Polymer mixture incorporating end-of-life golf balls for manufacturing new products

Abstract

The invention relates to a polymer mixture incorporating end-of-life golf balls, which are ground to a particle size of between 0.1 and 15 mm, in combination with thermoplastics for manufacturing high-quality new products using industrial processes such as injection or rotational moulding. The polymer mixture of the invention makes it possible to manufacture different elements such as, inter alia, information posters, benches, waste bins and ball markers, thereby promoting the environment where the waste is produced.

Description

[0001] Qualification

[0002] POLYMER MIXTURE INCORPORATING DISUSED GOLF BALLS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF NEW PRODUCTS.

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Application sector

[0005] This innovation belongs to the waste management sector, particularly in the recovery of composite plastic materials and their application in the manufacture of new products through industrial processes such as injection and rotomolding.

[0006] Background

[0007] Currently, there is no recycling process for golf balls. Their manufacture, consisting of a mixture of various types of plastic, makes recycling very difficult. Only worn balls are refurbished for reuse; broken, damaged, or cracked balls are never recycled. The latter are disposed of in landfills or incinerated.

[0008] Landfilling or incineration have the drawback of not being a solution that keeps the material in use. According to the Danish Golf Union, a golf ball takes between 100 and 1,000 years to decompose naturally. Their research delved into the environmental impact of these balls during the decomposition process. The results revealed that they release a large amount of heavy metals, such as zinc, during this process, which, especially in aquatic environments, can contaminate sediments and threaten the surrounding flora and fauna. The problem with disposing of them through controlled incinerator combustion is the generation of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and their subsequent loss.

[0009] There are known innovations that vary the composition of golf balls, although their high cost and performance in play make them unviable, at least for professional use. Among them is patent ES 1078702 U, filed by Luis Moreno Morell, which describes a biodegradable golf ball with a core composed of seeds and compost. Its aim is that, after being lost on the course, the biodegradable cover will decompose and allow the seeds to germinate, thus avoiding environmental contamination. Patent ES 2343346 A1, filed by Albus Golf SL, presents a single-use golf ball designed to biodegrade in aqueous environments and become food for marine fauna. Its cover is composed of an ecological biopolymer (polyvinyl acetate or PVA) and various ecological additives.Or, patent US20060205534A1, held by Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd, which discloses an environmentally friendly golf ball composed of a biodegradable core made from natural ingredients such as soy, corn, rice, and cereal powders, bonded with eco-friendly adhesives. The cover is also biodegradable and designed to dissolve under specific environmental conditions. While these inventions seek an environmentally friendly solution, none address the recycling of conventional, used golf balls or their transformation into reusable materials. The present invention proposes a system that allows the recovery of plastic material from used golf balls and its conversion into raw material for new products.

[0010] The applicant is unaware of any technical solutions that would solve the problem in a manner as advantageous as the proposed invention.

[0011] Object

[0012] Develop a polymer blend that allows for the reuse of discarded golf balls in the manufacture of new products. Reduce the environmental impact of golf balls accumulating in landfills or being incinerated.

[0013] Promote the circular economy by integrating recycled materials into industrial production processes. Optimize resource use by reducing the demand for virgin plastics and promoting the use of recycled materials.

[0014] To demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of recycling golf balls in combination with other thermoplastics for the manufacture of high-quality products using this mixture.

[0015] Description of the invention

[0016] The golf ball is a product made from a composition based on polyurethanes of different formulations, highly compressed to provide resistance to very high clubhead speeds (100 to 200 km / h) and the high flight control and spin required for proper game performance. The ball is thus formed in its different layers of various raw materials, primarily: P0666.Sp Ethylene / Methacrylic Acid Ionomer, Sodium Ion, Melt Flow In S213.Sp Sodium Linoleate, Lauric Acid, Sodium Salt, P0318 Sp Polypropylene Isotactic, P0511 Sp Polybutadiene Cis and Trans, and P0667.Sp Ethylene / Methacrylic Acid Ionomer, among others. This plurality of raw materials makes recycling difficult. This composition exhibits thermostable behavior at high temperatures, maintaining its physical properties. This characteristic prevents recycling by heat alone, requiring the ball to undergo a different type of chemical recycling process.

[0017] The innovative recycling process involves the physical modification of the golf ball through mechanical shredding and its blending in a specific proportion with other thermoplastic plastics. This allows for its use as a new polymer blend suitable for injection molding or rotomolding processes.

[0018] To provide clarity, the process begins with cleaning the balls, then crushing them, followed by drying, and finally mixing them with a thermoplastic to obtain a new thermoplastic that will be used to manufacture new products.

[0019] For this purpose, the mixture comprises a granulated ball with a particle size between 0.1 and 15 mm, combined with a compatible thermoplastic. Each component is intended for a specific manufacturing process, and this thermoplastic, while not a limiting factor, can be a polypropylene selected for its high fluidity, primarily for injection molding applications requiring toughness and good flow properties. No additives are used in this formulation, and the polypropylene can be either virgin or recycled. This mixture allows for melting temperatures of 180 to 230 °C, compatible with production requirements.

[0020] Other formulations have been planned in which the thermoplastic is low- or high-density polyethylene, primarily used in rotomolding due to its ease of processing and its ideal mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties for this type of manufacturing; its weight percentage is identical to that of polypropylene. Still others use a polystyrene thermoplastic with melting temperatures of 180 to 260 degrees Celsius. e , Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) with a melting temperature of the mixture of 190 to 220 °C or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and a melting temperature between 170-210 °C.

[0021] As an example and without limitation, the proposed mixture with the recovery of golf balls allows the manufacture of different elements such as information signs, benches, waste bins, or tee boxes and ball markers among others, favoring the environment where the waste itself is produced.

[0022] Description of a preferred embodiment

[0023] A preferred embodiment is cited as an example, independent of the object of the invention, the materials used in its manufacture, as well as the application methods and all accessory details that may arise, provided that they do not affect its essentiality.

[0024] The process of incorporating golf balls is explained below for the sake of clarity. First, the balls are washed by brushing to remove any dirt, soil, or grass that may be attached to the ball and could harm the mixture. Then, they are dried in a stream of air by forced ventilation, before being crushed, preferably with a rotary blade crusher with a screening grid.

[0025] In this embodiment, a polymer blend is developed for use in obtaining new products via injection molding. The golf balls, after crushing, have a particle size of 1 to 7 mm and comprise 40% of the blend by weight. The remaining 60% is virgin polypropylene granules, chosen for their high fluidity and toughness. No additives are used in the formulation. The melting temperature range is 180 to 230 °C.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Polymer mixture incorporating used golf balls for the manufacture of new products characterized in that the mixture is formed by crushed golf balls with a granulometry between 0.1 and 15 mm, the remainder being thermoplastic.

2. Polymer mixture incorporating used golf balls for the manufacture of new products according to claim 1, characterized by the thermoplastic being polypropylene (PP).

3. Polymer mixture incorporating used golf balls for the manufacture of new products according to claim one, characterized by the thermoplastic being low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

4. Polymer mixture that incorporates used golf balls for the manufacture of new products characterized by being the thermoplastic high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

5. Polymer mixture incorporating used golf balls for the manufacture of new products according to claim one, characterized by the thermoplastic being polystyrene (PS).

6. Polymer mixture incorporating used golf balls for the manufacture of new products according to claim 1, characterized by the thermoplastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

7. Polymer mixture incorporating used golf balls for the manufacture of new products according to claim 1, characterized by the thermoplastic being polyvinyl chloride (PVC).