SustainABALL

Abstract

Balls having been constructed from algae-based rubber are disclosed. SustainABALL is the manufacturing of balls used in sports from a rubber material made with algae. Using an algae-based rubber in the manufacturing of the ball makes the ball more sustainable and has multiple benefits; it sequesters carbon dioxide and helps with global warming; it reduces the use of fossil fuel-based compounds and makes the golf ball manufacturing process eco-friendlier and more sustainable. The patent is being sought for the replacement of fossil fuels-based rubber with an algae-based rubber in the manufacturing of balls used in sports. This is an improvement in the environmental footprint of ball production in the sport industry.

Description

2. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] NA.3. STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] NA.

[0003] 4. NA.

[0004] 5. NA.6. BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to balls used in sports, more precisely the present disclosure relates to the anatomy of balls where the synthetic based rubber materials can be replaced with a biosustainable rubber made from algae.

[0006] Algae are microscopic organisms found in almost every aquatic system on the earth. In the presence of sunlight algae combines carbon dioxide and water extracted from the atmosphere to produce sugars which provides the basis of the food chain for other organisms. As a biproduct of this process oxygen is produced. In fact, algae are responsible for producing 60-80% of the oxygen we breathe.

[0007] In addition to carbon dioxide, algae also extract from water, and store within their cells, contaminants such as nitrogen and phosphorus improving water quality for recreational, drinking and ecosystem health. However, if the algae are not removed from the water body they will die and release toxins, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus back into the system negating the water quality improvements.

[0008] The field of algae harvesting arose because scientist discovered many uses for algae including food, fertilizer, and pharmaceuticals. They also realized that the oils and other compounds within an algae cell can be conditioned into plastics, foams, and rubbers.

[0009] Currently, balls used in sports, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf are usually made from synthetic rubber derived from fossil fuels. However, extraction of fossil fuels contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions and water quality degradation across the world. For example, in 2019, a leading golf ball manufacturer's process produced an estimated 18,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. According to the European Union Emission Trading System, every kilogram of synthetic rubber produced results in 4.05 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. These balls are typically produced from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) a general-purpose synthetic rubber used for car tires, shoe soles and heels, drive couplings, automotive parts and mechanical rubber goods. SBR rubber is man-made, derived from a byproduct of oil refining. It involves polymerizing Styrene and Butadiene in a controlled setting, then adding curatives and fillers like sulfur and carbon black. The resulting material is then cured or vulcanized to make a rubber part. In this invention algae-based rubber is sourced from algae rubber manufacturers and then used in the manufacturing of balls.

[0010] SustainABALL is a novel approach to make the sport industry more sustainable by replacing synthetic, fossil fuel-based rubber with a natural rubber that sequesters carbon, reduces CO2 emissions and improving water quality simultaneously. The goal of the invention is to make balls in the sport industry more sustainable.7. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] SustainABALL is the manufacturing of balls used in sports from a rubber material made with algae. Using an algae-based rubber in the manufacturing of the ball makes the ball more sustainable by sequestering carbon, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and cleaning water and improving water its quality.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the cross section of a typical golf ball.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of a algae-rubber based golf ball.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention relates to replacing fossil fuel derived synthetic rubber in balls with a biosustainable rubber made from algae. For example, FIG. 1 shows the anatomy of a golf ball showing the inner core and multiple different layers.

[0015] Currently, the inner core of the golf ball is made from synthetic rubber derived from fossil fuels. The core can be replaced by an algae-based rubber as depicted in FIG. 2. The algae-based rubber is sourced from rubber manufacturers who either harvest the algae from contaminated systems or from wastewater treatment plants where the algae are being used to clean the wastewater. The algae is then dried and processed into either a styrene or toluene based rubber. The rubber is then provided to the ball manufacturer for use in production and testing of the ball.Replacement Description Drawings

[0016] FIG. 1 shows the cross section of a typical golf ball.

[0017] 101—The balls'cover usually made of urethane.

[0018] 102—Layer 1 usually made of fossil fuel rubber.

[0019] 103—Layer 2 usually made of fossil fuel rubber

[0020] 104—Layer 3 represents the inner core of the golf ball usually made of fossil fuel rubber.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of a algae-rubber based golf ball.

[0022] 201—The balls'cover usually made of urethane.

[0023] 202—Layer 1 usually made of fossil fuel rubber.

[0024] 203—Layer 2 usually made of fossil fuel rubber

[0025] 204—Layer 3 represents the inner core of the golf ball usually made of fossil fuel rubber

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the anatomy of an algae ball with the inner core and layers (202, 203, 204) replaced by an algae-based rubber. The algae-based rubber is sourced from rubber manufacturers who either harvest the algae from contaminated systems or from wastewater treatment plants where the algae are being used to clean the wastewater. The algae are then dried and processed into either a styrene or toluene-based rubber. The rubber is then provided to the ball manufacturer for use in production and testing of the ball.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]This invention relates to replacing fossil fuel derived synthetic rubber in balls with a biosustainable rubber made from algae. For example, FIG. 1 shows the anatomy of a golf ball showing the inner core and multiple different layers.

[0015]Currently, the inner core of the golf ball is made from synthetic rubber derived from fossil fuels. The core can be replaced by an algae-based rubber as depicted in FIG. 2. The algae-based rubber is sourced from rubber manufacturers who either harvest the algae from contaminated systems or from wastewater treatment plants where the algae are being used to clean the wastewater. The algae is then dried and processed into either a styrene or toluene based rubber. The rubber is then provided to the ball manufacturer for use in production and testing of the ball.

Replacement Description Drawings

[0016]FIG. 1 shows the cross section of a typical golf ball.[0017]101—The balls'cover usually made of urethane.[0018]102—Layer 1 usually made of fossil fue...

2. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] NA.3. STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] NA.

[0003] 4. NA.

[0004] 5. NA.6. BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to balls used in sports, more precisely the present disclosure relates to the anatomy of balls where the synthetic based rubber materials can be replaced with a biosustainable rubber made from algae.

[0006] Algae are microscopic organisms found in almost every aquatic system on the earth. In the presence of sunlight algae combines carbon dioxide and water extracted from the atmosphere to produce sugars which provides the basis of the food chain for other organisms. As a biproduct of this process oxygen is produced. In fact, algae are responsible for producing 60-80% of the oxygen we breathe.

[0007] In addition to carbon dioxide, algae also extract from water, and store within their cells, contaminants such as nitrogen and phosphorus improving water quality for recreational, drinking and ecosystem health. However, if the algae are not removed from the water body they will die and release toxins, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus back into the system negating the water quality improvements.

[0008] The field of algae harvesting arose because scientist discovered many uses for algae including food, fertilizer, and pharmaceuticals. They also realized that the oils and other compounds within an algae cell can be conditioned into plastics, foams, and rubbers.

[0009] Currently, balls used in sports, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf are usually made from synthetic rubber derived from fossil fuels. However, extraction of fossil fuels contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions and water quality degradation across the world. For example, in 2019, a leading golf ball manufacturer's process produced an estimated 18,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. According to the European Union Emission Trading System, every kilogram of synthetic rubber produced results in 4.05 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. These balls are typically produced from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) a general-purpose synthetic rubber used for car tires, shoe soles and heels, drive couplings, automotive parts and mechanical rubber goods. SBR rubber is man-made, derived from a byproduct of oil refining. It involves polymerizing Styrene and Butadiene in a controlled setting, then adding curatives and fillers like sulfur and carbon black. The resulting material is then cured or vulcanized to make a rubber part. In this invention algae-based rubber is sourced from algae rubber manufacturers and then used in the manufacturing of balls.

[0010] SustainABALL is a novel approach to make the sport industry more sustainable by replacing synthetic, fossil fuel-based rubber with a natural rubber that sequesters carbon, reduces CO2 emissions and improving water quality simultaneously. The goal of the invention is to make balls in the sport industry more sustainable.7. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] SustainABALL is the manufacturing of balls used in sports from a rubber material made with algae. Using an algae-based rubber in the manufacturing of the ball makes the ball more sustainable by sequestering carbon, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and cleaning water and improving water its quality.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the cross section of a typical golf ball.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of a algae-rubber based golf ball.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention relates to replacing fossil fuel derived synthetic rubber in balls with a biosustainable rubber made from algae. For example, FIG. 1 shows the anatomy of a golf ball showing the inner core and multiple different layers.

[0015] Currently, the inner core of the golf ball is made from synthetic rubber derived from fossil fuels. The core can be replaced by an algae-based rubber as depicted in FIG. 2. The algae-based rubber is sourced from rubber manufacturers who either harvest the algae from contaminated systems or from wastewater treatment plants where the algae are being used to clean the wastewater. The algae is then dried and processed into either a styrene or toluene based rubber. The rubber is then provided to the ball manufacturer for use in production and testing of the ball.Replacement Description Drawings

[0016] FIG. 1 shows the cross section of a typical golf ball.

[0017] 101—The balls'cover usually made of urethane.

[0018] 102—Layer 1 usually made of fossil fuel rubber.

[0019] 103—Layer 2 usually made of fossil fuel rubber

[0020] 104—Layer 3 represents the inner core of the golf ball usually made of fossil fuel rubber.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of a algae-rubber based golf ball.

[0022] 201—The balls'cover usually made of urethane.

[0023] 202—Layer 1 usually made of fossil fuel rubber.

[0024] 203—Layer 2 usually made of fossil fuel rubber

[0025] 204—Layer 3 represents the inner core of the golf ball usually made of fossil fuel rubber

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the anatomy of an algae ball with the inner core and layers (202, 203, 204) replaced by an algae-based rubber. The algae-based rubber is sourced from rubber manufacturers who either harvest the algae from contaminated systems or from wastewater treatment plants where the algae are being used to clean the wastewater. The algae are then dried and processed into either a styrene or toluene-based rubber. The rubber is then provided to the ball manufacturer for use in production and testing of the ball.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]This invention relates to replacing fossil fuel derived synthetic rubber in balls with a biosustainable rubber made from algae. For example, FIG. 1 shows the anatomy of a golf ball showing the inner core and multiple different layers.

[0015]Currently, the inner core of the golf ball is made from synthetic rubber derived from fossil fuels. The core can be replaced by an algae-based rubber as depicted in FIG. 2. The algae-based rubber is sourced from rubber manufacturers who either harvest the algae from contaminated systems or from wastewater treatment plants where the algae are being used to clean the wastewater. The algae is then dried and processed into either a styrene or toluene based rubber. The rubber is then provided to the ball manufacturer for use in production and testing of the ball.

Replacement Description Drawings

[0016]FIG. 1 shows the cross section of a typical golf ball.[0017]101—The balls'cover usually made of urethane.[0018]102—Layer 1 usually made of fossil fue...

Claims

1. The use of algae-based rubber in manufacturing of balls1. Will sequester carbon dioxide and prevent it's release to the atmosphere2. Will improve water quality by locking up contaminants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potential toxins contained within the algae cell.

3. Reduce use of fossil fuel derived rubber.

4. Reduce green house gas emissions associated with manufacturing of balls5. Will provide more sustainable balls for people and companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

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