Why is any of this important? Because a key learning is that, as a Mini Trigger Sprayer suppliers configuration takes on more locations, tasks and surfaces, it may not perform optimally in each. This awareness is compounded by a few other situational differences regarding the spray action itself.
In the kitchen, it seems as if complete coverage is not critical. Product is sprayed out here and there, and the paper towel (or, rarely, a rag) is used to spread the cleaner across the surface. Multiple trigger pumps are required, and a tilted wrist required by some trigger spray configurations can make this tiresome. But, more interesting, are the short trigger strokes used to nail a nasty spot, to get into tight spots, or to avoid spots that shouldn’t be sprayed (wood, outlets, etc.). Need for control is the insight here.
In the bathroom, complete coverage is mission-critical. Large vertical surfaces require exhaustive pumping. Full coverage is important, because higher surfaces may never be scrubbed, and contact with the cleaner may be all the cleaning power they ever get. Some users count on gravity to pull the product down the wall, cleaning as it goes. All this means lots of trigger action, and the need to disperse product both close-in and at a distance.
Multiple materials in the bathroom create additional challenges. Users don’t want cleaners to touch wallpaper or other finishes. They also need to scrub tricky objects like door tracks, handles, towel bars and faucets. What do they do? They spray the rag or towel, rather than the object. That way, the cleaner goes exactly where it’s needed.
A few more words about user differences: Some keep two fingers on the trigger, while others only one. This seems to depend on several factors including hand size; dispersion and depth of the finger contours on the neck; where the hand rests on the neck and trigger head; what kind of surface it is, etc.
I don’t want to get any deeper on ergonomics, but these issues support the contention that manufacturers have their hands full dealing with the vast differences in anatomy and practice among consumers.
So, what additional innovation opportunities surfaced from the cleaning behavior I witnessed?
How can trigger spray bottle configurations more comfortably address both vertical and horizontal surfaces? Could gripping and weight-bearing positions be more flexible, or even adjustable?
Should we develop unique trigger sprayer structures for kitchen and bath? Would that be an easier way for consumers to think about vertical versus horizontal cleaning?
Could simple adjustments to the trigger allow more control across varying surfaces and rituals, including close spot treatments, total vs. intermittent coverage, rag spraying, reaching high spots, avoiding nearby surfaces, etc. And what can be done about the incessant and tiresome pumping?
Focus on what matters
To some, this article might sound like an expose of all things wrong with trigger spray bottles. But, really, it’s just an attempt to illustrate one way of exploring and defining a package innovation opportunity.
That said, how can we set priorities among the multiple innovation platforms we’ve identified? Let’s evaluate them along two dimensions:
How highly would consumers value the solutions to the above opportunities? Or, how critical is the need represented by each?
How large is the perceptual and/or functional gap represented by each opportunity? In other words, how well do existing products in the market perform against the opportunities?
Typically, the package innovation team would rank the key insights by expected consumer value, and then determine how well each of these are addressed by existing products. Those insights that are high on value and show large performance gaps would become the most urgent innovation platforms.
Coming out of this work, I would argue that there are three solid innovation platforms worth pursuing in concept development:
1. Consider improving bottle storage and access. Make the bottles easy to find, easy to grab and easy to transport with other cleaning supplies.
2. Explore an “adjustable” grip and spray configuration that is comfortable for a multitude of locations and surfaces.
3. Investigate simple, intuitive spray adjustments to accommodate various surface requirements throughout the household.
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