ssscience

In order to identify the necessary features of the proposed device, the designer identified the following interrelated societal and psychological facts as key issues.

·	In order to buy enough snacks to provide portions for more than one day, people are forced

to find a way to store the unused snacks. Unlike other foods such as fruits, that have few negative consequences when consumed in quantity, or groceries in general that require some preparation before they can be eaten, snacks are by definition, ready to eat, delicious and tempting, rich and fattening, and generally are portioned small enough to be eaten quickly from one hand with no utensils.

·	Many children and some adults are unable to self regulate their consumption of snacks that

are available in their homes or offices.

·	Some households have some people who can control themselves and one or more people

who cannot, resulting in a mixed security requirement.

·	The snacks most of us crave are dangerous to our health when over consumed.

In order to better understand how to create a tool designed specifically to control and minimize dietary temptation, the designer studied how the people around him related to and interacted with their snacks. This study revealed the following:

·	People are generally able to resist temptation for small periods of time. For instance, if someone

offers you a plate of your favorite treat, you will usually not at first take more than would be appropriate. Our ideas of healthy behavior, self image, and of how we want other people to see us, enable us to initially resist grabbing more than a proper snack sized share, despite the fact that we might really want more than that.

·	Even when alone, the first time we take a portion from an open snack bowl, we generally take a

reasonable amount and walk away.

·	After we have eaten a small amount of a snack, the very things we like about it, such as its taste,

texture, sweetness, saltiness, crunchiness, etc. will make us start to think about going back to the bowl for another, often larger, portion. The human brain identifies the source of the pleasure and, so long as it remains available, makes us think about it and savor the experience. We remember the taste of the snack long after it is gone from our mouth. When we were evolving as humans it was important for us to be able to remember the tree that had the sweetest fruit and our brains became adept at identifying goodness and making us want more of it!

·	The consumption of snacks is not always just about food. Sometimes we use snacks to feel better, to

hide our feelings by distracting ourselves with something pleasurable. How often do you find yourself deep into a bag of some snack food after a fight with a loved one or a tough day at work or school? It happens because it is human nature, a part of how we are built.

·	Children (and some adults!) often will eat sweets or other snacks until the entire available amount is

gone, without regard to health or cost or the idea of saving some for tomorrow.

·	The act of successfully self regulating consumption or resisting temptation results in increased

feelings of self worth. With practice, these feelings can become enough of a reward that the brain begins to crave those feelings in place of the ones caused by eating more. As with most of our bodies abilities, repetitive practice and exercise make us stronger and more able to resist.

Next, the designer interviewed friends and colleagues about these behaviors and asked them to talk about their personal issues regarding snacks and over eating. The following is what the interviews revealed.

·	Householders commonly hide snacks to prevent their children or spouses from consuming them

when the "rule enforcer" is at work or asleep.

·	It isn't only the children who will eat every snack in sight. Many adults will consume sweet snacks in

the middle of the night but will not usually say so because they know it to be unhealthy.

·	Many people who work in offices would like to have a snack at a specific time of the day as a "pick-

me-up" but are consistently unable to resist eating their snack earlier than they intended. As a result these same people would never keep a supply of snacks in their offices because their experience has taught them that they lack the will power to resist impulsive consumption.

·	Many people do not keep supplies of snacks in their homes and offices because their roommates

and co-workers will eat them... and even perhaps be angry at them for providing the temptation!

·	Some people consume "specialty" snacks such as "power bars", but these expensive foods are often

inappropriately consumed by roommates and co-workers.

Key Features

SnackSafe solves the problems that the designer identified. The following specific features are essential to it's workings and combine to create a device that any person can use to reduce their consumption of snacks.

·	Attractive and unobtrusive design, quality construction, able to be classified as an "appliance" in

that it is simple to use, automatic, durable, and washable.

·	Affordable as any "small appliance" costing less than 150.00.

·	Easy to program in such a way that the original intentions of the user, when they had their best

intentions in mind, are easily and quickly translated into a stored and computerized program of action.

·	Programmably adaptable to the needs of many people by allowing the user to define the specifics of

the programmed schedule.

·	Security code option to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of the device even during a

programmed Chance to Snack .

·	In order to eliminate temptation even during a programmed "Chance to Snack" there is no outward

indication that the SnackSafe is openable.

·	Automatically closes and locks.

·	Stores the users designed program indefinitely, enforcing the users rules consistently over time.

·	Easily portable.

Programming Details

The SnackSafe programming interface is designed to be easy to use.
The first step is to select the mode of operation that fits the user's schedule.

Modes Of Operation

Mode 1-

A single Chance to Snack per day.

	Snacksafe unlocks once each day during a single programmed period of time.

	If you choose Mode 1, you will be prompted to define the start and end times of the
	single Chance to Snack.

Mode 2-

A single Chance to Snack per day, requiring an access code.

	SnackSafe unlocks once each day during a single programmed period of time,
	and requires an access code.

	If you choose Mode 2, you will be prompted to define the start and end times of the
	single access opportunity and then you will be prompted to define a 4 digit security
	access code.

Mode 3-

Multiple Chances to Snack per day.

SnackSafe unlocks one time during each of several programmed periods of time.

	If you choose Mode 3, you will be prompted to define how many Chances to Snack
	you wish to define, and then you will be prompted to define the start times and end
	times of each access opportunity.

Mode 4-

Multiple Chances to Snack per day, requiring an access code.

	SnackSafe unlocks one time during each of several programmed periods of time and
	requires an access code.

	If you choose Mode 4, you will be prompted to define how many Chances to Snack
	you wish to define, and then you will be prompted to define the start times and end
	times of each access opportunity, and then you will be asked to define a 4 digit
	security access code.

Mode 5-

Anytime access, with security code.

SnackSafe unlocks at any time with the use of an access code

Examples of Programmed Modes

·	For instance, If you choose Mode 1 and you define a Chance to Snack that starts at 5:00 PM and

ends at 6:00 P.M. you will be able to open the container one time during that Chance to Snack. When you have opened the SnackSafe and removed your portion of snack food, the SnackSafe door will close and lock automatically and cannot be opened again until the next day between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

·	If you choose Mode 2, the operation of the device will be the same as in Mode 1 except that before

you will be allowed to open the door and access the snack, you will be prompted to enter your access code.

·	Modes 3 and 4 are similar except there are multiple Chances to Snack each day. In all cases, you

can only access the contents one time during any single defined Chance to Snack.

·	Mode 5 is designed to allow you to use the SnackSafe as a safe. You can access the contents of

the SnackSafe at any time by inputting the security code.

Discipline For a Moment --- Health For a Lifetime
SnackSafe