| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for preheating golf ball covers prior to painting. The process comprises forming a golf ball with a cover, then heating the cover from about 90° F. to about 150° F. for 1 to 3 hours in a heated enclosure prior to applying a coat of primer or paint to the ball. This is done to accelerate the evaporation of paint solvents, immediately after the paint is applied. The painted balls are subsequently dried in a heated enclosure at about 105° F. to 108° F. All additional coats of primer or paint are applied in a similar fashion, wherein the balls are painted while still in the heated state and not cooled down. The apparatus includes a ventilated holding tray that in addition to supporting the golf balls with a minimum of contact between ball and tray, will allow for a thorough flow of heat about the ball for a quick and uniform heating of the ball. This also will aid in reducing blemishes to the golf ball, by suspending the freshly painted golf ball on conical pins set at right angles to the ball, thereby reducing the physical contact between the tray and freshly painted golf ball. The tray comprises replaceable ball support inserts. The inserts will generally be made from injection molded plastic and will be friction-fitted to the tray, and if damaged can be easily and inexpensively replaced. The pins being, recessed into the inserts, provides a considerable margin of safety when the tray is manually handled.
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