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Sport balls and methods of manufacturing the sport balls

  • US 8,579,743 B2
  • Filed: 01/05/2010
  • Issued: 11/12/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing a sport ball, the method comprising:

  • providing a plurality of panel elements that include a thermoplastic polymer material;

    joining the panel elements to each other, thereby forming a casing;

    turning the casing inside-out through an opening formed between a first edge and a second edge of at least two of the panel elements, such that the casing forms an exposed exterior surface of the sport ball;

    forming the first edge to have a projection that extends outward from the first edge;

    locating the projection under the second edge; and

    joining the first edge and the second edge to each other;

    wherein the step of joining the first edge and the second edge includes welding the projection to the second edge; and

    locating a supplemental layer under the first edge and the second edge;

    wherein the step of joining the first edge and the second edge includes joining the supplemental layer to the panel elements that form the first edge and the second edge; and

    wherein the step of joining the supplemental layer to the panel elements includes welding the supplemental layer to the panel elements.

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