Custom food product preparation methods and apparatus

• US 7,776,372 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Hrudka
• Original Assignee: Brian Hrudka
• Inventors: Hrudka, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Becker; Drew E
• Application Number:
  US11/564,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20080124434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 426/231, 426/233, 426/496, 426/505, 426/523, 705/15
• 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, the method comprising the following steps performed in the presence of the customer:

placing a customer-selected substrate on a scale having a food preparation surface, wherein the scale is supported by a mobile table having storage compartments that contain all of the ingredients used to prepare the custom food product, a display, and a data processor in communication with the scale and display 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;

removing customer-selected ingredients from respective storage compartments of the mobile table and preparing the customer-selected ingredients under the direction of the customer;

placing the prepared customer-selected ingredients on the substrate under the direction of the customer in customer-selected amounts and customer-selected areas; and

calculating and displaying to the customer in real time the cost of the custom food product based on type and weight of the customer-selected ingredients 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 physical record of the custom food product, wherein the record comprises a printed listing of the user-selected ingredients and amounts, time and temperature information for cooking the custom food product, and printed image of the actual custom food product as prepared in the presence of the customer.

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 8, wherein the record also includes an image of the custom food product after cooking.

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

rolling a table to a customer, wherein the table has storage compartments that contain all of the ingredients used to prepare the custom food product a scale, a display, and a data processor in communication with the scale and display 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;

placing a customer-selected substrate on the scale in the presence of the customer;

removing customer-selected ingredients from respective storage compartments of the table and preparing the customer-selected ingredients under the direction of the customer;

placing the prepared customer-selected ingredients on the substrate in customer-selected amounts and customer-selected areas according to customer direction to create a custom food product;

calculating and displaying to the customer in real time the price of the custom food product based on type and weight of the customer-selected ingredients as the customer-selected ingredients are placed on the substrate;

moving the table to an oven;

cooking the custom food product; and

returning the cooked custom food product to the customer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the substrate is a comestible base.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the custom food product is a pizza and wherein the comestible base is a pizza crust.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the custom food product is a panzerotti and wherein the comestible base is dough.