US 20050088693A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (io) Pub. No.: US 2005/0088693 Al
Schnoebelen et al. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 28,2005
(54) DECORATING SYSTEM FOR EDIBLE PRODUCTS
(76) Inventors: Andy Schnoebelen, Escondido, CA
(US); Marc Schnoebelen, Escondido,
CA (US); Jeff Barkhimer, Escondido,
CA (US); Matt Bullen, Oceanside, CA
(US); Mark McLoughlin, Santa Ana,
CA (US); Mary Sandquist, St. Paul,
MN (US); Stephen L. Spurgeon,
Boulder, CO (US); Ronald B.
Kammerer JR., Boulder, CO (US)
Correspondence Address:
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
3300 DAIN RAUSCHER PLAZA
60 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402 (US)
(21) Appl. No.: 10/804,839
(22) Filed: Mar. 19, 2004
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation-in-part ol application No. 10/058,629, filed on Jan. 28, 2002, which is a continuation of application No. 09/144,046, filed on Aug. 31, 1998, now abandoned.
(60) Provisional application No. 60/079,335, filed on Mar. 25, 1998.
Publication Classification
(51) Int. CI.7 G06K 15/02
(52) U.S. C I 358/1.18
(57) 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.
