Sporting object with visible temperature sensitivity

Abstract

An improved puck has a structural material in the general shape of a disk and a thermochromic visualization agent associated with the disk. Generally, at least a portion of the visualization agent is visually observable. The visualization agent generally can be, for example, incorporated into the material of the puck or applied as a coating onto the surface of the puck. Methods for playing a sporting activity can comprise evaluating an object used in the sporting activity to determine if the object is at a suitable temperature for playing.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A puck comprising a structural material in the general shape of a disk and a first thermochromic visualization agent associated with the disk, wherein at least a portion of the first thermochromic visualization agent is visually observable.  
     
     
         2 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the first thermochromic visualization agent is incorporated into the structural material.  
     
     
         3 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the first thermochromic visualization agent is coated onto at least a portion of the surface of the disk.  
     
     
         4 . The puck of  claim 3  further comprising a basecoat between the structural material and the first thermochromic visualization agent.  
     
     
         5 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the first thermochromic visualization agent forms a pattern on the disk comprising letter.  
     
     
         6 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the puck is an ice hockey puck.  
     
     
         7 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the puck is an in-line skate puck.  
     
     
         8 . The puck of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent overcoat.  
     
     
         9 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the first visualization agent has a different visual appearance at a temperature below about 59 degrees F. than at room temperature.  
     
     
         10 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the first visualization agent has a different visual appearance at a temperature below about 35 degrees F. than at room temperature.  
     
     
         11 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the first visualization agent has a different visual appearance at a temperature above about 88 degrees F. than at room temperature.  
     
     
         12 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the structural material comprises cured rubber or a synthetic polymer.  
     
     
         13 . The puck of  claim 1  wherein the structural material comprises polyvinyl chloride, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, arylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers and mixtures thereof  
     
     
         14 . The puck of  claim 1  further comprising a second thermochromic visualization agent.  
     
     
         15 . The puck of  claim 14  wherein the second visualization agent changes visual appearance at a different temperature from the first visualization agent.  
     
     
         16 . The puck of  claim 14  wherein the first visualization agent forms a first pattern on the disk and wherein the second visualization agent forms a second pattern on the disk with the second pattern being different from the first pattern.  
     
     
         17 . A method for forming a puck with a temperature dependent visual appearance, the method comprising associating a thermochromic visualization agent with a generally disk shaped structural material.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the thermochromic visualization agent is combined with at least a portion of the structural material prior to forming the disk shape to associate the thermochromic visualization agent with the structural material.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the thermochromic visulaization agent is associated with the exterior of the disk shape.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the thermochromic visualization agent is applied over a basecoat comprising an epoxy composition.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the associating of the thermochromic material is performed by screen printing.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising applying an overcoat over the thermochromic visualization agent.  
     
     
         23 . A method for playing a sporting activity with an object comprising a thermochromic visualization agent, the method comprising evaluating the object by visual inspection to determine if the object is at a suitable temperature for playing.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the object has a temperature dependent physical property and wherein the playing of the sporting activity is affected by the physical property.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the physical property comprises hardness.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the physical property comprises friction.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the thermochromic visualization agent forms a pattern.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the object has a general disk shape.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the sporting activity is ice hockey.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the object is a ball.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the sporting activity is street hockey or in-line skate hockey.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising playing the sporting activity after determining that the sporting object is within a desired temperature range.