Patent ID: 6499983
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A system for casting a thermoset layer on a golf ball precursor product, the system comprising:a mold assembly comprising first and second mold halves, each of the mold halves having a plurality of hemispherical cavities therein; a dispensing mechanism having a stationary dispenser and an X-Y gantry, the stationary dispenser dispensing a flowable material into each of the plurality of cavities while the X-Y gantry moves each of the mold halves in a figure eight pattern below the stationary dispenser; an insertion mechanism having a plurality of vacuum cups for suctioning a plurality of golf ball precursor products from a platen and moving downward along a longitudinal pathway, and a lifter for lifting the first mold half upward along the longitudinal pathway toward the vacuum cups; a mold assembly mechanism for inverting the first mold half and mating it with the second mold half; a conveyor for transferring the mold assembly along the system; a heating oven for curing a thermoset layer on each of the golf ball precursor products; and a de-molding mechanism for separating the first mold half from the second mold half, and removing each of the thermoset layered golf balls from the first mold half, the de-molding mechanism comprising a mold assembly separation mechanism capable of exerting a first lateral force on the first mold half in a first direction, and a second lateral force on the second mold half in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the first mold half slides over a tapered pin of the second mold half when the mold assembly separation mechanism exerts the first and second lateral forces against the first and second mold halves respectively.