Incremental eating tool

Abstract

An incremental eating tool. The incremental eating tool can include a tray having a first end and a second end, the tray being transversely subdivided into a plurality of segments, each segment being hingedly attached to at least one adjacent segment, each segment further including at least one tab extending therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An incremental eating tool, comprising:
 a tray having a first end and a second end, the tray being transversely subdivided into a plurality of segments, each segment being hingedly attached to at least one adjacent segment, each segment further including at least one tab extending therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a container for receiving the tray. 
     
     
         3 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 2 , wherein the container further comprises at least one sidewall enclosing an interior cavity having an open end, the tray being receivable within the container. 
     
     
         4 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 2 , wherein the container further comprises:
 a sleeve having at least one sidewall, a selectively closeable end, and an open end; and   a bag portion coupled to the sleeve and having an open end and a closed end, the open end of the bag portion being in communication with the open end of the cap.   
     
     
         5 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 4 , wherein the bag portion is formed from a single sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , the tray further comprising a end wall coupled to an end of the tray. 
     
     
         7 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , wherein each segment further comprises a cutout for receiving a tab of an adjacent segment. 
     
     
         8 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , wherein each segment is detachable from at least one adjacent segment. 
     
     
         9 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab is detachable from the segment. 
     
     
         10 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab further comprises a depression defined therein. 
     
     
         11 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , the tray further comprising a sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The incremental eating tool of  claim 1 , wherein each segment further comprises at least one flap extending laterally therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . A blank, comprising:
 a sheet of material having a first end a second end; and   a plurality of segments disposed between the first end and the second end, the segments transversely subdividing the blank, each segment being attached to at least one adjacent segment by at least one hinge, each segment further including at least one tab extending therefrom.   
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one hinge includes perforations. 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein each segment further comprises a cutout for receiving a tab of an adjacent segment. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein each segment is detachable from at least one adjacent segment. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tab is detachable from the segment. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tab further comprises a depression defined therein. 
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 13 , further comprising a central segment, the central segment including at least one extension extending laterally therefrom. 
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein each segment further comprises at least one flap extending laterally therefrom. 
     
     
         21 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the flap is separated from a flap of an adjacent segment by a slit. 
     
     
         22 . A method of incremental eating, comprising:
 providing a tray having a first end and a second end, the tray being transversely subdivided into a plurality of segments, each segment being hingedly attached to at least one adjacent segment, each segment further including at least one tab extending therefrom;   supporting food items on the tray; and   consuming a portion of the food items disposed on at least one segment of the tray.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising bending at least one segment below the plane of the tray, the at least one segment being a segment on which food items are not supported. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising detaching at least one segment from the tray, the at least one segment being a segment on which food items are not supported. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising providing a container for receiving the tray. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising holding the tray by a handle coupled thereto. 
     
     
         27 . A container for an incremental eating tool, comprising:
 a sleeve having at least one sidewall and an open end; and   a bag portion coupled to the cap and having an open end, the open end of the bag portion being in communication with the open end of the cap.   
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 27 , wherein the bag portion is formed from a single sheet. 
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 27 , wherein the selectively closeable end is closeable by an end wall hingedly coupled to the cap. 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the end wall is detachable from the cap.