EP3025768B1 - Hollow ball storage method - Google Patents
Hollow ball storage method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3025768B1 EP3025768B1 EP14837497.8A EP14837497A EP3025768B1 EP 3025768 B1 EP3025768 B1 EP 3025768B1 EP 14837497 A EP14837497 A EP 14837497A EP 3025768 B1 EP3025768 B1 EP 3025768B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- temperature
- balls
- ball
- hollow
- hollow ball
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 45
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 title description 14
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 26
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 20
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 14
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 12
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229910001873 dinitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910001882 dioxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia chloride Chemical compound [NH4+].[Cl-] NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 4
- LPXPTNMVRIOKMN-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium nitrite Chemical compound [Na+].[O-]N=O LPXPTNMVRIOKMN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 4
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000019270 ammonium chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011342 resin composition Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000010288 sodium nitrite Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003203 everyday effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
- A63B47/005—Ball heating devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/0036—Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment
- A63B71/0045—Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment specially adapted for games played with rackets or bats
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/02—Tennis
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
- A63B2225/64—Heated
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
- A63B2225/66—Cooled
Definitions
- the present invention relates to methods for storing hollow balls such as regulation tennis balls, soft tennis balls, and the like.
- the internal pressures of the balls are kept higher than the atmospheric pressure.
- the internal pressure of a regulation tennis ball is set to be about 1.8 times of the atmospheric pressure. If a ball has an internal pressure higher than this, a user feels that the ball is too hard or flies too far. If a ball has an internal pressure lower than this, the user feels that the ball is too soft or does not fly well.
- a hollow ball needs to be manufactured such that the internal pressure thereof has an appropriate value, and the internal pressure of the manufactured ball needs to be kept in an appropriate range.
- the ball includes a core which is a hollow sphere made of rubber; and two felt portions (also referred to as "melton") which cover the surface of the core.
- the core is obtained by attaching together two half shells.
- a tablet of ammonium chloride, a tablet of sodium nitrite, and water (or aqueous solutions thereof) are put into the core.
- they are heated, so that ammonium chloride and sodium nitrite cause a chemical reaction.
- Nitrogen gas is generated by the chemical reaction.
- the internal pressure of the core is increased by the nitrogen gas.
- the gas within the ball passes through an outer shell to come out of the ball due to the difference between the internal pressure and the atmospheric pressure. That is, even when a ball is manufactured so as to have an appropriate internal pressure, the internal pressure decreases over time. For example, when a regulation tennis ball is left in the atmospheric pressure for about two months, the internal pressure thereof decreases by 10% to 15% thereby to begin to affect playing such as "not bouncing well, poor feel at impact", or the like.
- JP7-155406 JP7-187252 , and JP8-89600 .
- These storage containers are all airtight containers. After tennis balls are housed in these containers, the air pressures within the containers are increased to a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. By decreasing the difference between the internal pressure of each tennis ball and the air pressure of each container outside the tennis ball, a speed at which the gas within the ball passes through an outer shell can be decreased. By eliminating the difference between the internal pressure of each tennis ball and the air pressure of the container, the gas within the ball does not come out. In other words, the internal pressure of the tennis ball does not decrease.
- the air pressure within the container is increased to a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure as described above.
- the storage container is required to have strength to withstand the difference between the pressure within the container and the atmospheric pressure. For example, when the pressure within the container is made higher than the atmospheric pressure by 1.0 kgf/cm 2 , if the size of an inlet of the container is set at 300 mm for easily putting balls into the container, a force of about 700 kgf is applied to the inlet portion. The container that can withstand the force is increased in size, and the weight thereof is also increased. It is difficult to handle the container. The container is expensive. A method for storing a hollow ball easily at low cost is desired. US 2013/0098936 A1 describes a refrigerating cabinet for the automatic dispensing of sports balls stored in a uniform environment.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a method for storing a hollow ball easily at low cost.
- Such a method for storing a hollow ball according to the present invention includes the steps of:
- the temperature of the hollow ball is increased after the step (3).
- the temperature of the hollow ball is increased to a temperature exceeding a dew point of the external air.
- the temperature of the hollow ball is equal to or lower than 10°C.
- the temperature of the hollow ball is equal to or lower than 0°C.
- the temperature of the hollow ball is equal to or lower than -10°C.
- the temperature of the hollow ball is decreased to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the hollow ball is stored in a state of being cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of the hollow ball decreases. Thus, the speed at which the gas within the ball comes out of the ball is lower than that at normal temperature. Therefore, the internal pressure of the hollow ball can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing the ball at normal temperature. According to this method, it is possible to easily store the hollow ball without using a pressure container.
- FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for a method for storing a hollow ball according to an exemplary embodiment.
- the apparatus is a refrigerator 2.
- the interior of the refrigerator 2 is a housing portion 6 which houses hollow balls 4 each of which includes an outer shell and a space surrounded by the outer shell.
- the refrigerator 2 includes a main body 8 and a lid 10.
- the main body 8 has, at an upper portion thereof, an input port for putting in the hollow balls 4 therethrough.
- the refrigerator 2 keeps the internal temperature thereof low.
- the refrigerator 2 typically cools the interior thereof by electric power.
- the refrigerator 2 may cool the interior thereof by having ice therein.
- the hollow balls 4 are put into the housing portion 6 of the refrigerator 2.
- the lid 10 of the refrigerator 2 is opened, the hollow balls 4 are put into the main body 8 through the input port of the main body 8, and the lid 10 is closed.
- the hollow balls 4 are cooled in the housing portion 6 of the refrigerator 2 to a temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the hollow balls 4 are stored in a state where the hollow balls 4 are cooled to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the hollow balls 4 are stored in a state of being cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of each hollow ball 4 decreases. The speed at which the gas within the ball 4 comes out of the ball 4 is lower than that at normal temperature. Thus, the internal pressure of each hollow ball 4 can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing the balls 4 at normal temperature. According to this method, it is possible to easily store the hollow balls 4 without using a pressure container.
- regulation tennis balls 4 are taken as an example, and the case of storing the balls 4 at normal temperature of 25°C and the case of storing the balls 4 while cooling the balls 4 to 10°C are compared as to the speed at which gas comes out of the interior of each ball 4.
- the outer shell of each regulation tennis ball 4 is generally made from natural rubber.
- the gas within each regulation tennis ball 4 is generally composed of nitrogen gas (N 2 ) and oxygen gas (O 2 ) , similarly to the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide gas (CO 2 ) is also present in the interior of each regulation tennis ball 4 and the atmosphere, but the amount thereof is negligibly small.
- the speed V at which the gas passes through the film is proportional to the permeability coefficient Cp of the gas for the film.
- the permeability coefficient Cp of each of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas for the outer shell at a temperature of 10°C is substantially 1/2 of the permeability coefficient Cp thereof at a temperature of 25°C.
- the partial pressure difference P also decreases as the temperature decreases, but the effect of the partial pressure difference P on the speed V is less than that of the permeability coefficient.
- the thickness W of the film does not change in response to the temperature. Therefore, by cooling the balls 4 at 25°C to 10°C, the speed V at which each of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas passes through the outer shell of each ball 4 becomes substantially 1/2 due to the effect of the temperature dependency of the permeability coefficient Cp.
- the speed at which the gas within the tennis ball 4 comes out of the tennis ball 4 is lower than the speed at which the gas within the tennis ball 4 at normal temperature comes out of the tennis ball 4.
- the internal pressure of each of the tennis balls 4 can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to storing the balls 4 at normal temperature. In this method, a decrease in the internal pressure of each tennis ball 4 can be controlled without using a pressure container.
- the gas of which the permeability coefficient for a film such as rubber or the like decreases as the temperature decreases is not limited to nitrogen gas and oxygen gas.
- the permeability coefficient of a gas passing through a film decreases as the temperature decreases.
- the present method is effective also for hollow balls 4 filled with a gas other than nitrogen gas and oxygen gas.
- the storage temperature for the hollow balls 4 is preferably equal to or lower than 10°C. From this standpoint, the storage temperature for the hollow balls 4 is more preferably equal to or lower than 0°C and further preferably equal to or lower than -10°C.
- FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for a method for storing hollow balls according to the present invention.
- the apparatus includes a refrigerator 11 and a bag 12.
- the bag 12 houses hollow balls 14.
- the bag 12 is typically made from a resin composition.
- the bag 12 has an input port for putting in the hollow balls 14 therethrough.
- the input port is provided with a zipper 16. By closing the zipper 16, the bag 12 is kept airtight.
- the interior of the refrigerator 11 is a housing portion 18 which houses the bag 12 in which the hollow balls 14 are put.
- the refrigerator 11 includes a main body 20 and a lid 22.
- the main body 20 has, at an upper portion thereof, an input port for putting in the hollow balls 14 therethrough.
- the refrigerator 11 keeps the internal temperature thereof low.
- the refrigerator 11 typically cools the interior thereof by electric power.
- the refrigerator 11 may cool the interior thereof by having ice therein.
- the hollow balls 14 are housed in the housing portion 18 of the refrigerator 11.
- the hollow balls 14 are put into the bag 12.
- the zipper 16 of the bag 12 is closed.
- the bag 12 is put into the refrigerator 11.
- the lid 22 of the refrigerator 11 is opened, the bag 12 is put into the main body 20 through the input port of the main body 20, and the lid 22 is closed.
- the hollow balls 14 are cooled in the interior of the refrigerator 11 to a temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the hollow balls 14 are stored in a state where the hollow balls 14 are cooled to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the bag 12 in which the hollow balls 14 have been put is taken out from the refrigerator 11, so that the temperature of each hollow ball 14 is increased. Thereafter, the hollow balls 14 are taken out from the bag 12 and used.
- the hollow balls 14 are stored in a state of being cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of each hollow ball 14 decreases. The speed at which the gas comes out of the interior of the ball 14 is lower than that at normal temperature. Thus, the internal pressure of each hollow ball 14 can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing the balls 14 at normal temperature. According to this method, it is possible to easily store the hollow balls 14 without using a pressure container.
- each ball 14 When the hollow balls 14 that have been stored at the low temperature are exposed directly to the atmosphere, dew condensation may occur on the surface of each ball 14.
- felt portions cover the surface. If each ball 14 is used in a state where the felt portions contain water generated due to dew condensation, yarns that form the felt portions are twisted, so that irregularities can occur on the surface. The tennis ball 14 can be no longer used.
- the hollow balls 14 are exposed to the atmosphere while being housed in the bag 12 before being used. Thus, dew condensation occurs on the surface of the bag 12. Since the airtightness of the bag 12 is ensured, water does not adhere to the surface of each ball 14. Then, after the temperature of each hollow ball 14 is increased, the hollow balls 14 are taken out from the bag 12. Thus, the amount of dew condensation occurring on the surface of each hollow ball 14 can be decreased. In this method, occurrence of twist of the felt is suppressed.
- the temperature of each hollow ball 14 is preferably increased to a temperature exceeding the dew point of the external air.
- the principal component of the base resin of the resin composition of the bag 12 is preferably nylon or polyethylene.
- the bag 12 is housed in the refrigerator 11.
- the hollow balls 14 may not be housed in the bag 12.
- the hollow balls 14 may be housed directly in the refrigerator 11. In this case, before the hollow balls 14 are used, for example, by increasing the temperature within the refrigerator 11, the temperature of each hollow ball 14 is increased. After the temperature of each hollow ball 14 is increased, the hollow balls 14 are taken out, whereby dew condensation can be prevented from occurring on the surface of each hollow ball 14. According to this method, occurrence of twist of the felt can be suppressed even without using the bag 12.
- the present method is used when hollow balls are transported.
- the hollow balls are housed in the interior of a freezing container which is a housing portion.
- the hollow balls are cooled in the interior of the freezing container to a temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the hollow balls are stored and transported in a state where the hollow balls are cooled to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- the hollow balls produced in a factory are shipped to a remote place such as a foreign country or the like, the hollow balls may be transported over several weeks.
- sets of several balls are generally put in pressurized containers, such as steel cans and the like, and transported, in order to suppress a decrease in the internal pressure of each ball.
- pressurized containers are opened and discarded immediately after the pressurized containers are delivered.
- a manufacturer opens pressurized containers immediately before delivery of the pressurized containers to a user and then delivers only balls to the user in some cases.
- the hollow balls are stored in the interior of the freezing container in a state where the hollow balls are cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of each hollow ball decreases. The speed at which the gas comes out of the interior of each ball is lower than that at normal temperature. Thus, the internal pressure of each hollow ball can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing the balls at normal temperature. According to this method, no pressurized container is needed. According to this method, at the time of transportation, it is not necessary to put balls into a pressurized container in a sealed manner. In addition, it is also not necessary to open a pressurized container before delivery of balls to a user. In this method, the transportation cost can be reduced. In this method, waste matters which are pressurized containers are also not generated. In this method, consumption of resources is reduced.
- Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the three types described here.
- the kind of apparatus for cooling hollow balls and whether to use the bag, and the like can be determined and combined as appropriate according to a use purpose of the present method.
- Example 1 the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was prepared, and a method for storing hollow balls was executed under the conditions shown in Table 1.
- the hollow balls commercially-available regulation tennis balls were used.
- the initial internal pressure of each of the regulation tennis balls is 1.8 kgf/cm 2 .
- the outer shell of each of the tennis balls is made from natural rubber. These balls were put into a refrigerator of which the internal temperature can be adjusted.
- "average external air temperature” is the average temperature of the external air during a period when the balls were stored.
- “Playing temperature” is the temperature of the external air when tennis is played by using the balls after end of the storage period.
- Ball temperature increasing treatment indicates whether a treatment for increasing the temperature of each ball to a temperature exceeding the dew point of the atmosphere was performed before taking out the balls from the refrigerator after the end of the storage period. “No” indicates that the treatment was not performed, and “Yes” indicates that the treatment was performed. In Example 1, the ball temperature increasing treatment was not performed.
- Comparative Example 1 is the same as Example 1, except the storage temperature for the balls was not adjusted and the balls were stored at the same temperature as the temperature of the external air.
- Examples 2 and 3 are the same as Example 1, except the storage temperature for the balls was as shown in Table 1.
- Examples 4 to 6 are the same as Example 1, except the storage temperature for the balls was as shown in Table 1 and the ball temperature increasing treatment was performed.
- Example 1 Example 2
- Example 3 Example 4
- Example 5 Example 6 Average external air temperature [°C] 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 Storage temperature [°C] 23 10 0 -10 10 0 -10 Playing temperature [°C] 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
- Ball temperature increasing treatment No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
- Internal pressure decrease [kgf / cm 2 ] 0.12 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.03 Felt twist A
- the method described above can be used for storing various hollow balls.
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Description
- The present invention relates to methods for storing hollow balls such as regulation tennis balls, soft tennis balls, and the like.
- In order to obtain appropriate elasticity of hollow balls such as a regulation tennis ball, a soft tennis ball, and the like, the internal pressures of the balls are kept higher than the atmospheric pressure. For example, the internal pressure of a regulation tennis ball is set to be about 1.8 times of the atmospheric pressure. If a ball has an internal pressure higher than this, a user feels that the ball is too hard or flies too far. If a ball has an internal pressure lower than this, the user feels that the ball is too soft or does not fly well. A hollow ball needs to be manufactured such that the internal pressure thereof has an appropriate value, and the internal pressure of the manufactured ball needs to be kept in an appropriate range.
- In order to increase the internal pressure of a ball, for example, in manufacturing a regulation tennis ball, there is a case where a method of generating gas by a chemical reaction is used and a case where air is compressed and injected. The ball includes a core which is a hollow sphere made of rubber; and two felt portions (also referred to as "melton") which cover the surface of the core. The core is obtained by attaching together two half shells. In the case where the internal pressure is increased by a chemical reaction, prior to attaching together the two half shells, a tablet of ammonium chloride, a tablet of sodium nitrite, and water (or aqueous solutions thereof) are put into the core. In crosslinking the core, they are heated, so that ammonium chloride and sodium nitrite cause a chemical reaction. Nitrogen gas is generated by the chemical reaction. The internal pressure of the core is increased by the nitrogen gas.
- In a ball having an internal pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, the gas within the ball passes through an outer shell to come out of the ball due to the difference between the internal pressure and the atmospheric pressure. That is, even when a ball is manufactured so as to have an appropriate internal pressure, the internal pressure decreases over time. For example, when a regulation tennis ball is left in the atmospheric pressure for about two months, the internal pressure thereof decreases by 10% to 15% thereby to begin to affect playing such as "not bouncing well, poor feel at impact", or the like.
- Results of examination of storage containers for suppressing a decrease in the internal pressures of tennis balls are disclosed in
JP7-155406 JP7-187252 JP8-89600 -
- Patent Literature 1:
JP7-155406 - Patent Literature 2:
JP7-187252 - Patent Literature 3:
JP8-89600 - Regarding each of the storage containers in
JP7-155406 JP7-187252 JP8-89600 US 2013/0098936 A1 describes a refrigerating cabinet for the automatic dispensing of sports balls stored in a uniform environment. - An object of the present invention is to provide a method for storing a hollow ball easily at low cost.
- This object is satisfied by a method having the features of claim 1. Such a method for storing a hollow ball according to the present invention includes the steps of:
- (1) putting a hollow ball including an outer shell and a space surrounded by the outer shell, into a housing portion, wherein the hollow ball is housed in a bag in the housing portion;
- (2) decreasing a temperature of the hollow ball to a temperature lower than a temperature of external air;
- (3) storing the hollow ball in a state where the temperature of the hollow ball is made lower than the temperature of the external air;
- (4) increasing the temperature of the hollow ball; and
- (5) thereafter taking out the hollow ball from the hollow bag.
- In the step of (4) the temperature of the hollow ball is increased after the step (3).
- Preferably, in the step (4), the temperature of the hollow ball is increased to a temperature exceeding a dew point of the external air.
- Preferably, in the step (3), the temperature of the hollow ball is equal to or lower than 10°C.
- Preferably, in the step (3), the temperature of the hollow ball is equal to or lower than 0°C.
- Preferably, in the step (3), the temperature of the hollow ball is equal to or lower than -10°C.
- In the method for storing the hollow ball according to the present invention, after the hollow ball is housed within the housing portion, the temperature of the hollow ball is decreased to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air. The hollow ball is stored in a state of being cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of the hollow ball decreases. Thus, the speed at which the gas within the ball comes out of the ball is lower than that at normal temperature. Therefore, the internal pressure of the hollow ball can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing the ball at normal temperature. According to this method, it is possible to easily store the hollow ball without using a pressure container.
-
- [
FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an apparatus for a method for storing a hollow ball . - [
FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an apparatus for a method for storing a hollow ball according to a second embodiment of the present invention. - The following will describe in detail the present invention based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.
-
FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for a method for storing a hollow ball according to an exemplary embodiment. The apparatus is arefrigerator 2. The interior of therefrigerator 2 is ahousing portion 6 which houseshollow balls 4 each of which includes an outer shell and a space surrounded by the outer shell. Therefrigerator 2 includes amain body 8 and alid 10. Themain body 8 has, at an upper portion thereof, an input port for putting in thehollow balls 4 therethrough. Therefrigerator 2 keeps the internal temperature thereof low. Therefrigerator 2 typically cools the interior thereof by electric power. Therefrigerator 2 may cool the interior thereof by having ice therein. - In the method for storing the
hollow balls 4 according to an exemplary embodiment, in the first step, thehollow balls 4 are put into thehousing portion 6 of therefrigerator 2. Thelid 10 of therefrigerator 2 is opened, thehollow balls 4 are put into themain body 8 through the input port of themain body 8, and thelid 10 is closed. In the next step, thehollow balls 4 are cooled in thehousing portion 6 of therefrigerator 2 to a temperature lower than the temperature of the external air. In the next step, thehollow balls 4 are stored in a state where thehollow balls 4 are cooled to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air. - As described above, in the method for storing the
hollow balls 4 thehollow balls 4 are stored in a state of being cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of eachhollow ball 4 decreases. The speed at which the gas within theball 4 comes out of theball 4 is lower than that at normal temperature. Thus, the internal pressure of eachhollow ball 4 can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing theballs 4 at normal temperature. According to this method, it is possible to easily store thehollow balls 4 without using a pressure container. - Hereinafter,
regulation tennis balls 4 are taken as an example, and the case of storing theballs 4 at normal temperature of 25°C and the case of storing theballs 4 while cooling theballs 4 to 10°C are compared as to the speed at which gas comes out of the interior of eachball 4. The outer shell of eachregulation tennis ball 4 is generally made from natural rubber. The gas within eachregulation tennis ball 4 is generally composed of nitrogen gas (N2) and oxygen gas (O2) , similarly to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is also present in the interior of eachregulation tennis ball 4 and the atmosphere, but the amount thereof is negligibly small. - When: the permeability coefficient of a gas for a film is denoted by Cp; the partial pressure difference of the gas between the outer side and the inner side across the film is denoted by P; and the thickness of the film is denoted by W, a speed V at which the gas passes through the film is represented by:
- As shown in the above formula, the speed V at which the gas passes through the film is proportional to the permeability coefficient Cp of the gas for the film. In the case of the
regulation tennis balls 4 that are commercially available, the permeability coefficient Cp of each of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas for the outer shell at a temperature of 10°C is substantially 1/2 of the permeability coefficient Cp thereof at a temperature of 25°C. The partial pressure difference P also decreases as the temperature decreases, but the effect of the partial pressure difference P on the speed V is less than that of the permeability coefficient. The thickness W of the film does not change in response to the temperature. Therefore, by cooling theballs 4 at 25°C to 10°C, the speed V at which each of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas passes through the outer shell of eachball 4 becomes substantially 1/2 due to the effect of the temperature dependency of the permeability coefficient Cp. - As described above, at each of the
tennis balls 4, the speed at which the gas within thetennis ball 4 comes out of thetennis ball 4 is lower than the speed at which the gas within thetennis ball 4 at normal temperature comes out of thetennis ball 4. The internal pressure of each of thetennis balls 4 can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to storing theballs 4 at normal temperature. In this method, a decrease in the internal pressure of eachtennis ball 4 can be controlled without using a pressure container. - The gas of which the permeability coefficient for a film such as rubber or the like decreases as the temperature decreases is not limited to nitrogen gas and oxygen gas. In general, the permeability coefficient of a gas passing through a film decreases as the temperature decreases. The present method is effective also for
hollow balls 4 filled with a gas other than nitrogen gas and oxygen gas. - From the standpoint that the speed at which the gas comes out of the interior of each
hollow ball 4 is decreased to maintain the internal pressure of thehollow ball 4, the storage temperature for thehollow balls 4 is preferably equal to or lower than 10°C. From this standpoint, the storage temperature for thehollow balls 4 is more preferably equal to or lower than 0°C and further preferably equal to or lower than -10°C. -
FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for a method for storing hollow balls according to the present invention. The apparatus includes arefrigerator 11 and abag 12. - The
bag 12 houseshollow balls 14. Thebag 12 is typically made from a resin composition. Thebag 12 has an input port for putting in thehollow balls 14 therethrough. The input port is provided with azipper 16. By closing thezipper 16, thebag 12 is kept airtight. - The interior of the
refrigerator 11 is ahousing portion 18 which houses thebag 12 in which thehollow balls 14 are put. Therefrigerator 11 includes amain body 20 and alid 22. Themain body 20 has, at an upper portion thereof, an input port for putting in thehollow balls 14 therethrough. Therefrigerator 11 keeps the internal temperature thereof low. Therefrigerator 11 typically cools the interior thereof by electric power. Therefrigerator 11 may cool the interior thereof by having ice therein. - In the method for storing the
hollow balls 14 according to the present invention, in the first step, thehollow balls 14 are housed in thehousing portion 18 of therefrigerator 11. In this step, first, thehollow balls 14 are put into thebag 12. Thereafter, thezipper 16 of thebag 12 is closed. Thebag 12 is put into therefrigerator 11. Thelid 22 of therefrigerator 11 is opened, thebag 12 is put into themain body 20 through the input port of themain body 20, and thelid 22 is closed. - In the next step, the
hollow balls 14 are cooled in the interior of therefrigerator 11 to a temperature lower than the temperature of the external air. In a step subsequent to this, thehollow balls 14 are stored in a state where thehollow balls 14 are cooled to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air. - In the final step, before the
hollow balls 14 are used, thebag 12 in which thehollow balls 14 have been put is taken out from therefrigerator 11, so that the temperature of eachhollow ball 14 is increased. Thereafter, thehollow balls 14 are taken out from thebag 12 and used. - As described above, in the method for storing the
hollow balls 14 according to the present invention, thehollow balls 14 are stored in a state of being cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of eachhollow ball 14 decreases. The speed at which the gas comes out of the interior of theball 14 is lower than that at normal temperature. Thus, the internal pressure of eachhollow ball 14 can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing theballs 14 at normal temperature. According to this method, it is possible to easily store thehollow balls 14 without using a pressure container. - When the
hollow balls 14 that have been stored at the low temperature are exposed directly to the atmosphere, dew condensation may occur on the surface of eachball 14. In eachregulation tennis ball 14, felt portions cover the surface. If eachball 14 is used in a state where the felt portions contain water generated due to dew condensation, yarns that form the felt portions are twisted, so that irregularities can occur on the surface. Thetennis ball 14 can be no longer used. In the storing method according to the present invention, thehollow balls 14 are exposed to the atmosphere while being housed in thebag 12 before being used. Thus, dew condensation occurs on the surface of thebag 12. Since the airtightness of thebag 12 is ensured, water does not adhere to the surface of eachball 14. Then, after the temperature of eachhollow ball 14 is increased, thehollow balls 14 are taken out from thebag 12. Thus, the amount of dew condensation occurring on the surface of eachhollow ball 14 can be decreased. In this method, occurrence of twist of the felt is suppressed. - Before the
hollow balls 14 are taken out from thebag 12, the temperature of eachhollow ball 14 is preferably increased to a temperature exceeding the dew point of the external air. By increasing the temperature of eachhollow ball 14 to the temperature exceeding the dew point of the external air, dew condensation does not newly occur on the surface of each of the taken-outhollow balls 14. According to this method, twist of the felt due to dew condensation does not occur. - From the standpoint that the
bag 12 is kept airtight and is excellent in waterproofness, the principal component of the base resin of the resin composition of thebag 12 is preferably nylon or polyethylene. - In the above-described storing method, after the
hollow balls 14 are housed in thebag 12, thebag 12 is housed in therefrigerator 11. Thehollow balls 14 may not be housed in thebag 12. Thehollow balls 14 may be housed directly in therefrigerator 11. In this case, before thehollow balls 14 are used, for example, by increasing the temperature within therefrigerator 11, the temperature of eachhollow ball 14 is increased. After the temperature of eachhollow ball 14 is increased, thehollow balls 14 are taken out, whereby dew condensation can be prevented from occurring on the surface of eachhollow ball 14. According to this method, occurrence of twist of the felt can be suppressed even without using thebag 12. - In a third embodiment of the present invention, the present method is used when hollow balls are transported. In this storing method, in the first step, the hollow balls are housed in the interior of a freezing container which is a housing portion. In the next step, the hollow balls are cooled in the interior of the freezing container to a temperature lower than the temperature of the external air. In the next step, the hollow balls are stored and transported in a state where the hollow balls are cooled to the temperature lower than the temperature of the external air.
- When the hollow balls produced in a factory are shipped to a remote place such as a foreign country or the like, the hollow balls may be transported over several weeks. Thus, for example, regarding regulation tennis balls, sets of several balls are generally put in pressurized containers, such as steel cans and the like, and transported, in order to suppress a decrease in the internal pressure of each ball. At a user who uses many balls every day such as a tennis school or the like, pressurized containers are opened and discarded immediately after the pressurized containers are delivered. In addition, since it is bothersome to open a pressurized container, a manufacturer opens pressurized containers immediately before delivery of the pressurized containers to a user and then delivers only balls to the user in some cases. That is, only for transportation, an operation of housing the balls in the pressurized containers and opening the pressurized containers is performed, and further the used pressurized containers are discarded. This increases the transportation cost for balls. In addition, this can be a factor for increasing consumption of resources.
- In the method for storing the hollow balls according to the present invention, the hollow balls are stored in the interior of the freezing container in a state where the hollow balls are cooled. Under the low temperature, the permeability of gas relative to the outer shell of each hollow ball decreases. The speed at which the gas comes out of the interior of each ball is lower than that at normal temperature. Thus, the internal pressure of each hollow ball can be maintained for a long period of time as compared to a conventional method for storing the balls at normal temperature. According to this method, no pressurized container is needed. According to this method, at the time of transportation, it is not necessary to put balls into a pressurized container in a sealed manner. In addition, it is also not necessary to open a pressurized container before delivery of balls to a user. In this method, the transportation cost can be reduced. In this method, waste matters which are pressurized containers are also not generated. In this method, consumption of resources is reduced.
- The effects of the present invention have been described above in the representative three types of embodiments. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the three types described here. For example, the kind of apparatus for cooling hollow balls and whether to use the bag, and the like can be determined and combined as appropriate according to a use purpose of the present method. According to the present invention, in any of the embodiments, it is not necessary to use a pressure container, and thus hollow balls can be stored easily at low cost as compared to the conventional method. Due to the above, advantages of the present invention are clear.
- The following will show effects of the present invention by means of examples, but the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner based on the description of these examples.
- In Example 1, the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1 was prepared, and a method for storing hollow balls was executed under the conditions shown in Table 1. As the hollow balls, commercially-available regulation tennis balls were used. The initial internal pressure of each of the regulation tennis balls is 1.8 kgf/cm2. The outer shell of each of the tennis balls is made from natural rubber. These balls were put into a refrigerator of which the internal temperature can be adjusted. In the table, "average external air temperature" is the average temperature of the external air during a period when the balls were stored. "Playing temperature" is the temperature of the external air when tennis is played by using the balls after end of the storage period. "Ball temperature increasing treatment" indicates whether a treatment for increasing the temperature of each ball to a temperature exceeding the dew point of the atmosphere was performed before taking out the balls from the refrigerator after the end of the storage period. "No" indicates that the treatment was not performed, and "Yes" indicates that the treatment was performed. In Example 1, the ball temperature increasing treatment was not performed. - Comparative Example 1 is the same as Example 1, except the storage temperature for the balls was not adjusted and the balls were stored at the same temperature as the temperature of the external air.
- Examples 2 and 3 are the same as Example 1, except the storage temperature for the balls was as shown in Table 1.
- Examples 4 to 6 are the same as Example 1, except the storage temperature for the balls was as shown in Table 1 and the ball temperature increasing treatment was performed.
- After the balls were housed in the refrigerator, the balls were stored for 1 month under the conditions shown in Table 1. Thereafter, the balls were taken out from the refrigerator, and the internal pressure of each ball was measured. The difference between this internal pressure and the internal pressure before the storage is shown as "internal pressure decrease" in Table 1.
- After the balls were housed in the refrigerator, the balls were stored for 1 month under the conditions shown in Table 1. Thereafter, the balls were taken out from the refrigerator, and a tennis match was held by using the balls under the temperature shown in Table 1. After the match, it was visually confirmed whether felt twist of each ball occurred. The results are shown as "felt twist" in Table 1. In the table, "A" indicates that no felt twist occurs, "B" indicates that felt twist occurs but the degree of the felt twist is such a degree as not to affect playing, and "C" indicates that felt twist occurs to such a degree as to affect playing.
-
Table 1 Evaluation Results Comparative Example 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Average external air temperature [°C] 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 Storage temperature [°C] 23 10 0 -10 10 0 -10 Playing temperature [°C] 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Ball temperature increasing treatment No No No No Yes Yes Yes Internal pressure decrease [kgf / cm2] 0.12 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.03 Felt twist A B C C A A A - As shown in Table 1, in the method for storing the balls according to each Example, a decrease in the internal pressure of each ball is significantly suppressed as compared to the method for storing the balls according to each Comparative Example. From the evaluation results, advantages of the present invention are clear.
- The method described above can be used for storing various hollow balls.
-
- 2, 11···
- refrigerator
- 4, 14···
- ball
- 6, 18···
- housing portion
- 8, 20···
- main body
- 10, 22···
- lid
- 12···
- bag
- 16···
- zipper
Claims (5)
- A method for storing a hollow ball (14), the method comprising the steps of:(1) putting a hollow ball (14) including an outer shell and a space surrounded by the outer shell, into a housing portion (18), wherein the hollow ball (14) is housed in a bag (12) in the housing portion (18);(2) decreasing a temperature of the hollow ball (14) to a temperature lower than a temperature of external air; and(3) storing the hollow ball (14) in a state where the temperature of the hollow ball (14) is made lower than the temperature of the external air;(4) increasing the temperature of the hollow ball (14) after the step (3); and(5) thereafter taking out the hollow ball (14) from the bag (12).
- The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step (4), the temperature of the hollow ball (14) is increased to a temperature exceeding a dew point of the external air.
- The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in the step (3), the temperature of the hollow ball (14) is equal to or lower than 10°C.
- The method according to claim 3, wherein in the step (3), the temperature of the hollow ball (14) is equal to or lower than 0°C.
- The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (3), the temperature of the hollow ball (14) is equal to or lower than -10°C.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2013170012A JP6257025B2 (en) | 2013-08-20 | 2013-08-20 | How to store hollow balls |
PCT/JP2014/063314 WO2015025567A1 (en) | 2013-08-20 | 2014-05-20 | Hollow ball storage method |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3025768A1 EP3025768A1 (en) | 2016-06-01 |
EP3025768A4 EP3025768A4 (en) | 2017-04-05 |
EP3025768B1 true EP3025768B1 (en) | 2020-10-07 |
Family
ID=52483352
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP14837497.8A Active EP3025768B1 (en) | 2013-08-20 | 2014-05-20 | Hollow ball storage method |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3025768B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6257025B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105473195A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015025567A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE8815709U1 (en) * | 1988-12-19 | 1989-02-16 | Wagner, Manfred | |
JP2906956B2 (en) | 1993-12-10 | 1999-06-21 | ブリヂストンスポーツ株式会社 | Tennis ball container |
JP3474909B2 (en) | 1993-12-24 | 2003-12-08 | 株式会社クラレ | Pressurized container |
JPH07195371A (en) * | 1993-12-29 | 1995-08-01 | Sumitomo Rubber Ind Ltd | Production of rubber molded article |
JPH0889600A (en) | 1994-09-26 | 1996-04-09 | Ee:Kk | Preserving vessel for tennis ball |
JP3580401B2 (en) * | 1998-03-30 | 2004-10-20 | 住友ゴム工業株式会社 | Packaging method for hard tennis balls |
JP2006255549A (en) * | 2005-03-16 | 2006-09-28 | Hitachi Koki Co Ltd | Centrifuge |
DE202007001913U1 (en) * | 2007-02-09 | 2007-05-16 | Sack, Norbert | Closable heated case with temperature regulation and own electrical supply for transporting e.g. mini golf balls, has its own heating and regulation |
FR2959336B1 (en) * | 2010-04-22 | 2012-06-29 | Gerard Kuma | AUTOMATIC DISPENSING CABIN FOR REFRIGERANT TENNIS BALLS |
JP5899209B2 (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2016-04-06 | アクセリス テクノロジーズ, インコーポレイテッド | Active dew point detection and load lock ventilation to prevent condensation on the workpiece |
JP5740923B2 (en) * | 2010-11-10 | 2015-07-01 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Method of enclosing gas in a packaging bag |
US20130043158A1 (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2013-02-21 | Cobra Golf Incorporated | Modular golf club case |
US8616270B2 (en) * | 2012-03-03 | 2013-12-31 | Ralph Samuel Granchelli, JR. | Tennis ball conditioner |
-
2013
- 2013-08-20 JP JP2013170012A patent/JP6257025B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-05-20 CN CN201480046129.4A patent/CN105473195A/en active Pending
- 2014-05-20 EP EP14837497.8A patent/EP3025768B1/en active Active
- 2014-05-20 WO PCT/JP2014/063314 patent/WO2015025567A1/en active Application Filing
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP6257025B2 (en) | 2018-01-10 |
CN105473195A (en) | 2016-04-06 |
EP3025768A1 (en) | 2016-06-01 |
WO2015025567A1 (en) | 2015-02-26 |
JP2015037510A (en) | 2015-02-26 |
EP3025768A4 (en) | 2017-04-05 |
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