Golf ball having markings spaced from a centerline plane

A method for printing a marking on a golf ball includes arranging ink in an etching pattern on a printing plate, matching a reference position on the plate to a reference position on the golf ball, transferring the ink from the printing plate to a pad, and transferring the ink from the pad to the golf ball such that the golf ball includes the marking. The pattern includes an etch corresponding to the marking, wherein the etch differs from the marking in a manner dependent on the position of the marking on the golf ball. The marking that results on the golf ball is a linear marking, and a centerline of the linear marking lies entirely within a marking plane that is not a centerline plane of the golf ball, and wherein the edges of the marking are parallel with the marking plane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a golf ball having markings, and, more particularly, to pad printing linear markings on the golf ball that are spaced from a centerline plane of the golf ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Considering a top-down view on a sphere, it is a relatively straightforward task to print a line on a golf ball that passes through the center of the ball at its highest point and appears to be a perfectly straight line as that curve wraps around the surface of the ball. That curve is essentially the result of wrapping a planar line around the sphere coincident with its great circle, and this technique is the basis of most alignment aids and devices that allow such a curve to be drawn on the golf ball's surface.

What is significantly less obvious, however, is how to print a curve that runs exactly parallel to that centerline curve but lies off-center on the ball. Wrapping a planar line displaced from the centerline around the ball's surface ultimately generates an arc that curves inward towards that centerline when viewed from above due to the curvature of the sphere. In other words, the points along that planar line are not equidistant from the centerline of the ball once wrapped over its surface. To print a curve that runs truly parallel to (i.e. equidistant from) the centerline requires counteracting the curvature of the surface by wrapping a planar curve—rather than a planar line—around the ball.

The disclosed embodiments include methods that address these and other issues in order to print curves on the golf ball's surface that appear exactly linear regardless (i.e. have no apparent curvature) of their position relative to the centerline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present disclosure describes a method for printing a marking on a golf ball. The method includes arranging ink in an etching pattern on a printing plate. The pattern includes an etch corresponding to the marking. The etch differs from the marking in a manner dependent on the position of the marking on the golf ball. The method also includes matching a reference position on the plate to a reference position on the golf ball, transferring the ink from the printing plate to a pad, and transferring the ink from the pad to the golf ball such that the golf ball includes the marking, wherein the marking is a linear marking. In a plan view as viewed in a direction toward the reference position of the golf ball, a centerline of the linear marking lies entirely within a marking plane that is not a centerline plane of the golf ball. In addition, the edges of the marking are parallel with the marking plane.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure describes a computer-implemented method for preparing a printing system for printing on a golf ball. The method includes receiving, at a design system comprising a processing unit, an intended design for a golf ball marking, the intended design including a shape of the marking and a position of the marking on the golf ball. The method also includes generating, by the processing unit, an adjusted design based on the shape and position of the marking of the intended design and designing an etching pattern based on the adjusted design. The method further includes providing the etching pattern to a production system configured to produce a printing plate having the etching pattern. The printing plate is configured to produce, by a pad printing process, a golf ball having a marking matching the intended design when viewed from a standard golfing position.

In other embodiments, the present disclosure also describes a golf ball printing system. The golf ball printing system includes design system configured to receive an intended design for a golf ball marking and determine an adjusted design for the golf ball marking, a production system configured to produce a printing plate having an etching pattern based on the adjusted design, and an action system configured to print a marking on a golf ball using the printing plate and the etching pattern, the marking matching the intended design when viewed from a standard golfing position.

In some other embodiments, the present disclosure describes a golf ball. The golf ball includes a reference position that lies in a centerline plane in a plan view as viewed in a direction toward the reference position of the golf ball. The golf ball also includes a pad-printed linear marking comprising a pad-printing ink and linear edges defined by a constant thickness. In the plan view, a centerline of the linear marking lies entirely within a marking plane that is not the centerline plane of the golf ball. In addition the edges of the marking are parallel with the marking plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Golf balls often include printed indicia at various locations on the surface. There are several printing methods for applying the indicia, including pad printing and laser jet printing, for example. In pad printing, ink is deposited onto a plate and arranged in a pattern corresponding to the markings to be made on the golf ball. A pad contacts the plate and thereby receives the ink on the pad surface. The ink is then transferred from the pad to the golf ball by “stamping” (i.e., pressing) the inked pad onto the golf ball. Pad printing is an indirect intaglio process. Depressions are created in a flat block called “the plate” or pad printing cliche. The depressions are filled with ink and a smooth, resilient stamp block of silicone rubber takes up ink from the plate and transfers it to the golf ball.

The pad printing process begins by spreading ink across the surface of a plate using a spatula. The ink is then scraped back into the ink reservoir using a doctor blade, which leaves ink in the depressions on the plate. Thinner evaporates from the ink lying in these depressions and the ink surface becomes tacky. As the pad passes over the depressions, ink will stick to the pad. As the pad lifts, it takes with it not only the tacky, adhering film, but also some of the more fluid ink underneath. This film of ink is carried to the target area on the dimpled golf ball surface. On the way, more of the thinner evaporates from the exposed surface of the ink on the silicone pad, and the ink surface facing away from the pad becomes tacky. As the pad is applied to the golf ball, the film of ink sticks to the ball surface and separates from the pad as it is raised.

FIG.1is a diagram of an exemplary pad printing process. The pad printing process includes a pad10, a printing plate12, and a golf ball14. The pad printing process generally includes an etching pattern16formed in the printing plate12. The etching pattern16may correspond to a marking18to be ultimately printed on the golf ball14. The etching pattern16may include depressions or wells formed in a surface of the printing plate12, and a selected ink may fill the wells. In a first shown step, the pad10may be arranged above the etching pattern16on the printing plate12. The process continues with the pad10contacting the printing plate12such that the ink arranged in the etching pattern16is transferred to the surface of the pad10when the pad10is removed from the printing plate12. The golf ball14is then positioned beneath the pad10. The golf ball14may be aligned such that the ink on the pad10is directly above the portion of the surface of the ball to be stamped. The pad10is then moved into contact with the golf ball14to transfer the ink from the pad10to the surface of the golf ball14. The resulting stamped golf ball14includes a marking18that corresponds to the etching pattern16on the printing plate12.

While pad printing on a flat surface is a fairly straightforward process, printing on a spherical object such as a golf ball has some challenges. For example, the further the stamp is from a centerline plane, the more distorted the pattern becomes when the ink is transferred to the ball due to the curvature of the golf ball. The distorted pattern, as printed on the golf ball, may be particularly noticeable when viewed from a standard golfing position, which herein is defined as a golfer standing over and looking down at a golf ball. Due to these distortions, markings that are intended to appear linear, such as alignment aids, may appear to the observer as arcs or curves, and this effect is especially noticeable on markings that are not coincident with the centerline plane.

FIG.2Adepicts an example golf ball14A having markings18A,18B, and18C andFIG.2Bdepicts an example golf ball14B having markings18D,18E, and18F. The golf balls14A,14B are depicted in a two-dimensional top view that approximates a view of the surface of the golf ball that is seen by an observer (e.g., a golfer) standing over the golf ball (e.g., to align the golf ball with a target or to strike the golf ball with a golf club). In an exemplary embodiment, the X-direction as shown is a proximal-distal direction that extends away from a centerline plane CP. The Y-direction as shown is a side-to-side lateral direction that may be parallel to a target line for a golfer-observer. The Z-direction is directed into and out of the page of the drawing and represents the direction from which the observer views the ball. The centerline plane CP passes through a center of the golf ball in the Y-Z plane. As is common practice in golf, a golfer may position the golf ball (e.g., on a putting green or on a tee) such that the centerline plane CP is parallel to or coincident with a target line (i.e., the intended initial path of the golf ball when struck). The markings18A,18B, and/or18C may be intended to assist the golfer with aligning and/or hitting the golf ball14A down the target line.

The golf ball14A includes an “intended design” that is made up by the markings18A,18B, and18C. As used herein, the “intended design” is an intended (e.g., by a designer, manufacturer customer, etc.) visual appearance for markings on a golf ball when viewed from a particular direction. For example, the intended design inFIG.2Aincludes markings18A,18B, and18C that appear as parallel lines to an observer viewing the golf ball14A from the Z-direction. This visual appearance of one or more linear markings parallel to a centerline plane CP may assist the golfer with aligning and/or hitting the golf ball14A down a target line. However, as discussed herein, the intended design may be distorted when applied to a golf ball through printing, especially pad printing, if the curvature of the surface is not appropriately considered.

FIG.2Bdepicts a “resulting marking” that may result when attempting to print the intended design ofFIG.2A. As used herein, a “resulting marking” is the actual visual appearance of markings printed on a golf ball when viewed from a particular direction. For example, the resulting marking inFIG.2Bincludes markings18D,18E, and18F in the form of line markings having a degree of distortion that depends on the position and geometry of the marking on the golf ball. More particularly, the farther the marking is from a centerline plane CP in the X-direction (+ or −), the greater the resultant distortion, with the greatest distortion occurring at the visual boundary of the golf ball. In a top view, the visual boundary generally corresponds to the two-dimensional circle having a radius equal to the radius of the golf ball. As shown inFIG.2B, the marking18D is slightly distorted, if at all, in comparison to the marking18A, which is on the centerline plane CP. In contrast, the markings18E are distorted in comparison to the markings18B, and the markings18F are even more distorted in comparison to the corresponding markings18C of the intended design. Disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for producing an intended design using printing on a golf ball while mitigating distortions.

According to disclosed embodiments, to counteract the curvature of the golf ball and create visually straight and off-center lines and stamps (e.g., alignment markings, logos, side stamps, etc.) on the surface of the finished ball, the intended design is adjusted to create a corresponding etching pattern on a printing. The adjustment to the corresponding etching pattern depends on different factors, including the position of the intended design on the golf ball. In particular, the adjustment depends on measured variables that identify the position of an intended design on the golf ball. The present disclosure includes an exemplary process for determining measured variables, such as an offset angle ω, a marking thickness Δx, a wrap angle φ, and the radius of the ball rball.

FIGS.3A and3Bdepict a golf ball20having a marking22.FIG.3Adepicts an exemplary coordinate system for identifying positions on the golf ball20.FIG.3Ais a direct top view, which corresponds to a view from a standard golfing position, which is above the ball in the Z-direction, and may also be referred to herein as a plan view of a golf ball. A plan view of a golf ball is a view looking at the ball in the Z-direction and the corresponding two-dimensional circle that is observed, such as the golf ball20shown inFIG.3A.

FIG.3Bis a cross-sectional view of the golf ball taken at the centerline plane CP and viewed from an X-direction, parallel to the Y-Z plane ofFIG.3A. The golf ball20defines a centerline plane CP that entirely passes through a center of the ball and falls within the Y-Z plane X=0 position. In other words, the centerline plane CP bisects the golf ball20and includes a normal that is collinear with the X-axis. The golf ball20also defines a perpendicular centerline plane PCP that is perpendicular to the centerline plane CP, also bisects the golf ball20, and whose normal is collinear with the Y-axis. The golf ball20further defines a reference point RP, which is located approximately at the center of the golf ball when viewed from the standard golfing position (i.e.,FIG.3A). As shown inFIG.3A, the reference point RP is located at the X=0, Y=0 position of the coordinate system, which is a point of intersection between the centerline plane CP and the perpendicular centerline plane PCP.

A linear marking is considered to lie entirely within a plane when the centerline of the marking may be determined to lie entirely within the plane. The marking22, as shown in the plan view ofFIG.3A(viewed in a direction toward the reference position RP), lies entirely within a marking plane MP that is not the centerline plane CP of the golf ball. The marking22(or any other linear marking) inherently has some thickness that extends beyond the boundaries of an infinitesimal thickness of a plane, and edges of the marking may be separately analyzed for parallelism to the plane. In other words, in order to be considered as lying “entirely” within the marking plane MP, a centerline of the linear marking (not considering a thickness of the marking) must lie entirely within the marking plane MP and the edges of the marking must be parallel to that centerline of the marking. The marking22may also be described as being coincident with a perimeter of a base of a spherical cap, with a base of the spherical cap lying entirely within the marking plane MP. The marking plane MP is parallel to the centerline plane CP. With the marking22being spaced from the centerline plane CP, the corresponding spherical cap on which the marking22would lie has a volume that is less than half of that of the golf ball.

The marking22may represent an intended design—an intended appearance of a printed marking. In an exemplary embodiment, the marking22may be a linear marking and be parallel to the centerline plane CP as shown. Used here, parallel indicates that every co-radial point on a marking or plane is equidistant from the centerline plane CP when viewed from the standard golfing position (in the case ofFIG.3A, this is from the Z-direction), allowing for a parallelism tolerance of 1.5% or less. The parallelism tolerance is defined as

parallism⁢tolerance=2⁢dmax-dmindmax+dmin×1⁢0⁢0
wherein dmaxis the maximum absolute distance between the marking in the marking plane MP and the centerline plane CP and dminis the minimum absolute distance between the marking in the marking plane MP and the centerline plane CP.

Used here, perpendicular indicates that every co-radial point on a marking is equidistant from the perpendicular centerline plane PCP when viewed from the standard golfing position (in the case ofFIG.3A, this is from the Z-direction), allowing for a parallelism tolerance of 1.5%. The parallelism tolerance indicates that the distance between the co-radial points may vary and still be considered parallel but not by more than the parallelism tolerance. A parallelism tolerance of 0.5% may also be applied to determining whether the edges of the marking22are parallel to the marking plane MP.

The position of the marking22on the golf ball20can be determined geometrically based on a displacement x1, an offset angle ω, a line thickness Δx, a wrap angle φ, and the radius of the ball rball, as shown inFIGS.3A-3B. A more proximal side of the marking22, herein referred to as the inner edge, will have a horizontal planar displacement from the centerline plane CP of x1as shown inFIG.3A. The distal side of the marking22, herein referred to as the outer edge, will have a horizontal planar displacement from the center line of x1+Δx. As used herein, “horizontal” refers to a direction perpendicular to a target line direction and parallel to the viewing plane. For example, the X-direction is a horizontal direction as depicted and described herein.

The offset angle co may include a second offset angle Δω, which also identifies the location of the distal side of the marking22. The offset angles ω, Δω can be determined geometrically using the centerline plane CP, the displacements x1and Δx, and the radius of the ball rball. The wrap angle φ can be measured and/or calculated and indicates the extent to which the marking22extends along the golf ball20in the Y-direction (e.g., from points Y1 to Y2 on the Y-axis), as shown inFIGS.3A and3B.

FIG.3Cis an example of an adjusted design24that compensates for the position of the marking22on the golf ball20. The adjusted design24is defined by “adjusted variables,” such as arcs s1and arc s2, which are correspond to the proximal and distal edges of the marking22, respectively. The arcs s1and s2depend on the variables that define the marking22and include an arc angle α that is shared by the arcs s1and s2. Additional adjusted variables may include adjusted displacements R1and R2, which are the radii of the arcs s1and s2. Another adjusted variable, herein referred to as arc position AP, may be a center from which the arcs s1and s2are measured. The arc position AP may be determined based on the reference position RP, the displacement x1, and the adjusted displacement R1. In exemplary embodiments, the adjusted variables s1and s2, a, R1, R2, and AP can be determined geometrically based on the measured variables ω, Δω, x1, Δx, φ, rball, and RP. In some embodiments, a machine learning system may use a learning database of known marking adjustments to determine adjusted variables for an input marking. The adjusted variables can be used to create the adjusted design24, which is used as the design for an etching pattern on a printing plate. For example, the adjusted variables may be used to determine a shape and position of an etching pattern on a printing plate. The printing plate thereby compensates for the curvature of a golf ball in a pad printing process to create a resultant marking with no apparent curvature.

FIGS.3D and3Eprovide another example of an adjustment from a marking26to an adjusted design28. The marking26has no apparent curvature and is not parallel to the depicted centerline plane CP and thus additional measured variables may be necessary to represent the position of the marking26on a golf ball. For example, the measured variables may also include a skew angle β that quantifies the deviation of the marking22from parallel relative to the centerline plane CP. The skew angle β can be used to determine the adjusted variables, such as s1and s2, α, R1, R2, and AP, and thus the shape of the adjusted design28.

The designs depicted inFIGS.3A-3Ehave a constant line thickness. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed systems and methods may also be applicable to markings with inconsistent line thickness and other shapes, such as shapes associated with logos, side stamps, lettering, numbers, alignment markings, arrows, patterns, or any other stamp that may be printed on a golf ball. The disclosed concept of adjusting an intended design can be extended to a stamp made up of multiple lines. Each line may be individually modified to create the adjusted design, or the intended design marking may be represented as a generic shape or group of estimated lines and thereafter adjusted to compensate for the distortion due to printing on a spherical object.

Disclosed embodiments by use pad-printing ink for producing a marking. There are numerous types of pad-printing inks available within the printing industry, such as solvent evaporating inks, oxidation curing inks, reactive (catalyst curing or dual-component) inks, baking inks, LTV curable inks, sublimation inks, and ceramic and glass inks.

Solvent-based inks are predominant in the pad-printing industry, as they dry very rapidly through solvent evaporation alone. They are very versatile inks, as they are available in both gloss and matte finishes and perform very well with many thermoplastic substrates. Oxidative curing inks have limited uses in pad-printing applications due to their slow drying speed. They do, however, produce very tough, flexible, weather-resistant ink films and are very useful for printing onto metal and glass surfaces.

It is possible to use 1-component inks because their long shelf life can make them easier to work with and more economical. Some 1-component inks are highly resistant to abrasion and solvents. Curing can take place physically or by oxidation.

Dual-component inks are also used extensively in pad-printing and contain resins capable of polymerization. These inks cure very rapidly, especially when heated and are generally good for printing on substrates such as metals, some plastics, and glass, and have very good chemical and abrasion resistance. The inks, though, do have a restricted shelf life once the polymerization catalyst has been added. With 2-component inks, curing typically takes place over about a 5-day period at a temperature of about 20° C., or over about a 10-minute period at a temperature of about 100° C.

Ceramic and gas (thermo) diffusion inks are also used in the pad-printing industry. These inks are solid at room temperature and must be heated in the ink reservoir to a temperature greater than about 80° C. Unlike solvent evaporating inks, pad wetting occurs due to the cooling effect the pad has on the heated ink rather than because of the evaporation of solvent. Ink transfer occurs because the outer surface of the ink becomes tacky when exposed to air. The ink transfer is aided by the cooler surface of the substrate to be printed on.

Ultraviolet ink can also be used in the present invention. UV inks are typically cured by means of UV light having wavelengths of from about 180 nm to 380 nm. The advantages of using a UV ink are that they are fast and cure thoroughly, they are easy to use and are not affected by small changes in ambient conditions, they retain constant viscosity (i.e., they do not dry up quickly), and they use smaller amounts of combustible organic solvent, such that little or no solvent fumes escape into the working environment and are, therefore, environmentally safer. Small amounts of solvent may be added to the UV inks for certain application to enable the ink to transfer in a conventional manner.

FIG.3Aincludes marking22as a resulting marking after a pad-printing process using a pad-printing ink, which may be one of the inks described above as suitable for pad-printing. In the resulting marking, the reference position RP of the golf ball20lies in the centerline plane CP in the plan view ofFIG.3Aand the marking22is a pad-printed linear marking spaced from the centerline plane CP. The marking22has linear edges defined by a constant thickness of the marking22(i.e., Δx). The centerline of the linear marking22lies entirely within the marking plane MP and the edges of the marking are parallel with the marking plane MP.

FIG.4Ais schematic diagram of a golf ball printing system100for producing a finished golf ball that includes a stamped marking. The golf ball printing system100includes a design system102, a production system104, and an action system106.FIG.4Afurther illustrates a method for producing the finished ball using the golf ball printing system100. The process includes inputting an intended design into the design system102. For example, an intended design may be created using design software on the design system102. The intended design also indicates the desired position of the markings on a golf ball. The design system102may analyze the intended design and identify measured variables. The measured variables may be one or more parameters that identify the position of the markings on a golf ball. For example, the measured variables may include and offset angle ω, a line thickness Δx, a wrap angle φ, a skew angle β, and/or the radius of the ball rball. The design system102is further configured to generate adjusted variables based on the measured variables. As discussed herein, the adjusted variables account for the curvature of the golf ball when printing the marking design on a spherical object. Examples of the adjusted variables include arc lengths s1and s2, arc angle α, and/or adjusted displacements R1and R2.

In the process depicted inFIG.4A, the adjusted variables are delivered to the production system104. The production system104is configured to convert the adjusted variables into an adjusted design. The adjusted design may be a representation of the intended design that compensates for the curvature of a golf ball. More particularly, the adjusted design may be a design for an etching on a printing plate. The etching differs from the intended design and includes shapes that produce the intended design when printed on the golf ball. The production system104is configured to produce a printing plate having the etching. In some embodiments, the production system104includes an etching system for producing the printing plate. In other embodiments, the production system104delivers the adjusted design to a separate machine for etching the printing plate. The printing plate is delivered to the action system106for producing a finished golf ball. For example, the printing plate may be delivered to a pad printing system for printing a marking on the golf ball using the etched printing plate in a manner the same as or similar to the process depicted inFIG.1. The resulting marking of a finished golf ball includes a marking that matches the intended design as a result of printing using an etching of an adjusted design that compensates for the curvature of the golf ball.

FIG.4Bis another diagram of the exemplary golf ball printing system100. The golf ball printing system100includes the design system102, the production system104, and the action system106. The design system102comprises and/or is configured to interface with a computing system configured to modify an intended design to create an adjusted design, as described herein. For example, the design system102may include a central processing unit (CPU)108, an input/output (I/O) unit110, and a plate design unit112. In some embodiments, the design system102includes or interfaces with a mark design unit114. The design system102is configured to receive an intended design and output an adjusted design. For example, the plate design unit112may be configured to receive an intended design, determine measured variables that depend on the position of the marking on the golf ball (e.g., relative to a centerline plane), and use the measured variables to determine adjusted variables for an adjusted design. The design system is configured to send the adjusted variables to the production system104.

The production system104may include one or more computing systems and/or production devices116(e.g., a laser etch machine) configured to produce a printing plate118having an etching pattern120. The etching pattern120corresponds to the adjusted design. For example, the production system104may produce the pattern etched printing plate118based on the adjusted variables received from the design system102.

The action system106may include a printer122configured to print a marking124on a golf ball126by transferring ink from the printing plate118to the golf ball126. For example, the printer122may be a pad printing system the same as or similar toFIG.1configured to transfer ink from the printing plate118to the golf ball126to produce the marking124. The marking may correspond to the intended design input to the design system102when the golf ball126is viewed from a standard golfing position.

FIG.5is an exemplary depiction of the printing plate118, including an etching pattern120. The printing plate118may include a plate centerline CL. The plate centerline CL corresponds to the centerline plane CP of a golf ball. The printing plate118may also include a plate horizontal centerline HCL that is perpendicular to the plate centerline CL. The plate horizontal centerline HCL corresponds to the perpendicular centerline plane PCP. A plate reference point PLR is located at an intersection between the plate centerline CL and the horizontal centerline HCL. The plate reference point PLR may correspond to the reference position RP on the golf ball. The plate centerline CL, plate horizontal centerline HCL, and plate reference point PLR may thus be locations for matching a position on a golf ball to a position on the printing plate118. The centerline CL and plate reference point PLR may serve as useful references since distortion of a marking is least (i.e., zero) along the centerline plane CP of the golf ball. In an exemplary embodiment, the production system104is configured to produce the printing plate118by etching an adjusted design using one or more of the plate centerline CL, the plate horizonal centerline HCL, or the plate reference point PLR as an orienting reference. While the term “centerline” is used for the plate centerline CL and the plate horizontal centerline HCL, it should be understood that such lines are not necessarily center or bisecting lines of the printing plate118. In producing the printing plate118, the production system104may be configured to map the reference point RP to the plate reference point PLR (and/or the arc position AP) and align the centerline plane CP and perpendicular centerline plane PCP to the plate centerline CL and plate horizontal centerline HCL, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the etching pattern120may include an etch150positioned on the plate centerline CL and an etch155spaced from the plate centerline CL. The etch150is a linear etch on the plate centerline CL and therefore would produce a linear marking along the centerline plane CP of a golf ball. The plate reference point PLR may be matched to a reference on a golf ball to be printed such that the etch150produces the marking on the centerline plane CP of the finished golf ball. The etch155is spaced from the plate centerline CL and therefore would produce a marking spaced from the centerline plane CP of a golf ball. In an exemplary embodiment, the etch155corresponds to an adjusted design generated based on an intended design that includes a linear marking spaced and parallel to the marking produced by the etch150. The adjusted design of the etch155is non-linear to compensate for the curvature of the golf ball.

FIG.6Aincludes a depiction of a printing result from a printing plate160having an etching pattern162. The printing plate160may be used to print a marking164on a golf ball166. The etching pattern162is a curved etching corresponding to an adjusted design that may be produced based on an intended design corresponding to the marking164. For example, the design system102may produce an adjusted design corresponding to the etching pattern162based on a position of the marking164on the golf ball166. The curvature of the etching pattern162compensates for the curvature of the golf ball166to produce a linear marking164on the ball with no apparent curvature that is not coincident with a centerline plane and is parallel to a centerline plane CP of the golf ball166.

FIG.6Bincludes a printing result from a printing plate170having an etching pattern172. The printing plate170may be used to print a marking174on a golf ball176. The printing plate170and etching pattern172are similar to the printing plate160and etching pattern162, except the etching pattern172is rotated according to a skew angle to produce a linear marking174that has no apparent curvature and is not parallel to the Y-axis centerline plane CP of the golf ball176.

Both markings164and174may include a constant thickness and a centerline. The centerline may be used to determine parallelism with respect to a centerline plane CP. In the example of marking164, the marking plane is parallel to the centerline plane CP whose normal is colinear with the x-axis. In the example of marking174, the marking plane is parallel to the centerline plane CP whose normal is not colinear with either the x- or y-axis. In both instances, the markings164,174include edges that are parallel to the corresponding marking planes.

In both printing steps depicted inFIGS.6A and6B, an alignment standard may be used to print at a desired location on the golf ball. For example, the golf ball166may include a printing reference point PRR corresponding to a center of the golf ball166from a standard golfing position (i.e., the top view shown inFIG.6A). The printing reference point PRR may be an intersection of a printing centerline PCL and a printing horizontal centerline PHC of the golf balls166,176. The printing centerline PCL and printing horizontal centerline PHC may depend on other markings on the golf ball (e.g., logos, side stamps, numbering, etc.) such that the markings164,174are positioned in a desired location relative to other indicia already on the golf balls166,176. In the printing process of producing the markings164,174, the plate reference point PRR may be mapped to the plate reference point PLR. In some embodiments, (e.g., when there are existing indicia on the golf balls166,176), the printing centerline PCL and printing horizontal centerline PHC may be aligned with the plate centerline CL and plate horizontal centerline HCL, respectively.

FIG.7is similar toFIGS.6A and6Band includes a depiction of printing results (i.e., a resulting marking) from a printing plate180having an etching patterns182. The etching pattern182is an option for producing marking184. Marking184is a linear marking that is spaced from the printing horizontal centerline PHC and the printing reference point PRR in the Y-direction on the golf ball186. The etching pattern182is curved to compensate for the curvature of the golf ball186. The etching pattern182may be similar to etching pattern162(except rotated about the Z-axis) and may be produced by adjusting an intended design that is linear and parallel to the x-axis. As described herein, the curvature of the etching pattern182may depend on the spacing of the intended design from the perpendicular centerline plane PCP. In this way, the etching pattern182may be used to print a linear marking184with no apparent curvature on the golf ball186. The linear marking184lies in a marking plane that is not the centerline plane CP or the perpendicular centerline plane PCP (e.g., a centerline of the linear marking184lies entirely in the marking plane and the edges of the linear marking184are parallel to the marking plane).

The disclosed embodiments are applicable to printing markings, especially printing markings on golf balls using pad printing. Disclosed printing methods may include creating an intended design that includes a position of a marking relative to one or more of a centerline plane CP, a perpendicular centerline plane PCP, or a reference position RP (seeFIGS.3A,3B, and3D, for example). The methods may further include modifying the intended design to produce an adjusted design that accounts for the curvature of the golf ball during printing (seeFIGS.3C and3E, for example). The adjusted design may be used to produce an etching pattern on a printing plate. The etching may be mapped to the intended design using a plate reference point PLR, a plate centerline CL, and a plate horizontal centerline HCL (seeFIG.5, for example). The printing plate having the etching pattern may be used to print on a golf ball using pad printing. In the printing process, a golf ball may be positioned such that one or more of a printing reference point PRR, a printing centerline PCL, or a printing horizontal centerline PHC are aligned with the plate reference point PLR, the plate centerline CL, or the plate horizontal centerline HCL (seeFIGS.6A,6B, and7, for example). The disclosed printing process thus produces a resulting marking that matches an intended design when viewed from a standard golfing position by compensating for the curvature of the golf ball during the printing process for markings that are not coincident with a centerline plane CP of the golf ball.

FIGS.8A-8Dinclude depictions of examples of resulting markings200A-D printed on golf balls205A-D using disclosed printing methods. Each of the resulting markings200A-D include one or more linear markings210that are spaced and parallel to a centerline plane CP of the golf balls205A-D in an X-direction. The linear markings210are coincident with a perimeter of a base of a spherical cap having a volume that is less than half of the golf ball. The linear markings210may be printed using a printing plate having an etching that is produced based on an adjustment to an intended design, as described herein. The linear markings210may be parallel to a Y-direction and thus parallel to a target line for a golfer. The linear appearance of the markings210with no apparent curvature may help the golfer be more precise in their alignment toward a target.

In some of the resulting markings200A-D, horizontal markings215may also be included. In some embodiments, the horizontal linear markings215may be printed using a printing plate having an etching that is produced based on an adjustment to an intended design, as described herein (seeFIG.7, for example).

FIGS.9A-9Finclude depictions of examples of resulting markings300A-F printed on golf balls305A-F using disclosed printing methods. Each of the resulting markings300A-F include one or more linear markings310that are not coincident with and not parallel to each other or the Y-axis centerline plane CP of the golf balls305A-F. The linear markings310are tilted by a skew angle relative to a Y-direction/centerline plane CP. Multiple linear markings310may be connected or distinct from each other. In some embodiments, horizontal linear markings315or other markings320may be included to produce more complex designs. The other markings320may be, for example, textual indicia. It should be understood that textual indicia or other similar markings may be used in place of the rectangular lines shown in the depicted designs. Further, as described herein, more complex designs (e.g., images, logos, block text, etc.) may be printed using disclosed methods, such as by representing such designs as multiple lines with varying spacing from reference positions. Additionally, it should be understood that the goal marking and thus the adjusted etching plate design may be comprised of one or more distinct marking. A goal marking composed of more than one distinct marking may be printed using a series of etching plates or may also be printed using one etching plate containing multiple adjusted markings.

The disclosed embodiments provide printing methods and golf balls produced by such methods. The disclosed golf balls include markings with an improved appearance by compensating for the curvature of the golf ball during printing. In particular, the design for the etching pattern on a printing plate is adjusted to compensate for a visual distortion that may otherwise occur depending on the position of a marking on the golf ball. The further from the centerline plane of the golf ball, the larger the necessary adjustment of the etching pattern. As a result, a printed appearance of a golf ball in a standard golfing position is visually appealing, more precisely aligns with a target line of the golfer, and eliminates apparent curvature of markings intended to be linear when viewed from the standard golfing position.