Methods for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line

US10613523B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Procter & Gamble Company · US

Inventors

• Ryan Andrew Burkhard · Sharonville, US
• Nathan E Moore · Montgomery, US
• Elizabeth Marie Fikes · Cincinnati, US
• Daniel Richard Royce · Blue Ash, US
• Kyle Christopher Ballman · Sharonville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2017
• Grant date: Apr 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Sep 11, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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.