JP2004503014A - System for the selection of feminine hygiene products - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is provided for providing women with the most appropriate feminine hygiene product needs. The system provides a means for collecting and processing user-specific information. The means for collecting information from a user, generating a product recommendation based on the collected user information, receiving feedback on the product recommendation from the user before using the product recommendation; Providing a recommendation for a new product to the user based on the feedback of the user.

Description

[0001]
(Field of the Invention)
The present invention provides a system for providing women with the most appropriate items of feminine hygiene products, which collects information from users and creates product recommendations based on the collected user information. Receiving before use feedback on the product recommendation, and providing a new product recommendation to the user based on the user feedback.
[0002]
(Background of the Invention)
Feminine hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and incontinence pads, are devices commonly worn on the crotch region of underwear. The interlabial device is a feminine hygiene product usually designed to be worn within the wearer's interlabial space. Other feminine hygiene devices, such as tampons, are designed to be worn inside the vagina. All of these devices are designed to absorb or otherwise contain fluids and other excretions from the human body and prevent soiling of the body and clothing. Sanitary napkins are a type of absorbent article worn by women in panties, usually placed between the wearer's legs and adjacent to the perineum of the body.
Feminine hygiene products with many different basic designs are known in the art. These products have several important features that affect the performance of these products. For example, feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins may include or include certain features such as their absorbency, their length, the area of the underwear they cover, the thickness of the underwear, and the wings or flaps. Not about different.
[0003]
Currently, feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins are usually sold in packages containing from 10 to 50 quantities of a single type of product. As a result, many consumers purchase and use a single type of product for all their menstrual protection needs. The nature of feminine hygiene products (eg, length, area, and characteristics) required to contain and contain body fluids may vary significantly between day and night use, but the reality is so. Similarly, the characteristics of feminine hygiene products needed to contain body fluids without leakage will vary for different groups of consumers based on factors such as body size and menstrual cycle characteristics.
Further complicating the current situation with respect to feminine hygiene products, the large number of different types of products available allows consumers to determine which products best fit their protective needs. About the fact that is often misled. According to a recent survey of typical retailers, 103 different types of feminine hygiene products were displayed for sale to consumers. According to another recent survey, approximately 70% of consumers reported purchasing the wrong type of sanitary napkin and / or panty liner at least once within the six months prior to the survey. Clearly, there is a need for customized production of feminine products for users of feminine hygiene products.
[0004]
The use of feminine hygiene products systems by consumers in the development of the present invention provides consumers with better protection and peace of mind compared to using a single product for all menstrual protection purposes. Was found. Nevertheless, the choice of an appropriate system is difficult due to the few options available. Based on the many different types of products currently on the market, it is estimated that there are well over 10,000 possible combinations for systems containing only two different types of feminine hygiene products. This number increases geometrically, given that the system encompasses more than two different products.
Ideally, a suitable system for feminine hygiene products is selected from two or more available systems, where each such system is designed for a particular group of consumers. Being a member of a particular group is based on factors such as body size and characteristics of the menstrual cycle.
[0005]
During the development of the method of the present invention, it has also been found that many women, especially those who do not actually have heavy flow intensity, are not as good at describing flow intensity as compared to other consumers. Was. The most recent available feminine hygiene products describe the differences between the various available products simply in terms of the consumer's own flow strength or the consumer's assessment of the need for overall protection. It's just It has been found that a better product selection of a feminine hygiene product system can be obtained by the method of the present invention, which relies not only on sensed flow, but at least in part on an indication of the need for protection. Ideally, at least some of these indicators are an objective part of the information that should be known to most consumers. In this way, consumers can be more easily provided with a suitable feminine hygiene product system without having to imagine which product best fits their needs. The ideal method for the selection and use of a feminine hygiene product system also requires the consumer to select the system based solely on subjectivity (and often incorrect indicators) such as self-awareness of flow intensity. To eliminate.
[0006]
Another desire is to provide a customized bespoke female product selection system that can be used in interactive media such as the Internet. The Internet, a personal computer, and one or more servers allow a user to access a computer program that not only allows for the input of objective data regarding flow characteristics, but also allows for the customization of a computer. The selection of the women's product made in response to this can be fed back and corrected (ie, "fine-tuned").
[0007]
The concept of special product selection has been addressed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,585, issued to Miller on November 24, 1998, describes a method for selling absorbent products that allows a user to select one or more types of absorbent products. It has been described. However, such an option does not provide for the use of a computer, nor is it an Internet-based system at issue. U.S. Patent No. 5,865,322, issued February 2, 1999 to Miller, provides a selection of feminine hygiene products using a computer, but provides an interactive selection of feminine hygiene products ( (E.g., using a feedback engine) and no such product selection on the Internet is provided. US Patent No. 5,947,302, issued to Miller on September 7, 1999, is slightly closer than the previous two patents by providing an interactive computer selection of women's products. Such interactivity is limited to three to four inputs by the user, and there is no feedback engine by which the user can correct or "fine tune" the computer selection; and Miller '302 is available on the Internet. Do not use such computer choices in
[0008]
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for the selection and use of tailor made systems for feminine hygiene products.
A method for a custom made selection of a feminine hygiene product system from one or more available systems, the selection comprising at least the size of the consumer's body, and preferably consumption. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method that is based on information gathered from consumers regarding certain characteristics associated with a person's menstrual cycle.
A feminine hygiene system that is compatible with a particular group of consumers and that, when used, would achieve a reduced incidence of soiling compared to using a single type of feminine hygiene product It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for the selection and use of a product system.
[0009]
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reliable method for the selection and use of an appropriate feminine hygiene product system, in which the information gathered by the consumer will Information of at least some objective parts that are expected to be known by the person.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent with reference to the following description and when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0010]
(Summary of the Invention)
Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for providing users with the most appropriate feminine hygiene product needs. Moreover, the present invention includes means for collecting and processing user-specific information. Means for collecting information from a user, creating a product recommendation based on the collected user information, receiving feedback about the product recommendation from the user prior to using the product recommendation, And providing a recommendation for a new product to the user based on the user's feedback. The system may further include the step of packaging the feminine hygiene product, which is manufactured to the user's special order, for shipping. Also preferably, the new product recommendation will be delivered to the user. The user will use the product, and will then be provided at least once with the opportunity to provide post-use feedback to the system regarding the use of the new product recommendation. Based on this post-use recommendation, a new post-use product recommendation may be created.
[0011]
(Detailed description of the invention)
The present invention provides a system for providing users with the need for the most appropriate feminine hygiene products. Moreover, the present invention includes means for collecting and processing user-specific information. Means for collecting information from a user, creating a product recommendation based on the collected user information, receiving feedback from the user about the recommended product before using the product recommendation, And providing a recommendation for a new product to the user based on the user's feedback. The system may further preferably include the additional step of packaging for shipping a selection of feminine hygiene products made to the user's special order (ie, shipping the product to the user). Also preferably, the new product recommendation will be delivered to the user. The user will use the product, and will then be provided with an opportunity to give the system post-use feedback on the use of the new product recommendation. Based on this post-use feedback, a new post-use product recommendation may and will preferably be made.
[0012]
All of the above steps may be accomplished by a single operator collecting information from the user. Most preferably, the above functions involve some type of input to a computer at one or more stages of data collection and processing of user information. For example, a computer incorporating a program created for specific user input may be used. The term "specific user input" is used herein to refer to a computer program asking specific questions related to a user's menstrual cycle related to the user's physiology, body structure, and psychological trends. means.
[0013]
The computer program is preferably specially designed to gather clear and accurate responses from the female user about the female menstrual cycle about her physiology, body structure, and psychological trends . The term "psychological tendency" or "psychological" is used herein to refer to information specifically related to a woman's attitude about the woman's menstrual cycle (i.e., the woman's entire 28-30 day cycle) ( That is, mental and / or emotional tendency). Furthermore, a woman's psychological information is used to recognize her tendency to use the product by correctly determining her attitude and / or mood regarding her physiology. See, for example, Example I below. It has been statistically shown that women's attitudes to menstruation, combined with some basic personality characteristics, can provide a tendency to use at least one type of product over others for the protection of menstruation. It is shown.
[0014]
The computer program may be based on a personal or laptop computer, or on one or more other servers and / or servers accessible by the computer. Most preferably, the computer program is accessible via the Internet via a dial-up connection or through a computer network. The computer program may also be accessible by a simple dial-up connection that bypasses the Internet.
[0015]
One major goal of the program is to provide a high level of interactive experience between the user and the interactive feedback data processing system (IFDP). Another goal is to provide female users a selection of truly tailor made feminine hygiene products. Product selection may include one or more types of product in special and preferably individual packaging not available in the store's standard product type selection. If the user provides feedback on the initial product recommendation, and if anything is recommended, the user will select the number of products selected, the type selected, and any special and / or individual packaging provided. You may change it. From this pre-use feedback, IFDP immediately uses the pre-use feedback provided by the user to create another product recommendation. The term "pre-use feedback" as used herein means the feedback initially provided by a user before the user has had the opportunity to use her product recommendations.
Once IFDP creates a recommendation for a second or new product. As a result, the user may choose to have her recommendations specially packaged and then sent to her. The user can also provide additional feedback before the final product recommendation is created by IFDP, before her final product recommendation is created. Once the final product recommendation has been made, the product is said to have been tailor made, ie, made and numbered for personal use by the female product selector.
[0016]
In one embodiment herein, an interactive feedback data processing system is used to tailor a user's need for the most appropriate feminine hygiene product. The system includes a personal computer used by a user and at least one server connected to the personal computer by one or more connections. The computer program is preferably located on a server and is accessible by a user through a connection. The computer program provides a method comprising the following steps:
i. The process of collecting information from users,
ii. Creating a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product based on the collected user information,
iii. Using a feedback engine in the computer program to specially process the information collected from the user;
iv. Predicting the selection of the most appropriate product for the user,
v. Selecting a custom made system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems, each of the available systems comprising at least two different hygiene products; And a system tailor-made for the feminine hygiene product is selected based on the information gathered from the user,
vi. Communicating to the user a selection of the tailor made feminine hygiene products; and vii. Using the feedback engine to verify and complete with the user a selection of feminine hygiene products made to the user's special order.
[0017]
In yet another embodiment of the present specification, the above seven steps are used, but an interactive, Internet-based, tailor-made request for the user's needs for feminine hygiene products. A data processing system is provided, which includes a personal computer used by a user, the personal computer being connected to at least one server via the Internet. In other words, the user's personal computer and the server are connected to each other via an Internet connection. One or more computer programs are located on the server as in the previous embodiment.
[0018]
(Example)
Which better describes your idea of an ideal menstrual day?
A) Flying to a tropical island by air, completely dressed and beautiful, dressed in the finest clothes, where very attractive men are waiting to meet me.
B) Take a luxurious bath, lie down on the most comfortable sofa with a big box of delicious chocolates, watch all your favorite movies on TV, and chat with friends on the phone.
An answer of "A" would result in recommending the inclusion of a tampon, while an answer of "B" would include a pad. The above questions are specifically designed to trigger and then recognize the female attitude and / or mood caused by the female physiology. These types of questions are for teenagers.
[0019]
All patent specifications, patent applications (and any patents issued as a result of filing, and any corresponding issued foreign patent applications) and any publications referred to in this patent application are hereby incorporated by reference. Is incorporated by reference. However, it is expressly stated that none of the documents incorporated by reference into this description teach or teach the present invention. It is also stated that none of the commercial materials and products described herein are teaching or disclosing the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the objects regarded as forming the invention, the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. And similar designations are used in the accompanying drawings to designate substantially equivalent elements.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating one process of product selection herein.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing another process of product selection in the present specification.

Claims (11)

A system that provides users with the most appropriate feminine hygiene product needs,
Means for collecting and processing user-specific information, the means comprising: i. Collecting information from the user and creating a product recommendation based on the collected user information;
ii. Receiving feedback about the product recommendation from a user prior to using the product recommendation; and iii. A system for providing a recommendation of a new product to the user based on the user feedback. The system of claim 1, further comprising an additional step of packaging a selection of feminine hygiene products made to the user's special order. A system that provides users with the most appropriate feminine hygiene product needs,
Including means for collecting and processing user-specific information, the means comprising:
i. The process of collecting information from users,
ii. Creating a product recommendation based on the collected user information;
iii. Receiving pre-use feedback from the user about the product recommendation before using the product recommendation;
iv. Providing a recommendation for a new product to the user based on the user's feedback;
v. Packaging the new product recommendation;
vi. Delivering the new product recommendation to the user;
vii. Using the new product recommendation;
viii. A user providing post-use feedback on the use of the new product recommendation; and ix. A system for providing a recommendation for a new product based on the post-use feedback of the user. An interactive feedback data processing system specifically tailored to the needs of women's hygiene products most appropriate for the user,
Including means for interactively collecting and processing user-specific information, the means comprising:
i. The process of collecting information from users,
ii. Creating a product recommendation based on the collected user information;
iii. Using a feedback engine to specially process the collected information from a user;
iv. Predicting an appropriate product selection for the user based on the collected user information and feedback;
v. Selecting a specially tailored system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems, wherein each of the available systems comprises at least two different hygiene products; Selecting a specially tailored system based on said information collected from the user;
vi. Communicating to the user the selection of the specially made feminine hygiene product; and vii. A system that provides a step of using the feedback engine to validate and complete with a user a selection of a specially crafted feminine hygiene product for the user. 2. The means for interactively collecting and processing user-specific information comprises the additional step of packaging a selection of feminine hygiene products tailor-made for the user for shipping. An interactive feedback data processing system according to claim 1. The interactive feedback data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the user-specific information is selected from the group consisting of body structure data, psychological data, age data, and combinations thereof. The user-specific information is used to provide at least one additional targeted sample, along with a selection of feminine hygiene products tailor-made for the user, wherein the targeted sample is provided. The interactive feedback data processing system of claim 1, wherein is not recommended to a user. An interactive feedback data processing system specifically tailored to the needs of women's hygiene products most appropriate for the user,
Including means for interactively collecting and processing information, the means comprising:
i. The process of collecting information from users,
ii. Creating a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product based on the collected user information,
iii. Using a feedback engine to specially process the collected information from a user;
iv. Predicting the most appropriate product selection for the user based on the collected user information and feedback;
v. Selecting a specially tailored system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems, wherein each of the available systems comprises at least two different hygiene products; Selecting a specially tailored system based on said information collected from the user;
vi. Communicating the selection of the specially manufactured feminine hygiene product to the user;
vii. Using the feedback engine to validate and complete with the user the selection of the user's specially crafted feminine hygiene products;
viii. Delivering to the user a selection of the user's specially made feminine hygiene products;
ix. Receiving post-use feedback from a user after use of said specially manufactured feminine hygiene product selection; and x. A system for providing a user with a recommendation for a new product, predicted from the received post-use feedback. An interactive feedback data processing system specifically tailored to the needs of women's hygiene products most appropriate for the user,
a. Personal computer used by the user,
b. At least one server connectable to said personal computer by connection;
c. A computer program located on the server and accessible by a user through the connection, wherein the computer program comprises:
i. The process of collecting information from users,
ii. Creating a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product based on the collected information of the user,
iii. Using a feedback engine to specially process the collected information from a user;
iv. The process of predicting the selection of the most appropriate product for the user,
v. Selecting a specially tailored system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems, wherein each of the available systems comprises at least two different hygiene products; Selecting a specially tailored system based on said information gathered from the user; and vi. Communicating the selection of the specially manufactured feminine hygiene product to the user;
vii. A system comprising a method for providing a step of using the feedback engine to validate and complete with a user a selection of a specially crafted feminine hygiene product for the user. An interactive Internet-based data processing system specifically tailored to the needs of women's hygiene products that are most appropriate for the user,
a. A personal computer used by a user capable of connecting to the Internet,
b. At least one server capable of connecting to the Internet,
c. An internet connection established between the personal computer and the at least one server; and d. A computer program located on the server and accessible by a user through the internet connection, wherein the computer program comprises:
i. Collecting information from a user using a computer used by the user, wherein the computer is connected to the Internet and at least one server connected to the Internet, wherein the server is a feedback system based on the Internet. A process containing
ii. Creating a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product based on the collected user information,
iii. Creating a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product based on the collected user information,
iv. Using a feedback engine to specially process the collected information from a user;
v. The process of predicting the selection of the most appropriate product for the user,
vi. Selecting a specially tailored system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems, wherein each of the available systems comprises at least two different hygiene products; Selecting a specially tailored system based on said information collected from the user;
vii. Communicating the selection of the specially manufactured feminine hygiene product to the user;
viii. Using the feedback engine to verify the user's selection of a specially crafted feminine hygiene product; and ix. A method comprising providing a step of completing a computer hygiene product selection predicted by the user's computer. A method of interactively collecting and processing information to provide a selection of the most appropriate, specially crafted feminine hygiene products;
a. Collect information from users,
b. Creating a recommendation for a feminine hygiene product based on the collected user information;
c. Using a feedback engine to specially process the collected information from the user;
d. Anticipate the choice of the most appropriate product for the user,
e. Selecting a specially tailored system of feminine hygiene products from at least two available systems, wherein each of the available systems comprises at least two different hygiene products; That a specially crafted system is selected based on menstrual and psychological information collected from the user;
f. Communicating to the user the selection of the specially made feminine hygiene product; and g. Using the feedback engine to validate and complete the user's selection of a specially made feminine hygiene product with the user.

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