Applicator for cosmetic products

Abstract

The applicator for cosmetic products, or lipstick, is a single ply card with an embossed pattern that retains a sample of lipstick. The pattern shears lipstick from a tube onto the applicator. Also, the pattern assists in placing the cosmetic upon the applicator. In use, a woman selects a lipstick and moves the applicator, with the raised field down, across the lipstick source. The lipstick collects between the embossing of the raised field. A woman folds the applicator, moves it to her mouth, and transfers the sample to her lips. Following use, a woman refolds the applicator and encloses the raised field and sample residue.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This non provisional patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60 / 598,013, which was filed on Aug. 2, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This applicator for cosmetic products relates to sampling devices and more specifically to an improved card for applying lipstick. A unique aspect of the present applicator is a raised field that shears and collects a sample of a cosmetic. [0003] People have adorned themselves with perfumes, colognes, powders, mascaras, and other cosmetics for centuries. Samples of a cosmetic encourage more sales to discriminating customers. The counter, where the customer may purchase, remains the most effective place to promote cosmetics. Often, retailers and suppliers of cosmetics provide free samples to entice women. However, women approach some cosmetic products skeptically, like lipstick. Women only buy lipstick after sampling it to judge its desirability. Women ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes an applicator for cosmetic products that has a raised pattern that helps to apply lipstick smoothly. The pattern also helps to target the area where the lipstick will be applied. The applicator is made from a single ply card with the pattern and is designed to be folded away after use. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a convenient and effective tool for applying lipstick."

Problems solved by technology

However, women approach some cosmetic products skeptically, like lipstick.

Multiple uses of a cosmetic sampler invite customer complaints.

The miniature versions remain subject to contamination at the retail counter.

Further, cosmetic suppliers still incur the cost of producing and distributing the miniature samples for each of the color or product line variations.

These alternatives when used commercially caused messes, inconvenienced customers, and proved ineffective.

The difficulty in providing a removable sampler is shown by the operation of a typical product sample at a cosmetics counter, or department store.

However, most cosmetic suppliers produce about 150 shades of lipstick, making individual counter display and sampling impractical and expensive.

During testing, some samples may render a formula incompatible and deter marketing of a formula.

The logistics and expense of testing pose obstacles to cosmetic vendors, raising the cost and time involved in a sampling program.

The two ply construction of the prior art, the compatibility and stability testing, shelf space requirements, and packaging make existing applicators more expensive to use in a sampling program.

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