Ball incorporating element to remove cover

• US 8,905,861 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitchett, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANCZAK, MATTHEW BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US13/405,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20130225325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 473/280, 473/354, 473/374, 473/409, 473/371, 473/377
• US Class Current: 473/374
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/14 with form or shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0037 Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0074 Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• 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: B29B 17/02 Separating plastics from other materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 2017/0203 Separating plastics from plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/546 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/62 Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling

Abstract

A ball includes a core, a cover, and a separator or separating layer. The separating layer may be deformed or actuated to separate at least a portion of the cover from the core. This removal allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The separating layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a cover disposed radially outwardly of the core; and

at least one separator positioned within the ball capable of further separating at least part of the cover from the core when exposed to a stimulus, wherein the separator comprises at least a portion of an intermediate layer and wherein the separator includes a first material and a second material capable of creating a gas when chemically reacted.

2. A method of preparing a golf ball for recycling, comprising:

providing a golf ball according to claim 1; and

deforming the separator by chemically reacting the first material and the second material to substantially remove the at least part of the cover from the core.