Abstract: An abrasive article is formed from a lofty nonwoven abrasive pad and one or more abrasive sheets. In one embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side and a plurality of engagement stems on its back side. Enough of the engagement stems engage fibers on the surface of the nonwoven pad to affix the two components together for workpiece surface treatment. In another embodiment, the nonwoven pad has a slit therein, and each abrasive sheet has a portion thereof inserted into its respective slit to anchor the sheet to the pad. In this embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side but may have no stems on its back side. In either embodiment, the sheets are readily replaceable on the nonwoven pad, thus creating a very simple and versatile arrangement for varying the abrasive characteristics presented to the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration attenuating article that has a non-tacky film covering enclosing all or a significant portion of the surface of a vibration attenuating material, wherein at least a portion of the vibration attenuating surface covered by the film covering is a three dimensional surface. A layer of adhesive must be present on at least a portion of the exterior film covering when all of the vibration attenuating material is covered by the exterior film covering.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.

Abstract: An abrasive article is formed from a lofty nonwoven abrasive pad and one or more abrasive sheets. In one embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side and a plurality of engagement stems on its back side. Enough of the engagement stems engage fibers on the surface of the nonwoven pad to affix the two components together for workpiece surface treatment. In another embodiment, the nonwoven pad has a slit therein, and each abrasive sheet has a portion thereof inserted into its respective slit to anchor the sheet to the pad. In this embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side but may have no stems on its back side. In either embodiment, the sheets are readily replaceable on the nonwoven pad, thus creating a very simple and versatile arrangement for varying the abrasive characteristics presented to the workpiece.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending web of lofty nonwoven abrasive surface treatment material is provided in a coreless roll form to the end user. Successive wraps of the nonwoven abrasive material have interengaging surfaces sufficient to maintain the material in a spirally wrapped configuration yet being readily separable. A plurality of longitudinally spaced and laterally disposed perforations through the web permit the user to successively separate the web into a plurality of sheets of abrasive surface treatment material. In a preferred embodiment, the roll is encased in a protective shrink wrap sheath, and each sheet is separated from the roll by separating said sheet from an innermost wrap of the roll. In another preferred embodiment, the abrasive surface treatment material includes abrasive particles of 1000 grade or finer.

Abstract: An abrasive article including (i) a first backing, (ii) a plurality of protrusions attached to the first surface of the first backing and including a grinding aid, wherein the first surface of the first backing is contoured by the protrusions so as to define a plurality of peaks and valleys, and (iii) a coating of abrasive particles adhered to the contoured first surface of the first backing so as to cover at least a portion of both the peaks and the valleys.

Abstract: A method of imaging an article comprising a metal/metal oxide imageable layer with a laser beam. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for imparting a color image on the article. The method includes: a) providing an article including a substrate and an imageable layer, the imageable layer comprising a metal/metal oxide layer; b) imagewise applying a laser beam to the article; and c) in the portion of the article having the laser applied thereto, imparting a color to the metal/metal oxide layer different from the color in the non-imaged portion. Preferably, the imageable layer comprises aluminum/aluminum oxide. Also presented are imageable articles, and the resulting imaged articles.

Abstract: A method of using a coversheet to remove a plurality of pieces of temporary tape from a laminated assembly. In particular, a method of using a coversheet to remove a plurality of pieces of pressure sensitive adhesive tape from a laminated veneer assembly. The coversheet and the pressure sensitive adhesive tape are selected such that after application of heat and pressure during the veneer lamination process, the back of the tape bonds to the surface of the coversheet. After lamination, the coversheet is removed with the pieces of tape bonded thereto. In this manner, the large number of pieces of tape do not have to be removed individually.

Abstract: A method of forming a stacked laminate mold.

Abstract: A backup pad for engaging and supporting abrasive sheets, the backup pad being mounted securely to a drive shaft to prevent relative rotation thereto, and to allow easy mounting and dismounting of the backup pad to the mounting shaft without the use of tools. The backup pad includes a body comprising a front surface and a back surface, releasable engagement means provided on the front surface for releasably engaging an abrasive article, and a mounting boss provided on said rear surface. The mounting boss includes a first end facing away from the body, and an opening in the first end of the boss, the opening being formed by an inner surface generally perpendicular to said body and defining a non-circular cross-section. The opening includes elastic means such as an o-ring for releasably engaging a drive shaft mounted in said opening. Also disclosed is a method of using such a backup pad.

Abstract: A rotary surface treatment tool is attached to a rotational driver with a kit. The surface treatment tool includes a base with a middle portion around a center hole, and one or more attachment knobs are placed on the front side of the middle portion. An attachment plate or retainer nut has a flange which extends radially over the middle portion of the base. The attachment knobs mate with holes in the flange of the retainer nut. The surface treatment tool is tightened onto the shaft by turning the surface treatment tool, with the attachment knob turning the retainer nut and thereby tightening the retainer nut to the threaded shaft. Assembly and tightening without any tools is thus facilitated. The base may be made of a flexible, shape-retaining material, and recesses are provided behind the attachment knobs to permit use with a retainer nut without a mating recess. The surface treatment tool may be a brush having bristles which extend at about 90.degree. to the plane of the base.

Abstract: A molded abrasive brush having a backing with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The backing and bristles are preferably integrally molded. The brush is molded from a moldable polymer such a thermoset polymer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoplastic elastomer. The moldable polymer includes a plurality of organic or inorganic abrasive particles interspersed throughout at least the bristles, and can be interspersed throughout the brush. The moldable brush can include an attaching means molded integrally with the backing. Also disclosed is a method of making a molded abrasive brush and a method of refining a workpiece surface with a molded abrasive brush.

Abstract: A surface treating article including a quick release fastener. The fastener includes a first end opposite the article, a second end adjacent the article, a tapered portion increasing in cross sectional area in the direction from the first end to the second end, a groove located between the tapered portion and the second end, and a mating portion having a non-circular cross section. Preferably, the mating portion has a hexagonal cross section. Also disclosed is a backup pad for use with the surface treating article. The backup pad includes an opening having a cross sectional area that corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the mating portion of the fastener. The backup pad also includes an o-ring in the opening to engage the groove in the fastener.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a bonding layer to a member of an optical recording medium and for bonding together members of an optical recording medium. The methods and apparatus are useful for assembling optical recording media such as compact disks (CDs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs), and are particularly well suited for use with pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a plurality of wood veneer substrates in fixed relation to each other that includes positioning a plurality of wood veneer substrates in relation to each other, and applying a tape to the substrates to maintain the substrates in fixed relation to each other. The tape is capable of maintaining wood veneer substrates in fixed relation to each other before and during a lamination process in which the substrates are laminated to an underlying base, and is cleanly removable from the substrates following the lamination process.

Abstract: A polymeric imaging medium comprising a receptor layer and an optional backing layer particularly useful in electrophotographic printing processes with liquid toners comprising thermoplastic toner particles in a liquid carrier that is not a solvent for the particles at a first temperature and that is a solvent for the particles at a second temperature, methods of imaging such a medium, and such an imaged medium. In one preferred embodiment, the receptor layer comprises a polymer of ethylene, n-butylacrylate, and methacrylic acid. In another preferred embodiment, the receptor layer comprises a blend of 60 to 90 percent by weight of a polymer comprising ethylene, n-butylacrylate, and methacrylic acid and about 10 to 40 percent by weight of a neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.

Abstract: A particle-coated substrate (in particular, an abrasive material formed by coating a substrate with abrasive particles) in which a substrate is coated uniformly and in a thin layer with cohesive fine particles, a particle ejector for fabricating the coated substrate, a coated substrate fabricating apparatus comprising the ejector, a particle-coated substrate fabricating method (in particular, a method of fabricating an abrasive material in which a substrate is coated with abrasive particles), and an abrasive sheet. Agitation gas is fed through the porous wall of a particle storage container in the ejector, and an ejection gas is fed from an ejector nozzle through the container to deliver the fluidized particles and ejection gas through a discharge tube generally coaxial with the ejection gas nozzle. The particle ejector is capable of attaining a uniform particle size distribution without causing the particles to undergo blocking, agglomeration, or bridging.