Apparatus and Method of Regulating Food Intake

Abstract

Apparatus and methods of regulating food intake including providing a base structure having a plurality of holding areas sized to contain a food item and corresponding movable covers in various shapes and designs. The covers are connected to the board allowing for at least two different types of movement to provide for use of diverse motor skills and controlled receipt of snacks for young children.

1 . A method of regulating food intake, comprising:
 providing a base structure having a plurality of holding areas sized to contain a food item;   providing a plurality of covers, wherein each of the plurality of covers corresponds to one of the plurality of holding areas; and   connecting the plurality of covers to the base structure such that each of the plurality of covers is movable between a first position covering the corresponding one of the plurality of holding areas and a second position at least partially exposing the corresponding one of the plurality of holding areas;   regulating food intake by connecting the plurality of covers to the base structure such that at least two of the plurality of covers have different types of movement.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting includes connecting at least one of the plurality of covers to the base structure with a mechanism allowing the cover to move in the same plane as the base structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting allows the at least one of the plurality of covers to move between the first position and the second position by sliding in the same plane as the base structure on an axis parallel to the base structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting allows the at least one of the plurality of covers to move between the first position and the second position by rotating in the same plane as the base structure on an axis perpendicular to the base structure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting allows the at least one of the plurality of covers to connect to the base structure with a mechanism allowing the cover to move in a different plane from the base structure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the connecting allows the at least one of the plurality of covers to move between the first position and the second position by rotating about an axis parallel to the base structure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming at least a first one of the plurality of holding areas in a first geometric shape, and forming at least a second holding area in a second geometric shape different from the first geometric shape. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , furthering comprising forming at least a first one of the plurality of covers in a first geometric shape, and forming at least a second cover in a second geometric shape different from the first geometric shape. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming at least a first one of the plurality of covers including at least one of patterns, colors, graphics, designs, or pictures on the outer surface of the cover. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising forming at least a one of the plurality of covers including at least one of patterns, colors, graphics, designs, or pictures on the outer surface of the cover, different from the features of the first cover. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , constructing the plurality of covers from a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , constructing the plurality of covers from a substantially flexible material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , constructing the base structure from a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , constructing the base structure from a substantially flexible material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removably attaching one or more inserts to define the plurality of holding areas. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for regulating food intake, comprising:
 means for defining a plurality of holding areas sized to contain a food item;   means for covering each of the plurality of holding areas;   means for connecting the means for covering to the means for defining the plurality of holding areas such that each of the means for covering is movable between a first position covering the corresponding one of the plurality of holding areas and a second position at least partially exposing the corresponding one of the plurality of holding areas; and   means for regulating food intake by connecting the plurality of covers to the base structure such that at least two of the plurality of covers have different types of movement.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for removably attaching the plurality of holding areas. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for regulating food intake, comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of holding areas in the base and sized to contain a food item;   a plurality of covers movably covering each of the plurality of holding areas;   a plurality of connectors attaching the plurality of covers to the base such that each of the plurality of covers is movable between a first position covering the corresponding one of the plurality of holding areas and a second position at least partially exposing the corresponding one of the plurality of holding areas; and   wherein the plurality of connectors are different movable connectors such that at least two of the plurality of covers have different types of movement.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of inserts removably attachable to the base to define the plurality of holding areas.