U.S. patent application number 14/091989 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-28 for decorative bowling balls and methods and apparatuses for decorating bowling balls.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRUNSWICK CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Brunswick Corporation. Invention is credited to Raymond Martin Edwards, Daniel L. LaPres.
Application Number | 20150148142 14/091989 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53183100 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150148142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edwards; Raymond Martin ; et
al. |
May 28, 2015 |
Decorative Bowling Balls and Methods and Apparatuses for Decorating
Bowling Balls
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are for decorating bowling balls. A
spherical bowling ball inner core has opposing first and second
hemispheres. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a
conformable decorative first film of material onto the first
hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to
adhere a second portion of the first film of material onto the
first hemisphere. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of
a conformable decorative second film of material onto the second
hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to
adhere a second portion of the second film of material onto the
second hemisphere. Thereafter the bowling ball inner core is
covered with a transparent outer cover.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Raymond Martin;
(Fruitport, MI) ; LaPres; Daniel L.; (Muskegon,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brunswick Corporation |
Lake Forest |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BRUNSWICK CORPORATION
Lake Forest
IL
|
Family ID: |
53183100 |
Appl. No.: |
14/091989 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/125 ;
156/213; 156/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 45/02 20130101;
A63B 37/12 20130101; B44C 1/105 20130101; A63B 37/0001 20130101;
A63B 45/00 20130101; Y10T 156/103 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/125 ;
156/213; 156/445 |
International
Class: |
A63B 37/12 20060101
A63B037/12; A63B 45/00 20060101 A63B045/00; A63B 37/00 20060101
A63B037/00 |
Claims
1. A method of decorating a bowling ball, the method comprising:
providing a spherical bowling ball inner core having opposing first
and second hemispheres, applying pressure to adhere a first portion
of a conformable decorative first film of material onto the first
hemisphere and then applying a combination of pressure and vacuum
to adhere a second portion of the first film of material onto the
first hemisphere; and thereafter covering the bowling ball inner
core with a transparent outer cover.
2. The method according to claim 1, comprising, before covering the
bowling ball inner core with the transparent outer cover, applying
pressure to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative
second film of material onto the second hemisphere and then
applying the combination of pressure and vacuum to adhere a second
portion of the second film of material onto the second
hemisphere.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first hemisphere
has an axis of symmetry, a pole located on the axis of symmetry,
and an outer surface that circumferentially extends away from the
pole towards an equator of the inner core; and further comprising
adhering the first portion of the first film of material onto the
pole of the first hemisphere and then progressively adhering the
second portion of the first film material onto the outer surface
towards the equator.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second hemisphere
has an axis of symmetry coincident to the axis of symmetry of the
first hemisphere, a pole located on the axis of symmetry, and an
outer surface that circumferentially extends away from the pole
towards an equator of the inner core and further comprising
adhering the first portion of the second film material onto the
pole of the second hemisphere and then progressively adhering the
second portion of the second film of material onto the outer
surface towards the equator.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure in the
combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together the
first film of material and first hemisphere and wherein the vacuum
in the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the first
film of material away from the first hemisphere.
6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the pressure in the
combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together the
second film of material and second hemisphere and wherein the
vacuum in the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the
second film of material away from the second hemisphere.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising selecting and
applying certain amounts of pressure and vacuum to achieve a
desired amount of stretching of the first and second portions of
the first film of material.
8. A method of decorating a bowling ball, the method comprising:
providing a spherical bowling ball inner core; providing a mold
having a cavity for receiving the bowling ball inner core; placing
a conformable decorative first film of material over the cavity;
pressing the bowling ball inner core into the cavity so that the
bowling ball inner core stretches the first film of material into
the cavity and so that the first film of material adheres onto the
bowling ball inner core; creating a vacuum in the cavity and
simultaneously further pressing the bowling ball inner core into
the cavity so that the bowling ball inner core further stretches
the first film of material and the first film of material further
adheres onto the bowling ball inner core; and covering the bowling
ball inner core and first film of material with a transparent outer
cover.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the vacuum in the
cavity tends to draw the first web of material into the cavity.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the bowling ball inner
core has opposing first and second hemispheres, wherein the first
hemisphere is pressed into the cavity to thereby apply the first
film of material to the first hemisphere.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising placing a
conformable decorative second film of material over the cavity,
pressing the second hemisphere of the bowling ball inner core into
the cavity so that the second hemisphere stretches the second film
of material and so that the second film of material adheres onto
the second hemisphere, and thereafter creating a vacuum in the
cavity and simultaneously further pressing the second hemisphere
into the cavity so that the second hemisphere further stretches the
second film of material and the second film of material further
adheres onto the second hemisphere.
12. The method according to claim 11, comprising providing a
circular anchor ring; attaching the first film of material to the
circular anchor ring and sealing the circular anchor ring to the
mold before pressing the bowling ball inner core into the cavity so
that the bowling ball inner core stretches the first film of
material into the cavity.
13. The method according to claim 12, comprising trimming a
circumferential edge of the first film of material at the base of
the first hemisphere after the first film of material is stretched
onto the first hemisphere.
14. The method according to claim 13, comprising trimming a
circumferential edge of the second film of material at the base of
the second hemisphere after the second film of material is
stretched onto the second hemisphere.
15. The method according to claim 8, comprising supporting the
bowling ball inner core vertically above the mold and vertically
lowering the bowling ball inner core into the cavity to thereby
stretch the first film of material into the cavity and adhere the
first film of material onto the bowling ball inner core.
16. The method according to claim 15, comprising continuing to
vertically lower the bowling ball inner core into the cavity while
applying a vacuum in the cavity so that the bowling ball inner core
further stretches the first film of material and the first film of
material further adheres onto the bowling ball inner core.
17. The method according to claim 16, comprising continuing to
vertically lower the bowling ball inner core into the cavity until
the bowling ball inner core is fully seated in the cavity.
18. A decorative bowling ball comprising: a spherical inner core of
a first material, the inner core having opposing first and second
hemispheres; first and second decorative films of material, the
first decorative film of material adhered to the first hemisphere
and the second film of material adhered to the second hemisphere;
and an outer cover of a second, different material covering the
inner core and the first and second films of material.
19. The decorative bowling ball according to claim 18, wherein the
first hemisphere has an axis of symmetry, a pole located on the
axis of symmetry, and an outer surface that circumferentially
extends away from the pole towards an equator of the spherical
inner core; wherein the first decorative film of material has a
central portion that is applied to the pole by pressure alone and
wherein the first decorative film of material has an outer portion
surrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by
a combination of pressure and vacuum.
20. The decorative bowling ball according to claim 19, wherein the
second hemisphere has an axis of symmetry coincident to the axis of
symmetry of the first hemisphere, a pole located on the axis of
symmetry, and an outer surface that circumferentially extends away
from the pole towards an equator of the bowling ball inner core;
wherein the second decorative film of material has a central
portion that is applied to the pole by pressure alone and wherein
the second decorative film of material has an outer portion
surrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by
a combination of pressure and vacuum.
21. The decorative bowling ball according to claim 20, wherein the
first and second films of material both have inner surfaces with
adhesive for adhering to the bowling ball inner core.
22. The decorative bowling ball according to claim 21, wherein the
first and second decorative films of material together form an
image when the first and second films of the material are adhered
to the first and second hemispheres, respectively.
23. An apparatus for decorating a bowling ball, the apparatus
comprising: a mold having a cavity for receiving an inner core of a
bowling ball; a circular anchor ring that holds a conformable
decorative film of material so as to close the cavity; a vacuum
source that applies vacuum to the cavity; a mechanism that
progressively lowers the inner core of the bowling ball onto the
film of material and into the cavity; and a control circuit that
controls operation of the vacuum to apply the vacuum to the cavity
once the lowering mechanism lowers the inner core of the bowling
ball onto the film of material and into the cavity by a
predetermined amount.
24. A method of decorating a bowling ball, the method comprising:
providing a spherical bowling ball inner core; applying a
conformable decorative first film of material onto the bowling ball
inner core; and thereafter covering the bowling ball inner core and
decorative first film of material with a transparent outer
cover.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the spherical bowling ball
inner core has opposing first and second hemispheres; and further
comprising applying the conformable decorative first film of
material onto the first hemisphere and then applying a conformable
decorative second film of material onto the second hemisphere; and
thereafter covering the bowling ball inner core with the
transparent outer cover.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising applying pressure to
adhere a first portion of the conformable decorative first film of
material onto the first hemisphere and then applying a combination
of pressure and vacuum to adhere a second portion of the first film
of material onto the first hemisphere, and further comprising
applying pressure to adhere a first portion of the conformable
decorative second film of material onto the second hemisphere and
then applying the combination of pressure and vacuum to adhere a
second portion of the second film of material onto the second
hemisphere.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the first hemisphere
has an axis of symmetry, a pole located on the axis of symmetry,
and an outer surface that circumferentially extends away from the
pole towards an equator of the inner core; and further comprising
adhering the first portion of the first film of material onto the
pole of the first hemisphere and then progressively adhering the
second portion of the first film material onto the outer surface
towards the equator.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the second hemisphere
has an axis of symmetry coincident to the axis of symmetry of the
first hemisphere, a pole located on the axis of symmetry, and an
outer surface that circumferentially extends away from the pole
towards an equator of the inner core; and further comprising
adhering the first portion of the second film material onto the
pole of the second hemisphere and then progressively adhering the
second portion of the second film of material onto the outer
surface towards the equator.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the pressure in the
combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together the
first film of material and first hemisphere and wherein the vacuum
in the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the first
film of material away from the first hemisphere.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the pressure in the
combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together the
second film of material and second hemisphere and wherein the
vacuum in the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the
second film of material away from the second hemisphere.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to decorative bowling balls
and methods and apparatus for decorating bowling balls.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following US patents disclose the state of the art and
are incorporated herein by reference in entirety.
[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,419 and 6,691,759 disclose methods and
apparatuses for making and/or decorating bowling balls. A form or
mold with opposite halves, which shift between open and closed
positions, includes a cavity sized to closely receive therein the
article to be decorated. At least one transfer sheet is positioned
in the mold with the article, such that when the mold is closed,
the same are captured in the mold cavity in an overlying
relationship. Heat is applied to the mold to a predetermined
temperature and time causing the article to expand through thermal
expansion, which expansion is resisted by the mold to uniformly
press the transfer sheet against the underlying outer surface of
the article, and also causing the heat-activated ink to transfer
from the transfer sheet to the outer surface of the article to form
the design thereon.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,109 discloses methods and apparatuses
for transferring a decorative image to a bowling ball by
sublimation from a transfer sheet. The method includes applying at
least one transfer sheet containing sublimation inks representing a
decoration, such as an image or graphic, to the outer surface of a
white bowling ball and transferring the decoration from the
transfer sheet to the white bowling ball by applying sufficient
heat and pressure to sublimate the inks. A heat press apparatus is
one exemplary apparatus that is contemplated for providing the heat
and pressure. The heat and pressure may be maintained after
sublimation to allow the inks to penetrate beneath the outer
surface of the white bowling ball. This allows decorating the
bowling ball with a durable image or graphic that does not affect
the performance of the bowling ball. The decoration may cover the
entire bowling ball, or any portion thereof.
SUMMARY
[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed
Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0006] The present disclosure results from the present inventor's
research and experimentation directed towards improved methods and
apparatus for making decorative bowling balls. Through such
research and experimentation, the inventors have found that the
above-referenced prior art methods for decorating bowling balls
have certain drawbacks. For example, the bowling balls that are
decorated according to the above-referenced methods have images
that are subject to damage and wear because the image is applied to
the outer surface of the ball. Resurfacing and/or repairing such
bowling balls also can be very difficult because scratches and
gouges penetrate through the image and expose the white ball
material below. The present inventors have sought to overcome these
disadvantages.
[0007] In certain examples disclosed herein, a decorative bowling
ball comprises: a spherical inner core of a first material, the
inner core having opposing first and second hemispheres; first and
second decorative films of material, the first decorative film of
material adhered to the first hemisphere and the second film of
material adhered to the second hemisphere; and an outer cover of a
second, different material covering the inner core and the first
and second films of material. The first hemisphere has an axis of
symmetry, a pole located on the axis of symmetry, and an outer
surface that circumferentially extends away from the pole towards
an equator of the spherical inner core. The first decorative film
of material has a central portion that is applied to the pole by
pressure alone. The first decorative film of material has an outer
portion surrounding the central portion and applied to the outer
surface by a combination of pressure and vacuum. The second
hemisphere has an axis of symmetry that is coincident with the axis
of symmetry of the first hemisphere, a pole located on the axis of
symmetry exactly opposite the pole on the first hemisphere on the
spherical surface of the core, and an outer surface that
circumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator of
the bowling ball inner core. The second decorative film of material
has a central portion that is applied to the pole by pressure
alone. The second decorative film of material has an outer portion
surrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by
a combination of pressure and vacuum.
[0008] In certain examples disclosed herein, methods of decorating
a bowling ball comprise: providing a spherical bowling ball inner
core having opposing first and second hemispheres; applying
pressure to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative
first film of material onto the first hemisphere and then applying
a combination of pressure and vacuum to adhere a second portion of
the first film of material onto the first hemisphere; applying
pressure to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative
second film of material onto the second hemisphere and then
applying the combination of pressure and vacuum to adhere a second
portion of the second film of material onto the second hemisphere;
and thereafter covering the bowling ball inner core with a
transparent outer cover.
[0009] In certain examples disclosed herein, methods of decorating
a bowling ball comprise: providing a spherical bowling ball inner
core; providing a mold having a cavity for receiving the bowling
ball inner core; placing a conformable decorative first film of
material over the cavity; pressing the bowling ball inner core into
the cavity so that the bowling ball inner core stretches the first
film of material into the cavity and so that the first film of
material adheres onto the bowling ball inner core; creating a
vacuum in the cavity and simultaneously further pressing the
bowling ball inner core into the cavity so that the bowling ball
inner core further stretches the first film of material and the
first film of material further adheres onto the bowling ball inner
core; and covering the bowling ball inner core and first film of
material with a transparent outer cover. Before covering the first
film of material with a transparent outer cover, optionally these
examples can further comprise: placing a conformable decorative
second film of material over the cavity, pressing the second
hemisphere of the bowling ball inner core into the cavity so that
the second hemisphere stretches the second film of material and so
that the first film of material adheres onto the second hemisphere,
and thereafter creating a vacuum in the cavity and simultaneously
further pressing the second hemisphere into the cavity so that the
second hemisphere further stretches the second film of material and
the second film of material further adheres onto the second
hemisphere.
[0010] In certain examples, an apparatus is for decorating a
bowling ball. The apparatus can comprise: a mold having a cavity
for receiving an inner core of a bowling ball; an anchor ring that
holds a conformable decorative film of material so as to close the
cavity; a vacuum source that applies vacuum to the cavity; a
mechanism that progressively lowers the inner core of the bowling
ball onto the film of material and into the cavity; and optionally
a control circuit and actuator that controls operation of the
vacuum to apply the vacuum to the cavity once the lowering
mechanism lowers the inner core of the bowling ball onto the film
of material and into the cavity by a predetermined amount.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Examples of decorative bowling balls and methods and
apparatus for decorating bowling balls are described with reference
to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used
throughout the figures to reference like features and
components.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a section view of a decorative bowling ball made
according to the methods of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one example of a method of
decorating a bowling ball, according to the present disclosure.
[0014] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a circular anchor
ring that holds a conformable decorative film of material for
decorating a bowling ball.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a hemispherical mold having a cavity for
receiving an inner core of a bowling ball with anchor ring and
conformable film attached.
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a mechanism for raising and lowering an inner
core of the bowling ball.
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts the mechanism retaining the inner core of the
bowling ball above a mold having a cavity for receiving the inner
core.
[0018] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a step wherein the mechanism lowers the
inner core of the bowling ball into the mold as a first portion of
the conformable decorative first film of material is applied onto
the first hemisphere by pressure.
[0019] FIG. 10 depicts a next step wherein a combination of
pressure and vacuum are applied to adhere a second portion of the
first film of material onto the first hemisphere.
[0020] FIG. 11 depicts a next step wherein a circumferential edge
of the first film of material at the base of the first hemisphere
is trimmed.
[0021] FIG. 12 depicts a next step wherein the mechanism raises the
inner core of the bowling ball with the first piece of conformable
film applied to the first hemisphere of the core out of the
mold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In the present description, certain terms have been used for
brevity, clearness and understanding. No unnecessary limitations
are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art
because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are
intended to be broadly construed. The different articles,
apparatuses, and methods described herein may be used alone or in
combination with other systems and methods. Various equivalents,
alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the
appended claims. Each limitation in the appended claims is intended
to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph
only if the terms "means for" or "step for" are explicitly recited
in the respective limitation.
[0023] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary bowling ball 10 that is
decorated according to methods of the present disclosure. The
bowling ball 10 has a typical 7.7 inch diameter spherical inner
core 12 that is made of a first material, for example a polyester
or urethane resin with appropriate fillers to adjust the density to
achieve the desired core weight. The size and material of the inner
core 12 can vary and is not critical to the present disclosure. The
inner core 12 has opposing first and second hemispheres 14, 16 that
are separated at an equator 18. The first hemisphere 14 has an axis
of symmetry 20, a pole 22 located on the axis of symmetry 20, and
an outer surface 24 that circumferentially extends away from the
pole 22 to the equator 18. Similarly, the second hemisphere 16 has
an axis of symmetry 26 that is coincident to axis 20, a pole 28
located on the axis of symmetry 26, and an outer surface 30 that
circumferentially extends away from the pole 28 to the equator 18.
According to the methods of the present disclosure, a first
conformable inner decorative film of material 32 having a
pre-printed design is adhered onto to the first hemisphere 14.
According to the methods of the present disclosure, a second
conformable decorative film of material 34 having a pre-printed
design is adhered to the second hemisphere 16. Various types of
decorative conformable films of material can be utilized, examples
of which include 3M Envision.TM. Print Wrap Film 480cv3, 3M
Scotchcal Graphic Films for Textured Surfaces having IDs IJ8626 and
8624ES, Arlon Print Cast Film 6000XRP, and potentially Hexis Films
HX100WG2 and VCXR100WGI. The first and second films of material 32,
34 are opposite each other and are aligned with respect to each
other at the equator 18 so as to together form a single decorative
image on the outer circumference of the inner core 12. An outer
cover 36 of a second, different material is cast onto and covers
the inner core 12 and the first and second films of material 32,
34. The second, different material of the outer cover 36 can
include a type of resin that includes urethane, polyester or other
appropriate polymer, and preferably is transparent so that the
image formed by the first and second films of material 32, 34 is
visible through the outer cover 36. The size and material of the
outer cover 36 can vary and is not critical to the present
disclosure.
[0024] As described further herein below, the first film of
material 32 has a first, central or radially symmetric inner
portion 38 (see also FIG. 5) that first is applied at the pole 22
by pressure alone. The first film of material 32 also has a second,
radially symmetric outer portion 40 that surrounds the inner
portion 38 and next is applied to the outer surface 24 by a
combination of pressure and vacuum. Similarly, the second film of
material 34 has a first, central or radially symmetric inner
portion 42 that first is applied to the pole 28 by pressure alone,
and a second, radially symmetric outer portion 44 that surrounds
the inner portion 42 and next is applied to the outer surface 30 by
a combination of pressure and vacuum.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart that depicts one example of a method
of decorating the bowling ball 10. At a first step 202, pressure is
applied to adhere the inner portion 38 onto the first hemisphere
14. Next, at step 204, a combination of pressure and vacuum are
applied to adhere the outer portion 40 onto the first hemisphere
14. At step 206, steps 202 and 204 are repeated for the second film
of material 34 and the second hemisphere 16. Thereafter, at step
208, the inner core 12 is covered with the outer cover 36. In
certain examples, the inner portion 38 is adhered onto the pole 22
by pressure alone and then the outer portion 40 is progressively
adhered onto the outer surface 24 towards the equator 18 by a
combination of pressure and vacuum. Similarly, the inner portion 42
is adhered onto the pole 28 by pressure alone and then the outer
portion 44 is progressively adhered onto the outer surface 30
towards the equator 18 by a combination of pressure and vacuum. The
pressure in the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press
together the first film of material 32 and first hemisphere 14 and
the suction in the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw
the first film of material 32 away from the first hemisphere 14.
Similarly, the pressure in the combination of pressure and vacuum
tends to press together the second film of material 34 and second
hemisphere 16 and the suction in the combination of pressure and
vacuum tends to draw the second film of material 34 away from the
second hemisphere 16.
[0026] The present inventors have found that certain amounts and/or
ratios of pressure and vacuum can be selected and applied to
achieve a predictable amount of stretching of the inner and outer
portions of the films of material 32, 34 to thereby achieve a
predictable amount of stretching of the image across the first and
second hemispheres 14, 16. For example, if the first and second
films of material 32, 34 are applied to the first and second
hemispheres 14, 16 only under pressure there will be a small amount
of distortion at inner portions 38, 42 and a relatively large
amount of distortion at the outer portions 40, 44. In contrast, if
the first and second films of material 32, 34 are applied to the
first and second hemispheres 14, 16 only under vacuum there will be
a small amount of distortion at the outer portions 40, 44 and
relatively large amount of distortion at the inner portions 38, 42.
In both these cases, when the films of material 32, 34 distort more
in one portion than another, an undesirable reduction of the ink
intensity due to the differential stretch results. This imbalance
also undesirably causes the overall image on the inner core 12 to
appear faded in one portion compared to another. This can also
undesirably cause a variable radial stretch if the films of
material 32, 34 are not perfectly uniform, which leads to
distortion or warping of the final image, which is especially
noticeable on geometric patterns such as circles. By providing the
presently disclosed methods and apparatuses that utilize a
combination of pressure and then pressure and vacuum to apply the
films of material 32, 34, the present inventors have surprisingly
and advantageously been able to equalize and/or control the
stretching of the films of material 32, 34 so that the distortion
at the inner portions 38, 42 and outer portions 40, 44 are the same
or similar. According to these methods, it is possible to
standardize the distortion and in turn the selectively, pre-scale
the image files of the first and second films of material 32, 34 so
that the final image on the bowling ball 10 consistently has a
desired appearance. The presently described methods also can
advantageously maintain integrity of the image, even if the bowling
ball 10 is used and the surface is worn or damaged. The presently
described methods and apparatuses also can provide a bowling ball
10 that is easily repaired using standard techniques with clear
patching materials, without negatively affecting the image.
[0027] The methods described herein above can be carried out
utilizing a wide variety of apparatuses. FIGS. 3-12 and the
description herein below provide certain non-limiting examples of
such apparatuses for carrying out these methods. However it is
recognized by the present inventors that significant modifications
and substitutions to these apparatuses can be made while still
accomplishing the objectives.
[0028] In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first decorative
film of material 32 has a first, decorative side 46 and a second,
adhesive side 48 that is covered by a non-adhesive paper cover 50.
The paper cover 50 is peeled from the adhesive side 48 of the film
of material 32 and thereafter the adhesive side 48 of the film of
material 32 is adhered to an inner radial surface 52 of an anchor
ring 54 so that the film of material 32 creates a seal around the
center opening 56 of the anchor ring 54.
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts a hemispherical mold 58 having an internal
cavity 59 for receiving the inner core 12 of the bowling ball 10.
The mold 58 is disposed on a platform 60 having legs 62, which
optionally can be adjustable to change the height and levelness of
the platform 60. The anchor ring 54 having the film of material 32
applied thereon is attached to the upper radial surface 64 of the
mold 58 by compression clips 66 such that the film of material 32
is sandwiched between the radial surface 52 of the anchor ring 54
and the radial surface 64 of the mold 58. The film of material 32
and anchor ring 54 are sealed with the upper radial surface 64 of
the mold 58 and thus close the cavity 59 in an airtight manner. A
conventional vacuum 68 is connected to the internal cavity 59 of
the mold 58 via a vacuum line 70. As described herein, the vacuum
68 operates to apply suction to the cavity 59 at an appropriate
time in the process, which tends to draw the first film of material
32 into the cavity 59.
[0030] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a mechanism 72 for raising and lowering
the inner core 12 of the bowling ball 10 with respect to the mold
58. The mechanism 72 includes a suction device 74 having a suction
cup 76 for engaging the outer surface 30 of the inner core 12. A
plurality of alignment guides 78 are disposed around the suction
cup 76 and ensure proper alignment between the inner surface of the
suction cup 76 and the outer surface 30 of the inner core 12. The
inner surface of the suction cup 76 is open to a manifold 80 that
receives a suction force via vacuum line 79. A vacuum source 77
applies the suction force via the vacuum line 79 to the manifold
80, which in turn creates suction within the suction cup 76. The
mechanism 72 further includes a linkage 82 having a pivoting lever
arm 84 and a shaft 87 through linear bearing 86 via straight line
linkage 89. To engage the suction cup 76 with the inner core 12,
the lever arm 84 is moved in the direction of arrow 88, which
causes the lever arm 84 to pivot about a pivot point 90 and thereby
lower the shaft 87 through linear bearing 86 via straight line
linkage 89 and thus lower the suction cup 76 and alignment guides
78 in the direction of arrow 92. The suction provided via the
vacuum line 79 causes the suction cup 76 to adhere to the outer
surface 30 of the inner core 12. As shown in FIG. 7, opposite
movement of the lever arm 84 in the direction of arrow 91 causes
the lever arm 84 to pivot about pivot point 90, thus raising the
shaft 87 through the linear bearing 86 via straight line linkage 89
and thus raise the inner core 12, which is attached thereto by the
suction cup 76, in the direction of arrow 94. A counterweight 96
can be added to the lever arm 84 to assist the pivoting movement.
FIG. 7 depicts the mold 58 placed beneath the suspended inner core
12, thus enabling the next process steps.
[0031] FIGS. 8-12 depict a series of steps for decorating the
bowling ball 10 using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As
shown in FIG. 8, the suction device 74 is operated to retain the
inner core 12 of the bowling ball 10 in the suction cup 76 such
that the first hemisphere 14 is facing toward the cavity 59 of the
mold 58. As shown in FIG. 8, the mechanism 72 (see FIG. 6) is
operated to move the shaft 87 through the linear bearing 86 via
straight line linkage 89 vertically downwardly in the direction of
arrow 92 so as to move the inner core 12 into contact with the
adhesive side 48 of the first film of material 32. Operation of the
lever arm 84 in a continuous motion in the direction of arrow 88 in
FIG. 6 progressively lowers the inner core 12 of the bowling ball
10 onto the first film of material 32 and then progressively into
the cavity 59, with the first film of material 32 sandwiched
therebetween. Initially, as shown in FIG. 7, the vacuum 68 is not
yet operated such that movement of the inner core 12 in the
direction of arrow 92 applies pressure alone to adhere the inner
portion 38 of the first film of material 32 onto the first
hemisphere 14 of the inner core 12 at the pole 22. As shown in FIG.
9, once the mechanism 72 lowers the inner core 12 into the cavity
59 by a predetermined amount, which can be selected by the operator
based upon characteristics of the first film of material 32, the
variable control vacuum 68 is operated to create a vacuum in the
cavity 59 via the vacuum line 70. As the continued operation of the
mechanism 72 progressively lowers the inner core 12 into the cavity
59, the vacuum within the cavity 59 tends to draw the first film of
material 32 into the cavity 59, away from the first hemisphere 14.
Continued operation of the mechanism 72 causes the second, radially
outer portion 40 of the first film of material 32 to adhere onto
the first hemisphere 14 by pressure caused by vertical movement in
the direction of arrow 92 in combination with the vacuum within the
cavity 59 to apply the radially outer portion 40 onto the first
hemisphere 14 as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11, an edge
portion of the first film of material 32 that remains outside of
the cavity 59 of the mold 58 can be trimmed away with a trimming
device 98, such as a knife.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 12, the mechanism 72 in FIG. 7 is operated
to remove the inner core 12 from the cavity 59 and the inner core
12 is released from suction cup 76 by shutting off vacuum source
77, the inner core 12 is then rotated 180 degrees with respect to
vertical, and the above stated process can be repeated for the
second hemisphere 16 of the inner core 12. Thereafter the inner
core 12 and films of material 32, 34 are covered by the outer cover
36, via for example casting.
[0033] In an alternate example, instead of manual operation, the
mechanism 72 can include an actuator, such as a conventional
pneumatic, hydraulic and/or electrical device for causing pivoting
movement of the pivot arm 84 or operate a straight line shaft.
Operation of the actuator can be controlled by a control circuit
103 that also controls operation of the vacuum 68 and optionally
the vacuum 77 to provide an automated process according to the
methods described herein above (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The control
circuit 103 can have one or more control sections, each having a
memory and a processor for sending and receiving electronic control
signals and for communicating with other components, such as for
example the actuator 101 and/or the vacuums 68 and 77. The
structure and electrical connections of this type of system are
within the skill of one having ordinary skill in the art.
Advantageously, the control circuit 103 can be programmed to
automatically control the insertion depth of the inner core 12 into
the cavity 59 at which the vacuum 68 is operated to apply suction
force in the cavity 59, thus applying the combination of pressure
and vacuum. The insertion depth and pressure-to-vacuum ratio can be
selected based upon the material and makeup of the first and second
films of materials 32, 34 and/or the consistency and/or scale of
the images thereon. In certain examples, the amount of suction
force applied by the vacuum 68 and/or the rate at which the inner
core 12 is inserted into the cavity 59 can also be selected by the
operator and programmed into the control circuit 103 for automated
processing. These features thus provide flexibility and allow for
the noted consistency in the desired appearance of the final image
on the bowling ball 10. The orientation of the mechanism 72 also
can vary from that shown and described. For example, the inner core
12 can be lifted to apply pressure, rather than lowered, as
described herein.
[0034] The present disclosure thus provides a method of decorating
a bowling ball that includes the steps of providing a spherical
bowling ball inner core, providing a mold having a cavity for
receiving the bowling ball inner core, placing a conformable
decorative first film of material over the cavity, and pressing the
bowling ball inner core into the cavity so that the bowling ball
inner core stretches the first film of material into the cavity and
so that the first film of material adheres onto the bowling ball
inner core. A vacuum is created in the cavity and the bowling ball
inner core is simultaneously further pressed into the cavity so
that the bowling ball inner core further stretches the first film
of material and the first film of material further adheres onto the
bowling ball inner core. The bowling ball inner core and the first
film of material can then be covered with a transparent outer
cover. The vacuum in the cavity tends to draw the first web of
material into the cavity, away from the bowling ball inner core.
The bowling ball inner core has opposing first and second
hemispheres. The first hemisphere is pressed into the cavity to
thereby apply the first film of material to the first
hemisphere.
[0035] The present disclosure further explains that a conformable
decorative second film of material can be placed over the cavity
and the second hemisphere of the bowling ball inner core can be
pressed into the cavity so that the second hemisphere stretches the
second film of material and so that the second film of material
adheres onto the second hemisphere. Thereafter, a vacuum is created
in the cavity and the second hemisphere is simultaneously further
pressed into the cavity so that the second hemisphere further
stretches the second film of material and the second film of
material further adheres onto the second hemisphere.
[0036] A circumferential edge of the first film of material and
second film of material can be trimmed at the base of the first and
second hemispheres after the respective films of material are
stretched onto the respective hemispheres.
[0037] The bowling ball inner core can be vertically supported
above the mold and vertically lowered into the cavity to thereby
stretch the first film of material into the cavity and adhere the
first film of material onto the bowling ball inner core. Continuing
to vertically lower the bowling ball inner core into the cavity
while applying a vacuum in the cavity further stretches the first
film of material onto the bowling ball inner core and the first
film of material further adheres onto the bowling ball inner
core.
[0038] This method thereby provides the decorative bowling ball
having a spherical inner core of a first material, the inner core
having opposing first and second hemispheres, first and second
decorative films of material, the first decorative film of material
adhered to the first hemisphere and the second film of material
adhered to the second hemisphere, and an outer cover of a second
different material covering the inner core and the first and second
films of material. The first hemisphere has an axis of symmetry, a
pole located on the axis of symmetry, and an outer surface that
circumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator of
the spherical inner core. The first decorative film of material has
a central portion that is applied to the pole by pressure alone.
The first decorative film of material has an outer portion
surrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by
a combination of pressure and vacuum. The second hemisphere has an
axis of symmetry, a pole located on the axis of symmetry coincident
to the axis of symmetry of the first hemisphere, and an outer
surface that circumferentially extends away from the pole towards
an equator of the bowling ball inner core. The second decorative
film of material has a central portion that is applied to the pole
by pressure alone. The second decorative film of material has an
outer portion surrounding the central portion and applied to the
outer surface by a combination of pressure and vacuum.
* * * * *