Pattern printing system of golf ball and pattern printing device thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a pattern printing system of a golf ball and a pattern printing device thereof. The pattern printing device comprises a sliding mechanism, an ink supply device, a lifting mechanism and at least one pad printing rubber head. The sliding mechanism comprises a linear sliding rail and a sliding seat, the linear sliding rail is provided with a patterned recess, and the sliding seat is in sliding fit with the linear sliding rail. The ink supply device is arranged on the sliding seat and can be driven by the sliding seat to carry out ink supply operation on the patterned recess. The lifting mechanism is arranged to be capable of being linked with the sliding mechanism, and the lifting mechanism comprises a lifting part. The at least one pad printing rubber head is arranged on the lifting component and can be driven by the lifting component to carry out ink transfer operation on the patterned recess or carry out ink printing operation on the at least one ball body. By means of the device, printing ink patterns of different colors can be printed on all positions of the golf ball, the patterns are changed, and by means of the design and combination, the aiming performance and the flying performance of the golf ball are enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of pattern printing technology, and in particular to a golf ball pattern printing system and a pattern printing device thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards and the emphasis on outdoor leisure activities, more and more people are falling in love with golf. These people are men and women from all walks of life and all ages. In other words, golf allows people from different walks of life, different ages, and different genders to compete and communicate on the same field, which is precisely the charm of this sport.

[0003] In the sport of golf, players can choose their own ball. However, there is a wide variety of golf balls on the market, with numerous brands and varying structures, performance, and suitable strokes. Therefore, to attract more attention and increase sales, some golfers have begun to inventively enhance the appearance of golf balls, using various colors and patterns, and combining glossy or matte finishes to enhance the product's aesthetics. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a golf ball pattern printing system and a pattern printing device thereof to address the deficiencies of the existing technology, which can increase the beauty and performance of the golf ball and make it attract more attention and love.

[0005] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, one of the technical solutions employed by the present invention is to provide a pattern printing device suitable for printing an ink pattern on a golf ball. The pattern printing device comprises a sliding mechanism, an ink supply, a lifting mechanism, and at least one pad printing head. The sliding mechanism comprises a linear slide and a sliding seat, wherein the linear slide has a front position and a rear position, and a patterned recess is disposed at the front position. The sliding seat is configured to move along the linear slide to either the front position or the rear position. The ink supply is disposed on the sliding seat and can be driven by the sliding seat to supply ink to the patterned recess. The lifting mechanism is configured to be interlocked with the sliding mechanism and includes a lifting member. At least one pad printing head is disposed on the lifting member and can be driven by the lifting member to transfer ink to the patterned recess or to print ink on at least one ball. During the ink supply operation, the sliding seat moves to the front position, and the ink supply supplies ink to the patterned recess, forming an ink pattern. During the ink transfer operation, the slide moves to the rear position, and the lifting member drives the printing head down to the patterned recess to transfer the ink pattern to the pad printing head. During the ink printing operation, the slide moves to the front position, and the lifting member drives the printing head down to contact the sphere to print the ink pattern on the sphere.

[0006] Furthermore, the sliding mechanism further includes a guide rail and a first drive source. The sliding seat includes a sliding base that slidably engages with the linear rail and an actuating portion integrally connected to the sliding base. The guide rail is disposed parallel to and on one side of the linear rail. The actuating portion is in transmission connection with the first drive source and includes a connecting member that slidably engages with the guide rail. Furthermore, the sliding base has a hollow structure. The ink supply is fixed to the sliding base and includes an ink cup and an annular scraper. The ink cup has an ink holding space and a bottom opening connected to the ink holding space, and the bottom opening corresponds to the position of the hollow structure. The annular scraper surrounds the bottom opening and passes through the hollow structure to adhere to the surface of the linear rail.

[0007] Furthermore, a fixed base integrally connected to the sliding base is provided above the sliding base, and the lifting mechanism is fixed on the fixed base. In addition, the lifting mechanism also includes a second driving source transmission-connected to the lifting component.

[0008] Furthermore, the patterned recess includes a first patterned recess and a second patterned recess surrounding the first patterned recess, so that the ink pattern printed on the sphere includes a central pattern and an outer ring pattern surrounding the central pattern.

[0009] Furthermore, the first patterned recess and the second patterned recess have different pattern structures.

[0010] To solve the aforementioned technical problem, another technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a golf ball pattern printing system, which includes multiple printing stations and a conveying device. The conveying device is configured to convey at least one golf ball, and the at least one golf ball is conveyed by the conveying device through the multiple printing stations, wherein each printing station is equipped with a pattern printing device having the aforementioned structure.

[0011] Furthermore, at least one of the spheres has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a middle annular surface located between the top and bottom surfaces. The conveying device includes a conveyor and a clamping seat. The conveyor is configured to move the clamping seat along a conveying path to one or more of the printing stations, and the clamping seat is configured to clamp the at least one sphere and place its top surface, bottom surface, or middle annular surface in contact with at least one printing pad carrying the ink pattern.

[0012] Furthermore, the conveyor includes a turntable workbench, the clamping seat is fixed on the turntable workbench, and the clamping seat includes at least one set of rotatable clamping arms.

[0013] Furthermore, the conveying device includes a servo driver that is transmission-connected to the conveyor, and the servo driver is configured to control the displacement stroke of the conveyor to move the clamping seat.

[0014] Furthermore, there is a drying station between any two adjacent printing stations, and the drying station is provided with a hot air module.

[0015] Furthermore, any of the printing stations is provided with a hot air module located between the conveying device and the pattern printing device.

[0016] In summary, the golf ball pattern printing system and device provided by the present invention utilizes "a patterned depression provided on a linear slide rail of a sliding mechanism, and a sliding seat slidably engaged with the linear slide rail," "an ink supply disposed on the sliding seat and driven by the sliding seat to supply ink to the patterned depression," "a lifting mechanism configured to be linked to the sliding mechanism, the lifting mechanism including a lifting component," and "at least one pad printing head disposed on the lifting component and driven by the lifting component to transfer ink to the patterned depression or to print ink on at least one ball." These features enable the printing of different colored ink patterns on the same or different locations on a golf ball, with various variations in the ink patterns. Furthermore, the design and combination of printed ink patterns can enhance the golf ball's aiming and flight performance (e.g., maintaining flight stability and straightness).

[0017] To further understand the features and technical contents of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are only for reference and illustration and are not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a three-dimensional golf ball pattern printing system according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram of a golf ball pattern printing system according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of the ink cup used in the pattern printing device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one operation of the pattern printing device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is another operation schematic diagram of the pattern printing device of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a golf ball having an ink pattern printed thereon by the golf ball pattern printing system of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 Another schematic diagram of a golf ball having an ink pattern printed thereon by the golf ball pattern printing system of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 Schematic top view of the golf ball pattern printing system of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 FIG. 4 is another partial schematic diagram of the golf ball pattern printing system of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 FIG. 4 is another partial schematic diagram of the golf ball pattern printing system of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of patterned depressions on the linear slide rail of the pattern printing device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following is a specific embodiment to illustrate the specific implementation of the "golf ball pattern printing system and pattern printing device thereof" disclosed in the present invention. Technical personnel in this field can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depicted according to actual dimensions. It is stated in advance. The following specific embodiments will further explain the relevant technical content of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, the term "or" used in this article may include any one or more combinations of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, the terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Materials used in the examples are commercially available or prepared according to prior art, unless otherwise specified. The procedures and instruments used in the examples are conventional in the art, unless otherwise specified.

[0031] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , and cooperate with Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pattern printing system Z capable of printing different colored ink patterns on the same or different locations on a golf ball. As shown in the figure, the pattern printing system Z of the present invention primarily comprises a conveyor device 1 and multiple printing stations 2. The conveyor device 1 is configured to transport a golf ball 4 to be printed along a predetermined path. The golf ball 4 can be conveyed through the multiple printing stations 2, where a single-color ink pattern P is printed on each printing station 2. However, the above description is merely a possible embodiment and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, each printing station 2 is provided with a pattern printing device 2A, which includes a sliding mechanism 21, an ink supply 22, a lifting mechanism 23, and at least one pad printing head 24. The sliding mechanism 21 may include a linear slide 211 and a sliding seat 212. The linear slide 211 is provided with a patterned recess R, and the sliding seat 212 slides in cooperation with the linear slide 211. The linear slide 211 may be configured as a steel plate, but is not limited thereto. The ink supply 22 is provided on the sliding seat 212 and can be driven by the sliding seat 212 to perform an ink supply operation to the patterned recess R, i.e., supply ink to the patterned recess R to form an ink pattern. The lifting mechanism 23 is configured to be linked to the sliding mechanism 21, and the lifting mechanism 23 includes a lifting component 231. At least one pad printing head 24 is disposed on the lifting component 231 and can be driven by the lifting component 231 to perform an ink transfer operation on the patterned recess R, that is, transferring the ink pattern from the patterned recess R to the pad printing head 24; or, at least one pad printing head 24 can be driven by the lifting component 231 to perform an ink printing operation on at least one sphere, that is, imprinting the ink pattern onto the sphere 4.

[0033] Cooperate Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the ball 4 has a top surface 401, a bottom surface 402, and an intermediate annular surface 403 located between the top and bottom surfaces 401 and 402. After passing through multiple printing stations 2, the ball 4 may be printed with ink patterns P on the top and bottom surfaces 401 and 402 to enhance both aesthetics and performance. Notably, the design, combination, and color matching of the printed ink patterns not only provide excellent aiming for the golf ball, allowing the golfer to better focus when aiming, but also enhance the golf ball's flight performance, for example, making it easier to maintain stability and straightness in flight.

[0034] In practical applications, the ink pattern P printed on the top surface 401 and the bottom surface 402 of the sphere 4 may include a central pattern P1 and an outer ring pattern P2 surrounding the central pattern P1. Optionally, the patterned recess R may have different patterned structures, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the conveying device 1 may include a conveyor 11 and at least one clamping seat 12, wherein the conveyor 11 is configured to move the clamping seat 12 to one or more printing stations 2 along a conveying path, and the clamping seat 12 is configured to clamp one or more spheres 4 and place their top surface 401, bottom surface 402 or middle annular surface 403 at a height that allows them to contact the printing rubber head 24. Furthermore, the conveyor 11 may include a turntable workbench that is configured to be substantially parallel to the ground and can be driven to rotate. The clamping seat 12 can be fixed to the conveyor 11, and the clamping seat 12 can include at least one set of rotatable clamping arms 121, which can clamp the sphere 4 from the left and right sides and drive it to rotate.

[0036] Preferably, the conveying device 1 includes a servo drive (not shown) in driving connection with the conveyor 11. The servo drive is configured to control the displacement stroke (displacement distance) of the clamping base 12 by the conveyor 11. For example, under the control of the servo drive, the clamping base 12 can move directly from the first printing station 2 to the fourth printing station 2, skipping the second and third printing stations 2, carrying the spheres 4 to be printed.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, to achieve the above operation, the sliding mechanism 21 further includes a guide rail 213 and a first drive source 214. The guide rail 213 is disposed on one side of the linear rail 211 and is parallel thereto. The first drive source 214 drives the sliding seat 212 to move between the front and rear positions of the linear rail 211 via the guide rail 213, wherein the patterned recess R is located at the front position. Furthermore, the sliding seat 212 includes a sliding base 2121 that slidably engages with the linear rail 211 and an actuating portion 2122 integrally connected to the sliding base 2121. The actuating portion 2122 is transmission-connected to the first drive source 214, and the actuating portion 2122 includes a connecting structure C that slidably engages with the guide rail 213. The first drive source 214 can be a drive motor, and a driving member (e.g., a telescopic rod) of the first drive source 214 is connected to the actuating portion 2122.

[0038] Cooperate Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the ink supply 22 is fixed to the sliding base 2121 and can move synchronously with the sliding base 212 along the slide rail. The ink supply 22 includes an ink cup 221 and an annular scraper 222. The ink cup 221 has a bottom opening 2211 that communicates with the ink holding space. Furthermore, the sliding base 2121 has a hollow structure H that corresponds to the bottom opening 2211 of the ink cup 221. The annular scraper 222 surrounds the bottom opening 2211 of the ink cup 221 and passes through the hollow structure H of the sliding base 2121 to contact the surface of the linear slide rail 211.

[0039] In actual use, when the sliding seat 212 is driven to move the ink supply 22 to the front end of the linear guide rail 211, the ink in the ink cup 221 completely covers the patterned recess R through the bottom opening 2211. When the sliding seat 212 is driven to move the ink supply 22 to the rear end of the linear guide rail 211, the annular scraper 222 simultaneously scrapes away excess ink on the surface, leaving only the ink within the patterned recess R to form the ink pattern P.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the lifting mechanism 23 is integrated into the sliding mechanism 21, thereby sharing a first drive source 214 with the sliding mechanism 21. Specifically, a fixed seat 215 is disposed above and integrally connected to the sliding seat 212, and the lifting mechanism 23 is fixed to the fixed seat 215. Furthermore, to achieve the described operation, the lifting mechanism 23 also includes a second drive source 232, which is disposed above and in transmission connection with the lifting component 231. The second drive source 232 can be a pneumatic cylinder, and the driving member (e.g., a telescopic rod) of the second drive source 232 is connected to the lifting component 231.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , which shows different operating modes of the pattern printing device 2A. In one operating mode, the slide base 212, driven by the first drive source 214, moves forward to the front end of the linear guide rail 211, allowing the ink supply 22 to supply ink to the patterned recess R. Simultaneously, the lifting member 231, driven by the second drive source 232, moves downward with the pad printing head 24 until it contacts the sphere 4, thereby imprinting the ink pattern P on the sphere 4. In another operating mode, the slide base 212, driven by the first drive source 214, moves backward to the rear end of the linear guide rail 211, allowing the annular scraper 222 on the ink supply 22 to scrape excess ink from the surface, leaving only the ink within the patterned recess R to form the ink pattern P. Simultaneously, the lifting member 231, driven by the second drive source 232, moves downward with the pad printing head 24 until it contacts the ink pattern P, thereby transferring the ink pattern P to the pad printing head 24. If necessary, the number of the pad printing head 24 and the patterned recess R can be two or more, so that the ink printing operation can be performed on more than two balls 4 at the same time in the same printing station 2 .

[0042] See also Figures 8 to 10As shown, in actual application, a drying station 3 may be located between any two adjacent printing stations 2 to dry the ink printed on the spheres 4. Furthermore, the drying station 3 may be equipped with a hot air module 31 to quickly dry the ink through hot air drying (with adjustable temperature and air volume). Alternatively, a hot air module 31 may be installed between the pattern printing device 2A of any printing station 2 and the conveying device 1. If the ink contains a reactive agent that reacts with ultraviolet light, a UV light module may be used instead of the hot air module 31 to dry the ink.

[0043] Advantageous Effects of the Embodiments

[0044] The golf ball pattern printing system and device provided by the present invention utilize "a patterned depression provided on a linear slide rail of a sliding mechanism, and a sliding seat slidably engaged with the linear slide rail," "an ink supply disposed on the sliding seat and driven by the sliding seat to supply ink to the patterned depression," "a lifting mechanism configured to be linked to the sliding mechanism, the lifting mechanism including a lifting component," and "at least one pad printing head disposed on the lifting component and driven by the lifting component to transfer ink to the patterned depression or to print ink on at least one ball." These features enable the printing of different colored ink patterns on the same or different locations on a golf ball, with various variations in the ink patterns. Furthermore, the design and combination of printed ink patterns can enhance the golf ball's aiming and flight performance (e.g., maintaining flight stability and straightness).

[0045] The contents disclosed above are only preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the claims of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the present invention description and drawings are included in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pattern printing device, suitable for printing an ink pattern on a golf ball, characterized in that: The pattern printing device comprises: A sliding mechanism includes a linear slide and a sliding seat, wherein the linear slide has a front position and a rear position, and a patterned recess is provided at the front position, and the sliding seat is configured to move along the linear slide to the front position or the rear position; an ink supply device, disposed on the sliding seat and capable of being driven by the sliding seat to supply ink to the patterned recess; a lifting mechanism configured to be linked with the sliding mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising a lifting component; and At least one pad printing head is disposed on the lifting member and can be driven by the lifting member to perform an ink transfer operation on the patterned recess or an ink printing operation on at least one sphere; wherein, during the ink supply operation, the sliding seat moves to the front position, and the ink supplier supplies ink to the patterned recess to form an ink pattern; During the ink transfer operation, the sliding seat moves to the rear end position, and the lifting component drives the printing pad down to the patterned recess, so that the ink pattern is transferred to the pad printing pad; During the ink printing operation, the sliding seat moves to the front end position, and the lifting component drives the printing rubber head down to contact the sphere, so as to print the ink pattern on the sphere.

2. The pattern printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding mechanism also includes a guide slide and a first driving source, the sliding seat includes a sliding base that slides with the linear slide and an actuating part that is integrally connected to the sliding base, the guide slide is arranged on one side of the linear slide and is parallel thereto, the actuating part is transmission-connected to the first driving source, and the actuating part includes a connecting piece that slides with the guide slide; wherein, the sliding base has a hollow structure, the ink supplier is fixed on the sliding base, and the ink supplier includes an ink cup and an annular scraper; wherein, the ink cup has an ink holding space and a bottom opening that is connected to the ink holding space, and the bottom opening corresponds to the position of the hollow structure, and the annular scraper surrounds the bottom opening and passes through the hollow structure to fit the surface of the linear slide.

3. The pattern printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A fixed seat integrally connected to the sliding seat is provided above the sliding seat, and the lifting mechanism is fixed on the fixed seat; wherein, the lifting mechanism further comprises a second driving source transmission-connected to the lifting component.

4. The pattern printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The patterned recess includes a first patterned recess and a second patterned recess surrounding the first patterned recess, so that the ink pattern printed on the sphere includes a central pattern and an outer ring pattern surrounding the central pattern.

5. The pattern printing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first patterned recess and the second patterned recess have different pattern structures.

6. A golf ball pattern printing system, characterized in that: The golf ball pattern printing system includes multiple printing stations and a conveying device, wherein the conveying device is configured to convey at least one ball, and at least one ball passes through the multiple printing stations under the conveying device, wherein each printing station is provided with a pattern printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The golf ball pattern printing system according to claim 6, wherein: At least one of the spheres has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an intermediate annular surface located between the top surface and the bottom surface; the conveying device includes a conveyor and a clamping seat, the conveyor is configured to move the clamping seat along a conveying path to one or more of the printing stations, and the clamping seat is configured to clamp at least one of the spheres and enable its top surface, bottom surface, or intermediate annular surface to contact at least one of the printing rubber heads carrying the ink pattern.

8. The golf ball pattern printing system according to claim 7, wherein: The conveyor comprises a turntable workbench, the clamping seat is fixed on the turntable workbench, and the clamping seat comprises at least one group of rotatable clamping arms.

9. The golf ball pattern printing system according to claim 7, wherein: The conveying device includes a servo driver that is transmission-connected to the conveyor, and the servo driver is configured to control the displacement stroke of the conveyor to move the clamping seat.

10. The golf ball pattern printing system according to claim 6, wherein: There is a drying station between any two adjacent printing stations, and the drying station is provided with a hot air module.

11. The golf ball pattern printing system according to claim 6, wherein: Any of the printing stations is provided with a hot air module located between the conveying device and the pattern printing device.

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