Methods and tool for maintenance of hard surfaces, and a method for manufacturing such a tool

Abstract

A method is disclosed for treating or maintaining a hard surface comprising a stone or stone-like material, the method comprising treatment of the surface with a flexible pad, in the presence of abrasive particles, bonded to the pad, on a contact surface between the pad and the hard surface, wherein the abrasive particles comprise diamond particles, and the treatment is performed in the absence of an effective amount of crystallization agent on the contact surface. The treatment is performed on a substantially regular basis, such as daily, weekly or monthly, and the treatment is performed using a pad comprising an open, lofty, three dimensional non-woven webs of fibers. A tool for use in the method is also provided, as well as a floor-surfacing machine comprising such a tool and a method for manufacturing such a tool. Furthermore, methods for treating or maintaining hard, smooth surfaces such as wood, polymer material, lacquer, linoleum, gelcoat, glass and automotive enamel are disclosed.

1 . A method of maintaining a gloss of a floor surface consisting essentially of a polymer material at or above an initial predetermined value, the method comprising:
 providing a flexible pad of an open, lofty, three dimensional nonwoven web of fibers having diamond particles bonded thereto on a contact surface and dispersed within the pad;   treating the floor surface that consists essentially of a polymer material by applying pressure and relative motion between the contact surface of the flexible pad and a surface of the polymer material; and   repeating the treating step on a regular maintenance basis to maintain the gloss at or above the initial predetermined level.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treating step is performed substantially in the absence of liquid on the floor surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treating step is performed in the presence of water on the floor surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treating step is performed in the presence of water and a cleaning agent on the floor surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the diamond particles are bonded to the flexible pad by a secondary binder. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the diamond particles are bonded to the flexible pad to a predetermined depth of the flexible pad, the predetermined depth being less than a thickness of the flexible pad. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the diamond particles bonded to the flexible pad have an average diameter in the range of 0.1 μm to 30 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the diamond particles bonded to the flexible pad have an average diameter in the range of 0.1 μm to 15 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the diamond particles bonded to the flexible pad have an average diameter in the range of 10 μm to 15 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the diamond particles are at least one of natural diamonds particles, industrial diamonds particles and coated diamond particles. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a density of the flexible pad is less than 40 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a density of the flexible pad is between 20 to 35 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the treating step, the flexible pad is rotated at a rotational speed between 50 and 3000 rpm. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein, in the treating step, the flexible pad is rotated at a rotational speed between 100 and 1500 rpm. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treating step is repeated at least once daily. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is applied by a scrubber/dryer combination floor surfacing machine. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is applied by a ridable floor surfacing machine. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treating step is performed on a daily basis.