Finishing pad and method of making

Abstract

A composite abrasive or finishing pad for use in sanding includes a sandpaper sheet having a paper based substrate having a front surface which has an abrasive grit adhered thereto and a back surface, a polyfoam backing reaction bonded to the back surface, wherein the polyfoam backing includes a first layer formed across the back surface of a first thickness sufficient enough to substantially aid in rendering the sandpaper tear-resistant and including a raised portion extending outward from the first layer a sufficient amount to form a wall portion against which lateral forces can be applied by one's fingers. A method of forming the pad is provided.

1 . A composite abrasive for use in sanding, which includes:
 a sandpaper sheet having a paper based substrate having a front surface with an abrasive grit adhered thereto and a back surface; and   a polyfoam backing reaction bonded permanently to said back surface thereby forming a single composite polyfoam sandpaper sheet which after said abrasive grit's useful life is rendered to a state of non-reusability, wherein said polyfoam backing includes a layer formed across said back surface of a first thickness sufficient enough to substantially aid in rendering said sandpaper tear-resistant and to permit the sheet to maintain flexibility across said composite polyfoam sandpaper sheet and including a raised portion extending outward from the layer a sufficient amount to form a wall portion against which lateral forces can be applied by one's fingers.   
     
     
         2 . The composite abrasive of  claim 1 , which is further characterized to include a plurality of wall portions between which one's fingers can be operably disposed such that upon lateral force being exerted by one's finger there is exerted a force on said wall portion. 
     
     
         3 . The composite abrasive of  claim 2 , wherein said wall portions include one of a curved and flat surface forming ridge in a manner to enable said composite abrasive to remain flexible along valleys about said ridge. 
     
     
         4 . A finishing pad for use in sanding, which includes:
 a sandpaper sheet having a paper based substrate having a front surface with an abrasive grit adhered thereto and a back surface; and   a polyfoam backing reaction bonded permanently to said back surface thereby forming a single composite polyfoam sandpaper sheet which after said abrasive grit's useful life is rendered to a state of non-reusability, wherein said polyfoam backing includes a layer formed across said back surface of a first thickness sufficient enough to substantially aid in rendering said sandpaper tear-resistant and to permit the sheet to maintain flexibility across said composite polyfoam sandpaper sheet and including a raised portion extending outward from the layer a sufficient amount to form a wall portion against which lateral forces can be applied by one's fingers.   
     
     
         5 . The finishing pad of  claim 4 , which is further characterized to include a plurality of wall portions between which one's finger can be operably disposed such that upon lateral force being exerted by one's finger there is exerted a force on said wall portion. 
     
     
         6 . The finishing pad of  claim 5 , wherein said wall portions include one of a curved and flat surface forming ridge in a manner to enable said finishing pad to remain flexible along valleys about said ridge. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled)