Method of Rendering A Lacrosse Head Pocket Hydrophobic and Oleophobic

Abstract

A hydrophobic and oleophobic coating is applied to the mesh netting of a lacrosse stick head in two layers. The application is made to the netting by coating the strings either before or after they are woven into the netting, but prior to installation on the lacrosse stick head. In the preferred method, each coating layer is applied in a wet thickness of 3.0 to 5.0 mils (0.003-0.005 inches). When the coating is dry, the result is a dry film thickness of 1.0-1.5 mils (0.001 to 0.0015 inches) for each layer. Thus, two layers of the coating have a total dry thickness of 2-3 mils (0.002-0.003 inches). As a result of the coating method, a surface tension is created on the surfaces of the mesh that prevents water, dirt, mud and oil from attaching to the mesh, thus preventing these materials from permeating the mesh.

1 . The method of rendering a mesh pocket of a lacrosse stick head hydrophobic and oleophobic, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a length of fiber made of a material chosen from the group consisting of synthetic and non-synthetic;   b) weaving said length of fiber into a mesh material;   c) forming said mesh material into a configuration suitable for installing over an opening in a lacrosse stick head;   d) installing said mesh material over said opening to form a flexible pocket;   e) said length of fiber being coated with a liquid substance which when subsequently dry imparts to an outer surface of said fiber hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of fiber is coated with said liquid substance before said weaving step. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of fiber is coated with said liquid substance after said weaving step. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of fiber is coated with said liquid substance in two coatings. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein after a first coating step, the liquid substance is allowed to dry and thereafter a second coating step is carried out. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein after a first coating step, a second coating is applied before said liquid substance has dried. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic material comprises NYLON. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-synthetic material comprises leather. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step, after said mesh material is installed, of interweaving relatively thick strands into said mesh material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein after said two coatings have been completed, two layers of a dried hydrophobic and oleophobic substance are coated onto said length of fiber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each dried layer has a thickness of 1.0 to 1.5 mils. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each coating, when wet, has a thickness of 3.0 to 5.0 mils. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each coating, when wet, has a thickness of 3.0 to 5.0 mils. 
     
     
         14 . The method of rendering a mesh pocket of a lacrosse stick head hydrophobic and oleophobic, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a length of fiber made of a material chosen from the group consisting of synthetic and non-synthetic;   b) weaving said length of fiber into a mesh material;   c) forming said mesh material into a configuration suitable for installing over an opening in a lacrosse stick head;   d) installing said mesh material over said opening to form a flexible pocket;   e) coating said mesh material with two layers of a liquid substance which when subsequently dry imparts to an outer surface of said fiber hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein after a first coating step, the liquid substance is allowed to dry and thereafter a second coating step is carried out. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein after a first coating step, a second coating is applied before said liquid substance has dried. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said synthetic material comprises NYLON. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said non-synthetic material comprises leather. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further including the step, after said mesh material is installed, of interweaving relatively thick strands into said mesh material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said coating step is carried out prior to said installing step.