Custom Food Product Preparation Methods And Apparatus

• US 20080124434A1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Hrudka
• Original Assignee: Brian Hrudka
• Inventors: Hrudka, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,776,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/233
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

Custom food product methods and apparatus are provided that allow customers to participate in the preparation of food products as a part of the dining experience. A method of preparing a custom food product under the direction of a customer includes placing a customer-selected substrate on a scale of custom food product preparation table, placing customer-selected ingredients on the substrate in customer-selected amounts and customer-selected areas, and calculating and displaying the cost of the custom food product to the customer as the customer-selected ingredients are placed on the substrate. Each ingredient is assigned a cost per unit of weight and, as the ingredients are utilized, the cost of the food product is calculated and displayed via a display associated with the table. A customer may be provided with a record of the ingredients of the custom food product and may include an image and/or name of the custom food product.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a custom food product under the direction of a customer, wherein the custom food product is prepared on a table having a scale, storage compartments that contain ingredients used to prepare the custom food product, and a data processor in communication with the scale that is configured to calculate the cost of the custom food product, based on the type and weight of the ingredients, as the custom food product is being prepared, the method comprising:

placing a customer-selected substrate on the scale;

placing customer-selected ingredients on the substrate in customer-selected amounts and customer-selected areas; and

calculating and displaying the cost of the custom food product via the data processor as the customer-selected ingredients are placed on the substrate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a comestible base and further comprising inserting the comestible base and customer-selected ingredients within an oven and cooking the custom food product.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the custom food product is a pizza and wherein the comestible base is a pizza crust.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the custom food product is a panzerotti and wherein the comestible base is dough.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the table is mobile and wherein the table is moved to the location of the oven prior to inserting the comestible base and customer-selected ingredients within an oven and cooking the custom food product.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a plate and wherein the custom food product is a salad.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a plate and wherein the custom food product is a dessert.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the customer with a record of the composition of ingredients of the custom food product.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing the customer to name the custom food product, and displaying the name of the custom food product on the record of the composition of ingredients of the custom food product.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the customer with an image of the custom food product.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing the customer with an image of the cooked custom food product.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing the customer with an image of the custom food product on the record of the composition of ingredients of the custom food product.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing customer-selected ingredients prior to placing the customer-selected ingredients on the substrate.

14. A custom food product preparation table, comprising:

a scale having a food preparation surface, wherein the scale is configured to weigh ingredients placed thereon;

a plurality of storage compartments, wherein each storage compartment contains one or more ingredients used to prepare a custom food product;

a data processor in communication with the scale that is configured to calculate the cost of a custom food product based on the type and weight of ingredients used in preparing the custom food product; and

a display in communication with the data processor that displays the cost of a custom food product as ingredients are placed on the food preparation surface.

15. The table of claim 14, wherein the table comprises wheels and is configured to be rolled between locations.

16. The table of claim 14, wherein the table includes an ingredient grating and slicing apparatus.

17. The table of claim 14, further comprising a sensor that is configured to detect when an ingredient amount in a storage compartment drops below a threshold amount, and wherein the data processor is configured to send an electronic message to an inventory location that the ingredient needs to be replenished in the storage compartment.

18. The table of claim 14, wherein the table comprises a rack that supports ingredients.

19. A restaurant, comprising:

a dining area;

one or more dining tables located within the dining area;

an oven located within the dining area; and

a mobile custom food product preparation table that is movable between the one or more dining tables and the oven, comprising;

a scale having a food preparation surface, wherein the scale is configured to weigh ingredients placed thereon;

a plurality of storage compartments, wherein each storage compartment contains one or more ingredients used to prepare a custom food product;

a data processor in communication with the scale that is configured to calculate the cost of a custom food product based on the type and weight of ingredients used in preparing the custom food product; and

a display in communication with the data processor that displays the cost of a custom food product as ingredients are placed on the food preparation surface.

20. The restaurant of claim 19, wherein the table further comprises an ingredient grating and slicing apparatus.

21. The restaurant of claim 19, further comprising a kitchen, and wherein ingredients stored within the table storage compartments are prepared in the kitchen.

22. The restaurant of claim 21, wherein the table further comprises a sensor that is configured to detect when an ingredient amount in a storage compartment drops below a threshold amount, and wherein the data processor is configured to send an electronic message to the kitchen that the ingredient needs to be replenished in the storage compartment.

23. The restaurant of claim 19, further comprising a cashier station, wherein the cashier station is in communication with the table data processor and is configured to provide a customer with a record of a custom food product, wherein the record includes a list of customer-selected ingredients in the custom food product.

24. The restaurant of claim 21, wherein the record includes a customer-selected name for the custom food product.

25. The restaurant of claim 21, wherein the record includes an image of the custom food product.

26. The restaurant of claim 19, further comprising a take-out area that comprises:

a scale having a food preparation surface, wherein the scale is configured to weigh ingredients placed thereon;

a plurality of storage compartments, wherein each storage compartment contains one or more ingredients used to prepare a custom food product;

a data processor in communication with the scale that is configured to calculate the cost of a custom food product based on the type and weight of ingredients used in preparing the custom food product; and

a display in communication with the data processor that displays the cost of a custom food product as ingredients are placed on the food preparation surface.

27. A method of preparing a custom food product under the direction of a customer, comprising:

rolling a table to a customer;

placing a substrate on the table;

weighing customer-selected ingredients and placing the customer-selected ingredients on the substrate to create a custom food product under customer direction;

tallying a price of the custom food product based on the customer-selected ingredients and weight of the customer-selected ingredients;

moving the table to an oven;

cooking the custom food product; and

returning the cooked custom food product to the customer.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the substrate is a comestible base.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the custom food product is a pizza and wherein the comestible base is a pizza crust.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the custom food product is a panzerotti and wherein the comestible base is dough.