NO20200269A1

NO20200269A1 - Means For Repairing Ingrown Nails

Info

Publication number: NO20200269A1
Application number: NO20200269A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Brian Thomas Hartman; Jonny Martinsen; Åge Martinsen
Original assignee: Brian Thomas Hartman; Jonny Martinsen; Martinsen Aage
Priority date: 2020-03-10
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2021-09-13
Also published as: WO2021182970A1

Description

MEANS FOR REPAIRING INGROWN NAILS

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to helping solve the problem of ingrown nails, specifically it relates to securing a strip of flexible material across the nail and down to the curved sides of the ingrown portion of the nail wherein the flexible material straightens the nail by gently lifting on this portion(s), and more specifically the present invention relates to the improved method of application and securement of the flexible strip of material to the ingrown nail.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hundreds of millions suffer from ingrown nails worldwide, 18 to 20% of the population. Typically, the strips of flexible material used to secure on the ingrown nail are provided independently along with an adhesive of some kind. The user must attempt to hold the small strips of material with their fingers or tools, tweezers for example, then apply the adhesive to the strip and place correctly on the ingrown nail and hold still in place for as long as required for the adhesive to cure.

The main problem with this conventional way of applying the material is that the small strips are very difficult to hold in place without the adhesive interacting with the fingers, or any external device aiding to hold the strips in place. If the flexible strips are not applied correctly then they have no effect.

In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the Prior Art by providing an easy way to apply the strip of flexible material to the ingrown nail. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present invention may be better appreciated. In this respect, before explaining the embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The present invention also relates to use of the means according to the application. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a means for applying the flexible material that will overcome the shortcomings found in the prior art solutions.

A second object is to provide a means for holding and applying the flexible material while avoiding the direct contact of fingers or external devices with the adhesive necessary in fixing the flexible material to the ingrown nail.

Another object is to provide a device that decreases the amount of time required to apply the strip to the ingrown nail.

A further object is to provide an all-in-one solution for the application of the flexible

material.

The closest prior art in this field are listed below, along with the differentiating features of the present invention.

DE202006009739U1 is a solution which attempts to place hooks on each side of the ingrown toenail's edges which is extremely difficult and painful considering the toenail is deformed

and grown into the skin which is most often irritated, inflamed and very sensitive. The

present invention avoids having to force any object between the ingrown nail and sensitive skin.

US2016073759A1 is a solution that appears to be a means for transferring nail coating strips for aesthetic reasons and having no relation to solving the problem of ingrown nails.

JP2005066003A

This solution provides a correction plate to be pasted onto the nail yet does not provide a practical means for holding and placing said correction plate which is very small. The present invention was designed to solve that very problem by supplementing the correction plate

with a handle, thereby avoiding contact with the fingers while applying the necessary

adhesive, while also allowing for precise placement of the small correction plate by providing distance between the fingers and the strip.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantage inherent in the known types of securing the flexible material to the ingrown nail, the present invention provides a novel way to easily secure the flexible material to the nail by attaching it to a device which allows for more precise and safe application of the flexible material.

To attain this, the present invention provides a means that comprises an elongate body having a first end and a second end. The entire device may be flat and equal, but not limited, to the thickness of the flexible material to be attached to the nail. The first end provides a grip, or means to hold the invention which has two, or more, arms extending on either side. Those arms attach to the second end which is the flexible strip to be attached to the ingrown nail. The distance between the first end and the second end provide a means for keeping fingers and objects away from the adhesive needed to secure the strip to the ingrown nail.

The invention is defined in the appended independent claim. Some possible embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

Applying pressure to the center of the strip bends it inwards, thus bending the ends of the strip downwards to follow the curve of the nail, as is desired, while the arms hold the strip securely in place. The arms attached on the side are flexible and bend inwards with the strip as it is applied to the nail. As mentioned, applying pressure to the center of the strip bends it inwards, thus creating a curve in the strip so that less pressure will be required during application on the curved nail. The user can squeeze the arms to hold the strip in its curved position while applying or uncovering the adhesive, thus allowing for less pain when applying the strip to the ingrown nail, which is normally very painful. Once in place, the first end allows for firm, easy grip and control of the second end, the flexible material, while the adhesive dries. Once cured, the first end is removed from the second end, the flexible material now secured to the ingrown nail. This may be done either by constructing a link between the arms and the flexible material which is configured for tool-less detachment of the flexible arms, or by cutting or clipping the arms at their attachment points to the flexible material, now secured on the ingrown nail. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a novel means for applying the strip to an ingrown nail that has the advantages of the current solution and many novel features that result in a new device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested or implied by any of the prior art solutions, either alone or in any combination thereof.

This invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as they become better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which reference characters designated the same or similar throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG.1 is a front view of the present invention showing the construction in its

entirety.

FIG.2 is the present invention being applied to the ingrown nail.

FIG.3 is the final stage of application of the present invention wherein the portion of

the invention no longer required is safely removed from the flexible strip now

securely in place.

FIG.4 is the juncture of the arm to the flexible material which is to be applied to the ingrown nail. FIG.5 is a side view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS.1 through 5 illustrate the means (100) which comprises an elongate

body for repairing ingrown nails, comprising a flexible material (1) (also referred to as 'strip') configured to be fixed to an ingrown nail (3) with an adhesive.

The means 100 further comprises an applicator part 10, wherein the applicator part comprises a gripping portion (5) two flexible arms 7 connecting the means (100), to the strip (1). Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails 3, is further characterized in that the respective connection points between the flexible arms (7) and the strip (1) are located at a distance from the respective ends 9 of the flexible strip. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping portion (5) comprises a flat portion. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible arms (7) at their connection point with the flexible strip (1) has a flat configuration with two oppositely facing faces that face along a plane parallel with the longitudinal extension of the flexible strip (1). Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible arms (7) may also comprise a link, possibly weakened, configured for tool-less detachment of the flexible arms (7) from the flexible strip (1) eliminating the need for external cutting devices (11) FIG 3.

As shown in FIGS.1 through 5 of the drawings, the elongate body (100) is preferably flat in shape. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the elongate body may have various shapes such as circular, square, oval, rectangular and other well-known shapes. The elongate body (100) is illustrated as straight having a single axis and a center point. However, it can be appreciated that the elongate body can have various other shapes including curved shapes. Such as, the elongate body (100) can be designed wherein the arms (7) curve in an outward fashion towards the second end such that when looking directly down from above the body (100) the strip (1) remains visible. Equally, the elongate body (100) may be U shaped and not connected at the top, thereby consisting of only the second part which would be the arms (7) independent of each other but still connected to the strip (1) and applied to the ingrown nail (3) in the same procedure. The elongate body (100) is illustrated as solid in structure or may be comprised of a hollow structure. The elongate body (100) is preferably comprised of a plastic such as that already used in the manufacture of the flexible material currently available, but it can be appreciated that the elongate body (100) may be comprised of any common material such as rubber or metal. The flexible material (1) may also be straight or curved.

As shown in FIGS.1, 2 and 5 of the drawings, the elongate body (100) includes a first end 5 and a second end 1. The first end (5) is opposite of the second end (1) upon the elongate body (100) as best shown in FIGS.1 and 2 of the drawings. It can be appreciated that the body (100) and ends (1) and (5)

may have various other shapes and designs commonly utilized within the industry which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As best shown in FIG.2. of the drawings, the flexible material (1) is centered within the elongate body (100), with a gripping portion (5) and extending arms (7), however this exact design is not required for proper operation of the invention. The flexible material (1) has an opening large enough to receive the ingrown nail (3), as shown in FIG.2. The flexible material (1) may have any well-known design such as oval, circular, square, rectangular or any other shape.

The means (100) separates the elongated body into a first portion (5) and a second portion (7) which is attached to the flexible material (1), as best shown in FIGS.1 through 5 of the drawings.

In use, with FIG.2 as reference, the user holds the means (100) by the grip (5) to be in contact with the ingrown nail (3). The user then positions the main (100) over the ingrown nail (3), preferably centering the strip (1) over the ingrown nail (3), then the user presses down. FIG.2 The flexible strip (1) then bends down the sides of the ingrown nail (3), held in place by the arms (7) FIG 1. The user may then trim the extending edges on the strip FIG.4 (9) if desired. The user then applies or uncovers the adhesive on the underside of the strip (1) then replaces the means (100) back to the desired location on the ingrown nail (3) and holds in place until the adhesive has attached the strip (1) to the ingrown nail (3) FIG1. The user then detaches the arms (7) FIG 1 (12) FIG 3 of the main (100) off of the strip (1) now fastened to the ingrown nail (3) FIG 3.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly

and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails, comprising a flexible strip (1) configured to be fixed to a curved nail (3) with an adhesive,

characterized in that the means (100) further comprises an applicator part (10), wherein the applicator part comprises

- a gripping portion (5);

- two flexible arms (7) connecting the gripping portion (5) and the flexible strip (1).

2. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective connection points between the flexible arms (7) and the flexible strip (1) are located at a distance from the respective ends (9) of the flexible strip.

3. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping portion (5) comprises a flat portion.

4. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible arms (7) at their connection point with the flexible strip (1) has a flat configuration with two oppositely facing faces that face along a plane parallel with the longitudinal extension of the flexible strip (1).

5. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible arms (7) comprise a link, configured for tool-less detachment of the flexible arms (7) from the flexible strip (1).

6. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strip may be curved (1).

7. Means (100) for repairing ingrown nails according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arms (7) are flexible allowing the user to squeeze the arms (7) thus bending the strip (1) more in the shape of the ingrown nail (3) to which it is going to be applied, thus lessening the pressure needed to apply the strip (1).

Claims

•CLAIMS

- a gripping portion (5);