Applicators Including Non-Compliant Backer Members

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator includes a compliant material having a durometer of less than 90 Shore A and a layer of relatively non-compliant backer material having a durometer greater than the compliant material attached to one side of the applicator. The backer material provides a predetermined force distribution over the compliant material when force is applied to the non-compliant backer material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic applicator comprising a compliant material having a durometer of less than 90 Shore A and a layer of relatively non-compliant backer material having a durometer greater than the compliant material attached to one side of the applicator; wherein the backer material provides a predetermined force distribution over the compliant material when force is applied to the non-compliant backer material. 
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the compliant material forms a compliant applicator member and the non-compliant backer material forms a non-compliant backer member that is connected to a surface of the compliant applicator member. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the non-compliant backer member extends over only a portion of the surface of the compliant applicator member. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the non-compliant backer member includes a first pressure region and a second pressure region being of a different shape than the first pressure region. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 4 , wherein a reservoir opening is located between the first and second pressure regions. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the compliant applicator member includes an applicator surface that is concave. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the non-compliant backer member is non-planar and is connected to the compliant applicator member to provide the compliant applicator member with a concave shape. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the compliant material comprises at least one of an open-celled foam, a closed-cell foam, a film, a non-woven, felted foam, a woven and flocked material. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a cosmetic applicator, comprising connecting a non-compliant backer member comprising a relatively non-compliant material to a compliant applicator member comprising a relatively compliant material having a hardness of no more 90 Shore A thereby providing a predetermined force distribution over the compliant material when force is applied to the non-compliant backer member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of connecting the non-compliant backer member to the compliant applicator member includes positioning the non-compliant backer member over only a portion of a surface of the compliant applicator member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising forming the non-compliant backer member to include a first pressure region and a second pressure region being of a different shape than the first pressure region. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing a reservoir opening in the non-compliant backer member located between the first and second pressure regions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of connecting the non-compliant backer member to the compliant applicator member includes bending the compliant applicator member into a concave shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the compliant material comprises at least one of an open-celled foam, a closed-cell foam, a film, felted foam, a non-woven, a woven and flocked material. 
     
     
         15 . A cosmetic applicator comprising a compliant applicator member comprising a compliant material connected to a non-compliant backer member comprising a non-compliant backer material having a durometer greater than the compliant material, the non-compliant backer member providing a reservoir in the compliant applicator member configured to accumulate a keratinous formulation. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the non-compliant backer member extends over only a portion of the surface of the compliant applicator member. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the non-compliant backer member includes a first pressure region and a second pressure region being of a different shape than the first pressure region. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the compliant applicator member includes an applicator surface that is concave. 
     
     
         19 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the non-compliant backer member is non-planar and is connected to the compliant applicator member to provide the compliant applicator member with a concave shape. 
     
     
         20 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the compliant material comprises at least one of an open-celled foam, a closed-cell foam, a film, felted foam, a non-woven, a woven and flocked material.