Apparatus for forming a resilient unit comprises a conveyor 210 and first and second spring supply stations 212 and 214, arranged in use to deposit respectively first and second spring types 216 and 218 under compression onto the conveyor. The conveyor is arranged in use to convey a row of the springs 216, 218 in a direction shown by Arrows A4 towards pocketing station 220. At the pocketing station 220 the springs are urged from the conveyor into positions between upper and lower sheets 222 and 224, by a plurality of inserter devices 226 that move together in a reciprocating fashion in the direction of arrow A5, before retracting to the position shown. After each row of springs is inserted between the sheets 222, upper and lower computer-controlled welding tools (not shown) come together at positions P between the springs to join the sheets together, forming pockets in which the springs are encased. After each welding event the resilient unit is indexed forwards a distance equal to one pocket width in the direction of Arrows A6 by computer-controlled drive means (not shown). The next row of springs is then conveyed into position ready for insertion between the sheets of material, and the process is repeated. The two spring supply stations are arranged to supply springs that differ from one another in at least one characteristic.

Apparatus for forming a resilient unit comprises a conveyor 210 and first and second spring supply stations 212 and 214, arranged in use to deposit respectively first and second spring types 216 and 218 under compression onto the conveyor. The conveyor is arranged in use to convey a row of the springs 216, 218 in a direction shown by Arrows A4 towards pocketing station 220. At the pocketing station 220 the springs are urged from the conveyor into positions between upper and lower sheets 222 and 224, by a plurality of inserter devices 226 that move together in a reciprocating fashion in the direction of arrow A5, before retracting to the position shown. After each row of springs is inserted between the sheets 222, upper and lower computer-controlled welding tools (not shown) come together at positions P between the springs to join the sheets together, forming pockets in which the springs are encased. After each welding event the resilient unit is indexed forwards a distance equal to one pocket width in the direction of Arrows A6 by computer-controlled drive means (not shown). The next row of springs is then conveyed into position ready for insertion between the sheets of material, and the process is repeated. The two spring supply stations are arranged to supply springs that differ from one another in at least one characteristic.

In order to manufacture an innerspring unit comprising pocketed springs and having an increased stability at its edge regions, in a first step, an innerspring main body comprising a plurality of first strings of pocketed springs is provided. In a subsequent second step, at least one second string of pocketed springs is attached to a lateral surface of the innerspring main body, so that the at least one second string of pocketed springs extends in a longitudinal direction of the innerspring main body. The springs of the at least one second string of pocketed springs have a spring characteristic or a spring geometry different from the springs of the plurality of first strings of the innerspring main body. The at least one second string of pocketed springs forms together with the innerspring main body the innerspring unit.

In order to manufacture an innerspring unit comprising pocketed springs and having an increased stability at its edge regions, in a first step, an innerspring main body comprising a plurality of first strings of pocketed springs is provided. In a subsequent second step, at least one second string of pocketed springs is attached to a lateral surface of the innerspring main body, so that the at least one second string of pocketed springs extends in a longitudinal direction of the innerspring main body. The springs of the at least one second string of pocketed springs have a spring characteristic or a spring geometry different from the springs of the plurality of first strings of the innerspring main body. The at least one second string of pocketed springs forms together with the innerspring main body the innerspring unit.

Disclosed are a welding apparatus and manufacturing method for a multilayer pocket spring string, and a manufacturing device for a pocket spring mattress. The welding apparatus may include: at least one first welding module configured for welding cloth, so that an accommodating cavity for accommodating a spring is separated to form at least two layers of first cavities; at least one first driving mechanism configured for driving the first welding module to move along a layer-column direction of the first cavity; a second welding module configured for welding the cloth, so that the cloth forms the accommodating cavities arranged at intervals; and at least two spring conveying mechanisms arranged at intervals, the spring conveying mechanism is configured for clamping and conveying the spring into the corresponding first cavity.

Disclosed are a welding apparatus and manufacturing method for a multilayer pocket spring string, and a manufacturing device for a pocket spring mattress. The welding apparatus may include: at least one first welding module configured for welding cloth, so that an accommodating cavity for accommodating a spring is separated to form at least two layers of first cavities; at least one first driving mechanism configured for driving the first welding module to move along a layer-column direction of the first cavity; a second welding module configured for welding the cloth, so that the cloth forms the accommodating cavities arranged at intervals; and at least two spring conveying mechanisms arranged at intervals, the spring conveying mechanism is configured for clamping and conveying the spring into the corresponding first cavity.

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.

A resilient unit comprises a number of wire coil springs 12, each of which is located within its own discrete pocket 14 formed by first, upper and second, lower layers 14a and 14b of material, preferably of non-woven material. The two layers 14a and 14b have been thermally, or ultrasonically, welded together at points 16 between the adjacent springs to create the pockets. The upper layer of material 14a differs from the lower layer of material 14b in respect of at least one characteristic.

A resilient unit comprises a number of wire coil springs 12, each of which is located within its own discrete pocket 14 formed by first, upper and second, lower layers 14a and 14b of material, preferably of non-woven material. The two layers 14a and 14b have been thermally, or ultrasonically, welded together at points 16 between the adjacent springs to create the pockets. The upper layer of material 14a differs from the lower layer of material 14b in respect of at least one characteristic.