Customized food preparation apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of preparing and selling an article of food from a retail establishment, the retail establishment having an inventory of ingredients in prepackaged amounts, the method comprising:
- receiving an order from a customer;
wherein the order identifies a plurality of ingredients and a quantity for the ingredients, wherein the identified quantity for at least one of the ingredients is independent of the prepackaged amount, and wherein the order further includes a preparation instruction for at least one of the ingredients;
gathering the quantity of each of the ingredients from the inventory of the retail establishment as a function of the order;
preparing the ingredients at the retail establishment as a function of the preparation instruction to provide a prepared food article; and
packaging the prepared food article for available delivery to the customer.
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Abstract
An improved method of preparing and selling an article of food from a retail establishment is disclosed. The method includes receiving an order from a customer where the order identifies ingredients and a quantity for the ingredients. The order also includes a preparation instruction for at least one of the ingredients. The quantity of each of the ingredients is gathered as a function of the order. The ingredients are prepared at the retail establishment as a function of the preparation instruction to provide a prepared food article. The prepared food article is packaged for available delivery to the customer. The method can also include consulting a list of potential ingredients corresponding to a diet plan and gathering the ingredients as a function of the order and the list. A nutritional value may be calculated for the prepared food article and communicated to the customer. The order may be received over an internet connection. The customer may specify particular ingredients as a function of the brand of the ingredients or of a growth or storage condition of the ingredients. An apparatus for enabling a retail customer to make a payment for a purchase from a third party using a financial card through an internet connection is also disclosed. Other apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
55 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of preparing and selling an article of food from a retail establishment, the retail establishment having an inventory of ingredients in prepackaged amounts, the method comprising:
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receiving an order from a customer;
wherein the order identifies a plurality of ingredients and a quantity for the ingredients, wherein the identified quantity for at least one of the ingredients is independent of the prepackaged amount, and wherein the order further includes a preparation instruction for at least one of the ingredients;
gathering the quantity of each of the ingredients from the inventory of the retail establishment as a function of the order;
preparing the ingredients at the retail establishment as a function of the preparation instruction to provide a prepared food article; and
packaging the prepared food article for available delivery to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of preparing and selling an article of food from a retail establishment, the method comprising:
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receiving an order from a retail customer over an internet connection;
wherein the order identifies a plurality of ingredients and a quantity for the ingredients, and wherein the order further includes a preparation instruction;
gathering the quantity of each of the ingredients as a function of the order;
preparing the ingredients at the retail establishment as a function of the preparation instruction to provide a prepared food article; and
packaging the prepared food article for delivery to the retail customer. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for enabling a retail customer to make a payment for a purchase from a third party using a financial card through an internet connection, the purchase to be charged against an account held by the retail customer with a financial institution, the apparatus comprising:
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a magnetic card reader located in the retail customer'"'"'s home, office or personal space for enabling the retail customer to swipe the financial card through the magnetic card reader, wherein the magnetic card reader is adapted to read customer information upon the occurrence of the card being swiped;
a circuit coupled to the magnetic card reader and the internet connection for transmitting the following to the financial institution over the internet;
the customer information, data corresponding to the third party and a monetary amount corresponding to the purchase;
whereby the monetary amount corresponding to the purchase may be charged against the account. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification