Golf Ball Coating Dyeing for Flexible Color Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for customizing golf balls with colored covers are expensive and inefficient, as they require extensive cleaning and pigment distribution throughout the cover material, limiting color options and flexibility in design.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pigmented coating layer of a first color on golf balls, which can be dyed a second color using an acid or nonionic disperse dye, particularly with polyurethane, polyurea, or polyamide materials, allowing for deeper, richer colors and better colorfastness, enabling customization of golf balls with various colors and designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If golf balls are customized with colored covers using traditional pigmentation methods, then color customization is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-applying a white or light-colored pigmented coating layer to the golf ball cover before the dyeing process. This preliminary pigmentation provides a uniform base that accepts the acid or nonionic disperse dye evenly, enabling true color reproduction without requiring extensive subsequent adjustments or rework, thus maintaining high production efficiency while achieving versatile color customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transitioning from traditional pigment incorporation during molding to a post-molding dyeing process using acid or nonionic disperse dyes. This parameter change allows the cover material (polyurethane, polyurea, or polyamide) to be dyed after manufacturing, enabling color customization without affecting the molding process or production efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pigmentation methods are used for golf ball covers, then color customization is possible, but extensive cleaning and equipment maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The white or light-colored pigmented coating layer serves as a preliminary base that prevents color contamination during the dyeing process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for extensive cleaning of injection molding equipment when switching between different colored golf ball covers, as the dye is applied after molding rather than during the molding process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pigment is incorporated throughout the cover material, then color consistency is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to unnecessary pigment usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the colorant (acid or nonionic disperse dye) only in the coating layer on the surface of the golf ball cover, rather than distributing pigment throughout the entire cover material. This localized approach achieves true color consistency in the visible surface while significantly reducing the quantity of colorant required, as the dye penetrates only the coating layer and not the bulk cover material.
4Illumination intensity
If acid dyes are used on polyurethane materials, then color intensity is improved, but colorfastness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by selecting specific acid dyes or nonionic disperse dyes that are compatible with polyurethane, polyurea, or polyamide materials. These dyes serve as intermediaries that achieve both intense coloration and adequate colorfastness on these specific polymer materials, resolving the contradiction between color intensity and colorfastness through careful dye selection matching the cover material composition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for cost-effective and flexible customization of golf ball colors, providing true and intense coloration with improved durability, enabling golf balls to be manufactured in one color and later customized to multiple colors on their surface without the need for extensive cleaning or pigment redistribution.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a golf ball having a pigmented coating layer of a first color and, optionally, a clear coating layer, at least one of the pigmented coating layer and the clear coating layer comprising at least one of polyurethane, polyurea, and polyamide, with an aqueous dye solution
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball of a first color is dyed to a second color with an anionic or nonionic disperse dye. Either or both of a pigmented coating layer or an optional clear coating layer on the pigmented coating layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides, and combinations thereof, which can be dyed by the anionic or nonionic disperse dye.