Golf ball finishing method

Abstract

A method of removing parting line flash from a molded golf ball by use of low temperature cryogenic deflashing apparatus is disclosed. The cryogenic deflashing apparatus incorporates a rotating basket wherein the golf balls are placed and therein agitate them such that each ball will be evenly exposed to a recirculating blasting media. The low temperature environment causes the very thin gauge (0.003″) parting line flash to become embrittled relative to the ball and is deflashed by the blasting media, which comprises plastic pellitized shot.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for removing parting line flash from golf balls, the method comprising: 
 loading a plurality of golf ball components with flash into a rotating tumbler within a cryogenic chamber;    agitating the tumbler to expose the surfaces of the golf ball components;    lowering temperature in the chamber to less than about −100° F.;    introducing plastic media into the chamber to remove the flash; and    removing the golf ball components from the chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of lowering the temperature of the chamber is by the introduction of high-purity, moisture-free liquid nitrogen into the chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lowering of the temperature in the chamber is to a temperature of between about −100° F. and about −220° F.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic media are particles with an average diameter less than about xxx inches.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball components are exposed for less than xxxx minutes.  
     
     
         6 . A golf ball produced by the method of  claim 1.