Spring Compactor Machine

Abstract

The present invention provides for a spring compactor machine to compact springs, comprising: a force applied at an angle substantially between 35 degrees and 155 degrees to an at rest spring's restoring force axis with an equal and opposite restraining force applied substantially between 215 and 325 degrees to the spring's restoring force axis. Wherein when both the applied force and the restraining force substantially exceed the plastic limit of the spring, the spring is deformed and the restoring force of the spring no longer returns the spring to its original shape. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the forces are applied to the spring inside at least one compaction chamber. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, prior to compaction of the spring all non-metal material attached to the spring or a set of springs is removed. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, manufactured supports attached to and holding the springs together are modified via deformation and/or cutting prior to compaction. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a post compaction folding and re-compaction chamber is provided to assure optimal final volumetric dimensions and/or unit weights of the compacted spring.

1 . A spring compactor machine, comprising:
 a spring to be compacted; a device for applying a force to the spring at an angle substantially between 35 degrees and 155 degrees to the at rest spring's restoring force axis with an equal and opposite restraining force applied substantially between 215 and 325 degrees to the at rest spring's restoring force axis;   the spring being at rest when x=0 and the restoring force, F=0, in Hooke's law spring equation; when in combination both the applied force and the restraining force substantially exceed the plastic limit of the spring, the spring deforms and the restoring force of the spring no longer returns the spring to its original shape.   
     
     
         2 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising; at least one compaction chamber including at least one moveable ram to exert an applied force to the spring and at least one resistance block to provide the restraining force to the spring. 
     
     
         3 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 2 ; further comprising a device for applying an upward force and a downward force along or substantially parallel to the spring's restoring force axis aiding in holding the spring in its desired position during the compaction operation. 
     
     
         4 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 3 ; further comprising a fixed or movable compaction chamber within which to apply a force to an at rest spring's restoring force axis at an angle substantially between 35 degrees and 155 degrees with an equal and opposite restraining force being applied between 215 and 325 degrees to the spring's restoring force axis. 
     
     
         5 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 4 ; further comprising at least one moveable section of the compaction chamber to apply either or both an upward and a downward force along or substantially parallel to the spring's restoring force axis aiding in holding the spring in its desired position during the compaction operation. 
     
     
         6 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 5 ; wherein the compaction chamber's movable section's travel distance is sufficient to allow an adequate opening to load the spring set into the compaction chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 4 ; further comprising a decreasing height feed shoot that applies the upward and downward forces to the set of springs via height restriction as a feeding ram pushes the spring set through the decreasing height feed shoot into the compaction chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 2 ; further comprising a physical support to aid in holding the spring in a desired position until initiation of the spring's compaction. 
     
     
         9 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising; a magnetic device to apply a magnetic force field along or parallel to the spring's restoring force axis aiding in holding the spring in a desired position until initiation of the spring's compaction. 
     
     
         10 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising; at least one moveable resistance block to provide the restraining force and to allow feeding of the spring set into the compaction chamber and/or to allow removal of the spring set from the compaction chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising; at least two compaction chambers; wherein the additional compaction chamber is used to adjust at least one volumetric dimension of the spring set. 
     
     
         12 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising; an additional chamber wherein at least one movable ram can fold the compacted spring set around at least one fulcrum to reduce at least one volumetric dimension of the compacted set of springs. 
     
     
         13 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one movable ram can further compact the folded spring set. 
     
     
         14 . The spring compactor machine as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising: an adjustable height and/or adjustable width ram, wherein the ram is adjustable to fit within the dimensions of the compaction chamber or compaction chambers through which it must pass. 
     
     
         15 . A device to separate a set of springs in a box spring from the box spring frame comprising:
 a box spring, and at least one resistance frame holder which contacts the frame securing the frame in a fixed position.   
     
     
         16 . A device to separate a set of springs in a box spring from the box spring frame as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising; at least one movable force attached to the spring set such that when the movable force is applied it pulls the spring set away from the frame separating the box spring frame from the box spring set. 
     
     
         17 . A device for weakening a spring set strengthening configuration which is designed to hold a spring set within a predetermined shape, comprising:
 a spring set,   a device for countering the designed strength via physical manipulation of the strengthening configuration wherein the spring set strengthening configuration is no longer capable of moving springs out of their desired position during compaction in the spring compactor machine.   
     
     
         18 . A device of weakening a spring set strengthening configuration as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising; a cutting apparatus for cutting the spring set strengthening configuration at points wherein the spring set strengthening configuration is no longer capable of moving springs out of their desired position during compaction in the spring compactor machine. 
     
     
         19 . A device of weakening a spring set strengthening configuration as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising; a deforming apparatus for deforming the spring set strengthening configuration at points wherein the spring set strengthening configuration no longer is capable of moving springs out of their desired position during compaction the spring compactor machine. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)