Golf Ball Marking Sublayer for Sharp, Durable Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming markings on golf balls, such as transfer film printing, pad printing, and inkjet printing, fail to achieve both excellent definition and durability, particularly when using urethane or ionomer resins, due to issues like bleeding, ink infiltration, and insufficient adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A method involving surface treatments like corona discharge, ultraviolet irradiation, or primer coating, followed by forming a sublayer with inkjet printing, which prevents ink bleeding and enhances marking durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printing is used to form markings on golf ball surface, then design changes are easy and detailed designs are possible, but ink bleeding occurs and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary surface treatment to the golf ball cover before inkjet printing. This includes corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or primer coating treatment to prepare the surface in advance, ensuring proper ink adhesion and preventing bleeding during the subsequent printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (sublayer) between the golf ball surface and the marking ink. This sublayer is formed by inkjet printing a transparent or translucent coating that acts as a barrier, preventing the marking ink from bleeding into the urethane resin while maintaining design flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If inkjet printing is used to form markings on urethane resin golf ball, then printing process is simple, but ink infiltrates the resin and bleeding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary surface treatment on the urethane resin cover before printing. This includes corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or primer coating treatment to modify the surface properties in advance, creating a stable base that prevents ink infiltration and ensures sharp marking definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sublayer as an intermediary between the urethane resin surface and the marking ink. This sublayer, formed by inkjet printing a transparent coating, acts as a barrier that prevents the ink from infiltrating the resin while maintaining printing simplicity and achieving precise marking definition.
3Ease of operation
If markings are printed after flash trimming, then ball surface is accessible, but rough surface causes ink bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary surface treatment to the ball surface after trimming but before printing. This includes corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or primer coating treatment to smooth and prepare the rough surface in advance, creating an optimal surface for ink application that prevents bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sublayer as an intermediary layer between the rough trimmed surface and the marking ink. This sublayer, formed by inkjet printing a transparent coating, acts as a barrier that prevents the ink from bleeding into the rough surface while maintaining ease of operation and achieving sharp marking definition.
4Productivity
If UV-curable inks are used for marking, then printing process is efficient, but markings lack sufficient durability against deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary surface treatment to enhance the durability of UV-curable ink markings. This includes corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, or primer coating treatment to prepare the surface in advance, ensuring the UV-curable ink forms strong, durable markings that withstand ball deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sublayer as an intermediary between the ball surface and the UV-curable marking ink. This sublayer, formed by inkjet printing a transparent coating, acts as a barrier that enhances the adhesion and durability of the UV-curable ink, allowing efficient printing while ensuring markings withstand deformation.
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
The method produces markings with excellent definition and durability by using a sublayer to improve adhesion and prevent ink bleeding, resulting in high-quality, long-lasting markings on golf balls.
Implementation Method 1
applying at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, chlorine treatment and primer coating treatment to the surface of a golf ball
Implementation Method 2
applying at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, chlorine treatment and primer coating treatment to the surface of a golf ball
Implementation Method 3
forming the marking on the sublayer by inkjet printing... using UV-curable inks
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for manufacturing golf balls having markings of excellent definition and durability printed on the surface thereof. The method includes the steps of:(1) applying at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, chlorine treatment and primer coating treatment to the surface of a golf ball;(2) forming a sublayer at a place on the treated surface of the golf ball that corresponds to the marking; and(3) forming the marking on the sublayer by inkjet printing.