Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-1-
COMPUTERIZED GAME BALL CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/166,970, filed
October 6, 1998, now pending. That application is hereby incorporated herein
by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method for customizing game balls. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a method, using a computer
network, for
soliciting orders for customized game balls, including, for example, allowing
a user to
transmit to the supplier, manufacturer or retailer customized indicia to be
printed on the
customized game balls.
Presently, ordering customized game balls requires telephoning or physically
going
to a supplier, manufacturer or retailer to discuss and order game balls with
the desired
characteristics. Furthermore, pad printing, the currently used method of
forming
customized indicia on a game ball, is a time consuming, labor intensive and
very
expensive process. Thus, use of pad printing to form indicia on game balls
makes
customizing game balls over a computer network difficult if not impossible.
With pad printing, the desired image is first etched onto a metal plate or
masked
onto a photopolymer plate. This is a time consuming, labor intensive,
expensive process.
Also, polymeric silicone printing pads of the correct shape and hardness must
be supplied
to the stamping machine on a regular basis to replace worn polymeric silicone
printing
pads. Furthermore, a different plate must be etched for each different color
desired to be
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99123296
-2-
printed on the ball. For each different color, either a color separation
process must be
performed on a computer into a Munsell, Pantone or other color matching
system, or the
desired color of ink must be mixed off line, diluted to the correct viscosity,
and set up on a
pad print machine. The pad print machine must then be cleaned and set up for
each
successive printing job.
Computerized order systems are commonly used to customize purchases.
However, such computer customization systems have been unsuitable for ordering
game
balls because of the technical nature of the design criteria for game balls,
and because of
the burdensome process by which game balls are currently marked with custom
indicia.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method for soliciting or placing orders for
customized
game balls. The present method includes providing a game ball order form
accessible
through a computer network by one or more users from one or more remote sites.
The
present method further includes providing one or more possible design
criteria, requesting
the user to customize a game ball by entering at least one of the design
criteria on the
order form, requesting the user to submit the order form through the computer
network,
and receiving the order form.
The design criteria may include customizing indicia to be printed on the
surface of
the game ball. Ink jet printing is the preferred method of printing the
indicia on a game
ball. Ink jet printing technology, described in Appendix A below, as well as
in U.S. Ser.
No. 09/166,970, allows the manufacturer or printer to quickly customize the
indicia to be
printed on the game ball. This is because the image can simply be generated on
or
scanned into a computer and printed on the game ball as it appears on the
screen. No
dedicated printing plate needs to be etched. This quick and simple ink jet
printing process
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-3-
makes it easy to solicit orders for customized game balls on which custom
indicia are
desired. Furthermore, with ink jet printing, no color separation process is
necessary for
complex images/colors. Thus, mufti-color indicia patterns may be easily
applied to game
balls, as the different colors may be printed at the same time, without having
to execute
S the printing process separately for each different color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a flow chart showing a preferred embodiment of the present method
for
soliciting orders for customized game balls using a computer network.
Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing an integrated manufacturing process for
customizing
the dimple type on a golf ball.
Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing an integrated manufacturing process for
customizing
the compression value of a golf ball.
Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an integrated manufacturing process for
customizing
the indicia on a golf ball.
Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing an alternative integrated manufacturing process
for
ordering, customizing and delivering game balls with custom indicia via a
computer
network.
Fig. 6 shows a golf ball having indicia comprising ink jet printable ink in
accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing two methods for applying ink jet printable
indicia to
a game ball by indirect transfer.
Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a method for applying ink jet printable indicia
to a
game ball using a direct printing method.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-4-
Fig. 9 depicts a method for applying indicia to a game ball via a logo
stamping
machine using ink j et printed ink.
Fig. 10 depicts the adaptations made to the drive system of an ink jet printer
to
allow for accommodation of a game ball.
$ Fig. 11 depicts a golf ball with an indicia imprinted by an ink jet printer
using
solvent-based (non-aqueous) ink after being subjected to the wet barrel
durability test.
Fig. 12 depicts a golf ball with indicia imprinted by custom stamping - by pad
printing using a conventional solvent-borne pad printable ink - after being
subjected to the
wet barrel durability test.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the invention will be described in connection with one or more
embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those
embodiments.
On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as
may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The preferred method of the present invention for soliciting or placing orders
for
customized game balls using a computer network is shown in the flow chart of
Fig. 1. The
preferred method generally includes the step 105 of providing a game ball
order form
accessible through a computer network by one or more users from one or more
remote
sites, the step 110 of providing one or more possible design criteria, the
step 115 of
requesting the user to customize a game ball by entering at least one of the
design criteria
on the order form, the step 125 of requesting the user to submit the order
form through the
computer network, and the step 130 of receiving the order form. The preferred
method
may also include the step 135 of determining whether to accept the order
represented by
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-5-
the customized game ball order form, and the step 140 of manufacturing one or
more
customized game balls according to the customized game ball order form.
The step 105 of providing a game ball order form accessible through a computer
network by one or more users from one or more remote sites may be accomplished
by
including such an order form on a manufacturer's, supplier's or retailer's
website on the
Internet. Alternatively, the order form may be sent to users via e-mail. The
present
method may include the step 120 of requesting various information from the
user
including, but not limited to, his or her name, address, place of business,
work and home
phone number(s), fax number, e-mail address, and credit card number and
expiration date.
In some circumstances, a user may be asked to provide a predetermined
identification
number. In an embodiment where a pro shop or retailer is placing the order
with a
manufacturer, this step 120 may also include requesting a predetermined
identification
number corresponding to that pro shop or retailer.
In accordance with the present method, the manufacturer, supplier or retailer
may
carry out the step 110 of providing to the user one or more possible design
criteria which
may be used to customize game balls. As explained below, these design criteria
generally
define the characteristics of a specific game ball or game balls in general.
The design
criteria which generally apply to all types of game balls may include the
color, quantity
and type of game balls. The user is then asked to customize the desired game
ball by
entering at least one design criterion on the order form to be applied to the
customized
game balls (step 115). The user may enter the desired design criteria by
either typing in
the desired values for each criterion, or by selecting one value from a choice
of values.
In the preferred embodiment, the user may choose the particular type of game
ball
that he or she desires to customize. For example, the user may choose to
customize golf
balls, footballs, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, volleyballs, soccer
balls, tennis balls, or
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00!21014 PCTNS99/23296
-6-
other types of game balls. The user may then further customize the game ball
by entering
additional desired design criteria, including design criteria specific to the
chosen game
ball. For example, a user may select a golf ball as the desired type of game
ball to
customize. Because there are certain design criteria that apply specifically
to golf balls but
not to other types of game balls, the present method may include providing a
specific set
of design criteria corresponding to golf balls. This set of golf ball design
criteria may
include, but is not limited to, amount of compression, coefficient of
restitution, level of
spin, dimple pattern, shape of dimples, number of dimples, dimple size,
overall dimple
volume, percent of dimple coverage, distance level, core type, cover material,
cover
appearance, level of control, and trajectory level. Each of these design
criteria will be
discussed below.
One advantage of the present invention is that a user can select any value
within a
range of acceptable values for certain design criteria. For example,
compression may be
such a customizable design criterion. Standard golf balls are generally sold
with a PGA
compression of 70-110. However, the present invention may allow a user to
specify any
compression value from within a given range of acceptable values. The
acceptable values
will generally be determined based on acceptable manufacturing criteria or
limitations.
For example, a user may be able to choose any PGA compression in multiples of
S from
within the range of 70-110, thus allowing the user to obtain a golf ball that
will perfect his
or her personal golf game.
The acceptable manufacturing criteria or limitations may dictate that the
desired
value of compression, hardness, etc. must be rounded to.the nearest 10,
nearest 5, nearest
integer or nearest tenth of an integer. For example, if a user believes a
Shore D cover
hardness of 56.4 is ideal, this user would select 60 if the manufacturing
criteria call for a
multiple of 10, 55 if the manufacturing criteria call for a multiple of S, 56
if the
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
manufacturing criteria require an integer-value, or 56.4 if the manufacturing
criteria allow
increments of one tenth of an integer for the Shore D hardness value. This
ability to select
any value is discussed further below with regard to other customizable design
criteria.
For the level of spin of a golf ball, the possible choices may include, for
example,
extra high, high, medium, low, or extra low, for a specific set of conditions
such as, for
example, launch, speed, or club type. Alternatively, the user may identify a
specific value
of maximum 8-iron spin such as, 8100 RPM, or a maximum driver spin such as
3400
RPM. This option to specify a maximum 8-iron or driver spin value is
advantageous as it
allows a user to tweak the value of spin in order to perfect his or her own
golf game. The
selected value for the maximum 8-iron spin may be chosen from a range of
values such as,
for example, 6000 - 10000 RPM, with acceptable manufacturing criteria being
increments
of 500. Similarly, the selected value for the maximum drive spin may be chosen
from a
range of values such as, for example, 2000 - 5000 RPM, with acceptable
manufacturing
criteria being minimum increments of 500.
For the dimple pattern, the possible choices may include, for example,
icosahedron, dodecahedron, single radius icosadodecahedron, dual radius
icosadodecahedron, tetrahedron, and counter rotating double helix. The
possible choices
for the shape of the dimples on the golf ball may include, for example,
circular, tear-drop,
ellipsoid, or any combination of these shapes. The possible choices for the
distance level
of the customized golf ball may include, for example, average, long or extra
long. The
possible choices for core type include, for example, wound, solid or liquid,
single layer, or
multi-layer.
The cover material design criterion for each layer of the cover may allow a
user to
select among several different materials such as, for example, balata,
polyurethane,
metallocene catalyzed polyolefin, polyamide, elastomer, titanium, ionomer, or
particular
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCTNS99/23296
_g_
blends containing ionomer or other materials, for example, ZinthaneTM II
(Trademark of
Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc., Chicopee, MA), TerthaneTM (Trademark of
Spalding
Sports Worldwide, Inc., Chicopee, MA), Surlyn~ (Registered Trademark of E.I.
Du Pont,
Wilmington, DE), or Iotek~ (Registered Trademark of Exxon Corp.). For the
level of
control, the user may select, for example, low, average, high or extra high.
The trajectory
level is another possible design criterion, allowing a user to select, for
example, an ultra
low, low, medium, high, or ultra high trajectory level.
The "cover appearance" referred to above may include the incorporation of
clear
"windows" in the outer cover of the ball, allowing the underlying layer, such
as a mantle
layer, to be partially visible. Non-limiting examples of such windows are
provided in U.S.
Des. Nos. 410,511; 410,979; 411,599; 412,193; 410,512; 412,543; and 412,954,
and U.S.
Patent Application No. 09/049,868, the contents of which are incorporated
herein by
reference.
Other golf ball design criteria not already mentioned above, which the present
method may allow a user to customize, include, but are not limited to, cover
thickness
(e.g., .03 - .10 inches in increments of .O1 inches), construction type (e.g.,
two-piece,
wound, multi-layer), and cover Shore D hardness (e.g., 40 - 70, increments of
1) for
various parts of the ball.
One important advantage of the present method is the ability for a user to
quickly
and easily order game balls personalized with custom indicia or logos. As
explained
above, the preferred method of applying custom indicia or logos to a game ball
is to use an
ink jet printer. This method of forming indicia on a game ball is fully
discussed and
disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/166,970, which is the parent application to this
application.
Ink jet printing allows multi-color indicia patterns to be easily applied to
game balls,
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-9-
because the different colors may be printed at the same time, without having
to execute the
printing process separately for each different color.
Generally, there are two ways indicia may be applied to a game ball using an
ink
jet printer. The indicia may be printed directly onto the game ball by the ink
jet printer.
Alternatively, the indicia may be printed onto a pad, then is transferred from
the pad onto
the game ball. Since the pad is just a transfer medium, not a custom-etched
part, the same
pad can be used to print many different indicia. This facilitates a short-run
custom
manufacturing facility. A further advantage of the present invention is that
rather than
applying indicia onto a completely finished game ball, the indicia may be
applied to a
game ball before any clear finishing or protective layers are applied to the
ball. For
example, golf balls are often manufactured with a clear protective top coat to
maximize
durability. It is possible to apply custom indicia either directly onto the
top coat of the
golf ball, or onto the golf ball before the top coat is applied. The latter
method is more
advantageous because the durability of the indicia or logo itself, in addition
to the
1 S durability of the golf ball, is maximized. Because a preferred embodiment
of the present
method includes the step of manufacturing a certain number of customized game
balls
according to the customized game ball order form, it is easy to apply the
indicia or logo
before applying any desired protective layer.
The next step 120 of the present method is to ask the user to provide any
information to complete the current order. For example, the user may be asked
to provide
his or her name, address, place of business, work and home phone number(s),
fax number,
e-mail address, and credit card number and expiration date. In some
circumstances, a user
may be asked to provide a predetermined identification number.
Once all of the relevant and/or necessary information has been provided by the
user on the game ball order form, the user is asked to submit the completed
order form to
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCTNS99/23296
-10-
the manufacturer, retailer or supplier over the computer network, thus placing
the order
(step 125). In a preferred embodiment, the user may be given alternative
options before
submitting the completed form. For example, the user may be able to clear the
form and
start over, revise the form, save the form in a database for a predetermined
amount of time
before actually placing the order, or cancel the order altogether. Once the
order form is
submitted by the user, the present method includes the step 130 of receiving
the completed
order form by a second party, generally the party who will fill the order
(e.g., the
manufacturer, supplier or retailer).
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the party who receives the
completed order form (i.e., manufacturer, supplier, retailer) may carry out
the step 135 of
determining whether or not to accept the order. This feature of the present
invention
prevents the manufacturer, supplier or retailer from attempting to fill an
impracticable or
impossible order, or from filling an order for a user who has provided a
false, invalid or
cancelled credit card. After the party who receives the completed order form
decides to
accept the order (step 135), the order may be filled (step 140).
One advantage of the present invention is that the manufacturing process may
be
integrated as part of the overall customization process. This integration may
be
accomplished by, for example, translating the design criteria data into
manufacturing
control data to be used directly by the machinery at a manufacturing facility.
The
manufacturing facilities, which operate to create the customized game balls,
generally
comprise different machines operated in a series for making the game ball. For
example,
there may be a ball-molding apparatus which can mold a golf ball with the
dimple type
selected by the user on the game ball order form. Figure 2 illustrates an
integrated
manufacturing process for customizing the dimple type on a golf ball.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/IJS99/23296
-11-
After the customized order form is accepted (step 135 of Figure 1 ), the order
may
then be received by the manufacturing facility (step 210). This may be
accomplished by,
for example, sending the order to the manufacturing facility via e-mail or by
loading the
data from the order form onto a data base accessible by the manufacturing
facility. The
manufacturing facility can alternatively receive the order directly from the
original sender
or user, without intermediate transfers. The present invention may include the
step 220 of
reading the specific data or information corresponding to the dimple type
chosen by the
user. Generally, this specific data would be read by the ball-molding
apparatus, so the
ball-molding apparatus may then carry out the step 230 of selecting an
appropriate mold
for the golf ball corresponding to the dimple type chosen by the user.
The next step 240 may include setting up the ball-molding apparatus with
appropriate values to prepare the machine to mold the custom balls. For
example, once
the appropriate mold is selected according to the custom dimple type data, the
ball-
molding apparatus should put the con: esponding mold into place for molding.
Further, the
apparatus should be set up to make the proper number of molded golf balls.
Finally, the
present method may include the step 250 of activating or running the ball-
molding
apparatus to physically mold the balls as desired by the user.
Another example of the manufacturing process being integrated into the overall
customization process is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 illustrates an integrated
manufacturing process for customizing the compression value of a golf ball.
As with Figure 2, after the customized order form is accepted (step 135 of
Figure
1), the order may then be received by the manufacturing facility {step 310).
As already
explained, this may be accomplished by, for example, sending the order to the
manufacturing facility via e-mail or by loading the data from the order form
onto a data
base which may be accessed by the manufacturing facility. The present
invention may
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCTNS99/23296
-12-
also include the step 320 of reading the specific data or information
corresponding to the
compression value chosen by the user. This specific data may be read by, for
example, a
polymer foaming apparatus. Next, the polymer farming apparatus may carry out
the step
330 of selecting and making an appropriate polymer formulation for the golf
ball
corresponding to the compression value chosen by the user.
The next step 340 may include preparing the polymer forming apparatus to
create
the appropriate formation. For example, once the appropriate formulation is
selected (step
330) according to the custom compression value, the polymer forming apparatus
should
set various values to make the proper amount of polymer for the desired number
of golf
balls. Finally, the present method may include the step 350 of activating or
running the
polymer forming apparatus to physically compound the polymer corresponding to
the
desired compression value.
Another example illustrating an integrated manufacturing process is shown in
Figure 4. Figure 4 illustrates a general manufacturing process for customizing
indicia on a
game ball. As in Figures 2 and 3, after the customized order form is accepted
(step 135 of
Figure 1 ), the order may then be received by the manufacturing facility (step
410). The
present method may also include the step 420 of reading the specific data or
information
corresponding to the desired custom indicia submitted by the user. This
specific data may
be read and saved into a file accessible by the ink jet printer which will be
used to form the
indicia on the game ball.
Next, the ink jet printer is activated (step 430) for printing indicia on the
customized game ball. This activation step 430 may include, for example,
loading the data
or information which defines the indicia into the printer memory, placing the
appropriate
game ball in place for printing, and running a preliminary check on the
printer. Then the
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00!21014 PCTNS99/23296
-13-
printer may print the indicia directly or via an intermediate pad onto the
game ball (step
440).
Another example illustrating an integrated manufacturing process of the
present
invention is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates a general manufacturing
process for
ordering, customizing and delivering game balls with custom indicia, via a
computer
network. As described with respect to Figures 2-4, after the customized order
form is
accepted (step 135 of Figure 1), the order may then be received by the
manufacturing
facility (step 510). Then, the data corresponding to the desired indicia is
uploaded into a
data spooling system connected to the game ball manufacturing facility (step
515). The
data spooling system may be, for example, a database or other memory storage
device.
Next, the user is provided with an order identification number associated with
the
particular order (step 520), after which the printing data is queued in a
printer system via
software or human interface (step 525). Based on the data uploaded to the data
spooling
system (see step 515), the appropriate game balls (e.g., the type of game
balls and the
number ordered) are allocated to a printing system (step 530), and the printer
prints the
desired indicia onto the game balls) (step 535). This printing system is
preferably an ink
jet printing system which is described in detail in Appendix A below.
According to the present invention, subsequent steps 540-560 may include
placing
the printed game balls in the proper packaging via a computerized system (step
540),
checking the user's present game ball order for accuracy (step 545), shipping
the game
balls to the user via a predetermined system such as, for example, ground,
overnight or
hand delivery (step 550), and notifying the user, via the computer network,
that the order
has been shipped, including providing the user with the order identification
number and
the shipping tracking number (step 555). The present invention may also
include the step
560 of storing in memory information provided by and identifying the user.
This
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-14-
information may include, for example, the user's name, address, phone,
occupation, and
prior orders. This information may then be accessed for various purposes such
as, for
example, to speed up future orders, or for future promotional e-mails or
postal mailings
from the manufacturer.
The present invention as described in this specification has numerous
advantages
over the prior art. For example, the present method of ordering custom game
balls is more
efficient, even for relatively small orders, because the order may be accessed
by the
manufacturing facility itself. Further, the present method of customizing game
balls is
much more flexible than prior customization methods in that there are many
more choices
available to the user. In addition, the present invention allows for a
consumer to order
custom golf balls from a computer terminal in a golf pro shop after the
consumer has
received the advice of the golf professional on what type of golf ball will
suit the
consumer's game. This advice may be coupled with a hitting net and feedback
system in
the golf pro shop.
APPENDIX A - INK JET PRINTING INDICIA ON A GAME BALL
One method of forming an image on a game ball using ink jet printing is an
indirect printing technique which involves printing indicia on a transfer
medium using an
ink jet printer and then transfernng the image from the transfer medium to the
game ball
surface. Another method is to print directly on a specially treated surface of
a game ball
using an ink j et printer.
As indicated in Fig. 6, a golf ball 608 has a central core 610, which can be
solid,
liquid, gas, gel, wound, or a combination of these, and a dimpled cover 612
surrounding
the core. Indicia 614 formed from an ink jet printable ink are formed over the
cover 612.
Optionally, an indicia receiving layer 615 is positioned between the indicia
614 and the
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/Z1014 PCT/US99/23296
-15-
cover 612. A protective top coat 616 is formed over the indicia 614. This top
coat 616
may cover the entire ball 608, though a partial topcoat 616 covering only a
somewhat
larger area than the indicia 614 is also contemplated.
Two methods of indirectly ink jet printing on a golf ball surface are depicted
in
Figure 7. As shown at 730, a golf ball is primed with an ink retaining primer.
An image is
ink jet printed onto a transfer sheet, as shown at 732, or transfer pad, as
shown at 734. If
the image is printed onto a transfer sheet, it is then transferred to a
transfer pad on a
stamping machine at 734'. The transfer pad, which is configured for printing
on the
surface of a golf ball, subsequently stamps the image on a golf ball surface
at 736. After
the image is applied, the surface of the ball and the indicia optionally can
be coated with a
suitable top coat at 738.
A method for directly ink jet printing on a golf ball is shown in Figure 8. As
shown at 840, a golf ball is primed with an ink retaining primer. After the
coating has
been applied, an image is ink jet printed directly onto the surface of the
primer at 842.
After the image has been applied, the surface of the ball and the indicia
optionally can be
coated with a suitable top coat at 844.
The method of ink jet printing as described herein can be used on curved
surfaces
of game balls such as golf balls, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, and the
like, and is
particularly useful on golf balls. It can be difficult to print on the curved
and dimpled
surface of a golf ball because the dimples tend to distort an image printed
thereon and
because the plastic cover of a golf ball, which typically is made of ionomer,
balata, or
polyurethane, has a low surface energy. The low surface energy of the ionomer
cover
makes adhesion difficult and also causes ink to form into beads when placed on
the cover,
thereby blurring the printed image. One way to overcome the beading problem is
by
applying a primer coat to at least the portion of the ball surface upon which
the indicia are
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-I 6-
to be printed, the primer coat containing a material which promotes
absorption, adhesion,
and/or clarity of the indicia. Suitable materials of this type to use in the
primer coat of a
game ball such as a golf ball include talc, amorphous silica, bentonite clay,
magnesium
silicate, or the like, or a combination of these.
According to a second means of overcoming the beading problem, the material
which promotes absorption, adhesion, and/or clarity of the indicia is
incorporated into the
cover itself. When the cover is formed from ionomer, polyurethane or balata,
for example,
suitable materials of this type which can be incorporated therein include
talc, amorphous
silica, bentonite clay, magnesium silicate, or the like, or a combination of
these.
The ink which is used in ink jet printing as herein described is one which is
suitable for use in an ink jet printer. Typically, the ink contains a coloring
agent, a carrier,
and additives. The coloring agent usually is a dye and/or pigment and can be
fluorescent.
Alternately, the ink can contain a fluorescent material as the coloring agent
instead of or in
addition to an ordinary dye. As another alternative, the ink can contain a
selective
absorber of infrared or microwave radiation. The Garner or vehicle for the
coloring agent
may be water or an organic solvent. The physical characteristics of the
substrate and the
other ink components determine the type and quantity of carrier to be used.
Examples of
useful additives include materials to control pH, viscosity, light fade and
surface tension.
Furthermore, the ink can contain a polymer resin or resin components. Examples
of
polymer resins or resin components which are used in conventional ink jet
printing inks
include polyurethanes, polyesters, polyketones and polyacrylates. In the case
of a I1V
curable ink, the resin components could be, for example, oligomers. The ink
composition
and the composition of the ball cover or primer layer to which the indicia are
to be applied
may be selected such that the surface tension of the ink is appropriately
related to the
surface properties of the substrate to which it is to be adhered. Inks
contemplated to be
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-17-
suitable for ink jet printing typically have a viscosity of from about 1 to
about 20 cps
measured at the temperature of application.
As indicated above, UV curable inks can be used in accordance with the method
of
ink jet printing as described herein. Most commercially available UV inks are
not suitable
for ink jet printing due to the high concentration and size of the pigments
and fillers in
these formulations. To facilitate flow through the ink jet printer, a UV ink
suitable for an
ink jet printer should incorporate very finely divided pigments (about 0.1
micron or
alternatively less than 100 Angstroms), dissolved dyes, or combinations of
dyes and finely
divided pigments. Flow additives, surface tension modifiers, extra solvent,
etc. may be
added to the ink formula to improve ink jet printability and prevent clogging
of the ink jet
printer. UV curable inks are described below in further detail in a separate
section of this
document.
If a primer coating layer is applied to a game ball cover, the coating
typically is a
solvent borne or water borne polyurethane material. Non-limiting examples of
suitable
coatings are described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Nos.
5,409,233,
5,459,220 and 5,494,291, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
It is useful for a top coat to be applied over the indicia to protect the
indicia unless
the indicia have sufficient adhesion to the surface to which they are applied,
e.g., the cover
or a primer layer, to render the use of a top coat unnecessary. The adhesion
between the
ink and the top coat and/or substrate is contemplated to be sufficiently
strong so that the
indicia remain substantially intact when the game ball is used. Standards for
image
retention vary depending upon the intended use of the game ball and the degree
and
frequency of impact that the image is required to withstand. When applied to a
golf ball,
the ink durability desirably is sufficient that after the ball is subjected to
the wet barrel
durability test procedure described below, at least about SO% of the surface
area of the
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-18-
original image remains, optionally at least about 70%, optionally at least
about 80%.
Excellent durability results when more than about 85% of the image remains.
As indicated above, in one method of ink jet printing herein described, the
indicia
are printed onto a transfer medium using an ink jet printer and are
subsequently transferred
to the game ball surface. A suitable transfer medium is one which has a
surface that
allows for good clarity of the indicia printed thereon while providing for
transfer of the
image onto the game ball surface. One contemplated transfer medium is a
silicone pad. If
necessary, an absorptive filler can be added to the silicone pad to promote
flow-out of the
ink, and to prevent beading on the surface of the silicone pad. Additionally
or
alternatively, the surface of the pad can be roughened to an extent necessary
to achieve the
desired surface energy. When the image is to be printed on a curved and
dimpled surface
of a golf ball, using a pad rather than a flat sheet for the transfer
substrate may facilitate
the application of ink inside the dimples. One contemplated type of silicone
pad is that
which is used in conventional golf ball pad printing.
Although any ink jet printer may be used, two types of ink jet printers
specifically
contemplated for printing on game balls are continuous ink jet printers and
drop on
demand ink jet printers. In a continuous ink jet printer, a stream of ink
drops is electrically
charged and then deflected by an electronic field either directly or
indirectly onto the
substrate. In a drop on demand ink jet printer, the ink supply is regulated by
an actuator
such as a piezoelectric actuator. The pressure produced by the actuation
forces a droplet
through a nozzle or nozzles onto the substrate.
UV curable inks
The UV curable ink described below can be used for printing indicia on golf
balls,
softballs, baseballs, other game balls, as well as other sporting goods,
including but not
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-19-
limited to softball and baseball bats, tennis and racquetball rackets, and
golf clubs. The
ink also can be applied to a variety of materials, including but not limited
to ionomers,
polybutadiene, composite materials, metals, etc.
As indicated above, the ink comprises a UV curable resin, a coloring agent,
such as
a pigment or dye, one or more photoinitiators, and possibly a solvent. The ink
may also
include aluminum trihydroxide. A thinning agent that includes a monomer and/or
a
solvent can be added. A wetting agent also can be included.
The UV curable resin may comprise an oligomer. Non-limiting examples of the
oligomer include one or more epoxies, acrylics, acrylate urethanes,
elastomeric acrylates,
unsaturated polyesters, and polyethers. Specific examples of suitable
oligomers include
methacrylates such as bisphenol A ethoxylate dimethacrylate and acrylated
epoxies.
Blends of different oligomers can be used. The oligomer can provide the ink
with
characteristics of flexibility and impact resistance that are sufficient to
withstand the
conditions to which the substrate is to be subjected. For example, if the
substrate is a golf
ball, the oligomer may impart to the ink more flexibility than is inherent in
the underlying
substrate, which is contemplated to provide good durability. When a top coat
is to be
placed over the ink, the ink desirably is not so highly cross-linked that
adhesion of the top
coat to the ink is substantially hindered.
The uncured ink can comprise about 10 - 90 wt % oligomer, optionally about 20 -
80 wt % oligomer, optionally about 50 - 70 wt % oligomer.
The coloring agent can be any type of pigment, dye or the like which will
withstand UV treatment, i.e., which is not UV labile. Furthermore, the
coloring agent is
contemplated to permit sufficient passage of UV light through the ink, by any
combination
of transmission, reflection, or refraction mechanisms, to initiate
photocrosslinking.
Liquids or powders can be used. One non-limiting example of an ink is a powder
which is
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-20-
dispersed in a liquid monomer. Carbon black and iron oxide black are non-
limiting
examples of suitable pigments for making black inks. Red lake and
quinacrydones are
non-limiting examples of suitable pigments for making red inks. Blends of
different
pigments and/or dyes can be used. The uncured ink can contain about 2 - 60 wt
$ pigment, alternatively about 5 - 30 wt % pigment, alternatively about 5 - 10
wt % pigment.
The photoinitiator is selected to respond to the wavelength of UV radiation to
be
used for photoinitiation. It is also important to consider the color of the
ink in selecting
the photoinitiator because, as indicated above, it is necessary for the UV
light to penetrate
the ink composition to initiate the cure. More specifically, penetration is
sometimes
required in order to cure the portion of the ink which is beneath the surface.
Penetration
typically is most difficult when black or white pigments are used. Non-
limiting examples
of photoinitiators to be used in conjunction with black pigment include sulfur-
type
photoinitiators such as isopropyl thioxanthone, and benzophenone and its
derivatives
including acetophenone types and thioxanthones. Photoactivators can be used in
1 S conjunction with one or more photoinitiators. Non-limiting examples of
suitable
photoactivators are amine-type photoactivators such as ethyl 4-dimethylamino
benzoate.
The uncured ink may contain about 0.3 - 5 wt % photoinitiator, alternatively
about 1 - 4 wt
photoinitiator, alternatively about 3 - 4 wt % photoinitiator. Blends of
different
photoinitiators, or photoinitiators and photoactivators, can be used.
A thinning agent can be added to lower the viscosity of the uncured ink
composition or to contribute to impact resistance or flexibility. When a
monomer is used
as a thinning agent, it optionally can be a photopolymerizable monomer that
forms a
polymeric structure upon irradiation. In contrast, when solvents are used as
thinning
agents, they evaporate during curing. The monomer can be a monofunctional,
difunctional
or multifunctional acrylate. Non-limiting examples of suitable monomers
include 1,6
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-21-
hexanediol diacrylate, butanediol diacrylate, trimethylol propane diacrylate,
tripropylene
glycol diacrylate and tetraethylene glycol diacrylate.
The uncured ink may contain about 10 - 70 wt % monomer, alternatively about 10
- 60 wt % monomer, alternatively about 10 - 55 wt % monomer. The combination
of
monomer plus oligomer may constitute about 45 - 80 wt % of the uncured ink,
optionally
about 50 - 80 wt %, optionally about 60 - 80 wt % of the ink.
Non UV curable quick-drying resins which help in ink transfer from the pad to
the
ball can be added. Non-limiting examples of such resins are vinyl resins,
nitrocellulose,
acrylic resins, and other quick-drying, film-forming resins. One contemplated
resin is an
acrylic-OH functional resin made by McWorther, Inc. of Carpentersville, IL,
sold as Resin
975. Typically, if such resins are used, they are added in an amount up to
about 30 parts
by weight based upon 100 total parts by weight of uncured ink composition.
When a solvent is used in the UV curable ink, it typically is a liquid with a
fast to
moderate evaporation rate which, upon partial evaporation causes the ink to be
tacky, and
thereby promotes transfer onto and off an ink pad. A solvent also can be the
medium in
which a photoinitiator is dissolved. Non-limiting examples of suitable
solvents include
aromatic solvents such as toluene, xylene, and ester types such as butyl
acetate. The
uncured ink may include about 1 - 30 wt % solvent, optionally about 5 - 20 wt
% solvent,
optionally about 8 - 10 wt % solvent.
Wetting agents can be added to prevent beading of the ink upon application to
the
golf ball. Suitable wetting agents include, but are not limited to, silicone
surfactants and
fluorocarbon surfactants. The uncured ink may include about 0 - 2 wt % wetting
agent.
Other additives that do not adversely affect the pad transfer and impact
resistance of the
ink also can be incorporated into the ink composition.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-22-
As long as sufficient durability is maintained, extender pigments such as
talc,
barium sulfate and the like can be added to improve transferability. For use
in ink jet
printers, the particle size of the extender pigments should be small enough to
facilitate
passage through the orifices of the printer. This would include finely divided
(about less
than 0.1 micron or alternatively less than 100 Angstroms) silicas, clays, or
talcs, or
combinations of these. Typically, if such materials are used, they constitute
about 10 - 40
wt %, alternatively 20 - 30 wt %, of the uncured ink formulation.
It has been found that by replacing part or all of the extender pigments such
as talc
and barium sulfate with aluminum trihydroxide (Al(OH)3 ' 3H20) (ATH) filler, a
number
of significant improvements to the LJV ink will result with respect to
printing, curing and
processing. Additionally, the inclusion of ATH will have minimal effect on the
color of
the ink. Furthermore, ATH has low oil absorption, thus ink viscosity is
increased very
little. When up to 50 wt % ATH based upon the total (uncured) weight of ink is
added,
ink transfer from a pad to a substrate is improved. Significantly, ATH does
not absorb LTV
light so curing of the ink is not impeded. For use in ink jet printing, ATH
particle size
should be small enough to facilitate passage through ink jet orifices.
When ATH is used in a UV curable game ball ink, it generally is included in an
amount of 10 - 50 wt % based upon the total weight of the ink prior to curing.
ATH may
be employed in an amount of 10 - 32 wt %, alternatively 20 - 30 wt %. It is
believed that
ATH loadings up to at least 50 wt % based upon the weight of (uncured) ink may
be
useful for providing an overall balance of properties. Greater quantities of
ATH can be
used when a low cost ink is desired and durability requirements are not
stringent. Lower
quantities of ATH are useful when higher durability is needed. The ATH can be
used in a
quantity appropriate to impart to the ink a balance of properties such as pad
transfer and
durability of the ink.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-23-
If ATH is used in combination with talc, barium sulf te, or the like, the
ratio of
ATH to talc, etc., may be about 1:1.
The use of ATH does not impede the curing process. The surface tension of the
ink affects the wetability of the substrate. The surface tension of the ink
desirably is not
substantially higher than the surface tension of the substrate upon which it
is printed. The
viscosity of the ink is one factor that will affect the thickness of the
indicia on the cover.
If the indicia are too thick, the UV radiation may not penetrate the indicia
and complete
curing may become difficult. On the other hand, if the indicia are too thin,
the durability
of the ink layer may be insufficient for conditions of play. The indicia have
thickness of
less than about 100 microns, optionally about 10 - 40 microns, optionally
about 13 - 30
microns, optionally about 20 - 25 microns.
The cured ink is contemplated to be sufficiently flexible to exhibit good
impact
resistance. It is advantageous for the top coat which is applied over the ink
to react with
the ink to hold the ink in place, or to have adhesion by hydrogen bonding
and/or van der
Waals forces. As a non-limiting example, the ink can be used in conjunction
with a two-
component polyurethane top coat, such as a top coat based on polyester or
acrylic polyols
and aliphatic isocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate or isophorone
diisocyanate
trimers.
As one non-limiting example, a UV curable ink formulation which may be used
for
marking golf balls can be prepared and used in the following way. The
photoinitiator is
dissolved in the thinning agent, which is then mixed with an oligomer, and a
pigment. The
mixture is placed in a dispenser for use in direct or indirect ink jet
printing. A primed but
unf nished golf ball is obtained. The ball includes, for example, a core, and
a durable
cover having a dimpled surface. Alternatively, the core and cover can be
formed in one
piece. Indicia formed from the UV curable ink are ink jet printed onto the
golf ball cover
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-24-
either directly or indirectly by use of a transfer medium. The unfinished golf
ball is then
subjected to LTV treatment under conditions sufficient to at least commence
curing of the
ink. After photoinitiation, curing of the ink is substantially complete within
a time period
of between less than one second and a few seconds.
A top coat layer is placed over the indicia. The top coat is optionally
applied at
least partially, and optionally completely, after the ink is cured. The top
coat layer assists
in keeping the indicia on the golf ball surface, as indicated above, and
therefore the
adhesion of indicia to the golf ball does not need to be as strong as will be
required if the
ink constitutes the outer layer of the ball. The top coat typically has a
thickness of 10 - 40
microns.
The conditions of UV exposure which are appropriate to cure the ink can be
ascertained by one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, it has been
found that
when a golf ball passes through a UV treatment apparatus at a rate of about 10
ft./min.
(about 3 m/min.) at a distance of about 1'/4 - 1'/< inches (about 3.2 - 4.4
cm) from a UV
light source which has an intensity of e.g. 200 - 300 watts/in2 (31 - 47
watts/cm2), the
indicia may be exposed to UV radiation for no more than a few seconds,
optionally no
more than about 1 second, optionally no more than about 0.7 seconds. Higher
and lower
UV Iamp intensities, distances, and exposure times may be used as long as the
cured ink
meets the applicable durability requirements. Excess UV exposure is avoided to
prevent
degradation of the substrate. The ink can be UV cured prior to application of
any top coat.
The pad to be used for transfer of the UV ink may contain silicone. This type
of
pad has good elasticity, durability and softness and an appropriate surface
tension. Other
types of pads also can be used.
The ink can be applied on a non-LN-labile surface of a game ball. It is
generally
not necessary to pretreat the surface prior to application of the ink. If it
is desired to apply
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-25-
the UV curable ink on an extremely smooth surface upon which transfer is poor,
the
portion of the surface to be.stamped can be chemically or physically etched or
abraded in
order to provide an ink-receptive surface.
The ink described herein has a Sward hardness (ASTM-D 2134-66) after curing of
S about no more than 55, alternatively about no more than 40, alternatively
about no more
than about 20.
The UV curable ink described herein provides for durability sufficient to meet
stringent durability standards required for commercial grade golf balls. The
durability of
the ink can be determined by testing stamped golf balls in a variety of ways,
including
using the wet barrel durability test procedure.
Durability according to the wet barrel durability test procedure is determined
by
firing a golf ball at 135 ft/sec (at 72 F) (41 m/s (at 22 C)) into 5-sided
steel pentagonal
container, the walls of which are steel plates. The container 110, which is
shown
schematically in Figure 4, has a 19 '/2 inch (49.5 cm) long insert plate 112
mounted
therein, the central portion 114 of which has horizontally extending square
grooves on it
which are intended to simulate a square grooved face of a golf club. The
grooves, which
are shown in an exaggerated form in Figure S, have a width 130 of 0.033 inches
(0.084
cm), a depth I32 of 0.100 inches (0.25 cm), and are spaced apart from one
another by land
areas 134 having a width of 0.130 inches (0.330 cm). The five walls 116 of the
pentagonal container each have a length of 14 %Z inches (36.8 cm). As shown in
Figure 4,
the inlet wall is vertical and the insert plate is mounted such that it
inclines upward 30
degrees relative to a horizontal plane away from opening 120 in container 110.
The ball
travels 15 %2 - 15 '/4 inches (39.4 - 40 cm) horizontally from its point of
entry into the
container 110 until it hits the square-grooved central portion 114 of insert
plate 112. The
angle between the line of trajectory of the ball and the insert plate 1 I2 is
30 . The balls
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-26-
are subjected to 70 or more blows (firings) and are inspected at regular
intervals for
breakage (i.e., any signs of cover cracking or delamination). If a microcrack
forms in a
ball, its speed will change and the operator is alerted. The operator then
visually inspects
the ball. If the microcrack cannot yet be observed, the ball is returned to
the test until a
crack can be visually detected. The balls are then examined for adhesion of
the ink.
The following examples are included for further reference:
EXAMPLE 1
Refernng to Figure 9, an ink jet printer (Epson Stylus Color 640) 900 was used
to
print an image from a JPEG computer file onto a polysilicone coated sheet of
paper (Dow
Corning HS2) 902. This resulted in an ink jet logo 904 on the silicone coated
paper 902.
An ionomer covered golf ball 906 was obtained which had been coated with an
ink
retaining primer coat formed from 100.00 parts by weight of Witcobond 935
(Witco),
which is a water borne polyurethane primer, and 7.0 parts by weight of
amorphous silica
(Hi-Sil 915, PPG, Pittsburgh, PA). After the primer coating had dried, the
image 904 on
the silicone paper 902 was transferred to the surface of the golf ball 906
using a golf ball
logo stamping machine 908.
More particularly, the ball logo stamping machine 908 has a horizontal arm 910
to
which is attached a plunger 912 carrying a transfer pad 914. The silicone
coated paper
902 holding the logo 904 was placed underneath the transfer pad 914. The
plunger 912
advanced the transfer pad 914 against the logo 904, lifting the logo image 904
onto the
transfer pad 914. The transfer pad 914 retracted, moving along the arm 910 to
a second
position beneath which a golf ball 906 was held. At this.second position, the
plunger 912
advanced the transfer pad 914 against the primed golf ball 906, stamping the
newly
imprinted image onto the ball 906.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-27-
After the ink was dry, the primed golf ball 906 with the stamped image was
then
coated with a top coat 916 of the following formulation:
Parts by Weight
Polyol (Desmophen 670-80, Bayer Corp.) 100.0
Isocyanate (Desmodur N-3200, Bayer Corp.) 30.0
Methyl amyl ketone solvent 50.0
Butyl acetate solvent 25.0
Methyl isobutyl ketone solvent 25.0
UV absorber (Sandoz 3206) 2.0
UV stabilizer (Tinavin 292, CibaGeigy) 1.0
233.0
After the top coat was cured at an elevated temperature, as shown at 918, the
ball
was durability tested using the wet barrel test described above. About 80% of
the ink logo
remained. This process produced a multi-color logo with good distinction,
recognition
and durability on a dimpled and curved surface of a golf ball.
EXAMPLE 2
An ionomer covered golf ball was obtained which had been coated with an ink
retaining primer coat formed from 100.00 parts by weight of Witcobond 235 (CK
Witco,
Stamford, CT), which is a water borne polyurethane primer, 10.0 parts of talc
(magnesium
silicate), 1.0 part by weight of amorphous silica (Hi-Sil 532EP, PPG,
Pittsburgh, PA), and
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-28-
parts by weight of polyaziridine (Zeneca Resus, Wilmington, MA). The primer
coating
was allowed to dry.
A solvent-based printing ink of the following formulation was prepared:
50.0 parts by weight isopropanol,
$ 2.0 parts by weight ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,
15.0 parts by weight methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK),
6.0 parts by weight Savinyl Dyes, solvent soluble metal complex dyes, sold by
Clariant Corp., Coventry, R.L, and
3.0 drops BYK 346, a polyether modified polydimethyl siloxane, sold by BYK
Chemie, Wallingford, Connecticut.
The above ink formulation was ink jet printed directly onto the primed golf
ball
using an Epson Stylus Color 640 ink jet printer, a drop on demand
piezoelectric printer.
The drive system of the ink jet printer was physically adapted to allow for
printing directly
on to the golf ball as shown in Figure 10. The adaptation was constructed in
such a
manner that the game ball had the identical indexing or rotational speed as
paper that is
driven through the printer. Refernng to Figure 10, a rotational system 198
consisting of a
series of shafts connected by belts and pulleys rotated the main drive shaft
190. A game
ball 194 was held by two suction units 192 that rotated with the main drive
shaft 190. The
rotational system 198 advanced the main drive shaft 190 at such a rate that
the game ball
194 advanced at a rate identical to the index speed of a piece of paper. The
ink jet
printhead 196 advanced horizontally across the game ball 194, printing the
desired image
onto the game ball 310 in a series of passes.
The ink had a viscosity of about 6 cps at the time of application.
The resulting golf ball had a clean, durable and opaque image found thereon.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-29-
After the ink was dry, the golf ball with the image thereon was then coated
with a
solvent-borne two-part aliphatic polyurethane top coat which is described in
U.S. Patent
No. 5,459,220. The opacity, clarity and color of the image did not change upon
application of the top coat.
The ball was durability tested using the wet barrel test, breaking after 197
blows.
The results after durability testing are shown in Figure 11. After testing,
the balls were
examined and it was found that about 80% of the ink logo remained. This
process
produced a mufti-color logo with good distinction, recognition and durability
on a dimpled
and curved surface of a golf ball.
I 0 This result can be compared to the results after durability testing a golf
ball that
was custom stamped by pad printing using a conventional solvent-borne pad
printable ink.
Figure 12 depicts a golf ball that has been subjected to wet barrel testing
after an indicia
was imprinted via custom stamping. The ball broke after 186 blows. After wet
barrel
durability testing, far less of the ink logo remained on the custom stamped
ball in Figure
15 12 than the ink j et printed ball in Figure 11.
EXAMPLE 3
The procedure of Example 2 was repeated with the exception that a water-based
printing ink of the following formulation was substituted:
50.0 parts by weight water,
20 S.0 parts by weight isopropanol,
6.0 parts by weight Sandovac-L Dyes, sold by Clariant Corp, Coventry, R.L, and
3.0 drops BYK 346, a polyether modified polydimethyl siloxane, sold by BYK
Chemie, Wallingford, Connecticut.
The resulting golf ball had a clear and durable image formed thereon. While
the
25 opacity of this image was slightly less than that of the image on the ball
of Example 2, the
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-30-
opacity could be improved by using a larger quantity of dye or by increasing
the mixing
intensity of the formula during preparation in order to better disperse the
dye.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
$ The procedure of Example 2 was repeated excepting that a commercially
available
glycol-based ink formulation, found in conventional ink jet ink cartridges,
namely Epson
Ink Jet Printer ink formulation found in ink cartridges for use with the Epson
Stylus Color
640 ink jet printer, was used. The ink had a viscosity of about S or 6 cps.
This process did
not produce an acceptable image.
EXAMPLE 4
A golf ball printing ink was prepared which contained Formula C. To prepare
Formula C, Formulas A and B were first prepared:
1$ FORM~1LA A
darts by wt.
Epoxy-acrylate oligomerl 70.0
Polyester-acrylate oligomerz 30.0
Butyl acetate 100.0
Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) 100.0
Isopropyl thioxanthone8 0.7
Ethyl 4-dimethylamino benzoate9 1.$
302.2
2$
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-31-
' Ebocryl 3700 (Rad-Cure, Smyrna, GA).
2 Ebocryl 80 (Rad-Cure, Smyrna, GA).
8 ITX (distributed by Aceto Chemical, Lake Success, NY).
9 EDB (distributed by Aceto Chemical, Lake Success, NY).
FORMULA B
parts by wt.
Formula A 40.0
Savinyl Dye' 1.0
41.0
' E.g., One of the following: Savinyl Blue GLS, Savinyl Yello RLS, Savinyl
Black RLSN,
or Savinyl Pink 6BLS (Clariant Corp., Coventry, R.L).
FORMULA C
parts by wt.
Formula A 20.0
Formula B 20.0
MIBK 10.0
50.0
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCTNS99/23296
-32-
The ingredients of Formula C were mixed and ink jet printed directly onto a
golf ball
primed with the same primer as described in Example 2, using the ink jet
printer of
Example 2. The drive system of the ink jet printer, a piezoelectric printer,
was physically
adapted to allow for printing directly on to the golf ball.
The balls containing the stamped indicia were passed through a Uvex UV
treatment apparatus at a rate of about 10 feet/min. (3 m/min.), using a lamp
intensity of
about 235 watts/in2 (36.4 watts/cm2~ and wavelength range of about 200 - 400
nm with the
indicia being located about 1 '~4 inches (4.4 cm) from the UV light source.
The indicia on the ball were distinct and durable.
PROPHETIC EXAMPLE 5
A golf ball printing ink is prepared which contains:
parts by wt.
Epoxy-acrylate oligomer' 20.0
Acrylic -OH functional resin2 30.0
Acetate and aromatic hydrocarbon
solvent blend3 15.0
Black Dye4 15.0
Polyester-acrylate oligomers 15.0
Isopropyl thioxanthone6 1.0
Ethyl 4-dimethylamino benzoate' 1.5
' Ebocryl 3700 (Rad-Cure, Smyrna, GA).
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99I23296
-33-
2 McWorther Resin 975 (McWorther, Inc., Carpentersville, IL).
3 Summit Ink Reducer (Pt#910527, Summit Screen Inks, No. Kansas City, MO).
4 E.g., Savinyl Black RLS (Clariant Corp., Coventry, R.L).
Ebocryl 80 (Rad-Cure, Smyrna, GA).
S G ITX (distributed by Aceto Chemical, Lake Success, N~.
7 EDB (distributed by Aceto Chemical, Lake Success, NIA.
The ingredients are mixed. The ink is sufficiently diluted with solvent, e.g.,
butyl acetate,
to constitute a viscosity of between about 1 to 20 cps, optionally between
about 5 to 10
cps, optionally between about 5 to 6 cps.
The above ink formulation is ink jet printed directly onto the primed golf
ball using
the ink jet printer of Example 2. The drive system of the ink jet printer, a
piezoelectric
printer, is physically adapted to allow for printing directly on to the golf
ball.
The balls containing the stamped indicia are passed through a Uvex UV
treatment
apparatus at a rate of about 10 feet/min. (3 m/min.), using a lamp intensity
of about 235
watts/in2 (36.4 watts/cmZ) and wavelength range of about 200 - 400 nm with the
indicia
being lcoated about 1 '/< inches (4.4 cm) from the LTV light source.
The golf balls are then coated with a solvent-borne polyurethane top coat
formed
from a polyester type hexamethylene diisocyanate.
PROPHETIC EXAMPLE 6
The procedure of Example 3 is repeated excepting that a Hewlett Packard 693C
bubble jet printer, a drop on demand printer, is substituted for the Epson
Stylus Color 640
ink j et printer.
CA 02346391 2001-04-06
WO 00/21014 PCT/US99/23296
-34-
PROPHETIC EXAMPLE 7
The procedure of Example 3 is repeated excepting that 10 parts by weight of
black
pigment, Microlith Black C-WA (CIBA Specialty Chemicals Corp. USA, Newport,
DE),
is substituted for the Sandovac-L Dyes. The pH of the composition is increased
to at least
8.5 by adding an amine such as triethanol amine.
