Education and demonstration – Food
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-10-02
Ackun, Jr., Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Education and demonstration
Food
C040S324000, C283S117000, C206S561000, C206S564000, C206S459500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296488
ABSTRACT:
DIET METHOD AND APPARATUS
The present invention relates generally to a diet method primarily incorporating the use of a diet apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to a diet method in which a compartmentalized plate is used to control the portion size, and includes a plurality of meal cards which determine the foods assigned to the specific compartments to provide a balanced diet and a predetermined target caloric intake.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
There are numerous dietary plans and methods existing in the art. Many of these systems employ complicated calorie counting techniques which require the user to track every item consumed and carefully weigh and measure each portion. Newer plans have been developed that use color coded food cards associated with a meal plan that alleviate the need for counting and tracking calories. One such prior art system comprises a foldable carrying case having a plurality of pockets and pocket inserts on and in the inside walls of the carrying case having meal insert cards each identifying a specific meal type, i.e. breakfast; and having a plurality of food cards each listing one specific food and displaying a picture of either the approximate or visual serving size of the food. The user selects food cards each listing one specific food and places them in pockets for the type of the meal. The back sides of the cards display a picture of either the approximate or visual serving size of the food identified on the card and is used to measure the amount of the food. The problem with this type of visual approximation method is that the user is forced to guess about of the amount of food based on a picture on a two dimensional card. This approximation can result in the user estimating too high and having a larger serving and too much caloric intake whereas the diet is ineffective. The converse can result in the user not receiving the recommended daily allowances proscribed in the diet plan. In addition, the diet plan is too complicated in that each individual food item has its own card which must be located and placed in a particular pocket. Since each card is typically used for one food item, a large deck of cards must be maintained, searched and stored for each meal.
Accordingly, a need exists to provide a simple and effective diet method and apparatus for ensuring that the user consumes the proper food items at the proper portion size in order to ensure a balanced diet at a targeted daily caloric intake level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is designed to provide a diet method which is designed to provide the user with a balanced diet while restricting the caloric intake by controlling the portion size in a simple and convenient manner. The method employs an apparatus which is preferably in the shape of a plate comprising a plurality of compartments which are designed to enclose a specified volume of food. The apparatus is used with associated meal cards having a variety of foods listed thereon. The foods are listed in specific sections on the card which correspond to the compartments of the apparatus. The meal cards are positioned such that the food list for a particular compartment fits in the shape of the compartment such that the user can see the selectable food item(s) which may be used to fill the corresponding compartment. The compartments and corresponding food lists are generally divided into the categories of carbohydrates, protein, fruit, vegetables and fat. The user is able to select any one item or combination of the items from the list associated with a particular compartment to fill the volume defined by the compartment. The different food categories and their related volumes ensure that the user is getting a balanced nutritional meal at a targeted caloric intake. The user is provided with a simple method in which they do not have to weigh or measure the food amount, no calculating or recording is required, and large decks of individual item food cards do not need to be maintained, searched, stored or otherwise bothered with.
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patent: 5560653 (1996-10-01), Beppu
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Brenkus Jaime
Gorman Kim
Ackun Jr. Jacob K.
Miller Bena B.
Oldham & Oldham Co. LPA
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