Abstract:
The invention includes a selector for recommending a product such as a food waste disposer based on at least a first and second question although additional questions could be used. The selector includes a base, a first moveable member, and a second moveable member. The base identifies the first question and the second question. The base may also have a first marker associated with the first question. The first moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the first marker. The first moveable member has a first response portion and a second marker. The first response portion is associated with the first question and the second marker is associated with the second question. The second moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the second marker. The second moveable member has a second response portion and a product selection marker. The second response portion is associated with the second question. The product selection marker is capable of indicating a recommended product when the first response portion is aligned with the first marker and the second response portion is aligned with the second marker. The first and second moveable members may move in the horizontal plane or rotate radially. The invention also includes methods of selecting a product.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the Provisional Application Serial No. 60/262,757, filed Jan. 18, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a product selector and, more particularly to a product selector for a food waste disposer.  
           [0004]    2. Relation to Prior Art  
           [0005]    When selecting a product, such as a food waste disposer, consumers typically rely on a salesperson to provide them with the salient features of available products. Consumers may also seek information through merchandising signs, literature, or carton packaging. Salespersons may often be difficult to find or may provide unreliable or inconsistent information. Merchandising signs, literature and packaging may be helpful but are not interactive for the consumer. Furthermore, consumers may find the product specifications difficult to understand.  
           [0006]    Based on these sources of information, the consumer proceeds to select their waste disposer. Unfortunately, consumers frequently select the product by relying merely on the price of the products, because the benefits derived from the different features are not always clear. A product selector is a device that provides the consumer with additional information when selecting a product.  
           [0007]    For food waste disposers, it has been known to provide a product selector over the Internet. A consumer may respond to a series of questions. The responses to the questions are numerically weighted and added together. The sum of the numerically weighted answers is compared to ranges of numbers that correspond to a recommended type of food waste disposer. A need exists, however, to provide a product selector inside the store for consumers that do not have access to the Internet. There is also a need to provide a product selector that does not require a power supply.  
           [0008]    The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    To that end, the present invention includes a selector for recommending a product such as a food waste disposer based on at least a first and second question. The selector includes a base, a first moveable member, and a second moveable member. The base identifies the first question and the second question. The base may also have a first marker associated with the first question. The first moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the first marker. The first moveable member has a first response portion and a second marker. The first response portion is associated with the first question and the second marker is associated with the second question. The second moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the second marker. The second moveable member has a second response portion and a product selection marker. The second response portion is associated with the second question. The product selection marker is capable of indicating a recommended product when the first response portion is aligned with the first marker and the second response portion is aligned with the second marker. The first and second moveable members may move in the horizontal plane or rotate radially.  
           [0010]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes a selector for recommending a product such as a food waste disposer based on at least a first, second and third question. The selector includes a base, a first moveable member, a second moveable member and a third moveable member. The base identifies the first, second and third questions. The base may also have a first marker associated with the first question. The first moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the first marker. The first moveable member has a first response portion and a second marker. The first response portion is associated with the first question and the second marker is associated with the second question. The second moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the second marker. The second moveable member has a second response portion and a third marker. The second response portion is associated with the second question and the third marker is associated with the third question. The third moveable member is capable of relative to the base and the third marker. The third moveable member has a third response portion and a product selection marker. The third response portion is associated with the third question. The product selection marker is capable of indicating a recommended product when the first response portion is aligned with the first marker, the second response portion is aligned with the second marker, and the third response portion is aligned with the third marker.  
           [0011]    In further embodiment, the present invention includes a selector for recommending a product such as a food waste disposer based on at least a first, second, third and fourth question. The selector includes a base, a first moveable member, a second moveable member, a third moveable member and a fourth moveable member. The base identifies the first, second, third and fourth questions. The base may also have a first marker associated with the first question. The first moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the first marker. The first moveable member has a first response portion and a second marker. The first response portion is associated with the first question and the second marker is associated with the second question. The second moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the second marker. The second moveable member has a second response portion and a third marker. The second response portion is associated with the second question and the third marker is associated with the third question. The third moveable member is capable of relative to the base and the third marker. The third moveable member has a third response portion and a fourth marker. The third response portion is associated with the third question and the fourth marker is associated with the fourth question. The fourth moveable member is capable of moving relative to the base and the fourth marker. The fourth moveable member has a fourth response portion and a product selection marker. The fourth response portion is associated with the fourth question. The product selection marker is capable of indicating a recommended product when the first response portion is aligned with the first marker, the second response portion is aligned with the second marker, the third response portion is aligned with the third marker, and the fourth response portion is aligned with the fourth marker.  
           [0012]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for selecting a product. The method includes: sliding a moveable member in response to a first question; aligning one of a plurality of first responses on a first moveable member to a first marker; sliding a second moveable member in response to a second question; aligning one of a plurality of second responses on a second moveable member to a second marker; sliding a third moveable member in response to a third question; aligning one of a plurality of third responses on a third moveable member to a third marker; sliding a fourth moveable member in response to a fourth question; aligning one of a plurality of fourth responses on a fourth moveable member to a fourth marker; wherein a product selection marker on the fourth moveable member is capable of sliding to a recommended product.  
           [0013]    A still further embodiment of the present invention includes a method for selecting a product. The method includes: rotating a moveable member in response to a first question; aligning one of a plurality of first responses on a first moveable member to a first marker; rotating a second moveable member in response to a second question; aligning one of a plurality of second responses on a second moveable member to a second marker; rotating a third moveable member in response to a third question; aligning one of a plurality of third responses on a third moveable member to a third marker; rotating a fourth moveable member in response to a fourth question; aligning one of a plurality of fourth responses on a fourth moveable member to a fourth marker; wherein a product selection marker on the fourth moveable member is capable of rotating to a recommended product.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method to facilitate a consumer in selecting a product. The method includes: providing a mechanical interface for the customer; offering a plurality of questions to the consumer on the mechanical interface; having the consumer respond to each question by mechanically selecting one of a plurality of responses; dimensionally weighting each response for each question; dimensionally summing the responses to the questions; and indicating the product selected by the dimensional sum of the responses.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The foregoing, a preferred embodiment and other aspects of the present invention will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0016]    FIGS.  1 - 2  illustrate an embodiment of a product selector according to the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the product selector according to the present invention.  
         [0019]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modification, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    FIGS.  1 - 2  illustrate an embodiment of a product selector  100  according to the present invention. To eliminate confusion for the consumer when selecting a product, the product selector  100  asks the consumer everyday preferences and usage questions  110   a - d.  For example, the consumer may be seeking the best food waste disposer for their needs. In a preferred embodiment, the consumer is asked four questions  110   a - d  relating to everyday preferences and kitchen usage, such as: “How many people live in your household?”  110   a;  “How important is quiet operation to you?”  110   b;  “How many days per week are meals eaten at home?”  110   c;  and “How important is long product life to you?”  110   d.  The product selector  100  may also have a section  111  to provide instructions on the use of the machine and to identify other information from the manufacturer or seller.  
         [0021]    The product selector  100  provides a mechanical interface that allows the consumer to make an informed decision without prior technical knowledge of food waste disposers or electric motors. The consumer can go back and easily change their answers and receive a new recommendation. Additionally, the product selector  100  requires no electricity and low maintenance. The product selector  100  has the further advantage of being easy to install and place into service.  
         [0022]    The product selector  100  includes a base panel  102 . The base panel  102  supports a plurality of interrelating moveable members  130   a - d  for movement thereon. In the present embodiment, the interrelating moveable members  130   a - d  define ruled slides that move relative to one another on the base panel  102 . Each moveable member  130   a - d  has a response portion, a marker portion, and a movement handle or tab. For instance, in one embodiment having four moveable members  130   a - 130   d,  each moveable member  130   a - 130   d  slides relative to base panel  102  by squeezing the associated tab  132   a - 132   d.  The first moveable member  130   a  has a first response portion  120   a  that corresponds to a first question  110   a  and a second marker  112   b  that corresponds to a second question  110   b.  The second moveable member  130   b  has a second response portion  120   b  that corresponds to a second question and a third marker  112   c  that corresponds to a third question. The third moveable member  130   c  has a third response portion  120   c  that corresponds to a third question  110   c  and a fourth maker  112   d  that corresponds to a fourth question. The fourth moveable member  130   d  has a fourth response portion  120   d  that corresponds to a fourth question and a fifth marker  112   e  that corresponds to a recommended product. Each moveable member  130   a - d  has a movement handle or tab  132   a - d  for the consumer to move the moveable member  130   a - d  to select the best response  120   a - d  to the question  110   a - d.  In one embodiment, the moveable members  130   a - d  are mechanically interlocked. A consumer can move a moveable member  130   a - d  by squeezing the movement tab  132   a - d  to release and permit the moveable member  130   a - d  to slide horizontally.  
         [0023]    In operation, the consumer reads the first question  110   a.  The first question  110   a  situates on a fixed portion of the product selector  100 . To answer the first question  110   a,  the consumer selects the best response identified on the first response portion  120   a  by moving the first moveable member  130   a.  For example, the first question may ask, “How many people live in your household?” A plurality of responses is provided on the first response portion  120   a  of the moveable member  130   a.  The plurality of responses in the first response portion  120   a  may include a range of preferences, such as: “1-2,” “3-4”, “5-6”, and “7 or more.” To select the best response, the consumer squeezes the movement tab  132   a  and slides the first moveable member  130   a  so that the appropriate response in the first response portion  120   a  lines up with the first marker  112   a.  In one embodiment, the first marker  112   a  is fixed to the base panel  102 .  
         [0024]    In addition to the first response portion  120   a,  the first moveable member  130   a  has a second marker  112   b  that moves therewith. The second marker  112   b  is associated with the second question  110   b.    
         [0025]    The consumer reads the second question  110   b  and selects the best response identified on the second response portion  120   b  of the second moveable member  130   b.  The second question  110   b  may ask, “How important is quiet operation?” The plurality of responses provided on the second response portion  120   b  may include a range of preferences, such as: “not at all’, “not very,” “neutral,” “somewhat” and “very.” To select the best response, the consumer squeezes the movement tab  132   b  and slides the second moveable member  130   b  so that the appropriate response in the second response portion  120   b  lines up with the second marker  112   b.    
         [0026]    In addition to the second response portion  120   b,  the second moveable member  130   b  has a third marker  112   c  that moves therewith. The third marker  112   c  is associated with the third question  110   b.    
         [0027]    The consumer reads the third question  110   c  and selects the best response identified on the third response portion  120   c  of the third moveable member  130   c.  The third question  110   c  may ask, “How many days per week are meals eaten at home?” The plurality of responses provided on the second response portion  130   c  may include a range of choices, such as: “1”, “2”, “3”, “4 or 5” and “6 or 7”. To select the best response, the consumer squeezes the movement tab  132   c  and slides the third moveable member  130   c  so that the appropriate response in the third response portion  120   c  lines up with the third marker  112   c.    
         [0028]    Again, in addition to the third response portion  120   c,  the third moveable member  130   c  has a fourth marker  112   d  that moves therewith. The fourth marker  112   d  is associated with the fourth question  110   b.    
         [0029]    The consumer reads the fourth question  110   d  and selects the best response identified on the fourth response portion  120   d  of the fourth moveable member  130   d.  The fourth question  110   d  may ask, “How important is long product life?” The plurality of responses  120   d  provided on a fourth ruled slide  130   d  may include a range of choices, such as “not at all’, “not very”, “neutral,” “somewhat” and “very”. To select the best response  120   d,  the consumer squeezes the movement tab  132   d  and slides the fourth moveable member  130   d  so that the appropriate response in the fourth response portion  120   d  lines up with the fourth marker  112   d.    
         [0030]    The fourth moveable member  130   d  has a product selection marker  112   e  that moves therewith. A plurality of product selection choices  150  situate on the base panel  102  and remain fixed in relation to the moveable members  130   a - d.  By answering all of the questions  110   a - d  with the moveable members  130   a - d,  the product selection marker  112   e  points to a recommended product model.  
         [0031]    To help the consumer associate each question  110   a - d  with its appropriate responses, each component associated with a question may have separate colors. For example, the first question  110   a,  the first marker  112   a,  and the first response portion  120   a  of the first moveable member  130   a  may all be one color. Similarly, the second question  110   b,  the second marker of the first moveable member  130   a,  and the second response portion  120   b  of the second moveable member  130   b  may be another color. The components associated with the third and fourth questions would also have different colors. It is further understood that instructions and other visuals may be offered on the product selector to allow the consumer to property operate the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic embodiment of the present invention. The schematic embodiment illustrates how the questions and responses work as a system  200  to indicate a recommended model according to the present invention. The system  200  uses a multi-variant analysis giving specific weights to a range of answers. In one embodiment, the system  200  has a plurality of moveable members  230   a - 230   d.  Each moveable member  230   a - 230   d  has a response portion  220   a - d  and a marker portion  212   b - 212   e.  The consumer answers each question by moving each moveable member  230   a - 230   d.  The responses identified in the response portion  220   a - d  are measured and drawn to specific scales. Each response has a dimensional distance. For example, the first question has five responses having the dimensional distances of a 0 , a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , and a 4 . These distances need not be equally proportioned with respect to one another, but may have individual weighting. The exact weighting is implementation specific based on the product model and the type of relevant questions and responses for the model.  
         [0033]    The consumer slides the moveable members  230   a - d  so that the response in the response portion  220   a - d  matches the corresponding marker  212   a - 212   d.  Moving moveable member  230   a - d  creates a dimensional distance. For example, a consumer answers the first question by moving the first moveable marker  230   a  in direction A and aligning the first marker  212   a  with a response. This movement causes a first dimensional distance, i.e., a 0 , a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , or a 4 , to be attained. For example, FIG. 3 shows a response to the first question resulting in a dimensional distance of a 2 . In one embodiment, each moveable member  230   a - d  is interlinked with other moveable members  230   a - d.  Thus, moving the first moveable member  230   a  will move the other moveable members  230   b - 230   d.    
         [0034]    The consumer then answers the second question by moving the second moveable member  230   b  in direction B and aligning the second marker  212   b  with a response. This movement causes a second dimensional distance, i.e., b 0 , b 1 , b 2 , b 3 , or b 4 , to be attained. For embodiments with interlinking members, the movement of the second moveable member  230   b  moves the third moveable member  230   c  and the fourth moveable member  230   d.    
         [0035]    The consumer answers the third question by moving the third moveable member  230   c  in direction C and aligning the third maker  212   c  with a response. This movement causes a third dimensional distance, i.e., c 0 , c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , or c 4 , to be attained. FIG. 3 shows a response to the third question resulting in a dimensional distance of c 0 . For embodiments with interlinking members, the movement of the third moveable member  230   c  moves the fourth moveable member  230   d.    
         [0036]    The consumer answers the fourth question by moving the fourth moveable member  230   d  in direction D and aligning the fourth marker  212   d  with a response. This movement causes a fourth dimensional distance, i.e., d 0 , d 1 , d 2 , d 3 , or d 4 , to be attained. FIG. 3 shows a response to the fourth question having a dimensional distance of d 2 . The fourth moveable member  230   d  has a product selection marker  212   c  that points to a recommended product model. A geometrical solution  240  is achieved by moving the moveable members  230   a - d.  The geometrical solution  240  for the product selection marker  112   d  lies along a value line  250 . The location of the geometrical solution  240  along the value line  250  may be reached in a number of ways including the summing of the individual responses  220   a - c.  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when responses corresponding to dimensional distances a 2 , b 1 , c 0  and d 2  are chosen, the product selection marker  212   e  slides over a distance having the sum of a 2 +b 1  +c 0 +d 2 .  
         [0037]    Overlaying the value line  250  is a plurality of individual model recommendations  260 . Each of the individual model recommendations  260  has a dimensional size relative to the value line  250 . Although six model recommendations  260  are shown in FIG. 3, the present invention may use more or fewer models. Furthermore, the dimensional sizes for the model recommendations  260  need not be the same for each model, but may differ to provide further weighting to the individual model recommendations  260 . The geometrical solution  240 , resulting from the sum of the responses  220   a - c,  lies on the value line  250  within one of the individual model recommendations  260 . The location of the geometrical solution  240  indicates a specific model that meets the consumer&#39;s needs.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a product selector  300  according to the present invention. The product selector  300  includes a cylindrical structure  302 . A top disc  304  remains fixed to a shaft  306 . The shaft  306  runs axially through the cylindrical structure  302  to a base. A plurality of interrelating moveable members  330   a - c  situate on the shaft  306  for rotation thereon. In the present embodiment, the interrelating portions  330   a - c  define ruled discs and rotate relative to each other. The consumer selects the best model for his or her needs by rotating each moveable member  330   a - c  to respond to each question  310   a - c.  Each moveable member has a response portion  320   a - c  and a marker  312   b - 312   d.  In this embodiment, the product is selected by answering three questions  310   a - 310   c.  However, one of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of the present specification, would realize that the product selector  300  could be modified to answer other numbers of questions.  
         [0039]    The consumer reads the first question  310   a  that situates on the top fixed disc  304  of the product selector  300 . A plurality of responses  320   a  is identified on the first moveable member  330   a.  The consumer then selects the best response or preference. To select the best response  320   a,  the consumer rotates the first moveable member  330   a  until the preferred response in the first response portion  320   a  aligns with the first marker  312   a.    
         [0040]    The first moveable member  330   a  has a second question  310   b  that rotates therewith. A plurality of responses  320   b  is provided on a second moveable member  330   b.  The consumer reads the second question  310   b  and selects the best response or preference. To select the best response  320   b,  the consumer rotates the second moveable member  330   b  until the preferred response in the second response portion  320   b  aligns with the second marker  312   b.    
         [0041]    Similarly, the second moveable member  330   b  has a third question  310   c  that rotates therewith. A plurality of responses  320   c  is provided on a third moveable member  330   c.  The consumer reads the third question  310   c  and selects the best response or preference. To select the best response  320   c,  the consumer rotates the third moveable member  330   c  until the preferred response in the third response portion  320   c  aligns with the third marker  312   c.    
         [0042]    The third moveable member  330   c  has a product selection marker  312   e.  A plurality of product selection choices  350  situates on a bottom fixed disc  305 . The bottom disc  305  may be fixed relative to the shaft  306  and the top fixed disc  304 . The moveable members  330   a - c  rotate relative to the fixed discs  304  and  305 . As the moveable members  330   a - c  are rotated, the product selection marker  312   e  becomes reoriented in relation to the product selection choices  350 . The best model for the consumer based on the responses  320   a - c  to the question  310   a - c  is then shown.  
         [0043]    In this embodiment of the product selector  300 , a similar approach may be used as shown and described in FIG. 3. Instead of dimensional distances that translate horizontally, the selector  300  in FIG. 4 can operate with dimensional distances that translate radially.  
         [0044]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, obvious modifications and alterations are possible by those skilled in the related art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention include all such modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.