Patent ID: 7196625
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: F25D,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of handling and/or organizing food and/or drink, comprising the steps of: providing a refrigerator and an associated processor in communication with a data entry device; placing an item of food and/or drink in the refrigerator, the item including a bar code; communicating data identifying to the item via a bar code reader in communication with the associated processor; estimating an expected period of usefulness for the item by the associated processor, wherein the associated processor derives the expected period of usefulness based on the identify of the item and data contained on at least one of the associated processor, a remote database, or a remote server; automatically monitoring an expected period of usefulness for the item by the associated processor; entering data into the associated processor regarding an upcoming food shopping trip and an expected date of a subsequent trip; and the processor identifies those items that may reach the end of their expected period of usefulness between the two shopping trips.