NZ546341A

NZ546341A - Sports ball with a woven fabric and method for manufacturing such a sports ball

Info

Publication number: NZ546341A
Application number: NZ546341A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Ajanta Auranga Goedoen
Original assignee: Goedoen Holding Fzc
Priority date: 2005-04-08
Filing date: 2006-04-04
Publication date: 2007-02-23
Also published as: JP2006289091A; BRPI0601347A; RU2389527C2; KR20060107389A; CA2541471A1; AU2006201414A1; RU2006111557A; AR055904A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sports ball (1) comprising a core (2) and a cover (3) formed from a plurality of panel segments (4). One or more of said panel segments have an outer face covered with a woven fabric (7), preferably denim. The panel segments are connected at joints (6) and said woven fabric is attached to said outer face at said joints. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a sports ball.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 54634 1 *10051095320* PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Our ref: JT225926NZPR NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Sports ball with a woven fabric and method for manufacturing such a sports ball We, Goedoen Holding B.V.i.o. P. Hans Frankfurtersingel 168,1060 TN Amsterdam, The Netherlands hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 100768583_1 DOC:JT:qwgtn ,NTo&^ " 4 APR 2006 RECEIVC0 (followed by page 1a) la Sports ball with a woven fabric and method for manufacturing such a sports ball The invention relates to a sports ball, such as a soccer ball, a baseball, an American football or rugby ball and a basketball, comprising a core and a cover formed by a plurality of panel segments. 5 The interest in sports has dramatically increased over the years and people are becoming more aware of the advantageous implications sports exercise has for their health. Lots of schools and parks have playgrounds for e.g. soccer, baseball and basketball. Ww These sports involve balls, such as soccer balls, base balls and basketballs. Balls vary in design and construction. Balls in various materials, types, size and weights are available . A considerable degree of technological development in 15 the field of sports balls can be observed. As an example, JP09-000659 discloses a basket ball having a fabric panel of denim as a surface layer that is bonded by an adhesive layer to the surface of a main body containing compressed air. The denim surface layer improves the grip on the basketball, is high in durability 20 and is nice to touch. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved ball, preferably a sports ball, with adequate grip and durability properties, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. 25 This object is accomplished by a sports ball comprising a core and a cover formed from a plurality of panel segments, one or more of said panel segments having an outer face covered with a woven fabric, preferably denim, wherein said panel segments are connected at joints and said woven fabric is attached 30 to said outer face at said joints. By attaching the woven fabric or woven fabric segments, preferably denim or canvas, to the outer surface of the panel segments at the connection joints (and preferably solely at these joints) the fabric may be attached in a more simple manner 35 to the panel segments. Attachment of the fabric at the joints to (followed by page 2) 2 the outer surface of the panel segments guarantees adequate attachment of the fabric, while an adhesive layer is not necessary. Although wear of the woven fabric occurs, this wear provides an appearance to the ball which is comparable to e.g. 5 stonewashed jeans. This appearance is perceived as attractive in particular circles. Accordingly, the choice of a denim outer layer results in that use of the sports ball enhances the value of the ball. It should be noted that the core of the sports ball may 10 e.g. involve a bladder for holding air and one or more linings placed between the cover and the bladder. For balls with stitched covers, such as soccer balls, baseballs and rugby balls, the fabric is preferably attached to the outer surface by the stitches of the panel segments. 15 In an embodiment of the invention, the bladder of the sports ball is provided with a twill provided around said bladder. For balls with thermally moulded covers, such as basketballs, the fabric is preferably attached to the outer surface 20 by the thermally moulded joints. An advantageous property of the woven fabric pertains to the possibility to mark this fabric with signs or logos, such as texts or graphics, contributing to the appearance of the ball. These signs may be either printed or painted on, sewn to, 25 embroidered in or otherwise provided on the fabric. To prevent absorption by the woven fabric of e.g. water, a transparent water impermeable coating may be provided over the woven fabric. Such a transparent outer coating may e.g. include a transparent rubber coating, a transparent polyvinyl 30 chloride coating (PVC) coating and/or another type of transparent vinyl coating. The coating is preferably attached to the woven fabric. It should be acknowledged that the woven fabric, e.g. denim or canvas, provided with a transparent coating may also be applied for other articles than the sports ball of the 35 invention, including a ball with a denim cover, an umbrella of a woven fabric, a cover for a seat, or a car roof of e.g. a convertible . The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sports ball as described above, of UAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 6 OCT 2006 n i— /> M 3 tially simultaneously with attaching said woven fabric at said joints. This method may involve hand-sewing or machine-sewing. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sports ball as described above, comprising the step of 5 thermally moulding said panel segments together to form said joints substantially simultaneously with attaching said woven fabric at said joints. The balls manufactured according to these methods have an adequately attached woven fabric, while the attachment proc-10 essing is combined with the connection processing of the panel segments. The invention will be further illustrated with refer-ence to the attached drawings, which schematically show preferred embodiments according to the invention. It will be un-15 derstood that the invention is not in any way restricted to these specific and preferred embodiments. In the drawings: FIGS. 1A and IB show a soccer ball with a partial cutaway and a bladder according to an embodiment of the invention; 20 FIG. 2 shows a baseball with a partial cutaway accord ing to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 shows a rugby ball with a partial cutaway according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 shows a basketball according to an embodiment of 25 the invention, and FIG. 5 shows a woven fabric provided with a transparent coating. FIG. 1A shows a soccer ball 1 which is made up of three major components, namely an interior balloon or bladder 2, a 30 cover 3 made of panel segments 4 of a synthetic material, such as PVC or polyurethane, and a liner 5 positioned between the bladder 2 and the cover 3. Optionally, other layers such as an intermediate foam layer (not shown) may be included between the liner 5 and cover 3. A soccer ball 1 for use in competitive play 35 has a weight of 380-460 grams and a diameter of 21-23 cm. More specifically, the bladder 2 has a spherical shape and is adapted to be filled with air. The preferred material for the bladder 2 is butyl rubber or latex. Other suitable materials include, but are not limited to, natural rubber, mixes of butyl 4 rubber and natural rubber and polyurethane. The bladder 2 is of a size suitable to result in a soccer ball 1 having the diameter noted above. The liner 5 preferably is formed of a relatively non-5 elastic material such as a woven fabric and/or polyester. The liner or liners 5 give the ball strength, structure and bounce. The liner 5 may have panel segments. If an additional foam layer is used, this layer typically has a thickness of about 2 mm. Material for foam layers to 10 be used in soccer balls is available from Interep S.A. (France). The cover 3 of the soccer ball is formed from 32 panels which are cut to an appropriate size, stitched to a liner 5 or liner panel and then stitched to each other by stitches 6. High quality balls are stitched with a polyester or similar threads. 15 Hand-sewn balls have tighter and stronger seams. Kevlar® reinforced polyester stitching is also used in some balls. If used, the foam layer is sandwiched between the cover 3 and the liner 5 prior to stitching. According to the present embodiment of the invention 20 the ball 1 is provided with denim 7 on the outside of the panel segments 4. The denim fabric 7 is attached to the cover 3 solely by the stitches 6 that connect adjacent panel segments 4. In order to improve the spherical shape of the sports ball 1, a twill 8, e.g. a fibre twill, may be provided around 25 the bladder 2 as shown in FIG. IB. The twill 8 maintains the spherical shape of the ball 1 during use. The spherical shape of the ball 1 prevents the woven fabric 7, attached only by the stitches 6, to get loose from the corresponding surface of the panel segment 4. 30 The ball 1 may be manufactured as follows. The first stage is to roll out the material used for the cover 3 of the ball 1. The cover 3 is usually made from several layers of synthetic foam-filled leaves which are glued together to produce a tough, smooth exterior. The leaves are cut into the exact amount 35 needed to make one ball. The number of individual panels 4 required are then cut out, and holes are pre-punched in preparation for stitching. The stitching is performed by turning the ball inside out, so none of the stitches 6 show on the outside. Simultaneously, a denim fabric is attached to the cover 3 5 by the stitches 6. The stitched cover 3 is then reversed, the bladder 2 inserted and inflated. FIG. 2 shows a baseball 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. The baseball 11 according to the present em-5 bodiment of the invention comprises a resilient spherical core 12 tightly enclosed within a durable cover 13. Additional liners 15 may be provided. The core 12 is a spherical shell and may comprise two substantially identical semi-spherical shells suitably joined together into a unitary structure at the circum-10 ferential edges, respectively thereof, at a bonding seam (not shown). The core 12 is preferably formed from a soft flexible, waterproof material. Where the bonding between semi spherical shells is continuous, the interior of the core 12 may be pres-surized by known means in relation to the ambient atmosphere in 15 order to effect specific desired rebound characteristics of the baseball 11. Nevertheless, desirable performance characteristics are readily obtainable using a core 12 which is not pressurized. The cover 13 comprises two panel segments 14 of a flat material joined one to another at the edges thereof by stitches 20 16 using some form of durable thread, such as nylon or vinyl. According to the invention, the outer face of the panel segments 14 is covered with a denim fabric 17. The denim fabric 17 is attached to the outer face by the stitches 16. FIG. 3 shows a rugby ball 21 with a core 22 and a cover 25 23 comprising panel segments 24. Again the panels segments 24 are stitched together at stitches 26 and have attached the denim fabric 27 on the outer faces of the panels segments 24 by the stitches 26. FIG. 4 shows a basketball 31 comprising panels segments 30 34 connected at thermally moulded joints 36. The panel segments 34 have attached the denim fabric 37 at the joints 36. A sign 38 is provided on the denim fabric 37. To prevent absorption of fluids, such as water, each of the above-described balls may comprise a transparent coating 35 provided over the woven fabric. FIG. 5 shows a denim layer 40, provided with at least one side with a transparent coating 41. Such a transparent coating 41 may e.g. include a transparent rubber coating, a transparent polyvinyl chloride coating (PVC) coating and/or another type of transparent vinyl coating. It should be acknowledged that the woven fabric 40 provided with a transparent coating 41 may also be applied for other articles than the sports ball of the invention, including a ball with a denim cover, an umbrella of a woven fabric, a cover for a seat with a denim layer provided with a transparent coating, or a car roof of e.g. a convertible. The transparent coating 41 may e.g. be provided on the woven fabric 40 by first wiping the coating over the woven fabric and subsequently heating the combination of the woven fabric 4 0 and the transparent coating 41 in a furnace at a temperature between 80-160 °C. The woven fabric may be provided with an odour. The visible side of the woven fabric may be treated or have been treated by one or more of the following processes: hand brushing, stone washing, washing with enzymes, pigment printing, tinting wash, washing, paint washing. The woven fabric may be washed before it is attached to the ball. As described above, the woven fabric may be provided with visible signs or logo's. These signs or logos may be provided on the woven fabric by means of printing, such as screen printing, heat-transfer printing, rubber transfer printing, pigment printing, block printing, sublimation printing, laser printing or discharge printing. The signs or logo's may also be embroidered or provided by other means. 7 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> CLAIMS

1. A sports ball comprising a core and a cover formed from a plurality of panel segments, one or more of said panel segments having an outer face covered with a woven fabric, wherein said panel segments are connected at joints and said 5 woven fabric is attached to said outer face at said joints.

2. The sports ball according to claim 1, wherein said joints comprise stitches for holding said panel segments together and said woven fabric is attached to said outer face by said stitches. 10

3. The sports ball according to claim 2, wherein said sports ball comprises a bladder with a twill provided around said bladder

4. The sports ball according to claim 1, wherein said joints are thermally moulded joints for holding said panel seg- 15 ments together and said woven fabric is attached to said outer face at said thermally moulded joints.

5. The sports ball according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said woven fabric is substantially covered by a transparent coating. 20

6. The sports ball according to one or more of the pre ceding claims, wherein said woven fabric on one or more of panels segments comprises one or more visible signs.

7. The sports ball according to one or more of the pre-ceding claims, wherein said ball is a soccer ball, a baseball or 2 5 a rugby ball.

8. A method for manufacturing a sports ball according claim 1, comprising the step of sewing said panel segments together to form said joints substantially simultaneously with attaching said woven fabric at said joints. 30

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said sewing step involves hand sewing.

10. A method for manufacturing a sports ball according to claim 1, comprising the step of thermally moulding said panel segments together to form said joints substantially simultane- 35 ously with attaching said woven fabric at said joints. 8

11. A sports ball as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the woven fabric is denim.

12. A sports ball substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1A and IB, or Figure 2 or Figure 3 or 5 Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method as claimed in claim 8 substantially as herein described.

14. A sports ball manufactured by the method of any one of claims 8 to 10 and 13. 10 Goedoen Holding FZC 15 1/ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. DEC 2006 RECEIVED </div>