Patent Publication Number: US-2015083635-A1

Title: Multi-Day Weight Loss Kits

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many programs exist to assist with weight loss. Shakes, supplements, and other items are marketed to facilitate losing weight. Juices and other non-meal replacements or supplements are also marketed to facilitate health and weight loss. However, no multi-day system previously existed that was appropriate for conventional retail outlets, for example grocery and drug stores, to provide complete nutrition for weight loss purposes in a kit for a multi-day period such that the kit plus grocery supplements could last for about one work week (or equivalent) and provide pre-packaged food items that are supplementable with grocery supplements (not merely shakes, supplements, juices, and/or nutrition bars or equivalents) in a transportable, simple, efficient manner. 
     The present embodiment solves this problem by providing a pre-packaged weight loss kit with pre-packaged food items that are supplementable with grocery selections to create complete meals that cover various periods of days, including three, five, seven, or ten days (in the preferred embodiment, five days) in a transportable kit prepared in a fulfillment center and shipped as individual kits to traditional retail outlets, such as Wal-Mart or drug stores, and made available for purchase at such traditional retail outlets and over the phone. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate generally to weight loss and health management programs in a transportable box, including pre-packaged food items and multi-day meal plans for dieting, losing weight, and promoting health. More specifically, the embodiments of the invention relate to individual kits for conventional retail outlets for providing a discrete number of prepackaged food items that are to be used in conjunction with grocery supplements, including fresh produce, to provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert, over the course of three, five, seven, ten, or twenty-eight days for dieting, eating an age- or gender-specific diet, eating a health-issue specific diet, and/or losing weight. 
     The pre-packaged meals are supplementable with grocery supplements, such as fresh produce or other items available for purchase at a grocery store. The kits include the pre-packaged food and instructions for selecting grocery supplements. Together, the pre-packaged food items and grocery supplements provide complete meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert, for multiple days. The external portion of the box containing the pre-packaged meals provides the dietary components of the meals and other information as described below and in the accompanying pictures. 
     The kit includes a pamphlet with instructions that explain on what days to eat which meals and in what combinations. The kit provides a list of fresh grocery options to complete the pre-packaged food items such that together they create complete meals. Combining the pre-packaged food items with grocery supplements in accordance with instructions provided on the pamphlet in the box enables the kits to provide complete meals over multiple days to provide a complete multi-day meal plan. Such options are described in the pamphlet, which also explains what additional calories and nutritional values are added to the pre-packaged meals in the kit when such supplemental options are used. The pamphlet further provides information about at what times of day and between and/or with what meals such supplemental options may be employed. 
     In addition to kits for the general population, transportable kits containing pre-packaged meals for multiple days exist for weight loss for individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes are provided. Such kits that are targeted for type 2 diabetic or pre-diabetic users include all of the components of the regular kits, but they include less sugar and/or slightly different nutritional components in the pre-packaged meals and also recommend slightly different grocery supplement options. Additionally, the kits include additional information related to managing diabetes and/or the sugar and nutritional content of the food items. 
     In addition to the multi-day kits for the general population and for individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, kits containing pre-packaged food items for multiple days are contemplated for weight loss for individuals with health concerns (e.g., heart health) or at specific life stages (e.g., adolescence, young adult, middle age, advanced age, postpartum period) for which specific dietary considerations are beneficial. Such kits that include all of the components of the regular weight loss kits, but they are also configured to meet dietary recommendations for targeted individuals, as made by authoritative organizations (e.g., the American Heart Association for heart health). Additionally, the kits include information related to dietary, behavioral, or physical activity-related aspects of the health concern or life stage. 
     In addition to the multi-day kits for the general population and for individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, kits containing pre-packaged meals for seven days exist for rapid weight loss of five pounds in the first week. Such kits include all of the components of the other multi-day kits, including the kits for the general population and the kits for use by individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, but they also include shakes to boost metabolism and shakes to fight off hunger. Additionally, the kits include a complete menu tracker with directions on following a week long accelerated weight loss plan along with a guide and tips for food options that may be employed. 
     All of the multi-day kits, including the kits for the general population, the kits for individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, and the kits containing pre-packaged meals for seven days exist for rapid weight loss of five pounds in the first week, include an external box that is retail-ready, houses all of the pre-packaged meals that comprise the kit, has images that describe how to use the kit, and lists the nutritional content of each of the pre-packaged meals in the kit. The external box also has images and testimonials of prior program users who have successfully lost weight on the Nutrisystem® 28-Day program, which is a multi-day weight loss program that is distinct from the multi-day weight loss programs described herein in that it is for a 28 day period, is not available at any retail outlets or drug stores, does not come in an easily transportable external box that includes a handle and information about the contents of the kit, is available for ordering online and through a call center, and is shipped directly from a fulfillment center to consumers, bypassing retail outlets altogether. 
     For all of the multi-day kits, including the kits for the general population, the kits for individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, and the kits containing pre-packaged meals for seven days exist for rapid weight loss of five pounds in the first week, the meal contents are arranged within the external retail-ready box to allow for the efficient use of the space in the box. The meal contents of the kit are also arranged so that the heavier items are on the bottom to prevent the lighter or more delicate items from being crushed or compromised. The retail-ready external box also includes a collapsible handle to allow for maximum transportability yet still allowing the box to be stackable as needed for storage or transport. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1-10  are images and pictures of instructions and pamphlets that may accompany a transportable kit and that provide nutritional information, instructions for grocery supplements, meal planning ideas, suggested uses of the kits, useful tips and planning guides, and additional details about the kits, the prepackaged food items, and the grocery food additions. 
       FIGS. 11-13  are images of the box of the transportable kits. 
       FIGS. 14-18  are images of websites and advertisements for the kits. 
       FIGS. 19-32  are pictures of actual embodiments of the invention, including the outside and contents of the boxes, and the arrangement of contents within the boxes.