WELDING INVENTORY TRACKING, STORING, AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inventory management system comprising:
- a conveyor configured to store and move welding inventory units to at least one work zone;
a reader positioned at a first end of the conveyor to read type information of each welding inventory unit loaded onto the conveyor;
an inventory unit sensor arranged to detect welding inventory units on the conveyor;
an inventory subunit sensor positioned at a second end of the conveyor to detect a number of welding inventory subunits within a welding inventory unit;
an information center connected to receive data from the reader, the inventory unit sensor, and the inventory subunit sensor; and
wherein one of the reader and the information center is programmed to determine whether each welding inventory unit loaded onto the conveyor corresponds to a welding process being performed in the at least one work zone.
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Abstract
A system and method for tracking, storing, and distributing inventory of welding-type consumables within an industrial facility includes conveyors for moving and storing welding-type consumables on pallets or other shipment units to the proper work zones. Various sensors or detectors are employed at the loading and unloading ends of the conveyors to provide data for determining quantity, type, and/or location information for monitoring inventory or even automated reordering. Therefore, such a system and method provides robust, reliable, and inexpensive inventory management that can be adaptable and compatible with multiple brands, types, and shipment varieties of inventory materials.
42 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An inventory management system comprising:
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a conveyor configured to store and move welding inventory units to at least one work zone; a reader positioned at a first end of the conveyor to read type information of each welding inventory unit loaded onto the conveyor; an inventory unit sensor arranged to detect welding inventory units on the conveyor; an inventory subunit sensor positioned at a second end of the conveyor to detect a number of welding inventory subunits within a welding inventory unit; an information center connected to receive data from the reader, the inventory unit sensor, and the inventory subunit sensor; and wherein one of the reader and the information center is programmed to determine whether each welding inventory unit loaded onto the conveyor corresponds to a welding process being performed in the at least one work zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for maintaining welding consumable inventory comprising:
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at least one storage surface having a loading end in a receiving area and an unloading end in a work zone; the loading end configured to receive welding consumable shipment units and scan information therefrom; the unloading end configured to detect a remaining number of subunits of a welding consumable shipment unit; and at least one processing unit configured to; determine whether welding consumable shipment units loaded onto the at least one storage surface are of a type to be used in the work zone; manage a queue of welding consumable shipment units loaded onto the at least one storage surface; and calculate at least one inventory amount thereof. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for implementing an automated welding inventory system comprising the steps of:
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delivering at least a first type and a second type of welding consumable bulk shipments to a welding facility; loading the first type of wielding consumable bulk shipment onto a first conveyor, and loading the second type of welding consumable bulk shipment onto a second conveyor; monitoring a quantity of each bulk shipment type on the respective conveyor; maintaining at least one current inventory count by type of welding consumable, based upon the quantity and type of bulk shipments monitored; generating an order request for additional welding consumable bulk shipments when the at least one inventory count reaches a threshold amount; and delivering a new shipment of welding consumable bulk shipments. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An inventory monitoring system comprising:
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at least one inventory storage track having first and second ends; an identification scanner positioned at the first end of the at least one inventory storage track and configured to scan identifying information from welding inventory units loaded onto the at least one inventory storage track; an inventory unit detector positioned between the first and second ends of the at least one inventory storage track and configured to detect a number and a relative position of welding inventory units on the at least one inventory storage track; and a processor connected to receive data from the identification scanner and the inventory unit detector and programmed to continuously monitor a location of each welding inventory unit therefrom.
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Specification