Oral device to aid weight control
First Claim
1. A device for weight control by reducing the rate of food consumption, comprising:
- a molded element positionable against the roof of a user'"'"'s mouth to temporarily alter the configuration of the palate whereby the food-containing volume of the mouth is reduced and the quantity of food per bite is reduced;
said molded element defining a central, thickened portion for lowering the normally vaulted area of the roof of the mouth, said central, thickened portion being thicker than remaining portions of said molded element; and
means attached to said molded element for removably supporting said molded element in fixed relationship against the roof of the mouth.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An oral device and method for slowing down the rate of food ingestion, thereby aiding digestion, assimilation, and allowing time for raising blood sugar and achieving satiety sooner, with less food consumption over a given period of time. The device consists of any means for lowering the normally vaulted area of the roof of the mouth. In the preferred embodiment, the vault lowering means includes a molded piece which fits against the palate, and retaining wires to secure the piece to the teeth, while avoiding interference with the teeth on occlusion. The method and apparatus for lowering of the vault reduces the amount of food which can be comfortably ingested per bite. In use, the device allows the user to freely move his tongue and jaws, to talk, to breath, to drink, and to chew food. The method includes altering temporarily the configuration of the palate by lowering the vaulted area of the roof, to reduce the volume in the mouth available for food and reducing the food intake.
39 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A device for weight control by reducing the rate of food consumption, comprising:
-
a molded element positionable against the roof of a user'"'"'s mouth to temporarily alter the configuration of the palate whereby the food-containing volume of the mouth is reduced and the quantity of food per bite is reduced; said molded element defining a central, thickened portion for lowering the normally vaulted area of the roof of the mouth, said central, thickened portion being thicker than remaining portions of said molded element; and means attached to said molded element for removably supporting said molded element in fixed relationship against the roof of the mouth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
- 5. A method for weight control by reducing the rate of food consumption, comprising fixedly positioning against the roof of the mouth a device to temporarily alter the configuration of the palate to reduce the food-containing volume of the mouth and to reduce the quantity of food per bite.
- 9. A method for reducing and controlling the weight of a person by reducing the person'"'"'s food intake, comprising the steps of removably placing a molded element in fixed position against the roof of the person'"'"'s mouth and temporarily altering the shape of the person'"'"'s palate by lowering the vaulted area of the roof of the mouth to reduce the volume in the mouth available for food and the quantity of food per bite.
-
11. A device for weight control, comprising:
-
first means for positioning against the roof of a user'"'"'s mouth to alter the configuration of the palate and to reduce the food-containing volume of the mouth; second means in operative relationship with said first means for removably supporting said first means in fixed position against the roof of the mouth; and wherein said first means defines a central, thickened portion extending from the roof of the user'"'"'s mouth toward the lower part of the mouth to reduce the food-containing volume of the mouth, said central, thickened portion being thicker than remaining portions of said molded element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for weight control by reducing a person'"'"'s food intake, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a device for reducing the food-containing volume of a person'"'"'s mouth by lowering the normally vaulted area of the roof of the person'"'"'s mouth; positioning said device in fixed relationship against the roof of the person'"'"'s mouth to reduce the food-containing volume of the person'"'"'s mouth by lowering the normally vaulted area of the roof of the person'"'"'s mouth; and removably securing said device to upper teeth of the person adjacent to the roof of the mouth.
-
Specification