Patent Application
20180160826
The present invention relates to providing and merchandising an array of hard surface cleaning products.
Cleaning products are well known in the art. Branded cleaning products include Swiffer® cleaning products, sold by the instant assignee. Swiffer® cleaning products include Swiffer® Dusters®, usable for cleaning for a variety of surfaces. Swiffer® cleaning products also particularly include Swiffer® Sweeper® dry cleaning cloths, Swiffer® WetJet® sheets and Swiffer® Wet cleaning cloths, usable for cleaning a floor and similar target surfaces.
These cleaning products typically comprise an implement and a refill. The implement is typically reused for many cleaning cycles. The refill is typically used for one cleaning cycle, and then discarded. A new refill may be used for the next cleaning cycle.
Implements and refills are typically displayed in an array. The array serves the purpose of allowing consumers to see, learn about and ultimately select the appropriate cleaning product, particularly refills, for the intended cleaning task. For example, commonly assigned 2010/0314265 discloses the use of colors to help consumers select a cleaning liquid suitable for the intended task. Commonly assigned 2014/0138512 discloses an array of cleaning products, particularly having segmented implement handles disposed in a sleeve.
But these teachings do not necessarily provide the consumer with adequate choices to understand which product is suitable or even an understanding whether or not an appropriate choice is offered. A Shapely value analysis may provide some indication of incremental purchases and sales, but does not focus on which cleaning products are most important. Accordingly, it is desired to provide an array of hard surface cleaning products which provides for sales to the consumer of cleaning products appropriate for a variety of tasks.
In one embodiment the invention comprises an array of hard surface cleaning sheets, the array comprising at least three skus selected from the group consisting of: a wood sku, an allergen sku, a natural sku, multi-surface sku, a pet sku and an anti-bacterial sku.
In one embodiment the invention comprises an array of hard surface cleaning sheets, the array comprising a microfiber sku and at least two skus selected from the group consisting of: a nonwoven wood sku, a nonwoven allergen sku, a nonwoven natural sku, a nonwoven multi-surface sku, a nonwoven pet sku and a nonwoven anti-bacterial sku.
In one embodiment the invention comprises an array of hard surface cleaning products, the array comprising at least three skus selected from the group consisting of: an allergen sku, multi-surface sku, and an anti-bacterial sku.
Referring to
The array 10 comprises plural refills 14 and optionally may comprise one or more multiply reusable implements 12. The implement 12 has a handle and a head portion joined thereto. The implement 12 is the portion of the cleaning system 10 which provides ergonomic convenience for the user, length to reach into places the user could not clean without undue extension, and prevents or minimizes direct contact with debris. The user typically grasps the handle to conveniently perform the cleaning task. The refill 14 is removably attachable to the head of the cleaning implement 12. It is understood the refills 14 may be manually used with or without a complementary implement 14.
The cleaning refill 14 is the portion of the cleaning system which gathers and retains debris from a target surface. The cleaning refill 14 is replaced, as needed. It is understood that a refill 14 intended to be disposable may be made of nonwoven, cellulosic and/or polyolefinic materials, particularly if executed as a floor sheet. A durable refill 14 executed as a floor sheet may be made of microfiber or other cloth material. A disposable refill 14 intended for dusting may comprise nonwoven materials and tow fibers, as is well known in the art. A durable refill 14 intended for dusting may comprise nylon fibers or the like permanently attached to a handle.
A disposable refill 14 is only used for one cleaning task or for very few cleaning tasks. A durable, multi-use or reusable refill 14 may be laundered or otherwise restored after one or more uses.
More particularly, one suitable type of cleaning refill 14 includes dry cleaning sheets usable for floor cleaning. Such sheets are used for cleaning a target surface, such as a hard floor, wall or other hard surface. Flooring commonly cleaned with such a sheet includes linoleum, tile, wood, etc. The dry sheet may include a tissue grade of paper, a synthetic nonwoven, or combination thereof, as is known in the art. If desired, the sheet may comprise a textured nonwoven. It is believed that the texture in this particular cleaning refill 14 helps to trap debris, for removal from the target surface and ultimate discarding with the disposable refill. A suitable cleaning refill 14 for dry floor cleaning may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,797,357; 6,936,330; D489,537; D499,887 and/or D511,251 S.
Alternatively, a pre-wetted cleaning sheet may be suitably used for the cleaning refill 14. The pre-wetted cleaning sheet may be impregnated with or saturated with aqueous solution optionally including surfactants. An exemplary pre-wetted sheet includes the Swiffer® Sweeper Wet Cloths sold by the instant assignee. A suitable sheet for absorbing deposited fluid may have an absorbent core, and be made generally according to the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,960,508; 6,003,191; 6,101,661; 6,716,805 and/or 6,766,552.
The refills 14 may also be used with water, or other cleaning solution deposited on the floor to solubilize debris. The sheets may be wetted and/or cleaning fluid may be distributed onto the floor from a reservoir. One suitable cleaning implement 12 for cleaning with a sheet and distributing cleaning fluid from a replaceable reservoir includes the Swiffer® WetJet® implement 12 sold by the instant assignee. Such an implement 12 may be used with absorbent sheet refills 14. The absorbent sheets may have a cellulose core for absorbency and may contain AGM. Such absorbent sheet refills may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,960,508; 6,386,392 B1; 6,601,261 B1; 6,663,306 B1; 6,766,552 B1; 6,722,806 B2; 7,172,099 B2; 8,186,898; D487,174 S; D518,935 S and/or D574,565 S.
The cleaning sheet may be used in conjunction with a refill 14 comprising liquid cleaner. The liquid cleaner may include surfactants, perfumes, anti-bacterial agents, etc. The liquid cleaner may be provided in a reservoir. A suitable liquid cleaner may be made according to commonly assigned: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,380,151, 6,979,371, 6,716,805; 6,936,580; 7,470,656; 6,559,116; 6,730,654; 7,331,355; 2005/0133174A1; 2005/0113277A1 and 2007/0110699A1.
The reservoir may be operably associated with the implement 12, so that liquid cleaner can be distributed on demand from the implement 12 to the target surface. The reservoir may be removable from the implement 12, to be replenished with a new reservoir or the reservoir may be refilled from a supply. A suitable reservoir usable as a cleaning refill 14 with the present invention may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,941; 6,685,056; 6,971,589; D467,809; D484,804; U.S. D485,178; D421,222; D456,268, and/or D492,203.
Refills 14 suitable for dusting, particularly for cleaning hard surfaces above the floor, include duster cleaning systems. The duster may be removably attachable to a handle type implement 12 and be usable for cleaning dust from a target surface such as shelving, tables, countertops, and from/between objects such as pictures, knick-knacks, electronics, etc.
The duster refill 14 may comprise one or more sheets with a plurality of fibers attached thereto. The fibers may comprise soft, pliable tow fibers as is known in the art. The sheet(s) may comprise one or more layers of a nonwoven. The sheet and tow fibers may be joined together for removably accepting attachment to the handle along a longitudinal axis. One common configuration is to have two adjacent, parallel elongate openings in the fibers for receiving the attachment portion of the duster implement 12. A suitable duster refill 14 may be made according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,813,801 B2; 7,451,517 and/or 2002/0148061 A1 and/or according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,161,594; 8,756,746; 8,893,345; 8,931,132; 9,198,553;
The duster refill 14 may optionally have one or more gather strips. The gather strips may extend transversely from the longitudinal axis, to provide additional flexible surface area for cleaning confined spaces. A suitable configuration for the gather strips is found in commonly assigned 7,830,726; D573,763 S; D573,764 S; D590,116 S and D591,017 S.
The duster implement 12 has a handle 22 comprising a grip and tines. The grip and tines may be rigidly or articulably joined together. A suitable handle 22 may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,564; Des. 420,561 or D578,720 S. The duster implement 12 may comprise one or more tines. The one or more tines may be elongate and sized to receivably and removably fit into the corresponding one or more duster cleaning refills 14. The duster cleaning refill 14 may then be held in place on the implement 12 by friction and or mechanical engagement. The implement 12 may be made according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,813,801 B2; 7,451,517; 8,758,564 and/or 2002/0148061 A1.
For convenience, the cleaning sheet refill 14 may be removably attached to a cleaning implement 12. Attachment may be accomplished using one or more grippers. Suitable grippers may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,305,046; 6,484,346; and/or 6,651,290. Alternatively the sheet refill 14 may be removably adhesively attached to the implement 12 or removably attached to the implement 12 using hook and loop fasteners.
The cleaning implement 12 may have an elongate handle for grasping by the user. The handle 22 may be attached to a head by a universal joint. The head may serve as the attachment portion of the implement 12. Suitable configurations for the cleaning implement 12 are shown in commonly assigned 2002/0042962 A1; Des. 409,343; Des. 423,724; D522,201 S; D554,815 S and/or D564,164 S. Suitable cleaning implements 12 include the Swiffer® Sweeper and Swiffer® SweeperVac® sold by the instant assignee. Alternatively the handle 22 and head portion 24 may be in fixed relationship, as often occurs with a loop handle. A suitable handle 22 may be made according to commonly assigned D552,314 S; D561,417 S; D571,069 S; and/or D578,720 S. The implement 12 may be assisted with a vacuum, as taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,137,169 B2 and/or 7,293,322 B2. The implement 12 may have a spray to deposit liquid cleaner on the floor as taught in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,006 and 5,988,920. The implement 12 may also be a steam mop as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,320,407.
Examining the invention in more detail, the invention comprises a plurality of skus. A sku represents a stock keeping unit. Particular skus are described herein. It is understood that a sku as described herein can be identified by indicia such as words, pictures and symbols which visually convey the information to a potential consumer. Relevant skus, as discussed herein, include a wood sku, an allergen sku, a natural sku, multi-surface sku, a pet sku, heavy duty sku and an anti-bacterial sku. It is understood that each sku of refills 14 is contained in a package appropriate for merchandising and sale to the consumer.
Of course, each sku may have multiple variants without departure from the claimed invention. For example, a sku may have multiple counts of refills 14. By way of nonlimiting example, a wood sku may include refills 12 in 10, 24 and 48 counts, and be directed towards oak, maple and other hardwoods. By way of further nonlimiting example, a pet sku may be directed towards dogs, cats and other companion examples in various counts.
As used herein, a wood sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use on wood floors. A wood sku comprising liquid refills 14, may for example, comprise liquid cleaner having indicia indicating the cleaner does not damage wood when used in accordance with the instructions. A wood sku comprising cleaning sheet refills 14 may have indicia indicating the sheets do not scratch the floor when used in accordance with the instructions.
As used herein, an allergen sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use in reducing allergens. Allergen reduction may, for example, occur due to removal of dander, dust mites, dust, lint, skin cells, etc. from the surfaces in the environment of the user.
As used herein, a natural sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use as provided without added dyes or perfumes. A natural sku may also contain ingredients such as baking soda, plant extracts, etc. A natural sku may also comprise refills 14 which contain at least 25% and preferably at least 50% post-consumer recycled content.
As used herein a free and gentle sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use as provided and which do not contain added dyes, perfumes or chemical which would be harsh to the touch or harsh to the target surface.
As used herein, a multi-surface sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use on a variety of different surfaces. Such different surfaces may include flooring such as hardwoods, tile, linoleum, granite, marble, vinyl, laptops, electronics, etc. Or such different surfaces may include floors, tables, countertops, bathtubs, showers, toilets, etc.
As used herein a heavy duty or extra power sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitablity for deep, thorough cleaning, and particularly deep thorough cleaning without requiring the user to clean a floor using an implement and preferably without getting on hands and knees during the cleaning task. The terms extra power and heavy duty are used interchangeably.
As used herein, a pet sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use in cleaning rooms occupied by or lived in by pets. The pets may include dogs, cats, hamsters, birds and other companion animals. The pet sku may particularly have indicia indicating the refill 14 is suitable for removing dog hair, cat hair and/or animal waste, from the target surface. The indicia may be disposed on the front face of the packaging for the refills 14.
As used herein, an anti-bacterial sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use in reducing bacteria on a surface to be cleaned. The anti-bacterial sku kills bacteria and germs on the target surface. The anti-bacterial sku may comprise perfumes, bleach, a liquid cleaner, an anti-bacterial agent disposed on a nonwoven sheet as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,716,805; 7,470,656; 7,569,530; 858,213; 8,871,700; 8,980,816; 9,127,240; 9,163,205; 9,186,642; 9,303,232 and 9,340,757.
As used herein, a basic sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use cleaning light messes and everyday cleaning tasks. A basic sku may have indicia indicating value and/or a lower price point.
As used herein, a small spaces sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use in smaller areas, such as dorm rooms, small apartments, etc. The small spaces sku may comprise refills 14 which are smaller in size than other refills 14, and particularly which are smaller than basic refills 14. A small spaces sku may have fewer refills than other skus, and particularly fewer refills 14 than are contained in the basic sku.
As used herein, a large spaces sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for use in larger areas, such as commercial and institutional setting, larger residential rooms, etc. The large spaces sku may comprise refills 14 which are larger in size than other refills 14, and particularly which are larger than basic refills 14. A large spaces sku may have more refills than other skus, and particularly more refills 14 than are contained in the basic sku.
As used herein, a scented sku comprises refills 14 which are suitable for and provided with indicia indicating suitability for cleaning and which exhibit one or more pleasant olfactorily detectable scents. The scents may exhibit, singularly or in combination, base notes, middle notes and/or top notes.
One of skill will recognize that the aforementioned skus may be executed in implements 12, as well as in refills 14. A starter kit may include a combination of at least one implement 12 and one or more refills 14, denominated in one or more of the skus described and claimed here. That is a single package in the array 10 may contain refills 14 directed to a first sku, a second sku and more skus as desired.
As used herein a nonwoven sku comprises refills 14 having sheets made of one or more nonwoven materials. Such a sku may include cellulose, AGM and other materials as helpful for a disposable refill 14.
As used herein a multi-use sku comprises refills 14 provided with indicia indicating and having sheets made of one or more microfiber or woven materials which can be sued for a plurality of cleaning tasked before being discarded. The indicia may indicate the refills 14 are usable for a period of time under normal usage conditions. Such a sku may have refills 14 comprising cotton, nylon, rayon and other cloth materials as helpful for a reusable refill 14. The terms multi-use, reusable and durable are used interchangeably and include microfiber sheets as well types of reusable sheets.
If desired, the same sku, e.g. a multi-use sku, an antibacterial sku, a large spaces sku, a heavy duty sku, etc., may be presented for each of the wet cleaning, dry cleaning and duster refills and/or implements 12. This arrangement provides an array 10 which allows the consumer to make consistent cleaning choices.
The cleaning systems according to the present invention may be displayed in one or more arrays 10 to make the purchase and the purchase decision more convenient. The array 10 may be in a brick and mortar store, a catalogue, on the internet, etc. The brick and mortar store may be a hardware store, grocery store, club store, kiosk, etc. The internet may use a dedicated website, a shopping website, a social media website, etc.
The array 10 may comprise one or more of the implements 12 described above disposed at a first height and a plurality of cleaning refills 14 useable with the cleaning systems 10 disposed at a second height. In this embodiment, the second height is lower than the first height so that the implements 12 are disposed above the respective refills 14 used within, or vice versa. The arrays 10 described herein allow for respective refills 14 to be stocked underneath the respective implements. This arrangement effectively utilizes store space and reduces consumer confusion.
In one embodiment, the array 10 has a first implement 12, a second implement 12, and a third implement 12 and a respective first refill 14, second refill 14, and third refill 14, wherein each implement 12 is associated with its respective refill 14 by being vertically aligned therewith. In addition or alternatively, each cleaning implement 12 may be associated with its respective refill 14 by color. The number implements 12 and refills 14 in the array 10 may vary depending on the particular store display.
Referring to
Each implement 12 in the array 10 may comprise packaging for a respective sku associated with a respective refill 14 or implement 12. The packages, the refills 14 therein, and advertisements therefor may comprise or predominantly comprise, colors of a common hue. The hue, and a particular shade thereof, may be associated with the trade dress and/or trademark of that product. The products, packaging and/or advertisements may exhibit a common brand and/or trademark. Furthermore, the implements 12 and/or refills 14 may show a photograph, figure or other indicium of the respective cleaning refill or implement. The photograph or figure may particularly help the consumer understand specific differences between the skus described and claimed herein. Less increase in household penetration occurs as a fifth sku is added to an array 10 having four skus.
But it has been surprisingly discovered that simply adding more skus is not effective in conveying to the consumer the efficacy and potential uses of the refills 14. For example, skus having refills 14 directed to small space cleaning, large space cleaning, particular scents, basic level cleaning, and gentle cleaning have been found less efficacious in conveying consumer understanding and increasing household penetration.
But surprisingly, skus having, in combination, refills directed to an array 10 of hard surface cleaning sheets, the array comprising at least three skus selected from the group consisting of: an allergen sku, a natural sku, multi-surface sku, a pet sku and an anti-bacterial sku have been surprisingly found to be more efficacious than other combinations of skus in an array 10. Such an array may have three, four or five refills 14 comprising the skus. These skus may comprise or consist of nonwoven sheet refills 14.
In one embodiment the invention particularly comprises an array of hard surface cleaning products, the array comprising at least three skus selected from the group consisting of: an allergen sku, multi-surface sku, and an anti-bacterial sku. Such an array may have three, four or five refills 14 comprising the skus. These skus may comprise or consist of nonwoven sheet refills 14.
Referring to
But, surprisingly adding yet a fourth sku modestly increases household penetration. Likewise, adding a fifth sku only modestly increases household penetration, particularly for the duster refills 14 and wet floor cleaning sheet refills 14.
It has surprisingly been found that merchandising the array 10 of cleaning products, particularly refills 14, usable for hard surface cleaning increases household penetration through accretion of new users, rather than duplication of existing users. By properly selecting the number, and type, of skus, undue complexity and the associated costs are avoided, while household penetration of new users is surprisingly achieved.
Combinations
The dimensions and other values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such value is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
