Patent US6785261B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4795031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for packaging playing balls
Assignee: Spalding and Evenflo Companies Inc
•
Filing: 1987-06-30
•
Granted: 1989-01-03
•
Expires: 2007-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for packaging a playing ball so as to provide a partially exposed surface of the ball which comprises the steps of imprinting selected indicia on a heat shrinkable plastic film loop, placing the loop about the ball in frictional contact with a portion of the surface of the ball, applying heat to the loop and the ball to shrink said loop so as to wrap a circumferential section of the ball, and removing the heat and permitting the loop to cool about the ball in its shrunken state. If the ball is partially deflated, the loop is placed about the ball and the ball is inflated until frictional contact between the ball and loop occurs with subsequent heat application.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Voss
- 👤 John L. Doleva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D85/00; B65D85/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a substantially spherical playing ball; a substantially flat plastic loop non-adhesively heat shrunk about a circumferential section of said ball so that the entire surface of said loop is retained against said ball, the width of said plastic loop being substantially less than the circumference of said ball; and permanent indicia including pricing information imprinted on said plastic loop; said loop being non-removable without destruction of
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article of manufacture comprising a substantially spherical playing ball; a substantially flat plastic loop non-adhesively heat shrunk about a circumferential section of said ball so that the entire surface of said loop is retained against said ball, the width of said plastic loop being substantially less than the circumference of said ball; and permanent indicia including pricing information imprinted on said plastic loop; said loop being non-removable without destruction of
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said plastic loop comprises a heat shrinkable uniaxially oriented PVC film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said playing ball is inflatable.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for packaging a portion of a playing ball which comprises the steps of imprinting selected indicia, including a pricing code, on a heat shrinkable plastic film loop of predetermined size; placing said loop about a portion of a playing ball in frictional contact with the surface of the ball; applying heat to said loop and said ball to shrink said loop so as to wrap a circumferential section of said ball, the arc of said loop being non-adhesively frictionally secured to said ball over the entire area of said loop; and removing said heat so as to permit said loop to cool about said ball in its shrunken state; whereby said loop is non-removable without destruction of the loop.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for packaging a portion of a playing ball which comprises the steps of imprinting selected indicia, including a pricing code, on a heat shrinkable plastic film loop of predetermined size; placing said loop about a portion of a playing ball in frictional contact with the surface of the ball; applying heat to said loop and said ball to shrink said loop so as to wrap a circumferential section of said ball, the arc of said loop being non-adhesively frictionally secured to said ball over the entire area of said loop; and removing said heat so as to permit said loop to cool about said ball in its shrunken state; whereby said loop is non-removable without destruction of the loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said ball is a basketball.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said ball is a baseball.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of clam 4 wherein said heat shrinkable plastic film is uniaxially oriented PVC film.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of clam 4 wherein said heat shrinkable plastic film is uniaxially oriented PVC film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said heat shrinkable film loop is of a dimension before shrinking such that it is frictionally retained on said ball.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for packaging a portion of an inflatable playing ball which comprises the steps of imprinting selected indicia, including a pricing code, on a heat shrinkable plastic film loop of predetermined size; placing said loop about a deflated or partially inflated playing ball; inflating said ball to a size whereby said loop is frictionally held by said ball; applying heat to said ball and said loop to shrink said loop so as to wrap a circumferential section of said ball; and removing said heat so as to permit said loop to cool about said ball in its shrunken state.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for packaging a portion of an inflatable playing ball which comprises the steps of imprinting selected indicia, including a pricing code, on a heat shrinkable plastic film loop of predetermined size; placing said loop about a deflated or partially inflated playing ball; inflating said ball to a size whereby said loop is frictionally held by said ball; applying heat to said ball and said loop to shrink said loop so as to wrap a circumferential section of said ball; and removing said heat so as to permit said loop to cool about said ball in its shrunken state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said ball is a basketball.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said heat shrinkable plastic film loop is uniaxially oriented PVC film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1751275A
Cited
US3386371A
Cited
US3734273A
Cited
US3716433A
Cited
US3829348A
Cited
GB1386685A
Cited
US4285746A
Cited
US4054474A
Cited
US4225049A
Cited
US4336087A
Cited
US4351693A
Cited
US4514966A
Cited
US4491494A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |