Patent Publication Number: US-2023138173-A1

Title: Marking module for an appliance intended for applying a colorant, and appliance using such a marking module

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of permanent makeup or tattooing. More specifically, the invention relates to a marking module for an apparatus intended for applying a colorant in order to make a permanent makeup or a tattoo, the marking module comprising a channel and at least one needle movable longitudinally in said channel between a retracted position in which a distal end of the needle is within said channel and an extended position in which the distal end of the needle protrudes from said channel. 
     The invention also relates to an apparatus for applying a colorant for making permanent makeup or for tattooing. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Currently, apparatuses intended for applying a colorant to a person and for making permanent makeup or tattooing are consisting of a gun in which a tattoo needle moves longitudinally, and a drive intended for moving the needle. When a colorant such as in particular an ink must be applied onto or under the skin of a user, the needle is dipped in an ink reservoir and then applied to the skin of the user such that the ink penetrates the user&#39;s skin. When the ink picked up by the needle is consumed, the needle is dipped again in the ink reservoir, and then the cycle starts again. 
     One problem encountered with this type of apparatuses is that the amount of ink that can be used between each dip in the reservoir is relatively small. When the person making the tattoo needs, for example, to draw a straight or elongated line, he must regularly stop drawing to pick up ink. Resume drawing right where the person left off is relatively difficult and therefore the drawing may not be perfect. 
     In addition, the time required to make a tattoo can be long due to ink refilling that is necessary to carry out regularly. This is all the more important especially when large surfaces have to be coloured, for example when shading. This relatively long working time may be unpleasant for the person making the tattoo or makeup, but especially for the person being tattooed or on whom the makeup is applied. Indeed, under-skin marking can be relatively painful. A shorter working time is therefore more comfortable to the person on whom the marking is performed. 
     Another problem encountered is that the reservoirs containing the ink are open to allow ink pickup. The ink is therefore in contact with air. Therefore it may be contaminated by pathogens which may then be injected under the skin of the person being tattooed or on whom the makeup is applied, which can cause infections. 
     To address some of these disadvantages, a tattoo or permanent make-up apparatus comprising a reservoir integrated into the gun exists. Such an apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,553. This document describes a tattoo or permanent makeup gun comprising a module in which a tattoo needle moves longitudinally driven by a drive. The tattoo gun includes an ink reservoir. During its alternating longitudinal movement, the needle moves in the ink reservoir, then its free end protrudes from the tattoo gun so as to apply the ink picked up by the needle, under the skin of the user. 
     This implementation largely avoids refilling ink in an external reservoir. It is therefore possible to draw relatively long lines and fill large areas without having to refill ink. In addition, the ink is not exposed to open air and the risks of contamination or infections are therefore minimized. However, this gun has other drawbacks. In fact, ink is introduced into the reservoir and then the needle moves in the reservoir. It is not possible to empty the ink from the reservoir and replace it with a different colour ink. In fact, this would lead to a heterogeneous mixture of colours that could not be used. Thus, if the ink contained in the reservoir is not completely consumed, it goes to waste. 
     Furthermore, the ink reservoir in which the needle moves is in a position relatively far from the free end of the needle, i.e. from the end from which the needle emerges to make the tattoo. In order for ink to be picked up by the needle, its end must enter entirely into the reservoir. This makes it necessary to carry out a particularly rigid guidance of the needle, which complicates making of the gun from the mechanical point of view and makes it more expensive. In addition, due to the construction of the gun, it is necessary that ink be available on the side of the reservoir where the needle emerges. This forces the person performing the tattoo to hold the gun in a certain way, with the needle substantially vertical pointing downwards, otherwise the needle will not receive ink. This makes this gun inconvenient to use. 
     Another disadvantage of this device is that the needle is immersed in the ink. This implies that the only ink that can be used is that contained in the reservoir. Therefore, it is not possible to use the ink of the reservoir for a portion of a tattoo and then use the device by dipping the needle in ink from an external reservoir to make another portion of the tattoo. 
     As a result, in practice the solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,553 is not ideal. In fact, it is not possible to change ink colour while keeping the same gun. Unused ink is wasted and the gun must be handled in a certain way otherwise it will not operate. Furthermore, it is not possible to use the device alternately in a “conventional” mode in which the needle is dipped in an external ink reservoir, and in the mode using the ink contained in the reservoir integrated into the device. 
     There is therefore a need for a tattoo or permanent makeup apparatus which is flexible and convenient to use, i.e. which in particular allows continuous use without having to regularly dip the needle in ink, enables changing the ink colour without wastage, which can be used in normal positions that a person performing a tattoo conventionally adopts, and which can be used in two different modes. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Such an apparatus is described in this document. 
     The objects of the invention are achieved by a marking module as defined in the preamble and characterised in that it includes a colorant reservoir and in that said reservoir communicates with said channel only in an area located downstream of the needle when the needle is in said retracted position. 
     The objects of the invention are also achieved by an apparatus for applying a colorant as defined in the preamble and characterised in that it comprises a marking module as defined above, and an actuation module of the needle of the marking module. 
     The marking module according to the present invention can be used in all kinds of positions, which makes it possible to make a permanent make-up or a tattoo without either the person performing the tattoo or the person being tattooed having to be placed in an uncomfortable position. 
     The tattoo can be performed in a shorter time than with a conventional apparatus, especially if the design is large and/or has large areas to fill. Reducing the duration is comfortable both for the person who performs the marking and for the person on whom the marking is performed. 
     In addition, with the device of the invention, it is possible to add ink to a reservoir in a simple and practical way, the amount of ink added corresponding to the needs and not to the capacity of the reservoir. 
     It is also possible to change the colour of the ink in a simple way, which allows the use of the same marking module for several colours. Furthermore, it is possible to use pre-filled cartridges, which avoids manipulation of the ink. It is also possible to prevent the ink from remaining in the open air for a long time thereby avoiding the risk of contamination by pathogens contained in the air. 
     The apparatus of the invention enables the use of the ink contained in the cartridge or in the reservoir integrated into the device. It also allows the reservoir to be closed and the device to be used conventionally, i.e. by dipping the needle in ink contained in an external reservoir. 
     This is particularly interesting in the case where a significant portion of a tattoo or makeup is made using one colour while another portion requires the use of another colour or in the case where two colours must be used alternately. In such a case, it is not necessary to empty the integrated reservoir, clean it and refill it with another colour to make a portion of the tattoo or makeup. One has to simply close the reservoir, and then use the device in the conventional way, by picking up ink with the needle from an external reservoir. 
     When this portion of the tattoo or make-up is finished, the reservoir can be reopened and the ink from the integrated reservoir is used again. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention and advantages thereof will be better understood with reference to the appended figures and the detailed description of a particular embodiment, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a marking module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the marking module of  FIG.  1   , in a first configuration; 
         FIG.  3    is a view similar to  FIG.  2   , in a second configuration, with the needle in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  4    is a view similar to  FIG.  3   , with the needle in forward position; 
         FIG.  5    is a view similar to  FIG.  3   , with the needle in an extended position; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the portion of the marking module of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a marking module according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which an ink reservoir is separated from the body of the marking module; 
         FIG.  8    represents the marking module of  FIG.  7   , with the ink reservoir partially placed on the body of the marking module; 
         FIG.  9    represents the marking module of  FIG.  7   , with the ink reservoir placed on the body of the marking module; 
         FIG.  10    is a partial cross-sectional view of the marking module of  FIG.  7   , with ink contained in the reservoir; 
         FIG.  11    is a partial cross-sectional view of a removable cartridge, in a first configuration; 
         FIG.  12    is a view similar to  FIG.  11   , in a second configuration; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an ink reservoir used in a marking module according to the present invention as well as a cartridge for adding ink to the reservoir; and 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a marking module according to the present invention, being cleaned 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the figures, the invention relates to an apparatus  10  for applying a colorant, used in particular for making permanent make-up or for tattooing. This apparatus is essentially made up of two parts, i.e. a marking module  11  comprising in particular a needle  12 , and an actuation module  110  of the needle. According to a preferred embodiment, the marking module  11  is removable such that a marking module can be mounted on an actuation module, detached therefrom and replaced by another marking module. In practice, the actuation module  110  includes at least one drive and is used to perform a large number of tattoos whereas several marking modules can generally be used for one person. Due to hygiene reasons, a marking module is generally single-use, i.e. it is used to tattoo only one person and is disposed of after use on that person. 
     The actuation module  110  may be of any conventional type and is therefore neither described nor shown in detail in the figures. It is simply provided to removably receive a marking module. 
     The marking module  11  includes a body  28  provided with a handle  13  arranged to be easily held by the user, and a sleeve  14  intended for introduction into the actuation module  110 . This marking module  11  further includes the needle  12  mentioned above and a colorant reservoir  15  such as in particular ink  16 . The reservoir may be stationary and form an integral part of the marking module or include a removable cartridge  27  as shown in  FIGS.  7  to  14   , described in detail below. 
     As can be seen in particular in  FIGS.  2  to  6   , the marking module  11  includes a longitudinal channel  17  in which the needle  12  undergoes a reciprocating movement, under the effect of the actuation module. The channel  17  opens into one end of the marking module, called free end  18 , from which the needle  12  can protrude from the channel and come into contact with the skin of the person to be tattooed so as to deposit ink thereon. The needle reciprocates between a retracted position shown in  FIG.  2   , in which a distal end  19  of the needle  12  is fully within the channel  17 , and an extended position shown in  FIG.  5   , in which the distal end  19  of the needle  12  protrudes from the channel  17  and can come into contact with the skin of the person on whom the marking is performed. 
     In the embodiment illustrated by  FIGS.  1  to  6   , the ink reservoir  15  includes essentially a sealed wall  20 , a filling opening  21  closed by a cap  22 , and a lumen  23  disposed near the free end  18  of the channel  17  and connecting the inside of reservoir  15  to the channel  17 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated by  FIGS.  7  to  14   , the ink used for marking or tattooing is placed in the removable cartridge  27  described in detail below and acting as a reservoir  15 . 
     When the marking module  11  is used according to a normal operating mode, the needle  12  moves longitudinally in the channel  17 , under the effect of the actuation module  110 . In its fully retracted position, i.e. in the position in which the distal end  19  of the needle  12  is farthest from the free end  18  of the channel, the tip of the needle  12  is upstream of lumen  23  of the reservoir  15 . The lumen is dimensioned so as to allow the passage of a small amount of ink  16  in the form of a droplet. When the needle  12  is advanced in the direction of the free end  18  of the channel, it passes close to the lumen  23  and it carries with it the droplet of ink  16  which it can then deposit under the tattooed person&#39;s skin, conventionally. At each cycle of retraction of the needle  12  in the channel  17  and displacement of the needle forwards, at the free end  18  of the channel  17 , the needle  12  picks up a droplet of ink  16  from the reservoir  15 . 
     The marking module  11  comprises a guide  24  disposed in the channel  17 . The guide  24  extends advantageously over an area between the location where the lumen  23  opens into the channel  17  and an area upstream of the location of the tip or the distal end  19  of the needle  12  when this needle is in its fully retracted position. This has the advantage that the needle  12  has always a portion contained in the guide  24  and is therefore always adequately guided. In addition, the guide  24  prevents ink  16  from being drawn upstream of the lumen  23  when the needle  12  moves from the extended position to the retracted position. The guide  24  may be disposed for example only on the lumen  23  side or may be a pierced cylinder placed in the channel, all around the needle. 
     According to a first embodiment of the reservoir  15 , the latter includes a priming member  25 , the function thereof is to push a first drop of ink  16  into the lumen  23 . This priming member  25  may for example be formed of a flexible area in the sealed wall of the reservoir  15 , this flexible area can be deformed for example using a button  26 . Pressing the button  26  generates an overpressure inside the reservoir, which pushes ink towards the open area of the reservoir, i.e. the lumen  23 . When a first drop of ink  16  has been formed in the lumen  23 , other drops are formed by capillarity when the first droplet is picked up by the needle  12 . 
     According to a second embodiment of the reservoir  15 , the entire reservoir  15  may be made of a flexible material, so that the priming is carried out by pressing any portion of the reservoir. 
     According to a third embodiment, the reservoir  15  comprises a pressurized air inlet, generating an overpressure inside the reservoir. The pressurized air may, for example, be generated by the actuation module, a portion of which acts as a compressor. In this embodiment, it is possible to provide a member (not shown) for adjusting the pressure generated in the reservoir, the adjustment of the pressure allowing the adjustment of the ink flow from the reservoir into the channel through the lumen. Such pressure and/or flow adjustment is useful, for example, for adapting the amount of ink delivered according to the type of line to make. 
     According to an alternative, it is also possible to adjust the flow of the ink  16  by adjusting the size of the lumen  23 . For this purpose, it is possible to produce a lumen  23  having an area provided with a flexible and deformable wall, the deformable wall being in contact with an adjustment screw (not shown) accessible from outside the reservoir or the marking module  11 . In the absence of constraint, the deformable wall of the lumen is in a position such that it allows the passage of a maximum amount of ink. When the adjustment screw is used, it constrains the deformable wall such that the cross-sectional area of the lumen is reduced and the lumen allows the passage of a smaller amount of ink. 
     According to an alternative, it is possible to replace the pressurized air inlet in the reservoir  15  by a suction or vacuum carried out at the channel. The suction can be achieved using a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the channel  17 , proximate to the free end  18  thereof. As for the compressor, the vacuum pump may be obtained from the actuation module. Ink flow may also be adjusted by a flow adjuster. 
     When ink must be added to the reservoir  15 , for example when the reservoir is empty, the ink can simply be added through the opening  21  of the reservoir either by removing the cap  22  and pouring the ink  16  in the reservoir  15 , or through a lid of the cap  22 , which can be interesting to ensure the sterility of the ink. Advantageously, the cap  22  of the reservoir is not hermetically closed during use of the tattoo apparatus, which allows passage of air into the reservoir as the ink is consumed. 
     According to an alternative, the marking module of the invention includes a retention mechanism  32  for retaining the ink  16  in the reservoir  15 . The retention mechanism  32  is provided to prevent the ink from exiting the reservoir to the channel  17  when the retention mechanism is activated. 
     If the retention mechanism  32  is activated, the ink in the reservoir is not used. It is instead possible to use ink from an external reservoir, which can be interesting, for example, when a small portion of the tattoo or marking must be made with an ink of a different colour. When that portion of the tattoo or marking is complete, the retention mechanism  32  can be deactivated and the ink in the reservoir can be used again. The retention mechanism is also useful for transporting and storing cartridges, to prevent ink from spilling out unintentionally. 
     According to a particular embodiment, the cap  22  of the reservoir can adopt three distinct positions. In a first position, it is open and allows the cartridge  27  to be filled. In a second position, the cap  22  is hermetically closed. In this position, air cannot enter the cartridge  27  or reservoir  15 . The ink cannot flow out through the lumen  23  and the reservoir  15  is completely closed. This position is represented by  FIG.  2   . The cap acts as a retention mechanism  32 . The hermetically closed position of the cap corresponds to the activated position of the retention mechanism. 
     In a third position, the cap  22  is non-hermetically closed. This allows the passage of air into the reservoir  15 , which allows the ink to flow towards the lumen  23 . This position is represented by  FIG.  3   . It corresponds to the deactivated position of the retention mechanism  32 . 
     When the cap  22  is placed in its non-hermetically closed position, the marking module  11  can be used as previously described. Ink  16  from the reservoir  15  passes through the lumen  23  and is picked up by the needle  12 . 
     According to an alternative of the retention mechanism, the stroke of the needle  12  can be adjusted by the actuation module  110 . In a first operating mode of the marking module, the stroke of the needle is between a first position in which the distal end  19  protrudes from the channel  17  of the marking module and extends beyond the free end  18  of the channel  17 , and a second position in which the distal end  19  of the needle is upstream of the lumen  23 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . 
     In a second operating mode, the stroke of the needle  12  is between a first position identical to the first position described above and a second position in which the distal end  19  of the needle  12  is downstream of the lumen  23  and an area of the needle  12  is always opposite the lumen  23 . 
     In this case, the lumen  23  is always closed and the ink in the reservoir cannot flow. Ink from an external reservoir can then be used. In this case, the stroke of the needle  12  acts as a retention mechanism  32  of the ink. When the stroke of the needle brings the distal end  19  thereof upstream of the lumen  23 , the retention mechanism  32  is deactivated. When the distal end  19  of the needle is still downstream of the lumen  23 , the retention mechanism  32  is activated in that the needle prevents ink from flowing through the lumen. 
     Instead of blocking the lumen  23  by means of the needle  12  when the retention mechanism  32  is activated, the lumen  23  may be blocked by the guide  24 . The latter could in fact be movable between a forward position in which it blocks the lumen  23  and a rearward position in which it releases the passage of ink into the lumen. 
       FIGS.  7  to  14    describe an alternative of the marking module according to the present invention. In this alternative, the ink  16  used for marking or tattooing is contained in a reservoir  15  formed by the cartridge  27  which is separable from the body  28  of the marking module  11 .  FIG.  7    illustrates the marking module in which the ink cartridge  27  is separated from the body  28 . 
     As can be seen in particular in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the cartridge  27  includes a lumen  23  allowing the ink to pass from the cartridge to the channel  17  of the body or directly in contact with the needle  12 . 
     The cartridge  27  further includes a cap  22  which is at least operable to open and/or close the reservoir  15 , in particular to fill the cartridge. 
     As described above, the cap  22  can adopt three distinct positions, i.e. an open position, a hermetically closed position and a non-hermetically closed position. However, it could also have only two positions, i.e. an open position and a non-hermetically closed position. 
     The cartridge  27  preferably includes a locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the cartridge in position when it is placed on the body  28  of the marking module. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, it is possible to remove the cartridge  27  from the body  28  of the marking module. When the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the cartridge  27  cannot be removed from the body of the marking module. 
     The cartridge  27  may further include graduations and may be partially transparent so as to allow the amount of ink contained in the reservoir to be visible and to be estimated. 
     When a cartridge  27  must be placed on the body  28  of a marking module  11 , the locking mechanism is positioned in an open or unlocked position. An area of the cartridge  27  is placed in a retaining area  30  of the body of the marking module, as shown in  FIG.  8    and then the cartridge  27  is placed in its final position, as shown in  FIG.  9   . The locking mechanism is then actuated so as to lock the cartridge  27  in its operating position. When the cartridge  27  is in place, the lumen  23  is placed proximate to the needle  12 . In its rearward position, the distal end  19  of the needle  12  is upstream of the lumen  23 . When moving forward, the needle picks up a droplet of ink which it can then deposit under the skin of the person to be tattooed. 
     When the ink cartridge  27  must be refilled, the cap  22  is opened and ink is introduced through the opening of the reservoir  15 . The amount of ink introduced can be selected so as to correspond substantially to the required amount of ink for the selected colour, which avoids wastage. 
     The retention mechanism  32  is integrated into the cartridge  27 . The retention mechanism  32  is illustrated in more detail by  FIGS.  11  and  12    and includes a tab  33  disposed inside the cartridge  27  and a slider  34  accessible from outside the cartridge and integral with the tab  33 . The tab is disposed such that it can move between two positions, i.e. an open position in which the lumen  23  is completely unobstructed and the tab  33  does not interfere with the lumen, and a closed position in which the tab  33  blocks the lumen  23  and prevents ink from exiting the reservoir through the lumen. The open position is illustrated by  FIG.  11    and the closed position is illustrated by  FIG.  12   . 
     When the tab  33  is in the open position or in other words, when the retention mechanism  32  is deactivated, ink  16  can exit the reservoir  15  through the lumen  23  and the marking module  11  can be used by picking up the ink from the reservoir  15 . 
     When the tab  33  is in the closed position or when the retention mechanism  32  is activated, the ink cannot exit the reservoir  15  through the lumen  23 . The marking module  11  can then be used in the same way as the conventional marking modules, i.e. by picking up ink from an external reservoir. 
     In the case of a reservoir  15  made as a removable cartridge  27 , it is possible to connect the locking mechanism to the ink retention mechanism  32 , such that the retention mechanism  32  is always activated if the locking mechanism is not in the locked position. This prevents ink from leaking out of the reservoir until the cartridge is locked in position on the body of the marking module. 
     It should be noted that a cartridge  27  can be placed on different marking modules  11 , more specifically marking modules with needles of different shapes. For example, the same cartridge can first be placed on a marking module having a specific needle for making fine lines, and then the same cartridge can be placed on a marking module having a specific needle for filling large surfaces and/or for shading. 
     The use of cartridges also allows the placement of pre-filled cartridges  27 , without the need for these cartridges to be filled by the user himself. 
     Furthermore, given that the ink picked up by the needle  12  passing in front of the lumen  23  is deposited under the user&#39;s skin, there is no element transmitted “counter flow”, from the user&#39;s skin to the ink inside the cartridge. As a result, the same ink cartridge could be used to tattoo several people without there being a risk of pathogen transmission from one person to another. 
     In particular, when changing the colour, there may be a very small amount of ink on the end of the needle  12 . The end of the marking module at which the distal end of the needle is located may be placed in a container  31  containing a cleaning liquid, as illustrated by  FIG.  14   . Any remaining ink can then be removed and a new ink cartridge can be put in place, for example with an ink of different colour. However, there is no risk for inks of different colours to mix, since only a very small amount of ink is in contact with the needle. 
     Some characteristics have been described in relation to the embodiments of  FIGS.  1  to  6    and other characteristics have been described in relation to the embodiments of  FIGS.  7  to  14   . These characteristics are for example those pertaining to the priming of the ink into the lumen  23 , the non-hermetically closed position of the cap  22  or the ink retention mechanism  32 . It should however be noted that these characteristics can also be achieved with the other embodiment, for which they are not specifically described. 
     Unlike other tattoo apparatuses with an ink reservoir, there is no need to completely fill the reservoir. It is possible to add or introduce into the reservoir, only the necessary amount of ink. 
     If an ink of different colour must be used, according to a first alternative, the ink of the first colour is taken out of the reservoir  15  simply by opening the cap  22  and emptying the reservoir. The latter can possibly be cleaned if necessary, to remove any remaining ink on the wall of the reservoir. Since the needle  12  picks up the ink drop by drop, it is not completely covered with ink and therefore changing the colour does not require cleaning of the needle. 
     According to a second alternative, the ink  16  can be contained in a removable cartridge. In this case, the cartridge may include a closure element which can be opened to allow the passage of ink from the removable cartridge to the channel. This closure element may for example include a lid which is removed by the user when the removable cartridge is put in place, or which is pierced by a tip disposed proximate to the lumen  23 . The closure element can also be formed by the retention mechanism  32 . The latter may comprise a mechanical element which is moved when the cartridge is put in place, so as to allow the ink to flow from the cartridge to the channel  17 , and which blocks the passage between the cartridge and the channel  17  when the cartridge is removed from the reservoir. Such a mechanical element could be a ball or a flap for example. In this way, since the needle  12  is not in the ink, it is easy to change the colour of ink without changing the needle. 
     The retention mechanism  32  can be activated to prevent the use of the ink contained in the cartridge  27 , so as to allow the use of ink contained, for example, in an external reservoir or so as to allow the storage and transport of the cartridge without the risk of ink spillage. 
     The passage of ink can also be adjusted by means of a cap  22 . When the cap is placed in its hermetically closed position, air cannot enter the reservoir and the ink cannot flow, due to the small diameter of the lumen  23 . When the cap  22  is in its non-hermetically closed position, air can enter the reservoir and ink can flow through the lumen. 
     The present invention allows the use of an apparatus for tattooing or for making permanent makeup without having to regularly stop to add ink to the tattoo needle. It allows easy and quick marking of large areas and colour changing in a simple way. It can also be used in two different modes, i.e. one mode in which ink from the reservoir  15  is used, and another mode in which ink from an external reservoir is used. Mode selection can be done quickly and easily, by activating or deactivating the ink retention mechanism. The retention mechanism can of course also be used to prevent ink from leaking, particularly when the marking module is not used and/or when transporting or storing removable ink cartridges. 
     Thanks to these different characteristics, the apparatus is easier and more pleasant to use for the person making the makeup or tattoo. The same operations can be carried out in a much shorter time than with the apparatuses of the prior art, which is advantageous for the person making the tattoo, but especially for the person being tattooed. In fact, since a tattoo can be relatively painful, saving time when making a tattoo implies greater comfort for the person being tattooed. 
     The present invention has been described with a dye produced in the form of a liquid ink. It is also possible to use a colorant produced, for example, in the form of a powder or a paste, provided that this powder can be picked up by the needle during its alternating movement inside the channel. This can be particularly achieved by generating an overpressure in the reservoir or a vacuum in the channel, so as to suck the powder or paste into this channel.