ENDLESS ABRASIVE BELT DISPENSER

Abstract

An endless abrasive belt dispenser (212) is disclosed and has a housing (222), a retaining element (224) and an actuating element (226). The housing (222) is configured to receive a plurality of endless abrasive belts (14) therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts arranged as a stack. The retaining element (224) is moveable relative to a wall (230) of the housing (222) and is configured to hold the stack within the housing such that a first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack selectively contacts the first wall (230) and is generally aligned with an opening (216) of the housing. The actuating element (226) is moveable relative to the first wall (230) and retaining element (224) and is configured to selectively contact and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts (14) relative to the first wall (230) and to the opening (216).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to abrasive products, and in particular, to endless abrasive belts.

BACKGROUND

Abrading tools and associated abrasive products are used in numerous industries. Abrasive products include endless abrasive belts, which are used in the woodworking industries, marine industries, automotive industries, construction industries, and so on for various tasks including sanding, grinding, deburring, polishing, blending and surface finishing. Abrasive products are “consumable” in the sense that they can be consumed and replaced much more frequently than the abrading tools with which they are used.

Typically, endless abrasive belts are constructed of an abrasive coated sheet material. The sheet material comprises a backing, one surface of which is coated with abrasive grits bonded to said backing sheet by an adhesive (make layer). On the top of make layer and abrasive grits, a second resinous adhesive layer (size layer), and optionally a third resinous adhesive layer (supersize layer) are applied. The sheet material can be of woven fabric such as cloth, a non-woven fabric such as spunlace or a felted fabric such as paper or felt, but may be of any sheet material, either fibrous or non-fibrous or combinations thereof Examples of non-fibrous materials are films of cellulose material such as cellulose acetate and regenerated cellulose, or may be sheets of various other film forming materials such as rubber, synthetic resins or derivatives or modifications thereof. The sheet can be joined to itself at each of the longitudinal ends to form an endless belt loop. Abrasive particles can be attached to the sheet material by coating or impregnating with materials such as glue, rubber or compositions or derivatives of rubber, natural or synthetic resins, various drying oils, or combinations of the above with each other, to impart various properties such as strength, toughness, flexibility, stiffness, resistance to water or to oil, or other properties which may be desirable for any particular use or conditions.

Recently, abrading tasks including those using endless abrasive belts have been subject to automation with robotic devices with mixed results. In many industries, the use of endless abrasive belts for sanding, grinding, deburring, polishing, blending and surface finishing remains a manual endeavor for various reasons including because such processes require an intuitive sense learned through experience that is hard to replicate.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes apparatuses, systems, methods and techniques related to housing and reliably supplying endless abrasive belts to operating devices (e.g., manual laborers, robotic devices, etc.). As described herein, apparatuses such as the dispensers can enhance repeatability of dispensing by providing a single endless abrasive belt to a same position as desired. For robotic devices, a same position is desirable in reducing the potential for retrieval errors and for reducing the amount of programing required for successful manipulation of the robotic device to retrieve a new endless abrasive belt when the prior endless abrasive belt has been consumed and must be replaced.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

The disclosure herein includes but is not limited to the following illustrative Examples:

Example 1 is an endless abrasive belt dispenser that can optionally include: a housing configured to receive a plurality of endless abrasive belts therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts arranged as a stack with when so received, wherein the housing has a first wall and an opening adjacent the first wall; a retaining element positioned opposite the first wall within the housing and moveable relative thereto, wherein the retaining element is configured to hold the stack within the housing such that a first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack selectively contacts the first wall and is generally aligned with the opening; and an actuating element moveable relative to the first wall and retaining element, wherein the actuating element is configured to selectively contact and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack relative to the first wall and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to the opening.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include the actuating element moves the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with a rolling linear movement relative to a second of the of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack.

In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2 can optionally include the retaining element comprises a spring and follower, wherein the follower has a platform configured to hold the stack by applying a pressure at a middle portion thereof, and wherein the platform is configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack have first end portions and second end portions free of the pressure applied by the platform such that the first end portions and second end portions have a radii of curvature.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 can optionally include one or more portions of the housing are removable to facilitate at least one of loading of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to form the stack, holding the stack with the retaining element and contacting of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with the actuating element.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4 can optionally include a surface of the first wall of the housing that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts is formed of a relatively smoother material than a surface of the actuating element that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts, and wherein the surface of the actuating element is formed of a relatively more textured and compliant material than the surface of the first wall.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5 can optionally include the retaining element and housing are configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts are retained in the stack due to friction therebetween and pressure between the first wall and the retaining element, and wherein the plurality of endless abrasive belts are untethered relative to one another in the stack.

Example 7 is a system that can optionally include: a plurality of endless abrasive belts; a housing configured to receive the plurality of endless abrasive belts therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts arranged as a stack when so received, wherein the housing has a first wall and an opening adjacent the first wall; a retaining element configured to be positioned in the housing opposite the first wall and moveable relative thereto, the retaining element is configured to hold the stack within the housing such that a first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack selectively contacts the first wall and is generally aligned with the opening; and an actuating element configured to move relative to the first wall and retaining element, wherein the actuating element is configured to selectively contact and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack to the opening such that the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts at least partially protrudes from the housing through the opening.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 optionally can include a member configured to insert through an interior loop portion of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts, wherein the member is moveable to draw the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts fully from the opening.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 can optionally include a robotic device configured to manipulate the member.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 8-9 can optionally include the retaining element is configured such that upon withdraw of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts fully from the opening the retaining element displaces the stack toward the first wall and actuating element so as to position a second of the plurality of endless abrasive belts aligned with the opening

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-10 can optionally include the actuating element is configured to move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with a rolling linear movement relative to a second of the of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-11 can optionally include the retaining element comprises a spring and follower configured to bias the stack towards the first wall such that the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts generally aligns with the opening.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-12 can optionally include one or more portions of the housing are removable to facilitate at least one of loading of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to form the stack, holding the stack with the retaining element and contacting of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with the actuating element.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-13 can optionally include a surface of the first wall of the housing that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts is formed of a relatively smoother material than a surface of the actuating element that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts, and wherein the surface of the actuating element is formed of a relatively more textured and compliant material than the surface of the first wall.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-14 can optionally include the retaining element and housing are configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts are retained in the stack due to friction therebetween and pressure between the first wall and the retaining element, and wherein the plurality of endless abrasive belts are untethered relative to one another in the stack.

Example 16 is a method of dispensing at least a first endless abrasive belt from a dispenser. The method can optionally include: inserting a plurality of endless abrasive belts including the at least the first endless abrasive belt within a housing of the dispenser so the plurality of endless abrasive belts comprise a stack therein, wherein inserting includes displacing a retaining element relative to a first wall of the housing; moving the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to an opening of the housing adjacent the first wall, the moving comprising a linear rolling movement of the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts; and removing the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts from the housing via the opening.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 can optionally include biasing the stack with the retaining element towards the first wall such that the second of the plurality of endless abrasive belts generally aligns with the opening.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-17 can optionally include removing one or more portions of the housing to facilitate at least one of inserting the plurality of endless abrasive belts, holding the stack with the retaining element and moving the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-18 can optionally include retaining the stack within the housing by applying a pressure with the retaining element and the first wall.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include retaining the stack with the retaining element applies the pressure at a middle portion thereof, and wherein the retaining element is configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack have first end portions and second end portions free of the pressure applied by the retaining element such that the first end portions and second end portions have radii of curvature.

In Example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-20 can optionally include fully removing the at least the first abrasive from the opening by one of: manually, semi-automatically or automatically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view illustrating an example system including a dispenser for an endless abrasive belt and a robotic device configured to manipulate the endless abrasive belt, in accordance with one example of the present application.

FIG. 1B is the dispenser of FIG. 1A illustrating one or more portions of a housing of the dispenser can be removed, in accordance with one example of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dispenser according to another example having a stack of endless abrasive belts housed therein, in accordance with one example of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 2 with an actuating element moving a first of the endless abrasive belts of the stack toward and an partially through an opening in the dispenser, in accordance with one example of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the first of the endless abrasive belts being engaged by a member to fully remove the first endless abrasive belt from the dispenser through the opening, in accordance with one example of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIGS. 2-4 with a retaining element bringing a second endless abrasive belt into contact with a wall of the dispenser so that the second endless abrasive belt is positioned adjacent the opening upon removal of the first endless abrasive belt, in accordance with one example of the present application.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a method of dispensing at least a first endless abrasive belt from a dispenser according to one example of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Consumable abrasive products such as endless abrasive belts present various challenges for individuals and organizations. For example, damaged or worn endless abrasive belts can damage workpieces. As endless abrasive belts are consumed, accurate and repeatable replacement is desirable. This is especially the case with robotic devices where providing for a known and same position can reduce the potential for retrieval errors and can reduce the amount of programing required for manipulation of the robotic device to retrieve a new endless abrasive belt.

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration an example system 10, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. In the example of FIG. 1, the system 10 can include a dispenser 12, a plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 (some of which are shown in phantom and a first endless abrasive belt 14A of which is shown in FIG. 1A protruding from an opening 16 in the dispenser 12), a retrieval member 18 and a robotic device 20.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1A, the dispenser 12 can be configured to house the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14. The dispenser 12 can include a housing 22, a retaining element 24 (shown in phantom) and an actuating element 26. The housing 22 can be configured to form the opening 16. The housing 22 can be configured to receive the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 arranged as a stack 28 when so received with abrasive surfaces of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 facing outward so as to interface with one another when in the stack 28. The stack 28 can be received on the retaining element 24 within the housing 22.

The plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 can comprise the endless abrasive belts as previously described herein and can be constructed of an abrasive coated sheet material joined to itself at each of the longitudinal ends to form an endless belt loop. As noted above, when organized as the stack 28 and housed within the dispenser 12 the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 can have the coated surfaces of the endless abrasive belts 14 facing outward while non-abrasive coated portions of the sheet material within the loop face inward (i.e. toward other non-abrasive coated portions of the same one of the endless abrasive belt).

The housing 22 can be shaped with one or more walls, members, retention elements, etc. configured to retain the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 arranged as the stack 28 such that one or more of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 do not slip out of the stack 28. The housing 22 can have a first wall 30 generally arranged opposite from the retaining element 24. The first wall 30 can be in proximity of and in some cases can be coupled to the actuating element 26. The first wall 30 can be disposed adjacent the opening 16 and in some examples can form at least a portion of the opening 16. The opening 16 can be offset to an edge and/or an interior surface of the first wall 30. Furthermore, the opening 16 can be offset such as in a substantially transverse direction relative to one or more directions of movement(s) of the retaining element 24 and/or actuating element 26. The opening 16 can be large enough to accommodate at least the first endless abrasive belt 14A passing therethrough.

The retaining element 24 can be configured to be positioned in the housing 22 opposite the first wall 30. The retaining element 24 can be moveable relative to the first wall 30. This can allow the retaining element 24 to be depressed away from the first wall 30 to accommodate the stack 28 when loaded and can allow the retaining element 24 to move toward the first wall 30 when the first endless abrasive belt 14A is withdrawn from the dispenser 12 via the opening 16. The movement toward the first wall 30 by the retaining element 24 can load a second endless abrasive belt 14B into the position vacated by the first endless abrasive belt 14A upon withdrawal such that the second endless abrasive belt 14B generally aligns with the opening 16. Thus, according to one example, the retaining element 24 can comprise a spring and follower configured to bias the stack 28 towards the first wall 30 such that the first endless abrasive belt 14A (and subsequent of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14) generally aligns with the opening 16. The retaining element 24 can be configured to hold the stack 28 within the housing 22 such that the first endless abrasive belt 14A of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 that comprise the stack 28 can selectively contact the first wall 30. In this position, the first endless abrasive belt 14A can be generally aligned with the opening 16 to facilitate retrieval by the actuating element 26 and/or the retrieval member 18. As is further discussed subsequently, the retaining element 24 and the housing 22 can be configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 of the stack 28 are moveable (only retained by friction therebetween) and untethered (non-coupled by linkages/mechanisms) relative to one another in the stack 28.

At least one or more portions of the actuating element 26 can be configured to move relative to the first wall 30 and the retaining element 24. The actuating element 26 can be configured to selectively contact and move the first endless abrasive belt 14A (and any subsequent of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 loaded into a same position as the first endless abrasive belt 14A by the retaining element 24) of the stack 28 to the opening 16 such that the first endless abrasive belt 14A (and subsequent of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14) at least partially protrudes from the housing 22 through the opening 16 as shown in FIG. 1A. The actuating element 26 can be configured to move the first endless abrasive belt 14A of the stack 28 with a rolling linear movement relative to the second endless abrasive belt 14B of the stack 28 as is further illustrated in FIG. 3.

The actuating element 26 can comprise any device configured to contact and move the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 as described above. Thus, the actuating element 26 can be actuated manually or automated to accomplish movement. Thus, the actuating element 26 in some examples can utilize a motor as a component thereof, can have portions that can be motor driven, can be hand driven (by a robotic device or individual), etc. The actuating element 26 can be any known linear or rotatable actuator, and thus, can variously utilize a pad, a wheel, a belt, a cam follower, a crank mechanism, a pivot mechanism, a friction drive mechanism, or the like. Indeed, in some examples, the actuating element 26 can utilize an abrasive belt or track of similar construct to that of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 that can be brought into selective contact with one of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 and can be driven to facilitate movement of the contacted one of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14.

It should be recognized that the dispenser 12 shown in FIG. 1A and indeed all the FIGURES of the present application are purely exemplary in nature. The housing 22, for example, may not be rectangular in shape as shown in FIG. 1A but can have any shape (e.g., parallelogram, etc.) as desired. The housing 22 can be any shape configured to house the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 as the stack 28 one atop the other. The first wall 30 need not be a top wall but can be a side wall or base, for example. According to further examples, one or more walls 30A of the housing 22 may not be utilized. Indeed, in some examples the housing 22 can comprise an open frame or the like and may only have the first wall 30. Openings such as those that would occur with the open frame design for the housing 22 can facilitate loading of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 on the retaining element 24 as the stack 28, for example. The housing 22 can be formed of any desired material, for example. Therefore, the housing 22 can be constructed of paper products, plastics, composites, metals, composites, etc. Thus, in some cases, one or more portions of the housing 22 such as the one or more walls 30A can be formed by cardboard packaging such as the cardboard packaging used to package and ship the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 to a job site where the system 10 would be utilized. Thus, the term “housing” as used herein should be interpreted broadly and can include any suitable materials and any structures that include at least the first wall 30 (which can be of any shape and design) and the opening 16 (which can be formed as part of an open frame, a slit or other passage in cardboard packaging, etc.).

The retrieval member 18 can be configured to insert through an interior loop portion of the first endless abrasive belt 14A. However, in other examples the retrieval member 18 could clamp or otherwise engage or grasp other portions of the first endless abrasive belt 14A such as the abrading portion 34. Thus, the retrieval member 18 can have any suitable configuration for coupling with the first endless abrasive belt 14A. Therefore, the retrieval member 18 can include a human hand, a robotic hand, a portion of the robotic device 20 of any desired shape or construct, a hook, a rod, a belt, a wheel, a portion of an abrading tool, etc. The retrieval member 18 can be coupled to the robotic device 20 as shown in FIG. 1A and can be moveable to engage and draw the first endless abrasive belt 14A of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 fully from the opening 16. The robotic device 20 can be configured to manipulate the retrieval member 18 such as to draw the first endless abrasive belt 14A from the dispenser 12 fully. As discussed above, the retrieval member 18 can be part of the robotic device 20 in some examples.

The system 10 can be used to retrieve a singular one (or more as desired) of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 for use in abrading with an abrading tool (not shown). This abrading tool can be manipulated for abrading a workpiece by a robotic device. According to some examples, the robotic device used in abrading of the workpiece can be the robotic device 20. In other examples, the robotic device 20 can act to retrieve and transfer the first endless abrasive belt 14A to an individual for manual loading or can act to retrieve and transfer the first endless abrasive belt 14A to a second robot, which could then perform the loading and/or abrading, etc.

FIG. 1B shows an example system 110 with the dispenser having a housing 122. The housing 122 can have one or more frame portions 123 and one or more portions 124A, 124B and/or 124C of the housing 122 that are removable from a remainder of the housing 122 (e.g., from the frame portions 123) as illustrated in FIG. 1B. These one or more portions 124A, 124B and/or 124C can comprise walls, portions of walls, multiple walls of the housing 122, for example. The one or more portions 124A, 124B and/or 124C can be removable by removal of fasteners, tearing, cutting, etc. The one or more portions 124A, 124B and/or 124C can comprise cardboard packaging that is cut, torn or otherwise removed, for example. The one or more portions 124A, 124B and/or 124C can be removable to facilitate at least one of loading of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 (FIG. 1A) to form the stack 28 (FIG. 1A), holding the stack 28 with the retaining element 24 (FIG. 1A) (e.g., removing a portion of cardboard packaging so as to facilitate engagement of the stack with the retaining element 24 of FIG. 1A) and contacting of the first endless abrasive belt 14A of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 of the stack 28 with the actuating element 26 (FIG. 1A) (e.g., removing a portion of cardboard packaging so as to facilitate engagement of the stack with the actuating element 26 of FIG. 1A).

FIGS. 2-5 show a schematic cross-section of a dispenser 212 according to another example. The dispenser 212 can be constructed in the manner of the dispensers 12 and 112 unless otherwise noted herein. The dispenser 212 can include a housing 222, a retaining element 224 and an actuating element 226. The housing 222 can include a first wall 230 and an opening 216 similar to those previously described in regard to the example of FIG. 1A.

The housing 222 can be configured to receive and house the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 arranged as the stack 28 when so received as previously described. The retaining element 224 can be positioned opposite the first wall 230 within the housing 222 and can be moveable relative thereto as shown by arrows A1 in FIGS. 2-5. The retaining element 224 can be configured to hold the stack 28 within the housing 222 such that the first endless abrasive belt 14A of the stack 28 selectively contacts the first wall 230 and is generally aligned with the opening 216. The actuating element 226 can be moveable relative to the first wall 230 and the retaining element 224. The actuating element 226 can be configured to selectively contact and move the first endless abrasive belt 14A (as shown in FIG. 3) and subsequent of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 of the stack 28 relative to the first wall 230 and can move the first endless abrasive belt 14 to the opening 216 as shown in FIG. 3.

In the example of FIGS. 2-5, and specifically shown in reference to FIG. 2, the actuating element 226 can comprise a linkage 250 configured as a button 252 attached to a pad 254. The linkage 250 can be attached to and can drive the pad 254. The linkage 250 can be depressible into an interior of the housing 222 and can be moveable in a slot 257 formed in the first wall 230 as shown in FIG. 3.

An inner portion of the first wall 230 that forms an interior surface 258 can comprise a first material that differs from a second material that forms at least an engagement surface 260 of the pad 254. It can be desirable to have the second material differ from the first material and from the abrasive material of the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14. In this manner, friction between the pad 254 and the abrasive material on a first side 255A of the first endless abrasive belt 14A can be higher than friction between a second side 255B of the first endless abrasive belt 14A and the second endless abrasive belt 14B. Additionally, the friction between the pad 254 and the abrasive material on a first side 255A of the first endless abrasive belt 14A can be higher than friction between the interior surface 258 of the first wall 230 and the abrasive material on a first side 255 of the first endless abrasive belt 14A.

According to one example, the first material can comprise a ceramic (e.g., glass), metal or hard plastic and the second material can comprise a rubber (e.g., polyurethane). In particular, according to the example of FIG. 2, the interior surface 258 of the first wall 230 that contacts the first endless abrasive belt 14A can be formed of a relatively smoother material than the engagement surface 260 that selectively contacts the first endless abrasive belt (selective contact illustrated in FIG. 3). The engaging surface 260 of the pad 254 can be formed of a relatively more textured and compliant material than the interior surface 258 of the first wall 230.

Again, in reference to FIG. 2, the retaining element 224 can comprise a spring 262 and follower 264. The follower 264 can have a platform 266 that can be configured to hold the stack 28 by applying a pressure at a middle portion 267 thereof According to one example, the platform 266 can include a surface 266A that interfaces with the stack 28 that is configured to be formed of a relatively more textured and compliant material than the interior surface 258 of the first wall 230. The platform 266 can be configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 of the stack 28 can have first end portions 268 and second end portions 270 free of the pressure applied by the platform 266 such that the first end portions 268 and second end portions 270 have a radii of curvature. Described another way, the retaining element 224 and housing 222 can be configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 can be retained in the stack 28 by friction therebetween and the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 can be untethered (i.e. not mechanically coupled) relative to one another in the stack 28. Thus, the configuration of the dispenser 212 can effectively hold the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 as the stack 28 without the plurality of endless abrasive belts 14 being crushed fully flat and/or coupled together with dedicated mechanisms.

FIG. 3 shows actuation of the actuating element 226 by depression of the linkage 250 into the housing 222 and linear movement of the linkage 250 toward the opening 216 (movements indicated with arrow A2). As the linkage 250 is coupled to the pad 254, the depression of the linkage 250 can move the pad 254 relative to the first wall 230 further into the interior of the housing 222 to project past the first wall 230 and contact the first endless abrasive belt 14A. The pad 254 can move linearly with movement of the linkage 250 within the slot 257. As shown in FIG. 3, the actuating element 226 can move the first endless abrasive belt 14A of the stack 28 with a rolling linear movement (indicated by arrow A3) relative to the second endless abrasive belt 14B of the stack 28. Movement facilitated by the actuating element 226 can extend at least the first end portion 268 of the first endless abrasive belt 14A from the opening 216. However, in other examples other portions (e.g., the middle portion 267 and/or the second end portion 270) of the first endless abrasive belt 14A can extend from the opening 216. Thus, in some examples the first endless abrasive belt 14A can fully exit the dispenser 212 via the opening 216 with actuation of the actuating element 226.

FIG. 4 shows the dispenser 212 with an example where a portion of a retrieval member 18 inserts through an interior loop portion 280 of the first endless abrasive belt 14A. This portion can comprise a rod 282 that can exert a pulling force (indicated with arrow A4) that further and fully pulls the first endless abrasive belt 14A from the dispenser 212 via the opening 216.

FIG. 5 shows movement (indicated by arrow A1) by the retaining element 224 upon full removal of the first endless abrasive belt 14A (not shown in FIG. 5). This movement can comprise a bias movement of the retaining element 224 due to the spring 262 extending to bring the second endless abrasive belt 14B of the stack 28 into contact with the first wall 230 and into general alignment with the opening 216.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a method 300 of dispensing at least a first endless abrasive belt from a dispenser according to one example of the present application. The method 300 can include inserting 302 a plurality of endless abrasive belts including the at least the first endless abrasive belt within a housing of the dispenser so the plurality of endless abrasive belts comprise a stack therein, wherein inserting includes displacing a retaining element relative to a first wall of the housing, moving 304 the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to an opening of the housing adjacent the first wall, the moving comprising a linear rolling movement of the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts relative to a second of the plurality of endless abrasive belts and removing 306 the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts from the housing via the opening.

According to one example the method 300 can optionally further include biasing the stack with the retaining element towards the first wall such that the second of the plurality of endless abrasive belts generally aligns with the opening. The method 300 can optionally further include removing one or more portions of the housing to facilitate at least one of inserting the plurality of endless abrasive belts, holding the stack with the retaining element and moving the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts. The method 300 can optionally further include retaining the stack within the housing by applying a pressure with the retaining element and the first wall. The retaining the stack with the retaining element can apply the pressure at a middle portion of the stack. The retaining element can be configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack have first end portions and second end portions free of the pressure applied by the retaining element such that the first end portions and second end portions have radii of curvature. The method 300 can optionally further include fully removing the at least the first abrasive from the opening with a robotic device.

Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An endless abrasive belt dispenser comprising: a housing configured to receive a plurality of endless abrasive belts therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts arranged as a stack with when so received, wherein the housing has a first wall and an opening adjacent the first wall;a retaining element positioned opposite the first wall within the housing and moveable relative thereto, wherein the retaining element is configured to hold the stack within the housing such that a first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack selectively contacts the first wall and is generally aligned with the opening; andan actuating element moveable relative to the first wall and retaining element, wherein the actuating element is configured to selectively contact and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack relative to the first wall and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to the opening.

2. The endless abrasive belt dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuating element moves the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with a rolling linear movement relative to a second of the of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack.

3. The endless abrasive belt dispenser of claim 1, wherein the retaining element comprises a spring and follower, wherein the follower has a platform configured to hold the stack by applying a pressure at a middle portion thereof, and wherein the platform is configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack have first end portions and second end portions free of the pressure applied by the platform such that the first end portions and second end portions have a radii of curvature.

4. The endless abrasive belt dispenser of claim 1, wherein one or more portions of the housing are removable to facilitate at least one of loading of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to form the stack, holding the stack with the retaining element and contacting of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with the actuating element.

5. The endless abrasive belt dispenser of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first wall of the housing that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts is formed of a relatively smoother material than a surface of the actuating element that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts, and wherein the surface of the actuating element is formed of a relatively more textured and compliant material than the surface of the first wall.

6. The endless abrasive belt dispenser of claim 1, wherein the retaining element and housing are configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts are retained in the stack due to friction therebetween and pressure between the first wall and the retaining element, and wherein the plurality of endless abrasive belts are untethered relative to one another in the stack.

7. A system comprising: a plurality of endless abrasive belts;a housing configured to receive the plurality of endless abrasive belts therein with the plurality of endless abrasive belts arranged as a stack when so received, wherein the housing has a first wall and an opening adjacent the first wall;a retaining element configured to be positioned in the housing opposite the first wall and moveable relative thereto, wherein the retaining element is configured to hold the stack within the housing such that a first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack selectively contacts the first wall and is generally aligned with the opening; andan actuating element configured to move relative to the first wall and retaining element, wherein the actuating element is configured to selectively contact and move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack to the opening such that the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts at least partially protrudes from the housing through the opening.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a member configured to insert through an interior loop portion of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts, wherein the member is moveable to draw the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts fully from the opening.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a robotic device configured to manipulate the member.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the retaining element is configured such that upon withdraw of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts fully from the opening the retaining element displaces the stack toward the first wall and actuating element so as to position a second of the plurality of endless abrasive belts aligned with the opening.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuating element is configured to move the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with a rolling linear movement relative to a second of the of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the retaining element comprises a spring and follower configured to bias the stack towards the first wall such that the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts generally aligns with the opening.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein one or more portions of the housing are removable to facilitate at least one of loading of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to form the stack, holding the stack with the retaining element and contacting of the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack with the actuating element.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein a surface of the first wall of the housing that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts is formed of a relatively smoother material than a surface of the actuating element that contacts the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts, and wherein the surface of the actuating element is formed of a relatively more textured and compliant material than the surface of the first wall.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the retaining element and housing are configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts are retained in the stack due to friction therebetween and pressure between the first wall and the retaining element, and wherein the plurality of endless abrasive belts are untethered relative to one another in the stack.

16. A method of dispensing at least a first endless abrasive belt from a dispenser comprising: inserting a plurality of endless abrasive belts including the at least the first endless abrasive belt within a housing of the dispenser so the plurality of endless abrasive belts comprise a stack therein, wherein inserting includes displacing a retaining element relative to a first wall of the housing;moving the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts to an opening of the housing adjacent the first wall, the moving comprising a linear rolling movement of the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts; andremoving the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts from the housing via the opening.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising biasing the stack with the retaining element towards the first wall such that the second of the plurality of endless abrasive belts generally aligns with the opening.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing one or more portions of the housing to facilitate at least one of inserting the plurality of endless abrasive belts, holding the stack with the retaining element and moving the at least the first of the plurality of endless abrasive belts.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising retaining the stack within the housing by applying a pressure with the retaining element and the first wall.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein retaining the stack with the retaining element applies the pressure at a middle portion thereof, and wherein the retaining element is configured such that the plurality of endless abrasive belts of the stack have first end portions and second end portions free of the pressure applied by the retaining element such that the first end portions and second end portions have radii of curvature.

21. (canceled)