WO2013083938A1

WO2013083938A1 - Apparatus and method for applying a product to skin

Info

Publication number: WO2013083938A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/052400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris STAFFORD-NELSON
Original assignee: Crystals Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-05
Filing date: 2011-12-05
Publication date: 2013-06-13

Abstract

An apparatus (11), method and computer program is provided. The apparatus is for enabling product to be applied to the skin of a person The apparatus comprises: a rotatable platform (12) configured to rotate the person; and at least one guide (30, 40) configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform (12) and a spray gun nozzle (58), for spraying the product onto the skin of the person, to be varied.

Description

TITLE

Apparatus and Method for Applying a Product to Skin

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the application of a product to the skin of a person. In particular, they relate to applying skin product, such as sunless tanning lotion, to the skin of a person in a booth. BACKGROUND

In recent years, tanning booths have become popular. A person may, for example, stand within such a tanning booth while sunless tanning lotion is applied to him/her by a human operator or by automated means.

In circumstances where the sunless tanning lotion is applied using automated means, it can be difficult to ensure that sunless tanning lotion is applied to the person in an even fashion and in a manner that is comfortable for the person.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus for enabling product to be applied to the skin of a person, comprising: a rotatable platform configured to rotate the person; and at least one guide configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying the product onto the skin of the person, to be varied.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method, comprising: rotating a person using a rotatable platform; and varying a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle configured to spray product onto the skin of the person.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus for applying product to the skin of a person, comprising: rotating means for rotating the person; and means for enabling a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying the product onto the skin of the person, to be varied.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer program instructions that, when performed by the at least one processor, cause at least the following to be performed: controlling a rotatable platform to rotate a person; and causing a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying product onto the skin of the person, to vary.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for controlling a rotatable platform to rotate a person; and means for causing a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying product onto the skin of the person, to vary.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method, comprising: controlling a rotatable platform to rotate a person; and causing a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying product onto the skin of the person, to vary.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided computer program instructions that, when performed by at least one processor, cause at least the method described above to be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for enabling product to be applied to the skin of a person;

Fig. 2A illustrates a side view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2B illustrates a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 illustrates a control aspect of the apparatus; Figs 4A to 4D illustrate product being applied to the front of a person using the apparatus;

Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate product being applied to the person using the apparatus following rotation of the person;

Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate product being applied to the side of the person using the apparatus following rotation of the person;

Figs 7A and 7B illustrate product being applied to the rear of the person using the apparatus following rotation of the person;

Fig. 8 illustrates a portion of a booth comprising the apparatus;

Fig. 9 illustrates the booth; and

Fig. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient way of evenly applying skin product, such as sunless tanning lotion, to the skin of a person.

The Figures illustrate an apparatus 10 for enabling product to be applied to the skin of a person 20, comprising: a rotatable platform 12 configured to rotate the person 20; and at least one guide 30, 40 configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform 12 and a spray gun nozzle 58, for spraying the product onto the skin of the person 20, to be varied.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus 10 for enabling product to be applied to the skin of a person. Fig 2A illustrates a side view of the apparatus 10 and Fig. 2B illustrates a plan view of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 may or may not be part of a booth that accommodates the person 20 while he is being sprayed with product. In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 10 may, for example, be provided as a kit of parts.

The apparatus 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a first guide 30, a second guide 40, a support 60 and a base 14. The base 14 may, for example, form at least part of the base of a booth. The base 14 of the apparatus 10 comprises a rotatable platform 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable platform 12 is substantially circular in shape with a circular cut-out at its centre. In other embodiments, however, the rotatable platform 12 may have a different shape.

Fig. 1 illustrates a cylindrical co-ordinate system 70 with an azimuthal dimension Φ, a radial dimension r and a longitudinal dimension z. Each of the dimensions Φ, r and z are orthogonal to one another. The illustrated co-ordinate system 70 is centred on the point 9 which is at the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform 12. The axis of rotation of the platform 12 is aligned with the z-axis of the co-ordinate system 70. The radial dimension r extends outwardly from the axis of rotation of the platform 12.

The rotatable platform 12 is configured to rotate a person 20 situated on the platform 12 (for example, standing on the platform 12). In the illustrated example, the rotatable platform 12 is configured to rotate the person in the azimuthal dimension Φ. The platform 12 may rotate in one direction or in two directions. If the platform 12 rotates in two directions, one of the directions may be substantially opposite to the other. For example, the platform 12 may rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise.

The rotatable platform 12 may be rotatable through substantially 180 degrees or more. In some embodiments, the rotatable platform 12 is rotatable through substantially 360 degrees or more.

The first guide 30 is elongate in shape and has the form of a column. The first guide 30 has a length that extends in the longitudinal dimension z. In the illustrated embodiment, the first guide 30 is configured to guide all or part of a spray gun 57, including a nozzle 58, in the longitudinal dimension z. All or part of the spray gun 57 may, for example, be positioned in a carriage that is arranged to slide along the first guide 30 in the longitudinal dimension z.

The spray gun 57 and its nozzle 58 are configured to spray product onto the skin of a person 20. The first guide 30 enables the distance between the spray gun nozzle 58 and the person 20 to be varied in the longitudinal dimension z. The first guide 30 enables the spray gun nozzle 58 to move to various different positions in the longitudinal dimension z, and therefore enables the spray gun nozzle 58 to apply product to the person 20 at a plurality of different heights. The second guide 40 is configured to enable the distance between the spray gun nozzle 58 and the person 20 to be varied in the radial dimension r. The second guide 40 guides the movement of the spray gun nozzle 58 in the radial dimension r by guiding the elongate first guide 30 to and from the person 20. The first guide 30 and the spray gun nozzle 58 move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform 12.

The first and second guides 30, 40 enable a distance between the rotatable platform 12 and the spray gun nozzle 58 to be varied by facilitating linear movement of the spray gun nozzle 58 in two dimensions r, z.

The support 60 is an optional feature that provides support for a top portion of a booth, if the apparatus 10 forms part of a booth. The support 60 is elongate in shape and has the form of a column. In the illustrated example, the support 60 has a c- shaped cross-section. In Figs 1 , 2A and 2B the first guide 30 is illustrated as being as far away from the support 60 as it can be whilst still remaining within the second guide 40. A gap 32 between the support 32 and the first guide 30 is present. If, in use, the first guide 30 and the spray gun nozzle 58 are moved away from the person 20, the gap 32 between the support 60 and the first guide 30 is reduced.

Fig. 3 illustrates components 51 -54, 56 and 57 that receive inputs from or provide inputs to a processor 50 of the apparatus 10. If the apparatus 10 is a kit of parts, it might comprise some or all of the elements 50-54, 56 and 57 illustrated in Fig. 3. The elements 50-54, 56 and 57 illustrated in Fig. 3 may be operationally coupled and any number or combination of intervening elements can exist (including no intervening elements).

Although a single processor 50 is illustrated in Fig. 3, in practice multiple processors may be used. The processor 50 is configured to provide outputs to a first drive 51 , a second drive 52, a third drive 53 and the spray gun 57. The first, second and third drives 51 -53 may, for instance, each be (or each comprise) an electric motor. The processor 50 is also configured to receive inputs from a height sensor 54. The processor 50 is also configured to write to and read from a memory 56. The memory 56 stores computer program instructions 6 that control the operation of the apparatus 10 when loaded into the processor 50. The computer program instructions 6 provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus 10 to perform the method illustrated in Fig. 10. The processor 50, by reading the memory 56, is able to load and execute the computer program instructions 6.

The memory 56 is a non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium. Although the memory 56 is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

The first drive 51 is configured to drive all or part of spray gun 57, including the nozzle 58, along the first guide 30 in the longitudinal dimension z. The spray gun 57 may be moved continuously, or in discrete steps. Through appropriate control of the first drive 51 , the processor 50 is able to move and position the spray gun nozzle 58 in the longitudinal dimension z.

The second drive 52 is configured to rotate the rotatable platform 12 in the azimuthal dimension Φ. The rotatable platform 12 may be rotated continuously, or in discrete steps. Through appropriate control of the second drive 52, the processor 50 is able to position the person 20 at an appropriate angle for product to be applied different parts of his body. Advantageously, rotation of the person 20 using the platform 12 enables the spray gun 57 to spray him at a variety of different angles without him necessarily having to change his stance.

The third drive 53 is configured to drive the first guide 30 back and forth within the second guide 40, moving the spray gun nozzle 58 back and forth. The first guide 30 and the nozzle 58 may be moved continuously, or in discrete steps. Through appropriate control of the third drive 53, the processor 50 is able to vary the distance, in the radial dimension r, between the spray gun nozzle 58 and rotatable platform 12. In some embodiments, the processor 50 may control the movement of spray gun nozzle 58 in the radial dimension r such that a minimum/constant spraying distance is maintained between the person 20 and the spray gun nozzle 58. The maintenance of a minimum distance or a given distance between the spray gun nozzle 58 and the person 20 advantageously enables the apparatus 10 to provide a relatively consistent coat of product across the various parts of a person's body.

The height sensor 54 is configured to enable the processor 50 to determine the height of a person positioned on the rotatable platform 12. This enables the processor 50 to determine how high the spray gun 57 should spray. The height sensor 54 may, for example, be positioned in the carriage that slides along the first guide 30. The height sensor 53 may be an ultrasonic sensor or a photoelectric sensor.

The spray gun 57 may be any suitable type of spray gun. In some embodiments of the invention, all or part of the spray gun 57 may be rotatable in one or two dimensions, while it is in the carriage, to enable the nozzle 58 to be appropriately directed. This may be controlled by the processor 50. For example, in some embodiments, the processor 50 may control the spray gun nozzle 58 to be upwardly inclined to spray product underneath a person's breasts, chin, armpits or crotch area. The processor 50 may control the nozzle 58 to be downwardly inclined to spray product onto a person's shoulders. The processor 50 may also be configured to control the fan output size of the spray gun nozzle 58.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the size of people being sprayed will vary. For example, the users will have varying heights and varying weights. The memory 56 stores a plurality of product application programs 8 for the apparatus 10. The product application programs 8 define how the processor 50 should control the spray gun nozzle 58, via the drives 51 -53, to apply product to people of different sizes (i.e. different heights and weights). The plurality of product application programs 8 may, for example, be stored as a look-up table in the memory 56.

The processor 50 may be configured to control adjustment of one or more characteristics, relating to the spray gun nozzle 58, depending upon the determined height of a person. For example, the manner in which the spray gun nozzle 58 is controlled during a spraying program may depend upon the height of the spray gun nozzle 58 relative to the height of the person being sprayed. One or more of the following may, for instance, be controlled by the processor 50: the speed of movement of the spray gun nozzle 58, the fan size of the spray output by the spray gun nozzle 58 and the atomising pressure used to produce the spray.

By way of example, the processor 50 could control the spray gun nozzle 58 to have a wider fan size when spraying a person's shoulders than when spraying a person's head, to reduce waste. The processor 50 may control the nozzle 58 to move more slowly if a dense coverage of product is required (e.g. for a particular body part or parts). Figs 4A to 7B are illustrate a full body spraying program being carried out by the apparatus 10.

Figs 4A to 4D illustrate the front of a person 20 being sprayed with product. In this example, processor 50 moves the carriage holding the spray gun nozzle 58 and the height sensor 54 up the first guide 30 to determine the height of the person. The processor 50 then moves the carriage down the first guide 30, in the direction indicated by the arrow 40, to begin spraying at the feet of the person 20.

The reference numeral 81 in Fig. 4B denotes spray being projected onto the front of the feet of the person 20. Once the front of the feet have been sprayed, the processor 50 controls the rotatable platform 12 to rotate the person in the azimuthal dimension Φ, as illustrated by the arrow 43. This enables the spray gun nozzle 58 to spray around the person's feet, without the person 20 necessarily having to change his stance.

The processor 50 controls the spray gun nozzle 58 to move gradually along the first guide 30, in the longitudinal dimension z, either continuously or in discrete steps. The arrow 42 in Fig. 4B indicates the upward movement of the spray gun nozzle 58. When the spray gun nozzle 58 reaches various different heights, the processor 50 also controls the rotatable platform 12 to rotate the person 20, enabling the spray gun nozzle 58 to spray around the person 20.

Fig. 4C illustrates the spray gun nozzle 58 spraying the torso of the person 20 after the processor 50 has controlled it to move upwardly along the first guide 30, as indicated by the arrow 44. The product being sprayed is denoted with the reference numeral 79.

Fig. 4D illustrates the head of a person 20 being sprayed after the processor 50 has controlled the spray gun nozzle 58 to move upwardly along the first guide 30, as indicated by the arrow 45. The product being sprayed is denoted with the reference numeral 82.

Fig. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the torso of the person 20 being sprayed after the processor 50 has rotated the person 20 using the rotatable platform 12. Fig. 5B illustrates is an equivalent plan view. The processor 50 has also controlled the first guide 30 (and therefore also the spray gun nozzle 58) to move away from the rotatable platform 12 in the radial dimension r, reducing the gap 32 between the support 60 and the first guide 30 and maintaining a minimum or constant spraying distance between the spray gun nozzle 58 and the person 20.

Fig. 6A illustrates a side view of an armpit of a person 20 being sprayed. Fig. 6B illustrates an equivalent plan view. It can be seen from Figs 6A and 6B that the person 20 has been rotated by substantially 180 degrees relative to his original position. If there were no movement of the first guide 30 in the radial dimension r, this rotation would reduce the distance between the person and spray gun nozzle 58. However, as mentioned above, in embodiments of the invention the processor 50 controls the first guide 30 to move away from the person 20 and towards the support 60, in order to maintain a minimum (or particular) distance between the spray gun nozzle 48 and the person 20. Movement of the first guide 30 is indicated by the arrow 47 in Figs 6A and 6B.

Fig. 7A illustrates a perspective view of the rear of the person 20 being sprayed, and Fig. 7B is an equivalent plan view. In Figs 7A and 7B, the person 20 has been rotated by around 360 degrees. The processor 50 has controlled the first guide 30 to move towards the person 20 (relative to Figs 6A and 6B), in order to maintain a particular distance between the spray gun nozzle 48 and the person 20. Movement of the first guide 30 is indicated by the arrow 48 in Fig. 7B. Movement of the spray gun nozzle 58 may occur before, during or after rotation of person on the platform 12. For example, in some embodiments, the spray gun nozzle 58 sprays and moves while the person 20 is being rotated. In other embodiments, the spray gun nozzle 58 moves prior to or after movement of the person 20 on the platform 12, and spraying does not commence until the person 20 is stationary.

Fig. 8 illustrates a booth 90 comprising the apparatus 10. The booth 90 is an enclosure that defines an inner volume 94. In Fig. 8, the top portion of the booth 90, including the roof, has been removed to clearly show the inner volume 94 of the booth 90.

The front opening 93 of the booth is shaped so as to enable a person 20 to enter the booth 90 via the front opening 93 (e.g. by walking) and position himself on the rotating platform 12 and (entirely) within the booth volume 94. In this particular example, the booth 90 does not comprise a door for covering the front opening 93.

The booth 90 illustrated in Fig. 8 comprises an extraction system 92. In this example, the extraction system 92 is a "cross flow" system in which one or more air movers (e.g. fans) are used to cause air to exit the top portion of the booth, pass through the booth volume 94 and across the person. The air then moves through one or more rear grates 95 and one or more filters positioned behind the person's back. The moving air carries particulate matter (over spray) from the booth volume 93 and into the filters, which may be washed or disposed of. Air that flows through the one or more rear grates 95 flows into a duct 96 and is then re-circulated into the top portion of the booth 90, resulting in a constant re-circulation of air through the booth 90.

Fig. 9 illustrates the booth 90 including a top portion 95. It will be appreciated from Figs 8 and 9 that, in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, movement of the spray gun nozzle 58 and the spray gun occurs within the booth 90.

Fig. 10 illustrates a method according to embodiments of the invention. At block 1000 in Fig. 10, the processor 50 controls the rotatable platform 12 of the apparatus 10 to rotate a person 20. At block 1001 of Fig. 10, the processor 50 controls one or more drives 51 , 53 to cause a distance between the rotatable platform 12 and a spray gun nozzle 58, for spraying product onto the skin of a person 20, to vary. At least one guide 30, 40 is configured to enable the distance to be varied.

References to 'computer-readable medium', 'computer program product', 'tangibly embodied computer program' etc. or a 'controller', 'computer', 'processor' etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single/multi-processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term 'circuitry' refers to all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

The blocks illustrated in Fig. 10 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program instructions 6. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the apparatus 10 may comprise multiple spray gun nozzles rather than a single spray gun nozzle. The spray gun nozzles may be positioned along the first guide 30 in the longitudinal dimension z. In such embodiments, it may not be necessary for the spray gun nozzles to move in the longitudinal dimension z.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims

1 . An apparatus for enabling product to be applied to the skin of a person, comprising:

a rotatable platform configured to rotate the person; and

at least one guide configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying the product onto the skin of the person, to be varied. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide is configured, when the apparatus is in operation, to enable a minimum distance or a substantially constant distance to be maintained, for spraying, between the spray gun nozzle and the person. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one guide is configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform and the spray gun nozzle to be varied by facilitating linear movement of the spray gun nozzle in at least one dimension.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one guide is configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform and the spray gun nozzle to be varied by facilitating linear movement of the spray gun nozzle in at least two dimensions.

An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable platform is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and the at least one guide is configured to enable a distance between the spray gun nozzle and the rotatable platform in a first dimension to be varied, wherein the first dimension is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one guide is configured to enable a distance between the rotatable platform and the spray gun nozzle in a second dimension to be varied, such that the spray gun nozzle is able to spray product onto the person at a plurality of different heights. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second dimension is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation.

An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guide is configured to guide movement of the spray gun nozzle within a booth.

An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable platform is rotatable through substantially 180 degrees or more.

An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable platform is rotatable through substantially 360 degrees or more.

An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one processor.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause a minimum distance or a substantially constant distance to be maintained, for spraying, between the spray gun nozzle and the person.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control movement of the spray gun nozzle and to control the rotatable platform.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control linear movement of the spray gun nozzle using the guide. 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control linear movement of the spray gun nozzle in at least two dimensions.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause a distance between the rotatable platform and the spray gun nozzle to be varied in dependence upon the rotational position of the person on the rotatable platform.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the height of the person using at least one sensor, and to control movement of the spray gun nozzle in dependence upon the determination.

18. An apparatus in claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control adjustment of at least one characteristic, relating to the spray gun nozzle, in dependence upon the determination.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one characteristic is controlled in dependence upon the height of the spray gun nozzle relative to the height of the person.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises one or more of: the speed of movement of the spray gun nozzle, the fan size of the spray output by the spray gun nozzle and the atomising pressure used to produce the spray.

21 . A booth, defining a booth volume for accommodating a person, and comprising the apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

22. A method, comprising:

rotating a person using a rotatable platform; and

varying a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle configured to spray product onto the skin of the person. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the distance between the spray gun nozzle and the rotatable platform is varied in dependence upon the rotational position of the person on the rotatable platform.

A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the rotatable platform rotates about an axis of rotation, and a distance between the spray gun nozzle and the rotatable platform is varied in a first dimension which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 25. An apparatus for applying product to the skin of a person, comprising:

rotating means for rotating the person; and

means for enabling a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying the product onto the skin of the person, to be varied. 26. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing computer program instructions that, when performed by the at least one processor, cause at least the following to be performed:

controlling a rotating platform to rotate a person; and

causing a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gun nozzle, for spraying product onto the skin of the person, to vary.

An apparatus comprising:

means for controlling a rotatable platform to rotate a person; and

means for causing a distance between the rotatable platform and a spray gu nozzle, for spraying product onto the skin of the person, to vary.

28. A method, comprising:

controlling a rotatable platform to rotate a person; and

29. Computer program instructions that, when performed by at least one processor, cause at least the method of claim 28 to be performed. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing the computer progra instructions as claimed in claim 29.