Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a comfort layer for bedding and seating products. More
particularly, this invention relates to a pocketed spring comfort layer for use in
seating or bedding products.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Comfort layers are commonly used in seating or bedding products above/below a core,
which may or may not include a spring assembly. Such comfort layers may include foam,
fiber and gel products.
U.S. Patent No. 8,087,114 discloses a comfort layer made of pocketed springs. Such spring assemblies may be
made of strings of individually pocketed coil springs joined together or multiple
coil springs joined together by helical lacing wires.
[0003] Spring cores may be generally covered on the top and often on the bottom by pads
of resilient foam as, for example, a pad of urethane or latex/urethane mix of foamed
material. Within the last several years, more expensive cushions or mattresses have
had the spring cores covered by a visco-elastic foam pad, which is slow acting or
latex foam, which is faster acting than visco-elastic foam. That is, the visco-elastic
foam pad is slow to compress under load and slow to recover to its original height
when the load is removed from the visco-elastic foam pad. These visco-elastic pads,
as well as the latex pads, impart a so-called luxury feel to the mattress or cushion.
These pads also, because of their closed cell structure, retain heat and are slow
to dissipate body heat when a person sits or lies atop such a foam pad-containing
cushion or mattress.
[0004] Individually pocketed spring cores have been made with fabric material semi-impermeable
to airflow through the fabric material, as more fully explained below.
U.S. Patent No. 7,636,972 discloses such a pocketed spring core.
[0005] European Patent No.
EP 1707081 discloses a pocketed spring mattress in which each pocket has a ventilation hole
in order to improve the airflow into and out of the pocket. However, one drawback
to such a product, depending upon the fabric used in the product, is that the fabric
of the pocket may create "noise", as the sound is named in the industry. Such noise
may be created by the fabric expanding upon removal of the load due to the coil spring's
upwardly directed force on the fabric.
CN204273903U discloses a comfort layer according to the preamble of claim 1 of the present invention.
[0006] It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a comfort layer for a seating
or bedding product, which has the same luxury feel as a visco-elastic or latex pad-containing
comfort layer, but without the heat retention characteristics of such a comfort layer.
[0007] Still another objective of this invention has been to provide one or more layers
for a seating or bedding product having the same or a similar slow-to-compress and
slow-to-recover to its original height luxury feel as memory foam.
Summary of the Invention
[0008] The invention, which accomplishes these objectives, comprises the features of independent
claim 1. The dependent claims define preferred and/or advantageous embodiments of
the invention.
[0009] Any of the embodiments of comfort layer shown or described herein may be incorporated
into a bedding product, such as a mattress, foundation or pillow. Further, any of
the embodiments of comfort layer shown or described herein may be incorporated into
a seating product, such as a vehicle seat and/or office or residential furniture,
such as a recliner. Alternatively, any of the embodiments of comfort layer shown or
described herein may be sold independently as a retail or wholesale item. In such
an application, the comfort layer may be added to and/or removed from a bedding or
seating product by a customer.
[0010] The comfort layer of the present invention, whether incorporated inside a bedding
or seating product, or manufactured and sold as a separate product, provides an additional
cooling effect to the product due to airflow through the comfort layer, including
between adjacent pockets. The amount of airflow between pockets may be changed by
changing the size of the teeth or slots on a welding tool, including an ultrasonic
welding tool. This is an easy way to adjust airflow inside a comfort layer and out
of the comfort layer without changing the fabric material of the comfort layer.
[0011] Another advantage of this invention is that the comfort layer allows air to flow
between pockets inside a pocketed spring comfort layer and either exit or enter the
comfort layer along the periphery or edge of the comfort layer, such airflow contributing
to the luxurious "feel" of any bedding or seating product incorporating the comfort
layer. The comfort layer of the present invention has the slow-acting compression
and height recovery characteristics of heretofore expensive visco-elastic foam comfort
layers, but without the undesirable heat retention characteristics of such foam comfort
layers.
[0012] By restricting airflow through the seams of a pocketed spring comfort layer, a manufacturer
of the comfort layer may create a comfort layer with a luxury feel without using any
foam in a cost effective manner.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily apparent
from the following drawings, in which:
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a bedding product incorporating
an example of a comfort layer not forming part of this invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the comfort layer of Fig. 1 being manufactured;
Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a portion of the machine of Fig. 2, the coil springs
being inserted into predetermined positions;
Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a beginning portion of the manufacturing process
using the machine of Figs. 2 and 2A;
Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the springs being compressed in the manufacturing
process using the machine of Figs. 2 and 2A;
Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the springs being laterally moved in the manufacturing
process using the machine of Figs. 2 and 2A;
Fig. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the upper ply of fabric being moved in the manufacturing
process using the machine of Figs. 2 and 2A;
Fig. 3E is a cross-sectional view of one of the springs being sealed in the manufacturing
process using the machine of Figs. 2 and 2A;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the comfort layer of Fig. 1
partially disassembled and showing a portion of a welding tool;
Fig. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the comfort layer of Fig.
1 partially disassembled and showing a portion of another welding tool;
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the comfort layer of Fig. 1, the arrows
showing airflow inside the comfort layer;
Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5A-5A of Fig. 5;
Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative example of a comfort
layer not forming part of the invention and having a different fabric;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of another example of a comfort layer not forming
part of the invention, the arrows showing airflow inside the comfort layer;
Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6A-6A of Fig. 6;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a bedding product incorporating
an embodiment of a comfort layer in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the comfort layer of Fig. 7 being manufactured;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the comfort layer of Fig. 7
partially disassembled and showing a portion of a welding tool;
Fig. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the comfort layer of Fig.
7 partially disassembled and showing a portion of another welding tool;
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a portion of the comfort layer of Fig. 7, the arrows
showing airflow inside the comfort layer;
Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10A-10A of Fig. 10;
Fig. 10B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment having a
different fabric;
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a corner portion of the comfort layer of Fig. 1, the
arrows showing airflow into and out of the comfort layer;
Fig. 11A is a top plan view of a corner portion of the comfort layer of Fig. 7, the
arrows showing airflow into and out of the comfort layer;
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a corner portion of another example of a comfort layer
not forming part of the invention;
Fig. 12A is a top plan view of a corner portion of another example of a comfort layer
not forming part of the invention;
Fig. 13A is a perspective view of a posturized comfort layer not forming part of the
invention; and
Fig. 13B is a perspective view of another posturized comfort layer not forming part
of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
[0015] With reference to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a single-sided mattress 10 incorporating
one example of a comfort layer not forming part of this invention. This mattress 10
comprises a spring core 12 over the top of which there is a conventional cushioning
pad 14 which may be partially or entirely made of foam or fiber or gel, etc. The cushioning
pad 14 may be covered by a comfort layer 16 constructed in accordance with the present
invention. A second conventional cushioning pad 14 may be located above the comfort
layer 16. In some applications, one or both of the cushioning pads 14 may be omitted.
This complete assembly may be mounted upon a base 18 and is completely enclosed within
an upholstered cover 20.
[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, mattress 10 has a longitudinal dimension or length L, a transverse
dimension or width W and a height H. Although the length L is shown as being greater
than the width W, they may be identical. The length, width and height may be any desired
distance and are not intended to be limited by the drawings.
[0017] While several embodiments of comfort layer are illustrated and described as being
embodied in a single-sided mattress, any of the comfort layers shown or described
herein may be used in a single-sided mattress, double-sided mattress or seating cushion.
In the event that any such comfort layer is utilized in connection with a double-sided
product, then the bottom side of the product's core may have a comfort layer applied
over the bottom side of the core and either comfort layer may be covered by one or
more cushioning pads made of any conventional material. According to the practice
of this invention, though, either the cushioning pad or pads, on top and/or bottom
of the core, may be omitted. The novel features of the present invention reside in
the comfort layer and/or the product's pocketed core.
[0018] Although spring core 12 is illustrated being made of unpocketed coil springs held
together with helical lacing wires, the core of any of the products, such as mattresses
shown or described herein, may be made wholly or partially of pocketed coil springs
(see Figs. 7 and 14), one or more foam pieces (not shown) or any combination thereof.
Any of the comfort layers described or shown herein may be used in any single or double-sided
bedding or seating product having any conventional core. The core may be any conventional
core including, but not limited to, pocketed or conventional spring cores.
[0019] Fig. 4 illustrates the components of one example of a comfort layer 16 not forming
part of the invention and incorporated into the mattress 10 shown in Fig. 1. The comfort
layer 16 comprises a first or upper ply of fabric 22 and a second or lower ply of
fabric 24 with a plurality of mini coil springs 28 therebetween. The fabric plies
22, 24 are joined together with circular containments or seams 30, each seam 30 surrounding
a mini coil spring 28. Each circular containment or seam 30 comprises multiple arced
or curved weld segments 26 with gaps 31 therebetween. The first and second plies of
fabric 22, 24 are joined together along each arced or curved weld segment 26 of each
circular containment or seam 30. The first and second plies of fabric 22, 24 are not
joined together along each gap 31 between adjacent weld segments 26 of each circular
containment or seam 30. The curved weld segments 26 are strategically placed around
a mini coil spring 28 and create the circular containment or seam 30. The two plies
of fabric 22, 24, in combination with one of the the circular weld seams 30, define
a cylindrical-shaped pocket 44, inside of which is at least one resilient member such
as a mini coil spring 28. See Figs. 5 and 5A.
[0020] During the welding process, the mini coil springs 28 may be at least partially compressed
before pocket 44 is closed and thereafter. If desired, resilient members other than
mini coil springs, such as foam or plastic or gel or a combination thereof, may be
used. Each of the resilient members may return to its original configuration after
a load is removed from the pockets in which the resilient members are located.
[0021] The size of the curved weld segments 26 of seams 30 are not intended to be limited
by the illustrations; they may be any desired size depending upon the airflow desired
inside the comfort layer. Similarly, the size, i.e., diameter of the illustrated seams
30, is not intended to be limiting. The placement of the seams 30 shown in the drawings
is not intended to be limiting either. For example, the seams 30 may be organized
into aligned rows and columns, as shown in Figs. 5 and 5A or organized with adjacent
columns being offset from each other, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 6A. Any desired
arrangement of seams may be incorporated into any example shown or described herein.
[0022] The weld segments may assume shapes other than the curved weld segments illustrated.
For example, the welds or seams may be circular around mini coil springs, but the
weld segments may assume other shapes, such as triangles or circles or ovals of the
desired size and pattern to obtain the desired airflow between adjacent pockets inside
the comfort layer and into or out of the perimeter of the comfort layer.
[0023] In any of the embodiments shown or described herein, the mini coil springs 28 may
be any desired size. One mini coil spring in a relaxed condition may be approximately
two inches tall, have a diameter of approximately three inches and be made of seventeen
and one-half gauge wire. While compressed inside one of the pockets 44, each of the
mini coil springs 28 may be approximately one and one-half inches tall. However, the
mini coil springs 28 in a relaxed condition may be any desired height, have any desired
shape, such as an hourglass or barrel shape, have any desired diameter and/or be made
of any desired wire thickness or gauge.
[0024] With reference to Fig. 4, there is illustrated a portion of a mobile ultrasonic welding
horn 32 and anvil 42. The movable ultrasonic welding horn 32 has a plurality of spaced
cut-outs or slots 34 along its lower edge 36. The remaining portions 38 of the ultrasonic
welding horn's bottom 36 between the slots 34 are the portions which weld the two
pieces of fabric 22, 24 together and create the curved weld segments 26. Along the
ultrasonic welding horn's bottom edge 36, the ultrasonic welding horn 32 can be milled
to make the slots a desired length to allow a desired airflow between the curved weld
segments 26 as illustrated by the arrows 40 of Fig. 5. The airflows affect the feel/compression
of the individually pocketed mini coil springs 28 when a user lays on the mattress
10.
[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, underneath the second ply 24 is an anvil 42 comprising a steel
plate of 3/8
th inch thickness. However, the anvil may be any desired thickness. During the manufacturing
process, the ultrasonic welding horn 32 contacts the anvil 42, the two plies of fabric
22, 24 therebetween, to create the circular weld seams 30 and hence, cylindrical-shaped
pockets 44, at least one spring being in each pocket 44.
[0026] These curved weld segments 26 are created by the welding horn 32 of a machine (not
shown) having multiple spaced protrusions 38 on the ultrasonic welding horn 32. As
a result of these circular weld seams 30 joining plies 22, 24, the plies 22, 24 define
a plurality of spring-containing pockets 44 of the comfort layer 16. One or more mini
coil springs 28 may be contained within an individual pocket 44.
[0027] Fig. 4A illustrates another apparatus for forming the circular weld seams 30 comprising
multiple curved weld segments 26 having gaps 31 therebetween for airflow. In this
apparatus, the ultrasonic welding horn 32a has no protrusions on its bottom surface
39. Instead, the bottom surface 39 of ultrasonic welding horn 32a is smooth. As shown
in Fig. 4A, the anvil 42a has a plurality of curved projections 41, which together
form a projection circle 43. A plurality of projection circles 43 extend upwardly
from the generally planar upper surface 45 of anvil 42a. When the ultrasonic welding
horn 32a moves downwardly and sandwiches the plies 22, 24 of fabric between one of
the projection circles 43 and the smooth bottom surface 39 of ultrasonic welding horn
32a, a circular weld seam 30 is created, as described above. Thus, a plurality of
pockets 44 are created by the circular weld seams 30, each pocket 44 containing at
least one mini coil spring 28.
[0028] In the examples in which the fabric material of plies 22, 24 defining pockets 44
and enclosing the mini coil springs 28 therein is non-permeable or impermeable to
airflow, upon being subjected to a load, a pocket 44 containing at least one mini
coil spring 28 is compressed by compressing the mini coil spring(s) 28 and air contained
within the pocket 44. Air exits the pocket 44 through gaps 31 between the curved weld
segments 26 of the circular weld seams 30. Similarly, when a load is removed from
the pocket 44, the mini coil spring 28 separates the fabric layers 22, 24, and air
re-enters the pocket 44 through the gaps 31 between the curved weld segments 26 of
the circular weld seams 30. As shown in Fig. 5, the size of the gaps 31 between the
segments 26 of circular seams 30 of perimeter pockets 44 defines how quickly air may
enter or exit the comfort layer 16.
[0029] In the examples in which the fabric material is semi-impermeable to airflow, the
rate at which the mini coil springs 28 compress when a load is applied to a pocketed
spring core comfort layer 16 is slowed or retarded by the air entrapped within the
individual pockets as the pocketed spring comfort layer 16 is compressed. Similarly,
the rate of return of the compressed coil spring comfort layer to its original height
after compression is retarded or slowed by the rate at which air may pass through
the semi-impermeable fabric material into the interior of the individual pockets 44
of the pocketed spring comfort layer 16. In these examples, air passes through the
gaps 31 between the curved weld segments 26 of the circular weld seams 30, as described
above with respect to the examples having non-permeable fabric. However, in addition,
some air passes through the fabric, both when the pocket 44 is compressed and when
the pocket 44 is unloaded and enlarging or expanding due to the inherent characteristics
of the mini springs 28.
[0030] As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the individual pockets 44 of comfort layer 16 may
be arranged in longitudinally extending columns 46 extending from head-to-foot of
the bedding product and transversely extending rows 48 extending from side-to-side
of the bedding product. As shown in Figs. 5 and 5A, the individual pockets 44 of one
column 46 are aligned with the pockets 44 of adjacent columns 46.
[0031] Fig. 5B illustrates a portion of an alternative example of comfort layer 16b not
forming part of the invention. In this example, the fabric material of each of the
first and second plies 23, 25 may be a three-layered fabric impermeable to airflow.
Each ply of fabric 23, 25 comprises three layers, including from the inside moving
outwardly: 1) a protective layer of fabric 27; 2) an airtight layer 29; and 3) a sound
attenuating or quieting layer 33. More specifically, the protective layer of fabric
27 may be a polypropylene non-woven fabric having a density of one ounce per square
yard. The airtight layer 29 may be a thermoplastic polyurethane film layer having
a thickness of approximately 1.0 mil (0.001 inches). The sound attenuating layer 33
may be a lofted polyester fiber batting having a density of 0.5 ounces per square
foot. These materials and material specifications, such as the densities provided
for the outer layers, have proven to be effective, but are not intended to be limiting.
For example, the thickness of the impermeable middle layer of thermoplastic polyurethane
film may vary depending upon the desired characteristics of the multi-layered fabric.
The fiber batting layer need not be made of polyester; it may be made of other materials.
Similarly, the fiber batting layer need not be lofted.
[0032] In any of the embodiments shown or described herein, the fabric material of at least
one of the plies may be impermeable to airflow through the fabric. Each ply may comprise
three layers, including from the inside moving outwardly: 1) a polypropylene non-woven
fabric layer 27 having a density of approximately one ounce per square yard commercially
available from Atex, Incorporated of Gainesville, Georgia; 2) a polyether thermoplastic
polyurethane film layer 29 having a thickness of approximately 1.0 mil (0.001 inches)
commercially available from American Polyfilm, Incorporated of Branford, Connecticut;
and 3) a lofted needle punch polyester fiber batting layer 33 having a density of
0.5 ounces per square foot commercially available from Milliken & Company of Spartanburg,
South Carolina. The middle thermoplastic polyurethane film layer 29 is impermeable
to airflow. The lofted needle punch polyester fiber batting layer 33 acts as a sound
dampening layer which quiets and muffles the film layer 29 as the springs are released
from a load (pressure in the pocket goes from positive to negative) or loaded (pressure
in the pocket goes from neutral to positive). The polypropylene non-woven fabric layer
27 keeps the segmented air passages open such that the pocket 44 may "breathe". Without
the polypropylene non-woven fabric layer 27 closest to the springs, the middle thermoplastic
polyurethane film 29 would cling to itself and not allow enough air to pass through
the segmented air passages. The polypropylene non-woven fabric layer 27 closest to
the springs also makes the product more durable by protecting the middle thermoplastic
polyurethane film layer 29 from contacting the spring 28 and deteriorating from abrasion
against the spring 28.
[0033] Heat-activated glue may be placed between the airtight layer 29 and the sound attenuating
layer 33. The airtight layer 29 and the sound attenuating layer 33 may then be laminated
together by passing them through a heat-activated laminator (not shown). The protective
layer 27 may or may not be glue laminated to the other two layers. After passing through
the heat-activated laminator, at least two of the three layers may be combined together.
[0034] An alternative method for laminating all three layers without the use of glue may
be using an ultrasonic lamination procedure. This process creates ultrasonic welds
in a set pattern across the fabric, thereby making the fabric a unitary three-layered
piece of material.
[0035] Figs. 6 and 6A illustrate another comfort layer 50 not forming part of the invention
and having the same pockets 44 and same springs 28 as does the example of comfort
layer 16 of Figs. 1-5A. As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the individual pockets 44 of
comfort layer 50 are arranged in longitudinally extending columns 52 extending from
head-to-foot of the bedding product and transversely extending rows 54 extending from
side-to-side of the bedding product. As shown in Figs. 6 and 6A, the individual pockets
44 of one column 52 are offset from, rather than aligned with, the pockets 44 of the
adjacent columns 52.
[0036] Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of comfort layer 56 incorporated into a single-sided
mattress 60. Single-sided mattress 60 comprises a pocketed spring core 62, a cushioning
pad 14 on top of the pocketed spring core 62, a base 18, another cushioning pad 14
above comfort layer 56, and an upholstered covering material 20. Pocketed spring core
62 may be incorporated into any bedding or seating product, including a double-sided
mattress, and is not intended to be limited to single-sided mattresses. As described
above, comfort layer 56 may be used in any conventional core, including a spring core
made with non-pocketed conventional springs, such as coil springs.
[0037] As shown in Fig. 7, mattress 60 has a longitudinal dimension or length L, a transverse
dimension or width W and a height H. Although the length L is shown as being greater
than the width W, they may be identical. The length, width and height may be any desired
distance and are not intended to be limited by the drawings.
[0038] Fig. 9 illustrates the components of the comfort layer 56 incorporated into the mattress
60 shown in Fig. 7. The comfort layer 56 comprises a first ply of fabric 64 and a
second ply of fabric 66 joined together with multiple linear weld segments 68. These
weld segments 68 are strategically placed around a mini coil spring 28 and create
a rectangular containment or seam 70. During the welding process, the mini coil springs
28 may be compressed. The length and/or width of the linear weld segments 68 of seams
70 is not intended to be limited to those illustrated; they may be any desired size
depending upon the airflow desired through the comfort layer. Similarly, the size
of the illustrated seams 70 is not intended to be limiting.
[0039] With reference to Fig. 9, there is illustrated a portion of an ultrasonic welding
horn 72 and anvil 74. The mobile or movable ultrasonic welding horn 72 has a plurality
of spaced cut-outs or slots 76 between projections 80. The projections 80 of the ultrasonic
welding horn 72 are the portions which weld the two pieces of fabric 64, 66 together
and create the linear weld segments 68 in rectangular weld seams 70. Along the ultrasonic
welding horn's lower portion 78, the ultrasonic welding horn 72 can be milled to allow
a desired airflow between the linear weld segments 68 as illustrated by the arrows
82 of Fig. 7. The airflows affect the feel/compression of the individually pocketed
mini coil springs 28 when a user lays on the mattress 60.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 9, underneath the second ply 66 is an anvil 74 comprising a steel
plate of 3/8
th inch thickness. However, the anvil may be any desired thickness. During the manufacturing
process, the ultrasonic welding horn 72 contacts the anvil 74, the two plies of fabric
64, 66 being therebetween, to create the rectangular weld seams 70 and, hence, pockets
84, at least one spring 28 being in each pocket 84. See Figs. 10 and 10A.
[0041] These linear weld segments 68 may be created by the welding horn 72 of a machine
(shown in Fig. 8 and described below) having multiple spaced protrusions 80 on the
ultrasonic welding horn 72. As a result of these rectangular weld seams 70 defining
the spring-containing pockets 84 of the comfort layer 56, each mini coil spring 28
is contained within its own individual pocket 84. Air exits the pocket 84 through
gaps 77 between the weld segments 68 of the rectangular weld seams 30. Similarly,
when a load is removed from the pocket 84, the mini coil spring 28 separates the fabric
layers 64, 66, and air re-enters the pocket 84 though the gaps 77 between the weld
segments 68 of the rectangular weld seams 70. As shown in Fig. 10, the size of the
gaps 77 between the segments 68 of rectangular weld seams 70 of the pockets 84 defines
how quickly air may enter or exit the comfort layer 56.
[0042] Fig. 9A illustrates another apparatus for forming the rectangular weld seams 70 comprising
multiple linear weld segments 68 having gaps 77 therebetween for airflow. In this
apparatus, the ultrasonic welding horn 72a has no protrusions on its bottom surface
79. Instead, the bottom surface 79 of ultrasonic welding horn 72a is smooth. The anvil
74a has a plurality of linear projections 71, which together form a projection pattern
73, shown in Fig. 9A. A plurality of spaced projections 71 in pattern 73 extend upwardly
from the generally planar upper surface 75 of anvil 74a. When the ultrasonic welding
horn 72a moves downwardly and sandwiches the plies 64, 66 of fabric between the projections
71 and the smooth bottom surface 79 of ultrasonic welding horn 72a, rectangular weld
seams 70 are created. Thus, a plurality of pockets 84 are created by the rectangle
weld seams 70, each pocket 84 containing at least one mini coil spring 28.
[0043] In some embodiments, the fabric material defining pockets 84 and enclosing the mini
coil springs 28 therein is non-permeable to airflow. When subjected to a load, these
pockets 84 (with mini coil springs 28 therein) are compressed, causing the air contained
within the pockets 84 to move between pockets 84, as shown by arrows 82 of Figs. 10
and 11A, until the air exits the perimeter pockets 84 into the atmosphere, as shown
in Fig. 11A. Due to such fabric material being impermeable to air, the rate at which
the mini springs 28 compress when a load is applied to a pocketed spring core comfort
layer 56 containing the mini coil springs 28 is slowed or retarded by the size of
the gaps 77 between the linear weld segments 68 of rectangular weld seams 70. Upon
removal of the load, the rate of return of the spring comfort layer 56 to its original
height depends upon the mini coil springs 28 in the pockets 84 returning to their
original height, causing separation of the layers of fabric, drawing air into the
pockets 84 through the gaps 77 between the linear weld segments 68 of rectangular
weld seams 70.
[0044] In other examples, the fabric material is semi-impermeable to airflow, and some air
passes through the fabric. The rate at which the mini springs 28 compress when a load
is applied to a pocketed spring core comfort layer 56 is slowed or retarded by the
air entrapped within the individual pockets 84 as the pocketed spring comfort layer
56 is compressed and, similarly, the rate of return of the compressed coil spring
comfort layer 56 to its original height after compression is retarded or slowed by
the rate at which air may pass through the semi-impermeable fabric material into the
interior of the individual pockets 84 of the pocketed spring comfort layer 56. In
these examples, air passes through the gaps 77 between the weld segments 68 of the
weld seams 70, as described above with respect to the embodiments having non-permeable
fabric. However, in addition, some air passes through the fabric, both when the pocket
84 is compressed and when the pocket 84 is expanded due to the spring(s) therein.
[0045] In accordance with the practice of this invention, one fabric material semi-impermeable
to airflow, which may be used in either of the two plies of the pocketed spring comfort
layers disclosed or shown herein, may be a multi-layered material, including one layer
of woven fabric as, for example, a material available from Hanes Industries of Conover,
North Carolina under product names Eclipse 540. In testing, using a 13.5 inch disc
platen loaded with a 25 pound weight, six locations on a queen size mattress were
tested to determine the time required for the pocketed mini coil springs of a comfort
layer having rectangular-shaped weld seams made with the multi-layered fabric material
described above to compress to half the distance of its starting height. Once the
weight of the platen was removed, the time for the pocketed mini coil springs of the
comfort layer to return to their starting height was measured. Using such a testing
method, the average rate of compression was 0.569 inches per second, and the average
rate of recovery was 0.706 inches per second. These averages are not intended to be
limiting. These averages may be dependent upon the type(s) of material of the plies
and/or size and shape of the weld segments comprising the weld seams which, in turn,
may vary the rate of compression and rate of recovery due to airflow. Such variables
may be adjusted/changed to achieve variations in feel and comfort of the end product.
[0047] Alternatively, the fabric material of the first and second plies of any of the embodiments
shown or disclosed herein may be material disclosed in
U.S. Patent Nos. 7,636,972;
8,136,187;
8,474,078;
8,484,487 and
8,464,381. This material may have one or more coatings of acrylic or other suitable material
sprayed onto or roller coated onto one side of the fabric so as to make the fabric
semi-impermeable to airflow as described hereinabove.
[0048] Fig. 10B illustrates a portion of an alternative embodiment of comfort layer 56b.
In this embodiment, the fabric material of each of the first and second plies 65,
67 may be the same three-layered fabric impermeable to airflow shown in Fig. 5B and
described above. This three-layered fabric impermeable to airflow may be used in any
embodiment shown or described herein, including for any pocketed spring core. Each
ply of fabric 65, 67 comprises three layers, including from the inside moving outwardly:
1) a protective layer of fabric 27; 2) an airtight layer 29; and 3) a sound attenuating
or quieting layer 33. If desired, the protective layer of fabric 27 may be omitted.
More specifically, the protective layer of fabric 27 may be a polypropylene non-woven
fabric having a density of one ounce per square yard. The airtight layer 29 may be
a thermoplastic polyurethane film layer having a thickness of approximately 1.0 mil
(0.001 inches). The sound attenuating layer 33 may be a lofted polyester fiber batting
having a density of 0.5 ounces per square foot. These materials and material specifications,
such as the densities provided for the outer layers, have proven to be effective,
but are not intended to be limiting. For example, the thickness of the middle layer
29 impermeable to airflow may vary depending upon the desired characteristics of the
multi-layered fabric. The fiber batting layer need not be made of polyester; it may
be made of other materials. Similarly, the fiber batting layer need not be lofted.
[0049] In any of the embodiments shown or described herein, the fabric material of at least
one of the plies may be impermeable to airflow through the fabric. Each ply may comprise
three layers, including from the inside moving outwardly: 1) a polypropylene non-woven
fabric layer 27 having a density of approximately one ounce per square yard commercially
available from Atex, Incorporated of Gainesville, Georgia; 2) a polyether thermoplastic
polyurethane film layer 29 having a thickness of approximately 1.0 mil (0.001 inches)
commercially available from American Polyfilm, Incorporated of Branford, Connecticut;
and 3) a lofted needle punch polyester fiber batting layer 33 having a density of
0.5 ounces per square foot commercially available from Milliken & Company of Spartanburg,
South Carolina. The middle thermoplastic polyurethane film layer 29 is impermeable
to airflow. The lofted needle punch polyester fiber batting layer 33 acts as a sound-dampening
layer which quiets and muffles the film layer 29 as the springs are released from
a load (pressure in the pocket goes from positive to negative) or loaded (pressure
in the pocket goes from neutral to positive). The polypropylene non-woven fabric layer
27 keeps the segmented air passages open, such that the pocket 84 may "breathe". Without
the polypropylene non-woven fabric layer 27 closest to the springs 28, the middle
thermoplastic polyurethane film 29 would cling to itself and not allow enough air
to pass through the segmented air passages. The polypropylene non-woven fabric layer
27 closest to the springs 28 also makes the product more durable by protecting the
middle thermoplastic polyurethane film layer 29 from contacting the spring 28 and
deteriorating from abrasion against the spring 28.
[0050] Heat-activated glue may be placed between the airtight layer 29 and the sound attenuating
layer 33. In some applications, additional heat active glue may be placed between
the airtight layer 29 and the protective layer 27. At least two layers may then be
laminated together by passing them through a heat-activated laminator (not shown).
The protective layer 27 may remain unattached to the other two layers after passing
through the laminator. However, in some processes after passing through the heat-activated
laminator, all three layers may be combined together and form one of the fabric plies.
An alternative method for laminating all three layers may be using an ultrasonic lamination
procedure. This process creates ultrasonic welds in a set pattern across the fabric,
thereby making it one piece or ply of material.
[0051] As best illustrated in Fig. 10, the individual pockets 84 of comfort layer 56 may
be arranged in longitudinally extending columns 86 extending from head-to-foot of
the bedding product and transversely extending rows 88 extending from side-to-side
of the bedding product. As shown in Figs. 10 and 10A, the individual pockets 84 of
one column 86 are aligned with the pockets 84 of the adjacent columns 86. Air may
flow between pockets 84 and into and out of the comfort layer 56 between the linear
segments 68 of seams 70.
[0052] Fig. 11 illustrates one corner of comfort layer 16 of mattress 10 showing airflow
between the curved weld segments 26 of the peripheral pockets 44, as illustrated by
the arrows 40. Although Fig. 11 illustrates the arrows 40 only on one corner pocket
44, each of the pockets 44 around the periphery of the comfort layer 16 allows airflow
through the gaps 31 between the weld segments 26 of circular seams 30. This airflow
controls the amount of air entering the comfort layer 16 when a user changes position
or gets off the bedding or seating product, thus allowing the springs 28 in the pockets
44 to expand and air to flow into the comfort layer 16. Similarly, when a user gets
onto a bedding or seating product, the springs 28 compress and cause air to exit the
pockets 44 around the periphery of the comfort layer 16 and exit the comfort layer.
The amount of air exiting the comfort layer 16 affects the feel/compression of the
individually pocketed mini coil springs 28 when a user lays on the mattress 10.
[0053] Fig. 11A illustrates one corner of comfort layer 56 of mattress 60 of Fig. 7 showing
airflow between the weld segments 68 of the peripheral pockets 84, as illustrated
by the arrows 82. Although Fig. 11A illustrates the arrows 82 only on one corner pocket
84, each of the pockets 84 around the periphery of the comfort layer 56 allows airflow
through the gaps 77 between the weld segments 68 of rectangular seams 70. This airflow
controls the amount of air entering the comfort layer 56 when a user changes position
or gets off the bedding or seating product, thus allowing the springs 28 in the pockets
84 to expand and air to flow into the comfort layer 56. Similarly, when a user changes
position or gets onto a bedding or seating product, the springs 28 compress and cause
air to exit the pockets 84 around the periphery of the comfort layer 16 and exit the
comfort layer. The amount of air exiting the comfort layer 56 affects the feel/compression
of the individually pocketed mini coil springs 28 when a load is applied to the mattress
10.
[0054] Fig. 12 illustrates one corner of an alternative example of comfort layer 16a not
forming part of the invention, which may be used in any bedding or seating product.
The comfort layer 16a comprises aligned rows 48 and columns 46 of pockets 44a, each
pocket 44a comprising a circular seam 30a joining upper and lower plies of fabric,
as described above. However, each of the circular seams 30a is a continuous seam,
as opposed to a seam having curved weld segments with gaps therebetween to allow airflow
through the circular seam. These circular seams 30a of pockets 44a allow no airflow
through the seams 30a. Therefore, the fabric material of the first and second plies
of pockets 44a of comfort layer 16a must be made of semi-impermeable material to manage
or control airflow into and out of the pockets 44a of comfort layer 16a. The type
of material used for comfort layer 16a solely controls the amount of air entering
the comfort layer 16a when a user gets off the bedding or seating product, thus allowing
the springs 28 in the pockets 44a to expand and air to flow into the comfort layer
16a. Similarly, when a user gets onto a bedding or seating product, the springs 28
compress and cause air to exit the pockets 44a of the comfort layer 16a and exit the
comfort layer. The amount of air exiting the comfort layer 16a affects the feel/compression
of the individually pocketed mini coil springs 28 when a user lays on the product
incorporating the comfort layer 16a.
[0055] Fig. 12A illustrates one corner of an alternative example of comfort layer 56a not
forming part of the invention, which may be used in any bedding or seating product.
The comfort layer 56a comprises aligned rows 88 and columns 86 of pockets 84a, each
pocket 84a comprising a rectangular seam 70a joining upper and lower plies of fabric
as described above. However, each of the rectangular seams 70a is a continuous seam,
as opposed to a seam having weld segments with gaps therebetween to allow airflow
through the seam. These rectangular seams 70a of pockets 84a allow no airflow through
the seams 70a. Therefore, the fabric material of the first and second plies of pockets
84a of comfort layer 56a must be made of semi-impermeable material to allow some airflow
into and out of the pockets 84a of comfort layer 56a. The type of material used for
comfort layer 56a solely controls the amount of air entering the comfort layer 56a
when a user gets off the bedding or seating product, thus allowing the springs 28
in the pockets 84a to expand and air to flow into the comfort layer 56a. Similarly,
when a user gets onto a bedding or seating product, the springs 28 compress and cause
air to exit the pockets 84a of the comfort layer 56a and exit the comfort layer. The
amount of air exiting the comfort layer 56a affects the feel/compression of the individually
pocketed mini coil springs 28 when a user lays on the product incorporating the comfort
layer 56a.
[0056] Fig. 2 illustrates a machine 90 used to make several of the comfort layers shown
and disclosed herein, including comfort layer 16 shown in Fig. 1. Some parts of the
machine 90 may be changed to make other comfort layers shown or described herein,
such as comfort layer 56 shown in Fig. 7. Machine 90 comprises a pair of ultrasonic
welding horns 32, and at least one stationary anvil 42, as shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively,
ultrasonic welding horns 32a and anvil 42a of Fig. 4A may be used in the machine.
[0057] Machine 90 discloses a conveyor 92 on which are loaded multiple mini coil springs
28. The conveyor 92 moves the mini coil springs 28 in the direction of arrow 94 (to
the right as shown in Fig. 2) until the mini coil springs 28 are located in predetermined
locations, at which time the conveyor 92 stops moving. Machine 90 further discloses
several actuators 96, which move a pusher assembly 97, including a pusher plate 98
in the direction of arrow 100. Although two actuators 96 are illustrated in Figs.
2 and 2A, any number of actuators 96 of any desired configuration may be used to move
the pusher assembly 97. The pusher plate 98 has a plurality of spaced spring pushers
102 secured to the pusher plate 98 underneath the pusher plate 98. The spring pushers
102 push the mini coil springs 28 between stationary guides 104 from a first position
shown in Fig. 2 to a second position shown in Fig. 4 in which the mini coil springs
28 are located above the stationary anvil 42 (or above the alternative anvil 42a shown
in Fig. 4A). Fig. 2A illustrates the mini coil springs 28 being transported from the
first position to the second position, each mini coil spring 28 being transported
between adjacent stationary guides 104. The stationary guides 104 are secured to a
stationary mounting plate 106.
[0058] The machine 90 further comprises a compression plate 108, which is movable between
raised and lowered positions by lifters 110. Although two lifters 110 are illustrated
in Figs. 2 and 2A, any number of lifters 110 of any desired configuration may be used
to move the compression plate 108.
[0059] As best shown in Fig. 2, machine 90 further comprises three pressers 112 movable
between raised and lowered positions via actuators 116. Figs. 3B and 3C show one of
the pressers 112 in a raised position, while Figs. 3A, 3D and 3E show the presser
in a lowered position. Each presser has a blade 114 at the bottom thereof for bringing
the plies 22, 24 of fabric together when the presser is lowered, as shown in Figs.
3A, 3D and 3E.
[0060] As best shown in Fig. 3A, machine 90 further comprises rollers 120, 122 around which
the plies, 22, 24, respectively, pass before they come together. After the circular
seams 30 are created by the ultrasonic welding horn 32 and anvil 42, thereby creating
the pockets 44, a main roller 116 and secondary roller 118 pull the continuous spring
blanket 124 downwardly. Once a desired amount of continuous spring blanket 124 is
made, a blade 126 cuts the continuous spring blanket 120 to create comfort layer 16
of the desired size. Of course, the machine 90 may be programmed to create the desired
length and width of comfort layer. This machine 90 is adapted to make any of the comfort
layers shown or disclosed herein having circular weld seams.
[0061] Fig. 3A illustrates the ultrasonic welding horn 32 in a lowered position contacting
the stationary anvil 42 with at least one of the pressers 112 in a lowered position
pressing the upper ply 22 into contact with the lower ply 24. A new row of mini coil
springs 28 has been moved into a loading position with the compression plate 108 in
its raised position.
[0062] Fig. 3B illustrates the ultrasonic welding horn 32 in a raised position spaced from
the anvil 42 with at least one of the pressers 112 in a raised position. The compression
plate 108 is moved to its lowered position by lifters 110, thereby compressing the
row of mini coil springs 28 located on the conveyor 92.
[0063] Fig. 3C illustrates the row of compressed mini coil springs 28 located on the conveyor
92 being pushed downstream towards the ultrasonic welding horn 32 and stationary anvil
42 by the pusher assembly 97. More particularly, the pushers 102 secured to the pusher
plate 98 contact the compressed mini coil springs 28 and move them downstream between
the stationary guides 104 and past the raised pressers 112.
[0064] Fig. 3D illustrates the pusher assembly 97 being withdrawn in the direction of arrow
128. Additionally, the pressers 112 are moved to a lowered position, pressing the
upper ply 22 into contact with the lower ply 24. Also, the compression plate 108 is
moved to its raised position by lifters 110.
[0065] Fig. 3E illustrates the ultrasonic welding horn 32 in a lowered position contacting
the stationary anvil 42 with at least one of the pressers 112 in a lowered position
pressing the upper ply 22 into contact with the lower ply 24. A new row of mini coil
springs 28 has been moved by the conveyor 92 into a position in which they may be
compressed with the compression plate 108 during the next cycle.
[0066] Fig. 8 illustrates a machine 130, like the machine 90 shown in Figs. 2 and 2A. However,
instead of having two ultrasonic welding horns 32, machine 130 has four ultrasonic
welding horns 72 along with anvil 74. Alternatively, ultrasonic welding horns 72a
and anvil 74a of Fig. 9A may be used in machine 130. This machine 124 is adapted to
make any of the comfort layers shown or disclosed herein having rectangular weld seams,
as opposed to circular weld seams.
[0067] Fig. 13A illustrates a posturized comfort layer 132 having three different areas
or regions of firmness depending upon the airflow within each of the areas or regions.
The comfort layer 132 has a head section 134, a foot section 136 and a lumbar or middle
section 138 therebetween. The size and number of segments in the seams, along with
the type of material used to construct the posturized comfort layer 132, may be selected
so at least two of the sections may have a different firmness due to different airflows
within different sections. Although three sections are illustrated in Fig. 13A, any
number of sections may be incorporated into a posturized comfort layer. Although each
of the sections is illustrated being a certain size, they may be other sizes. The
drawings are not intended to be limiting. Although Fig. 13A shows each of the segmented
seams of comfort layer 132 being circular, a posturized comfort layer, such as the
one shown in Fig. 13A, may have rectangular or square segmented seams.
[0068] Fig. 13B illustrates a posturized comfort layer 140 having two different areas or
regions of firmness depending upon the airflow within each of the areas or regions.
The comfort layer 140 has a first section 142 and a second section 144. The size and
number of segments in the seams, along with the type of material used to construct
the posturized comfort layer 140, may be selected so at least two of the sections
may have a different firmness due to different airflows within different sections.
Although two sections are illustrated in Fig. 13B, any number of sections may be incorporated
into a posturized comfort layer. Although each of the sections is illustrated being
a certain size, they may be other sizes. The drawings are not intended to be limiting.
Although Fig. 13B shows each of the segmented seams of comfort layer 140 being circular,
a posturized comfort layer, such as the one shown in Fig. 13B, may have rectangular
or square segmented seams.
[0069] While we have described several preferred embodiments of this invention, persons
skilled in this art will appreciate that other air-impermeable fabric materials may
be utilized in the practice of this invention. Therefore, I do not intend to be limited
except by the scope of the following appended claims.