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Thermoplastic elastomers in sports ballsRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Projectile, Per Se; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor, Having Hollow Core Or Bladder Enclosed Within Cover (e.g., Basketball, Soccer-ball, Tennis Ball, Etc.)Thermoplastic elastomers in sports balls description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070032320, Thermoplastic elastomers in sports balls. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present disclosure relates, in various exemplary embodiments, to improving playability of sports balls, and in particular, the grippability of such balls when wet. [0002] The ability to grip, or maintain contact with a sports ball is a significant factor. This is particularly so for sports balls that are used outdoors where external agents such as rain, snow, dirt, or mud can interfere with gripping the ball. [0003] Efforts to improve grippability of sports balls have included the use of anti-slip coatings applied to the outer surface of the ball, the use of particular surface patterns such as pebbling, and the incorporation of cushioning or padding within the ball to facilitate gripping. Although satisfactory, a need remains for another strategy by which to improve grippability of a sports ball. BRIEF DESCRIPTION [0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, an inflatable sports ball comprising a carcass and an outer cover layer disposed on the carcass is provided. The outer layer includes a thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) a Shore A hardness of from about 2A to about 95A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.80 to about 1.2, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 180 to about 2200 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 30 to about 320 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength from about 5 to about 1000 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 200% to about 1300%. [0005] In another aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, an inflatable sports ball is provided comprising an outer cover layer having an outermost layer including a styrenic block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer of the outermost layer has at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) Shore A hardness from about 3A to about 90A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.86 to about 1.18, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 to about 1330 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 40 to about 300 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength of from about 9 to about 990 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 210% to about 1290%. [0006] In a further aspect, the exemplary embodiment provides an inflatable sports ball comprising an outer cover layer having an outermost layer including a vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) Shore A hardness of from about 3A to about 75A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.86 to about 1.11, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 250 to about 930 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 40 to about 180 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength of from about 9 to about 430 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 210% to about 1290%. [0007] In yet another aspect, the present exemplary embodiment provides an inflatable sports ball comprising an outer cover having an outmost layer including a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) Shore A hardness of from about 3A to about 75A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.86 to about 1.19, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 250 to about 2000 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 40 to about 270 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength of from about 9 to about 430 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 210% to about 1290%. [0008] These and other non-limiting characteristics of the embodiments of the present disclosure are more particularly discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The following is a brief description of the drawings which are presented for the purposes of illustrating the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and not for the purposes of limiting the same. [0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment basketball in accordance with the present disclosure; [0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment football in accordance with the present disclosure; [0012] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment soccer ball in accordance with the present disclosure; and [0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment volley ball in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] The present disclosure provides a technique for improving not only the grip, feel, and performance of a sports ball, but also the "wet play characteristics" of such a ball. "Wet play characteristics" as used herein refers to the grippability characteristics of the ball under wet or humid conditions. Wet play characteristics are also important when the sports ball contacts perspiration, such as from players' hands. [0015] The present discovery utilizes a unique class of thermoplastic elastomers having particular properties for an outer cover layer of a sports ball. The class of elastomers surprisingly impart excellent wet play characteristics to sports balls having cover layers or outer coatings formed from such thermoplastic elastomers. [0016] Thermoplastic elastomers are generally lower modulus, flexible materials that can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice their original length at room temperature and are able to return to their approximate original length when stress is released. [0017] The preferred thermoplastic elastomers for use in the preferred embodiment sports balls described herein can be categorized into two generic classes, block copolymers (styrenics, copolyesters, polyurethanes and polyamides) or thermoplastic/elastomer blends and alloys (thermoplastic polyolefins and thermoplastic vulcanizates). [0018] Certain traditional thermoplastic elastomer types are known as two-phase systems. Essentially, a hard thermoplastic phase is coupled mechanically or chemically with a soft elastomer phase, resulting in a thermoplastic elastomer that has the combined properties of the two phases. [0019] In addition to these thermoplastic elastomers, several other classes exist which may be suitable for incorporation in the preferred embodiment sports balls. The other classes of thermoplastic elastomers include, but are not limited to, metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin plastomers and elastomers, and reactor-made thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers. [0020] The polyolefin plastomers (POP's) and polyolefin elastomers (POE's) are essentially very low molecular weight, linear low density polyethylenes (VLMW-LLDPE). Continue reading about Thermoplastic elastomers in sports balls... Full patent description for Thermoplastic elastomers in sports balls Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Thermoplastic elastomers in sports 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. 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