How to repair a competition ball

Abstract

This provides a method for repairing competition balls. [Solution] The present invention relates to a method for repairing a sports ball comprising a core (1) on which a plurality of panels (2) are bonded to the core (1) so as to form an outer covering, the method comprising the steps of bonding the plurality of panels (2) using a hot melt adhesive material, and replacing at least one panel (2), wherein the replacement step includes: - heating the ball to a temperature sufficient to peel off the panel at least at the location of the panel; - removing the panel from the core (1); and - replacing the removed panel by bonding a new panel (2) using a hot melt adhesive material to obtain a repaired ball.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for repairing a sports ball.

[0002] The present invention is particularly applicable to the repair of balls for use in sports activities, particularly not only basketball, but also team sports such as football, volleyball, or handball, or more generally, to the repair of balls suitable for use in other sports and / or leisure activities.

[0003] Such balls generally include a core, which is particularly formed by an inflatable bladder surrounded by a carcass. A plurality of panels are adhered onto the core so as to form an outer cover.

[0004] Such panels generally have an inner surface that is joined by adhering to the outer surface of the carcass and an outer surface that forms part of the rebound surface of the ball. On the outer surface, there may be formed, in particular, a relief pattern for increasing the coefficient of friction of the rebound surface, and / or a printed pattern for aesthetic and / or commercial purposes.

[0005] Due to their arrangement, the panels are likely to be damaged and / or worn over time. As a result, even if the core and / or other certain panels are still in a usable state, the lifespan of the ball is limited. Furthermore, due to the desire to personalize the ball, particularly by changing the appearance and / or material of at least some of the plurality of panels, balls that are still in good condition may be discarded.

[0006] As a result, a significant amount of waste is generated. This becomes an even greater problem when considering that the recycling of sports balls is still complex due to the various components that require treatment.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing a process that increases the lifespan of a ball, which allows for easy repair of the ball by replacing at least one panel, while the other components of the ball remain in good condition.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a method for repairing a sports ball, which includes a core, wherein a plurality of panels are bonded onto the core so as to form an outer covering. A step of bonding multiple panels using a hot melt adhesive material, The process involves replacing at least one panel, Includes, The aforementioned step of replacement is, - A step of heating the ball to a temperature sufficient to peel off the panel at least at the location (layer) of the panel; - A step of removing the panel from the core; - A process of obtaining a repaired ball by replacing the removed panel by bonding a new panel using a hot melt adhesive material. We propose a method that includes this.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. -Figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of a competition ball according to the present invention; -Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing how the panel is bonded to the core; -Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the assembled game ball obtained after gluing the panels shown in Figure 2; -Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the process of removing the panel to be replaced.

[0010] In relation to these diagrams, the following describes how to repair a competition ball.

[0011] The illustrated sports ball is intended for use in team sports, particularly basketball. However, the method can also be applied to sports balls intended for use in other team sports, such as football, volleyball, or handball, or more generally, to balls for other sports and / or leisure activities.

[0012] A competition ball includes a core 1, and multiple panels 2 are bonded onto the core 1 to form an outer shell.

[0013] With respect to Figure 1, the core 1 includes an inflatable bladder 3 surrounded by a carcass 4. The inflatable bladder 3 is made of natural rubber (e.g., latex) or synthetic rubber. The carcass 4 is made of nylon, and is sometimes reinforced. Panels 2 are bonded to the carcass.

[0014] In particular, a winding layer 5 is positioned between the bladder 3 and the carcass 4. The winding layer 5 is made of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0015] Panel 2 may be made of natural, hybrid, or synthetic leather, rubber, or plastic. Each panel 2 has an inner surface 2a and an outer surface 2b. The inner surface 2a is bonded to the outer surface of the carcass 4 by adhesive. The outer surface 2b forms part of the rebound surface of the ball.

[0016] The outer surface 2b of each panel 2 may include patterns, particularly embossed patterns to increase the coefficient of friction of the rebound surface, and / or printed patterns for particularly aesthetic and / or commercial purposes.

[0017] In order to allow for the replacement of panels 2, not only when wear and / or deterioration 6 occurs, but also when it is desired to customize at least some of the panels 2 of the ball at a later date, the method includes the step of bonding panels 2 to the carcass 4 using a hot melt adhesive material 7. This allows for the removal of the panels to be replaced (one or more) by heating them (in particular at a temperature higher than the melting point of the adhesive material) if it becomes necessary to replace at least one of the panels.

[0018] In one embodiment, the hot-melt adhesive material 7 is polyurethane-based, preferably a reactive polyurethane (PUR) adhesive. In fact, such an adhesive is easy and quick to apply, and once cured, it has high structural strength as well as sufficient flexibility to withstand vibration and impact. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for manufacturing sports balls that are subjected to numerous impacts from hard surfaces (especially the ground) during sports and / or leisure activities. In particular, the polymer of the adhesive material 7 can be selected to have peel strength resistance that facilitates the removal of the heated panel 2.

[0019] The method may include a step of applying a primer undercoat to the outer surface of the carcass 4 before bonding the panel 2 to the outer surface of the carcass 4. As a result, the adhesion of the panel to the carcass is improved, thereby limiting the risk of the panel unintentionally peeling off, especially after repeated impacts of the ball against a hard surface. This pretreatment step may be carried out at a temperature of about 65°C for about 3 minutes.

[0020] Subsequently, the method includes the following steps: - A step of applying the adhesive material 7 to the back surface of each panel 2 while it is heated, at a temperature above its melting point, specifically 90°C to 120°C, preferably 100°C to 110°C; - A step of starting the bonding of the panels to the carcass by attaching each panel 2 to the carcass 4 for bonding at a temperature below the melting point of the adhesive material 7, preferably 55-70°C; - In particular, in a suitable mold, by pressing panel 2 onto carcass 4 at a pressure of about 0.4 kg / cm for 90 to 150 seconds, the adhesion is completed.

[0021] When at least one panel 2 needs to be replaced, especially when wear and / or deterioration 6 occurs and / or when the panel is desired to be customized, the method enables the following steps: - Heating the ball to a temperature sufficient to peel the panel at least at the position of the panel 2 to be replaced; - Removing the panel from the carcass 4; - Replacing the removed panel by adhering a new panel 2 using a hot melt adhesive material 7 to obtain a repaired ball; If necessary, this method is repeated.

[0022] Thus, by implementing the ball repair method, one or more panels 2 that are worn and / or need customization can be selectively and repeatedly replaced, resulting in an increase in the life of the ball.

[0023] In particular, this heating temperature is higher than the melting point of the hot melt adhesive material 7 initially used for adhering the panel 2 to be replaced. In particular, to limit the overall energy cost of ball repair while limiting the risk of damage to the ball, the heating temperature is slightly higher than this melting point, especially a temperature less than 10% higher than the melting point.

[0024] For this purpose, the heating temperature is set to 90°C to 120°C, especially about 110°C. Further, before removing the panel 2 to be replaced, heating is maintained for 5 to 15 minutes, especially for 10 minutes.

[0025] The method may include, after the step of removing the used panel 2, a step of applying a primer undercoat to at least one region 4a of the carcass 4, particularly to the region 4a from which the used panel has been removed, before the step of adhering a new panel 2 to the region.

[0026] Advantageously, the hot melt adhesive material used for adhering the new panel is also polyurethane-based, preferably a reactive polyurethane (PUR) adhesive. This is due to the reasons described above.

[0027] The adhesive material 7 is heated and applied onto the back surface of the replacement panel 2 before the replacement panel 2 is affixed to the carcass 4 for the purpose of adhesion.

[0028] This application temperature is preferably the same as the heating temperature. In particular, this can be achieved by adhering the new panel 2 using an adhesive material 7 similar to the adhesive material initially used for adhering the removed panel 2.

[0029] Thereafter, the new panel 2 is pressure-bonded onto the carcass 4 for adhering the new panel. In particular, the pressure-bonding is performed at a temperature lower than the heating temperature and the application temperature within a suitable mold. As a result, the drying of the adhesive material 7 is initiated, whereby the new panel 2 is adhered to the carcass 4.

[0030] In particular, similar to the initial adhesion of the panel 2, the pressure-bonding of the replacement panel 2 onto the carcass 4 can be performed at 55 - 70°C at a pressure of about 0.4 kg / cm for 90 - 150 seconds.

[0031] The repair of the ball can be carried out at the workplace using appropriate technical means, particularly a pressure-bonding mold, and means for heating and removing the used panel(s).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] [Figure 1]This is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a sports ball according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view that schematically shows how the panels are bonded to the core. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the assembled state of a competition ball, obtained after the panels shown in Figure 2 have been glued together. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view that schematically shows the process of removing the panel to be replaced.

Claims

1. A method for repairing a sports ball, which includes a core (1) and has a plurality of panels (2) bonded onto the core (1) so as to form an outer covering, A step of bonding a plurality of the panels (2) using a hot melt adhesive material (7), A step of replacing at least one panel (2), Includes, The aforementioned step of replacement is, - A step of heating the ball to a temperature sufficient to peel off the panel, at least at the location of the panel; - Step of removing the panel from the core (1); - A step to obtain a repaired ball by replacing the removed panel by bonding a new panel (2) using a hot melt adhesive material (7). Methods that include...

2. The repair method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot melt adhesive material (7) is polyurethane-based.

3. The repair method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating temperature is 90°C to 120°C.

4. The repair method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heating step is maintained for 5 to 15 minutes before removing the panel (2).

5. The repair method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adhesive material (7) is heat-applied to the back surface of the panel (2) before the panel (2) is attached to the core (1) for bonding.

6. The repair method according to claim 5, characterized in that the coating temperature is the same as the heating temperature.

7. A repair method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes the step of applying a primer undercoat to at least one region (4a) of the core (1) before bonding the panel (2) to the said region (4a).

8. The repair method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the panel (2) is pressed onto the core (1) for bonding.

9. The repair method according to claim 8, characterized in that the crimping is performed inside a mold.

10. The repair method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the crimping is performed at a temperature lower than the heating temperature.

11. The repair method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the core (1) includes an inflatable bladder (3) surrounded by a carcass (4).

12. The repair method according to claim 11, characterized in that a winding layer (5) is interposed between the bladder (3) and the carcass (4).

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