BIODEGRADABLE SPORTS BALL

Abstract

Biodegradable sports balls, are described. A biodegradable sports ball includes a petroleum based material, a biological based filler material blended with the petroleum based material, and a biodegradable additive blended with the petroleum based material and the biological based filler material. The biodegradable sports ball is biodegradable based on blending of the biodegradable additive with the petroleum based material. The biodegradable sports ball may be a tennis ball, a racquet ball, a ping pong ball, a pickleball, a wiffle ball, a foam ball, a soccer ball, a football, a rugby ball, a baseball, a softball, a volley ball, a basketball, a playground ball, or a golf ball. The biological based filler material may include calcium carbonate and may provide increased strength and/or durability to the biodegradable sports ball.

Claims

1. A biodegradable sports ball comprising: a petroleum based material; a biological based filler material blended with the petroleum based material; and a biodegradable additive blended with the petroleum based material and the biological based filler material, wherein the biodegradable sports ball is biodegradable based on blending of the biodegradable additive with the petroleum based material.

2. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, wherein the biological based filler material comprises between 1 percent and 45 percent of the biodegradable sports ball by weight.

3. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable additive comprises between 0.2 percent and 15 percent of the biodegradable sports ball by weight.

4. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, wherein the biological based filler material comprises more than 90 percent calcium carbonate.

5. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, wherein the petroleum based material comprises one of nylon, polyester, urethane, or polyurethane.

6. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, further comprising at least one color additive.

7. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable sports ball comprises an outer shell surrounding a hollow interior core, wherein the outer shell is round, and wherein the outer shell is rigid.

8. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 7, wherein the outer shell comprises a plurality of apertures.

9. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable sports ball comprises an outer shell surrounding a hollow interior chamber, wherein the outer shell is round, wherein the outer shell is elastic, and wherein the hollow interior chamber has an interior pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure.

10. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, comprising: an inner core comprising the petroleum based material blended with the biological based filler material and the biodegradable additive; and an outer shell surrounding the inner core, the outer shell comprising a second petroleum based material blended with the biological based filler material and the biodegradable additive.

11. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 1, comprising: a core forming a hollow interior chamber, the core comprising a first blend of a rubber based material with the petroleum based material, the biological based filler material, and the biodegradable additive; and a felt layer overlaying a surface of the core, the felt layer comprising a second blend of a second petroleum based material and a second biodegradable additive.

12. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 11, wherein the biodegradable additive comprises a same material type as the second biodegradable additive.

13. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 11, wherein the second blend further comprises wool.

14. The biodegradable sports ball of claim 11, further comprising an adhesive adhering the felt layer to the core.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a biodegradable tennis ball including a cut out view of the interior of the biodegradable tennis ball in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a biodegradable pickleball including a cut out view of the interior of the pickleball in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a hollow biodegradable sports ball that includes a cut out view of the interior of the hollow biodegradable sports ball in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a non-hollow biodegradable sports ball in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a biodegradable golf ball including a cut out view of the interior of the golf ball in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a biodegradable baseball or softball including a cut out view of the interior of the biodegradable baseball or softball in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Balls for use in sports (e.g., sports balls) may be formed of synthetic polymer materials (e.g., petroleum based materials). Such balls may include tennis balls, racquet balls, pickleballs, wiffle balls, ping pong balls, foam balls, soccer balls, footballs, rugby balls, baseballs, softballs, volley balls, basketballs, playground balls, and golf balls. Sports balls may wear down over time due to use and may be discarded or lost. Discarded and lost sports balls may generate waste in the form of plastic, which may be non-biodegradable. For example, plastics such as petroleum based synthetic polymers may take hundreds or thousands of years to biodegrade.

[0027] A petroleum based sports ball may be manufactured by heating a petroleum based material (e.g., a synthetic polymer based material) and then extruding or forming the heated material into the intended form (e.g., either a round ball or pieces of material that may be stitched to adhered together into a ball shape).

[0028] For example, a tennis ball may be manufactured by first mixing and heating a blend of rubber and a synthetic petroleum based material and then forming the mixture into a hollow spherical core for the tennis ball. In some cases, the hollow spherical core may be formed by forming two hollow semi-spheres and joining (e.g., via an adhesive such as a glue), the two semi-spheres together to form a hollow spherical core. In some cases, the core may be airtight and formed in pressurized environment (e.g., the pressurized environment may have a pressure of 12 or more pounds per square inch (psi)), and accordingly the hollow interior chamber of the core of the tennis ball may have a pressure above atmospheric pressure (e.g., 12 or more psi). The pressurized core may provide more bounce to the tennis ball and increase playability. Once the spherical core of a tennis ball is formed, an adhesive layer (e.g., a glue material) may be applied to the exterior surface of the core of the tennis ball. A felt layer may be applied over the adhesive layer. In some cases, the felt layer may be made of a synthetic petroleum based material (e.g., nylon). In some cases, a felt layer for the tennis ball may be formed by blending wool with a petroleum based material. For example, the felt layer may be formed of wool fibers and synthetic petroleum based fibers. In some cases, two dogbone shaped felt layers may be applied over the adhesive layer in an interlocking manner. Accordingly, the adhesive layer may form a seam between the two dogbone shaped adhesive layers overlaying the hollow core.

[0029] The wool in the felt material and the rubber in the core may naturally biodegrade. Synthetic, petroleum based materials in the core and felt of a tennis ball may generate waste in the form of plastic, which may be nonrecyclable or may have a long degradation lifetime (e.g., hundreds or thousands of years). Over time, and with use, the pressure of the hollow interior core of a tennis ball may decrease (e.g., the hollow interior core of a tennis ball may drift towards atmospheric pressure), decreasing the bounce of the tennis ball and decreasing the playability of the tennis ball. Further, over time and with use, the felt layer may wear down. For example, over time and with use, material (e.g., fibers) of the felt layer may be lost. As another example, over time, the ability of the fibers of the felt layer to snap back or revert to the original position of the fibers may decrease. The ability of the fibers of the felt layer of the tennis ball to snap back or revert to the original position of the fibers may affect ball control and spin rates during play, and accordingly a decrease in the ability of the fibers of the felt layer of the tennis ball to snap back or revert to the original position of the fibers may decrease playability of a tennis ball. When a tennis ball degrades (e.g., due to loss of interior pressure or wear down of the felt layer), the tennis ball is likely to be discarded and therefore generate plastic waste. The faster tennis ball degrade, the more waste may be generated by discarded tennis balls.

[0030] As another example, a pickleball or a wiffle ball may be manufactured by heating a synthetic petroleum based material and forming the petroleum based material into a round shell form with a hollow core and a plurality of apertures or holes in the shell. Over time and with use, the rigidness of the shell of the pickleball or wiffle ball may decrease, and/or the shell may deform, decreasing the bounce of the pickleball or wiffle ball and/or decreasing the playability of the pickleball or wiffle ball. When a pickleball or wiffle ball degrades, the pickleball or wiffle ball is likely to be discarded and therefore generate plastic waste.

[0031] As another example, a golf ball may be manufactured by forming multiple layers of synthetic petroleum based materials including an outer shell layer which may include dimples. During play, golf balls may be routinely lost, therefore generating plastic waste. For example, approximately 300,000,000 golf balls are lost per year around the world. Additionally, or alternatively, over time and with use, a golf ball may degrade due to scratches, scuffs, abrasions, and/or may lose rigidity or strength and therefore may lose distance or control. When a golf ball degrades, the golf ball is likely to be discarded and therefore generate plastic waste. For example, approximately 1,200,000,000 golf balls are discarded per year.

[0032] As another example, some balls, such as baseballs and softballs may include one or more layers formed of petroleum based materials (e.g., synthetic polymers). For example, baseballs and softballs may have a cork or synthetic cork core surrounded by a layer of yarn wrapped around the core, and a cover stitched over the layer of yarn. In some examples, the synthetic cork core may be formed of a petroleum based material. In some examples, the yarn in the layer of yarn may be a petroleum based material, such as polyester, nylon, urethane, or polyurethane, or a blend of cotton and a petroleum based material. In some examples, the cover may be a natural material such as cow leather. In some examples, the cover may be a petroleum based material, such as polyester, nylon, urethane, or polyurethane. During play, baseballs and softballs may degrade due to use, for example, due to scratches or scuffs. When a baseball or softball degrades, the baseball or softball is likely to be discarded and therefore generate plastic waste.

[0033] Some plastics (e.g., petroleum based materials) may be biodegradable. For example, biodegradable plastic may be made of bioplastics, where the components are derived from renewable raw materials, or plastics made from petrochemicals with biodegradable additives that accelerate or enhance the biodegradation of the polymers by allowing microorganisms to utilize the carbon within the polymer chain as a source of energy. Examples of biodegradable additives include starches, certain microbial strains, and pro oxidant additives (e.g., iron, manganese, and cobalt). However, current sports balls do not include biodegradable additives and therefore may generate plastic waste once discarded. In some cases, sports balls may frequently be replaced (e.g., due to degradation caused by use). For example, multiple tennis balls may be used and discarded during a match. Similarly, multiple golf balls may be used per round of golf. Accordingly, non-biodegradable sports balls may contribute significant plastic waste. Additionally, some synthetic polymer based materials used to manufacture sports balls may be relatively expensive.

[0034] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, synthetic materials in sports balls may be manufactured using a petroleum based material (e.g., a synthetic polymer), a biodegradable additive blended with the petroleum based material, and a biological based filler material. The addition of the biodegradable additive may result in the synthetic petroleum based materials in a sports ball having a significantly shorter biodegradation lifetime relative to traditional synthetic petroleum based materials in sports balls (e.g., may biodegrade in 3 to 5 years). The addition of the biological based filler material may reduce costs associated with manufacture of sports balls including synthetic polymers. For example, the biological based filler material may be between 1 and 45 percent of the sports ball by weight. Biological based filler materials may include calcium carbonate based materials, such as eggshells, and may be naturally biodegradable. Further, the addition of biological based filler materials have been shown to improve physical properties of synthetic polymer based sports balls, including increased strength, increased impact resistance, increased firmness, increased durability, increased resistance to high temperatures, and/or better absorption of sound waves. For example, the addition of a biological based filler material to a petroleum based material in a sports ball may increase the mechanical properties of the sport ball, resulting in a longer functional life of the sports ball. The addition of a biodegradable additive and a biological based filler material may not change the manufacturing process of sports balls aside from the addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material during the mixing process for the polymer based material which is extruded or formed into the shape of the sports ball.

[0035] Aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of biodegradable tennis balls, biodegradable pickleballs or wiffle balls, hollow biodegradable sports balls (such as playground balls, soccer balls, volley balls, basketballs, ping pong balls, etc.), non-hollow biodegradable sports balls (such as foam balls), and biodegradable golf balls.

[0036] This description provides examples, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the principles described herein. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing various aspects of the principles described herein. As can be understood by one skilled in the art, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the application.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an example biodegradable tennis ball 100 including a cut out view of the interior of the biodegradable tennis ball 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example biodegradable tennis ball 100 includes a core 110 and a felt layer 105 overlaying a surface of the core 110. The felt layer 105 may be adhered to the core 110 via an adhesive layer 115. The core 110 may form a hollow interior chamber 120.

[0038] The core 110 may be spherical and may include a first blend of a rubber based material, a first petroleum based material, a first biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. In some cases, the biological based filler material may be between 1 and 45 percent of the core 110 by weight. In some cases, the first biodegradable additive may be between 0.2 percent and 15 percent of the core 110 by weight. In some cases, the first petroleum based material may be one of nylon, polyester, urethane, or polyurethane.

[0039] The felt layer 105 may include a second blend of a second petroleum based material and a second biodegradable additive. In some cases, the felt layer 105 may further include wool. In some cases, second petroleum based material may be nylon. In some cases, the second blend may include at least one color additive (e.g., yellow). In some cases, the felt layer 105 may be formed into two dogbone shaped layers (e.g., a first layer 125-a and a second layer 125-b) which may overlay the core 110. The first layer 125-a and the second layer 125-b may meet at a seam 130 (which may be formed of an adhesive material). In some cases, the second biodegradable additive may be between 0.2 percent and 15 percent of the felt layer by weight. In some cases, the first biodegradable additive may be a same material type as the second biodegradable additive. In some cases, the second blend may include a biological based filler material. In some cases, the biological based filler material may be between 1 and 45 percent of the felt layer 105 by weight.

[0040] In some cases, the hollow interior chamber 120 may have interior pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. For example, the core 110 may be airtight and formed in pressurized environment (e.g., the pressurized environment may have a pressure of 12 or more psi, and accordingly the hollow interior chamber 120 of the core 110 may have a pressure above atmospheric pressure (e.g., 12 or more psi). Pressurizing the hollow interior chamber 120 may provide more bounce to the tennis ball and increase playability. The addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the core 110 has been shown to maintain the interior pressure of the hollow interior chamber 120 better as compared to tennis balls identical in all aspects except for the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material. Accordingly, the addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the core 110 has been shown to increase the durability of the biodegradable tennis ball 100 as compared to traditional tennis balls. Additionally, the addition of the biological based filler material to the core 110 may result in increased firmness, increased strength, increased impact resistance, increased durability, increased resistance to high temperatures, and/or better absorption of sound waves for the biodegradable tennis ball.

[0041] The addition of the biodegradable additive to the material of the felt layer 105 has been shown to increase the durability of the felt layer 105 as compared to tennis balls identical in all aspects except for the biodegradable additive. Specifically, the addition of the biodegradable additive has been shown to decrease material loss in the felt layer 105 with use of the biodegradable tennis ball 100. Further, the addition of the biodegradable additive has prolonged the ability of the fibers of the felt layer 105 to snap back or revert to the original position of the fibers. Accordingly, the addition of the biodegradable additive to the felt layer 105 has been shown to increase the durability of the biodegradable tennis ball 100 as compared to traditional tennis balls.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an example biodegradable pickleball 200 including a cut out view of the interior of the biodegradable pickleball 200 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The biodegradable pickleball 200 may include an outer shell 205. The outer shell 205 may form a hollow interior core 210. The outer shell 205 may include a plurality of apertures 215. In some examples, the ball depicted in FIG. 2 may be a wiffle ball.

[0043] The outer shell 205 may be spherical and may include a blend of a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. In some cases, the biological based filler material may be between 1 and 45 percent of the outer shell 205 by weight. In some cases, the first biodegradable additive may be between 0.2 percent and 15 percent of the outer shell 205 by weight. In some cases, the petroleum based material may be one of nylon, polyester, urethane, or polyurethane. In some cases, the outer shell may be rigid. In some examples, the outer shell 205 may include a color additive (e.g., red, yellow, or blue).

[0044] The addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the outer shell may enhance the physical properties of the outer shell 205 as compared to a pickleball that does not include the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material. For example, as described herein, the addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material may result in increased firmness, increased strength, increased impact resistance, increased durability, increased resistance to high temperatures, and/or better absorption of sound waves for the biodegradable pickleball 200.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates an example hollow biodegradable sports ball 300 including a cut out view of the interior of the hollow biodegradable sports ball 300 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The hollow biodegradable sports ball 300 may include a shell 305. The shell 305 may form a hollow interior chamber 310. For example, the hollow biodegradable sports ball 300 may be a playground ball, a racquet ball, a ping pong ball, a soccer ball, a volley ball, a basketball, a rugby ball, or a football (e.g., American Football), among other examples.

[0046] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 3, the shell 305 may be spherical. In some examples, for example, for an American football or a rugby ball, the shell 305 may have an oblong or oval shape. The shell 305 may include a blend of a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. In some cases, the biological based filler material may be between 1 and 45 percent of the shell 305 by weight. In some cases, the first biodegradable additive may be between 0.2 percent and 15 percent of the shell 305 by weight. In some cases, the petroleum based material may be one of nylon, polyester, urethane, or polyurethane. In some cases, the shell 305 may have elastic properties or may be rigid.

[0047] In some cases, the hollow interior chamber 310 may have interior pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. For example, the shell 305 may be airtight and formed in pressurized environment (e.g., the pressurized environment may have a pressure of 12 or more psi, and accordingly the hollow interior chamber 310 of the shell 305 may have a pressure above atmospheric pressure (e.g., 12 or more psi). Pressurizing the hollow interior chamber 310 may provide more bounce to the hollow biodegradable sports ball 300. In some examples, (e.g., if the hollow biodegradable sports ball 300 is an inflatable ball such as a playground ball, soccer ball, volley ball, basketball, rugby ball, or football) the shell 305 may be airtight and may include a valve which allows air to be blown into the hollow interior chamber 310 to increase the interior pressure of the hollow interior chamber 310 (e.g., above atmospheric pressure).

[0048] The addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the shell 305 may enhance the physical properties of the shell 305 as compared to a sports ball that does not include the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material. For example, as described herein, the addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material may result in increased firmness, increased strength, increased impact resistance, increased durability, increased resistance to high temperatures, and/or better absorption of sound waves for the hollow biodegradable sports ball 300.

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates an example non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400. The non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400 may not include a hollow interior chamber and may be formed of a blend of a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. In some examples, the non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400 may be formed of a foam type material composed of the blend of the petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. For example, the non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400 may be a foam ball (e.g., a toy polyurethane-based foam ball).

[0050] The addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400 may enhance the physical properties of the non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400 as compared to a sports ball that does not include the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material. For example, as described herein, the addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material may result in increased firmness, increased strength, increased impact resistance, increased durability, increased resistance to high temperatures, and/or better absorption of sound waves for the non-hollow biodegradable sports ball 400.

[0051] In some examples, a blend of a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material may similarly be used to manufacture foam projectiles (e.g., polyurethane foam projectiles such as toy polyurethane foam darts).

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a biodegradable golf ball 500 including a cut out view of the interior of the biodegradable golf ball 500 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The biodegradable golf ball 500 may include an outer shell 505 and one or more solid interior layers 510. The outer shell 505 may include dimples 515.

[0053] The outer shell 505 may include a first blend of a first petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. In some cases, the biological based filler material may be between 1 and 45 percent of the outer shell 505 by weight. In some cases, the first biodegradable additive may be between 0.2 percent and 15 percent of the outer shell 505 by weight. In some cases, the first petroleum based material may be one of nylon, polyester, urethane, or polyurethane. In some cases, the outer shell may be rigid.

[0054] The one or more solid interior layers 510 may include second blend(s) of a petroleum based material(s), a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. In some cases, the petroleum based materials may be different from the petroleum based first petroleum based material of the outer shell 505. In some cases, the petroleum based material(s) of the one or more solid interior layers 510 may be one of nylon, polyester, urethane, or polyurethane. The outer shell 505 and the one or more solid interior layers 510 may have different densities to provide different characteristics to the biodegradable golf ball (e.g., softness or distance).

[0055] The addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the outer shell 505 and the one or more solid interior layers 510 may enhance the physical properties of the biodegradable golf ball 500 as compared to a golf ball that does not include the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material. For example, as described herein, the addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material may result in increased firmness, increased strength, increased impact resistance, increased durability, increased resistance to high temperatures, and/or better absorption of sound waves for the biodegradable golf ball 500. Increased firmness and strength may result in increased hitting distance of the biodegradable golf ball 500 and/or increase durability (e.g., due to decreases in scratches and other wear and tear).

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates an example biodegradable baseball or softball 600 including a cut out view of the interior of the biodegradable baseball or softball 600 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The example biodegradable baseball or softball 600 includes a core 610 and a layer of yarn 615 wrapped around and surrounding the core 610. A cover layer 605 may surround the layer of yarn 615. In some cases, the cover layer 605 may be formed into two dogbone shaped layers (e.g., a first layer 625-a and a second layer 625-b) which may overlay the layer of yarn 615 and may be stitched together via stiches 630.

[0057] In some examples, the core 605 may be a cork material. In some examples, the core 610 may be a rubber material. In some examples, the core 605 may be a synthetic cork material, such as a blend of a rubber based material, a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material.

[0058] In some examples, the yarn of the layer of yarn 615 may be a blend of a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material. For example, the yarn may be a cotton-polyester blend, where the cotton-polyester blend further includes a biodegradable additive and a biological based filler material.

[0059] In some examples, the cover layer 605 may be a natural material such as cow leather. In some examples, the cover layer 605 may be a blend of a petroleum based material, a biodegradable additive, and a biological based filler material.

[0060] The addition of the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material to the cover layer 605 when the cover layer includes a petroleum based material has been shown to increase the durability of the cover layer 105 as compared to baseballs and softballs identical in all aspects except for the biodegradable additive and the biological based filler material.

[0061] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details.

[0062] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0063] The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.