Abstract: Methods for simultaneously producing different products on a single production line are disclosed. The method may be used to produce different fluent products and other types of products including assembled products. In some cases, the method includes providing a plurality of articles which are components of the products to be produced. The method further involves providing a track system and a plurality of vehicles for the articles. At least some of the vehicles may be independently routable around the track system. The method further includes simultaneously sending one article-loaded vehicle to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a product is performed and another article-loaded vehicle to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a different product is performed.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously filling containers of different shapes and/or sizes are disclosed. A plurality of vehicles are routable along a track system to facilitate simultaneous delivery of first containers and second containers to different unit operation stations. The first and second containers may differ from one another in outer shape and/or interior volume.

Abstract: A system and method for producing customized products intermixed with mass produced products are disclosed. The system and method utilize an automated track system and a plurality of vehicles that are independently routable along the track system. The track system includes a primary transport path and at least one secondary transport path. At least some vehicles may be independently routable along the track system to deliver first and second vehicles, with the respective first and second articles, to at least one of at least two unit operation stations. The first article and the second article are routable so that: the first article is routable to form a customized product; and the second article is routable separate from the first article to form part of a stream of mass produced products.

Abstract: A system and method for independently routing container-located vehicles to create different finished products are disclosed. The vehicles are independently routable along a track system to deliver the containers to at least one unit operation station. At least some of the vehicles have a unique route associated therewith that is assigned by a control system to facilitate simultaneous production of different finished products.

Abstract: An outdoor smoking system including a smoking device coupled to a cooking vessel. The smoking device includes a feed chute for continuously supplying fuel to a burning chamber without user intervention. The feed chute is positioned above the burning chamber to gravity feed the fuel into the burning chamber. A grate positioned in the bottom wall of the burning chamber allows ash created by the burning to fall out of the chamber into an ash tray. As ash leaves the chamber through the grate, additional fuel in the feed chute is allowed to enter, maintaining a substantially constant burning mass in the burning chamber.