Abrasive Element

Abstract

An abrasive element has a first surface region which coincides with an enveloping surface of the element, and a second surface region which does not. When the element is pressed against a planar surface, part of the second surface region, which is provided with abrasive material, comes into contact with the surface. Also disclosed are a system comprising at least two part-elements which can be connect to form an abrasive element, and methods for making and using the abrasive element.

1 . Abrasive element with
 at least a first surface region and   at least a second surface region, wherein   at least part of said first surface region coincides with part of an enveloping surface of said abrasive element,   at least part of said second surface region does not coincide with said enveloping surface of said abrasive element,   at least part of said abrasive element is elastically compressible in such a way that, when said abrasive element is pressed against a substantially planar surface, at least part of said second surface region can be brought into contact with said surface, and   at least a partial region of said second surface region is provided with an abrasive material.   
   
   
       2 . Abrasive element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first surface region is substantially planar or comprises substantially planar partial surfaces and/or   said second surface region extends substantially parallel to said first surface region.   
   
   
       3 . Abrasive element according to  claim 1 , wherein at least parts of said first surface region are provided with an abrasive material. 
   
   
       4 . Abrasive element according to  claim 3 , wherein said abrasive materials on said first surface region and on said second surface region are different from one another. 
   
   
       5 . Abrasive element according to  claim 1 , wherein it is formed as a sponge, pad, sheet or belt. 
   
   
       6 . Abrasive element according to  claim 1 , wherein the element is formed in a substantially disc-shaped or cylindrical manner,
 said first surface region comprising surfaces of elevations which protrude at the outer circumference and   said second surface region comprising depressions in a radial direction.   
   
   
       7 . Abrasive element according to  claim 6 , wherein at least parts of said elevations have a lower compressibility than the remaining part of said abrasive element. 
   
   
       8 . Abrasive element according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said elevations has a beveled and/or rounded portion. 
   
   
       9 . Abrasive element according to  claim 5 , wherein
 said first surface region is formed by the surfaces of at least one elevation, which are arranged on said abrasive element, and   said second surface region is partially formed by a base area on which said at least one elevation is arranged.   
   
   
       10 . Abrasive element according to  claim 9 , wherein at least parts of said elevations have a lower compressibility than the remaining part of said abrasive element. 
   
   
       11 . Abrasive element according to  claim 5 , wherein the element comprises foam. 
   
   
       12 . Abrasive element according to  claim 11 , wherein the element comprises foam in parts of said elevations. 
   
   
       13 . Abrasive element according to  claim 5 , wherein the element comprises at least two part-elements that are connected or can be connected to one another. 
   
   
       14 . Abrasive element according to  claim 13 , wherein
 at least part of the surface of a first part-element forms part of said first surface region and   at least part of the surface of a second part-element forms part of said second surface region.   
   
   
       15 . Abrasive element according to  claim 13 , wherein at least two of said part-elements are formed from materials that are different from one another. 
   
   
       16 . System comprising at least two part-elements, at least one of which comprises a surface which is at least partially provided with an abrasive material, wherein at least two of said part-elements can be connected to one another in such a way that an abrasive element having a form selected from the group consisting of sponge, pad, sheet, belt, disc and cylinder is obtained, wherein the abrasive element has
 at least a first surface region and   at least a second surface region,   
     wherein
 at least part of said first surface region coincides with part of an enveloping surface of said abrasive element, 
 at least part of said second surface region does not coincide with said enveloping surface of said abrasive element, 
 at least part of said abrasive element is elastically compressible in such a way that, when said abrasive element is pressed against a substantially planar surface, at least part of said second surface region can be brought into contact with said surface, and 
 at least a partial region of said second surface region is provided with an abrasive material. 
 
   
   
       17 . Method of abrasively treating a working surface with an abrasive element with an abrasive element according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 deciding whether a lower or stronger abrasive effect is to be achieved, and, depending on the decision:   creating a low abrasive effect by pressing said abrasive element against said working surface while a first pressing force is applied or   creating a stronger abrasive effect by pressing said abrasive element against said working surface while a second pressing force is applied, said second pressing force being greater than said first pressing force.   
   
   
       18 . Method according to  claim 17 , wherein, when said abrasive element is pressed against said working surface with said second pressing force, part of said abrasive element is elastically compressed in such a way that part of a second surface region comes into contact with said working surface. 
   
   
       19 . Method of producing an abrasive element according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 providing part-elements, in particular part-elements made of or comprising foam,   coating parts of said surface(s) of said part-element(s) with an adhesive, in particular with a hot-melt adhesive,   applying abrasive material to said adhesive, and   connecting said part-elements to form an abrasive element.   
   
   
       20 . Method of providing an abrasive element, comprising at least two part-elements of a system according to  claim 16 , said method comprising a step of connecting said part-elements to one another.