Apparatus for application of cosmetic materials

Abstract

An apparatus and a system for the application of cosmetic material, such as eye liner, is disclosed. For instance, in one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an applicator having a core layer, a first layer of fibrous material disposed above the core layer, and a second layer of fibrous material disposed beneath the core layer. The first layer and the second layer each include an outer surface having a surface texture sufficient to pick up and retain cosmetic material when said applicator contacts cosmetic material. The core layer of the applicator can be constructed of a fibrous material, such as a non-woven fibrous material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An applicator for applying a cosmetic material, said applicator comprising:
 a core layer;   a first layer of fibrous material, said first layer being disposed above said core layer;   a second layer of fibrous material, said second layer being disposed beneath said core layer,   wherein said first layer and said second layer each comprise an outer surface having a surface texture sufficient to pick up and retain cosmetic material when said applicator contacts cosmetic material.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said first layer and said second layer each comprise a plurality of fibers, said plurality of fibers having a linear mass density of about 0.1 denier to about 15 denier. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of fibers have a linear mass density of about 6.0 denier. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said first layer and said second layer each comprise a plurality of polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, nylon fibers, or acrylic fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said first layer and said second layers of fibrous material have undergone a lofting process. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said core layer comprises a fibrous material. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein said core layer comprises a plurality of fibers having a linear mass density of about 1.5 denier to about 15 denier. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein said core layer comprises a plurality of heat fusible fibers, said heat fusible fibers having been processed such that said core layer has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of said first layer and said second layer. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein said core layer comprises about 3% to about 50% heat fusible fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein said core layer has been treated with a resin material such that said core layer has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of said first layer and said second layer. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein said fibrous material comprises a plurality of polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, nylon fibers, or acrylic fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said applicator comprises:
 a first bonding layer disposed between said core layer and said first layer; and   a second bonding layer disposed between said core layer and said second layer.   
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein said first and second bonding layers comprise a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said first layer and second layer has been subjected to as skiving process. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is configured for releasable engagement with a holder. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said core layer defines a plurality of passages for the passage of cosmetic material through the core layer and into the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         17 . A system for applying cosmetic materials, said system comprising:
 a plurality of applicator tips, each said applicator tip having a base portion and an applicator portion, each said applicator tip comprising:
 a core layer; 
 a first layer of non-woven fibrous material disposed above said core layer; and 
 a second layer of non-woven fibrous material disposed beneath said core layer, said first layer and said second layer each comprising an outer surface having a surface texture sufficient to pick up and retain cosmetic material when said applicator tip contacts cosmetic material; and 
   a holder adapted to receive a base portion of at least one of said plurality of applicator tips.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said system further comprises a housing configured to store said plurality of applicator tips. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said housing has a plurality of slots, each said slot having a size sufficient to receive said applicator portion of one of said plurality of applicator tips, said base portion of said applicator tip extending from said slot when said applicator tip is received into said slot. 
     
     
         20 . An applicator for applying cosmetic material, said applicator comprising:
 a core layer of non-woven fibrous material, said core layer having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of said first layer and said second layer;   a first layer of non-woven fibrous material disposed above said core layer, said first layer comprising a plurality of fibers having a linear mass density of about 0.1 denier to about 15.0 denier;   a second layer of non-woven fibrous material disposed beneath said core layer, said second layer comprising a plurality of fibers having a linear mass density of about 0.1 denier to about 15.0 denier;   wherein said core layer, said first layer, and said second layer each comprise a plurality of polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, nylon fibers, or acrylic fibers.