Material handling and manufacturing system and method

• US 6,840,367 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew Tucker
• Original Assignee: Richard R. Tucker
• Inventors: Tucker, Richard R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keenan, James W.
• Application Number:
  US10/461,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20040250415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 521/74, 521/75, 521/76, 297/29, 297/39, 297/42, 29/33.P, 414/266, 414/268, 414/286, 414/800, 414/807, 198/346, 198/950, 700/230
• US Class Current: 198/346
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/001 Article feeders for assembling machines screws or nuts being carried by a disposable strip or disc B25B23/045
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5196 Multiple station with conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A material handling and manufacturing system which includes separate temporary storage facilities so that loaded trailers may be dropped off without an extended waiting time. The manufacturing method utilizes plural entry ports at various points along an assembly line to reduce in-house storage and handling of materials. A subcombination material handling tray is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A manufacturing system which incorporates just-in-time and in-the-right-place principles for efficient production, said system including:

a generally rectangular shaped building having

a first wall (11) with two entry ports (21,22), a temporary storage building (41) which is in parallel relation to said first wall and has openings for two product-containing trailers (51,52),

a second wall (12) in perpendicular relation to said first wall and having three entry ports (23,24,25) formed therein, a temporary storage building (42) which is in parallel relation to said second wall and has openings for three product-containing trailers (53,54,55),

a third wall (13) which is in parallel relation to said first wall and which has three entry ports (26,27,28), a temporary storage building (43) which is in parallel relation to said third wall and has openings for three product containing trailers (56,57,58),

a fourth wall (14) which is in perpendicular relation to said first wall and which has two entry ports (29,29a),

an assembly line (30) which is generally rectangular in shape and which passes by each of said entry ports,

a central sub-work area means (80) for performing at least one of drilling, cutting, welding and heat treating functions, said central sub-work area, being entirely contained within the perimeter of said assembly line, a unitary plastic tray means (70) for delivering electronic components to said assembly line or to said sub-work area,

said tray having extended arm means (75) on one side thereof so that plural trays may be transported in a trailer (50) having racks (60), said tray including twenty identical cavities (74) which are arranged in plural rows and columns and which may be divided into strips for manufacturing efficiency.