Pattern transferable to skin for optical measurements during shaving

Abstract

A removable tattoo for applying a pattern to the skin for use with an optical measurement system to measure forces on the skin such as during shaving. A transfer paper is printed with a random pattern of different size dots. The pattern can have two or three different sized dots. The pattern of dots has a pattern density of between about 40% to about 60%. The pattern is printed with inks suitable for skin contact that are not water soluble so as to withstand a moist shaving environment. The pattern is removable from the test person with alcohol.

1 . A removable tattoo for patterning a section of skin to provide a reference marking for use in optical skin deformation measurements, comprising
 a substrate ( 73 ), and   a pattern ( 45 ) comprising a plurality of indicia randomly distributed to form a pattern density of between about 40% and about 60%.   
     
     
         2 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises dots. 
     
     
         3 . The removable tattoo of  claim 2 , wherein the dots comprise two or more different sized dots ( 70 ,  71 ). 
     
     
         4 . The removable tattoo of  claim 2 , wherein the dots comprise three different sized dots ( 70 ,  71 ,  72 ). 
     
     
         5 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern density is about 50%. 
     
     
         6 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern density is about 42.5%. 
     
     
         7 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is transferable to the skin by wetting with an alcohol. 
     
     
         8 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate ( 73 ) is a paper. 
     
     
         9 . The removable tattoo of  claim 8 , wherein the paper is chosen from a group of paper consisting of blotting paper and cigarette paper. 
     
     
         10 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a substantially water-insoluble ink or dye. 
     
     
         11 . The removable tattoo of  claim 10 , wherein the indicia comprises an oil-based ink or dye. 
     
     
         12 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is devoid of a cover layer formed above said indicia opposite said substrate ( 73 ). 
     
     
         13 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1  being devoid of an adhesive layer atop said indicia. 
     
     
         14 . A moisture-activated, removable tattoo for patterning a section of skin to provide a reference marking for use in optical-based skin deformation measurements, comprising
 a substrate ( 73 ), and   a random pattern ( 45 ) comprising a plurality of distributed dots,   said dots comprising an ink or dye, said ink or dye being substantially water insoluble and being substantially soluble in an alcohol.   
     
     
         15 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the dots comprise two or more different sized dots ( 70 ,  71 ). 
     
     
         16 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the dots comprise three different sized dots ( 70 ,  71 ,  72 ). 
     
     
         17 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the random pattern ( 45 ) has a pattern density of between about 40% and about 60%. 
     
     
         18 . The removable tattoo of  claim 17 , wherein the pattern density is about 50%. 
     
     
         19 . The removable tattoo of  claim 17 , wherein the pattern density is about 42.5%. 
     
     
         20 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate ( 73 ) is a paper. 
     
     
         21 . The removable tattoo of  claim 20 , wherein the paper is chosen from a group of paper consisting of blotting paper and cigarette paper. 
     
     
         22 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the dots comprise an oil-based ink or dye. 
     
     
         23 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the ink or dye comprises a pigment. 
     
     
         24 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate ( 73 ) is moisture permeable. 
     
     
         25 . The removable tattoo of  claim 1 , wherein the dots are devoid of a cover layer formed above said dots opposite said substrate ( 73 ). 
     
     
         26 . The removable tattoo of  claim 14  being devoid of an adhesive layer atop said dots.