US3432165A - Game ball - Google Patents
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- US3432165A US3432165A US467704A US3432165DA US3432165A US 3432165 A US3432165 A US 3432165A US 467704 A US467704 A US 467704A US 3432165D A US3432165D A US 3432165DA US 3432165 A US3432165 A US 3432165A
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- playball
- shell
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- rubber
- pressure
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- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 31
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 12
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 11
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 11
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000012763 reinforcing filler Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 6
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 5
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 4
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 3
- 238000013329 compounding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia chloride Chemical compound [NH4+].[Cl-] NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- KAKZBPTYRLMSJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Butadiene Chemical compound C=CC=C KAKZBPTYRLMSJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 2
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- LPXPTNMVRIOKMN-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium nitrite Chemical compound [Na+].[O-]N=O LPXPTNMVRIOKMN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 238000004073 vulcanization Methods 0.000 description 2
- NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acrylonitrile Chemical compound C=CC#N NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005062 Polybutadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019270 ammonium chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001873 dinitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008240 homogeneous mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002857 polybutadiene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001195 polyisoprene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010112 shell-mould casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000010288 sodium nitrite Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D22/00—Producing hollow articles
- B29D22/04—Spherical articles, e.g. balls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2007/00—Use of natural rubber as moulding material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2009/00—Use of rubber derived from conjugated dienes, as moulding material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2021/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2055/00—Use of specific polymers obtained by polymerisation reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2023/00 - B29K2049/00, e.g. having a vinyl group, as moulding material
- B29K2055/02—ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
- B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
- B29K2105/16—Fillers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2423/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as filler
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2423/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as filler
- B29K2423/10—Polymers of propylene
- B29K2423/12—PP, i.e. polypropylene
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/54—Balls
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S273/00—Amusement devices: games
- Y10S273/12—Propylene
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S273/00—Amusement devices: games
- Y10S273/16—Acrylic
Definitions
- a prcssureless ball e.g., a tennis ball comprising a hoilow sphere of a vulcanised elastomeric composition containing dispersed discrete particles of a reinforcing filler comprising acrylonitrile-butadienc-styrene copoiymers or polypropylene.
- This invention relates to playballs, including in particular lawn tennis balls, which will be referred to hereafter as tennis balls.
- a playball usually consists of a hollow sphere made of an elastic medium which is usually a composition of rubber or rubber-like material suitably formulated to give properties appropriate to the playball.
- the hollow sphere (hereinafter called the playball-shell) contains a gas at a pressure above that of the atmosphere, the excess pressure in the case of a conventional playball usually being of the order of 10-12 lbs. per square inch above atmospheric pressure immediately after manufacture.
- the presence of the gas at this superatmospheric pressure modifies the properties of the playball so that desirable playing properties are obtained.
- the presence of the gas imparts a higher resilience to the playbali (i.e., it bounces higher when dropped from a fixed height) and it also increases the resistance of the playball to deformation under a radially applied load, such as, for instance, is applied by a racket when the ball is struck.
- a tennis ball which may be regarded as a particular type of playball in which the surface is covered by a textile medium composed of natural and/or synthetic fibres in an arrangement whereby the particular desirable playing properties of a tennis ball are achieved.
- playballs could be manufactured without the difiicultles associated with the conventional pressurised playball-shcil. Such diliicultles would be minimised or obviated if the excess pressure inside the playball-shell could be substantially reduced or made equal to zero. It will be appreciatcd that the nearer are the values of pressure on either side of the wall of the shell the slower is the rate of dif- 3,432,165 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 'ice fusion of gas from inside the shell and if the pressures are equal, no diffusion will take place.
- a substantially reduced super-atmospheric internal pressure there is meant a pressure which is substantially reduced as compared to the conventional internal pressure in piayball-shells. in the ease of a tennis ball, an internal pressure up to about 6 lbs. per sq. inch above atmospheric pressure is regarded as "substantially reduced” compared to the conventional pressure of 10-12 lbs. per sq. inch.
- a playball is made with a reduced or zero superatmosphcric internal pressure
- the wall of the shell must contribute significantly to or impart unaided the necessary properties of resilience and resistance to deformation.
- Satisfactory playballs can be made with reduced or zero super-atmospheric pressure by using substantially conventional rubber or rubber-like compositions while increasing the wall thickness of the piayball-shell by an appreciable amount. It is found, however, that by doing this the weight of the playball is substantially increased and in the case of a tennis ball, the resulting weight would be outside the limits set by the controlling authorities. Such a method is therefore not satisfactory.
- a playball-sheli comprises a self-supporting hollow sphere 1 of a vulcanized elastomeric composition, that is, a vulcanized natural and/or synthetic rubber composition in which is present a low density reinforcing filler 2 constituted by a thermoplastic synthetic resin of the self-reinforcing type, particles of which are dispersed in a matrix of the vulcanized natural and/or synthetic rubber composition.
- a textile covering 3 encloses the hollow sphere 1.
- a self-supporting hollow sphere there is meant a sphere which returns after deformation to a substantially spherical shape without the support of an internal bladder or other internal reinforcement.
- a synthetic resin of the self-reinforcing type there is meant a synthetic resin capable of forming articles of commerce in an uncompoundcd state.
- the present application does not include the use of resins of the conventional reinforcing type such as the resinous copolymers of butadiene and styrene which are normally used as compounding ingredients in the preparation of rubber compositions. Resins of the selfreiniorcing type are capable of being processed on conventional plastics equipment without the addition of other ingredients.
- thermoplastic synthetic resins of the self-reinforcing type useful as the filler 2 are polypropylene, and acrylonitrile/butadienc/styrcnc inter polymers.
- the reinforcing filler has a density of about i gram/cc, l.e., in the range O.80-l.25 grams/cc.
- the densities of the resins referred to above are as follows:
- These materials can be dispersed in natural and/or synthetic rubber compositions, c.g., in a proportion of up to 50% particulraly 20% to 40% by weight referred to the rubber content in the rubber composition, so that they are present in the form of small discrete particles. This csn be verified by observation of thin sections of the resulting composition under a high-powered microscope. It must be emphasised that the synthetic resins used here do not form homogeneous mixtures with the rubber composition matrix and do not take part in the vulcanization process (normally carried out with sulphur as vulcanising agent under the action of heat, assuming the composition is in fact a sulphur-vulcanisabie composition).
- the synthetic resin used is polypropylene or an acryionitriie-butadienestyrene interpolymer for instance
- mixing should be perforated so that the final temperature lies within the range l60-l90 C.
- the size of the discrete synthetic resin particles is found to be critically dependent on final mixing temperature, and their diameter size should preferably be within the range I to 5 microns. if larger particles are present, as occurs if the final mixing temperature is below 160 C. in the case of the particular synthetic resins just mentioned, the endurance of the playball-shell is appreciably reduced.
- the rubber composition is preferably a composition of natural rubber and/or a synthetic rubber similar in resilience properties to natural rubber. such as cis polyisoprene or polybutadiene.
- Compounding ingredients such as vulcanization agents and accelerators and high density reinforcing fillers such as carbon black may be added as re quircd.
- the requirements for a rubber composition to make a tennis ball shell are a composition resiliencc (as measured on the Dunlop Tripsomcter, British Standard 903 Part A 8) above 65% particularly 75-80%, and a composition hardness (as measured in accordance with British Standard 903 Part A 7) of above 65 degrees, particularly 75-80 degrees.
- an amount of -40 weight percent may be used to advantage.
- a substantially reduced super-atmospheric internal pressure may be induced inside the playball-sheli. for example, by including a nitrogen-generating combination of ingredients in the composition so as to produce a playbail-shell enclosing nitrogen at a super-atmospheric pressure of up to 6 lbs. per sq. inch.
- Playball-shells made from the mixtures given above, which were mixed so that the final temperature was 165' C. were formed by moulding the shells at a temperature of U5 C. for a period of seven minutes. They were then made into tennis balls by applying a conventional tennis ball meiton covering and were further moulded for 10 minutes at a temperature of 130 C.
- the resulting tennis balls were found to bounce to a height of 54" when dropped from a eight of (international Lawn Tennis Federation Specification: 53-58).
- the compression characteristics when measured in the. manner specified by the International Lawn Tennis Feel eration were also found to be satisfactory.
- Tennis balls were made from these playball-shells by applying tennis ball melton as before and moulding for a further 10 minutes at C.
- compositions described in any of the three applications may be blended together in any proportion and satisfactory playballs or tennis balls with substantially reduced or zero super-atmospheric internal pressure produced, given due attention to compounding and moulding conditions.
- a pressureless playball-shcll comprising a self supporting hollow sphere of a vulcanised clastomeric composition and a reinforcing filler present in an amount of about 20-40% by weight of the elastnmer in said composition, said fiiler being selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene interpoiymers and polypropylene, said filler having a density in the range of 0.8-1.25 grams/co, and being evenly distributed throughout said composition in the form of particles having diameters in the range of 1-5 microns.
- a playball-shell according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing filler is polypropylene.
- a playbail-shell according to claim 1, wherein theelastomeric composition comprises polybutndlene.
- a pressureless lawn tennis ball comprising a shell as claimed in claim I, and a textile medium covering the shell.
Description
March 11, 1969 R- c. HAINES ETAL 3,432,165
GAME BALL Filed June 28, 1965 VULCANIZED ELASTOMERI'C Q N A w 5 m f. O WSL I m m 5 V O O ETE P N M M um O YND C ZPE TIH OmGS M N Y W L A G O H N P. A m aw W ORM M o snw EN 5 KLMMQ L T E n R TC X ACNI E PAlM T United States Patent 28,325/64 US. Cl. 273-61 Int. Cl. A63b 39/06 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A prcssureless ball, e.g., a tennis ball comprising a hoilow sphere of a vulcanised elastomeric composition containing dispersed discrete particles of a reinforcing filler comprising acrylonitrile-butadienc-styrene copoiymers or polypropylene.
This invention relates to playballs, including in particular lawn tennis balls, which will be referred to hereafter as tennis balls.
A playball usually consists of a hollow sphere made of an elastic medium which is usually a composition of rubber or rubber-like material suitably formulated to give properties appropriate to the playball.
Usually the hollow sphere (hereinafter called the playball-shell) contains a gas at a pressure above that of the atmosphere, the excess pressure in the case of a conventional playball usually being of the order of 10-12 lbs. per square inch above atmospheric pressure immediately after manufacture. The presence of the gas at this superatmospheric pressure modifies the properties of the playball so that desirable playing properties are obtained. in particular, the presence of the gas imparts a higher resilience to the playbali (i.e., it bounces higher when dropped from a fixed height) and it also increases the resistance of the playball to deformation under a radially applied load, such as, for instance, is applied by a racket when the ball is struck.
it will be appreciated that the above remarks apply equally to a tennis ball which may be regarded as a particular type of playball in which the surface is covered by a textile medium composed of natural and/or synthetic fibres in an arrangement whereby the particular desirable playing properties of a tennis ball are achieved.
Although the super-atmospheric pressure existing inside the playball-shell imparts desirable playing properties to the playball, corresponding undesirable characteristics are also attendant which are related to the slow diffusion of gas from the interior of the playball-shell due to the differential pressure existing on each side of the wall of the shell. Due to the effect of super-atmospheric internal pressure on the playing qualities of the ball, these qualities change accordingly and a stage is reached when the playing qualities are unsatisfactory. It is consequently necessary for playballs either to be used within a certain specitied time after manufacture or for the balls to be enclosed in pressurised tins or other containers prior to use so that the pressure dillerential across the wall of the playballshell is reduced or eliminated. Both procedures entail inconvenience and expense.
it will be appreciated that it would be an advantage if playballs could be manufactured without the difiicultles associated with the conventional pressurised playball-shcil. Such diliicultles would be minimised or obviated if the excess pressure inside the playball-shell could be substantially reduced or made equal to zero. it will be appreciatcd that the nearer are the values of pressure on either side of the wall of the shell the slower is the rate of dif- 3,432,165 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 'ice fusion of gas from inside the shell and if the pressures are equal, no diffusion will take place.
' The manufacture of playballs incorporating a substantially reduced or zero superatmospheric internal pressure is accordingly an object of this invention.
By a substantially reduced super-atmospheric internal pressure there is meant a pressure which is substantially reduced as compared to the conventional internal pressure in piayball-shells. in the ease of a tennis ball, an internal pressure up to about 6 lbs. per sq. inch above atmospheric pressure is regarded as "substantially reduced" compared to the conventional pressure of 10-12 lbs. per sq. inch.
If a playball is made with a reduced or zero superatmosphcric internal pressure, the wall of the shell must contribute significantly to or impart unaided the necessary properties of resilience and resistance to deformation. Satisfactory playballs can be made with reduced or zero super-atmospheric pressure by using substantially conventional rubber or rubber-like compositions while increasing the wall thickness of the piayball-shell by an appreciable amount. it is found, however, that by doing this the weight of the playball is substantially increased and in the case of a tennis ball, the resulting weight would be outside the limits set by the controlling authorities. Such a method is therefore not satisfactory.
It has been found that the desired properties of resilience resistance to deformation and weight can be obtained by using special compositions of low density incorporating as reinforcing fillers certain thermoplastic synthetic resins having densities. within the range 0.80- 1.25 gm./cc., in dispersed form.
Referring to the drawing, the sole figure is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention.
According to the present invention a playball-sheli comprises a self-supporting hollow sphere 1 of a vulcanized elastomeric composition, that is, a vulcanized natural and/or synthetic rubber composition in which is present a low density reinforcing filler 2 constituted by a thermoplastic synthetic resin of the self-reinforcing type, particles of which are dispersed in a matrix of the vulcanized natural and/or synthetic rubber composition. A textile covering 3 encloses the hollow sphere 1.
By a self-supporting hollow sphere there is meant a sphere which returns after deformation to a substantially spherical shape without the support of an internal bladder or other internal reinforcement. By a synthetic resin of the self-reinforcing type there is meant a synthetic resin capable of forming articles of commerce in an uncompoundcd state. The present application does not include the use of resins of the conventional reinforcing type such as the resinous copolymers of butadiene and styrene which are normally used as compounding ingredients in the preparation of rubber compositions. Resins of the selfreiniorcing type are capable of being processed on conventional plastics equipment without the addition of other ingredients. Some examples of thermoplastic synthetic resins of the self-reinforcing type useful as the filler 2 are polypropylene, and acrylonitrile/butadienc/styrcnc inter polymers.
Normally the reinforcing filler has a density of about i gram/cc, l.e., in the range O.80-l.25 grams/cc. The densities of the resins referred to above are as follows:
Polypropylene 0.9 ABS. i.0l-l.06
These materials can be dispersed in natural and/or synthetic rubber compositions, c.g., in a proportion of up to 50% particulraly 20% to 40% by weight referred to the rubber content in the rubber composition, so that they are present in the form of small discrete particles. This csn be verified by observation of thin sections of the resulting composition under a high-powered microscope. It must be emphasised that the synthetic resins used here do not form homogeneous mixtures with the rubber composition matrix and do not take part in the vulcanization process (normally carried out with sulphur as vulcanising agent under the action of heat, assuming the composition is in fact a sulphur-vulcanisabie composition).
it has been found that due attention must be paid to the temperature at which the synthetic resin is mixed into the rubber composition, if fully satisfactory playbail properties are to be obtained. Thus if the synthetic resin used is polypropylene or an acryionitriie-butadienestyrene interpolymer for instance, mixing should be perforated so that the final temperature lies within the range l60-l90 C. The size of the discrete synthetic resin particles is found to be critically dependent on final mixing temperature, and their diameter size should preferably be within the range I to 5 microns. if larger particles are present, as occurs if the final mixing temperature is below 160 C. in the case of the particular synthetic resins just mentioned, the endurance of the playball-shell is appreciably reduced. if the final mixing temperatures higher than l90 C. are used, referring still to these particular synthetic resins, it is found that the resilience of the rubber composition matrix is markedly reduced owing to thermal degradation, and the bouncing properties of the resulting playball are adversely affected.
The rubber composition is preferably a composition of natural rubber and/or a synthetic rubber similar in resilience properties to natural rubber. such as cis polyisoprene or polybutadiene. Compounding ingredients such as vulcanization agents and accelerators and high density reinforcing fillers such as carbon black may be added as re quircd. in general the requirements for a rubber composition to make a tennis ball shell are a composition resiliencc (as measured on the Dunlop Tripsomcter, British Standard 903 Part A 8) above 65% particularly 75-80%, and a composition hardness (as measured in accordance with British Standard 903 Part A 7) of above 65 degrees, particularly 75-80 degrees. When the filler is A.B.S. an amount of -40 weight percent may be used to advantage.
If desired a substantially reduced super-atmospheric internal pressure may be induced inside the playball-sheli. for example, by including a nitrogen-generating combination of ingredients in the composition so as to produce a playbail-shell enclosing nitrogen at a super-atmospheric pressure of up to 6 lbs. per sq. inch.
The invention is illustrated in the following examples. in which all parts are parts by weight.
EXAMPLE I Natural 100. A.B.8. 86.
Sulphur Di honyl uenldtne DI mth yldlsulphide I AJLB. is an serylonltrfle/butsdIsne/styrene tntorpoiymer.
Playball-shells made from the mixtures given above, which were mixed so that the final temperature was 165' C. were formed by moulding the shells at a temperature of U5 C. for a period of seven minutes. They were then made into tennis balls by applying a conventional tennis ball meiton covering and were further moulded for 10 minutes at a temperature of 130 C.
The resulting tennis balls were found to bounce to a height of 54" when dropped from a eight of (international Lawn Tennis Federation Specification: 53-58). The compression characteristics when measured in the. manner specified by the International Lawn Tennis Feel eration were also found to be satisfactory.
EXAMPLE Il ilayballs having a substantially reduced super-atmos pherie internal pressure may be manufactured from the Compositions given above but the manufacturing detail differ in the following respects:
(l) 0.09 gm. sodium nitrite and 0.08 gm. ammonium chloride crystals are introduced into the playball-sheli prior to moulding. Nitrogen gas is evolved during the moulding operation which produces a super-atmospheric pressure of 5 lbs/square inch inside the piayball-shell.
(2) The playbail-shell moulding operation is performed at a temperature of 145 C. for a period of seven minutes.
Tennis balls were made from these playball-shells by applying tennis ball melton as before and moulding for a further 10 minutes at C.
The bounce and compression characteristics were found to be satisfactory as before.
Attention is drawn to our two copending patent appiications No. 467,687, filed June 28, 1965, entitled "improvements in or Relating to Playballs" and No. 467,755, tiled June 28, 1965. entitled improvements in and Relating to Playballs." in these applications, alternative compositions are described which enable the present object to be achieved. It is to be understood that the compositions described in any of the three applications may be blended together in any proportion and satisfactory playballs or tennis balls with substantially reduced or zero super-atmospheric internal pressure produced, given due attention to compounding and moulding conditions.
We claim:
1. A pressureless playball-shcll comprising a self supporting hollow sphere of a vulcanised clastomeric composition and a reinforcing filler present in an amount of about 20-40% by weight of the elastnmer in said composition, said fiiler being selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene interpoiymers and polypropylene, said filler having a density in the range of 0.8-1.25 grams/co, and being evenly distributed throughout said composition in the form of particles having diameters in the range of 1-5 microns.
2. A playball-sheil according to claim I, wherein the eiastomerie composition comprises natural rubber.
3. A playball-sheli according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing filler is an aerylonitriie-butadiene-styrene interpoiymcr which is present in an amount of 30-40 percent by weight of the rubber.
4. A playball-shell according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing filler is polypropylene.
5. A playbail-shell according to claim 1, wherein theelastomeric composition comprises polybutndlene.
6. A pressureless lawn tennis ball comprising a shell as claimed in claim I, and a textile medium covering the shell.
References Cited FORElGN PATENTS 609,566 ll/l960 Canada. 636,395 2/1962 Canada.
GEORGE l. MARLO, Primary Examiner.
U.S. Cl. X.R. 260-4, 889, 893, 894; 273-65; 264-33l, 349
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB28325/64A GB1108555A (en) | 1964-07-09 | 1964-07-09 | Improvements relating to playballs |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3432165A true US3432165A (en) | 1969-03-11 |
Family
ID=10273886
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US467704A Expired - Lifetime US3432165A (en) | 1964-07-09 | 1965-06-28 | Game ball |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3432165A (en) |
GB (1) | GB1108555A (en) |
MY (1) | MY7000041A (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3572722A (en) * | 1966-07-22 | 1971-03-30 | Dunlop Co Ltd | Play balls |
US3666272A (en) * | 1966-06-28 | 1972-05-30 | Uniroyal Inc | Compositions of matter and solid golf balls made therefrom |
US3965055A (en) * | 1972-09-21 | 1976-06-22 | Uniroyal Inc. | Free curing rubber composition |
US4238537A (en) * | 1978-12-18 | 1980-12-09 | The National Latex Products Company | Process for rotational molding utilizing EVA and products produced therefrom |
AU658035B2 (en) * | 1991-12-19 | 1995-03-30 | Moore North America, Inc. | Water resistant security ink composition |
AU667328B2 (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1996-03-21 | Callaway Golf Company | Improved golf ball core compositions |
US6277920B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-08-21 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball cores formed from ultra-high mooney viscosity butadiene rubber |
US6315684B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-11-13 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball with soft core |
US6325730B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-12-04 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball with soft core |
US6376612B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-04-23 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball |
US6394915B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-05-28 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball cores formed from blends of neodymium and cobalt synthesized high molecular weight butadiene rubber |
US6413172B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-07-02 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball with soft core |
US6419594B1 (en) | 1993-06-01 | 2002-07-16 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Distance multi-layer golf ball |
US6422953B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-07-23 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball |
US20060135287A1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf ball |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4765853A (en) * | 1987-10-07 | 1988-08-23 | Hoffman Allan C | Method of making a pressurized ball |
US10918913B2 (en) * | 2018-08-28 | 2021-02-16 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Tennis ball |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA609566A (en) * | 1960-11-29 | Dunlop Rubber Company Limited | Games balls | |
CA636395A (en) * | 1962-02-13 | J. Crowley Cornelius | Composite cover and method of making same |
-
1964
- 1964-07-09 GB GB28325/64A patent/GB1108555A/en not_active Expired
-
1965
- 1965-06-28 US US467704A patent/US3432165A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1970
- 1970-12-31 MY MY197041A patent/MY7000041A/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA609566A (en) * | 1960-11-29 | Dunlop Rubber Company Limited | Games balls | |
CA636395A (en) * | 1962-02-13 | J. Crowley Cornelius | Composite cover and method of making same |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3666272A (en) * | 1966-06-28 | 1972-05-30 | Uniroyal Inc | Compositions of matter and solid golf balls made therefrom |
US3572722A (en) * | 1966-07-22 | 1971-03-30 | Dunlop Co Ltd | Play balls |
US3965055A (en) * | 1972-09-21 | 1976-06-22 | Uniroyal Inc. | Free curing rubber composition |
US4238537A (en) * | 1978-12-18 | 1980-12-09 | The National Latex Products Company | Process for rotational molding utilizing EVA and products produced therefrom |
AU658035B2 (en) * | 1991-12-19 | 1995-03-30 | Moore North America, Inc. | Water resistant security ink composition |
US6325730B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-12-04 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball with soft core |
US6394915B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-05-28 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball cores formed from blends of neodymium and cobalt synthesized high molecular weight butadiene rubber |
US6239222B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-05-29 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball core compositions |
US6277920B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-08-21 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball cores formed from ultra-high mooney viscosity butadiene rubber |
US6315684B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2001-11-13 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball with soft core |
AU667328B2 (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1996-03-21 | Callaway Golf Company | Improved golf ball core compositions |
US6376612B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-04-23 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball |
US5895105A (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1999-04-20 | Lisco, Inc. | Golf ball cover compositions |
US6413172B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-07-02 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball with soft core |
US6739985B2 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2004-05-25 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf ball cores formed from blends of neodymium and cobalt synthesized high molecular weight butadiene rubber |
US6422953B1 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2002-07-23 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball |
US6596797B2 (en) | 1992-04-24 | 2003-07-22 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Golf ball core compositions |
US6419594B1 (en) | 1993-06-01 | 2002-07-16 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Distance multi-layer golf ball |
US20060135287A1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf ball |
US7199192B2 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2007-04-03 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf ball |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MY7000041A (en) | 1970-12-31 |
DE1478021A1 (en) | 1970-01-08 |
GB1108555A (en) | 1968-04-03 |
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