Cosmetic products applicator

Abstract

The applicator for cosmetic products, or lipstick, is a double ply card with an embossed pattern in the top ply that retains a sample of cosmetic, primarily lipstick. The pattern includes projections from a top ply and a planar bottom ply opposite the top ply. The sample can be deposited onto the top ply similar to printing. This applicator also has the cosmetic sample retained within projections upon the top ply that separates from the bottom ply affixed to a card or magazine page. In use a machine lifts the bottom ply from the release liner and places the bottom ply upon a mailer and then a consumer removes the top ply from the bottom ply for testing the sample as desired.

1 . A cosmetic applicator suitable for affixing a sample of cosmetic to a carrier, including a card, magazine, and mail piece, for application of the cosmetic by a consumer upon receipt of the carrier, said applicator comprising:
 a top ply having a plurality of integral projections, said projections retaining said sample therebetween and avoiding notice by the consumer, said projections being mutually spaced apart and separate;   a planar bottom ply locating beneath said top ply;   a release liner locating beneath said bottom ply, said bottom ply adhering to said release liner using a pressure sensitive adhesive, and said bottom ply affixing said applicator to said carrier upon removal from said release liner.   
   
   
       2 . The applicator of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said top ply having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, said top surface being visible; and,   said projections extending generally perpendicular to said bottom surface and through said sample.   
   
   
       3 . The applicator of  claim 2  further comprising:
 said bottom ply having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, said top surface generally receiving said projections from said top ply, and being visible when said top ply is removed therefrom; and,   said bottom surface adhering to said release liner.   
   
   
       4 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein said projections are formed by mechanical embossing or printing. 
   
   
       5 . The applicator of  claim 4  wherein printing includes silkscreen, offset, rotogravure, flexography, or deposition. 
   
   
       6 . The applicator of  claim 5  wherein flexography includes conventional inks, offset inks, flexographic inks, ultraviolet cured inks, or thermographic heat set inks. 
   
   
       7 . The applicator of  claim 5  wherein deposition includes thermoforming, vacuum forming, casting, heat treatment, electrostatic treatment, spraying, extruding, adhesives, or cohesives. 
   
   
       8 . The applicator of  claim 3  further comprising:
 said top ply being heat sealed to said bottom ply.   
   
   
       9 . The applicator of  claim 8  further comprising:
 said top ply and said bottom ply having a similar planar shape and being heat sealed upon their mutual perimeter.   
   
   
       10 . The applicator of  claim 2  further comprising:
 said projections being generally round bosses, said bosses retaining said sample between any two of said bosses, and having a height below said top surface avoiding notice by the consumer.   
   
   
       11 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein said sample is no more than 3 mils in thickness. 
   
   
       12 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein said bosses are no more than 5 mils in height. 
   
   
       13 . The applicator of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a plurality of indicia upon said top surface of said top ply.   
   
   
       14 . The applicator of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a plurality of indicia upon said top surface of said bottom ply.   
   
   
       15 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein said projections occupy less than 50% of the surface area of said top ply.