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P&G's Personalisation Trajectory

  1. 1,868 Posts.
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    Procter & Gamble is definitely gearing up towards improving their "personalised" products, which we have already started to see with the introduction of the OLAY SKIN ADVISOR which we all have reasonable cause to suspect will be incorporating OBJ's "second technology" for which a deal has already been made (formerly called "beauty connect" by OBJ).

    I discovered a recent patent filed by P&G yesterday. It is called Precision Applicator and was filed late last year. I make the following points about it:
    • This patent is a 'catch-all' to describe personalisation. A description of creating a personalised face-mask is included, as well as personalising the location and amount of active ingredients around the inside of the mask. The patent background is far reaching - covering mechanical face-lifts, and accupuncture as well.
    • The steps to create the mask include a 3D scan of the "target structure" (i.e. person's face).
    • It's quite a flimsy mask, as evidenced by this statement: "As used herein, the term self-supporting means that the element retains a substantial portion of the geometric relationships of a defined three-dimensional shape without the aid of external support structures when resting on a horizontal surface under ambient air pressure"
    • It could be 3D-printed or, alternatively, they could 3D print a positive impression of the face and then vacuum-mould some material onto that 3D printed face.
    • The patent is very much about personalisation. The patent describes how the mask will accommodate pockets of 'active material' in strategic locations according to the needs of the individual: "where a beneficial active material may be disposed such that placement of the structural element adjacent to the target structure may result in contact between the active material and the target structure."
    • These next parts of the application could include the existence of a diamagnetic layer to push the active material to the skin:
      • "In one embodiment, the applicator and active agents are printed in the same process using a multiple extrusion head system, such as a Hyrel System 30 printer available from Hyrel LLC, of Norcross, Ga"
      • In one embodiment, the active agents may be embedded or infused within the applicator material itself, such as Cupron Enhanced materials available from Cupron of Richmond, Va.
      • In one embodiment, the applicator may be fabricated as a system of multiple layers. In this embodiment, an inner, surface contact layer may be comprised of a first polymeric or thermoplastic or thermoset material selected for the purpose of holding and subsequently transferring an active agent to the surface."
    • It appears P&G is suggesting that people wear these masks throughout the whole day. In this case, to also limit the damaging effects of pollution: "Additionally, the custom applicator may be made from occlusive or barrier materials that limit the transport of water, water vapor, or gasses through it. The occlusive properties of the custom applicator may be characterized by measurements of WVTR or MVTR (water vapor transmission rate and moisture vapor transmission rate, respectively)."
    • There is some possible relevance of the patent to OBJ's KneeGuard as well: "In another example, a baseline scan may be made of a knee joint when there are no issues with the joint. Subsequent to the baseline scan, at a time when there is an issue with the joint, a subsequent scan may be made to identify changes in the geometry and surface temperature of the respective portions of the joint due to inflammation, or other causes. The scans may then be used for the purpose of generating a geometry associated with the joint and taking into consideration the baseline and current state of the joint. The geometry may be used to create a first structural element precisely matching the current state or modified from the current state using data from the baseline scan to create a modified geometry with the intention of selectively applying compression to the inflamed joint upon application."
    • The manufacturing method would include creating diamagnetic surfaces: "additive manufacturing methods such as stereo-lithography or selective powder sintering techniques."
    • This allows for magnetic fields: ""The first structural element may comprise component elements enabling the application of electric current, voltage and/or electrical or magnetic fields to portions of the target structure. Electrodes, electrical coils and other necessary components may be disposed upon the surface of the element or embedded or printed within the element such that, with the addition of a power sources such as a battery, photovoltaic solar cell, line voltage or other electrical power source, the desired energy may be applied to the target."
    In summary, this patent is very much about personalisation, but it is unlikely OBJ's technology was a driving force behind their conception of the patent. Although magnetic fields are mentioned, it is not the essential point of the patent. It is possible that the invention may be an evolution of, or perhaps even part of, the anticipated MAGNEMASKS product which we know to be OBJ's.

    Many thanks to @drmatt for deciphering the esoteric language used in the patent application and for drawing the conclusions contained in the bullet-points above which I now share.

    J
 
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