Methods for Simultaneously Producing Different Products on a Single Production Line

• US 20180074477A1
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Published: 03/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Burkhard, Ryan Andrew, Moore, Nathan E, Fikes, Elizabeth Marie, Royce, Daniel Richard, Ballman, Kyle Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 10,613,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41865 characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4189 characterised by the transport system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31274 Convey products, move equipment according to production plan in memory
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the track system comprises:

a primary transport portion that defines a primary path comprised of track that forms a closed loop that is configured to permit at least one article-loaded vehicle to travel in a holding pattern;

at least one secondary transport portion that extends from the primary transport portion and defines a secondary path comprised of track that intersects the primary path at an ingress location and an egress location; and

said method further comprises recirculating at least one article-loaded vehicles in a holding pattern on said primary loop.

3. A method for producing different fluent products according to claim 1 wherein:

in step (a) said unit operation stations comprise at least two filling unit operation stations;

in step (b) said articles comprise empty containers, said containers comprising a first container and a second container;

in step (d) loading said first article on a vehicle comprises loading said first empty container on a vehicle to form a container-loaded vehicle;

in step (e) loading said second article on a vehicle comprises loading said second empty container on a vehicle to form a container-loaded vehicle; and

step (f) comprises simultaneously sending one of said container-loaded vehicles to a filling unit operation station where a fluent product is dispensed into said first container and another one of said container-loaded vehicles to a filling unit operation station where a different fluent product is dispensed into said second container.

4. A method for producing different assembled products according to claim 1 wherein said unit operation stations perform a step in the assembly of a product.