Automated flash removal in golf ball production

1. A method of removing a flash integrally attached to a molded golf ball or precursor thereof on a mold portion, comprises:

positioning a suction cup over the molded golf ball or precursor thereof;

applying a vacuum suction to the suction cup;

taking hold of the molded golf ball or precursor thereof with the suction cup while retaining the flash on the mold portion with a rim of the suction cup;

separating the molded golf ball or precursor thereof from the integrally attached flash;

moving the suction cup with the molded golf ball or precursor thereof to a predetermined position;

removing the vacuum suction from the suction cup;

allowing the molded golf ball or precursor thereof to fall under gravity into a container for collection;

moving a gripping assembly comprising at least one gripping member by an automated device from a starting position toward the mold portion;

engaging the gripping member to grip the flash;

moving the gripping assembly and the flash by the automated device away from the mold portion to an ejection position; and

expelling the flash from the gripping member.

2. A method of removing a flash integrally attached to a molded golf ball or precursor thereof on a mold portion, comprising:

removing the molded golf ball or precursor thereof while retaining the flash on the mold portion;

moving a gripping assembly comprising at least one gripping member from a starting position to an alignment position directly over the mold portion;

docking the gripping assembly onto the mold portion;

engaging the gripping member to grip the flash;

moving the gripping assembly and the flash away from the mold portion to an ejection position; and

expelling the flash from the gripping member.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the gripping assembly is moved pneumatically.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of docking the gripping assembly further comprises:

aligning the gripping member with the mold portion; and

loading the gripping member with a compressed energy for the step of expelling the flash.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of aligning the gripper member further comprises:

lowering an alignment portion of the gripping member into a cavity of the mold portion; and

pressing a brink of the gripping member against a rim of the mold portion.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the alignment portion has a substantially spherical side surface and a substantially flat bottom surface.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the brink and the rim are both substantially annular, and the brink is no wider than the rim.

8. A method of removing a flash integrally attached to a molded golf ball or precursor thereof on a mold portion, comprises:

removing the molded golf ball or precursor thereof while retaining the flash on the mold portion;

moving a gripping assembly comprising at least one gripping member by an automated device from a starting position toward the mold portion;

positioning a plurality of perimeter clamping portions of the gripping member at a first side of the flash;

positioning a center clamping portion of the gripping member at a second side of the flash;

moving the plurality of perimeter clamping portions towards the center clamping portion;

clamping the flash by the first and second sides between the plurality of perimeter clamping portions and the center clamping portion;

moving the gripping assembly and the flash by the automated device away from the mold portion to an ejection position; and

expelling the flash from the gripping member.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of perimeter clamping portions comprises between 2 to 10 fingers disposed substantially uniformly about the center clamping portion.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of moving the plurality of perimeter clamping portions comprises pneumatically powering the perimeter clamping portions in a concentric and synchronous manner.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the center clamping portion is substantially tapered to facilitate the discharge of the flash from the gripping member.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein:

each of the plurality of perimeter clamping portions has an inward surface facing the center clamping portion;

the inward surface has a concave curvature;

the center clamping portion has an outward surface facing the perimeter clamping portions;

the outward surface has a convex curvature; and

the concave curvature is flatter than or complementary to the convex curvature.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the convex curvature of the outward surface of the center clamping portion is inverted frustoconical.

14. A method of removing a flash integrally attached to a molded golf ball or precursor thereof on a mold portion, comprises:

removing the molded golf ball or precursor thereof while retaining the flash on the mold portion;

moving a gripping assembly comprising at least one gripping member by an automated device from a starting position toward the mold portion;

engaging the gripping member to grip the flash;

moving the gripping assembly and the flash by the automated device away from the mold portion to an ejection position;

disengaging the gripping member from the flash;

releasing a compressed spring mechanism in the gripping member to eject the flash; and

allowing the flash to fall under gravity into a container for collection.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the automated device is capable of one dimensional motions, two dimensional motions, three dimensional motions, linear motions, rotational motions, or combinations thereof.

16. A method of removing a flash integrally attached to a molded golf ball or precursor thereof on a mold portion, comprises:

removing the molded golf ball or precursor thereof while retaining the flash on the mold portion;

moving a gripping assembly by an automated device from a starting position toward the mold portion, wherein the gripping assembly comprises 2 to about 20 gripping members arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, and the gripping members are independently or synchronously operated;

engaging the gripping member to grip the flash;

moving the gripping assembly and the flash by the automated device away from the mold portion to an ejection position; and

expelling the flash from the gripping member.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the gripping assembly comprises 4 co-planar gripping members arranged in a 2×2 array.