FLEXIBLE ABRASIVE ARTICLE AND METHODS OF MAKING
First Claim
1. An abrasive article comprising:
- an abrasive layer having a working surface and a back surface opposite the working surface;
a plurality of elongated channels extending across the working surface; and
an attachment layer extending across at least a portion of the back surface, the attachment layer being sufficiently flexible for the article to be acutely bendable along the channels.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are abrasive articles having a plurality of elongated channels extending across its working surface and intersecting with each other. These channels provide hinge points that enhance flexibility of the article along two or more directions. Optionally, the abrasive article includes a flexible attachment layer, along with apertures that penetrate through the attachment layer located at the intersection points of the channels. The enhanced flexibility allows the abrasive article to easily access recessed areas of the workpiece and facilitates applying even pressure across convex and concave surfaces. The channels assist in segregating dust particles from the abrading operation, and the optional apertures can be advantageously connected to a vacuum source for evacuation of the dust particles from the channels.
15 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An abrasive article comprising:
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an abrasive layer having a working surface and a back surface opposite the working surface; a plurality of elongated channels extending across the working surface; and an attachment layer extending across at least a portion of the back surface, the attachment layer being sufficiently flexible for the article to be acutely bendable along the channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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3. (canceled)
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5. (canceled)
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7-8. -8. (canceled)
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10-11. -11. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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20. An abrasive article having a working surface and a back surface opposite the working surface;
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three sets of generally parallel intersecting channels extending across the working surface and forming an array of equilateral triangles of approximately the same size, the channels having intersection points and further including a plurality of apertures extending through the article at the intersection points; and a flexible attachment layer coupled to the abrasive layer and extending across at least a portion of the back surface.
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21. A method of making an abrasive article comprising:
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mounting a flexible abrasive layer having a working surface and a back surface onto a converting apparatus; and engraving a pattern of channels into the working surface of the abrasive layer to enhance the flexibility of the article. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification