Method of relating different products by a common feature

Abstract

A kit and method of relating products by a common feature include the provision of a first product having a first feature providing a first consumer-relevant benefit, and a second different product having a second feature providing a second consumer-relevant benefit, wherein the first and second features have a consistent appearance and wherein at least one feature has a different consumer-relevant benefit relative to the other feature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit comprising:
 a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head, a first plurality of features each having a first shape being visually exposed on the handle, the first plurality of features providing a first benefit to a consumer;   a first container containing dentifrice, the dentifrice comprising a first carrier and a second plurality of features suspended within the first carrier, each of the second plurality of features having a second shape and providing a second therapeutic or cosmetic benefit to the consumer during use of the dentifrice, the first container having a see-through portion so that one or more of the second plurality of features are visible through the first container; and   wherein the first and second shapes are the same, thereby creating a visual link between the toothbrush and the dentifrice to the consumer.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second shapes are square or rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the second therapeutic or cosmetic benefit is breath freshening. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of features that are visually exposed on the handle enhances handling of the toothbrush by the consumer. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein the first plurality of features that are visually exposed on the handle form a tactile portion of an outer surface of the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the toothbrush and the first container containing the dentifrice are bundled together in a single package. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the toothbrush and the first container containing the dentifrice are packaged separately and positioned in close proximity to each other on a shelf display. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7  further comprising a visual display comprising information regarding the visual link between the toothbrush and the dentifrice. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of features are arranged in a spaced apart manner on an exterior surface of the handle at a location between a thumb grip region of the handle and a proximal end of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first benefit is different than the second therapeutic or cosmetic benefit. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10  wherein the first benefit is either an aesthetic benefit or a grip enhancement benefit and the second therapeutic or cosmetic benefit is one of breath freshening, tooth whitening, and antibacterial. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first and second plurality of features are consistent in appearance and different in function. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the first and second shapes creates a visual correlation to the consumer that the toothbrush should be used in combination with the dentifrice. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bar of soap comprising a second carrier and a third plurality of features suspended within the second carrier, each of the third plurality of features having a third shape and providing a third therapeutic or cosmetic benefit to the consumer during use of the bar of soap, one or more of the third plurality of features being visually exposed to the consumer through the second carrier; 
 a second container containing shampoo or conditioner, the shampoo or conditioner comprising a third carrier and a fourth plurality of features suspended within the third carrier, each of the fourth plurality of features having a fourth shape and providing a fourth therapeutic or cosmetic benefit to the consumer during use of the shampoo or conditioner, one or more of the fourth plurality of features being visually exposed to the consumer through the second container; and 
 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth shapes are the same, thereby creating a visual link between the toothbrush, the dentifrice, the bar of soap, and the shampoo or conditioner to the consumer. 
 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14  wherein the toothbrush, the first container containing the dentifrice, the bar of soap, and the second container containing the shampoo or conditioner are bundled together in a single package. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14  wherein the first benefit, the second therapeutic or cosmetic benefit, the third therapeutic or cosmetic benefit, and the fourth therapeutic or cosmetic benefit are all different from one another. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the first benefit is either an aesthetic benefit or a grip enhancement benefit, the second therapeutic or cosmetic benefit is one of breath freshening, tooth whitening, and antibacterial, the third therapeutic or cosmetic benefit is one of vitamin delivery and skin-moisturizing, and the fourth therapeutic or cosmetic benefit is one of a cooling sensation or dandruff relief. 
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising:
 a first product comprising a first feature that is visually exposed and provides a first benefit to a consumer;   a second product comprising a second feature that is visually exposed and provides a second benefit to the consumer, the second product being different than the first product, and the second benefit including an aesthetic function and a non-aesthetic function;   wherein the first and second features comprise a common thematic appearance; and   wherein the first benefit is different than the second benefit.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18  wherein the first feature has a first shape and the second feature has a second shape, the first and second shapes being the same, thereby forming the common thematic appearance. 
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising:
 a toothbrush comprising a raised or recessed feature that enhances handling of the toothbrush by a consumer; and   a dentifrice comprising a suspended feature that provides a therapeutic or cosmetic benefit to a consumer;   wherein the raised or recessed feature and the suspended features comprise a consistent appearance.