Display device assembly for personal care items

Abstract

A display device assembly for personal care items to be sampled includes a housing having an upper surface, a seat extending vertically down from the upper surface and a wall extending vertically up from the upper surface. The seat defines an interior cavity. A godet is disposed in the seat. The godet defines an interior cavity for storing the personal care item. The assembly includes a godet cover plate having an opening corresponding to the seat and a hook protruding from a perimeter of the godet cover plate. When assembled the godet cover plate rest on the upper surface of the housing and is held by frictional force of the hook and the wall such that the godet is secured within the seat. A cover is rotatably mounted to the housing and, when assembled, the cover encloses the upper surface to protect the personal care item stored in the godet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of copending, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, Ser. No. 60/674,121, filed Apr. 22, 2005, and Ser. No. 60/781,010, filed Mar. 10, 2006, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for displaying personal care items and, more particularly, to a retail display device for securely presenting for trial use samples of personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrances, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is commonplace to find devices for displaying personal care items in retail environments. For example, cosmetic products such as lipstick, mascara, face powders, nail varnishes, and the like, are typically displayed and a sample presented to potential customers for trial use prior to purchase. Given the number of different shades and intensities of various personal care products, consumers understandably wish to observe how a given product looks and/or smells when applied to their skin as the appearance and/or scent of such products often vary depending on characteristics of particular customers.

Many retail environments provide a sample product to the customers for trial use out of their inventory of products for sale. As can be appreciated, once used in such a sample capacity, the product becomes a not-for-sale sample product. One problem with such an approach is the large expense of providing such not-for-sale sample products of each and every one of the myriad colors, shades and scents available for each product. This expense alone dissuades many stores from offering product samples.

Another perceived problem associated with the not-for-sale sample approach is that some potential purchasers steal a percentage of such samples. Since a not-for-sale sample product is an otherwise fully acceptable retail product, there is an incentive to remove the sample from the retail environment particularly when the product is relatively expensive. To curve such theft, many retailer environments attempt to secure the not-for-sale samples. However, a balance must be struck between providing convenient access to product samples and securing such samples. If security measures are unduly cumbersome, customers will not try product samples and sales of such products can be adversely impacted. Cumbersome security measures can also cause difficulty to retailers as they attempt to disengage the measures to provide new samples or to refresh existing samples. As a result, retailers have realized that less secure measures, while user-friendly and relatively easy to operate, are ineffective at preventing theft.

Accordingly, efforts have been made to minimize the expense of offering product samples. That is, rather than removing product from an otherwise saleable condition or devising cumbersome security measures, retailers have turned to alternate products that are specifically designed for use as samples. For example, it is well known to use a paper product such as a card or strip that is scented with a fragrance offered for sale. The fragrance cards may be sprayed or dampened with a selected fragrance or may include microcapsules that can be crushed to release the fragrance enclosed therein. A prospective customer may sample the product on the card to determine whether it is satisfactory for purchase. A perceived disadvantage of such alternative products is that the fragrance employed on the alternative product often fades soon after it is provided for sampling (requiring repeated restocking of “fresh” samples) or is limited to provide a reduced formulation of the fragrance that can be stored within the microcapsules (typically of a diameter of only about a few microns). Another perceived disadvantage is that it is often difficult for a consumer to apply the fragrance to their skin (e.g., transfer the fragrance from the cards to their skin), so that consumers often do not know how the fragrance matches their particular body chemistry. Accordingly, even with a retailer's best efforts, potential customers do not experience the true scent of a selected fragrance.

Some retailers have employed another alternative product sample specifically designed to address, at least in part, the above noted true scent deficiency. The retailers provide semi-solid fragrances in containers or modules, generally referred to in the art as a “godet.” The semi-solid fragrance formulation can be designed to more closely approximate the formulation of the products offered for sale. Typically, godets storing solid fragrance are arranged on a tray and presented to potential customers for trial use prior to purchase. The inventors have realized that solid fragrance samples may be a preferred approach as prospective consumers are better able to control the area in which the solid is applied. The controlled application is seen as an improvement over conventional uses of spray fragrance samples where control over the location of a sprayed fragrance is more difficult to manage. In other words, application of a fragrance with a spray often results in covering a large area, thus limiting the number of fragrance that can be sampled before different samples overlap and produce different results. With solid fragrance samples, an increased number of samples can be tried in a given area, which may lead to a better shopping experience for prospective consumers. While the use of solid fragrance samples presented in godets may provide at least a solution to the true scent deficiency, providing effective measures for securing the sample godets still remains a problem.

Therefore, the inventors have realized that there remains a need for an improved retail display device for securely presenting for trial use samples of personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrances, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a display device assembly for personal care items to be sampled. The display device assembly includes a body having an upper surface and a platform extending vertically up and horizontally away from the upper surface. The body includes a plurality of seats extending vertically down from the upper surface. Each of the seats defines an interior cavity. The display device assembly also includes a plurality of godets. Each godet defines an interior cavity for storing the personal care items. When assembled the godets are disposed within the seats of the body. The display device assembly further includes a godet cover plate having a plurality of openings. Each of the openings of the godet cover plate correspond to one of the plurality of seats. In one embodiment, the godet cover plate is rotatably mounted to the body. When assembled the godet cover plate rest on the upper surface of the body to secure the godets within the seats. At least one fastener locks the godet cover plate to the upper surface of the body.

In one embodiment, the display device assembly further includes a cover rotatably mounted to the body. When assembled, the cover encloses the upper surface of the body to protect the personal care items stored in the godets. In one embodiment, the cover is comprised of a plurality of individual covers each corresponding to one of the plurality of godets.

In one aspect of the invention, a system for displaying personal care items in a retail environment is disclosed. The system includes a display fixture for presenting the personal care items to prospective consumers for purchase and a plurality of display device assemblies as described above coupled to at least one surface of the display fixture in at least one of a side-by-side or a stacked arrangement. In one embodiment, the display fixture is comprised of a personal care item service counter having a plurality of the display device assemblies coupled thereto. The service counter includes features to assist prospective consumers make purchases of personal care item by allowing the consumers to view the selected samples of the personal care items once applied. In another embodiment, the display fixture is comprised of a display rack having a plurality of shelves, at least one shelf having a plurality of the display device assemblies coupled thereto.

In another aspect of the invention, a display device assembly for a personal care item to be sampled includes a housing having an upper surface, a seat extending vertically down from the upper surface and a wall extending vertically up from the upper surface. The display device assembly also includes a godet defining an interior cavity for storing the personal care item. When assembled, the godet is disposed within the seat of the housing. The display device assembly further includes a godet retaining cover having an opening corresponding to the seat and a hook protruding from a perimeter of the godet retaining cover. When assembled the godet retaining cover rests on the upper surface of the housing and is held by frictional force of the hook and the wall of the housing such that the godet is secured within the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the figures provided.

FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of an improved retail display device configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the retail display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cover configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of the retail display devices of FIG. 1 employed within a retail environment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of an improved retail display device configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate one embodiment of the retail display device of FIG. 5 employed within a retail environment.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a method for restocking personal care items stored within the retail display device of FIG. 5.

In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description of all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, assembly view of an improved retail display device, shown generally at 10, for securely presenting for trial use samples of personal care items, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The retail display device 10 includes a body 12 having an upper surface 14 and a plurality of cavities or seats 20 (e.g., seats 20A-20D shown) extending vertically down from the upper surface 14 of the body 12. The seats 20 store a corresponding plurality of godets 30 (e.g., godets 30A-30D shown). A platform 16 extends vertically up and horizontally away from the upper surface 14 of the body 12. An intermediate wall 18 is disposed between the platform 16 and the upper surface 14. A rear wall 19 terminates the platform 16. FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the retail display device assembly 10 of FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the seats 20A-20D includes a floor 22 and a surrounding wall 24 that defines an interior cavity 25 of the seat 20 and couples the seat 20 to the upper surface 14 of the body 12. In one embodiment, an upper portion of the surrounding wall 24 includes a recess 26 about a periphery of the seat 20 for receiving a feature of the godet 30 such that, once installed in the seat 20, the godet 30 lies below or at least within a same plane as the upper surface 14. Preferably, the recess 26 includes a forward portion 28.

As is generally known, the godets 30 are suitable for storing personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrance, and the like. For clarity, the personal care items are not shown. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the godets 30 includes a floor 32 and a surrounding wall 34 that defines an interior cavity 35 of the godet that stores the personal care item. In one embodiment, the surrounding wall 34 includes a rim 36 extending outward from the interior cavity of the godet. Preferably, the rim 36 includes a forward projecting lip 38. The rim 36 and projecting lip 38 rest within the recess 26 and forward portion 28 of the seat 20, respectively. In one embodiment, graphical and/or textual indicia (not shown) is affixed to the projecting lip 38 for identifying the personal care item stored within the godet 30. For example, in one embodiment, the graphical and/or textual indicia may include a brand name, text describing the color or scent of the personal care item contained within the godet 30.

A godet cover plate 50 includes a plurality of apertures 52 (e.g., apertures 52A-52D shown) corresponding to the plurality of seats 20. The godet cover plate 50 is mounted to the intermediate wall 18 of the body 12 for example, by a hinge attachment 54A and 54B as is known in the art, to permit the godet cover plate 50 to rotate down (e.g., close) to rest on the upper surface 14. In this closed position, the godets 30 are secured within the seats 20 of the body 12 and cannot be removed without raising (e.g., opening) the godet cover plate 50. The apertures 52 of the godet cover plate 50 permit convenient access to the interior cavity 35 of the godet 30 and the personal care items stored therein. In one embodiment, the godet cover plate 50 includes a plurality of recesses 56 for receiving fasteners 58 such as, for example, screws, pins or dowels, for locking the godet cover plate 50 over the upper surface 14 of the body 12 to maintain the closed position and prevent opening of the godet cover plate 50 and removal of godets 30 by unauthorized persons. As should be appreciated, authorized personnel are permitted to unlock the godet cover plate 50 by removing the fasteners 58, raising the godet cover plate 50 and replenishing one or more of the personal care items within the godet 30. In one embodiment, individual ones of the godets 30 are replaceable. In another embodiment, the godets 30 can be refilled with personal care items.

A cover 60 is releasably fastened to the rear wall 19 of the body 12. In one embodiment, the cover 19 is mounted to the rear wall 19 of the body 12 by, for example, a hinge attachment 21A and 21B as is known in the art, to permit the cover 19 to be rotated down and enclose the upper surface 14. In one embodiment, the cover 60 encloses the upper surface 14 and the platform 16. In the enclosed position, the contents of the retail display device 10, e.g., the personal care items stored within the godets 30 are protected from contaminates and/or evaporation to provide, for example, a longer product life cycle. It should be appreciated that while shown in FIG. 1 as a unitary cover, it is within the scope of the present invention for cover 60 to include a plurality of individual covers for enclosing the upper surface 14 in proximity to individual ones of the plurality of godets 30. For example, FIG. 3 depicts a cover 60′ having a plurality of sections 60A′-60D′ that are aligned to enclose portions of the upper surface 14 in proximity to individual ones of the godets 30A-30D. The inventors have realized that the use of individual covers 60A′-60D′ for each of the godets 30 allows for a selective sampling of personal care items stored within each godet without, for example, one sample influencing the scent of another sample. As can be appreciated, the plurality of individual covers 60A′-60D′ is a preferred approach when the personal care items stored in the godets are fragrances.

In one aspect of the invention, the display device 10 includes a mounting bracket 70. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 70 includes a first leg 72 that is substantially horizontal and a second leg 74 that extends vertically from the first leg 74 at an angle. In one embodiment, the second leg 74 extends vertically from the first leg 72 at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45°). As shown in FIG. 1, the body 12 is affixed to the second leg 74 to improve visibility and accessibility to the display device 10 and the personal care item samples presented thereon. The first leg 72 is typically fastened to a supporting surface in the retail environment such as, for example, a counter, display case, shelf or the like.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the components of the display device 10, e.g., the base 12, the godets 30, the godet cover plate 50, the cover 60 and the mounting bracket 70, are formed of a synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene or the like. Preferably, the godet cover plate 50 and the cover 60 are transparent such that prospective purchasers may view the personal care items disposed within the display device 10.

In one embodiment, two or more of the display devices 10 are placed in side-by-side or a stacked arrangement such that a multitude of personal care items samples are presented to potential consumers. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of display devices 10 employed by a retailer in a variety of different ways in a retail environment 100. For example, two display devices 10 are depicted in a side-by side arrangement 110 on a personal care item service counter 120. While at the service counter 120 prospective consumers may view and try sample personal care items presented in each of the display devices 10. Typically, the service counter 120 includes features to assist prospective consumers make product selections such as, for example, a mirror 122 and applicators 124 are provided so that, once applied, the consumer may view a selected personal care item. As shown in FIG. 4, the side-by-side arrangement 110 of display devices 10 includes features to attract prospective consumers and increase the possibility of a sale. In one embodiment, side panels 112 and 114 are coupled to opposing ends of the side-by-side arrangement 110. The side panels 112 and 114 may include graphical and/or textual indicia (not shown) for identifying individual personal care items or product lines of items stored within the display devices 10. For example, in one embodiment, the graphical and/or textual indicia may include models depicted wearing the personal care items, brand names, or text describing the color or scent of the personal care items contained within the display devices 10.

FIG. 4 also illustrates four display devices 10 in a side-by-side arrangement 210 secured to a shelf 222 of a display rack 220. As shown, the display rack 220 may display a variety of different personal care items 230 to prospective consumers for purchase. A stacked arrangement 310 of display devices 10 is also depicted on the display rack 220. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the arrangements 210 and 310 permit a retailer to offer samples of personal care items in areas where space limitations do not permit an otherwise full personal care item service counter, such as service counter 120. In one embodiment, the side-by-side 210 and stacked 310 arrangements include similar features for attracting consumers such as, for example, side panels 212 and 214, and 312 and 314, similar to the side panels 112 and 114, respectively. While not shown in FIG. 4, it should be appreciated that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide any number of display devices 10 in a modular form arranged to suit the needs of particular retail environments. For example, some retail environments will employ more or less than the illustrated two and four side-by side modular arrangements 110 and 210 and the stacked modular arrangement 310 of display devices 10.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded, assembly view of an improved retail display device, shown generally at 410, for securely presenting for trial use samples of personal care items, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The retail display device 410 includes a housing 412 having an upper surface 414, a cavity or seat 420 extending vertically down from the upper surface 414, and a wall 418 extending vertically up from the upper surface 414 of the housing 412. In one embodiment, the housing 412 has a circular shape and the wall 418 terminates the upper surface 414 at a periphery of the housing 412. In one embodiment, a forward and a rear portion of the upper surface 414 include apertures 412A and 412B, respectively, for receiving features of the retail display device 410 described in detail below.

In accordance with the present invention, the seat 420 stores a corresponding godet 430. The seat 420 includes a floor 422 and a surrounding wall 424 that defines an interior portion of the seat 420 and couples the seat 420 to the upper surface 414 of the housing 412. In one embodiment, an upper portion of the surrounding wall 424 includes a recess 426 about a periphery of the seat 420 for receiving a feature of the godet 430 such that, once installed in the seat 420, the godet 430 lies below or at least within a same plane as the upper surface 414 of the housing 412. Preferably, the recess 426 includes a forward portion 428.

As is generally known, the godet 430 is suitable for storing personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrance, and the like. For clarity, the personal care items are not shown. As is shown in FIG. 5, the godet 430 includes a floor 432 and a surrounding wall 434 that defines an interior cavity 435 of the godet 430 that stores the personal care item. In one embodiment, the surrounding wall 434 includes a rim 436 extending outward from the interior cavity 435 of the godet 430. Preferably, the rim 436 includes a forward projecting lip 438. The rim 436 and projecting lip 438 rest within the recess 426 and forward portion 428 of the seat 420, respectively.

A godet retaining cover 450 includes a first aperture 452 corresponding to the seat 420, a second aperture 454 corresponding to the aperture 412A in the forward portion of the housing 412, and a third aperture 456 corresponding to the aperture 412B in the rear portion of the housing 412. In one embodiment, a hook 458 protrudes from a perimeter of the godet retaining cover 450. The godet retaining cover 450 is mounted to the housing 412 such that the cover 450 rests on the upper surface 414 within the periphery of the upper surface 414 and is held by, for example, frictional force of the hook 458 and the wall 418 of the housing 412. In accordance with the present invention, when mounted to the housing 412, the godet retaining cover 450 secures the godet 430 within the seat 420 of the housing 412 such that the godet 430, and personal care item stored therein, cannot be removed from the retail display device 410. The first aperture 452 of the godet retaining cover plate 450 permits convenient access to the interior cavity 435 of the godet 430 and the personal care items stored therein.

A cover 460 is releasably fastened to the housing 412. In one embodiment, the cover 460 is mounted within the aperture 412B in the rear portion of the housing 412 by, for example, a hinge attachment 462 as is known in the art, to permit the cover 460 to be rotated down from an open position to an enclosed position such that the godet retaining cover 450, godet 430 as well as the upper surface 414 and wall 418 of the housing 412 are enclosed. In the enclosed position, the contents of the retail display device 410, e.g., the personal care items stored within the godet 430, are protected from contaminates and/or evaporation to provide, for example, a longer product life cycle. In the open position, potential consumers may sample the personal care items within the godet 430 accessible through the corresponding aperture 452 in the godet retaining cover 450.

In one embodiment, the cover 460 includes a lip 464 that extends horizontally from the cover 460 in a direction away from an outer perimeter of the housing 412. As should be appreciated, the lip 464 assists a potential consumer lifting the cover 460 and rotating the cover 460 to the open position. Alternatively, the lip 464 assists the consumer in closing the cover 460. In one embodiment, graphical and/or textual indicia 466 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) is affixed to the cover 460 for identifying the personal care item stored within the godet 430. For example, in one embodiment, the graphical and/or textual indicia 466 include a brand name and text describing the color or scent of the personal care item contained within the godet 430.

In one aspect of the invention, the display device 410 includes a backer board 470. The backer board 470 includes a plurality of locations (e.g., four locations 471A-471D shown) adapted to receive a plurality of the housings 412. In one embodiment, the backer board 470 includes a securing platform 472 having an aperture 474 for receiving a fastener 476 such as, for example, a screw, pin or dowel, for locking the housing 412 to the backer board 470 (and/or mounting bracket described below) and preventing removal of the housing 412 and godet 430 by unauthorized persons. As should be appreciated, authorized personnel are permitted to unlock and remove the fastener 476 to remove and/or replace individual ones of the housings 412. In one embodiment, the backer board 470 is of a curved shape to improve visibility of the contents of the housing 412 (e.g., the personal care items stored in the godet 430). In one embodiment, graphical and/or textual indicia 478 (FIG. 6A) is affixed to the backer board 470 for identifying the personal care item stored within the godet 430 and/or providing information, for example, instructional information for sampling the personal care items.

In one embodiment, the retail display device 410 includes a mounting bracket 480. The mounting bracket 480 receives the backer board 470 and provides a platform such that the permits the backer board 470 to be fastened to a supporting surface in the retail environment such as, for example, a counter, display case, shelf or the like. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 480 includes a plate 482 that extends vertically from a rod 484 at an angle. In one embodiment, the plate 482 extends vertically from the rod 484 at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45°). As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the housing 410 and backer board 470 are affixed to the mounting bracket 480 to improve visibility and accessibility to the display device 410 and the personal care item samples presented thereon. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the rod 484 is typically fastened to the supporting surface in the retail environment by, for example, a snap on/off detail 486 as is generally known in the art.

As with the display device 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the components of the display device 410, e.g., the housing 412, the godet 430, the godet retaining cover 450 and the cover 460, are formed of a synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene or the like. In one embodiment, the components are molded. Preferably, the godet retaining plate 450 is transparent such that prospective purchasers may view the personal care items disposed within the display device 410.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, two or more of the display devices 410 are placed in side-by-side arrangement such that a multitude of personal care items samples are presented to potential consumers. It should be appreciated that a retailer may employ a plurality of the display devices 410 in a variety of different ways (e.g., side-by-side or stacked arrangements) to best achieve a desired retail environment.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a method for removing the godet 430 from the housing 412. As shown in FIG. 7A, the cover 460 is lifted (pivoted open) in a direction indicated by arrow A1. Next, a force is applied in the direction indicated by arrow A2 (FIG. 7B) along the periphery of the upper surface 414 of the housing 412 to offset the frictional engagement of the hook 458 and the wall 418 such that the godet retaining cover 450 may be removed from the upper surface of the housing 412 (FIG. 7C). A force is then applied in a direction indicated by arrow A3 (FIG. 7D) to a bottom surface of the housing 412 in proximity to the seat 420 such that the godet 430 is disposed from the seat 420 (FIG. 7E). The godet 430 may then be replaced and a new godet 430 reinstalled in the seat by reversing the aforementioned process steps.

One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, many construction techniques and materials may be utilized. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A display device assembly for personal care items to be sampled, the display device assembly comprising:

a body having an upper surface and a platform extending vertically up and horizontally away from the upper surface, the body including a plurality of seats extending vertically down from the upper surface, each of the seats defining an interior cavity;

a plurality of godets each defining an interior cavity for storing the personal care items, when assembled the godets are disposed within the seats;

a godet cover plate having a plurality of openings, each of the openings corresponding to one of the plurality of seats, the godet cover plate being rotatably mounted to the body and when assembled the godet cover plate rest on the upper surface to secure the godets within the seats; and

at least one fastener for locking the godet cover plate to the upper surface.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the godet cover plate is comprised of a transparent synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength.

3. The display device assembly of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an intermediate wall disposed between the upper surface and the platform and wherein the godet cover plate is rotatably mounted to the intermediate wall.

4. The display device assembly of claim 3, wherein the godet cover plate is rotatably mounted to the intermediate wall by means of a hinge arrangement.

5. The display device assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover being rotatably mounted to the body and when assembled the cover encloses the upper surface to protect the personal care items stored in the godets.

6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the cover is comprised of a transparent synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength.

7. The display device of claim 5, wherein the cover is comprised of a plurality of individual covers each corresponding to one of the plurality of godets.

8. The display device assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting bracket affixed to the body for supporting the display device assembly in a manner which improves visibility and accessibility of the personal care items.

9. The display device assembly of claim 8, wherein the mounting bracket includes:

a first leg that is substantially horizontal; and

a second leg that extends vertically from the first leg at an angle.

10. The display device assembly of claim 9, wherein the second leg extends vertically from the first leg at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45°).

11. The display device assembly of claim 9, wherein the first leg is fastened to a supporting surface in a retail environment.

12. The display device assembly of claim 11, wherein the supporting surface is one of a counter, a display case and a shelf of a display rack.

13. A system for displaying personal care items in a retail environment, the system comprising:

a display fixture for presenting the personal care items to prospective consumers for purchase; and

a plurality of display device assemblies coupled to at least one surface of the display fixture in at least one of a side-by-side or a stacked arrangement, each of the plurality of display devices assemblies presenting a plurality of the personal care items to be sampled prior to purchase, each display device assembly comprising: a body having an upper surface and a platform extending vertically up and horizontally away from the upper surface, the body including a plurality of seats extending vertically down from the upper surface, each of the seats defining an interior cavity; a plurality of godets each defining an interior cavity for storing the personal care items to be sampled, when assembled the godets are disposed within the seats; a godet cover plate having a plurality of openings, each of the openings corresponding to one of the plurality of seats, the godet cover plate being rotatably mounted to the body and when assembled the godet cover plate rest on the upper surface to secure the godets within the seats; at least one fastener for locking the godet cover plate to the upper surface; and a mounting bracket affixed to the body and to the surface of the display fixture for supporting the display device assembly in a manner which improves visibility and accessibility of the personal care item samples.

14. The system for displaying personal care items of claim 13, wherein the display fixture is comprised of a personal care item service counter having a plurality of the display device assemblies coupled thereto, the service counter including features to assist prospective consumers make purchases of personal care item by allowing the consumers to view the selected samples of the personal care items once applied.

15. The system for displaying personal care items of claim 13, wherein the display fixture is comprised of a display rack having a plurality of shelves, at least one shelf having a plurality of the display device assemblies coupled thereto.

16. A display device assembly for a personal care item to be sampled, the display device assembly comprising:

a housing having an upper surface, a seat extending vertically down from the upper surface and a wall extending vertically up from the upper surface;

a godet defining an interior cavity for storing the personal care item, when assembled the godet is disposed within the seat of the housing; and

a godet retaining cover having an opening corresponding to the seat and a hook protruding from a perimeter of the godet retaining cover, and when assembled the godet retaining cover rests on the upper surface of the housing and is held by frictional force of the hook and the wall of the housing such that the godet is secured within the seat.

17. The display device of claim 16, wherein the godet retaining cover is comprised of a transparent synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength.

18. The display device assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a cover being releasably mounted to the housing and when assembled the cover encloses the upper surface to protect the personal care item stored in the godet.

19. The display device assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover is rotatably mounted to the housing to permit the cover to rotate from an open position to a closed position, in the open position the aperture in the godet retaining cover is exposed such that potential consumers may sample the personal care items within the godet, and in the closed position the cover encloses the godet retaining cover, the godet, and the upper surface and wall of the housing.

20. The display device assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover includes a lip extending horizontally from the cover in a direction away from an outer perimeter of the housing.

21. The display device of claim 18, wherein the cover is comprised of a transparent synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength.

22. The display device assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a backer board having a plurality of locations, each location being adapted to receive the housing such that a plurality of personal care items are displayed.

23. The display device assembly of claim 22, wherein the backer board is comprised of a curved shape to improve visibility and accessibility of the personal care items within the plurality of housings.

24. The display device assembly of claim 22, wherein the backer board is fastened to a supporting surface in a retail environment.

25. The display device assembly of claim 24, wherein the supporting surface is one of a counter, a display case and a shelf of a display rack.