Patent ID: 6336305
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B68G

Abstract:
A system for forming a string for forming a string of pocketed coil springs, each of the springs being enclosed within a pocket formed of fabric, the system comprising:a spring insertion station at which compressed springs are individually inserted between first and second plies of the fabric; a longitudinal seam forming station located downstream from the spring insertion station, the longitudinal seam forming station joining by welding, stitching, or stapling the first and second plies of the fabric together to form a longitudinal seam proximate free edges of the first and second plies; a spring expansion station located downstream from the longitudinal seam forming station, the spring expansion station permitting the springs to at least partially expand between the first and second plies so that a longitudinal axis of each psring is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal seam; a transverse seam forming station forming a transverse seam in the fabric to separate each pair of adjacent springs and thereby enclose each of the springs within a fabric pocket when inserted therein; and a transport station which advances the fabric and springs contained therein through the respective stations; wherein the transport station further comprises a pair of rotating transport members spaced on opposite sides of the fabric and located downstream from the spring expansion station, each of the pair of the rotating transport members comprises a pluarlity of arcuate shaped recesses, each of the recesses of the rotating transport member on one side of the fabric combine with one of the recesses of the rotating transport member on the opposite side of the fabric to partially surround each spring and the surrounding fabric, each of the rotating transport members making complete revolutions about a fixed axis of rotation to thereby pull the fabric and springs contained therein through the respective stations.