Coating processes – Nonuniform coating – Applying superposed diverse coatings or coating a coated base
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-26
2001-06-12
Beck, Shrive (Department: 1762)
Coating processes
Nonuniform coating
Applying superposed diverse coatings or coating a coated base
C427S286000, C427S322000, C427S407100, C427S429000, C473S351000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245386
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to finishing a golf ball. More specifically, the present invention relates to applying a base coat to an unfinished golf ball for cosmetic purposes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golfers want white golf balls, and golfers expect that premium priced golf balls will be white without any discoloration. In order to provide golfers with premium white golf balls, the golf industry has either doped the cover material with whitening agents, or applied two base coats to the cover of the golf ball. The doped covers are white, and only need indicia and clear coat for finishing. The two base coat method is usually used when the cover material is such that whitening agents are insufficient to properly whiten the golf ball. The two base coat system is typically used with polyurethane covers, particularly aromatic polyurethane covers which have a greater tendency to yellow upon exposure to ultraviolet light.
In the two base coat method, a golf ball is held in a three-prong device during the application of the base coats. The first base coat is applied and cured, and then a second base coat is applied and cured to the golf ball. The golf ball is either removed from the three-prong device, or repositioned prior to application of the second base coat. If only one base coat is utilized, the tip ends of the three-prong device create a tip mark where the base coat was not applied to the golf ball. The repositioning and application of the second base coat is the obvious solution to resolve the problem with tip marks.
However, due to present processing techniques, the entire golf ball has to be covered in two base coats to prevent tip marks. This is an inefficient use of resources, and also increases the production cycle for finishing a golf ball. What is needed is a means to prevent tip marks without repeating the application of a base coat on a golf ball.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a solution to the problem of tip marks on golf balls without having to apply two base coats on a golf ball prior to application of an indicia and/or clear coat. The present invention overcomes the tip mark problem by whitening a portion of the golf ball surface, and then placing the golf ball in a carrier such that the tips of the carrier engage the whitened portion of the golf ball.
One aspect of the present invention is a method for finishing a golf ball. The method includes whitening a tip region on a surface of the golf ball. Next, the golf ball is held in a plurality of tips that engage the tip region. Next, a base coat is applied to the surface of the golf ball while the golf ball is held in the plurality of tips. Then, a clear coat is applied to the surface of the golf ball.
Another aspect of the present invention is a system for finishing a golf ball. The system includes whitening means, transfer means, and coating stations. The whitening means whitens a tip region on a surface of a golf ball. The transfer means transfers a golf ball along a predetermined path of the system. A base coat application station is disposed subsequent to the whitening means on the predetermined path. The base coat application station has a painting booth with at least one spray gun for applying a base coat to a golf ball. A curing station is disposed subsequent to the base coat application station on the predetermined path. A clear coat application station is disposed subsequent to the curing station on the predetermined path.
Whitening of a portion of the golf ball may be accomplished by an inkjet, a pad printer, a paint nozzle, or application of a hot stamp decal.
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.
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Bartels David M.
Felker David L.
Barr Michael
Beck Shrive
Callaway Golf Company
Cantania Michael A.
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