The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 30, 2011
Filed:
Sep. 29, 2008
Ryan Christopher Ames, Greensburg, IN (US);
John Campbell, East Liberty, OH (US);
Yozo Handa, Mie, JP;
David Wayne Hicks, Shelbyville, IN (US);
Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Joseph P. Lewis, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Masahiko Minamikawa, Columbus, IN (US);
Steven Michael Swank, Springfield, OH (US);
Toshihide Tanaka, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Yasushi Nagura, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Ryan Christopher Ames, Greensburg, IN (US);
John Campbell, East Liberty, OH (US);
Yozo Handa, Mie, JP;
David Wayne Hicks, Shelbyville, IN (US);
Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Joseph P. Lewis, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Masahiko Minamikawa, Columbus, IN (US);
Steven Michael Swank, Springfield, OH (US);
Toshihide Tanaka, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Yasushi Nagura, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Midwest Express Inc., East Liberty, OH (US);
Abstract
A parts delivery management system and method that synchronizes production line side parts deliveries with a production schedule to facilitate delivering the right part to the right production line location at the right time. A consolidation center for receiving parts from suppliers is co-located with an assembly plant. Parts are received in returnable containers and organized for line side delivery according to the manufacturer's production schedule. Parts are delivered to production line locations using multi-cart 'trains' that transport parts to the locations. Trains made of multiple carts are assembled throughout the production day and loaded with containers holding the parts that are then delivered line side. A delivery management system application executing on a computer receives production schedule data as well as part and container data to determine which parts are needed throughout the day at the various production line side locations and when they are needed.