Methods for Simultaneously Producing Different Products on a Single Production Line
First Claim
1. A method for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a track system comprising a track on which vehicles are propellable, wherein at least some of said vehicles are independently routable, and wherein a plurality of unit operations stations are disposed along the track system;
(b) providing a plurality of articles, said articles comprising a first article and a second article, said first and second articles comprising components of the products to be produced;
(c) providing a plurality of vehicles;
(d) loading said first article on a vehicle to form an article-loaded vehicle;
(e) loading said second article on a vehicle to form an article-loaded vehicle; and
(f) simultaneously sending one of said article-loaded vehicles to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a product is performed and another one of said article-loaded vehicles to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a different product is performed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line are disclosed. The method may be used to produce different fluent products and other types of products including assembled products. In some cases, the method includes providing a plurality of articles which are components of the products to be produced. The method further involves providing a track system and a plurality of vehicles for the articles. At least some of the vehicles may be independently routable around the track system. The method further includes simultaneously sending one article-loaded vehicle to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a product is performed and another article-loaded vehicle to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a different product is performed.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a track system comprising a track on which vehicles are propellable, wherein at least some of said vehicles are independently routable, and wherein a plurality of unit operations stations are disposed along the track system; (b) providing a plurality of articles, said articles comprising a first article and a second article, said first and second articles comprising components of the products to be produced; (c) providing a plurality of vehicles; (d) loading said first article on a vehicle to form an article-loaded vehicle; (e) loading said second article on a vehicle to form an article-loaded vehicle; and (f) simultaneously sending one of said article-loaded vehicles to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a product is performed and another one of said article-loaded vehicles to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a different product is performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification