Rim molding processes and assemblies for producing golf ball components

• US 20070077321A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Veilleux, Thomas, Bergin, Thomas, Melanson, David
• Application Number:
  US11/240,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077321A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 425/116
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0023 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0038 Intermediate layers, e.g. inner cover, outer core, mantle
• 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: B29C 33/005 characterised by the location of the parting line of the mould parts
• 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

Molding equipment and related processes for manufacturing golf balls are disclosed. Mold dies particularly adapted for reaction injection molding, and particularly using low viscosity reactants and high temperatures are described. The use of the noted mold dies eliminate or significantly reduce the occurrence of witness lines or other mold defects on golf balls produced therefrom.

Claims

1. A molding assembly adapted for reaction injection molding of a golf ball or component thereof, the molding assembly comprising:

a first mold defining a first molding surface and a first lip region extending around the periphery of the first molding surface; and

a second mold defining a second molding surface and a second lip region extending around the periphery of the second molding surface;

wherein the first mold and the second mold engage each other such that the first molding surface and the second molding surface define a molding chamber sized to accommodate a golf ball, and the first mold and the second mold define a non-planar parting line configuration having (i) a mold parting line, and (ii) a lip parting line, the mold parting line includes at least one of a linear segment and an arcuate segment, and the lip parting line includes at least two segments, each of which includes at least one of a linear segment and an arcuate segment.

2. The molding assembly of claim 1 wherein the mold parting line includes a plurality of linear segments oriented in a zigzag pattern.

3. The molding assembly of claim 1 wherein the mold parting line includes a plurality of linear segments oriented in a step pattern.

4. The molding assembly of claim 1 wherein the mold parting line includes a plurality of arcuate segments.

5. The molding assembly of claim 1 wherein the lip parting line includes two segments which are each linear.

6. The molding assembly of claim 5 wherein the lip parting line segments are parallel to one another.

7. The molding assembly of claim 5 wherein the lip parting line segments extend at an angle with respect to each other.

8. The molding assembly of claim 5 wherein the lip parting line segments extend within a common plane.

9. The molding assembly of claim 1 wherein the lip parting line segments are each arcuate.

10. The molding assembly of claim 1 wherein each lip parting line segment includes a plurality of linear segments.

11. The molding assembly of claim 10 wherein each lip parting line segment includes a plurality of arcuate segments.

12. A molding assembly adapted for reaction injection molding a golf ball or component thereof, the molding assembly comprising:

a first mold defining a first molding surface and a first lip region extending around the periphery of the first molding surface; and

a second mold defining a second molding surface and a second lip region extending around the periphery of the second molding surface;

wherein the first mold and the second mold engage each other such that the first molding surface and the second molding surface define a molding chamber, and the first mold and the second mold define a non-planar parting line configuration having (i) a mold parting line, and (ii) a lip parting line including two segments, each segment extending along a line of symmetry, the mold parting line includes at least one of a linear segment and an arcuate segment, and the line of symmetry for each of the lip parting line segments being linear or arcuate.

13. The molding assembly of claim 12 wherein the mold parting line includes a plurality of linear segments oriented in a zigzag pattern.

14. The molding assembly of claim 12 wherein the mold parting line includes a plurality of linear segments oriented in a step pattern.

15. A molding assembly adapted for reaction injection molding a golf ball or component thereof, the molding assembly comprising:

a first mold defining a first molding surface and a first lip region extending around the periphery of the first molding surface; and

a second mold defining a second molding surface and a second lip region extending around the periphery of the second molding surface;

wherein the first mold and the second mold engage each other such that the first molding surface and the second molding surface define a molding chamber, and the first mold and the second mold define a non-planar parting line configuration having (i) a mold parting line extending along a first line of symmetry, and (ii) a lip parting line including two segments, each segment extending along at least another line of symmetry, the first line of symmetry of the mold parting line being linear or arcuate, and the at least another line of symmetry of the lip parting line segments being linear or arcuate.

16. The molding assembly of claim 21 wherein the first line of symmetry of the mold parting line is linear.

17. The molding assembly of claim 21 wherein the first line of symmetry of the mold parting line is arcuate.

18. A molding assembly adapted for reaction injection molding a golf ball or component thereof, the molding assembly comprising:

a first mold defining a first molding surface and a first lip region extending around the periphery of the first molding surface; and

a second mold defining a second molding surface and a second lip region extending around the periphery of the second molding surface;

wherein the first mold and the second mold engage each other such that the first molding surface and the second molding surface define a molding chamber, and the first mold and the second mold define a non-planar parting line configuration having (i) a mold parting line extending along a line of symmetry, and (ii) a lip parting line including two segments, the line of symmetry of the mold parting line is linear or arcuate, and each of the lip parting line segments includes at least one of a linear segment and an arcuate segment.