JP7714242B2 - Food products, food product provision method, and food product sales system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to food products, methods for providing food products, and systems for selling food products. More specifically, the present invention relates to food products, methods for providing food products, and systems for selling food products that can reduce food waste.

Consumers have traditionally focused on product safety, particularly food, and when choosing a product, they are increasingly interested in the product itself and the ingredients that make up it.

For this reason, product providers provide their products by listing information about the ingredients, origin, and manufacturing date of the products and their raw materials on labels affixed to the product packaging or by recording it on an IC tag.

However, simply providing written or recorded information attached to products makes it easy to falsify or counterfeit that information, and in fact, information has been falsified or counterfeited in some cases, leading to low consumer trust and making it difficult for consumers to select products with confidence.

The inventors of the present invention have therefore proposed a technology in which food is provided with a sample of raw material powder made from powdered ingredients, rather than simply attaching written or recorded information to the food (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-5656

By the way, while making food quality visible will allow consumers to choose foods with peace of mind, it is difficult to directly link this to reducing food waste, which has become a problem in recent years.

The present invention was devised in light of the above points, and aims to provide food products, a method for providing food products, and a food product sales system that can reduce food waste.

To achieve the above objective, the food product of the present invention comprises a first food, which is a predetermined food; a second food, which is the same food as the first food and is provided together with the first food; first price information, which is information regarding the price of the first food; and second price information, which is information regarding the price of the second food, wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Furthermore, the food product of the present invention comprises a first food, which is a predetermined food; a second food, which is a food of the same type and category as the first food and is provided together with the first food; first price information, which is information regarding the price of the first food; and second price information, which is information regarding the price of the second food; wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Furthermore, the food product of the present invention comprises a first food product that is a predetermined food product, a second food product provided together with the first food product, first price information that is information regarding the price of the first food product, and second price information that is information regarding the price of the second food product, wherein the first food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the food product provision method of the present invention comprises the step of providing a first food product, which is a predetermined food product, a second food product, which is the same food product as the first food product, first price information, which is information regarding the price of the first food product, and second price information, which is information regarding the price of the second food product, all together as a single unit, wherein the first food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, the second food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

The food product provision method of the present invention also includes a step of providing a first food product, which is a predetermined food product, a second food product that is a food product of the same type and category as the first food product, first price information that is information regarding the price of the first food product, and second price information that is information regarding the price of the second food product, all together as a single unit, wherein the first food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, the second food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

The food product provision method of the present invention also includes a step of providing a first food product, which is a predetermined food product, a second food product that is separate from the first food product, first price information that is information about the price of the first food product, and second price information that is information about the price of the second food product, all together as a single unit, wherein the first food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, the second food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Furthermore, the food product provision method of the present invention includes a step of providing a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food, and a second food, which is the same food as the first food, while displaying first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Furthermore, the food product provision method of the present invention includes a step of providing a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food, and a second food, which is a food of the same type and category as the first food, while displaying first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Furthermore, the food product provision method of the present invention includes a step of providing a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food, and a second food, which is separate from the first food, while displaying first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second price information is cheaper than the first price information.

Here, by offering the first and second foods together, consumers will be able to obtain both the first and second foods, which is expected to reduce food waste. In other words, even if the second food (food that has passed its shipping date) were to be sold on its own, the fact that it has passed its shipping date would pose an obstacle and raise concerns about it remaining unsold. However, by offering it together with the first food (food that has not yet passed its shipping date), the price of the second food is cheaper than the price of the first food, which is expected to make it more acceptable to consumers.

Furthermore, by providing the first price information and the second price information, it is possible to inform consumers that the price of the second food item is cheaper than the price of the first food item.

Furthermore, if the price of the second food (food that has passed its shipping date) is lower than the price when the shipping date has not yet arrived, it will be even more likely to be accepted by consumers.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the food product of the present invention comprises a first food, which is a predetermined food, a second food provided together with the first food, first price information which is information relating to the price of the first food, and second price information which is information relating to the price of the second food, wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second food before its shipping deadline is also traded as a standalone product, and the second price information is cheaper than the price information for the second food before its shipping deadline has passed.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the food product provision method of the present invention comprises the step of providing a first food product, which is a predetermined food product, a second food product that is separate from the first food product, first price information which is information regarding the price of the first food product, and second price information which is information regarding the price of the second food product, all together as a single unit, wherein the first food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food product is a food product whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second food product before its shipping deadline is also traded as a standalone product, and the second price information is cheaper than the price information for the second food product before its shipping deadline has passed.

Furthermore, the food product provision method of the present invention includes a step of providing a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food, and a second food, which is separate from the first food, while displaying first price information, which is information regarding the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information regarding the price of the second food, wherein the first food is a food whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived and the second food is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and the second food before its shipping deadline is also traded as a standalone item, and the second price information is cheaper than the price information for the second food before its shipping deadline.

Here, by offering the first food and the second food together, consumers will be able to obtain both the first and second foods, which is expected to reduce food waste. In other words, even if the second food (food that has passed its shipping date) were to be sold on its own, the fact that it has passed its shipping date would be an obstacle and there would be concerns that it would remain unsold. However, by offering it together with the first food (food that has not yet passed its shipping date), the price of the second food is cheaper than the price when the shipping date has not yet passed, and this, combined with the fact that it is cheaper than the price when the shipping date has not yet passed, is expected to make it more acceptable to consumers.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, a second food, which is the same food as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, first price information which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information which is information about the price of the second food, and and another piece of information; a price calculation means, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information about the first food item, confirming the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one piece of information among the shipping date, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means, outputting to the consumer terminal the price information of the first food item and the price information of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, a second food, which is a food of the same type and category as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, and further includes information about the inventory quantity of the second food and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food. an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including the above; a price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information about the first food item, checking the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping date, best-before date, or expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means for outputting to the consumer terminal the price information of the first food item and the price information of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, a second food, which is provided together with the first food and whose shipping deadline has passed, first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, and the system stores inventory information including information about the inventory quantity of the second food and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date of the second food. The system comprises an inventory information recording means for recording the inventory information recorded in the inventory information recording means, a price calculation means for checking the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the first food item, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping date, best-before date, or expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means, and an information output means for outputting to the consumer's terminal the price information of the first food item and the price information of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a specified food and whose shipping date has not yet arrived, and a second food, which is the same food as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping date has passed, and is equipped with: inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food and at least one piece of information on the shipping date, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food; price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information on the first food, checking the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food is in stock, calculating the price of the second food based on at least one piece of information on the shipping date, best-before date, or expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means; and information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food and information on the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products including a first food, which is a specified food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, and a second food, which is of the same type and category as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and whose shipping deadline has passed. The system comprises: inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food and at least one piece of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food; price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information on the first food, checking the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food is in stock, calculating the price of the second food based on at least one piece of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means; and information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food and information on the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a specified food and whose shipping date has not yet arrived, and a second food, which is provided together with the first food and whose shipping date has passed, and is equipped with: inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food and at least one piece of information on the shipping date, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food; price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information on the first food, checking the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food is in stock, calculating the price of the second food based on at least one piece of information on the shipping date, best-before date, or expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means; and information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food and information on the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, a second food, which is the same food as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, and further includes information about the inventory quantity of the first food and the predetermined food, which is the same food as the second food, and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food. the information on the first food item; a price calculation means that, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information on the first food item, checks the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the second food item is the specified food item whose shipping deadline has passed, calculates the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs information on the price of the first food item and information on the price of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a specified food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, a second food, which is a food of the same type and category as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, and further includes information about the inventory quantity of the specified food, which is the same food as the second food, and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the specified product, the date and time of purchase; a price calculation means that, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information about the first food, checks the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food, which is the specified food and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculates the price of the second food based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs information about the price of the first food and information about the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, a second food, which is provided together with the first food and whose shipping deadline has passed, first price information, which is information about the price of the first food, and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, and records inventory information including information about the inventory quantity of the predetermined food, which is the same food as the second food, and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined product. the information stored in the inventory information recording means; a price calculation means that, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the first food, checks the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the second food, which is the specified food and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculates the price of the second food based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs information about the price of the first food and information about the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a predetermined food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, and a second food, which is the same as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the first food and the predetermined food that is the same as the second food, and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food; The system further comprises: a price calculation means that, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the first food, checks the information recorded in the inventory information recording means; and, if the second food, which is the specified food and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculates the price of the second food based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs information about the price of the first food and information about the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a specified food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, and a second food, which is a food of the same type and category as the first food, is provided together with the first food, and is a food whose shipping deadline has passed, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the specified food, which is the same food as the second food, and at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the specified food; and a consumer terminal. The system further comprises: a price calculation means that, on the condition that a request to output information about the first food item has been received, checks the information recorded in the inventory information recording means; and, if the second food item, which is the specified food item whose shipping deadline has passed, calculates the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, or shipping deadline of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs information about the price of the first food item and information about the price of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having a first food, which is a specified food and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, and a second food, which is provided together with the first food and whose shipping deadline has passed, and is equipped with an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the specified food, which is the same food as the second food, and at least one piece of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the specified food; a price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer terminal to output information on the first food, checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the second food, which is the specified food and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food based on at least one piece of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or shipping deadline of the second food recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food and information on the price of the second food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer terminal.

Here, when the price calculation means calculates the price of the second food based on the shipping deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means, the price can be calculated according to the shipping deadline information of the second food.
The "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the shipping deadline, or (2) a price that is cheaper the more days past the shipping deadline.

In addition, when the price calculation means calculates the price of the second food based on the expiration date information recorded in the inventory information recording means, the price can be calculated according to the expiration date information of the second food.
The "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the expiration date, or (2) a price that is cheaper the more days past the expiration date.

In addition, when the price calculation means calculates the price of the second food based on the expiration date information recorded in the inventory information recording means, the price can be calculated according to the expiration date information of the second food.
The "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days until the expiration date, or (2) a price that is cheaper the fewer days until the expiration date.

Furthermore, when the price calculation means calculates the price of the second food based on the shipping deadline information and expiration date information recorded in the inventory information recording means, the price can be calculated based on the shipping deadline information and expiration date information of the second food.
The "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the shipping deadline or the number of days until the expiration date, or (2) the cheaper the price becomes the more days past the shipping deadline or the fewer days until the expiration date.

Furthermore, when the price calculation means calculates the price of the second food based on the expiration date information and use-by date information recorded in the inventory information recording means, the price can be calculated based on the expiration date information and use-by date information of the second food.
The "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the expiration date or the number of days until the expiration date, or (2) the cheaper the price becomes the more days past the expiration date or the fewer days until the expiration date.

Furthermore, by the information output means outputting information on the price of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means to the terminal of the consumer (the consumer who wishes to receive information on the first food item), the consumer can be informed of the price of the second food item, which is expected to lead to the purchase of the second food item.

By the way, "food" here naturally includes food and drink intended for nutrient intake or enjoyment (fresh foods, animal foods, plant foods, processed foods, frozen foods, luxury foods, seasoning ingredients, health foods, supplements, beverages, processed ingredients, etc.), but also includes pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs. For example, herbal medicines are included. It also includes feed, aquaculture feed, dog food, and other products intended for fish and animals.

In this context, "primary products" refers to unprocessed fresh foods, animal foods, and plant foods themselves, such as vegetables like radishes and cabbage, or raw meat like chicken and beef. Other examples include fruits, beans, grains, and fish.

In addition, "secondary products" here refer to products made from unprocessed fresh foods, unprocessed animal foods, or unprocessed plant foods, and include mochi, buns, pickles, stir-fried vegetables, steaks, hamburgers, ramen, bento boxes, bread, milk, cheese, beer, wine, sake, whiskey, frozen foods, canned goods, bottled tea and juice, coffee, and soft drinks.

Furthermore, "secondary products" here not only include secondary products processed using primary products as raw materials, but also include secondary products processed using secondary products as raw materials. For example, it includes tamagoyaki (rolled omelet) made by purchasing seasoned eggs as raw materials and frying them. Furthermore, "secondary products" here also includes secondary products purchased using secondary products as raw materials. For example, it includes boxed lunches filled with purchased tamagoyaki (rolled omelet).

In addition, "providing both" here includes not only cases where the first food and the second food are provided in a physical store, but also cases where the first food and the second food are provided via home delivery, etc.

Furthermore, the "first food" here may be singular or plural, and the "second food" may also be singular or plural.
That is, the food product of the present invention may be any of the following: (1) a combination of a "single first food" and a "single second food," (2) a combination of a "single first food" and a "plurality of second foods," (3) a combination of a "plurality of first foods" and a "single second food," or (4) a combination of a "plurality of first foods" and a "plurality of second foods."

Furthermore, the combination of the "first food" and the "second food" here may be (1) the same food, (2) foods of the same type, or (3) different foods.

Also, the "best before" here means "the date by which the product can be eaten deliciously without any change in quality," and does not mean that the product becomes immediately inedible even after the best before date.

Also, the "expiration date" here means "the date by which it can be safely eaten," meaning that the food is no longer edible after the expiration date.

Furthermore, the "shipping deadline" here means the "deadline by which wholesalers or manufacturers can deliver to retailers," and if the shipping deadline is exceeded, it means that, according to business practices, the product will be returned by the retailer to the wholesaler or manufacturer.
In commercial practice, the "shipping by date" is often set to "one-third of the food's best-before date" (for example, if a food product has a best-before date six months from the date of manufacture, the shipping by date is two months from the date of manufacture), but the "shipping by date" here is not limited to "one-third of the food product's best-before date," and may also be "one-half of the food product's best-before date" or "one-quarter of the food product's best-before date." Furthermore, it may also be "two months before the food product's best-before date" or "one year before the food product's use-by date."

The food products, food product provision methods, and food product sales systems of the present invention can reduce food waste by reducing unsold second food products.

1 is a schematic diagram (1) illustrating an example of a food product of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (2) illustrating an example of a food product of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the contents written on the sticker. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a configuration example of a food product sales system of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") will be described.
In this embodiment, the shipping deadline is assumed to be April 21, 2022, in other words, if the shipping deadline is before April 20, 2022, the shipping deadline has passed, and if the shipping deadline is after April 21, 2022, the shipping deadline has not yet arrived. The explanation will be given in the following order.
1. First embodiment 2. Second embodiment

1. First embodiment
[Configuration Description]
1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a food product to which the present invention is applied, and food product A shown here is composed of food 1A and food 1B. Food product A is made by packaging food 1A and food 1B in vinyl 2, and sticker 3 is affixed to vinyl 2.

Food 1A and Food 1B are both secondary products and are the same food. However, Food 1B was produced on an earlier date than Food 1A (in other words, Food 1B was produced before Food 1A).

Here, food 1A is a food that is traded as a stand-alone product, and is distributed at a price (list price) of 1,100 yen (1,000 yen excluding tax). That is, in this embodiment, an example is given in which food 1A is provided together with food 1B, but food 1A is also provided on the market on its own.
Furthermore, food product 1A is a food product whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived. Specifically, food product 1A is a food product whose shipping deadline is May 20, 2022.

Furthermore, food 1B is a food product priced at 110 yen (excluding tax: 100 yen).
Furthermore, food 1B is a food product whose shipping date has passed but whose best-before date has not yet arrived. Specifically, food 1B is a food product whose shipping date is March 20, 2022.
In addition, if the shipping deadline for Food 1B had not yet arrived, it would have been traded as a standalone product, and at that time it would have been distributed at the same price (list price) as Food 1A, 1,100 yen (excluding tax: 1,000 yen).

In this embodiment, food 1B is sold separately when its shipping deadline has not yet arrived, but any unsold items are offered together with food 1A.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, sticker 3 lists the price of food product A (specifically, "Price: 1,210 yen (excluding tax: 1,100 yen)"), as well as "Details of Food 1A" and "Details of Food 1B."

Here, "Details of Food 1A" includes the price of Food 1A (specifically, "Price: 1,000 yen"), production date information for Food 1A (specifically, "Production date: February 20, 2022"), shipping deadline information for Food 1A (specifically, "Shipping deadline: May 20, 2022"), and best-before date information for Food 1A (specifically, "Best-before date: November 20, 2022").

In this embodiment, the explanation is given using an example in which only the date is listed as the expiration date for food product 1A, but the time may also be listed if necessary (for example, a display such as "Best before date: November 20, 2022, 10:00 AM").

Furthermore, the "Details of Food 1B" includes the price of Food 1B (specifically, the indication of "Price: 100 yen"), the list price of Food 1B (specifically, the indication of "List price: 1,000 yen"), information about the production date of Food 1B (specifically, the indication of "Production date: December 20, 2021"), information about the shipping deadline of Food 1B (specifically, the indication of "Shipping deadline: March 20, 2022"), and information about the expiration date of Food 1B (specifically, the indication of "Best before date: September 20, 2022").

In this embodiment, the explanation is given using an example in which only the date is written as the expiration date for food product 1B, but the time may also be written if necessary (for example, a display such as "Best before date: September 30, 2022, 10:00 AM").

[effect]
In the example of the food product to which the present invention is applied described above, food 1A and food 1B are integrated, so when food 1A is served, not only food 1A but also food 1B is inevitably served. In this way, food 1B can be served to consumers along with food 1A, and by preventing the waste of food 1B, food waste can be reduced.

In addition, in one example of a food product to which the present invention is applied, the price of food product 1B is set low (specifically, the list price of 1,000 yen is set at 100 yen), which means that consumers who are looking to purchase food product 1A can purchase food product 1B, which is the same food as food product 1A, at a bargain price, thereby stimulating their purchasing desire.

Incidentally, even if food 1B is sold separately at a low price (for example, food 1B is sold for 100 yen independently of food 1A), a certain number of sales can be expected.
However, for those (consumers) who wish to purchase food 1A, food 1A is the food they want to obtain (purchase), so even if food 1B were sold separately, it would not meet consumer expectations. Furthermore, for food providers (sellers of food 1A and food 1B), selling food 1B separately would not contribute to increased sales, and it may become difficult to continue selling it.
Therefore, in one example of a food product according to this embodiment, by integrating food 1A and food 1B, it meets the needs of consumers who want to obtain (purchase) food 1A, increases sales for the food provider, and also reduces food waste by providing food 1B to consumers.

In addition, in one example of a food product to which the present invention is applied, both the price of food 1B (100 yen) and the list price (1,000 yen) are written on sticker 3, informing consumers that the price of food 1B is low (1/10 of the list price). Furthermore, by informing consumers that the price of food 1B is set low, consumers' desire to purchase it can be stimulated, and further reductions in food waste can be expected.

[Modification 1]
In the first embodiment described above, the example is given in which food 1B is charged (100 yen), but it is sufficient to be able to reduce food waste by providing food 1B together with food 1A, and food 1B does not necessarily have to be charged and may be provided free of charge (0 yen).

[Modification 2]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an example is given in which the sticker 3 has the "price of food product A,""details of food 1A," and "details of food 1B" written on it, but it is sufficient if such information (the information written on sticker 3) is conveyed to the consumer, and it is not necessary to write the information itself on sticker 3; as shown in Figure 1(c), identification information 4 (for example, a two-dimensional barcode) that allows access to the information may be displayed.
In addition, the identification information (two-dimensional barcode, etc.) has a URL recorded on it, and by reading the identification information with a mobile device, etc., it is possible to access a website via the Internet that lists the "price of food product A,""details of food 1A," and "details of food 1B."

[Modification 3]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an example is given in which the "price of food product A,""details of food 1A," and "details of food 1B" are written on sticker 3, but it is sufficient if such information (the information written on sticker 3) is conveyed to the consumer, and it is not necessary to write the information on sticker 3; it is also possible to provide food product A without sticker 3 attached after conveying the information to the consumer in various ways.

[Modification 4]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the example is given in which food 1A and food 1B are the same food, but it is sufficient if the food is one that can stimulate the consumer's desire to purchase food 1A by making them feel that they are getting a good deal, and food 1B does not necessarily have to be the same food as food 1A, but can be a ``food of the same type'' or a ``different food.''

Here, "foods of the same kind" means that the foods can be "identified as foods." For example, cream buns and jam buns have in common the fact that they are sweet buns, but because they are different types of sweet buns, they are not foods of the same kind. Furthermore, even if two cream buns have different cream colors, they are not foods of the same kind. In other words, foods with different external colors are not foods of the same kind. Similarly, red wine and white wine cannot be said to be of the same kind, because they are not related in a way that allows them to be "identified as foods," even if they are grown using the same farming methods and on the same farm.

[Modification 5]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the example is given in which food 1A and food 1B are secondary products, but food 1A and food 1B do not necessarily have to be secondary products and may also be primary products.

[Modification 6]
In addition, in the first embodiment described above, the price of food 1B (displayed as "Price: 100 yen") and the list price of food 1B (displayed as "List price: 1,000 yen") are listed as "Details of food 1B" to inform consumers that the selling price is 1/10, but it is also possible to display that the actual selling price is 1/10.
For example, the price of food 1B (displayed as "effective price: 100 yen (900 yen worth of points awarded)") and the list price of food 1B (displayed as "list price: 1,000 yen") may be listed as "Details of food 1B," thereby indicating that the effective selling price is 1/10. In this case, the consumer will pay 1,000 yen as the purchase cost of food 1B, but will be awarded points worth 900 yen.

2. Second embodiment
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a food product sales system to which the present invention is applied, which is an example of the configuration of a system for providing (selling) food product A shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b).

The food product sales system 11 shown in Figure 3 is configured to be able to exchange various information with consumer terminals 13 used by those (consumers) who wish to purchase food products via the Internet 12.

The food product sales system 11 also has inventory information recording means 14A, 14B, inventory information confirmation means 15, price calculation means 16, and information output means 17.

Here, the inventory information recording means 14A is configured to be able to record at least information 14Aa on the name of food 1A, information 14Ab on the inventory quantity of food 1A, information 14Af on the shipping deadline of food 1A, information 14Ac on the expiration date of food 1A, information 14Ad on the expiration date of food 1A, and information 14Ae on the price of food 1A.
Specifically, for food 1A whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, the name, quantity in stock, shipping deadline, best-before date, use-by date, and price are recorded.

In addition, the inventory information recording means 14B is configured to be able to record at least information 14Ba on the name of food 1B, information 14Bb on the inventory quantity of food 1B, information 14Bf on the shipping deadline of food 1B, information 14Bc on the expiration date of food 1B, information 14Bd on the expiration date of food 1B, and information 14Be on the price (list price) of food 1B.
Specifically, for food 1B that has passed its shipping deadline but has not yet reached its expiration date, its name, number in stock, shipping deadline, best before date, expiration date, and price (list price) are recorded.

In addition, the inventory information confirmation means 15 is configured to be able to confirm the inventory quantity recorded in the inventory information recording means 14A, 14B when a consumer requests information on food product 1A, or when a consumer requests information on food product 1B, or when a consumer requests information on food product A.
Specifically, when information is received from the consumer terminal 13 indicating a request to output information on food 1A, food 1B, or food product A, the inventory quantity information 14Ab for food 1A and the inventory quantity information 14Bb for food 1B are accessed to confirm the inventory quantity.

In addition to "Inventory quantity information 14Ab for food 1A" and "Inventory quantity information 14Bb for food 1B," the inventory information confirmation means 15 also checks "Expiration date information 14Ad for food 1A" and "Expiration date information 14Bd for food 1B." If expiration date information 14Ad for food 1A has passed, it is determined that food 1A is out of stock, and if expiration date information 14Bd for food 1B has passed, it is determined that food 1B is out of stock.

In addition, the price calculation means 16 is configured to be able to check the price recorded in the inventory information recording means 14A when a consumer requests information on food product 1A, or when a consumer requests information on food product 1B, or when a consumer requests information on food product A.
Specifically, when information is received from the consumer terminal 13 indicating a request for output of information on food 1A, food 1B, or food product A, the price information 14Ae for food 1A is accessed to confirm the price.

Furthermore, the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of the food product 1B according to the "number of days elapsed since the shipping deadline information 14Bf of the food product 1B" and the "price (list price) information 14Be of the food product 1B."
For example, if the price (list price) of food 1B is 1,000 yen, if it is shipped one day after the deadline, it will be 200 yen (80% off the list price), if it is shipped two days after the deadline, it will be 100 yen (90% off the list price), if it is shipped three days after the deadline, it will be 50 yen (95% off the list price), and if it is shipped four days or more after the deadline, it will be 10 yen (99% off the list price).

Note that "the number of days elapsed since the shipping deadline information 14Bf for food product 1B" is calculated by comparing the shipping deadline information 14Bf for food product 1B with the date on which the consumer requested the information (in other words, the date on which the price calculation means 16 calculates the price). In the case of this embodiment, using April 21, 2022 as the base date, it is determined that "32 days have passed since the shipping deadline" for food product 1B.

The information output means 17 is configured to be able to output information to the consumer terminal 13 based on the confirmation results and calculation results of the inventory information confirmation means 15 and the price calculation means 16 .
The output information of the information output means 17 in this embodiment is as follows:

(When Food 1A and Food 1B are in stock)
If the inventory information confirmation means 15 finds that food 1A and food 1B are in stock, it outputs a message that "food 1A, food 1B, and food product A are all available for sale" and "price information for food 1A, food 1B, and food product A."

(If food 1A is out of stock)
If the result of checking by the inventory information checking means 15 is that only food 1A is out of stock (in other words, if only food 1B is in stock), the means 15 outputs "information on the price of food 1B" and "information on the price of food 1B" indicating that "food 1A is out of stock, and therefore food 1A and food product A cannot be sold, and only food 1B can be sold."

(If Food 1B is out of stock)
If the result of checking by the inventory information checking means 15 is that only food 1B is out of stock (in other words, if only food 1A is in stock), the means 15 outputs "information on the price of food 1A" and "information on the price of food 1A" indicating that "food 1B is out of stock, and therefore food 1B and food product A cannot be sold, and only food 1A can be sold."

(When Food 1A and Food 1B are out of stock)
If the result of the check by the inventory information confirmation means 15 is that food 1A and food 1B are out of stock, a message will be output stating that "food 1A, food 1B, and food product A cannot be sold because food 1A and food 1B are out of stock."

As with the first embodiment, the present embodiment will be described based on April 21, 2022. That is, the present embodiment will be described using as an example a case where inventory information recording means 14A records information about food 1A whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived, and inventory information recording means 14B records information about food 1B whose shipping deadline has passed.
However, whether the shipping deadline has arrived (whether the shipping deadline has passed) depends on the reference date for judgment, so whether the food recorded in the inventory information recording means is a food whose shipping deadline has passed will be determined taking into account the reference date for judgment.

Specifically, if a food product with a shipping deadline of May 31, 2022 is called Food A, and a food product with a shipping deadline of January 20, 2022 is called Food B, then (1) before January 20, 2022, both Food A and Food B fall under Food 1A (in other words, foods whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived), (2) from January 21, 2022 to May 31, 2022, Food A falls under Food 1A (in other words, foods whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived) and Food B falls under Food 1B (in other words, foods whose shipping deadline has passed), and (3) after June 1, 2022, both Food A and Food B fall under Food 1B (in other words, foods whose shipping deadline has passed).

More specifically, the inventory information confirmation means 15 determines whether food A and food B recorded in the inventory information recording means 14A and 14B correspond to food 1A or food 1B, respectively, based on the date the consumer requested the information (in other words, based on the date the inventory information confirmation means 15 confirms the inventory quantity), and then confirms the inventory information for food 1A and food 1B.

Therefore, even if the information recorded in the inventory information recording means 14A, 14B does not change (specifically, if the shipping deadline information for food A and food B does not change), the information output by the information output means 17 will change depending on the judgment reference dates (1), (2), and (3).

[effect]
In the food product sales system 11 to which the present invention is applied as described above, even if a consumer desires information on food 1A (in other words, does not desire information on food 1B), information on food 1B and food product A is output, provided that food 1B is in stock, thereby promoting sales of food 1B and reducing food waste by preventing the disposal of food 1B.

Furthermore, the food product sales system 11 to which the present invention is applied outputs information about the price of food 1B, and can inform consumers that the price of food 1B is set low, thereby stimulating consumers' desire to purchase.

[Modification 7]
In the second embodiment described above, the price calculation means 16 is explained as an example of calculating based on the "number of days elapsed since the shipping deadline information 14Bf of food 1B," but the calculation may also be based on the "number of days until the expiration date information 14Bc of food 1B," or the calculation may be based on both the "number of days elapsed since the shipping deadline information 14Bf of food 1B" and the "number of days until the expiration date information 14Bc of food 1B."

[Modification 8]
In the second embodiment described above, the case where food 1A and food 1B are the same food is used as an example, but as with the above-mentioned variant example 4, they may also be ``foods of the same type'' or ``different foods.''

1A Food 1B Food 2 Vinyl 3 Sticker 4 Identification information (two-dimensional barcode)
11 Food product sales system 12 Internet 13 Consumer terminal 14A Stock information recording means 14B Stock information recording means 15 Stock information confirmation means 16 Price calculation means 17 Information output means

Claims (13)

A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
A second food product that is the same as the first food product, is provided together with the first food product, and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
First price information, which is information about the price of the first food item;
and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food product,
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food product and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food product;
a price calculation means for, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
A second food product that is of the same type and category as the first food product, is provided together with the first food product, and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
First price information, which is information about the price of the first food item;
and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food product,
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food product and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food product;
a price calculation means for, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
A second food product that is provided together with the first food product and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
First price information, which is information about the price of the first food item;
and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food product,
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food product and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food product;
a price calculation means for, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
a second food product that is identical to the first food product, provided together with the first food product, and that has passed its shipping date;
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food product and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food product;
a price calculation means for, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
a second food product that is a food product of the same type and category as the first food product, is provided together with the first food product, and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food product and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food product;
a price calculation means for, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
a second food product provided together with the first food product and which is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food product and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the second food product;
a price calculation means for, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
A second food product that is the same as the first food product, is provided together with the first food product, and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
First price information, which is information about the price of the first food item;
and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food product,
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of a predetermined food that is the same food as the first food and the second food, and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food;
a price calculation means for checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, and, if there is a second food item that is the specified food item and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
A second food product that is of the same type and category as the first food product, is provided together with the first food product, and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
First price information, which is information about the price of the first food item;
and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food product,
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of a predetermined food that is the same food as the second food, and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food;
a price calculation means for checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, and, if there is a second food item that is the specified food item and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
A second food product that is provided together with the first food product and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
First price information, which is information about the price of the first food item;
and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food product,
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of a predetermined food that is the same food as the second food, and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food;
a price calculation means for checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, and, if there is a second food item that is the specified food item and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
a second food product that is identical to the first food product, provided together with the first food product, and that has passed its shipping date;
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of a predetermined food that is the same food as the first food and the second food, and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food;
a price calculation means for checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, and, if there is a second food item that is the specified food item and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and expiration date of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
a second food product that is a food product of the same type and category as the first food product, is provided together with the first food product, and is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of a predetermined food that is the same food as the second food, and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food;
a price calculation means for checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, and, if there is a second food item that is the specified food item and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and shipping deadline of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. A first food product that is a predetermined food product and whose shipping deadline has not yet arrived;
a second food product provided together with the first food product and which is a food product that has passed its shipping date;
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of a predetermined food that is the same food as the second food, and at least one of information on the shipping deadline, best-before date, or expiration date of the predetermined food;
a price calculation means for checking the information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the first food item is received from the consumer's terminal, and, if there is a second food item that is the specified food item and whose shipping deadline has passed, calculating the price of the second food item based on at least one of the shipping deadline, best-before date, and shipping deadline of the second food item recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to a terminal of the consumer. The second food before the shipping deadline is also subject to trading as a single item,
The second price information is lower than the price information of the second food before the shipping deadline has passed.
A food product sales system according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9 .