COLOR CHART AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH A COLOR CHART

Abstract

A color chart (1) for helping in the choice of a cosmetic product chosen within a range of cosmetic products having different respective hues, the color chart (1) comprising at least one transparent or translucent support (2) and, for at least one of said hues, at least one non-opaque, white-colored layer (5) and at least one non-opaque, colored layer (6), the color of which is close to that of the hue which it is desired to reproduce, superimposed on the white-colored layer (5), the white-colored (5) and colored (6) layers being printed on the transparent or translucent support (2).

Claims

1. A color chart for helping in the choice of a cosmetic product chosen within a range of cosmetic products having different respective hues, the color chart comprising at least one transparent or translucent support and, for at least one of said hues, at least one non-opaque, white-colored layer and at least one non-opaque, colored layer, the color of which is close to that of the hue which it is desired to reproduce, superimposed on the white-colored layer, the white-colored and colored layers being printed on the transparent or translucent support.

2. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, in which the colored layer and optionally the white-colored layer are such that the difference in colors between the color as it appears on looking at the color chart as a result of the printed layers and the hue of the corresponding cosmetic product which it is desired to reproduce, expressed as Delta E 2000, is less than 2.

3. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, in which the colored layer and the white-colored layer are such that the difference in level of coverage between the printed color and the applied layer of the cosmetic product of the corresponding hue which it is desired to reproduce, expressed as contrast ratio CR %, is less than or equal to ±15%.

4. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of transparent supports, which are connected together, in particular by a pivot, the transparent supports being printed with respective colored layers of different colors.

5. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, in which said at least one transparent or translucent support comprises a flexible polymer film or a rigid or semirigid polymer sheet, said at least one transparent or translucent support comprising at least one polymer chosen from a polyethylene, a polyacrylic, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyester, a polycarbonate or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

6. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, in which the white-colored and colored layers form at least one pattern and/or at least one opening on the transparent or translucent support, in order to make it possible to see through the transparent or translucent support, in zones devoid of white-colored and colored layers.

7. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, in which the color chart is in a form chosen from the group consisting of a roll, a bracelet, a forehead mask, a retaining ring, a flower with petals, a detachable page, and a portion of a packaging.

8. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, comprising a layer of a varnish covering all of the superimposed white-colored and colored layers, on the opposite side from the transparent or translucent support.

9. A range of color charts, comprising a plurality of color charts as claimed in claim 1, each color chart comprising a range of hues.

10. A method for the manufacture of a color chart, comprising the following stages, carried out for at least one of said hues: a) printing, on a transparent or translucent support, a non-opaque white-colored layer, b) printing, in particular after drying the white-colored layer, a non-opaque, colored layer, the color of which is similar to that of the hue which it is desired to reproduce, on the transparent or translucent support, the white-colored layer and the colored layer being printed so as to be superimposed to one another.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, the color of the colored layer superimposed on the white-colored layer being such that the Delta E 2000 between this color and the color of the corresponding hue of the cosmetic product on application is less than 2.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, in which the thickness of the white-colored layer and/or the color of the colored layer is(are) chosen so that the difference in level of coverage between the printed layer and the applied layer of the cosmetic product of the corresponding hue, expressed as difference in contrast ratio CR %, is less than or equal to ±15%.

13. The method as claimed claim 10, stages a) and b) being carried out in this order.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, employing, for the printing in stages a) and b), an inkjet printer comprising a white ink.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, comprising the following stages: (a′) applying a cosmetic product of one of said hues to an evaluation device comprising at least two regions respectively colored white and black, (b′) carrying out at least one measurement, on the two regions, so to calculate the level of coverage and the color of the hue on the evaluation device, (c′) carrying out at least one printing, on the or a transparent or translucent support, of a non-opaque white-colored layer, with a different thickness, and printing a non-opaque, colored layer, the color of which is similar to that of the hue which it is desired to reproduce, superimposed on the white-colored layer on the transparent or translucent support, (d′) positioning the transparent or translucent support comprising the printed layers on at least the region colored white of a virgin evaluation device and carrying out at least one measurement, on the colored layer in order to calculate the color and optionally the level of coverage of the colored layer superimposed on the white-colored layer on the transparent or translucent support, (e′) comparing the levels of coverage calculated in stages b′) and d′), so as to calculate the Delta E 2000 and/or the contrast ratio % CR between the hue of the applied cosmetic product and the printed color, (f) choosing, for at least said hue or for an assembly of hues, a thickness of the white-colored layer and/or adjusting the printing color of the colored layer so that the Delta E 2000, between the hue applied to the evaluation device and the color of the colored layer superimposed on the white-colored layer, is less than 2, and/or that the difference in contrast ratio % CR is less than or equal to ±15%, in order to produce the color chart.

16. A method for choosing a cosmetic product within a range of cosmetic products having different respective hues, by using a color chart as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following stages: superimposing the color chart on the skin, observing the color chart thus superimposed on the skin, choosing the hue and thus the corresponding cosmetic product.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, comprising the preliminary stage consisting in choosing a color chart within the range of color charts each color chart comprising a range of hues.

18. An assembly of a range of cosmetic products with different respective hues and of at least one color chart as claimed in claim 1 or of a range of color charts, each color chart comprising a range of hues.

19. The color chart as claimed in claim 1, in which the colored layer and optionally the white-colored layer are such that the difference in colors between the color as it appears on looking at the color chart as a result of the printed layers and the hue of the corresponding cosmetic product which it is desired to reproduce, expressed as Delta E 2000, is less than 1.

20. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the color chart is for helping in the choice of a cosmetic product chosen within a range of cosmetic products having different respective hues, and wherein the color chart includes at least one transparent or translucent support and, for at least one of said hues, at least one non-opaque, white-colored layer and at least one non-opaque, colored layer, the color of which is close to that of the hue which it is desired to reproduce, superimposed on the white-colored layer, the white-colored and colored layers being printed on the transparent or translucent support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0109] A better understanding of the invention will be able to be obtained on reading the detailed description which will follow of non-limiting implementational examples thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0110] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an example of a color chart according to the invention,

[0111] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and partial sectional view of the color chart of FIG. 1,

[0112] FIG. 3 represents a diagrammatic view of an example of patterns for producing the color chart of FIG. 1,

[0113] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0114] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0115] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0116] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0117] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0118] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0119] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of another example of pattern for producing the color chart according to the invention,

[0120] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a possible use of the color chart of FIG. 1,

[0121] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating another possible use of the color chart of FIG. 1,

[0122] FIG. 13 represents, diagrammatically and in perspective, a range of color charts according to the invention,

[0123] FIG. 14 represents, partially, diagrammatically and in perspective, another example of color chart according to the invention,

[0124] FIG. 15 diagrammatically represents the use of the color chart of FIG. 14,

[0125] FIG. 16 represents, partially, diagrammatically and in perspective, another example of color chart according to the invention,

[0126] FIG. 17 diagrammatically represents the use of the color chart of FIG. 16,

[0127] FIG. 18 represents, partially, diagrammatically and in perspective, another example of color chart according to the invention,

[0128] FIG. 19 represents, partially, diagrammatically and in perspective, another example of color chart according to the invention and its use,

[0129] FIG. 20 represents, partially, diagrammatically and in perspective, another example of color chart according to the invention,

[0130] FIG. 21 partially represents a transparent or translucent support for the color chart of FIG. 20,

[0131] FIG. 22 represents, in the form of a block diagram, different stages of an example of a method for the manufacture of a color chart according to the invention,

[0132] FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view of an assembly according to the invention,

[0133] FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view of another assembly according to the invention, and

[0134] FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic view of another assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0135] In the continuation of the description, elements which are identical or which have identical functions carry the same reference marks. For the purposes of conciseness of the present description, they are not described for each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described.

[0136] In the figures, and in particular FIG. 2, the true proportions have not been adhered to, for the sake of clarity.

[0137] There has been illustrated, in FIG. 1, a color chart 1 in accordance with the invention for helping in the choice of a cosmetic product chosen within a range of cosmetic products having different respective hues. In the example illustrated, the cosmetic products are foundations for making up and/or caring for the skin.

[0138] The color chart 1 comprises at least one, better still a plurality of transparent supports 2, numbering seven in this example, in the form of petals of the same shape, connected together at one end by a pivot-forming axle 3, around which the transparent supports can rotate. In a storage configuration, all the transparent supports 2 can be superimposed, while, in a configuration of use represented in FIG. 1, all the transparent supports 2 are not superimposed on one another and form as a flower, around the axle 3.

[0139] Each transparent or translucent support 2 comprises a sheet, at least partially rigid, made of polymer material, in this example made of polyethylene, which is transparent, with a thicker rim 4 forming the circumference of the transparent or translucent support 2.

[0140] The thickness of the transparent or translucent support 2, apart from the rim 4, is between 2 mm and 3 mm in this example.

[0141] The color chart 1 comprises, printed on the transparent or translucent support 2, a non-opaque, white-colored layer 5 and a non-opaque, colored layer 6, superimposed on the white-colored layer 5, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

[0142] The printing, in this example, of the white-colored layer 5 on the transparent or translucent support and then of the colored layer 6 on the white-colored layer is carried out by an eco-solvent inkjet printer, by the printer sold by Epson under the reference Surepress L-4533 AW.

[0143] In FIG. 1, the colored side, corresponding to the color of the colored layer 6, of the transparent supports 2 is displayed, the white-colored layers 5 and the colored layers 6 being completely superimposed in this example. If the color chart 1 is turned over, the white color of the white-colored layer 5 will be displayed.

[0144] For each transparent or translucent support 2, a single color is printed for the colored layer 6. The printed color has a color is close to the target color of the hue of the cosmetic product which it is desired to reproduce, the Delta E 2000 between these two colors being, in this example, less than 2.

[0145] The seven transparent supports 2 of the color chart 1 make it possible to reproduce seven different hues of cosmetic products.

[0146] As may be seen in FIG. 1, the white-colored layers 5 and the colored layers 6 form at least one pattern and/or at least one opening, in this example several patterns 7, on the transparent or translucent support 2. The patterns 7, in this embodiment, represent stylized plant patterns. The transparent supports 2 each comprise an unbroken printing zone 8, without openings, close to the axle 3, and patterns 7 putting in zones 9 devoid of white-colored layers 5 and colored layers 6, in order to make it possible to see through the transparent or translucent support 2 in these zones 9. The printing is carried out so as to form these patterns 7. In this example, all the transparent supports 2 of the color chart 1 are coated with prints of the same patterns 7 but it might be any other way without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0147] There have been represented, in FIG. 3, examples of printings of colored layers 6 having patterns 7 or openings 10, which can replace those of FIG. 1 for each of the transparent supports 2.

[0148] FIGS. 4 to 10 partially and diagrammatically represent other examples of printings of colored layer 6 and of white-colored layer 5, putting in patterns 7 and/or openings 10.

[0149] The patterns 7 and/or openings 10 can be distributed randomly or in an organized manner, in particular geometric manner. In FIG. 4, geometric patterns 7 forming a grid layout of stars, at the center of which openings 10 having a greater diameter are formed, are displayed. In FIG. 5, openings 10 having a relatively large size are randomly distributed. In FIG. 6, the openings 10 are small in size, distributed randomly and densely. In FIG. 7, a grid pattern 7 with larger openings 10 at certain intersections is displayed. FIG. 8 represents geometric patterns 7 evoking waves leaving many transparent zones 9 between them. FIG. 9 represents a square having geometric patterns 7, while FIG. 10 represents a network of flower patterns 7.

[0150] All the patterns 7 and openings 10 represented in FIGS. 4 to 10 can replace all or part of the printed part of the transparent support(s) 2 of the color chart 1.

[0151] The use of the color chart 1 of FIG. 1 has been illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. In FIG. 11, there is displayed a woman holding, in one hand, a mirror M and, in the other hand, at the axle 3, the color chart 1, so as to superimpose at least one transparent support 2, indeed even several transparent supports 2, on the skin of her face while looking at herself in order to be able to choose the color which suits her the best, as a function of her complexion and/or of her makeup strategy, and thus the associated cosmetic product, of similar hue. She can rotate the color chart 1 or the transparent supports 2 in order to superimpose them on her skin in turn and to look at the result produced.

[0152] In FIG. 12, the color chart is used on the internal part of the forearm, the person superimposing an element of the color chart on the skin at this spot in order to see the color effect of cosmetic product of the hue concerned. She can superimpose, in turn or simultaneously, all of the colors carried by the different transparent supports 2 in order to choose a hue and thus a cosmetic product which suits her.

[0153] The color chart 1 according to the invention can be used autonomously, without the help of an expert, and with good results because the color rendition and coverage of the color chart is very similar to that of the associated foundation, of the same color.

[0154] FIG. 13 illustrates the possibility of having available a plurality of color charts, in the form of a range 20 of color charts 1 numbered 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f. Each color chart 1 comprises a range of similar hues. In this figure, six color charts 1 similar to that of FIG. 1, each comprising six or seven transparent supports 2, thus six or seven different hues, are displayed. The color charts referenced 1a and 1b have light hues, the color charts referenced 1c and 1d have intermediate hues and the color charts referenced 1e and 1f have dark hues. The user will choose, as a function of her complexion or of her makeup strategy, one, two or three suitable color charts 1. For example, a person with a light complexion can choose the color charts 1a and 1b.

[0155] For the production of the color chart 1, use may be made of the following method, the stages of which are illustrated in FIG. 22.

[0156] First of all, in a first stage 50, from a range of cosmetic products of respective hues, a cosmetic product of one of said hues is chosen and is applied to an evaluation device comprising at least two regions respectively colored white and black. In this example, the evaluation device is as described in the international application WO 2014/170807 and comprises an application surface defined by a multilayer complex comprising a skin layer and an underlying support layer made of elastomer.

[0157] In a stage 51, after drying the applied product, at least one measurement of reflectance is carried out on the two regions, respectively colored white and black, so as to calculate the level of coverage and the color of the hue on the evaluation device.

[0158] In a stage 52, which can be carried out before, during or after stages 50 and 51, the non-opaque white-colored layer 5 is printed, preferably with a predetermined thickness and/or with a predetermined number of printing passes, on the transparent or translucent support 2.

[0159] In a stage 53, the non-opaque colored layer 6, the color of which is similar to that of the hue which it is desired to reproduce, is printed, superimposed on the white-colored layer 5, on the transparent or translucent support 2. The printing, in this example, of the white-colored layer 5 on the transparent or translucent support and then of the colored layer 6 on the white-colored layer is carried out by an eco-solvent inkjet printer, for example the printer sold by Epson under the reference Surepress L-4533 AW.

[0160] In a stage 54, the transparent or translucent support 2 comprising the printed layers is positioned on at least the region colored white of an evaluation device similar to that mentioned above but virgin, and a measurement of reflectance is carried out on the colored layer 6 in order to calculate the level of coverage and the color of the printed layer.

[0161] The measurements of reflectance are carried out using a spectrophotometer known under the VS450 name sold by X-Rite, with the 45°/0° measurement configuration.

[0162] It is possible, in a stage 55, to compare the levels of coverage and colors calculated in stages 51 and 54, so as to calculate the Delta E 2000 and/or the contrast ratio % CR between the hue of the applied cosmetic product and the printed color.

[0163] Stages 52, 53, 54 and 55 can be repeated, at least once, for one and the same hue, with a different white-colored layer thickness. This makes it possible, in the end, to choose the white-colored layer thickness which makes it possible to obtain the lowest Delta E 2000 and/or the closest contrast ratio % CR. The Delta E 2000 is less than 2 and the difference in contrast ratio % CR is less than ±15%.

[0164] Stages 52, 53, 54 and 55 can also be repeated, at least once, with different hues of colors for the colored layer 6 in order in particular to have the lowest Delta E 2000.

[0165] In a final stage 56, the choice is made of the transparent or translucent support 2 with the white-colored layer 5 of appropriate thickness and the colored layer 6 of appropriate hue, in order to produce the color chart 1.

[0166] There have also been represented, in FIGS. 14 to 21, other examples of color charts 1 in accordance with other implementational examples of the invention.

[0167] In FIGS. 14 and 15, the color chart 1 takes the form of a retaining ring, with a ring part 11 connected to a support part 12 by a rigid link 13. The support part 12 consists of a frame with a traversing window 14, the frame being open laterally to make it possible to forwardly progress the color chart 1 comprising a transparent or translucent support 2 in the form of a strip, made of a flexible polymer film, with, at regular intervals, prints of colored layers 6, which are visible, on white-colored layers, which are not visible, of different colors, and of a shape suited to the shape of the window 14. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 15, a user can slip on the ring part 11 so that the window 14 is superimposed on the back of her hand and that she can cause the transparent or translucent support 2 to forwardly progress so as to visualize the superimposition of a colored layer 6 in the window 14 on the skin of the back of her hand in order to see the visual rendition and to be able to choose a hue which is suitable for her, and thus an associated cosmetic product.

[0168] In FIGS. 16 and 17, the color chart 1 comprises a transparent or translucent support 2 in the form of a strip which can forwardly progress in a traversing window 16, which window 16 is formed by a frame of a support part 17 connected to a rod 18 which can be held in the hand by a user. The transparent or translucent support 2 comprises prints of colored layer 6 visible in the window 16. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the rod 18 can be held in the hand by a user, in a manner of a Venetian mask, so that the support part 17 rests on the forehead of the user and makes it possible to visualize, through the window 16, the visual rendition of the superimposition of the white-colored layer 5 and colored layer 6 assembly and of the skin of the forehead. The color chart 1 is designed so as to make it possible, by rotating the rod around itself, for the transparent or translucent support 2 to forwardly progress in the frame of the support part 17 in order to visualize the rendition of other colors of colored layers 6.

[0169] FIG. 18 illustrates the possibility of producing the color chart 1 in the form of a bracelet with different facets 21 formed by the transparent or translucent support 2, the facets 21 carrying different respective colors of colored layer 6. By superimposing each facet 21 on the skin of the wrist, the rendition of the superimposition between the skin at this spot and the color of the colored layer 6 of the facet 21 under consideration is displayed.

[0170] The example illustrated in FIG. 19 shows a color chart 1 comprising a transparent or translucent support 2 in the form of a closed strip mounted stretched around two extremal small wheels 22 and 23, one of which, 22, is free in rotation and the other of which, 23, is controlled in rotation using an operating handle 24, so as to make it possible to cause the transparent or translucent support 2, provided with different colors of colored layers 6, to forwardly progress. An LED strip light 25 is provided, so as to illuminate the upper part of the strip which is progressing forward. A user slides her hand U into the space made by the width of the small wheels 22 and 23, so as to move her hand U nearer under the transparent or translucent support 2 and to visualize the rendition of the superimposition of the skin of the hand U with each colored layer 6.

[0171] Finally, in the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, the color chart 1 comprises a distributor roller 30 of a transparent or translucent support 2 in the form of a strip of flexible polymer film, the distributor roller 30 being mounted in rotation on an axle 31 and making possible the distribution of the transparent or translucent support 2. Precuts 32 are provided on the transparent or translucent support 2 in order to make it possible to detach a portion of transparent or translucent support 2. Each portion of transparent or translucent support 2, between two precuts 32, can comprise a plurality of different colors of colored layers. All the portions of transparent or translucent support 2 can comprise the same series of colors of colored layers 6. A user can detach a portion of transparent or translucent support 2 in order to be able to use the color chart 1 at another spot, in particular a distant one. In this embodiment, several, for example four, distributor rollers 30 can be arranged side by side on the axle 31, each comprising a range of particular, preferably similar, hues.

[0172] It would not be departing from the scope of the invention for the color chart 1 to be provided in another form. In particular, the color chart 1 can comprise a transparent sheet forming the transparent or translucent support 2, detachable from a magazine and carrying at least one, preferably several, prints of white-colored layer 5 and of colored layer 6.

[0173] The choice can be made at a sales outlet or from a distance.

[0174] The pivot-forming axle 3 can be replaced by a ring, a tie or any other type of fastener, removable or not.

[0175] Several printing passes can be carried out in order to produce the white-colored layer 5 and the colored layer 6, in particular as a function of the thickness desired.

[0176] There has been represented, in FIG. 23, an assembly 35 according to the invention comprising a range of cosmetic products P, presented in their containers, with different respective hues and at least one color chart 1 with the corresponding hues.

[0177] In place of one color chart, it is possible to have a range 20 of color charts 1, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in particular in the case of a large number of cosmetic products with different respective hues.

[0178] There has been represented, in FIG. 24, an assembly 36 of a color chart 1 and of a tailor-made formulation device 40 which is capable of producing the formulation of the cosmetic product, the hue of which has been chosen subsequent to the use of the color chart.

[0179] There has been represented, in FIG. 25, an assembly 37 comprising a cosmetic product P, present in its container, and a transparent or translucent support printed with a white-colored layer and a colored layer, so as to visualize the effect of the cosmetic product applied to the skin.