Mark E Cloutier

US Patent:

6436327, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Dec 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/730866

Inventors:

Mark Cloutier - Wilbraham MA
Jon Wigby - Westfield MA
Vincent J. Simonds - Brimfield MA

Assignee:

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

International Classification:

B29C 7070

US Classification:

264248, 264250, 264275, 264278, 2642791, 425116, 4251261, 425 3, 425515, 425DIG 33

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming golf ball cores with a generally spherical nucleus at its center is characterized by the use of a transfer plate which insures that the nucleus is centered within the core. The core is formed in upper and lower mold plates which contain upper and lower hemispherical cavities, respectively, which are adapted to mate to define a spherical cavity for the core. The transfer plate is arranged between the mold plates and includes a support for the nucleus to position the nucleus in the center of a pair of upper and lower slugs of core material which are molded in the upper and lower hemispherical cavities. When the mold plates are initially brought together with the transfer plate arranged therebetween and with the slugs arranged on opposite sides of the transfer plate, the slugs are partially molded in the hemispherical cavities with the nucleus being pressed into one of the slugs. The mold plates are then separated and the transfer plate is removed with the nucleus being retained in one of the slugs. Finally, the mold plates are brought together in mating fashion to form the core with the nucleus centrally arranged therein.

US Patent:

6582215, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Apr 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/832423

Inventors:

Mark Cloutier - Wilbraham MA

Assignee:

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

International Classification:

B29C 5102

US Classification:

425140, 425145, 425173, 425215, 425297, 425327, 425377

Abstract:

An automatic slug feeding device for delivering slugs to a compression mold for molding golf ball cores is characterized by synchronized rotary transfer, slug conveyance, gripping mechanism transfer and a tray conveyor for transferring slugs from an extruder to a mold loading robotic arm, and subsequently to a mold press. The rotary transfer device receives slugs from the extruder and the slug conveyor linearly conveys individual slugs from the transfer device. The gripping mechanism simultaneously removes a plurality of slugs from the conveyor and deposits them in an array of receptacles in a molding trays which are shuttled to an unload position, where the mold loading robotic arm transfers slugs into a mold press. Storage of extruded slugs prior to compression molding is thus eliminated, cycle time is reduced, core quality is improved, and operator safety is maximized.

US Patent:

6966857, Nov 22, 2005

Filed:

Dec 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/742256

Inventors:

Mark A. Cloutier - Wilbraham MA, US

Assignee:

Russell Asset Management, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A63B037/00

US Classification:

473593

Abstract:

An inflatable sport ball, such as a basketball, a football, a soccer ball, a volleyball or a playground ball, is provided with a self-contained inflation mechanism, or multiple self-contained inflation mechanisms, for inflating or adding pressure to the ball. The mechanism is a pump which is positioned and retained inside of the ball and which is operable from outside of the ball to pump ambient air into the ball. The pump is a dual action pump allowing air to be added to the ball on both a forward stroke and a reverse stroke.

US Patent:

6997829, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/726950

Inventors:

Mark A. Cloutier - Wilbraham MA, US

Assignee:

Russell Asset Management, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A63B 37/00

US Classification:

473593

Abstract:

An inflatable sport ball, such as a basketball, a football, a soccer ball, a volleyball or a playground ball, is provided with a self-contained inflation mechanism, or multiple self-contained inflation mechanisms, for inflating or adding pressure to the ball. The mechanism is a pump which is positioned and retained inside of the ball and which is operable from outside of the ball to pump ambient air into the ball. The pump is a dual action pump allowing air to be added to the ball on both a forward stroke and a reverse stroke.

US Patent:

20060055086, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Sep 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/941526

Inventors:

Mark Cloutier - Wilbraham MA, US
Vincent Simonds - Brimfield MA, US
Mario Jarmuzewski - Chicopee MA, US

Assignee:

Callaway Golf Company - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

B29C 45/42

US Classification:

264334000, 4254360RM, 42543600R

Abstract:

An apparatus for removing molded golf balls from a golf ball mold without the use of ejector pins includes a frame, a device for moving the frame relative to the golf ball mold, and at least one gripper mechanism on the frame. The gripping mechanism includes a plurality of radially spaced gripping fingers with longitudinal axes parallel to the central axis of the gripping mechanism. The gripping fingers are initially spaced away from the central axis while the frame is positioned to align the central axis of the gripping mechanism with a central axis of the golf ball. The gripping fingers are then displaced toward the central axis to clamp onto, and partially deform, the golf ball. The frame is subsequently moved away from the mold, and the gripping fingers are displaced away from the central axis to release the golf ball which then returns to its original configuration.

US Patent:

20060065137, Mar 30, 2006

Filed:

Sep 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/234710

Inventors:

Chung Nguyen - East Longmeadow MA, US
Mark Cloutier - Wilbraham MA, US

International Classification:

B41F 17/00

US Classification:

101035000

Abstract:

A visual inspection, mapping and orientation method and system () for golf balls () is disclosed. The visual inspection and mapping equipment locates unique features on the surface of the golf bail () and then uses the features to orient the golf ball () in a particular manner in preparation for providing one or more indicia () on the golf ball (). The present invention eliminates the need to manually inspect and orient golf balls () so that the indicia () can be provided in the same location on each of a multitude of golf balls ().