Patent US4117461A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4117461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diet control apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-03
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1996-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Diet control apparatus comprises a food storage compartment having a door thereon for access to the compartment and broadcasting apparatus operatively connected to the compartment for broadcasting a message for encouraging dieting when food is sought in the compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 Carol L. Kiebala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:55
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B3/00; G08B3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
Diet control apparatus comprising food storage compartment means for storing food, door means on said food storage compartment means for providing access and cutting off access to the interior of said food storage compartment means, broadcasting means for delivering a message for encouraging dieting operatively connected to said food storage compartment means, activating means to activate said broadcasting means to deliver a message for encouraging dieting when food is sought in said food storage compartment means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
Diet control apparatus comprising food storage compartment means for storing food, door means on said food storage compartment means for providing access and cutting off access to the interior of said food storage compartment means, broadcasting means for delivering a message for encouraging dieting operatively connected to said food storage compartment means, activating means to activate said broadcasting means to deliver a message for encouraging dieting when food is sought in said food storage compartment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 1 where said broadcasting means comprising voice recording means for broadcasting a recorded message therefrom for encouraging dieting when food is sought in said food storage compartment means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 2 where said voice recording means comprises an electrically powered recording means, said activating means comprises electrical switch means operatively connected to said recording means for activating said recording means to broadcast a dieting message when food is sought in said food storage compartment means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 3 where said electrical switch means comprises a pressure sensitive switch operatively connected to food shelf means in said food storage compartment means, said pressure sensitive switch electrically activating said voice recording means to broadcast a dieting message when food is removed from said food shelf means to deplete said shelf below a predetermined weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 4 where said voice recording means comprises tape recording means operatively connected to speaker means, a power supply and said pressure sensitive switch..
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 5 where said food storage compartment means comprises refrigerator box means for the cold storage of food.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 4 where said food shelf means is mounted on resilient means in said food storage compartment means for resiliently biasing said food shelf to disengage said pressure sensitive switch when food is positioned on said food shelf and to engage said pressure sensitive switch when food is removed from said food shelf, said pressure sensitive switch being open when said food shelf disengages said pressure sensitive switch and said pressure sensitive switch being closed when said food shelf engages said pressure sensitive switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 5 where said food shelf means is mounted on resilient means in said food storage compartment means for resiliently biasing said food shelf to disengage said pressure sensitive switch when food is positioned on said food shelf and to engage said pressure sensitive switch when food is removed from said food shelf, said pressure sensitive switch being open when said food shelf disengages said pressure sensitive switch and said pressure sensitive switch being closed when said food shelf engages said pressure sensitive switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The diet control apparatus of claim 6 where said food shelf means is mounted on resilient means in said food storage compartment means for resiliently biasing said food shelf to disengage said pressure sensitive switch when food is positioned on said food shelf and to engage said pressure sensitive switch when food is removed from said food shelf, said pressure sensitive switch being open when said food shelf disengages said pressure sensitive switch and said pressure sensitive switch being closed when said food shelf engages said pressure sensitive switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |