Abstract: An apparatus for welding together webs, the apparatus comprising first and second weld tools, wherein at least the first weld tool is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a substantially cylindrical surface on which is located a welding contact portion, and wherein the welding contact portion extends at least partly circumferentially around the cylindrical surface and at least partly axially along the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming wire components, which are in this example springs, comprises a supply station (202), for supplying spring forming material, such as metallic wire W. The supply station includes a pair of guide rollers (204) and pair of driven feed rollers (206), mounted on a heavy support plate (216). The wire is fed through a flexible sheath FS to a remotely located wire shaping device, in particular a spring forming device 208, comprising forming tools (210), a pitch control tool (212) and a cutter (214). The forming tools (210) and the pitch control tool (212) form the wire into a spring S, which is cut from the supply of wire when it is complete. The tools (210, 212) and cutter (214) are controlled remotely from a control station (220) via a bundle of flexible control cables (222), which may include a power cable.

Abstract: A resilient unit suitable for providing comfort, convenience, support or protection is described. The unit typically takes the form of a pad comprising a plurality of pocketed coil springs arranged in an array, each spring being substantially encased in an individual pocket, and the unit being compressible in the axial direction of the springs, wherein each spring comprises a number of coils, and in respect of at least some springs the coils at opposed ends are of different diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming wire components, which are in this example springs, comprises a supply station (202), for supplying spring forming material, such as metallic wire W. The supply station includes a pair of guide rollers (204) and pair of driven feed rollers (206), mounted on a heavy support plate (216). The wire is fed through a flexible sheath FS to a remotely located wire shaping device, in particular a spring forming device 208, comprising forming tools (210), a pitch control tool (212) and a cutter (214). The forming tools (210) and the pitch control tool (212) form the wire into a spring S, which is cut from the supply of wire when it is complete. The tools (210, 212) and cutter (214) are controlled remotely from a control station (220) via a bundle of flexible control cables (222), which may include a power cable.