GB2388951A

GB2388951A - Mannequin head for the application of makeup and method of manufacture.

Info

Publication number: GB2388951A
Application number: GB0209391A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Rosina Finch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-24
Filing date: 2002-04-24
Publication date: 2003-11-26
Also published as: GB0209391D0

Abstract

A mannequin head comprises a head portion and a face portion. The face portion is provided with facial features which have substantially similar physical properties to human features and respond to the application of makeup in a similar way to human features. The face portion comprises an outer skin layer formed in the shape of a face and one or more shaped inner body portions which have substantially similar density and resilience to the flesh on a human face. The mannequin head may be provided with hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, which may be of real hair. The eyelids may be opened and closed. The outer skin and the inner body portions may be made of silicone material. A method of manufacturing the mannequin head is also disclosed.

Description

-'- 2388951

Mannequin Head This invention relates to a mannequin head for use particularly, but not exclusively in the training of beauticians.

To become a beautician, for example a make-up artist, it is important to learn how human features respond to treatment. For example to successfully apply lip stick it is necessary to have a good understanding of the resilient properties and surface texture of human lips. In addition a live human face is required to apply such make-up as eye- shadow or mascara because the eyes and eye lids need to be moved. The only currently known way to learn the necessary skills is to use human models. However, human models are not an effective training aid because the repeated application and removal of make-up is painful and can cause harm to human skin. Further, human models are costly to hire and are in short supply. The present invention is intended to provide an alternative approach.

According to the present invention a mannequin head comprises a head portion, and a face portion provided with facial features provided with substantially similar physical properties to human features, and which are adapted to respond to the application of make-up in substantially the same way as human features.

The mannequin head can be provided with a face portion comprising an outer skin layer moulded in the shape of a face, and a number of shaped inner body portions provided with substantially similar density and resilience to the corresponding flesh, muscle and bone which make up a human face.

( -2 In an alternative embodiment one inner body portion can be provided, which is shaped with the contours of a human face, and is provided with feature portions provided with substantially similar density and resilience to the corresponding features of the human face.

In one embodiment the outer skin layer and the inner body portions can be constructed from silicone. The inner body portions can be constructed from silicone prepared with the density appropriate to the corresponding portion of the face.

The head portion may be formed in the shape of a skull, so the features of the skull, for example the temple, bridge of the nose and jaw, are present beneath the inner body portions and the skin layer.

The head portion can be constructed from any appropriate hard material, for example a plastics material or wood.

In a preferred construction the face is provided with an outer skin layer with substantially similar absorbency and surface texture to human skin, so that it responds to the application of make-up in a similar way to human skin.

The outer skin layer can be constructed from Motidsil T silicone constructed to mimic the absorbency and texture of human skin.

(It will be appreciated that any appropriate material can be used for the skin and the inner structure portions of the face.

Materials which have been tested include gelatins, vyna would, arm polyurethane rubber, Motidsil Fast silicone, or other plastics or rubber materials. It has been found that silicone provides a realistic dry density for the structure of the face, and Motidsil T a realistic skin surface. Further both oil and water based make up can be readily applied and removed from Mouldsil T without staining.) The inner body portion can be secured to the head portion by any suitable fastening means, for example glue. Further, the outer skin layer can be secured to the inner body portion and the head portion by any suitable fastening means, for example glue.

-3 The mannequin head can be provided with human head hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

In a preferred construction the eye lids can be adapted to open and close to mimic the movement of human eye lids. In one construction the eye lids are operated by operating means provided on the back of the neck or head of the mannequin.

The eye balls can be removable so the eye colour can be changed. In another construction coloured contact lenses can be applied to the eyes to change their colour.

The lips can be constructed from a material adapted to mimic human lips, for example foam latex, rubber or silicone.

The mannequin can be provided with support means to secure it to a work surface for use.

The invention also includes a method of manufacturing the face portion of a mannequin head comprising facial features provided with substantially similar physical properties to human features, and which are adapted to receive make-up, comprising the steps of: 1. Taking a would of a human head.

2. Allowing to set.

3. Removing the would from the human head.

4. Pouring an outer skin layer material into the mould in liquid form. 5. Allowing to set.

6. Removing the outer skin layer from the would.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but two embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross section down the centre of a mannequin head according to the present invention;

i Figure 2 is a cross section of an eye of a mannequin head according to the present invention; and, Figure 3 is a cross section down the centre of a second mannequin head according to the present invention. In Figure 1 a mannequin head 1 comprises a head portion 2, and a face 3, provided with facial features 4 provided with substantially similar physical properties to human features, and which are adapted to respond to the application of make-up in substantially the same way as human features.

The head portion 2 is provided with a face portion 5 which is provided with the facial contours of a human skull. The face 3 comprises a skin layer 6 moulded in the shape of a face, and which is provided with substantially similar absorbency and surface texture to human skin, so that it responds to the application of make-up in a similar way to human skin. Inner body portions 7, are disposed under the skin 6, and are provided with substantially similar density and resilience to the corresponding flesh and muscle of a human face. For example body portion 7a forms the end of the nose, and is provided with similar density and resilience to the flesh and muscle of a human nose. The face 3 is also provided with inner lip portions 8, which are provided with substantially similar physical properties to the flesh of human lips.

The skin layer 6 and the inner body portions 7, 7a, are constructed from silicone. The outer skin layer 6 is constructed from Moldsil T silicone. Lip portions 8 are constructed from foam latex.

The head 1 is provided with real human hair 9 and eyebrows and eyelashes (only shown in Figure 2).

The inner body portions 7, 7a and the lip portions 8 are secured to the head portion 2 by glue 10. The skin layer 6 is secured onto the head portion 2 by glue 11.

-5 The face 3 is manufactured using a method comprising the steps of: 1. Taking an Alginate plaster mould of a human head and face.

2. Reinforcing the would with an outer layer of plaster of Paris.

3. Allowing to set.

4. Removing the mould from the human head.

e' 5. Pouring liquid Moldsil T silicone into the would in liquid form. 6. Allowing to set.

7. Removing the outer skin layer 6 from the would.

8. Applying pre-set inner body portions 7, to the inner surface of the outer skin layer 6.

9. Applying the face 3 to the head portion 2.

The head 1 is also provided with a slot 12 adapted to co-operate with a spigot (not shown) provided on a work bench or the like, so the head 1 can be held in position for use.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of an eye 13 which is provided on the head 1. The eye 13 comprises a socket 14 provided on the head portion 2, an eyeball 15, eyelids 16, 177 provided on the outer skin layer 6, eyelashes 18 and an eyebrow 19. Figure 2 also shows inner body portions 7 above and below the eye 13, which are secured to the head portion 2 by glue 10.

The eyelids 16, 17, are moulded in the shape shown in Figure 2, but they can be pulled together manually in order to shut the eye and apply make up. Once they are released the eyelids 16, 17, return to the open position shown in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that the eyelids can be operated in different ways. For example the eyelids 16, 17, can be provided with internal metal wires (not shown) so they can be fixed in any position, or the eyelids 16, 17, can be operated by a switch and pulley wires (not shown) provided inside the head portion 2.

! -6 The eyeball 15 are held in place in the socket 14 by the eyelids 16, 17. The eyeball 15 can be moved within the socket 14 so it looks in any direction. Further, the eyeball 15 can be removed manually from the socket 14, so it can be replaced with another eyeball (not shown) of a different colour.

In addition contact lenses (not shown) can be positioned between the eyelids 15, 16, and the eyeball 14 to change the colour of the eye 12.

The eyelashes 18 and the eyebrows 19 are made from real human eyelashes and eyebrows.

In Figure 3 a mannequin head 20 is of substantially similar construction to the head 1 shown in Figure 1, except that inner body 21 is used in place of inner body portions 7. Inner body 21 has a shaped outer side 22, which is provided with the contours and dimensions of a human face. The inner body 21 is also provided with substantially similar density and resilience to the flesh and muscle of a human face. The various portions of inner body 21 are provided with the appropriate density and resilience of the corresponding portions of the human face. For example the lips section 23 is provided with substantially similar physical properties to the flesh of human lips.

The face 24 of the head 20 is manufactured using the method described above, except that the inner body 21 is applied to the inner surface of the outer skin layer in step 8.

Thus, a mannequin head is provided with facial features with substantially similar physical properties to human features, and which are adapted to respond to the application of make-up in the same way as human features. Further, a mannequin head is provided to which make up can be applied and removed as often as desired.

-7 It will be appreciated that a mannequin head can be made with substantially similar properties to the features of different racial types. In addition a mannequin head can be made with any skin colour and texture, and any type of human hair colour and texture.

Claims

-8 Claims

1. A mannequin head comprising a head portion, and a face portion provided with facial features provided with substantially similar physical properties to human features, and which are adapted to respond to the application of make up in substantially the same way as human features.

2. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 1 in which the head portion is formed in the shape of a human skull.

3. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 2 in which the face portion comprises an outer skin layer formed in the shape of a face, and one or more shaped inner body portions provided with substantially similar density and resilience to the correspondingflesh of a human face.

4. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 3 in which the outer skin layer is provided with substantially the same absorbency and surface texture of human skin.

5. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 4 in which the head is provided with hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

6. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 5 in which the face portion is provided with eye lids which can be opened and closed.

7. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim Bin which the eye lids are opened and closed by the operation of a switch provided on the head.

S. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 7 in which the face portion is provided with eye balls, which can be removed.

! _9_

9. A mannequin head as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 8 in which the outer skin layer is constructed from a silicone material.

10. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 9 in which the outer skin layer is constructed from Mouldsil T silicone.

11. A mannequin head as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which the one or more shaped inner body portions are constructed from a silicone material.

12. A mannequin head as claimed in any of Claims 3-11 in which the lips of the face portion are constructed from latex.

13. A mannequin head as claimed in any of Claims 3-11 in which the lips of the face portion are constructed from rubber.

14. A mannequin head as claimed in any of Claims 5 -13 in which the head is provided with human hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

15. A mannequin head as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the face portion is secured to the head portion by glue.

16. A mannequin head as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the head is provided with support means adapted to secure the head to a work surface, in use.

17. A mannequin head substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

! -10 16. A method of manufacturing the face portion of a mannequin head according to any of Claims 3-15 including the steps: 1) Taking an Alginate plaster mould of a human subject's head and face, 2) Allowing the mould to set, 3) Removing the mould from the subject, 4) Pouring an outer skin layer material into the mould in liquid form, 5) Allowing the outer skin layer material to set, 6) Removing the outer skin layer material from the mould.