Systems And Methods For Applying Markings To An Article

Abstract

Systems and methods for applying markings to an article are disclosed. One aspect comprises providing a dye pad shaped to correspond to a desired marking; applying an infusion dye to the dye pad; applying an activation solution to the infusion dye, thereby forming an infusion dye mixture; placing the dye pad in contact with a discrete area of an outer surface of the article; leaving the dye pad in contact with the outer surface of the article under room temperature and pressure, for a duration sufficient to allow the infusion dye mixture to open a polymeric structure of a material of the outer surface and to allow the infusion dye to penetrate the outer surface and form the desired marking within a substrate of the article; and removing the dye pad from the outer surface. An infusion dyeing kit and method for supplying a kit are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infusion dyeing kit for marking a manufactured article with a desired marking, the kit comprising:
 an infusion dye; and   a dye pad shaped to correspond to the desired marking and to contact a discrete area of an outer surface of the manufactured article,   wherein the dye pad is configured to absorb the infusion dye, and   wherein the infusion dye is configured to be activated by an activation solution to form an infusion dye mixture that, under room temperature and pressure, opens a polymeric structure of a material of the outer surface and allows the infusion dye to penetrate the outer surface and form the desired marking within a substrate of the manufactured article with which the dye pad is placed in contact.   
     
     
         2 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the activation solution comprises one of water and alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the activation solution is contained within the dye pad and separated from the infusion dye by a breakable barrier. 
     
     
         4 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 3 , wherein the breakable barrier comprises a breakable capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 3 , wherein the dye pad comprises a sharp internal structure configured to puncture the breakable barrier when a force is applied to the dye pad that forces the sharp internal structure against the breakable barrier. 
     
     
         6 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , further comprising an impermeable backing on a first side of the dye pad and a removable cover on a second side of the dye pad opposite to the first side. 
     
     
         7 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dye pad comprises a dye pad contact surface configured to contact the manufactured article and a dye pad outer surface opposite to the dye pad contact surface, wherein the infusion dyeing kit further comprises an adhesive layer over the dye pad outer surface, and
 wherein the adhesive layer is configured to adhere to the outer surface of the manufactured article and press the dye pad against the discrete area of the outer surface of the manufactured article.   
     
     
         8 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive layer is transparent such that the dye pad and the manufactured article are visible through the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         9 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dye pad has a divider that separates a first portion of the dye pad from a second portion of the dye pad, and wherein the divider avoids mixing of a first dye applied to the first portion and a second dye applied to the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the manufactured article comprises a golf ball,
 wherein an outer surface of the golf ball has a plurality of dimples in a dimple pattern, and   wherein a contact surface of the dye pad that contacts the outer surface of the golf ball has a plurality of projections that correspond in size, shape, and position to the plurality of dimples and are configured to contact and align with the plurality of dimples.   
     
     
         11 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a mold that matches a shape of the manufactured article, wherein the infusion dyeing kit is configured to press the dye pad between the mold and the manufactured article. 
     
     
         12 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the manufactured article comprises a golf ball, and wherein the dye pad is curved to match an overall surface curvature of the golf ball. 
     
     
         13 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the dye pad to be placed in contact with the manufactured article is pre-marked with colors and designs. 
     
     
         14 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dye pad has a dye pad contact surface configured to contact the discrete area of the outer surface of the manufactured article;
 wherein the dye pad contact surface has one of a projection and a recess;   wherein the discrete area of the outer surface of the manufactured article has the other of the projection and the recess; and   wherein the projection and the recess are configured to mate with each other.   
     
     
         15 . The infusion dyeing kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dye pad has:
 an impermeable breakable planar layer behind which the activation solution is contained; and   a dye-impregnated planar pad layer disposed on a side of the impermeable breakable planar layer opposite to the activation solution.   
     
     
         16 . A method for supplying an infusion dyeing kit for marking a golf ball with a desired marking, the method comprising:
 receiving from a consumer an indication of the desired marking and an identification of the golf ball to be marked;   forming a dye pad according to the desired marking and the identification of the golf ball to be marked;   providing the consumer with the dye pad, an infusion dye, and an activation solution; and   providing the consumer with instructions for mixing the infusion dye and the activation solution into an infusion dye mixture on the dye pad and applying the dye pad to the golf ball.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the consumer with the dye pad, the infusion dye, and the activation solution comprises impregnating the dye pad with one of the infusion dye and the activation solution and containing the other of the infusion dye and the activation solution behind a breakable barrier, and wherein the instructions explain how to break the breakable barrier. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein receiving from the consumer the indication of the desired marking comprises one of receiving a selection from among a plurality of selectable markings and receiving a custom marking designed by the consumer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the identification of the golf ball comprises a model of the golf ball, and wherein forming the dye pad comprises determining a dimple pattern of the model of the golf ball and forming a contact surface of the dye pad with projections that match the dimple pattern of the model of the golf ball. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the dye pad has a dye pad contact surface configured to contact a discrete area of a golf ball outer surface of the golf ball, and a dye pad outer surface opposite to the dye pad contact surface;
 wherein the dye pad contact surface has one of a projection and a recess;   wherein the discrete area of the golf ball outer surface of the golf ball has the other of the projection and the recess; and   wherein the projection and the recess are configured to mate with each other.