U.S. patent application number 14/267222 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for detailing and polishing pad.
This patent application is currently assigned to LAMB'S Innovative Solutions, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is LAMB'S Innovative Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to LEE R. SAUZEK.
Application Number | 20140325781 14/267222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51840612 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140325781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAUZEK; LEE R. |
November 6, 2014 |
DETAILING AND POLISHING PAD
Abstract
A polishing pad is adapted for use on a polishing tool. The
polishing tool has a support surface for receiving the polishing
pad. The polishing pad comprises a polishing layer comprising a
fabric polishing surface and a backing layer, the backing layer
having an inner and outer surface. The outer surface of the backing
layer is adapted to mechanically or adhesively attach in removable
fashion to the support surface of the polishing tool. The polishing
pad includes a middle layer made from a non-foam, solid
thermoplastic polymer in the form of a flexible sheet. The middle
layer self-bonds bonded to the polishing layer and the inner
surface of the backing layer to form a three-layer polishing
pad.
Inventors: |
SAUZEK; LEE R.; (Freeburg,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LAMB'S Innovative Solutions, Inc. |
Freeburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LAMB'S Innovative Solutions,
Inc.
Freeburg
IL
|
Family ID: |
51840612 |
Appl. No.: |
14/267222 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61819160 |
May 3, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/209.1 ;
156/309.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24D 11/02 20130101;
A47L 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/209.1 ;
156/309.6 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/28 20060101
A47L013/28 |
Claims
1. A polishing pad for use on a polishing tool, the polishing tool
having a support surface for receiving the pad, the polishing pad
comprising: a polishing layer comprising a fabric polishing
surface; a backing layer, the backing layer having an inner surface
and outer surface; the outer surface of the backing layer adapted
to mechanically or adhesively attach in removable fashion to the
support surface of the polishing tool; and a non-foam, solid
thermoplastic polymer middle layer in the form of a flexible sheet,
the middle layer bonded to the polishing layer and the inner
surface of the backing layer.
2. The polishing pad of claim 1 wherein the middle layer is bonded
to both the polishing layer and the backing layer by melding of the
thermoplastic polymer into the polishing layer and backing
layer.
3. The polishing pad of claim 1 wherein the fabric polishing
surface of the polishing layer is or comprises a microfiber fabric,
a cotton fabric, a non-microfiber polyester fabric, a wool fabric
or a non-woven fabric.
4. The polishing pad of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the
backing layer comprises a plurality of loops for releasably
attaching the polishing pad to a support surface having a plurality
of hooks.
5. The polishing pad of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the
backing layer comprises a plurality of hooks for releasably
attaching the polishing pad to a support surface having a plurality
of loops.
6. The polishing pad of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the
backing layer comprises an adhesive film covered by a release layer
for releasably attaching the polishing pad to the support surface
of the polishing tool.
7. A method of manufacturing a polishing pad adapted for releasable
attachment to a polishing tool, the method comprising: providing a
polishing layer comprising a fabric polishing surface, a backing
layer and a thermoplastic polymer working material; melting the
thermoplastic polymer working material; applying the melted
thermoplastic polymer working material to either of the polishing
or backing layer; applying the previously unapplied polishing or
backing layer to the melted and applied thermoplastic polymer
working material such that the melted thermoplastic polymer working
material forms a middle layer of melted thermoplastic polymer
between the polishing layer and the backing layer and the polishing
layer, the melted thermoplastic polymer middle layer and the
backing layer form a stack; and cooling the stack such that the
melted thermoplastic polymer of the middle layer recrystallizes and
that upon the melted thermoplastic polymer recrystallizing: the
melted thermoplastic polymer forms into a solid, flexible, non-foam
thermoplastic polymer middle layer bonded to the polishing layer
and backing layer; and the stack is a flexible, three-layer
laminated sheet.
9. A polishing pad for use on a polishing tool, the polishing tool
having a support surface for receiving the pad, the polishing pad
comprising: a polishing layer comprising a fabric polishing
surface; a backing layer, the backing layer having an inner surface
and outer surface; the outer surface of the backing layer adapted
to mechanically or adhesively attach in removable fashion to the
support surface of the polishing tool; and a non-foam, solid
thermoset polymer middle layer in the form of a flexible sheet, the
middle layer bonded to the polishing layer and the inner surface of
the backing layer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/819,160 that was filed
on May 3, 2013, the entirety of which application is hereby
incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM ON COMPACT DISC
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to automotive, marine, aeronautical,
household and building maintenance polishing and detail pads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is known to use manual hand polishing tools or electric
rotary or dual action (orbital) polishing tools to polish or detail
automobiles, boats, planes, solid surfaces, marble and granite. As
used herein, the term "polishing tool" includes both manual and
electric polishing tools. When employed to polish or detail a car's
paint surface, the prior art polishing tool is outfitted with a
polishing and detailing pad. For simplicity, polishing pads and
detailing pads are collectively referred to herein as "polishing
pads." Typically, the polishing tool of the prior art has a platen
that provides a support surface upon which is adhered an applied
outer surface that includes the hook surface features that are
compatible with a hook and loop fastening system. The hook surface
of the polishing tool is designed to receive and hold a polishing
pad through a complementary surface on the polishing pad that
includes the loop surface features of the known hook and loop
system.
[0006] The prior art polishing pad is attachable to the polishing
tool by application of the pad's loop surface to the tool's platen
with the applied hook surface. By using the book and loop system,
the polishing pad is easily detachable from the polishing tool
simply by peeling the pad from the platen. Alternatively, the
support surface may be a smooth planar surface adapted to receive a
polishing pad having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the
pad's backing. The adhesive is covered by a release layer, such
that the release layer can be peeled from the backing to reveal the
adhesive layer and the pad adhered to the support surface by
application of pressure.
[0007] There are several types of polishing pads known in the prior
art. Traditionally, polishing pads were made from wool. Wool pads
are the oldest pad known in the automotive detailing industry. Wool
pads are not used much anymore. When they are used, they are
generally used only to remove deeper scratches in an automobile's
paint finish. They do so by generating heat to remove the scratches
and are often used with electric polishing tools and comparatively
heavy polishing compounds. Because of their mechanism of operation,
if not used properly wool pads can cause damage like swirls and
holograms to a paint's finish.
[0008] Another type of polishing pad known in the prior art is the
polishing pad with foam polishing surface. This type of polishing
pad is known commercially as a "foam polishing pad" or a "foam
pad," and is therefore referred to herein as such. FIG. 1 shows an
exemplary prior art foam pad 1. Foam polishing pads are generally
considered preferable to wool pads, because of the stated tendency
of wool pads to scratch paint. As shown in FIG. 1, the foam
polishing pad 1 of the prior art comprises a resilient open cell
foam layer 2. The foam pad is soft and flexible so as to allow the
pad to follow the curves and contours of an automobile surface. It
can work with both rotary and dual action electric polishing tools.
Prior art foam polishing pad 1 is a two-layer pad that consists of
a layer 2 of relatively thick resilient, open cell foam adhered to
the inner surface of a backing layer 3. The backing layer 3 has an
outer surface 4 that includes a plurality of loops 5 that allow the
pad to releasably attach to a polishing tool. Generally, the foam
layer 2 is uniformly a full-thickness open cell foam down to
backing layer 3. The polishing surface 6 of the foam layer 2 is
usually textured to increase the surface area of the polishing area
so as to better hold polishing compounds, sealants and waxes. A
variety of foam polishing pads are available, with the foam layer
varying in density and softness depending upon the application
needed and the type of paint being polished. Some foam pads are
designed for heavy "cutting" or compounding and can cut through
deep scratches and oxidation in a paint finish. Other foam pads are
more applicable to removal of swirls, oxidation and small
scratches. Other foam polishing pads are designed to only work on a
car's clear coat layer or to simply apply sealant.
[0009] A more recently developed polishing pad is the so-called
"microfiber pad" with microfiber fabric polishing surface. This
prior art polishing pad is depicted in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2,
the microfiber pad 10 is a three-layer pad that comprises a
polishing layer 11 that employs a microfiber fabric as the pad's
polishing surface 12. Microfiber is a soft fabric that is often
used by itself as a towel or cloth to wipe down surfaces. The three
layers of the prior art pad 10 are as follows: a microfiber
polishing layer 11, a middle ("core") layer 13 for heat
distribution and an attachment or backing layer 14. The core layer
13 is a pliable, thick open-cell yellow foam similar to the foam
polishing layer 2 of the prior art foam pad 1. The backing layer 14
typically comprises a plurality of soft loops 15 adapted to secure
the pad to the support surface of the polishing tool. The support
surface has complementary hook surface features.
[0010] Often the decision to use a foam polishing pad versus a
three-layer microfiber pad depends upon what type of paint is being
polished. Foam pads generally work better with "hard" paints and
microfiber works better on softer automotive paints found on some
manufacturers' models. That said, with the right polishing
compounds, the three-layer microfiber polishing pad can be used to
cut through many automotive paints to obtain relatively good
polishing results.
[0011] The three-layer microfiber pad of the prior art does however
suffer from a significant deficit. In this respect, heat generated
by polishing action causes the foam core to degrade and the pad to
delaminate. This is significant as some level of heat is necessary
to remove fine scratches, swirls and holograms from automotive
paint finish. Because of the degradation and delamination
tendencies of current microfiber polishing surface pads, there is a
need for an improved polishing pad with a fabric polishing
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the present invention there is provided an
improved paint finishing pad for finishing the surface of paint
that is adapted to be used on a polishing tool that includes a
generally planar support surface for receiving the pad. In one
embodiment, the present invention polishing pad includes a
polishing layer comprising a fabric (preferably microfiber
polyester) polishing surface. The polishing pad also includes a
backing layer. The backing layer has an inner and outer surface.
The outer surface of the backing layer is adapted to mechanically
or adhesively attach in removable fashion to the support surface of
the polishing tool.
[0013] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention
polishing pad includes a middle layer made from a non-foam, solid
thermoplastic polymer. By non-foam, it is meant that the middle
layer is neither an open-cell foam nor a closed-cell foam. This
middle layer forms a flexible sheet between the polishing layer and
the backing layer. The middle layer is bonded to the polishing
layer and the inner surface of the backing layer. In a preferred
embodiment, the middle layer is bonded to both the polishing layer
and the backing layer solely by virtue of the melding of the
thermoplastic polymer into the polishing layer and backing
layer.
[0014] The fabric polishing surface of the polishing layer of the
present invention polishing pad can be any of a microfiber fabric,
a cotton fabric, a non-microfiber polyester fabric, a wool fabric
or a non-woven fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing
surface comprises a microfiber fabric.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the backing
layer comprises a plurality of loops for releasably attaching the
polishing pad to a support surface having a plurality of hooks. In
an alternate embodiment, the outer surface of the backing layer can
comprise a plurality of hooks for releasably attaching the
polishing pad to a support surface having a plurality of loops. In
another embodiment, the outer surface of the backing layer
comprises an adhesive film covered by a release layer for
releasably attaching the polishing pad to the support surface of
the polishing tool.
[0016] The present invention polishing pad thus comprises three
layers that utilizes a middle sheet of thermoplastic solid,
non-foam polymer ("non-foam thermoplastic polymer") bonded to the
polishing layer and the backing layer. In a preferred embodiment,
the non-foam thermoplastic polymer layer is melted into the
polishing and backing layers during manufacturing and thus serves
as a bonding agent between the polishing layer and the backing
layer. The middle layer may even be a non-foam, thermosetting
plastic (a/k/a thermoset plastic). In contrast to the prior art,
the non-foam thermoplastic polymer sheet layer of the present
invention polishing pad is much thinner than the foam core layer of
the prior art polishing pad. This thermoplastic polymer layer helps
to control the heat in the pad when in use and prevents the pad
from breaking down and delaminating during use.
[0017] The present invention provides a polishing pad with a fabric
polishing layer (preferably polyester microfiber) for finishing and
polishing surfaces like automotive paint, paint on a plane, gel
coats on boats, solid surfaces, marble and granite. The polishing
pad is intended to be machine driven via a rotary or dual action
polishing tool. It can be used with hand polishing tools. It can be
used with commercially available waxes, sealants and polishing
compounds. When compared to the wool, foam and microfiber pads of
the prior art, the present invention pad withstands heat, and with
little effort, removes fine scratches, swirls and holograms. In
addition, with current foam and microfiber pads, consumers must use
several different densities of foam to, achieve the finish
achievable through the present invention pad. Even then, current
foam and microfiber pads cannot remove swirls, holograms or even
very fine scratches with the same ease as the present invention
pad. The present invention polishing pad provides an
environmentally friendly pad that will quickly and efficiently
remove swirls, holograms and scratches from surfaces and leave a
high gloss finish.
[0018] The present invention further includes a method of
manufacturing a polishing pad that is adapted for releasable
attachment to a polishing tool. The method comprises providing a
polishing layer comprising a fabric polishing surface, a backing
layer and a meltable and spreadable thermoplastic polymer working
material. The thermoplastic polymer working material is melted and
then applied to either of the polishing or backing layer. Next,
depending upon which layer the thermoplastic polymer working
material was applied to, the previously unapplied polishing or
backing layer is applied to the applied melted thermoplastic
polymer material such that the thermoplastic polymer working
material forms a middle layer between the polishing layer and the
backing layer. When arranged in this fashion, the polishing layer,
the melted thermoplastic polymer layer and the backing layer form a
stack. Due to it having been heated and melted, the thermoplastic
polymer melds into both the polishing layer and backing layer. The
melted thermoplastic in the stack is allowed to recrystallize.
After recrystallizing, the thermoplastic polymer forms a middle
layer that self-bonds with the polishing layer and backing layer
and the stack forms a flexible, three-layer laminated sheet in
which the middle layer is a non-foam thermoplastic polymer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will be further described with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art foam pad.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art microfiber
pad.
[0022] FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
a polishing pad according to the present invention. FIG. 3B is an
exploded perspective view, in reverse of that view shown in FIG.
3A, of an embodiment of a polishing pad according to the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is front elevation view of the polishing surface of
an embodiment of a polishing pad of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4
showing the layers of an embodiment of a polishing pad according to
the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention polishing pad in which instead of a backing layer
with hook or loop attachment features, the backing layer includes a
surface with an adhesive covered by a peelable release layer.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a preferred embodiment
manufacturing process for making a preferred embodiment of the
present invention polishing pad.
[0027] FIGS. 8A-8D depict a preferred embodiment manufacturing
process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIGS. 3A-5 show the present invention polishing pad 20 in a
preferred embodiment. These figures depict an improved polishing
pad 20 that is adapted to be used on a polishing tool that includes
a generally planar support surface for receiving the pad. In one
embodiment, polishing pad 20 includes a polishing layer 21
comprising a fabric polishing surface 22. Polishing pad 20 also
includes backing layer 23. Backing layer 23 has an inner surface 24
and outer surface 25. Outer surface 25 of backing layer 23 is
adapted to mechanically or adhesively attach in removable fashion
to the support surface of the polishing tool.
[0029] Present invention polishing pad 20 includes a middle layer
26 made from a non-foam, solid thermoplastic polymer. By non-foam,
it is meant that the middle layer is neither an open-cell foam nor
a closed-cell foam. Middle layer 26 forms a flexible sheet between
polishing layer 21 and backing layer 23. Middle layer 26 is bonded
to polishing layer 21 and inner surface 24 of backing layer 23. In
a preferred embodiment, middle layer 26 is bonded to both the
polishing layer 21 and backing layer 23 without adhesives and is
bonded to those layers by virtue of the melding of the
thermoplastic polymer into polishing layer 21 and backing layer
23.
[0030] The present invention further includes a method of
manufacturing a polishing pad. FIG. 7 is a flowchart setting out a
method 50 by which a preferred embodiment polishing pad can be
manufactured. The pad is adapted for releasable attachment to a
polishing tool. Method 50 comprises the respective actions 60, 61
and 62 of providing a polishing layer 21 comprising a fabric
polishing surface 22, providing a backing layer 23 and providing a
meltable and spreadable thermoplastic polymer working material 51.
Preferably, thermoplastic polymer working material 51 is provided
in pellet form. Actions 60, 61 and 62 may be performed in any order
with respect to each other and are not compulsorily sequential in
that respect.
[0031] In a presently preferred embodiment, non-foam thermoplastic
polymer middle layer 26 is made from a commercially available
thermoplastic polymer working material 51 comprised of
99-100%--Propene, Polymer with Ethene and additives of 0.1% to less
than 1%. The thermoplastic polymer working material 51 is available
in pellet form from ThermoTex of Resaca, Ga. under the trade
designation or chemical name ThermoTex 8153A. The preferred
embodiment thermoplastic polymer working material 51 that is used
to form middle layer 26 has a melting point of greater than 120
degrees Celsius.
[0032] Next in step 63 the meltable and spreadable thermoplastic
polymer working material 51 pellets are heated to a temperature
greater than 120 degrees C. and melted to create unapplied melted
thermoplastic polymer 53. In step 64, melted thermoplastic polymer
53 is applied to either of polishing layer 21 or backing layer 23
to create melted thermoplastic polymer layer 52. Next in step 65,
depending upon which layer the melted thermoplastic polymer layer
52 was applied to, the previously unapplied polishing layer 21 or
backing layer 23 is applied to the applied melted thermoplastic
polymer layer 52. Upon application of the previously unapplied
layer to layer 52, layer 52 becomes a middle layer of melted
thermoplastic polymer between polishing layer 21 and backing layer
23. When arranged in this fashion, polishing layer 21, the melted
thermoplastic polymer middle layer 52 and backing layer 23 form a
stack 55. Due to having been heated and melted, thermoplastic
polymer layer 52 in stack 55 melds into both polishing layer 21 and
backing layer 23.
[0033] In step 66, stack 55 is cooled or allowed to cool (both
actions collectively referred to as "cooling the stack" or "cool
the stack"). In a preferred method, stack 55 is run over a cooling
roller. In step 67, thermoplastic layer 52 in stack 55 with the
melted thermoplastic polymer is allowed to recrystallize. After a
period of time in which recrystallizing is complete, the middle
layer 52 recrystallizes to form final thin non-foam thermoplastic
polymer middle layer 26. By virtue of the melting and melding
process, layer 26 is bonded to polishing layer 21 and backing layer
23 without use of any other adhesives between the layers.
Recrystallized stack 55 is a flexible, three-layer laminated sheet
in which middle layer 26 is a non-foam thermoplastic polymer.
Because middle layer 26 is a non-foam thermoplastic polymer it
distributes heat efficiently and does not degrade during use like
polishing pads with foam cores. The present invention polishing pad
can be made with a thermosetting plastic as the non-foam middle
layer using the techniques described herein.
[0034] A real-world example of the present invention method 50 is
shown in FIGS. 8A-8D and will now be discussed. As shown in FIG.
8A, present invention pad 20 can be made on an automated line 70 in
which backing layer 23 is fed through layering machine 71 to an
area where the granular and meltable thermoplastic polymer material
51 is melted (creating melted thermoplastic polymer 53) via applied
heat 72. Melted thermoplastic 53 is then applied to backing layer
23. Once applied to backing layer 23, the melted thermoplastic
polymer becomes melted thermoplastic layer 52. Next, as is also
shown in FIG. 8A, polishing layer 21 is applied over the top of the
applied and melted thermoplastic polymer layer 52. A three-layer
stack 55 (FIG. 8B) is formed that comprises melted middle layer 52
situated between polishing layer 21 and backing layer 23. Due to
its melted state, middle layer 52 melds it into polishing layer 21
and backing layer 23. As shown in FIG. 8C, stack 55 is cooled over
a cooling roller and melted middle layer 52 cools (heat 72
removed). During cooling, middle layer 52 recrystallizes. As shown
in FIG. 8D, as a result of heating and recrystallizing, middle
layer 52 forms into non-foam thermoplastic polymer sheet layer 26.
By virtue of the flow of melted layer 52 during the stack-forming
process, the resulting recrystallized middle layer 26 is now
between and melded into polishing layer 21 and backing layer 23.
This is shown in FIG. 8D wherein the top and bottom surfaces of
middle layer 26, respectively adjacent to polishing layer 21 and
backing layer 23, are shown as jagged instead of smooth to
represent melding of thermoplastic material. The resulting
polishing pad is a flexible, three-layer laminated sheet in which
middle layer 26 is a thin, non-foam thermoplastic polymer. The
width of the material and the process speeds can vary. Once the
layering process is complete, the flexible, laminated sheet is
rolled. The rolls are die cut into specific sizes per customers'
request. The finished polishing pads are typically round, but can
be cut in any shape.
[0035] Critically, middle layer 26 is a non-foam thermoplastic
polymer sheet bonded to polishing layer 21 and backing layer 23. In
a preferred embodiment, the non-foam thermoplastic polymer layer 26
is melted into polishing layer 21 and backing layer 23 during
manufacturing and thus serves as a bonding agent between polishing
layer 21 and backing layer 23. In an alternative embodiment, a
polishing pad of the present invention structure could include a
pre-formed middle layer 26 that is adhered to layers 21 and 23
through use of adhesives.
[0036] In contrast to prior art automotive polishing pads, the
present invention polishing pad is much thinner. Current foam and
microfiber pads are on the order of an inch or more in thickness.
The present invention pad is on the order of 4.175-7.9375
millimeters ( 3/16- 5/16 inches) thick depending upon the polishing
fabric. In addition, in contrast to the prior art, middle layer 26
of the present invention polishing pad is much thinner than the
foam core layer 13 of the prior art polishing pad 10. In a
preferred embodiment, middle layer 26 has a thickness of
approximately 1.5 millimeters. Even so, non-foam thermoplastic
polymer middle layer 26 helps to control the heat in the pad when
in use and prevents pad 20 from breaking down and delaminating
during use. These thickness differences in pad 20 and middle layer
26 mean that the present invention pad takes up less space than
either a foam pad or current microfiber pad of the same diameter or
polishing area. This, in turn means, that the present invention
polishing pad will take up less shelf space in stores and less
shipping volume per count than known polishing pads.
[0037] The present invention provides a polishing pad 20 with a
polishing layer 21 with fabric polishing surface 22. Fabric
polishing surface 22 of polishing layer 21 of polishing pad 20 can
be or comprise any of a microfiber fabric, a cotton fabric, a
non-microfiber polyester fabric, a wool fabric or a non-woven
fabric. In a preferred embodiment, polishing surface 22 is or
comprises a microfiber fabric. Polishing pad 20 is intended to be
machine driven via a rotary or dual action polishing tool. It can,
however, be used with hand polishing tools. It can be used with
commercially available waxes, sealants and polishing compounds. As
noted, as compared to the wool, foam and microfiber pads of the
prior art, the present invention pad withstands heat generated
during polishing and requires less effort, removes fine scratches,
swirls and holograms.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, outer surface 25 of backing layer
23 comprises a plurality of loops 27 for releasably attaching
polishing pad 20 to a support surface having a plurality of hooks
(not shown). In an alternate embodiment, the outer surface of the
backing layer can comprise a plurality of hooks for releasably
attaching polishing pad 20 to a support surface having a plurality
of loops. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, outer surface 25
of backing layer 23 comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive film 28
covered by a release layer 29 for releasably attaching polishing
pad 20 to the support surface of the polishing tool.
[0039] The present invention has now been described with reference
to preferred embodiments and variations thereof. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made
in the embodiment described without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Thus the scope of the present invention should
not be limited to the structure described in this application, but
only by structures described by the language of the claims and the
equivalents of those structures.
* * * * *