Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for configuring and producing packaging for orders of variable configurations of perishable items includes an automatic case erector-sealer; a packing liner dispenser; a cold pack dispenser; a control system; a point of sale ecommerce platform; and a data processor to capture order configuration, order destination, and available order points of origin. The control system captures and uses the order configuration, destination, and delivery date, to generate a time in transit (TNT), total volume, cold volume, and ambient volume, of items in the order. The total volume and cold volume are used to generate a product cube category (PCC). The TNT and the PCC are used to generate a packaging configuration for the order. The system uses the packaging configuration to generate and send operational directives to one or more of the automatic case erector-sealer, the packing liner dispenser, and the cold pack dispenser.

Abstract: Systems and methods to dynamically modify recipes for customers based actions while previously preparing other recipes. A first recipe is presented to a customer and images of the customer preparing the first recipe are captured. The images are analyzed to determine an action of the customer. A recipe characteristic associated with the action is determined based on the analysis of the images. A second recipe later selected for the customer, wherein the second recipe includes the determined recipe characteristic. The second recipe is modified to include a modification to the determined recipe characteristic based on the action of the customer when preparing the first recipe, and the modified second recipe is presented to the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods to predict and optimize automated recipe selection and item delivery for a customer. An item-selection server selects a plurality of predicted recipes based on customer preferences and order history. Hard and soft constraints are obtained to perform the optimization of the predicted recipes. The hard constraints define parameters that cannot be violated by a recipe or set of recipes, and soft constraints define parameters that expresses a tradeoff value associated with a recipe or set of recipes. Optimization includes selecting multiple sets of predicted recipes based on the hard constraints and scoring each recipe set based on the soft constraints, item inventory, and customer preferences. A specific set of recipes is selected for the order based on the scores, and the filling of the order is initiated for the customer with items associated with the selected set of recipes.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for configuring and producing packaging for orders of variable configurations of perishable items includes an automatic case erector-sealer; a packing liner dispenser; a cold pack dispenser; a control system; a point of sale ecommerce platform; and a data processor to capture order configuration, order destination, and available order points of origin. The control system captures and uses the order configuration, destination, and delivery date, to generate a time in transit (TNT), total volume, cold volume, and ambient volume, of items in the order. The total volume and cold volume are used to generate a product cube category (PCC). The TNT and the PCC are used to generate a packaging configuration for the order. The system uses the packaging configuration to generate and send operational directives to one or more of the automatic case erector-sealer, the packing liner dispenser, and the cold pack dispenser.