Reinforced means
This invention relates to reinforcement of various items by the use of a fibre substrate such as filament tape. The reinforced items may be used for strengthening abrasive paper, packaging and cabling.
This invention relates to improvements in or relating to a reinforced means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are many types of abrasive products currently available for use in jewelry manufacture and finishing. Typically, these abrasive products consist of a form of abrasive substrate (such as emery, silicon carbide or aluminum oxide crystals) bonded (usually by glue or some form of synthetic resin) to a form of backing substrate. Three main types of backing substrate are commonly used: cloth backing (e.g. emery cloth), paper backing (e.g. sandpaper) or flat wooden sticks or handles (e.g. emery sticks).
All these types of abrasive products can be difficult to use and there are some common problem inherent in their use. In particular, most cloth-backed abrasive products are too thick and are therefore unable to be used in very small spaces such as are common in jewelry manufacture. Furthermore, the cloth used is generally comprised of fibers which are interwoven across each other, and therefore they have limited tension, and tend to pull apart easily, especially when provided as, or formed into, narrow strips. This type of interwoven construction can also result in ‘bunching’ during use. Also, cloth-backed abrasive products tend to use “pointed” grit which may result in undesirable scratch patterns when used.
However the principal problem with paper-backed abrasive, products is that they lack durability. The paper backing quickly wears and tears, usually before the abrasive substrate reaches its optimum use. Therefore paper-backed product can be expensive, as they frequently need to be replaced. For example, in a typical manufacturing jewelers over a six mouth period with two users, it would be common to use about 21 sheets of emery paper.
Furthermore if the paper gets wet, for example when polishing, the paper can readily tear or disintegrate.
Emery sticks have obvious disadvantages in that they can be too thick and inflexible due to the heavier paper or wood backing substrate, and therefore cannot be used in small spaces or to finish corners.
Abrasive papers when used with a disc sander also have disadvantages, for example, when used by boat builders the paper easily tears and reduces in size leading to damage to the backing pad which is usually made of a foam material. When sanding or polishing boat builders will usually not sand or polish into joining points such as corners because the paper disc will frequently cut into the curved corners which corners are usually made by the use of settable resins. The sanding discs may also be difficult to remove from the foam pad.
Various packaging materials are also disadvantageous, for example, the material having bubbles of air trapped between two plastics layers, frequently called bubblewrap is difficult to tear in a selected direction as the tear line tends to wander. Polystyrene packaging however readily tears or punctures.
OBJECTIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide reinforced means which will go at least some way towards overcoming at least some of the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet effective manner or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
STATEMENT OF INVENTIONAccordingly, in one aspect, the invention consists in a reinforced means comprising a fibre substrate containing at least one self-adhesive surface to which a further layer is adhered.
Preferably, said fibre substrate is formed of a type of material wherein the fibres in the material are aligned in substantially the same direction and are not interwoven.
Preferably, the fibres within said fibre substrate are formed of glass filaments or fiberglass or similar material.
Preferably, said fibre substrate is a strong self-adhesive packaging tape.
Preferably, said fibre substrate is substantially 0.1 mm in thickness.
Preferably, the fibre substrate according to any one of the preceding paragraphs carries double-sided adhesive surfaces to which two separate abrasive layers are affixed to form in use a saw blade.
Preferably, the further layer is an abrasive layer.
Preferably, said abrasive layer is any existing abrasive product comprising a paper backing.
Preferably, said abrasive layer comprises sandpaper or emery paper.
Preferably, said abrasive layer is substantially 0.2 mm in thickness.
Preferably, said fibre substrate and said abrasive layer are of an equal length and width such that when they are combined they form a single symmetrical sheet of abrasive means, such length and width being selected according to the desired use.
Preferably, the resulting abrasive means is substantially 0.3 mm in thickness.
Preferably, said sheets of abrasive means are scribed and folded around a thin elongated wooden stick suck as a ruler such that a sharper edge is retained in use.
Preferably, said abrasive means is cut into strips of a selected length and width according to desired use.
Preferably, said abrasive means when cut into strips is cut along the length in the same direction as the substantially aligned fibres on the fibre substrate such that maximum strength is retained in use.
Preferably, said strips of abrasive means are supported in a saw frame such that maximum tension is retained in use.
Preferably, said strips of abrasive means are supported in a buffing wheel in use.
Preferably, said sheets of abrasive means are supported in rolls, discs, belts or any other devices which are designed to support abrasive products, in use.
Preferably, reinforced means when for use on a disc further includes a strip of adhesive
Preferably, strip of adhesive is narrower than width of the reinforced means.
Preferably, a water resistant layer is provided between said substrate and said abrasive layer in use.
Preferably, said water resistant layer comprises an open web layer of plastics material.
Alternatively, said further layer comprises a layer of bubble wrap.
Preferably, said further layer comprises a layer of expanded closed cell plastics material.
Preferably, said expanded closed cell plastics material comprises expanded polystyrene.
Alternatively, said further layer comprises a further layer of said fibre substrate, one or more tendons being encapsulated between the two layers of fibre substrate.
Preferably, said tendons lie parallel to the direction of the fibres in the fibre substrate.
Preferably, the tendons compromise electrical conductors.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely, differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended cans. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
Referring to the drawings, an improved reinforced means is provided which essentially includes a fibre substrate 1. The fibre substrate 1 is combined with one or more other layers to construct the reinforced means.
In first embodiments the fibre substrate is adhered to an abrasive layer or layers 2.
Referring to
The abrasive layer 2 is formed preferably from an existing paper-backed abrasive product, such as emery paper or sandpaper. The abrasive layer 2 is substantially thin, comprising a thickness of preferably no more than 0.2 mm. However, the abrasive layer 2 may be of any selected thickness, as may be selected for a particular use. The abrasive layer 2 is preferably in the form of an elongated strip but may consist of or be cut to any selected length, width or shape, as may be selected for a particular use.
The fibre substrate 1 and the abrasive layer 2 are preferably of substantially the same length, width or shape or are cut to substantially the same length, width or shape.
The abrasive layer 2 is affixed to the fibre substrate 1 by means of the adhesive surface 4 or surfaces 5 of the fibre substrate 1, to form a sheet of the abrasive means of the invention. Preferably, once the fibre substrate 1 and abrasive layer 2 are combined, the abrasive means comprises a total thickness of no more than 0.3 mm. However, the abrasive means may be of any selected thickness (being the combined thickness of the fibre substrate 1 and the abrasive layer 2) as may be desired in use. The abrasive means may be cut into any desired size or shape, for example, into square sheets or strips or similar, as may be required in use. The abrasive means if cut into strips, is usually cut along its length in the same direction as the fibres or filaments 3 of the fibre substrate 1 to ensure the strips retain maximum strength in use.
In one preferred form of the invention as depicted in
In one preferred form of the invention, the abrasive means may be further affixed to a saw frame such that maximum tension is retained in use and maximum flexibility is retained to work in very small and normally inaccessible places.
In a further preferred form of the invention, as depicted in
In a further preferred form of the invention, as depicted in
These tabs 11 are then fastened with pins or some other fastening devices 12 into the buffing wheel. Thus in use, as any surface or the abrasive means 10 wears down, it can be repositioned around the wheel such that a new surface is available for use.
The abrasive means may be used in any other supporting devices which are designed to support abrasive products, such as depicted in
In the construction of the
To the strip 4 on the opposite face to the face carrying the abrasive layer 2 is provided an adhesive strip 20. This is desirably a double side adhesive strip and may be provided in a lesser width than the width of the substrate 4 and abrasive layer 2, for example, about 50 mm as indicated by arrow 21.
The construction may be made in elongated strips which are then cut to the desired length and may also be cut to a round or other selected shape if desired.
In use the available side of the double sided adhesive strip 20 is adhered to a sanding disc, for example, a foam disc by means of the strip 20. It will be apparent that the side parts 21 are two at least some extent free, that is to say not adhered to the foam disc. When the disc has been used the double sided adhesive can be readily removed from the foam layer by simply gripping one of the free-edged parts 21 and pulling the abrasive disc from the grinder pad.
In the embodiments of
Turning now to the embodiment of
A layer 4 of the filament holding material is placed across the top of the bubbles so that the filaments run in a first selected direction.
This material is suitably adhered to the top of the bubbles and if desired a further layer 4a may be placed over the layer 4, for example, with the filaments 3 running in a different selected directions, for example, at right angles to the first direction.
With the embodiment having only layer 4 the bubblewrap material can be readily torn along the line parallel to the filaments 3. The reinforcing caused by the filaments of the bubblewrap material 31 in essence forces tearing to occur along that line.
If the second layer 4a is added the material becomes difficult to tear becoming resistant to tearing because of the cross nature of the filaments 3 in the layers 4 and 4a The material is also substantially resistant to piercing and puncturing.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention the bubblewrap layer 31 may be replaced by other material such as corrugated cardboard in which case the provision of the substrate layer 4 or the two substrate layers 4 and 4a makes the material resistant to piercing and puncturing.
As the layer 4 is substantially transparent the construction enables labels, for example, to be placed under the packaging where such labels will still be largely visible.
The filament tape can be used to back many different materials to impact strength. For example the filament tape could be applied to layers of wool, or cotton such as denim material. Such materials have several uses such as polishing pads.
Turning now to the embodiments of
It is found that the material can be “scrunched up” and still return substantially to its original shape. The material also resists substantial abuse in the form of hammering or the like. The strength can be further enhanced by providing a further layer in the nature of layer 4a shown in
The material has substantial use as a packaging material and also could be used in other application such as a manufacture of furniture. It is also envisaged that the material could have substantial use if the substrate layer 4 was provided all only on one major surface, for example, surface 38 of the layer 36. The layer 36 can be relatively tin for example, about 5 mm to 10 mm thick. With a thickness of 10 mm the material is to have good resistance to tearing, scrunching, wrapping and hammering. The thinner 5 mm layer is found to have good resistance at least to tearing, scrunching and wrapping although the resistance to hammering is somewhat less than the 10 mm thickness.
It is envisaged that the material could be supplied, for example, in 1 mm widths so that it can be torn or cut into the required widths. The material could also be used for insulation such as for coolers and chilly bins. This is also envisaged that the material could be used for soundproofing purposes.
Where the filaments run in single direction it will be found that polystyrene can be caused to tear in the direction of the filaments readily.
Turning now to the embodiment of the invention shown in
The construction allows cables to be laid with a maximum of need to drill holes in the wall, form cavities or to thread cables through holes in cavities. In order to cross a floor the material can simply be laid on the floor prior to carpeting. The tendons are therefore somewhat independent of the positioning of walls allowing connection boxes to be positioned in the most appropriate position for case of use.
The construction also allows “late minute” decisions to be made as to the positioning of connection boxes and also allows late minute changes to be made.
Also the appropriate number of tendons or wire can simply be split off from the reel or stock of material and also the tendons or wires can be colored coded as the colour will simply show through the transparent or translucent layer 4. Suitable colouring also assists in indication of each end of the wires.
Thus it can be seen that an improved abrasive means is provided in which the fibre substrata 1, due to the way in which the fibres or filaments 3 therein are constructed and aligned, provides an extremely strong, highly flexible and durable backing for the abrasive layer 2 such that tearing is prevented and the flexible adhesive bond results in a longer lasting material, and thus a more cost-effective abrasive product. For example, in a typical manufacturing jewelers over a six month period, two users would typically use about 4.3 sheets of the improved abrasive means as described herein, compared to 21 sheets of regular abrasive paper. Furthermore, in use, an abrasive means is provided which is thin enough to be used in very sell spaces. Due to the construction of the fibre substrate 1, bunching is prevented during use and durability is retained (there is no build up of resin deposits as excess resin can be brushed off). Also, the adhesiveness of the fibre substrate 1 helps to resist loading and heat build up during use.
Furthermore the product does not fray or tend to disintegrate at overlapped ends when wrapped around a supporting structure such as a buffing wheel. The abrasive means of the invention is also effective in wet or dry situations, and it is also easy to handle. The construction of the abrasive means reduces lost time caused by paper changeover as the improved abrasive product as described does not need to be changed so frequently.
The abrasive means as described may come in a wide range of formats, including but not limited to sheets, strips, rolls, discs, and belts. I believe that the abrasive means according to the invention has many applications other than in the field of manufacturing jewelry, and can be used in any industry which requires the use of a stronger, longer lasting and more cost effective abrasive product or finishing medium.
Referring now to the embodiment of the invention in
The construction of
The material of
In the construction of
Within the construction of
Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word, such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
Claims
1. An abrasive means comprising a substrate having fibers therein, said substrate having at least one self-adhesive surface to which an abrasive layer is adhered.
2. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fiber substrate is formed of a type of material wherein the fibers in the material are aligned in substantially the same direction and are not interwoven.
3. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fibers within said fiber substrate are formed of glass filaments or fiberglass.
4. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fiber substrate is a strong self-adhesive packaging tape.
5. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fiber substrate is substantially 0.1 mm in thickness.
6. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fiber substrate carries double-sided adhesive surfaces to which two separate abrasive layers are affixed to form in use a saw blade.
7. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said abrasive layer is an abrasive product having a paper backing.
8. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said abrasive layer comprises sandpaper or emery paper.
9. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said abrasive layer is substantially 0.2 mm in thickness.
10. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said fiber substrate and said abrasive layer are of an equal length and width such that when they are combined they form a single symmetrical sheet of abrasive means, such length and width being selected according to the desired use.
11. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein the resulting abrasive means is substantially 0.3 mm in thickness.
12. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said sheets of abrasive means are scribed and folded around a thin elongated wooden stick such that a sharper edge is retained in use.
13. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein said abrasive means is cut into strips of a selected length and width according to desired use.
14. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 13 wherein said abrasive means when cut into strips is cut along the length in the same direction as the substantially aligned fibers on the fiber substrate such that maximum strength is retained in use.
15. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 14 wherein said strips of abrasive means are supported in a saw frame such that maximum tension is retained in use.
16. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 14 wherein said strips of abrasive means are supported in a buffing wheel in use.
17. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 14 wherein said strips of abrasive means are supported in rolls, discs or belts.
18. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 17 wherein the reinforced means when for use on a disc further includes a strip of adhesive.
19. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 18 wherein said strip of adhesive is narrower than width of the reinforced means.
20. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 7 wherein a water resistant layer is provided between said substrate and said abrasive layer in use.
21. An abrasive means as claimed in claim 20 wherein said water resistant layer comprises an open web layer of plastics material.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 6, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 12, 2008
Inventor: Stephen Arthur Dickens (Whangaparaoa)
Application Number: 11/896,813
International Classification: B24D 11/00 (20060101); B24D 11/02 (20060101); B24D 15/00 (20060101); B24D 17/00 (20060101);