Method of manufacturing multi-layer game ball

• US 6,461,461 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Russell Brands LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kennedy, Thomas J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): McDowell, Suzanne E.
• Application Number:
  US09/894,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 264/516, 264/515, 264/511, 264/46.6, 156/145, 156/147, 156/196, 156/245, 156/287, 156/156, 156/79
• US Class Current: 156/147
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• 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 2049/2017 outside the article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2433 Heating or applying adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2472 using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/001 Shaping in several steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/04 Extrusion blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/20 of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/22 using multilayered preforms or parisons
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/24 Lining or labelling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/251 explicit lining B29C49/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/20 for porous or cellular articles, e.g. of foam plastics, coarse-pored chemical aspects of working up macro-molecular substances to porous or cellular articles C08J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/54 Balls

Abstract

A process for producing multi-layer game ball products includes the steps of extruding an inner layer precursor as a parison in a partial melt state, forming an outer layer, introducing the inner and outer layers into a mold and expanding the parison within the mold to form the multi-layer game ball product. The outer layer may take the form of pre-cut panels vacuum supported in the mold and an intermediate layer may be provided for dimensional stability in the product. Subsequent to expanding the parison a filler such as foam may be injected into the center space for forming a core.

Claims

1. A method for forming a multi-layer game ball product, said game ball having an inner and outer layer, the method comprising:

co-forming a parison of at least said inner layer and said outer layer;

introducing said parison into a mold; and

expanding said parison to form said multi-layer game ball product.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said co-forming comprises co-extruding said inner and outer layers.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising co-forming an intermediate layer between said inner layer and said outer layer to form said parison.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said co-forming comprises co-extruding said inner, intermediate and outer layers.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising forming an additional outer layer comprising a plurality of game ball panels.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said forming said additional outer layer comprises introducing said plurality of game ball panels into said mold prior to expanding said parison.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising co-forming a plurality of layers between said inner layer and said outer layer to form said parison.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising filling said game ball product with a foam.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising stitching a cover over said outer layer of said game ball.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said game ball is a softball.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein forming said parison and introducing said parison into said mold are co-extensive.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising filling said game ball with a liquid.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said game ball is a softball.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming an additional outer layer comprising a plurality of game ball panels.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said forming said additional outer layer comprises introducing said plurality of game ball panels into said mold prior to expanding said parison.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising supporting said panels in said mold by a vacuum.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising supporting said panels in said mold by an adhesive positioned between said panels and said mold.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising coating said panels with an adhesive prior to expanding said parison.