JPH0663180A - Manufacture of golf ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To give a high impingement peel-off resistance to a coating film on the outer surface of a golf ball and to maintain the safety for a manufacturing process by painting the outer surface of the golf ball after a golf ball body is subjected to surface-treatment with the use of atmospheric plasma discharge. CONSTITUTION:A container 1 made of an insulator is located between parallel planner electrodes 2a, 2b, and is applied with a voltage from an a.c. power source 3 so as to plasma-treat the outer surface of a golf ball body 4 which is rolled in the container 1 having an inner diameter extremely equal to the outer diameter of the golf ball so as to prevent golf ball bodies from being rubbed together, and to prevent processing gas such as helium gas from diffusing into the atmosphere. The golf ball body 4 subjected to the surface treatment by the atmospheric glow discharge, is painted at its outer surface. Thus, the adhesion between the coated film and the golf ball is high so as to be hardly deteriorated by an environmental cause such as a temperature, a humidity or light. Thereby it is possible to manufacture a golf ball which hardly discolors its coating film so as to be stable in aging and which is held in a closely adhering state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a golf ball, and more particularly to a method for manufacturing a golf ball which can improve the adhesion between a golf ball body and a coating film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, as a golf ball, a thread wound golf ball,
Solid golf balls such as one-piece golf balls and two-pis golf balls are known, and in these golf balls, the surface of the golf ball body is coated. This golf ball coating not only plays an important role in holding letters, numbers, marks, etc. stamped on the golf ball body, surface gloss, and maintaining aesthetics,
It also has important significance in reducing air resistance and improving flight performance of golf balls.

In this case, urethane-based paint is usually used as the paint. However, if the surface of the golf ball body after molding is simply coated with the above paint, it can withstand a strong impact by a golf club. Impact peelability cannot be satisfied. Therefore, various surface treatment methods have been attempted on the golf ball body for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the golf ball body and the coating film, but sufficient performance has not been obtained yet, and in the manufacturing process. The current situation is that there are many problems.

For example, a method is known in which a golf ball main body is subjected to flame treatment and then painted, but this method is not preferable in the process because it has a risk of fire and burns, and moreover, coating film adhesion. The improvement effect is insufficient.
Further, a method of roughening the surface of the golf ball body by sandblasting or the like is also known, but this method has an insufficient effect of improving coating film adhesion, and the dimple shape formed on the surface is It had a problem of being significantly damaged.

Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-39266 proposes a method of treating the surface of a golf ball by using a low pressure plasma treatment method in order to improve the adhesion of the coating film on the golf ball. Since the balls are placed under reduced pressure, it is necessary to provide a valve between the plasma processing zone and the atmosphere, and there is a problem that the open / close life of this valve greatly affects continuous processing. In addition, when a golf ball having a cover mainly composed of a rubber material such as balata resin is placed under reduced pressure, the volatile rubber compound is gasified and deposited. There was also a problem that it could not be done effectively.

Further, JP-A-2-15171 and JP-A-2-15171.
-48626, JP-A-3-241739, JP-A-3
Japanese Patent No. 236475 proposes a method of obtaining glow plasma under atmospheric pressure to surface-treat an object to be treated. This method is suitable for surface treatment of a flat object to be treated. It was difficult to surface-treat such spherical objects.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a golf ball, which is capable of imparting high impact resistance to the coating layer on the surface of the golf ball and keeping the safety of the production process high.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive studies in order to achieve the above object. Adhesion to a coating film is improved even in a golf ball body made of a material, and the atmospheric pressure plasma discharge treatment is performed in a gas atmosphere of about 80 to 100 ° C. or lower, so that the temperature is relatively high. Since it does not damage the substrate of the golf ball surface made of a weak material and does not cause thermal deformation of the golf ball body, surface treatment can be performed without impairing the molding shape such as dimples. Because of the treatment, even if the rubber material such as balata material is subjected to the surface treatment, the volatile rubber compound is not gasified and deposited, and the plasma treatment is effectively performed. It was found that, the present invention has been accomplished.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a golf ball, which comprises subjecting a golf ball body before coating to surface treatment by atmospheric pressure plasma discharge and then coating.

The present invention will be described in more detail below. In the present invention, first, the surface of the golf ball body is subjected to atmospheric pressure plasma discharge treatment.

In this case, the type of golf ball is not limited, and the present invention can be applied to any of solid golf balls such as a thread wound golf ball, a one-piece solid golf ball and a two-piece solid golf ball. Effective even if applied to golf balls made of any material such as balata resin, thermoplastic resin, metal salt reinforced peroxide cross-linking resin, etc., or a blend containing these resins as a main component And
It is possible to exert strong adhesion between the surface of the golf ball body and the paint.

In the present invention, the golf ball body (in the case of a thread-wound golf ball, a thread wound core having a cover formed thereon, in the case of a one-piece solid golf ball, a one-piece solid core, in the case of a multi-layer solid golf ball such as a two-pith solid golf ball) There is no limitation on the method of subjecting the solid core with a cover) to atmospheric pressure plasma discharge treatment, and the golf ball body may be placed in an atmospheric pressure plasma atmosphere. In this case, it is preferable to roll the golf ball body in the atmospheric pressure plasma atmosphere, which allows the golf ball body to be uniformly and surface-treated.

Specifically, since the golf ball body is surface-treated by atmospheric pressure plasma discharge, the golf ball is preferably arranged in a rollable manner in the insulator container and the inside or outside of the insulator container is preferably arranged. An electrode is arranged in the insulator container, a predetermined gas is supplied to the insulator container, a voltage is applied to the electrode to generate plasma in the insulator container at atmospheric pressure, and preferably the surface of the golf ball body while rolling. Processing is preferred.

Here, the material of the insulator container is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include plastic, glass and ceramics. The insulator container is not limited as long as it can generate plasma, can be placed with a golf ball, and can be rotationally moved, and any size and shape can be used. ,
In order to uniformly carry out the surface treatment of the golf ball body, it is preferable that the golf ball body has a cylindrical shape having a size sufficient for one golf ball to pass through. Also, the thickness of the insulator container is 0.01
It is preferably 10 to 10 mm, particularly 0.1 to 5 mm.

The electrodes to which a voltage is applied may be of any size and shape as long as they can generate plasma.

As the gas that can be used in the surface treatment method according to the present invention, a gas that is easy to discharge at atmospheric pressure is effective in order to stably obtain atmospheric pressure plasma. Specifically, helium, argon, neon is used. Such an inert gas, a non-polymerizable gas such as nitrogen or oxygen, a gas of one kind or two kinds of gases such as an organic gas can be used, and helium, neon and the like are particularly preferable. In this case, a gas effective for improving the adhesion between the golf ball body and the coating film, specifically, nitrogen, oxygen, CF ₄ , chlorine, hydrogen chloride, bromine, hydrogen bromide, bromine cyanide, bromide. Halogen gas or halogen compounds such as tin, sulfur or sulfurous acid gas, sulfides such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, CO, CO ₂ ,
H ₂ or the like can be used, but in order to stably obtain atmospheric pressure plasma, it is preferable to dilute these gases with a gas such as the above-mentioned inert gas that is easily discharged at atmospheric pressure.

These gases do not necessarily have to be gaseous at room temperature, and the supply method is selected depending on the temperature in the discharge region and the state (solid, liquid, gas) at room temperature. That is, when it is gaseous at the temperature of the discharge region or at room temperature, it can be flowed into the insulator container as it is, and when it is liquid, if the vapor pressure is relatively high, the vapor The liquid may be flowed in as it is, or the liquid may be bubbled in with an inert gas or the like and flowed in. On the other hand, when it is not in a gaseous state and has a relatively low vapor pressure, it can be used in a state of being in a gaseous state or a high vapor pressure by heating.

Here, when atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the processing pressure is preferably near atmospheric pressure, and is 200T.
Within the range of orr to 3 atm, preferably atmospheric pressure of 1 atm
Can be processed with.

As a method of generating plasma according to the present invention, any method can be adopted as long as it can form a plasma atmosphere inside the insulator container. There are roughly two types of voltage application methods, DC and AC, but AC discharge is easier industrially. in this case,
As the frequency, any frequency of several hundred Hz or more used for normal AC discharge can be used.

The above method is characterized in that atmospheric pressure glow plasma can be generated as atmospheric pressure plasma, and at this time, the surface treatment effect is the greatest, which is preferable. However, depending on the purpose of, for example, intentionally reducing the degree of processing, plasma in the form of discharge such as corona discharge or silent discharge can be used.

As an apparatus for treating the golf ball body in the atmospheric pressure plasma atmosphere as described above,
Devices such as those shown in Figures 1-25 can be used.

That is, FIGS. 1 to 8 show a cylindrical insulator container 1
1 and 2 show examples of electrodes arranged outside the
Shows an example in which the insulator container 1 is arranged between the parallel plate electrodes 2a and 2b (the application electrode 2a and the ground electrode 2b), a voltage is applied from the AC power supply 3, and the plasma treatment of the surface of the golf ball body 4 is performed. 3 and 4 show electrodes 5a, 5 having an arc-shaped cross section.
An example is shown in which b is opposed to each other with the insulator container 1 interposed therebetween. 5 and 6 show an example in which the linear or string-like electrodes 6 are spirally wound around the insulator container 1 at predetermined intervals. In this case, a voltage is applied from one end of the electrode 6 and the other end is grounded. 7 is a condenser. Further, FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example in which the ring-shaped application electrodes 8a and the ground electrodes 8b are alternately arranged at a predetermined distance. Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows an example in which two linear or string-shaped electrodes 9a and 9b are spirally wound with a predetermined distance therebetween. In this case, the electrode 9
A voltage is applied from a and the electrode 9b is grounded.

In these examples, the golf ball body 4
Can roll in the insulator container 1. In this case, by making the inner diameter of the insulator container 1 and the outer diameter of the golf ball body 4 extremely close to each other, it is possible to prevent the balls from clogging, It is possible to prevent the processing gas including the gas from diffusing into the atmosphere.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, plasma is generated by causing discharge between the applying electrode arranged on the outer side of the insulator container 1 and the ground electrode similarly arranged on the outer side. 10 to 18 show examples in which electrodes are arranged on the outer side and the inner side of the insulator container 1 and a plasma is generated by causing a discharge between the electrodes. In this case, either the outer electrode or the inner electrode can be used as the application electrode, and the electrode on the side other than the application electrode may or may not be adhered.

10 and 11, as described above, electrodes 10a, 1 having a circular arc-shaped cross section are formed on the outer and inner sides of the cylindrical insulator container 1. As shown in FIG.
0b (outer electrode 10a, inner electrode 10b) are opposed to each other, and an example of applying a voltage from the AC power supply 3 to the outer electrode 10a is shown. FIGS.
An example is shown in which 11a is arranged opposite to each other with the insulator container 1 interposed therebetween, and inner electrodes 11b and 11b having an arcuate cross section are arranged inside the insulator container 1 so as to be offset from the outer electrodes 11a and 11b by 90 °. 14 and 15 show an example in which three linear or string-shaped outer electrodes 12a are arranged outside the insulator container 1 at a predetermined distance, and similarly inner electrodes 12b are arranged inside the insulator container 1. Indicates. 16 shows an example in which nine outer electrodes 12a and nine inner electrodes 12b shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are arranged. 17 and 18 show a cylindrical outer electrode 13a disposed outside the insulator container 1 so as to cover the container 1, and three linear or string-shaped inner electrodes 13b spaced apart by a predetermined distance. An example of arrangement inside 1 is shown.

19 and 20, a cylindrical outer electrode 14a is arranged outside the insulator container 1 so as to cover the container 1, and two linear or string-shaped inner electrodes are provided inside the insulator container 1. The electrodes 14b, 14b are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, and the golf ball body 4 has these inner electrodes 14b, 14b.
The inner electrodes 14b and 14b are disposed on the inner surface 14b and serve as a guide for preventing the golf ball body 4 from being jammed. The positions of the inner electrodes 14b, 14b are preferably such that the distance between the golf ball body 4 and the insulator container 1 becomes as close as possible when the golf ball body 4 is placed on this.

In FIGS. 21 and 22, the outer electrode 15a is arranged in the same manner as in FIGS. 19 and 20, and five linear or string-shaped inner electrodes 15b are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance to form a circular locus. In this example, the golf ball body 4 is arranged in a space surrounded by these inner electrodes 15b.

In order to continuously surface-treat the golf ball body, it is preferable to use the apparatus shown in FIGS. That is, the example of FIG. 23 is an apparatus using the electrodes shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, which performs the surface treatment by atmospheric pressure plasma while tilting the container 1 and rolling the golf ball body 4 from the upper side to the lower side. Is. In this case, a predetermined gas is supplied into the container 1, but in order to prevent the gas from diffusing into the atmosphere, the main gas introduction port 19a is placed in the center of the insulator container 1, and auxiliary gas introduction is provided at both ends. Ports 19b, 19b are provided.

In the example of FIG. 24, the electrodes shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are used, and the insulator container 1 is tilted so that one end thereof serves as the entrance / exit of the golf ball body 4 and the other end of the insulator container 1 The vertical movement mechanism 17 for moving the other end up and down is provided, and the other end of the insulator container 1 is moved up and down, whereby the golf ball body 4 is surface-treated while reciprocating in the insulator container 1. In this case, the gas introduction port 18 is provided on the vertical movement mechanism 17 side in order to prevent the processing gas from diffusing into the atmosphere.

Further, in the example of FIG. 25, the electrodes shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are used to make the insulator container 1 stand upright and to use a hinge 20 for a closing door 19 which opens and closes the lower end opening portion thereof. The golf ball body 4 is attached to the container 1, the golf ball body 4 is inserted into the inside of the insulator container 1 through the door 19, and the processing gas is blown out from the gas introduction port 21 provided in the lower portion of the insulator container 1 to float the golf ball body 4. The surface treatment is performed while rotating it. In this case, especially the insulator container 1
It is important to control the gap between the golf ball body 4 and the golf ball body 4.

In FIGS. 23 to 25, FIGS.
Although the electrode shown in 1 is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and another electrode may be used.

The surface of the golf ball body surface-treated by the atmospheric pressure glow discharge as described above is coated. In this case, any golf ball paint may be used as the paint, and for example, a clear or pigmented urethane paint can be preferably used. Further, as the coating conditions, ordinary conditions can be adopted. The thickness is not particularly limited, but usually 0.1
˜100 μm.

[0033]

EXAMPLES The present invention will now be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Example 1 Using the surface treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 23, a two-piece solid golf ball main body (43 mm in diameter) covered with a thermoplastic ionomer resin and having dimples was surface-treated. First, a helium gas was introduced from the gas inlet 16a to make a glass insulator container 1 having an inclination angle of 25 ° (length 1500 m).
m, inner diameter 45 mm) was filled with helium gas, and then helium gas was introduced from the gas introduction ports 16b at both ends to form air curtains at both ends of the container 1 (entrance and exit of the golf ball body). Then, a frequency of 5 is applied between the electrodes 8a and 8b.
By applying an alternating voltage of kHz and voltage of 4 kV,
After forming atmospheric pressure glow plasma in the container 1, the container 1
The golf ball main body 4 was introduced into the container 1 through the upper end opening, and surface treatment was performed for 5 minutes while rolling the inside of the container 1.

After the surface treatment, 30 μm of a clear urethane-based paint was applied to the golf ball body and dried. With respect to this golf ball, the adhesion of the coating film was evaluated by a cross batch test and a repeated ball hitting test. The results are shown in Table 1.

For comparison, the adhesion of the coating film when the golf ball body was directly coated without the above surface treatment was similarly evaluated. The results are also shown in Table 1. Cross-batch test method A notch is made in a golf ball, cellophane tape is attached, and the state of peeling when peeled off is visually determined. Repeated Impact Test Method The golf ball is repeatedly impacted and visually judged by the state of separation between the golf ball body and the coating film.

[0037]

[Table 1]

[Embodiment 2] The electrodes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 were used as electrodes, and the electrodes had a frequency of 13.56 MHz and an electric power of 100.
Plasma was generated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the high frequency of W was applied, the surface of the golf ball main body was subjected to surface treatment, and then coating was applied. The same results as in Table 1 were obtained.

[Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 except that the apparatus shown in FIG. 24 is used and the other end of the container 1 is moved up and down 6 times per minute so that the maximum inclination angle of the container 1 is 30 °. When the surface treatment of the golf ball body was performed under the same conditions as in Example 1 and then coating was performed, the same results as in Table 1 were obtained.

[Embodiment 4] Using the apparatus shown in FIG. 25, except that helium gas is jetted at a velocity from the inlet 15 to float the golf ball body 4 in the container 1,
When the golf ball was subjected to surface treatment under the same conditions as in Example 1 and then painted, the same results as in Table 1 were obtained.

[Embodiment 5] Using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the container 1 is tilted as shown in FIG.
When the golf ball was subjected to surface treatment under the same conditions as above and was then painted, the same results as in Table 1 were obtained.

[Embodiment 6] Using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the container 1 is tilted as shown in FIG.
When the golf ball was subjected to surface treatment under the same conditions as above and was then painted, the same results as in Table 1 were obtained.

[0043]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the adhesion between the golf ball body and the coating film is high, it is difficult to deteriorate due to environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and light, and the fading and discoloration of the coating film are difficult to occur. It is possible to manufacture a golf ball in a stable close contact state. Further, since the surface treatment of the golf ball body is a treatment by atmospheric pressure plasma, it is not necessary to depressurize the inside of the processing device, and the processing device can be simplified,
Gasification of volatile components from the golf ball body is also likely to occur, and the surface can be effectively treated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted sectional view showing an example of a surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially omitted sectional view showing another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view showing another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for implementing the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially omitted sectional view showing still another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a partially omitted side view showing still another example used for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially omitted sectional view showing an example of a surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a partially omitted sectional view showing another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view showing another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partially omitted external view showing still another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

18 is a sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a partially omitted sectional view showing still another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a partially omitted sectional view showing still another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

22 is a sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 25.

FIG. 23 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view showing another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a partially omitted sectional view showing still another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a partially omitted sectional view showing still another example of the surface treatment apparatus used for carrying out the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Insulator container 2a, 5a, 8a, 9a Application electrode 2b, 5b, 8b, 9b Ground electrode 16a, 16b, 18, 21 Gas inlet 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a Outer electrode 10b, 11b, 12b , 13b, 14b, 15b Inner electrode 3 AC power source 4 Golf ball body

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location B29L 31:54 4F (72) Inventor Yukihiro Kusano 144 Kamiyasumatsu, Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture (72) Inventor Naito Toshio 969-1 Makinagi, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Sachiko Okazaki 2-20-11 Takaido, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Masuhiro Ogoma 843-15 Shimoshinkura, Wako City, Saitama Prefecture

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a golf ball, which comprises subjecting a golf ball main body before coating to surface treatment by atmospheric pressure plasma discharge and then coating. 2. The method for producing a golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball body is surface-treated by rolling the golf ball body in an atmospheric pressure plasma atmosphere. 3. The surface treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the atmospheric pressure plasma is atmospheric pressure glow plasma. 4. The surface treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated under an atmospheric pressure near 1 atm.