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: A spring transfer apparatus is shown generally at 1000. The apparatus comprises a wheel-like placement member 1100 which, in use, is driven to rotate in the direction of Arrow A1 about a central hub 1110 by a motor (not shown). The placement wheel 1100 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced spoke portions 1120 defining therebetween a series of spring chambers 1130. A magnetic base plate 1200 is arranged beneath the wheel 1100 and is arranged to receive a coil spring S which is deposited by a spring forming apparatus (not shown) of a known type, located above the plate 1200. As the wheel rotates, the spring is urged by the spokes 1120 along the magnetic base plate 1200 towards an arcuate compression stage 1300, comprising a pair of plates 1310 and 1320 that are axially spaced above and below the spring. The plates initially converge in a chamfer in the direction of rotation of the wheel 1100 causing the springs to become partly axially compressed as they transit between the plates.

Abstract: Spring transfer apparatus comprises a wheel (200), having a hub (210) and a plurality of spokes (220) extending radially therefrom and arranged to receive between them individual coil springs S produced in a coiling head, represented at (220) via a pair of rotating transfer brushes (230). In use, the wheel is driven to rotate in the direction of Arrows A1. At their distal ends, the spokes pass through a slotted compression chute (240) and the springs S located between the spokes become compressed during their passage through the chute. When the springs reach the lowermost point in the rotation, at which they are maximally compressed, the springs are pushed axially with respect to the hub (210) towards pre-prepared webs W of pocketing material that have been joined together at locations L to form pockets P for receiving the springs and which are travelling in the direction of Arrow A2.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a resilient unit comprises a conveyor and first and second spring supply stations, arranged in use to deposit respectively first and second spring types and under compression onto the conveyor. At the pocketing station the springs are urged from the conveyor into positions between upper and lower sheets, by a plurality of inserter devices that move together in a reciprocating fashion, before retracting to the position shown. Upper and lower computer-controlled welding tools come together at positions between the springs to join the sheets together. After each welding event the resilient unit is indexed forwards a distance equal to one pocket width in the direction by computer-controlled drive means. The next row of springs is then conveyed into position ready for insertion between the sheets of material, and the process is repeated.

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 flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pocketed resilient unit (130), such as for a mattress core, comprises integral pocketed resilient elements (110) arranged in clusters (240), wherein each integral pocketed resilient element in a cluster is attached to at least one other integral pocketed resilient element, and wherein the clusters define interstices (250), in at least some of which are located independent resilient elements (260).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A resilient unit has strings of individual coil springs (not shown) inside pockets 120 are arranged in an array. The strings together form a spring unit and are each secured to a common cover sheet S, which comprises a non-woven elastic fabric. It is welded ultrasonically or thermally whilst under tension in one or both of its major dimensions—i.e. in-plane—to the pockets 120, the material of which is substantially inelastic and non-woven. In this example the welds, labelled W, are located substantially centrally with respect to the generally circular end surfaces of the pockets.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a pocketed spring unit, comprising a plurality of strings of pocketed springs and at least one cover sheet, comprises welding tools for welding together the pocketing material and the sheet. One of the welding tools is provided with a cutter for cutting the pocket prior to welding. The tool travels in the direction of Arrow A1, so that the cutter penetrates the pocketing material substantially centrally at the circular proximal end face of the pocket. Once inside the pocket, the tool moves axially through the centre of the spring until it reaches the distal end face of the pocket. Before the end face is reached, the piercing member becomes retracted in the direction of Arrow A2, so that the blade does not pierce the distal end face of the pocket.

Abstract: A pocketed spring unit comprising an array of springs 120 located in pockets 180 formed by discrete superposed webs 140 of pocketing material joined together by welds W between the springs, wherein the welds are located at alternately opposite ends of the pocketed springs. FIG. 1 shows generally a pocketed spring unit at a first stage of manufacture. A row of coil springs 120 (only the end one of which is visible) is introduced by an inserter mechanism 130 into position between axially disposed webs 140a and 140b of pocketing material. The webs 140a and 140b are fed from supply reels (not shown via guide rollers 150. The springs 120 are partly compressed and are pushed between plates 160 towards the webs 140 by the inserter 130 in the direction of Arrow A1. Once the springs are between the webs 140 a pair of ultrasonic welding tools 170a and 170b joins the webs together at weld locations W between the springs to form individual pockets 180 for the springs.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A spring forming apparatus is shown generally at 200, in which metal wire 220 is fed from a supply (not shown) by feed rollers 230, via irregularity-effecting rollers 240 to a forming station 250. The forming station comprises a first deflector 260 and a second deflector 270. When the spring S is complete, it separates automatically from the rest of the wire 220 due to the presence of an irregularity 280, without the need for a cutter device.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, devices, and other implementations, including a method for the production of a pocketed spring unit that includes compressing a plurality of springs, moving the springs to positions between upper and lower layers of fabric or other material, step-wise advancing the material and the springs in a spring unit output direction, and welding together the lengths of fabric or other material at each step-wise advancement to produce a pattern of welds in which are formed a plurality of discrete pockets, each containing a spring.