Importance

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Abstract

A cosmetic tester (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) comprises a base (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) and a cap or matrix (14, 414). The base includes a pedestal (18, 418), a support (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) and an intermediate portion (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) which connects the support to the pedestal. A sample (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) of lip creme or other cosmetic, which is configured as a shell, is secured to the support. The matrix/cap is disposed over the shell and includes a tubular wall (32, 432) which is configured to mate closely with the intermediate portion sufficient for essentially preventing passage of any of the sample between the wall and the intermediate portion, but for permitting escape of air therebetween. The matrix terminates in opposed open (34, 434) and closed (36, 136, 436) ends. The closed end is provided with an inner surface (38, 138, 438) in intimate contact with the sample to provide the it with an external surface whose configuration matches that of the matrix's inner surface. The cosmetic tester is constructed by using the matrix as a mold into which a measured quantity of molten cosmetic is placed. The support is then inserted within the matrix and into contact with the molten cosmetic to compression mold it into the shell. After molding, the shell may be spaced slightly from the closed end of the matrix by temporarily forcing ribs (440) beyond a transition (452) in the matrix to produce a resilient force during molding of the shell and thereafter permitting the resilient force alone or by a mechanical separating force between the base (412) and the matrix-cap (414) to slightly move the shell away from contact with the closed end. Alternatively, the cosmetic may be inserted into and between an assembly of the base and the support by injection or transfer molding.

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First Claim