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US 2003/0157997 A1Published application
Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls
AssigneeCallaway Golf Company
InventorsDaniel Murphy, Vincent J. Simonds, Kevin J. Shannon, Thomas J. Kennedy III, Michael J. Tzivanis, David M. Melanson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Molding equipment and related techniques for forming a golf ball are disclosed. The molding equipment includes the use of a mandrel with a spherical portion sized to fit within a molding chamber. The molding equipment and related processes are particularly useful when forming the various layers by reaction injection molding.
Claims20
A molding apparatus comprising:
- a first mold having a generally flat first mating surface and a first hemispherical molding surface, said first mold defining at least one passage extending between said first molding surface and the exterior of said first mold;
- a second mold having a generally flat second mating surface and a second hemispherical molding surface, said second mold defining at least one passage extending between said second molding surface and the exterior of said second mold, wherein upon placing said apparatus in a molding configuration, said first and second mating surfaces generally contact one another, said first and second molding surfaces form a generally spherical molding chamber, and said at least one passage defined in each of said first and second molds are aligned with one another;
- and
- a mandrel having (i) a spherical portion sized to fit within said spherical molding chamber formed by said apparatus when said apparatus is placed in a molding configuration, (ii) at least one member extending from said spherical portion and sized to fit within said at least one passage defined in each of said first and second molds.
1 more element
A process for forming portions of a golf ball cover, said process comprising:
- providing a molding assembly including (i) a first mold defining a first hemispherical molding surface and at least one passage extending between said first molding surface and an exterior of said first mold, said first mold also defining a first mating surface, (ii) a second mold defining a second hemispherical molding surface and at least one passage extending between said second molding surface and an exterior of said second mold, said second mold also defining a second mating surface, and (iii) a mandrel having a generally spherical portion sized to fit within said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces and create a void between an outer surface of said spherical portion and said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces, and a member extending from said spherical portion;
- positioning said mandrel between said first mold and said second mold such that said spherical portion of said mandrel is generally disposed in said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces;
- providing a flowable molding material;
- introducing said material into a void defined between said outer surface of said spherical portion and said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces;
- and
- forming said portions of a golf ball cover from said material.
3 more elements
A process for forming a golf ball, said process comprising:
- providing a molding assembly including (i) a first mold defining a first hemispherical molding surface and a first mating surface, (ii) a second mold defining a second hemispherical molding surface and a second mating surface, and (iii) a mandrel having a generally spherical portion sized to fit within said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces and create a void between an outer surface of said spherical portion and said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces,
- positioning said mandrel between said first mold and said second mold such that said spherical portion of said mandrel is generally disposed in said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces;
- providing a flowable molding material;
- introducing said material into said void defined between said outer surface of said spherical portion and said first and second hemispherical molding surfaces;
- forming said portions of a golf ball cover from said material;
- removing said mandrel from between said first and second molds;
- positioning a golf ball core or intermediate golf ball assembly between said first and second molding surfaces such that said golf ball core or intermediate golf ball assembly contacts said formed portions of said golf ball cover;
- molding said golf ball core or intermediate golf ball assembly to said formed portions of said golf ball cover to thereby form said golf ball.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.