Golf Ball Mold Demolding Without Ejector Pins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf ball molding processes, such as compression and injection molding, often result in cosmetic defects like seams and pin marks due to the use of ejector or knockout pins, which complicate the demolding process and require additional handling or scrapping of defective balls.

Innovation Solution

A molding assembly with non-planar parting lines and undercut regions in the mold members creates opposing force vectors to dislodge the golf ball from the mold without the need for ejector pins, allowing for efficient demolding and reducing cosmetic defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ejector or knockout pins are used to remove the golf ball from the mold, then the demolding process is simplified, but cosmetic defects such as holes or pin marks are introduced in the cover layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemolding processVSAvoidcosmetic defects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the ejector or knockout pins from the molding apparatus. Instead of using these separate demolding components, the mold members themselves are designed with non-planar parting lines that enable the ball to be dislodged through the molding process forces alone, thereby removing the source of cosmetic defects while maintaining demolding functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using active ejector pins to push the ball out after molding, the invention inverts the approach by designing the mold parting lines to passively dislodge the ball through the natural forces of the molding process. The non-planar parting lines create geometric advantages that allow the ball to escape without additional mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional injection molding techniques are used for reactive thermosetting plastics, then processing is simplified, but the polymerization reaction cannot be completed properly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprocessingVSAvoidpolymerization reaction completion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the molding process into distinct phases: a mixing phase where reactive components are combined in a mixing chamber, and a molding phase where the combined material is transferred to the die. This segmentation allows the polymerization reaction to complete properly while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated mixing and molding operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a mixing chamber as an intermediary component between the material supply and the molding die. This mixing chamber serves as a mediator that combines the reactive components before they enter the mold, ensuring proper polymerization reaction completion while simplifying the overall processing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7347964B2Method and apparatus for demolding a golf ball

Publication Date: 2008.03.25 CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY

AI summary

An apparatus and method for demolding golf balls from a mold cavity are disclosed. More specifically, an apparatus and method for demolding a golf ball from a mold cavity subsequent to forming a cover layer without the use of ejector or knockout pins are disclosed. The molding apparatus utilizes an undercut configuration that, upon opening the molds after molding a golf ball, serves to impart a rotational force upon the ball and dislodge it from the molds.