Container Comprising a Disposable Cleaning Implement And a Method of Promoting the Sale of a Disposable Cleaning Implement

Abstract

A packaging container ( 10 ) for at least one, though preferably two, disposable cleaning implements ( 12 ), having an opening ( 30 ) formed therein extending from a top section ( 18 ), through a front display section ( 22 ), and ending in a side section ( 24 ). The opening ( 30 ) is defined by two generally arcuate intersecting cuts or lines ( 32, 34 ). The arrangement of the cleaning implements ( 12 ) within the container ( 10 ) along with the opening ( 30 ) provide visual and physical access to the implements ( 12 ) such that a potential purchaser may see, touch and/or manipulate components of the cleaning implements ( 12 ). The container ( 10 ) may also include printed graphics ( 49 ) and written instructions of use ( 48 ) or marketing claims for promoting the sale of the cleaning implement ( 12 ).

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of promoting the sale of a disposable cleaning implement comprising at least one fabric covered roller and a housing, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) displaying a container comprising at least a first and second cleaning implement; and   b) arranging a non-cleaning surface of the first cleaning implement and a cleaning surface of the second cleaning implement so that both are simultaneously presented to a consumer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 constructing the container from plastic, cardboard, chipboard, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 constructing the container to be at least partially transparent.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 constructing the container to have at least one opening defined by two generally curved cuts meeting at both ends of the opening.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 presenting usage instructions for the disposable cleaning implement.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising presenting instructions that comprise the steps of:
 i) sliding the cleaning implement side-to-side; and   ii) disposing the cleaning implement when the implement appears at least one of: full or to no longer pick up debris.   
     
     
         21 . A method of packaging a disposable cleaning implement for display on a merchant display shelf, wherein the cleaning implement has at least one fabric covered roller and a housing, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) forming a single continuous display window in at least two contiguous exterior surfaces of a container adapted to hold the cleaning implement;   b) loading the cleaning implement into container; and   c) arranging the cleaning implement within the container such that the fabric covered roller is viewable through a first portion of the single continuous display when the container is closed and another portion of the cleaning implement is viewable through a second portion of the single continuous display, and wherein the second portion is perpendicular to the first portion.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the container is comprised of cardboard. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising closing the single continuous display with a transparent film. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein forming the single continuous display window includes removing portions of a front surface and a side surface of the container. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein forming the single continuous display includes removing a portion of a top surface of the container. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein removal of the portion of the top surface creates a fin-shaped cutout in the top surface of the container. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising adding text to an exterior surface of the container, wherein the text includes instructions on how to use the cleaning implement. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the single continuous display window is sized to prevent removal of the cleaning implement through the single continuous display window but sized to all a user to touch the cleaning implement without removal of the cleaning implement from the container. 
     
     
         29 . A method for promoting the sale of a cleaning implement having a roller and a handle, the method comprising the steps of:
 removing first and second portions from first and second surfaces, respectively, of a container in the shape of a rectangular prism to form a single continuous opening in an exterior of the container, wherein the first and second surfaces are formed on adjacent and perpendicular exterior surfaces of the container;   placing the cleaning implement in the container; and   arranging the cleaning implement in the container such that fabric of the roller can be felt through a first portion of the single continuous opening and the handle of the implement is viewable through a second portion of the single continuous opening.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the step of removing includes cutting a complex geometrical shape into the exterior surfaces of the container. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the step of removing includes removing a third portion from a top surface of the container so that single continuous opening extends onto the top surface of the container. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are removed from a front surface, a side surface, and the top surface of the container, and wherein the front surface is orthogonal to both the side surface and the top surface and wherein the front surface is adjacent to the top surface at a first edge and is adjacent the side surface at a second edge perpendicular to the first edge. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the container is formed of cardboard. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising covering the single continuous opening with a transparent film.