Resilient abrasive article and method of manufacture

Abstract

The present invention provides a resilient hand-held abrasive article comprising a flexible and / or conformable grip comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and individual small high-grip pads attached to each other in a pattern that leaves voids therebetween, the individual small high-grip pads comprising a top and a bottom. The top surface of a sanding article is attached, and in certain embodiments removably attached, to the bottom of the high-grip pads and a bottom surface having abrasive particles coated thereon. In certain embodiments, the flexible and / or conformable grip may not comprise voids.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit to provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 903,984 filed on Feb. 28, 2007 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to abrasive articles for abrading a work surface and, more particularly, to resilient abrasive articles.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Hand-held abrasive articles are used in a variety of sanding operations. The user generally holds the abrasive article in his or her hand, moving the abrasive article across the surface to be sanded. Difficulties may arise if the abrasive article does not provide necessary and sufficient ergonomic accommodations.[0006]U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,113 to Minick discloses a flexible abrasive product comprising a flexible sheet-like substrate comprising a multiplicity of separated resilient bodies connected to each other in a generally planar array in a pattern that ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]An object of the invention is to provide a flexible, and in certain embodiments a resilient, article and method of manufacturing same that provides for a high-grip abrasive device that is ergonomically comfortable for the user and that is not damaged during normal use.

Problems solved by technology

Difficulties may arise if the abrasive article does not provide necessary and sufficient ergonomic accommodations.

Such an arrangement, however, results in premature degradation of the sheet like substrate due to the forces experienced during use.

Wherein sanding sponges are in a sheet like form having only one side coated with abrasive particles, a problem exists in that the opposite side of the sanding sponge which is gripped by the hand may be slippery when grasped.

In particular this problem exists when the friction between the abrasive particles and the work surface is significantly greater than the friction between the hand and the back of the sanding sponge where it is gripped.

This problem also exists with common sheets of abrasive such as sandpaper or cloth backed abrasive sheets wherein the cloth or the paper backing slips off the hand rather than grips the hand when abrading a surface.

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