WO2010134274A1 - Ball and ball manufacturing method - Google Patents

Ball and ball manufacturing method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010134274A1
WO2010134274A1 PCT/JP2010/003116 JP2010003116W WO2010134274A1 WO 2010134274 A1 WO2010134274 A1 WO 2010134274A1 JP 2010003116 W JP2010003116 W JP 2010003116W WO 2010134274 A1 WO2010134274 A1 WO 2010134274A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
foam
molding
ball
layer
foaming
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Application number
PCT/JP2010/003116
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
永尾幸則
戸成啓介
Original Assignee
株式会社モルテン
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Publication of WO2010134274A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010134274A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B45/00—Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B41/00—Hollow inflatable balls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/02—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C44/10—Applying counter-pressure during expanding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D22/00—Producing hollow articles
    • B29D22/04—Spherical articles, e.g. balls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
    • A63B2243/0037—Basketball

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a ball used in, for example, ball games and a method for manufacturing the ball.
  • Patent Documents 1 to 3 As a ball used in a basketball game, a reinforcing layer composed of a wound layer is provided on the outer surface of the tube, and a foam layer is provided on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer. Furthermore, what was comprised by affixing several panels on the outer surface of a foaming layer is known.
  • the edges of adjacent panels are separated from each other by a predetermined dimension, and a protrusion that protrudes between both panels so that a part of the foam layer fills between adjacent panels. Part. Since this protrusion is not covered with the panel, it is easily damaged, and thus is covered with a covering member made of another material having higher durability than the material forming the foam layer.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of panels on the surface of the foamed layer, and project a part of the foamed layer between these panels to project the ridges.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of panels on the surface of the foamed layer, and project a part of the foamed layer between these panels to project the ridges.
  • the foamed layer and the protrusion with a uniform foaming state of the protrusion The purpose is to obtain a strength that can withstand normal use by suppressing stress concentration that occurs in the vicinity of the boundary with a small portion.
  • the pressing force is weakened to promote foaming, and then the pressing force to the molding surface is increased. It was made to mold.
  • the first invention includes an inner member, a foam layer provided on the outer side of the inner member, and a plurality of panels provided on the outer surface of the foam layer at intervals from each other, A method of manufacturing a ball in which a part of the foam layer protrudes between both panels so as to fill a gap between adjacent panels, and the foam material constituting the foam layer is disposed outside the inner member.
  • the foam material it is possible to make the foam material into a predetermined shape by pressing the foam material against the mold in the first molding step. And it becomes possible to foam a foamed material uniformly uniformly by weakening the pressing force of a foamed material at a foaming promotion process. Thereafter, by increasing the pressing force, it is possible to integrally form the foam layer and the ridge portion by the molding surface while suppressing the entire foam material from being excessively foamed and uniformizing the foamed state of the foam layer.
  • the inner member is a hollow and expandable member, and the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface is applied by the fluid pressure introduced into the inner member in each step.
  • the configuration is changed.
  • This configuration makes it possible to easily equalize and change the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface in each step.
  • the foaming material is rubber mixed with a foaming agent, and the temperature of the mold is set to be higher in the foaming promotion process than in the first molding process.
  • the foam promotion step and the second molding step there are 15 to 160 bubbles having a diameter of 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m in a 1500 ⁇ m square in the cross section of the foam layer.
  • the pressing force of the foam material to the molding surface and the molding temperature are set.
  • the foam layer becomes hard and the feeling of use is deteriorated, and the foam layer is also formed by the fact that the number of bubbles in a 1500 ⁇ m square is less than 15. It becomes hard and the feeling of use deteriorates.
  • the diameter of the foam layer is larger than 300 ⁇ m, the strength of the foam layer is lowered and the chipping is likely to occur similarly, and if the number of bubbles in a 1500 ⁇ m square is larger than 160, the foam layer As a result, the strength of the steel is reduced, and chipping is likely to occur due to impact during use. Therefore, by setting the bubble diameter in the above range and the bubble distribution degree in the above range, a ball having a good feeling of use and sufficient durability can be obtained.
  • the fifth invention is a ball characterized by being manufactured by any one of the first to fourth manufacturing methods.
  • the pressing force is weakened to promote foaming, and then the pressing force to the molding surface is increased.
  • the foamed state can be made nearly uniform as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the strength that can be withstood during normal use by suppressing the stress concentration caused by non-uniformity of the foamed state while simplifying the manufacturing process by integrally forming the protrusions on the foamed layer. .
  • the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface in each step is changed by the fluid pressure introduced into the inner member, the pressing force of the foam material is made uniform to foam the foam layer.
  • the state can be made more uniform.
  • the third invention it is possible to obtain a foamed layer in a desired foamed state in a short time by promoting rubber vulcanization in the foam promoting process.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball according to the embodiment.
  • 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the manufacturing apparatus.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mold.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.
  • FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the first molding step.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the attaching process.
  • FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the temperature of the molding surface and the internal pressure of the tube in each step.
  • FIG. 1 shows a ball 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ball 1 is a basketball, and as shown in FIG. 2, a spherical tube (inner member) 2, a reinforcing layer 3 provided so as to cover the outer surface of the tube 2, and an outer surface of the reinforcing layer 3 are covered. .. And a plurality of panels 5, 5,... Provided so as to cover the outer surface of the foam layer 4.
  • the edges of the adjacent panels 5 and 5 are separated from each other by a predetermined dimension.
  • the foam layer 4 is integrally provided with a protrusion 4a protruding between the panels 5 and 5 so as to fill the space between the adjacent panels 5 and 5.
  • the protruding portion 4 a extends along the edge of the panel 5, and the front end surface in the protruding direction constitutes the outermost surface of the ball 1 together with the outer surface of the panel 5.
  • the tube 2 is made of an air non-permeable elastic material such as butyl rubber or latex rubber, and has a rubber valve 6 having a known structure.
  • the valve 6 passes through the reinforcing layer 3, the foamed layer 4 and the panel 5 and is exposed on the outer surface of the ball 1. Compressed air is injected into the tube 2 through the valve 6.
  • the structure of the valve 6 is not limited to the above.
  • the reinforcing layer 3 is composed of a thread wound substantially uniformly around the entire tube 2.
  • Examples of the yarn include polyester, nylon, and cotton materials.
  • the reinforcing layer 3 can be composed of a cloth or the like instead of a thread, or can be composed of a combination of a thread and a cloth.
  • the foam layer 4 is made of foam rubber.
  • the diameter and degree of distribution of the bubbles of the foamed layer 4 can be arbitrarily adjusted according to various conditions during production, which will be described later, and the amount of foaming agent mixed into the foamed material constituting the foamed layer 4.
  • the number of bubbles (open) in the range of 1500 ⁇ m square in the cross section of the foam layer 4 is set to 15 or more and 160 or less.
  • the diameter of the bubbles within this range is set to be within a predetermined range described later, and the diameter of the bubbles is defined as follows in this specification. That is, it is not the opening diameter opened in the cross section of the foamed layer 4, but the diameter of the largest part among the inner diameters of the bubbles.
  • the number and diameter of the bubbles described above are not intended for open cells, but are the number and diameter of bubbles present as closed cells in the foam layer 4.
  • the diameter of the bubble when measured based on the above definition is set to 50 ⁇ m or more and 300 ⁇ m or less.
  • the cushioning property of the foam layer 4 decreases and becomes harder, so that the feeling of use deteriorates.
  • the mechanical strength of the foam layer 4 decreases and the durability decreases.
  • the inventor As a result of examining the mechanical properties of the foamed layer 4 obtained by changing the diameter of the bubbles in the range of 10 ⁇ m to 400 ⁇ m and the feeling of use of the ball 1 having the foamed layer 4, the inventor As a result, the user feels that the feeling of use has deteriorated, and when the thickness is larger than 300 ⁇ m, the durability is greatly reduced. Based on this result, the bubble diameter is set to 50 ⁇ m or more and 300 ⁇ m or less as described above.
  • the present inventor has found that the number is less than 15. As a result, the feeling of use deteriorated, and when it was more than 160, the durability was greatly reduced. Based on this result, the number of bubbles is set to 15 or more and 160 or less as described above.
  • the diameter of the bubbles existing in the 1500 ⁇ m square in the cross section of the foamed layer 4 is set to 50 ⁇ m or more and 300 ⁇ m or less, and the bubbles are 15 or more and 160 or less.
  • the portion within the above conditions is preferably 60% or more of the whole, and if it is 40% or more, the ball 1 can be used.
  • Panel 5 is made of natural leather. Many small protrusions (not shown) are formed on the surface of the panel 5.
  • the panel 5 has a back surface and a peripheral edge attached to the foam layer 4.
  • the panel 5 can be composed of artificial leather such as polyurethane, synthetic leather or natural leather, or a multilayer structure formed by any combination of these with a rubber material, a resin material, a fiber material, or the like. Further, the shape and the number of the panels 5 can be arbitrarily set.
  • the manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a mold 11, a mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12, a mold heating power supplier 13, a compressed air supplier 14, and a temperature sensor 25 that detects the temperatures of the molding surfaces 17 a and 18 a. And a control device 15 for controlling the feeders 12 to 14.
  • the forming die 11 includes a fixed die 17 and a movable die 18 that moves in a direction in which the mold 11 comes in contact with and separates from the fixed die 17.
  • the movable mold 18 is driven by a known mold driving device (not shown) so as to be switched between a mold clamping state and a mold opening state.
  • the molding surface 17a of the fixed mold 17 is for molding the foamed layer 4 of the ball 1, and is constituted by a concave surface.
  • a groove 17b for forming the protrusion 4a of the foam layer 4 is formed on the molding surface 17a.
  • the molding surface 18a of the movable mold 18 is also formed in the same manner as the molding surface 17a of the fixed mold 17, and has a groove 18b.
  • the heating wire 20 for raising the temperature of the molding surface 17a is embedded in the fixed mold 17 so as to surround the molding surface 17a. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating wire 20 is connected to the mold heating power supply 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed mold 17 is formed with a refrigerant passage 21 through which a refrigerant for lowering the temperature of the molding surface 17a flows. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant passage 21 is connected to the mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12 via a pipe.
  • the mold 11 is provided with piping for supplying compressed air to the tube 2.
  • the upstream end of this pipe is connected to the compressed air supply device 14, and the downstream end is connected to the valve 6.
  • the movable mold 18 is also provided with a heating wire 20 and a refrigerant passage 21.
  • the temperature sensor 25 is connected to the control device 15.
  • the control device 15 is configured to arbitrarily control the operation timing and power supply amount of the mold heating power supply device 13 to raise the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to a set temperature. Further, the control device 15 is configured to be able to arbitrarily control the operation timing and the refrigerant supply amount of the mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12 to lower the temperatures of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to a set temperature.
  • the degree of temperature change during heating and cooling can also be set arbitrarily.
  • control device 15 is configured to change the internal pressure of the tube 2 by arbitrarily controlling the operation timing and the air supply amount of the compressed air supplier 14. For example, nitrogen may be supplied to the tube 2 in addition to air.
  • the reinforcing layer 3 is formed on the tube 2, and the foam material A to be the foamed layer 4 is disposed on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer 3 and then accommodated in the mold 11.
  • the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a in this preparation process is set to a relatively low temperature of 60 ° C. or less, for example.
  • the foam material A is mainly composed of natural rubber, and further contains calcium carbonate, silica, carbon, processing aid, sulfur, zinc oxide, stearic acid, foaming agent and the like. The mixing ratio of these components is adjusted so that the foamed layer 4 is in the foamed state described above.
  • the control device 15 operates the mold heating power supply 13 to raise the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a.
  • the degree of temperature change is set such that the temperature is about 90 ° C. to 120 ° C., for example, over about 120 seconds to 180 seconds.
  • the control device 15 increases the internal pressure of the tube 2 by operating the compressed air supply device 14 substantially simultaneously with increasing the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a.
  • the degree of increase in the internal pressure of the tube 2 is set to be about 10 to 15 times that during normal use over about 15 to 30 seconds. This is the first molding step, and the time required for this first molding step is about 120 seconds to 180 seconds. However, it may be shorter or longer in relation to the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Good.
  • the foam material A is heated by the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, thereby increasing the flexibility of the foam material A.
  • the foam material A is pressed against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a by increasing the internal pressure of the tube 2.
  • the foam material A is molded along the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, and part of the foam material A flows and enters the grooves 17b and 18b as shown in FIG. Since the internal pressure of the tube 2 acts uniformly on the whole, the thickness of the portion excluding the portions corresponding to the grooves 17b and 18b of the foam material A becomes substantially uniform.
  • the foam material A since the internal pressure of the tube 2 is high, the foam material A is compressed between the molding surfaces 17a and 18a and the tube 2 and does not reach a temperature sufficient for foaming. Therefore, foaming is suppressed and proceeds slowly.
  • the process proceeds to the foam promotion process.
  • the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is raised by about 20 ° C. to 30 ° C. from the highest temperature in the first molding step.
  • air is extracted from the tube 2 and the internal pressure of the tube 2 is reduced to about half that in the first molding step.
  • the pressure acting on the foam material A decreases, and the temperature of the foam material A rises to a temperature sufficient for foaming, so that foaming of the foam material A is promoted.
  • the time required for this foaming promotion step is about the same as that of the first molding step, but it may be longer or shorter.
  • the process proceeds to the second molding step.
  • the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is increased by about 20 ° C. to 30 ° C. from the highest temperature in the foam promotion step.
  • the internal pressure of the tube 2 is increased to the same level as in the first molding step or slightly lower than that in the first molding step.
  • the foamed layer 4 in progress of vulcanization is strongly pressed against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to have a desired shape along the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, and the protrusion 4a also has a desired shape.
  • the temperature of the foam material A increases in addition to the increase in the internal pressure of the tube 2, excessive foaming of the foam layer 4 is suppressed by pressurization and acceleration of vulcanization.
  • the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a and the internal force of the tube 2 can be changed by the composition of the foam material A and the like.
  • the time required for the second molding step is a time required for the vulcanization to progress and the shape of the foamed layer 4 to be stabilized, and can be changed depending on the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a and the internal pressure of the tube 2. .
  • the foam material A into a predetermined shape by pressing the foam material A against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a in the first molding step. And it becomes possible to foam the foaming material A entirely by reducing the internal pressure of the tube 2 in the foaming promotion step and weakening the pressing force against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Thereafter, by increasing the pressing force on the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, it is possible to suppress the entire foaming material A from being excessively foamed and uniformize the foamed state of the foam layer 4, and to form a predetermined shape by the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Can be molded.
  • the control device 15 stops the power supply by the mold heating power supplier 13 and operates the mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12 to reduce the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to about 60 ° C., for example. . Further, as soon as the cooling process starts, the internal pressure of the tube 2 is lowered. When the internal pressure of the tube 2 becomes substantially zero, the molding die 11 is opened, and the intermediate molded product B (shown in FIG. 7) on which the foam layer 4 is formed is taken out. Meanwhile, the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is lowered, and the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is set to a temperature suitable for the preparation step before the next preparation step.
  • the rebound height of the ball 1 thus obtained is 120 cm from the plate when the internal pressure of the tube 2 is 0.60 bar, the ambient temperature is 20 ° C., and the ball is freely dropped from a height of 180 cm onto a hard plate.
  • the range is 135 cm or less.
  • the pressing force is weakened to promote foaming, and then the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Since the pressing force is increased, when the protrusion 4a is integrally formed with the foam layer 4, the foamed state can be made almost uniform as a whole. Therefore, when the protrusion 4a is integrally formed on the foam layer 4 to simplify the manufacturing process, the stress concentration resulting from the non-uniform foam state is suppressed and the strength that can be withstood during normal use is obtained. be able to.
  • the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a handball or the like.
  • the heating wire 20 is provided in the shaping
  • This steam heating mold has a space corresponding to the molding surface, and pressurized steam can be introduced into this space to increase the temperature of the molding surface. The temperature of the molding surface can be freely adjusted by the temperature of the steam. On the other hand, when the temperature of the molding surface is lowered, cooling water may be introduced into the space while discharging the steam in the space.
  • the present invention can be applied to, for example, manufacturing basketball.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A ball manufacturing method comprising: a preparation step in which a tube (2) and a foaming material (A), which constitutes a foamed layer, are contained in a forming mold (11) with the foaming material (A) disposed outside the tube (2); a first forming step which, after the preparation step, presses the foaming material (A) against the forming surfaces (17a, 18a) of the forming mold (11); a foaming promoting step which, after the first forming step, reduces the force which presses the foaming material (A) against the forming surfaces (17a, 18a) to promote the foaming of the foaming material (A); a second forming step which, after the foaming promoting step, increases the force which presses the foaming material (A) against the forming surfaces (17a, 18a) to obtain the foamed layer; and a panel applying step which applies panels to the outer surface of the foamed layer.

Description

ボール及びボールの製造方法Ball and ball manufacturing method
　本発明は、例えば球技等に用いられるボール及びボールの製造方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a ball used in, for example, ball games and a method for manufacturing the ball.
　従来より、例えば、バスケット競技に用いられるボールとしては、特許文献１～３に開示されているように、チューブの外面に糸巻き層からなる補強層を設け、この補強層の外面に発泡層を設け、さらに、発泡層の外面に複数枚のパネルを貼り付けることによって構成されたものが知られている。 Conventionally, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, as a ball used in a basketball game, a reinforcing layer composed of a wound layer is provided on the outer surface of the tube, and a foam layer is provided on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer. Furthermore, what was comprised by affixing several panels on the outer surface of a foaming layer is known.
　上記特許文献１～３のボールでは、隣り合うパネルの縁部同士が互いに所定寸法だけ離れており、発泡層の一部が隣り合うパネルの間を埋めるように両パネルの間へ突出する突条部を構成している。この突条部は、パネルで覆われていない分、損傷を受けやすいため、発泡層を構成する材料よりも耐久性の高い別の材料で構成された被覆部材により覆われている。 In the balls of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the edges of adjacent panels are separated from each other by a predetermined dimension, and a protrusion that protrudes between both panels so that a part of the foam layer fills between adjacent panels. Part. Since this protrusion is not covered with the panel, it is easily damaged, and thus is covered with a covering member made of another material having higher durability than the material forming the foam layer.
米国特許第５６３６８３５号明細書US Pat. No. 5,636,835 米国特許第５６８１２３３号明細書US Pat. No. 5,681,233 米国特許出願公開２００８／００５１２３４号明細書US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0051234
　ところが、特許文献１～３のボールのように、発泡層とは別の材料で構成された被覆部材を設ける場合には、被覆部材を成形し、発泡層に取り付ける作業が必要となり、製造工程が煩雑になる。 However, when a covering member made of a material different from the foam layer is provided as in the balls of Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is necessary to form the cover member and attach it to the foam layer. It becomes complicated.
　本発明は斯かる点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、発泡層の表面に複数のパネルを設け、これらパネルの間に発泡層の一部を突出させて突条部を形成するようにしたボールにおいて、発泡層に突条部を一体成形して製造工程の簡素化を図りながら、発泡層及び突条部の発泡状態を均一化することで気泡割合の多い部分と少ない部分との境界近傍に生じる応力集中を抑制して通常の使用時に耐えることのできる強度を得ることにある。 The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of panels on the surface of the foamed layer, and project a part of the foamed layer between these panels to project the ridges. In the ball formed to form a protrusion with a foam layer integrally formed with the foam layer, while simplifying the manufacturing process, the foamed layer and the protrusion with a uniform foaming state of the protrusion, The purpose is to obtain a strength that can withstand normal use by suppressing stress concentration that occurs in the vicinity of the boundary with a small portion.
　上記目的を達成するために、本発明では、発泡層を構成する発泡材料を成形面に一旦押し付けた後、その押し付け力を弱めて発泡を促進させ、その後、成形面への押し付け力を高めて成形するようにした。 In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, after the foam material constituting the foam layer is once pressed against the molding surface, the pressing force is weakened to promote foaming, and then the pressing force to the molding surface is increased. It was made to mold.
　具体的には、第１の発明では、内側部材と、該内側部材の外側に設けられた発泡層と、該発泡層の外面に互いに間隔をあけて設けられた複数のパネルとを備えるとともに、隣り合うパネルの隙間を埋めるように上記発泡層の一部を両パネルの間へ突出させたボールの製造方法であって、上記内側部材の外側に、上記発泡層を構成する発泡材料を配置した状態で、該内側部材及び発泡材料を成形型内に収容する準備工程と、上記準備工程の後、上記発泡材料を上記成形型の成形面に押し付ける第１成形工程と、上記第１成形工程の後、上記発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を弱めて上記発泡材料の発泡を促進させる発泡促進工程と、上記発泡促進工程の後、上記発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を高めて発泡層を得る第２成形工程と、上記発泡層の外面に上記パネルを貼り付けるパネル貼り付け工程とを備えている構成とする。 Specifically, the first invention includes an inner member, a foam layer provided on the outer side of the inner member, and a plurality of panels provided on the outer surface of the foam layer at intervals from each other, A method of manufacturing a ball in which a part of the foam layer protrudes between both panels so as to fill a gap between adjacent panels, and the foam material constituting the foam layer is disposed outside the inner member. In the state, a preparatory step of accommodating the inner member and the foam material in a mold, a first molding step of pressing the foam material against a molding surface of the mold after the preparatory step, and the first molding step Thereafter, a foaming promotion step of facilitating foaming of the foamed material by weakening the pressing force of the foaming material on the molding surface, and after the foaming promotion step, increasing the pressing force of the foaming material on the molding surface to increase the foaming layer A second molding step to obtain A configuration that includes a panel attaching step of attaching the panels to the outer surface of the layer.
　この構成によれば、第１成形工程で発泡材料を成形型に押し付けることで、発泡材料の形状を所定形状にすることが可能になる。そして、発泡促進工程で発泡材料の押し付け力を弱めることにより、発泡材料を全体的に均一に発泡させることが可能になる。その後、押し付け力を高めることで、発泡材料の全体の発泡し過ぎを抑制して発泡層の発泡状態を均一化しながら、成形面によって発泡層及び突条部を一体成形することが可能になる。 According to this configuration, it is possible to make the foam material into a predetermined shape by pressing the foam material against the mold in the first molding step. And it becomes possible to foam a foamed material uniformly uniformly by weakening the pressing force of a foamed material at a foaming promotion process. Thereafter, by increasing the pressing force, it is possible to integrally form the foam layer and the ridge portion by the molding surface while suppressing the entire foam material from being excessively foamed and uniformizing the foamed state of the foam layer.
　第２の発明では、第１の発明において、内側部材は中空状で膨張可能な部材であり、各工程において上記内側部材の内部に導入する流体圧により、発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を変化させる構成とする。 In the second invention, in the first invention, the inner member is a hollow and expandable member, and the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface is applied by the fluid pressure introduced into the inner member in each step. The configuration is changed.
　この構成によれば、各工程における発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を容易に均一化し、また、変更することが可能になる。 This configuration makes it possible to easily equalize and change the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface in each step.
　第３の発明では、第１または２の発明において、発泡材料は発泡剤が混入したゴムであり、成形型の温度を、第１成形工程よりも発泡促進工程の方を高くする構成とする。 In the third invention, in the first or second invention, the foaming material is rubber mixed with a foaming agent, and the temperature of the mold is set to be higher in the foaming promotion process than in the first molding process.
　この構成によれば、発泡促進工程においてゴムの加硫が促進される。 According to this configuration, rubber vulcanization is promoted in the foaming promotion step.
　第４の発明では、第１から３のいずれか１つの発明において、発泡促進工程及び第２成形工程では、発泡層の断面における１５００μｍ四方の中に直径５０μｍ以上３００μｍ以下の気泡が１５以上１６０存在するように、発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力及び成形温度を設定する構成とする。 In the fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, in the foam promotion step and the second molding step, there are 15 to 160 bubbles having a diameter of 50 μm to 300 μm in a 1500 μm square in the cross section of the foam layer. Thus, the pressing force of the foam material to the molding surface and the molding temperature are set.
　すなわち、発泡層の気泡の直径が５０μｍよりも小さいと、発泡層が硬くなって使用感が悪化し、また、１５００μｍ四方の中の気泡の数が１５個よりも少ないことによっても、発泡層が硬くなって使用感が悪化する。また、発泡層の気泡の直径が３００μｍよりも大きいと発泡層の強度が低下して同様に欠けが発生し易くなり、また、１５００μｍ四方の中の気泡の数が１６０個よりも多いと発泡層の強度が低下して使用時の衝撃等によって欠けが発生し易くなる。従って、気泡の直径を上記範囲に設定し、かつ、気泡の分布度合いを上記範囲に設定することで、使用感が良好で、しかも、十分な耐久性を有するボールが得られる。 That is, when the diameter of the bubbles in the foam layer is smaller than 50 μm, the foam layer becomes hard and the feeling of use is deteriorated, and the foam layer is also formed by the fact that the number of bubbles in a 1500 μm square is less than 15. It becomes hard and the feeling of use deteriorates. Further, if the diameter of the foam layer is larger than 300 μm, the strength of the foam layer is lowered and the chipping is likely to occur similarly, and if the number of bubbles in a 1500 μm square is larger than 160, the foam layer As a result, the strength of the steel is reduced, and chipping is likely to occur due to impact during use. Therefore, by setting the bubble diameter in the above range and the bubble distribution degree in the above range, a ball having a good feeling of use and sufficient durability can be obtained.
　第５の発明は、第１から４のいずれか１つの製造方法により製造されたことを特徴とするボールである。 The fifth invention is a ball characterized by being manufactured by any one of the first to fourth manufacturing methods.
　　第１の発明によれば、発泡層を構成する発泡材料を成形面に押し付けた後、押し付け力を弱めて発泡を促進させ、その後、成形面への押し付け力を高めるようにしたので、発泡層に突条部を一体成形する場合に、発泡状態を全体的に均一に近づけることができる。よって、発泡層に突条部を一体成形して製造工程の簡素化を図りながら、発泡状態の不均一に起因する応力集中を抑制して通常の使用時に耐えることのできる強度を得ることができる。 According to the first invention, after the foam material constituting the foam layer is pressed against the molding surface, the pressing force is weakened to promote foaming, and then the pressing force to the molding surface is increased. In the case where the protrusion is integrally formed, the foamed state can be made nearly uniform as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the strength that can be withstood during normal use by suppressing the stress concentration caused by non-uniformity of the foamed state while simplifying the manufacturing process by integrally forming the protrusions on the foamed layer. .
　第２の発明によれば、内側部材に導入する流体圧により、各工程における発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を変化させるようにしたので、発泡材料の押し付け力を均一化して発泡層の発泡状態をより一層均一化できる。 According to the second invention, since the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface in each step is changed by the fluid pressure introduced into the inner member, the pressing force of the foam material is made uniform to foam the foam layer. The state can be made more uniform.
　第３の発明によれば、発泡促進工程においてゴムの加硫を促進して、所望の発泡状態の発泡層を短時間で得ることができる。 According to the third invention, it is possible to obtain a foamed layer in a desired foamed state in a short time by promoting rubber vulcanization in the foam promoting process.
　第４の発明によれば、使用感が良好で、しかも、十分な耐久性を有するボールを得ることができる。 According to the fourth invention, it is possible to obtain a ball having good usability and sufficient durability.
　第５の発明によれば、耐久性が高く、使用感の良好なボールとすることができる。 According to the fifth invention, a ball having high durability and good usability can be obtained.
図１は、実施形態に係るボールの斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball according to the embodiment. 図２は、図１におけるII－II線断面図である。2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 図３は、製造装置のブロック図である。FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the manufacturing apparatus. 図４は、成形型の断面図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mold. 図５は、準備工程を示す図４相当図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 図６は、第１成形工程を示す図４相当図である。FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the first molding step. 図７は、貼り付け工程を説明する図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the attaching process. 図８は、各工程の成形面の温度及びチューブの内圧を示すタイムチャートである。FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the temperature of the molding surface and the internal pressure of the tube in each step.
　以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。尚、以下の好ましい実施形態の説明は、本質的に例示に過ぎず、本発明、その適用物或いはその用途を制限することを意図するものではない。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.
　図１は、本発明の実施形態に係るボール１を示すものである。このボール１は、バスケットボールであり、図２に示すように、球形のチューブ（内側部材）２と、チューブ２の外面を覆うように設けられた補強層３と、補強層３の外面を覆うように設けられた発泡層４と、発泡層４の外面を覆うように設けられた複数のパネル５，５，…とを備えている。隣り合うパネル５，５の縁部同士は互いに所定寸法だけ離れている。発泡層４には、隣り合うパネル５，５の間を埋めるように両パネル５，５の間へ突出する突条部４ａが一体に設けられている。突条部４ａは、パネル５の縁部に沿って延びており、その突出方向先端面がパネル５の外面と共にボール１の最外面を構成している。 FIG. 1 shows a ball 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ball 1 is a basketball, and as shown in FIG. 2, a spherical tube (inner member) 2, a reinforcing layer 3 provided so as to cover the outer surface of the tube 2, and an outer surface of the reinforcing layer 3 are covered. .. And a plurality of panels 5, 5,... Provided so as to cover the outer surface of the foam layer 4. The edges of the adjacent panels 5 and 5 are separated from each other by a predetermined dimension. The foam layer 4 is integrally provided with a protrusion 4a protruding between the panels 5 and 5 so as to fill the space between the adjacent panels 5 and 5. The protruding portion 4 a extends along the edge of the panel 5, and the front end surface in the protruding direction constitutes the outermost surface of the ball 1 together with the outer surface of the panel 5.
　チューブ２は、例えば、ブチルゴム又はラテックスゴム等の空気非透過性を有する弾性材料で構成されており、周知の構造のゴム製バルブ６を有している。このバルブ６は、補強層３、発泡層４及びパネル５を貫通してボール１の外面に露出している。バルブ６を介してチューブ２内に圧縮空気が注入されるようになっている。バルブ６の構造は上記に限定されるものではない。 The tube 2 is made of an air non-permeable elastic material such as butyl rubber or latex rubber, and has a rubber valve 6 having a known structure. The valve 6 passes through the reinforcing layer 3, the foamed layer 4 and the panel 5 and is exposed on the outer surface of the ball 1. Compressed air is injected into the tube 2 through the valve 6. The structure of the valve 6 is not limited to the above.
　補強層３は、チューブ２の全体に略均一に巻き付けられた糸で構成されている。糸としては、例えば、ポリエステル、ナイロン、綿素材ものが挙げられる。補強層３は、糸の代わりに、布等で構成することもできるし、糸と布を組み合わせて構成することもできる。 The reinforcing layer 3 is composed of a thread wound substantially uniformly around the entire tube 2. Examples of the yarn include polyester, nylon, and cotton materials. The reinforcing layer 3 can be composed of a cloth or the like instead of a thread, or can be composed of a combination of a thread and a cloth.
　発泡層４は、発泡ゴムで構成されている。発泡層４が有する気泡の直径及び分布度合いは、後述する製造時の各種条件及び発泡層４を構成する発泡材料への発泡剤の混合量等によって任意に調節することが可能である。この実施形態では、発泡層４の断面における１５００μｍ四方の範囲に存在する（開口している）気泡の数が１５個以上１６０個以下に設定されている。また、この範囲内にある気泡の直径は、後述する所定範囲内にあるように設定されており、この気泡の直径とは、本明細書においては次のように定義する。すなわち、発泡層４の断面に開口している開口径のことではなく、気泡の内径のうち、最も大きい箇所の径とする。また、上記した気泡の数及び直径は、連続気泡を対象としたものではなく、発泡層４内に独立気泡として存在している気泡の数及び直径のことである。 The foam layer 4 is made of foam rubber. The diameter and degree of distribution of the bubbles of the foamed layer 4 can be arbitrarily adjusted according to various conditions during production, which will be described later, and the amount of foaming agent mixed into the foamed material constituting the foamed layer 4. In this embodiment, the number of bubbles (open) in the range of 1500 μm square in the cross section of the foam layer 4 is set to 15 or more and 160 or less. In addition, the diameter of the bubbles within this range is set to be within a predetermined range described later, and the diameter of the bubbles is defined as follows in this specification. That is, it is not the opening diameter opened in the cross section of the foamed layer 4, but the diameter of the largest part among the inner diameters of the bubbles. The number and diameter of the bubbles described above are not intended for open cells, but are the number and diameter of bubbles present as closed cells in the foam layer 4.
　本実施形態では、上記定義に基づいて測定した場合の気泡の直径は、５０μｍ以上３００μｍ以下に設定されている。気泡の直径が小さくなればなるほど、発泡層４のクッション性が低下して硬くなることで使用感が悪化し、大きくなればなるほど、発泡層４の機械的強度が落ち、耐久性が低下する。本発明者は、気泡の直径を１０μｍ～４００μｍの範囲で変えて得た発泡層４の機械的性質及びその発泡層４を有するボール１の使用感を調べた結果、５０μｍよりも小さいと、使用者が使用感の悪化を感じるようになり、３００μｍよりも大きいと耐久性が大きく低下してしまうという結果が得られた。この結果に基づいて、気泡の直径を上述の如く５０μｍ以上３００μｍ以下に設定している。 In this embodiment, the diameter of the bubble when measured based on the above definition is set to 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less. As the bubble diameter decreases, the cushioning property of the foam layer 4 decreases and becomes harder, so that the feeling of use deteriorates. As the bubble diameter increases, the mechanical strength of the foam layer 4 decreases and the durability decreases. As a result of examining the mechanical properties of the foamed layer 4 obtained by changing the diameter of the bubbles in the range of 10 μm to 400 μm and the feeling of use of the ball 1 having the foamed layer 4, the inventor As a result, the user feels that the feeling of use has deteriorated, and when the thickness is larger than 300 μm, the durability is greatly reduced. Based on this result, the bubble diameter is set to 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less as described above.
　また、気泡の数が少なければ少ないほど、発泡層４のクッション性が低下して使用感が悪化し、多ければ多いほど、発泡層４の機械的強度が低下してしまう。本発明者は、気泡の数を５個～２００個の範囲で変えて得た発泡層４の機械的性質及びその発泡層４を有するボール１の使用感を調べた結果、１５個よりも少ないと、使用感が悪化し、１６０個よりも多いと耐久性が大きく低下するという結果が得られた。この結果に基づいて、気泡の数を上述の如く１５個以上１６０個以下に設定している。 Also, the smaller the number of bubbles, the lower the cushioning property of the foam layer 4 and the usability becomes worse, and the greater the number, the lower the mechanical strength of the foam layer 4. As a result of examining the mechanical properties of the foamed layer 4 obtained by changing the number of bubbles in the range of 5 to 200 and the feeling of use of the ball 1 having the foamed layer 4, the present inventor has found that the number is less than 15. As a result, the feeling of use deteriorated, and when it was more than 160, the durability was greatly reduced. Based on this result, the number of bubbles is set to 15 or more and 160 or less as described above.
　上記したように、発泡層４の断面における１５００μｍ四方の中に存在する気泡の直径が５０μｍ以上３００μｍ以下に設定され、かつ、その気泡が１５以上１６０以下存在するの最も好ましいが、発泡層４の断面のうち、上記条件内に入っている部分が全体の６０％以上であれば好ましく、また、４０％以上であればボール１として使用可能である。 As described above, it is most preferable that the diameter of the bubbles existing in the 1500 μm square in the cross section of the foamed layer 4 is set to 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less, and the bubbles are 15 or more and 160 or less. Of the cross section, the portion within the above conditions is preferably 60% or more of the whole, and if it is 40% or more, the ball 1 can be used.
　パネル５は、天然皮革で構成されている。パネル５の表面には小さな突起（図示せず）が多数形成されている。パネル５は、その裏面及び周縁部が発泡層４に対し貼り付けられている。尚、パネル５は、ポリウレタン等の人工皮革又は合成皮革又は天然皮革や、これらとゴム材料、樹脂材料、繊維材料等との任意の組み合わせによる多層構造体等で構成することができる。また、パネル５の形状や枚数も任意に設定することができる。 Panel 5 is made of natural leather. Many small protrusions (not shown) are formed on the surface of the panel 5. The panel 5 has a back surface and a peripheral edge attached to the foam layer 4. The panel 5 can be composed of artificial leather such as polyurethane, synthetic leather or natural leather, or a multilayer structure formed by any combination of these with a rubber material, a resin material, a fiber material, or the like. Further, the shape and the number of the panels 5 can be arbitrarily set.
　次に、図３及び図４に基づいて上記のように構成されたボール１の製造装置１０の構造について説明する。この製造装置１０は、成形型１１と、型冷却用冷媒供給器１２と、型加熱用電力供給器１３と、圧縮空気供給器１４と、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を検出する温度センサ２５と、上記供給器１２～１４を制御する制御装置１５とを備えている。 Next, the structure of the manufacturing apparatus 10 for the ball 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. The manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a mold 11, a mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12, a mold heating power supplier 13, a compressed air supplier 14, and a temperature sensor 25 that detects the temperatures of the molding surfaces 17 a and 18 a. And a control device 15 for controlling the feeders 12 to 14.
　成形型１１は、固定型１７と固定型１７に対し接離する方向に移動する可動型１８とを備えている。可動型１８は、周知の型駆動装置（図示せず）により駆動されて型締め状態と型開き状態とに切り替えられるようになっている。 The forming die 11 includes a fixed die 17 and a movable die 18 that moves in a direction in which the mold 11 comes in contact with and separates from the fixed die 17. The movable mold 18 is driven by a known mold driving device (not shown) so as to be switched between a mold clamping state and a mold opening state.
　図４に示すように、固定型１７の成形面１７ａは、ボール１の発泡層４を成形するためのものであり、凹面で構成されている。この成形面１７ａには、発泡層４の突条部４ａを成形するための溝１７ｂが形成されている。可動型１８の成形面１８ａも固定型１７の成形面１７ａと同様に形成され、溝１８ｂを有している。 As shown in FIG. 4, the molding surface 17a of the fixed mold 17 is for molding the foamed layer 4 of the ball 1, and is constituted by a concave surface. A groove 17b for forming the protrusion 4a of the foam layer 4 is formed on the molding surface 17a. The molding surface 18a of the movable mold 18 is also formed in the same manner as the molding surface 17a of the fixed mold 17, and has a groove 18b.
　固定型１７には、成形面１７ａの温度を上昇させるための電熱線２０が成形面１７ａを取り巻くように埋め込まれている。この電熱線２０は、図３に示すように、型加熱用電力供給器１３に接続されている。また、図４に示すように、固定型１７には、成形面１７ａの温度を低下させるための冷媒が流通する冷媒通路２１が形成されている。この冷媒通路２１は、図３に示すように、配管を介して型冷却用冷媒供給器１２に接続されている。 The heating wire 20 for raising the temperature of the molding surface 17a is embedded in the fixed mold 17 so as to surround the molding surface 17a. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating wire 20 is connected to the mold heating power supply 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed mold 17 is formed with a refrigerant passage 21 through which a refrigerant for lowering the temperature of the molding surface 17a flows. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant passage 21 is connected to the mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12 via a pipe.
　また、成形型１１には、チューブ２に圧縮空気を供給するための配管が設けられている。この配管の上流端は圧縮空気供給器１４に接続され、下流端はバルブ６に接続されるようになっている。可動型１８にも、電熱線２０及び冷媒通路２１が設けられている。 Also, the mold 11 is provided with piping for supplying compressed air to the tube 2. The upstream end of this pipe is connected to the compressed air supply device 14, and the downstream end is connected to the valve 6. The movable mold 18 is also provided with a heating wire 20 and a refrigerant passage 21.
　温度センサ２５は制御装置１５に接続されている。制御装置１５は、型加熱用電力供給器１３の動作タイミング、電力供給量を任意に制御して、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を設定温度まで上昇させることが可能に構成されている。また、制御装置１５は、型冷却用冷媒供給器１２の動作タイミング、冷媒供給量を任意に制御して、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を設定温度まで下降させることが可能に構成されている。加熱時及び冷却時の温度変化度合いも任意に設定することが可能である。 The temperature sensor 25 is connected to the control device 15. The control device 15 is configured to arbitrarily control the operation timing and power supply amount of the mold heating power supply device 13 to raise the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to a set temperature. Further, the control device 15 is configured to be able to arbitrarily control the operation timing and the refrigerant supply amount of the mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12 to lower the temperatures of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to a set temperature. The degree of temperature change during heating and cooling can also be set arbitrarily.
　さらに、制御装置１５は、圧縮空気供給器１４の動作タイミング、空気供給量を任意に制御してチューブ２の内圧を変化させることが可能に構成されている。尚、チューブ２には、空気以外にも例えば窒素等を供給するようにしてもよい。 Furthermore, the control device 15 is configured to change the internal pressure of the tube 2 by arbitrarily controlling the operation timing and the air supply amount of the compressed air supplier 14. For example, nitrogen may be supplied to the tube 2 in addition to air.
　次に、上記のように構成された製造装置１０を用いてボール１を製造する場合について説明する。図５に示すように、まず、チューブ２に補強層３を形成しておき、この補強層３の外面に、発泡層４となる発泡材料Ａを配置した後、成形型１１内に収容する。これが準備工程である。この準備工程における成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度は例えば６０℃以下の比較的低温に設定されている。 Next, the case where the ball 1 is manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the reinforcing layer 3 is formed on the tube 2, and the foam material A to be the foamed layer 4 is disposed on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer 3 and then accommodated in the mold 11. This is the preparation process. The temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a in this preparation process is set to a relatively low temperature of 60 ° C. or less, for example.
　発泡材料Ａは、天然ゴムを主成分としており、さらに、炭酸カルシウム、シリカ、カーボン、加工助剤、イオウ、酸化亜鉛、ステアリン酸、発泡剤等を含有している。これら成分の混合割合は、発泡層４が上述した発泡状態となるように調整される。 The foam material A is mainly composed of natural rubber, and further contains calcium carbonate, silica, carbon, processing aid, sulfur, zinc oxide, stearic acid, foaming agent and the like. The mixing ratio of these components is adjusted so that the foamed layer 4 is in the foamed state described above.
　その後、制御装置１５は、図８に示すように、型加熱用電力供給器１３を作動させて成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度上昇させる。温度変化の度合いは、例えば約１２０秒～１８０秒かけて例えば約９０℃～１２０℃くらいの温度となるように設定する。また、制御装置１５は、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を上昇させるのと略同時に圧縮空気供給器１４を作動させてチューブ２の内圧を高める。チューブ２の内圧の上昇度合いは、約１５秒～３０秒かけて通常使用時の約１０倍～１５倍程度となるように設定する。これが第１成形工程であり、この第１成形工程に要する時間は、１２０秒～１８０秒程度であるが、成形面１７ａ，１８ａとの関係でこれより短くしてもよいし、長くしてもよい。 Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 15 operates the mold heating power supply 13 to raise the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. The degree of temperature change is set such that the temperature is about 90 ° C. to 120 ° C., for example, over about 120 seconds to 180 seconds. Further, the control device 15 increases the internal pressure of the tube 2 by operating the compressed air supply device 14 substantially simultaneously with increasing the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. The degree of increase in the internal pressure of the tube 2 is set to be about 10 to 15 times that during normal use over about 15 to 30 seconds. This is the first molding step, and the time required for this first molding step is about 120 seconds to 180 seconds. However, it may be shorter or longer in relation to the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Good.
　この第１成形工程では、成形面１７ａ，１８ａにより発泡材料Ａが加熱されることでこれの柔軟性が増す。この状態で、チューブ２の内圧が上昇することで、発泡材料Ａが成形面１７ａ，１８ａに押し付けられる。これにより、発泡材料Ａが成形面１７ａ，１８ａに沿うように成形されるとともに、図６に示すように発泡材料Ａの一部が流動して溝１７ｂ，１８ｂに入り込む。チューブ２の内圧は全体に均一に作用するので、発泡材料Ａの溝１７ｂ，１８ｂに対応する部分を除いた部分の厚みは略均一になる。この第１成形工程では、チューブ２の内圧が高いため、発泡材料Ａが成形面１７ａ，１８ａとチューブ２との間で圧縮されることになり、また発泡するのに十分な温度に達していないため、発泡は抑制されてゆっくりと進む。 In the first molding step, the foam material A is heated by the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, thereby increasing the flexibility of the foam material A. In this state, the foam material A is pressed against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a by increasing the internal pressure of the tube 2. Thereby, the foam material A is molded along the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, and part of the foam material A flows and enters the grooves 17b and 18b as shown in FIG. Since the internal pressure of the tube 2 acts uniformly on the whole, the thickness of the portion excluding the portions corresponding to the grooves 17b and 18b of the foam material A becomes substantially uniform. In the first molding step, since the internal pressure of the tube 2 is high, the foam material A is compressed between the molding surfaces 17a and 18a and the tube 2 and does not reach a temperature sufficient for foaming. Therefore, foaming is suppressed and proceeds slowly.
　次いで、発泡促進工程に移行する。この工程では、図８に示すように、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を第１成形工程における最も高い温度よりも約２０℃～３０℃程度上昇させる。また、チューブ２から空気を抜いて、該チューブ２の内圧を第１成形工程のときの半分程度にまで低下させる。これにより、発泡材料Ａに作用している圧力が低下するとともに、発泡材料Ａの温度が上昇して発泡するのに十分な温度となるため、発泡材料Ａの発泡が促進されることになる。この発泡促進工程に要する時間は、第１成形工程と同程度であるが、これより長くしてもよいし、短くしてもよい。 Next, the process proceeds to the foam promotion process. In this step, as shown in FIG. 8, the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is raised by about 20 ° C. to 30 ° C. from the highest temperature in the first molding step. Moreover, air is extracted from the tube 2 and the internal pressure of the tube 2 is reduced to about half that in the first molding step. As a result, the pressure acting on the foam material A decreases, and the temperature of the foam material A rises to a temperature sufficient for foaming, so that foaming of the foam material A is promoted. The time required for this foaming promotion step is about the same as that of the first molding step, but it may be longer or shorter.
　しかる後、第２成形工程に移行する。この工程では、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を発泡促進工程における最も高い温度よりも約２０℃～３０℃程度上昇させる。また、チューブ２の内圧を第１成形工程のときと同程度か、第１成形工程のときよりも若干低めとなるまで上昇させる。これにより、加硫が進行中の発泡層４は成形面１７ａ，１８ａに強く押し付けられて成形面１７ａ，１８ａに沿う所望の形状となるとともに、突条部４ａも所望の形状となる。また、チューブ２の内圧が高まることに加え、発泡材料Ａの温度が高まると、加圧と加硫促進により、発泡層４の発泡し過ぎが抑制される。成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度及びチューブ２の内力は、発泡材料Ａの組成等により変更することが可能である。 Thereafter, the process proceeds to the second molding step. In this step, the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is increased by about 20 ° C. to 30 ° C. from the highest temperature in the foam promotion step. Further, the internal pressure of the tube 2 is increased to the same level as in the first molding step or slightly lower than that in the first molding step. Thereby, the foamed layer 4 in progress of vulcanization is strongly pressed against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to have a desired shape along the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, and the protrusion 4a also has a desired shape. Moreover, when the temperature of the foam material A increases in addition to the increase in the internal pressure of the tube 2, excessive foaming of the foam layer 4 is suppressed by pressurization and acceleration of vulcanization. The temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a and the internal force of the tube 2 can be changed by the composition of the foam material A and the like.
　第２成形工程に要する時間は、加硫が進んで発泡層４の形状が安定するのに要する時間であり、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度やチューブ２の内圧との関係により変更することができる。 The time required for the second molding step is a time required for the vulcanization to progress and the shape of the foamed layer 4 to be stabilized, and can be changed depending on the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a and the internal pressure of the tube 2. .
　このように、本実施形態では、第１成形工程において発泡材料Ａを成形面１７ａ，１８ａに押し付けることで、発泡材料Ａの形状を所定形状にすることが可能になる。そして、発泡促進工程でチューブ２の内圧を低下させて成形面１７ａ，１８ａへの押し付け力を弱めることにより、発泡材料Ａを全体的に発泡させることが可能になる。その後、成形面１７ａ，１８ａへの押し付け力を高めることで、発泡材料Ａの全体の発泡し過ぎを抑制して発泡層４の発泡状態を均一化できるとともに、成形面１７ａ，１８ａによって所定形状に成形できる。 Thus, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to make the foam material A into a predetermined shape by pressing the foam material A against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a in the first molding step. And it becomes possible to foam the foaming material A entirely by reducing the internal pressure of the tube 2 in the foaming promotion step and weakening the pressing force against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Thereafter, by increasing the pressing force on the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, it is possible to suppress the entire foaming material A from being excessively foamed and uniformize the foamed state of the foam layer 4, and to form a predetermined shape by the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Can be molded.
　その後、冷却工程に移行する。この工程では、制御装置１５は、型加熱用電力供給器１３による電力供給を停止させるとともに、型冷却用冷媒供給器１２を作動させて成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を例えば６０℃程度まで低下させる。また、冷却工程に入るとすぐにチューブ２の内圧を下げる。チューブ２の内圧が略０になった段階で成形型１１を開き、発泡層４が形成された中間成形品Ｂ（図７に示す）を取り出す。その間、成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を下げ、次の準備工程に入るまでに成形面１７ａ，１８ａの温度を準備工程に適した温度とする。 After that, it moves to the cooling process. In this step, the control device 15 stops the power supply by the mold heating power supplier 13 and operates the mold cooling refrigerant supplier 12 to reduce the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a to about 60 ° C., for example. . Further, as soon as the cooling process starts, the internal pressure of the tube 2 is lowered. When the internal pressure of the tube 2 becomes substantially zero, the molding die 11 is opened, and the intermediate molded product B (shown in FIG. 7) on which the foam layer 4 is formed is taken out. Meanwhile, the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is lowered, and the temperature of the molding surfaces 17a and 18a is set to a temperature suitable for the preparation step before the next preparation step.
　その後、発泡層４の外面にパネル５を貼り付けるパネル貼り付け工程に移行し、該工程を経て図１に示すようなボール１が得られる。 Thereafter, the process proceeds to a panel attaching step of attaching the panel 5 to the outer surface of the foam layer 4, and the ball 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained through this step.
　このようにして得られたボール１のリバウンド高さは、チューブ２の内圧を０．６０ｂａｒとし、雰囲気温度を２０℃とし、１８０ｃｍの高さから硬質板へ自由落下させた場合に、板から１２０ｃｍ以上１３５ｃｍ以下の範囲となる。 The rebound height of the ball 1 thus obtained is 120 cm from the plate when the internal pressure of the tube 2 is 0.60 bar, the ambient temperature is 20 ° C., and the ball is freely dropped from a height of 180 cm onto a hard plate. The range is 135 cm or less.
　以上説明したように、この実施形態によれば、発泡層４を構成する発泡材料Ａを成形面１７ａ，１８ａに押し付けた後、押し付け力を弱めて発泡を促進させ、その後、成形面１７ａ，１８ａへの押し付け力を高めるようにしたので、発泡層４に突条部４ａを一体成形する場合に、発泡状態を全体的に均一に近づけることができる。よって、発泡層４に突条部４ａを一体成形して製造工程の簡素化を図る場合に、発泡状態の不均一に起因する応力集中を抑制して通常の使用時に耐えることのできる強度を得ることができる。 As described above, according to this embodiment, after the foam material A constituting the foam layer 4 is pressed against the molding surfaces 17a and 18a, the pressing force is weakened to promote foaming, and then the molding surfaces 17a and 18a. Since the pressing force is increased, when the protrusion 4a is integrally formed with the foam layer 4, the foamed state can be made almost uniform as a whole. Therefore, when the protrusion 4a is integrally formed on the foam layer 4 to simplify the manufacturing process, the stress concentration resulting from the non-uniform foam state is suppressed and the strength that can be withstood during normal use is obtained. be able to.
　尚、上記実施形態では、本発明をバスケットボールに適用した場合について説明したが、これに限らず、ハンドボール等にも適用することができる。 In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to basketball has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a handball or the like.
　また、上記実施形態では、成形型１１に電熱線２０を設けて成形面１７ａ，１８ａを加熱するようにしているが、これに限らず、図示しないが、蒸気加熱式の成形型を用いて成形するようにしてもよい。この蒸気加熱式の成形型は、成形面に対応するように空間を有しており、この空間に加圧蒸気を導入して成形面の温度を上昇させることができるようになっている。蒸気の温度により成形面の温度は自在に調節可能である。一方、成形面の温度を低下させる場合には、空間内の蒸気を排出しながら、その空間内に冷却水を導入すればよい。 Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the heating wire 20 is provided in the shaping | molding die 11 and the shaping | molding surfaces 17a and 18a are heated, it is not limited to this but is molded using a steam heating type shaping die. You may make it do. This steam heating mold has a space corresponding to the molding surface, and pressurized steam can be introduced into this space to increase the temperature of the molding surface. The temperature of the molding surface can be freely adjusted by the temperature of the steam. On the other hand, when the temperature of the molding surface is lowered, cooling water may be introduced into the space while discharging the steam in the space.
　以上説明したように、本発明は、例えば、バスケットボールを製造する場合に適用することができる。 As described above, the present invention can be applied to, for example, manufacturing basketball.
１　　　　　　　ボール
２　　　　　　　チューブ（内側部材）
４　　　　　　　発泡層
５　　　　　　　パネル
１１　　　　　　成形型
１７ａ，１８ａ　成形面
Ａ　　　　　　　発泡材料
Ｂ　　　　　　　中間成形品 1 Ball 2 Tube (Inner member)
4 Foam layer 5 Panel 11 Mold 17a, 18a Molding surface A Foam material B Intermediate molded product

Claims (5)

  1. 　内側部材と、該内側部材の外側に設けられた発泡層と、該発泡層の外面に互いに間隔をあけて設けられた複数のパネルとを備えるとともに、隣り合うパネルの隙間を埋めるように上記発泡層の一部を両パネルの間へ突出させたボールの製造方法であって、
    　上記内側部材の外側に、上記発泡層を構成する発泡材料を配置した状態で、該内側部材及び発泡材料を成形型内に収容する準備工程と、
    　上記準備工程の後、上記発泡材料を上記成形型の成形面に押し付ける第１成形工程と、
    　上記第１成形工程の後、上記発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を弱めて上記発泡材料の発泡を促進させる発泡促進工程と、
    　上記発泡促進工程の後、上記発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を高めて発泡層を得る第２成形工程と、
    　上記発泡層の外面に上記パネルを貼り付けるパネル貼り付け工程とを備えていることを特徴とするボールの製造方法。     The foaming layer includes an inner member, a foam layer provided on the outer side of the inner member, and a plurality of panels provided on the outer surface of the foam layer so as to be spaced apart from each other and filling the gap between adjacent panels. A method of manufacturing a ball in which a part of a layer protrudes between both panels,
    A preparatory step of accommodating the inner member and the foamed material in a mold in a state where the foamed material constituting the foamed layer is disposed outside the inner member;
    After the preparatory step, a first molding step of pressing the foam material against the molding surface of the mold;
    After the first molding step, a foam promoting step of facilitating foaming of the foamed material by weakening the pressing force of the foamed material on the molding surface;
    A second molding step for obtaining a foamed layer by increasing the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface after the foam promotion step;
    And a panel attaching step for attaching the panel to the outer surface of the foam layer.
  2. 　請求項１に記載のボールの製造方法において、
    　内側部材は中空状で膨張可能な部材であり、
    　各工程において上記内側部材の内部に導入する流体圧により、発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力を変化させることを特徴とするボールの製造方法。     In the manufacturing method of the ball | bowl of Claim 1,
    The inner member is a hollow and expandable member,
    A method for producing a ball, characterized in that the pressing force of the foam material on the molding surface is changed by the fluid pressure introduced into the inner member in each step.
  3. 　請求項１または２に記載のボールの製造方法において、
    　発泡材料は発泡剤が混入したゴムであり、
    　成形型の温度を、第１成形工程よりも発泡促進工程の方を高くすることを特徴とするボールの製造方法。     In the manufacturing method of the ball according to claim 1 or 2,
    Foam material is rubber mixed with foaming agent,
    A method for producing a ball, characterized in that the temperature of the mold is set higher in the foaming promotion step than in the first molding step.
  4. 　請求項１から３のいずれか１つに記載のボールの製造方法において、
    　発泡促進工程及び第２成形工程では、発泡層の断面における１５００μｍ四方の中に直径５０μｍ以上３００μｍ以下の気泡が１５以上１６０以下存在するように、発泡材料の成形面への押し付け力及び成形温度を設定することを特徴とするボールの製造方法。     In the manufacturing method of the ball according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    In the foam promotion step and the second molding step, the pressing force and molding temperature of the foam material on the molding surface are set so that there are 15 to 160 bubbles with a diameter of 50 μm to 300 μm in the 1500 μm square in the cross section of the foam layer. A method for manufacturing a ball, comprising: setting.
  5. 　請求項１から４のいずれか１つに記載の製造方法により製造されたことを特徴とするボール。 A ball manufactured by the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
PCT/JP2010/003116 2009-05-18 2010-05-06 Ball and ball manufacturing method WO2010134274A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2009-119873 2009-05-18
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Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012139454A (en) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-26 Molten Corp Ball
GB2566007A (en) * 2017-08-22 2019-03-06 Chien Chuan Lo Inflatable ball

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JP2007056080A (en) * 2005-08-22 2007-03-08 Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp Biodegradable resin foamable particle, method for producing the biodegradable resin foamable particle, and foamed-in-place molded product
US20080051234A1 (en) * 2006-04-07 2008-02-28 Molten Corporation Ball for ball game

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JP5058557B2 (en) * 2006-10-25 2012-10-24 株式会社カネカ Polypropylene resin pre-expanded particles, and in-mold foam moldings

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JP2007056080A (en) * 2005-08-22 2007-03-08 Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp Biodegradable resin foamable particle, method for producing the biodegradable resin foamable particle, and foamed-in-place molded product
US20080051234A1 (en) * 2006-04-07 2008-02-28 Molten Corporation Ball for ball game

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012139454A (en) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-26 Molten Corp Ball
GB2566007A (en) * 2017-08-22 2019-03-06 Chien Chuan Lo Inflatable ball

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