Inverting conveyor system for flexible articles of manufacture

An apparatus for transporting an elastomeric cushioning element of a mattress, comprising:

• a first conveyor that:
• receives the elastomeric cushioning element in a first orientation, with a scrim fabric on an upward facing surface of the elastomeric cushioning element;
• moves the elastomeric cushioning element in a first direction;
• and
• includes an end from which a first end of the elastomeric cushioning element drops while the first conveyor moves the elastomeric cushioning element in the first direction;
• and
• a second conveyor that:
• is positioned partially beneath the first conveyor, with an end portion of the second conveyor extending laterally beyond the end of the first conveyor;
• receives the first end of the elastomeric cushioning element;
• and
• moves in a second direction opposite from the first direction of the first conveyor to progressively invert the elastomeric cushioning element to a second orientation, with the scrim fabric on a downward facing surface of the elastomeric cushioning element, and supports the elastomeric cushioning while another scrim fabric is secured to a second surface of the elastomeric cushioning element after progressively freeing the elastomeric cushioning element from movement in the first direction while progressively conveying progressively freed portions of the elastomeric cushioning in the second direction to progressively invert the progressively freed portions of the elastomeric cushioning element from the first orientation to the second orientation.

A method for conveying an elastomeric cushioning element, comprising:

• conveying the elastomeric cushioning element in a first direction with the elastomeric cushioning element in a first orientation, wherein the elastomeric cushioning element includes a scrim fabric on a first surface thereof upon conveying the elastomeric cushioning element in the first direction with the elastomeric cushioning element in the first orientation;
• freeing a first end of the elastomeric cushioning element;
• conveying the first end of the elastomeric cushioning element in a second direction opposite from the first direction while continuing to convey a remainder of the elastomeric cushioning element in the first direction to invert the elastomeric cushioning element from the first orientation to a second orientation opposite from the first orientation at the first end;
• progressively freeing the elastomeric cushioning element from movement in the first direction while progressively conveying progressively freed portions of the elastomeric cushioning in the second direction to progressively invert the progressively freed portions of the elastomeric cushioning element from the first orientation to the second orientation;
• and
• securing another scrim fabric to a second surface of the elastomeric cushioning element after progressively freeing the elastomeric cushioning element from movement in the first direction while progressively conveying progressively freed portions of the elastomeric cushioning in the second direction to progressively invert the progressively freed portions of the elastomeric cushioning element from the first orientation to the second orientation.