Method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball

Abstract

In a method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball, a TPU film having a pattern printed on a reverse side thereof is positioned in a mold for suction molding and trimming to form a panel of ball, which is then positioned in another mold for bonding to an injection molded TPU foam, and the bonded TPU film and TPU foam are allowed to cool to complete a three-dimensional panel of ball. Panels of ball so manufactured are then sewed together to form a ball. The TPU film protects the pattern behind it against abrasion and wear, so that the pattern is always fresh and complete to give the ball a distinguishable appearance. The injection molded TPU foam layer gives the panel of ball a high stability in shape to prevent surface folds. The whole process is simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost.

1 . A method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball, comprising the steps of:
 (a) Printing a pattern on a reverse side of a thermoplastic polyurethane film (TPU film), drying the printed TPU film, and applying a layer of gold size to a surface of the pattern;   (b) Positioning the TPU film prepared in the above step (a) in a mold for suction molding, and trimming the molded TPU film;   (c) Positioning the trimmed TPU film in a mold for forming panel of ball; and   (d) Injecting an amount of TPU foam into the panel-forming mold for the TPU foam to bond to the TPU film, and allowing the bonded TPU film and TPU foam to cool and form a finished product of three-dimensional panel of ball.   
   
   
       2 . The method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said TPU film has a thickness of 0.3 mm. 
   
   
       3 . The method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the TPU foam being injection molded in the step (d) has a thickness of 4 mm. 
   
   
       4 . The method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a predetermined amount of nitrogen is injected along with the TPU foam in the step (d). 
   
   
       5 . The method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the TPU foam being injection molded in the step (d) is replaceable with other equivalent materials.