Patent Abstract:
A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls into particles. The used golf balls may be made of materials having different densities. The particles may be placed in a liquid that causes the particles of different materials to float to different levels based on the densities of the materials. At least a portion of the particles may be melted and injected into a sandwich mold to create a new golf ball.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a method of making and recycling a golf ball. 
         [0002]    The game of golf is an increasingly popular sport at both amateur and professional levels. A wide range of technologies related to the manufacture and design of golf balls are known in the art. Such technologies have resulted in golf balls with a variety of play characteristics. For example, some golf balls have a better flight performance than other golf balls. Some golf balls with a good flight performance do not have a good feel when hit with a golf club. While materials have advanced to increase the performance of golf balls, the materials are not always easy to recycle. Thus, to help manage costs and reduce damage to the environment, it would be advantageous to reuse a golf ball to make a new golf ball. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]    Generally, the present disclosure presents a method of making and recycling a golf ball. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing a used golf ball into particles. The used golf ball may be made of materials having different densities. The particles may be placed in a liquid that causes the particles of different materials to float to different levels based on the densities of the materials. This phenomenon may facilitate separating the particles of different materials. The particles may be removed from the liquid while keeping like particles together and keeping different particles separate. Then, the particles may be dried and at least a portion of the particles may be reused in a new golf ball. The particles may be melted and injected into a sandwich mold to create a new golf ball. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of making a golf ball. The method may include a step of injecting a first molten material into a mold chamber, thereby forming a cover layer. The method may include a step of injecting a second molten material into the mold chamber, thereby forming a mantle layer within the cover layer. The method may include a step of injecting a third molten material into the mold chamber, thereby forming a core layer within the mantle layer. The method may include a step delivering particles of a first material to a first heating chamber. The method may include a step of heating the particles of the first material, thereby melting the particles of the first material into the first molten material. The method may include a step of loading the particles of the first material into a first hopper. The method may include a step of delivering particles of a second material to a second heating chamber. The method may include a step of heating the particles of the second material, thereby melting the particles of the second material into the second molten material. The method may include a step of loading the particles of the second material into a second hopper. The method may include a step of delivering particles of a third material to a third heating chamber. The method may include a step of heating the particles of the third material, thereby melting the particles of the third material into the third molten material. The method may include a step of loading the particles of the third material into a third hopper. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of making a golf ball. The method may include a step of pulverizing a golf ball into particles. The method may include a step of placing the particles into a liquid, thereby causing a first group of particles to settle at a first level and a second group of particles to settle at a second level that is different from the first level. The first group of particles may be of a material having a different density than the density of the material of the second group of particles. The method may include a step of using at least a portion of one of the first group of particles and the second group of particles to form a new golf ball. The method may include a step of removing the first group of particles while keeping the first group of particles separate from the first group of particles. The method may include a step of storing the first group of particles separately from the second group of particles. The method may include a step of removing the second group of particles while keeping the second group of particles separate from the first group of particles. The method may include a step of storing the second group of particles separately from the first group of particles. The method may include a step of agitating the liquid to aid in separating the particles of both the first group and the second group. The method may include a step of drying the first group of particles and a step of drying the second group of particles. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of making a golf ball. The method may include a step of pulverizing a golf ball into particles. The method may include a step of placing the particles into a liquid, thereby causing a first group of particles to settle at a first level and a second group of particles to settle at a second level that is different from the first level. The first group of particles may be of a material having a different density than the density of the material of the second group of particles. The method may include a step of removing a first group of particles while keeping the first group of particles separate from the first group of particles. The method may include a step of removing a second group of particles while keeping the second group of particles separate from the second group of particles. The method may include a step of using at least a portion of one of the first group of particles and the second group of particles to form a new golf ball. The step of using at least a portion of one of the first group of particles and the second group of particles to form a new golf ball may include delivering particles of a first material to a first heating chamber and heating the particles of the first material, thereby melting the particles of the first material into a first molten material and injecting a first molten material into a mold chamber, thereby forming a cover layer. The step of using at least a portion of one of the first group of particles and the second group of particles to form a new golf ball may include delivering particles of a second material to a second heating chamber and heating the particles of the second material, thereby melting the particles of the second material into the second molten material and injecting a second molten material into a mold chamber, thereby forming a mantle layer within the cover layer. 
         [0007]    The step of removing the first group of particles may include skimming the first group of particles from the liquid. The step of removing the first group of particles may include forcing the first group of particles from a vessel into a dryer. In some embodiments, a tube may connect the vessel to the dryer. The step of using at least a portion of one of the first group of particles and the second group of particles to form a new golf ball may include injecting a third molten material into the mold chamber, thereby forming a core layer within the mantle layer. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of making a golf ball. The method may include a step of selling a golf ball having a trace element to a consumer. The method may include a step of collecting the golf ball and inputting the trace element data into a computer program. The method may include a step of calculating with the computer program an incentive award associated with the collected golf ball. The method may include a step of communicating the award to a user. The method may include a step of pulverizing a golf ball into particles. The method may include a step of separating the particles of the golf ball into a first group of particles and a second group of particles. The method may include a step of using at least a portion of one of the first group of particles and the second group of particles to form a new golf ball. 
         [0009]    The step of separating the particles may include placing the particles into a liquid, thereby causing the first group of particles to settle at a first level and the second group of particles to settle at a second level that is different from the first level. The first group of particles may be of a material having a different density than the density of the material of the second group of particles. The method may include a step of removing a first group of particles while keeping the first group of particles separate from the first group of particles. The method may include a step of removing a second group of particles while keeping the second group of particles separate from the second group of particles. 
         [0010]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]    The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a golf ball according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing a method of making a golf ball according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a cover layer of a golf ball being formed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a mantle layer of a golf ball being formed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a core layer of a golf ball being formed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows particles of a pulverized golf ball being separated; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing a method of recycling a golf ball according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Generally, the present disclosure relates to a method of making and recycling a golf ball. In this disclosure, the terms “used golf ball” and “new golf ball” are used to distinguish between a golf ball that is to be recycled and a golf ball that is made from recycled materials. Accordingly, “used golf ball” means a golf ball that is to be recycled. The term “used golf ball” can include golf balls that have literally been used in a golf game and golf balls that have not literally been used. “New golf ball” refers to a golf ball made from materials recycled from the “used golf ball.” 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a golf ball  100  that may be made and recycled by the disclosed methods. Golf ball  100  may include a core layer  120 , a mantle layer  130 , and a cover layer  140 . While the exemplary embodiment of golf ball  100  has been described and illustrated as having three layers, other embodiments may include any number of layers. For example, in some embodiments, golf ball  100  may be a one-piece, two-piece, four-piece, or five-piece ball. In some embodiments, golf ball  100  may include more than five layers. The number of layers may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, the number of layers may be selected based on the type of materials used to make the golf ball and/or the size of the golf ball. 
         [0021]    The type of materials used to make the layers of the golf ball may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, the type of materials used to make the layers of the golf ball may be selected based on the properties of the material and/or the processes used to form the layers. Exemplary materials are discussed below with respect to the individual layers of the exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, one or more layers may be made from different materials. In some embodiments, one or more layers may be made from the same materials. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the materials used to make the layers of the golf ball may be selected to aid in recycling the golf ball. In such embodiments, the materials may be selected to aid in separating and identifying the materials before reusing the materials. This way the materials may be stored separately before using and/or the proper proportions of the materials may be measured out for reusing. For example, in an embodiment in which a used golf ball is made of material A and material B, the used golf ball may be pulverized into particles so that the materials may be reused to make new golf balls and/or other items. Pulverizing the used golf ball may result in particles of material A and material B to become intermixed. If only material A, and not material B, is to be used in a layer of a new golf ball, it may be helpful to be able to separate material A from material B. Similarly, if material A and material B are to be used in a certain proportion in a layer of a new golf ball, it may be helpful to be able to distinguish between material A and material B. Separating and identifying materials may be helpful in recycling golf balls made of any number of materials and during any type of recycling process. For example, separating and identifying materials may be helpful in recycling golf balls made of four different types of materials. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the density and/or specific gravity of the materials used to make golf ball  100  may be used to separate the materials during recycling. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance compared to the density of fresh water at 4° C. (39° F.). At this temperature the density of water is at its greatest value and equal 1 g/cm 3 . Since specific gravity is a ratio, specific gravity is dimensionless. An object will float in water if its density is less than the density of water and sink if its density is greater than the density of water. Thus, an object with a specific gravity less than 1 will float in water and an object with a specific gravity greater than one will sink in water. The same principle may be applied to other types of liquids. For example, if the ratio of the density of an object to the density of a liquid is less than 1, the object will float in that particular liquid. In some cases, the density of an object may cause the object to become suspended at a certain level within the liquid. The ratio of the density of the object to the density of the liquid may dictate the level to which the object is suspended in that particular liquid. These principles may be used to separate materials having different densities. For example, in some embodiments, golf ball  100  made from materials having different densities. For recycling, golf ball  100  may be pulverized into particles. Then, the particles may be added to a liquid having a certain known density. The liquid and/or the materials may be selected based on their densities. In other words, the materials and/or liquid may be selected based on the levels the particles will float to within the liquid. This way, the particles can be separated based on the level to which the particles float in the liquid. The method of recycling a golf ball is discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 6-7 . A used golf ball made by any available method may be recycled by the disclosed method of recycling. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, core layer  120 , mantle layer  130 , and cover layer  140  may be each made from a single type of material or a composition including multiple materials. In some embodiments, each layer may be made from a thermoplastic such that the materials may be recycled by pulverizing the materials and then melting the materials during sandwich molding to make a new golf ball. For example, core layer  120  may be made from HPF 2000, which has a density of 0.96 g/cm 3 . Mantle layer  130  may be made from Neothane 6303D, which is the trade name of a thermoplastic polyurethane produced by Dongsung Highchem Co. LTD. Cover layer  140  may be made from PTMEG. “PTMEG” is polytetramethylene ether glycol, commercially available from Invista under the trade name of Terathane® 2000. The density of mantle layer  130  or cover layer  140  may range from about 1.1 g/cm 3  to about 1.35 g/cm 3 . 
         [0025]    Pulverizing golf ball  100  of this embodiment into particles and putting the particles in water having a temperature of 4° C. (39° F.) may result in the materials of each layer floating to a different level in the water. The particles may be removed from the water level by level to keep like particles together. For example, particles of HPF 2000 may have the lowest density and may, therefore, float to the top of the water. These particles may be removed first to reveal the next level of particles, which may include the particles having the second lowest density. Then, the particles having the second lowest density may be removed to reveal the next level of particles. In this manner, the particles may be separated into levels and removed level by to level to keep like particles together. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, golf ball  100  may be made with a sandwich injection mold machine. For example,  FIGS. 3-5  show components of a sandwich injection mold machine.  FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method  200  of making a golf ball. Method  200  may be performed with the components shown in  FIGS. 3-5  or components of any other sandwich injection mold machine. For example, method  200  may be performed by the components disclosed in Cavallaro et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,541, entitled Co-Injection Molded Double Covered Golf Ball, issued on Jan. 13, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In another example, method  200  may be performed by the components disclosed in Lammi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,293, entitled Golf Ball with a Multi-Layered Cover, issued on Jul. 21, 1998, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In yet another example, method  200  may be performed by the components disclosed in Puniello et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,760, entitled Co-Injection Nozzle, Method of its Use, and Resulting Golf Ball, issued on Jan. 4, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0027]    The components shown in  FIG. 3  may include a vessel for collecting, storing, and/or dispensing particles of golf ball material. For example, the vessel may be a first hopper  300 . First hopper  300  may be connected to a first heating chamber  304 . First heating chamber  304  may include an auger  306  for moving material toward an opening of first heating chamber  304 . In some embodiments, first heating chamber  304  may include a pump and/or piston instead of or in addition to auger  306 . The opening may be aligned with an injection port  320  of a golf ball mold  310  having a mold chamber  312  such that molten material may flow from the opening into mold chamber  312  via injection port  320 . Golf ball mold  310  may include two mold cavities that mate together to form mold cavity  312 . Mold chamber  312  may include surfaces having the inverse of a substantially spherical shape. 
         [0028]    The components shown in  FIG. 4  may include a vessel for collecting, storing, and/or dispensing particles of golf ball material. For example, the vessel may be a second hopper  400 . Second hopper  400  may be connected to a second heating chamber  404 . Second heating chamber  404  may include an auger  406  for moving material toward an opening of second heating chamber  404 . In some embodiments, second heating chamber  404  may include a pump and/or piston instead of or in addition to auger  406 . The opening may be aligned with injection port  320  such that molten material may flow from the opening into mold chamber  312  via injection port  320 . 
         [0029]    The components shown in  FIG. 5  may include a vessel for collecting, storing, and/or dispensing particles of golf ball material. For example, the vessel may be a third hopper  500 . Third hopper  500  connected to a third heating chamber  504 . Third heating chamber  504  may include an auger  506  for moving material toward an opening of third heating chamber  504 . In some embodiments, third heating chamber  504  may include a pump and/or piston instead of or in addition to auger  506 . The opening may be aligned with injection port  320  such that molten material may flow from the opening into mold chamber  312  via injection port  320 . 
         [0030]    Golf ball  100  may be made by method  200 . In some embodiments, method  200  may include a step  202  of loading particles of a first material  302  into first hopper  300 . The first material may include materials from which a cover layer may be made during method  200 . In some embodiments, particles of first material  302  may include ground material. In some embodiments, particles of first material  302  may include pellets. Method  200  may include a step  204  of delivering particles of first material  302  to a heating chamber. For example, step  204  may include delivering particles of first material  302  to first heating chamber  304 . Step  204  may be carried out in a variety of ways. For example, step  204  may be carried out by gravity acting on the particles. In such embodiments, a valve may open and close to let the particles fall into first heating chamber  304 . In another example, step  204  may be carried out by pumping materials from first hopper  300  into first heating chamber  304 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, method  200  may include a step  206  of heating particles of first material  302 , thereby melting particles of first material  302  into a first molten material  308 . Step  206  may be carried out a variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments, step  206  may include raising the temperature of heating elements located within first heating chamber  304  to heat particles of first material  302 . In another example, step  206  may include raising the temperature of heating elements surrounding first heating chamber  304 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, method  200  may include a step  208  of injecting first molten material  308  into mold chamber  312 . In some embodiments, step  208  may include forcing first molten material  308  toward the opening of first heating chamber  304 , through the opening, and through injection port  320 . For example, in some embodiments, step  208  may include twisting auger  306  to force first molten material  308  toward the opening of first heating chamber  304 . Twisting auger  306  may also force particles of first material  302  toward opening of first heating chamber  304 . The particles may be melting as they are being moved toward opening of first heating chamber  304 . In another example, a plunger and/or a pump may be used to force first molten material  308  toward the opening, through the opening, and through injection port  320 . In some embodiments, both step  206  and step  208  may be performed by twisting auger  306 . In such embodiments, the heat generated by the friction caused by twisting auger  306  may melt particles of first material  302 . This heat may be used instead of or in addition to any other heat generated within first heating chamber  304  to melt particles of first material  302  into first molten material  308 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, method  200  may include a step  210  of loading particles of a second material  402  into a second hopper  400 . Step  210  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  202 . The second material may include materials from which a mantle layer may be made during method  200 . In some embodiments, particles of second material  402  may include ground material. In some embodiments, particles of second material  402  may include pellets. In some embodiments, method  200  may include a step  212  of delivering particles of second material  402  to a heating chamber. For example, step  212  may include delivering particles of second material  402  to second heating chamber  404 . Step  212  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  204 . Method  200  may include a step  214  of heating particles of second material  402 , thereby melting particles of second material  402  into a second molten material  408 . Step  214  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  206 . Method  200  may include a step  216  of injecting second molten material  408  into mold chamber  312 . Step  216  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  208 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, method  200  may include step  218  of loading particles of a third material  502  into a third hopper  500 . Step  218  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  202 . The third material may include materials from which a mantle layer may be made during method  200 . In some embodiments, particles of third material  502  may include ground material. In some embodiments, particles of third material  502  may include pellets. In some embodiments, method  200  may include a step  220  of delivering particles of third material  502  to a heating chamber. For example, step  220  may include delivering particles of third material  502  to third heating chamber  504 . Step  220  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  204 . Method  200  may include a step  222  of heating particles of third material  502 , thereby melting particles of third material  502  into a third molten material  508 . Step  222  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  206 . Method  200  may include a step  224  of injecting third molten material  508  into mold chamber  312 . Step  224  may be performed in the same manner discussed above with reference to step  208 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, step  208 , step  216  and step  224  may be performed sequentially in any order. For example, step  208  may be performed about 1 μs to about 5 sec before step  216  is performed. In another example, step  208  may be performed about 1 sec to about 20 sec before step  216  is performed. In some embodiments, step  208 , step  216  and step  224  may be performed simultaneously and/or quickly successively. In some embodiments, step  208 , step  216  and step  224  may be performed simultaneously and/or quickly successively such that the performances of step  208 , step  216 , and step  224  overlap. In such embodiments, the components of the sandwich mold equipment may be configured to achieve simultaneous and/or quickly successively injections into mold chamber  312 . For example, concentric nozzles may be used to simultaneously injection multiple materials into mold chamber  312 . In another example, the components of the sandwich mold may include those disclosed in Cavallaro et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,541, entitled Co-Injection Molded Double Covered Golf Ball, issued on Jan. 13, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, step  208 , step  216 , and step  224  may be performed in an order such that molten first material  308  solidifies against the inner surface of mold chamber  312  to form cover layer  140  of golf ball  100 . Molten first material  308  may begin to solidify before, during, or after the other materials are injected into mold chamber  312 . In some embodiments, step  208 , step  216 , and step  224  may be performed such that molten second material  408  solidifies against cover layer  140  to form mantle layer  130  of golf ball  100 . Molten second material  408  may begin to solidify before, during, or after the other materials are injected into mold chamber  312 . In some embodiments, step  208 , step  216 , and step  224  may be performed such that molten third material  508  solidifies against mantle layer  130  and fills the space inside mantle layer  130  to form core layer  120  of golf ball  100 . Molten third material  508  may begin to solidify before, during, or after the other materials are injected into mold chamber  312 . 
         [0037]    It is understood that any of the steps disclosed above may be performed in any order. For example, step  206  may be performed at the same time as step  208 . In another example, step  206  may be performed before step  208 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method  700  of recycling a golf ball. The same golf ball made through method  200  may be recycled by method  700 . The following discussion describes performing the steps of method  700  to recycle a single golf ball. However, it is understood that the steps of method  700  may be performed to recycle multiple golf balls at one time.  FIG. 6  shows equipment  600  that may be used to perform method  700 . Equipment  600  may include a vessel  602 , a propeller  610 , a first dryer  612 , and a second dryer  614 . Vessel  602  may include any type of vessel suitable for holding a liquid. For example, vessel  602  may be a tank. The type of vessel may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, the type of vessel may be selected based on the amount of liquid to be held by the vessel and/or the environment in which the vessel is to be stored. Vessel  602  may be connected to first dryer  612  by a first tube  616 . First tube  616  and second tube  618  may be connected to outlets disposed within vessel  602  such that first tube  616  and second tube  618  are each in fluid communication with vessel  602 . First tube  616  may be connected to vessel  602  at a first level. Vessel  602  may be connected to second dryer  614  by a second tube  618 . Second tube  618  may be connected to vessel  602  at a second level. While the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6  includes only two tubes and two dryers, it is understood that more tubes and dryers may be included. Propeller  610  may be spun to agitate liquid and particles within vessel  602 . While the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6  may include a propeller, any other type mechanism may be provided to agitate the liquid inside vessel  602 . Similarly, more than one mechanism may be provided to agitate the liquid inside vessel  602 . The type of mechanism and the number of mechanisms may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, the type of mechanism and the number of mechanisms may be selected based on the type of liquid used and/or the material of the particles. First dryer  612  and/or second dryer  614  may include any type of dryer suitable for drying particles of golf ball material. For example, CONAIR RESINWORKS Systems offer dehumidifying dryers for drying resin materials. The type of dryer may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, the type of dryer may be selected based on the type of liquid used and/or the material of the particles. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include a step  702  of pulverizing a golf ball into particles, granules, and/or pellets. Step  702  may be performed by any type of equipment known to those skilled in the art. For example, a Cumberland A Series 1000X granulator may be used to pulverize a golf ball into particles, granules, and/or pellets. The type of equipment used to pulverize the golf ball may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, the type of equipment may be selected based on the material of the layers of the golf ball. In some embodiments, cover layer  140  may be removed before performing step  702 . For example, cover layer  140  may be ground off of mantle layer  130 . In such embodiments, the remaining layers of the golf ball may be pulverized during step  702 . For example, mantle layer  130  and core layer  120  may be pulverized during step  702 . In other embodiments, step  702  may include pulverizing the entire golf ball without removing any layers first. In yet other embodiments, multiple layers of the golf ball may be removed before performing step  702 . For example, in some embodiments, a golf ball may have four or five layers and two outer layers may be removed before performing step  702 . 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include a step  704  of placing the particles made during step  702  in a liquid  604  having a certain known density. Liquid  604  may be held in vessel  602 . The type of liquid and the amount of liquid may be selected based on a variety of factors. For example, liquid  604  may be selected based on the density of the liquid, the shape and size of the vessel, and/or the density of the pulverized particles of golf ball material. In other words, liquid  604  may be selected based on the levels the particles will float to within the liquid. This way, the particles can be separated based on the level to which the particles float in liquid  604 . Liquid  604  may include a combination of liquids. In some embodiments, the temperature of the liquid may be changed to alter the density of the liquid, thereby altering the level to which the particles float. Similarly, the type of liquid may be changed to alter the density of the liquid. For example, in some embodiments, salt may be added to water to change the density of the water. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows how the particles may settle in liquid  604 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , cover layer  140  may have been removed from golf ball  100  prior to performing step  702 . Thus, only particles of mantle layer material and particles of core layer material may be pulverized during step  702  and may be present in vessel  602 . The first level of particles  606  may include a first group of particles. The first group of particles may include the material having the lowest density, which may be more buoyant in the liquid. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the first level of particles  606  may float to the top of the liquid level. The second level of particles  608  may include a second group of particles. The second group of particles may include the material having the highest density, which may sink to the bottom of vessel  602 . 
         [0042]    While the exemplary embodiment shows two levels of particles, it is understood that the number of levels may include as many levels as there are types of materials. For example, in some embodiments, a golf ball made of four materials each having different densities may be pulverized in step  702  and the pulverized particles may be placed in liquid in step  704 . The four materials may float to four different layers. In another example, in some embodiments, multiple golf balls each having different combinations of materials may be pulverized in step  702  and then placed in liquid in step  704 . In this example, a first set of golf balls may be made of materials A, B, C and D, each having a different density, and second set of golf balls may be made of materials A and E, each having a different density. Since the two sets of golf balls combined are made of materials A, B, C, D, and E, the particles may float to five different levels in the liquid. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include step  706  of agitating the liquid. Step  706  may help separate particles that may be stuck together, thereby aiding in separating the first group of particles from the second group of particles. For example, step  706  may include spinning propeller  610  to agitate the liquid and particles, thereby separating particles that may be stuck together. It is understood that step  706  may be performed by any equipment suitable for agitating the liquid and particles. For example, step  706  may be performed by stirring the liquid with a paddle. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include a step  708  of removing the first group of particles. Step  708  may include removing the first group of particles while keeping the first group of particles separate from the second group of particles. In some embodiments, step  708  may be performed by feeding the first group of particles into first tube  616 . For example, the first group of particles may be suctioned into first tube  616 . In some embodiments, the first group of particles may be skimmed from the top of liquid. For example, in some embodiments, vessel  602  may not be connected to tubes and the particles may be removed without using tubes. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include a step  710  of removing a second group of particles. Step  710  may include removing the second group of particles while keeping the second group of particles separate from the first group of particles. In some embodiments, step  710  may be performed by feeding the first group of particles into second tube  618 . For example, the second group of particles may be suctioned into second tube  618 . In some embodiments, step  708  may be performed before step  710 . Thus, the second group of particles may be the only particles remaining in the liquid before step  710  is performed. Step  710  may include skimming and/or straining the second group of particles from the liquid. For example, in some embodiments, vessel  602  may not be connected to tubes and the particles may be removed without using tubes. In some embodiments, liquid  604  may be poured over a sieve to strain out the second group of particles. In embodiments in which more than two materials are to be separated, step  710  may be repeated for each remaining material. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include a step  712  of drying the first group of particles. In some embodiments, step  712  may include using first tube  616  to transport the first group of particles to first dryer  612 . In some embodiments, step  712  may include using first dryer  612  to dry the first group of particles. In some embodiments, step  712  may be performed by twin screws disposed within a tube. In such embodiments, the twin screws may be twisted to move the first group of particles along inside the tube and to dry the particles through heat generated by friction caused by moving the twin screws against the particles. For example, step  712  may be performed by the twin screws described in ______, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (client matter number 72-1452), entitled Method of Recycling a Golf Ball, filed on ______, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, method  700  may include a step  714  of drying the second group of particles. In some embodiments, step  714  may include using second tube  618  to transport the second group of particles to second dryer  614 . In some embodiments, step  714  may include using second dryer  614  to dry the first group of particles. In some embodiments, step  714  may be performed by twin screws disposed inside a tube. In such embodiments, the twin screws may be twisted to move the second group of particles along inside the tube and to dry the particles through heat generated by friction caused by moving the twin screws against the particles. For example, step  714  may be performed by the twin screws described in ______, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (client matter number 72-1452), entitled Method of Recycling a Golf Ball, filed on ______, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0048]    Method  700  may include step  716  of using the first group of particles to make a new golf ball. For example, in some embodiments, the first group of particles may be mixed with new, unused particles of material. The combination of the first group of particles and the new, unused particles of material may be used in method  200  to form a layer of a new golf ball. In some embodiments, the new, unused particles of material mixed with the first group of particles may include the same type of material as the first group of particles. In some embodiments, the new, unused particles of material mixed with the first group of particles may include a different type of material from the first group of particles. 
         [0049]    Method  700  may include step  718  of using the second group of particles to make a new golf ball. For example, in some embodiments, the second group of particles may be mixed with new, unused particles of material. The combination of the second group of particles and the new, unused particles of material may be used in method  200  to form a layer of a new golf ball. In some embodiments, the new, unused particles of material mixed with the second group of particles may include the same type of material as the second group of particles. In some embodiments, the new, unused particles of material mixed with the second group of particles may include a different type of material from the second group of particles. 
         [0050]    It is understood that any of the steps of method  700  may be performed in any order. For example, step  712  may be performed at the same time as step  714 . In another example, step  712  may be performed before step  714 . 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, method  700  may be performed with the components and/or in the manner disclosed in Molinari, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/483,718 (client matter number 72-1601), entitled Method Of Recycling A Ball And Ball For Use In Recycling Method, filed on May 30, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, golf ball  100  may be made to include a trace element, or unique identifier, as disclosed in Ishii et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/018,007 (client matter number 72-1160), entitled System and Method for Collecting, Recycling, and Tracking Products such as Golf Balls, filed on Jan. 31, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. For example, method  200  may include a step of attaching a trace element to golf ball  100 . In some embodiments, the method for incentivizing the collection and recycling of products disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/018,007 may be performed in addition to the methods disclosed herein. The method for incentivizing the collection and recycling of products may include a step of selling golf balls, including one or more golf balls identical to golf ball  100 . The method may further include a step of collecting one or more sold golf balls. If the collected golf ball(s) includes a trace element, the trace element may be scanned or read. This trace element data may then be input into a Recycling Incentive and Tracking Program (RIT), for data storage and further processing. An incentive award may be provided to a user based upon the information stored within the RIT program. The collected golf balls may be processed for recycling. This step may encompass many possible actions such as counting and sorting; separating by condition of product; separating by original manufacturer. Each of the sorting factors can be used to direct the collected products into designations such as routing for disassembly and recycling of materials and components for re-manufacture of products that are like or unlike the original collected products; or routing for re-use designations. In some embodiments, method  700  may be performed in place of or in addition to processing the collected golf balls for recycling. The method of incentivizing may include a step of determining the intended designation for recycled material from the golf ball(s), feeding data regarding the intended designation into the RIT program, and providing the intended designation to a user via a network. 
         [0053]    While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1