Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
  • B24B55/00—Safety devices for grinding or polishing machines; Accessories fitted to grinding or polishing machines for keeping tools or parts of the machine in good working condition
  • B24B55/06—Dust extraction equipment on grinding or polishing machines
  • B24B55/10—Dust extraction equipment on grinding or polishing machines specially designed for portable grinding machines, e.g. hand-guided
  • B24B55/102—Dust extraction equipment on grinding or polishing machines specially designed for portable grinding machines, e.g. hand-guided with rotating tools
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
  • B24B55/00—Safety devices for grinding or polishing machines; Accessories fitted to grinding or polishing machines for keeping tools or parts of the machine in good working condition
  • B24B55/06—Dust extraction equipment on grinding or polishing machines
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24D—TOOLS FOR GRINDING, BUFFING OR SHARPENING
  • B24D11/00—Constructional features of flexible abrasive materials; Special features in the manufacture of such materials
  • B24D11/001—Manufacture of flexible abrasive materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24D—TOOLS FOR GRINDING, BUFFING OR SHARPENING
  • B24D9/00—Wheels or drums supporting in exchangeable arrangement a layer of flexible abrasive material, e.g. sandpaper
  • B24D9/08—Circular back-plates for carrying flexible material

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an abrasive article, in particular, an abrasive article comprising a backing and an abrasive coating on a surface of the backing, the article having a centre point and a periphery; and a plurality of holes through the backing and the abrasive coating, and an adapter for an abrasive article, also being provided with holes, through which particulate material may be extracted.
• a dust extraction process which may either be by extracting dust from around the workpiece (for example using a worktable with dust extraction capabilities, such as a downdraft workbench) or by extracting dust through the abrasive (for example, using a sanding tool with dust extraction capabilities). This latter option is particularly popular, due to its convenience.
• Coated abrasives typically comprise a backing, such as paper or cloth, coated with an abrasive coating, formed from a resin having an abrasive grit either dispersed therein on one surface of the backing.
• a layer of an attachment material such as a hook and loop material, or a brushed nylon material, is provided on the opposite surface of the backing to the abrasive coating. This enables the abrasive article to be mounted on a back up pad, which in turn is attached to the tool.
• holes are placed in the abrasive article, typically through the backing, abrasive coating and attachment layer, which communicate with holes provided in the back up pad, such that dust is extracted through the holes in the abrasive article and back up pad.
• Some designs of abrasive article use a small number of larger holes, that are typically aligned with holes provided in the back up pad, such as the fifteen hole 255P abrasive disc, available in the UK from 3M United Kingdom PLC, 3M Centre, Cain Road, Bracknell, RG12 8HT.
• abrasive used fur dust extraction utilise a different structure, comprising many, small holes, which may or may not require alignment with corresponding holes in the back up pad, such as the 334U and 734U (Purple) abrasive disc, again, available from 3M United Kingdom PLC.
• WO2012/034785 discusses the use of many small holes for improved dust extraction, although rather than proposing a uniform distribution of holes across the surface of the abrasive article, the use of a Fibonacci sequence, or golden number, to generate a hole distribution is discussed, showing that a non-uniform arrangement also gives beneficial dust extraction results.
• a Fibonacci sequence or golden number
• the present invention aims to address these problems by providing an abrasive article comprising a backing and an abrasive coating on a surface of the backing, the article having a centre point and a periphery and the abrasive coating forming a work surface; and a plurality of holes extending through the backing and the abrasive coating, through which particulate material may be extracted; wherein the article is divided into at least a first inner and a second outer zone, the second zone located outside the first zone and being concentric with the first and the centre point; each zone having at least one hole, wherein in each of the first and the second zone the sizes of the hole(s) and their total number forms a hole density for that respective zone; and wherein the hole density of the first zone is less than the hole density of the second zone.
• the dust extraction capabilities of the abrasive article can be greatly improved in contrast to existing holed abrasive articles.
• each hole has a size and position within the respective zone such that the ratio between the distance of each hole from the centre point multiplied by the total surface area of abrasive coating within the respective zone and the total surface area of the at least one hole within the respective zone is substantially constant for the first and second zones.
• the holes in each zone are distributed evenly about the centre point.
• the article is in the form of a disc.
• the abrasive article may further comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, in which there are no holes.
• the abrasive article may further comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, comprising at least one hole.
• the holes are positioned along radii of the disc.
• At least one further hole may be provided outside of the at least two zones.
• the at least one further hole may be a centre hole, positioned at the centre point.
• the at least one further hole may be located away from the centre point.
• the at least two holes in each zone form an overall asymmetric pattern across the abrasive article.
• the holes have preferably a diameter in the range 1.0mm to 25.0mm.
• the abrasive article comprises between 7 and 100 holes. More preferably, the abrasive article comprises between 7 and 30 holes. Yet more preferably, the particulate is dust, and the abrasive article is adapted for use with dust extraction equipment.
• the present invention also provides an adapter for an abrasive article comprising a body having a mounting surface adapted for the attachment of an abrasive article , the adapter having a centre point and a periphery; and a plurality of holes extending through the body, through which particulate material may be extracted; wherein the mounting surface is divided into at least a first inner and a second outer zone, the second zone located outside the first zone and being concentric with the first and the centre point; each zone having at least one hole, wherein in each of the first and the second zone the sizes of the holes and their total number forms a hole density for that respective zone; and wherein the hole density of the first zone is less than the hole density of the second zone.
• the dust extraction capabilities of the adapter can be greatly improved in contrast to existing devices. This may be with or without the optimisation of an associated abrasive article.
• each hole has a size and position within the respective zone such that the ratio between the distance of each hole from the centre point multiplied by the total surface area of mounting surface within the respective zone and the total surface area of the at least one hole within the respective zone is substantially constant for the first and second zones.
• the at least two holes are provided in each zone, and the holes in each zone are distributed evenly about the centre point.
• the adapter is in the form of a circular back up pad.
• the adapter may further comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, in which there are no holes.
• the adapter may further comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, comprising at least one hole.
• the holes are positioned along radii of the circular back up pad.
• At least one further hole may be provided outside of the at least two zones.
• the at least one further hole may be a centre hole, positioned at the centre point. Alternatively, the at least one further hole is located away from the centre point.
• the at least two holes in each zone may form an overall asymmetric pattern across the adapter.
• the holes have a diameter in the range 1.0mm to 25.0mm.
• the adapter comprises between 7 and 100 holes, more preferably, between 7 and 30 holes.
• the particulate is dust
• the adapter is adapted for use with dust extraction equipment.
• Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section showing the construction of an abrasive article suitable for use with any of the embodiments of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an abrasive article in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an abrasive article in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the fifteen hole and seventy-eight hole abrasives used in comparative experiments with the first and second embodiments of the present invention
• Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section view of an adapter for an abrasive article in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an adapter for an abrasive article in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• the present invention takes the approach of understanding that not only is a uniform level of dust extraction across the surface of an abrasive article is required for good performance, this should ideally take into account situations where the abrasive article is used on a tool providing an orbit and/or the rotation of the abrasive article in use.
• a random orbital or dual action (DA) sander such as the 3M Random Orbital Sander range, available from 3M as above, not only spins the abrasive article, but moves it in an elliptical orbit pattern, giving a translational motion component to the rotational motion of the abrasive article.
• DA dual action
• the increased speed at the edge of the abrasive article generates increased cut on the surface of the workpiece, as a greater area of abrasive material passes over the surface of the workpiece, creating a more aggressive cut due to the difference in speed.
• This generates an increased amount of particulate material being removed from the surface of the workpiece, typically dust composed of paint debris or filler, depending on the application, which requires timely removal to reduce the clogging of the surfaces of the abrasive article and the expulsion of particulate material into the surrounding atmosphere.
• the present invention addresses this by dividing the work surface abrasive article, formed by the abrasive coating, into at least a first inner and a second outer zone, the second zone being concentric with the first and the centre point.
• Each zone has at least one hole, and in each of the first and the second zone the sizes of the holes and their total number forms a hole density for that respective zone.
• the hole density of the first zone is less than the hole density of the second zone.
• the hole density is therefore a measure of the surface area of the abrasive article dedicated to holes, and its relationship to the surface area of the abrasive article that is solely abrasive coating, i.e. not provided with holes.
• each hole has a size and position within the respective zone such that the ratio between the distance of each hole from the centre point multiplied by the total surface area of abrasive coating within the respective zone and the total surface area of the at least one hole within the respective zone is substantially constant for the first and second zones.
• One way of doing this is to provide at least one hole in each zone, and to ensure that these holes are distributed evenly about the centre point.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section showing the construction of an abrasive article suitable for use with any of the embodiments of the present invention.
• An abrasive article 1 comprises backing 2 having a first surface 3 and a second surface 4, and an abrasive coating 5 on the first surface 3 of the backing 2.
• the abrasive coating 5 comprises a resin layer 6 having abrasive particles 7 dispersed therein, forming a work surface 8 intended to be used to sand a workpiece (not shown).
• An attachment layer 9, in this example, a hook and loop attachment layer, is provided on the second surface of the backing 2. This enables the abrasive disc to be mounted on the back up pad of a tool (not shown), the tool being provided with dust extraction capability.
• a plurality of holes 10 are provided, extending through the backing 2 and the abrasive coating 5.
• the plurality of holes 10 also extend through the attachment layer 9. This enables fluid communication between the work surface 8 and the tool, such that dust generated at the work surface 8 by the abrasive article 1 can be extracted away from the workpiece through the holes 10 to the tool.
• the first embodiment of the present invention uses an abrasive disc intended for dust extraction as an example, although it should be understood that the same approach may be used with other shapes of abrasive article, or abrasive articles used for other types of particulate extraction, such as those used wet or damp, as well as dry. Therefore the use of an abrasive disc should not been seen as limiting the present invention, nor should the use of circular holes.
• Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an abrasive article in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
• the abrasive disc had a diameter of 150mm.
• a total of fifty-nine holes are included in the disc, distributed evenly about the centre point 12. The position and size of the holes was determined as follows.
• the amount of dust extracted will be proportional to the amount of open area, i.e. the surface area of the holes 10 provided across the abrasive disc 11. To determine the surface area of the holes required, the following equation is used:
• K is a constant
• O is the orbit and v the linear speed as above at the point of consideration
• Ahou is the surface area of the abrasive disc 11 occupied by holes
• a abra ive is the surface area of the abrasive disc 11 remaining.
• an ideal amount of hole area is chosen for the abrasive disc 11.
• the hole area was chosen to be 10% of the overall surface area of the abrasive disc 11, and Equation 1 solved to give K, using an orbit of 2.5mm and a rotational speed of 4000rpm. This yielded a value of K of 199.
• Holes 10 were then chosen in accordance with manufacturing constraints to try to reach this theoretical value of T using Equation 1 for each zone.
• Holes 10 were sized and positioned as follows and as shown in Table 1 below (all measurements are in mm). Holes were positioned at the edges of each zone, with half of the number of holes in each zone being positioned on the inner edge of the zone and half positioned on the outer edge of the zone for each of zones B, C and D, and one third of the holes in Zone E were placed on the boundary between zone D and zone E. As discussed above, the orbit O used in the calculation was 2.5mm and the rotational speed ⁇ was 4000rpm. Calculated hole diameters are shown in brackets in Table 1, actual hole diameters are also shown: Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone D Zone E
• the ratio of the surface area of the abrasive disc 11 occupied by holes to the surface area of the abrasive disc 11 remaining was 0.098 (9.8%).
• Holes 10 were placed in each zone so as to be evenly distributed around the centre point 12 of the abrasive disc 11. It can be seen that the manufacturing constraints on hole size and position led to a discrepancy in K values for some zones in practice, despite the Equation being solved for the required surface area (hole diameters in accordance with Equation 1 are given in brackets in Table 1, actual hole diameters are also shown). Testing of the abrasive disc 11 was carried out to determine if this resulted in a detrimental effect on performance.
• Comparative tests between an abrasive disc 11 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, an abrasive disc 150mm in diameter and having fifteen holes, and an abrasive disc 150mm in diameter having seventy-eight holes were carried out. All three abrasive discs were made from 255P abrasive material, available from 3M as above, and in a P500 grade. The fifteen hole disc had a ratio of the surface area of the abrasive disc occupied by holes to the surface area of the abrasive disc remaining of 0.062 (6.2%) , and the seventy-eight hole disc 0.05 (5%).
• Each disc comprised a centre hole with the remaining holes distributed evenly across the surface of the abrasive disc, as illustrated in Figure 4 below. All tests were carried out on a Fanuc Robotics robot using a 150mm National Detroit Air Powered Sander, available from National Detroit, 1590 Northrock Court, Rockford, Illinois 61103, US.
• a 600 x 600mm primer panel was painted with a Standox VOC System filler, available from Standox, Wedgwood Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SGI 4QN to a thickness of approximately ⁇ , weighed, and the weight recorded. Before sanding, the surface of the primer panel was wiped down with a clean tack cloth, which was then disposed of.
• the robot sanded the surface of the primer panel at a medium pressure (5.5 lbs/2.5kg) in alternating north- south and east- west direction for fifteen seconds.
• the primer panel was then weighed a second time, and the weight recorded. This was repeated for a further forty-five second period and a one-hundred and eighty second period, with the panel being weighed after each sanding session.
• the panel was cleaned with a second tack cloth of known initial weight, the second tack cloth was then weighed, and placed in an airtight bag. The second tack cloth was subsequently weighed to determine the amount of dust left on the panel.
• the fifty-nine hole disc showed an improvement in both dust extraction, with less dust remaining on the surface of the panel after testing than both the fifteen hole and seventy- eight hole abrasive discs, and cut.
• the fifty-nine hole abrasive article in accordance with the present invention gives the better performance.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an abrasive article in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
• This shows an abrasive disc 13 having a centre point 14, and divided into four zones A, B, C, and D, similar to the first embodiment described above.
• the abrasive disc had a diameter of 150mm.
• Twenty-one holes 15 were provided using the same methodology as above, in each zone as shown in Table 3 below.
• Equation 1 was solved to give a desired surface area of 0.066 (6.6%, so as to be the same as an existing 15 hole abrasive disc) and a theoretical value of T of 316.
• the orbit O was 2.5mm and the speed ⁇ 4000rpm, again all measurements are in mm.
• the robot sanded the surface of the wooden panel at a medium pressure (5.51bs/2.5kg) in alternating north-south and east-west direction for two minutes.
• the wooden panel was then weighed a second time, and the weight recorded. This was repeated for a further minute period and a one minute period.
• the painted metal panel was also wiped clean with the same tack cloth and then the tack cloth placed in an airtight bag for subsequent weighing.
• the tack cloth was weighed to determine the amount of dust left on the panels. By measuring the weight of the wooden panel the total amount of material removed in grams gives the amount of cut, and the measurement of the weight of the tack cloth gives the additional weight of dust in grams remaining in the working area, which is indicative of the efficiency of the dust extraction process.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the fifteen hole 16 and seventy-eight hole 17 abrasives used in comparative experiments with the first and second embodiments of the present invention. This illustrates that the present invention offers similar or improved performance when compared with traditional hole patterns and multihole abrasive discs, as the ratio between the surface area of abrasive coating within the zone and the surface area of the holes is optimised for the hole size and distribution.
• the level of accuracy of the constant K will also be influenced by the method used to form the holes in the abrasive article.
• Equation 1 For example, if there is a limit on the hole size achievable, either in terms of absolute size (minimum radius) or engineering tolerance, then there may be some variability in K. Therefore where Equation 1 is best satisfied by a hole size that is not practicable, a more reasonable hole size may be used.
• Methods to create the holes in the abrasive article include mechanical punching and cutting using a laser.
• Equation 1 predicts an ideal hole size of 4.89mm as in the second embodiment described above, the use of a back up pad with a 5mm hole has a considerable effect on K, as this may be effectively substituted into the calculations.
• K value closer to that predicted by Equation 1.
• other shapes of abrasive article may be formed, such as sheets, for example rectangular sheets, where the sheets also have a centre point and a periphery, as the above equation may be re-written to be in terms of distance, d, of the zone from the centre, rather than rotational speed: ⁇ d + 0)
• the article is divided into at least two zones, being concentric with each other and the centre point.
• Each zone has at least one hole, preferably two holes distributed evenly about the centre point.
• Each hole has a size and position such that the ratio between the distance of the zone from the centre point multiplied by the surface area of abrasive coating within the zone and the surface area of the holes within the zone is approximately constant for each zone.
• the abrasive article is an abrasive disc, such that the holes are positioned along radii of the disc.
• the orbit may be a linear translation in the case of a tool used with an abrasive sheet, such that the constant O represents the amplitude of the translational motion.
• the constant O may be omitted.
• the holes used need not necessarily be circular, but shaped so as to be suitable for their intended use, for example, triangular, square, rectangular, or other polygonal or curved shape. In the above examples, twenty-one and fifty-nine holes were used. However, the equations 1 and 2 may be used to position any number of holes as required. Preferably this may be between 7 and 100 holes, more preferably between 7 and 30 holes. The sizes of the holes used in the above examples is within the range of 3.5mm to 10mm in diameter, but may preferably be between 1.0mm and 25.0mm in diameter if desired.
• the abrasive coating comprises a resin material having abrasive particles dispersed therein.
• the abrasive coating may comprise other materials, such as grinding aids, other layers, such as a supersize layer, or may be formed from an adhesive material or a slurry.
• Other layers, such as a tie-coat or other strengthening or reinforcing layer may be provided between the backing and the abrasive coating.
• Microreplication techniques may be used to form the abrasive coating if desired, or the coating may comprise and adhesive and various abrasive grains or particles.
• Suitable backing materials include paper and textiles (both treated and untreated), foams, and other materials generally used in the manufacture of coated abrasive articles.
• the particulate is dust
• the abrasive article is adapted for use with dust extraction equipment.
• dust extraction equipment either comprises vacuum extraction means or self-generated vacuum extraction means, or may just rely on centripetal forces to move dust and air through the holes and away from the surface of the workpiece.
• other types of particulate extraction may be carried out.
• One situation where this is the case is where an abrasive is used wet or damp or with a polish, and the motion of the tool causes swarf, paint or other particulate debris to move within a liquid carrier, hence through the holes of the abrasive article.
• the abrasive article may comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, in which there are no holes.
• the abrasive article may comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, comprising at least one hole.
• the holes 10, 15 are distributed evenly around the centre point 12. However, this need not be the case.
• the holes may be distributed in any fashion, whether this forms a regular array or pattern or not, since as long as the above Equation 1 and Equation 2 are satisfied the dust extraction performance of the abrasive article is optimised.
• At least one further hole may be provided outside of the at least two zones. This may be, for example, a centre hole, positioned at the centre point. Often this is required to align with holes provided on a standard back up pad or other tool attachment means, such as a block for an abrasive sheet. Alternatively, or additionally, the at least one further hole may be positioned elsewhere on the abrasive article, such as away from the centre point.
• the at least two holes in each zone may form an overall asymmetric pattern across the surface of the abrasive article. This may be desirable from an aesthetic point of view, or for ease of manufacture. Alternatively the least two holes in each zone may form an overall symmetric pattern across the surface of the abrasive article.
• the arrangement of holes shown in both the first and second embodiments of the present invention are approximately spiral, or having arms distributed in a spiral arrangement, this should not be seen as limiting, as any arrangement of holes within each zone satisfying the above equations 1 and 2 will fall within the scope of the appended claims.
• Equations 1 and 2 are applied to abrasive articles, such as abrasive discs and sheets.
• the equations may also be applied to the accessories used with such abrasive articles, as follows. Although the accessories do not themselves generate dust or other particulate matter at a workpiece, they drive the behaviour of the abrasive article, hence similar considerations apply.
• Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section view of an adapter for an abrasive article in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. This is used to mount an abrasive article, such as an abrasive disc, onto a tool, such as a sander.
• the adapter is a circular back up pad, but it may alternatively or additionally be an interface pad (which is placed between an abrasive article and a back up pad to provide a cushioning effect in use) or other adapter such as a hand block.
• the back up pad 18 comprises a body 19, a mounting surface 20, adapted for the attachment of an abrasive article such as an abrasive disc 11, 13, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a tool attachment means 21, for attaching to a tool (not shown).
• the mounting surface 20 comprises a hook material 22 suitable for engagement with the hook and loop or brushed nylon layer 9 provided on the abrasive disc 11, 13, such that the abrasive disc 11, 13 is attached firmly to the back up pad 18 during use.
• the back up pad 18 is provided with a plurality of holes 23, extending through the mounting surface 20 and through at least a portion of the body 19, through which particular matter is extracted. This enables fluid connection between dust extraction means (not shown) and the surface of a workpiece (also not shown) during use. Thus, dust or other particulate matter generated at the surface of the workpiece during use is removed via the holes 23 in the back up pad.
• Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an adapter for an abrasive article in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• the back up pad 18 has a periphery 24 and a centre point 25, and is divided into a series of zones, A, B, C, D, as with the abrasive articles described above.
• Each zone comprises at least two holes, distributed evenly about the centre point 15.
• the plurality of holes 23 are arranged as follows. Since the back up pad 18 will be subject to the same rotational and/or translational or orbital movement as the abrasive article, Equations 1 and 2 can be modified to apply to the back up pad 18. For a circular back up pad:
• T is a constant
• O is the orbit and v the linear speed as above
• Ahoie is the surface area of the back up pad 18 occupied by holes
• Attachment is the surface area of the back up pad remaining. In this situation, holes are positioned along the radii of the circular back up pad.
• T is a constant
• O is the orbit and d the distance of the holes from the centre point 25
• Ahoie is the surface area of the back up pad 18 occupied by holes
• Attachment is the surface area of the back up pad remaining.
• the mounting surface is divided into at least a first inner and a second outer zone, the second zone being concentric with the first and the centre point.
• Each zone has at least one hole, wherein in each of the first and the second zone the sizes of the holes and their total number forms a hole density for that respective zone, and the hole density of the first zone is less than the hole density of the second zone.
• each hole has a size and position within the respective zone such that the ratio between the distance of each hole from the centre point multiplied by the total surface area of mounting surface within the respective zone and the total surface area of the at least two holes within the respective zone is substantially constant for the first and second zones.
• K is calculated for a particular desired hole area. This may be desired to be a match for a particular abrasive article, for example, with the holes 23 positioned on both the back up pad 18 and an abrasive disc 11, 13 or other abrasive article such that the holes 10, 15, in the abrasive disc 11, 13, or other abrasive article align completely with the holes 23 in the back up pad.
• the holes 23 may be positioned such that there is no or only partial alignment, or the holes 23 in the back up pad 18 may be greater or lesser in diameter than corresponding holes 10, 15 in the abrasive disc 11, 13 or other abrasive article.
• the holes in the interface pad may be adjusted similarly to align or not as desired with both the holes 23 in the back up pad and in any abrasive article mounted on the interface pad.
• at least two holes are provided in each zone, and the holes in each zone are distributed evenly about the centre point, although only one hole is necessary.
• the holes may be distributed in an uneven or non-regular pattern, as with the abrasive article described above.
• holes may be distributed in an overall asymmetric pattern across the adapter. This may be the case regardless of whether the adapter is used with or without an abrasive article in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, or whether the abrasive article has an even or uneven distribution of holes.
• the adapter may comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, in which there are no holes.
• the adapter may further comprise a third zone, positioned between the first and second zones, comprising at least one hole. This allows for further freedom in design of the adapter and optimisation of the adapter/abrasive article combination as a whole. To aid in this, at least one further hole may be provided outside of the at least two zones.
• This one further hole may be a centre hole, positioned at the centre point, or it may be located away from the centre point.
• the holes have a diameter in the range 1.0mm to 25.0mm.
• the adapter comprises between 7 and 100 holes, more preferably between 7 and 30 holes.
• the particulate is dust, and the adapter is adapted for use with dust extraction equipment.

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• 2013
  • 2013-07-02 GB GB1311846.8A patent/GB2515764A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2014
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  • 2014-06-30 JP JP2016524284A patent/JP2016523728A/ja active Pending
  • 2014-06-30 WO PCT/US2014/044823 patent/WO2015002865A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-06-30 US US14/899,580 patent/US20160144484A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-06-30 CN CN201480041232.XA patent/CN105408064B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
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