Nonwoven buffing or polishing material having increased strength and dimensional stability
AssigneeFreudenberg Nonwovens Limited Partnership
InventorGerald F. Kruegler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A buffing or polishing material has a nonwoven fleece layer and a backing layer that adds strength and dimensional stability to the material. The nonwoven fleece layer is a needled blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers having a uniform density and working surface, resulting in a better polishing or finishing consistency. The material can withstand high heat levels and can be worked quickly, resulting in a more efficient polishing or finishing operation. The buff material can be converted into any preferred shape or tool, such as an endless belt, disc, flapwheel, or spiral band.
Claims43
A buffing or polishing material comprising:
- a nonwoven fleece layer comprising a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers, a ratio by weight of natural fibers to synthetic fibers ranging between 95% natural fibers and 5% synthetic fibers to 50% natural fibers and 5% synthetic fibers
- the natural and synthetic fibers needle punched together;
- a backing fixed as a layer to the fleece layer, the backing having a greater strength and a greater dimensional stability than the fleece layer;
- and
- a nonwoven fusible layer interposed between the fleece layer and the backing, the fleece layer needle punched to the backing.
A buffing or polishing material comprising:
- a nonwoven fleece layer comprising a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers;
- a backing fixed to the fleece layer, the backing having a greater strength and a greater dimensional stability than the fleece layer;
- and
- a nonwoven fusible layer interposed between the fleece layer and the backing, the fleece layer needle punched to the backing;
- wherein the material has a break strength of at least 425 pounds per linear inch in the machine direction and an elongation at break of no more than 2%.
A buffing or polishing material comprising:
- a nonwoven fleece layer comprising a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers, the synthetic fibers comprising no more than 50% by weight of a ratio of natural fibers to synthetic fibers;
- at least a portion of the synthetic fibers including fibers chemically bound to others of the synthetic fibers and the natural fibers;
- the natural fibers and the synthetic fibers needle punched together;
- a backing fixed as a layer to the fleece layer, the backing having a greater strength and a greater dimensional stability than the fleece layer;
- wherein the fleece layer is needle punched to the backing;
- and
- a nonwoven fusible layer interposed between the fleece layer and the backing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.