Sport ball having improved surface and method for manufacture thereof
First Claim
1. In an inflatable ball of a selected size and a selected configuration and having an outer surface thereof, the improvement comprising a covering layer bonded to a portion of said outer surface, wherein said covering layer includes an anti-static conditioning agent.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A panel that is used in forming the panel portions of recreational sport balls, and methods for the production thereof, are provided. The panels may be affixed to an inflatable bladder and include a base layer of polymeric material and a covering layer bonded thereto. The base layer may be bonded to a substrate layer of nonwoven cloth. The covering layer includes at least one conditioning agent that is either a water repellant agent to reduce water and sweat absorption, or an antistatic agent to repel dirt and dust, but may include both agents. The conditioning agent(s) may penetrate into the outer surface of the base layer to form the covering layer bonded thereto. Alternatively, the base layer may resist penetration by the conditioning agent(s) such that the covering layer is bonded to the surface of the base layer. The covering layer may further include an anti-bacterial agent.
61 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. In an inflatable ball of a selected size and a selected configuration and having an outer surface thereof, the improvement comprising a covering layer bonded to a portion of said outer surface, wherein said covering layer includes an anti-static conditioning agent.
- 9. A ball of a selected size and configuration, said ball comprising an inflatable bladder and a plurality of panel portions affixed thereto, wherein each of said panel portions includes a base layer formed of a polymeric material and a covering layer bonded to said base layer, said covering layer including both a water repellant agent and an anti-static agent that do not penetrate into the entire depth of said base layer.
- 15. In a ball of a selected size and a selected configuration and having an outer surface thereof, the improvement comprising a covering layer bonded to a portion of said outer surface, wherein said covering layer includes both a water repellant conditioning agent and an anti-static conditioning agent.
- 21. A ball of a selected size and configuration, said ball comprising an inflatable bladder and a plurality of panel portions affixed thereto, wherein each of said panel portions includes a base layer formed of a polymeric material and a covering layer bonded to said base layer, said covering layer including both a water repellant conditioning agent and an anti-static conditioning agent.
Specification