| Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls` -> Monitor Keywords |
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Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls`Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, BallMolding processes and equipment for forming golf balls` description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080026872, Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls`. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/552037, filed on Oct. 23, 2006, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/306674, filed on Nov. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,864, which claims priority to: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/337123, filed Dec. 4, 2001; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/356400, filed Feb. 11, 2002; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/422426, filed Oct. 30, 2002. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for forming multi-layer golf balls, and more particularly to processes and equipment for forming multi-layer golf balls having one or more deep dimples that extend through the outer cover layer to and/or into one or more layers or components thereunder. The various processes and apparatuses described herein are also particularly well suited for use in conjunction with reaction injection molding techniques. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] A number of two-piece (a solid resilient center or core with a molded cover) and multi-layer (liquid or solid center and multiple mantle and/or cover layers) golf balls have been produced. Different types of materials and/or processing parameters have been utilized to formulate the cores, covers, etc. of these balls, which dramatically alter the balls' overall characteristics. In addition, multi-layer covers of different materials have also been formulated in an attempt to produce a golf ball having the overall distance, playability and durability characteristics desired. [0007] For certain applications it is desirable to produce a golf ball having a very thin cover layer. However, due to equipment limitations, it is often very difficult to mold a thin cover. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an apparatus and technique for producing a relatively thin outer cover layer. [0008] Moreover, retractable pins have been utilized to hold, or center, the core or core and mantle and/or cover layer(s) in place while molding an outer cover layer thereon. The pins sometimes produce centering difficulties and cosmetic problems (i.e. pin flash, pin marks, etc.) during retraction, which in turn require additional handling to produce a golf ball suitable for use and sale. Additionally, the lower the viscosity of the mantle and/or cover materials, the greater the tendency for the retractable pins to stick due to material accumulation, making it necessary to shut down and clean the molds routinely. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for forming a cover layer on a golf ball without the use of retractable pins. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a process for forming a cover layer for a golf ball. The process comprises the steps of providing an intermediate ball including a core, and providing a molding apparatus having a generally spherical molding chamber with a certain molding surface. The molding surface is defined by a first collection of raised regions for forming a plurality of dimples on the cover layer wherein each of the first raised regions has a first height. The molding surface is also defined by a plurality of second raised regions wherein each of the raised regions has a second height at least twice the height of the first height of the first raised regions. The molding apparatus also has an assembly for administering a flowable material into the molding chamber. The process includes another step of providing to the molding apparatus a flowable material suitable for use as the cover layer for the golf ball. The process also includes a step of positioning the intermediate ball within the molding chambers such that the plurality of second raised regions of the molding surface contact and retain the intermediate ball within the molding chamber. The process also includes a step of administering flowable material into the molding chamber and generally between the intermediate ball and the molding surface. [0010] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming a layer on a golf ball core. The method comprises the steps of providing a golf ball core and providing a flowable material adapted for forming a layer on the golf ball core. The process also includes a step of providing a mold including a generally spherical molding chamber having a molding surface including a plurality of raised protrusions that form a plurality of deep dimples in the layer. The mold also includes provisions for introducing the flowable material into the molding chamber. The process also includes a step of concentrically positioning the golf ball core in the molding chamber such that the plurality of raised protrusions contact the golf ball core. The process also includes a step of introducing flowable material into the molding chamber whereby flowable material flows between the golf ball core and the outer surface of the molding chamber to thereby form the layer. [0011] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming a golf ball having at least one dimple that extends through an outer layer of the ball. The process comprises providing an intermediate ball assembly and providing a molding apparatus including a generally spherical molding chamber having a first population of raised regions for forming a plurality of dimples on an outer layer of the golf ball and at least one other raised region having a height that is greater than the thickness of the outer layer. The process includes a step of positioning the intermediate golf ball assembly in the molding chamber. The process includes another step of administering a flowable material adapted to form the outer layer to the molding apparatus. [0012] Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment golf ball according to the present invention having a core and a single cover layer having dimples, wherein one or more of the dimples extends through the cover to and/or into the underlying core. [0014] FIG. 2 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment golf ball illustrated in FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment golf ball according to the present invention having a core component and a cover component, wherein the cover component includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer having dimples formed therein, and wherein one or more of the dimples of the outer cover layer extends to and/or into the underlying inner cover layer. [0016] FIG. 4 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment golf ball illustrated in FIG. 3. [0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail view of a portion of a preferred embodiment golf ball according to the present invention having a core and a cover illustrating a dual radius dimple that extends through the cover into the underlying core. [0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail view of a portion of a preferred embodiment golf ball according to the present invention having a core and a cover illustrating a dual radius dimple that extends through the outer cover layer to the outer surface of the core. [0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional detail view of a portion of a preferred embodiment golf ball according to the present invention having a core, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer has a dual radius dimple that extends into the inner cover layer. Continue reading about Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls`... Full patent description for Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls` Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls` patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls` or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf club head Next Patent Application: Golf ball Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls` patent info. 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