Fiber and device for applying a product, and method of manufacturing device

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a fiber and a product application device including a plurality of fibers for applying a product. In one disclosed example of the device, at least one of the fibers includes particles configured to be capable of at least one of absorbing at least one of an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to a weight of the particles and a compound in solution in a liquid, and dissolving in a liquid. The particles may lack cotton.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for applying a product, the device comprising: 
 a plurality of fibers for applying the product,    wherein at least one of the fibers comprises particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to a weight of the particles, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid,  
   wherein the particles lack cotton.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises a synthetic material.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers has a cross-section that is substantially constant.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said fibers is formed by one of extruding and co-extruding at least one of a thermoplastic material and an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the particles is at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one fiber comprises the particles only at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fiber comprises particles dispersed throughout the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise a material configured to increase in volume on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the particles comprise at least one material chosen from polymers that swell in the presence of at least one of water and lipids, super-absorbent reticulated polyacrylates having a high swelling factor in water, polyvinyl alcohols, carboxyvinyl polymers, semi-synthetic derivatives of cellulose, starches, biogums, biosaccharides, scelro-glucanes, casein, phytocolloids, alginates, gelatins, gelanes, xanthans, laponites, silicas, and colloidal silica.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the particles have a grain size ranging from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm prior to swelling.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the concentration by weight of said particles prior to swelling relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises a material capable of swelling on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of dissolving on contact with a liquid.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the particles is one of hydrosoluble and liposoluble.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles configured to be capable of dissolving relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber prior to dissolution ranges from above about 0% to about 20%.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the grain size of the particles ranges from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of forming a gel at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing a liquid.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing preservatives in solution in a liquid.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles prior to contact with a liquid relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises at least one plastic material chosen from polyamides, PETs, acetates, PEs, PPs, PVCs, amide block polyesters, plasticized RILSAN, elastomers, polyester elastomers, PE elastomers, silicone elastomers, and nitril elastomers.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of at least one of the fibers has at least one shape chosen from circularly symmetrical shapes, circular shapes, solid square shapes, hollow square shapes, disk shapes, disk shapes having a groove, solid triangle shapes, hollow triangle shapes, solid star shapes, hollow star shapes, U-shaped, V-shaped, I-shaped, T-shaped, Z-shaped, dash-shaped, cross-shaped, kidney-shaped, shapes having three branches, and hollow shapes.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one fiber having the cross-section shape is twisted.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a wiper member.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be loaded with the product.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the device is a mascara brush comprising a plurality of bristles, and wherein at least one of the bristles comprises at least one of the fibers.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the device comprises a paintbrush comprising a plurality of bristles, and wherein at least one of the bristles comprises at least one of the fibers.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a flocking comprising the plurality of fibers.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the device is configured so that the flocking covers at least a portion of one of teeth, bristles, a wiper, a foam member, a porous member, a film, a perforated film, an endpiece, a woven fabric, and a non-woven fabric.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers has a diameter ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 500 μm.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers has a length ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle ranging from about 0.2% to about 30% by weight of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         34 . A method of manufacturing the device of  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 extruding a fiber comprising a plastics material and particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid; and  
   placing the fiber and a liquid in contact with one another.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the extruding comprises co-extruding.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the particles swell on contact with the liquid, and wherein the particles have a grain size selected such that a predefined degree of roughness is imparted to the fiber after the particles have swollen.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising absorbing a preservative in solution in the liquid.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the liquid cools the fibers.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein at least a portion of the liquid is at least one of a cosmetic product and a care product.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the liquid is not the product to be applied by the device or a portion of the product.  
     
     
         41 . A fiber for a device for applying a product, the fiber comprising: 
 a synthetic material; and    particles associated with the synthetic material, the particles being configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to a weight of the particles, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid,  
   wherein the particles lack cotton.    
     
     
         42 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber has a cross-section that is substantially constant.  
     
     
         43 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber is formed by one of extruding and co-extruding at least one of a thermoplastic material and an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         44 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the particles is at the surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         45 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein at least a portion of the fiber comprises the particles only at the surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         46 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one fiber comprises particles dispersed throughout the fiber.  
     
     
         47 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the particles comprise a material configured to increase in volume on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         48 . The fiber of  claim 47 , wherein the particles comprise at least one material chosen from polymers that swell in the presence of at least one of water and lipids, super-absorbent reticulated polyacrylates having a high swelling factor in water, polyvinyl alcohols, carboxyvinyl polymers, semi-synthetic derivatives of cellulose, starches, biogums, biosaccharides, scelro-glucanes, casein, phytocolloids, alginates, gelatins, gelanes, xanthans, laponites, silicas, and colloidal silica.  
     
     
         49 . The fiber of  claim 47 , wherein the particles have a grain size ranging from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm prior to swelling.  
     
     
         50 . The fiber of  claim 47 , wherein the concentration by weight of said particles prior to swelling relative to the total weight of the fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         51 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber comprises a material capable of swelling on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         52 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of dissolving on contact with a liquid.  
     
     
         53 . The fiber of  claim 52 , wherein at least one of the particles is one of hydrosoluble and liposoluble.  
     
     
         54 . The fiber of  claim 52 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles configured to be capable of dissolving relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber prior to dissolution ranges from above about 0% to about 20%.  
     
     
         55 . The fiber of  claim 52 , wherein the grain size of the particles ranges from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         56 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of forming a gel at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         57 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing a liquid.  
     
     
         58 . The fiber of  claim 57 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing preservatives in solution in a liquid.  
     
     
         59 . The fiber of  claim 57 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles prior to contact with a liquid relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         60 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber comprises at least one plastic material chosen from polyamides, PETs, acetates, PEs, PPs, PVCs, amide block polyesters, plasticized RILSAN, elastomers, polyester elastomers, PE elastomers, silicone elastomers, and nitril elastomers.  
     
     
         61 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the cross-section of the fiber has at least one shape chosen from circularly symmetrical shapes, circular shapes, solid square shapes, hollow square shapes, disk shapes, disk shapes having a groove, solid triangle shapes, hollow triangle shapes, solid star shapes, hollow star shapes, U-shaped, V-shaped, I-shaped, T-shaped, Z-shaped, dash-shaped, cross-shaped, kidney-shaped, shapes having three branches, and hollow shapes.  
     
     
         62 . The fiber of  claim 61 , wherein the fiber having the cross-section shape is twisted.  
     
     
         63 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber is configured to be loaded with the product.  
     
     
         64 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber has a diameter ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 500 μm.  
     
     
         65 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber has a length ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.  
     
     
         66 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle.  
     
     
         67 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein the fiber comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle ranging from about 0.2% to about 30% by weight of the fiber.  
     
     
         68 . A method of manufacturing the fiber of  claim 41 , the method comprising: 
 extruding a fiber comprising a plastics material and particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid; and  
   placing the fiber and a liquid in contact with one another.    
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the extruding comprises co-extruding.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the particles swell on contact with the liquid, and wherein the particles have a grain size selected such that a predefined degree of roughness is imparted to the fiber after the particles have swollen.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising absorbing a preservative in solution in the liquid.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the liquid cools the fibers.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein at least a portion of the liquid is at least one of a cosmetic product and a care product.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the liquid is not the product to be applied by the device or a portion of the product.  
     
     
         75 . A device for applying a product, the device comprising: 
 a plurality of fibers for applying the product,    wherein at least one of the fibers comprises particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid,  
   wherein the particles lack clay, lack silica, and lack cotton.    
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises a synthetic material.  
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers has a cross-section that is substantially constant.  
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein at least one of said fibers is formed by one of extruding and co-extruding at least one of a thermoplastic material and an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the particles is at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one fiber comprises the particles only at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the at least one fiber comprises particles dispersed throughout the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the particles comprise a material configured to increase in volume on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 82 , wherein the particles comprise at least one material chosen from polymers that swell in the presence of at least one of water and lipids, super-absorbent reticulated polyacrylates having a high swelling factor in water, polyvinyl alcohols, carboxyvinyl polymers, semi-synthetic derivatives of cellulose, starches, biogums, biosaccharides, scelro-glucanes, casein, phytocolloids, alginates, gelatins, gelanes, xanthans, and laponites.  
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 82 , wherein the particles have a grain size ranging from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm prior to swelling.  
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 82 , wherein the concentration by weight of said particles prior to swelling relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         86 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises a material capable of swelling on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of dissolving on contact a the liquid.  
     
     
         88 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein at least one of the particles is one of hydrosoluble and liposoluble.  
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles configured to be capable of dissolving relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber prior to dissolution ranges from above about 0% to about 20%.  
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein the grain size of the particles ranges from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         91 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of forming a gel at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         92 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing a liquid.  
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 92 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing preservatives in solution in a liquid.  
     
     
         94 . The device of  claim 92 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles prior to contact with a liquid relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         95 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises at least one plastic material chosen from polyamides, PETs, acetates, PEs, PPs, PVCs, amide block polyesters, plasticized RILSAN, elastomers, polyester elastomers, PE elastomers, silicone elastomers, and nitril elastomers.  
     
     
         96 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the cross-section of at least one of the fibers has at least one shape chosen from circularly symmetrical shapes, circular shapes, solid square shapes, hollow square shapes, disk shapes, disk shapes having a groove, solid triangle shapes, hollow triangle shapes, solid star shapes, hollow star shapes, U-shaped, V-shaped, I-shaped, T-shaped, Z-shaped, dash-shaped, cross-shaped, kidney-shaped, shapes having three branches, and hollow shapes.  
     
     
         97 . The device of  claim 96 , wherein the at least one fiber having the cross-section shape is twisted.  
     
     
         98 . The device of  claim 75 , further comprising a wiper member.  
     
     
         99 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the device is configured to be loaded with the product.  
     
     
         100 . The device of  claim 99 , wherein the device is a mascara brush comprising a plurality of bristles, and wherein at least one of the bristles comprises at least one of the fibers.  
     
     
         101 . The device of  claim 99 , wherein the device comprises a paintbrush comprising a plurality of bristles, and wherein at least one of the bristles comprises at least one of the fibers.  
     
     
         102 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the device comprises a flocking comprising the plurality of fibers.  
     
     
         103 . The device of  claim 102 , wherein the device is configured so that the flocking covers at least a portion of one of teeth, bristles, a wiper, a foam member, a porous member, a film, a perforated film, an endpiece, a woven fabric, and a non-woven fabric.  
     
     
         104 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers has a diameter ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 500 μm.  
     
     
         105 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers has a length ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.  
     
     
         106 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle.  
     
     
         107 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the fibers comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle ranging from about 0.2% to about 30% by weight of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         108 . A method of manufacturing the device of  claim 75 , the method comprising: 
 extruding a fiber comprising a plastics material and particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid; and  
   placing the fiber and a liquid in contact with one another.    
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the extruding comprises co-extruding.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the particles swell on contact with the liquid, and wherein the particles have a grain size selected such that a predefined degree of roughness is imparted to the fiber after the particles have swollen.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 108 , further comprising absorbing a preservative in solution in the liquid.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the liquid cools the fibers.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein at least a portion of the liquid is at least one of a cosmetic product and a care product.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the liquid is not the product to be applied by the device or a portion of the product.  
     
     
         115 . A fiber for a device for applying a product, the fiber comprising: 
 a synthetic material; and    particles associated with the synthetic material, the particles being configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid,  
   wherein the particles lack clay, lack silica, and lack cotton.    
     
     
         116 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber has a cross-section that is substantially constant.  
     
     
         117 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber is formed by one of extruding and co-extruding at least one of a thermoplastic material and an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         118 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein at least one of the particles is at the surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         119 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein at least a portion of the fiber comprises the particles only at the surface of the fiber.  
     
     
         120 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the at least one fiber comprises particles dispersed throughout the fiber.  
     
     
         121 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the particles comprise a material configured to increase in volume on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         122 . The fiber of  claim 121 , wherein the particles comprise at least one material chosen from polymers that swell in the presence of at least one of water and lipids, super-absorbent reticulated polyacrylates having a high swelling factor in water, polyvinyl alcohols, carboxyvinyl polymers, semi-synthetic derivatives of cellulose, starches, biogums, biosaccharides, scelro-glucanes, casein, phytocolloids, alginates, gelatins, gelanes, xanthans, and laponites.  
     
     
         123 . The fiber of  claim 121 , wherein the particles have a grain size ranging from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm prior to swelling.  
     
     
         124 . The fiber of  claim 121 , wherein the concentration by weight of said particles prior to swelling relative to the total weight of the fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         125 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber comprises a material capable of swelling on contact with at least a portion of the product to be applied.  
     
     
         126 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of dissolving on contact with a liquid.  
     
     
         127 . The fiber of  claim 126 , wherein at least one of the particles is one of hydrosoluble and liposoluble.  
     
     
         128 . The fiber of  claim 126 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles configured to be capable of dissolving relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber prior to dissolution ranges from above about 0% to about 20%.  
     
     
         129 . The fiber of  claim 126 , wherein the grain size of the particles ranges from about 0.1 μm to about 300 μm.  
     
     
         130 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of forming a gel at the surface of the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         131 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing a liquid.  
     
     
         132 . The fiber of  claim 131 , wherein the particles are configured to be capable of absorbing preservatives in solution in a liquid.  
     
     
         133 . The fiber of  claim 131 , wherein the concentration by weight of the particles prior to contact with a liquid relative to the total weight of the at least one fiber ranges from above about 0% to about 6%.  
     
     
         134 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber comprises at least one plastic material chosen from polyamides, PETs, acetates, PEs, PPs, PVCs, amide block polyesters, plasticized RILSAN, elastomers, polyester elastomers, PE elastomers, silicone elastomers, and nitril elastomers.  
     
     
         135 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the cross-section of the fiber has at least one shape chosen from circularly symmetrical shapes, circular shapes, solid square shapes, hollow square shapes, disk shapes, disk shapes having a groove, solid triangle shapes, hollow triangle shapes, solid star shapes, hollow star shapes, U-shaped, V-shaped, I-shaped, T-shaped, Z-shaped, dash-shaped, cross-shaped, kidney-shaped, shapes having three branches, and hollow shapes.  
     
     
         136 . The fiber of  claim 135 , wherein the fiber having the cross-section shape is twisted.  
     
     
         137 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber is configured to be loaded with the product.  
     
     
         138 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber has a diameter ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 500 μm.  
     
     
         139 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber has a length ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm.  
     
     
         140 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle.  
     
     
         141 . The fiber of  claim 115 , wherein the fiber comprises at least one of at least one magnetized particle and at least one magnetizable particle ranging from about 0.2% to about 30% by weight of the fiber.  
     
     
         142 . A method of manufacturing the fiber of  claim 115 , the method comprising: 
 extruding a fiber comprising a plastics material and particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid; and  
   placing the fiber and a liquid in contact with one another.    
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein the extruding comprises co-extruding.  
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein the particles swell on contact with the liquid, and wherein the particles have a grain size selected such that a predefined degree of roughness is imparted to the fiber after the particles have swollen.  
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 142 , further comprising absorbing a preservative in solution in the liquid.  
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein the liquid cools the fibers.  
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein at least a portion of the liquid is at least one of a cosmetic product and a care product.  
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein the liquid is not the product to be applied by the device or a portion of the product.  
     
     
         149 . A device for applying a product, the device comprising: 
 a plurality of fibers for applying the product,    wherein at least one of the fibers comprises particles configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid,  
   wherein the at least one fiber is substantially untapered and the particles lack clay, lack silica, and lack cotton.    
     
     
         150 . A fiber for a device for applying a product, the fiber comprising: 
 a synthetic material; and    particles associated with the synthetic material, the particles being configured to be capable of at least one of 
 absorbing at least one of 
 a liquid, and  
 a compound in solution in a liquid, and  
 
 dissolving in a liquid,  
   wherein the fiber is substantially untapered and the particles lack clay, lack silica, and lack cotton.    
     
     
         151 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the particles comprise a super-absorbent material configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to twice the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         152 . The device of  claim 151 , wherein the super-absorbent material is configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to fifty times the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         153 . The device of  claim 152 , wherein the super-absorbent material is configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to one hundred times the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         154 . The device of  claim 153 , wherein the super-absorbent material is configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to five hundred times the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         155 . The fiber of  claim 41 , wherein at least some of the particles comprise a super-absorbent material configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to twice the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         156 . The fiber of  claim 155 , wherein the super-absorbent material is configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to fifty times the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         157 . The fiber of  claim 156 , wherein the super-absorbent material is configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to one hundred times the weight of said at least some of the particles.  
     
     
         158 . The fiber of  claim 157 , wherein the super-absorbent material is configured to be capable of absorbing an amount of a liquid having a weight at least equal to five hundred times the weight of said at least some of the particles.