In-mold coating of golf balls
US6019921A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/54
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of applying a coating material, such as a urethane, to an outer dimpled surface of a golf ball by forming a first mold cavity between upper and lower mold dies configured and adapted for molding a golf ball, molding a golf ball having an outer dimpled surface within the first mold cavity under a first pressure greater than ambient pressure until the golf ball is sufficiently cured to receive a coating that will not substantially penetrate the outer dimpled surface of the ball, opening the first mold cavity and transferring the molded but uncoated golf ball to a second mold cavity, preparing an in-mold golf ball coating composition, introducing a sufficient amount of the coating composition into the second mold cavity between the outer dimpled surface of the golf ball and an inner surface of said second mold cavity to substantially surround and coat the outer surface of said golf ball, curing said coating composition to form a coated golf ball having at least one layer of said coating composition, and removing said coated ball from the second mold cavity so as to produce a coated golf ball having a dimple pattern thereon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.