GB2057483A - Abrasive Papers - Google Patents

Abstract

Abrasive papers comprising a multiplicity of relatively small perforations spaced over the area of the paper.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Abrasive Papers My invention relates to abrasive papers, that is to say paper or cloth having abrasive particles thereon in the form of plain sheets, discs or belts.

One major problem of abrasive papers throughout the years is that of clogging by the relatively fine or very fine material removed from the workpiece during the sanding operation; this fine material becomes trapped between the abrasive particles and thus prevents said particlds from efficient operation. Because of this, the abrasive paper has to be discarded long before the abrasive particles have been worn away. In other words, the effect of clogging is to prevent the maximum utilisation of the abrasive particles on the paper.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved abrasive paper in which clogging of the abrasive particles in use is considerably reduced, thereby significantly increasing the effective life of the abrasive paper.

According to my invention an abrasive paper is characterised by a multiplicity of relatively small perforations spaced over the area of the paper.

By "relatively small perforations" is meant holes smaller than about 1" diameter and preferably around 41' or less.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment of abrasive paper in accordance therewith will now be described with reference to the accompanying, diagrammatic drawing, showing a small sheet of said paper.

Referring to the drawing, a sheet of abrasive paper is provided with a multiplicity of perforations at substantially regularly spaced intervals over the area of the sheet. In this embodiment the perforations are arranged substantially in a square-lattice pattern at approximately " intervals, whilst the size of the perforations are approximaterly 1/8" diameter.

In use, I have found that abrasive paper provided with perforations in accordance with my invention reamains effective for 3 to 4 times the life of the same unperforated paper. I believe that the reason for this is that, during the sanding operation, the fine material removed from the workpiece is able to pass through the perforations thereby continuously clearing away from the operative face of the paper. Because of this there is a much reduced possibility of clogging occurring to the degree found with unperforated paper.

Furthermore, if the paper is used for a wet sanding method, the water fed to the operative face of the paper by a sponge, hose or other suitable means entrains the fine material and washes it through the holes, thereby again continuously clearing this material from the operative face.

I have experimented with perforations of various sizes and spacings in abrasive papers of various grades of courseness and have found that, in general, a spacing of around > " and perforations of 3/1 6" to " diameter give very good results. Thus, I have found that if the spacing between perforations is too small, the paper disintegrates in use, whereas if the spacing between perforations is too large, then although an improved life compared with unperforated paper can be expected, such improvement is not nearly so significant, since the larger areas of the paper between the perforations will tend to be clogged more readily.Also, if the diameter of the perforations is too small then the fine sanded material cannot readily pass therethrough, whilst if too large, the effective working surface of the paper is unnecessarily reduced.

Most of my experimentation has been carried out on wooden workpieces, but I have also tried the abrasive paper on metal surfaces and again have found a significant improvement in the life of the paper.

It will be appreciated that the very considerable increase in the life of the perforated abrasive paper compared with unperforated paper can .,provide a very significant cost savings, particularly to a large user such as a car manufacturer, and I believe that such cost savings will far outweigh any extra cost that may be involved in manufacturing the perforated paper, i.e. to cover the cost of a stamping or punching-out operation to produce the perforations in the paper.

Claims

1. An abrasive paper, characterised by a multiplicity of relatively small perforations spaced over the area of the paper, 2. An abrasive paper according to Claim 1, characterised in that the perforations are regularly spaced and are at a spacing of around > " with respect to each other.

3. An abrasive paper according to Claim 2, characterised in that the perforations are arranged substantially in a square-lattice pattern.

4. An abrasive paper according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the perforations are approximately 1/8" - 3/1 6" diameter.

5. An abrasive paper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Abrasive Papers My invention relates to abrasive papers, that is to say paper or cloth having abrasive particles thereon in the form of plain sheets, discs or belts. One major problem of abrasive papers throughout the years is that of clogging by the relatively fine or very fine material removed from the workpiece during the sanding operation; this fine material becomes trapped between the abrasive particles and thus prevents said particlds from efficient operation. Because of this, the abrasive paper has to be discarded long before the abrasive particles have been worn away. In other words, the effect of clogging is to prevent the maximum utilisation of the abrasive particles on the paper. The object of my invention is to provide an improved abrasive paper in which clogging of the abrasive particles in use is considerably reduced, thereby significantly increasing the effective life of the abrasive paper. According to my invention an abrasive paper is characterised by a multiplicity of relatively small perforations spaced over the area of the paper. By "relatively small perforations" is meant holes smaller than about 1" diameter and preferably around 41' or less. In order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment of abrasive paper in accordance therewith will now be described with reference to the accompanying, diagrammatic drawing, showing a small sheet of said paper. Referring to the drawing, a sheet of abrasive paper is provided with a multiplicity of perforations at substantially regularly spaced intervals over the area of the sheet. In this embodiment the perforations are arranged substantially in a square-lattice pattern at approximately " intervals, whilst the size of the perforations are approximaterly 1/8" diameter. In use, I have found that abrasive paper provided with perforations in accordance with my invention reamains effective for 3 to 4 times the life of the same unperforated paper. I believe that the reason for this is that, during the sanding operation, the fine material removed from the workpiece is able to pass through the perforations thereby continuously clearing away from the operative face of the paper. Because of this there is a much reduced possibility of clogging occurring to the degree found with unperforated paper. Furthermore, if the paper is used for a wet sanding method, the water fed to the operative face of the paper by a sponge, hose or other suitable means entrains the fine material and washes it through the holes, thereby again continuously clearing this material from the operative face. I have experimented with perforations of various sizes and spacings in abrasive papers of various grades of courseness and have found that, in general, a spacing of around > " and perforations of 3/1 6" to " diameter give very good results. Thus, I have found that if the spacing between perforations is too small, the paper disintegrates in use, whereas if the spacing between perforations is too large, then although an improved life compared with unperforated paper can be expected, such improvement is not nearly so significant, since the larger areas of the paper between the perforations will tend to be clogged more readily.Also, if the diameter of the perforations is too small then the fine sanded material cannot readily pass therethrough, whilst if too large, the effective working surface of the paper is unnecessarily reduced. Most of my experimentation has been carried out on wooden workpieces, but I have also tried the abrasive paper on metal surfaces and again have found a significant improvement in the life of the paper. It will be appreciated that the very considerable increase in the life of the perforated abrasive paper compared with unperforated paper can .,provide a very significant cost savings, particularly to a large user such as a car manufacturer, and I believe that such cost savings will far outweigh any extra cost that may be involved in manufacturing the perforated paper, i.e. to cover the cost of a stamping or punching-out operation to produce the perforations in the paper. Claims

1. An abrasive paper, characterised by a multiplicity of relatively small perforations spaced over the area of the paper,

2. An abrasive paper according to Claim 1, characterised in that the perforations are regularly spaced and are at a spacing of around > " with respect to each other.

3. An abrasive paper according to Claim 2, characterised in that the perforations are arranged substantially in a square-lattice pattern.

4. An abrasive paper according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the perforations are approximately 1/8" - 3/1 6" diameter.

5. An abrasive paper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.