Method and apparatus for applying a topcoat to a golf ball surface

Abstract

A topcoat is applied to a surface of a golf ball using a carrier fluid comprising nitrogen gas or nitrogen-enriched air. The carrier fluid typically has air enriched to about 90-99.5% nitrogen. A mixture of carrier fluid and coating material may be sprayed onto the exterior of the golf ball. Nitrogen-enriched air delivery provides a number of benefits over compressed air delivery, such as reduced coating thickness, reduced variance in the coating thickness and average thickness, reduced pooling in dimple center, edge ratio closer to 1.0, faster cure times, reduced viscosity, less material usage, reduced material flow rate, reduced atomization air pressure, and decreased drying time.

Description

Background technique [0001] Golf balls generally contain a single layer structure or multiple layers including an outer layer surrounding a core. Typically, one or more layers of coatings and / or varnishes are applied to the outer surface of the golf ball. For example, in a typical design, the outer surface of the golf ball is first coated with at least one layer of clear or pigmented primer, followed by at least one layer of clear topcoat. Clear topcoats can serve a variety of functions, such as protecting the surface material, improving the aerodynamic characteristics of ball flight, preventing yellowing, and / or improving the aesthetics of the ball. [0002] One common topcoat is applied to the exterior of the golf ball using a solvent with two-component polyurethane. Such topcoat formulations typically require the use of solvents that are significantly derived from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which raises environmental and health concerns. Another class of coatings...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These techniques are prone to uneven and / or overly thick coatings, as well as filling of dimples, which can adversely affect the aerodynamic (flight) characteristics of the golf ball

Images