Method and apparatus for injection molding golf balls

摘要

A method of injection molding a golf ball that includes a core and at least one cover layer disposed thereon is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of centering a core in a molding cavity, injecting a molten material into the cavity around the core at a plurality of locations such that the material simultaneously exerts a force on the core at each location. The forces have components that balance the core in three dimensions. Injection continues until the material covers the core and solidifies thereon. An injection mold for forming the golf ball is also disclosed. The mold includes a plurality of pins extending from a spherical outer surface of a molding cavity. The mold further includes a plurality of runners having radially extending portions that are non-aligned and terminate at gates for flowing a molten material in a fluid state into the cavity, and a means for simultaneously injecting the material into the cavity from the gates. The gates are at spaced locations on the surface of the cavity.