Systems and methods are provided for integrated curing and cooling of golf ball cores. A plate die is used to separate hot golf ball cores from a post-mold matrix. The hot golf ball cores are held in an insulated unit to maintain the elevated temperature of the golf ball cores to achieve additional curing or cross-linking. The hot, cured golf ball cores are then passed through a cooling section where ambient, turbulent air is passed over the golf ball cores to achieve the desired level of cooling. The cooled golf ball cores are delivered to a pneumatic delivery system for additional processing. A cueing hopper is also provided between the insulated unit and the cooling section to serve as a buffer or accumulator in the system.
1. An assembly for processing golf ball cores, the assembly comprising:
a die plate comprising a plurality of holes, wherein each hole sized to allow passage of a single golf ball core;
a die plate roller assembly disposed on a first side of the die plate and arranged to push the golf ball cores through the holes in the die plate;
a post-cure unit disposed adjacent the die plate and arranged to receive cores passing through the die plate, wherein the post-cure unit is disposed adjacent a second side of the die plate opposite the first side;
a moveable cueing hopper in communication with the post-cure unit, wherein the cueing hopper is sized to hold a plurality of golf ball cores; and
a cooling section in communication with the cueing hopper, wherein the cooling section is adapted to remove heat from the golf ball cores.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the post-cure unit comprises:
a sealable entrance;
a sealable exit; and
a sufficient amount of insulation to conserve heat in the golf ball cores so that cross-linking reactions continue within the golf ball cores.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a conveying mechanism to transport the golf ball cores from the post-cure unit to the cueing hopper.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cueing hopper comprises:
an open top to receive the golf ball cores from the post-cure unit;
an open bottom to deliver the golf ball cores to the cooling section;
a first position wherein the open bottom is positioned over a fixed baffle to prevent the golf ball cores from passing through the open bottom; and
a second position wherein the open bottom is not positioned over the fixed baffle to allow the golf ball cores to pass through the open bottom;
wherein the cueing hopper is selectively positionable in either the first or second position.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cooling section comprises a fan assembly to move air across the golf ball cores.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fan assembly comprises an air diffuser to distribute the moving air across the golf ball cores.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cooling section comprises a plurality of conveyor belts arranged in a vertical stack.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an automated core delivery system in communication with the cooling section to deliver cooled golf ball cores for additional processing.
9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the automated core delivery system comprises a pneumatic delivery system.
10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the pneumatic delivery system comprises a divert tube comprising a first position to direct golf ball cores to a gravity drop reject tube and a second position to pass golf ball cores through the pneumatic delivery system.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein heat is added to the post-cure unit.