System and method for producing products based upon demand

• Main Authors: Royce, Daniel Richard, Burkhard, Ryan Andrew, Moore, Nathan E, Fikes, Elizabeth Marie, Tysen, Julie Elizabeth, Ballman, Kyle Christopher
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.02.2020
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; COUNTING; DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS OR METHODS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORYOR FORECASTING PURPOSES; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE,COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTINGPURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A system and method for producing products based upon demand are disclosed. In some cases, the products include containers and the contents therein. The containers are disposed on vehicles and are independently routable along a track system and are deliverable to at least one unit operation station. A control system: receives demand for finished products; determines a route for vehicles based upon the status of one or more unit operation stations; and causes a vehicle to progress along a determined route to create one or more of the demanded finished products. The system may be used to produce the same fluent products, different fluent products, and other types of products including assembled products.