Method of making sport ball with indented casing

摘要

A sport ball may incorporate a casing that includes a plurality of joined panels. At least one of the panels may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The casing defines at least one indentation in the exterior surface, and the first layer is bonded to the third layer adjacent to the indentation. In some configurations, the casing may also define at least one indentations in a surface of the third layer, which may correspond in location with the indentation in the exterior surface. Additionally, the sport ball may include an intermediate structure and a bladder located within the casing.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a sport ball, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of panels includes:
(a) a first layer formed from a polymer material;(b) a second layer formed from a polymer foam material and positioned adjacent to the first layer;(c) a third layer formed from a textile material and positioned adjacent to the second layer;a central portion; anda plurality of edge areas spaced apart from the central portion; orienting the first layer to form a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; compressing and heating an area of one of the panels to soften a portion of the polymer foam material, bond the first layer to the third layer, and define a first one of a plurality of indentations in the exterior surface; wherein the first one of the plurality of indentations is spaced apart from the plurality of edge areas; and joining the plurality of edge areas of the one of the plurality of panels to the plurality of edge areas of another one of the plurality of panels.