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WO2014194309A1 - Balles de sport solides et procédés de fabrication à partir de composants réactifs - Google Patents

Balles de sport solides et procédés de fabrication à partir de composants réactifs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014194309A1
WO2014194309A1 PCT/US2014/040446 US2014040446W WO2014194309A1 WO 2014194309 A1 WO2014194309 A1 WO 2014194309A1 US 2014040446 W US2014040446 W US 2014040446W WO 2014194309 A1 WO2014194309 A1 WO 2014194309A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
foam
bladder
reactive components
sports ball
activating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2014/040446
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Matthew C. PUTMAN
John B. PUTMAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2014194309A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014194309A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B41/00—Hollow inflatable balls
    • A63B41/10—Bladder and cover united
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
    • A63B2243/0025—Football

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to sports balls, and, more particularly to an improved process for forming a sports ball through the introduction of one or more reactive components into a bladder and causing the one or more reactive components to form a foam filling.
  • FIG. 1 A typical pneumatic soccer ball construction is shown in Fig. 1.
  • the soccer ball 1 consists of a stitched cover 2, one or more liner layers 3, and bladder 4.
  • This bladder 4 is molded and a fill valve (not shown) is affixed generally by attaching with adhesive under pressure.
  • the stitched cover 2 and liner layer(s) 3, if employed, also have an orifice (not shown) aligned with the fill valve and adhered into the cover.
  • Such sports balls 1 are described in U.S. Patents 4830373A, 6413177 Bl, 6793597 B2, 8262519 B2 and others.
  • Solid balls are traditionally molded of either dense or cellular materials.
  • Dense materials may be polymeric and have bulk densities approximately equal to the theoretical densities of the chosen polymers.
  • the cellular materials are generally polymers having air pockets, or "cells", created by chemical outgases produced during manufacturing or by introduction of a gas or air during manufacturing of the cellular material.
  • the ball is formed in a mold and then removed from the mold for use. A cover might be added to the cellular material removed from the mold.
  • U.S. Patents 2170468 Bl and 1101782 Bl describe the manufacture of solid balls.
  • a first embodiment of this invention provides a method of forming a sports ball comprising the steps of providing a bladder of a flexible material, introducing a foam package including one or more reactive components into an interior volume of the bladder, the one or more reactive components being capable of activation to produce a foam, and activating the one or more reactive components to produce a foam, the foam expanding and filling at least a portion of the bladder and thereby causing the bladder to attain the general shape of the sports ball.
  • a second embodiment provides a method as in the first embodiment, wherein the bladder includes an inlet for the reactive components for practicing said step of introducing.
  • a third embodiment provides a method as in either the first or second embodiments, wherein the inlet prohibits the exit of contents within the internal volume.
  • a fourth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through third embodiments, wherein the bladder includes a one-way outlet valve.
  • a fifth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through fourth embodiments, wherein the bladder serves as the exterior of the sports ball.
  • a sixth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through fifth embodiments, wherein, in said step of activating, the foam expands and fills the available interior volume of the bladder.
  • a seventh embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through sixth embodiments, wherein the foam package is selected from methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-based polyurethane and water reactive components; silicone and water reactive components; polyol and isocyanate reactive components; silicone and catalyst reactive components; and at least one polymer reactive component together with one or more reactive components selected from fillers, plasticizers, vulcanizing agents and blowing agents.
  • the foam package is selected from methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-based polyurethane and water reactive components; silicone and water reactive components; polyol and isocyanate reactive components; silicone and catalyst reactive components; and at least one polymer reactive component together with one or more reactive components selected from fillers, plasticizers, vulcanizing agents and blowing agents.
  • An eighth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through seventh embodiments, wherein the foam resulting from said step of activating has a density of 0.02 or more to 0.05 or less g/cc.
  • a ninth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through eighth embodiments, wherein the foam resulting from said step of activating has a density of 0.1 or more to 0.5 or less g/cc.
  • a tenth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through ninth embodiments, wherein, after said step of activating, the foam filling fills at least a portion of the bladder, and the stress required to compress the sports ball 20% is from 0.01 or more to 0.25 or less MPa.
  • An eleventh embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through tenth embodiments, wherein, after said step of activating, the foam filling fills the available interior volume of the foam, and the stress required to compress the sports ball 20% is from 0.01 or more to 0.25 or less MPa.
  • a twelfth embodiment provides a method as in any of the first through eleventh embodiments, further comprising adding a cover around the bladder, the cover serving as the exterior of the sports ball.
  • FIG. 1 shows a typical pneumatic soccer ball
  • FIG. 2A shows a sports ball in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a bladder filled supported by foam forms the exterior or cover of the sports ball;
  • FIG. 2B shows a sports ball in accordance with another embodiment, shown with multiple sections removed to help show elements of the invention and explain optional constructions, wherein a cover separate from a foam-supported bladder serves as provides the exterior of the sports ball;
  • FIG. 3A shows a process for forming a sports ball of this invention, showing the initial step of adding one or more reactive components to the interior of a bladder;
  • Fig. 3B shows a later stage of the process of Fig. 3A, wherein the one or more reactive components have been activated to create an expanding foam
  • Fig. 3C shows the final formation of the sports ball at the end of the process of Figs. 3A and 3B.
  • a "sports ball” is to be understood as a ball with a general shape and appearance appreciated as at least mimicking a common sports ball. Unless otherwise stated, there is no requirement that a "sports ball” herein must satisfy specific properties required by organizations establishing standards for the balls employed in a particular sport. However, the present invention would be applicable to creating either type of ball - one generally mimicking a ball of a particular sport or one satisfying the specific properties required of a particular sport. For example, a soccer ball could be created in accordance with this invention to simply appear like a soccer ball and be recognized as such, but such ball does not have to have the size, pressure, etc required of a particular body governing soccer. However, a soccer ball with the necessary size, pressure etc., require of a particular body governing soccer could be created.
  • FIG. 2A shows a sports ball of this invention designated by the numeral 10.
  • Sports ball 10 includes a foam filling 12.
  • the foam filling 12 is produced inside a bladder 14 of the sports ball 10 by the introduction therein of suitable selected foaming reactants.
  • the bladder 14 forms a desired sports ball shape upon expansion under the influence of the foam production and resists expansion beyond the desired shape, as will be appreciated more fully below.
  • the bladder 14 serves as the exterior (or cover) of the sports ball.
  • a sports ball 10a includes a foam filling 12 and bladder 14, but a separate cover 16 is provided over the bladder 14 to provide the exterior. Additional layers could be employed, such as the inclusion of padding layers between a bladder and a cover, but it will be appreciated that one advantageous option according to this invention is to provide a sports ball having only a bladder 14 and foam filling 12, with the bladder 14 providing the exterior surface of the ball (i.e., the bladder serving as the cover), as shown in Fig. 2A. In broadly conceiving this invention, the focus is on the creation of a foam-filled bladder, with the understanding that additional layers and separate covers could be employed, if desired for a particular application.
  • the bladder 14 can be selected from any of a variety of flexible materials.
  • flexible material it is meant that the material can readily bend and flex -- such as common materials for sports balls (leather, artificial leather, rubber, plastic etc).
  • this flexibility is such that the material can readily bend and flex without such bending and flexing resulting in a new semipermanent shape that requires an applied force to counter the new semipermanent shape (i.e., to distinguish the flexible definition in this instance from malleable and ductile type materials that can bend and flex but take on a new semi -permanent shape in light thereof).
  • the flexible materials are chosen from materials that are readily deformed under tension or compression or shear.
  • the flexible material can be elongated by more than 10% before breaking and has a tensile strength less than 50 MPa.
  • the bladder 14 is formed of materials selected from natural and synthetic fabrics, leather and artificial leather, polymers and plastics. With reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, it is appreciated that a cover 16, if employed can be selected from the some broad range of materials. In embodiments with a cover 16, the bladder 14 can be selected with less concern for the durability necessary if the bladder 14 were also serving as the cover. Thus, the use of a cover 16 or non-use of a cover 16 can influence the choice of materials.
  • the exterior of the sports ball is defined by a bladder 14 (Fig. 2A) or cover 16 (Fig. 2B) that is formed of multiple panels stitched together.
  • Figs. 2A and 2B show the exterior providing the appearance of a soccer ball.
  • a typical embodiment for a soccer ball has a cover constructed from 32 panels: 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal. When this cover is expanded it forms a near perfected sphere.
  • the exterior of the sports ball is oblong and defined by a bladder or cover, and the bladder and/or cover form the proper oblong shape upon expansion.
  • the foam filling 12 is produced inside the bladder 14, foaming and expanding to achieve the end result that the bladder 14 is expanded to form the desired sports ball shape.
  • the foam filling 12 fills the available volume in the bladder 14.
  • the foam filling 12 fills a portion of the available volume.
  • the foam filling 12 is supplemented with pneumatic pressure (i.e., the sports ball 10 includes a combination of the foam filling 12 and a pressurized gas).
  • the foam filling 12 has a consistent symmetrical density throughout the bulk of the foam filling.
  • the foam filling 12 had an asymmetric density throughout the bulk of the foam filling such that the density can differ substantially at different locations within the bulk of the foam filling.
  • the foam filling 12 is formed by introducing a foam package to the inside of the bladder 14.
  • a foam package will be one or more reactive components C suitable for creating foam either upon mixing or upon the application of process conditions or both.
  • the one or more reactive components C are introduced to the inside of the bladder 14 through an inlet 20 in the bladder 14 that provides access to the internal volume 22 (Fig. 3A).
  • the one or more reactive components C can be a single component or multiple components depending upon the foam-creating chemistry selected.
  • the one or more reactive components C are activated to produce foam filling 12. This may occur simply upon contact of two or more appropriately chosen reactive components C or by the application of processing conditions such as heat, ultraviolet light or moisture represented at numeral 24.
  • Figs. 3A-C The process of Figs. 3A-C, is readily applicable to the embodiment of Fig. 2B, with the understanding that the cover 16 could be provided either prior to or after the step of forming the general shape of the ball through the expansion of a bladder. Indeed, a separate cover 16 could be stitched or otherwise formed over an expanded bladder 14.
  • the foam package includes methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-based (MDI-based) polyurethane and water reactive components, producing polyurethane foam.
  • the foam package includes silicone and water reactive components, producing silicone foam.
  • the foam package includes polyol and isocyanate reactive components, producing polyurethane foam.
  • the foam package includes silicone and catalyst (e.g., tin or platinum) reactive components, producing silicone foam.
  • the foam package includes at least one polymer reactive component together with one or more reactive components selected from fillers, plasticizers, vulcanizing agents and blowing agents.
  • the foam package includes one or more reactive components selected from styrene butadiene rubber, polyisobutylene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene, with further reactive components being selected from fillers, plasticizers vulcanizing agents and blowing agents, these components being mixed and activated to produce foam through known methods. In many instances these components are heat activated introduction into the ball 10.
  • the foam filling has a density of 0.02 or more to 0.5 or less g/cc.
  • the foam filling 12 has a density of 0.02 or more to 0.05 or less, in some embodiments, from 0.05 or more to 0.1 or less, and in other embodiments, from 0.1 or more to 0.5 or less g/cc.
  • the foam filling 12 fills at least a portion of the bladder, and the stress required to compress the ball 20% is from 0.01 or more to 0.25 or less MPa.
  • the stress required to compress the ball 20% is from 0.01 or more to 0.04 or less MPa, in other embodiments, from 0.04 or more to 0.1 or less MPa, and, in other embodiments, from 0.1 or more to 0.25 or less MPa.
  • the foam filling 12 fills the available volume of the bladder, and the stress required to compress the ball 20% is from 0.01 or more to 0.25 or less MPa.
  • the stress required to compress the ball 20% is from 0.01 or more to 0.04 or less MPa, in other embodiments, from 0.04 or more to 0.1 or less MPa, and, in other embodiments, from 0.1 or more to 0.25 or less MPa.
  • the inlet 20 can be made to prohibit the exiting of the contents within the internal volume, while, in other embodiments, the inlet 20 can be made to permit the exiting of contents.
  • a separate one-way outlet valve 26 (Fig. 3B) may be provided to allow for the exiting of air generated during the expansion of the foam filling 12. In the later, the inlet 20 could be made to allow air to exit.
  • each component is injected so that the bladder 14 is filled and takes on its intended shape.
  • the quantity of the components is determined by the volume of the bladder when filled and the resulting density of the foam created from the combination (and appropriate processing conditions) of the one or more reactive components.
  • the density of the foam will impact much of the properties of the sports ball created, and given reactive components will be known to produce foams of particular densities under certain mix ratios for the various components or under certain reaction conditions or both.
  • the amount of each component to be employed can be readily determined from working backward from the desired density of the end product foam.
  • the volume e.g., units cc
  • the volume is multiplied by the density of the end product foam to obtain the grams of components necessary.
  • the grams of components necessary are then compared with the mix ratio of each component to obtain a starting amount for each component.
  • a 4,000 cc bladder would require 200 g of reactive components that form a 0.5 g/cc foam. If the reactive component package in this example requires two components, component A and component B, and if the mix ratio of component A to component B is 1 :1, 100 g of each component A and B will be required. If a different ratio is necessary to produce the desired 0.5 g/cc, the amount of each component would be appropriately calculated as its percentage of the total weight necessary.
  • an advantage of the present invention is that the foam fills the bladder in a single step (without intermediate construction) and produces the desired shape.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de formation d'une balle de sport, consistant à fournir une vessie composée d'un matériau flexible, à introduire un ensemble en mousse comprenant un ou plusieurs composants réactifs dans un volume intérieur de la vessie, le ou les composants réactifs pouvant être activés pour produire une mousse, et à activer le ou les composants réactifs pour produire une mousse, la mousse se dilatant et remplissant au moins une partie de la vessie, ce qui permet à la vessie d'obtenir la forme générale de la balle de sport.
PCT/US2014/040446 2013-05-31 2014-06-02 Balles de sport solides et procédés de fabrication à partir de composants réactifs Ceased WO2014194309A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361829658P 2013-05-31 2013-05-31
US61/829,658 2013-05-31

Publications (1)

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WO2014194309A1 true WO2014194309A1 (fr) 2014-12-04

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1969128A (en) * 1933-08-23 1934-08-07 Goodrich Co B F Inflated ball and method of making same
US5083961A (en) * 1989-09-26 1992-01-28 Ringstone Co., Ltd. Inflatable toy unit
US5098095A (en) * 1991-05-06 1992-03-24 Weiss Twice Toys, Inc. Pump ball
US5335907A (en) * 1988-06-13 1994-08-09 Donald Spector Variable weight playball
EP0985516A2 (fr) * 1998-09-10 2000-03-15 Hennecke GmbH Procédé de fabrication d'objets composés d'enveloppes souples remplies de mousse et objet composé d'une enveloppe souple remplie de mousse
US20060106125A1 (en) * 2004-11-18 2006-05-18 Hilti Aktiengesellschaft Use of highly branched polyols for the preparation of polyurethane foams, two-component foam systems containing these polyols, and their use
US7193000B2 (en) * 2004-05-15 2007-03-20 Acushnet Company Compositions for use in golf balls

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1969128A (en) * 1933-08-23 1934-08-07 Goodrich Co B F Inflated ball and method of making same
US5335907A (en) * 1988-06-13 1994-08-09 Donald Spector Variable weight playball
US5083961A (en) * 1989-09-26 1992-01-28 Ringstone Co., Ltd. Inflatable toy unit
US5098095A (en) * 1991-05-06 1992-03-24 Weiss Twice Toys, Inc. Pump ball
EP0985516A2 (fr) * 1998-09-10 2000-03-15 Hennecke GmbH Procédé de fabrication d'objets composés d'enveloppes souples remplies de mousse et objet composé d'une enveloppe souple remplie de mousse
US7193000B2 (en) * 2004-05-15 2007-03-20 Acushnet Company Compositions for use in golf balls
US20060106125A1 (en) * 2004-11-18 2006-05-18 Hilti Aktiengesellschaft Use of highly branched polyols for the preparation of polyurethane foams, two-component foam systems containing these polyols, and their use

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