# US 9,040,124 B2 · Dual cure method for ink for increased durability and adhesion to golf balls

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- Number: US 9,040,124 B2
- Document ID: US9040124B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/425,215
- Filed: 2009-04-16
- Published: 2009-12-03
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2008-05-29
- Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Applicants: Michael Przychocki
- Inventors: Michael Przychocki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040124B2

## CPC

- A63B 45/02: Marking of balls
- B41M 7/0081: {using electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams}
- B41M 7/009: {using thermal means, e.g. infrared radiation, heat}
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)

## Abstract

A method is disclosed for curing ink printed images on golf balls by printing an image onto a golf ball and exposing the printed image to infrared radiation, then exposing the printed image to ultraviolet radiation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A dual cure method for curing printed ink on a golf ball, the method comprising:
printing an image onto a surface of a golf ball using an UV curable ink, the image covering an area less than the entire surface of the ball;
exposing only the printed area to infrared radiation, wherein the infrared radiation is directed to the area where the image is printed for a suitable duration of time to allow the image to cure on the surface for a first time;
subsequently exposing the area where the image is printed to ultraviolet radiation, for a suitable duration of time to allow the image to cure on the surface for a second time; and
wherein the printed area after the dual cure method has an image loss of no greater than approximately one (1) percent, when subjected to 100 cycles of the ‘cannon’ golf ball decoration durability test.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of curing printed ink on a golf ball of claim 1, wherein the dual cure method increase the adhesion of the printed ink on the golf ball.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of curing printed ink on a golf ball of claim 1, wherein the dual cure method increase the durability of the printed ink on the golf ball.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of curing printed ink on a golf ball of claim 1, wherein the dual cure method increases the longevity of the printed ink on the golf ball.