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US 5,749,133 AGranted
Method and apparatus for forming strings of pocketed springs
AssigneeSimmons Company
InventorsMichael W. Mauldin, Bernhard W. Kuchel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for forming strings of springs enclosed within pockets having flat overlapping side seams avoiding problems with false loft in mattress construction.
Claims23
Apparatus for constructing strings of coil springs wherein each of the coil springs is enclosed within individual fabric pockets having flat overlapping side seams comprising:
- a fabric in-feed mechanism having means for folding a flat web of fabric a first time to define a first flap and means for folding said web a second time to define a second flap underlying said first flap thereby defining a fabric tube having a flap side and a back side;
- means for separating said first flap from said underlying second flap to form an opening between said flaps;
- a coil spring inserter structured and dimensioned to insert a compressed coil spring through said opening into said fabric tube;
- means for closing said opening with said second flap underlying said first flap on said fabric tube and with said compressed coil spring enclosed within said tube;
- and
- means for interconnecting said closed first and second flaps.
3 more elements
A method of forming a string of coil springs wherein each of the coil springs is enclosed within an individual fabric pocket having flat overlapping side seams, the method comprising the steps of:
- folding an elongated web of fabric a first time to create a longitudinally extending first flap;
- folding said web of fabric a second time to create a second longitudinally extending flap which underlies said first flap laterally, thereby defining a fabric tube having a flap side and a back side with said first flap on said flap side laterally overlapping said second flap on said flap side;
- conveying said fabric tube longitudinally across a spring inserter in a manner such that said spring inserter separates said overlapping flaps thereby forming a laterally extending opening in said tube;
- inserting a compressed coil spring into the opening in said tube;
- conveying said fabric tube to an anvil and thereby closing the opening in said tube with said first flap laterally overlapping said second flap;
- and
- interconnecting said laterally overlapping first and second flaps to form a lap seal therebetween.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.