposes the nail of the user. As such, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered by the device, with the exception of the nail. In one embodiment, the device may have a kit of multiple devices of differing sizes to accommodate differing lengths, widths, circumferences and shapes of fingers. In another embodiment, the body has a removable, adhesive film covering that is adhered to the outer surface of the body to prevent overspray from a nail paint or other nail-related spray while the device is worn on a fingertip. In a further embodiment, the body material is washable, such that any overspray can be washed off the body. In this manner, the device can be easily reused without being covered in overspray. 
     The device is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, at least one device is placed on at least one fingertip of a finger of a user by placing the fingertip through the continuous opening of the first end. Then, the nail of the fingertip can be pulled through the continuous opening of the second end and the body can be repositioned as necessary, such that only the nail is exposed and the rest of the fingertip is covered by the device. Once in position, the nail can be sprayed using a spraying device to spray a decorative spray onto the nail. Then, the device remains around the fingertip and nail as the nail dries. Once the nail has dried, the device can be removed from the fingertip by retracting the fingertip from the body via the first opening. It should be noted that this process can then be repeated or done simultaneously for all other fingers of a user. 
     Accordingly, the fingertip cover device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting fingertip skin while decorating nails. While doing so, the device also allows the nail or nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, the fingertip cover device is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. In this manner, the fingertip cover device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of using vinyl and latex to protect fingertip skin while decorating nails known in the art. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a plurality of fingertip cover devices  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is primarily comprised of a fingertip-shaped body  110  that has a first end  130  with a continuous opening and a second end  140  with a continuous opening  142 . In differing embodiments, the body  110  may be manufactured from a material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. Said material may be a plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc., or a rubber material such as, but not limited to, neoprene, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, Styrene-Butadiene, butyl, natural, fluorosilicone, acetone-proof, etc. Further, the body  110  may be any color known in the art and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. In addition, the body  110  may have a plurality of indicia  150  such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     As noted, the body  110  is preferably shaped like a fingertip  10 . The body  110  further has a first end  130  and a second end  140 . The first end  130  has a continuous opening  132  that allows a user to insert a fingertip  10  into the device  100 . The top surface  120  of the second end  140  is further comprised of a continuous opening  142  that exposes the nail  12  of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip  10  of the user are covered by the device  100 , with the exception of the nail  12 . In differing embodiments, the device  100  may have a kit  200  of multiple devices  100  of differing sizes, to accommodate differing lengths, widths, circumferences and shapes of fingers  5 . 
     In one embodiment, the body  110  has a removable, adhesive film covering  152  that is adhered to the outer surface  112  of the body. In this manner, the covering  152  can cover the body  110  to prevent overspray from a nail paint or other nail-related spray while the device  100  is worn on a fingertip  10 . This in turn preserves the color of the body  110 . In a differing embodiment, the body  110  material is washable and reusable, such that any overspray can be washed off the body  110 . In this manner, the device  100  can be easily reused without being covered in overspray. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a flowchart of one potential method  300  of using one potential embodiment of a fingertip cover device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is also comprised of a method  300  of using the device  100 . First, at least one device  100  is placed on at least one fingertip  10  of a finger  5  of a user by placing the fingertip  10  through the continuous opening  132  of the first end  130  [Block  302 ]. Then, the nail  12  of the fingertip  10  can be pulled through the continuous opening  142  of the second end  140  [Block  304 ]. Next, the body  110  can be repositioned as necessary such that only the nail  12  is exposed, and the rest of the fingertip  10  is covered by the device  100  [Block  306 ]. Once in position, the nail  12  can be sprayed using a spraying device  20  to spray a decorative spray  22  onto the nail  12 , as seen in  FIG.  2    [Block  308 ]. Then, the device  100  remains around the fingertip  10  and nail  12  as the nail  12  dries [Block  310 ]. Once the nail  12  has dried, the device  100  can be removed from the fingertip  10  by retracting the fingertip  10  from the body  110  via the first opening  132  [Block  312 ]. This process can then be repeated or done simultaneously for all other fingers  5  of a user. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name, but not structure or function. As used herein “fingertip cover device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the fingertip cover device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the fingertip cover device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the fingertip cover device  100  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the fingertip cover device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the fingertip cover device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the fingertip cover device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.