Thermoplastic elastomers in sports balls
Disclosed are inflatable sports balls using a particular class of thermoplastic elastomers as an outer cover layer. The class of thermoplastic elastomers exhibit a particular combination of properties that result in the ball having excellent wet play characteristics.
1 . An inflatable sports ball comprising:
a carcass; and
an outer cover layer disposed on the carcass, the outer layer including a thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) a Shore A hardness of from about 2A to about 95A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.80 to about 1.2, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 180 to about 2200 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 30 to about 320 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength from about 5 to about 1000 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 200% to about 1300%.
2 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least four properties selected from the group.
3 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least five properties selected from the group.
4 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has six properties selected from the group.
5 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, thermoplastic vulcanizates, thermoplastic polyurethanes, and combinations thereof.
6 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the ball is a basketball.
7 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the ball is a football.
8 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the ball is a soccer ball.
9 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 1 wherein the ball is a volley ball.
10 . An inflatable sports ball comprising:
an outer cover having an outermost layer including a styrenic block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) Shore A hardness of from about 3A to about 90A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.86 to about 1.18, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 to about 1330 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 40 to about 300 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength of from about 9 to about 990 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 210% to about 1290%.
11 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least four properties selected from the group.
12 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least five properties selected from the group.
13 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has six properties selected from the group.
14 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the ball is a basketball.
15 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the ball is a football.
16 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the ball is a soccer ball.
17 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 10 wherein the ball is a volley ball.
18 . An inflatable sports ball comprising:
an outer cover having an outermost layer including a vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) Shore A hardness of from about 3A to about 75A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.86 to about 1.11, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 250 to about 930 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 40 to about 180 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength of from about 9 to about 430 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from 210% to about 1290%
19 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least four properties selected from the group.
20 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least five properties selected from the group.
21 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has six properties selected from the group.
22 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the ball is a basketball.
23 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the ball is a football.
24 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the ball is a soccer ball.
25 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 18 wherein the ball is a volley ball.
26 . An inflatable sports ball comprising:
an outer cover having an outermost layer including a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer having at least three properties selected from the group consisting of (i) Shore A hardness of from about 3A to about 75A, (ii) a specific gravity of from about 0.86 to about 1.19, (iii) an ultimate tensile strength of from about 250 to about 2000 psi, (iv) a tear strength of from about 40 to about 270 psi, (v) a 100% tensile modulus strength of from about 9 to about 430 psi, and (vi) an ultimate elongation of from about 210% to about 1290%.
27 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least four properties selected from the group.
28 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has at least five properties selected from the group.
29 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has six properties selected from the group.
30 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the ball is a basketball.
31 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the ball is a football.
32 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the ball is a soccer ball.
33 . The inflatable sports ball of claim 26 wherein the ball is a volley ball.