Abstract: Bulk delivery of pet-specific pet foods, via a courier service (30), is orchestrated by a server (18) responding to an order instruction (16) sent to the server (18) over a communication channel, such as established through a web browser session on a home computer (14). Control logic executed by the server interprets the order instruction and accesses a database (22) to select a species-targeted and, preferably, a breed-specific meal that is tailored to the customer's pet. Ultimate control of what pet food is finally delivered to the customer rests with the control logic in the server, although selection by the server is influenced by customer-stated pet information stored at customer registration or otherwise advised in the order instruction, specifically identified pet requirements, pet characteristics that are breed and animal specific and possibly, but certainly to a lesser extent, pet food blend availability.

Abstract: A computer-based ordering system configured to select a plurality of foodstuffs for delivery to a client may comprise: an inventory database configured to store a list of available foodstuffs from which the plurality of foodstuffs is selectable; a client database configured to store a plurality of client-specific profiles for a corresponding plurality of clients; and a control processor configured to select, from the list of available foodstuffs, the plurality of foodstuffs to be delivered to the client. The selection by the control processor of the plurality of foodstuffs to be delivered may be final and may be made in accordance with historical order data compiled from one or more prior orders received from one or more other clients that share (i) similar dietary preferences and/or (if) similar purchase profiles.

Abstract: A computer-based food delivery system is configured to select and ship to specific customers perishable fruit and vegetables through a postal network. A process controller is operable to select, from an inventory database, a plurality of perishable foodstuffs that are to be assembled into a box and sent through the postal network. Selection by the process controller may be based on: (i) a customer order instruction received by the process controller from the specific customer and the availability of the foodstuffs as reflected in the inventory database; and (ii) similar orders placed by other customers sharing similar dietary preferences or similar purchase profiles. A supply database may be configured to maintain historical order data on prior orders for multiple individual customers may be accessed by the process controller such that overall selection may also be based on a weighting of earlier historical order data from the specific customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-based food delivery system (100) arranged to select (and ship to specific customers) perishable fruit and vegetables through a postal delivery system. A process controller (110) is operable to select, from an inventory database (122), a plurality of perishable foodstuffs that are to be assembled into the box (90) and sent through the postal network. Selection by the process controller is based on: (i) a customer order instruction (104) received by the process controller (110) from the specific customer and the availability of the foodstuffs as reflected in the inventory database (122); and (ii) similar orders placed by other clients sharing similar dietary preferences or similar purchase profiles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to food delivery packaging (10) for delivery perishable fruit and vegetables through a postal delivery system. An impermeable punnet (12) is loaded with harvested fruit and/or vegetables that are prepared for eating and which, in the course of transit, are likely to produce moisture or exudates. A protective film lid (24) is sealed over the punnet (12), which film lid (24) includes perforations and typically micro-perforations (30) located in at least one region (28) of the film (24). A secondary sleeve or cover (30) includes an absorbent pad (40). When the sleeve (40) or cover, which is separate to the film lid, is located over the punnet, the absorbent pad (40) comes into close mating contact and alignment with the region (28) of the film (24) containing the perforations (30).