Method for forming golf ball cores
View Patent ↗A method of forming a golf ball core includes compression molding a core material in a mold cavity to form a partially-cured core, then the partially-cured core is removed from the mold cavity and placed in a medium to continue curing until it is substantially-cured. The method can also be used to form a golf ball by adding the step of forming a cover layer over the substantially-cured core.
1. A method of forming a core of a golf ball comprising the steps of:
a. providing a core material;
b. compression molding the core material in a mold cavity at a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time such that the core material becomes a partially-cured core; and
c. placing the partially-cured core in a medium at a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time to form a substantially-cured core;
wherein the medium comprises a plurality of solid particles having a particle size from 40 μm to 0.1 inches and an average specific heat value in the range from 0.010 BTU/lb−° F. to 1.00 BTU/lb−° F.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined temperature is between about 250° F. and about 500° F.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time is between about 3 minutes and about 30 minutes.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined temperature is between about 300° F. and about 400° F.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined temperature is substantially greater than the first predetermined temperature.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined temperature is between about 300° F. and about 500° F.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined temperature is between about 350° F. and about 500° F.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined time is between about 5 minutes and about 20 minutes..
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medium is a fluid.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the fluid is a non-penetrating liquid.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the fluid is air.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the partially-cured core in a medium further includes placing the partially-cured core in a convection oven.