MXPA99002356A - Sampler device having a reinforced compartment and method of packaging sample material - Google Patents

Abstract

A sampler device (10) having an upper compartment layer (20);a lower compartment layer (30);a seal (50) attaching the upper compartment layer to the lower compartment layer, wherein the upper and lower compartment layers and the seal form a compartment (60) or compartments, for containing sample material (70);and a reinforcement layer (40) for protecting the compartment. The present invention also relates to an easy, inexpensive and reliable method of packaging sample material.

Description

SAMPLING DEVICE HAVING A REINFORCED COMPARTMENT AND METHOD FOR PACKING SAMPLE MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a sampler device and more specifically to a sampler device comprising two layers of material for containing sample material in a compartment. sealed between them and an integral reinforcement layer to protect the sample material, all together in a unified structure. The present invention also relates to a method for packaging sample material. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manufacturers of a variety of products, such as medical or cosmetic treatments, frequently = distribute samples containing small quantities or samples of their products to their current or potential customers. This is particularly common in the perfume industry. Samples are often distributed directly to individual shoppers. Also C are posted to pages of publications such as advertising catalogs and magazines which are distributed to potential clients. Typically, such samples consist of flexible bags or wrappings, in which a small amount of. Sample material is sealed between two flexible barriers or between the folds of a single sheet. These bags are subject to considerable mechanical forces and are susceptible to leakage or breakage. Samples that have a removable seal instead of a permanent seal are particularly exposed to these problems. Therefore, the material selected to manufacture said bags must be strong enough to withstand transport and handling without leakage or breakage, and this requirement substantially limits the selection of materials to those of heavier construction. Bags made of these materials must be made with a permanent strong seal and therefore must be torn or cut to open them. Said samples are not friendly to the user. The geometry of these bags also limits the amount of sample material that can be placed inside the bag while preventing leakage or breakage. "Head Space" or air inside the bag will limit this amount even more. Various types of specialized samples are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,998,621 to Meehan presents a package and packaging method for a liquid cosmetic sample in which a structurally non-bearing bag containing the sample material is protected by a protective sheet that is folded over the bag. The carrier sheet incorporates a cutout or opening into which the bag is placed to fall, and the user must pull the bag of the carrier through the cutout in order to use the cosmetic. Meehan's design is intended to protect the bag from "oppressive forces" that occur when an external force is applied to the package. Said forces occur routinely when a number of packages are stacked on top of each other. However, in order to remove the bag from the protective cover of the carrier sheet, the user can take and press the area that requires protection. Additionally, the Meehan package is not suitable for binding in printed publications and requires an expensive manufacturing process. In addition, the trimming of the carrier detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the package. In addition, U.S. Patent No. 5,161,688 to Muchin presents a cosmetic sample in which the cosmetic sample is wrapped in a retention cavity contained in the sampler. A perforation is made through a base layer having two opposing surfaces, and this base layer is bonded with adhesive to a surface to an enclosing surface, thereby defining a retention cavity into which the sample is deposited. The cavity and the sample material inside is covered with a layer of film, which is adhered with adhesive to a second surface of the base layer. The cosmetic sample is therefore retained by three layers and two adhesive layers joining the layers one with the other. There are problems associated with the Michin design. Because the three layers and the adhesive are in contact with the sample material, all materials comprising these elements must be compatible with the sample material and suitable to contain it. The materials should not, for example, contain plasticizers, oxidizing agents or other migrating components that may affect, degrade or destabilize the sample material or reduce its shelf life. On the other hand, the selected materials should not be adversely affected by the sample material or by the components of the sample material. Materials that meet these strict requirements can be expensive. Additionally, the base layer must be of substantial thickness in order to adequately contain the sample material, and this requirement contributes to the design cost. Another problem associated with this design concerns the integrity and reliability of the sampler. The Michin sampler includes two closing seams. Each additional seam increases the difficulty in maintaining the variables of the manufacturing process. In addition, U.S. Patent No. 4,884,680 to Israel et al. presents a sample of cosmetics in which the cosmetic material is wrapped in a plurality of recesses defined by donut-shaped sections which are fixed to a base layer or sheet. The cosmetic material is covered by a transparent film which is fixed adhesive to the sections in the shape of a donut. The sample material is therefore retained by the base sheet, the donut-shaped sections, the protective film and the adhesive that binds these elements together. This configuration is similar to that of the Muchin swatch and therefore has similar problems. Additionally, Israel's cosmetics sample is not suitable for containing fluid samples. There is therefore a need for an improved efficiency sampler device that provides a compartment within a cavity to contain the sample material; that incorporates a unitary structure; which provides protection against ruptures while maximizing the use of available space; and that it can be easily fixed to a separate carrier such as an advertising medium while providing an attractive appearance. Additionally, there is a need for a method of packing the sample material that will minimize the process variables and provide reliability of production. COMPENDIUM AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sampler device having three main elements: a reinforcing layer having a side wall defining the protected volume of a compartment containing sample material; a lower layer of the compartment fixed to the reinforcing layer and conforming to the contours of the side wall; a. upper compartment layer sealed to the lower compartment layer to form the compartment containing the sample material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sampler device for storing sample material, such as treatments, cosmetics, personal care products, food, beverages and dry, liquid or semi-liquid products or materials, in a sealed compartment that is resistant leakage, absorption or permeation of the sample material. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sampler device that preserves the properties of the material contained in its intended form and protects the material from the environment. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sampler device that incorporates a user friendly tear-off seal. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sampler device having the reinforcing means for providing comprehensive protection for sample material, wherein the reinforcing means is an integral part of the sampler device. It is also an object of the present invention to minimize the use of expensive materials. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sampler device that maximizes the use of available space per given area and amount of material that can be stored. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a simple method of packing sample material that allows the manufacturer to produce large quantities of samplers rapidly, inexpensively and reliably. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sampler device that is easy and inexpensive to machine-manufacture in a single pass. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sampler device that can be automatically set and registered to a printed advertising carrier. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sampler device that can be attached to a carrier by the use of standard and distributed labeling equipment without the need for additional packaging. It is also an object to provide a sampler device over which artistic advertising elements can advantageously and attractively be displayed. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of packaging material that is fast, efficient, economical and reliable. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of mass production of packaging of sample material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to a brief description of the drawings, which are to illustrate a first embodiment and a number of alternative embodiments of the uestreads device in accordance with the present invention. The drawings and the detailed descriptions that follow are intended for illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the sampler device according to the present invention; Figure 2A is a sectional view of the sampler device in Figure 1; Figure 2B is an exploded view of the sampler device shown in Figure 2A; Figure 3 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the sampler device, having a reinforcing layer with a depression; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the sampler device with a separate carrier; Figure 5A is a sectional view of the sampler device, having a reinforcing layer with a raised wall; Figure 5B is an exploded view of the sampler device shown in Figure 5A; Figure 5C is a perspective view of the reinforcing layer of the sampler device shown in Figure 5A and in the Figure 5B; Figure 5D is a perspective view of a reinforcing layer having a discontinuous raised wall; Figure 5E is a perspective view of a reinforcing layer having circular segments raised; Figure 6A is a sectional view of a reinforcing layer comprising raised walls formed in a lower layer of the compartment; Figure 6B is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sampler device, including the reinforcing layer and a lower compartment layer shown in the Figure 6A; Figure 6C is an exploded view of a sampler device shown in Figure 6B; Figure 7A is a top view of a reinforcing layer that is perforated with perforations; Figure 7B is a top view of a mesh-type reinforcement layer: Figure 8 is a top view of a reinforcement layer with embossed ornamentation; Figure 9 is a top view of a reinforcing layer having multiple cavities; Figure 10A is a top view of a reinforcing layer of an alternative embodiment having a multi-level compartment; Figure 10B is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 10A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLING DEVICE With reference more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1, Figure 2A and Figure 2B depict a sampler device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the sampler device 10 comprises an upper compartment layer 20, which is fixed to a lower layer of the compartment 30, which in turn is fixed to a reinforcing layer 40. A seal joins the upper layer of the compartment 20 to the lower layer of the compartment 30, thereby forming a compartment 60 for retaining the sample material 70. As shown in Figure 2B, the reinforcing layer 40 has an upper surface 46, a side wall 44 , having an outer periphery 43 and a cavity 42 extending along the entire thickness of the reinforcing layer 40. The side wall 44 is perpendicular to the upper surface 46 of the reinforcing layer 40 although it may be inclined at an alternative modality. In this embodiment, the outer periphery 43 is circular. Alternatively, the outer periphery 43 may have a variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, oval, circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal and star-shaped. It can be symmetric or asymmetrical. In the first embodiment of the sampler device 10, the reinforcing layer 40 is made of pressure sensitive material, which is die cut to form the cavity 42. The pressure sensitive material is well known in the art and generally comprises a base having two opposing surfaces and a peelable cover fixed to one of these surfaces with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive can be used to fix the sampler device to a separate carrier such as a page in a magazine (see, for example, Figure 4). The pressure-sensitive material may also include a release liner secured to the second surface of the base by a second layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. This second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive can be used to fix the reinforcing layer 40 to the lower layer of the compartment 30.

Because the reinforcing layer 40 is not in contact with the sample material 70, no special features are required apart from the mechanical ones. Therefore, the reinforcement layer 40 can be made from a variety of materials, many of which are inexpensive and easily obtainable. For example, the reinforcing layer 40 can be made of any type of plastic, including filled, porous and semi-porous materials, including paper or cardboard; a laminate; or other materials that have a composite or non-composite structure. Paper products are preferred because they are inexpensive. The lowest-cost manufactured material of the lowest grade fibers can be used. When the reinforcement layer 40 is made of rigid material, it can protect the sample material 70 from bending and twisting forces as well as pressing force. In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3, there is a groove 142 in the reinforcement layer 140 instead of a cavity extending along the entire thickness of the reinforcement layer. The portion of the reinforcing layer 140 that is not trimmed forms a support base 148, which provides additional support or protection for the sample material 170. In this sampler device 110, the bottom layer of the compartment 130 is fixed to the layer of reinforcement 140 so that it conforms to the contours of slot 142. Similar to the first embodiment, the sample material 170 is retained in a compartment between the upper compartment layer 120 and the lower layer of compartment 130. In the device sampler 210 shown in Figure 4, additional protection or support for the sample material 270 can be provided by fixing the reinforcement layer 240 to a separate carrier 280. When the reinforcement layer 240 is made of pressure sensitive material, the carrier separate 280 may be the detachable cover of the pressure-sensitive material. In the first embodiment, the lower layer of the compartment 30 is fixed to the reinforcing layer 40 so that it conforms to the contours of the reinforcing layer 40 as shown in Figure 2A. Specifically, the lower layer of the compartment 30 is in contact with and fixed to the upper surface 46 and substantially the entire side wall 44 of the reinforcing layer 40. The portion of the lower layer of the compartment 30 that remains inside the cavity forms a well 62. By tightly shaping the lower layer of the compartment 30 to the side wall 44 of the reinforcing layer 40, full advantage is taken of the space and protective capacity of the reinforcing layer 40. The amount of sample material 70 that can be protected the reinforcing layer 40 is defined by the dimensions of the cavity 42 and the thickness or depth of the reinforcing layer 40. In alternative embodiments, the lower layer of the compartment 30 can be shaped less tightly to the contours of the layer 40. In other words, only a portion of the side wall 44 can be fixed to the bottom layer of the compartment 30. In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 3, only a portion of the bottom layer of the compartment 130 can be attached to the base support 148. Similarly, in the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4, only a portion of the bottom layer of the compartment 230 could be attached to the separate carrier 280. In the first embodiment, the bottom layer of the compartment 30 is also made of pressure sensitive material, comprising a base, a peel-off cover and pressure sensitive adhesive as described above. To secure the bottom layer of the compartment 30 to the reinforcement layer 40, the release liner of the pressure sensitive material is removed, and the base is attached to the reinforcement layer 40 by the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive in the base. . The base of the lower layer of the compartment 30 is firmly pressed against the upper surface 46 of the side wall 44 of the reinforcing layer 40 so that the lower layer of the compartment 30 conforms densely to the contours of the reinforcing layer 40. Alternatively, the fixation between the reinforcing layer 40 and the lower layer of the compartment 30 can be effected by a different adhesive than the pressure sensitive adhesive or by an alternative fixing means known in the art. The lower layer of the compartment 30 can be made of an alternative variety of materials as long as the following requirements are followed. First, the material must have "barrier properties." This means that the material must provide an adequate barrier for the sample material 70. Not only should it prevent the sample material 70 and its components from migrating to the outside of the compartment 60, but must also protect the sample material 70 from the environment. Second, the material must be flexible enough to conform to the shape of the reinforcing layer 40 and the cavity 42. Additionally, to ensure that the sample material 70 is retained in its original form, the material making up the lower layer of the compartment 30 should not interact with the sample material 70. For sample material that comprises medical treatments, it is critical for patients to receive these treatments without adulteration for packaging. Cosmetics companies also want potential customers to use the cosmetics shows in their intended business form. Many suitable materials are easily obtainable and can be obtained from shelf. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2A, the upper layer of the compartment 20 is fixed to the lower layer of the compartment 30 by means of the seal 50. The upper and lower compartment layers 20, 30 form a compartment 60, closed by means of the seal 50, for storing and preserving the sample material 70. Preferably, the compartment 60 will be filled with a sufficient amount of sample material 70 as the dimensions of the compartment 60 allow without causing a bulge in the upper layer of the compartment 20. Although the upper layer of the compartment 20 may be made of flexible material that would withstand bulging due to an additional amount of sample material 70, this additional amount may weaken the strength of the device until rupture and leakage. The upper layer of the compartment 20 is made of a sheet of flexible material. A wide variety of materials can be used appropriately, many of which are easy to obtain. This material must also provide an effective barrier to the sample material 70, and can not interact with the sample material 70. However, not as the bottom layer of the compartment 30, the top layer of the compartment 20 may be made of hard materials. or rigid. A transparent material or material having one or more transparent sections can be used so that a potential customer can examine the contents of the sampler device 10. Similarly, the lower layer of the compartment 30 can also be made of transparent material so that a customer potential can see the content of the sampler device from both sides of the device. As can be seen, due to the symmetrical arrangement of the upper and lower layers, these layers can be inverted. In other words, the reinforcing layer 40 may be attached to the upper layer of the compartment 20 instead of the lower layer of the compartment 30. In an alternative embodiment, there may be two reinforcing layers, respectively attached to the upper layer of the compartment. 20 to the lower layer of the compartment 30, thereby providing additional protection to the sample material 70. In the first embodiment as shown in Figure 1, the seal 50, which fixes the upper layer of the compartment 20 to the lower layer of the compartment 30, forms a substantially circular contour near the periphery ie outer 43 of the cavity 42. This configuration minimizes the dispersion of the sample material 70 out of the cavity 42, thereby reducing the possibility of breakage. Additionally, a small amount of sample material is esthetically more pleasing to the eye when confined to a small, well-defined area. The seal 50 is a leak-tight seal formed by heat sealing. Removable hermetic seals are known in the art. The seal 50 can be resealed. An airtight seal will completely seal the compartment against leakage or air intake. This type of seal may not be required depending on the type of sample material contained in the compartment. As an alternative to heat sealing, the seal 50 can be formed with an adhesive. Whatever the selected sealing means must be stable with respect to the sample material 70, this being, it must not react or plasticize when it comes into contact with the sample material 70. Said reaction may cause undesirable deterioration of the sample material. or on stamp 50. Alternatively, stamp 50 may be a permanent stamp. Permanent seals, also known as destructible or separable joints, are also known in the art. The permanent seals can also be formed by adhesives or by heat sealing. If a permanent seal is used, the sampler device 10 should also be provided with a means for opening the compartment 60, which would involve tearing one of the upper or lower layers 20, 30. Such means are well known in the art and they include a slot or a thread to cause or facilitate tearing. In alternative embodiments, the seal 50 may be formed anywhere between the upper or lower compartment layers 20, 30 as long as these layers are arranged so as to contain the largest amount of sample material 70 within the cavity 42. Also, the seal 50 can form one of many contour shapes such as, but not limited to circles, ovals, triangles and rectangles, which may or may not reproduce the shape of the outer periphery 43 of the cavity 42. In addition, the width of the seal 50 may vary in alternative modalities. If desired, the seal 50 may cover the entire area between the upper and lower layers of the compartment 20, 30 beyond the outer periphery of the cavity 42. Additionally, multiple seals may be employed. These seals can have a variety of configurations such as concentric circles, crossed lines and combinations thereof, as long as at least one closed seal surrounds the compartment 60. Alternative configurations of the reinforcing layer can be included in the sampler device. present invention. The side wall of the reinforcing layer may be formed by a raised wall or walls or raised segments instead of a cavity. Such an embodiment is illustrated in the sampler device 410 shown in Figures 5A to 5C. As shown in Figure 5A, the lower layer of the compartment 430 is fixed to the reinforcing layer 440, conforming to the upper layer 443 and the raised wall 442. The lower layer of the compartment 430 forms a well 462 within a defined envelope by the raised wall 442. The thickness and height of the raised wall 442 are determined by the amount of sample material 470 to be contained in the compartment 460 and the degree of protection desired. The sample material 470 is fed into the well 462, and the upper layer of the compartment 420 is sealed to the lower layer of the compartment 430 beyond the receptacle by the seal 450. As shown in Figure 5A, the upper layer of the compartment 420 is curved on the raised wall 442, thereby providing means for maintaining the sample material 470 within the well 462 in addition to the seal 450. Alternatively, a seal may be formed along the top of the raised wall 442 in addition to the seal 450 or by itself. The raised wall 442 can be formed by solid materials, solid fillings, foam or felt tip. These materials can be applied solutions, emulsions, suspensions, heat melt or olig? Eros, liquids or gels, by printing, coating, or by means of transfer techniques with subsequent drying, curing or fixing if necessary. The selection of material may depend on the type of manufacturing equipment to be used. The raised wall 442 of the reinforcing layer 440 can form one of a variety of alternative patterns. It does not need to be continuous, nor does it have to surround the sample material 470. For example, the raised wall 442 may comprise two straight segments raised as shown in Figure 5D, or raised circular segments 442 'arranged in a pentagonal pattern as shown in Figure 5E. Alternatively, the raised walls or elements can be formed outside or inside the cavity. It may be beneficial to place raised elements inside large cavities for additional reinforcement. In the alternative embodiment of the sampler device 610 shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the reinforcing layer 640 comprises raised walls 642 which are formed directly on the bottom surface of the lower layer of the compartment 630. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. Figures 5A to 5C and as shown in Figure 6B, the bottom layer of the compartment 630 is made to conform to the raised walls 642. thereby forming a well 662 within which the sample material 670 is deposited. The upper compartment layer 620 is fixed to the lower compartment layer 630 by means of a seal 650, thereby forming a compartment 660 for containing the sample material 670. The lower layer of the compartment 641 and the reinforcing layer 640 are fixed to a carrier 680. To provide flexibility, the reinforcement layer 440 can be mesh type, marked or perforated with perforations (see Figures 7A and 7B). Such sheets or meshes are well known in the art and are often available in pre-manufactured form. Alternatively, the reinforcement layer 440 may be decorated with ornamental cavities or embossed shapes to create a pleasing aesthetic effect (see Figure 8). These forms can be inside or outside the seal. The reinforcement layer can also have multiple cavities (see Figure 9). These cavities may be disconnected from one another as shown in Figure 9 or connected to one another or a combination of both. The lower layer of the compartment conforms to the contours of at least one of these cavities, thereby forming at least one well. The sample material can completely or partially fill each well or less than all the wells. A seal 450 can surround all cavities. Alternatively, each cavity or subset of cavities can be individually sealed. In the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the sampler device 510 has a multi-level compartment 560. The last level compartment is created by two reinforcement layers 540, 590 joined together. The lower layer of the compartment 530 conforms to the contours of both reinforcement layers 540, 590. Art work or advertisements can be attractively and advantageously shown in the sampler device of the present invention. The configuration of the sampler device allows an uninterrupted display of art works or advertisements, which may be printed in any combination in the upper compartment, lower compartment and reinforcement layers 20, 30, 40. All the components of the present invention together provide a substantially continuous surface to print a full advert or art work. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE MATERIAL PACKAGING METHOD The present invention also relates to methods of packaging sample material. The methods of the present invention generally include the following steps: forming a reinforcing layer having a side wall defining a cavity or envelope; securely attaching a lower compartment layer to the reinforcing layer so that a portion of the lower layer of the compartment accommodates within the cavity and conforms to the contours of the cavity; depositing sample material within the portion of the lower layer of the compartment within the cavity; and sealing the upper layer of the compartment to the lower layer of the compartment around the sample material. In the first method of packing sample material, the reinforcement layer 40 (as shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B) is formed by die cutting a first sheet or layer of pressure sensitive material in a known manner in the art to form a cavity 42 with an outer periphery 43 and a side wall 44 that extends along the thickness of a first sheet of pressure sensitive material except for the removable cover. The outer periphery 43 of the cavity 42 may be of a variety of shapes. The lower layer of the compartment 30 is made of a second sheet of pressure sensitive material. The removable cover of the second sheet is peeled off, and the lower layer of the compartment 30 is placed on the reinforcing layer 40 so that the pressure sensitive adhesive in the lower layer of the compartment 30 comes into contact with the reinforcing layer 40. and also so that a portion of the lower layer of the compartment 30 is inside the cavity 42 of the reinforcing layer 40, thereby forming a well 62. The lower layer of the compartment 30 is made to conform to the cavity 42 of the reinforcement layer 40. In other words, the lower layer of compartment 30 is securely fixed to upper surface 46 and side wall 44 of reinforcing layer 40. In the sampling device 10 shown in Figure 2A, the lower layer of the compartment 30 is fixed substantially to the entire side wall 44 of the reinforcing layer 40. However, the objects of the present invention can be achieved by fixing only a portion of the well 6. 2 should be to the side wall 44. This is carried out by passing the two layers through a set of rubber rollers. Alternatively, other equipment can be used as ironing dies, brushes, mattresses or air nozzles. The brushes can be magnetic, or they can be made of fibers. The pressure sensitive material composing the lower layer of the compartment 30 is a flexible sheet and will therefore closely follow the contours of the cavity 42 of the first sheet. The next step is to deposit the sample material 70 into the well 62 of the lower layer of the compartment 30. Preferably, the amount of sample material 70 deposited outside the well 62 is minimized. The amount of sample material 70 is determined by the sampler device dimensions 10, which can vary widely. A preferred amount of sample material 70 for each sampler device 10 is between 50 mg and 3000 mg. However, the amount of sample material is not limited to this range. A third sheet of material, this being, the upper layer of the compartment 20, is placed on the lower layer of the compartment 30 and the sample material 70. Because the upper and lower layers of the compartment 20, 30 are directly in contact with the sample material 70, both must have barrier properties. Finally, the upper layer of the compartment 20 is fixed to the lower layer of the compartment 30 by known methods of heat sealing. The seal 50 is formed outside the outer periphery 43 of the cavity 42 in order to keep as much as possible of the sample material 70 within the cavity 62 for the purpose of protection and aesthetic appearance as explained above. Sealing the upper and lower layers of the compartment 20, 30 wraps the sample material 70 within the compartment 60 in which it will be protected and preserved until use. The three layers can be cut or cut into a predetermined shape to form individual sampler devices in the form of a label. The waste matrix is removed while the peelable cover of the reinforcing layer 40 remains intact. Alternatively, the removable cover is removed and replaced with a separate carrier 280 (as shown in Figure 4) by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive of the reinforcement layer 40. The sampler device 10 can be distributed in this manner. If the material selected for the backing layer 40 or the bottom layer of the compartment does not include a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive, another suitable adhesive may be used. In an alternative method of packing sample material, raised walls are formed in the base layer to form the reinforcing layer. The reinforcement layers formed in this manner are illustrated in Figures 5C, 5D and 5E. The raised walls 442 or raised segments 442 'can be printed, coated, sprayed or selectively transferred to the base layer. These raised walls 442 and raised segments 442 'define wraps which function to protect the sample material 470. The lower layer of the compartment 430 is fixed to the reinforcing layer 440 so as to conform to the raised walls 442 or raised segments 442 in the reinforcing layer 440. The sample material 470 is deposited in the lower layer of the compartment 430 so that substantially all of the sample material 470 is contained within the protective wrap. The upper layer of the compartment 420 is sealed to the lower layer of the compartment 430, thereby keeping the sample material 470 inside the protective compartment. The remaining steps in this alternative method are substantially similar to those of the first method. Instead of forming raised walls or segments raised in a base layer to form the reinforcing layer, a reinforcing layer comprising raised walls or raised segments (without the base layer) can be formed directly in the lower layer of the compartment. This can be done by depositing material on the surface of the lower layer of the compartment opposite the surface on which the sample material is deposited. Again, the raised walls or raised segments define the protective envelope to which the lower layer of the compartment is formed and in which the sample material is contained. Said sampler device is shown in Figures 6A to 6C. Alternatively, the reinforcing layer can be formed of certain rigid materials that are engraved, cold formed or thermoformed to create raised walls. The lower layer of the compartment is fixed to this reinforcing layer that conforms to the raised walls. Alternatively, the lower layer of the compartment and the reinforcing layer can be joined together as a laminate, and the laminate can be etched or thermoformed to create the raised walls. In said laminate, the reinforcing layer can be an olefin LI other thermoplastic polymer. An alternative method of the present invention contemplates the mass production of sampler devices using standard equipment for making labels. This method generally includes the following steps: die cutting a first sheet or layer of pressure sensitive material to form a plurality of cavities; permanently fixing a second sheet of pressure-sensitive material on the first sheet so that portions of the second sheet are inside each cavity and form the contours of each cavity; depositing sample material on the second sheet, so that substantially all of the sample material remains within the cavities; placing a third sheet on the second sheet and the sample material; sealing the third sheet to the second sheet around each deposit of sample material; and cutting the three leaves together to form individual sampling devices. In this alternative method, the peelable cover of the first layer of pressure sensitive material remains fixed during die cutting processes. The removable cover, to which each sampler device is fixed, is a continuous sheet or mesh, and can be rolled into coils, folded or cut into sheets for subsequent processes. When coiled in coils in a removable cover, the sampling devices 10 must conform to the curvature of the coils, and the separation of the devices 10 from the removable cover must be avoided. To this end, the first sheet may be marked or perforated to increase flexibility.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A sampler device comprising: a compartment top layer; a lower compartment layer; a seal fixing the upper layer of the compartment to the lower layer of the compartment, thereby forming at least one compartment for containing sample material; and at least one reinforcing layer conformably fixed on at least one of the upper layer of the compartment and the lower layer of the compartment to protect the at least one compartment. The sampler device according to Claim 1, wherein at least one reinforcing layer has a side wall substantially surrounding all of at least one compartment. The sampler device according to Claim 2, wherein the side wall is formed by an indentation in at least one reinforcing layer. 4. The sampler device according to Claim 3, wherein the at least one reinforcing layer and the lower layer of the compartment are formed of laminated material. The sampler device according to Claim 2, wherein the side wall is formed by a perforation made through at least one reinforcing layer "6. The sampler device according to Claim 2, wherein the at least A reinforcing layer has a wall raised to a base layer, wherein the raised wall forms the side wall. The sampler device according to Claim 2, wherein the side wall is formed by a raised wall fixed on the lower layer of the compartment. The sampler device according to Claim 2, wherein the side wall is formed by etching. 9. The sampler device according to Claim 2, wherein the side wall is continuous. The sampler device according to Claim 1, wherein the upper layer of the compartment is continuous with the lower layer of the compartment. The sampler device according to Claim 1, wherein at least one reinforcing layer is fixed to a separate carrier. The sampler device according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing layer is permanently affixed to at least one of the upper layer of the compartment and the lower layer of the compartment. 13. A sampler device comprising: a top compartment layer; a lower compartment layer; a seal fixing the upper layer of the compartment to the lower layer of the compartment, thereby forming at least one compartment for containing sample material; and at least one reinforcing layer for protecting the compartment, wherein the at least one reinforcing layer has a side wall and wherein at least one of the upper layer of the compartment and the lower layer of the compartment is fixed on substantially all the side wall of at least one reinforcement layer. The sampler device according to Claim 13, wherein the reinforcing layer is fixed to a separate carrier. 15. A method of packaging sample material, comprising the steps of: permanently affixing a bottom layer of the compartment to a reinforcement layer, wherein the reinforcement layer includes a side wall defining an envelope, so that a portion of the lower layer of the compartment fits inside and conforms to the envelope; depositing sample material in the lower layer of the compartment, wherein substantially all of the sample material is deposited in the portion of the lower layer of the compartment within the envelope; and sealing an upper layer of the compartment to the lower layer of the compartment around the sample material. 16. A method of packaging sample material, comprising the steps of: attaching a lower layer of the compartment over substantially the entire side wall of a reinforcing layer, wherein the side wall defines a wrapping and wherein a portion of the Bottom layer of the compartment fits inside and conforms to the wrap; depositing sample material in the lower layer of the compartment, wherein substantially all of the sample material is deposited in the portion of the lower layer of the compartment within the envelope; and sealing the upper layer of the compartment to the lower layer of the compartment around the sample material. 17. A method of packaging sample material, comprising the steps of: sealing the sample material in a compartment comprising a top layer of the compartment, a bottom layer of the compartment and a seal: and protecting the compartment by setting conformably and permanently a reinforcing layer to the lower layer of the compartment. 18. A method of packaging sample material, comprising the steps of: cutting a first sheet of pressure sensitive material to form a plurality of cavities, wherein the first sheet includes a peel-off cover; permanently fixing a second flexible sheet of pressure-sensitive material on the first sheet, so that portions of the second flexible sheet are contained within each cavity; placing a plurality of reservoirs of sample material on the second sheet, so that substantially all of the reservoirs of the sample material are contained within each cavity; placing a third sheet on the second sheet and the plurality of sample material reservoirs; seal the third sheet to the second sheet around each deposit of sample material; and cutting the first, second and third sheets in individual sampler device by die, so that each sampler device is fixed to the detachable cover of the first sheet and where each sampler device contains deposits of sample material. 19. The method of packaging sample material according to claim 18, further comprising the step of winding the release cover and sampling devices in a storage coil. 20. A method of packaging sample material according to claim 18, further comprising the step of attaching each sampler device to a carrier for distribution.