Abstract:
An abrasive sheet dispenser for aligning and attaching hook and loop backed abrasive sheets onto abrading tools, which utilize vacuum holes incorporated into the backup pad and into its corresponding abrasive sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser has an injection molded universal base having a plurality of guide hole locations. Each group of guide hole locations is connected by a guide screw channel. The dispenser has a plurality of injection mold guides and a plurality of guide screws. The guides are of a height as to support a plurality of abrasive sheets and fastened onto the universal base by inserting the guide screws through the guide holes in the universal base from underneath and screwing into the bottom center of guides. The guides are adjustable allowing them to be aligned with various vacuum hole patterns and sizes of abrasive sheets by sliding each guide along the guide screw channel to another guide hole location within that group. The dispenser also has an injection molded clear acrylic universal cover plate, which is placed over the stack of abrasive sheets as a protective dust and moisture cover.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a dispenser for attaching abrasive sheets to a backup pad, and more particularly to a dispenser that conveniently aligns the vacuum holes in an abrasive sheet with the vacuum holes in the backup pad, as well as centering the abrasive sheet onto the backup pad. 
   Abrasives are commonly used to grind, sand, and polish materials such as wood, metal, paint, and plastic. One method of abrading a work piece is to affix an abrasive sheet to a backup pad, and to rotate the backup pad while urging the abrasive against a workpiece. In many applications, the abrasive sheet and the backup pad are circular, although other configurations are also known, For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,702 (Kloss et al.) discloses a portable grinder having, in one embodiment, a generally triangular backup pad and abrasive sheet that are vibrated rather than rotated. 
   The abrasive sheet may be affixed to the backup pad in a number of different ways. For example, the use of a pressure sensitive adhesive (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,949 (Steinhauser et al.), interengaging fastener members, such as hook portions on the backup pad and loop fabric on the abrasive sheet (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,259 (Appeldorn) or U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,101 (Rouser et al.) and cooperating male and female fastener members, are known in the art. 
   The backup pad may be configured to be hand held, or may be configured for attachment to a powered abrading apparatus. A typical abrading apparatus includes a rotating output shaft that is powered by an abrading head. These abrading apparatuses, alternatively referred to as grinders herein, may be electrically or pneumatically powered, and typically rotate the backup pad at speeds between 3,000 and 20,000 revolutions per minute. The abrading apparatus may be one of several types. For example, a rotary grinder simply rotates the backup pad and attached abrasive sheet about a fixed axis. A random orbital grinder combines a rotary and orbital motion that results in a random motion of the backup pad with respect to the abrading head. 
   The abrading apparatus can also have dust collection holes incorporated into the backup pad. An abrasive sheet is then desired which also has vacuum holes. This system causes the dust to be drawn away from the abrading area through the vacuum holes. The abrading tool has an attached container in which the dust is collected or may be attached by hose to a separate dust collector. 
   The diameter of the abrasive sheet is typically larger than the diameter of the backup pad (for example, a 127 mm sheet and a 124 mm pad), to permit abrading near the periphery of the abrasive sheet without damage to the backup pad or to the surface being abraded. It is desirable to position the abrasive sheet relative to the backup pad so that the sheet extends beyond the backup pad around its entire circumference without any of the support of the backup pad exposed. It is also desirable to center the abrasive sheet relative to the backup pad so that the amount by which the sheet extends beyond the backup pad is relatively constant along the periphery of the sheet. In the case of a dust collection system the vacuum holes must be aligned as well in order for the dust to be extracted properly. Typically, the operator of the apparatus applies the abrasive sheet by hand while attempting to center it and align the vacuum holes as well as possible. It is also known to program robotic sanders to attach abrasive sheets centered on the backup pad (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,455 (Lanzer)). 
   In the case of through the pad dust extraction, the abrading tool is turned over to expose the backup pad. The vacuum holes of an abrasive sheet are then visually lined up with the vacuum holes of the backup pad. The tool is then turned right side up for continued use. 
   Various dispensers for abrasive articles are known, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,949 (Steinhauser et. Al.), WIPO International Patent Application Publication No. WO96/38264 (King et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,337 (Roeker, et al.) However, these dispensers do not provide a way to align the vacuum holes in abrasive sheets with the vacuum holes in a backup pad. 
   It is desirable to provide an abrasive sheet dispenser that simply, quickly and effectively centers and aligns vacuum hole abrasive sheets onto a vacuum hole backup pad. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An abrasive sheet dispenser having multiple upstanding adjustable alignment guides for registration with selective apertures in abrasive sheets. The alignment guides provide corresponding registration with vacuum inducing openings in a back pad and support base of an abrading tool to evacuate abraded material from the work surface. The abrasive sheets have an inner attachment surface for selectively securing to corresponding effacing surface of the back up pad. 
   It is an object of the vacuum apertured abrasion sheet dispenser of this invention to provide for orderly contained stack of vacuum hole abrasive sheets easily identified, aligned and applied onto an abrading tool in a minimum amount of time. 
   In one preferred embodiment, the above dispenser comprises a unitary molded plastic base and guides. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser has internal springs allowing the guides to retract into and protract out of the base. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser has nutational notches at spaced locations on the guides. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser further includes a protective cover. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser has a riser plate, a riser spring, and a protective cover. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser comprises a thermoformed package having a plurality of guides thermoformed inside of the cover. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser has a single notch below the tip of each guide to receive a lock-down cover plate. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser has a plurality of adjustable guides, each having a bottom flange allowing movement within enlarged guide holes without falling out through the top with a bottom retainer plate. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser further includes several alternative guide locations allowing one dispenser to be interchangeable with more than one vacuum-hole pattern and size abrasive sheet by using adjustable guides selectively repositionable within pre-defined travel paths within the base without having to remove the guides. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser further includes a universal cover plate. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the above dispenser further includes a multi-unit storage case. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  containing a plurality of abrasive sheets. 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section view on lines  5 — 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the dispenser of  FIG. 6  with portions shown in broken lines. 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the dispenser shown in  FIG. 6  according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the dispenser of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the cover of an alternate embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the container half of the dispenser of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevational assembled view of  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of dispenser of  FIG. 15  with the cover plate removed for illustration purposes. 
       FIG. 17  is an isometric view of dispenser of  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of a multi-unit storage case containing a plurality of dispensers of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of multi-unit storage case of  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevational view of multi-unit storage case of  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 21  is a top elevational view of another alternate embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a sectional view on lines  22 — 22  of  FIG. 21 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–3  of the drawings, there is shown therein a first preferred embodiment of a dispenser  10  according to the present invention. The dispenser  10  is designed to hold a plurality of vacuum-hole abrasive sheets  11  for attachment to a corresponding backup pad, not shown. The dispenser  10  is configured to allow for convenient bench top operation. It is also configured to center the backup pad onto an abrasive sheet  11  such that the amount the sheet extends beyond the backup pad around the periphery is generally constant and uniform as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. 
   The dispenser  10  includes a base  12  and a plurality of elongated upstanding guides  13 . Base  12  and guides  13  may be molded such as by injection molding a unitary base and guides out of a suitable material such as plastic. 
   Base  12  is typically 1/16″ thick and can be square, round, or may simulate the shape of its intended abrasive sheet. The length and width of base  12  is determined by its intended abrasive sheet  11 . An exposed outer periphery of base  12  beyond its intended abrasive sheet  11  is preferred to ease in holding dispenser  10  stationary. During use, the dispenser  10  of the invention is designed to be an insert included in abrasive packaging used within the art such as paper boxes and thermoformed packages as a free accessory applicator and may be produced in a variety of colors to encourage easy grit identification. 
   The position of guides  13  on base  12  is determined by the aperture orientation intended abrasive sheet  11  to be dispensed. Therefore, various models of a dispenser  10 , according to the present invention having different spacings of guides  13  are desired of such as to accommodate such vacuum-hole configurations. The number of guides  13  may equal the number of vacuum holes in its intended abrasive sheet  11  and can, as an option, be reduced to a minimum desired number of no less than two guides  13 . The diameter of guides  13  is of such as to fit snugly within the vacuum holes A of its intended abrasive sheet  11  without being restrictive. The length of guides  13  is of such as to allow the intended backup pad, not shown, to seat fully down to base  12 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings, there is shown therein a second preferred embodiment of a dispenser  14  according to the present invention. The dispenser  14  includes a base  15 , having a plurality of guide wells  16 , a plurality of elongated guides  17 , each having a single notch  18 , and a smaller tip  19 , above the notch, a shoulder  20 , a plurality of guide well-springs  21 , a bottom cover  22 , and a locking cover plate  23 , (shown  FIG. 15  of the drawings). Base  15  is typically ¾″ thick and can be molded out of a suitable material, such as plastic. Guides  17  can be molded out of a suitable material, such as plastic. Guides  17  retract under pressure and protract when pressure is released. The springs  21  are approximately ½″ long, ⅜″ in diameter. A plurality of tapered slots  24 , in locking cover plate  23  are of a configuration as to fit over the tips  19 , of guides  17 , allowing cover plate  23 , to seat onto larger shoulder  20 , of guide  17 , even with notch  18 . Cover plate  23  can then be rotated into a locking position within notch  18 , as shown. During assembly, guides  17  are inserted into guide wells  16 , from the bottom. 
   Guide well springs  21 , are then placed into guide wells  16  and bottom cover  16 A installed. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings, there is shown therein a third preferred embodiment of a dispenser  24  according to the present invention. The dispenser  24  includes a base  25 , a cover  26  shown in broken lines, a plurality of elongated guides  27 , having notches  28  at spacings of approximately ⅜ inch. The base  25  and guides  27  may be molded, such as by injection molding a unitary base and guides out of a suitable material such as plastic. Each notch  28 , is of a depth as to allow for easy removal of uppermost section by avulsion. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings, there is shown therein a fourth preferred embodiment of a dispenser  29  according to the present invention. The dispenser  29  includes a base  30 , guides  31  and enlarged tips  32 , with a riser spring  33 , riser plate  34 , and protective cover  35 . Base  30 , riser guides  31 , riser plate  34 , and cover  35  can be molded out of a suitable material such as plastic. The enlarged tips  32  and riser guides  31  are of a two-piece design to allow installation of riser spring  33  and riser plate  34  during assembly. Riser spring  33  is of a coil type of sufficient size as to urge contents thereon (not shown) up to the enlarged tips  32 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11  of the drawings, there is shown therein a fifth preferred embodiment of a dispenser  36  according to the present invention. The dispenser  36  includes a base  37 , and guides  38 , and may be molded such as by injection molding of a suitable material such as plastic. Molded into the guides  38  at a predetermined spacing of approximately ⅜″ are of a plurality of longitudinally spaced severing points at  39 . The dispenser  36  is designed to be an inserted free accessory applicator for abrasive sheet packaging. The dimensions of base  37  are of such as to fit the package of the intended abrasive sheets  11 . The height of guides  38  are of a length that permits the package top, not shown, to close as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  there is shown therein a sixth preferred embodiment of a dispenser  40  according to the present invention. The dispenser  40  includes a thermoformed unitary cover  41  and guides  42  and a thermoformed container  43  of a smooth, clear PETG material 0.015 mill thick. Coupling of the female cover  41  to the male container  43  creates the dispenser  40  package as seen in  FIG. 14  of the drawings. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17  of the drawings, there is shown therein a seventh preferred embodiment of a dispenser  49  according to the present invention. The dispenser  49  includes an injection molded unitary plastic base  50 , and upstanding elongated guides  51 , and an injection molded locking cover plate  52 . Length and width of base  50  is determined by its intended abrasive sheet  11  and is ⅛th inch thick. An exposed outer periphery of base  50  is preferred for ease of holding dispenser stationary during use. The dispenser  49  has a curved front edge at  54 , making base  50  attractive in appearance, and may be produced in a variety of colors to encourage easy grit identification. The position of guides  51  is determined by the intended abrasive sheet  11  to be dispensed as hereinbefore described. 
   The diameter of guides  51  is ⅜″ and is of such as to fit snugly within the vacuum holes of its intended abrasive sheet without being restrictive. Guides  51  are ½″ in height to the shoulder at  55 . The guides  51  have a single annular notch at  56  to receive locking cover plate  52 , and a smaller tip  57  above the notch at  56  that is approximately ¼ inch round and ¼ inch high. Locking cover plate  52  has tapered slots  58  equal to the number of guides  51 . The cover plate  52  aligns with guides  51  and seats down onto shoulder at  55  thereof, level with notch at  56 . Cover plate  52  is then rotated in one direction toward narrow end of tapered slot  58  locking the cover plate  52  in place. Cover plate  52  may be produced in a solid color or of clear acrylic. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  of the drawings, there is shown therein an optional storage case  59 . Storage case  59  is designed to hold four identical dispensers  49  of various colors therein. Storage case  59  can be an injection molded unitary plastic case or can be a manufactured wooden case. The dimensions are of such as to allow the curved front at  54  of each dispenser base  50  to project from the case front as seen in  FIGS. 18 and 20  of the drawings. The curved front  54  then becomes a thumb-pull for removal therefrom and insertion into the storage case  59 . Slots  60  are made into the respective sides of storage case  59  to act as a channel allowing dispenser base  50  to slide in and out. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22  of the drawings, an eighth preferred embodiment of a dispenser  61  can be seen. The dispenser  61  includes a main injected molded universal base  62 , multiple adjustable upstanding guides  63  having correspondingly engaging guide screws  64  and a clear acrylic universal cover plate  65  thereover. The base  62  has a plurality of rectangular molded recesses  62 A within its lower surface  62 B defining multiple guide tracks within. Each of the guide screws  64  has a flat head  64 A which is slidably disposed within the corresponding guide track recesses  62 A. A closure plate  62 C is removably secured to the lower surface  62 B of the base  62  capturing the aforedescribed screw head  64 A within the guide tracks defined thereby. Contoured slots  68  are formed within portions  62 A of the base  62  overlying the defined guide track recesses  62 A. Each of the slots at  68  have oppositely disposed registration and enlargements for the guides  63 . This allows the guides  63  to be slidably adjusted and locked in place by rotation thereof to match required pattern configurations as defined by the selected and desired abrasive sheets. 
   Universal cover plates  65  allows the abrasive sheets to be held in quantity thereon as will be apparent to those skilled in the art and described in greater detail hereinafter. 
   CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
   It will be seen that the dispenser of the invention provides a highly reliable, lightweight, yet economical device which simplifies alignment and attachment of vacuum-hole abrasive sheets. This invention also offers valuable assistance to persons with impaired vision as well as organizing the work area. 
   Using multiple dispensers allows several abrasive grits to be readily accessible. Using thermoformed packaging offers a unique opportunity to abrasive suppliers to make their product highly visible to the consumer, as well as including a desirable, inexpensive, and reliable alignment dispenser system. While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of several of the preferred embodiments thereof. For example, abrasive sheets may be placed in a container having a plurality of guides in which the abrasive sheets may be lifted to the top by a means of one&#39;s thumb pushing a friction fit plunger up through a hole in the center of the container bottom, not shown. 
   In another embodiment, the above dispenser has threaded guides. The threaded guides are screwed into the top of a universal base at spaced locations and can be repositioned to receive various vacuum-hole abrasive sheet configurations. The elements of the above invention are not limited to being made from one type of material or process. For example, the guides may be of extruded plastic or machined from aluminum or steel, rather than of molded plastic. Thermoformed package, as seen in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 , can be made of PVC instead of PETG. Molded guides may be of a thinner diameter with an enlarged, round or flared tip, or as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings may have notched severing points at  28  with tapered tips. Notched guides  27  may be nutated at notches, unscrewed or pulled apart in sections. Dust cover  26  may be of a solid, transparent, or semi-transparent color. There may be one central riser spring  33 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings, or a spring encompassing each guide  30 . Base  12 , universal base  62 , locking cover plate  52  and universal cover plate  65 , can be water cut or made with a CNC router system. Guides  30 ,  27  and  63  can be made on a CNC lathe or a Swiss turret lathe. 
   Height of containers, covers and guides of package and insert embodiments may vary to accommodate various numbers of abrasive sheets to be packaged. Insert dispenser may consist of a cardboard base  12  with wooden guides  13 , stapled or glued on. 
   The term “abrasive sheet” as used herein including the claims, refers to any abrasive article to be attached to a backup pad. It is understood that the dispenser could be used with backup pads and abrasive sheets of any shape, such as triangle, square, circular, or other polygons which utilize vacuum hole dust collection. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the exact details and structures described herein, but rather by the structures described by the language of the claims, and the equivalents of those structures. 
   OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
   To operate user-loaded embodiments simply place a dispenser of the invention on a work surface. With abrasive grit down, align the vacuum holes of a plurality of abrasive sheets with the guides of the dispenser and lower sheets fully down on to guides. Repeat this process until approximately ⅛ th  ″ of guides are left exposed. With abrading tool in right hand remove worn abrasive sheet. Place abrading tool, not shown, over dispenser and center backup pad, not shown, with top sheet and manually rotate backup pad while allowing slight contact with guide tips. Vacuum holes of pad will find guides of dispenser. Seat the backup pad down onto the top abrasive sheet allowing full contact. Place two fingers of left hand on exposed outer periphery of dispenser to hold stationary. Lifting abrading tool removes top abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet is automatically centered and the vacuum holes aligned. Repeat the process as needed. 
   The manner of operation of the dispenser of the invention is not found in prior art abrasive sheet dispensers. The dispensers of  FIGS. 1 through 22  perform the same function. However, the dispenser shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  is designed to be a disposable insert included in abrasive packaging. The dispenser of  FIGS. 4 and 5  has spring-loaded guides which retract under slight downward pressure allowing a backup pad with shallow vacuum holes to seat fully to the base. The spring-loaded guides can also be longer, allowing for more abrasive sheets. 
   The dispenser shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  is designed to be the shipping container in which a plurality of abrasive sheets  11  are pre-loaded at the factory, shipped and sold. To operate, unlock protective cover  26  from base  25  and remove. As the abrasive sheets  11  are used the tips of guides  27  are exposed hindering contact of the backup pad onto the top abrasive sheet  11 . Simply nutate tip and remove by avulsion at uppermost notch  28 , of each guide  27  allowing a new contact point for several abrasive sheets. Repeat this process until all the abrasive sheets have been used. The dispenser is then disposed of and a new one purchased. 
   The dispenser shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is designed to be reusable and is loaded by the user with up to fifty abrasive sheets  11 , not shown. When fully loaded the weight of abrasive sheets causes riser plate  34  to retract to base  30  collapsing riser spring  33 . 
   As abrasive sheets are removed, riser spring  33  causes riser plate  34  to gradually lift abrasive sheets to base of enlarged tips  32  of riser guides  31 . The exposed wider tips  32 , acts as a riser stop for riser plate  34 . Protective cover  35  is placed over and locked down unto base  30  when not in use preventing exposure to dust and moisture. 
   The dispenser  36  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  of the drawings is designed to be preloaded at the factory with abrasive sheets, not shown, and placed within the package used by abrasive companies and sold to the consumer. The user opens the package and lifts out the contents, placing them on the work surface. From there, the function is virtually the same as the dispenser of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As the abrasive sheets are removed the tips of guides  38  are exposed eventually hindering contact of the backup pad unto the top abrasive sheet. Simply nutate tips and remove by avulsion at upper notch  39 , of each guide  38  allowing a new contact point for several abrasive sheets. Repeat this process until all the abrasive sheets have been used. Dispenser  36  may be stored in original container when not in use. Entire unit is disposed of when empty and a new one purchased. 
   The dispenser  40  as seen in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  of the drawings is designed to be a factory loaded thermoformed package, and is also designed to be hung on a commercial display. The consumer buys a chosen grit and number of desired abrasive sheets. The user places the dispenser  40 &#39;s container  43  down, on work surface and lifts off dispenser cover  41  with guides  42 , placing cover  41 , guides up, on a flat surface. The user then removes several abrasive sheets from container and places them, grit down, over guides  42 . The user then places abrading tool, not shown, over dispenser  40  and aligns guides  42  with vacuum holes in backup pad by slightly rotating backup pad. The backup pad is then seated unto top abrasive sheet, making full contact. With several fingers holding dispenser stationary, the user then lifts abrading tool, removing top abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet is automatically centered and the vacuum holes aligned. Dispenser cover  41  is reattached to container when not being used and package may be stored on a hook. 
   The dispenser  49  as seen in  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17  of the drawings is designed to be durable and reusable. The dispenser  49  is placed on a bench top. The user identifies the desired grit by that dispenser&#39;s particular color. For first time loading, the user rotates and removes locking cover plate  52 . The user then places a desired number of abrasive sheets, not shown, grit down over guides  51 , and fully to base  50 . Dispenser  49  is loaded when ⅛ inch of tip  57  of guide  51  is left exposed. To store, align tapered slots  58  of cover plate  52  with guides  51 . Press cover plate  52  down to shoulder  55 , of guide  51 , slightly compressing abrasive sheets and rotate into notches  56  of guides  51 , locking same in place. 
   The dispenser  49  can be sold as a single unit or as an option purchased as a set of four included in a multi-unit storage case  59  as seen in  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 . To use, the user places multi-unit storage case  59  on a workbench top, chooses a grit by the dispenser&#39;s color and removes that dispenser  49  by pulling out on arched thumb pull  54  extended beyond case front. The dispenser is then placed on bench top and user rotates and removes cover plate  52 , temporarily placing same inside bottom of storage case  59 . Abrading tool, not shown, is placed over dispenser  49  and guides  51  are aligned with vacuum holes in backup pad by slight rotation of backup pad while allowing slight contact with guide tips  57 . Abrading tool, not shown, is then seated fully unto top abrasive sheet. Lifting abrading tool removes top abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet is automatically entered and vacuum holes aligned. This process is repeated as needed. User then retrieves cover plate  52  from bottom of storage case  59  and locks in place unto dispenser  49 , keeping remaining abrasive sheets flat and protected. The dispenser  49  is then returned to the multi-unit storage case  59 . 
   The dispenser  61  as seen in  FIGS. 21 and 22  of the drawings is designed to be interchangeable between more than one vacuum-hole pattern and is also designed to be adjustable between various abrasive brands within a vacuum-hole pattern. It can also be designed to be interchangeable with more than one diameter of abrasive sheet. For first time loading, the user removes the universal cover plate  65 . The user than determined the required guide aperture pattern, then adjust the guides  63  by rotation of same, repositioning the guides within the guide slots  68  as hereinbefore described. With guides  63  still loose, the desired grit abrasive sheets are then stacked hook and loop surface, not shown, up until even with the shoulder  63 A. 
   The guides  63  are then tightened locking in the desired guide  63  position. The universal cover plate  65  is then placed over the stacked abrasive sheets to prevent sheets from curling and collecting dust. 
   The dispenser  61  can be sold as a single unit or as an option purchased as a set of four included in a multi-unit storage case, (shown  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  of the drawings).