Patent ID: 6834477
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: B65B,B68G

Abstract:
A method of forming a string of pocketed coil springs comprising the steps of:feeding a supply of fabric having first and second generally parallel plies of the fabric; inserting a series of compressed springs between the first and second plies; joining the first and second plies together to form a longitudinal seam proximate free edges of the first and second plies opposite from the longitudinal fold line; allowing the springs to at least partially expand within the fabric so that a longitudinal axis of each of the springs is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal seam of the fabric; controlling the expansion of the springs by a pair of spaced rotating members with the springs therebetween; wherein the axes of rotation of the rotating members are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the springs and each rotating member comprises a band passing over spaced rollers; wherein a separation distance between the bands increases in a downstream direction to thereby control the expansion of the springs between the bands; engaging the fabric with a plurality of projections extending from at least one of the bands; and forming a transverse seam in the fabric generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the springs and between adjacent springs to thereby enclose each of the springs within a fabric pocket.