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.

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.