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 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A tool for treating a hard surface, the tool comprising:
 a flexible pad including an active treatment surface; and   abrasive particles bonded to the pad, the active treatment surface of the flexible pad presenting the abrasive particles,   wherein the flexible pad includes an open, lofty, three-dimensional non-woven web, including a plurality of fibers that are adhered to each other at points of mutual contact,   the fibers are bonded to each other by at least one of a primary binder or melt-bonding,   the abrasive particles are bonded to the flexible pad by a secondary binder,   the abrasive particles are present throughout the secondary binder,   the flexible pad includes a first portion in which the abrasive particles are present in a first concentration, and a second portion which is substantially free of abrasive particles, and   the abrasive particles include diamond particles having an average diameter between 0.1 to 30 micrometers.   
     
     
         3 . The tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the diamond particles have an average diameter between 0.1 and 15 micrometers. 
     
     
         4 . The tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the diamond particles have an average diameter between 5 and 15 micrometers. 
     
     
         5 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible pad has a disc-shaped body having a predetermined thickness and a first surface,
 said abrasive particles are present in the first surface to a depth that is less than the predetermined thickness of the pad, and   the first portion is at the first surface and the second portion is at a second surface opposite the first surface.   
     
     
         6 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible pad has a disc-shaped body having a predetermined thickness and a first surface,
 the abrasive particles are present over less than an entirety of the first surface, and   the first and second portions are situated adjacent to each other at the first surface.   
     
     
         7 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary binder includes at least one of phenol resin, melamine resin, urea resin, and epoxy resin. 
     
     
         8 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary binder forms a plurality of distinct droplets having a maximum diameter that is less than an average length between two points of mutual contact of a fiber. 
     
     
         9 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible pad has a diameter between 30 and 100 cm and an uncompressed thickness between 1 and 5 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible pad is configured to be installed in a scrubber/dryer machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method of maintaining a hard, smooth floor surface, comprising:
 performing a treatment surface of a tool to the hard, smooth floor surface,   wherein the tool includes:
 a flexible pad including the active treatment surface, and 
 abrasive particles bonded to the pad, the active treatment surface of the flexible pad presenting the abrasive particles, 
 wherein the flexible pad includes an open, lofty, three-dimensional non-woven web, including a plurality of fibers that are adhered to each other at points of mutual contact, 
 the fibers are bonded to each other by at least one of a primary binder or melt-bonding, 
 the abrasive particles are bonded to the flexible pad by a secondary binder, 
 the abrasive particles are present throughout the secondary binder, 
 the flexible pad includes a first portion in which the abrasive particles are present in a first concentration, and a second portion which is substantially free of abrasive particles, and 
   the abrasive particles include diamond particles having an average diameter between 0.1 to 30 micrometers.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the hard, smooth floor surface includes a polymer material. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the polymer material includes at least one of vinyl, polyurethane, epoxy, acrylic, or linoleum. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the treatment is performed in the absence of liquid on a contact region between the flexible pad and the hard, smooth floor surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the treatment is performed in the presence of water on a contact region between the flexible pad and the hard, smooth floor surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the hard, smooth floor surface includes a stone material, and the treatment is performed in the absence of a crystalizing agent on a contact region between the flexible pad and the hard, smooth floor surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the treatment is performed as part of daily maintenance on the hard, smooth floor surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the tool is mounted on a scrubber/dryer combination machine in order to perform the treatment.