Game ball incorporating a polymer foam
US7785219B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249976
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A game ball is disclosed that includes a polymer foam layer processed with an inert fluid blowing agent, such as nitrogen. The polymer foam may be a polyolefin material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylvinylacetate, and the inert fluid blowing agent may have a relatively high-purity. The polymer foam may be manufactured with a process that includes impregnating a polymer with the inert fluid blowing agent and expanding the polymer by heating the polymer above a softening temperature of the polymer, reducing a fluid pressure surrounding the polymer, and cooling the polymer. The game ball may be a soccerball, football, or volleyball, for example, that includes the polymer foam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.