Golf Ball Coating System Using Magnetic Levitation
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsHsiao-Chin Lin, Chin-Shun Ko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coating system for golf balls using magnetic levitation is described. Golf balls including magnetic material interact with a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source with a platform. The interaction between the magnetic field and the golf ball causes the golf ball to levitate above the platform. A conveyor apparatus is used to move the golf balls and platforms through the coating system. The levitating golf balls are sprayed with coating material. Spraying the levitating golf balls allows for even and uniform coating of the golf ball. Additionally, imparting a spin or rotation to the golf balls assists with the even and uniform application of the sprayed coating material.
Claims20
A coating system for coating a golf ball comprising:
- a conveyor apparatus for transporting a carrier;
- a platform associated with the carrier, the platform including a magnetic field source;
- a spraying unit for spraying a coating material onto the golf ball;
- and
- wherein the magnetic field source generates a magnetic field that interacts with magnetic material disposed within the golf ball to levitate the golf ball above the platform.
A method for coating a golf ball using magnetic levitation, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a golf ball into a coating system, the golf ball including a magnetic material;
- placing the golf ball onto a platform, the platform including a magnetic field source;
- levitating the golf ball above the platform by generating a magnetic field using the magnetic field source;
- and
- spraying a coating material onto the golf ball.
A coating system for coating a golf ball comprising:
- at least one golf ball containing magnetic material;
- a conveyor apparatus for transporting a carrier including at least one platform;
- the platform including a magnetic field source for generating a magnetic field and configured to transport the at least one golf ball;
- a spraying unit for spraying a coating material onto the at least one golf ball;
- and
- wherein the at least one golf ball containing magnetic material levitates above the platform when the magnetic field source is generating the magnetic field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.