Parts cooler
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsStephen K. Scolamiero, LeRoy H. Seymour, Michael F. Vieira
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for integrated curing and cooling of golf ball cores. A plate die is used to separate hot golf ball cores from a post-mold matrix. The hot golf ball cores are held in an insulated unit to maintain the elevated temperature of the golf ball cores to achieve additional curing or cross-linking. The hot, cured golf ball cores are then passed through a cooling section where ambient, turbulent air is passed over the golf ball cores to achieve the desired level of cooling. The cooled golf ball cores are delivered to a pneumatic delivery system for additional processing. A cueing hopper is also provided between the insulated unit and the cooling section to serve as a buffer or accumulator in the system.
Claims11
An assembly for processing golf ball cores, the assembly comprising:
- a die plate comprising a plurality of holes, wherein each hole sized to allow passage of a single golf ball core;
- a die plate roller assembly disposed on a first side of the die plate and arranged to push the golf ball cores through the holes in the die plate;
- a post-cure unit disposed adjacent the die plate and arranged to receive cores passing through the die plate, wherein the post-cure unit is disposed adjacent a second side of the die plate opposite the first side;
- a moveable cueing hopper in communication with the post-cure unit, wherein the cueing hopper is sized to hold a plurality of golf ball cores;
- and
- a cooling section in communication with the cueing hopper, wherein the cooling section is adapted to remove heat from the golf ball cores.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.