PATENTAN WALTE

BESELERSTRASSE 4 EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS D-22607 HAMBURG EUROPEAN TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS

DR. PETER FRANCK

DR. ULRICH-MARIA GROSS

DR. HELMUT van HEESCH

DR. JOHANNES AHME

DR. HEINZ-PETER MUTH, LL.M.

DR. BERND JANSSEN, LL.M.

DR. ALBRECHT von MENGES

DR. MARTIN NOHLEN

DR. ANDRE GUDER

DR. FABIAN MULLER

DIPL.-CHEM. ALEXANDER EISENFUHR

DIPL. -ING. PHILIPP KUHN

DIPL. -WI. -ING. MARTIN JACOB

DR. HANNA PIEPER

DR. JOHANNES HEIDEMANN

RECHTSAN WALTE

DR. FRANK DETTMANN

DR. ALEXANDER THUNKEN, LL.M.

MUNCHEN

PATENTAN WALTE

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS

DIPL. -ING. LARS MANKE

DR. ANATOL SPORK

DR. NILS LINDENMAIER

PARTNERSCHAFT VON PATENT- UND RECHTSAN WALTEN mbB

P 115017 Mue/Hei

December 23, 2022

Marking composition for application on a sports projectile

The present invention relates to a marking composition for determining an impact point of a sports projectile on a playing field.

Various different sports use projectiles that travel through the air at high speed. Not only can it be difficult to track the projectile across the trajectory with the eyes, it is also often a great challenge to determine the exact impact point of the projectile on a surface.

But the impact point of a sports projectile is often of key importance for the game. For example, in volleyball and racket sports the impact point of the projectile determines which team or player wins the rally and finally also the game.

Whether the ball has hit the ground inside or outside of the dimensions of the court is often a matter of centimeters or millimeters which makes it difficult to correctly decide on the impact point, especially at high projectile velocities.

Moreover, the high level of ambition often makes it difficult for the players involved to make an objective decision about the impact point.

In competitions, referees or linesmen are regularly assigned to decide the impact point to the best of their knowledge. However, referees and linesmen occasionally make wrong decisions despite their best efforts. Various technical approaches have been developed to allow accurate and objective decisions on the impact point of sports projectiles to be made.

WO 01/41884 Al describes video processor systems for ball tracking in ball games comprising the recording of the game by a plurality of high-speed cameras and then the modeling of the flight-path of the ball with the help of a video processing system, allowing the impact point of the ball to be determined by means of a computer simulation.

Other approaches include the modification of the playing field. For example, in US 5,394,824 thermochromic sensors comprising thermochromic liquid crystals are disclosed that are placed along the boundary lines of a tennis court. The impact of a tennis ball then induces a color change of the thermochromic liquid crystals hit, so that the impact point can be determined.

US 4,538,811 describes a modification of the playing field including a combination of superimposed color chambers which give a change of color upon the impact of a tennis ball.

Another approach involves the chemical modification of the used projectile. For example, US 2007/0249435 Al describes a method for the determination of the impact point of a tennis ball on the playing surface compri sing a striking composition applied to the tennis ball and a receiving composition appl ied to the playing field . Once the striking composition and the receiving composition make contact during play, a chemical reaction inducing a color change is initiated .

Moreover, US 7 , 241 , 237 B2 describes a game ball comprising a marking agent that is encapsulated or otherwise sealed against exposure to the air . The impact of the ball on the playing field releases the marking agent , creating a visible imprint on the playing field . Under the influence of ambient air, the ink used as marking agent is unstable, causing the imprint to disappear .

Thus , the present invention is based on the obj ective of providing a means that allows making an obj ective decision about the impact point of a sports proj ectile that is affordable, easy to use and not only applicable to recreational and competitive sports , but also meets the high demands of professional athletes .

These obj ects are achieved by the use of a marking composition according to claims 1 to 9 . The invention also relates to the marking composition according to claims 10 to 14 and the sports proj ectile according to claim 15 .

In a first aspect , the present invention relates to the use of a marking composition comprising a marking agent and a carrier for determining an impact point of a sports proj ectile on a playing field, wherein the marking composition is applied on the surface of the sports proj ectile .

It has been found that a marking composition according to the present invention leaves an imprint on the playing field, when a proj ectile equipped with the marking composition makes contact with the playing field . The impact point of the proj ec- tile can then be determined based on the imprint. This is surprisingly the case even after a plurality of contacts of the projectile with another object, such as a bat, a hand or the strings of a racket. In addition, the intensity and quality of the imprints were found to allow the impact point to be determined with a very high degree of accuracy.

Moreover, it has surprisingly been found that the general playing experience with a projectile equipped with a marking composition according to the present invention, such as the flight characteristics and the touch of hitting the projectile, is not perceptibly different from the general playing experience using conventional commercial projectiles without marking composition.

It was further found that the use of a marking composition according to the present invention provides a cost-efficient method for determining the impact point of a sports projectile which does not require expensive equipment and is attractive for players of any level due to its easy handling. This even includes the possibility to modify commercially available projectiles, thus allowing players to determine the point of impact of such modified commercial projectiles.

According to the present invention, the term "sports projectile" relates to an object that is made to fly through the air as a part of a sports activity. The sports projectile may, for example, be a ball of any shape or a shuttlecock.

The term "impact point" refers to the place or site where the projectile hits after flying through the air. The impact point may be of any shape.

Moreover, the term "playing field" relates to the surface, on which the respective sports is played and includes both the playing field itself, which usually has a specific dimension and may be marked by boundary lines , and the areas adj acent to it . Typically, the surface is an outdoor hardcourt , the floor of an indoor sports facility or a special playing surface , such as a court mat .

The marking composition comprises a marking agent and a carrier and is suitable for determining an impact point of the sports proj ectile . For this purpose the marking composition is suitable to be applied on the surface of the sports proj ectile . Hence , according to the use of the present invention, the proj ectile comprises the marking composition on its surface , i . e . at least a part of the surface of the sports proj ectile is covered by the marking composition .

According to the present invention, a „carrier" is a substance which, during the intended use of the proj ectile in the respective sport , serves to disperse the marking agent and binds the marking composition to the proj ectile .

In a preferred embodiment of the use of the marking composition, the carrier is selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyester polyols , fatty acid esters , ethoxylated fatty acid esters , natural waxes, synthetic waxes , microcrystalline waxes, lipids , oils, glycerol and mixtures thereof, and preferably is selected from the group consisting of polyols having a molecular weight of 1000 g/mol or higher, saturated polyester polyols, glycerol fatty acid esters , sorbitan fatty acid esters , polysorbates , polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol , glycerol , and mixtures thereof , and particularly preferably from the group consisting of sorbitan monolaureate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan tristearate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40 , polysorbate 60 , polysorbate 65, polysorbate 80 , polysorbate 81 , polysorbate 85, polysorbate 120 , polysorbate 21 , polysorbate 61 , polyethylene glycol 32 to 600, polyethylene glycol having an aver- age molecular weight of 600 g/mol or higher, polypropylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 2000 g/mol or lower, glycerol and mixtures thereof.

Moreover, the carrier preferably has an evaporation number, determined according to ISO 53170 (diethyl ether = 1) , of 100 or higher, particularly preferably of 500 or higher, most preferably of 1000 or higher.

The carrier can be water-soluble. Preferably, the carrier has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least 1 wt.-%, particularly at least 5 wt.-%, and particularly preferably at least 10 wt.-%. It was found that marking compositions comprising a water-soluble carrier have particularly advantageous properties with regard to cleaning. For example, contaminants or residues of the marking composition on the players' bodies, in the players' sportswear or on the playing field can be easily removed using water or soapy water.

In another preferred embodiment the marking composition comprises at least two carriers, at least one of which has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least 1 wt.-%, particularly at least 5 wt.-%, and particularly preferably at least 10 wt.-%. Accordingly, it may be beneficial to use a carrier that has the above-mentioned high solubility in water in combination with a carrier that is less soluble in water. This may e.g. be desired if the less water-soluble carrier has particularly advantageous properties in terms of providing an imprint on the playing field. For example, it is preferred that the carrier of the marking composition comprises a combination of an ethoxylated fatty acid ester and a sorbitan fatty acid ester, wherein preferably the ethoxylated fatty acid ester has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least 1 wt.-%, particularly at least 5 wt.-%, and particularly preferably at least 10 wt.-% and the sorbitan fatty acid ester that is less water-soluble than the ethoxylated fatty acid ester .

Furthermore , it is preferred that the marking agent is selected from pigments and dyes for use under natural and/or arti ficial ambient light and pigments and dyes for use under arti ficial ultraviolet light .

Pigments and dyes for use under natural and/or arti ficial ambient light are typically visible in the presence of sunlight , arti ficial light sources or combinations thereof . It may also be advantageous to use a marking agent that is visible in the presence of arti ficial ultraviolet (UV) light , in particular in the presence of UV-A light with a wavelength of 315 to 380 nm . This may have the advantage that even after a long period of play, there are no imprints visible on the playing field which could be distracting during the players ' rally . An examination of the playing field with a UV light source may then be carried out by referees , linesmen or players in game situations when the impact point of the proj ectile is of particular importance . Suitable UV light sources are , for example , portable and non-portable UV light sources , such as UV flashlights and permanently installed UV spotlights .

The marking agent may be a dye , wherein the selection of the dye is not restricted . Suitable dyes are , for example , uranine , fluorescein, cobalamines , quinine , rhodamines , flavonoids , porphyrins , aesculin, and mixtures thereof .

In a preferred embodiment the marking agent is an inorganic or organic pigment . The selection of inorganic or organic pigments is not restricted . Suitable inorganic pigments are, for example, zinc sulfides, ultramarine, titanium dioxide, iron oxides , nickel or chromium antimony titanium dioxide, cobalt blue, chromium oxides and chromate pigments . Suitable organic pigments are, for example, those from the azo, anthraquinone and thioindigo series , furthermore other polycyclic pigments , for example from the phthalocyanine, quinacridone, dioxazine, naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid, perylene tetracarboxylic acid or isoindoline series , and also metal complex pigments and carbon black .

In a preferred embodiment, the pigment comprises a dye, such as a dye that is visible under visible and/or UV light, in a polymeric resin . The polymeric resin may, for example, be a copolymer of melamine, toluenesulfonamide and paraformaldehyde (MDF resin) , melamine-formaldehyde, melamine-urea- formaldehyde, benzoguanamine -formaldehyde, benzoguanamine-urea-formaldehyde melamine -benzoguanamine- formaldehyde, sulphonamide-me 1 amine - paraformaldehyde and/or an acrylate-based resin . In this embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the dye can be excited to fluorescence by the UV component of daylight .

In a preferred embodiment , the pigment is a formaldehyde- free daylight fluorescent pigment or a f ormaldehyde-containing daylight fluorescent pigment , particularly preferably a formaldehyde- free daylight fluorescent pigment . Herein, the term "daylight fluorescent pigment" refers to a dye in a polymeric resin, wherein the dye can be excited to fluorescence by the UV component of the daylight .

Particularly preferably, the dye or the inorganic or organic pigment is an optical brightener , wherein optical brighteners selected from the group consisting of naphthalimides , optical brighteners based on stilbene , ethylene , styrene , thiophene or 1 , 3-diphenyl-2-pyrazoline , and compounds having a condensed aromatic moiety directly linked to a heteroaromatic moiety, such as thiazoles , pyrazoles , oxadiazoles or triazines , are further preferred . Even further preferred are stilbenetriazines , stilbene-naphthalene-triazoles and diphenylethylene bistriazines , and particularly preferred are sul fonated stilbene-triazines . Optical brighteners typically absorb ultraviolet or violet light, in particular ultraviolet light, and re-emit light with a lower wavelength, such as blue light, wherein it is particularly preferred that the re-emitted light has a wavelength in the visible range, most preferably in the range of 380 to 700 nm. Herein, the term "optical brightener" also refers to agents known as optical brightening agents (OBAs) , fluorescent brightening agents (FBAs) , fluorescent brightener (FB) or fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) .

Suitable optical brighteners are, for example, optical brightener OB (2, 5-bis- (5-tert . -butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl) -thiophen; CAS: 7128- 64-5) , optical brightener OB-1 (4, 4 '-bis (2-benzoxazolyl) stilbene; CAS: 1533-45-5) , optical brightener KCB (4, 4 '-bis (2- benzoxazolyl) stilbene; CAS: 5089-22-5) , optical brightener KSN (4- (2-benzoxazolyl) -4 ' - (5-methyl-2-benzoxazolyl) stilbene; CAS : 5242-49-9) , optical brightener Bright FP-127 (4, 4 '-bis (2- methoxystyryl ) -1 , 1 ' -biphenyl ; CAS: 40470-68-6) , optical brightener Bright SWN ( 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin; CAS: 91-44-1) , fluorescent brightener BAC-L ( 5- ( ( 3-chloro-5-

(trifluoromethyl) pyridin-2-yl) sulfonyl) thiophene2sulfonyl chloride; CAS: 175203-00-6) , fluorescent brightener 1 (CAS: 15339-39- 6) , fluorescent brightener 9 (disodium, 5- [ (4, 6-dianilino-l, 3, 5- triazin-2-yl ) amino] -2- [ (E) -2- [4- [ (4, 6-dianilino-l, 3, 5-triazin-2- yl) amino] -2-sulfonatophenyl] ethenyl ] benzenesulfonate; CAS: 133- 66-4) , fluorescent brightener 12/24 (4, 4 ' -Bis [4- (3-sulfoanilino) - 6- [bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amino] -1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl ] aminostilbene- 2 , 2 ' -disulfonic acid tetrasodium salt ; CAS: 12224-02-1) , fluorescent brightener 28 Base (4, 4 ' -bis ( { 4-anilino-6- [bis (2- hydroxyethyl) amino] -1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl }amino) stilbene-2, 2 ' - disulfonic acid; CAS: 4404-43-7) , fluorescent brightener 28 (disodium 4,4' -bis [ 6-anilino- [4- [bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amino] -1, 3, 5- triazin-2-yl] amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' -disulfonate; CAS: 4193-55-9) , fluorescent brightener 30 (disodium, 5- (phenylcarbamoylamino) -2- [ (E) -2- [4- (phenylcarbamoylamino) -2- sulfonatophenyl] ethenyl] benzenesulfonate; CAS: 2606-93-1) , fluorescent brightener 33 (CAS: 61902-19-0) , fluorescent brightener 46 (sodium 4- (2H-naphtho [1, 2-d] triazol-2-yl ) stilbene-2-sulfonate; CAS: 6416-68-8) , fluorescent brightener 47 (CAS: 34078-70-2) , fluorescent brightener 52 (CAS: 12224-3-2) , fluorescent brightener 54 (CAS: 12768-89-7) , fluorescent brightener 56 (sodium sulfate 7- (diethylamino) -4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one (2:1:1) ; CAS: 8066-05-5) , fluorescent brightener 61 (12224-3-2) , fluorescent brightener 71/244/250/260 (disodium 4, 4 ' -bis [ (4-anilino-6- morpholino-1 , 3, 5-triazin-2-yl ) amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' -disulfonate; CAS: 16090-02-1) , fluorescent brightener 84 (CAS: 12224-05-4) , fluorescent brightener 85 (disodium 4, 4 ' -bis [ [4-anilino-6- [ (2- hydroxyethyl) amino] -1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl ] amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' - disulfonate ; CAS: 17958-73-5) , fluorescent brightener 87 (CAS: 12768-91-1) , fluorescent brightener 113 (CAS: 12768-92-2) , fluorescent brightener 121 (4- [3- (4-chlorophenyl) -4, 5-dihydro-lH- pyrazol-l-yl]benzenesulfonamide; CAS: 2744-49-2) , fluorescent brightener 135 (2, 2 ' -vinylenbis [5-methylbenzoxazol] ; CAS: 1041-

00-5, 12224-12-3) , fluorescent brightener 135:1 (2, 2 (IE) -1, 2- ethenediylbis [5-methylbenzoxazole] ; CAS: 17233-65-7) , fluorescent brightener 140 (7- (diethylamino) -4-methylchromen-2-one; CAS:

61968-71-6) , fluorescent brightener 151, VBL (CAS : 12224-16-7 ) , fluorescent brightener 162 (6-methoxy-2-methyl-lH- benzo [de] isoquinoline-1 , 3 (2H) -dione; CAS: 3271-05-4) , fluorescent brightener 179 (2, 4-dimethoxy-6-pyren-l-yl-l, 3, 5-triazine; CAS:

12224-35-0) , fluorescent brightener 181 (CAS: 12224-37-2) , fluorescent brightener 185 (2, 5-bis (2-benzoxazolyl) thiophene; CAS:

2866-43-5, 12224-41-8) , fluorescent brightener 190 (2, 5-bis (2- benzoxazolyl) thiophene; CAS: 12224-46-3) , fluorescent brightener 199 ( 1, 4-bis ( 4-cyanostyryl ) benzene; CAS: 13001-40-6) , fluorescent brightener 199:1 (1- (2-cyanostyryl) -4- (4-cyanostyryl) benzene;

CAS: 13001-38-2) , fluorescent brightener 200 (CAS: 61968-72-7) , fluorescent brightener 204 (CAS: 76482-77-4) , fluorescent brightener 206 (CAS: 12642-93-2) , fluorescent brightener 208 (CAS: 24565-13-7) , fluorescent brightener 210 (benzenesulfonic ac- id, 2, 2 ' - (1, 2-ethenediyl) bis [5- [ [4- (4-morpholinyl) -6- [ (4- sulfophenyl) amino] -1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl ] mino] - , sodium salt (1:4) ; CAS: 28950-61-0) , fluorescent brightener 213 (disodium 4,4'- bis [ (4-anilino-6-methoxy-l, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl ) amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' - disulfonate; CAS: 3426-43-5) , fluorescent brightener 220 (tetrasodium 4,4' -bis [ [4- [bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amino] -6- (4- sulfonatoanilino) -1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl ] amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' - disulfonate] ; CAS: 16470-24-9) , fluorescent brightener 225 (disodium 4, 4 '-bis [ (4-morpholino-6-o-toluidino-l,3,5-triazin-2- yl) amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' -disulfonate; CAS: 24019-80-5) , fluorescent brightener 264 (hexasodium 2- [ [4- (bis (2-hydroxyethyl) amino) -6- [ [4- [ (E) -2- [4- [ [4- (bis (2 -hydroxyethyl) amino) -6- [ (2, 5-disulfo- natophenyl) amino] -1, 3, 5-triazin-2- yl] amino] -2-sulfonato- phenyl] ethenyl] -3-sulfonato-phenyl ] amino] -1, 3, 5- triazin-2- yl ] amino] benzene-1 , 4-disulfonate; CAS: 76482-78-5, 68971-49-3) , fluorescent brightener 351 (4, 4 ' -bis (2-disulfonic acid styryl) biphenyl; CAS: 54351-85-8, and disodium salt thereof: sodium 2, 2 ' - ( [1, 1 ' -biphenyl] -4,4' -diylbis (ethene-2, 1-diyl) ) dibenzenesulfonate; CAS: 27344-41-8) , fluorescent brightener 351 Base (4, 4 ' -bis [2- (2-sulfophenyl) ethenyl] biphenyl; CAS: 38775-22-3) , fluorescent brightener 362 (2, 5-di (5-tert-butylbenzoxazol-2- yl) thiophene; CAS: 52232-33-4) ; fluorescent brightener 367 (1,4- bis (2-benzoxazolyl) naphthalene; CAS: 5089-22-5) , fluorescent brightener 396, optical brightener ER-I (1, 4-bis (2-cyano styryl) benzene; CAS: 13001-39-3) , optical brightener OB-3 (4,4'— bis ( 5-methyl-2-benzoxazolyl ) stilbene; CAS: 2397-00-4) , optical brightener KSB (1, -bis (5-methyl-2-benzoxazolyl) naphthalene; CAS: 7128-54-5) , optical brighteners ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3, (E) -

4,4' -bis ( (4-anilino-6-morpholino-s-triazin-2yl) amino) 2,2'- stilbenedisulfonic acid (CAS: 32466-46-9) , fluorescent brightener 357 (hexasodium 2 , 2 ' - [ vinylenebis [ ( 3-sulphonato-4 , 1- phenylene) imino [ 6- (diethylamino) -1,3, 5-triazine-4 , 2- diyl] imino] ]bis (benzene-1, 4-disulphonate; CAS: 41098-56-0) , and tetrasodium pyrene-1, 3, 6, 8-tetrasulphonate (CAS: 59572-10-0) . In a preferred embodiment, the marking agent is a pigment or dye, in particular an optical brightener, for use in waterbased formulations and particularly preferably fluorescent brightener 220 (tetrasodium 4 , 4 ' -bis [ [ 4- [bis ( 2- hydroxyethyl ) amino] -6- (4-sulfonatoanilino) -1, 3, 5-triazin-2- yl] amino] stilbene-2, 2 ' -disulfonate] ; CAS: 16470-24-9) or tetrasodium pyrene-1, 3, 6, 8-tetrasulphonate . It was found that these marking agents impart a combination of particularly advantageous properties to the marking composition. Imprints are formed particularly well and allow an easy determination of impact points and, in addition, these marking agents have a good usability, e.g. because it is particularly easy to remove imprints of marking compositions which contain these marking agents from the playing field.

Inorganic and organic pigments may be treated to break down agglomerates or to comminute pigments before being added to the marking composition, for example by means of a bead mill, a three-roll mill or a disperser. After treatment, pigments typically exhibit increased stability and/or enhanced luminosity.

In a preferred embodiment of the use of the marking composition of the present invention the marking agent is essentially homogenously dispersed in the marking composition. Hence, the concentration of marking agent is essentially the same at each location in the marking composition according to this embodiment. In particular, marking agents present in nonmicroencapsulated forms are considered essentially homogeneously dispersed.

During a game or a match and in consecutive games or matches, it may be beneficial to successively use projectiles comprising different marking agents with different emission properties, such as different colors. If there are multiple imprints next to each other on a playing field, the emission property can be used to clearly assign an imprint to a projectile.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the marking composition comprises the marking agent and the carrier in a weight ratio ranging from about 1:10000 to 10:1, in particular 1:1000 to 5:1, preferably 1:10 to about 5:1, more preferably from about 1:4 to about 3:1, particularly preferably from about 2:1 to about 1:2.5.

Moreover, the marking composition can comprise one or more additives selected from the group consisting of diluents, fillers, dispersants, identification agents, preservatives and thickeners. In general, it may be preferred that the marking agent, the carrier and the additives comprised in the marking composition are non-hazardous to the users' health.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the marking composition comprises a filler that is preferably selected from the group consisting of talc, calcium carbonate, kaolin, barium sulfate, aluminum stearate, magnesiums stearate, diatomaceous earth, wollastonite, and mixtures thereof.

Fillers may improve the stability of the marking composition by altering the sedimentation properties, flocculation properties and/or chemical stability of the composition.

The marking composition can further comprise a dispersant to improve separation of particles, particularly of pigments, and to prevent their settling and clumping. Suitable dispersants include, for example, polyacrylate dispersants provided by BASF under the name Dispex®.

Moreover, the marking composition can comprise a thickener that is preferably selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, phyllosilicates, thickeners based on modified urea, such as RHEOBYK 410 (BYK Additives and Instruments GmbH, Wesel) and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the marking composition comprises 0.001 to 10 wt.-%, in particular 0.01 to 5 wt.-% and particularly preferably 0.25 to 3 wt.-% thickener, which is in particular fumed silica. It was found that the use of thickener in these preferred amounts facilitates the application of the marking composition on the projectile.

The marking composition can further comprise an identification agent. Suitable identification agents are, for example, inorganic luminescent pigments that can be identified using an optical spectrometer, such inorganic luminescent pigments comprising doped yttrium oxides or doped aluminum oxides. If there are multiple imprints next to each other on a playing field, the identification agent can be used to clearly assign an imprint to a projectile.

In addition, the marking composition can comprise a preservative. The preservative may extend the shelf life of the marking composition. Preferably, the preservative is selected from the group consisting of biocides, natural preservatives and mixtures thereof.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the marking composition comprises one or more diluents. The one or more diluents reduce the concentration of the components of the marking composition in order to facilitate its application on the surface of the sports projectile, e.g. by reducing the viscosity of the marking composition.

The diluent may be an inorganic solvent or an organic solvent and is preferably selected from the group consisting of water, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment, it is preferred that the marking composition comprises one or more organic solvents as diluents having an evaporation number, determined according to ISO 53170 (diethyl ether = 1) , below 100, particularly preferably of 50 or lower. The solvent may dissolve the carrier and, if applicable, a dye used as marking agent.

Preferably, the marking composition on the surface of the projectile comprises 0.01 to 95 wt.-% marking agent and 2 to 95 wt.-% carrier, in particular 5 to 95 wt.-% marking agent and 5 to 95 wt.-% carrier, particularly preferably 20 to 60 wt.-% marking agent and 40 to 80 wt.-% carrier, and most preferably 30 to 50 wt.-% marking agent and 50 to 70 wt.-% carrier.

Moreover, it is preferred that the marking composition comprises, when applying on the projectile, at least 0.0001, preferably 0.001, in particular 0.5, particularly preferably at least 2 and most preferably at least 4 wt.-% marking agent and at least 1, particularly preferably at least 4, and most preferably at least 6 wt.-% carrier. For example, it may be preferred that the marking composition comprises, when applying on the projectile, 0.0001 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 0.001 to 95 wt.-%, in particular 0.5 to 95 wt.-%, particularly preferably 2 to 40 wt.-%, and most preferably 4 to 25 wt.-% marking agent and 1 to 95 wt.-%, particularly preferably 4 to 50 wt.-% and most preferably 6 to 30 wt.-% carrier.

In another embodiment, the marking composition comprises, when applying on the projectile, 0.0001 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 0.001 to 50 wt.-% and particularly preferably 0.05 to 30 wt.-% marking agent.

It is further preferred that the marking composition comprises, when applying on the projectile, 0 to 98 wt.-%, particu- larly preferably 40 to 90 wt.-%, and most preferably 70 to 85 wt.-% of one or more diluents.

In one embodiment, the marking composition comprises when applying on the projectile a) 0.5 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 2 to 40 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 4 to 25 wt.-% marking agent, b) 1 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 4 to 50 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 6 to 30 wt.-% carrier, c) 0 to 40 wt.-%, preferably 0 to 15 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 0 to 7 wt.-% thickener, and d) 0 to 98 wt.-%, preferably 40 to 90 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 50 to 85 wt.-% of one or more diluents.

In another embodiment, the marking composition comprises when applying on the projectile a) 0.0001 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 0.001 to 50 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 0.05 to 30 wt.-% marking agent, b) 1 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 4 to 50 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 6 to 30 wt.-% carrier, c) 0 to 40 wt.-%, preferably 0 to 15 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 0 to 7 wt.-% thickener, and d) 0 to 98 wt.-%, preferably 40 to 90 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 50 to 85 wt.-% of one or more diluents.

In another embodiment, the marking composition comprises after application on the sports projectile and drying a) 5 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 20 to 60 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 30 to 50 wt.-% marking agent, b) 5 to 95 wt.-%, preferably 40 to 80 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 50 to 70 wt.-% carrier, and c) 0 to 40 wt.-%, preferably 0 to 20 wt.-%, and particularly preferably 0 to 15 wt.-% thickener.

In general, the sports projectile can be a projectile for use in volleyball or racket sports, preferably in badminton or tennis, particularly preferably in badminton.

The marking composition may be a liquid, a paste or a waxy solid depending on the components used and their respective amounts .

Marking compositions in the form of a waxy solid may be applied directly on the projectile. It may also be advantageous to apply the waxy solid to the projectile using an applicator similar to a lipstick.

Liquid marking composition can be applied on the projectile by any common liquid application method. Suitable methods for applying the liquid marking composition to the projectile include immersing the projectile in the marking composition, applying the marking composition with an applicator, such as a brush or a sponge, or spraying the marking composition on the projectile.

Marking compositions in the form of a paste may, for example, be applied to the projectile using an applicator, such as a brush or sponge.

According to a preferred embodiment, the marking composition is allowed to dry subsequent to the application on the surface of the projectile. It is particularly preferred that diluents, if present in the marking composition during application on the projectile, have partially evaporated after drying. Most preferably, all diluents that have been present during application on the projectile have substantially completely evaporated after drying. Drying may be performed at ambient conditions or at enhanced drying conditions, such as elevated tem- peratures or in presence of an air flow. It may be advantageous to use fast evaporating solvents and/or diluents to keep the duration of the drying process low. Therefore, for example, fast evaporating organic solvents may provide an advantage over water in this regard. In particular, the marking composition is allowed to dry subsequent to the application on the surface of the projectile and before use of the projectile for at least about 5 s, in particular at a temperature of about 5°C to about 200°C. For example, the marking composition may be allowed to dry for about 5 s to about 24 h at about 5°C to about 200°C before the projectile is used.

According to another preferred embodiment, after the marking composition has been applied on the projectile and dried, the application and drying is repeated once or repeatedly. In this manner, particular high amounts of marking composition may be applied on the surface of the projectile.

The marking composition may be applied on the surface of a projectile, such as a commercially available projectile, just before using the projectile. The marking composition may also be applied on the projectile as part of the manufacturing process of the projectile.

However, it may be advantageous to apply only small amounts of marking composition on the projectile to avoid impairing the flight characteristics of the projectile. In the case of using a badminton shuttlecock it may be advantageous for the weight of the shuttlecock to be increased by 0.2 g or less, preferably 0.05 g or less, particularly preferably 0.02 g or less after application and, if diluent is present, drying.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a marking composition for determining an impact point of a sports projectile on a playing field, wherein the marking composition is applied on the surface of a sports projectile, and wherein the marking composition comprises a marking agent and a carrier selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols, fatty acid esters, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, natural waxes, synthetic waxes, microcrystalline waxes, lipids, oils, glycerol, and mixtures thereof, preferably the carrier is selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols having a molecular weight of 1000 g/mol or higher, saturated polyester polyols, glycerol fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polysorbates, glycerol, and mixtures thereof and particularly preferably from the group consisting of sorbitan monolaureate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan tristearate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 21, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 61, polysorbate 65, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 81, polysorbate 85, polysorbate 120, glycerol and mixtures thereof.

All composition and material definitions, in each case including all preferred embodiments, which are described above for the use of the marking composition according to the first aspect of the invention, are also suitable for the marking composition as such according to the second aspect of the invention.

Accordingly, it is preferred that the marking agent is selected from pigments and dyes for use under natural or artificial ambient light and pigments and dyes for use under ultraviolet light. Dye and pigments of the marking composition according to the second aspect of the invention may be as defined above in the context of the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, it is preferred that the marking agent is an inorganic or organic pigment that particularly preferably is an optical brightener.

Furthermore, the marking composition can comprise one or more additives selected from the group consisting of diluents, fillers, dispersants , identification agents , preservatives and thickeners . Suitable and preferred additives are as defined above .

It is furthermore preferred that the marking agent is essentially homogeneously dispersed in the marking composition .

In a third aspect , the present invention relates to a sports proj ectile comprising a marking composition according to the second aspect of the invention on its surface .

All compositions and material definitions , in each case including all preferred embodiments , which are described above for the marking composition according to the first and second aspect of the invention, are also suitable for marking composition on the surface of the proj ectile according to the third aspect of the invention .

According to a preferred embodiment , the sports proj ecti le further contains a layer compri sing a pressure-sensitive adhesive , upon which the marking composition according to the second aspect of the invention is layered . Particularly preferably, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives , synthetic rubber based pressure-sensitive adhesives , acrylic and modi f ied-acrylic based pressure-sensitive adhesives , and silicone-based pressure sensitive adhesives .

Furthermore , a kit of parts is disclosed comprising a marking composition according to the second aspect of the invention, an applicator and optionally a light source and optionally one or more proj ectiles . The applicator may e . g . be a sponge , a brush, or a spray can . Suitable light sources are , for example , portable and non-portable light sources , such as flashlights emitting UV- or visible light and permanently installed UV spotlights . The proj ectile may, for example , be a ball or a badminton shuttlecock .

All compositions and material definitions , in each case including all preferred embodiments that are described above for the use of a marking composition according to the first aspect of the invention and for the marking composition according to the second aspect of the invention, are also suitable for the marking composition comprised in the kit of parts disclosed herein .

Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a sports proj ectile , wherein a marking composition according to the first or second aspect of the invention is applied on the surface of the proj ectile .

All processes for preparation including all preferred embodiments that are described above for the use of a marking composition according to the first aspect of the invention and for the marking composition according to the second aspect of the invention are also suitable for the method of manufacturing a sports proj ectile disclosed herein .

The invention disclosed herein is exempli fied by the following examples which should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure . Alternative processes of preparation and analogous components will be apparent to those skilled in the art .

Examples

Examples 1 to 5

Five marking compositions according to the present invention were prepared as shown in Table 1 by mixing optical brighteners OB ( 2 , 5-Bis- ( 5-tert . -butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl ) -thiophen; CAS 7128- 64-5 ) or OB- 1 ( 4 , 4 ' -Bis ( 2-benzoxazolyl ) stilbene ; CAS 1533-45-5 ) as marking agent and polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate ( CAS 9005-70-3 ; SABO® FOG TOE ; Sabo ) as carrier . Water or ethanol and optionally fumed silica ( CAS 112945-52-5 ; CAB-O-S IL® M-5 ; Cabot Corporation) were added and then the heads of badminton shuttlecocks were immersed into the marking compositions .

Table 1

Shuttlecocks that had been immersed into one of the aqueous marking composition of Examples 4 and 5 were allowed to dry for about 4 h at ambient conditions . Shuttlecocks that had been immersed into one of the marking composition of Examples 1 to 3 comprising ethanol were allowed to dry for about 10 min at ambient conditions . The shuttlecocks comprising the marking composition on the surface were used in a badminton game . Impact points of the shuttlecocks on the playing field were determined using a UV light source from the imprints left by the marking composition upon impact on the playing field . A photo of an exemplary imprint , irradiated by means of a UV- f lashlight , is shown as Figure 1 .

Even after 200 racket contacts and more , the impact point on the playing field could still be determined, regardless of whether the contacts were registered in one or several rallies . Moreover, it was possible to determine multiple impact points successively, such as 15 impact points and more , without reapplying the marking composition on the shuttlecock . A survey among amateur and professional players revealed that the handling of the shuttlecocks comprising the marking composition was no di f ferent from the handling of conventional shuttlecocks .

Examples 6 and 7

Marking compositions with the chemical compositions given in Table 2 were prepared . Skywhite® Optical brightener UVT7 . 1 (Hangzhou Tiankun Chem Co . Ltd, 2 , 5-Bis- ( 5-tert . -butyl- benzoxazol-2-yl ) -thiophen ; CAS 7128- 64-5 ) was used as marking agent . Polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate ( CAS 9005-70-3 ; SABO® FOG TOE ; Sabo ) was used as carrier .

Table 2 The marking compositions were provided to badminton players . Before using the marking agents , the badminton players added 50 ml of 77 . 4 wt . -% ethanol to 10 ml of marking agent and then immersed badminton shuttlecocks into the composition . Shuttlecocks were allowed to dry for about 10 min before use .

As for examples 1 to 5 , the shuttlecocks comprising the mark- ing compositions of Examples 6 and 7 were used in a badminton game and equally allowed the determination of impact points on the playing field .