System and method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, dishes and beverages

Abstract

System and method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, dishes and beverages, capable of combining the efficiency of automation and digitalization applied to production, stock and supply-chain management with the high quality guaranteed by attention and strict observance of traditional practices throughout the supply chain, from raw material selection to food preparation and delivery. The system and method of the present invention comprise one or more refrigerated automatic warehouses for storing food raw materials at pre-established temperature and humidity conditions, and an IT infrastructure capable of managing customer orders and interfacing with said one or more refrigerated automatic warehouses and with one or more processing stations for preparing finished food products, where an operator can make the requested preparations.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION annexed to PATENT APPLICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

[0002] “System and method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, dishes and beverages”

[0003] By: Gnam S.r. I. , a company of Italian nationality with head office in Sassuolo (MO).

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a system and a method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, dishes and beverages, which can combine the efficiency of automation and digitalization applied to production, stock and supply-chain management with the high quality guaranteed by attention and strict observance of traditional practices throughout the supply chain, from raw material selection to food preparation and delivery.

[0006] Background art

[0007] In the food service industry, systems and methods have been long known for automating the preparation and distribution of food products, e.g. dishes or beverages.

[0008] Such systems and methods are being used, for example, in refectories, restaurants, bars, hotels, banqueting services, on-train, on-plane and on-ship catering services, take-away services, hospital supplies (e.g. ready-made meals for in-patients), etc. Some restaurant chains, e.g. fast foods, use a high level of automation.

[0009] In order to meet automation requirements in the food service industry, several solutions have been proposed in the course of time which are the subjects of respective patent applications.

[0010] For example, US 2018 / 0025445 A1 discloses a system allowing a customer to place an order prior to arriving at the restaurant. The system constantly monitors the customer’s position to coordinate the preparation of the order in such a way that it will be complete exactly when the customer arrives at the restaurant or place of delivery. WO 2018 / 183768 A1 discloses a computer system using a blockchain structure in order to reliably trace the food supply chain.

[0011] IT 102020000000997 discloses a system for tracking food products, e.g. dishes or beverages, along the supply chain up to the final dish. US 2020 / 0249660 A1 discloses a restaurant system integrating automated and manual operations to increase the efficiency of the food preparation process.

[0012] None of such systems, however, solves or even addresses the problem of combining the increased efficiency of the food preparation and distribution process with the need for preserving the food’s taste, freshness and safety, such characteristics being essential in high-quality traditional food services.

[0013] Objects of the invention

[0014] In this frame, the Applicant intends to propose a system and a related method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products which make use of a high level of process digitalization and automation, while at the same time ensuring genuineness, freshness and high quality of food products, dishes and beverages.

[0015] In particular, it is one object of the present invention to combine the best Italian and Emilian gastronomic tradition with the latest mechatronic and digital technology.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to propose a system and a related method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products which can guarantee the quality, healthiness, hygiene and safety of food products, dishes and beverages. It is a further object of the present invention to propose a system and a related method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products which can minimize the energy consumption, the production of waste and, in general, the environmental impact of food services.

[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to propose a system and a related method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products which are fast, economical, and easy to use for most customers. Summary of the invention

[0018] The Applicant found that these and other objects can be achieved by a system for tracking, preparing and distributing food products which comprises at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse for storing food raw materials at pre-established temperature and humidity conditions. Preferably, the system of the present invention comprises a plurality of refrigerated automatic warehouses.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises both refrigerated automatic warehouses and non-refrigerated automatic warehouses. The system of the present invention further comprises an IT infrastructure, e.g. a local or remote, preferably cloud-based, computer system, comprising a web server, a control module and one or more databases. Such databases comprise at least information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse. In one possible embodiment, such one or more databases comprise also information relating to finished food products which may, just like raw materials, have been stored in a refrigerated automatic warehouse.

[0020] The system of the present invention comprises one or more processing stations for the preparation of finished food products. Said one or more processing stations comprise means for allowing an operator to prepare and / or portion the finished food products.

[0021] Optionally, such means may also allow the operator to store unused raw materials and / or finished food products in the refrigerated automatic warehouse for subsequent use. According to one aspect, the one or more processing stations for the preparation of finished food products are located in an environment with automatically controlled lighting, so as to improve the operators’ working conditions and, at the same time, facilitate the visual inspection of the quality of the food raw materials and finished food products. The web server of the present invention is configured to receive a customer order and communicate the customer order to the control module of the IT infrastructure. According to one embodiment, said order can be placed by the customer in person, on the phone, or by means of a suitable application, whether an application originally installed on the device (e.g. a web browser) or a specially dedicated one (e.g. a specific app), which may, without distinction, reside on either a remote computer or a portable device, e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, or the like.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said application can be used by customers to browse the menus proposed by the system, retrieve information relating to food raw materials and / or finished products throughout their production, transport and processing chain, obtain information about organoieptic, nutritional and health- related (e.g. presence of allergens, etc.) properties, pay, register as users, geolocate themselves, etc.

[0023] The control module of the IT infrastructure of the present invention is capable of operatively interfacing with said one or more databases and with the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse to replenish, according to the customer order and the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse, said one or more processing stations with food raw materials. According to one embodiment, the control module of the present invention can also take finished products and / or beverages from the refrigerated automatic warehouse and supply them to the processing stations and / or directly deliver them to the customer.

[0024] According to one aspect, the pre-established temperature and humidity conditions in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse are constantly monitored by suitable sensors and, in case of differences from predefined values accurately selected to preserve the genuineness, freshness and quality of the food raw materials, the control module will Intervene by adjusting the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse to restore the correct temperature and humidity values. According to one embodiment, the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse comprises a first device for inspecting the food raw materials, said first device for inspecting the food raw materials being operatively connected to the control module. According to one aspect, said first device for inspecting the food raw materials may comprise an optical sensor, e.g. a camera, and / or an X-ray inspection system, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0025] According to one aspect, said first device for inspecting the food raw materials is configured to send to the control module information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of the food raw materials.

[0026] According to one aspect, the Information acquired by the first device for inspecting the food raw materials may comprise high-definition digital images of the food raw materials.

[0027] According to one aspect, the control module controls the temperature and humidity in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse not only on the basis of the temperature and humidity values detected by the suitable sensors installed in the warehouse, but also on the basis of the information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of the food raw materials acquired by said first device for inspecting the food raw materials.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse comprises a device for indicating to the operator the position of the food raw materials inside the refrigerated automatic warehouse, so as to assist the operator in picking up the same from the refrigerated automatic warehouse.

[0029] According to one aspect, the device for indicating to the operator the position of the food raw materials is a laser pointer. According to one aspect, the device for indicating to the operator the position of the food raw materials is operatively connected to the control module.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the IT infrastructure of the present invention comprises a memory device operatively connected to the control module and configured to store information relating to a plurality of orders from one or more customers. Said memory device may optionally, but not necessarily, be a component of the one or more databases already included in the IT infrastructure. Moreover, the IT infrastructure comprises at least one application program suitable for being installed on the control module. Said at least one application program is configured to operatively interface with the memory device and with said one or more databases to process, using artificial intelligence techniques, the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse and the information relating to the plurality of orders from said one or more customers.

[0031] It is thus possible to offer the customers a high degree of service customization, while at the same time optimizing the available resources and reducing waste and inefficiency to a minimum.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the control module of the IT infrastructure is capable of supplying said one or more processing stations with food raw materials and / or finished food products stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse, picking them up through the use of self-driving automatic trolleys.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment, the finished food products prepared and / or portioned by the operator are delivered to the customer through the use of self-driving automatic trolleys and / or remotely piloted aircraft, commonly known as drones. According to one variant, the automatic trolleys can transport finished food products directly to customers in a room used as a restaurant hall and / or for waiter service.

[0034] According to one variant, the automatic trolleys can transport finished food products to a suitable distribution station, where said finished food products are made available for take-away or home delivery. According to one embodiment, home delivery is effected by means of drones.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the finished food products prepared and / or portioned by the operator are delivered to the customer with recyclable or compostable tableware (e.g. plates, cups, flatware). According to a preferred embodiment, the system for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to the present Invention comprises a goods receiving station, which comprises a second device for inspecting the food raw materials. Said second device for inspecting the food raw materials is operatively connected to the control module. According to one aspect, the second device for inspecting the food raw materials may comprise, for example, an optical sensor, e.g. a camera, and / or an X-ray inspection system, and / or a weight checking device, and / or a metal detector, and / or a system for chemical analysis of the foods, e.g. for determining the water content of the foods, etc., or any combination thereof. According to one aspect, the second device for inspecting the food raw materials is configured to send to the control module information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of the food raw materials.

[0036] According to one aspect, the second device for inspecting the food raw materials can detect the presence of any impurities, pollutants, etc. and / or the shape and weight of the food raw materials. The acquired information is preferably shared with, and evaluated by, the control module, which can then discard any incoming raw materials not complying with predefined genuineness, freshness and quality standards.

[0037] According to one aspect, the Information acquired by the second device for inspecting the food raw materials may comprise high-definition digital images of the food raw materials.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, comprising the steps of receiving, via a web server of an IT infrastructure, a customer order. In addition to the web server, the IT infrastructure further comprises a control module and one or more databases, which comprise information relating to food raw materials and / or finished food products stored in at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse for storing food raw materials at pre- established temperature and humidity conditions. The method of the present invention further comprises the step of communicating the customer order to the control module of the IT infrastructure. The control module can operatively interface with said one or more databases and with the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse, and thus supply, according to the customer order and the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse, one or more processing stations with food raw materials.

[0039] According to the method of the present invention, an operator working at a processing station prepares and / or portions the finished food products.

[0040] According to a variant of the present method, the operator can store food raw materials and / or finished food products in the refrigerated automatic warehouse.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present method, the customer sends the order to the web server of the IT infrastructure using an application program installed on a remote device, e.g. a mobile device. Such order may be effectively placed, for example, over a wireless connection to the Internet network. According to one embodiment, the method of the present invention further comprises the steps of receiving, via the web server of the IT infrastructure, information relating to a plurality of orders from one or more customers and storing such information on a memory device operatively connected to the control module. The method also comprises the step of processing, through at least one application program suitable for being installed on the control module and optionally, but not necessarily, using artificial intelligence techniques, the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse and the information relating to the plurality of orders from said one or more customers. Thus, the method of the present invention makes it possible to develop customized commercial offers and / or recommended combinations and / or customized food menus or diets, e.g. according to the customer’s preferences and / or state of health. According to one aspect, the method of the present invention comprises the substep of adding specific ingredients in customized menus developed on the basis of the information relating to the customer’s state of health. For example, a natural ingredient may be added in order to balance the glycemic intake.

[0042] According to one aspect, said natural ingredient for balancing the glycemic intake is a soluble fibre which does not alter the recipe’s taste and which is, for example, suitable for diabetic customers.

[0043] Likewise, ingredients may be selected which are suitable for coeliac customers or for customers suffering from specific food intolerances.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products of the present invention comprises the steps of inspecting the food raw materials to obtain information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of the food raw materials, and sending said information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of the food raw materials to the control module. According to one aspect, the step of inspecting the food raw materials is conducted at least by a goods receiving station, before they are moved into the refrigerated automatic warehouses.

[0045] According to one aspect, the step of inspecting the food raw materials is conducted when the goods are inside the refrigerated automatic warehouses.

[0046] According to one aspect, the step of inspecting the food raw materials is conducted continually throughout the process. The following will describe, by way of non-limiting example, some preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments, although not described herein but conceivable by a person skilled in the art, are included as well.

[0047] Brief description of the drawings The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings, provided merely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0048] - Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0049] - Figure 2 shows an axonometric view of a production line included in the system of the present invention;

[0050] - Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of use of a refrigerated automatic warehouse according to the present invention;

[0051] - Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of use of a refrigerated automatic warehouse according to the present invention; - Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the use of a refrigerated automatic warehouse according to the present invention;

[0052] - Figure 6 shows a process diagram concerning an example of a food service method according to the invention.

[0053] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

[0054] In the following description, expressions such as “right”, “left”, “over”, “under”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, and the like, may be used merely for illustration purposes to refer to particular arrangements of elements shown in the annexed drawings, without however any limiting meaning.

[0055] The present invention aims at combining the best Italian and Emilian gastronomic tradition with the latest mechatronic and digital technology. Therefore, the system of the present invention requires the simultaneous presence of advanced automatic technologies and human operators. With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 designates as a whole a system for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, optionally including dishes and beverages, according to the present invention.

[0056] The system 1 comprises at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse 2, e.g. of the vertical type. One example of a refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 is shown in Figures 3, 4 and

[0057] 5. It comprises many shelves or panels, preferably fitted with quick-coupling means so that they can be easily re-configured.

[0058] The refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 may comprise an aluminium or transparent casing. The various shelves or panels may be illuminated by LED light sources. Control over the temperature and humidity parameters is local and extremely efficient.

[0059] The total height of a refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 according to the invention may typically range between 4 and 9 metres, with a maximum stock volume of, for example, 5 m3 / m2. The refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 has a high degree of automation, since it is programmed to carry out defragmentation fully automatically during recovery times. Each refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 is equipped with an operating interface 20, e.g, a terminal, possibly including a touchscreen, in order to be able to interact directly with an operator OP.

[0060] Alternatively, the operating interface 20 may be designed to interact remotely with an operator, e.g. through the use of portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, or the like.

[0061] Warehouses of this kind are available, for example, from company Modula S.p.A., and applications thereof are known especially in the industrial, manufacturing and large-scale distribution sectors. Preferably, the system 1 of the present invention comprises a plurality of refrigerated automatic warehouses 2.

[0062] According to one possible variant, the system of the present invention may comprise both refrigerated automatic warehouses and non-refrigerated automatic warehouses. For example, the system 1 may comprise different automatic warehouses: a first automatic warehouse may be dedicated to utensils, a second and / or a third warehouse may be dedicated to food raw materials, a fourth warehouse may be dedicated to packaging materials, a fifth warehouse may be dedicated to the delivery activity, etc. Advantageously, some of such automatic warehouses may be refrigerated, while others may not.

[0063] The system 1 of the present invention further comprises an IT infrastructure 3, for example a cloud-type computer system, in turn comprising several components: a web server 4 for connecting to the Internet network, a control module 5, and one or more databases 6 comprising information relating to the food raw materials and / or the finished food products stored in the refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 or in the plurality of refrigerated automatic warehouses 2.

[0064] The databases 6 may also comprise information relating to the origin, ingredients, nutritional values, etc. of the food raw materials, as well as information about customers and customer orders. The control module 5 may reside on either a local computer or a remote computer; for example, it may reside on a cloud system, just like the databases 6.

[0065] The control module 5 may variably comprise BMS (Business Management System) components for process automation, MRP (Materials Requirement Planning) components for managing processing tasks, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) components for managing customer orders, systems for piloting self-driving trolleys (AGV, Automated Guided Vehicles), and the like.

[0066] The control module 5 can also interface with the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2. The system 1 of the present invention further comprises at least one processing station 7 for the preparation of finished food products, e.g. meals, dishes and beverages.

[0067] Preferably, the system 1 of the present invention comprises a plurality of processing stations 7 for the preparation of finished food products, e.g. a first station for receiving the goods, a second station for washing them, a third station for cooking them, etc.

[0068] The processing station 7 used for receiving the goods may, for example, direct such goods towards different refrigerated automatic warehouses (or towards different sections of the same refrigerated automatic warehouse) used as pantries; for example, it may discriminate among meat and / or fish and / or fruit and / or vegetables, or non-fresh food products and products that can be stored in silos (typically flours and / or grain products).

[0069] Such processing stations 7 generally comprise means 8 for allowing an operator OP to prepare and / or portion the finished food products. At least one processing station may be used for preliminarily washing and / or preparing the foods, e.g. fruit and / or vegetables, prior to storing them in the refrigerated automatic warehouses.

[0070] The operator OP has therefore access to means 8 for preparing and / or portioning the finished food products. Such means 8 may include a worktop 80 comprising cooktops 83, cooking utensils 81 , 82 such as pots, pans, knives, etc.

[0071] Food raw materials and finished food products are moved between the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2 and the processing stations 7 according to indications from, and under supervision of, the control module 5.

[0072] For example, the operator OP may be notified, e.g. by means of suitable screens 800, that an order has been received for which specific raw materials need to be supplied.

[0073] The operator OP can then go to a refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 and, through the operating interface 20, pick up the necessary components. Or the system 1 may use self-driving automatic trolleys 21 capable of moving food raw materials and / or finished food products between the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2 and the processing stations 7, under supervision of the control module 5 and without the operator OP necessarily having to leave the processing station 7.

[0074] The operator OP can thus concentrate on the preparation of the finished food products, without wasting time for unnecessary movements.

[0075] Furthermore, once the components necessary for fulfilling the customer order have been picked up, whether manually by the operator OP or automatically by selfdriving automatic trolleys 21 , the databases 6 will be automatically updated and the contents of the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2 will be constantly monitored and kept up-to-date.

[0076] Should the operator OP decide that some food raw materials are not really necessary for completing the order and preparing the finished food product, the operator OP can return them to the refrigerated automatic warehouse 2, whether in person or by means of self-driving automatic trolleys 21 , and then update again, whether manually or automatically, the database 6 relating to the contents of the refrigerated automatic warehouse.

[0077] The processing of the finished food product may require several steps, and it may have to pass through several processing stations 7.

[0078] For example, a first processing station 7 may be dedicated to cooking, a second one to assembling the dish, a third to packaging, etc.

[0079] The processing stations may be arranged in series and / or in parallel.

[0080] Advantageously, some processing stations may be specifically and exclusively dedicated to slow cooking, fresh pasta, low temperature, leavening, etc. Alternatively, some processing stations may be equipped for different tasks as necessary from time to time.

[0081] Preferably, a processing station dedicated to final assembly receives single dishes defined as first courses, second courses, desserts and / or fruit, beverages, etc., and combines them together to complete an order.

[0082] The handling between one station and the next may be carried out manually by the operator or, more advantageously, automatically by the above-mentioned selfdriving automatic trolleys 21 .

[0083] Each processing step is appropriately documented, and the information relating thereto is saved, whether manually or automatically, to the database 6, so as to ensure full traceability of the transformation process. The finished food products made in accordance with the present invention contain no preservatives.

[0084] According to the present invention, each processing step is compliant with rigorous procedural guidelines that regulate not only the individual processing steps but also the origin of the food raw materials, in order to guarantee freshness and genuineness throughout the supply chain, where only properly certified raw materials of animal or vegetable origin can be used.

[0085] The system of the present invention can be used for on-site catering, take-away service or home delivery, wherein the latter may be provided either by traditional means or by remotely piloted aircraft, i.e. drones 74.

[0086] In this latter case, drones 74 may pick up finished food products from a dedicated delivery area, e.g. a delivery warehouse, preferably a dedicated refrigerated automatic warehouse 2, which is constantly replenished by operators OP or by selfdriving automatic trolleys 21 , or may pick up said finished food products directly from the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2 used as pantries.

[0087] The system for tracking, preparing and distributing food products can find practical application as described below.

[0088] The procedure starts with the reception of an order from at least one customer.

[0089] The customer can place the order in person, by visiting the point of sale, or by telephone, or by means of a personal computer or a portable device with Internet access. Advantageously, the customer sends the order through a suitable application installed on his / her portable device, e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, or the like. The order is received by the web server 4 of an IT infrastructure 3, which comprises the control module 5 and one or more databases 6 containing at least the information relating to the food raw materials stored in at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse 2.

[0090] The customer order is communicated to the control module 5 of the IT infrastructure 3, which interfaces with the databases 6 and with the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 to verify the availability of the components required for fulfilling the order just received.

[0091] After this verification, and once the order has been accepted, the IT infrastructure 3 processes the order payment and sends a confirmation message to the customer. Based on the customer order and the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse 2, the control module 5 starts replenishing one or more processing stations 7.

[0092] Such replenishment may occur, for example, through a notification displayed on a screen 800 visible to the operator OP, who can then go to the refrigerated automatic warehouse(s) 2 and pick up the components necessary for completing the order.

[0093] Alternatively, the components necessary for completing the order, generally consisting of food raw materials, may be transported from the refrigerated automatic warehouse 2 to the processing stations 7 in a fully automatic manner, e.g. through the use of self-driving automatic trolleys 21 .

[0094] Once the processing station 7 has been appropriately replenished, the operator OP is ready to start preparing and / or portioning the finished food products.

[0095] The preparation process may include several steps and may require the dishes to be moved between two or more different processing stations. This can be easily achieved, for example, by means of self-driving automatic trolleys.

[0096] In order to prepare the finished food products, it may be necessary to take some components from the refrigerated automatic warehouses to regenerate them, i.e. to complete the cooking of the same so that the finished food product can be delivered and / or served at the optimal temperature. If, when the order was placed, the customer decided to eat the dishes on site or selected the take-away service, while also accepting to be geolocated, e.g. through the positioning function of his / her portable device, the process of preparing the finished food products can be modulated in such a way that the food products will be ready exactly at the instant when the customer arrives at the restaurant and / or take-away point. This can be obtained by monitoring constantly, or at least at regular time intervals, the customer’s position and by transferring such information to the IT infrastructure.

[0097] Alternatively, the customer may choose home delivery, which may occur either by traditional means or by drones. The system and method of the present invention are clearly able to receive, via the web server 4 of the IT infrastructure 3, information relating to a plurality of orders from one or more customers;

[0098] Such information may be stored on a memory device 60, whether local or remote, e.g. a cloud-type database 6, operatively connected to the control module 5. The information relating to the plurality of customer orders can be correlated with the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2.

[0099] Both types of information can be collected, analyzed and processed by an application program, e.g. installed on the control module 5, using artificial intelligence techniques, e.g. machine learning, deep learning, generative Al, and the like.

[0100] Such processing makes it possible to develop offers and / or recommended combinations and / or customized menus for an individual customer or for a group of customers having similar characteristics.

[0101] When a customer supplies information about a specific diet to the IT infrastructure, the application program can process such information and determine the most appropriate dishes and / or menus for that customer, which can then be proposed to the latter. Upon confirmation by the customer, the IT infrastructure will communicate the order to the control module and will process the payment.

[0102] It is thus possible to prevent any problems related to food allergies and / or intolerances, e.g. gluten, allergens, etc.

[0103] Another advantage offered by this embodiment lies in the customer being able to follow a healthy and balanced diet more easily. According to a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention may comprise the step of providing customized menus and diets based on a consultancy service provided by experts like chefs, nutritionists, food technologists, medical personnel, and the like.

[0104] Advantageously, the method of the present invention may also be configured to receive, via the web server 4 of the IT infrastructure 3, information relating to the customers’ state of health, so as to be able to develop menus which are not only genuine and / or healthy, but also approved beforehand by healthcare personnel, e.g. for specific disorders such as diabetes, tumors, or the like.

[0105] For example, the information relating to the customer’s state of health can be retrieved through a connection to the customer’s electronic medical record.

[0106] According to a preferred embodiment, the system and method of the present invention envisage that the finished food products prepared and / or portioned by the operator be delivered to the customer with recyclable tableware, e.g. compostable tableware. The system and method of the present invention are suitable for appiication to different contexts. For example, they are suitable for on-site catering, take-away service and / or home delivery.

[0107] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the process envisaged by the method according to the present invention.

[0108] Since supply chain quality is of the utmost importance, the system and method of the present invention use only fresh and genuine products certified throughout the supply chain, preferably from local and organic productions.

[0109] Upon reception, the various incoming goods are checked to verify their quality and origin. Supply chain data are acquired, for example, by means of barcodes, QR codes, blockchains, and the like. Such data are entered into one of the databases 6 included in the IT infrastructure 3.

[0110] During a subsequent preparation step the goods are, if necessary, washed and / or disinfected, and then the goods or food raw materials, ready to undergo subsequent processing, are stored, e.g. in the refrigerated automatic warehouses 2, and / or transferred directly to the processing stations 7.

[0111] Some processing stations 7 may be dedicated to transformation of the food raw materials. For example, some processing stations may be dedicated to the preparation of dough and / or fresh pasta, etc. These foods or food components are then stored in dedicated refrigerated automatic warehouses used as pantries, and can then be picked up as necessary for making finished food products, e.g. by completing the cooking thereof.

[0112] In a subsequent step of the process, the dish is assembled and / or cooked or regenerated according to the recipe. Preferably, cooking is done in a way that preserves the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the foods. Cooking must therefore observe appropriate time and temperature constraints, specially calibrated for each food to be cooked, in order to adequately preserve its nutritional and organoleptic properties, so that healthy, natural and preservative-free dishes can be served. To this end, a high degree of automation may be used during the processing steps, and particularly during the cooking step and the optional regeneration step. For example, cooking and / or regeneration can be managed by the means 8 available at the processing station 7, automatically controlled by the control module 5. In this way, ail dishes, even complex ones, can be easily prepared in compliance with the procedural guidelines even by unskilled operators.

[0113] Once finished, the dishes, and optionally the beverages, can be served directly in the restaurant hall or transferred to the take-away department and / or sent out for home delivery.

[0114] Of course, the process may also include cycles dedicated to food packaging, waste collection and disposal, and plonge or dishwashing.

[0115] All the processing and transformation steps undergone by the goods, food raw materials and finished food products are adequately tracked and documented, and such information is stored in one or more databases of the system’s IT infrastructure.

[0116] List of references

[0117] 1 system for tracking, preparing and distributing food products 2 refrigerated automatic warehouse

[0118] 21 self-driving automatic trolley

[0119] 20 operating interface

[0120] OP operator

[0121] 3 IT infrastructure 4 web server

[0122] 5 control module

[0123] 6 one or more databases

[0124] 60 memory device

[0125] 7 processing station 74 drones

[0126] 8 means for preparing and / or portioning the finished food products

[0127] 80 worktop

[0128] 81 , 82 cooking utensils

[0129] 83 cooktop 800 screen

Claims

1. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, comprising at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2) for storing food raw materials at pre-established temperature and humidity conditions; an IT infrastructure (3), for example a cloud-type computer system, comprising a web server (4), a control module (5) and one or more databases (6), said one or more databases (6) comprising information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2); one or more processing stations (7) for the preparation of finished food products, said one or more processing stations (7) comprising means (8) for allowing an operator (OP) to prepare and / or portion the finished food products, wherein the web server (4) is configured to receive a customer order and communicate the customer order to the control module (5), and wherein the control module (5) is capable of operatively interfacing with said one or more databases (6) and with the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2) to replenish, according to the customer order and the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2), said one or more processing stations (7) with food raw materials.

2. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 1 , wherein the IT infrastructure (3) comprises a memory device (60) operatively connected to the control module (5) and configured to store information relating to a plurality of orders from one or more customers; at least one application program suitable for being installed on the control module (5), wherein said at least one application program is configured to operatively interface with the memory device (60) and with said one or more databases (6) to process, using artificial intelligence techniques, the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automaticwarehouse (2) and the information relating to the plurality of orders from said one or snore customers,3. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control module (5) is capable of supplying said one or more processing stations (7) with food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2), through the use of self-driving automatic trolleys (21 ).

4. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the finished food products prepared and / or portioned by the operator (OP) are delivered to the customer through the use of selfdriving automatic trolleys (21 ) and / or remotely piloted aircraft (74).

5. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the finished food products prepared and / or portioned by the operator (OP) are delivered to the customer through the use of recyclable tableware.

6. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2) comprises a first device for inspecting the food raw materials, said first device for inspecting the food raw materials being operatively connected to the control module (5).

7. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2) comprises a device for indicating to the operator (OP) a position of the food raw materials inside the refrigerated automatic warehouse (2).

8. System (1 ) for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a goods receiving station comprising a second device for inspecting the food raw materials, saidsecond device for inspecting the food raw materials being operatively connected to the control module (5).

9. Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products, comprising the steps of receiving, via a web server (4) of an IT infrastructure (3), a customer order, said IT infrastructure (3) further comprising a control module (5) and one or more databases (6), said one or more databases (6) comprising information relating to food raw materials stored in at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2) for storing food raw materials at pre-established temperature and humidity conditions; communicating the customer order to the control module (5) of the IT infrastructure (3), said control module (5) being capable of operatively interfacing with said one or more databases (6) and with the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2); supplying, via the control module (5) and according to the customer order and the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2), one or more processing stations (7) with food raw materials; preparing and / or portioning finished food products by means of an operator (OP) having access to means (8) for preparing and / or portioning the finished food products.

10. Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 9, wherein the customer sends the order to the web server (4) of the IT infrastructure (3) using an application program installed on a remote device, for example a mobile device.11 . Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the steps of receiving, via the web server (4) of the IT infrastructure (3), information relating to a plurality of orders from one or more customers;storing the information relating to the plurality of orders from said one or more customers on a memory device (60) operatively connected to the control module (5); processing, through at least one application program suitable for being installed on the control module (5) and using artificial intelligence techniques, the information relating to the food raw materials stored in the at least one refrigerated automatic warehouse (2) and the information relating to the plurality of orders from said one or more customers.

12. Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 11 , comprising the step of developing offers and / or recommended combinations and / or customized menus based on the information relating to the plurality of orders from said one or more customers.

13. Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claims 11 or 12, comprising the step of receiving, via the web server (4) of the IT infrastructure (3), information relating to a state of health of one or more customers; developing customized menus based on the information relating to the state of health of said one or more customers.

14. Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to claim 13, comprising the sub-step of adding a natural ingredient in order to balance the glycemic intake, within the step of developing customized menus based on the information relating to the state of health of said one or more customers.

15. Method for tracking, preparing and distributing food products according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 14, comprising the steps of inspecting the food raw materials to obtain information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of said food raw materials, and sending the information relating to the genuineness, freshness and quality of said food raw materials to the control

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