Acushnet Company

Robert A Wilson

Paul A Puniello

Steven Aoyama

Ajay P Vora

Nicholas M Nardacci

Thomas L Mydlack

Thomas Edward Moore

Jeffrey L Dalton

A method for compression molding a thin cover layer over a large or soft core golf ball, wherein the process includes mold press speed of closure, pressure within the mold cavities, temperature of materials being molded, and the movement of the compression press is controlled by as the mold position rather than any fixed amounts of time. A Ram press is moved in a very controlled fashion during the low pressure stage by a servo controller, and is governed by data fed to a control computer by a linear potentiometer, which allows for a very deliberate movement, especially over the last 0.4 inches of closing. A pressure transducer and thermocouples determine the flow point of the cover layer. Once the cover material starts to flow, the Ram press is triggered into a high pressure close wherein the cover layer is formed and then finally cooled.

Method for molding golf ball cover over soft core

A golf ball that is formed by a mold developed from a computerized modeling system such as CAD or CAE in combination with a CNC machine tool which superimposes a short waveform, or multiple waveforms, onto a longer base waveform to create a non-planar parting line that is functionally dependent on the underlying dimple geometry. The non-planar parting line is comprised of a plurality of peaks and valleys that are offset from the dimple perimeters, as not to bisect any dimple edge. Also, dimples on one side of the parting line interdigitate with dimples on the other side to form a more uniform distribution of dimples over the entire golf ball surface. Still further, the non-planar parting line has a amplitude which is less than 0.02 inch from an axis substantially coincident with the equator of the ball and the length of the parting line is less than 110 percent of the length of a curve defined by the circumference of the equator. Located at a plurality of sites on the non-planar parting line and offset from the equator are tabs which are formed on the ball to aid in the finishing operation wherein flash is removed from the ball parting line. The tabs are created by true sprues (vents) and false sprues on the parting surfaces of the ball mold halves.

Golf ball

A replaceable cavity insert for use in a multi-cavity compression mold, wherein each cavity insert is friction fitted into a respective mold recess. Each insert has a substantially semi-spherical insert surface and defined in the surface is an inverted dimple pattern of a golf ball. Each cavity insert has an O-ring recessed in the upper perimeter to limit the flow of heating and cooling fluids beyond the perimeter. The cavity insert and the O-ring are retained in the recess of the frame by a pair of removable cavity retainer screws and washers, which are countersunk into the frame and have an edge of the washer disposed in a cut-out section of the insert. Each cavity insert may be separately and individually removed from the frame by just loosening the retaining screws without the need to remove the entire frame from the press or disconnecting the utility lines leading to the frame.

Replaceable mold cavities

An improved mold for making a golf ball comprises a pair of mold cups which are assembled together at an angular interlock. An upper mold cup has a projection rim that mates with a recess in the lower mold cup to provide for a substantially perfect registration, wherein the shift on the molded golf ball is minimized, and the parting line has a minimal amount of flashing that needs to be removed. The upper and lower mold cups have mating surfaces that can produce a corrugated parting line. Each mating surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys which are created by multiple radii, whereby when assembled the parting line follows the dimple outline pattern and allows the dimple outline pattern of one mold cup to interdigitate with the dimple outline pattern of the mating mold cup, to form a golf ball of substantially seamless appearance.

Mold for a golf ball

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for venting trapped air and gasses in a mold. The mold and method comprise or use at least one pin formed from multiple pin sections. When assembled, the pin sections provide space on the interior of the pin through which trapped air and gasses can escape from the mold. The present invention may also be used to assist in ejecting an object from the mold. The pins can have circular or non-circular cross-sections and also may have dimple-forming projections to conform to a golf ball dimple pattern.

Method of forming a golf ball

The present invention is directed to a mold and method for forming a golf ball with at least a core. The mold and method comprise or use members with projections for forming multiple dimples on the core. The members can be retractable pins or sleeves or vent pins. In the case of the retractable pins, sets of pins with multiple dimple projections on the ends thereof are used to center the golf ball core within the mold. The members can have circular or non-circular cross-sections so that the dimple-forming projections can conform to any dimple pattern.

Apparatus and method for molding golf balls

A retractable pin reaction injection molding device and method for forming a layer on an object are disclosed and claimed. The device includes mold plates that cooperate to form a cavity. Retractable pins hold the object within the cavity. Material is inserted into the cavity under pressure to form a layer on the object. The pins are retracted and material fills the voids left by the retracted pins. A system prevents the material from flowing into the clearance between the pins and the mold plates. The system provides a counter pressure of a non-reacting gas to resist the material insertion pressure. The counter pressure may also be used to balance and control the material injection into the mold. Suitable materials for use with the apparatus and method are also disclosed.

Retractable pin reaction injection molding

Split vent pin for injection molding

A method of forming a golf ball including the steps of forming a mold cavity; roughening the surface of the mold cavity to an average roughness of about 10 to about 200 microinches; and forming a golf ball component in the roughened cavity.

Method of forming golf balls from surface-roughened molds

The present invention relates to a retractable pin assembly for an injection mold. One end of the retractable pin is inside the mold, while the other end extends outside of the mold cavity. The inside end of the retractable pin may by shaped to conform with the shape and texture of the mold cavity wall. The retractable pins are moved in and out of the mold cavity by cams that rotate around the injection mold.

Injection molding apparatus

A method of injection molding a golf ball that includes a core and at least one cover layer disposed thereon is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of centering a core in a molding cavity, injecting a molten material into the cavity around the core at a plurality of locations such that the material simultaneously exerts a force on the core at each location. The forces have components that balance the core in three dimensions. Injection continues until the material covers the core and solidifies thereon. An injection mold for forming the golf ball is also disclosed. The mold includes a plurality of pins extending from a spherical outer surface of a molding cavity. The mold further includes a plurality of runners having radially extending portions that are non-aligned and terminate at gates for flowing a molten material in a fluid state into the cavity, and a means for simultaneously injecting the material into the cavity from the gates. The gates are at spaced locations on the surface of the cavity.

Growing community of inventors

Sagamore, MA, United States of America

Robert A Wilson