Abstract:
A method for purchasing based on social collaboration is provided. The method includes receiving primary customer order information and executing a collaborative pizza ordering application having an order initiation window and collaborative order window associated with at least one menu item order. The order initiation window has a list of at least one contact and at least one communication channel. The collaborative order window has a response summary of the at least one contact. The collaborative pizza ordering application is configured to: receive at least one contact selection input of the list; receive at least one communication channel selection input of the at least one communication channel; display the response summary corresponding to at least one social response from the at least one secondary customer and at least one proposed order; and communicate a social order comprising the at least one secondary customer and the at least one communication channel.
Abstract:
A cutter apparatus for cutting a block of food product into smaller blocks. The cutter apparatus includes a support assembly and a plurality of cutting assemblies. The cutting assemblies are pivotally coupled to the support assembly. At least one of the cutting assemblies includes a handle and a cutting member being assembled to the handle. Each of the other cutting assemblies includes a handle and a plurality of cutting members being assembled to the handle.
Abstract:
A method of preparing pizza includes providing an at least partially baked crust with at least one topping. The crust and at least one topping are wrapped or covered with an impermeable cover and heated to a holding temperature above ambient temperature. The cover is then removed and additional heated and un-heated toppings may be added. The pizza is then baked in an oven to further heat and brown the crust, cheese and toppings of the pizza. With the method, the final bake time can be reduced to preferably less than 60 seconds.
Abstract:
A food management system includes a cabinet having a chamber, a lift, and an ejector. The chamber is defined, in part, by a front wall including a chute defining a first end of a dispensing region along the cabinet. At least one lift is disposed within the chamber, and is configured to receive a plurality of containers therein. The lift is operable to sequentially present at least one of the containers to the dispensing region of the cabinet. The ejector includes a bumper disposed within the dispensing region. The bumper is operable to translate through the dispensing region from a retracted position on an opposite side of the at least one lift from the chute, to an extended position between the retracted position and the chute to bias the at least one of the containers from the at least one lift through the chute.
Abstract:
A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The lock is operable to (i) permit the first door to move from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the unlocked configuration and (ii) prevent the first door from moving from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the locked configuration.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided that may include a tray formed from parchment paper. The tray may include a bottom portion and at least one side portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom portion may support a pizza while the pizza is baking. The pizza may be packaged and/or served to a consumer in the tray.
Abstract:
A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.
Abstract:
A method for customizing a pizza order using an application is provided. The method includes receiving customer information and executing a pizza assembly application having a pizza assembly window and a pizza topping selection window associated with at least one pizza order. The pizza assembly window has at least one pizza image and the pizza topping selection window has at least one pizza topping image. The pizza assembly application is configured to: receive at least one pizza topping selection input of the at least one pizza topping image, the at least one pizza topping selection input defining at least one selected pizza topping; display a custom pizza view of the at least one pizza image with the at least one selected pizza topping; and communicate the custom pizza view as an at least one pizza order.
Abstract:
A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.