Patent Publication Number: US-6213303-B1

Title: Fluid or volatile cosmetic sampler package for subscription rate magazine insertion

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a product sampler package for presenting a fluid product sampler in a manner which complies with postal regulations for insertion in magazines, catalogs, periodicals, etc. under the subscription or periodicals rate classification for delivery to consumers through the mail system. The product sampler may contain a product having a fluid or volatile base such as water or other organic solvent. Alternatively, the product sampler may be used to provide samples of a powder, wax, or similarly fluid products. Examples of such products include, for example, liquid cosmetics, lotions, creams, gels, fragrances, ointments, etc. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many manufacturers of cosmetics, toiletries, beauty and skincare products, etc. commonly promote their products by distributing free samples or applications to current or potential consumers with the goal of building and/or maintaining customer loyalty for the products or product lines. One method of distributing such samples has been to give them to potential customers in a store in which the product is sold. A further reaching, more effective method has been to mail the sampler packages to a targeted audience through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Typically, the samplers are mailed as inserts in brochures, catalogs, magazines, or the like. 
     For distribution through the USPS, the samplers can be mailed either under a non-discounted rate classification or under a more economical periodical/subscription rate classification. To qualify for classification under the subscription rate, each sampler package must comply with certain guidelines set by the USPS. For example, certain of these guidelines specify that the unit must be firmly affixed to a carrier card or to a page of the periodical, and that the sampler must be designed to allow the product to be tested while still in the periodical. 
     In addition to the requirements set by the USPS, it is generally desirable that the sampler packages be non-bulky for distribution as inserts and also flexible enough to avoid breakage in shipment or storage yet rigid enough to facilitate high speed insertion into the carrier medium. Further, each sampler unit preferably provides approximately one unit dose of the product in an attractive display having artwork or informational copy print printed thereon while providing a transparent or translucent cover film. A sampler package having these aesthetic features will encourage the potential customer to sample the product and enable the consumer to view the actual product to thereby choose the preferred shade or color prior to opening the package. 
     The advertising sampler disclosed in Parrotta et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,831 is an example of a prior art package which has been used for cosmetic sampling purposes. A relatively thin paste-like transfer layer of a cosmetic product is coated onto a substrate affixed to a carrier card which can be inserted into magazines and catalogues for mass distribution. The product sample is covered by a transparent protective film which is held in place by a glue strip. 
     The sampler package of Parrotta is generally suitable for products having a substantially solid or highly viscous consistency such as eyeshadow, pressed powder, and lipstick, as the nature of these products allows for a long shelf life. Specifically, the types of cosmetic preparations listed above are capable of remaining compositionally stable under normal indoor environmental conditions for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the integrity of such product samples can be readily sustained in such a sampler package until use by a consumer without concern about the materials or sealing methods used. 
     When the product to be sampled is more fluid and/or volatile such as a liquid or gel, on the other hand, prior art cosmetic samplers such as that of Parrotta fail to provide sufficient product longevity. In designing a sampler package for a fluid or volatile product, it is especially important to seal the package in a manner which prevents leakage and rapid evaporation of the product, and also to include an effective barrier layer in the material containing the product sample to maintain the compositional integrity of the product for the desired shelf-life of the samplers. 
     Several attempts have been made to produce a better sampler package to retain fluid products, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,420 and 5,622,263 to Bootman et al. and Greenland, respectively. These samplers provide hermetically sealed packages which include either a metallized barrier layer such as foil or a polymeric barrier layer such as polyethylene or a PVDC coated film for the distribution of fluid or volatile products. 
     Foil is known to be the most effective type of flexible barrier film against moisture and vapor transmission. Since the foil layer necessarily renders the package opaque, however, samplers which seal the product in foil laminates are thus most suitable for sampling products such as perfumes or creams, where the color or appearance of the product being sampled does not significantly affect the likelihood of purchase of the product. 
     On the other hand, the nature of certain cosmetics, e.g. foundation, is such that a consumer will only consider sampling, and subsequently purchasing, the cosmetic if the shade matches her skin tone or the product is otherwise to her liking. With these products, it is especially important that the sampler package provide a means for a consumer to view the product color or texture before actually opening the unit so as to facilitate selection of the appropriate color. 
     The polymeric barrier layers such as those disclosed in Bootman and Greenland above can be transparent, so that when used to form the package, the actual product can be viewed through the package without opening the package. However, the polyethylene or PVDC coated film of Bootman and Greenland, while more effective than many other known types of transparent films as barriers against moisture and vapor transmission, do not provide a sufficiently long shelf-life for practical distribution of fluid product samples. Since the samplers may be placed in storage or display for a significant amount of time before being distributed to or obtained by a consumer, and may thereafter be set aside for an additional length of time before use, a liquid product sample contained in one of these samplers has a tendency to substantially dry up often before the consumer has an opportunity to sample the product. 
     Another type of transparent film known to be used as a moisture barrier is a SiOx coating which has a much lower moisture vapor transmission rate than conventional films such as those mentioned previously and including PVDC coated films. Presently, SiOx is commonly used as a coating on PET bottles or containers. This material, however, is similar to a coating of glass, and is too rigid for use in insert-type cosmetic sampler packages which must withstand a certain degree of flexing and bending during handling. When the silane material is folded or flexed, the moisture vapor barrier properties are severely compromised due to fracturing or cracking of the silane coating. 
     As demonstrated herein, none of the prior art sampler packages allow a consumer to view the actual product through the packaging while maintaining the compositional integrity of a fluid product sample for a satisfactory time period. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing discussion, it is therefore desirable to package a product sampler for containing a fluid or volatile product as an insert in periodical literature in a manner which satisfies the requirements for subscription rate classification as set by the U.S. Postal Service. 
     Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a cosmetic sampler for a fluid or volatile product which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art noted above. In particular, it is desirable to provide a sampler package, specifically one which allows a consumer to view the shade of the product while preventing the solvent base from evaporating quickly through the sampler material or the sealing points therebetween, and which is flexible enough to avoid breakage in shipment yet rigid enough to permit high speed insertion of package into the carrier medium. 
     More preferably, it is desirable to provide a product sampler which is relatively flexible and is transparent or translucent, and which also provides moisture vapor barrier qualities on par with that of product samplers which seal the product entirely in foil-containing laminates. 
     The present invention fulfills each of the desires outlined above by providing a closed carrier card for packaging a strip of sampler units for fluid or volatile cosmetic, beauty, skincare or toiletry products in a manner suitable for insertion in periodical literature distributable through the U.S. Postal Service and which meets the criteria to be classified under the subscription rate. The closed carrier card is formed by adhering a portion of the card onto itself or by adhering a secondary card piece over at least a portion of a main card piece. The main card has a perforated margin which can be bound within the pages of the periodical literature. The carrier card can then be separated from the periodical by tearing along the perforations at the margin. 
     A one-way zipper is formed by die-cutting across the secondary card piece for exposing a strip of sampler units sealed between the main card piece and the secondary card piece. The sampler strip is permanently affixed between the two card pieces at a position such that when the zipper is unzipped, the sampler units become accessible for testing of the product. Additionally, the secondary card piece overlying the sampler strip includes cutout windows aligned with the placement of the sampler units so that the product may be viewed through the transparent sampler units. The carrier card may also include a coupon which can be easily removed by the consumer for redemption upon purchase of the product. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sampler for sampling fluid or volatile cosmetic, beauty, skincare, or toiletry products is formed of a composite laminate having a transparent or translucent nonmetallic barrier layer with a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) substantially equivalent to that of a foil film. Specifically, the barrier film used in the present invention has a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than 0.30 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100 F., 90% RH. Preferably, the barrier film has an MVTR of no greater than about 0.065 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH. More preferably, the barrier film has an MVTR between about 0.02 to 0.04 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH. Additionally, the film is sufficiently flexible so that it may be flexed without cracking. 
     One such material which can be used as the nonmetallic barrier layer of the present invention is a biaxially oriented polyvinylidene chloride film which is included in the composite laminate used to form the product sampler. The structure of the biaxially oriented PVDC film provides superior moisture vapor barrier qualities, while also being thermoformable and having a high resistance to heat and humidity. 
     Another suitable material for the nonmetallic barrier layer is a modified fluoropolymer film, specifically a polychlorotrifluoroethylene film (PCTFE). PCTFE exhibits a moisture vapor transmission rate and other desirable qualities similar to those of the biaxially oriented PVDC. 
     The barrier layer film is laminated with other layers, such as heat seal layers or layers to enhance strength or durability, to form a composite laminate. Each layer in the composite laminate is transparent or translucent, including the barrier layer film, so as to enable viewing of the color and texture of the product contained therein. 
     The use of films such as biaxially oriented PVDC and PCTFE to form the barrier layer in a composite laminate advantageously permits the production of a transparent cosmetic product sampler which is capable of maintaining the integrity of a product sample to approximately the same extent as if the product was sealed in an entirely foil based laminate package or in a capped bottle or jar. The composite laminate has a thickness which retains the necessary flexibility to withstand flexing yet provides sufficient rigidity to resist wrinkling or folding when inserted into magazines, catalogs, etc. 
     Each sampler unit is formed by sealing together a top and a bottom composite laminate to form a pouch in a desired shape including a window through which the product may be viewed. Furthermore, each sampler unit includes a region in which opening of the pouch formed therein is facilitated. In the preferred embodiment, the pouch is shaped to form a tip at an upper region thereof. The unit is perforated along the upper region so that when torn, the pouch can be opened at the tip to enable sampling of the product. 
     The product sampler of the present invention is suitable for use with cosmetic type products having a solvent base of water and/or other organic solvent, including but not limited to liquid products, creams, gels, lotions, powders, wax-based products, ointments, shampoos, perfumes, fragrances, etc. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a top view of a closed carrier card suitable for being inserted in a periodical in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the closed carrier card enclosing a strip of product sampler units in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows the strip of sampler units adhered to a main card piece of the carrier card. 
     FIG. 4 shows the adhesive patterns sealing a secondary card piece to the main card piece thereof and to the sampler strip. 
     FIG. 5 shows the carrier card in a partially opened state exposing a portion of the sampler strip sealed inside. 
     FIG. 6 shows the carrier card in a fully opened state in which the zipper has been pulled open and removed thereby exposing the sampler units for testing. 
     FIG. 7 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a sampler strip according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of one unit of the sampler strip shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line  8 — 8 . 
     FIG. 9A shows a schematic view of the layers forming the transparent composite laminate film used to make the product sampler in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9B shows a schematic view of the layers forming the composite laminate used to make the backing of the product sampler in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a graph which compares the moisture vapor permeability of various polymeric barrier films including the preferred barrier films to be used in the product sampler of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a graph which compares the dependency of oxygen permeability relative to relative humidity of a barrier film suitable for use in the present invention to that of another known type of barrier film. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A closed carrier card  100  of the present invention for enclosing a sampler strip for fluid and/or volatile cosmetic, beauty, and toiletry products is shown in FIG.  1 . As can be seen upon reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, carrier card  100  is constructed from an elongated substrate which includes a main card body  111  plus an extension thereof forming secondary or cover card piece  113 . Cover card piece  113  is folded along fold  112  over a portion of the main card  111  so as to form a covering over a corresponding region of main card  111 . 
     Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the figure, main card  111  preferably has a length substantially equal to the width of a page in the periodical in which the carrier card  100  is to be inserted, e.g., approximately 8 inches for a typically-sized magazine. Cover card  113  is shorter in length than main card  111 , so that when folded, region  117  of main card  111  as shown in FIG. 1 remains uncovered. In alternative embodiments, the length of cover card  113  can be substantially equal to that of main card  111  including margin region  114 , or can be equal to the length of main card  111  from fold  112  to a perforation line  121 , described below. The width of main card  111  is generally the same as the width of cover card  113  and can be any width greater than the height of the sampler package but equal to or less than the height of a periodical in which card  100  is inserted, e.g., approximately half the length of a periodical page. The size of the closed region for enclosing a sampler strip within carrier card  100  is thus determined by the length of cover card  113 . 
     Preferably, but not necessarily, fold  112  may be perforated to facilitate detachment of a coupon region  116  and zipper  115  as will be discussed hereinafter. Alternatively, cover card  113  can be a physically separate card piece from main card  111  which is then affixed thereto. 
     Main card  111  has a perforation  121  formed near the edge opposite fold or edge  112  and extending down the width of the card. A slim margin  114  which is defined between perforation  121  and the edge opposite fold or edge  112  is then available for binding into the pages of a magazine, catalog, brochure, etc. Perforation  121  thus allows the carrier card  100  to be easily separated from the periodical by tearing therealong. 
     Optionally, perforation  121  may be omitted, whereupon the carrier card  100  can be either loosely inserted into the carrier medium or bound into the carrier medium without a specifically provided means for detachment therefrom. 
     Cover card piece  113  has a perforated zipper  115  including start tab  115   a  formed thereon at a position approximately half-way down the width of the card. As can be seen in each of FIGS.  1  and  4 - 6 , zipper  115  is preferably a strip having a width of approximately one inch and formed by a plurality of angled cuts  122  die-cut substantially along the length of cover card  113 . Of course, other die-cut patterns may be used to define the zipper, such as straight perforations or dots. The width of zipper  115  may be varied within a wide range, but is generally designed to provide access for opening the individual units of sampler strip  200  sealed between main card  111  and cover card  113  as will be described below. 
     Formed in this manner, zipper  115  can be opened or unzipped by pulling on tab  115   a  so as to tear card  113  along the perforations  122  in the direction toward fold or edge  112 . Zipper  115  is thus a one-way zipper which, once opened, cannot be reclosed, although alternative embodiments can be readily envisioned in which a resealable zipper is incorporated into cover card piece  113 . 
     In another alternative, the zipper can be replaced by another means of opening the carrier card, such as a tear strip in which a ribbon, string, or the like is affixed to the bottom surface of the cover card across the portion thereof to be opened, with one end of the ribbon exposed for opening. In this embodiment, the card may be opened by pulling the ribbon, string, or the like to cut or tear open the cover card to thus expose the sampler strip underneath. The cover card may be scored along the length of the ribbon, string, or the like to facilitate tearing when the ribbon is pulled. 
     Cover card  113  also includes a perforation  123  extending along the length thereof above zipper  115  so as to define a coupon region  116 . Copy print such as advertising information or a coupon for the sampled product may be printed on both the front and back surfaces of coupon portion  116  of cover card  113 . Perforation  123  and the perforations at fold  112 , if provided, allow the consumer to easily separate coupon  116  from the remainder of the carrier card to be redeemed upon purchase of the sampled product. 
     Windows  140  are formed by die-cutting and punching through cover card  113  in region  118  below zipper  115  at locations corresponding to the placement of each of a plurality of sampler units of sampler strip  200  sealed in carrier card  100  so that at least a portion of each sampler unit can be viewed through cutout windows  140 . In the preferred embodiment of sampler strip  200 , each sampler unit includes a pouch for containing fluid or volatile cosmetic or beauty products, wherein at least the top laminate forming the pouch has a transparent or translucent window. Thus, a consumer will be able to view the texture and color of the sampled product through the transparent or translucent window exposed through a corresponding cutout window  140 . 
     As with coupon portion  116 , the top (exterior) surface of region  118  (surrounding windows  140 ) can be printed with illustrations, designs, and/or advertising and product information. Unlike coupon portion  116 , however, region  118  of cover card  113  is not intended to be separable from main card portion  111 , and therefore only the front surface of region  118  need be printed with such designs or information. Similarly, region  117  of main card  111  which is not covered by cover card  113  and also the back surface of main card  111  can be printed with illustrations, designs or text such as advertising information, product description, or instructions for accessing the product sample. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the placement of sampler strip  200  on the surface of main card  111 . Specifically, sampler strip  200  is adhered to card  111  at a predetermined position in which the entire strip  200  will be covered by cover card  113 . Preferably, sampler strip  200  is positioned on the lower half of main card  111  as shown in the figure. To affix sampler strip  200  to main card  111 , an adhesive material is applied either to the main card  111  at the desired location or to the rear surface of sampler strip  200  in a pattern  131  or the like, whereupon sampler strip  200  is affixed to main card  111  with the application of pressure. The adhesive used to secure the sampler strip to the main card is preferably a permanent adhesive such as a hot melt. 
     Prior to folding or superimposing cover card  113  onto main card  111  and sampler strip  200 , a permanent adhesive is applied either to the back surface of cover card  113  which faces main card  111  when superimposed or folded thereon or to the corresponding surface of main card  111 . In an example shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive is applied in a region corresponding to the placement location of sampler strip  200  in a pattern  132  so as to extend at least across the length of sampler strip  200  and from the lower edge of the card to just below zipper  115  on cover card  113 . As shown in the example of FIG. 4, adhesive pattern  132  runs substantially around the perimeter of region  118  below zipper  115  and around windows  140  so that sampler strip  200  can be firmly held in place between main card  111  and cover card  113 . Other equally acceptable adhesive configurations for securely sealing the sampler strip  200  inside carrier card  100  will become apparent to those of skill in the art. 
     Also on the back surface of cover card  113 , dots of temporary adhesive  133  are applied around the perimeter of coupon region  116 . The temporary adhesive forming dots  133  can be any adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive or a semi-sticky material, which enables coupon  116  to be easily separated from main card  111  by a consumer without destruction of the coupon or the remainder of the carrier card. One example of a temporary adhesive suitable for this purpose is a water-based acrylic. 
     On the other hand, the permanent adhesive  132  is such that the lower region  118  cannot be readily separated from main card  111  or sampler strip  200  to remove the strip therefrom without destruction of carrier card  100 . As mentioned above, a hot melt adhesive is preferred for the permanent adhesive, although any other type of permanent adhesive known in the art may be suitable for use with the present invention. 
     After adhesive patterns  132  and  133  have been applied to the respective regions of cover card  113  and once sampler strip  200  is adhered into place on the surface of main card  111 , cover card  113  is simply folded along fold line or perforation  112  or is placed over main card portion  111  aligned along the right edges thereof, whereupon the two card pieces are sealed together to form closed carrier card  100 . 
     The substrate material used to form carrier card  100  is preferably a sheet of thin paperboard, although other suitable materials may also be used, such as synthetic paper or a light plastic such as a polyethylene/calcium carbonate blend. The material selected to make carrier card  100  must be sufficiently rigid to facilitate insertion thereof by machines into periodical literature, brochures, etc. On the other hand, the material must be sufficiently flexible so that zipper  115  can be unzipped as described above. 
     It is emphasized that although the product sampler package described herein is preferably used to package a multi-unit sampler strip for fluid products, the closed carrier card of the present invention can be used with a variety of product samplers not limited to the sampling of fluid products. Moreover, the product sampler used with the present carrier card can have various construction and shapes not necessarily limited to that of the preferred embodiment disclosed herein. In this regard, one of skill in the art can readily contemplate various modifications to the dimensions and/or the placement and structure of the specific features to accommodate a particular product sampler used therewith. Furthermore, certain features, such as the coupon region for example, may be omitted if desired. 
     A preferred embodiment of a sampler strip enclosed within carrier card  100  is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. In this example, sampler strip  200  is a strip containing a plurality of sampler units or packettes formed by laminating together a cover film  230  and a backing film  220  (FIG. 8) to form individual pouches  211 . Both the cover film and the backing film are formed as composite laminates each including a barrier film layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate substantially equivalent to that of a foil film. At least the cover film is transparent or translucent, or includes a transparent or translucent window  214  so that the product contained therein can be viewed without opening the sampler. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each pouch  211  is formed with a tip  215  at the top portion thereof, to provide a spout-like opening through which the product can be easily dispensed. Perforations  213  and  216  are die-cut into the laminated strip between the individual pouches and across the top portions thereof, to facilitate separation and opening of the sampler units at tip  215 . 
     Once sampler strip  200  is sealed in carrier card  100  as described above and as appears in FIG. 1, the carrier card  100  can then be inserted or bound along margin area  114  within the pages of a periodical or other literature to be distributed to potential clients. Packaged in this manner, the sampler strip is firmly affixed to the carrier card in a manner which permits sampling of the product while affixed thereto. Of course, carrier card  100  may be distributed as is without being attached to any other carrier medium. As mentioned previously, the consumer can then detach carrier card from the periodical by tearing along perforation  121 , although detachment from the periodical is not necessary for sampling the product, as described below. 
     When the consumer desires to sample the product, the closed carrier card is opened by grasping zipper tab  115   a  and pulling in the direction toward fold or edge  112 , thus tearing cover card  113  along perforations  122  as illustrated in FIG.  5 . After being pulled completely open, zipper  115  can be neatly detached from the carrier card by tearing along the perforations at fold  112  and discarded. In the embodiment where cover card  113  is provided as a separate piece from main card portion  111 , zipper  115  becomes automatically separated from carrier card  100  upon being fully unzipped. 
     Once zipper  115  is opened, the top portions of the sampler units are exposed, including tip portions  215  and perforations  213  and  216 . Upon selecting the desired shade to sample by viewing the choices through cutout windows  140 , the selected sampler unit is isolated by tearing down perforations  213  below perforation line  216 . The consumer then tears the selected unit open along the appropriate perforation  216 . Since the end of tip  215  extends above perforation line  216 , tearing of perforation  216  across tip  215  will unseal the corresponding pouch  211  at tip  215 . The product is then released from the pouch for application to the consumer&#39;s skin simply by squeezing or applying pressure to the main portion of pouch  211  covered underneath cover card region  118 . 
     A more detailed description of the preferred embodiment of sampler strip  200  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7-11. In the example shown, the product sampler includes three sampler units or packettes. Each sampler unit has a pouch  211  for containing a sample of a volatile and/or liquid based product  212  such as a cosmetic, skincare, beauty, or toiletry product. Each pouch is formed by sealing a transparent or translucent composite laminate forming the cover film  230  (FIG. 8) to an opaque composite laminate forming the backing film  220  of the sampler packette. 
     Cover film  230  contains a transparent or translucent polymeric barrier film having a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) no greater than about 0.065 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH. Preferably, the barrier film has an MVTR substantially competitive with that of a film of aluminum foil and between about 0.02 to 0.04 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH. 
     Suitable materials for the moisture vapor barrier layer include a biaxially oriented polyvinylidene chloride (biax-PVDC) film, such as BARRIALON®-UB film manufactured by Asahi Chemical Industry, Co., Ltd. and distributed by Phoenix Films, Inc., or a modified fluoropolymer film such as a polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) film familiar to those knowledgeable in the art as ACLAR®, manufactured by Allied Signal Corp. Both the biax-PVDC film and the PCTFE film have MVTR values within the desired range and are also transparent. 
     A preferred embodiment of cover film  230  is shown in FIG.  9 A and has a thickness of approximately 4.5 to 5.0 mils, with the barrier film preferably having a thickness of up to approximately 2 mils. More preferably, the barrier film is about 1 mil thick in sampler packettes for most products. Cover film  230  additionally includes an exterior layer  231 , and a heat seal layer  235  to enable heat sealing of the cover film  230  with the backing film  220  as will be described below. 
     Exterior layer  231  is preferably made from polyester, while heat seal layer  235  is preferably made from a blend of high density and low density polyethylene. Other suitable transparent or translucent polymeric films may be substituted for exterior layer  231 . Similarly, other types of heat seal layers may be used, such as polyester, which is an excellent chemically resistant barrier. Additional layers may also be included in cover film  230  in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, such as additional barrier layers and/or other films to augment the sealing layer. Each layer in cover film  230  is transparent or translucent, so as to provide a sampler package which enables viewing of the color and texture of the product to be sampled. 
     The various layers of cover film  230  are preferably adhesively laminated together using adhesive layers  233  made of, for example, a polyurethane adhesive. Alternatively, the cover film layers may be coextrusion laminated using tie layers made from materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacrylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol. As mentioned above, additional layers may be coextruded with the barrier film and may include films made of an oriented polypropylene or linear low density polyethylene. 
     The plurality of layers in the composite laminate forming cover film  230  further enhances the moisture barrier properties of the foil-like MVTR of the barrier film. Moreover, the composite laminate is stiff enough to provide sufficient rigidity to resist wrinkling or folding during handling, yet retains the necessary flexibility to withstand flexing without cracking or otherwise compromising its barrier qualities. 
     In order to define a window through which the product sample is viewed, a window design  214  and/or copy print may be printed onto either the exterior surface of the top layer  231  using any known method of printing onto a film, or onto the interior surface thereof by reverse surface printing prior to lamination with the barrier film  234 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9B, the backing film  220  preferably comprises a heat seal layer  221 , a white polyethylene layer  223 , a foil barrier layer  225 , and a polyester exterior layer  227 , and having a combined thickness of about 4.5-5.0 mils. Barrier layer  225  is preferably an aluminum foil film having a thickness at least about 0.20 mil (MVTR&lt;0.01 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH). As in cover film  230 , heat seal layer  221  may be comprised of a high density/low density polyethylene blend or other suitable material. Similarly, additional layers may be included or suitable alternative materials may be substituted as described above. 
     The layers forming the composite laminate of backing film  220  are preferably adhesively laminated with adhesive layers  222  made from a material such as a polyurethane or other suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the layers of backing film  220  may be coextrusion laminated using tie layers made from materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacrylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the foil film may be substituted with a transparent or translucent barrier film as used in the cover film. In this embodiment, backing film  220  has a composition substantially similar to that of cover film  230 , such that each layer is transparent or translucent. Backing film  220  may also contain a window design and/or copy print as described above with respect to cover film  230  which can viewable through transparent cover film  230  if the product contained therein is also transparent or translucent. 
     Cover film  230  and backing film  220  are sealed together to form pouch  211 . In the embodiment in which both cover film  230  and backing film  220  include the transparent and translucent film as the barrier layers, the entire sampler can be made from one composite laminate by sealing the laminate to itself to form pouch  211 . Although heat sealing is the preferred method of sealing, other sealing methods are also consistent with the present invention, such as dielectric sealing, radiant sealing, sonic sealing, high frequency sealing, etc. 
     In the process for forming the product sampler shown in FIG. 7, a roll of the transparent composite laminate  230  and a roll of the foil barrier composite laminate  220  are fed to a die which seals together the heat seal layers of each composite laminate in a shape which partially forms a plurality of sampler pouches  211  along a continuous strip of sampler units. This initial sealing process leaves a portion of each pouch unsealed, up to approximately one-half the perimeter of a finished pouch. The roll of partially heat-sealed pouches is then sent to the next processing stage, where each pouch is placed under a nozzle which fills the cosmetic sample into the pouch. When a plurality of different types or colors of cosmetic samples are to be provided in one strip of sampler packettes, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of nozzles are used so that each nozzle fills a different color or product type into the respective pouch. 
     When the sampler strips  200  are to be distributed in magazines, mailers, or the like sealed in the carrier card  100  as described above, each sampler unit measures about 2″ by 1½″ and is filled with a maximum of about 350 mg of the fluid or volatile cosmetic in each pouch. For alternative means of distribution, such as department store handouts of the sampler strips not necessarily accompanied by any brochures or carrier cards, more or less of the sample may be filled in each pouch and the size of the sampler unit may be increased or decreased without varying from the scope of the invention. 
     After filling, the unsealed perimeter of each pouch is sealed to form a continuous strip of sealed packettes. It is noted that the pouch shape includes an extended tip portion  215  for ease of dispensing the product once opened by the consumer. The roll of sealed sampler packettes is then perforated by die cutting through the sealed regions between the pouches along lines  213  for ease of separation of the individual units and perpendicularly thereto to form perforations  216  across the tip  215  of each pouch for ease of opening. The roll of sampler packettes is then cut to form strips of sampler packettes for distribution, with each strip having a single or a plurality of sampler pouches. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 shows a distribution unit having three sampler units per sampler strip. 
     As previously mentioned, biaxially oriented polyvinylidene chloride film (biax-PVDC) or polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) film may be used as the moisture vapor barrier layer in at least the cover film according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The advantages provided by these films are demonstrated by the data shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and in Tables I-V. 
     FIG. 10 shows that the water vapor transmission rates of the biaxially oriented PVDC film and of the PCTFE film are much lower than typical films such as cast PVDC films and PVDC coated films used in the prior art. For example, a biax-PVDC film having a thickness of 0.6 mils (15μ) has a water vapor transmission rate of about 0.065 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH (1 g/m 2 /24 hrs @40° C., 90% RH), whereas a PVDC coated oriented-polypropylene film of 1.1 mils (27μ), nearly twice the thickness of the former, has a water vapor transmission rate of about 0.26 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH (4 g/m 2 /24 hrs @40° C., 90% RH). Similarly, a 1.3 mil (33μ) PCTFE barrier film is shown to have an MVTR of about 0.05 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH, which is substantially equivalent to that of the 1.0 biax-PVDC film. 
     The oxygen transmission rate of the 0.6 mil (15μ) biax-PVDC film is shown in FIG. 5 relative to percent relative humidity. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows that the oxygen transmission rate is not affected by environmental humidity. 
     Table I demonstrates the relationship between the thickness of the film to the moisture vapor and oxygen transmission rates. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 mil 
                 0.6 
                 1.0 
                 2.0 
               
               
                 Thickness 
                 (μ) 
                 (15) 
                 (25) 
                 (50) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water Vapor 
                 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @ 100° F., 90% RH 
                 0.065 
                 0.04 
                 0.02 
               
               
                 Transmission 
                 (g/m 2 /24 hrs @ 38° C., 90% RH) 
                 (1.0) 
                 (0.6) 
                 (0.3) 
               
               
                 Rate 
               
               
                 Oxygen 
                 cc/100 in 2 /24 hrs @ 73° F., atm 
                 0.10  
                 0.06 
                 0.03 
               
               
                 Transmission 
                 (cc/m 2 /24 hrs @ 23° C., atm) 
                 (1.4) 
                 (0.9) 
                 (0.5) 
               
               
                 Rate 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Test results comparing the moisture vapor properties of several types of composite laminates using different barrier layers are shown below in Tables II-V. For each sample, a clear laminate incorporating the specified barrier layer was sealed to itself to form a pouch having the barrier laminate as the front and back thereof, i.e. single-web construction. Four sets of each type of barrier laminate packette were tested, with two sets of each type filled with water and the remaining sets filled with a liquid cosmetic product. Of the two sets of each sample type, one set was tested at 110° F. while the other set was tested at 120° F. The percentages of moisture loss by weight was obtained after one week and after two weeks. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE II 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Laminate of 0.7 mil PVDC Coating on 
               
               
                 Oriented Polypropylene (% Moisture Loss by Weight) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 110° F. 
                 120° F. 
                 Product 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 2.16-2.36 
                 2.42-2.70 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 4.54-5.17 
                 5.09-5.95 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 1.95-2.44 
                 2.74-4.12 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 5.02-5.45 
                 5.34-6.3 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE III 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Laminate of 2.0 mil Aluminum Oxide 
               
               
                 (% Moisture Loss by Weight) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 110° F. 
                 120° F. 
                 Product 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 2.1-2.94 
                 2.04-4.15 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 3.9-5.15 
                 3.90-7.37 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 2.24-3.49  
                 2.27-3.63 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 4.0-6.18 
                 4.06-6.48 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE IV 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Laminate of 1.0 mil Biaxially Oriented PVDC 
               
               
                 (% Moisture Loss by Weight) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 110° F. 
                 120° F. 
                 Product 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 1.20-1.40 
                 1.39-1.58 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 2.25-2.74 
                  3.0-3.45 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 1.21-1.49 
                 1.63-1.80 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 2.67-3.14 
                  3.4-3.90 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE V 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Laminate of 1.3 mil Polychlorotrifluoroethylene Film 
               
               
                 (% Moisture Loss by Weight) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 110° F. 
                 120° F. 
                 Product 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 1.15-1.62 
                 1.25-1.85 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 2.33-3.11 
                 2.61-3.82 
                 water 
               
               
                   
                 1 week 
                 0.61-0.76 
                 0.66-0.88 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                 2 weeks 
                 1.25-1.47 
                 1.38-1.86 
                 liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As can be seen from Table II, the moisture loss in the PVDC coated OPP laminate packages ranged from 4.5% to 5.5% of the original weight after two weeks at 110° F. This result is extrapolated to yield a moisture loss of over 12% after one year at room temperature. Similar results are demonstrated in Table III, wherein AlO was used as a barrier film. 
     In contrast, the moisture loss in the biaxially oriented PVDC barrier laminate packettes after two weeks at both test temperatures ranged from 2.25% to 3.9% of the original sample weight, as shown in Table IV. These results obtained after a test period of two weeks at 110° F. and 120° F. can be extrapolated to be equivalent to the moisture that would be lost over a period of 6-8 months at room temperature. 
     During testing, it was found that the moisture loss from a sample of a liquid cosmetic sealed in a single web of biax-PVDC laminate did not result in any adverse change in texture of the cosmetic when observed even after 10 months at room temperature. Thus, a single webbed sampler packette made from the biax-PVDC laminate easily provides a usable product sample for a minimum shelf life of six months. 
     Moreover, when the sampler packette is made with a foil laminate on one side, as discussed above with respect to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the moisture loss ranged from 2.5% to 3.0% of the original sample weight for one month at 110° F. and 120° F. By extrapolation, this is the moisture loss that can be expected for a packette of this construction after a period of one year at room temperature. 
     Table V shows that the results obtained for the PCTFE laminate packettes are similar to the results obtained for the biax-PVDC packettes. Specifically, the moisture loss from the PCTFE laminate packettes after two weeks at 110° F. and 120° F. range from 1.25% to 3.82% of the original sample weight. Thus, the extrapolated shelf life at room temperature of the PCTFE laminated packettes is comparable to the biax-PVDC based packettes. 
     Due to the excellent gas and moisture vapor barrier properties of the sampler packette containing moisture vapor barrier films having an MVTR≦0.065 g/100 in 2 /24 hrs @100° F., 90% RH as discussed above, samples of cosmetic products having a fluid base such as water or other organic solvent may be distributed in a manner which displays the shade of the cosmetic product to the consumer through the packette while maintaining the compositional integrity of the product for a much greater time period than previously obtained with cosmetic samplers previously used in the art. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.