Patent ID: 12214973

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A modular manufacturing system and method for use thereof according to the present disclosure is generally indicated by the numeral10inFIGS.3-10. The modular manufacturing system10can include one or more manufacturing base modules12, as depicted inFIGS.1and2, that can be used by themselves (FIG.3) or arranged in various different arrangements and layouts (FIGS.4-10) with respect to one another to create an assembly line including a process flow or flows to create a finished or semi-finished product. The base modules12can each include a conveyor portion14used in moving one or more platens16(FIGS.3-10), and one or more operational attachments18for performing one or more operations on one or more articles provided on the platens16. As depicted inFIG.1, one of the operational attachments18can be positioned above the conveyer portion14of one of the base modules12to define a working area in which the platens16and the one or more articles provided thereon can be loaded. As discussed below, depending on the presence and/or type of operational attachments18included thereon, the base modules12, for example, can operate as loading, unloading, loading/unloading, wait stations, and operational stations. The operational stations can include operational attachments18for performing an operation on the one or more articles provided on the platens16.

The base module12can include a support portion (not shown) undergirding the conveyor portion14and the operational attachment18thereof. The support portion can include various legs (not shown) spacing the conveyor portion14from the ground, and can include various casters (not shown) attached to the various legs affording positioning and repositioning of the support portion on the ground. Thus, using the support portions thereof, the conveyor portions14and the operational portions18of the base modules12can be positioned and repositioned with respect to one another. Furthermore, the base modules12can also include one or more locking portions (not shown) facilitating interconnection between adjacent base modules12.

The conveyor portion14, as depicted inFIGS.1and2, can include multi-directional movement portions20that afford horizontal movement of the platens16positioned thereon in multiple horizontal directions. The multi-directional movement portions20also can be used to rotate the platens16before and after movement thereof in the multiple horizontal directions. Exemplary multi-directional movement portions20can take the form of an arrangement of multi-directional or omni-directional wheels similar to those disclosed by Rotacaster Wheel Limited. And other exemplary multi-directional movement portions20can be provided by use of a handling apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,208, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Other configurations of the multi-directional movement portions20also can be used.

As depicted inFIG.3, for example, the platen16can enter the conveyor portion14from a first side30of the base module12, and the platen16can be moved out of the conveyor portion14via operation of the multi-directional movement portions20in a forward direction out of a second side32opposite from the first side30, in a reverse direction backwards through the first side30, in a left-hand direction out of a third side34to the left of the first side30, and in a right-hand direction out of a fourth side36to the right of the first side30. Furthermore, the platens16also can enter the second side32, the third side34, or the fourth side36of the base module12, and be moved in forward, reverse, left-hand, and right-hand directions relative to the corresponding second side32, third side34, or fourth side36thereof. And the platens16can be moved out of the base module12at angles between the first side30, the second side32, the third side34, and the fourth side36. Because the base modules12have four sides, the platens16, for example, can be moved out of the base modules12at 45° between the first and third sides30and34, between the first and fourth sides30and36, between the second and third sides32and34, and/or between the second and fourth sides32and36. The multi-directionality of the movement afforded by the multi-directional portions20of the conveyer portions14allows flexibility in movement of the platens16and affords the process flow or flows in a multitude of configurations. And, while the base modules12depicted herein have four (4) sides through which the platens16can be moved, the base modules12are not so limited, and the base modules12can have more or less sides through which the platens16can be moved.

One or more of the base modules12are used in each of the embodiments discussed below, and the flexibility afforded by use of the base modules12allows expansion of the number of operations performed by adding additional base modules12. The modular manufacturing system10can grow in size and increase from use of one base module12to any multitude thereof. As more of the base modules12are added, more operations can be performed on the article or articles using the modular manufacturing system10. Moreover, the various arrangements and layouts (FIGS.4-10) of the base modules12with respect to one another allows the modular manufacturing system10to take different shapes, and, in doing so, accommodate different manufacturing spaces that are potentially disjointed or weirdly-shaped. For example, the various arrangements and layouts, for example, can be uniquely shaped to accommodate L-shaped spaces, U-shaped spaces, or other undulating spaces. As such, the modular manufacturing system10is scalable to accommodate a multitude of different sizes and configurations thereof. The flexibility of the modular manufacturing system10also allows the base modules12and the operational attachments to be interchanged with and replaced by other base modules12and/or operational attachments18if there is a breakage with minimal down time because of such interchangeability.

As discussed below, each of the conveyor portions14are configured to move the platens16in multiple horizontal and/or vertical directions. And when multiple base modules12are arranged relative to one another, the conveyor portions14can be used to transfer the platens16therebetween. During operation of the modular manufacturing system10, and depending on the arrangement of the base modules, the conveyor portion14can be used to transfer the platens16serially from one base module12to another base module12, be used to transfer the platens16back and fourth between base modules12, or be used in a combination of serial and back-and-forth movements. As such, the process flow or flows of the platens16from one operation to another operation can occur in a multitude of different directions through the modular manufacturing system10.

One or more operations performed by the operational attachments18can be used in forming the finished or semi-finished products from the article or articles. For example, the articles could include fabrics, textiles, and/or garments, and the finished products afforded by the operations performed by the operational attachments18can facilitate application of a design to a t-shirt. To illustrate, one of the operational attachments18could be used for applying a pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt (via, for example, sprayer applicators, roller applicators, brush applicators, etc.), one of the operational attachments18could be used for application of the design on the t-shirt (via, for example, printing machines), one of the operational attachments18could be used for drying (via, for example, forced-air dryers, heat presses, etc.) the pretreatment liquid or the design on the t-shirt, and one of the operational attachments18could be used for cooling (via misting machines) the pretreatment liquid or the design on the t-shirt. One or more these operations could also be performed by a single one of the operational attachments18. And, the application of the design can be performed via, for example, various printing processes such as direct-to-garment (DTG) printing performed by a DTG printer, screen printing performed by a screen printer, heat-transfer printing performed by a heat-transfer printer, or the like. With respect to the screen printing, multiple base modules12each with screen printers can be provided, and each of the multiple base modules12can be used to apply one or more colors via the corresponding screen printers.

While these operations can be used to facilitate application of a design on the t-shirt, the modular manufacturing system10is not so limited. The modular manufacturing system10also can be configured to perform one or more other operations on other articles to form different finished or semi-finished products. For example, the finished product could be a mixture of different ingredients, and each of the base modules12can be used to add a different ingredient to a container supported by a platen16until the finished product is created. Furthermore, for example, the finished product could be an additive manufacturing process, and each of the base modules12can be used to add a different component or components to a product supported by a platen16until the finished product is created.

The modular manufacturing system10can be configured to afford perpetual or recurrent movement of the platens16after the operations of the process flow or flows are completed. To illustrate, when the process flow is configured for serial movement, a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon can be entered into the process flow via loading thereof on a base module12at the beginning of the process flow, and be serially moved from adjacent base module12to adjacent base module12until the end of the process flow. If the serial process flow is perpetual and after the serial process flow is complete at a base module12at the end of the process flow, a finished or semi-finished product can be unloaded from the platen16and the platen16can be sent to the base module12at the beginning of the process flow for loading of a new article or articles to begin the process flow again. If the process flow is recurrent and after the serial process flow is complete at a base module12at the end of the process flow, a finished or semi-finished product can be unloaded with the platen16. Thereafter, the platen16that was unloaded can later be entered at beginning of the serial and recurrent process flow with a new article or articles provided thereon, and/or a new platen16and a new article or articles provided thereon can be entered at beginning of the serial and recurrent process flow.

Furthermore, when the process flow is configured for back-and-forth movement, a platen16perpetually can remain in the process flow during use, and an article or articles can be loaded onto the platen16at a base module12at the beginning of the process flow, and a finished or semi-finished product can be unloaded from the platen16at the same base module at the ending of the process flow. And after the finished or semi-finished product is unloaded from the base module12, a new article or articles can be loaded on the platen16to begin the back-and-forth and perpetual process flow again. Alternatively, rather than perpetually using the same platen16during the back-and-forth process flow, the base module12at the beginning and ending of the process flow can be loaded with a new platen16and a new article or articles after a previous platen16and the finished or semi-finished product are unloaded.

The base modules12can each include a control unit (not shown) including a processor or processors and non-volatile computer memory that can be configured to control at least the operation of the base modules12by controlling the conveyor portions14(and corresponding movement of the platens16), and by controlling the performance of one or more operations of the operational attachments18. The control units of the base modules12can be interconnected via wired and/or wireless connections, and configured to create a network formed by the base modules12affording communication between the control units via that interconnection. The network of the base modules12can allow information to be transferred between some or all of the control units of the base modules12, but at least the control units of the adjacent base modules12can communicate with one another and transfer information therebetween. Embodiments of the modular manufacturing system10can afford control of the base modules12in a centralized or a decentralized manner to afford the process flow or flows as discussed below to create the finished or semi-finished products. When centralized, at least one of the control units and/or an interconnected control computer (not shown) communicating with the control units can be used to control operation of the base modules12. When decentralized, each of the control units can control operation of the corresponding base modules12independently from the other base modules12.

With at least the control units of the adjacent base modules12interconnected and communicating with one another, the control units via programming thereof can receive information including, for example, statuses of whether the platens16and/or the article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base modules12, relative locations (i.e., the arrangement and layout) of the base modules12, directions of movement afforded by the arrangement and layout of the base modules12, and/or types of operational attachments18attached to the base modules12. The information communicated between the base modules12can be regarding some or all of the base modules12in the network, or be limited to that of only the adjacent base modules12.

To determine the statuses, relative locations, directions of movement, and types of operational attachments, the base modules12can include tracker elements (not shown) and corresponding sensor/detector elements (not shown) for detecting the tracker elements. The tracker elements, for example, can be radio-frequency identification (RFID) and/or optical identifiers, and the tracker elements can be attached to the platens16and/or the article or articles provided thereon, can be attached to the sides of the base modules12to indicate different sides thereof, and can be attached to the operational attachments18to indicate different types thereof. And the sensor/detector elements, for example, can be RFID and/or optical scanners, and can be used by the control units to sense the presence of the corresponding tracker elements. Besides the RFID and/or optical identifiers attached to the platens16and/or the article or articles described above, other sensors/detectors (not shown) such as, for example, acoustic, optical, radio-frequency, visual, and/or weight sensors can be used by the control units of the base modules12to recognize whether platens16and/or the article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base modules12.

To illustrate, when a first and a second of the base modules12are positioned adjacent to one another, the interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements can be used to allow the control units thereof to recognize which of their sides are adjacent to one another, and which of the operational attachments18are attached thereto. The control units, using these recognizations, can determine information such as, for example, the arrangement and layout of the base modules12, the directions of possible movement afforded by the arrangement and layout of the base modules12, and/or the types of operational attachments18attached to the base modules12. Furthermore, the interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements, and/or the use of the other sensors/detectors can be used to recognize whether the platens16and/or the article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base modules12. And the control units, using these recognizations, can determine information regarding whether the base modules12are ready to send or ready to receive the platens16. This information can be communicated to some or all of the base modules12in the network thereof.

Additionally, one or more of the control units can include a control panel (not shown) that allows an operator to control activation and deactivation of any or all of the base modules12. Additionally, the control panels can allow the operator to enter information regarding, for example, the arrangement and layout of the base modules12, the directions of possible movement afforded by the arrangement and layout of the base modules12, and/or the types of operational attachments18attached to the base modules12. With such information determined and/or entered, and if control of the base modules12is centralized, at least one of the control units and/or the interconnected control computer communicating with the control units can be used to generate a possible process flow or flows for the platens16between the base modules12through the modular manufacturing system10including possible beginnings and the endings of the process flow or flows, and possible directions of the process flow or flows. Then, for example, the control units12and/or the interconnected control computer can automatically decide the process flow or flows depending on the above-discussed determined and/or entered information according to a preconfigured hierarchy of possibilities recognized by the control units, or the operator can select and enter the selected process flow or flows of the platens16between the base modules12using the control panels. Either way, the operator also can specify particulars about operations performed by the operational attachments18including (including if operation of the specified operational attachments18are to be activated or skipped) using the control panels.

When control of the control modules12is centralized, at least one of the control units and/or the interconnected control computer can be programmed to control operation of each of the base modules12to afford cooperation therebetween in a centralized manner. At least one of control units and/or the interconnected control computer can control operation of each of the base modules by controlling movement of the platens16via serial and/or back-and-forth movements using the conveyor portions14, and controlling operation of the operational attachments18. If centralized, at least one of the control units and/or the interconnected control computer can rely on the interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements, and/or the use of the other sensors/detectors to recognize whether platens16and/or the article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base modules12. And the control units, using these recognizations, can determine information regarding whether the base modules12are ready to send or ready to receive the platens16. This information can be used by at least one of the control units and/or the interconnected control computer to control movement of the platens16and the article or articles provided thereon between the base modules12.

Furthermore, when control of the base modules12is decentralized, each of the control units of the base modules12can be programmed to operate in an independent control cycle, and the independent control cycles of adjacent base modules12can afford cooperation therebetween in a decentralized manner. The independent control cycles of the control units of the base modules12can each be based on ready to receive and ready to send determinations regarding receiving and sending the platens16and the article or articles provided thereon, and these determinations can be communicated to adjacent base modules12. As discussed below, the cooperation between the base modules12facilitated by each of the base modules12running the independent control cycles and communication between the adjacent base modules12can control movement of the platens16via serial and/or back-and-forth movements using the conveyer portions14.

At each of the base modules12running the independent control cycles, it can be first determined by the control unit if the base module12is ready to receive or ready to send a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon. The ready to receive determination can be based on the above-discussed recognization if a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base module12, and the ready to send determination can be based on the recognization, as discussed above, if a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon is loaded on the base module12, and on the presence and/or type of the operational attachment18and if the operation or operations of the base module12are complete.

If ready to receive, but not ready to send, a base module12recognizes that it does not have a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon loaded on the base module12, and the base module12then communicates these determinations to the adjacent base modules12. A platen16and an article or articles provided thereon can then be sent from the adjacent base modules12to this base module12. And if not ready to receive and not ready to send, a base module12recognizes that it does have a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon already loaded on the base module12, and thereafter, can perform, if necessary, an operation or operations on an article or articles provided on the platen16until the operation or operations are complete. The base module12then communicates that it is not ready to receive, but ready to send to the adjacent base modules12.

The operation of the independent control units can also take into account the operation or operations that the base module12is configured to perform. To illustrate, for a base module12that is a loading station (positioned at the beginning of the process flow), once a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base module12, the ready to send determination for the loading station would be affirmative.

For a base module12that is an unloading station (positioned at the ending of the process flow), once a platen16and a finished or semi-finished product provided thereon are loaded on the base module12, the finished or semi-finished product, or the platen16and the finished or semi-finished product are unloaded from the unloading station. For example, for a process flow that is serial and perpetual, the finished or semi-finished product can be unloaded from the platen16, and the ready to send determination would be affirmative; and for a process flow that is serial and recurrent, the platen16and the finished or semi-finished product are unloaded from the unloading station, and the ready to send determination would be negative as it is configured for unloading.

For a base module12that is a loading/unloading station (positioned at the beginning and ending of the process flow), once a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base module12, the ready to send determination for the loading/unlading station would be affirmative, and once the platen16and the finished or semi-finished product provided thereon are loaded on the base module12, the finished or semi-finished product is unloaded from the platen16or the platen16and the finished or semi-finished product provided thereon are unloaded from the base module12to end the process flow. Correspondingly, the same platen16can then be reloaded with a new article or articles or a new platen16and a new article or articles provided thereon can be loaded onto the base module12to begin the process flow, and the ready to send determination for the loading/unloading station would be affirmative

For a base module12that is a wait station (positioned within the process flow), once a platen16and an article or articles are loaded on the base module12, the ready to send determination for the waiting station would be affirmative. Furthermore, for other base modules12(positioned within the process flow) that are operational stations, once a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon are loaded on the base module12, the ready to send determination would be affirmative after the operation or operations on the article or articles provided on the platen16by the corresponding operational attachment18are complete.

As such, after it is determined by these differently-configured base modules12that they are ready to send, the ready to send determination can be communicated to adjacent base modules12, and the platen16and the article or articles provided thereon can be sent to one of the adjacent base modules12that is ready to receive.

Using the operation of the independent control cycles of the base modules12and the communication of the ready to receive and ready to send determinations between the adjacent base modules12, a platen16and an article or articles provided thereon can circulate between the base modules12and progress from the beginnings to the endings of the process flow or flows to produce a finished or semi-finished product. The progress of the platen16and the article or articles can follow serial and/or back-and-forth movements through the process flow or flows.

For example, when a first and a second of the base module12are positioned adjacent to one another for serial and recurrent movement of a platen16, the first and second base modules12can be running the independent control cycles and be used to together, for example, to facilitate application of a pretreatment liquid to a first t-shirt provided on a first platen16. The first base module12can be for loading, and the second base module12can include an operational attachment18for applying pretreatment to the first t-shirt provided on the first platen16. After application of the pretreatment, the platen16and the first t-shirt can be unloaded from the second base module12

When the independent control cycles are activated, the control units of the first and second base modules12configured for serial and recurrent movement can first communicate with one another the ready to receive and ready to send determinations. If the control unit of the first base module12running the independent control cycle determines that the first base module12is to ready receive, but not ready to send, it waits for a first platen16and a first t-shirt provided thereon to be loaded on the first base module12. The interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements, and/or the other sensors/detectors can be used to recognize whether the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon is loaded on the first base module12. After receipt of the first platen16and the first t-shirt, the first base module12(because it is used for loading) is deemed by the independent control cycle to be ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt. Then, the control unit of the first base module12communicates to the control unit of the second base module12that it is ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt. Thereafter, the first base module12sends the first platen16and the first t-shirt to the second base module12if the second base module12is deemed by the control unit thereof that it is ready to receive.

A similar process is repeated at the second base module12. If the control unit of the second base module12running the independent control cycle determines that the second base module12is ready to receive, but not ready to send, it waits for the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon to be sent to the second base module12. The interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements, and/or the other sensors/detectors can be used to recognize whether the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon is loaded on the second base module12. After receipt of the first platen16and the first t-shirt, the second base module12(because it is used for applying the pretreatment) activates the operational attachment18to apply the pretreatment to the first t-shirt provided on the first platen16. Then, after the pretreatment is applied to the first t-shirt, the second base module12is deemed by the independent control cycle to be ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt. Because the second base module12is also used for unloading, the first platen16and the first t-shirt can be unloaded therefrom. The serial and recurrent movement can continually be repeated to facilitate application of pretreatment to t-shirts by loading successive platens16and new t-shirts provided thereon into the first base module12, and sending the successive platens16and the new t-shirts to the second base module12for application of the pretreatment and then unloading therefrom.

Furthermore, when a first and a second of the base modules12are positioned adjacent to one another for back-and-forth and perpetual movement of a platen16, the first and second base modules12can be running the independent control cycles and likewise be used together, for example, to facilitate application of a pretreatment liquid to a first t-shirt provided on a first platen16. The first base module12can be for loading/unloading, and the second base module12can include an operational attachment18for applying pretreatment to the first t-shirt provided on the first platen16. After application of the pretreatment, the first platen16and the first t-shirt can be returned to the first base module12for unloading the first t-shirt from the first platen16and loading a second t-shirt on the first platen16.

When the independent control cycles are activated, the control units of the first and second base modules12configured for back-and-forth and perpetual movement can first communicate with one another the ready to receive and ready to send determinations. If the control unit of the first base module12running the independent control cycle determines that the first base module12is ready to receive, but not ready to send, it waits for the first platen16and/or the first t-shirt to be loaded thereon. The interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements, and/or the other sensors/detectors can be used to recognize whether the first platen16and/or the first t-shirt thereon are loaded on the first base module12. After receipt of the first platen16and the first t-shirt, the first base module12(because it is used for loading/unloading) is deemed by the independent control cycle ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt. Then, the control unit of the first base module12communicates to the control unit of the second base module12that it is ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt. Thereafter, the first base module12sends the first platen16and the first t-shirt to the second base module12if the second base module12is deemed by the control unit thereof ready to receive.

A similar process is repeated at the second base module12. If the control unit of the second base module12running the independent control cycle determines that the second base module12is not ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt, it waits for the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon to be sent to the second base module. The interaction between the tracker elements and the sensor/detector elements, and/or the other sensors/detectors can be used to recognize whether the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon are loaded on the second base module12. After it is recognized that the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon are loaded on the second base module12, the second base module12(because it is used for applying the pretreatment) activates the operational attachment18to apply the pretreatment to the first t-shirt provided on the platen16. Then, after the pretreatment is applied to the first t-shirt, the control unit of the second base module12communicates with the control unit of the first base module12that it is ready to send the first platen16and the first t-shirt. When the second base module12is deemed ready to send and the first base module12is deemed ready to receive, the second base module12sends the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon back to the first base module12. At the first base module12, the first t-shirt sent back from the second base module12then can be unloaded from the first platen16, and a second t-shirt can be loaded on the first platen16and the process can be repeated. The back-and-forth and perpetual movement can be perpetual by continually unloading the t-shirts after the operations thereon are complete, and continually loading new t-shirts on the platen16.

Accordingly, the operations of the independent control cycles are focused on the ready to receive and ready to send determinations of the control units of the adjacent base modules12. The interaction between the adjacent base modules12is effectively controlled based on these determinations. A multitude of the base modules12can be arranged relative to one another, and the interactions between adjacent base modules12based on these determinations allow the adjacent base modules12to operate independently yet cooperatively with one another. Thus, accounting for the presence and type of the operational attachments, the independent control cycles programmed into the control units of the base modules12can be identical or substantially identical, and correspondingly, can operate in identical or substantially identical ways based on the ready to receive and ready to send determinations. In doing so, the multitude of base modules12can operate in a decentralized manner using the independent control cycles,

Embodiments of the modular manufacturing system10can include one or more of the base modules12positioned relative to one another. As described above, each of the base modules can be configured to perform operations such as a loading, unloading, loading/waiting, and waiting, and/or can be equipped with operational attachments18to perform an operation on an article (such as, for example, the t-shirt) provided on the platen16. When loading, for example, t-shirts can be loaded on platens16already loaded on the base modules12, or platens16with t-shirts already provided thereon can be loaded on the base modules12. Furthermore, as discussed above, the operations performed by the operational attachments18, for example, can include an application operation for applying pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt, a drying process for drying the pretreatment onto the t-shirt, an application operation for applying of the design to the t-shirt, and/or a drying process for drying the design on the t-shirt. During the process flow or flows thereof, a platen16and a t-shirt provided thereon can be loaded on an initial base module12for an operation or operations performed by the initial base module12itself or an initial operational attachment18attached thereto, and then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to a subsequent base module or modules12according to the arrangement thereof for additional operations performed by the subsequent base modules12themselves and/or by subsequent operational attachments18attached thereto. This process can be followed for as many of the base modules12that are utilized. After completion of the operation or operations by the last base module12in the process flow and/or by a last operational attachment18attached to the last base module12in the process flow, the platen16and/or the t-shirt can be unloaded from the last base module12as described above. While the removal of the platens16and/or the t-shirts will typically occur at the last base module12in the process flow, removal also can occur at open sides of the base modules12along and after partial completion of the process flow, and can occur when use of the modular manufacturing system10requires interruption. Furthermore, the operations (besides loading, unloading, loading/unloading or waiting) performed at the base modules12could be skipped as the platen16and the t-shirt are moved therethrough. If necessary, an operation or operations with or without use of the operational attachments18can be performed on the t-shirts provided on the platens16at the base modules12during the process flow or flows.

As depicted inFIG.4, an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10can include two of the base modules12positioned adjacent to one another. A first base module12(1) and then a second base module12(2) are arranged left to right inFIG.4, with the first side30of the second base module12(2) positioned adjacent the second side32of the first base module12(1).

As described above, control of each of the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2) can be centralized or decentralized. Using the centralized or decentralized control, a platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) provided thereon can be sent between the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2) to progress from the beginning to the ending of the process flow to produce a finished or semi-finished product. In particular, when decentralized, the control units of each of the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2) can be running the independent control cycle, and using the independent control cycles, the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2) can cooperate with one another to move the platen16and the t-shirt from the beginning to the ending of the process flow using the above-discussed ready to receive and ready to send determinations.

As depicted inFIG.4, the first base module12(1) can perform a first operation and the second base module12(2) can perform a second operation. During use, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) from the first side30, the third side34, or the fourth side36thereof, then the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be sent through the second side32of the first base module12(1) and enter into the second base module12(2) from the first side30of the second base module12(2). Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be unloaded from the second side32, the third side34, and the fourth side36of the second base module12(2) when the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2) are configured for serial and recurrent movement of the platen16and the t-shirt, or returned to the first base module12(1) for removal of the t-shirt from the first side30, the third side34, or the fourth side36of the first base module12(1) when the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2) are configured for back-and-fourth and perpetual movement of the platen16. As such, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) for a first operation with respect to the platen16and the t-shirt, and then can be sent to the second base module12(2) for a second operation with respect to the platen16and the t-shirt, and optionally, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be returned to the first base module12(1) for the first operation. As such, the process flow can be serial or back-and-forth using the arrangement ofFIG.4.

For example, when using an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10employing two of the base modules12, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading and unloading of the platen16and/or the t-shirt provided thereon, and the second base module12(2) can incorporate a first operational attachment18(1) that is used for applying the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt. During use, the platen16and the t-shirt can be loaded onto the first base module12(1) from the first side30, the third side34, or the fourth side36thereof, and then the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be sent though the second side32of the first base module12(1) and enter into the second base module12(2) from the first side30of the second base module12(2). At the second base module12(2), the pretreatment can be applied to the t-shirt by the first operational attachment18(1), and the platen16and the t-shirt can be unloaded from the open sides of the second base module12(2) via the second side32, the third side34, or the fourth side36. Thus, the process flow inFIG.4can be serial from the first base module12(1) to the second base module12(2), and such serial movement can be recurrent by having the operator continually loading successive platens16and new t-shirts provided thereon into the first base module12(1), sending the successive platens16and the new t-shirts to the second base module12(2) for the operation or operations on the new t-shirts, and then unloading the successive platens16and the new-shirts from the second base module12(2) after the operations or operations are complete.

Alternatively, for example, when using an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10employing two of the base modules12, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be returned to the first base module12(1) from the second base module12(2) after the operation or operations on the t-shirt are complete. Then, the t-shirt provided thereon can be unloaded from the open sides of the first base module12(1) via the first side30, the third side34, or the fourth side36, and the platen16can be reloaded with a new t-shirt. Thus, the process flow inFIG.4also can be back-and-forth between the first base module12(1) and the second base module12(2), and such back-and-forth movement can be perpetual by having the operator continually loading and unloading the t-shirts from the platen16at the first base module12(1) after the operation or operations thereon are complete at the second base module12(2).

As depicted inFIG.5, an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10can include three of the base modules12positioned with respect to another. The first base module12(1), then the second base module12(2), and then a third base module12(3) are arranged left to right inFIG.5, with the first side30of the second base module12(2) positioned adjacent the second side32of the first base module12(1), and the first side30of the third base module12(3) positioned adjacent the second side32of the second base module12(2).

As described above, control of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can be centralized or decentralized. Using the centralized or decentralized control, a platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) provided thereon can be sent between the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) to progress from the beginning to the ending of the process flow to produce a finished or semi-finished product. In particular, when decentralized, the control units of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can be running the independent control cycle, and using the independent control cycles, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can cooperate with one another to move the platen16and the t-shirt from the beginning to the ending of the process flow using the above-discussed ready to receive and ready to send determinations.

As depicted inFIG.5, the first base module12(1) can perform a first operation, the second base module12(2) can perform a second operation, and the third base module12(3) can perform a third operation. During use, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) from the first side30, the third side34, or the fourth side36, then the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be sent through the second side32of the first base module12(1) and enter into the second base module12(2) from the first side30of the second base module12(2), and then the platen16can be sent through the second side32of the second base module12(2) and enter into the through the third base module12(3) from the first side30of the third base module12(3). Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be unloaded from the second side32, the third side34, or the fourth side36of the third base module12(3) when the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) are configured for serial and recurrent movement of the platen16and the t-shirt, or returned to the second base module12(2) for removal from the third side34or the fourth side36of the second base module12(2), or returned to the first base module12(1) for removal from the first side30, the third side34, or the fourth side36of the first base module12(1) when the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) are configured for back-and-forth and perpetual movement of the platen16. As such, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation with respect to the platen16and the t-shirt, then can be sent to the second base module12(2) for the second operation with respect to the platen16and the t-shirt, and then can be sent to the third base module12(3) for the third operation with respect to the platen16and the t-shirt, and optionally, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be returned to the second base module12(2) for the second operation, and returned to the first base module12(1) for the first operation. As such, the process flow can be serial or back-and-forth using the arrangement ofFIG.5.

For example, when using an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10employing three of the base modules12, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading of the platen16and the t-shirt, then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the second base module12(2) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt via operational of the first operational attachment18(1) (attached to the second base module12(2)), and then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the third base module12(3) for performance of the drying process via operation of a second operational attachment18(2) (attached to the third base module12(3)). Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt can be unloaded from the third base module12(3), returned to the second base module12(2) for removal, or returned to the first base module12(1) for removal. Thus, if the serial process flow ends at the third base module12(3), the process flow can be recurrent by having the operator continually loading successive platens16and new t-shirts provided thereon into the first base module12(1), and sending the successive platens16and the new t-shirts to the second base module12(2) and then the third base module12(3) for the operation or operations on the new t-shirts. Furthermore, if the back-and-forth process flow ends at the first base module12(1) or the second base module12(2), the process flow can be perpetual by having the operator continually loading and unloading the t-shirts after of the operation or operations thereon are complete.

As depicted inFIG.6, an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10also includes three of the base modules12arranged with respect to one another, but the arrangement of the base modules12is different than inFIG.5. To illustrate, the first base module12(1) is positioned between the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3), with the first side30of the second base module12(2) positioned adjacent the third side34of the first base module12(1), and the first side30of the third base module12(3) positioned adjacent the fourth side36of the first base module12(1).

As described above, control of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can be centralized or decentralized. Using the centralized or decentralized control, a platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) provided thereon can be sent between the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) to progress from the beginning to the ending of the process flow to produce a finished or semi-finished product. In particular, when decentralized, the control units of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can be running the independent control cycle, and using the independent control cycles, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can cooperate with one another to move the platen16and the t-shirt from the beginning to the ending of the process flow using the above-discussed ready to receive and ready to send determinations.

As depicted inFIG.6, the first base module12(1) can perform a first operation and each of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) can each perform a second operation. During use, first platen16and a first t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base portion12(1) from the first side30, and then can be sent through the third side34and the fourth side36of the first base portion12(1) to the second base module12(2) (via the first side30thereof) or the third base module12(3) (via the first side30thereof), respectively. The first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation to the first t-shirt, and then can be sent to one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for the second operation to the t-shirt. And, while the first platen16and the first t-shirt are in the one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3), a second platen16and a second t-shirt can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation to the second t-shirt, and then can be sent to the other of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for the second operation to the t-shirt. As such, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) are configured for back-and-forth and perpetual movement of the first platen16and the second platen16.

For example, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading of the platen16and the t-shirt, then the first platen16and the first t-shirt can be sent to one of the second base module12(2) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt via operation of the first operational attachment18(1) (attached to the second base module12(2)) and the third base module12(3) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the first t-shirt via operation of the second operational attachment18(2) (attached to the third base module12(3)). After application of the pretreatment liquid to the first t-shirt, the second t-shirt returns to the first base module12(1) for removal when the first base module12(1) is open. To avoid interference, while the first platen16and the first t-shirt are in the one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3), the second platen12and the second t-shirt can be sent to the other of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for application of the pretreatment liquid. Thus, the process flow inFIG.6can be back-and-forth from the first base module12(1) to the second base module12(2), and back-and-forth from the first base module12(1) to the third base module12(3) for different platens16, and such back-and-forth movement can be perpetual by having the operator continually loading and unloading the t-shirts after the operation or operations thereon are complete. To illustrate, once returned to the first base module12, the first t-shirt can be unloaded from the first platen16and the second t-shirt can be unloaded from the second platen16, and the first platen16and the second platen16can be loaded with new t-shirts to repeat the back-and-forth and perpetual process flow for the new t-shirts on the first platen16and the second platen16.

Rather than, as depictedFIG.6, having the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) perform the same operation, each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) can perform different operations. As depicted inFIG.7, the first base module12(1) is positioned between the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3). During use, the platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) supported thereby can enter the first base portion12(1) from the first side30, and then can be sent through the third side34and the fourth side36of the first base portion12(1) to the second base module12(2) (via the first side30thereof) or the third base module12(3) (via the first side30thereof), respectively. As such, the platen16and the t-shirt can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation to the t-shirt, then can be sent to a first selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for the second operation to the t-shirt, then can be returned to the first base module12(1), and then be sent to a different second selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for the third operation to the t-shirt. As such, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3) are configured for back-and-forth and perpetual movement of the platen16.

At each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), and the third base module12(3), a different operation can be performed on the t-shirt provided on the platen16. For example, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading of the platen16and the t-shirt, then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the first selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt via operation of the first operational attachment18(1) attached to the second base module12(2) or for a misting process applied to the t-shirt via operation of the second operational attachment18(2) attached to the third base module12(3). Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent back to the first base module12(1), and then sent to the second selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) for operation of the first operational attachment18(1) or the second operational attachment18(2). Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt can be returned to the first base module12(1) for removal from open sides thereof, or the platen16and the t-shirt can be can be returned to the first selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3). Thus, the process flow inFIG.7can be back-and-forth from the first base module12(1) to the first selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3), then across from the first selected one of the second base module12(2) and third base module12(3) to the second selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3), and if desired, from the second selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) to the first base module12(1) or the first selected one of the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) again. Such back-and-forth movement can be perpetual by having the operator continually loading and unloading the t-shirts on the platen16after of the operation or operations thereon are complete.

As depicted inFIG.8, an embodiment of the modular manufacturing system10can include six of the base modules12positioned with respect to another. InFIG.8, the first base module12(1), then the second base module12(2), then a third base module12(3) are arranged left to right, and a fourth base module12(4), then a fifth base module12(5), and then a sixth base module12(6) are arranged right to left.

As described above, control of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can be centralized or decentralized. Using the centralized or decentralized control, a platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) provided thereon can be sent between the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) to progress from the beginning to the ending of the process flow to produce a finished or semi-finished product. In particular, when decentralized, the control units of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can be running the independent control cycle, and using the independent control cycles, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can cooperate with one another to move the platen16and the t-shirt from the beginning to the ending of the process flow using the above-discussed ready to receive and ready to send determinations.

As depicted inFIG.8, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can perform first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth operations, respectively. During use, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) from the first side30or the fourth side36, then the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can be sent to the second base module12(2), then can be sent to the third base module12(3), then can be sent to the fourth base module12(4), then can be sent to the fifth base module12(5), and then can be sent to the sixth base module12(6). The platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation to the t-shirt, can be sent through the second side32thereof to the second base module12(2) for the second operation to the t-shirt, and so forth until the sixth operation is complete.

For example, with respect to the operations performed at these base modules12, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading of the platen16and the t-shirt, then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the second base module12(2) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt via operation of the first operational attachment18(1) (attached to the second base module12(2)), then sent to the third base module12(3) for drying of the pretreatment liquid on the t-shirt via operation of the second operational attachment18(2) (attached to the third base module12(3)), then sent to the fourth base module12(4) for applying of the design to the t-shirt via operation of the third operational attachment18(3) (attached to the fourth base module12(4)), then sent to the fifth base module12(5) for drying of the design on the t-shirt via operation of the fourth operation attached18(4) (attached to the fifth base module12(5)), and then sent to the sixth base module12(6) for unloading of the platen16and the t-shirt from open sides thereof. Thus, the process flow inFIG.8can be serial from the first base module12(1) to the second base module12(2) to the third base module12(3) to the fourth base module12(4) to the fifth base module12(5) to the sixth base module12(6).

Such serial movement can be recurrent by unloading the platen16and the t-shirt from the sixth base module12(6), and repeating the process flow by continually loading successive platens16and new t-shirts provided thereon into the first base module12(1) and sending the successive platens16and the new t-shirts through the process flow to the sixth base module12(6) for unloading. And such serial movement can be perpetual by unloading the t-shirt from the platen16at the sixth base module12(6), sending the platen16from the sixth base module12(6) to the first base module12(1), and reloading the platen16with a new t-shirt. Whether the process flow is serial and recurrent or serial and perpetual, a multitude of platens16and t-shirts provided thereon can be progressing through the process flow at the same time. Moreover, given that the first base module12(1) and the sixth base module12(6) are adjacent one another, the operator can alternate between unloading the platens16and/or the t-shirts provided thereon from the sixth base module12, and loading the successive platens16and/or new t-shirts on the first base module12(1).

As depicted inFIG.9, the modular manufacturing system10also includes six of the base modules12arranged with respect to one another, but the arrangement of the base modules12is different than inFIG.8. To illustrate, the first base module12(1) is positioned between the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) with the second base module12(2) adjacent the third side34of the first base module12(1) and the third base module12(3) adjacent the fourth side36of the first base module12(1). Furthermore, the fourth base module12(4) is positioned between the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6) with the fifth base module12(5) adjacent the fourth side36of the fourth base module12(4) and the sixth base module12(6) adjacent the third side34of the fourth base module. Furthermore, the fourth base module12(1) is positioned adjacent the first base module12(1), the fifth base module12(5) is positioned adjacent the second base module12(2), and the sixth base module12(6) is positioned adjacent the third base module12(3).

As described above, control of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can be centralized or decentralized. Using the centralized or decentralized control, a platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) provided thereon can be moved through the base modules12to progress from the beginning to the ending of the process flow to produce a finished or semi-finished product. In particular, when decentralized, the control units of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can be running the independent control cycle, and using the independent control cycles, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), and the sixth base module12(6) can cooperate with one another to move the platen16and the t-shirt from the beginning to the ending of the process flow using the above-discussed ready to receive and ready to send determinations.

As depicted inFIG.9, the first base module12(1) can perform a first operation, the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) each can perform a second operation, the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6) each can perform a third operation, and the fourth base module12(4) can perform a fourth operation. During use, the platen16and the t-shirt provided thereon can enter the first base portion12(1) from the first side30, and then can be sent through the third side34thereof to the second base module12(2) or though the fourth side36thereof to the third base module12(3). As such, the platen16and the t-shirt can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation to the t-shirt, then can be sent to one of the second base module12(2) or the third base module12(3) for the second operation to the t-shirt. Then the platen16can be sent to the fifth base module12(5) from the second base module12(2), or can be sent to the sixth base module12(6) from the third base module12(3) for the third operation to the t-shirt. Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent from the fifth base module12(5) or the sixth base module12(6) to the fourth base module12(4) for the fourth operation to the t-shirt, and then returned from the fourth base module12(4) to the first base module12(1).

For example, with respect to the operations performed at these base modules12, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading/unloading of the platen16and the t-shirt, then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the second base module12(2) or the third base module12(3) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt via operation of the first operational attachment18(1) (attached to the second base module12(2)) or the second operational attachment18(2) (attached to the third base module12(3)). After application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt at the second base module12(2) or the third base module12(3), the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6), respectively. At the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6), operation of the third operational attachment18(3) and a fourth operational attachment18(4), respectively, perform the drying process for drying the pretreatment on the t-shirt. After drying of the pretreatment on the t-shirt, the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the fourth base module12(4). Thereafter, the fourth base module12(4) can serve as a waiting station, and can return the platen16and the t-shirt back to the first base module12(1) for unloading when the first base module12(1) is open.

Thus, inFIG.9, a first process flow can be serial from the first base module12(1) to the second base module12(2) to the fifth base module12(5) to the fourth base module12(4), and then back to the first base module12(1), and a second process flow can be serial from the first base module12(1) to the third base module12(3) to the sixth base module12(6) to the fourth base module12(4), and then back to the first base module12(1). Given the two serial process flows, a first platen16and a first t-shirt provided thereon can follow the first serial process flow, and then a second platen16and a second t-shirt provided thereon can follow second serial process flow in a staggered fashion with the first serial process flow (for the first platen16and the first t-shirt) starting and finishing first, and the second serial process flow (for the second platen16and the second t-shirt) starting and finishing second.

Such serial movement can be recurrent by unloading the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon at the first base module12(1), and repeating the first process flow by continually loading successive platens16and new t-shirts provided thereon on the first base module12(1) and into the first process flow; and unloading the second platen16and the second t-shirt provided thereon at the first base module12(1), and repeating second process flow by continually loading successive platens16and new t-shirts provided thereon on the first base module12(1) and into the second process flow. As such, the operator can load a successive platen16and a new t-shirt into the first process flow right after the operator unloads the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon from the first base module12(1). Thereafter, the operator can load a successive platen16and a new t-shirt into the second process flow after the operator unloads the second platen16and the second t-shirt from the first base module12(1).

Such serial movement can be perpetual by unloading the first t-shirt from the first platen16at the first base module12(1), reloading the first platen16with a new t-shirt, and repeating the first platen16with the new t-shirt through the first process flow, and by unloading the second t-shirt from the second platen16at the first base module12(2), reloading the second platen16with a new t-shirt, and repeating the second platen16with the new t-shirt through the second process flow. As there are six base modules in the embodiment ofFIG.9, and at least one of the six base modules12would be empty to afford using of the first and second process flows, up to an additional three platens16(for a total of five platens16) can be circulated through the first and second process flows. As such, after the t-shirts are unloaded from each of the five platens16at the first base module12(1), the operator continually can load new t-shirts on each of the five platens16, and each of the five platens16and the new t-shirts provided thereon can be directed into the first process flow or the second process flow in a staggered fashion.

Whether the serial process flows inFIG.9are recurrent or perpetual, a multitude of platens16and t-shirts can be progressing through the first and second process flows at the same time. Furthermore, the use of these identical process flows creates redundancy in the system, because if one of the first and second process flows is out of order, the other process flow can still continue operation. Additionally, rather than having the first serial process flow and the second serial process flow having the same operations applied to the t-shirts moved therethrough, the different process flows can incorporate different operations. For example, rather than having the second operational attachment18(2) at the third base module12(3) perform application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt, the second operational attachment18(2) can perform the application process for applying of the design to the t-shirt. Thereafter, the fourth operational attachment18(4) at the sixth base module12(4) can be used to perform the drying process on the design applied to the t-shirt by the second operational attachment18(2). Thus, a platen16and a t-shirt provided thereon could follow the first process flow for application and drying of the pretreatment, and then follow the second process flow for application and drying of the design. And in similar fashion to that described above, the first and second process incorporating different operations can be serial and recurrent or serial and perpetual.

As depicted inFIG.10, the modular manufacturing system10includes nine of the base modules12arranged with respect to one another. To illustrate, in similar fashion toFIG.9, the first base module12(1) is positioned between the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3), and the fourth base module12(4) is positioned between the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6). Furthermore, a seventh base module12(7) is positioned between an eighth base module12(8) and a ninth base module12(9) with the eighth base module12(8) adjacent the fourth side36of the seventh base module12(7) and the ninth base module12(9) adjacent the third side34of the seventh base module12(7).

As described above, control of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), the sixth base module12(6), the seventh base module12(7), the eighth base module12(8), and the ninth base module12(9) can be centralized or decentralized. Using the centralized or decentralized control, a platen16and an article (such as, for example, a t-shirt) provided thereon can be sent through the base modules12to progress from the beginning to the ending of the process flow to produce a finished or semi-finished product. In particular, when decentralized, the control units of each of the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), the sixth base module12(6), the seventh base module12(7), the eighth base module12(8), and the ninth base module12(9) can be running the independent control cycle, and using the independent control cycles, the first base module12(1), the second base module12(2), the third base module12(3), the fourth base module12(4), the fifth base module12(5), the sixth base module12(6), the seventh base module12(7), the eighth base module12(8), and the ninth base module12(9) can cooperate with one another to move the platen16and the t-shirt from the beginning to the ending of the process flow using the above-discussed ready to receive and ready to send determinations.

As depicted inFIG.10, first base module12(1) can perform a first operation, the second base module12(2) and the third base module12(3) each can perform a second operation, the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6) each can perform a third operation, the eighth base module12(8) and the ninth base module12(9) each perform a fourth operation, the seventh base module12(7) can perform a fifth operation, and the fourth base module12(4) can perform a sixth operation. During use, the platen16and the t-shirt supported thereby can enter the first base portion12(1) from the first side30, and then can be sent through the third side34thereof to the second base module12(2) or though the fourth side36thereof to the third base module12(3). As such, the platen16and the t-shirt can enter the first base module12(1) for the first operation to the t-shirt, then can be sent to one of the second base module12(2) or the third base module12(3) for the second operation to the t-shirt. Thereafter, the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the fifth base module12(5) from the second base module12(2), or can be sent to the sixth base module12(6) from the third base module12(3) for the third operation to the t-shirt. Then, the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the eighth base module12(8) from the fifth base module12(5), or can be sent to the ninth base module12(9) from the sixth base module12(6) for the fourth operation to the t-shirt. Thereafter, the platen16can be sent from the eight base module12(8) or the ninth base module12(9) to the seventh base module12(7) for the fifth operation to the t-shirt, then sent from the seventh base module12(7) to the fourth base module12(4) for the sixth operation to the t-shirt, and then returned from the fourth base module12(4) to the first base module12(1).

For example, with respect to the operations performed at these base modules12, the first base module12(1) can be used for loading/unloading of the platen16and the t-shirt, then the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the second base module12(2) or the third base module12(3) for application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt via operation of the first operational attachment18(1) (attached to the second base module12(2)) or the second operational attachment18(1) (attached to the third base module12(3)). After application of the pretreatment liquid to the t-shirt at the second base module12(2) or the third base module12(3), the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6), respectively. At the fifth base module12(5) and the sixth base module12(6), operation of the third operational attachment18(3) and a fourth operational attachment18(4), respectively, can perform the drying process for drying the pretreatment on the t-shirt. After the pretreatment is dried on the t-shirt at the fifth base module12(5) or the sixth base module12(6), the platen16and the t-shirt can be sent to the eighth base module12(8) and the ninth base module12(9), respectively. At the eighth base module12(8) and the ninth base module12(9), operation of a fifth operation attachment18(5) and a sixth operational attachment18(6), respectively, can perform the application process for applying of the design to the t-shirt. Thereafter, the platen16and t-shirt can be sent to the seventh base module12(7). At the seventh base module12(7), operation of a seventh operational attachment18(7) can perform the drying process for drying the design on the t-shirt. After drying of the design on the t-shirt, the platen16and the t-shirt can be move to the fourth base module12(4). Then, the fourth base module12(4) can serve as the waiting station, and can return the platen16and the t-shirt back to the first base module12(1) for unloading when the first base module12(1) is open.

Thus, inFIG.10, a first process flow can be serial from the first base module12(1) to the second base module12(2) to the fifth base module12(5) to the eighth base module12(8) to the seventh base module12(7) to the fourth base module12(4), and then back to the first base module12(1), and a second process flow can be serial from the first base module12(1) to the third base module12(3) to the sixth base module12(6) to the ninth base module12(9) to the seventh base module12(7) to the fourth base module12(4), and then back to the first base module12(1). Given the two serial process flows, a first platen16and a first t-shirt provided thereon can follow the first serial process flow, and then a second platen16and a second t-shirt provided thereon can follow second serial process flow in a staggered fashion with the first serial process flow (for the first platen16and the first t-shirt) starting and finishing first, and the second serial process flow (for the second platen16and the second t-shirt) starting and finishing second.

Such serial movement can be recurrent by unloading the first platen16and the first t-shirt provided thereon at the first base module12(1), and repeating the first process flow by having the operator continually loading successive platens16and new t-shirts on the first base module12(1) and into the first process flow, and unloading the second platen16and the second t-shirt provided thereon at the first base module12(1), and repeating the second process flow by continually having the operator loading successive platens16and new t-shirts one the first base module12(1) and into the second process flow.

And such serial movement can be perpetual by unloading the first t-shirt from the first platen16at first base module12(1), reloading the first platen16with a new t-shirt, and repeating the first platen16with the new t-shirt through the first process flow, and by unloading the second t-shirt from the second platen16at the first base module12(1), reloading the second platen16with a new t-shirt, and the repeating the second platen16with the new t-shirt through the second process flow. As there are nine base modules in the embodiment ofFIG.10, and at least one of the nine base modules12would be empty to afford using of the first and second process flows, up to an additional six platens16(for a total of eight platens16) can be circulated through the first and second process flows. As such, after the t-shirts are unloaded from each of the eight platens16at the first base module12(1), new t-shirts continually can be loaded by the operator on each of the eight platens16for direction into the first process flow and the second process flow in staggered fashion.

Whether the serial process flows inFIG.10are recurrent or perpetual, a multitude of platens16and t-shirts can be progressing through the first and second process flows at the same time Furthermore, the use of these identical process flows creates redundancy in the system, because if one of the first and second process flows is out of order, the other process flow can still continue operation. Additionally, rather than having the first serial process flow and the second serial process flow having the same operations applied to the t-shirts moved therethrough, the different process flows can incorporate different operations, and a platen16and a t-shirt provided thereon could follow the first process flow, and then follow the second process flow. And in similar fashion to that described above, the first and second process incorporating different operations can be serial and recurrent or serial and perpetual.

It should be understood that various aspects disclosed herein may be combined in different combinations than the combinations specifically presented in the description and the accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that, depending on the example, certain acts or events of any of the processes of methods described herein may be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., all described acts or events may not be necessary to carry out the techniques). In addition, while certain aspect of this disclosure are described as being performed by a single module or unit for purposes of clarity, it should be understood that the techniques of this disclosure may be performed by a combination of units or modules associated with the modular manufacturing system10.