Sports ball with improved water resistance

Abstract

A sports ball, such as a soccer ball, is provided with means for mitigating the introduction of water into the interior of the ball. In a first embodiment of the invention, this means comprises the inclusion of a waterproof layer disposed on the innermost layer of the geometrically shaped panels that are stitched together to create a volume in which an inflatable bladder is installed. In a second embodiment, the means comprises wrapping the interior bladder with a waterproof ribbon.

1 . An object for sports play comprising:
 a plurality of exterior, stitched together panels, sewn at their edges, configured to form a closed volume by said stitching;   an inflatable bladder occupying the interior of said closed volume; and   one or more layers beneath each of said stitched together panels with each such layer including an outermost layer of fabric material and an innermost layer of waterproof material.   
     
     
         2 . The sports object of  claim 1  in which there are a plurality of said layers said plurality being selected from two or three. 
     
     
         3 . The sports object of  claim 1  which further includes a layer of waterproof ribbon disposed around said inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         4 . The sports object of  claim 3  in which the inflatable bladder includes a layer of thread disposed over said bladder and beneath said layer of waterproof ribbon. 
     
     
         5 . The sports ball of  claim 4  in which said layer of thread is incorporated with said layer of waterproof ribbon. 
     
     
         6 . The sports ball of  claim 1  further including a layer of foam directly beneath said stitched together panels. 
     
     
         7 . The sports ball of  claim 1  further including a winding layer disposed over said bladder.