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Method of assembling mattresses using plastic tab fasteners

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to mattress components coupled together by plastic fasteners. In particular, the mattress component comprise elements relating to the foam encasement of the innerspring mattress core. In various embodiments, the invention pertains to a method of assembling portions of the foam encasement using plastic tab fasteners. In various implementations, the plastic tab fasteners comprise T-End™ fasteners. ...

Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP - Boston, MA, US
Inventor: William C. Creekmuir
USPTO Applicaton #: #20070017034 - Class: 005717000 (USPTO) -

Related Patent Categories: Beds, Mattress (for Whole Body), Having Innerspring-type Core, With Substantial Edge, Border, Or Side Features
The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070017034, Method of assembling mattresses using plastic tab fasteners.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention generally relates to systems and method for constructing mattresses.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Spring mattresses have been in use for over 100 years. Existing spring mattresses use a variety of spring types to form their inner core. Perhaps the most common is the traditional wire spring assembly having a set of interconnected wire spring coils. Another type of spring assembly is the so-called Marshall construction that was developed in the late 1890's by Marshall Mattress of Toronto, Canada. The Marshall design utilizes fabric pockets to encapsulate each spring. In this way, the coils may flex separately from each other.

[0003] Generally, mattresses are formed with a mattress central portion surrounded by a mattress border construction. The mattress central portion may include a series of coil springs (Marshall springs) connected together, which can be enclosed in fabric pocket. Alternatively, the mattress central portion may comprise polyurethane or latex foam layers or synthetic or natural fibers, optionally in combination with springs. To provide sufficient support and to make the mattress more robust, mattress manufacturers have introduced mattresses with a foam-encased innercore that gives greater edge support. The foam edge is typically glued to a support layer and the coil unit is joined to the support layer by a border wire and hog rings. The sleeping surface of the mattress is typically covered with a quilted fabric.

[0004] When manufacturing the mattress, the innerspring unit is typically attached to a lower border wire and that border wire is joined to the support layer. The foam edge is glued in place around the innerspring unit. The quilted fabric is then attached to side panels by sewing.

[0005] It should be noted that conventional high-end mattress manufacturing techniques employ an adhesive to secure together components of the mattress (and, in particular, foam encasement components) prior to sewing the outer layer of quilted cotton material around the remainder of the mattress. Specifically, one or both of the contact surfaces of adjacent foam encasement components are sprayed with an adhesive. With the adhesive sprayed onto one or both of the contact surfaces of adjacent layers, the components are first aligned and then drawn into contact with one another.

[0006] Components of the foam encasements, which are traditionally glued together, present the following disadvantages. The use of adhesives to secure together foam encasement components of a mattress results in a significant level of waste. Specifically, if the components of material are secured misaligned, there is no means to separate them and attempt to re-secure the foam encasement components. As a result, foam encasement components which are misaligned are often discarded as waste, thereby increasing manufacturing costs, which is highly undesirable.

[0007] As a second drawback, the use of adhesives to secure together foam encasement components of a mattress may create an unpleasant amount of fumes and mess, which is undesirable.

[0008] As a third drawback, the use of adhesives to secure together foam encasement components of a mattress often creates audible crackling sounds as the adhesives age, which is highly undesirable.

[0009] Although traditional mattresses and manufacturing processes work well, there is a need in the art for improved techniques for manufacturing mattresses that are easier to manufacture by enabling efficient assembly of the foam encasement components before the mattress is sewn closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The system and methods described herein address the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a method of manufacturing a mattress that includes the steps of providing a mattress core, providing a plurality of foam encasement components and affixing the plurality of foam encasement components together by inserting tab fasteners through or into the foam encasement components. In various implementations, the foam encasement components comprise side rails, and optionally, include a top or bottom upholstery foam cover.

[0011] In one aspect, the mattress includes a foam encasement comprising foam side rails which are affixed to one another using tab fasteners. According to some embodiments, the foam encasement has a top or bottom foam deck which is attached to the side rail with the tab fasteners.

[0012] According to another aspect, a mattress includes a mattress core, at least one side rail joined to the mattress core by one or more tab fasteners that have a strength sufficient to maintain a relative position between the mattress core and the side rail. In some configurations, plastic tab fasteners affix a plurality of side rails together to form a frame around the mattress core.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention may include, among other things, top or bottom foam decks which serve to encase the mattress core. The mattress may include an upholstery layer defining a sleep surface and applied over the top foam deck. The upholstery layer may be permanently secured to the at least one side rail by a mechanical fastener.

[0014] According to one feature of the invention, plastic tab fasteners can be used to affix flange material associated with top and bottom finished panels to the foam encased unit.

[0015] According to certain implementations, the plastic tab fastener may be, but not necessarily, in the form of a conventional heavy duty plastic tab fastener, as is known it the art. The plastic tab fastener may comprise a 8 cm plastic member which includes a first end shaped to define a cross-bar. The plastic tab fastener may further include a second end similarly shaped to define a cross-bar.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the plastic tab fastener can be mass-produced in a unitary form known commonly as fastener stock. The fastener stock is constructed in a clip-type assembly in which individual plastic tab fasteners are arranged in a spaced, side-by-side orientation, with the respective cross-bars parallel to one another.

[0017] Optionally, plastic tab fasteners are disposed with the foam encasement elements by a conventional plastic tab fastener dispenser. For example, a plastic tab fastener dispenser may be employed for attachment of: (1) flange material associated with top and bottom finished panels to the foam encased unit, (2) top upholstery foams to pocket coil innerspring units and foam side rails, (3) bottom upholstery foam and pocket coil innerspring units and foam side rails, (4) foam or other side rails to encase a mattress core unit, and (5) side rails to other side rails in corners of a mattress.

[0018] The mattress core can be an open coil mattress core, a fabric-encased spring coil mattress core, or springs disposed in foam mattress core. Alternatively, the mattress core can be one or more blocks of resilient foam that can have different firmness.

[0019] This technique may eliminate the need for hot melt spray adhesives, water and solvent spray glues, and acrylic adhesive films which present safety hazards for operators. This technique further reduces the need for mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fastening, and any other techniques requiring additional hardware or additional assembly time in the mattress manufacturing process. The mattress described herein are less costly to manufacture while offering more consistency in the manufacturing processing.

[0020] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood by the following illustrative description with reference to the appended drawings, in which like elements are labeled with like reference designations and which may not be to scale.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the pocketed coil innerspring unit framed by foam side rails according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a three quarter view of a corner joint being secured with plastic tab fasteners according to another illustrated embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a three quarter view depicting the attachment of bottom foam decking using plastic tab fasteners and the result according to FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a three quarter view illustrating the attachment of top foam decking using plastic tab fasteners and the result according to FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a top longitudinal view of bottom foam decking being secured with plastic tab fasteners according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a top three quarter view exemplifying the attachment of side panels of a quilted top cover to the side rails of a mattress assembly;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a front, bottom perspective view of a tool for dispensing a plastic tab fasteners with a clip of two fasteners loaded therein;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a front, bottom, right end perspective view of the tool shown in FIG. 7 with a clip of fasteners loaded therein; and

[0030] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the fastener guide assembly shown in FIG. 8.

ILLUSTRATIVE DESCRIPTION

[0031] As described above in summary, the invention is generally directed to mattress construction and a manufacturing process for a mattress that facilitates securing various mattress components before the mattress is closed by sewing. The following illustrative embodiments are described with respect to methods for securing side rails and top and bottom foam decking or rails using plastic tab fasteners. However, the article of manufacture and methods may be used to secure any suitable component of the foam encasement using any suitable plastic fastener.

[0032] A mattress spring unit typically includes an upper frame and a lower frame which are spaced slightly apart and which are arranged in a substantially parallel configuration. Each frame (also commonly referred to as a wire box) includes a rigid and durable wire, or rod, which is formed into a substantially rectangular design, the wire defining the outer periphery of its associated frame. In addition, a mattress spring unit typically comprises a plurality of uniformly spaced apart metal springs, or coils, which extend between the upper and lower frames. Each spring includes a longitudinal axis which extends substantially at a right angle relative to the upper and lower frames. As can be appreciated, the plurality of springs enables the upper frame to move, or give, towards the lower frame when a downward force is applied onto the upper frame. As a result, when an individual rests on the upper frame of the spring unit, the body weight of said individual is uniformly absorbed by the plurality of springs, which is highly desirable.

[0033] The collective plurality of springs, called the mattress core, is surrounded by foam rails more specifically. The outer periphery of the mattress core is framed by a plurality of foam side rails. Typically, the mattress core is secured by the foam side rail frame which is adhered thereto. The mattress core encasement is completed by the addition of floor and ceiling foam sheets or layers which are disposed below and above, respectively, the mattress core. Top and bottom foam decking is secured to the mattress core by adhering the foam decking to the foam side rails. A foam encasement, as disclosed herein, can be any or all elements of the mattress core encasement. For example, the foam encasement can include side rail, a perimeter, or a top deck affixed to one or more side rails.

[0034] To provide an overall understanding of the invention, certain illustrative practices and embodiments will now be described, including a manufacturing process for a mattress that attaches an innerspring or coil unit to a plurality of side rails and top or bottom foam decks before the mattress is closed by sewing. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the systems and methods described herein can be adapted and modified and applied in other applications and that such other additions, modifications and uses will not depart from the scope hereof.

[0035] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary side rail frame 10 and a pocketed innerspring unit 16 (mattress core) having pocketed (Marshall) coil springs arranged in rows. Instead of pocketed coil springs, the innerspring unit can also have an open coil mattress core or a foam mattress core. The outer rows of the coil springs of the pocketed innerspring unit 16 borders the side rail frame 10.

[0036] Side rail frame 10 includes a plurality of foam side rails 12a-d. Foam side rails 12a-d are made, for example, of polyurethane foam having a selected ILD or another suitable material known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1, the corners of foam side rails 12a-d are mitered to facilitate coupling. However, the interface between the foam side rails 12a-d can take on any suitable shape or relationship, such as, a flat abutment or a saw tooth configuration.

[0037] Foam side rails 12a-d are secured to one another with plastic tab fastener 14a-d. For example, the mitered interfaces of foam side rails 12a, 12b are secured to one another with plastic tab fastener 14a. Similarly, foam side rails 12b, 12c are secured via plastic tab fastener 14b. Mitered faces of foam side rails 12c, 12d are secured to one another with plastic tab fastener 14c. Likewise, foam side rails 12c, 12d are secured via plastic tab fastener 14d.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective, overhead view of a side rail frame constructed according to the teachings herein. More particularly, FIG. 2 illustrates the process by which the side rail frame 10, as depicted in FIG. 1, is assembled. Side rail frame 10, at least in part, comprises foam side rails 22a, 22b. In practice, foam side rails are assembled using plastic tab fastener dispenser 24. Plastic tab fastener dispenser 24, which will be described in more detail later, comprises plastic tab fastener clip 28 and insertion tip 26. The insertion tip penetrates foam side rails 22a, 22b and disposes a plastic tab fastener from the plastic tab fastener clip 28. General descriptions of the plastic tab fastener and dispenser will be discussed in more detail below.

[0039] It should be noted that additional layers may be inserted into the foam side rail framing. For example, on or more additional layers of foam can be penetrated by insertion tip 26 during the securing process of the foam side rails 22a, 22b.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary mattress assembly wherein, foam decking is being secured to a side rail frame, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a mattress assembly, with bottom foam deck 36 being attached to three side rails 34a, 34b, and 34c which encloses an innerspring unit 35. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the plurality of side rails 34a, 34b, and 34c can be provided to substantially surround the lateral sides of the innerspring unit 35. Alternatively, the side rail surrounding the innerspring unit 35 may be made of a single piece made, for example, by an extrusion process without diverging from the spirit of the present embodiment.

[0041] Side rails 34a, 34b, and 34c are secured pursuant to the process elucidated in FIG. 2. In particular, side rails 34a, 34b, and 34c comprise mitered ends and are secured using plastic tab fasteners. Specifically, side rails 34a, 34b are coupled together by plastic tab fasteners 32c, 32d using a plastic tab fastener dispenser (not shown). Side rails 34b, 34c are similarly secured using plastic fasteners 32a, 32b.

[0042] After the side rails 34a, 34b, and 34c (and a fourth side rail, not shown) are secured together thereby forming a frame around the periphery of the innerspring unit 20, the bottom foam deck 36 is secured to the side rail frame. Bottom foam deck 36 is adhered to the mattress assembly using a plastic tab fastener dispenser which will be discussed in greater detail below. Plastic tab fasteners 38a, 38b, 38c, and 38d secure bottom deck foam 36 to side rail framing. (Plastic tab insertion will be discussed in greater detail below.) Specifically, plastic tab fasteners 38a, 38b secure bottom foam deck 36 by insertion of plastic tab fasteners 38a, 38b into side rail 34a. Similarly, plastic tab fasteners 38c, 38d secure bottom foam deck 36 by insertion of plastic tab fasteners 38c, 38d into side rail 34c.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, after the bottom foam deck 36 is secured to the mattress assembly, top foam deck 46 is applied. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a mattress assembly, with top foam deck 46 being attached to three side rails 44a, 44b, and 44c which encloses an innerspring unit 35. It can be appreciated that the plurality of side rails 44a, 44b, and 44c can be provided to substantially surround the lateral sides of the innerspring unit 35. Alternatively, the side rail surrounding the innerspring unit 35 may be made of a single piece made, for example, by an extrusion process.

[0044] Side rails 44a, 44b, and 44c are secured pursuant to the process elucidated in FIG. 2. Particularly, side rails 44a, 44b, and 44c comprise mitered ends and are secured by plastic tab fasteners. Side rails 44a, 44b are coupled together by plastic tab fasteners 42c, 42d using a plastic tab fastener dispenser (not shown). Side rails 44b, 44c are similarly secured by plastic fasteners 42a, 42b.

[0045] After the side rails 44a, 44b, and 44c (and a fourth side rail, not shown) are secured together thereby forming a side rail frame around the periphery of the innerspring unit 20, the top foam deck 46 is secured the side rail frame. Top foam deck 46 is adhered to the mattress assembly using a plastic tab fastener dispenser which will be discussed in greater detail later in the disclosure. Plastic tab fasteners 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d secure top foam deck 46 to side rail framing. Specifically, plastic tab fasteners 48a, 48b secure top foam deck 46 by insertion of plastic tab fasteners 48a, 48b into side rail 44a. Similarly, plastic tab fasteners 48c, 48d secure top foam deck 46 by insertion of plastic tab fasteners 48c, 48d into side rail 44c.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, to manufacture the mattress assembly in accordance with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the top or bottom foam decking can be affixed to the planar face of the innerspring unit (not shown) using plastic tab fastener dispenser 56. The plastic tab fastener dispenser 56 has an insertion tip 58. In one or more embodiments, the insertion tip 58 does not penetrate entirely through the foam components. In practice, it has been discovered that this method of attachment is an effective means for adhering components, especially in closed cell type materials. For example, as depicted in FIG. 5, top or bottom foam decking 52 is affixed to side rail 54 by piercing through top or bottom foam decking 52 and penetrating into, but not through, side rail 54.

[0047] Alternatively, the side rail frame (partially comprised by side rail 54) surrounding the innerspring unit may be made of a single piece made, for example, by an extrusion process. Accordingly, top or bottom foam decking can be affixed to an extruded rail frame (not shown) by piercing through top or bottom foam decking and penetrating into, but not through, the extruded rail frame.

[0048] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a mattress assembly 64 with side panels 68a, 68b installed over the side rails 62a, 62b for permanently installing a quilted top panel. Quilted top panel 60 is attached to the foam encasement unit, which surrounds the innerspring unit, using plastic tab fasteners. Specifically, side panel 68a of the quilted top panel 60 is pulled down and is affixed to side rail 62a by piercing through side panel 68a and penetrating into, but not through, side rail 62a. Side panel 68b of the quilted top panel 60 is similarly pulled down and affixed to side rail 62b by piercing through side panel 68b and penetrating into, but not through, side rail 62b.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there are shown various views of an embodiment of a tool for use in dispensing one or more plastic fasteners. As will be described further below, tool 70 is designed principally for use in installing heavy-duty plastic fasteners, such as fastener 31, through various mattress components, such as those used to construct a foam encasement.

[0050] Compressed air powers tool 70 to dispense plastic fasteners. Tool 70 can be derived from EHD T-end system, such as, an extra heavy duty T-end fastener dispensing tool of the type manufactured and sold by Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif.

[0051] Tool 70 comprises a protective housing 75 which is constructed of a rigid and durable material. Housing 75 comprises a right side casing 77 and a left side casing 79 which are secured together by screws. Housing 75 additionally includes a nose 72 which is secured onto the leading end of casings 77 and 79 by screws. Nose 72 is adapted to receive an elongated, extra heavy-duty T-end, hollow, slotted needle 71.

[0052] Needle 71 is manufactured to have a length which is considerably longer than other types of conventional extra heavy-duty T-end, hollow, slotted needles. Specifically, needle 71 is preferably approximately 8 cm in length, thereby enabling it to penetrate through two side rails of the foam encasement unit. However, it is to be understood that tool 70 can have needles of any length.

[0053] Tool 70 includes a pneumatically-driven ejection mechanism. Specifically, tool 70 has a pneumatically driven cylinder 73. Pneumatically driven cylinder 73 includes an air chamber and a telescopingly mounted push rod (not shown) which actuates in the axial direction. In practice, the activation and deactivation of drive cylinder 73 serves to longitudinally displace a slide which advances an ejector rod through tool 70. In particular, ejector rod (not shown) is aligned to selectively protrude axially through needle 71 so as to expel the cross-bar 85 of a fastener 81 out through the open tip of needle 71.

[0054] Activation and deactivation of drive cylinder 73 is controlled through a finger switch assembly 80. Finger switch assembly 80 allows tool 70 to be operated by hand, which is highly desirable.

[0055] Plastic tab fastener 81 is preferably in the form of a heavy duty plastic fastener. In particular, plastic tab fastener 81 can be in the form of an H-shaped heavy duty fastener of the type sold by Avery Dennison Corporation as part of the Extra Heavy Duty T-end.RTM. system. Specifically, plastic tab fastener 81 is a 3 inch plastic member which includes a first end shaped to define a cross-bar 83 (also commonly referred to as a "T-bar") a second end similarly shaped to define a cross-bar 85, (also commonly referred to as a "T-bar"), and a thin filament 87 interconnecting cross-bars 83 and 85.

[0056] Plastic tab fasteners can be mass-produced in a unitary form known commonly as fastener stock (as shown as plastic tab fastener clip 28 in FIG. 2). The fastener stock is constructed in a clip-type assembly in which individual plastic fasteners are arranged in a spaced, side-by-side orientation, with the respective cross-bars 83 and 85 and parallel to one another, each of cross-bars being joined to a common, orthogonally-disposed runner bar 89 by a severable connector 87. Plastic tab fastener clip is typically manufactured through the process of injection molding. In practice, plastic tab fastener clip, at least in part, is disposed in fastener guide assembly 90 which will now be described in greater detail.

[0057] Turning to FIG. 9, fastener guide assembly 90 comprises a fastener guide 93 and a pair of guide covers 95a and 95b which together define a partially enclosed channel 96 for receiving runner bar 89, severable connectors 87, and cross-members 85 of the fastener clip. It can be appreciated that fastener guide assembly 90 is provided with a curved construction in order to maintain the clip of fasteners 81 away from the item to be fastened (i.e., the mattress assembly).

[0058] In other embodiments, the systems and methods described herein maybe used with two sided mattresses as well as mattresses that are capable of being used with adjustable beds. For example, a mattress for an adjustable bed may have a foam edge that has a break or a flexible component that is disposed somewhat midway along both long edges of the mattress. In this way, the adjustable bed will be more capable of pivoting around a central axis as the flexible portion built in the foam edge readily allows the mattress to pivot and bend.

[0059] It will be understood that any innerspring unit may be employed with the systems and methods described herein. Thus, open coils, pocketed coils, coils in foam, and even all foam units, which may include sections of different firmness, maybe used with the methods described herein.

[0060] The embodiments shown of the present invention are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to them without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0061] For example, the disclosed invention may be used to assembled foam encasements using other types of fasteners. According to other implementations, the invention may be employed assembled using alternative types of dispensers, other than explicitly disclosed.

[0062] The order in which the steps of the present method are performed is purely illustrative in nature. In fact, the steps can be performed in any order or in parallel, unless otherwise indicated by the present disclosure.

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