Method for manufacturing a personalized applicator for the application of a cosmetic composition

Abstract

Method for manufacturing a personalized applicator for applying a product, notably make-up product, to keratinous materials, including a application surface. The method includes the following steps: a) applying to a surface of the keratinous materials of an individual a composition that modifies the appearance thereof, b) performing an optical acquisition of the topography of the surface thus covered and of at least one image providing information as to the location of the composition, and c) from this acquisition creating the applicator or a mold intended for the manufacture thereof.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a personalized applicator for applying a product to keratinous materials, comprising an application surface, the method comprising the following steps: a) applying to a surface of the keratinous materials of an individual a composition that modifies of an appearance of said keratinous materials, b) performing an optical acquisition of the topography of the surface thus covered and of at least one image providing information as to the location of the composition, and c) from this acquisition creating the applicator or a mold intended for the manufacture thereof.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, the surface to which the composition is applied extending over at least part of the lips.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, the surface to which the composition is applied extending over at least part of the skin around the lips.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being applied in such a way as to redefine the outline of the lips.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, the composition over spilling onto the skin at least at one point.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, the composition being applied to at least one place that is set back from the natural outline of the lips.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being applied in such a way as to redefine the Cupid's bow.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being applied in such a way as to modify the height of the lips and/or the width of the lips and/or correct a symmetry.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, the outline of the application surface of the applicator diverging from the natural outline of the lips.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being a lipstick.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being a white lipstick.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being applied as a uniform coat.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, the composition being applied along a line defining a zone.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, the keratinous materials being made up according to a result validated by the individual and the composition then being applied to the same outline as the one just validated, so that said acquisition can be done.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, the make-up result obtained after application of the composition being validated by the individual before proceeding with the optical acquisition of the topography of the surface.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, the topography being obtained by a 3D scan of the surface covered with composition.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1, involving generating a file that can be read by a CNC machine or a 3D printer.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, comprising a step involving generating a reworked 3D surface from the data derived from the optical acquisition of the topography of the surface.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1, involving automatically outlining the region covered with composition by using image processing.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1, involving manually identifying points in the image of the region covered with composition and automatically determining, from these points, an outline used to create the applicator or the mold.

21. The method as claimed in claim 1, involving displaying on a screen at least one model of an application, the composition being applied according to this model.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, involving establishing a remote connection to a third party providing a model to propose according to the physiognomy of the individual.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21, involving establishing a remote connection with a third party who guides the individual through the application of the composition.

24. A method of applying make-up using an applicator obtained by implementing the method as claimed in claim 1, involving bringing the applicator into contact with the keratinous materials of said individual and transferring a make-up product onto said materials.

25. The method of applying make-up as claimed in claim 24, implemented for applying make-up to the lips, said keratinous materials comprising at least part of the lips and, if appropriate, of an adjacent area of skin.

26. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product is a make-up product.

27. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said zone is the outline of the lips.

28. The method as claimed in claim 14, the make-up then being removed.

29. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the topography is obtained by projecting structured light onto said surface.

30. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said step involves generating a reworked 3D surface using image processing software.

31. The method as claimed in claim 21, involving selecting a model.

Description

Brief Description of the Drawings

(1) The invention will be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting embodiments thereof and from studying the attached drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration of various steps of an example of a method for manufacturing a personalized applicator according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates parameters that can be modified during the definition of a reworked outline of the lips according to the invention,

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of the acquisition of the topography of the surface of the lips after application of a composition,

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate examples of the acquisition of the topography of the surface of the lips after application of a composition,

(6) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of the acquisition of the topography of the surface of the lips after application of a composition,

(7) FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate an examples of the acquisition of the topography of the surface of the lips after application of a composition,

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates the creation of a spline outlining curve,

(9) FIG. 8 depicts one example of the creation of a reworked surface,

(10) FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the creation of a smoothed volume for the applicator using the surface of FIG. 8,

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates the computer simulation of a personalized applicator,

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an applicator produced according to the invention using machining,

(13) FIG. 12 depicts one example of a preform for using micro-machining to create an applicator according to the invention,

(14) FIG. 13 depicts an alternative form of applicator produced by 3D printing,

(15) FIGS. 14A and 14B depict views in vertical and partial section, on a midplane, of alternative forms of applicator according to the invention,

(16) FIG. 15 depicts an alternative form of applicator comprising a product reservoir,

(17) FIG. 16 depicts a pad impregnated with composition intended to load an applicator according to the invention,

(18) FIG. 17 depicts a box containing a personalized applicator according to the invention,

(19) FIGS. 18 and 19 depict alternative forms of applicator according to the invention, in which the application surface is configured to apply the composition only to their periphery, so as to outline the lips with make-up only,

(20) FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D depict views in vertical and partial section, on a midplane, of alternative forms of applicator according to the invention, for outlining the lips with make-up only,

(21) FIGS. 21A and 21B show examples of results of the application of make-up to the outline of the lips using applicators according to the invention which outline the lips with make-up only,

(22) FIGS. 22A and 22B depict photographs of lip make-ups achieved with and without an applicator according to the invention,

(23) FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, and 24D illustrates a lip make-up achieved with an appliciaton according to the invention and an adhesive composition,

(24) FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D illustrate a lip make-up achieved with an applicator according to the invention and an adhesive composition.

(25) FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D illustrate a lip make-up achieved with an applicator according to the invention and an adhesive composition,

(26) FIGS. 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D illustrate a lip make-up achieved with an applicator according to the invention and an adhesive composition,

(27) FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C, and 27D illustrate a lip make-up achieved with an applicator according to the invention and an adhesive composition, and

(28) FIG. 28 illustrates one example of the sequence of steps in a method for manufacturing a personalized applicator according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(29) Various steps in an example of a method, according to the invention, for manufacturing a personalized applicator 1 for applying a cosmetic composition to the lips are depicted in FIG. 1 and will be described in detail in what follows.

(30) During a step 11, a 3D scan of the topography of at least part of the surface of the lips of the user is taken using a 3D scanner 31, for example an Artec 3D “Spider” color scanner. Prior to this step 11, a composition may have been applied to at least part of the user's lips, as detailed later on. The 3D scan may include the lips and at least part of the skin around the lips.

(31) During a step 12, a 3D surface is generated from the scan obtained in step 11, for example using 3D software of the Geomagic's Wrap type, and recorded in a file that can be read by a CNC machine, notably a micro-machining machine 35 or by a 3D printer 32. The file is advantageously stored in memory and may be sent to all the user access points, for example sales outlets or institutes, and sent to the user.

(32) The 3D surface generated can be reworked and may be different than the natural surface of the lips.

(33) An outlining, preferably automatic, of the lips on the basis of at least one image thereof may be performed in a step 13.

(34) During a step 14, a translated numerical copy Ct.sub.2 of the surface Im.sub.2 obtained from the 3D scan of the lips is created, and then a smoothed volume V of the applicator or of the mold used for its manufacture between said surface Im.sub.2 and the translated copy Ct.sub.2 thereof is generated, as depicted in FIGS. 9(a) and (b).

(35) During a step 15, the personalized applicator is produced by 3D printing or by machining from the file of the 3D surface.

(36) In order to create an applicator that makes it possible to achieve make-up perfectly suited to the face shape of the user, an outline which differs from the natural outline of the scanned lips may be generated.

(37) The outline of the application surface 2 of the applicator 1 may thus diverge from the natural outline of the lips. As visible in FIG. 2, numerous parameters may be modified when defining the reworked outline of the lips, for example the shape of the Cupid's bow and/or a different height for one and/or other of the upper and lower lips, and/or a different width. An asymmetry of the lips and/or the face may be detected, the reworked outline advantageously taking this into consideration, for example in order to re-establish the appearance of symmetry in the made up lips.

(38) In order to assist with defining the ideal outline and be able more easily to capture the outline of the relevant region, a composition that modifies their appearance may be applied to at least part of the user's lips.

(39) In the example of FIG. 3, a red lipstick has been applied, in a uniform coat, to at least part of the lips and to the skin around the lips of a user, before the 3D scan. This lipstick has advantageously been applied in such a way as to redefine the outline of the lips in the way chosen by the user. Because this lipstick exhibits a pronounced difference in color compared with the rest of the face, the outline of the region to which the composition is applied is readily recognized by the 3D scanner 31. The composition may be applied differently from a uniform coat, for example along a line defining the outline of the lips. FIG. 3(b) shows the 3D acquisition of the surface thus covered with the lipstick.

(40) In the alternative form in FIG. 4, a silicone paste has been applied over a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm. That makes it possible, as seen in FIG. 4(b), for a 3D scanner unable to detect color, for example a Geomagic “Capture” 3D scanner, to make the acquisition of the outline of the region to which the composition has been applied.

(41) In the alternative form of FIG. 5, a red or white lipstick has been used to look for the ideal shape of outline. In order for a 3D scanner unable to detect color to perform the acquisition, an adhesive filament, for example with a diameter equal to 0.5 mm, has been used along the outline defined by the lipstick. The make-up has then been removed from the lips in order to perform the 3D scan.

(42) In the alternative form of FIG. 6, a white lipstick has been applied, in a uniform coat. Because the white lipstick exhibits a pronounced difference in color compared with the rest of the face, the outline of the region to which the composition is applied is readily recognized by the 3D scanner 31, as visible in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).

(43) An automatic outlining of the lips from an image thereof can be produced, it being possible to generate a “spline”, having numerous control points, for example more than twenty or so, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

(44) It is possible to use image processing to isolate the regions from which to produce the applicator. Thus, FIG. 8 illustrates the captured region after the region outside the outlined outline has been eliminated, this corresponding to an image Im.sub.2 of the application surface 2 of the applicator 1 that is in the process of being produced.

(45) FIG. 10 is a computer simulation of a personalized applicator according to the invention, after the creation of the volume visible in FIG. 9(b). In this example, a distinctive sign S.sub.d corresponding to the user's forename is inscribed on the applicator.

(46) In the example of FIG. 11, the personalized applicator 1 according to the invention, comprising a handle 4, has been manufactured by micro-machining, as described previously, on the basis of the surface defined in step 12. The user obtains her applicator for example between 5 and 15 minutes after the start of the operation and can use it immediately.

(47) An example of a preform 20 used for creating the applicator 1 by micro-machining is depicted in FIG. 12. This preform has an upper cavity 34 corresponding to the upper lip, and a lower cavity 33 corresponding to the lower lip. This preform 20 can be chosen, notably automatically, from among many according to the shape that is to be obtained after machining. In this case, a computer program may indicate the preform best suited to the end result, for example which requires the least removal of material. The preform 20 can be machined by any technique that is compatible with the material used.

(48) In the alternative form of FIG. 13, the personalized applicator 1 has been manufactured by 3D printing on the basis of the surface defined in step 12, using for example a 3D printer 32 of the Ultimaker 3 type, loaded with an ABS filament. The user obtains her applicator approximately between 2 and 4 hours after the start of the operation and can use it, after first cleaning it.

(49) FIG. 14A depicts the applicator of FIG. 13 viewed in vertical and partial section on a plane corresponding to the vertical midplane of the mouth. The application surface 2 which conforms to the shape of the lips is visible.

(50) In the alternative form of FIG. 14B, a space E has been left between the application surface 2 and the scanned lips, indicated in dotted line. The reworked surface departs from the natural surface of the lips on the inside of the outline thereof, when the applicator is pressed onto the lips in the normal way. The applicator 1 can be used with a self-expanding composition which, as it expands, fills the space E left between the application surface 2 and the lips.

(51) In the example of FIG. 13, the applicator 1 comprises a handle 4 on the back. It is intended to be brought into contact with a domed pad impregnated with composition, for example made of foam, as visible in FIG. 16, which readily adapts to the shape of the applicator. In the alternative form of FIG. 17, the personalized applicator 1 according to the invention and a pad 7 impregnated with composition are offered in a box 8, for example including a mirror 9.

(52) In an alternative form which has not been illustrated, the applicator 1 is heated and laden with composition by being brought into contact with a compact of composition.

(53) In the alternative form of FIG. 15, the applicator 1 has been produced in such a way that it can be mounted on a reservoir 6 containing the make-up product. The reservoir 6 is, for example, a flexible tube. However, the invention is not limited to one particular type of applicator or of reservoir or pad.

(54) In the alternative form illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 20A, a personalized applicator 10 according to the invention, manufactured as described hereinabove, has an application surface 2 configured for applying the composition only to the periphery of the lips so as to make up their outline only. In the example concerned, the application surface 2 is defined by a filamentary part of the applicator 10. In this example, the applicator 10 comprises a central part 10a, extended by the handle 4, and four arms 17 extending from said central part 10a and at their ends and in their middle supporting the upper and lower parts 18, 19 of the applicator 10 that form the outline of the upper and lower lips respectively. The upper and lower parts 18, 19 meet at their ends.

(55) In the alternative form of FIGS. 19 and 20B, the application surface 2 is defined by a hollowed part 5 of the applicator 10.

(56) In the alternative form of FIG. 20C, the application surface 2 is solid, the application surface 2, with the exception of the peripheral part 2a thereof, is coated in flock.

(57) In the alternative form of FIG. 20D, the applicator 10 is made of two materials: the peripheral part 2a of the solid application surface 2, which is intended for making up the outline of the lips, is made from a material capable of becoming laden with composition, the inside 2b of the application surface 2 being made from a different material less, or even not at all, able to become laden with composition.

(58) The outlines of these applicators 10 may be produced to follow the exact shape of the mouth or to follow a redefined shape, as explained hereinabove.

(59) FIG. 21(a) shows a result of the use of a filamentary personalized applicator 10 for making up the outline of the lips. FIG. 21(b) shows a result of the use of a hollowed personalized applicator 10. In these two examples, the user has outlined the outline of her lips using the applicator 10 by loading the application surface 2 using a pad impregnated with composition and pressing it against her lips. The outlines are very clean and very attractive. In an alternative form which is not illustrated, the space inside the outline is filled with a cosmetic composition of the same color as or of a different color than the one used for the outline. The applicator used for doing this is advantageously a personalized applicator 1 according to the invention, or a stick of lipstick according to the prior art.

(60) A comparison between the lip make-up results obtained with a lipstick applicator of the prior art, for example of the stick of lipstick type, and with a personalized applicator 1 according to the invention, is depicted in FIG. 22. The make-up obtained with the personalized applicator 1, visible on the right, is of high quality, the outlines are very clean and very attractive. The lips appear to have been remodeled and appear more plump. Subtle changes in lip outline, at millimeter scale, are enough to make a very pronounced change to the look of the lips and improve the overall harmony of the face.

(61) In the example of FIG. 23, a first composition, a glucose syrup, for example made by Scrap Cooking, has been applied to the application surface 2 of an applicator 1 according to the invention, the applicator 1 then being used to apply to the lips of a user. A second composition, nonpareil sugar balls, Silikomart Mini Wonder Pearls made by Wonder Cakes in this example, are applied with a brush to the lips thus coated with the first composition.

(62) In the example of FIG. 24, a glucose syrup is once again applied to the user's lips using an applicator 1 according to the invention. A second composition, an edible iridescent blue powder made by Scrap Cooking in this example, is applied with a brush to the lips thus coated with the first composition.

(63) In the example of FIG. 25, a first composition, a matte liquid lipstick in a first color, is applied exclusively to the outline of the lips using an applicator 10 according to the invention, then a second composition, a matte liquid lipstick of a second color, different than the first, lighter in the example considered, is applied to the entirety of the lips using an applicator 1 according to the invention laden with composition by a pad 7 impregnated with said second composition.

(64) In the example of FIG. 26, a first composition, a solid greasy red lipstick, has been applied by brush to the application surface 2 of an applicator 1 according to the invention, the applicator 1 then being used to apply to the lips of a user. Edible gold glitter, made by Scrap Cooking in this example, is applied with a brush to the lips thus coated with the first composition.

(65) In the example of FIG. 27, an adhesive composition, such as Pros-Aid Adhesive by ADM Tronic, is applied to an applicator 10 according to the invention and is then applied exclusively to the outline of the lips. Edible gold leaf is then applied with a brush to the outline thus coated with the adhesive composition, as visible in FIG. 27(b). A second composition, a matte liquid lipstick in the example considered, is applied to the entirety of the lips using an applicator 1 according to the invention laden with composition by a pad 7 impregnated with said second composition.

(66) Personalized applicators according to the invention allow uniform results to be obtained very quickly after just a few attempts.

(67) Various examples of implementations methods for manufacturing a personalized applicator according to the invention will now be described.

EXAMPLE 1

(68) In a first example illustrated in FIG. 28, a user desirous of a personalized applicator goes to a sales outlet or to an institute where there is a make-up artist who guides her through the creation of her applicator. The make-up artist applies a red lipstick to the user's lips, looking for the ideal shape of the lip outline, and defines the lip outline that best suits the individual, for example in terms of the overall harmony of the face, making successive small adjustments until she is satisfied. A 3D scan of the topography of the surface of the lips thus covered in composition is then made using a color 3D scanner 31. A 3D surface and the volume of the applicator are generated from the result of the scan, with the outline defined by the make-up artist, as described hereinabove, and a micro-machining tool 35 is used to manufacture the applicator 1, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 11.

EXAMPLE 2

(69) This example is identical to the preceding example except that the make-up artist operates at a different location than the location at which the 3D scan will be performed, the make-up artist having, for example visited the user at home, or the user having visited the make-up artist's salon. The user then goes to a sales outlet where the 3D acquisition and the manufacture of the applicator are performed by an operator.

EXAMPLE 3

(70) In this example, after the make-up artist has found the ideal shape for the outline of the lips by applying a composition and taking a 3D scan of the topography, the user leaves the location where that has been performed, with her lips thus made-up, and takes advantage of this to gather opinions from those around her. She then sends the make-up artist the order either to make the applicator, or not do so. In the affirmative, the make-up artist sends the corresponding 3D file to the chosen location and an operator creates the applicator. Alternatively, the user may rely upon the opinion of those around her to get the make-up artist to make changes.

EXAMPLE 4

(71) In this example, the step of determining the ideal shape is performed by establishing a remote connection with a third party guiding the individual, for example on her computer. No composition is applied to the lips beforehand, and the search for the ideal outline is performed using software on the 3D scan of the lips. The user may be given the option to choose between several make-up results. The reworked surface is generated from this choice, and the applicator is then created using 3D printing. The user may choose the location at which the applicator is created and go there to collect it. It may also be sent to her at home.

EXAMPLE 5

(72) In this example, an electronic assistant guides the user on her smart phone, to create the ideal outline. The individual applies a composition to her lips before the 3D scan. The applicator 10 is produced by micro-machining with a filamentary structure and has an application surface 2 configured for applying the composition to the periphery of the lips only, so as to make-up their outline only, as visible in FIG. 18.

(73) Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments that have just been described.

(74) The personalized applicators manufactured according to the invention may be configured to apply a cosmetic composition to an area of keratinous materials other than the lips, for example the eyelids.