MASKING DEVICE FOR A NAIL AND METHOD FOR MASKING A NAIL

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.