U.S. patent application number 09/144046 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-24 for decorating system for edible items.
Invention is credited to KAMMERER, RONALD B. JR., SPURGEON, STEPHEN L..
Application Number | 20020008751 09/144046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26761887 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020008751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SPURGEON, STEPHEN L. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2002 |
DECORATING SYSTEM FOR EDIBLE ITEMS
Abstract
A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected
image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a
scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a
printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user
then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in
a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The
size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of
copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then
activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the
digital image and converts the digital image into printer control
signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition
of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through
the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is
thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a
product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
Inventors: |
SPURGEON, STEPHEN L.;
(BOULDER, CO) ; KAMMERER, RONALD B. JR.;
(BROOMFIELD, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH AND RICHARDSON P.C. P.A.
60 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
SUITE 3300
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
26761887 |
Appl. No.: |
09/144046 |
Filed: |
August 31, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60079335 |
Mar 25, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
347/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0087 20130101;
A21D 13/47 20170101; H04N 2201/0081 20130101; A23G 3/28 20130101;
H04N 2201/0082 20130101; A23P 2020/253 20160801; A23G 3/0097
20130101; B44C 5/00 20130101; B41M 5/0047 20130101; B41M 5/0052
20130101; A21C 14/00 20130101; H04N 1/00127 20130101; A21C 15/002
20130101; H04N 1/00482 20130101; H04N 1/00416 20130101; A23P 20/20
20160801; B41M 5/0076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
347/106 |
International
Class: |
B41J 003/407 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for decorating food products, said system comprising:
means for controlling the operation of the system; means for
inputting an image to said means for controlling the operation; an
edible media for receiving a printed image; means for printing an
image received from said means for controlling the operation onto
said edible media; and means for moving said edible media through
said means for printing wherein said image is printed onto said
edible media as said edible media is moved through said means for
printing.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
onto said edible media includes: means for printing on said edible
media with edible inks.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
onto said edible media includes: means for printing an image in
precise and consistent reproduction of colors in accordance with a
color model using edible inks.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
onto said edible media includes: means for printing an image in
precise and consistent reproduction of colors in accordance with
the standard CMYK color model.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing on said
edible media includes: edible inks formulated from food grade
products in the colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black to render
precise and consistent colors as percentages of those colors in
accordance with the CMYK color model.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: an inkjet printing system.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: thermal inkjet technology.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: liquid piezo inkjet technology.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: solid piezo inkjet technology.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: continuous inkjet technology.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: valve jet inkjet technology.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: electrostatic inkjet technology.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for printing an image
includes: airbrush ink technology.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein said edible media comprises: an
edible layer having a consistency and thickness capable of
traveling through the conveying mechanism of a printer; and a
coating on a portion of said edible layer for receiving edible ink
to form a high quality pictorial image.
15. The edible layer of claim 14 wherein said edible layer
includes: a fondant layer.
16. The edible layer of claim 14 wherein said edible layer
includes: a base formed from starch.
17. The edible layer of claim 14 wherein said edible layer
includes: a rice paper layer.
18. The edible media of claim 14 wherein said coating includes:
calcium carbonate as an ingredient.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling the
operation of the system includes: a computer processing unit; and a
touch screen interface for selecting commands for operation of the
system.
20. The system of claim wherein said means for inputting an image
includes: at least one digital image source.
21. A process for creating an edible item from a selected image by
the movement of said edible item through a printing system for
printing an image onto said edible item, wherein said process
comprises the steps of: providing at least one ink formed of an
edible food ink for use in said printing system; and providing an
edible media capable of being moved through the said printing
system for receiving said at least one ink thereon from said
printing system.
22. The process of claim 21 wherein said step of providing at least
one ink formed of an edible food ink includes the steps of:
providing a set of inks suitable for use in an inkjet printing
system and formulated from food grade materials in accordance with
standard color models.
23. The process of claim 21 wherein said step of providing at least
one ink formed of an edible food ink includes the steps of: a first
ink suitable for use in an inkjet printing system and formed from
food grade products in the color of cyan; a second ink suitable for
use in an inkjet printing system and formed from food grade
products in the color of magenta; a third ink suitable for use in
an inkjet printing system and formed from food grade products in
the color of yellow; and a fourth ink suitable for use in an inkjet
printing system and formed from food grade products in the color of
black; wherein said set of edible inks are applied in an inkjet
system onto an edible media to render precise and consistent colors
as percentages of their respective colors in accordance with the
CMYK color model.
24. The process of claim 21 wherein said step of providing an
edible media includes the steps of: providing a layer of edible
material capable of movement through said printing system; and
providing a coating on a portion of said edible material for
receiving said at least ink to form a high quality pictorial
rendition of said selected image.
25. A process for creating a decorative food item from a selected
image in a printing system having a media path for movement of an
edible media along said media path to at least one printhead, said
process comprising the steps of: inserting said edible media into
the media path of the printing system; selecting an image to be
printed on said edible media; activating the printing system to
cause said edible media to move along said media path of said
printing system so that said selected image is printed on said
edible media in a pictorial rendition of said image.
26. The process of claim 25 wherein said edible media includes: an
edible layer; and a coating on a portion of said edible layer for
receiving ink from said printing system in a high quality pictorial
rendition of said selected image.
27. The process of claim 25 wherein said printing system includes:
a set of inks formulated from food grade materials for use in said
printing system and capable of providing precise color matching
with a standard color model.
28. The process of claim 25 wherein said printing system includes a
set of inks comprising: a first ink suitable for use in an inkjet
printing system and formed from food grade products in the color of
cyan; a second ink suitable for use in an inkjet printing system
and formed from food grade products in the color of magenta; a
third ink suitable for use in an inkjet printing system and formed
from food grade products in the color of yellow; and a fourth ink
suitable for use in an inkjet printing system and formed from food
grade products in the color of black; wherein said set of edible
inks are applied in an inkjet system onto an edible media to render
precise and consistent colors as percentages of their respective
colors in accordance with the CMYK color model.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application corresponds to the subject matter of
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/079,335, filed on Mar.
25, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of digital imaging on
edible items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Decorative food products, such as cakes, are popular items,
particularly for special occasions, such as birthdays, holidays,
weddings, anniversaries and other celebratory events. These items
are typically purchased from bakeries, since they require some
skill and/or apparatus to create. Previously, these items were
created from colored frostings applied manually by trained bakery
chefs. The creation of these hand-decorated items were time and
labor intensive. Normally a customer will either buy a stock item
from the bakery or else place an order for a special item then
return to pick the order up at a later date. These manually created
items are at best a stylized rendition of the desired image and
limited by the skill of the baker.
[0004] There have been a number of attempts previously to provide
alternatives to the manually created decorating process. One such
alternative that is presently widely used is the use of pre-made
decorative items which are then placed on the food product. These
pre-made items are produced in bulk and inventoried until use. The
use of such pre-made decorative items precludes uniquely decorated
and/or personalized decorations. Also, these pre-made decorative
items must be either ordered, which requires a long lead time, or
stored in inventory at the risk of under ordering or over ordering,
as well as the cost of such inventory. Another alternative has been
to utilize an automated system for decorating cakes.
[0005] One example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,910,661, issued to Barth et al. This system uses a video system
to create an image, which is then applied to the cake by controlled
movement of an X-Y table beneath a set of spray nozzles which
dispense colored liquid onto the cake. This system is cumbersome
and complicated and requires operator intervention.
[0006] One other system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,273,
issued to Krubert. This system uses a series of stations through
which the food product is conveyed. At one station, a series of
colored images are stamped onto the food product to form an image.
This process is geared toward mass production of products having
identical images since the stamps are formed in a single image. The
stamps must be changed in order to create another image.
[0007] Another prior attempt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,505,775, issued to Kitos. This system utilizes an integrated work
surface controlled with a computer system. An image is scanned into
the computer system. The computer system then uses a motion control
system to manipulate a drop on demand colorant expulsion system
over a cake carried on the work surface to reproduce the scanned
image. This system requires a flat surface on the top of the cake
since it is incapable of vertical axis movement. The choice of
colors is limited to the three-color single cartridge colorant
expulsion system.
[0008] These systems also produce the decorations and images
directly onto the food product. Since these food products are
produced at the bakery, the decorated food product must then be
transported to the event. Many times the decorated food product is
damaged in transit. Also, this increases the expense many times in
transporting the entire decorated food product.
[0009] None of these systems are truly capable of providing an
on-demand system that can create a near-photographic reproduction
of an image in an edible format. There is a need for such a
system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention solves this and other problems by
providing a process and a system for creating an edible product
from a selected image in an "on demand" system. The product is
fully edible and can be applied onto a cake or other food product
at the time of creation, easily transported to another location for
application or eaten as is.
[0011] The system of one preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes at least one image source for selection of a
desired image, a controller unit for receiving the selected image
and a printer for printing the selected image as received from the
controller unit onto an edible media with edible inks. The system
is designed to be easily used without the need of extensive
training or computer skills. The system is also designed to be
flexible in the capability of accommodating various sizes of edible
media and in the source of the images.
[0012] An edible media is first inserted into the printer of the
system. This edible media is specially formulated not only be able
to render a high quality pictorial rendition of a selected image on
the application of specially formulated edible inks, but must be
able to travel along a media path in the printer itself without
damage. This media path normally includes the bending of the edible
media along with friction rollers. Once the edible media has been
inserted into the printer path, then the controller unit is used to
operate the system.
[0013] The controller unit, in a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, can be a separate computer system, an enclosed
processor or any other type of digital processing unit. In the
preferred embodiment, the controller unit uses a touch screen
interface. A variety of menus which are accessed by this touch
screen interface allows the system to be easily operated. Once the
edible media has been inserted into the printer, the user must
first select an image source. Multiple image sources are provided
in the preferred embodiment. The first image source, in the
preferred embodiment of the invention, is a scanner. The user can
insert a personal photograph, such as of a person or event being
honored, onto the scanner. The photograph is then scanned and the
digital image transmitted to the controller unit. A second image
source in the preferred embodiment is a library of images stored in
the controller unit or on external storage devices. The user
selects an image from a catalog and inputs this selection by way of
the touch screen interface into the controller unit. If that
selected image is available, then the controller unit verifies the
selection. Other image sources include any available digital image
source, or even analog sources which are then converted to digital
images. Examples of such digital image source include without
limitation: film/slide scanners, digital cameras, digital videos,
networked image libraries, digital tablets, external storage
devices such as floppy disks, Zip drives, superdrives, cd-rom or
other sources of digital data.
[0014] The user can then select the size of the printed image from
a preset selection or else selects a custom size. The number of
copies to be printed is also selected. A single image may be
printed on multiple media, multiple copies can be repeated onto a
single media (such as for use on cupcakes), images can be "tiled"
onto multiple media to form a larger image or multiple separate
images can be printed onto a single media. Also, separate images
can be overlayed onto one another for additional effect. Cutting or
cropping software can also be incorporated therein to manipulate
the image. Once the image source, the printed image size and the
number of copies have been selected, the user then activates the
print mode to either scan the photograph, retrieve the stored image
or otherwise obtain the digital data from the selected image
source.
[0015] The controller unit then performs color correction on the
digital data from the image source and converts this processed data
into printer control signals. These signals operate the printer to
transport the edible media along the printer media path and
adjacent the printheads of the printer. The printer prints a
rendition of the image onto the edible media with edible inks.
[0016] The edible inks have been specially formulated for use in
the printer, which in the preferred embodiment, is an inkjet
printer. The edible inks are also formulated in cyan, magenta,
yellow and black to faithfully render images as percentages of
these colors in accordance with the CMYK color model. The system
can also use other color models as well, including without
limitation RGB, LAB, HSB, Pantone, Hexachrome and other color
models. This improves the precision of the printed image by
providing adherence to color matching systems.
[0017] The printer, in the preferred embodiment of the invention,
includes most, if not all, types of inkjet printers. These include
thermal inkjet, solid piezo inkjet, liquid piezo inkjet, continuous
inkjets, valve inkjets, electrostatic inkjets and airbrush print
technology. Other types of printers are usable as well as long as
the accurate color matching of the edible inks are attainable.
[0018] Once the edible media has traveled through the printer and
the image printed thereon with the edible inks, the printed edible
media can be removed from the printer. The printed edible media can
then be placed on a food product at the point of printing,
transported to a separate location for application or even consumed
as is. The system is flexible in its capability to print different
sizes depending on the food product to be decorated. Also, since
the edible media is relatively thin and sturdy, it can be
transported separately from the food product to minimize damage to
the decorations. The system is also designed to be easily updated
and for its settings to be easily adjusted.
[0019] The system can be used in a bakery environment as a
stand-alone system or used in a network, such as a LAN, WAN, MAN,
Intranet or even an Internet system. For instance, a controller
unit with the image sources can be set up on a kiosk. A user can
input or select their desired image, choose the correct settings
and activate the system. Once the image is scanned or retrieved,
the user may leave. The controller unit processes the information
and transmits the information to a remote site, such as a central
bakery. The finished media is either applied onto a product and
shipped to the user, or else shipped by itself to the user. Another
variation includes an Internet web site where the user can either
upload their image or select from an image library. The user would
then also make the other selections relative to the media size,
copies and the like. This information would then be transmitted to
the printer, which could be at any location, and then the printed
media shipped to the user.
[0020] The unique and specially formulated edible media and edible
inks allow commercially available print systems to be utilized. The
previous decorative systems require specially designed print
systems. Also, the present system is truly an "on-demand" system.
The printed image on the edible media can be created in a mere few
minutes. Also, the printed image can be rendered from almost any
photograph or digitally created or converted image into a near
photographic quality edible image.
[0021] These and other features are described in greater detail in
the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment and in the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a preferred embodiment of the
decoration system of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a catalog of Digital Art
images;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view of the first-level display menu of the
controller unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a view of display menu of FIG. 3 on the Scan Black
& White mode;
[0026] FIG. 5 is the display menu of FIG. 3 on the instructions for
scanning mode;
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates the Cake Size menu display;
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates the Digital Art selection menu
display;
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates the verification of the selection of the
Digital Art Item display;
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates the non-verification of the selection of
the Digital Art Item display;
[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates the Advanced Settings menu display;
[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates the Photo Size Auto-Detect menu
display;
[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates the Photo Size Manual menu display;
[0034] FIG. 13 illustrates the Cropping menu display;
[0035] FIG. 14 illustrates the System Setup menu display;
[0036] FIG. 15 illustrates the Disk Utilities menu display;
[0037] FIG. 16 illustrates the Disk Information menu display;
[0038] FIG. 17 illustrates the Display Setup menu display;
[0039] FIG. 18 illustrates the About menu display;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a top view of the edible media of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 20 is a cut-away view of FIG. 19 along lines 20-20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] Referring in more detail to the drawings, as shown in FIGS.
1-20, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
In this particular preferred embodiment a system 10 for creating an
edible product from a selected image is illustrated. It is to be
clearly understood that this preferred embodiment is provided for
descriptive purposes only and is not meant to unduly limit the
scope of the inventive concept. Other embodiments are included
within the inventive concept as set forth in the appended
claims.
[0043] System Overview
[0044] The system 10 of the present invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 1 includes at least one image source 20, a controller unit 30
having an interface screen 32 and a printer 40. The image source 20
receives or creates an image which is then sent in digital form to
the controller unit 30. The controller unit 30, in the preferred
embodiment, is a computer processor unit which controls the
operation of the input devices to select an image or an image input
device, receive the digital version of such an image, manipulate
the image if necessary and then send printer control signals to the
printer based on the final image. The printer 40 then prints the
image using edible inks onto an edible food item.
[0045] The preferred embodiment is illustrated as an integrated
system. It is to be clearly understood that each of the components
of the present invention can be detached from this system and at a
separate physical location. Each of these components need only be
accessible to the other components by some method of digital
transmission, such as cables, telecommunication lines, wireless or
any other data transmission system. Also, the data could be output
from any of the components onto external storage media, such as
floppy disks, zip drives, cd-rom or any other storage media and
then retrieved into the other components.
[0046] Image Source
[0047] The image source 20 can be one or more of various devices.
In the preferred embodiment, the image source 20 include a scanner
22, a library of digital art 24 stored on either a storage drive in
the controller unit 30 or on an external storage device, and other
image sources indicated at 26 which include without limitation
film/slide scanners, digital cameras, networked image libraries,
and any other digital image source. The scanner 22 can be a flatbed
scanner or other types of scanner such as a drum scanner or a
through feed scanner. The scanner allows an image to be rendered
from personal photographs, such as of a person or event which is to
be honored. Also, a computer processing unit may be connected to
the controller unit 30 to create, edit and/or manipulate images
with commercially available or proprietary software packages. The
library of images are designated by a name, or in the preferred
embodiment, by an Item Number. A catalog of thumbnail images with
the designated Item Number, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2,
is used to select the desired image from the library.
[0048] Controller Unit
[0049] The controller unit 30 includes, in the preferred
embodiment, includes a computer processing unit, preferably a
Raster Image Processor (RIP). However, a conventional computer
processor can be used as well. Also, any other processing units
which can digitally process the signals from the image sources can
be used. The processor is operated via a touch screen user
interface 32. It is to be expressly understood that other
embodiments utilizing other types of input devices, such as a
detached touch screen, keypads, joy sticks, voice commands, and the
like are within the scope of the present invention. The touch
screen user interface 42 allows the user to select from a variety
of commands to customize an image or else simply use the default
commands to process a standard size and type of image.
[0050] The first-level display screen 100, as shown in FIG. 3,
provides a relatively self-explanatory operation menu on touch
screen user interface 32. The user simply selects the image input
source, which in this embodiment includes Scan button 102
indicating the scanner 22 and Digital Art button 104 indicating the
Digital Art source 24 stored on the storage drive in the controller
unit 30. The default value for the Scan button 102 is for the
scanned image to be in color. However, if the image is to be
scanned as a black and white image, then Scan button 122 is touched
by the user. The display screen 32 displays the directions on menu
130, as shown in FIG. 5 to operate the system. The user is directed
to place the photograph from which the image is to be created on
the scanner 22, select the appropriate cake size, touch the number
of copies that are to be created and then select the print to start
the process. If the image is to be printed in color, the Print
Color button 134 is touched and display screen 32 reverts back to
the display shown in FIG. 3. If the image is to be printed in black
& white, then Print Black & White button 132 is touched and
the display screen 32 then reverts back to the display shown in
FIG. 4.
[0051] The user then selects the desired cake size by touching the
Cake Size button 108. Menu 140, as shown in FIG. 6, is then
displayed. The values for the different cake sizes include standard
sizes of cakes, as is known in the baking industry. For instance,
1/4 Sheet button 142 indicates a quarter sheet size, 1/2 Sheet
button 144 indicates a one-half sheet size and Full Sheet button
146 indicates a full-sheet size. Custom button 148 allows a custom
size to be created up to a width of seventeen inches. The length
will be automatically calculated from the original image's aspect
ratio or length to width ratio.
[0052] The brightness/darkness of the original image can be
adjusted by the brightness/darkness balance slider 112, as shown in
FIG. 3. This allows the user to compensate for images that are
overly light or overly dark. Copies button 114 allows the user to
select the number of copies which are to be printed. For instance,
if a number of identical images are to be created for multiple food
products, then that number can be selected. Also, selections can be
made as to printing of multiple identical images onto a single
media, the printing of distinct multiple images printed onto a
single image, multiple images overlayed onto the media, a single
image printed in separate tiles onto multiple media or other image
effects. Also, in one embodiment of the invention, a multiple feed
system for feeding blanks into the printer can be used to automate
the process.
[0053] Once the image source, the cake size and the number of
copies has been selected, then the user touches the Print button
116. The scanner, if selected as the image source, is activated and
scans an image based on the photograph which had been placed on the
scanner. This image is sent by digital signals to the controller
unit 30 which then converts those digital signals to printer
control signals to the printer. The image is printed, as discussed
in greater detail below, on an edible food item with edible inks in
the size selected. This printed edible food item can then be placed
on the cake or other food product.
[0054] The controller unit also provides other options for the
user. For instance, the source of the image to be created can be
selected via Digital Art button 104 to be from the library of
Digital Art images. These Digital Art images can be licensed clip
art images, such as shown in FIG. 2, or other images such as a
personal data base of images. If the user decides to use an image
from the library instead of scanning an image, then Digital Art
button 104 is selected. A key pad menu 150, as shown in FIG. 7, is
then displayed on the touch screen 32. The user selects the Item
Number for the desired image from the catalog, an example of which
is shown in FIG. 2, touches the appropriate numeric buttons 152 on
the key pad menu 150 and selects the Done button 154. The touch
screen 32 will then display menu 160, shown in FIG. 8, confirming
the selection and availability of that image.
[0055] If the library does not have that image or the image is a
limited use image and the licensed number of uses has been
previously selected, then the touch screen 32 displays a message to
that effect, shown in FIG. 9. The user can then contact the
appropriate source and obtain a "key" number which will activate
the licensed image for additional uses or else select another
image. Once an image has been selected, the user can then select
the size and number of copies and print the image.
[0056] The controller unit 30 also includes other custom features.
The user can select the Advanced Settings button 119 on the display
screen illustrated in FIG. 3. The touch screen 32 then displays
menu 170, shown in FIG. 10. Several custom features are selectable
from menu 170. One custom feature is to either have the scanner
automatically detect the size of the image to be scanned or
manually set the size. For instance, if the scanner is having
difficulties automatically detecting an entire photo due to a light
background color, the user can provide the measurements. The user
selects the Photo Size Auto-Detect button 172. The controller unit
30 then displays menu 180, shown in FIG. 11. If the Manual button
182 is selected, then menu 190, shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The
size of the image to be scanned is set by selecting appropriate
values from the Photo Length button 192 and the Photo Width button
194. Key pad menus, similar to the key pad menu 150 shown in FIG.
8, are displayed once the Photo Length button 192 and the Photo
Width button 194 are selected to set the appropriate size
values.
[0057] The user can also crop an image by selecting the Cropping
button 196 following the selection of Manual button 182. The Manual
button 182 is first selected and then the Photo Length button 192
is selected to enter the crop box desired length and the Photo
Width button 194 is selected to enter the crop box desired width.
The Cropping button 196 is then selected displaying screen menu
200, shown in FIG. 13. The Left Offset button 202 and the Top
Offset button 204 are selected and the desired values are entered
in a key pad similar to display 150 of FIG. 7. These desired values
allow the user to move the set crop box to the desired position in
respect to the original image. With the crop box size and
positioning, the scanner can now scan a specific portion of the
original image and perform the cropping operation.
[0058] The user can select from a menu of available printers by
touching the Printer button 174, shown in FIG. 10. The screen will
display the available printers from which the user can select. Once
the desired printer is selected, the screen will automatically
return to the Advanced Settings menu, shown in FIG. 10.
[0059] The user can also select the media on which the image is to
be printed. These different types of media will be discussed in
detail below. The user touches the "Paper Type" button 176 and
selects from a displayed menu of available media. The screen will
then automatically return to the Advanced Settings menu.
[0060] The user may also make changes to the system itself. The
System button 178 is touched which causes menu 210, shown in FIG.
14, to be displayed. The user can update the controller unit 30 by
touching the Disk Utilities button 212. Menu 220, shown in FIG. 15,
is displayed. The user can then update the system (with newly
released versions, library images or other updates) by touching the
Update button 222 and selecting the source of the update. The user
can also obtain information about the system by touching the Disk
Properties button 224. This displays menu 230, shown in FIG. 16,
which gives the current status of the system properties.
[0061] The user may also make changes to the display screen 32
itself. Touching the Display button 214, shown in FIG. 14, causes
the menu 240, shown in FIG. 17 to be displayed. The contrast of the
display screen 40 can then be adjusted by toggling the Arrow
buttons 242, 244.
[0062] The user may also obtain information about the system by
touching the About button 216. This displays information relating
to the owner of the intellectual property rights of the system as
well as the version number of the system, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0063] Each of the displayed menus also include a Help button, to
assist the user with information regarding that particular menu,
and a Done button, to return the user to the appropriate menu once
the particular selection has been made.
[0064] Media
[0065] A critical feature of the system 10 of the present invention
is the edible media on which the image is printed. This edible
media, in the preferred embodiment, includes at least one edible
layer and an edible coating. One embodiment of the edible layer of
the media is a mixture of a sugar paste of varying thickness,
referred to in a generic sense as fondant in the baking industry.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fondant has been
specially formulated for several key features. First, the fondant
must be able to depict high-quality pictorial images from the
edible inks, described below. Second, the fondant must be able to
travel through a printer without damage. Thus, the fondant must be
of sufficient strength to be bent and manipulated through the
conveying path of the printer, withstand the heat of the printing
process and still being not overly thick to jam in the printer
mechanism. Third, the fondant must be able to not detract from the
taste of the food product on which it is to be applied.
[0066] The above preferred embodiment of the fondant of the present
invention is described herein for explanatory purposes and is not
meant to limit the scope of the present invention. This embodiment
of the edible layer is formed from sugar, sorbitol, hydrogenated
palm kernel oil, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, gum tragacanth,
dried glucose syrup, glaze and water. Other variations of fondants
may be used as well.
[0067] Other examples of edible layers are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,071,394, assigned to the Lucks Company, and incorporated
herein by reference. This type of edible layer is formed from a
flour and/or starch base as opposed to the sugar base of the
fondants. Another example of an edible layer is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,334,404, issued to Garcia et al. and incorporated herein
by reference.
[0068] Other types of edible layers used in the present invention
include rice paper, wafer paper, and other edible substrates on
which an image may be printed.
[0069] The edible media, of the preferred embodiment, also includes
a coating on at least a portion of the edible layer. This coating
enables the edible media to render a high quality pictorial image
on the surface of the edible layer. Without this coating, the inks
tend to run or bead or form an imperfect image. In one preferred
embodiment, the coating is a very thin layer of calcium carbonate.
This thin layer allows the inks to properly perform to render a
high-quality pictorial image. Other coatings may be used as
well.
[0070] A preferred embodiment of the media of the present invention
is illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The media 300 includes a release
sheet 310 having a silicon coating, the edible layer 320 and a
coating 330. The coating 330 is an edible film, as discussed above,
upon which the edible inks may be printed to create a high quality
pictorial image.
[0071] Edible Inks
[0072] Another key component of the present invention are the inks
used in the printing process. These inks have been specially
formulated from food grade colors to enable high quality,
near-photographic images to be printed onto the edible media
described above. These inks not only must be edible and have
precise color-matching properties, they must also function in a
manner similar to other commercially available inks in the
printers. That is, unlike the prior art food decorating systems
which have been specially designed to use existing food colors, the
present inks have been designed be usable in commercial print
systems and printing technologies, as described in detail
below.
[0073] The edible inks of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention are formulated to faithfully render images in accordance
with the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK) color model. This
provides adherence to most commercially available color matching
systems, thus ensuring that the image obtained from the image
source (scanner, library or other image input device) to be
precisely printed onto the edible media. It is to be expressly
understood that inks which are formulated to render high quality
images in accordance with other color models are also within the
scope of the present invention. For instance edible inks which are
formulated in accordance with color models including without
limitation RGB, LAB, HSB, Panatone, Hexachrome and others are also
within the present inventive scope.
[0074] One embodiment, provided for explanatory purposes only and
not to limit the scope of the present invention is provided
below:
[0075] Cyan: water, isopropyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate,
FD&C Blue #1
[0076] Magenta: water, isopropyl alcohol, sodium lauryl Sulphate,
FD&C Red #3 & FD&C Blue #1
[0077] Yellow: water, isopropyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate,
FD&C Yellow #5
[0078] Black: water, isopropyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate,
FD&C Blue #1.
[0079] Other embodiments of the edible inks of the present
invention that provide faithful matching to the CMYK color model,
as well as other color models, and that function within the
constraints of commercially available printing technologies are
considered to be within the scope of the claimed invention.
[0080] Printer
[0081] The printing device 30, in the preferred embodiment,
includes a feed path through which the item to be printed is
inserted and conveyed past one or more printheads. In the preferred
embodiment, the printhead technology can be any type of printhead
which can be controlled by digital signals. In the preferred
embodiment, print technology encompasses all types of inkjet print
technology. In these systems, the edible inks described above are
fed from a cartridge reservoir. These cartridge reservoirs may be
refilled as need.
[0082] In one preferred embodiment, the printhead is a thermal
inkjet printhead. Thermal inkjet printheads use a resistor which
rapidly heats up a thin layer of the ink. This rapid heating causes
the ink to form a bubble which ejects the ink through the nozzle.
Since there are no mechanically moving parts, very high operating
frequencies are possible.
[0083] In an alternative embodiment, the printheads use piezo
inkjet technology. This technology uses a piezoelectric crystal to
push and pull a diaphragm which lies beneath the firing chamber.
The displacement caused by the movement of the diaphragm ejects the
ink through the nozzle. The piezo inkjet can be either solid piezo
inkjet technology or liquid piezo inkjet technology.
[0084] Other types of inkjet technology for use in the systems of
the present invention include continuous inkjets, valve jets,
electrostatic inkjets and airbrush technology. Also, as inkjet
technology evolves, other inkjet technology may be incorporated
into the systems of the present invention.
[0085] Other embodiments encompassing other digital printhead
technology other than inkjet technology are considered within the
scope of the invention as claimed as long as edible inks capable of
precise color matching are usable. The descriptive embodiments of
printhead technology are provided for explanatory purposes only and
are not meant to unduly limit the scope of the claims of the
invention.
[0086] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention,
the image is printed onto a transfer layer, which in turn is
applied onto the edible media.
[0087] Use
[0088] The use of the system of the preferred embodiment has been
deliberately designed to be simple, with no computer skill
necessary to operate. The system is able to be flexible in the
capability of decorating a wide range of food products. The user
first inserts the edible media into the feed path of the printer.
Then, the user selects from the menu of image sources. The cake
size is then selected and the number of copies chosen. Then the
print process is activated. The image is then printed with the
edible inks onto the media. The media is placed onto the food
product, either on the site, or since it is compact and easily
transportable, at the site of the event.
[0089] The user can select from several image sources, such as a
scanner or image library. A personal photograph can be used to
create the printed image by use of the scanner option. The scanner
can be set to automatically detect the size of the image, or the
user can manually select the size of the image if desired. The
image library can be easily updated as desired.
[0090] The system is designed so that the user can easily adjust or
update the system to incorporate future enhancements. The system
uses a series of touch screen menus to enable the system use
without the need of a computer keyboard.
[0091] Another feature of the present invention is the capability
of the system to be operated through telecommunications or via an
Internet site. A user could order the select or transmit an image
to a remote site which could then print and ship the printed media
via express delivery. The user could either order a cake, acquire
one locally, or bake their own cake upon which the printed media
could be placed. Also, the user may simply be able to go to a
kiosk, input or select their image, and transmit this information
then to a remote site. The remote site will then print the image on
the media and ship it to the user, either on a food product or as
is.
[0092] This descriptive embodiment is intended for explanatory
purposes only. The present invention, as claimed, includes other
implementations and embodiments as well.
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