Digital Cosmetic Ink Transfer for Keratin Pattern Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for applying precise makeup patterns on keratin materials, such as the skin or lips, are inefficient and prone to degradation due to skin movement, limited pattern options, and instability over time, especially when exposed to environmental factors like sweat or rain.

Innovation Solution

A process using a digital printer to create a cosmetic ink pattern on a substrate, which is then transferred to the skin without an adhesive layer, followed by a protective coating formed from a film-forming polymer composition to enhance pattern stability and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a patch or decal transfer method is used to apply makeup patterns, then the pattern can be transferred to the skin, but the support becomes cracked due to facial skin movements, giving a degraded and unaesthetic visual result

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern precisionVSAvoidpattern stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive layer and support structure from the transfer process. Only the cosmetic ink pattern is transferred to the skin, eliminating the source of cracking and degradation that comes from the rigid support bearing the pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a receiver sheet as an intermediary carrier that holds the cosmetic ink pattern during transfer. This flexible receiver sheet can adapt to facial skin movements without cracking, unlike rigid patches or decals, while still enabling precise pattern transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional makeup coatings are applied to achieve pattern coverage, then the area can be decorated, but the pattern lacks stability and deteriorates quickly when exposed to sweat, rain, or touching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern varietyVSAvoidmakeup durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of the receiver sheet and cosmetic ink pattern together as a transfer unit. This composite allows for easy transfer while maintaining pattern integrity, and the pattern itself is designed to be stable against environmental factors like sweat and rain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If a professional makeup artist draws a pattern by hand to achieve precise deposition, then the pattern can be created with attention to detail, but the process takes a long time and requires professional intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern precisionVSAvoidapplication speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a receiver sheet that can be printed with patterns using a digital printer, creating a reproducible template that can be transferred to the skin. This allows precise patterns to be generated quickly through printing technology rather than manual drawing, significantly increasing application speed while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Stability of the object's composition

If the cosmetic ink is applied completely dry on the substrate before transfer, then the pattern may be more stable on the substrate, but the transfer quality and precision are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink stability on substrateVSAvoidtransfer precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the cosmetic ink pattern to the receiver sheet in advance, allowing it to dry and stabilize on the substrate before the transfer process. This preliminary action ensures the ink is stable on the receiver sheet while still enabling high-quality transfer to the skin when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process allows for precise, customizable, and long-lasting makeup patterns on keratin materials, maintaining stability and precision even after exposure to environmental factors, enabling extended wear without significant deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

forming a protective coating by applying at least one composition comprising a film-forming polymer, onto the area of keratin materials to be made up

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm formation: Coatings

Data Source

PatentEP3086848B1Transfer device for making up keratin materials
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 LOREAL SA
  • EP3086848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3086848B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9b
  • EP3086848B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Process for making up an area of human keratin materials (P) using a makeup device having a transfer surface and a coat of at least one cosmetic colouring ink (4) borne by the transfer surface and obtained by printing using at least one digital printer, the colouring ink being intended to be applied to the keratin materials (P), the process comprising the following steps: • - transferring at least part of the coat of cosmetic ink (4) onto the area (P) to be made up by placing the coat of ink (4) in contact with the area (P) to be made up, and then • - forming a protective coating (8) by applying at least one composition comprising a film-forming polymer onto the area (P) of keratin materials to be made up.