GB2038624A - Cosmetics - Google Patents

Abstract

The appearance of for example a person when viewed on a television set is enhanced by the methods and means provided to change from a natural colour to another colour all or a part of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity so that when viewed under artificial light the colour resembles the natural colour.

Description

SPECIFICATION Cosmetic method and means The present invention relates to enhancing the appearance of a person when viewed under artificial light and particularly although not exclusively to the appearance of an image of a person viewed under artificial light when the image is seen on a television screen.

A high level of light is required to illuminate a subject sufficiently to enable filming or other camera work to take place so that an acceptable image can be achieved. Very powerful lights are thus normally used inter alia in television studios and other indoor places where television filming is taking place or other camera work is being done. Although satisfactory in producing the level of light required the very powerful lights employed can cause problems. A recognised difficulty confronting a person who is viewed under such strong artificial lighting is that his natural colouring can be dominated by the high level of light to such an extent that he appears to look pale and wan. This problem can be particularly accentuated for a person who appears before a television camera and whose recorded image is broadcast and received on a television set.A visual impression of the person's face as viewed on a television screen may be seen in close-up from a variety of angles and any unnatural appearance of the face which might be perceived by a viewer would detract from an otherwise life-like representation which it is attempted to portray on the screen. Mordover an actor or the like whose popularity may depend on his personal appearance may have his reputation harmed if he appears on a television screen to be looking unattractive. In an attempt to overcome this problem it is well-known to use make-up to colour a person's skin, particularly of the face and neck, a brighter and stronger colour so that the visual impression received, for example, by a viewer of a television set is the same or very similar to the person's appearance when seen without make-up under natural lighting.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the visual impression of a person when viewed under strong artificial light. It is a further object of the present invention to render the visual impression of a person viewed on for example a television screen closer to his appearance when viewed under natural lighting. It is another object of the present invention to modify a television signal so that a per son's appearance on a television screen resembles more closely his true appearance.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a method comprising the step of changing from a natural colourto another colour all of a part of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity so that when viewed under artificial light the other colour resembles the natural colour.

According to a second aspect of the present invention I provide a method of producing an image of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity which comprises the steps of: (i) changing from its natural colour to another colour all or a part of the mucous membrane of the person's oro-pharyngeal cavity, (ii) recording under artificial light an image of the person's oro-pharyngeal cavity showing all or some of his mucous membrane; and (iii) producing an image of the person's oro pharyngeal cavity showing all or some of the said mucous membrane so that a colour of his mucous membrane as seen in the image produced resem bles the said natural colour as seen under natural light.

Conveniently step (ii) includes the use of a televi sion camera in a manner known per se and step (iii) includes broadcasting a television signal and receiv ing the signal on a television set.

According to a third aspect of the present inven tion I provide a method of modifying a television signal so that an image of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity carried by the signal resembles in colour a natural appearance of the same mucous membrane when viewed under natural light which comprises the steps of: (i) changing from its natural colour to another colour all or a part of the said mucous membrane; and (ii) recording under artificial light an image ofthe said mucous membrane in a form suitable for transmission as a television signal.

The present invention extends to a recording, such as for example a video tape recording, which includes an image of all or part of a mucous mem brane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity which image is produced according to either the second or the third aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention I provide means adapted to change from its natural colour to another colour all or a part of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity so that when-viewed under artificial light the other colour resembles the natural colour.

Preferably the means is in the form of a liquid. It can thus be applied to the mucous membrane of the oro-pharyngeal cavity by drinking or gargling a sample of the liquid or by using a sample of the liquid to wash out the mouth. Alternatively the liquid could be applied by means of a brush or spray or similar appliance which method is particularly con venient for changing the colour of a part or parts only of the mucous membrane.Instead of a liquid, which can be supplied in the form of a mouthwash, the means may be supplied in the form of a gel or paste, which can be applied to the mucous mem brane by means of a brush or the like, or in the form of a tablet which can be applied to the mucous membrane either directly by sucking the tablet or by dissolving the tablet in a suitable solvent, for exam ple water, and using the solution formed in one of the manners described above.

Whatever physical form the means takes the col our change which it produces in the mucous mem brane preferably lasts at least 30 minutes and more preferably at least 3 hours. Repeated applications of - the means may be used to prolong the colour change. A cause of the colour change may be due to a substance contained in the means which either applies a colouring matter two the mucous membrane orinduces-the mucous membrane to change colour due to a physiological effect. A combination of such substances-may be used in order to achieve the desired change of colour, The present invention may be found of particular use by a person who appears on television.The present inventor has found that the powerful I a rtificial light employed in television studios and the like can cause the mucous membrane of a person's mouth to appear pale and unhealthy looking in a manner simi larto that known to existwith respect to a person's skin. The conventional make-up which such a person may apply to the skin of his face and neck will not be able to counteract the possibly unsightly colour of the inside of his mouth which may be detrimental to the overali visual impression which he presents to television viewers on a television screen.Use of the present invention can make the colour of the mucous membrane of his oro-pharyngeal cavity darker and stronger so that when viewed under strong artifical light it appears a healthy shade of pink and a pleasing image of the person can be presented on a television screen.

The present invention may be of particular value to a television artist who as part or all of his appearance on television sings one or more songs or the like. During the act of singing a person may open his mouth wider and show more of the mucous membrane of the inside of his mouth than whilst he is speaking. In addition should a close-up of the person's face be broadcast and received on television sets whilst he is singing the opportunities increase fortelevision viewers to see.the inside of the singer's mouth. Moreover should one of the powerful lights used to illuminate the singer happen to shine directly into his mouth the colour and appearance of his oro-pharyngeal mucous membrane as presented on a television screen may play a major part in the overall appearance and appeal of the singer. Use of the present invention by such a singer can not only make his appearance on a television screen more appealing to his viewers and thus increase his popularity, but can also increase his sense of confidence and wellbeing knowing that the visual impression of him presented on a television screen in someone's home shows him to be a healthy and attractive person.

Claims (9)

1. A cosmetic method comprising the step of changing from a natural colourto another colour all or a part of a mucous membrane of a person's oro pharyngeal cavity so that when viewed under artifi cial light the other colour resembles the natural col our.

2. A method of producing an image of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity which comprises the steps of: (i) changing from its natural colour to another colour all or a part of the mucous membrane of the person's oro-pharyngeal cavity, (ii) recording under artificial light an image of the person's oro-pharyngeal cavity showing all or some of his mucous membrane; and (iii) producing an image of the person's oropharyngeal cavity showing all or some of the said mucous membrane so that a colour of his mucous membrane as seen in the image produced resembles the said natural colour as seen under natural light.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein step (ii) comprises using a television camera in a manner known perse and step (iii) comprises broadcasting a television signal and receiving the signal on atelevi- sion set.

4. A method of modrrfying atelevision signal so that an image of a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity carried by the signal resembles in colour a natural appearance of the same mucous membrane whennviewed under natural lights which comprises the steps of: (i) changing from its natural colour to another colour all our a part of the saidmucous membrane; and (ii) recording under artificial light an image of the said mucous membrane in a form suitable for transmission as a television signal.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein described.

6. A recording including an image of all or a part ofthe mucous membrane of a person's oropharyngeal cavity wherein the image is produced according to the method of any of claims 2 to 4.

7. A recording according to claim 6 which is a video tape recording.

8. Means adapted to change from its natural colourto another colour all ora part a mucous membrane of a person's oro-pharyngeal cavity so that when viewed under artificial lightthe other colour resembles the natural colour.

9. Means according to claim 8 substantially as herein described.