U.S. patent application number 13/373175 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system for weight management.
Invention is credited to Roberta E. Cahn, Danuta L. Highet.
Application Number | 20120077154 13/373175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45871019 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120077154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Highet; Danuta L. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2012 |
Incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system for weight
management
Abstract
An incrementally-sized Standard-Sized eating-ware system and
process comprise a plurality of formulas to establish and assign
Standard Sizes to eating-ware. The Standard Sizes' total volumetric
capacity equivalents are based on a series of incrementally-sized
flat surfaces. These capacity equivalents comprise volume inside
eating-ware and directly above it. Standard Sizes guide and control
amount and rate of food consumed. The system and processes provide
a plurality of incrementally-sized Standard-Sized eating-ware
components having successively decreasing Standard Sizes appointed
to be utilized in a graduated manner over a period of time and
deployed during intervals to provide gradual, unnoticeable food
adjustment, which enables users to modify eating habits for
effective weight management while minimizing the perception of
change. Numerical and letter representations of Standard Size and
Calorie Density Mark guide users in selecting eating-ware
components to maintain, prevent, increase or decrease weight.
Inventors: |
Highet; Danuta L.;
(Voorhees, NJ) ; Cahn; Roberta E.; (Voorhees,
NJ) |
Family ID: |
45871019 |
Appl. No.: |
13/373175 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11888975 |
Aug 3, 2007 |
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13373175 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 19/0092 20130101;
A47G 19/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/127 |
International
Class: |
G09B 19/00 20060101
G09B019/00 |
Claims
1. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System,
comprising: a) establishing and assigning standard sizes to
eating-ware using a plurality of formulas; b) said standard sizes
being based on a series of incrementally-sized flat surfaces; c)
said flat surfaces establishing the basis for total volumetric
capacity equivalents; d) said total volumetric capacity equivalents
comprising volume inside the eating-ware and directly above the
eating-ware; and e) said standard sizes being used as a guide to
control amount and rate of food consumed for weight management.
2. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 1, wherein said formulas comprise: a) a formula
for Standard Portion Size based on a series of the total volumetric
capacity equivalents (expressed in cubic inches) defined by volume
of a 1 inch high cylinder above flat round surfaces that start at a
4 inch diameter and vary in size in small diameter increments of
the cylinder base; b) a formula for Standard Snack Size based on a
series of the total volumetric capacity equivalents (expressed in
cubic inches) defined by volume of a 1 inch high cylinder above
flat round surfaces that start at a 0 inch diameter and vary in
size in small diameter increments of the cylinder base; c) a
formula for Standard Bite Size based on a series of total
volumetric capacity equivalents (expressed in cubic inches) defined
by volumes of ellipsoids surrounding flat elliptical surfaces that
vary in size in small increments in the major and minor radii,
where the major radius starts at 0.5 inch and minor radius starts
at 0.25 inch, where both minor radii are equal, and the major
radius equals the minor radius times 1.5 plus 0.125; and d) a
formula for Standard Nibble Size based on a series of total
volumetric capacity equivalents (expressed in cubic inches) defined
by volumes of ellipsoids surrounding flat elliptical surfaces that
vary in size in small increments in the major and minor radii, each
of the major and minor radii starting at 0 inch, both minor radii
being equal, and the major radius being equal to the minor radius
times 1.5.
3. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, wherein said formulas consist of Standard
Portion Size=(the diameter of a cylinder in inches-4)*4, a)
Standard Snack Size=the diameter of a cylinder in inches*8, b)
Standard Bite Size=40*minor radius of ellipse in inches-10, and c)
Standard Nibble Size=80*minor radius of ellipse in inches. d)
4. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 1, where a decimal number for a Standard Size is
used to represent a single total volumetric capacity Standard Size,
and a Standard Size Range is an integer that is used to represent a
range of total volumetric capacities that include all decimal
Standard Sizes having the same integer portion.
5. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 4, comprising a process for designing any
eating-ware component to a specific Standard Size, said process
comprising the steps of: a) determining features of at least one
eating-ware component; b) determining internal and/or external
features and/or configurations that will result in total volumetric
capacity equivalent to the desired Standard Size total volumetric
capacity; and c) assigning said corresponding Standard Size and/or
the Standard Size Range to the eating-ware.
6. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 4, comprising a process for designing any
eating-ware series that adjusts in small increments, comprising the
steps of a) determining internal and/or external features of at
least one eating-ware component; b) determining a smallest or
largest size in the series; c) determining the size of the
increment; d) determining the number of eating-ware components in
the series; e) adjusting the internal and/or external features for
each size; and f) assigning the Standard Size and/or Standard Size
Range to the eating-ware that corresponds to the Standard Size
equivalent total volumetric capacity of each component in the
series.
7. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 6, wherein said size increment is small enough to
be indistinguishable by a user.
8. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 6, wherein said increment is adjusted in Standard
Size and/or Standard Size Range increments.
9. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 4, comprising a process for designing any
eating-ware series that adjusts in increments between each
successive component small enough to be indistinguishable by a
user, comprising the steps of: a) determining internal and/or
external features of eating-ware; b) determining a smallest or
largest size in the series; c) determining a largest increment in
size, said largest Standard Size increment being visually
undetectable between each successive component by the user in the
series; d) determining a number of eating-ware components in the
series; e) adjusting the internal and/or external features for each
increment in size to achieve a total volumetric capacity equivalent
for each component within the series, while maintaining
undetectability; f) assigning a Standard Size and/or Standard Size
Range to the eating-ware that corresponds to a Standard Size
equivalent total volumetric capacity of each component in the
series.
10. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 3, comprising steps for determining and assigning
any Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range to any existing
eating-ware, said formula being implemented by: a) selecting which
of the Standard Sizes (Standard Portion Size, Standard Snack Size,
Standard Bite Size or Standard Nibble Size) and/or Standard Size
Ranges of eating-ware is to be assigned, b) determining the
internal volume of the eating-ware, c) determining the
cross-sectional area of the top of the eating-ware, d) determining
the equivalent total volumetric capacity of the Standard Size that
has the same cross-sectional surface area as the cross-sectional
area of the top of the eating-ware, e) calculating total volumetric
capacity of the eating-ware by adding volume b) and volumetric
capacity d) for Standard Portion Size or Standard Snack Size, or
adding volume b) and one-half of volumetric capacity d) for
Standard Bite Size or Standard Nibble Size, f) determining the
numerical Standard Size that corresponds to said total volumetric
capacity, and g) assigning said corresponding selected numerical
Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range to the eating-ware.
11. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising use of a formula for assigning a
Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range to a volume of food that
equates to the total volumetric capacity equivalent to the specific
Standard Size and/or the Standard Size Range.
12. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 11, where a Standard Size and/or Standard Size
Range is assigned and/or indicated on a pre-packaged and/or
pre-measured amount of food to reflect the volumetric amount of
food contained therewithin that equates to the volumetric capacity
of the specific Standard Size and/or the Standard Size Range.
13. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 6, comprising use of a formula for assigning a
Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range to eating-ware having an
internal volume that does not permit food to be served above a rim
of the eating-ware component, where the internal volume of the
eating-ware is equated to the total volumetric capacity equivalent
to the specific Standard Size and/or the Standard Size Range.
14. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 3, wherein any one of said Standard Sizes or
Standard Size Ranges can be expressed in terms of any of the other
three Standard Sizes or Standard Size Ranges based on each other's
equivalent total volumetric capacity.
15. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 3, wherein: a) the Standard Portion Size can be
expressed as a quantity of Standard Snack Sizes based on the
equivalent total volumetric capacity values and vice versa; b) the
Standard Bite Size can be expressed as a quantity of Standard
Nibble Sizes based on the equivalent total volumetric capacity
values and vice versa; c) the Standard Portion Size and/or Standard
Snack Size can be expressed in terms of a quantity of Standard Bite
Sizes and/or Standard Nibble Sizes, based on equivalent total
volumetric capacity values and vice versa.
16. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, wherein Standard Sizes' total volumetric
capacities can be expressed in units other than cubic inches
through unit conversions of corresponding measures of other
Measurement Systems.
17. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising eating-ware that has been sized
and/or identified with Standard Sizes, wherein: a) Standard Portion
Size and Standard Snack Size control the total volumetric capacity
of eating-ware which in turn controls the amount of food per
serving, and b) Standard Bite Size and Standard Nibble Size control
the total volumetric capacity of eating-ware which in turn controls
the rate of food consumption per bite-full/mouthful.
18. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 1, comprising Standard Sized eating-ware
components, where eating-ware components can have any regular or
irregular configuration.
19. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising Standard Sized eating-ware
components, where eating-ware components with the same Standard
Size or Standard Size Range can be used interchangeably, said
interchangeability being independent of type, style and/or
configuration of eating-ware.
20. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 1, comprising Standard Sized eating-ware
components, wherein: a) the Standard Sized eating-ware components
form a series of successive components, b) each successive
component within said series varies by a small increment, c) the
user shifts between consecutive sizes within the series, and d) a
change in size increment results in adjustment of food amount
served/consumed or the rate of consumption of food.
21. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 20, wherein said size increment is small enough to
be indistinguishable by a user.
22. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 20, wherein said increment is adjusted in Standard
Size and/or Standard Size Range increments.
23. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 20, comprising of Standard Sized eating-ware
forming a series of multi-type incrementally-sized Standard-Sized
eating-ware settings where components within each setting maintain
relative proportion (congruent dimensions) to other components
within the setting, to minimize the perception of the incremental
changes, and where: a) components within each setting have the same
corresponding Standard Size or Standard Size Range, and b) all
eating-ware components in a consecutive setting are increased or
decreased in Standard Size or Standard Size Range by one or more
increments with each adjustment to modify food amounts.
24. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 20, comprising a series of Standard Sized
eating-ware, said eating-ware having internal and/or external
dimensions and/or configurations, including: a) components within
the setting have different Standard Size or Standard Size Range,
and b) all eating-ware components in a consecutive setting are
increased or decreased in Standard Size or Standard Size Range by
one or more increments with each adjustment to modify food
amounts.
25. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 20, comprising a series of Standard Sized
eating-ware, said eating-ware having internal and/or external
dimensions and/or configurations, including: a) depth, b) height,
c) slope of the walls, d) wall thickness, e) internal texture, f)
shape of the inside, g) shape of the bottom, and/or h) a
combination of some or all of the above; and said internal and/or
external dimensions and/or configurations being varied so that the
amount of food delivered and/or the rate of delivery varies in
small increments, while maintaining a visual appearance of
sameness.
26. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a single Standard Sized eating-ware
component having demarcations that indicate one or more Standard
Sizes or Standard Size Ranges.
27. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a plurality of Standard Sized
templates and related devices to be used with Non-Standard Sized
eating-ware that provide guidance concerning the equivalency to the
Standard Sizes or Standard Size Ranges.
28. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 27, comprising of Standard Sized templates and
related devices to be used with Non-Standard Sized eating-ware,
having indicia to indicate the equivalency to one or more of the
Standard Sizes or Standard Size Ranges.
29. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a plurality of processes for using
incrementally-sized Standard-Sized eating-ware with known Standard
Sizes or Standard Size Ranges for weight management, said processes
being operative to change the amount of food consumed and/or the
rate of consumption with each incremental adjustment in Standard
Size and/or Sizes, or to maintain weight by continually using the
same Standard Size.
30. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 29, comprising a process to manage weight, where a
user determines the Standard Sizes of his/her current eating-ware
components, and/or selects Standard Size components within a series
and where the user: a) continues to use those same Standard Sized
eating-ware components to maintain weight, b) periodically selects
smaller Standard Sized components to reduce weight, or c)
periodically selects larger Standard Sized components to increase
weight.
31. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 30, comprising a process to manage weight, where a
user uses and/or adjusts one or more of the Standard Sizes or
Standard Size Range of eating-ware so that he/she: a) uses same
sizes for all food consumption, b) uses different sizes for
different types of meals, c) uses different sizes for different
types of food, or d) implements any combination of the above
scenarios, and whereby the user controls the amount of food
consumed and/or the rate that the food is consumed.
32. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a process to manage weight, where
the user incrementally adjusts a total number of servings of one or
more of a particular Standard Size or Standard Size Range consumed
per time interval.
33. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 30, comprising a process to manage weight, where a
user selects: a) a starting Standard Size or Standard Size Range of
eating-ware, b) the size of incremental adjustment of Standard
Size, and c) the time interval between periodic shifts to said next
size in a self-directed process or with guidance from a
professional and/or software.
34. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 33, comprising a process to manage weight, where
said selections are based on various factors including age, health,
medical conditions, height, weight, gender, activity level, life
style or comfort level.
35. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 34, wherein any existing eating-ware can be
assessed and assigned a Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range,
and whether marked or unmarked, is used for weight management.
36. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, wherein any eating-ware and it's Standard Size
and/or Range and/or related total volumetric capacity equivalents
are listed or identified in: a) books, b) guides, c) software, d)
charts, e) menus, f) signs, g) labels, h) external packaging
indicia, or i) any other media.
37. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a series of Standard Sized
eating-ware, where the rate of change in the total volumetric
capacity decreases or increases between each increment: a) at an
increasing rate, b) at a decreasing rate, c) at a constant rate, or
d) at a variable rate.
38. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a series of Standard Sized
eating-ware, where said eating-ware's internal and/or external
dimensions and/or configurations include: a) depth, b) height, c)
slope of the walls, d) wall thickness, e) internal texture, f)
shape of the inside, g) shape of the bottom, and/or h) a
combination of some or all of the above, and wherein said
eating-ware's internal and/or external dimensions and/or
configurations are varied in small increments to control the rate
at which the incremental difference in total volumetric capacity
between successive eating-ware in the series
increases/decreases/remains constant/or is varied/customized to the
user needs.
39. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a series of Standard Sized
eating-ware, where said eating-ware is used for subtle and
incremental management of consumption of other edible substances
for purposes other than weight management including alcohol,
coffee, water, and specific food types.
40. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising eating-ware marked with Standard
Size or Standard Size Range represented by: a) encouraging
reinforcement indicia, b) standard sizes numerical value(s)
(representing total volumetric capacity(ties) and/or total
volumetric capacity range(s)), c) standard size represented by
words like: small, medium, large . . . , d) standard size
represented by words like: queen, king, pawn . . . , e) standard
size represented by images: dots, animal shapes, f) other indicia
that would indicate incrementally increasing or decreasing Standard
Size and/or Standard Size Range, g) color and/or texture, and/or h)
imprinted design: pictorial or graphic.
41. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a series of eating-ware in which
Standard Sizes and/or Standard Size Ranges are indicated by
variation between components in: a) different colors, b) different
shapes, c) different configurations, and/or d) different textures
of each component within a series.
42. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, comprising a single eating-ware component, in
which multiple Standard Sizes or Standard Size Ranges are indicated
by: a) encouraging reinforcement indicia, b) standard size/s
numerical value (representing total volumetric capacity and/or
total volumetric capacity range), c) standard size represented by
words like: small, medium, large . . . , d) standard size
represented by words like: queen, king, pawn . . . , e) standard
size represented by images: dots, animal shapes, f) other indicia
that would indicate incrementally increasing or decreasing Standard
Size or Standard Size Range, g) color and/or texture, and/or h)
imprinted design: pictorial or graphic within said single
component.
43. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 1, comprising a system for assigning a Caloric
Density Mark to caloric food density ranges where each letter of
the alphabet represents a caloric density range starting with "A"
representing 0 up to and including 10 calories per cubic inch, "B"
representing more than 10 up to and including 20 calories per cubic
inch, and so on up to "Y" representing more than 240 up to and
including 250 calories per cubic inch, and higher caloric densities
represented by "Z" plus the actual number of calories per cubic
inch.
44. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 43, wherein any Caloric Density Mark can be listed
in or indicated on: a) books, b) guides, c) software, d) charts, e)
menus, f) signs, g) labels, h) external packaging indicia, and/or
i) any other media.
45. An Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System as
recited by claim 2, where serving-ware internal volume contains the
exact total volumetric capacity of a specific Standard Size and/or
Standard Size Range or it contains indicia indicating multiple
Standard Sizes and/or Standard Size Ranges contained within.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant's
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/888,975, filed Aug.
3, 2007, for "Incrementally-Sized Dishware System And Method Of
Using Same For Weight Management", the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes for weight
management; and more particularly to an Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System, using a plurality of formulas to
establish and assign standard sizes to eating-ware, where the
standard sizes are based on a series of incrementally-sized flat
surfaces, and the flat surfaces establish the basis for total
volumetric capacity equivalents, and the total volumetric capacity
equivalents comprise volume inside the eating-ware and directly
above the eating-ware, and the standard sizes are used as a guide
to control amount and rate of food consumed for weight management;
and wherein a plurality of incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components have successively decreasing standard sizes
to gradually and unnoticeably modify food portions consumed and/or
the rate of food consumption, while minimizing the emotional impact
on the user; and processes for use of the standard sizes and/or the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components for
weight management and instilling healthy eating habits; and wherein
a Caloric Density Mark consisting of a letter representation of
food caloric density can be combined with the numeric
representation of eating-ware standard size to guide a user while
serving and consuming food.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The amount of food served usually determines the amount
consumed. Consumers depend on the eating-ware that they are using
to determine the amount of food they serve themselves. They are
unaware that the size of their eating-ware impacts the amount and
the rate that they consume their food. Nor can they determine the
total volumetric food delivery capacity of their eating-ware by any
currently available means.
[0006] Eating-ware components in a form of a flat surface are
currently used for serving food and transfer of food directly to
the user. Eating-ware components heretofore known and utilized for
weight management generally require users to either measure and/or
transfer food prior to being able to consume it directly from a
flat surface or from any typical eating-ware.
[0007] Solid foods can be served extending beyond the rim of a
container and eaten during the daily consumption process. Although
the volume of food that can be served above the rim of eating-ware
is not contained within, it does add to the total volume consumed.
No currently devised eating-ware or method takes this and its
impact on the daily consumption into account.
[0008] The current dietary recommendations require consumers to
monitor and calculate their daily consumption vs. recommended
amounts, which will vary with their age, gender, built, etc. This
is a very complex and time consuming strategy that is difficult to
implement for most adults, and especially for children. Currently
there are no recommendations for gradually and unnoticeably
modifying the amount and rate of consumption nor are there tools
that would guide the user in this process to address their
individual needs.
[0009] Bad eating habits result in overeating. When individuals eat
big mouthfuls quickly they are not giving themselves enough time
for the body to recognize that food was consumed. As a result, they
continue to eat more food than they would have if they were mindful
of their consumption.
[0010] Many people begin a diet abruptly by immediately reducing
their caloric and food intake. Oftentimes these dieters become
discouraged when their appetite does not readily adjust to the
caloric modifications, and they suffer from feelings of hunger and
deprivation. Discomfort and discouragement replace the drive to
diet. As a consequence, many would be "dieters" quit their diet
altogether or go through yo-yo dieting. Heretofore known and
utilized devices fail to take into account the importance of change
being gradual and unnoticeable, or fails to allow the user to use
typical eating-ware. Instead, heretofore known and utilized
devices, systems or elements--drastically alter how a person eats
and makes the food restrictions glaringly obvious, which leads to
feelings of deprivation and demotivation.
[0011] The main focus of the majority of diet devices heretofore
proposed is either a focus on the food itself (i.e. calories, fat
content, sugar content) or on the individual serving container.
These devices do not take into the account that eating is a system
of processes. For example, cooking, selection of eating-ware,
decision of adequate portion (impacted by size of eating-ware
components), selection of utensil-like eating-ware (impacts the
rate of consumption unbeknownst to the user). During the process of
transferring food from serving-ware into a container from which the
food is eaten, the user estimates how much food to serve by visual
determination. The planar view of the eating-ware component is a
critical factor on the user's estimation of portion size. None of
the heretofore disclosed devices or diet methods account for the
fact that food portions appear visually smaller on a an eating-ware
component with a larger planar view. Eating-ware of the same planar
view may have different depths.
[0012] Most users are not aware of the fact that plate-like
eating-ware can actually have a significant internal volume. A
person, unaware, will serve more food on an eating-ware component
of same surface dimension in a component that has greater depth. In
fact some of the devices are in a shape of a box, which results in
a user serving more than they would on a flat surface. In addition
using a "device" as opposed to typical eating-ware would make a
user more focused on being on a diet and increases the feelings of
deprivation.
[0013] None of the heretofore known and utilized eating-ware
devices give the user an ability to follow a numeric representation
of portions on flat surfaces and portions served directly above the
eating-ware components.
[0014] Moreover, none of the heretofore disclosed devices or diet
methods take into account the relative size of eating-ware to other
components in a setting during consumption. None of them address
the importance of surrounding eating-ware accessories. That's
because the focus of these devices is on food itself or they are
used to measure and transfer food prior to consumption. Heretofore
known and utilized eating-ware devices are not concerned with
consumption processes as a system. Typically they consist of
devices for measuring food contained within the device, the
internal volume only.
[0015] Currently heretofore known and utilized eating-ware devices
or diet methods generally fail to consider the importance of
utensil-like eating-ware components that actually deliver food
directly to the user and affect the rate of consumption, which is
an important factor in overeating. This is because the devices do
not address the most important factor of dieting, the entire eating
process.
[0016] Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes of the subject
invention has determined that the entire consumption process
impacts the user's ability to successfully manage their weight.
[0017] Most diet plans require a great deal of effort and
"will-power" to count calories, attend meetings, choose different
foods, or measure and control portion sizes. It is difficult for
dieters to maintain this ritual for extended periods of time. Most
people can not accurately estimate the calorie content of the
substances they consume. A person would need to know the exact
quantity of each ingredient in a meal to determine the total
calorie intake. Most people therefore make a visual estimation of
how much to serve themselves by visually evaluating the amount of
food contained on their eating-ware in relation to the size of
eating-ware. This is a very inaccurate process due to the
variability of typical eating-ware. There is no simple way, such as
standard sized eating-ware to guide the user in selecting
eating-ware components that actually affect the amount of food
served and consumed, and the rate of consumption, to optimize the
feeling of satiation and prevent over-eating. As eating-ware has
increased in size, normal food portions served on that eating-ware
appear smaller and smaller. In response, users have increased the
amount served to compensate for this illusion. No prior art
addresses this critical phenomenon.
[0018] When selecting the eating-ware there are limited choices of
relative sizes within a typical eating-ware set, for example:
dinner plate, salad plate, desert plate, bowl, cup. Depending on a
manufacturer and/or style, all these items come in a variety of
different sizes and configurations. In addition to china-like
eating-ware, a consumer typically adds mugs, glassware, utensils
and cutlery, and eating-ware accessories to complete a serving
setting. Even though visually eating-ware components of the same
type may appear similar, they will deliver very different food
quantities. Depending on the style or manufacturer of the
eating-ware, the internal volume of the eating-ware component and
the amount of food that can be served above the upper boundary of
component will vary. The user does not have a way of verifying how
much total volumetric capacity an eating-ware component has and/or
how the different components' total volumetric capacities relate to
each other. For example: a flat plate vs. a deep plate vs. a bowl
vs. a cup vs. a spoon vs. a fork, etc. No heretofore known and
utilized device looks at the total (internal and directly above)
volumetric capacity of the eating-ware components and assigns it a
numerical equivalency that can be applied across different types
and/or styles of components.
[0019] Some of the heretofore known and utilized devices remain the
same size throughout the diet process, while other heretofore known
and utilized devices require measurement and transfer of a food
portion. None of the heretofore known and utilized devices take
into account the impact on the user of seeing the smaller portion
served on typically sized eating-ware. As the portions get smaller
the user will feel more and more deprived and therefore more and
more discouraged from continuing on his/her weight management
program.
[0020] The focus of heretofore known and utilized devices is on
measuring food or aspects related to its properties. No heretofore
known and utilized eating system or process looks at consumption as
a system. The importance of visual appearance of the food served
relative to the total serve-able surface area, and the impact it
will have on satiation and/or consumption is largely ignored by
prior art. Further, heretofore known and utilized devices, systems
and processes typically do not take into account the rate of
consumption that is affected by the total volumetric capacity of
utensil-like eating-ware components.
[0021] Moreover, heretofore known and utilized devices, systems and
methods that have indicia (spoon-like or cup-like) are typically
used for measurement of food during preparation. It is not designed
for consumption and the marks are used to indicate the internal
volume within the mark only.
[0022] Experts believe that losing weight slowly is healthier, and
that it is important to change eating habits in order to maintain
permanent weight loss. Changing eating habits includes not only
modifying what an individual is eating, but also altering portion
amounts through portion control. Studies show that visual
perception influences food consumption. People eat more when given
larger portions.
[0023] Portion control adjustment over a period of time greatly
facilitates healthy weight loss, as the individual's behavior
towards foods and portions becomes modified. The ability of an
individual to maintain healthy weight is affected by the amount of
food they serve themselves and the rate they consume the food. In
addition to the size of portion consumed, the rate of consumption
impacts the consumer's feeling of satiation. The slower the food is
consumed, the more satisfied the user will feel with lesser amount
of food. One way to control that is to eat more slowly, and another
is to eat less with each mouthful. The heretofore known and
utilized devices do not provide a solution for the user to control
the amount of food per mouthful.
[0024] Moreover, dieting can be very embarrassing in our society
and most users prefer to be discreet. However, none of heretofore
known and utilized devices or systems can be used at the dinner
table with guests without making it glaringly obvious to everyone
that the user is dieting. There is a need in the art for a discrete
gradual and unnoticeable portion control device and processes which
can be utilized when dining with guests, without making the user's
diet glaringly obvious.
[0025] None of heretofore known and utilized devices and/or systems
provide a system that utilizes formulas to determine a standard
size for all eating-ware components. Heretofore known and utilized
devices and/or systems do not provide a system that can be used by
manufacturers to indicate the standard sizes of eating-ware
components for the users, so that the users will be able to
continue to stay on their weight management regimen no matter what
they eat (type of food and/or type of meal), what eating-ware
component they eat from (plate, bowl, cup, glass, flat surface,
bag, pre-packaged-ware, etc.), what they eat with (fork, knife,
spoon, straw, chop sticks, etc.), or where they eat (restaurant,
cafeteria, friends home), as long as the users verify the standard
size of the eating-ware components that they are using. There is a
need in the art to provide a device, system and process that yields
these capabilities.
[0026] The vast majority of portion control and other dieting
devices heretofore disclosed and utilized do not address gradual
behavior modifications, and therefore are difficult to utilize over
time. That is to say, those dieting devices and processes presently
in vogue do not provide gradual portion control devices and
discrete behavioral modifications. Instead, the majority of dieting
devices and processes provide abrupt, immediate portion
adjustments, which result in feelings of deprivation as the
dieter's appetite does not so abruptly diminish. These portion
control dieting devices generally involve plates or containers
having partitioned or compartmentalized assemblies demarcated by a
specific food group appointed to be utilized by a user on a daily
basis. None of these devices concern themselves with the fact that
solid foods can be served beyond the rim of the container, nor the
fact that foods can be served on flat surfaces.
[0027] For various examples of these compartmentalized assemblies,
see the following: U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,119 to Hosking discloses a
drinking-beaker assembly including a collar and volumetric
structure that is appointed to serve as both a drinking vessel,
especially the drinking of water in the course of a diet, and a
device for determining the precise amount of liquid consumed; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,296,488 to Brenkus et al. discloses a diet method and
apparatus which controls the portion size by providing a plate with
a plurality of compartments associated with a meal card; U.S.
Design Pat. No. D194054 to Grossman discloses an ornamental design
for a plate having three compartments, wherein each of the
compartments includes a picture symbol representing the food group
which is to be portioned in the respective compartment; U.S. Design
Pat. No. D200867 to Haifley discloses an ornamental design for a
plate or dish wherein approximately one-half of the structure
includes caloric indicia thereon, which does not appear to be
utilized for holding food, while the other half seems to be
appointed for holding food; U.S. Design Pat. No. D281849 to Cantor
discloses an ornamental design for a diet plate that utilizes
curved rib portions to apparently form food dividers or
compartments to separate food items or portions; U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2006/0029698 to Watson et al. discloses
a food template adapted to be removably applied to a food bearing
surface of a food holder, such as a plate to define a plurality of
areas for food portions to be placed; Foreign Publication No. GB
2119633 to Mackay discloses a compartmented plate divided into
different regions which are marked in a different manner, such as
by color coding, to indicate the different types of foods intended
to be placed in each region; and "The Diet Plate.RTM.--Portion
Control Made Easy" found at www.thedietplate.com discloses a weight
management system consisting of plates and cereal bowls for a
family wherein the plate or cereal bowl includes markings therein
to indicate the given food groups and respective portion sizes.
[0028] These portion control dieting devices do not resemble
eating-ware components that are typically used by most users today,
and cannot be applied to typical devices that may be utilized in
the future. They are cumbersome and either glaringly announce to
the user and his/her companions that the user is on a diet, or
force them to measure and transfer food prior to serving for
consumption. Further, these portion control devices do not address
all aspects of eating-ware one eats from, or eats with, or
pre-served prepared sources of food or prepackaged food. These
portion devices do not adjust in size in a discrete and gradual
manner, at increments so small that the small changes are virtually
unnoticeable by the user. Moreover, none of these devices address
the rate at which food is transferred directly to the user's mouth.
They ignore the fact that a flat plate, a fork or a flat surface
has a volumetric capacity to deliver food portions, and that
eating-ware with an internal volume also has capacity to deliver
solid foods directly above the rim of the eating-ware. None of
these devices address the importance of the relative size of all
components that make up a setting, nor the need for
incrementally-sized standard sized series of eating-ware
settings.
[0029] Additionally, the indicia used on heretofore disclosed
devices and methods are either decorative or used for specifying
areas of a plate to be used for particular type of food. None of
the indicia is used to help the user select sequential standard
sizes of typical eating-ware components which relate to the total
volumetric capacity to hold food within and directly above the
eating-ware component. None of the heretofore disclosed devices and
methods can help a user to size their current or future eating-ware
components. The indicia described in heretofore disclosed devices
and methods used for measurement generally refer to the volume
contained within the indicated mark or within the component. None
of the heretofore disclosed devices and methods take into account
the volume of food that can be served directly above the
eating-ware or the fact that some eating-ware has no internal
volume. Depending on the shape of the utensil-like eating-ware
component, very different amounts of food can be delivered per each
mouthful. None of the heretofore disclosed devices and methods that
have these indicia concerns itself with these aspects because the
purpose of heretofore disclosed devices and methods is for
measurement of ingredients during food preparation and not during
consumption.
[0030] For repositionable compartmentalized devices see: U.S. Pat.
No. 4,966,295 to Parrish, which discloses a compartmentalized
dieting plate having a partitioned assembly that divides the plate
to form predetermined fluid capacity compartments, and in which the
partition assembly may be repositioned to adjust the
compartmentalized capacities as a dieters requirements change; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,743 to Brennan, which discloses a food metering
dish including a dish member with a continuous surrounding wall
defining an interior cavity having first and second concave
recesses for receiving metered containers there within, the
recesses being appointed with ribs with removable partition walls
to form compartments for food portions for controlling amounts
served.
[0031] These types of devices do not change the overall dimensions
and/or the visual planar reference the food is served on and are
not meant to be eaten from in a daily lifestyle. They may help the
user if the food type is such that each ingredient can be
separated. Many foods today come as a mixture of ingredients and
this type of device would be very cumbersome to use with mixtures.
Further, these devices could not easily be used in a work
environment or in a restaurant and they do not resemble typically
used eating-ware, which would make it glaringly obvious to the user
and his/her companions that the user is observing portion
restriction.
[0032] Aforementioned compartmentalized plates and containers all
share numerous disadvantageous stemming from abrupt changes in a
person's diet. A portion conditioning incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware set is not provided. Rather, these
compartmentalized dieting plates utilize dividers to form
compartments for holding food to be consumed. As the portion
amounts are not gradually, unnoticeably adjusted, but are rather
immediate, the user will quickly feel deprived and suffer from
hunger as his or her appetite is not gradually adjusted with these
devices. Behavior modification is not achieved over a gradual
period of time. Moreover, these devices all create a negative
emotional impact on the user, as they do not discretely provide
portion control mechanism. During a dinner with friends or family
it will be highly obvious that the user is on a diet or subject to
portion control. Moreover, none of these devices provide the
ability to gradually and unnoticeably adjust one's food portions
through implementation of an incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware set that resembles typical eating-ware components.
[0033] Even wherein systems and processes of modifying eating
habits of a user are provided, rather than just portion control,
these devices fail to provide an eating-ware component set that
provides incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components
which so resemble regular eating-ware components, that a dieter (as
well as others eating with the dieter) can soon forget he or she is
practicing portion modification.
[0034] These devices fail to provide eating-ware components that
look like typical eating-ware. These devices fail to provide a
system where the user has the flexibility to eat any type of food
and continue to stick to the weight management program. The
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system formulas can
be applied to determine standard sizes of existing eating-ware
components. These devices fail to provide the user with the ability
to continue their weight management program regardless of type of
eating-ware components used. There is a need in the art for an
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware component system
wherein any eating-ware item for eating food from and/or eating
food with can be used as long as the formulas are applied to
determine the standard size and/or sizes of the eating-ware
component. Further, there is a need in the art for an
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware component system
that can be applied to pre-packaged food eaten directly out of the
packaging. None of the heretofore known devices or systems enable a
user to continue his/her weight management regimen when eating
directly out of pre-packaged containers.
[0035] Fluid consumption can greatly add to the total consumption
of the caloric intake, especially alcohol, sodas, and fruit drinks.
There is no heretofore known device or system that helps to control
the gradual decrease in these high calorie consumables through a
numerically guided incrementally adjustable system.
[0036] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,739 to Matson discloses a
system and processes for modifying eating habits of a user by
providing a set of fixed volume graduated containers that are
subdivided into sections and provide a user with means to control
the volume of food consumed over time. In a weight loss program, a
user is provided with a set of the graduated sectioned containers
and migrates from measuring the amount of food per meal with a
larger fixed volume container to measuring the amount of food per
meal with a smaller fixed volume container. Unfortunately, the
sectioned containers cannot feasibly be utilized in a discrete
manner on a dinner table during regular meals. This has particular
impact when one has dinner guests, and/or when a parent is
attempting to gradually, and discretely, modify eating habits of a
child. Moreover, meals require constant measuring and
compartmentalizing food to be consumed. The dieter is constantly
burdened with the task of loading each compartment, and is
constantly reminded of his or her diet during eating. This device
appears to be a deep container, which would make the portions
appear even smaller from top view perspective and lead to further
feeling of deprivation.
[0037] These types of diets make it very difficult for a dieter to
eat outside of their home environment. In addition, they cannot be
used to control liquids or the rate at which a person consumes
food.
[0038] Obesity is becoming an epidemic that affects not only adults
but also an increasing number of children. Family diet techniques
become a necessary prerequisite for addressing weight problems that
affect parents and their children when unhealthy eating habits
become infused in the home. None of the weight loss or diet devices
heretofore disclosed and utilized give parents a simple tool to
quickly adjust a child's portion as the child grows, in order to
help the child maintain healthy weight. Children of the same age
may have drastically different caloric requirements depending on
their build and growth spurts, and many other factors. None of the
weight loss or diet devices heretofore disclosed and utilized
address this important issue of giving parents and children a
simple tool like a number system to follow when selecting their
eating-ware.
[0039] Some of the heretofore disclosed and utilized weight loss or
diet device's components remain the same size throughout the diet
process, while others require measurement and transfer of a food
portion. None take into account the impact on the user of seeing a
smaller portion served on typically sized eating-ware. As the
portions get smaller the user will feel more and more deprived and
therefore, more and more discouraged from continuing on his/her
weight management program.
[0040] Children consume a significant portion of their food outside
of the home. None of the heretofore disclosed devices or diet
methods provide a system that a young child can implement
independent of the parent, for example at school. None of the
heretofore disclosed devices or diet methods consider the system
that a child can use to prevent being overweight as soon as the
child knows letters and numbers.
[0041] Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to
construct an efficient dieting device and methods for modifying
eating habits, there remains a need in the art for an
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and processes
that provides gradual and unnoticeable food portion reduction, so
that a user can modify his/her eating habits for effective weight
management without feelings of deprivation. There remains a need in
the art for an incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system that provides a plurality of incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components having successively
decreasing standard size appointed to be utilized in a graduated
manner over a period of time. Further, there remains a need for
using a set of formulas that allow for standard sizing of the total
volumetric capacity of eating-ware components, which includes the
internal volume and the volume directly above the eating-ware
component. There remains a need for numerical representation of the
sizing that can be applied to eating-ware components and represent
the total volumetric capacities of eating-ware components so that
the user can follow with ease as he/she uses these
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components to follow
in an incremental fashion a regimen of weight management. Moreover,
there remains a need in the art for a eating-ware system that
provides a plurality of eating-ware components that incrementally
adjust the structural dimensions to present a series of
incrementally-sized standard-sized replicas of each component and
therefore incrementally, gradually adjust the user habits and help
the user become accustomed to consuming smaller portions over time
and at a slower rate per mouthful.
[0042] There remains a need for a system of eating-ware component
series that can be used by a consumer to adjust food portion size
and the rate of food portion delivery with each mouthful in small
increments without the feeling of deprivation. There remains a need
for a system of formulas that will enable the user to eat from any
type of eating-ware regardless of shape or type of eating-ware, and
continue to maintain his/her weight management program. There
remains a need in the art for an eating-ware system that not only
controls the amount of food served as a portion but also controls
the rate food is consumed with each mouthful. There remains a need
for eating-ware that will enable the user to use typical
eating-ware components as incrementally-sized standard-sized
settings and/or as individual components and maintain weight
through control of portion size and the rate of food consumption by
selecting eating-ware of a standard size.
[0043] Additionally, there is a need in the art for an
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware set that utilizes a
plurality of eating-ware components having successively decreasing
standard size which become decreased by way of small increments to
provide subtle changes in portion amounts served, so that a user
does not feel deprived and can gradually and unnoticeably modify
food portions consumed and establish healthy eating habits for
effective weight management. There remains a need for a Caloric
Density Mark System that will give a user a quick estimation of
caloric food content.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0044] The present invention relates to an incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes for weight
management, comprising of a plurality of formulas to establish and
assign standard sizes to eating-ware, where the standard sizes are
based on a series of incrementally-sized flat surfaces, and the
flat surfaces establish the basis for total volumetric capacity
equivalents, and the total volumetric capacity equivalents comprise
volume inside the eating-ware and directly above the eating-ware,
and the standard sizes are used as a guide to control amount and
rate of food consumed for weight management. The present invention
provides incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components,
deployed during intervals to provide gradual and unnoticeable food
portion reduction, enabling a user to modify his/her eating habits
for effective weight management without feelings of deprivation.
Eating-ware is comprised of any item that is used to eat from
and/or eat with. The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system and processes provides a plurality of incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components having successively
decreasing standard sizes appointed to be utilized in a graduated
manner over a period of time.
[0045] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware of the
subject invention allows a user to serve and eat directly from a
typical eating-ware component that has an established standard
size, with no need for measurement or transfer. None of heretofore
disclosed and utilized eating-ware devices and systems allow the
user to use a flat surface and/or existing eating-ware unless they
pre-measure food and/or transfer it from the device. Heretofore
disclosed and utilized eating-ware devices and systems require the
use of the device in order to maintain a weight program. This
concept is non-transferrable to other devices whereas the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware of the subject
invention is applicable to all eating-ware.
[0046] None of the weight loss or diet devices heretofore disclosed
and utilized address the standard portion size or standard snack
size (SPS; SSS) for enabling the incremental adjustment of food
amounts based on a numerical standard that represents total
volumetric food capacity of an eating-ware component. Additionally,
none of the above diet devices address the importance of standard
size of the utensils and utensil-like eating-ware components using
standard bite size (SBS) and/or standard nibble size (SNS) which
affect the rate at which food is consumed. Consumers today can eat
food directly out of the packaging, where none of these devices
would assist the user in anyway unless they transfer and measure
the food into another device and transfer back for consumption. The
SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS can be assigned to any prepackaged foods
based on a total volumetric capacity equivalence to help guide the
user to stick to his/her standard size and control his/her weight
without having to transfer the food from the pre-packaged vessel.
This is not possible with prior art devices. The prepackaged food
does not carry indicia indicating standard sizes and/or Caloric
Density Mark to help user make better food choices.
[0047] When the user knows the SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS total
volumetric capacity equivalent and the Caloric Density Mark, the
user is able to quickly estimate the caloric content of his/her
meal. No heretofore disclosed and utilized device presents this
capability.
[0048] In addition food can be served on flat surfaces. Heretofore
disclosed and utilized devices would require the user to transfer
the food to the "measuring device" first and then place it on the
flat serving surface. A flat surface or an area emphasized on a
flat surface can have an assigned SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS to help
guide the user and maintain his/her weight management process. None
of prior art has this capability.
[0049] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes provide a set of formulas that allow for standard
sizing of the total volumetric food delivery capacity of
eating-ware components, where the total volumetric food delivery
capacity includes both the internal volume and the volume directly
above the eating-ware component. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes further provide
numerical representation of the sizing that can be applied to
eating-ware components and represent the total volumetric
capacities of eating-ware components so that the user can follow
with ease as he/she uses these incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components to follow in an incremental fashion a
regimen of weight management. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes can be used by a
consumer to adjust food portion size and the rate of food portion
delivery with each mouthful in small increments without the feeling
of deprivation. Moreover, the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes enables the user to eat from any
type of eating-ware regardless of shape or type of eating-ware, and
continue to maintain his/her weight management program.
[0050] The amount of food served as a portion is controlled by use
of the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and
processes, while also providing control for the rate of food
consumed with each mouthful. The incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes provide eating-ware that will
enable the user to use typical eating-ware components as part of an
incrementally-sized standard-sized setting and/or as a single
component, and maintain weight through control of portion size and
the rate of food consumption by selecting a eating-ware of a
standard size. Use of typical eating-ware components that are sized
using the formulas for standard sizes for portion, snack, bite and
nibble size of the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system and processes, can be identified with numerically based
indicia for ease of identification of the standard size, and these
components are available in a series of incrementally-sized
replicas, so the user can transition from one to the next in the
series without feeling the effect of change. A user is able to
maintain his/her program for weight management regardless of type
of food consumed and/or the type of eating-ware component used to
help the user adjust and/or maintain the amounts of food consumed
and/or the rate of consumption and maintain a healthy weight.
[0051] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
utilizes a set of formulas to establish and/or identify standard
sizes for the total volumetric food delivery capacity of
eating-ware components, where the total volumetric food delivery
capacity includes both the volume inside and a volume directly
above the eating-ware component. This food delivery capacity
determines the total food served for eating-ware components from
which the food is eaten and the rate of food transfer/consumption
for eating-ware components with which the food is eaten.
[0052] The amount of food/substance a user consumes is a function
of his/her visual assessment of food/substance amount relative to
the serving container. The serving surface area, especially the
planar view, is an important aspect of this assessment. FIG. 8
shows how visually the portion appears smaller on a larger diameter
surface. The formulas are based on incrementally decreasing surface
areas, which optimizes the users visual planar perception of
adequate portion size and the rate of consumption, and as a result
minimizes the emotional impact on the user as the user adjusts the
standard size of his/her eating-ware components.
[0053] The formulas establish four types of standard sizes:
Standard Portion Size (SPS) and Standard Snack Size (SSS), which
are used for determination of total volumetric food delivery
capacity; and Standard Bite Size (SBS) and Standard Nibble Size
(SNS), which are used for rate of total volumetric food delivery
capacity per mouthful. The formulas for standard size can be
applied to any eating-ware, regardless of internal and/or external
configuration, and establish relationships between different styles
and types of eating-ware, enabling the user to continue the weight
management efforts regardless of the eating-ware used.
[0054] When utilizing the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes a user selects a starting standard
size based on a combination of weight management factors, and over
time successively shifts to eating-ware components having
smaller/larger standard size. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes utilize a plurality
of eating-ware components having successively decreasing standard
size that decrease by way of small increments to provide subtle
changes in portion amounts served and/or in the rate of food
consumption, so that a user does not feel deprived and can
gradually and unnoticeably modify food portions consumed and
establish healthy eating habits for effective weight
management.
[0055] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
comprises a plurality of incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components forming a set. Each of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components in the
set has a standard size that is different from the successive or
neighboring eating-ware component. Successively decreasing standard
size provides different food volumes/portion sizes. As a result the
total amount of food and the rate the food is transferred to the
user subtly changes with each incremental adjustment.
[0056] The standard size successively decreases by an increment so
that as a user shifts from each consecutive eating-ware component,
the user gradually and unnoticeably decreases (or increases,
depending on weight management needs) his/her portion and/or rate
of food consumption over time.
[0057] Additionally, weight management processes/methods utilizing
the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system are
provided. The first step of the process involves a user selecting a
starting eating-ware component, based on the user's weight goals.
The starting eating-ware components are selected from a plurality
of incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components having
successively decreasing standard size. Standard size of each of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components are
successively differentiated by an increment in order to modify the
rate of food consumption and/or food portion intake delivered to a
user. The user's selection of the starting eating-ware component
can be determined, based on at least one weight management factor.
Next, the user utilizes the starting eating-ware components for a
designated time interval in order to deliver a starting food
portion amount to the user and/or control the food delivery rate,
during a meal. When a designated time interval is reached, the user
adjusts his/her food portion amount by shifting to a successive
eating-ware component selected from the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components that will deliver a
differentiated food portion amount and/or the food delivery rate.
Gradually, food portion amounts are adjusted as the user
continuously shifts to each successive eating-ware component
selected from the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
components each time the designated time interval is reached.
Portion amounts and/or rate of food consumption are gradually and
unnoticeably modified until the user becomes accustomed to each
rate and portion amount and reaches the weight goal. The rate the
food amount is adjusted depends on the size increment of successive
components selected from the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware. Through continuous use and adjustment as needed of the
standard sized eating-ware components, the user can maintain
his/her ideal weight and continue to consume healthy food
portions.
[0058] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware can also
be used to help a user decrease the consumption of undesirable
substances, for example alcohol, coffee, sodas, and/or specific
foods that they need to limit due to their health specific
considerations. The system can also be used to increase the
consumption of more desirable substances like drinking water and/or
eating more vegetables.
[0059] The system components can be used individually or in
combination to help a user optimize her/his consumption and quickly
adjust his/her total consumption and rate of consumption in
response to life style changes to achieve and maintain healthy
weight and or lifestyle. The incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system enables the user to adjust the amounts they
consume and/or the consumption rate with every meal, without having
to measure, count and or record their consumption. As long as the
user uses the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system, the user can continue her/his weight regimen process
throughout his/her lifetime. For example, the user may decrease the
standard size of his/her eating-ware components on days when he/she
can't exercise, around holidays, days of lower activity level due
to illness or other life stresses.
[0060] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware helps
users gradually, virtually subliminally if needed, reduce the
amount of food they consume with each meal and change how fast they
consume their portion amount served. The numerical system makes it
easy for users to maintain their consumption process regardless of
the location the system is implemented. The flexibility of the
system enables a user to create unlimited combinations to manage
their own consumption process their own way.
[0061] The caloric density of food can be calculated and a Caloric
Density Mark can be established for any food. Prepackaged food can
have indicia indicating standard sizes as well as Caloric Density
Mark to help user make better food choices. Any food served can
also be identified with the Caloric Density Mark indicated on
books, guides, software, charts, menus, signs, and/or labels.
[0062] Combining the total volumetric capacity with the concept of
caloric food densities will help the user mange their consumption.
Users that have modified diets to limit certain types of foods, for
example, diabetics may use the incrementally sized standard-sized
eating-ware components for individual type of food or number of
standard bites or nibbles per meal per day.
[0063] The program can incorporate charts and/or software for
selection and/or determination of factors that determine the
transition rate of each consecutive standard size. Software can be
provided to give a person a single number that will represent their
total consumption for the day.
[0064] Because the standard sizes are based on total volumetric
capacity, the sizes can be assigned to any eating-ware components
regardless of what measurement system they were produced under.
This is an additional advantage to the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system which creates a single global
standard for all eating-ware components.
[0065] For illustrative purposes, the invention has been described
in the specification and drawings with reference to round and
elliptical eating-ware components. It will be understood by those
skilled in the art that the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware can have a wide variety of shapes which are other than
round or elliptical. Substantially any eating-ware shape that
permits incremental changes to be made in the surface area and/or
total volumetric food delivery capacity of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware is intended to fall within the scope of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0066] The invention will be more fully understood and further
advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0067] FIG. 1a illustrates a schematic view of a stack of
eating-ware components of the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system, which when flat represent Standard Size
surfaces of SPS and SSS;
[0068] FIG. 1b illustrates a schematic view of some of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components separated
from the set/stack of FIG. 1a;
[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system wherein the
set further includes optional incrementally-sized standard sized
glasses and bowls;
[0070] FIG. 3a illustrates a schematic view of optional
incrementally-sized standard sized forks;
[0071] FIG. 3b illustrates a schematic view of optional
incrementally-sized standard sized spoons;
[0072] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of incrementally-sized
Standard Portion Size (SPS) and incrementally-sized Standard Snack
Size (SSS), where a single integer increment in size of SPS
represents the diameter incremental increase of 2*X=1/4 inch and
the single integer increment in size of SSS represents the diameter
incremental increase of 2*X=1/8 inch, and where the smallest
diameter for SPS is 4 inches and for SSS=0 inches;
[0073] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of incrementally-sized
Standard Bite Size and/or Standard Nibble Size based on a flat
elliptical surface;
[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates the standard-sized eating-ware total
volumetric food delivery capacity and relationship between
variously shaped standard-sized eating-ware components;
[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of incrementally-sized
Standard Size settings; and
[0076] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic planar view of the illusion
created by a food portion placed on round flat surfaces that
increase in diameter. This illusion leads to portion size
distortion, whereby the portions appear smaller and smaller as the
round flat surface increases even though the portion size remains
constant.
DEFINITIONS
[0077] The term "Caloric Density Mark" refers to a letter
representation of the caloric density of food in terms of calories
per cubic inch' wherein the Table A below lists the letters and the
amount of calories per cubic inch they represent.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Caloric Density Mark Letter Calories per
designation cubic inch A 0-10 B >10-20 C >20-30 D >30-40 E
>40-50 F >50-60 G >60-70 H >70-80 I >80-90 J
>90-100 K >100-110 L >110-120 M >120-130 N >130-140
O >140-150 P >150-160 Q >160-170 R >170-180 S
>180-190 T >190-200 U >200-210 V >210-220 W >220-230
X >230-240 Y >240-250 Z + number for amounts over 250
[0078] The term "delta", as used herein, means an incremental
difference.
[0079] The term "eating-ware", as used herein, means any
object/surface from which food is directly consumed or with which
food is transferred directly into the user's mouth, including but
not limited to: disposable and non-disposable eating-ware;
eating-ware having a round, oval, square, cylindrical, cubic,
irregular, polygonal, or a variety of shape configurations; objects
one eats from such as tableware, dish-ware, drink-ware, beverage
containers, snack-ware, designated eating surface, standard portion
template (thin, food-safe material), food packaging, plates, bowls,
cups, mugs, glasses, food trays, sushi boards, paper plates, juice
boxes and juice bags, frozen food trays, plastic bags, bottles,
fast food containers, bags, etc.; eating-ware used to transfer food
directly to the user's mouth such as flatware, silverware,
utensils, cutlery, straws, chopsticks, wooden sticks, etc.;
packaged-ware or pre-measured-ware that contains prepackaged foods
that consumer eats directly from the package.
[0080] The term "eating-ware accessories", as used herein, means
items/objects that are used alongside eating-ware as part of a
table-ware setting, for example: place mats, napkins, etc.
[0081] The term "food delivery capacity", as used herein, means the
total volumetric capacity of an eating-ware component to deliver
volume of food within the boundaries of its rim and directly above
its rim. The volume of food contained inside-liquid equivalent plus
the ability of the item to hold food directly above the rim when
solid food is being served. The volumetric food standard portion
sizes: SPS, SSS, SBS, SNS; take into account the total volumetric
food delivery capacity of an eating-ware component.
[0082] The term "food", as used herein, means any consumable
substance, nutritious and non-nutritious, such as meals, snacks,
beverages, alcohol, etc., that may be consumed by an
individual.
[0083] The term "Food Consumption Rate (Rate of Food Consumption)",
as used herein, means the amount of food transferred directly to
the user per Standard Bite and/or Standard Nibble.
[0084] The term "Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware
System", as used herein, generally means a system for management of
daily consumption of food for preventing excess weight gain and for
weight adjustment and/or maintenance including: [0085] using
formulas in a device, process or system for calculating standard
sizes, and [0086] using formulas/calculations in a device, process
system that define the relationship between various standard-sized
eating-ware components and the standard sizes for the purpose of
cross-referencing and to use exchangeably (interchangeably), and
[0087] incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components,
and [0088] indicia or other means of indicating a numerical
standard size, and [0089] processes for using the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware for weight
management, and [0090] a series of multi-type incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware settings
[0091] The term "Incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
settings", as used herein, means a series of multi-type
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware settings where
components within each setting maintain relative proportion to
other components within the setting, to minimize the perception of
the incremental changes. Each setting in the series makes up a
series of congruent sets.
[0092] The term "prepackaged food", as used herein, means foods
(such as candy, cookies, crackers, frozen dinners, etc,) that are
served in commercial packaging and may be consumed directly out of
packaging (such as bags, boxes, flat sushi boards, trays, fun
shaped containers, etc.)
[0093] The terms "pre-served food" or "pre-measured food", as used
herein, mean prepared food that is already portioned out and may be
served at a buffet, cafeteria or other eateries.
[0094] The term "process", as used herein, means a systematic
series of adjustments in incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components standard sizes in a variety of combinations
to adjust and/or maintain food consumption and consequently
weight.
[0095] The term "setting", as used herein, means multiple types of
eating-ware components used together at the same time. Similar to a
"place setting" or "table setting". For example a setting may
include any or all: dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, dessert
plate, bread plate, spoons, forks, knives, other utensils, glass,
cup, mug, wine glass, etc.
[0096] The term "Standard Bite Size (SBS)", as used herein, means a
numerical representation of a volume of food that can be contained
in an ellipsoid that is formed around a flat elliptical
(spoon-like) shape defined by the formula for SBS (See FORMULAS
section).
[0097] The term "Standard Eating-ware", as used herein, means an
eating-ware component that has an established and/or known SPS,
SSS, SBS, and/or SNS.
[0098] The term "Standard Nibble Size" (SNS), as used herein, means
a numerical representation of a volume of food that can be
contained in an ellipsoid that is formed around a flat elliptical
(spoon-like) shape defined by the formula for SNS (See FORMULAS
section).
[0099] The term "Standard Eating-ware", as used herein, means an
eating-ware component that has an established and/or known SPS,
SSS, SBS, and/or SNS
[0100] The term "Standard Portion Size" (SPS), as used herein,
means a numerical representation of a volume of a 1 inch high
cylinder formed above a flat round surface defined by the formula
for SPS (See FORMULAS section).
[0101] The term "Standard Size", as used herein, means Standard
Portion Size, and/or Standard Snack Size, and/or Standard Bite
Size, and/or Standard Nibble Size.
[0102] The term "Standard Snack Size" (SSS), as used herein, means
a numerical representation of a volume of a 1 inch high cylinder
formed above a flat round surface defined by the formula for SSS
(See FORMULAS section).
[0103] The term "style" of Standard-sized Eating-ware Component as
used herein, refers to different appearances or configurations of a
given type of eating-ware, for example: rimless plate vs. rimmed
plate, round plate vs. square plate, tall thin glass vs short fat
glass, deep bowl vs. shallow bowl, round spoon vs. oval spoon
etc.
[0104] The term "Total Volumetric Capacity", as used herein, means
a Total Volumetric Food Delivery Capacity of an eating-ware
component which is the sum of the volume inside the eating-ware
component and the volume of a designated space directly above
eating-ware component.
[0105] The term "type" of Standard-sized Eating-ware Component, as
used herein, means for example: plate, cup, spoon, knife, bag,
designated surface, pre-packaged food container, etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0106] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes of the present invention comprise using a plurality
of formulas to establish and assign standard sizes to eating-ware,
where the standard sizes are based on a series of
incrementally-sized flat surfaces, and the flat surfaces establish
the basis for total volumetric capacity equivalents, and the total
volumetric capacity equivalents comprise volume inside the
eating-ware and directly above the eating-ware, and the standard
sizes are used as a guide to control amount and rate of food
consumed for weight management. The present invention provides
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components, deployed
during intervals to provide gradual and unnoticeably food portion
reduction, enabling a user to modify his/her eating habits for
effective weight management without feelings of deprivation.
Eating-ware is comprised of any item that is used to eat from
and/or eat with.
[0107] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes provide a plurality of incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components having successively
increasing or decreasing standard sizes appointed to be utilized in
a graduated manner over a period of time. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes of the present
invention are designed to decrease or increase serving sizes and
visa vie consumption of food over a period of time, depending on a
user's weight management needs.
[0108] When selecting eating-ware there are limited choices of
relative sizes within a typical eating-ware set, for example:
dinner plate, salad plate, desert plate, bowl, and cup. Depending
on a manufacturer and/or style, all these items come in a variety
of different sizes and configurations. In addition to china-like
eating-ware, a consumer typically adds mugs, glassware, utensils
and cutlery and eating-ware accessories that complete user's
typical serving setting. Even though visually these eating-ware
components of same type may appear similar, they will deliver very
different food quantities. Depending on the style or manufacturer
of the eating-ware, the internal volume of the eating-ware
component and the amount of food that can be served directly above
the upper boundary of component will vary. The user does not have a
way of verifying how much total volumetric capacity an eating-ware
component has and/or how the different components' total volumetric
capacities relate to each other. For example: a flat plate, to a
deep plate, to a bowl, to a cup, to a spoon, to a fork, etc.
Advantageously, the subject incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes readily discerns the total
(internal and directly above) volumetric capacity of the
eating-ware components and assigns it a numerical equivalency
across components.
[0109] Use of the subject incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes facilitate attainment of a healthy
weight for a user. Various factors affect consumer's weight. These
factors include not only what food is consumed, but how much food
is consumed, which in turn is directly relevant to the portion
served. As eating-ware has increased in size, normal food portions
served on that eating-ware appear smaller and smaller. In response,
users have increased the amount served to compensate for this
illusion. The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes takes advantage of this phenomenon. As the user moves
to smaller and smaller standard size eating-ware components, the
food portions appear larger, thus encouraging the user to consume
less.
[0110] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes uniquely address the amount a consumer eats by very
slightly changing one's portion size, via relative sizes of all the
components of a setting that the user is using. Users have
difficulty reducing the size of their portion when the eating-ware
remains the same size. Even if he/she adjusts the size of some of
the eating-ware, the food portion will appear smaller due to the
relative size appearance of other eating-ware components. Thus, the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and processes
result in virtually unnoticeable decrease of portion size to
facilitate weight control.
[0111] The ability of an individual to maintain healthy weight is
affected by the amount of food they serve themselves and the rate
they consume the food. In addition to the size of portion consumed,
the rate of consumption impacts the consumer's feeling of
satiation. The slower the food is consumed by the user the more
satisfied he/she will feel with lesser amount of food. One way to
control that is to eat more slowly, and another is to eat less with
each mouthful. Smaller standard bite/nibble size will deliver food
directly to the user at a slower rate. The user will be able to
have more bites/nibbles per specific standard portion size or
standard snack size. This will automatically slow down the rate of
consumption. The slower the person eats, the more satiated they
will feel and consequently consume less food.
[0112] Gradual portion control presented in a discrete manner
further facilitates successful dieting and healthy eating habits.
With gradual portion control, those dieting (or intending to gain
weight, when specific health needs so require) are not constantly
reminded of their portion reduction or increase as they are eating;
this tends to relieve mental and emotional pressures that often
sabotage dieting efforts. Moreover, a discrete gradual portion
control device and processes can be utilized when dining with
guests, without making the user's diet glaringly obvious.
[0113] Another important factor uniquely considered by the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and processes
of the subject invention concerns the actual transfer of food into
the person's mouth. Currently, there are no standards or
recommendations with regard to the eating-ware that is used to
transfer the food into a person's mouth. This disregards an
important factor that affects the individual's consumption process.
The larger the utensil-like eating-ware, the larger the amount of
food that will be delivered per mouthful. The larger the amount of
food that is delivered per mouthful, the faster the user consumes
his/her portion. The lack of feeling of satiation is an important
aspect of why people overeat. When they consume food fast, they do
not experience the feeling of satiation and as a result eat more
than they need. Reducing the rate of food transfer to the user by
using incrementally smaller utensils results in a decrease in
portion amount eaten as more bites are needed, causing a
psychological effect of feeling full sooner and thus resulting in
consuming of a smaller portion of food overall during a meal. The
Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System surprisingly
and unexpectedly addresses the need for controlling the entire
consumption system, not only the amount of food served and/or
consumed but also the rate that the user consumes the food by
defining the Standard Sizes for all eating-ware.
[0114] The user can use the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized
Eating-ware System to optimize their standard bite size to
determine optimal size of the standard "bite/nibble" to maximize
feeling of satiated and optimize the number of standard
bites/nibbles per day to their weight management goals. User can
also use the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
to optimize his/her standard food portion size to determine the
optimal food delivery level for healthy weight maintenance.
[0115] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a Standard Portion Size, Standard Snack Size, Standard
Bite Size, and Standard Nibble Size each established by using a
formula. The detailed explanation of these formulas used in the
process and system are included in the FORMULAS section below. The
formula for Standard Portion Size is based on a series of total
volumetric capacity equivalents (expressed in cubic inches) defined
by volumes of 1 inch high cylinders above flat round surfaces that
start at a 4 inch diameter and vary in size in small diameter
increments of the cylinder bases. The formula for Standard Snack
Size, is based on a series of the total volumetric capacity
equivalents (expressed in cubic inches) defined by volumes of 1
inch high cylinders above flat round surfaces that start at a 0
inch diameter and vary in size in small diameter increments of the
cylinder bases. The formula for Standard Bite Size is based on a
series of total volumetric capacity equivalents (expressed in cubic
inches) defined by volumes of ellipsoids surrounding flat
elliptical surfaces that vary in size in small increments in the
major and minor radii, where the major radius starts at 0.5 inch
and minor radius starts at 0.25 inch, where both minor radii are
equal, and the major radius equals the minor radius times 1.5 plus
0.125. The formula for Standard Nibble Size is based on a series of
total volumetric capacity equivalents (expressed in cubic inches)
defined by volumes of ellipsoids surrounding flat elliptical
surfaces that vary in size in small increments in the major and
minor radii, where each of the major and minor radii start at 0
inch, both minor radii are equal, and the major radius is equal to
the minor radius times 1.5. These formulas are used to establish
the numerical value of a standard size and are calculated by the
following formulas:
Standard Portion Size (SPS)=(the diameter of a cylinder in
inches-4)*4, a)
Standard Snack Size (SSS)=the diameter of a cylinder in inches*8,
b)
Standard Bite Size (SBS)=40*minor radius of ellipse in inches-10,
and c)
Standard Nibble Size (SNS)=80*minor radius of ellipse in inches.
d)
[0116] Note that Standard Portion Size numerical values will be
negative numbers for surface diameters less than 4 inches and can
be used as such, but a Standard Snack Size may be preferable for
these sizes. Similarly, Standard Bite Size will be negative for
minor radii smaller than 0.25 inches and can be used as such, but a
Standard Nibble Size may be preferable for these sizes.
[0117] These Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
Standard Sizes help the user control the amount of food served
and/or consumed and also the rate at which the user consumes the
food.
[0118] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
eating-ware components are sized and/or identified with Standard
Sizes, where standard Portion Size and Standard Snack Size are used
to control the total volumetric capacity of eating-ware which in
turn controls the amount of food per serving, and wherein standard
Bite Size and Standard Nibble Size are used to control the total
volumetric capacity of eating-ware which in turn controls the rate
of food consumption per bite-full/mouthful.
[0119] These formulas are used to determine a standard size for all
eating-ware components. They uniquely provide a system that can be
used by manufacturers to indicate the standard sizes of eating-ware
components for the users, so that the users will be able to
continue to stay on their weight management regimen no matter what
they eat (type of food and/or type of meal), what eating-ware
component they eat from (plate, bowl, cup, glass, flat surface,
bag, pre-packaged-ware, etc.), eat with (fork, knife, spoon, straw,
chop sticks, etc.), or where they eat (restaurant, cafeteria,
friend's home), as long as the users verify the standard size of
the eating-ware components that they are using. The standard sizes
can also be assigned directly to a food amount that is served
independent of its container, for example, a sign at a buffet can
indicate the slice of pizza or a slice of lasagna is standard size
of 3.0 and a Caloric Density Mark of D.
[0120] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and process result in a decrease of portion size which facilitates
weight control. This is achieved through use of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system's unique
eating-ware components that look like and/or are typical
eating-ware so that the user has the flexibility to eat any type of
food and continue to stick to the weight management program. The
Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System formulas can
be used to design any eating-ware component to a specific Standard
Size. The design process comprises of the following steps: [0121]
a) determining the features of eating-ware component; [0122] b)
determining the internal and/or external features and/or
configuration that will result in total volumetric capacity
equivalent to the desired Standard Size total volumetric capacity;
[0123] c) assigning corresponding Standard Size and/or Standard
Size Range to the eating-ware.
[0124] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
eating-ware components can form series of multi-type components so
that the user can shift from one component to another within the
series to adjust the amount and rate of consumption.
[0125] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
formulas can also be used to design any eating-ware series that
adjusts in Standard Size increments small enough to be
indistinguishable by the user, by following these steps: [0126] a)
determining the internal and/or external features of eating-ware;
[0127] b) determining the smallest or largest size in the series;
[0128] c) determining the largest Standard Size increment visually
undetectable by the user in the series; [0129] d) determining the
number of eating-ware components in the series; [0130] e) adjusting
the internal and/or external features for each increment in size to
achieve a total volumetric capacity equivalent for each component
within the series, while maintaining undetectability; [0131] f)
assigning the Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range to the
eating-ware that corresponds to the Standard Size equivalent total
volumetric capacity of each component in the series.
[0132] These Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
series can be made as a series of single type and/or style of
eating-ware, or form a series of multi-type incrementally-sized
Standard-Sized eating-ware settings where components within each
setting maintain relative proportion (congruent dimensions) to
other components within the setting, to minimize the perception of
the incremental changes, and where: [0133] a) components within
each setting have the same corresponding Standard Size, or [0134]
b) components within the setting have a different Standard Size,
and [0135] all eating-ware components in a consecutive setting are
increased or decreased in Standard Size by one or more increments
with each adjustment to modify food amounts.
[0136] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
eating-ware series components internal and/or external dimensions
and/or configurations (including depth, height, slope of the walls,
wall thickness, internal texture, shape of the inside, shape of the
bottom, and/or a combination of some or all of the above) can be
varied so that the amount of food delivered and/or the rate of
delivery varies in small increments, while maintaining the visual
appearance of sameness.
[0137] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
formulas can be used to determine and assign any Standard Size
and/or Standard Size Range to any existing eating-ware by: [0138]
a) selecting which of Standard Size (Standard Portion Size,
Standard Snack Size, Standard Bite Size or Standard Nibble Size)
and/or Standard Size Ranges of eating-ware is to be assigned,
[0139] b) determining the internal volume of the eating-ware,
[0140] c) determining the cross-sectional area of the top of the
eating-ware, [0141] d) determining the equivalent total volumetric
capacity of the Standard Size that has the same cross-sectional
surface area as the cross-sectional area of the top of the
eating-ware, [0142] e) calculating total volumetric capacity of the
eating-ware by adding volume (b) and (d) for Standard Portion Size
or Standard Snack Size, or adding volume (b) and one-half of (d)
for Standard Bite Size or Standard Nibble Size, [0143] f)
determining the numerical Standard Size that corresponds to the
total volumetric capacity, and [0144] g) assigning the
corresponding selected numerical Standard Size and/or Standard Size
Range to the eating-ware.
[0145] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
formulas can be applied to determine standard sizes of existing
eating-ware components. With the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware component system any eating-ware item for eating food
from and/or eating food with can be used as long as the formulas
are applied to determine the standard size and/or sizes of the
eating-ware component. These formulas can be applied to a
volumetric quantity of food directly. The Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System formulas can be used for
assigning a Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range to a volume of
food that equates to the total volumetric capacity equivalent to
the specific Standard Size and/or a Standard Size Range.
[0146] Pre-packaged food can be eaten directly out of the
packaging. The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system will enable the user to continue his/her weight management
regimen when eating directly out of pre-packaged containers. The
Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System formulas can
be used to determine and assign and/or indicate a Standard Size
and/or Standard Size Range on the pre-packaged and/or pre-measured
amount of food to reflect the volumetric amount of food contained
therewithin that equates to the specific Standard Size and/or a
Standard Size Range.
[0147] There are some instances where eating-ware does not permit
food to be served above a rim of the eating-ware component. In this
situation the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
formulas will be used to assign a Standard Size and/or Standard
Size Range based on the internal volume only. The internal volume
of the eating-ware is equated to the total volumetric capacity
equivalent to the specific Standard Size and/or a Standard Size
Range and that Size or Range is assigned to the eating-ware.
[0148] Through use of the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes fluid consumption can also be
added to the total consumption of the caloric intake especially
alcohol, sodas, and fruit drinks. The Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System can be used for purposes other
than weight management. The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized
Eating-ware System can comprise of a series of Standard Sized
eating-ware that is used for subtle and incremental management of
consumption of other edible substances including alcohol, coffee,
water, sodas, fruit drinks, etc. and specific food types, for
example decreasing high sugar content or high fat content, or
increasing high vitamin or other nutrient content. So for example
if you'd want a child to increase the amount of vegetables they
consume you would place those on a large Standard Size eating-ware
component and the amount would appear small. So gradually and
unnoticeably increasing the size of "vegetable" eating-ware would
motivate the child to eat more vegetables.
[0149] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes helps to control the gradual decrease in these high
calorie consumables through numerically guided incrementally
adjustable system.
[0150] Uniquely, a SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS can be assigned to any
pre-served food or prepackaged foods based on a total volumetric
equivalence to help guide the user to stick to his/her standard
size and control his/her weight without having to transfer the food
from the pre-packaged vessel, while previously proposed weight loss
services require a user to transfer the food to the "measuring
device" first and then transfer it again on to the eating
surface.
[0151] In addition to the SPS, SSS, SBS and/or SNS the pre-packaged
ware can have the Caloric Density Mark, which refers to a letter
representation of the caloric density of food in terms of calories
per cubic inch, which will help the user in selecting foods. (See
Table A) This will give the user a quick way to make a
determination of the total calories contained. For example, user
sees 2 candy bars next to each other, both are SBS=10 one is marked
A and the second with E. It would indicate to the user that the "A"
candy bar has significantly fewer calories than the "E" candy bar.
This would be very useful to children since they can learn to look
for foods that have lower caloric densities by looking at the
letter of the alphabet when making choices. The Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System includes a system for assigning a
Caloric Density Mark to caloric food density ranges where each
letter of the alphabet represents a caloric density range starting
with A representing 0 up to and including 10 calories per cubic
inch, B representing more than 10 up to and including 20 calories
per cubic inch, and so on up to Y representing more than 240 up to
and including 250 calories per cubic inch, with higher caloric
densities represented by Z plus the number of calories per cubic
inch.
[0152] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
Caloric Density Mark can be listed in or indicated on books,
guides, software, charts, menus, signs, labels, or external
packaging indicia.
[0153] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and process is already a pre-measured surface area and provides a
pre-measured eating-ware. A flat surface or an area emphasized on a
flat surface of the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system can have an assigned SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS to help guide
the user and maintain his/her weight management process.
[0154] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
adjusts the amount of food consumption and the rate the food is
delivered to the user throughout the daily consumer's consumption
process. The system consists of the eating-ware components that are
periodically incrementally adjusted in size by the user, and have
been standard-sized using the formulas for Standard Portion Size
(SPS), Standard Snack Size (SSS), Standard Bite Size (SBS), and
Standard Nibble Size (SNS). The formulas for SPS and SSS are used
to assign standard sizes to eating-ware components from which food
is eaten and define a total amount of food. The formulas for SBS
and SNS assign sizes to eating-ware components that are used to
transfer the food directly to the user and establish the rate of
food transferred per mouthful.
[0155] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
provides a simple representation of these standard-size total
volumetric capacity representations of food amounts
numerically.
[0156] The decimal number for a Standard Size is used to represent
a single total volumetric capacity Standard Size, and a Standard
Size Range is an integer that is used to represent a range of total
volumetric capacities that include all decimal Standard Sizes
having the same integer portion.
[0157] In other words, the integer value of a standard size
represents a range of volumes that have the same number in the
integer place. The decimal value of a standard size represents a
single volume equivalent for each size SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS.
For example: Standard size 1 represents a range of volumes for
sizes 1 and greater but less than 2. Standard size 1.13 refers to a
unique total volumetric capacity equivalent for that particular
standard size. This system makes it easy for the user to remember
just a few numbers to maintain his/her weight management
process.
[0158] The incrementally-sized standard-sized numerical eating-ware
system also provides formulas for determination of the standard
size for any eating-ware. This enables the user to continue with
his/her weight regimen no matter where he/she eats and irrespective
of type or style of eating-ware component the user utilizes. For
example the user can use a plate, a bowl, a cup, a glass, a spoon
or a fork, etc and continue to stick with his/her consumption
process as long as the eating-ware has an established and/or
identified standard size that the user is using in his/her weight
management regimen.
[0159] The system affects the amount a user serves and the rate
he/she consumes the substances served therefore it impacts the
whole consumption process. With each incremental size adjustment
the amounts change in small gradual steps so the user minimizes the
feeling of deprivation and distress associated with typical portion
reduction. The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system can be applied to most typical and non-typical eating-ware
components. As a result the user has a process for modification of
his/her consumption by the use of typical eating-ware components
that have been sized and/or identified with the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system numbers for guidance in selection
of eating-ware to help manage weight.
[0160] The user can select items from the Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System eating-ware components, where:
[0161] a) the Standard Sized eating-ware components form a series,
[0162] b) each successive component within the series varies by a
Standard Size increment, [0163] c) a change in increment is gradual
and subtle so that the user is unmindful of that change when
shifting between consecutive standard sizes within the series, and
[0164] d) a change in Standard Size increment results in adjustment
of food amount served/consumed or the rate of consumption of
food.
[0165] When the consumer has adjusted to the given serving size or
food portion amount, the serving size is further decreased or
increased, as the case may be, by utilizing the next
incrementally-sized standard sized eating-ware component. The user
selects the eating-ware component via the use of the standard size
numbers SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS. The unique standard number
system cross-references all types of eating-ware components. The
user can select different types of eating-ware as long as its
standard size is maintained to stay within the weight management
process.
[0166] Particularly, the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system provides incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components appointed to be used in intervals to provide
gradual and unnoticeable food portion reduction, so that a user can
modify his/her eating habits for effective weight management
without feelings of deprivation. A plurality of incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components is provided. Each of these
eating-ware components has a successively decreasing standard size
so that each eating-ware component yields a different volume
capacity for food, and hence presents a different portion
amount.
[0167] A user typically consumes the food served on the eating-ware
and transfers the food to his/her mouth using the available
eating-ware. The user evaluates the amount of food to serve by
visually observing the amount in the planar view from above the
eating-ware. The accuracy of this evaluation is not adequate and as
eating-ware has been increasing in size, so have the portions
served, resulting in overeating. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system has incorporated this important
factor in the development of the formulas for the standard sizes.
The basis of the formula is surface areas (round for the SPS and
SSS like a flat plate, and elliptical for SBS and SNS like a flat
spoon). The incremental adjustments are designed to help create a
perception of sameness as the planar view of the eating-ware
changes at such small increments that are virtually undetectable by
the user. Most users will be able to adjust to the next size with a
whole number adjustment, but some may need fractional
adjustments.
[0168] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
comprises of a plurality of processes for using incrementally-sized
Standard-Sized eating-ware with known Standard Sizes for weight
management, where these processes change the amount of food
consumed and/or the rate of consumption with each incremental
adjustment in Standard Size and/or Sizes. In addition, they can be
used to maintain weight by having the user continually using the
same Standard Size.
[0169] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a process to manage weight where a user determines the
Standard Sizes of his/her current eating-ware components, and/or
selects Standard Size components from within a series, and then:
[0170] a) continues to use those same Standard Sized eating-ware
components to maintain weight, [0171] b) periodically selects
smaller Standard Sized components to reduce weight, or [0172] c)
periodically selects larger Standard Sized components to increase
weight.
[0173] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a process to manage weight where the user can use and/or
adjust one or more of the Standard Sizes of eating-ware so that
he/she: [0174] a) uses same sizes for all food consumption, [0175]
b) uses different sizes for different types of meals, [0176] c)
uses different sizes for different types of food, or [0177] d)
implements any combination of the above scenarios, and controls the
amount of food consumed and/or the rate that the food is
consumed.
[0178] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a process to manage weight where the user can
incrementally adjust the total number of servings of one or more of
a particular Standard Size consumed per time interval.
[0179] Another process to use the Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System to manage weight, allows the user
to select a starting Standard Size of eating-ware, the size of
incremental adjustment of Standard Size, and the time interval
between periodic shifts to the next size in a self-directed process
or with guidance from a professional and/or software.
[0180] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a process to manage weight where the user selects Standard
Sizes and/or makes adjustments based on various factors including
age, health, medical conditions, height, weight, gender, activity
level, life style or comfort level.
[0181] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
can be used with any existing eating-ware with assessed and/or
assigned Standard Size and/or Standard Size Range for weight
management, whether marked or unmarked.
[0182] Another unique aspect of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system is the ability to give a
volumetric representation for a flat surface. The flat round
plate-like surfaces form the basis for the Standard Portion Size
(SPS) and Standard Snack Size (SSS) system. Any flat surfaces have
zero volumetric capacity for holding liquids, yet they can be used
to serve solid substances and therefore impact the amount of
portion served on them by the user.
[0183] A same size portion served on a small surface that just
contains it vs. being served on a large surface that reveals a lot
of surface area around it will appear to the user as a larger
portion (See FIG. 8). The empty space creates an illusion where the
portion appears smaller when presented on the larger surface with
lots of empty space around it. Adjusting the eating-ware components
size will result in the user serving smaller quantities of food
without the feeling of deprivation and therefore help the user lose
and maintain weight.
[0184] Just like flat round plate-like surfaces are the basis for
SPS and SSS, flat elliptical spoon-like surfaces are the basis for
Standard Bite Size (SBS) and Standard Nibble Size (SNS) which
affect the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
components that are used by the user to transfer the substances
directly to the user. As the numeric standard-size of utensil-like
eating-ware components adjusts, it changes the amount of food the
user consumes per each mouthful. Even though the total amount of
food consumed may have incrementally decreased with an adjustment
of SPS/SSS, by simultaneously adjusting the SBS/SNS the user will
experience more mouthfuls and slow down his/her rate of consumption
and therefore further minimize the feeling of deprivation.
[0185] The eating-ware components are appointed to be utilized in a
graduated manner over a period of time. Small, incremental changes
in standard sizes are successively provided, so that the food
portion changes from eating-ware component to eating-ware component
are subtle. Advantageously, with this arrangement, the user does
not feel deprived and gradually establishes healthy eating habits
for effective weight management.
[0186] Long-term use of smaller incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components prevents weight gain after the user's diet
is complete, allowing the user to readily maintain his or her
weight. This is especially useful, as dieters who are successful at
losing the weight frequently gain it back after a period of
time.
[0187] Long-term use of incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware will assist the users in adjusting their weight through
their daily consumption and maintain it by continually using the
standard size of their eating-ware after they achieve their healthy
weight. Incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware can be used
for all meals throughout a person's life span and adjusted by the
user due to life style changes or aging. The user can quickly
adjust their consumption in response to their lifestyle changes
like aging or illness, and/or changes in activity level, simply by
changing the standard size used.
[0188] The incrementally-standard-sized eating-ware can be used for
children to help them develop a healthy lifestyle. A child will not
be able to comprehend the complex calorie based systems for weight
management. Adults have difficulty in making the decision of how
much food to serve themselves and when they feel full. That is a
task beyond most children's ability. Yet a first grader will be
able to know his/her eating-ware size and fill it up. A parent will
be able to increase the eating-ware size as the child grows to
maintain a healthy weight much easier with the
incrementally-standard-sized eating-ware.
[0189] Long-term use of the eating-ware components reduces the need
to track data, count calories, and calculate portion sizes, etc.,
throughout and after the diet. The act of counting calories and
measuring food adds to the feeling of deprivation and constant
awareness of being on a restrictive diet.
[0190] Advantageously, once a user knows their eating-ware
component standard size weight maintenance is readily achieved.
[0191] The user only needs to remember a few numbers to help guide
him/her in daily choices of eating-ware. The user will no longer
have to measure or weigh substances prior to consumption. As
restaurants, cafeterias, eating-ware manufacturers, food
manufacturers, etc. incorporate the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system the users will be able to
maintain their weight management system anywhere they choose as
long as the standard sizes SPS, SSS, SBS and/or SNS of the food
amount or the eating-ware component are readily available to the
user.
[0192] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
Standard Sizes formulas use inches as the basis for the origin of
these sizes. These formulas can be expressed in units other than
inches, inches squared, and/or inches cubed through unit
conversions of corresponding measures of other Measurement
Systems.
[0193] Incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components
are provided, as well as optional place settings and utensils, to
induce behavior modification, causing desired weight loss (or gain)
and establishing new, healthy eating habits.
[0194] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware can be
grouped as a place setting made up of all the components that the
user will use to consume directly from and/or transfer the
substance directly into their body, such as: dinner plate, salad
plate, desert plate, spoon, fork, knife, tea-spoon, glass, cup,
mug, glassware and many other items that typically make-up a
setting. The user can change the standard size of all items at
once, or one or more items at the time, creating unlimited
combinations available to the user. This will truly allow the user
to adjust his/her consumption process as slowly or as quickly as
the user chooses.
[0195] Changes in eating-ware component standard size occur in
small increments, making it difficult to notice the changes from
day to day, or week to week. Small daily or weekly changes in
increments utilized by the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes minimize dieting discomfort.
[0196] The user can make the standard size increment adjustments so
small that they are virtually undetectable by the user. This is
especially helpful for parents who are trying to instill healthy
habits for their children. The incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system currently provides the only method that can
easily help a parent manage their child's weight. Others have tried
to come up with a method that can be applied across all children,
yet these methods come up short due to the high variability in
growth and stature from child to child. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware makes these small adjustments possible
without the chore of measuring and calculating portions.
[0197] The eating-ware components are proportioned between each
standard size so that the calorie intake is slowly reduced (or
increased) and a person is dieting (or gaining weight) without
significant effort and/or the recognition that a change in caloric
intake is occurring.
[0198] The human body does not possess a mechanism to evaluate the
number of calories the person consumed. A person can consume a
chocolate bar that is 600 calories and may still be hungry. With
the abundance of varieties of foods that are available today a
person has no mechanism that will indicate that what they consumed
is sufficient. Because of that they depend largely on their visual
interpretation and memory of what they've consumed. Consumers using
the eating-ware components of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes will gradually
become accustomed to smaller (or larger) standard sized eating-ware
components and glassware, and portions of food and drink. Counting
calories, measuring food portions, and dietary modifications
involving departures from the user's normal foods are no longer
required, owing to use of the present incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system and processes.
[0199] Most diet-altering plans concern themselves with the calorie
intake. The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
recognizes the importance of how fast the substances are consumed
in addition to the amount per each meal, to help the user feel
satiated.
[0200] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes have applications for use in managing an individual's
weight, as well as the weight of family members, such as spouses,
children and other family members. As children are beginning to
have more and more weight issues, accountable in part due to eating
larger portion sizes than their body build requires, weight
management and healthier eating habits are needed. Children using
the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and
processes will learn to recognize an appropriate meal standard size
for their body size and weight. This learning experience enables
children to establish healthy eating habits that carry on into
their adult lives.
[0201] A portion of a child's life is spent in the school system.
Currently school cafeteria eating-ware is one-size-fits-all. This
size is too large for many children and teaches them to eat more
than they need. As a solution the schools are trying to provide
more healthy choices yet more variety will only compound the issue.
With the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system,
cafeterias and other eateries can easily adjust the portion size to
that which is right for the individual child.
[0202] The discrete nature of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components, optional bowls, cups, etc.,
of the system allow parents to gradually decrease a child's portion
amount without the child being adversely affected, or even aware of
the small, incremental decrease.
[0203] When a child transitions from a child plate to an adult
plate the surface area increases almost four times. We are asking
children to make the right choices without giving them the right
tools to make these choices. The incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware does provide these tools. Children can learn to adjust
their incrementally-sized standard sizes as they grow and the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and process
adjust with their age throughout their life-span. Labeling foods in
a cafeteria or a restaurant with the Caloric Density Mark will also
help children make right choices from the start.
[0204] A family can lose weight together. Moreover, progressive
eating-ware component standard sizes can be used to track and
accommodate growth of children. The eating-ware component standard
sizes can be increased gradually and unnoticeably, instead of
progressing from "kiddy-sized" eating-ware components directly to
adult-sized eating-ware components, which encourages overeating and
may contribute to childhood obesity. In addition, schools,
currently feed all children the same size portions on a single size
tray or eating-ware component. School cafeterias could use
different standard size eating-ware components to match the
appropriate food portions with caloric needs of different age
children.
[0205] Additionally utensil-like eating-ware of various standard
sizes (SBS and/or SNS) can be offered for children to help them
learn to eat at a slower consumption rate. Snacks and other
pre-portioned items can use the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware number system to help the consumers make the right
choices throughout their day.
[0206] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware and
system could be used as part of the treatment for eating disorders
such as anorexia and bulimia. For example, anorexics have a
distorted view of themselves and the amount of food they consume.
Starting with a small eating-ware component, they could gradually
become accustomed to larger and larger eating-ware components and
portion standard sizes until reaching a healthy amount of food.
[0207] Other inventions that are used for measurement of food
require that food is contained inside the measuring container. This
type of measurement cannot be used to measure a flat surface. The
act of measuring adds a cumbersome step that prevents many users
from controlling the size of their standard portion and results in
weight gain. The act of measurement will also make the users
realize that they are depriving themselves in some way. The current
size of typical eating-ware makes the appropriate food serving
appear meager and the user feels deprived if they serve the right
food standard portion to maintain optimal weight.
[0208] FIG. 1a illustrates a schematic view of a stack of flat
round eating-ware components of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system, while FIG. 1b illustrates a
schematic view of some of the flat round incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components separated from the set/stack
of FIG. 1a. The incrementally-sized standard size eating-ware
component is shown to look like a plate to demonstrate the flat
plate-like surface used for the formulas SPS and SSS and the
incremental change 115 between standard sizes. The
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system includes a
plurality of incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
components 112a-112n having successively decreasing eating-ware
component diameters d.sub.a-d.sub.n. Herein eating-ware components
112a, 112b and 112c are shown with eating-ware component diameters
d.sub.a, d.sub.b, and d.sub.c shown herein at 113a, 113b and 113c,
respectively.
[0209] The round flat standard-sized plate-like surfaces increasing
in small increment diameters are used to establish the basis for
the Standard Portion Size and Standard Snack Size. The
illustrations in FIG. 1 refer to a standard-sized plate-like device
to illustrate how any standard-sized eating-ware component would
have its dimensions and size adjusted in small and/or proportionate
increments between each standard size.
[0210] Eating-ware component diameters d.sub.a-d.sub.n, shown at
113a, 113b and 113c, of each of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components 112a-112n are successively
differentiated by an increment 115 to modify food portion intake
delivered to a user. Increment 115 between successively decreasing
eating-ware component diameters 112a, 112b and 112c ranges from
1/16 inch to a 1 inch increment. Preferably, increment 115 between
successively decreasing eating-ware component diameters 112a, 112b
and 112c ranges from 1/8 inch to a 1/2 inch increment. Most
preferably, increment 115 between successively decreasing
eating-ware component diameters 112a, 112b and 112c is 1/4
inch.
[0211] The 1/4 inch diameter increments of a round flat
standard-sized plate-like surfaces form the basis for the whole
number sizing of the Standard Portion Size of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware. The 1/8 inch
diameter increments of a round flat standard-sized plate-like
surfaces form the basis for the whole number sizing of the Standard
Snack Size of the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware.
[0212] The integer value of a standard size represents a range of
volumes that have the same number in the integer place. The decimal
value of a standard size represents a single volume equivalent for
each size SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS. Fractional incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware increments can be implemented to further
limit the detectability by a user. These increments can be smaller
than the 1/16 inch above. When increment 115 is small, the
eating-ware component volume and visa vie diameter changes or
modifications are small so that shifting to the next or successive
eating-ware component goes virtually unnoticed. The volume we are
referring to is the total volumetric capacity directly above the
flat round surface. The smaller diameter change results in a very
gradual change in eating-ware component and visa vie portion
size.
[0213] Similarly, the Standard Bite Size and Standard Nibble Size,
which are mostly applied to incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware components that you eat with (transfer food directly
into the user), follow similar design of incremental adjustments.
The basis for these standard sizes is an elliptical surface. The
total volumetric capacity for food delivery is defined by an
ellipsoid formed around this surface. The increment 115 equivalent
is not the diameter change, but a change in the minor radius of the
ellipsoid (where both minor radii are equal). When radii increment
is small, the eating-ware component total volumetric capacity for
delivery of food are small so that shifting to the next or
successive eating-ware component goes virtually unnoticed. The
smaller radii change results in a very gradual change in
eating-ware component and visa vie the amount of food delivered to
the user per each mouthful, the rate of food delivery.
[0214] Another novel structural feature of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system concerns the ability of the user
to optimize his/her SBS and/or SNS. These two measures help the
user establish how big a mouthful he/she needs to consume to feel
satisfied. Also the process of optimizing the number of SBS and/or
SNS per meal, per day, etc. gives the user a different way of
managing his/her weight.
[0215] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system
and processes provide a weight loss program that focuses on
incremental percent rate changes by automatically adjusting the
portion served to a user. For example, for a flat round eating-ware
component, change in area is equal to the following: change in
area=pi/4(d.sub.1.sup.2-d.sub.2.sup.2). Even though the change in
eating-ware component diameter d.sub.1-d.sub.2 is constant, the
rate at which the corresponding standard size' total volumetric
capacity decreases is reduced in decreasing increments.
[0216] This is true for any round flat plate. As the user decreases
each standard size (SPS and SSS) the "hurdle to the next standard
size" (the amount of substance per one size reduction) decreases.
This is motivating to the user and helps him/her attain and
maintain his/her optimal weight.
[0217] This is also true for the utensil-like incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components that are used to transfer
food directly to the user. The incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes provide a weight loss program that
not only focuses on incremental percent rate changes by
automatically adjusting the portion served by a user, but also on
incremental percent rate changes by automatically adjusting the
rate the portion is transferred to a user. The amount of substance
transferred per each transfer is dependent on the surface area of
the utensil-like incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware.
Standard Bite Size and Standard Nibble Size are based on a shape of
a flat elliptically shaped spoon-like surface. As the minor radii
decreases at a constant rate the volume decreases at a decreasing
rate.
[0218] The user who makes the planar view assessment of the food
quantity experiences a constant change in diameter/radii yet the
amount of food reduced per SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS is gradually
decreasing. This creates a smaller and smaller hurdle to pass and
therefore continually motivates the user to stick to his/her weight
management regimen. Example of a "standard bite size" and "standard
nibble size" are illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0219] The incremental adjustments in the area of the eating-ware
component change the total volumetric capacity of the eating-ware
component, and therefore alter the total calories consumed. As an
individual reduces their eating-ware component standard size using
constant diameter changes, the amount of calories per each change
in diameter is decreased. This is true for a flat round plate as
well as an elliptical flat spoon. The advantage of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system is that it
works on the consumption process in two ways. One is the
two-dimensional component of a surface that is adjusted at small
increments, and therefore the user who makes visual assessment
during the serving and the consumption processes experiences little
emotional impact. This aspect is adjusted at a constant rate. The
other is the three dimensional aspect which affects the amount of
substance contained within the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware component, which affects the amount of substance
consumed and the rate that it is consumed. Both aspects add to the
positive motivational impact on the user.
[0220] To demonstrate this feature of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system, a round flat plate-like surface
is used. For example, when the eating-ware component is reduced
from 10 to 9.75 inch diameter, the area of the eating-ware
component is reduced by 3.88 square inches. Going from 5 inches to
4.75 inches, the area is reduced by 1.91 square inches, which
corresponds to half the reduction of calories, assuming everything
else is constant. Table I and Table II below set forth the diameter
of the eating-ware component, the corresponding area and change in
area with incremental change in diameter of 1/4 inch for each
sequential round eating-ware component, for Standard Portion Size
and Standard Snack Size. The standard eating-ware component
standard size dimensions assume a flat eating-ware component.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE I Standard Portion Size Volume of
Incrementally Whole Number Round Flat Surface and/or Standard Sized
Cylinder Change in Standard Portion Portion Size with height = 1
volume per size Size Diameter Area Change in inch in cubic change
in inches SPS (inches) (in.sup.2) Area (in.sup.2) inches cubed
.sup. 25 . . . 24 10 78.54 78.54 23 9.75 74.66 3.88 74.66 3.88 22
9.5 70.88 3.78 70.88 3.78 21 9.25 67.20 3.68 67.20 3.68 20 9 63.62
3.58 63.62 3.58 19 8.75 60.13 3.49 60.13 3.49 18 8.5 56.74 3.39
56.74 3.39 17 8.25 53.46 3.29 53.46 3.29 16 8 50.27 3.19 50.27 3.19
15 7.75 47.17 3.09 47.17 3.09 14 7.5 44.18 2.99 44.18 2.99 13 7.25
41.28 2.90 41.28 2.90 12 7 38.48 2.80 38.48 2.80 11 6.75 35.78 2.70
35.78 2.70 10 6.5 33.18 2.60 33.18 2.60 9 6.25 30.68 2.50 30.68
2.50 8 6 28.27 2.41 28.27 2.41 7 5.75 25.97 2.31 25.97 2.31 6 5.5
23.76 2.21 23.76 2.21 5 5.25 21.65 2.11 21.65 2.11 4 5 19.63 2.01
19.63 2.01 3 4.75 17.72 1.91 17.72 1.91 2 4.5 15.90 1.82 15.90 1.82
1 4.25 14.19 1.72 14.19 1.72 0 4 12.57 1.62 12.57 1.62
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE II Standard Snack Size Volume of Whole
Incrementally Number Round Flat Surface and/or Standard Sized
Cylinder Change in Standard Snack Size with height = 1 volume per
Snack Size Diameter Area Change in inch in cubic size change in SSS
(inches) (in.sup.2) Area (in.sup.2) inches inches cubed .sup. 25 .
. . . . . . . . . . . 24 3 7.069 . . . 7.069 . . . 23 2.875 6.492
0.577 6.492 0.577 22 2.75 5.940 0.552 5.940 0.552 21 2.625 5.412
0.528 5.412 0.528 20 2.5 4.909 0.503 4.909 0.503 19 2.375 4.430
0.479 4.430 0.479 18 2.25 3.976 0.454 3.976 0.454 17 2.125 3.547
0.430 3.547 0.430 16 2 3.142 0.405 3.142 0.405 15 1.875 2.761 0.380
2.761 0.380 14 1.75 2.405 0.356 2.405 0.356 13 1.625 2.074 0.331
2.074 0.331 12 1.5 1.767 0.307 1.767 0.307 11 1.375 1.485 0.282
1.485 0.282 10 1.25 1.227 0.258 1.227 0.258 9 1.125 0.994 0.233
0.994 0.233 8 1 0.785 0.209 0.785 0.209 7 0.875 0.601 0.184 0.601
0.184 6 0.75 0.442 0.159 0.442 0.159 5 0.625 0.307 0.135 0.307
0.135 4 0.5 0.196 0.110 0.196 0.110 3 0.375 0.110 0.086 0.110 0.086
2 0.25 0.049 0.061 0.049 0.061 1 0.125 0.012 0.037 0.012 0.037 0 0
0 0.12 0 0.12
[0221] To demonstrate this feature of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system we use a round flat plate-like
surface. For example: Family of four starting a weight loss
initiative together using round flat plates: Father 300 lbs
(plate's standard size is 24 for 10'' diameter flat round plate),
mother 200 lbs (plate's standard size is 18 for 8.5'' diameter flat
round plate), child 1 170 lbs (plate's standard size is 16 for 8''
diameter flat round plate), and child 2 150 lbs (plate's standard
size is 14 for 7.5'' diameter flat round plate). They all start
with eating-ware component standard sizes they feel comfortable
with; when they go to the sequential incrementally smaller
eating-ware component standard size, their flat round plates each
reduce in area by different amounts. The father goes down by 3.88
sq. in., the mother by 3.29 sq. in., child 1 by 3.09 sq. in., and
child 2 by 2.90 sq. in. They can motivate each other by reducing
the eating-ware components by one standard size, but the calorie
reduction will be different for each person. Obesity tends to run
in families. The eating-ware component standard size variety can
help parents realize that children need an eating-ware component
standard size that corresponds to their size.
[0222] A plurality of eating-ware components is provided to form a
set of incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components.
For example, if using round flat plates, wherein the smallest flat
plate has a diameter of 4 inches (smaller round-flat plate sizes
can be represented by negative numbers or typically would be
represented by SSS rather than SPS) and a last flat plate has a
largest plate diameter of 10 inches (bigger diameters and their
respective incremental sizes follow the same formula for
establishing their standard size for SPS), and the flat round
plates are consecutively decreased by an increment of 1/4 inch,
twenty-five incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
components are provided, as in the example hereinabove (see Table
I).
[0223] An incrementally-sized standard-sized setting may consist of
multiple components of each type of eating-ware. As an example, a
dinner plate may have five optional incrementally-sized
standard-sized round flat plates. For example, the smallest round
flat plate can have a diameter of 7 inches. This may represent the
smallest round flat plate in the main or dinner plate set for most
purposes. As discussed hereinafter, smaller round flat plates can,
optionally, be used as dinner plates for people that require a
greater calorie restriction. The round flat plates are used to
demonstrate the concept, other shapes and configurations can be
adjusted in a similar manner with the main focus on small
incremental changes especially with the planar view of the
eating-ware.
[0224] The system may further comprise a plurality of
incrementally-sized standard-sized minor round flat plates designed
to be used for lunch, dessert, salads, appetizers, or bread. When
using round flat plates, the smallest is at least 4 inches and
represents size 0 of the standard Portion Size, with successive
round flat plate standard sizes increasing via 1/4 inch diameter
increments. These smaller incrementally-sized standard sized round
flat plates also have significance for serving children, and/or
adults who need a larger reduction in weight.
[0225] For this type of setting arrangement there would be five
optional incrementally-sized standard-sized salad plates, desert
plates, bowls, cups and saucers, glasses, mugs, butter plates,
utensils, cutlery, etc. see FIG. 7.
[0226] For the purpose of demonstrating an example of one process
that can be implemented using the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware for weight management we are using a
flat round plate as an example of an incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware component. The user shifts from using a
starting eating-ware component selected from the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components (See FIG.
1b) 112a-112n to the next, successive eating-ware component
standard size at a designated time interval to correspondingly
modify the food portion intake. The user continues to successively
shift from eating-ware components within the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components 112a-112n until the user
reaches a goal food portion or weight. The person using the
eating-ware components 112a-112n would start with a dinner
eating-ware component standard size closest to their current
eating-ware component standard size (i.e. the starting eating-ware
component) and decrease one eating-ware component standard size at
each designated time interval, such as every few days, or once per
week, or longer if necessary. The time interval can be self guided
by the user or guided by a professional like a doctor or
nutritional consultant.
[0227] The time interval can range from daily, weekly, monthly or
at any other interval that is selected by the user to lose or gain
weight at their own pace. With each new time interval, the user
shifts to the next successive eating-ware component.
[0228] Other processes that can be used to implement the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware such as: [0229] use
the same standard sizes SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS all day long
(decreasing/increasing all 4 sizes after an interval of time);
[0230] use the same standard sizes for each type of meal
(decreasing/increasing all 4 sizes after an interval of time);
[0231] use the same standard size for the type of food
(decreasing/increasing all 4 sizes after an interval of time);
[0232] use a set number of standard-sized bites/nibbles per day,
per meal, etc., and adjusting that number after an interval of
time; [0233] use a set number of standard-sized bites/nibbles per
day, per meal, etc., and adjusting the standard sizes of
bites/nibbles after an interval of time.
[0234] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware can be
used as a program designed for weight management. The program can
incorporate charts and/or software for selection and/or
determination of factors that determine the transition rate of each
consecutive standard size combination. Preferably, a chart
designating the eating-ware component appointed for selection from
the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware components
112a-112n is provided for determining a user's starting eating-ware
component standard size as well as their end-use/goal eating-ware
component standard size depending on their goal weight. The goal
eating-ware component standard size is especially well suited for
long term use in order to maintain a desired weight. Various weight
management factors are utilized to determine the starting
eating-ware component and goal eating-ware component, as well as
the rate of shifting between successive eating-ware components.
These factors preferably include, in combination, height, weight,
gender, and activity level. A chart of goal eating-ware component
vs. clothing sized (based on a typical height-weight range) can
also be provided to help dieters meet their goal. The time interval
for shifting between eating-ware components, and whether a user
shifts consecutively or skips eating-ware components, is partially
determined by the rate of weight loss the user is seeking. If the
user is seeking rapid weight loss, the user may utilize a shorter
time interval between eating-ware components, and/or may even skip
eating-ware components to use smaller standard sizes at a more
accelerated rate, thereby facilitating cut-back on food portion
amounts at a more accelerated rate.
[0235] FIG. 2 shows how some of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware examples incrementally adjust in size.
These adjustments in size, shape and/or configurations are made in
such a way as to minimize the user's perception of change. FIG. 2
illustrates schematically an embodiment of the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system wherein a set of eating-ware
components optionally includes incrementally-sized standard sized
glasses and bowls, shown generally at 10. The incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware system may further comprise a plurality
of incrementally-sized standard sized bowls 13a-13n,
incrementally-sized standard sized salad round flat plates 16a-16n
and/or incrementally-sized standard sized desert round flat plates
corresponding to each of the plurality of incrementally-sized
standard sized eating-ware components of FIG. 1, to form a
plurality of incrementally-sized standard sized place settings a-n,
as well as an optional plurality of incrementally-sized standard
sized beverage containers 11a-11n. Incrementally-sized standard
sized bowls 13a-13n comprise side walls 17 having a slope 18 and
being oriented in relation to a bowl bottom 19 to form a bowl
width. Each of bowls 13a-13n has an internal volume that
incrementally differs by slightly adjusting slope 18, the height of
side walls 17, and/or bowl bottom 19 to adjust the standard size.
Bowls 13a-13n could start at standard size 0 and increase in small
increments in various dimensions to help preserve undetectability
between consecutive sizes. The bowls 13a-13n may include changing
overall shape of the bowl and shapes and slopes of the sides in
addition to the overall width in order to help reduce volume and
decrease consumption while maintaining visually the perception that
a larger quantity of food is contained within the bowl.
[0236] Incrementally-sized standard sized beverage containers
11a-11n are preferably selected from a group consisting of glasses,
cups, or mugs. Beverage containers 11a-11n may successively
decrease in height or/and in width and/or slope and/or shape to
reduce the total volumetric capacity for each of the beverage
containers 11a-11n to adjust the standard size.
[0237] Some users may find it easier to adjust their consumption
intake by a constant reduction in total volumetric capacity.
Therefore a fluid ounce or fractions of fluid ounce per each
adjustment can create another process for a user to use. Although
the standard sizes will not change at a constant increment, the
amount of food and or rate of food transferred directly to the user
can be adjusted at constant increments.
[0238] Each incrementally-sized standard-sized beverage container
11a-11n comprises a vessel having sides 20 arranged with a slope 21
in relation to a bottom 22, so that sides 20, slope 21, and/or
bottom 22 may be incrementally reduced to create a total volumetric
capacity reduction for each successive standard size change. These
adjustments in size, shape and/or configurations are made in such a
way as to minimize the user's perception of change. Beverage
glassware (glasses, cups, mugs, etc.) 11a-11n could decrease in
both height and width to reduce total volumetric capacity by
standard size change. The shape and slope of the sides of the
glassware 11a-11n can also be varied to control the volume of
liquid, while minimizing the visual impact of the reduction.
[0239] Like incrementally-sized standard sized round flat plates
112a-112n of FIGS. 1a, 1b, the incrementally-sized standard sized
place setting's bowls 13a-13n of FIG. 2, salad round flat plates
16a-16n and/desert round flat plates, and glasses 11a-11n are
provided so that each member, bowl or glass, has different
incremental standard sizes, 13a, 13b, 13c, 16a-16n and 11a, 11b,
11c, respectively, and delivers varying portion amounts. Through
use of an incrementally-sized standard sized place setting, a user
can set his or her table as usual, and when having dinner guests,
the user will discretely continue on with his/her dieting
goals.
[0240] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate schematic views of optional
incrementally-sized standard sized utensils, including
incrementally-sized standard sized forks and incrementally-sized
standard sized spoons. Other utensil-like eating-ware components
will follow a similar pattern of size adjustment. A plurality of
incrementally-sized standard sized forks 30a-30n and/spoons 40a-40n
may be provided for delivering incrementally successively smaller
bite standard sizes to the user. As a result, the user will be
forced to eat more slowly as each bite is decreased in volume from
the user's normal bite standard size. Forks 30a-30n may deliver
smaller bites based on incrementally reducing each fork's depth
31a-31n or by shortening prongs 32a-32n. In turn, spoons 40a-40n
may deliver smaller spoonfuls based on incrementally reducing each
spoons depth 41a-41n or by shortening scoop length 42a-42n or the
width. These dimensional adjustments are done to the surface or
body extension that actually delivers food directly to the user.
This is the portion that controls the Standard Bite Size and/or
Standard Nibble Size of the eating-ware component. Another
important aspect of these utensil-like eating-ware components and
other eating-ware accessories used as part of the
incrementally-sized standard sized eating-ware setting are overall
dimensions, including features that do not directly contain the
food, for example, handles, place-mats, etc. The relative overall
size needs to proportionally adjust so that the eating-ware size
reduction is not glaringly obvious due to relative size change.
[0241] The gradual reduction in Standard Bite/Nibble Size will
gradually reduce the user's rate of food consumption and result in
the user feeling more satisfied with the incrementally-smaller
sized standard portion he or she consumes. Another process of
implementing the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system is adjusting the SBS and/or SNS at a different rate then the
SPS and/or SSS. This may make a transition easier for some of the
users since the number of mouthfuls per SPS and/or SSS will change
with each adjustment in SBS and/or SNS.
[0242] Each of the eating-ware components, such as plates, bowls,
minor plates, salad/dessert plates, cups, mugs, and glasses may
include encouraging reinforcement indicia to motivate the user to
continue on with their weight management plan and to shift to the
next successive eating-ware component. To account for differences
in eating-ware component capacity due to different shapes and
dimensions, eating-ware component standard sizes based on total
volumetric capacity ranges can be established and imprinted on the
back of each eating-ware component for easy user identification.
Moreover, a restaurant eating-ware component system may be provided
wherein a plurality of incrementally-sized standard sized
restaurant eating-ware components are presented with portion
amounts that can be readily compared to the incrementally-sized
standard-sized eating-ware components used in a user's home.
[0243] When the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system is globally implemented for all eating-ware components the
users will be able to continue on their weight management routine
no matter where they are eating. Until then tools like charts
and/or software, etc. can be provided to the users for
cross-reference of the eating-ware components the standard sizes
SPS, SSS, SBS, and/or SNS.
[0244] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a single Standard Sized eating-ware component with
demarcations that indicates one or more Standard Sizes, which
allows a single eating-ware component to guide the user with
multiple Standard Sizes.
[0245] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
can comprise of a plurality of Standard Sized templates and related
devices to be used with Non-Standard Sized eating-ware, that
provide guidance concerning the equivalency to the Standard
Sizes.
[0246] These templates and related devices can have indicia to
indicate the equivalency to one or more of the Standard Sizes.
[0247] With this arrangement, the user can maintain his or her
portion modification in a restaurant environment. A system of
standard or relative eating-ware component standard sizes could be
utilized in restaurants and other eateries so that people can
compare restaurant eating-ware components and portions with their
own goals, or with normally-used eating-ware component standard
sizes. The ratio of the diameters, the ratio of surface areas, or a
ratio of the estimated volumes of the restaurant eating-ware
component to the standard-sized eating-ware component can be
provided to diners. In addition, that ratio, or other suitable
indicia such as standard-sized eating-ware component standard size,
eating-ware component diameter, surface area, total volumetric
capacity, or the like, can be designated on the bottom of each
eating-ware component, to facilitate distribution of eating-ware
component settings among family members having divergent
eating-ware component standard size requirements. These indicia can
be located anywhere on the eating-ware component or on a guide that
is available to the user. The indicia may be represented by design,
demarcation, color, shape, or texture that represent a standard
size and not necessarily the numerical value itself.
[0248] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
Standard Sizes can be marked on eating-ware using any of the
following representations with Standard Size and/or Standard Size
Range represented by: [0249] a) encouraging reinforcement indicia,
[0250] b) standard size/s numerical value (representing total
volumetric capacity(ties) and/or total volumetric capacity
range(s)), [0251] c) standard size represented by words like:
small, medium, large . . . , [0252] d) standard size represented by
words like: queen, king, pawn . . . , [0253] e) standard size
represented by images: dots, animal shapes, [0254] f) other indicia
that would indicate incrementally increasing or decreasing Standard
Size and/or Standard Size Range, [0255] g) color and/or texture,
and/or [0256] h) imprinted design: pictorial or graphic.
[0257] In addition, the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized
Eating-ware System can include a series of eating-ware in which
Standard Sizes and/or Standard Size Ranges are indicated by
variation between components in: [0258] a) different colors, [0259]
b) different shapes, [0260] c) different configurations, and/or
[0261] d) different texture
[0262] of each component within a series.
[0263] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
can also comprise of a single eating-ware component, in which
multiple Standard Sizes and/or Standard Size Ranges are indicated
within that component by: [0264] a) encouraging reinforcement
indicia, [0265] b) standard size/s numerical value (representing
total volumetric capacity and/or total volumetric capacity range),
[0266] c) standard size represented by words like: small, medium,
large . . . , [0267] d) standard size represented by words like:
queen, king, pawn . . . , [0268] e) standard size represented by
images: dots, animal shapes, [0269] f) other indicia that would
indicate incrementally increasing or decreasing Standard Size
and/or Standard Size Range, [0270] g) color and/or texture, and/or
[0271] h) imprinted design: pictorial or graphic.
[0272] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
can have eating-ware components that are manufactured to the
standard-sized specifications and/or the system can be applied to
existing eating-ware components via measurement and/or calculation
of equivalent total volumetric capacity.
[0273] The incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware can be
produced as permanent eating-ware components, composed of glass,
ceramic, plastic, metal or the like. Alternatively, the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware can be produced as a
disposable product, composed of paper, Styrofoam, plastic, or the
like. Different colors of incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware could be available. Research has shown that color
influences appetite and food intake. Different color eating-ware
components can be used to increase appetite for those who want to
gain weight, and decrease appetite for those who want to lose
weight. Eating-ware components can be indistinguishable so that a
parent can modify food intake without the awareness of the family
members. Different colors can be used to represent different
standard sizes of the eating-ware components.
[0274] Advantageously, the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware system and processes provides eating-ware components
and/or eating-ware component sets designed to decrease or increase
consumption of food or drink over time with minimal impact on the
consumer. Visual perceptions and habits greatly influence the
quantity of food/liquid consumed. The eating-ware comprises of
components that have an established standard size, such as SPS,
SSS, SBS and/or SNS as defined by the formulas and are available
with multiple components incrementally sized for the user to adjust
sequentially and/or at his/her own rate for the purpose of weight
management. Eating-ware components comprise part of a set; the
standard size of the eating-ware components change from set to set.
Eating-ware component standard size changes occur in small
increments, making it difficult to notice the changes from day to
day, or week to week. This results in small changes in food amounts
consumed and/or the rate at which consumer transfers food to
him/herself and therefore the user can achieve gradual and
unnoticeable reduction in food consumption and succeed in a healthy
weight management. Small daily or weekly changes in increments
utilized by the incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware
system and processes minimize the discomfort and feelings of
deprivation that many people experience when dieting. The
eating-ware components are proportioned between each standard size
so that the calorie intake is slowly reduced (or increased) and a
person diets (or gains weight) without significant effort and/or
the recognition that a change in caloric intake is occurring.
Consumers using the eating-ware components of the
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware system and processes
will gradually become accustomed to smaller (or larger) standard
sized eating-ware components and glassware, and portions of food
and drink. They will gradually adjust all eating-ware components to
the standard size that will assist them in maintaining their
optimal weight.
[0275] Counting calories and measuring out food portions is no
longer necessary, nor are dietary modifications involving
departures from the user's normal foods. Advantageously, the user
simply adjusts his/her portion standard size at an individualized
pace by shifting to the next eating-ware component standard
size.
[0276] Preferably, there are four standard formulas for assigning
standard sizes to eating-ware components. The user of eating-ware
uses visual, mostly planar view assessment of his/her portion
relative to the eating-ware he/she is using to determine an
adequate portion size. This is the reason why a planar surface of a
flat plate-like round shape was used as the basis for two of the
standard sizes, Standard Portion Size (SPS) and Standard Snack Size
(SSS). For the same reason the planar surface of a spoon-like
elliptical shape was used as the basis for the other two of the
standard sizes, Standard Bite Size (SBS) and Standard Nibble Size
(SNS).
[0277] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of incrementally-sized
Standard Portion Size (SPS) and incrementally-sized Standard Snack
Size (SSS).
[0278] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of incrementally-sized
Standard Bite Size (SBS) and incrementally sized Standard Nibble
Size (SNS).
[0279] FIG. 6 illustrates the standard-sized eating-ware total
volumetric food delivery capacity of variously shaped
standard-sized eating-ware components.
[0280] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of incrementally-sized
Standard Size settings.
[0281] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic planar view of the illusion
created by a food portion placed on round flat surfaces that
increase in diameter. This illusion leads to portion size
distortion, whereby the portions appear smaller and smaller as the
round flat surface increases even though the portion size remains
constant.
[0282] Any of the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware
System Standard Sizes can be expressed in terms of the other three
Standard Sizes based on each other's equivalent total volumetric
capacity.
[0283] Each of the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware
System Standard Sizes may be expressed by a quantity of other
Standard Size portions of food where: [0284] a) the Standard
Portion Size can be expressed as a quantity of Standard Snack Sizes
based on the equivalent total volumetric capacity values and vice
versa; [0285] b) the Standard Bite Size can be expressed as a
quantity of Standard Nibble Sizes based on the equivalent total
volumetric capacity values and vice versa; [0286] c) the Standard
Portion Size and/or Standard Snack Size can be expressed in terms
of a quantity of Standard Bite Sizes and/or Standard Nibble Sizes,
based on equivalent total volumetric capacity values and vice
versa.
Formulas
[0287] The formulas/calculations define relationships between
various standard-sized eating-ware components and the standard
sizes. The Incrementally-Sized Standard Sized eating-ware
components can be used inter-changeably through selection of
equivalent size eating-ware of corresponding Standard Size and/or
Standard Size Range such as:
(a) different sizes of a given type and style of component, (b)
different sizes of the same type but different styles of
components, (c) different types of the same style of components,
and/or (d) different types and styles of component.
[0288] Standard Portion Size (SPS), is a standard sized eating-ware
total volumetric food delivery capacity of a cylindrical space of 1
inch height directly above a flat round surface, where the diameter
is equal to 4 inches or greater. The SPS=0 is equivalent to a 4''
diameter, linch high standard portion. Each consecutive integer SPS
is defined by an increment of 1/4 inch increase in diameter of the
cylinder base; for example standard portion that is 4.25 inches in
diameter and 1 inch high is SPS=1, 4.5 inches in diameter and 1
inch high is SPS=2. and so on. Whole number SPS refers to a range
of volumes that have the same integer portion of their value. A
decimal Standard Portion Sizes can be interpolated in between the
integer SPS values and refer to a single standard-sized volume.
[0289] The Standard Portion Size is a numeric representation of a 1
inch high cylinder space enveloped above a round flat surface. The
Area (A.sub.sps) of horizontal cross-section of a Standard Portion
Size is a circle:
A.sub.SPS=.pi..times.d.sup.2/4
where d is 4 inches at standard size 0 and increases by 1/4 of inch
per each increment in whole number standard size and .pi. is a
constant. The volume V.sub.SPS of Standard Portion Size: the volume
of a cylinder where height of the cylinder is constant at 1 inch
times the area A.sub.SPS:
V.sub.SPS=.pi..times.d.sup.2/4.times.1 [0290] The equivalent
Standard Portion Size S.sub.SPS of any eating-ware component and/or
for any volume can be determined as long as the surface area of the
rim of the eating-ware component and the component's internal
volume can be established. The volume of the surface of the rim
area in inches squared is multiplied by 1 inch to obtain the volume
directly above the eating-ware component. That volume is added to
the internal volume of the eating-ware component (both in cubic
inches). The total volume than is compared to an equivalent volume
of the Standard Portion Size (SPS) and that corresponding size is
assigned to the eating-ware component. The Standard Portion Size
S.sub.SPS can be calculated as follows:
[0290] S.sub.SPS=(the diameter of a cylinder in
inches-4).times.4
[0291] The Standard Snack Size (SSS) is a standard-sized
eating-ware total volumetric food delivery capacity of a
cylindrical space of 1 inch height directly above a flat round
surface, where the diameter is equal to 0 inches or greater. The
SSS of 0 is equivalent to 0'' diameter, 1 inch high standard snack
(food) portion. Each consecutive integer SSS is defined by an
increment of 1/8 inch increase in diameter of the cylinder base;
for example standard portion that is 0.125 inches in diameter and 1
inch high is SSS=1, 0.25 inches in diameter and 1 inch high is
SSS=2. and so on. Whole number SSS refers to a range of volumes
that have the same integer portion of their value. A decimal
Standard Snack Sizes can be interpolated in between the integer SSS
values and refer to a single standard-sized volume.
[0292] The Area A.sub.SSS of horizontal cross-section of Standard
Snack Size is a circle:
A.sub.SSS=.pi.d.sup.2/4
where d is 0 inches at standard size 0 and increases by 1/8 of inch
per each increment in whole number standard size and .pi. is a
constant.
[0293] The volume V.sub.SSS of Standard Snack Size is a volume of a
cylinder where height of the cylinder is constant at 1 inch times
the area A.sub.SSS:
V.sub.SSS=.pi..times.d.sup.2/4.times.1
[0294] The equivalent Standard Snack Size of any eating-ware
component and/or for any volume can be determined as long as the
surface area of the rim of the eating-ware component and the
components internal volume can be established. The volume of the
surface of the rim area in inches squared is multiplied by 1 inch
to obtain the volume directly above the eating-ware component. That
volume is added to the internal volume of the eating-ware component
(both in cubic inches). The total volume then is compared to an
equivalent volume of the Standard Snack Size (SSS) and that
corresponding size is assigned to the eating-ware component.
[0295] Standard Snack Size S.sub.SSS for a cylinder represented by
a round flat surface can be calculated as follows:
S.sub.SSS=the diameter of a cylinder in inches.times.8
[0296] Standard Bite Size is defined by the standard-sized
eating-ware total volumetric food delivery capacity of an ellipsoid
where both minor radii equal to 0.25 inches or greater and the
major radius equals (1.5 times the minor radius) plus 0.125. The
SBS=0 is equivalent to a standard-size food portion of a volume of
an ellipsoid that has minor radii equal to 0.25''. The total
volumetric food delivery capacity equivalent for each consecutive
integer SBS is defined by an increment of 0.025 inch increase in
minor radii. Whole number SBS refers to a range of volumes that
have the same integer portion of their value. A decimal Standard
Bite Sizes can be interpolated in between the integer SBS values
and refer to a single standard-sized volume. Standard Bite Size
Formulas: Area A.sub.SBS of horizontal cross-section of a Standard
Bite Size is an ellipse:
A.sub.SBS=.pi..times.r.sub.m.times.r.sub.M
where r.sub.m refers to the minor radius r.sub.M refers to the
major radius and .pi. is a constant:
r.sub.M=1.5.times.r.sub.m+0.125
A.sub.SBS=1.5.pi..times.r.sub.m.sup.2+0.125.times..pi..times.r.sub.m
Volume V.sub.SBS of the ellipsoid where both minor radiuses are
equal to each other is:
V.sub.SBS=
4/3.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.times.r.sub.m.times.r.sub.M
where
r.sub.M=1.5.times.r.sub.m+0.125
V.sub.SBS=2.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.sup.3+1/6.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.-
sup.2
Standard Bite Size (SBS) can be calculated as follows:
S.sub.SBS=(r.sub.m+r.sub.M-0.75)/0.0625
where
r.sub.M=1.5.times.r.sub.m+0.125
S.sub.SBS=40.times.r.sub.m-10
r.sub.m=(S.sub.SBS+10)/40
[0297] Table IIIa and Table IIIb below set forth the diameter to
eating-ware component area and change in area and volume for each
incremental changes for Standard Bite Size.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE IIIa Standard Bite Size Part a Standard Bite
Size Volume of Delta V- Incrementally- Delta A- change in Whole
sized Standard- change in area volume per Number Minor Radius Major
Radius Area of Ellipse Sized Eating- per size size Standard Bite
r.sub.m r.sub.M in inches ware Ellipsoid in inches in inches Size
in inches in inches squared in inches cubed squared cubed 25 . . .
24 0.8500 1.40000 3.7384953 4.23696129 0.20715 0.35248 23 0.8250
1.36250 3.5313465 3.88448114 0.20126 0.33239 22 0.8000 1.32500
3.3300882 3.55209409 0.19537 0.31288 21 0.7750 1.28750 3.1347204
3.23921110 0.18948 0.29397 20 0.7500 1.25000 2.9452431 2.94524311
0.18359 0.27564 19 0.7250 1.21250 2.7616563 2.66960108 0.17770
0.25791 18 0.7000 1.17500 2.5839600 2.41169596 0.17181 0.24076 17
0.6750 1.13750 2.4121541 2.17093870 0.16592 0.22420 16 0.6500
1.10000 2.2462387 1.94674025 0.16002 0.20823 15 0.6250 1.06250
2.0862139 1.73851156 0.15413 0.19285 14 0.6000 1.02500 1.9320795
1.54566359 0.14824 0.17806 13 0.5750 0.98750 1.7838356 1.36760728
0.14235 0.16385 12 0.5500 0.95000 1.6414822 1.20375359 0.13646
0.15024 11 0.5250 0.91250 1.5050192 1.05351346 0.13057 0.13722 10
0.5000 0.87500 1.3744468 0.91629786 0.12468 0.12478 9 0.4750
0.83750 1.2497648 0.79151772 0.11879 0.11293 8 0.4500 0.80000
1.1309734 0.67858401 0.11290 0.10168 7 0.4250 0.76250 1.0180724
0.57690768 0.10701 0.09101 6 0.4000 0.72500 0.9110619 0.48589966
0.10112 0.08093 5 0.3750 0.68750 0.8099419 0.40497093 0.09523
0.07144 4 0.3500 0.65000 0.7147123 0.33353242 0.08934 0.06254 3
0.3250 0.61250 0.6253733 0.27099509 0.08345 0.05423 2 0.3000
0.57500 0.5419247 0.21676989 0.07756 0.04650 1 0.2750 0.53750
0.4643667 0.17026778 0.07167 0.03937 0 0.2500 0.50000 0.3926991
0.13089969
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE IIIb Standard Bite Size Part b Standard Bite
Size Volume of Delta V- Rate of Whole Incrementally- Delta A-
change in Rate of change of Number Area of sized Standard- change
in volume per change of Delta V- Standard Ellipse in Sized
Eating-ware area per size size Delta A- change in Bite inches
Ellipsoid in inches in inches change in volume per Size squared in
inches cubed squared cubed area per size size 25 . . . 24 3.7384953
4.23696129 0.20715 0.35248 0.00589 0.02009 23 3.5313465 3.88448114
0.20126 0.33239 0.00589 0.01950 22 3.3300882 3.55209409 0.19537
0.31288 0.00589 0.01892 21 3.1347204 3.23921110 0.18948 0.29397
0.00589 0.01833 20 2.9452431 2.94524311 0.18359 0.27564 0.00589
0.01774 19 2.7616563 2.66960108 0.17770 0.25791 0.00589 0.01715 18
2.5839600 2.41169596 0.17181 0.24076 0.00589 0.01656 17 2.4121541
2.17093870 0.16592 0.22420 0.00589 0.01597 16 2.2462387 1.94674025
0.16002 0.20823 0.00589 0.01538 15 2.0862139 1.73851156 0.15413
0.19285 0.00589 0.01479 14 1.9320795 1.54566359 0.14824 0.17806
0.00589 0.01420 13 1.7838356 1.36760728 0.14235 0.16385 0.00589
0.01361 12 1.6414822 1.20375359 0.13646 0.15024 0.00589 0.01302 11
1.5050192 1.05351346 0.13057 0.13722 0.00589 0.01244 10 1.3744468
0.91629786 0.12468 0.12478 0.00589 0.01185 9 1.2497648 0.79151772
0.11879 0.11293 0.00589 0.01126 8 1.1309734 0.67858401 0.11290
0.10168 0.00589 0.01067 7 1.0180724 0.57690768 0.10701 0.09101
0.00589 0.01008 6 0.9110619 0.48589966 0.10112 0.08093 0.00589
0.00949 5 0.8099419 0.40497093 0.09523 0.07144 0.00589 0.00890 4
0.7147123 0.33353242 0.08934 0.06254 0.00589 0.00831 3 0.6253733
0.27099509 0.08345 0.05423 0.00589 0.00772 2 0.5419247 0.21676989
0.07756 0.04650 0.00589 1 0.4643667 0.17026778 0.07167 0.03937 0
0.3926991 0.13089969
[0298] Standard Bite Size can be determined for a non-standard
eating-ware components and/or for any volume: 1) The non-standard
eating-ware component internal volume V.sub.I is measured; 2) The
cross-sectional area of top of the non-standard eating-ware
component is measured and the area A.sub.N-Bite is calculated; and
3) The corresponding r.sub.m is calculated for the non-standard
area A.sub.N-Bite and is r.sub.mN
A.sub.N-Bite=1.5.pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.2+0.125.times..pi..times.r.sub.m-
N
1.5.pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.2+0.125.times..pi..times.r.sub.mN-A.sub.N-Bit-
e=0
For a Quadratic equation:
ax.sup.2+bx+c=0
x=(-b+SQRT(b.sup.2-4.times.a.times.c))/2.times.a
a=1.5.pi.
b=0.125.times..pi.
c=-A.sub.N-Bite
r.sub.mN=(-(0.125.times..pi.)+SQRT((0.125.times..pi.).sup.2-4.times.(1.5-
.pi.).times.(-A.sub.N-Bite)))/(2.times.1.5.pi.)
[0299] The corresponding volume of non-standard eating-ware
V.sub.NE (external volume directly above the non-standard area is
equal to the volume of 1/2 the ellipsoid formed by an equivalent
standard area) is calculated for the r.sub.mN and it represents a
volume the half of a standard equivalent ellipsoid volume that
would be directly above the standard size area equivalent to
A.sub.N-Bite
Standard Bite Size volume:
V.sub.SBS=2.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.sup.3+1/6.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.-
sup.2
1/2 of the ellipsoid of the equivalent Standard Bite Size:
V.sub.NE=.pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.3+
1/12.times..pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.2
The corresponding V.sub.NE is added to the internal volume of the
non-standard eating-ware component for a total volume V.sub.NT:
V.sub.NT=V.sub.I+V.sub.NE
The corresponding r.sub.mT is calculated using the cubic equation
for V.sub.NT and/or any known volume: For a Cubic equation:
ax.sup.3+bx.sup.2+cx+d=0
x=-(b/3a)-(C/3a)-((b.sup.2-3ac)/3aC)
V.sub.NT=2.times..pi..times.r.sub.mT.sup.3+1/6.times..pi..times.r.sub.mT-
.sup.2
2.times..pi..times.r.sub.mT.sup.31/6.times..pi..times.r.sub.mT.sup.2-V.s-
ub.NT=0
Q= (2b.sup.3-9abc+27a.sup.2d).sup.2-4(b.sup.2-3ac).sup.3
C=.quadrature.[1/2.times.(Q+2b.sup.3-9abc+27a.sup.2d)]
a=2.times..pi.
b=1/6.times..pi.
c=0
d=-V.sub.NT
Q=
(2(1/6.times..pi.).sup.3+27(2.times..pi.).sup.2.times.(-V.sub.NT))).s-
up.2-4((1/6.times..pi.).sup.2).sup.3
C=.quadrature.1/2.times.([
(2(1/6.times..pi.).sup.3+27(2.times..pi.).sup.2.times.(-V.sub.NT))).sup.2-
-4((1/6.times..pi.).sup.2).sup.3]+2(1/6.times..pi.).sup.3+27(2.times..pi.)-
.sup.2.times.(-V.sub.NT)))
x=-(b/3a)-(C/3a)-((b.sup.2-3ac)/3aC)
r.sub.mT=-[(1/6.times..pi.)/3(2.times..pi.)]-[C/3(2.times..pi.)]-((1/6.t-
imes..pi.).sup.2/3(2.times..pi.)C)
The corresponding S.sub.NT is calculated for the V.sub.NT and/or
any known volume based on:
S.sub.NT=40.times.r.sub.MT-10
[0300] The Standard Nibble Size is generally defined by the
standard-sized eating-ware total volumetric food delivery capacity
of an ellipsoid where both minor radii equal to 0 inches or greater
and the major radius equals 1.5 times the minor radius. The SNS=0
is equivalent to a standard-size food portion of a volume of an
ellipsoid that has a minor radius equal to 0". The total volumetric
food delivery capacity equivalent for each consecutive integer SNS
is defined by an increment of 0.0125 inch increase in minor radii.
Whole number SNS refers to a range of volumes that have the same
integer portion of their value. A decimal Standard Nibble Size can
be interpolated in between the integer SNS values and refer to a
single standard-sized volume.
Standard Nibble Size Formulas:
[0301] A.sub.SNS is the area of horizontal cross-section of
Standard Nibble Size (SNS) which is an ellipse, where r.sub.m is
the minor radius and r.sub.M is the major radius with the formula
for area:
A.sub.SNS=.pi..times.r.sub.m.times.r.sub.M
where:
r.sub.M=1.5.times.r.sub.m
A.sub.SNS=1.5.pi..times.r.sub.m.sup.2
Volume of Standard Nibble Size (SNS) is an ellipsoid where both
minor radiuses are equal to each other:
V.sub.SNS=
4/3.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.times.r.sub.m.times.r.sub.M
where
r.sub.M=1.5.times.r.sub.m
V.sub.SNS=2.times..pi..times.r.sub.m.sup.3
Standard Nibble Size (SNS):
[0302] where
r.sub.M=1.5.times.r.sub.m
S.sub.SNS=80.times.r.sub.m
[0303] Table IVa and Table IVb below set forth the diameter to
eating-ware component area and change in area and volume for each
incremental changes for Standard Nibble Size.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE IVa Standard Nibble Size Part a Standard
Nibble Size Volume of Incrementally- Delta V- Whole sized Standard-
Delta A- change in Number Minor Major Area of Sized change in
volume per Standard Radius Radius Ellipse Eating-ware area per size
size Nibble r.sub.m r.sub.M in inches Ellipsoid in inches in inches
Size in inches in inches squared in inches cubed squared cubed 25 .
. . 24 0.3000 0.45000 0.4241150 0.16964600 0.03461 0.02033 23
0.2875 0.43125 0.3895084 0.14931155 0.03313 0.01864 22 0.2750
0.41250 0.3563744 0.13067062 0.03166 0.01702 21 0.2625 0.39375
0.3247131 0.11364957 0.03019 0.01547 20 0.2500 0.37500 0.2945243
0.09817477 0.02872 0.01400 19 0.2375 0.35625 0.2658082 0.08417259
0.02724 0.01260 18 0.2250 0.33750 0.2385647 0.07156941 0.02577
0.01128 17 0.2125 0.31875 0.2127938 0.06029158 0.02430 0.01003 16
0.2000 0.30000 0.1884956 0.05026548 0.02283 0.00885 15 0.1875
0.28125 0.1656699 0.04141748 0.02135 0.00774 14 0.1750 0.26250
0.1443169 0.03367395 0.01988 0.00671 13 0.1625 0.24375 0.1244365
0.02696125 0.01841 0.00576 12 0.1500 0.22500 0.1060288 0.02120575
0.01694 0.00487 11 0.1375 0.20625 0.0890936 0.01633383 0.01546
0.00406 10 0.1250 0.18750 0.0736311 0.01227185 0.01399 0.00333 9
0.1125 0.16875 0.0596412 0.00894618 0.01252 0.00266 8 0.1000
0.15000 0.0471239 0.00628319 0.01104 0.00207 7 0.0875 0.13125
0.0360792 0.00420924 0.00957 0.00156 6 0.0750 0.11250 0.0265072
0.00265072 0.00810 0.00112 5 0.0625 0.09375 0.0184078 0.00153398
0.00663 0.00075 4 0.0500 0.07500 0.0117810 0.00078540 0.00515
0.00045 3 0.0375 0.05625 0.0066268 0.00033134 0.00368 0.00023 2
0.0250 0.03750 0.0029452 0.00009817 0.00221 0.00009 1 0.0125
0.01875 0.0007363 0.00001227 0.00074 0.00001 0 0.0000 0.00000
0.0000000 0.00000000
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE IVb Standard Nibble Size Part b Standard
Nibble Size Volume of Incrementally- Delta V- Rate of Whole sized
Standard- Delta A- change in Rate of change of Number Area of Sized
change in volume per change of Delta V- Standard Ellipse
Eating-ware area per size size Delta A- change in Nibble in inches
Ellipsoid in inches in inches change in volume per Size squared in
inches cubed squared cubed area per size size 25 . . . 24 0.4241150
0.16964600 0.03461 0.02033 0.00147 0.00169 23 0.3895084 0.14931155
0.03313 0.01864 0.00147 0.00162 22 0.3563744 0.13067062 0.03166
0.01702 0.00147 0.00155 21 0.3247131 0.11364957 0.03019 0.01547
0.00147 0.00147 20 0.2945243 0.09817477 0.02872 0.01400 0.00147
0.00140 19 0.2658082 0.08417259 0.02724 0.01260 0.00147 0.00133 18
0.2385647 0.07156941 0.02577 0.01128 0.00147 0.00125 17 0.2127938
0.06029158 0.02430 0.01003 0.00147 0.00118 16 0.1884956 0.05026548
0.02283 0.00885 0.00147 0.00110 15 0.1656699 0.04141748 0.02135
0.00774 0.00147 0.00103 14 0.1443169 0.03367395 0.01988 0.00671
0.00147 0.00096 13 0.1244365 0.02696125 0.01841 0.00576 0.00147
0.00088 12 0.1060288 0.02120575 0.01694 0.00487 0.00147 0.00081 11
0.0890936 0.01633383 0.01546 0.00406 0.00147 0.00074 10 0.0736311
0.01227185 0.01399 0.00333 0.00147 0.00066 9 0.0596412 0.00894618
0.01252 0.00266 0.00147 0.00059 8 0.0471239 0.00628319 0.01104
0.00207 0.00147 0.00052 7 0.0360792 0.00420924 0.00957 0.00156
0.00147 0.00044 6 0.0265072 0.00265072 0.00810 0.00112 0.00147
0.00037 5 0.0184078 0.00153398 0.00663 0.00075 0.00147 0.00029 4
0.0117810 0.00078540 0.00515 0.00045 0.00147 0.00022 3 0.0066268
0.00033134 0.00368 0.00023 0.00147 0.00015 2 0.0029452 0.00009817
0.00221 0.00009 0.00147 1 0.0007363 0.00001227 0.00074 0.00001 0
0.0000000 0.00000000
[0304] Standard Nibble Size can be determined for a non-standard
Nibble size eating-ware component and/or for any volume: 1) The
non-standard eating-ware component internal volume V.sub.I is
measured; 2) The cross-sectional area of top of the eating-ware
component is measured and/or calculated the area A.sub.N-Nibble is
calculated; and 3) The corresponding r.sub.m is calculated for the
non-standard area A.sub.N-Nibble and is r.sub.mN
A.sub.N-Nibble=1.5.pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.2
r.sub.mN= (A.sub.N-Nibble/(1.5.times..pi.))
[0305] The corresponding V.sub.NE (external volume directly above
the non-standard area is equal to the volume of 1/2 the ellipsoid
formed by an equivalent standard area) is calculated for the
r.sub.mN and it represents a volume the half of an ellipsoid volume
that would be directly above the standard size area equivalent to
A.sub.N-Nibble
Standard Nibble Size volume:
V.sub.Nibble=2.pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.3
1/2 of an ellipsoid of the equivalent:
V.sub.NE=.pi..times.r.sub.mN.sup.3
The corresponding V.sub.NE is added to the internal volume of the
non-standard eating-ware component for a total volume V.sub.NT:
V.sub.NT=V.sub.I+V.sub.NE
The corresponding r.sub.mT is calculated using the cubic equation
for V.sub.NT and/or any known volume:
V.sub.NT=2.times..pi..times.r.sub.mNT.sup.3
r.sub.mNT=.quadrature.(V.sub.NT/(2.times..pi.)
The corresponding S.sub.NT is calculated for the V.sub.NT and/or
any known volume based on:
S.sub.Nibble=80.times.r.sub.m
S.sub.Nibble=80.times..quadrature.(V.sub.NT/(2.pi..pi.)
[0306] A significant aspect of this invention is that the user can
use the eating-ware components interchangeably. The
Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System eating-ware
components with the same Standard Size can be used interchangeably,
and this interchangeability is independent of the type, style
and/or configuration of eating-ware. The user can continue to stick
to his/her weight management regimen regardless of how he/she eats
as long as he/she uses the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized
Eating-ware System eating-ware components with the same Standard
Size.
[0307] In the Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware
System, any eating-ware and it's Standard Size and/or Range and/or
related total volumetric capacity equivalents can be listed or
identified in books, guides, software, charts, menus, signs,
labels, or external packaging indicia.
[0308] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
can include serving-ware where the internal volume contains the
exact total volumetric capacity of a specific Standard Size, or it
contains indicia indicating multiple Standard Sizes contained
within. For example a soup ladle can be of a specific Standardized
size or be able to dispense a standardized size volumetric
equivalent of soup or contain markings of multiple standard sizes.
A brownie tray can indicate marking of a standard size squares for
example.
[0309] Although the volumetric shapes of a cylinder and an
ellipsoid surrounding a flat elliptical surface have been used to
establish standard sizes for food amounts, standard sizes can be
established using other volumetric shapes, for example a
hemisphere, a cone or a frustrum of a cone, and will be considered
to be included within the scope of this invention.
[0310] The four Standard Sizes defined within will work well for
most users. Some users may need a more customized transition
between each incremental change. The Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System includes a series of Standard
Sized eating-ware presented in a way that the rate of change in the
total volumetric capacity decreases or increases between each
increment:
[0311] a) at an increasing rate,
[0312] b) at a decreasing rate,
[0313] c) at a constant rate, or
[0314] d) at a variable rate.
[0315] The Incrementally-Sized Standard-Sized Eating-ware System
includes a series of Standard Sized eating-ware, where the
eating-ware's internal and/or external dimensions and/or
configurations, including depth, height, slope of the walls, wall
thickness, internal texture, shape of the inside, shape of the
bottom, and/or a combination of some or all of the above, are
varied in small increments to control the rate at which the
incremental difference in total volumetric capacity between
successive eating-ware in the series increases/decreases/remains
constant/or is varied/customized to the user needs.
[0316] Having thus described the invention in rather full detail,
it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered
to. For example, the eating-ware component geometry can be
circular, oval, polygonal or the like. Substantially any
incrementally-sized standard-sized eating-ware geometry that
permits incremental changes to be made in the surface area and
total volumetric capacity of the incrementally-sized standard-sized
eating-ware, is intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
Additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one
skilled in the art, for example, the invention is suitable for use
with eating-ware components, such as plates, bowls, drink-ware,
utensils, any item that can be used to serve and eat food directly
from and/or any item that can be used to transfer food directly to
user's mouth, etc. having a round, oval, square, cylindrical,
cubic, or polygonal configuration. Incrementally-Sized
Standard-Sized Eating-ware System eating-ware components can have
any regular or irregular configuration, since an equivalent
Standard Size can be determined established and/or assigned for any
eating-ware component.
[0317] These and other modifications which become apparent to those
skilled in the art are intended to fall within the scope of the
invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
* * * * *
References