Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130316852 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer. | 11-28-2013 |
20130323427 | METHOD OF MAKING COLOR GOLF BALL AND RESULTING COLOR GOLF BALL - A method and golf ball incorporating a surface penetrating color composition comprising a colorant (e.g. dyes, tints, color effects, etc.) in a portion (surface or region) of a golf ball component or coating (substrate). The substrate is formed from a homogenous composition having a color C | 12-05-2013 |
20130331204 | GOLF BALL HAVING A THEMOSETTING INTERMEDIATE AND OUTER COVER AND A THEMOPLASTIC INNER COVER - A golf ball is formed including a core and a cover. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer and having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D, an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D, and a non-ionomeric thermosetting polyurethane or polyurea intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers. The intermediate cover layer has a hardness greater than the inner cover layer hardness and the outer cover layer hardness. The inner cover is formed from a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer and the outer cover layer is formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend. | 12-12-2013 |
20130337941 | GOLF BALL HAVING MODIFIED SURFACE HARDNESS - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer having a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface that treated with and comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and has a hardness α, the cover inner surface not being treated with and not comprising the fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and having a hardness β. Hardness α is greater than hardness β. The cover layer may alternatively comprise an untreated cover region and a treated cover region that extends inward from the cover outer surface a depth of about 1% or greater of a distance between the cover outer surface and the cover inner surface. Alternatively, the treated cover region may extend inward from the cover outer surface a predetermined depth D | 12-19-2013 |
20130337942 | GOLF BALL HAVING MODIFIED SURFACE HARDNESS - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer having a cover inner surface, a cover outer surface, a treated cover region, and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth D | 12-19-2013 |
20130344994 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within an acid copolymer-based matrix. | 12-26-2013 |
20140004976 | THERMOSET POLYURETHANES BASED ON MOISTURE-RESISTANT POLYOLS FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS | 01-02-2014 |
20140011609 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 50 and the inner core and outer core generally have a combined dual core compression of 50 or greater. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover. | 01-09-2014 |
20140011611 | GOLF BALL WITH NAGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT CORE - Golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising: geometric center and outer surface; inner core region disposed about the geometric center, outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 10 mm to about 16 mm from the geometric center. A first hardness is disposed within the inner core region, a second hardness is disposed within the outer core region, and a third hardness of from about 40 Shore C to about 95 Shore C (or about 30 Shore D to about 70 Shore D) is disposed within the intermediate core region and is greater than each of the first and second hardnesses. At least one hardness in the outer core region is substantially the same as or less than a hardness in the inner core region. | 01-09-2014 |
20140018188 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising: an inner core having a compression of less than about 60; at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D, a specific gravity and a flexural modulus such that each of the hardness, specific gravity and flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is greater than a hardness, a specific gravity, and a flexural modulus of the inner core; and a cover surrounding the at least one intermediate layer, having a flexural modulus and a Shore D hardness that are greater than a flexural modulus and a hardness of the inner core. In one embodiment, a ratio of the flexural modulus of the cover in ksi to the Shore D hardness of the cover is less than 1 and/or least one of the inner core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer. | 01-16-2014 |
20140018192 | GOLF BALL WITH SINGLE LAYER CORE HAVING SPECIFIC REGIONS OF VARYING HARDNESS - A golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface; a hardness of the outer surface is greater than a hardness of the geometric center. An inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and has a first hardness that is less than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface and has a second hardness that is greater than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends radially from about 5 mm to about 15.75 mm from the geometric center and has at least a third hardness and a fourth hardness, each of which are related to the first hardness and the second hardness in various ways. | 01-16-2014 |
20140045612 | GOLF BALL HAVING A TRANSLUCENT LAYER CONTAINING FIBER FLOCK - A golf ball having at least a core and a composite layer comprising a fibrous material and a matrix material is provided. The matrix material preferably comprises a translucent polymer. Preferably, the fibrous material comprises fiber flock. Preferably, the fiber flock comprises fiber segments having a length less than one inch. The fiber segments may have substantially equal dimensions. In other instances, the fiber segments are of unequal dimensions. The golf balls preferably includes a translucent cover layer surrounding the composite layer and an intermediate layer disposed between the composite layer and the core. | 02-13-2014 |
20140045613 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition. | 02-13-2014 |
20140045621 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING OPPOSING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITH STEEP GRADIENT OUTER CORE LAYER - A golf ball comprising an inner core formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center hardness is 56-80 Shore C and the outer surface hardness is 50-75 Shore C. An outer core layer has an outer surface having hardness of 85-98 Shore C and an inner surface hardness of 68-78 Shore C and being formed from a second homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of +7 to +30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of −1 to −15 Shore C. | 02-13-2014 |
20140073459 | GOLF BALLS COMPRISING HIGHLY-NEUTRALIZED ACID POLYMERS - Multi-layer golf balls comprising a center, intermediate layer, and cover are disclosed. At least one layer of the ball is formed from a highly-neutralized acid copolymer composition. | 03-13-2014 |
20140113745 | GOLF BALLS HAVING A FOAM CENTER - Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed composition selected from thermoset compositions and thermoplastic compositions. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113747 | HIGHLY-NEUTRALIZED THERMOPLASTIC COPOLYMER CENTER FOR IMPROVED MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls comprising a center, intermediate layer, and cover are disclosed. The center is formed from a highly-neutralized acid copolymer composition. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113748 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and a layer formed from a thermoset rubber. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113749 | GOLF BALLS HAVING DUAL-LAYER CORES WITH METAL-CONTAINING CENTERS - Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity and a surrounding outer core layer having a relatively low specific gravity. The core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The outer core layer is formed from a thermoset composition, such as polybutadiene rubber, or from a thermoplastic composition, such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113750 | MULTI-LAYER COVER GOLF BALL HAVING A HIGH ACID CASING AND ZERO GRADIENT CORE - A golf ball includes a single core having an outer surface and a geometric center. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition. An inner cover layer is disposed about the core, the inner cover including a high-acid ionomer and having a material hardness of about 66 to 75 Shore D. The high-acid ionomer has an acid content of about 16% or greater. An outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, the outer cover including a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 38 Shore D to about 56 Shore D. The core surface hardness is from 0 Shore C to 15 Shore C lower than the geometric center hardness to define a hardness gradient. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113751 | Multi-Layer Cover Dual Core Golf Ball Having A High Acid Casing And Low Gradient Center - A golf ball having an inner core layer having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a rubber composition. An outer core layer surrounds the inner core to form a dual core. An inner cover layer surrounds the dual core, and includes a high-acid ionomer having a hardness of about 66 to 75 Shore D and an acid content of 16 wt. % or greater. An outer cover layer surrounds the inner cover layer, and includes a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 38 to 56 Shore D. The inner core layer surface hardness is from 0 Shore C to 10 Shore C lower than the geometric center hardness to define a negative hardness gradient and the outer core layer has a surface hardness at least 10 Shore C greater than the geometric center hardness to define a dual core positive hardness gradient. | 04-24-2014 |
20140155195 | GOLF BALLS HAVING NON-UNIFORM CORE STRUCTURES WITH METAL-CONTAINING CENTERS - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains a small, heavy inner core and surrounding outer core layer. The inner core preferably contains metal materials such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, nickel, iron, tin, and bronze particles. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. For example, the outer surface may contain multiple projecting ribs with gaps located between the ribs. The ball includes a cover surrounding the core structure. The cover may be multi-layered. | 06-05-2014 |
20140194226 | HOLLOW CORE GOLF BALL HAVING A HARDNESS GRADIENT - A golf ball including a hollow core formed from a spherical inner core shell layer including a stiff thermoplastic composition. The shell layer has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. Ann outer core layer is disposed about the shell layer and includes a thermoset material. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and includes an ionomeric material having a first hardness. An outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer and includes a polyurethane having a second hardness different from the first. The hollow center has a diameter of 0.15 to 1.1 inches, the thermoplastic inner core shell layer has a hardness of 85 Shore C or greater, and the stiff thermoplastic composition has a melt volume flow rate of about 5.0 cm | 07-10-2014 |
20140194227 | GOLF BALL HAVING A HOLLOW CENTER - Golf balls including a spherical inner core shell layer formed from a thermoset or thermoplastic composition are provided. The shell layer has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. A thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is formed about the shell layer and optional intermediate layer(s) disposed between the shell layer and the outer core layer. A cover is formed about the outer core layer. | 07-10-2014 |
20140206477 | Multi-Layer Cover Golf Ball Having Thermoset Rubber Intermediate Cover Layer - A golf ball including a core and a cover including a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a material hardness of 60 to 80 Shore D; a thermoset outer cover layer comprising a castable polyurea and having a material hardness of 20 to 60 Shore D; and a thermoset intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness substantially the same as the inner cover layer hardness and greater than the outer cover layer hardness. The inner cover includes one or more high- or low-acid ionomers and, optionally, a maleic anhydride modified polyolefin. The intermediate layer is formed from a castable liquid polybutadiene rubber. | 07-24-2014 |
20140221126 | GOLF BALL COMPRISING A CORE LAYER HAVING A HARDNESS GRADIENT AND TRANS GRADIENT - A golf ball includes a ‘dual core’ formed from an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core has an outer surface and a center and is typically formed from a substantially-homogenous rubber composition such that the center of the core has a hardness of about 72 Shore C to about 78 Shore C and a trans content of about 5% to 9%, and the outer surface of the inner core has a trans content of about 5% to 9%. The trans content of the outer surface and the center of the inner core are preferably within 2% of each other and, more preferably are substantially the same to define a zero trans gradient along a radius of the inner core. | 08-07-2014 |
20140243112 | GOLF BALLS HAVING AT LEAST TWO CORE LAYERS FORMED FROM HNP COMPOSITIONS - The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243113 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition, a layer formed from an additional thermoplastic composition, and an outermost layer formed from a thermoset rubber. | 08-28-2014 |
20140246805 | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING GOLF BALLS HAVING A MULTI-LAYERED COVERS - Process for making golf ball having multi-layered cover having a very thin outermost cover layer comprising: providing first and second substantially hemispherical half shells comprising a thermoplastic composition; dispensing uncured liquid thermoset composition into a hemispherical cavity of first half shell; inserting first half of a core subassembly into hemispherical cavity and displacing an amount of the uncured liquid thermoset composition such that the uncured liquid thermoset composition forms an inner cover layer; dispensing the uncured liquid thermoset composition into hemispherical cavity of second half shell; inserting second half of core subassembly into hemispherical cavity of second half shell and displacing an amount of the uncured liquid thermoset composition such that the uncured liquid thermoset composition forms an inner cover layer and thereby mating the first and second half shells; curing thermoset inner cover layer; and forming dimples in the outer surfaces of mated first and second half shells. | 09-04-2014 |
20140248978 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater. | 09-04-2014 |
20140256471 | DUAL CORE GOLF BALL HAVING NEGATIVE-HARDNESS-GRADIENT THERMOPLASTIC INNER CORE AND SHALLOW POSITIVE-HARDNESS-GRADIENT THERMOSET OUTER CORE LAYER - A golf ball includes a core including a thermoplastic inner core and a thermoset outer core layer. The inner core has a surface hardness of about 40 to 80 Shore C and a center hardness of about 30 to 75 Shore C. The center hardness is less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover is formed over the core and includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic inner core includes a highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The outer core layer comprises a polybutadiene rubber and has a positive hardness gradient of less than 25 Shore C. | 09-11-2014 |
20140256472 | BLENDS OF POLYAMIDE AND ACID ANHYDRIDE-MODIFIED POLYOLEFINS FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS - Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of polyamide/acid anhydride-modified polyolefin blended compositions are provided. Preferably, a transparent polyamide is used. In one version, the composition comprises a blend of polyamide, acid anhydride-modified polyolefin, and plasticizer. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide/acid anhydride-modified polyolefin composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. In one version, the polyamide/acid anhydride-modified polyolefin composition is used to form the outer core layer, and a rubber composition is used to form the inner core. | 09-11-2014 |
20140256474 | GOLF BALL CORE HAVING MEDIUM POSITIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT AND HIGH SURFACE HARDNESS - A golf ball includes a single solid core having a surface hardness and a geometric center hardness. The core has an outer diameter of about 1.5 to 1.62 inches. An outer cover layer formed from a polyurea or polyurethane has a first hardness, and an inner cover layer, disposed between the core and the outer cover, has a second hardness greater than the first hardness and within 5 Shore C of the core surface hardness. The geometric center hardness is about 64 to 85 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than 85 Shore C and harder than the geometric center hardness by about 5 to 22 Shore C to define a positive hardness gradient. | 09-11-2014 |
20140295995 | Golf Ball Having A Thermoplastic Positive Hardness Gradient Inner Core Layer And A Thermoset Shallow Positive Hardness Gradient Outer Core Layer - A golf ball has an inner core layer including a thermoplastic highly-neutralized ionomer and having a geometric center hardness less than a surface hardness to define a first positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed about the inner core and includes a homogenous thermoset composition. The outer core has an interior hardness less than an outer surface hardness to define a second positive hardness gradient. An inner and outer cover layers are disposed about outer core layer. The first and second hardness gradients each have a slope and the slope of the second hardness gradient is less than the slope of the first hardness gradient such that a ratio of the first and second slopes is 0.8 to 0.85. | 10-02-2014 |
20140295996 | GOLF BALL CORE HAVING MEDIUM POSITIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT AND HIGH SURFACE HARDNESS - A golf ball includes a single solid core having a surface hardness and a geometric center hardness. The core has an outer diameter of about 1.5 to 1.62 inches. An outer cover layer formed from a polyurea or polyurethane has a first hardness, and an inner cover layer, disposed between the core and the outer cover, has a second hardness greater than the first hardness and within 5 Shore C of the core surface hardness. The geometric center hardness is about 64 to 85 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than 85 Shore C and harder than the geometric center hardness by about 5 to 22 Shore C to define a positive hardness gradient. | 10-02-2014 |
20140302947 | COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING TRANSPARENT POLYAMIDES FOR USE IN MAKING GOLF BALLS - Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyamide composition containing a transparent polyamide polymer are provided. The transparent polyamide may be blended with other transparent or non-transparent polyamides. Thermoplastic polyamide elastomers such as polyether-amide block copolymers may be used. In one version, the composition comprises a blend of transparent polyamide, acid anhydride-modified polyolefin, and plasticizer. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. In one version, the polyamide composition is used to form the inner cover layer. | 10-09-2014 |
20140315659 | Dual Core Golf Ball Having A Shallow "Positive Hardness Gradient" Thermoplastic Inner Core And A Steep "Positive Hardness Gradient" Thermoset Outer Core Layer - A golf ball includes an inner core layer including a thermoplastic highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness and a surface hardness to define a first hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a homogenous thermoset composition. The outer core layer has an interior hardness and an outer surface hardness to define a second hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. A slope of the second hardness gradient is greater than a slope of the first hardness gradient. | 10-23-2014 |
20140323241 | GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER AND THERMOSET OUTER CORE LAYER WITH HARDNESS GRADIENTS - Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. | 10-30-2014 |
20140323243 | POLYAMIDE COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING PLASTICIZERS FOR USE IN MAKING GOLF BALLS - Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyamide composition containing a polyamide polymer and plasticizer are provided. The plasticizers help reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composition and various plasticizers may be used. For example, the composition may include ethyl oleate or propylene carbonate as a plasticizer. Transparent polyamides, for example, polyether-amide block copolymers, preferably are used in the composition. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. In one version, the polyamide composition is used to form the inner cover layer. | 10-30-2014 |
20140323245 | GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTERS WITH NON-UNIFORM CORE STRUCTURES - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains an inner core made of a foam composition and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, foamed polyurethane is used to form the inner core and polybutadiene rubber is used to make the outer core. The specific gravity (density) of the inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. The ball preferably has a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). The ball includes a single or multi-layered cover surrounding the core structure. | 10-30-2014 |
20140323246 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater. | 10-30-2014 |
20140335975 | GOLF BALLS HAVING DUAL CORES MADE OF POLYBUTADIENE RUBBER / IONOMER BLENDS - A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a dual-core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, the polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used to form the outer core layer. The center hardness of the inner core is preferably greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer cover layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability. | 11-13-2014 |
20140342849 | GOLF BALL HAVING VISUALLY ENHANCED LAYER - A golf ball comprising: a core; at least one intermediate layer encasing the core; at least one cover layer encasing the at least one intermediate layer; wherein the cover layer is translucent; and wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a visually enhancing means comprising a color effect providing pigment comprising at least one of: (1) calcium aluminum borosilicate coated with a metal oxide; and (2) silicon dioxide platelets coated with metal oxide. The visually enhancing means highlights a contrast between two golf ball layers. | 11-20-2014 |
20140342850 | GOLF BALLS HAVING LOW AND HIGH MODULUS CORE LAYERS BASED ON POLYALKENAMER RUBBER - Golf balls containing a core having at least two layers made from a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. At least one layer is made from a relatively low modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition and at least one layer is made from a relatively high modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core. | 11-20-2014 |
20140364251 | FOAM-CORE GOLF BALLS - A golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a subassembly and a cover, the subassembly comprising an inner core and an intermediate layer, wherein the subassembly has a diameter of from about 1.45 inches to about 1.66 inches, the inner core has a diameter of less than about 0.75 inches, and the intermediate layer comprises a foamed polyurethane composition. The inner core has a specific gravity of higher than about 1.15, the intermediate layer has its specific gravity reduced to less than about 1.05, and the subassembly has its specific gravity reduced up to about 8% such that the coefficient of restitution of the subassembly is controlled by or is substantially the same as the coefficient of restitution of the intermediate layer, and the golf ball has its coefficient of restitution reduced by less than about 6%. | 12-11-2014 |
20140364252 | GOLF BALL HAVING A HOLLOW CENTER - Golf balls including a spherical inner core shell layer formed from a thermoset or thermoplastic composition are provided. The shell layer has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. A thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is formed about the shell layer and optional intermediate layer(s) disposed between the shell layer and the outer core layer. A cover is formed about the outer core layer. | 12-11-2014 |
20140364253 | GOLF BALL - The present invention is directed to golf balls having a diameter of greater than 1.68 inches and including at least one layer formed from an HNP composition. | 12-11-2014 |
20140371003 | GOLF BALL LAYERS BASED ON POLYALKENAMER / IONOMER/ POLYAMIDE BLENDS - Multi-piece golf balls containing a core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one component is formed from a rubber composition comprising: i) about 10 to about 65 weight percent of a cycloalkene rubber having a trans-content of about 55% or greater and a melting point of 30° C. or greater; ii) about 30 to about 80 weight percent of an ionomeric resin; and 3) about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a polyamide. The rubber composition may further include other thermoplastic and thermosetting materials such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency, durability, scuff-resistance, and feel of the ball. | 12-18-2014 |
20140371005 | NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT CORES MADE OF POLYALKENAMER RUBBER FOR GOLF BALLS - Golf balls having cores with negative hardness gradients are provided. The cores are made of polyalkenamer rubber compositions that may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness substantially the same or lower than the hardness of the center to define a zero or negative hardness gradient. Dual-cores having inner and outer cores can be made, wherein the inner core has a negative hardness gradient and the outer core has a positive or negative hardness gradient. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. | 12-18-2014 |
20150018128 | MULTI-PIECE GOLF BALL COMPRISING LOW HARDNESS GRADIENT CORE - A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C, the geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient. | 01-15-2015 |
20150024873 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer. | 01-22-2015 |
20150024874 | GOLF BALLS HAVING MULTI-LAYER CORES BASED ON POLYALKENAMER COMPOSITIONS - The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. | 01-22-2015 |
20150024875 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a thermoset composition other than diene rubber. | 01-22-2015 |
20150031475 | GOLF BALLS HAVING A CORE LAYER MADE FROM PLASTICIZED THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITIONS - Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a thermoplastic composition, preferably including: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions. | 01-29-2015 |
20150038264 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer. | 02-05-2015 |
20150038265 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer. | 02-05-2015 |
20150038267 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core consists of: a solid inner core layer formed from an unfoamed thermoplastic composition and having a diameter of 1.10 inch or less and a center Shore C hardness (H | 02-05-2015 |
20150038268 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the core consisting of: a solid inner core layer formed from a first unfoamed thermoplastic composition TP | 02-05-2015 |
20150045148 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls having a soft, low compression center; a soft, flexible outer cover layer; and a relatively hard, high compression intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is greater than that of both the center and the outer cover layer. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045149 | GOLF BALL HAVING A THERMOSETTING INTERMEDIATE AND OUTER COVER AND A THERMOPLASTIC INNER COVER - A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness of about 66 to 90 Shore C; an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a hybrid thereof, and an intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover layer has a hardness of about 52 to 85 Shore C. The intermediate cover layer has a hardness of about 74 to 100 Shore C and greater than the inner cover layer hardness and the outer cover layer hardness. The thermoplastic inner cover comprises a highly-neutralized ionomer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by about 100%. | 02-12-2015 |
20150051015 | GOLF BALL COVERS MADE FROM PLASTICIZED THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS - Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051016 | BLENDS OF LINEAR AND BRANCHED NEODYMIUM-CATALYZED RUBBER FORMULATIONS FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS - The invention relates to golf ball formulations formed from blends of linear and branched polybutadienes catalyzed with neodymium that have improved properties and processing characteristics. Golf ball components may be formed from the blends to provide high coefficient of restitution. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051017 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. The innermost core layer is relatively small, having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches, and has a plurality of projections disposed thereon. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051018 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or positive hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer. The overall core preferably has a zero hardness gradient, a negative hardness gradient, or a positive hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C units. | 02-19-2015 |
20150057104 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within an acid copolymer-based matrix. Also disclosed herein are golf ball compositions comprising a silicone ionomer. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057105 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the core consisting of: a solid inner core layer formed from a first unfoamed thermoplastic composition TP | 02-26-2015 |
20150072806 | THREE-LAYER-CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HIGHLY-NEUTRALIZED POLYMER OUTER CORE LAYER - A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition. The inner core layer has a first outer surface Shore D hardness and an outer diameter of about 1.0 to 1.6 inches. A thermoplastic outer core layer is formed around the inner core layer, has a second outer surface Shore D hardness, and is formed from an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer, such as alkyl acrylates and methacrylates; a plasticizer; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize about 70 to 100% of the acid groups present in the material. The golf ball an inner and outer cover layers. The second outer surface Shore D hardness is greater than the first outer surface Shore D hardness. | 03-12-2015 |
20150087444 | GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM, HOLLOW, OR METAL CENTER AND PLASTICIZED THERMOPLASTIC CORE LAYER - Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) made from a foam or metal-containing composition, or it has a hollow shell construction, and the outer core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition. Preferably, the thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The core assembly preferably may have a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions. | 03-26-2015 |
20150094169 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising: an inner core having a compression of less than about 60, wherein the inner core comprises a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer; at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D, a specific gravity and a flexural modulus such that each of the hardness, specific gravity and flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is greater than a hardness, a specific gravity, and a flexural modulus of the inner core; and a cover surrounding the at least one intermediate layer, having a flexural modulus and a Shore D hardness that are greater than a flexural modulus and a hardness of the inner core, and a Shore D hardness of the cover is at least 60. | 04-02-2015 |
20150094170 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING OPPOSING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITH STEEP GRADIENT OUTER CORE LAYER - A golf ball comprising an inner core formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center hardness is 56-80 Shore C and the outer surface hardness is 50-75 Shore C. An outer core layer has an outer surface having hardness of 85-98 Shore C and an inner surface hardness of 68-78 Shore C and being formed from a second homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of +7 to +30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of −1 to −15 Shore C. | 04-02-2015 |
20150099596 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core consists of: a solid inner core layer formed from a plasticized thermoplastic composition TP | 04-09-2015 |
20150105180 | Dual Core Golf Ball Having Negative-Hardness-Gradient Thermoplastic Inner Core And Steep Positive-Hardness-Gradient Thermoset Outer Core Layer - A golf ball includes a thermoplastic HNP inner core layer having a center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a thermoset rubber composition. The core layer has an inner surface hardness less than the outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. Inner and outer cover layers are disposed about the outer core layer. The HNP composition includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid; a non-acid polymer comprising polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, or functionalized derivatives thereof; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source in an amount sufficient to neutralize at least about 80% of the acid groups. | 04-16-2015 |
20150111666 | GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER CONTAINING CLAY PARTICULATE - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. | 04-23-2015 |
20150111667 | DUAL CORE GOLF BALL HAVING NEGATIVE-HARDNESS-GRADIENT THERMOPLASTIC INNER CORE AND SHALLOW POSITIVE-HARDNESS-GRADIENT THERMOSET OUTER CORE LAYER - A golf ball includes a thermoplastic inner core and a thermoset outer core layer. The inner core has a surface hardness of about 40 to 80 Shore C and a center hardness of about 30 to 75 Shore C, the center hardness being less than the surface hardness to define a first positive hardness gradient. The cover includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic inner core comprises a highly-neutralized ionomer including an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid; a plasticizer; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 70 to 100% of the acid groups present. The outer core layer includes a polybutadiene rubber and has a surface hardness greater than an interior hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of less than about 25 Shore C | 04-23-2015 |
20150111668 | GOLF BALL COVERS MADE FROM PLASTICIZED THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS - Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions. | 04-23-2015 |
20150111669 | Three-Cover-Layer Golf Ball Comprising Intermediate Layer Including A Plasticized Polyester Composition - A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed adjacent the core. The three-layer cover includes an inner cover, an intermediate cover, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes a non-ionomeric E/Y copolymer where E is an olefin and Y is a carboxylic acid. The inner cover has a hardness of about 45 to 68 Shore D. The outer cover includes a castable thermoset polyurethane and has a hardness of about 40 to 62 Shore D. The intermediate cover layer, disposed between the inner and outer cover layers, is formed from a polyester composition including about 40 wt % to about 99 wt % of a polyester thermoplastic elastomer and about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % of a plasticizer. | 04-23-2015 |
20150119169 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are multilayer golf balls having a layer with a higher hardness and a lower flexural modulus than another layer. | 04-30-2015 |
20150126306 | COMPOSITIONS INCORPORATING ETHYLENE ACID (E/X) IONOMERS AND NON-IONOMERIC SOFTENING POLYMERS FOR GOLF BALL CONSTRUCTIONS AND METHODS RELATING THERETO - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core; wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprises a tri-blend composition of the non-E/X/Y type (TBC) formed from a blend of an ethylene acid (E/X) ionomer, a non-ionomeric softening copolymer (NISC) and a low viscosity component (LVC). A portion of the TBC comprising the ethylene acid (E/X) ionomer and the NISC has a Melt Flow Index MF | 05-07-2015 |
20150126307 | GOLF BALLS HAVING SILICONE FOAM CENTER - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed silicone composition and a cover are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core structures can be made. Preferably, a dual-core having has a silicone foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is made. The silicone foam center has good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, silicone foams, polyurethanes, polybutadiene rubber, or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. | 05-07-2015 |
20150133238 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core consists of: a solid inner core layer formed from a transparent or plasticized polyamide composition and having a diameter of 1.10 inch or less and a center Shore C hardness (H | 05-14-2015 |
20150141166 | GOLF BALLS HAVING A FOAM CENTER - Large diameter golf balls having a foam core are provided. | 05-21-2015 |
20150141167 | Dual Core Golf Ball Having Negative-Hardness-Gradient Thermoplastic Inner Core And Steep Positive-Hardness-Gradient Thermoset Outer Core Layer - A golf ball comprising an inner core layer including a thermoplastic material and having a geometric center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed over the inner core. The outer core includes a thermoset rubber composition and has an inner surface hardness less than an outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The cover layer includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic material of the core includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally a softening monomer comprising alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; a plasticizer; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 70 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material. | 05-21-2015 |
20150141168 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 70. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover. | 05-21-2015 |
20150148150 | GOLF BALL HAVING SPECIFIC SPIN, MOMENT OF INERTIA, LIFT, AND DRAG RELATIONSHIP - Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of inertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia. | 05-28-2015 |
20150151164 | GOLF BALL HAVING REDUCED SURFACE HARDNESS - Golf ball comprising a core comprising: an untreated region extending radially from a geometric center a distance D | 06-04-2015 |
20150151165 | GOLF BALLS HAVING AT LEAST ONE LAYER FORMED FROM A PLASTICIZED ACID COPOLYMER COMPOSITION - The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. Optionally, the soft (or low modulus) HNP composition and/or the hard (or high modulus) HNP composition is plasticized or is replaced with a different plasticized acid copolymer composition. | 06-04-2015 |
20150151166 | Low Compression Golf Balls Having Layers Made From Plasticized Thermoplastic Materials - Low compression, multi-piece golf balls containing a solid core and two or three-layered cover assemblies are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. At least one cover layer is made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition. For example, two-layered and three-layered covers may be made. Preferably, the plasticized thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate or butyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions. | 06-04-2015 |
20150157897 | MULTI-LAYERED GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER WITH SELECTIVE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION - Multi-layered golf balls having a core made of a foamed polyurethane composition are provided. The ball includes a dual-layered core having a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. The outer core layer may be made from a non-foamed thermoset material such as polybutadiene rubber. The ball further includes an inner cover, preferably made from a thermoplastic ionomer. The outer cover may be made from a non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic material such as polyurethane. The core and inner cover layers preferably have different densities so the Moment of Inertia of the ball is adjusted. Preferably, the specific gravity of the inner cover is greater than the specific gravity of the outer core, which is greater than the specific gravity of the inner core. The finished ball has good distance and low-spin properties. | 06-11-2015 |
20150174454 | Low Compression Golf Balls Containing Cores Made Of Plasticized Thermoplastic Compositions - Low compression multi-piece golf balls having a solid core comprising at least one layer made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. The ball includes a cover in addition to the core sub-assembly. For example, two-piece and three-piece golf balls may be made. The plasticized thermoplastic composition preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as butyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. In two-layered core constructions, the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers may have different hardness levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions. | 06-25-2015 |
20150182807 | GOLF BALLS CONTAINING LAYERS MADE FROM TRANSPARENT POLYAMIDE AND PLASTICIZER COMPOSITIONS - Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyamide composition containing a transparent polyamide polymer and fatty acid salt are provided. In one preferred version, the polyamide composition consists essentially of a blend of 40 to 99% by weight transparent polyamide and 1 to 60% by weight fatty acid salt. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. The polyamide compositions have a good combination of properties including Coefficient of Restitution (COR) and compression. | 07-02-2015 |
20150182813 | GOLF BALL WITH SINGLE THERMOPLASTIC COVER LAYER OF HETEROGENEOUS COMPOSITION - The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a single cover layer of heterogeneous composition. One embodiment of the invention describes a method wherein a core, comprising one or more layers, has pre-molded hemispherical cover cups placed about the core and each cover cup has at least two layers of distinct resinous materials, and the cover cups are heated and compressed such that the resinous materials in the cover cups intermingle with each other to form a single heterogeneous cover layer. | 07-02-2015 |
20150190680 | GOLF BALLS HAVING LAYERS BASED ON POLYAMIDE, IONOMER, AND FATTY ACID AMIDE BLENDS - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic polyamide composition, comprising a blend of polyamide, ethylene acid copolymer ionomer, fatty acid amide, and plasticizer. A polyamide having a transparent optical nature is preferably used in the composition. A fatty acid ester such as dipropylene glycol dibenzoate and propylene carbonate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The ball may contain an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. A rubber composition is preferably used to form the inner core and the polyamide-based composition is preferably used to form the outer core layer. | 07-09-2015 |
20150190681 | Golf Balls Having Layers Based On Polyamide And Fatty Acid Amide Blends - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic polyamide composition, comprising a blend of about 40 to about 99% by weight polyamide and about 1 to about 60% by weight fatty acid amide. Preferably, the ball has a dual core construction. A rubber composition is preferably used to form the outer core layer and the polyamide composition is preferably used to form the inner core. The flex modulus of the polyamide composition is preferably at least 15% greater than the flex modulus of the rubber composition. | 07-09-2015 |
20150196809 | GOLF BALLS HAVING PARTICLE-BASED FOAM CENTER - Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a particle-based polyurethane foam composition are provided. The ball includes a dual-layered core having a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from a non-foamed thermoset material such as polybutadiene rubber. In one embodiment, pre-expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads containing a blowing agent are used to form the foam center. In another embodiment, pre-formed polyurethane foam particles are used. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered. | 07-16-2015 |
20150202499 | Polybutadiene Rubber / Ionomer Blends For Golf Balls Having Multi-Layered Cores and Covers - A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a multi-layered core comprising a center, intermediate core layer, and surrounding outer core layer. The polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used preferably to form the outer core layer. Polybutadiene rubber compositions may be used to form the center and intermediate core layers. The ball further includes a cover having inner and outer cover layers. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is preferably greater than the material hardness of the outer and inner cover layers. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability. | 07-23-2015 |
20150217165 | Golf Balls Having Cores Made of Polybutadiene Rubber Blends - Multi-piece golf balls having a core made of a polybutadiene rubber blend are provided. The golf ball contains a multi-layered core. The inner core is formed from a blend containing a non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. The surrounding outer core layer is made of a non-metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. Catalysts such as neodymium, nickel, and cobalt based catalysts may be used to make the non-metallocene catalyzed rubber. Catalysts such as ferrocene, cobaltocene, nickelocene, titanocene dichloride, zirconocene dichloride, and samraocene based catalysts may be used to make the metallocene-catalyzed rubber. The multi-layered core is surrounded by a cover having at least one layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and a soft compression feel. | 08-06-2015 |
20150224368 | Negative Hardness Gradient Inner Core For Dual Core Golf Ball - A golf ball including an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 90 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core having a second outer surface and being formed from a second substantially homogenous composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 95 Shore C; and a cover layer disposed about the outer core layer. The geometric center and first and second outer surfaces each have a hardness, the hardness of the second outer surface being lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient. | 08-13-2015 |
20150231450 | GOLF BALLS HAVING MULTI-LAYERED CORE WITH METAL-CONTAINING CENTER AND THERMOPLASTIC OUTER LAYERS - Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoplastic composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control. | 08-20-2015 |
20150238822 | GOLF BALLS HAVING DUAL-LAYERED CORES WITH METAL-CONTAINING CENTERS AND THERMOPLASTIC OUTER CORES - Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin. | 08-27-2015 |
20150238823 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core consists of: a solid inner core layer formed from a plasticized non-acid polymer composition PC | 08-27-2015 |
20150251058 | GOLF BALLS HAVING A MULTI-LAYERED CORE WITH A THERMOSET RUBBER CENTER - Golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. The center of the core is made of a thermoset rubber material and preferably has a positive hardness gradient. The intermediate core layers is made of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition. The outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer composition. The inner cover is made of a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ethylene acid copolymer. The outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. The finished ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties. | 09-10-2015 |
20150265879 | MULTI-LAYERED CORES HAVING FOAM INNER CORE FOR GOLF BALLS - Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core has a positive hardness gradient, the intermediate core has a positive hardness gradient, and the outer core has a zero or negative hardness gradient. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. | 09-24-2015 |
20150265880 | Golf Balls Having Multi-Layered Covers Based On Aromatic and Aliphatic Polyurethanes - Golf balls having multi-layered covers are provided. The cover includes an inner cover layer made of an ionomer composition; an intermediate cover layer made of an aromatic polyurethane composition; and outer cover layer made of an aliphatic polyurethane composition, wherein the total thickness of the multi-layered cover is no greater than 0.110 inches. Preferably, the thickness of the inner cover layer is 0.010 to 0.050 inches; the thickness of the intermediate cover layer is 0.010 to 0.040 inches; and thickness of the outer cover layer is 0.004 to 0.020 inches. The invention also includes methods for making such multi-layered covers. The resulting ball has good light-stability, cut/shear-resistance, and impact durability. | 09-24-2015 |
20150273279 | GOLF BALLS HAVING MULTI-LAYERED CORES WITH THERMOSET OUTER LAYER - Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. In one preferred embodiment, each core layer has a positive hardness gradient. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control. | 10-01-2015 |
20150273280 | GOLF BALLS HAVING MULTI-LAYERED CORE WITH THERMOPLASTIC OUTER LAYER - Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. In one preferred embodiment, each core layer has a positive hardness gradient. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control. | 10-01-2015 |
20150283432 | GOLF BALLS HAVING A CENTER WITH SURROUNDING FOAM OUTER CORE LAYER - Multi-layered golf balls having a dual-layered core and cover of at least one layer are provided. The dual-core construction includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An outer core layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. In one version, the outer core layer is made of a relatively soft foam composition having low flex modulus and density. A cover may be disposed about the core structure. For example, an inner cover made of ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and outer cover made of polyurethane may be used. | 10-08-2015 |
20150306463 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermosetting polymer matrix and discrete particles of thermoplastic polymer dispersed within the matrix. | 10-29-2015 |
20150306464 | MULTI-PIECE GOLF BALL COMPRISING LOW HARDNESS GRADIENT CORE - A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C, the geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient. | 10-29-2015 |
20150306465 | Dual Core Golf Ball Having A Shallow "Positive Hardness Gradient" Thermoplastic Inner Core And A Steep "Positive Hardness Gradient" Thermoset Outer Core Layer - A golf ball includes an inner core layer including a thermoplastic highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness and a surface hardness to define a first hardness gradient having a first slope, S | 10-29-2015 |
20150306466 | MEDIUM GRADIENT DUAL CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball includes an inner core layer having a first surface hardness and a geometric center hardness. The center hardness is less than the first surface hardness to define a first positive hardness gradient of about 1 to 12 Shore C. An outer core layer has a second surface hardness. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The second outer surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness to define a second positive hardness gradient of about 12 to 22 Shore C. | 10-29-2015 |
20150314168 | GOLF BALL COMPRISING A VERY-LOW MELT FLOW INNER COVER LAYER COMPOSITION - A golf ball including a core; an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of about 0.005 inches to 0.40 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater; and an outer cover layer formed from a thermoset material and having a thickness of about 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The thermoplastic composition has a first melt flow index at 280° C. under a 10-kg load of less than about 35 g/10 min and a second melt flow index at 265° C. under a 5-kg load of less than about 10 g/10 min. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314169 | Golf Balls Having a Multi-Layered Cover With a Thermoplastic Inner Cover Layer - Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. In one version, a five-piece ball having a two-layered core and three-layered cover is formed. Preferably, the inner core is made of a thermoset rubber composition and the outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer (HNP) composition. The cover includes inner, intermediate, and outer cover layers, wherein the outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. In a second version, a six-piece ball having inner and intermediate cover layers that also can be made of HNP compositions is produced. The finished balls have high resiliency and rebounding properties. | 11-05-2015 |
20150335958 | MULTI-LAYERED CORES FOR GOLF BALLS CONTAINING POLYAMIDE AND IONOMER LAYERS - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one of the core layers comprises a thermoplastic ionomer composition, preferably a highly neutralized ethylene acid copolymer. And, at least one of the core layers comprises a thermoplastic polyamide composition. In one embodiment, the polyamide composition is used to form the inner core and the ionomer composition is used to form the outer core layer. Preferably, the polyamide composition has a flex modulus of 90,000 psi or greater; and the ionomer composition has a flex modulus of 80,000 psi or less. The resulting ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties. | 11-26-2015 |
20150335959 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. Optionally, the soft (or low modulus) HNP composition and/or the hard (or high modulus) HNP composition is plasticized or is replaced with a different plasticized acid copolymer composition. | 11-26-2015 |
20150343271 | GOLF BALL - The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP and a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP. | 12-03-2015 |
20150343272 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL - The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP, a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP, an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition, and an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane or polyurea composition. | 12-03-2015 |
20150375057 | Golf Ball Materials Based On Blends Of Polyamide And Acid Anhydride-Modified Polyolefins - Multi-piece golf balls having at least one layer made from a polyamide non-ionomeric composition are provided. The polyamide composition consists essentially of about 40 to about 99% by weight polyamide; about 1 to about 60% by weight of an acid anhydride-modified polyolefin; and about 1 to about 60% of a fatty acid additive selected from the group consisting of fatty acid salts, fatty acid amides, and mixtures thereof. The ball includes a core, preferably a dual core construction; and a cover of at least one layer. In another preferred construction, a multi-layered core containing an inner, intermediate, and outer core layer is made. For example, the intermediate core layer may be made of a rubber composition; and each of the inner core and outer core layers may be made of the polyamide composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency along with a soft feel. | 12-31-2015 |
20150375060 | GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM INNER CORE AND THEMOPLASTIC OUTER CORE - Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoplastic composition such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomer. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. | 12-31-2015 |
20150375061 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer. | 12-31-2015 |
20160001135 | Multi-Layered Cores For Golf Balls Based On Ionomers - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. Thermoplastic ethylene acid copolymer ionomer compositions are used to form the core layers. Preferably, the ball contains a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Low modulus and high modulus ionomer compositions may be used in the core structure. In one embodiment, a first ionomer composition is used to form the inner core and a second ionomer composition is used to form the outer core, and the flex modulus of the first composition is greater than the flex modulus of the second composition. The ionomer compositions have varying levels of hardness. The resulting ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties. | 01-07-2016 |
20160023054 | HIGHLY-NEUTRALIZED THERMOPLASTIC COPOLYMER CENTER FOR IMPROVED MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Multi-layer golf balls comprising a center, intermediate layer, and cover are disclosed. The center is formed from a highly-neutralized acid copolymer composition. | 01-28-2016 |
20160023055 | GOLF BALL WITH SINGLE LAYER CORE HAVING SPECIFIC REGIONS OF VARYING HARDNESS - A golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface; a hardness of the outer surface is greater than a hardness of the geometric center. An inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and has a first hardness that is less than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface and has a second hardness that is greater than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends radially from about 5 mm to about 15.75 mm from the geometric center and has at least a third hardness and a fourth hardness, each of which are related to the first hardness and the second hardness in various ways. | 01-28-2016 |
20160023057 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The Shore C hardness of the outer surface of the center is preferably less than the Shore C hardness of the geometric center of the center. | 01-28-2016 |
20160030812 | MULTI-LAYERED CORES WITH THERMOPLASTIC AND THERMOSET LAYERS FOR GOLF BALLS - Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure having layers with different hardness gradients and specific gravities are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity with metal material preferably dispersed in a first thermoset composition. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control. | 02-04-2016 |
20160059084 | GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER CONTAINING CLAY PARTICULATE - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The concentration of clay particulate is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 60% by weight. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. | 03-03-2016 |
20160067553 | GOLF BALL CORE WITH SOFT OUTER TRANSITION VOLUME AND NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT - A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, and is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. The ball further includes an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 8 to 20 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: | 03-10-2016 |
20160067555 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The Shore C hardness of the outer surface of the center is preferably greater than the Shore C hardness of the geometric center of the center. | 03-10-2016 |
20160074711 | GOLF BALL CORES HAVING FOAM CENTER AND THEMOPLASTIC OUTER LAYERS - Golf ball multi-layered core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes a foam inner core (center); and intermediate and outer core layers. Foamed polyurethane is preferably used to make the inner core. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably made from non-foamed thermoplastic compositions such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomer. In an alternative version, the intermediate core layer may be made of a thermoset rubber such as polybutadiene. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. | 03-17-2016 |
20160074712 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition, a layer formed from an additional thermoplastic composition, and an outermost layer formed from a thermoset rubber. | 03-17-2016 |
20160082320 | GOLF BALL INCORPORATING AN INNERMOST ASPHERICAL HOLLOW PORTION - Golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the core comprising: an innermost aspherical hollow portion having volume V | 03-24-2016 |
20160082321 | GOLF BALLS HAVING MULTI-LAYER CORES BASED ON POLYALKENAMER COMPOSITIONS - The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. In one preferred embodiment, the center, intermediate core, and outer core layers have positive hardness gradients. The core layers preferably have different specific gravities. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. | 03-24-2016 |
20160096077 | Golf Balls Containing Multi-Layered Cores With Foam Center and Thermoplastic Outer Layers - Golf ball multi-layered core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes a foam inner core (center); and intermediate and outer core layers. Foamed polyurethane is preferably used to make the inner core. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably made from non-foamed thermoplastic compositions such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomers that are partially or highly neutralized, polyester-polyether block copolymers, polyether-amide block copolymers, and blends thereof. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The ball further includes a cover having at least one layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. | 04-07-2016 |
20160096078 | GOLF BALL INCORPORATING AN INNERMOST HOLLOW PORTION - Golf ball incorporating a hollow innermost portion that is spherical or aspherical, and a shell layer that is at least partially non-continuous, having a plurality of hollow spaces therein that extend from the inner surface to an outer surface of the shell layer and are symmetrically spaced within the shell layer, wherein the non-continuous shell layer has a first hardness gradient from shell layer inner surface to outer surface of up to about 7 Shore C. An outer core layer has a second hardness gradient and is formed about the outer surface and within the plurality of hollow spaces. The outer core layer has a second inner surface having a second inner surface hardness that differs from the inner surface hardness. Thus, the second inner surface hardness and inner surface hardness may alternate symmetrically and circumferentially about the innermost hollow portion. | 04-07-2016 |
20160101324 | GOLF BALL INCORPORATING AN INNERMOST HOLLOW PORTION - Golf ball incorporating: spherical or aspherical innermost hollow portion; shell layer, one or more outer core layers, and at least one cover layer. Shell layer has outer surface hardness greater than inner surface hardness by up to about 7 Shore C to define first hardness gradient. Outer core layer has a second hardness gradient. A shell layer surrounding a spherical hollow portion may have an inner surface with a non-uniform contour defining a phantom spherical circumference of the innermost spherical hollow portion at symmetrically spaced locations about the golf ball's geometric center. In golf balls including a spherical or aspherical innermost hollow portions, the outer surface can have non-uniform contour bordering and defining a contour of a second inner surface of outer core layer. The outer surface hardness and a second inner surface hardness of second inner surface differ and alternate symmetrically and circumferentially about the shell layer inner surface. | 04-14-2016 |
20160107038 | GOLF BALL MULTILAYER CORE HAVING A GRADIENT QUOTIENT - A golf ball including a core having an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center; and an outer core layer. The outer core layer has an outer surface and includes a soft transition region. An outer cover layer is formed over the core. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 5 to 15 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to about 10 Shore C. The core has an overall positive hardness gradient of about 5 Shore C to 15 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: | 04-21-2016 |
20160107039 | THERMOPLASTIC DUAL CORE HAVING A NEGATIVE GRADIENT INNER CORE AND A POSITIVE GRADIENT OUTER CORE - A golf ball including a thermoplastic inner core layer that has a geometric center hardness greater than its surface hardness to define a negative hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a thermoplastic material and has an inner surface hardness substantially less than its outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. | 04-21-2016 |
20160107041 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL - Low compression golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. | 04-21-2016 |
20160107042 | THERMOPLASTIC DUAL CORE HAVING POSITIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT INNER AND OUTER CORE LAYERS - A golf ball includes an inner core layer including a thermoplastic highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness and a surface hardness to define a first positive hardness gradient having a first slope, S | 04-21-2016 |
20160107043 | THERMOPLASTIC DUAL CORE HAVING A POSITIVE GRADIENT INNER CORE AND A NEGATIVE GRADIENT OUTER CORE - A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a first thermoplastic material and having a geometric center hardness less than a surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a second thermoplastic material. The outer core layer has a surface hardness less than a hardness at a point about 0.5 to 2 mm from an interface between the inner core layer and the outer core layer to define a negative hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. The positive hardness gradient os the inner core layer is up to about 10 Shore C and the negative hardness gradient of the outer core layer is less than about 10 Shore C. | 04-21-2016 |
20160107044 | THERMOPLASTIC DUAL CORE HAVING A NEGATIVE GRADIENT INNER CORE AND A NEGATIVE GRADIENT OUTER CORE - A golf ball includes an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed from a first thermoplastic material and has a geometric center hardness that is greater than its surface hardness to define a first negative hardness gradient. The outer core layer is formed from a second thermoplastic material and has an inner surface hardness greater than its outer surface hardness to define a second negative hardness gradient. Inner and outer cover layers are disposed over the outer core layer. The negative hardness gradient of the inner core layer is about −1 to −5 Shore C. The negative hardness gradient of the outer core layer is at least −1 Shore C but less than −7 Shore C. A difference between the inner core layer surface hardness and the outer core layer inner surface hardness is at least −3 Shore C. | 04-21-2016 |
20160114215 | GOLF BALL LAYERS INCLUDING VERY NEUTRALIZED POLYMERS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - The present invention relates to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a very neutralized polymer composition. In particular, the compositions of the invention include at least one acid copolymer and a sufficient amount of cation source to neutralize about 70 percent to about 80 percent of the acid moieties. The invention also relates to methods of making the compositions and golf ball constructions that incorporate the compositions of the invention in at least a portion thereof. | 04-28-2016 |
20160114216 | GOLF BALL LAYERS PRODUCED USING CROSSLINKED HIGHLY-NEUTRALIZED POLYMER MATERIALS - The invention relates to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a highly-neutralized polymer material that has been crosslinked. In particular, the compositions of the invention include a highly-neutralized polymer, at least one crosslinking initiator, and at least one coagent. The invention also relates to methods of making the compositions and golf ball constructions that incorporate the compositions of the invention in at least a portion thereof. | 04-28-2016 |
20160114217 | GOLF BALL SINGLE LAYER CORE HAVING A GRADIENT QUOTIENT - A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. An outer cover layer is formed over the core. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, includes about 15 to 30 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to about 10 Shore C. The unitary core has an overall positive hardness gradient of about 15 to 22 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: | 04-28-2016 |
20160114218 | GOLF BALL LAYERS INCLUDING VERY NEUTRALIZED POLYMERS AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - The present invention relates to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a very neutralized polymer composition. In particular, the compositions of the invention include at least one acid copolymer and a sufficient amount of cation source to neutralize about 70 percent to about 80 percent of the acid moieties. The invention also relates to methods of making the compositions and golf ball constructions that incorporate the compositions of the invention in at least a portion thereof. | 04-28-2016 |
20160121172 | POLYESTER-BASED THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS CONTAINING PLASTICIZERS FOR MAKING GOLF BALLS - Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyester composition containing a polyester thermoplastic elastomer and plasticizer are provided. The plasticizers help reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composition and various plasticizers may be used. For example, the composition may include alkyl oleate plasticizers such as ethyl oleate and octyl oleate. Polyester-ether block copolymers are particularly preferred. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyester composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. | 05-05-2016 |
20160121173 | GOLF BALL CORE WITH SOFT OUTER TRANSITION VOLUME AND NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT - A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition. The golf ball also includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm and a negative hardness gradient of about 5 Shore C to about 15 Shore C. The unitary core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C. | 05-05-2016 |
20160121174 | MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING OPPOSING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITH STEEP GRADIENT OUTER CORE LAYER - A golf ball comprising an inner core formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center hardness is about 56 to 80 Shore C. An outer core layer has an outer surface having hardness of about 85 to 98 Shore C and an inner surface hardness of about 68 to 78 Shore C and being formed from a second homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of about 7 to 30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of about 1 to 15 Shore C. | 05-05-2016 |
20160129315 | GOLF BALL CORES HAVING FOAM CENTER AND POLYMERIC OUTER LAYERS WITH HARDNESS GRADIENTS - Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency. | 05-12-2016 |
20160129316 | GOLF BALLS HAVING NON-UNIFORM CORE STRUCTURES WITH METAL-CONTAINING CENTERS - Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains a small, heavy inner core and surrounding outer core layer. The inner core preferably contains metal materials such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, nickel, iron, tin, and bronze particles dispersed in a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric matrix. Preferably, the polymeric matrix comprises polybutadiene rubber. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. For example, the outer surface may contain multiple projecting ribs with gaps located between the ribs. The ball includes a cover surrounding the core structure. The cover may be multi-layered. | 05-12-2016 |