The present invention concerns a spring core (1, la, 12, 13, 17, 18) that may be used in e.g. bed mattresses, chairs or sofas. The spring core (1, 1a, 12, 13, 17, 18) comprises springs placed inside pocket (3). The pockets (3) are placed in a number of rows, which rows of pockets (3) are placed side by side. The spring core (1, 1a, 12, 13, 17, 18) is held in a compressed state by means of at least one cord (5). The at least one cord (5) is formed into braids (6) at opposite outer ends (7) of each row of pockets (3). Further, the at least one cord (4) forms a number of loops (8) on at least one side of each row of pockets (3). By pulling at one free end (10) of the at least one cord (5) the braids (6) and loops (8) are dissolved, allowing the spring core (1) to return to the non-compressed state.

The present invention concerns a spring core (1, 1a, 12, 13, 17, 18) that may be used in e.g. bed mattresses, chairs or sofas. The spring core (1, 1a, 12, 13, 17, 18) comprises springs placed inside pocket (3). The pockets (3) are placed in a number of rows, which rows of pockets (3) are placed side by side. The spring core (1, 1a, 12, 13, 17, 18) is held in a compressed state by means of at least one cord (5). The at least one cord (5) is formed into braids (6) at opposite outer ends (7) of each row of pockets (3). Further, the at least one cord (4) forms a number of loops (8) on at least one side of each row of pockets (3). By pulling at one free end (10) of the at least one cord (5) the braids (6) and loops (8) are dissolved, allowing the spring core (1) to return to the non-compressed state.

A conveyor (400) for transporting articles, such as coils springs, is described. The conveyor comprises a substrate (420) for supporting articles during transportation, and a plurality of retaining members (520) located on the substrate for retaining the articles during transportation. The retaining members (520) each comprise a mounting portion (530) for mounting to the substrate (420). A containment portion (540) comprises proximal and distal parts (540a) and (540b) define a space therebetween for receiving a coil spring (100) under compression. Slots (550a) and (550b) in the containment parts are aligned for receiving pushers.

A conveyor (400) for transporting articles, such as coils springs, is described. The conveyor comprises a substrate (420) for supporting articles during transportation, and a plurality of retaining members (520) located on the substrate for retaining the articles during transportation. The retaining members (520) each comprise a mounting portion (530) for mounting to the substrate (420). A containment portion (540) comprises proximal and distal parts (540a) and (540b) define a space therebetween for receiving a coil spring (100) under compression. Slots (550a) and (550b) in the containment parts are aligned for receiving pushers.

A mechanism for inserting coil springs (10) produced by multiple coil winding devices of a pocketed coil assembly machine (100) between fabrics (21, 22) for forming pockets enclosing the coil springs (10) is provided. The mechanism comprises belt conveyor mechanisms (200) with multiple parallel conveyor belts, which may be individually controlled. Each of the conveyor belts is associated with a respective one of the coil winding devices and is configured to receive coil springs (10) produced by the respective coil winding device. The mechanism further comprises a push mechanism (420) configured to push the coil springs (10) arranged on the conveyor belts, in a direction transversal to a conveying direction of the conveyor belts, between the fabrics and into a welding stage (500) of the pocketed spring assembly machine (100).

A mechanism for inserting coil springs (10) produced by multiple coil winding devices of a pocketed coil assembly machine (100) between fabrics (21, 22) for forming pockets enclosing the coil springs (10) is provided. The mechanism comprises belt conveyor mechanisms (200) with multiple parallel conveyor belts, which may be individually controlled. Each of the conveyor belts is associated with a respective one of the coil winding devices and is configured to receive coil springs (10) produced by the respective coil winding device. The mechanism further comprises a push mechanism (420) configured to push the coil springs (10) arranged on the conveyor belts, in a direction transversal to a conveying direction of the conveyor belts, between the fabrics and into a welding stage (500) of the pocketed spring assembly machine (100).

A system for manufacturing a string of pocketed coil springs comprising: a coil-forming subsystem that produces two coil springs; a spring transporter subsystem that receives the two coil springs at a first position and conveys the two coil springs to a second position; a spring compressor subsystem that compresses the two coil springs; a fabric-folding subsystem that receives a piece of fabric and folds the fabric to create an open side; a spring inserter subsystem that receives the two compressed coil springs and inserts the two compressed coil springs between top and bottom surfaces of a folded piece of fabric; two welder subsystems that form first and second welds between top and bottom surfaces of the folded piece of fabric, the first welds and the second welds forming a plurality of pockets in the fabric, each of the plurality of pockets comprising a compressed coil spring.

A system for manufacturing a string of pocketed coil springs comprising: a coil-forming subsystem that produces two coil springs; a spring transporter subsystem that receives the two coil springs at a first position and conveys the two coil springs to a second position; a spring compressor subsystem that compresses the two coil springs; a fabric-folding subsystem that receives a piece of fabric and folds the fabric to create an open side; a spring inserter subsystem that receives the two compressed coil springs and inserts the two compressed coil springs between top and bottom surfaces of a folded piece of fabric; two welder subsystems that form first and second welds between top and bottom surfaces of the folded piece of fabric, the first welds and the second welds forming a plurality of pockets in the fabric, each of the plurality of pockets comprising a compressed coil spring.

A pocketed spring assembly comprises a plurality of parallel strings of individually pocketed springs. A dimensionally stabilizing substrate is secured to at least some of the strings on one of the top and bottom surfaces of the strings. A scrim sheet is secured to at least some of the strings on an opposed surface of the strings to maintain the positions of the strings. The dimensionally stabilizing substrate is laterally rigid enough to maintain length and width dimensions of the coil spring assembly. However, the dimensionally stabilizing substrate is flexible enough to allow the pocketed spring assembly to be roll packed for shipping.

A pocketed spring assembly comprises a plurality of parallel strings of individually pocketed springs. A dimensionally stabilizing substrate is secured to at least some of the strings on one of the top and bottom surfaces of the strings. A scrim sheet is secured to at least some of the strings on an opposed surface of the strings to maintain the positions of the strings. The dimensionally stabilizing substrate is laterally rigid enough to maintain length and width dimensions of the coil spring assembly. However, the dimensionally stabilizing substrate is flexible enough to allow the pocketed spring assembly to be roll packed for shipping.