Patent ID: 6314880
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: A63B,B41F,B41M,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for etching a variable depth relief pad-printing cliche and printing an image therefrom on a golf ball comprising the steps of:providing a film positive of an image;placing the film positive on the variable-depth pad-printing cliche having a photocurable pre-polymer surface;curing the pre-polymer;removing the film positive from the pre-polymer surface;washing the pad-printing cliche with a flat brush having a plurality of bristles with a diameter of less than about 0.002 inches for a first predetermined time sufficient to remove any uncured pre-polymer, such that the pad-printing cliche has the image etched into the pre-polymer surface, said etched image having a substantially homogeneous bottom surface that is free of truncated cones and defects formed by screening;heating the pre-polymer for a second predetermined time sufficient to fully dry the pre-polymer;further curing the pre-polymer exposed by the washing step;providing the golf ball having a dimpled surface;distributing a layer of ink over the etched image in the pad-printing cliche;providing a pad for transferring the ink from the pad-printing cliche to the dimpled surface; andtransferring the image from the surface of the pad-printing cliche to the dimpled surface of the golf ball, wherein the image is free from screening defects.