Apparatus and buffing element for reconditioning digital recording discs

Abstract

An apparatus ( 46 ) for reconditioning a protective surface ( 30 ) of an optically-read digital recording disc ( 20 ) includes a turntable ( 48 ) configured to receive a center hole ( 24 ) of the disc ( 20 ) and a first motor ( 52 ), coupled to the turntable ( 48 ), for rotating the turntable ( 48 ) and the disc ( 20 ) at a first rotational speed. The apparatus further includes a buffing element ( 50 ) for removing an amount of material from the protective surface ( 30 ) as the turntable rotates the disc ( 20 ) and a second motor ( 54 ), coupled to the buffing element ( 50 ) for rotating the buffing element ( 50 ) at a second rotational speed. A timing element ( 56 ) synchronizes the first and second motors ( 52, 54 ) to substantially simultaneously cease rotation of the turntable ( 48 ) and the buffing element ( 50 ) following removal of an amount of material from the disc ( 20 ). The buffing element ( 50 ) includes a substantially rigid stabilizer plate ( 92 ) and a foam pad ( 88, 90 ) fixedly engaged with a plate surface ( 96 ) of the stabilizer plate ( 92 ). A buffing pad ( 82 ) is in fixed relation with the foam pad ( 88, 90 ). The buffing pad has a first surface ( 102 ) configured to face the foam pad ( 88, 90 ) and a second surface ( 104 ) configured to recondition the protective surface ( 30 ) of the disc ( 20 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In an apparatus for reconditioning a protective surface of an optically-read digital recording disc, a buffing element comprising: 
 a substantially rigid stabilizer plate having a plate surface, said stabilizer plate exhibiting a plate diameter;    a foam pad fixedly engaged with said plate surface; and    a buffing pad in fixed relation with said foam pad, said buffing pad having first and second surfaces on opposing sides of said buffing pad, said first surface being configured to face said foam pad, said second surface being configured to contact and recondition said protective surface of said digital recording disc, and said buffing pad exhibiting a buffing pad diameter, said plate diameter being substantially equal to or greater than said buffing pad diameter.    
     
     
         2 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said foam pad is a closed cell foam pad.  
     
     
         3 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising an open cell foam pad juxtaposed between and coupled to said closed cell foam pad and said plate surface of said stabilizer plate.  
     
     
         4 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said closed cell foam pad is a silicone based closed cell foam pad.  
     
     
         5 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said closed cell foam pad is a silicone coated closed cell foam pad.  
     
     
         6 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said foam pad is an open cell foam pad having a silicone coated surface to which said buffing pad removably adheres.  
     
     
         7 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said foam pad exhibits a first diameter, and said buffing pad diameter is less than said first diameter.  
 
     
     
         8 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said plate diameter of said stabilizer plate is no less than said first diameter.  
     
     
         9 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said plate diameter is approximately equivalent to said first diameter.  
     
     
         10 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first surface of said buffing pad includes an adhesive layer that removably adheres to said foam pad.  
     
     
         11 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said apparatus includes a turntable for rotating said buffing element and said buffing pad includes radial projections along a perimeter of said buffing pad for imparting a sloped edge on a border between an unconditioned portion and a reconditioned portion of said protective surface of said disc when said buffing element rotates upon said turntable.  
     
     
         12 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said foam pad is a first foam pad;  
 said plate surface of said stabilizer plate is a first plate surface;  
 said stabilizer plate further includes a second plate surface on an opposite side of said stabilizer plate from said first plate surface; and  
 said buffing element further comprises a second foam pad coupled to said second plate surface of said stabilizer plate.  
 
     
     
         13 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said second foam pad is an open cell foam pad.  
     
     
         14 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said plate diameter is greater than said buffing pad diameter.  
     
     
         15 . In an apparatus for reconditioning a protective surface of an optically-read digital recording disc, a buffing element comprising: 
 a substantially rigid stabilizer plate having a plate surface, said stabilizer plate exhibiting a plate diameter;    a foam pad fixedly engaged with said plate surface, said foam pad exhibiting a foam pad diameter, and said plate diameter being no less than said foam pad diameter; and    a buffing pad in fixed relation with said foam pad, said buffing pad having first and second surfaces on opposing sides of said buffing pad, said first surface being configured to face said foam pad, said second surface being configured to contact and recondition said protective surface of said digital recording disc, and said buffing pad exhibiting a buffing pad diameter, said plate diameter being greater than said buffing pad diameter.    
     
     
         16 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said foam pad diameter and said plate diameter are substantially equivalent.  
     
     
         17 . A buffing element in an apparatus for reconditioning a protective surface of an optically-read digital recording disc, said apparatus including a turntable for rotating said buffing element, said buffing element comprising: 
 a substantially rigid stabilizer plate having a plate surface;    an open cell foam pad coupled to said plate surface;    a closed cell foam pad coupled to said open cell foam pad; and    a buffing pad having first and second surfaces on opposing sides of said buffing pad, said first surface being configured to couple to said closed cell foam pad, said second surface being configured to contact and recondition said protective surface of said digital recording disc, wherein diameters of each of said stabilizer plate, said open cell foam pad, and said closed cell foam pad are greater than a diameter of said buffing pad.    
     
     
         18 . A buffing element as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said diameters of each of said stabilizer plate, said open cell foam pad, and said closed cell foam pad are substantially equivalent.