APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING A GOLF BALL

• US 20060038323A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Keller, Viktor, Tzivanis, Michael John, Kennedy, Thomas J. III., Johnston, Eric G., Mendrala, Gary P., Jarmuzewski, Mario
• Application Number:
  US11/163,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038323A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/279.100
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0036 Melt flow rate [MFR]
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0048 Melt flow rate [MFR]
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/2305 Mixers of the two-component package type, i.e. where at least two components are separately stored, and are mixed in the moment of application
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/421 by moving the components in a convoluted or labyrinthine path B01F25/433 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14073 using means being retractable during injection
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14819 the inserts being completely encapsulated
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/30 Flow control means disposed within the sprue channel, e.g. "torpedo" construction
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/34 having venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/246 Moulding high reactive monomers or prepolymers, e.g. by reaction injection moulding [RIM], liquid injection moulding [LIM] casting monomers B29C39/006, mixing construction B29B7/74
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/545 Football balls

Abstract

An apparatus for making a golf ball is disclosed. The apparatus is a molding assembly for making a golf ball which includes a mold body that defines a molding cavity. The molding cavity is adapted to accommodate and preferably retain a golf ball core during a molding operation of one or more layers about the core. The molding assembly includes at least one material flow inlet, at least one material flow channel extending between and providing fluid communication with a material flow inlet and the molding cavity. At least one portion of the material flow channel has a plurality of bends and at least one branching intersection adapted to promote turbulence in a liquid flowing therethrough. A method of making a golf ball is also disclosed. A golf ball made from the disclosed molding apparatus and/or process is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of making a golf ball comprising:

providing a molding assembly including a mold defining a molding cavity adapted to receive a golf ball core and a material flow channel providing fluid communication between the molding cavity and a source of flowable molding material, the material flow channel having at least one turbulence-promoting fan gate;

obtaining a golf ball core;

positioning the core within the molding cavity;

introducing an effective amount of the flowable molding material through the material flow channel and into the molding cavity thereby causing the flowable molding material to pass through the turbulence-promoting fan gate; and

forming a layer of the molding material about the core.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises supporting the core in the molding cavity on a plurality of selectively retractable pins that extend into the molding cavity.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises venting gases from the molding cavity through at least one of the pins.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises providing a vacuum to promote removal of the gases through at least one of the pins.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises retracting the plurality of pins from the molding cavity after the molding material has been introduced therein.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the molding material includes a plurality of components that react to form a polymeric material.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the molding material forms a thermosetting plastic.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the molding material is a polyurethane.

9. A method for manufacturing a cover for a golf ball, the method comprising:

positioning a core within a mold cavity of a mold;

introducing a flowing material into a material flow inlet of the mold, the material flow inlet in flow communication with the mold cavity through a material flow channel, the material flow channel having a plurality of bends;

flowing the flowing material through the material flow channel to promote turbulence in the flowing material to create a turbulent flowing material; and

introducing the turbulent flowing material into the mold cavity to form a layer over the core.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the layer is a cover for a golf ball.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the layer is an intermediate layer for a golf ball.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein flowing the flowing material through the material flow channel comprises:

separating the flowing material at a first branching intersection of the material flow channel to create a separated flowing material; and

rejoining the separated flowing material at a first common area of the material flow channel.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein flowing the flowing material through the material flow channel further comprises:

separating the flowing material at a second branching intersection of the material flow channel to create a separated flowing material; and

rejoining the separated flowing material at a second common area of the material flow channel.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein flowing the flowing material through the material flow channel further comprises:

separating the flowing material at a third branching intersection of the material flow channel to create a separated flowing material; and

rejoining the separated flowing material at a third common area of the material flow channel.

15. A method for manufacturing a cover for a golf ball, the method comprising:

positioning a core within a mold cavity of a mold;

introducing a flowing material into a material flow inlet of the mold, the material flow inlet in flow communication with the mold cavity through a material flow channel;

diverging and converging the flowing material within the material flow channel to create a turbulent flowing material;

introducing the turbulent flowing material into the mold cavity to form a layer over the core.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the layer is a cover for a golf ball.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein the layer is an intermediate layer for a golf ball.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the layer has thickness ranging from 0.01 5 inch to 0.050 inch.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein diverging and converging the flowing material comprises a plurality of diverging and converging of the flowing material within the material flow channel.

20. The method according to claim 15 wherein the flowing material comprises a plurality of components that react to form a polymeric material.