FR2943328A1 - Visual communication device for managing stocks/in-process materials, has separators inserted in grooves of support and constituting visual cases, where labels and stripes are placed at each case to identify product and stock level - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a vertical transparent support (i) grooved on its base, and separators (o) inserted in grooves (n) of the support. The separators are maintained at selected level based on needs and accumulation of small thickness badges (p). The separators constitute a set of visual cases. Labels (q) and color stripes (V, J, R) are placed at each case for identifying managed product and required stock level. Magnetic strips are placed on both sides of the groove for fixing the device to a vertical surface.

Description

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The present invention relates to a visual communication tool for sizing inventories and work-in-process, as a function of actual and projected consumption, and to control them by the KANBAN method (flow management mode of Japanese origin with a strong visual connotation Kanban means "label").

At each stage of a process, kanban consists in creating a circuit of labels, some accompanying the containers of the managed products, the others accumulating on a board until the triggering of the replenishment. It allows to launch in production the exact product quality corresponding to an internal or external consumption. The stakes are high as the method reduces inventory and work-in-progress, increases inventory turnover, decreases scroll times, reduces storage space, simplifies production planning. in a visual and decentralized way and finally to reveal the malfunctions of the flows.

This management is traditionally carried out using T-cards inserted one above the other on a support provided for this purpose. This often requires moving the cards as one moves forward in time. Others use boxes. They do not guarantee batch splitting since this depends on how the cards are stored by the operator.

The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages. The implementation is carried out from sized badges on which a label - edited from a printer and / or handwritten - is either glued on a rectangular support (white badges) or slipped into a thin transparent pouch (badges universal). A kanban badge can correspond to a product or a quantity of product depending on the packaging.

The information contained on the badge must leave no doubt about the designation and reference of the product, its origin and destination and the quantity of parts corresponding to the capacity of the packaging. As the production progresses, the user stacks the badges (1 per piece or per container) in a transparent vertical support called accumulator. At each change of batch or possibly change of production, a metal separator is fixed on the support at a level chosen by the user. 2943328 -2-

This system has several advantages: The separators are designed to be inserted and extracted easily, to be guided along the support, to be maintained at a chosen level. The use of multiple separators makes it possible to constitute a set of 5 visual boxes. It thus makes it possible to manage several batches of the same reference or several references or several orders. The thickness of the badges is low (1 mm). So we can stack a large number of badges in a small space (10 mm = 10 badges) and ensure easy adjustment. Badges are universal, multi-use. They can be used on different media and thus standardize workflows. The device is compact; we can therefore align several on the same vertical support and manage several productions. This association allows a global vision of the entire production by the operator (without performing calculation and without performing PC statistics). Equipped with magnetic tapes glued to the back, the rail can be fixed on any type of ferrous medium. It can be moved easily. Other modes of attachment are also possible. 20 It is a near-field communication tool for the operator that has the advantage of being able to instantly view the status of commands or batches (flash vision). The mechanics are simple and do not require any specific training. Color strips (eg green = good threshold, yellow = limited threshold, red = alert threshold) added along the device over its entire length or between two separators and placed in an order chosen by the user make it possible to visualize the ideal level of the batches or references. Labels can also be added to identify each lot or reference. According to the invention, the accumulator is made of folded transparent material. The plans in the appendix illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents the support. It has the shape of a U-shaped rail (a) with the lower end closed by an upward sloping tongue (b); this inclination ensures good retention of the badges. A groove (c), made on the bottom of the device over almost the entire length, allows to insert separators and maintain them at a selected location along the support as needed. 2943328 -3-

The fastening system (d) is provided by magnetic strips or other placed on either side of this groove. Figure 2 shows the separator. Its base (e) is rectangular in shape whose dimensions have been calculated according to the internal dimensions of the support. The tongue (f) by its inclination and shape guides the separator into the groove of the accumulator and holds it in position at a level chosen by the operator without restriction. The inclination of the base relative to the horizontal ensures the maintenance of the badges on the support without risk of falling. These badges can be inserted or extracted at will.

Figure 2 shows the two types of universal badges (g) white support and (h) transparent pocket. They are dimensioned so that they can be inserted and held flat in the support. Adhesive labels printed on printers or handwritten can indifferently be glued on the white support or slipped into the pouch. FIG. 4 shows the complete device on which the support (i) with the tongue forming the abutment (k), the fastening system (m) and the groove (n) in which the separators (o) on which the badges (p) are stacked. Color bands (for example (V) = vertuSeuil good, (J) = 20 yellow = limited threshold, (R) red = alert threshold) placed along the accumulator make it possible to visualize the ideal level of the stocks. Labels (q) identify batches, orders or references. 5 10 15 20

Claims (4)

CLAIMS1.- A device for satisfying flow management rules by KANBAN (a Japanese method with a strong visual connotation which consists in creating a label circuit) consisting of a vertical U-shaped plastic rail ( i), whose bottom end is closed by an upwardly inclined tongue thus constituting an abutment (k), the fastening system (m), magnetic or other allows the maintenance on any vertical surface, of which the bottom is pierced with a vertical groove (n) over most of the length capable of supporting and sliding one or more separators (o), on which are stacked badges (p) sized and customized by means of a label - edited from a printer and / or handwritten on paper - which is either glued on a rectangular support (white badges) or slipped into a thin transparent pouch (universal badges) characterized in that said rail, said separators and said badges form a compact assembly for visually managing the level of stocks or work in progress of several batches, references or orders on several levels. 2.-Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width, depth and height of the rail (i) have been provided so that said badges (p) can stack one above the other without risk of falling. 3-Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of said badges (p) is sufficiently thin (1 mm) to superpose a large amount in a small space. 4- Device according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the configuration of the separators (o) allows them, a rapid introduction and extraction, a perfect guide along the groove of the rail, the positioning to a level chosen by the user and the maintenance of the badges (p) without risk of falling.