Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080227567 | COMPOSITIONS FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS - A golf ball comprises a core, an outer cover layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer. The outer cover layer may comprise a polyurethane or polyurea composition. At least one portion of the golf ball comprises a composition that enhances physical properties and/or performance characteristics (e.g., coefficient of restitution) of the golf ball. Preferably, the coefficient of restitution of the core is 0.8 or greater. | 09-18-2008 |
20080261722 | COMPOSITIONS FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS - A golf ball including a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core, wherein the core or the cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a base polymer, a crosslink initiator, and at least one additive comprising phenothiazine or a perhaloalkyl additive having a structure of: | 10-23-2008 |
20080268982 | Golf Ball Compositions - Golf balls consisting of a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a solid, single-layer core formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a free radical initiator, and a hydroquinone. A ratio of the amount of the hydroquinone present in the rubber composition, measured in parts by weight, to the amount of free radical initiator present in the rubber composition, measured in parts by weight, is generally from 0.05 to 2. The core has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the core's surface hardness and the core's center hardness is 25 Shore C units or greater and/or the core has a diameter of from 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches. | 10-30-2008 |
20080274824 | Golf Ball Compositions - Golf balls consisting of a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a solid, single-layer core formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a quinhydrone. The core has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the core's surface hardness and the core's center hardness is 25 Shore C units or greater and/or the core has a diameter of from 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274828 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a benzoquinone. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274829 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a resorcinol. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274830 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a quinhydrone. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274831 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a free radical initiator, and a hydroquinone. A ratio of the amount of the hydroquinone present in the rubber composition, measured in parts by weight, to the amount of free radical initiator present in the rubber composition, measured in parts by weight, is generally from 0.05 to 2. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274832 | Golf Ball Compositions - Golf balls consisting of a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a solid, single-layer core formed from a rubber composition comprising a resorcinol. The core has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the core's surface hardness and the core's center hardness is 25 Shore C units or greater and/or the core has a diameter of from 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274833 | Golf Ball Compositions - Golf balls consisting of a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a solid, single-layer core formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a benzoquinone. The core has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the core's surface hardness and the core's center hardness is 25 Shore C units or greater and/or the core has a diameter of from 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274834 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a catechol. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274835 | Golf Ball Compositions - Golf balls consisting of a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a solid, single-layer core formed from a rubber composition comprising a catechol. The core has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the core's surface hardness and the core's center hardness is 25 Shore C units or greater and/or the core has a diameter of from 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches. | 11-06-2008 |
20090008831 | Negative Hardness Gradient Core Produced from a Low, Time-Based Cure Cycle Index - A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition;_curing the preform for a first isothermal step at a cure cycle index of 60 or less to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer diameter of 1.0 inches or greater, and an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness equal to or greater than the first to define a zero hardness gradient or a negative hardness gradient, wherein the cure cycle index has a formula | 01-08-2009 |
20090008832 | Negative Hardness Gradient Core Produced from a Low, Temperature-Based Cure Cycle Index - A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition; curing the preform for a first isothermal step at a cure cycle index of 200 or less to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer diameter of 1.0 inches or greater, and an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness equal to or greater than the first to define a zero hardness gradient or a negative hardness gradient, wherein the cure cycle index has a formula | 01-08-2009 |
20090011856 | LOW COMPRESSION, RESILIENT GOLF BALLS WITH RUBBER CORE - A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center including a material formed from the conversion reaction of sufficient amounts of polybutadiene, a free radical source, and a cis-to-trans catalyst to convert a portion of cis-isomer to trans-isomer in the polybutadiene, wherein said material has an amount of trans-isomer greater than the amount of trans-isomer present before the conversion reaction, and wherein the reaction product includes low levels or substantially no antioxidant. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011857 | Golf Ball with Negative Hardness Gradient Core - A golf ball including an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center, the inner core having a hardness of 35 to 55 Shore C; an outer core layer adjacent the inner core having a second outer surface and an inner surface, the outer core layer having a hardness of 55 to 90 Shore C; and a cover layer; wherein the hardness of the first outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a first negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the second outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than the hardness of the inner surface to define a second negative hardness gradient. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011859 | Negative Hardness Gradient Inner Core for Dual Core Golf Ball - A golf ball includes an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and is formed from a first substantially homogenous formulation throughout such that the inner core has a hardness of 30 Shore C to 45 Shore C. An outer core layer is formed around the inner core and has a second outer surface and an inner surface and is formed from a second substantially homogenous formulation throughout such that the outer core layer has a hardness of 60 Shore C to 95 Shore C. A cover layer is formed around the outer core layer. The hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011861 | GOLF BALLS CONTAINING INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS - The present invention is directed to a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, including at least two polymeric components. These IPNs may be present in any golf ball layer, although in an intermediate or cover layer in one preferred embodiment. The present invention is also directed to methods of forming a golf ball containing an IPN in one or more of the layers. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011862 | Golf Ball with Negative Hardness Gradient Core - A golf ball comprising a core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation throughout; intermediate layer; and a cover layer; wherein the surface and center have a hardness, the hardness of the surface being substantially the same as or lower than the hardness of the center, and wherein a ratio of antioxidant to initiator used in said formulation is greater than about 0.40 when normalized to 100% activity. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011863 | Negative Hardness Gradient Inner Core for Dual Core Golf Ball - A golf ball includes an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of 45 Shore C to 65 Shore C. An intermediate layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface and an inner surface and is formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising an ionomer whose acid groups are 100% neutralized such that the intermediate layer has a hardness of 20 Shore D to 80 Shore D. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The inner core outer surface hardness is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the outer surface of the intermediate layer is the same as the hardness of the inner surface to define a zero hardness gradient. | 01-08-2009 |
20090124413 | Thermoplastic Core having a Hardness Gradient Formed from a Gradient-Initiating Solution - A golf ball including a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer between the core and the outer cover layer. The thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a solvent, free radical initiator, and a reactive co-agent comprising a metal salt of an acrylic or methacrylic acid, a mono- or multi-functional acrylate or methacrylate, or having the chemical structure | 05-14-2009 |
20090124418 | High-Energy Radiation Positive Hardness Gradient in a Thermoplastic Golf Ball Core - A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the thermoplastic core has been exposed to sufficient high-energy radiation such that the hardness of the outer surface is greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124419 | Silane-Based Gradient-Initiating Solution for Thermoplastic Core having a Positive Hardness Gradient - A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a silane having the formula: | 05-14-2009 |
20090124426 | THERMOPLASTIC CORE HAVING A NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT FORMED FROM A PLASTICIZER-BASED GRADIENT-INITIATING SOLUTION - A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core, the core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the hardness of the outer surface is less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a “negative” hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124427 | THERMOPLASTIC CORE HAVING A NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT FORMED FROM A PLASTICIZER-BASED GRADIENT-INITIATING SOLUTION - A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core, the core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the thermoplastic core has been chemically modified by esterification or saponification such that the hardness of the outer surface is less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater. | 05-14-2009 |
20090149278 | Polyurea and Polyurethane Compositions for Golf Equipment - Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof. | 06-11-2009 |
20090186719 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL HAVING VELOCITY GRADIENT FROM FASTER CENTER TO SLOWER COVER - The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls having a center, a cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover layer. The core, the at least one intermediate layer and the cover are constructed to have different initial velocities and COR such that the gradient of the initial velocities and COR progress from a faster center to a slower cover. | 07-23-2009 |
20090215553 | THIN-LAYER-COVERED GOLF BALL WITH IMPROVED VELOCITY - Golf balls including cores formed from polybutadiene reaction products having a percent change in dynamic stiffness from 0° C. to −50° C. of less than 130 percent where the reaction products include a resilient polymer component, a crosslinking material, a cis-to-trans catalyst, and a free radical source. The golf balls may be formed with polyurethane covers, covers formed from castable reactive liquid materials, among other materials. The golf balls may also include an intermediate layer. | 08-27-2009 |
20090253535 | GOLF BALL WITH NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT CORE - A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center and having a thickness of about 5 mm or lower, an outer core region adjacent the outer core surface and having a thickness of about 5 mm or lower, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions. The single layer core has a first hardness disposed within the inner core region, a second hardness disposed within the outer core region, and a third hardness disposed within the intermediate core region, wherein the first hardness and second hardness are greater than the third hardness and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center. | 10-08-2009 |
20100004070 | 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. | 01-07-2010 |
20100004071 | NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT INNER CORE FOR DUAL CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball includes an inner core having a first outer surface and a center formed from a homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of 40 to 80 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core having a second outer surface and an inner surface, formed from a homogenous composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of 60 to 90 Shore C; and a cover layer including at least two layers. The center, first and second outer surfaces, and inner surface each have a hardness, the first outer surface hardness being lower than the center hardness to define a negative hardness gradient, and the second outer surface hardness being greater than the inner surface hardness by 10 to 20 Shore C to define a positive hardness gradient. | 01-07-2010 |
20100004073 | NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT INNER CORE FOR DUAL CORE GOLF BALL - A golf ball includes 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 intermediate layer disposed about the inner core and being formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber-based composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of about 20 Shore D to about 80 Shore D; and a cover layer disposed about the intermediate layer. A hardness of the first outer surface is 61 Shore C to 83 Shore C and is lower than a hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient having a magnitude of up to −10. | 01-07-2010 |
20100022329 | RUBBER COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING BENZOQUINONES AND THE USE THEREOF IN GOLF BALLS - The present invention is directed to a golf ball having at least one layer formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, at least 0.05 parts by weight of a free radical initiator, per 100 parts of the base rubber, and at least 0.1 parts by weight of a benzoquinone, per 100 parts of the base rubber. The rubber composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer. | 01-28-2010 |
20100048327 | Highly-Neutralized Golf Ball Compositions - The present invention is directed to a golf ball and to a process for forming a golf ball having at least one layer, where the layer is formed of a highly neutralized polymer composition having greater than about 70 percent of the acid groups neutralized by a neutralizing agent including ammonium salts, monoamine salts, inner salts, chelates and their ligands, surfactants, phospholipids, ionic liquids, long-chain organic carbonates, main-chain heteroatom-substituted fatty acids, or a combination thereof. | 02-25-2010 |
20100087276 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. In a first embodiment, the golf ball comprises a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core. The two layer core comprises an inner core layer and an outer core layer disposed about the inner core layer. The inner core layer comprises a geometric center and a first outer surface. The inner core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C. The geometric center comprises a first hardness and the first outer surface comprises a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient about 23 Shore C or less. The outer core layer comprises an inner surface and a second outer surface. The outer core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 40 Shore C to about 75 Shore C. The inner surface comprises a third hardness and the second outer surface comprises a fourth hardness, wherein the fourth hardness is greater than the third hardness. The outer core layer further comprises a fifth hardness disposed between the inner surface and the second outer surface in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, wherein the fifth hardness is less than third hardness and the fourth hardness. Finally, the fourth hardness is less than the first hardness to define a two layer core having a negative hardness gradient of no greater than 15 Shore C. The a region may alternatively extend radially from the geometric center about 13 mm to about 20 mm and the diameter of the inner core layer may be about 26 mm or less. The present invention is also directed to a golf ball having certain Shore D hardnesses as disclosed herein. | 04-08-2010 |
20100093467 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. In a first embodiment, the golf ball comprises a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core. The two layer core comprises an inner core layer and an outer core layer disposed about the inner core layer. The inner core layer comprises a geometric center and a first outer surface. The inner core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C. The geometric center comprises a first hardness and the first outer surface comprises a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient about 20 Shore C or less. The outer core layer comprises an inner surface and a second outer surface. The outer core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C. The inner surface comprises a third hardness and the second outer surface comprises a fourth hardness, wherein the fourth hardness is greater than the third hardness. The outer core layer further comprises a fifth hardness disposed between the inner surface and the second outer surface in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, wherein the fifth hardness is greater than the first hardness, the third hardness and the fourth hardness. Finally, the fourth hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a two layer core having a positive hardness gradient of less than about 20 Shore C. In a second embodiment, the dual layer core differs from that of the first embodiment at least in that: The outer core has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C, the fifth hardness is greater than the third hardness and the fourth hardness and similar to the first hardness; and the fourth hardness is less than the first hardness to define a two layer core having a negative hardness gradient of less than about 10 Shore C or the fourth hardness is less than the first hardness to define a two layer core having a negative hardness gradient of less than about 7 Shore C. The present invention is also directed to a golf ball having certain Shore D hardnesses as disclosed herein. | 04-15-2010 |
20100099517 | 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. | 04-22-2010 |
20100160083 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - A multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. The inner and outer core layers comprise a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C. The inner core layer comprises a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, the geometric center comprising a hardness different from that of the outer surface to define a positive or negative hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or lower. The outer core layer comprises a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, the second outer surface hardness being less than that of the inner surface to define a negative hardness gradient of about 15 Shore C or lower. A further outer core layer hardness, disposed in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, is greater than that of the inner and second outer surfaces. Also, the second outer surface hardness is less than that of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of about 15 Shore C or lower. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160084 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - A multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. The inner core layer comprises a plurality of hardnesses of from about 40 Shore C to about 85 Shore C, a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and a first outer surface comprising a hardness greater than a hardness of a geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or greater. The outer core layer comprises a plurality of hardnesses of from about 65 Shore C to about 95 Shore C, a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and a second outer surface comprising a hardness greater than that of an inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or lower. A further outer core layer hardness, disposed in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, is greater than that of the inner and second outer surfaces. Also, the hardness of second outer surface is greater than that of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of about 30 Shore C or greater. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160085 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - A multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. The inner core layer comprises a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C, a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and a geometric center comprising a hardness greater than that of a first outer surface to define a negative hardness gradient of about 15 Shore C or greater. The outer core layer comprises a plurality of harnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 95 Shore C, a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and a second outer surface comprising a hardness greater than that of an inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or greater. A further outer core layer hardness, disposed in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, is greater than that of the inner and second outer surfaces. Also, the hardness of the second outer surface is similar to or less than that of the geometric center. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160086 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. In a first embodiment, the golf ball comprises a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core. The two layer core comprises an inner core layer and an outer core layer disposed about the inner core layer. The inner core layer comprises a geometric center and a first outer surface. The inner core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C. The geometric center comprises a first hardness and the first outer surface comprises a second hardness wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient of about 15 Shore C or greater. The outer core layer comprises an inner surface and a second outer surface. The outer core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 40 Shore C to about 75 Shore C. The inner surface comprises a third hardness and the second outer surface comprises a fourth hardness, wherein the fourth hardness is similar to or less than the third hardness. The outer core layer further comprises a fifth hardness disposed between the inner surface and the second outer surface in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, wherein the fifth hardness is less than the third hardness and the fourth hardness. Finally, the fourth hardness is similar to or less than the first hardness. The present invention is also directed to a golf ball having certain Shore D hardnesses as disclosed herein. | 06-24-2010 |
20100227707 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. In a first embodiment, the golf ball comprises a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core. The two layer core comprises an inner core layer and an outer core layer disposed about the inner core layer. The inner core layer comprises a geometric center and a first outer surface. The inner core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 60 Shore C to about 85 Shore C. The geometric center comprises a first hardness and the first outer surface comprises a second hardness wherein the second hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of from about 5 Shore C to about 20 Shore C. The outer core layer comprises an inner surface and a second outer surface. The outer core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 60 Shore C to about 95 Shore C. The inner surface comprises a third hardness and the second outer surface comprises a fourth hardness wherein the fourth hardness is greater than the third hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or lower. The third hardness may be similar to the second hardness. The outer core layer further comprises a fifth hardness disposed between the inner surface and the second outer surface in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, wherein the fifth hardness is greater than the third hardness and the fourth hardness. Alternatively, the region may extend radially from about 13 mm to about 20 mm from the geometric center. Finally, the fourth hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of about 30 Shore C or lower. In a second embodiment, the outer core layer differs from that of the first embodiment at least in that: the fourth hardness is less than the third hardness to define a negative hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or lower; the fifth hardness is less than the third hardness and the fourth hardness; and the fourth hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of about 18 Shore C or lower. The present invention is also directed to a golf ball having certain Shore D hardnesses as disclosed herein. | 09-09-2010 |
20100234139 | GOLF BALL WITH AN IONOMERIC INNER COVER, STIFF TPU INTERMEDIATE COVER, AND CAST THERMOSET OUTER COVER - A golf ball includes a core and a cover disposed adjacent the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer 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 thermoplastic 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. | 09-16-2010 |
20100234140 | GOLF BALL WITH A NON-IONOMERIC INNER COVER, STIFF TPU INTERMEDIATE COVER, AND CAST THERMOSET OUTER COVER - A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a stiff intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is formed from a non-ionomeric composition including a non-ionomeric stiffening polymer and at least one E/Y copolymer or E/X/Y terpolymer, where E is an olefin, Y is a carboxylic acid, and X is a softening comonomer. The intermediate cover layer is formed from a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea composition and the cover outer cover layer is formed from a thermoset polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend. | 09-16-2010 |
20100240470 | GOLF BALL HAVING A STIFF TPU INNER COVER AND A CAST THERMOSET OUTER COVER - A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed about the core, the cover including a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea inner cover layer disposed directly about the core and having a hardness from 45 Shore D to 80 Shore D; and an outer cover layer having a hardness from 40 Shore D to 65 Shore D. The cover outer cover layer is formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend and the inner cover layer hardness is preferably greater than the outer cover layer hardness by at least 5 Shore D. | 09-23-2010 |
20100273576 | THERMOPLASTIC CORE HAVING A HARDNESS GRADIENT FORMED FROM A GRADIENT-INITIATING SOLUTION - A golf ball including a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer between the core and the outer cover layer. The thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a solvent, free radical initiator, and a reactive co-agent comprising a metal salt of an acrylic or methacrylic acid, a mono- or multi-functional acrylate or methacrylate, or having the chemical structure | 10-28-2010 |
20100273577 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. In a first embodiment, the golf ball comprises a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core. The two layer core comprises an inner core layer and an outer core layer disposed about the inner core layer. The inner core layer comprises a geometric center and a first outer surface. The inner core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a diameter of about 30 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C. The geometric center comprises a first hardness and the first outer surface comprises a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient about 20 Shore C or less. The outer core layer comprises an inner surface and a second outer surface. The outer core layer is formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, comprises a thickness of about 10 mm or lower, and has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 45 Shore C to about 65 Shore C. The inner surface comprises a third hardness and the second outer surface comprises a fourth hardness, wherein the fourth hardness is greater than the third hardness. The outer core layer further comprises a fifth hardness disposed between the inner surface and the second outer surface in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, wherein the fifth hardness is less than the third hardness and the fourth hardness. Finally, the fourth hardness is less than the first hardness to define a two layer core having a negative hardness gradient of no greater than about 20 Shore C. In a second embodiment, the dual layer core differs from that of the first embodiment at least in that: The outer core has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C, the first hardness is greater than the second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient about 23 Shore C or less; there is no fifth hardness; and the fourth hardness is similar to the first hardness. The present invention is also directed to a golf ball having certain Shore D hardnesses as disclosed herein. | 10-28-2010 |
20100304892 | POLYUREA AND POLYURETHANE COMPOSITIONS FOR GOLF EQUIPMENT - Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304895 | MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALLS HAVING MOISTURE BARRIER LAYERS BASED ON POLYALKENAMER COMPOSITIONS - Golf balls having a dual-core comprising an inner core and outer moisture barrier core layer are provided. The outer core help prevent moisture from penetrating into the inner core. A cover layer, preferably made of a polyurethane or polyurea material, is disposed about the outer core layer. The inner and outer cores are formed of a rubber composition, preferably a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The outer core has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) lower than that of the cover. In one version, the outer core has a MVTR of 1 grams·mm/m | 12-02-2010 |
20100323819 | GOLF BALL CORES BASED ON POLYALKENAMER RUBBER HAVING POSITIVE HARDNESS GRADIENTS - Golf balls having a core comprising a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. 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 and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and geometric center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of at least 10 Shore C. In a second version, a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer is provided. The inner core has a positive hardness gradient, while the outer core has a zero; negative; or positive hardness gradient. | 12-23-2010 |
20100323820 | 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 rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. | 12-23-2010 |
20100331116 | GOLF BALL WITH SINGLE LAYER CORE HAVING SPECIFIC REGIONS OF VARYING HARDNESS - A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein an inner core region is disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends from at least about 2 mm radially from the geometric center to at least about 2 mm from the outer surface. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC | 12-30-2010 |
20100331117 | GOLF BALL WITH SINGLE LAYER CORE HAVING SPECIFIC REGIONS OF VARYING HARDNESS - A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein an inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and an outer core region is disposed about the inner core region and is adjacent the outer surface, the outer core region having a thickness of about 15 mm or less. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC | 12-30-2010 |
20110003650 | GOLF BALL - A golf ball including a core and at least one layer formed over the core. The layer can be an outer core layer, an intermediate layer including inner cover layers, or a cover. Either the core or any layer over the core can comprise a fully or partially neutralized polyester ionomer. The core comprises: a diameter of at least 1.30 inches, a compression of 50 or less; and a coefficient of restitution of 0.80 or greater at 125 ft/sec. | 01-06-2011 |
20110009212 | GOLF BALLS HAVING LAYERS MADE FROM RUBBER COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING NUCLEATING AGENTS - Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a rubber composition comprising a benzenetrisamide nucleating agent are provided. The rubber composition preferably contains a free-radical initiator agent, cross-linking agent, and fillers along with the base rubber and nucleating agent. Golf balls of various constructions may be made including two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece balls. The composition is used preferably to form a golf ball core having improved resiliency, durability, toughness, and impact strength. | 01-13-2011 |
20110009213 | GOLF BALLS HAVING LAYERS MADE FROM THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING NUCLEATING AGENTS - Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a thermoplastic composition comprising a benzenetrisamide nucleating agent are provided. The thermoplastic composition may be an ionomer or non-ionomer resin. Golf balls of various constructions may be made including two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece balls. The composition is used preferably to form a golf ball core having improved resiliency, durability, toughness, and impact strength. | 01-13-2011 |
20110053709 | 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. | 03-03-2011 |
20110081490 | METHODS OF CURING POLYUREA PREPOLYMERS FOR GOLF BALLS - Multi-piece, solid golf balls having a cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition are provided. In one version of the method, the cover materials are prepared by forming a polyurea prepolymer which undergoes two curing steps. In the first step, the prepolymer is partially-cured by reacting it with hydroxyl curing agents, amine curing agents, or mixtures thereof. In the second step, the composition is moisture-cured using environmental controls such as humidity chambers or hot water baths. In another version, a polyurea prepolymer is prepared and then treated with an aqueous curative blend comprising an amine curing agent. The cured materials may be used to make a golf ball cover having improved durability, cut/tear resistance, and impact strength. | 04-07-2011 |
20110081492 | METHODS OF CURING POLYURETHANE PREPOLYMERS FOR GOLF BALLS - Multi-piece, solid golf balls having a cover material made from a polyurethane/urea hybrid composition are provided. The balls include an inner core preferably made of polybutadiene and may include at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and outer cover. The cover materials are prepared by first forming a polyurethane prepolymer which undergoes two curing steps. In the first step, the prepolymer is chemically-cured by reacting it with hydroxyl curing agents, amine curing agents, or mixtures thereof. In the second step, the composition is moisture-cured. The cured material may be used to make a golf ball cover having improved durability, cut/tear resistance, and impact strength. | 04-07-2011 |
20110081497 | METHODS OF CURING POLYUREA PREPOLYMERS FOR GOLF BALLS - Multi-piece, solid golf balls having a cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition are provided. The cover materials are prepared by first forming a polyurea prepolymer which undergoes two curing steps. In the first step, the prepolymer is chemically-cured by reacting it with hydroxyl curing agents, amine curing agents, or mixtures thereof. In the second step, the composition is moisture-cured. The cured material may be used to make a golf ball cover having improved durability, cut/tear resistance, and impact strength. | 04-07-2011 |
20110136587 | GOLF BALLS COMPRISING THERMOPLASTIC OR THERMOSET COMPOSITION HAVING CONTROLLED GEL TIME - A golf ball comprising a core and at least one layer disposed about the core, wherein at least one of the core and the layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprising a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer comprising at least one isocyanate and a curative comprising a blend of at least one aliphatic diamine and at least one polyaspartic ester formed from reactants comprising at least one aliphatic primary polyamine and at least one maleic or fumaric diester, and wherein the thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprises a gel time of about 90 seconds or greater. Also, a golf ball comprising a core and at least one layer disposed about the core wherein at least one of the core and the layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition T comprising a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer P comprising at least one isocyanate and a curative C comprising a blend of at least one aliphatic diamine D and at least one polyaspartic ester formed from reactants comprising at least one aliphatic primary polyamine and at least one maleic or fumaric diester, wherein the thermoplastic or thermoset composition T has a gel time X such that X>1.25Y, and wherein Y is the gel time of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition T′ comprising a reaction product of the polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer P and a curative C′ comprising a blend of aliphatic diamine D and a polyaspartic ester consisting of N,N′-diethylmaleate-2-methyl-pentamethylene diamine. | 06-09-2011 |
20110218054 | RUBBER OUTER COVERS FOR GOLF BALLS BASED ON ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE DIENE COPOLYMERS - A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of an ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) rubber is provided. The multi-piece golf ball includes a cover, preferably a dual-cover having inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover is preferably made of the EPDM rubber material. The golf ball further includes an inner core, preferably a dual-core containing a center and surrounding outer core layer. The center may be made of a polybutadiene rubber composition and the outer core layer may be made of an EPDM rubber composition. The resulting golf ball has high resiliency, a soft feel, and good weatherability. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218056 | 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. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218057 | GOLF BALL WITH NEGATIVE HARDNESS GRADIENT CORE - A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 8 mm to about 18 mm from the geometric center. The single layer core has first, second and third hardnesses disposed within the inner core region, outer core region, intermediate core region, respectively, wherein the third hardness is greater than the first hardness and the second hardness, and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center. | 09-08-2011 |
20110230280 | GOLF BALL WITH NEGATIVE HARDNESS GARDIENT CORE - A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 8 mm to about 18 mm from the geometric center. The single layer core has first, second and third hardnesses disposed within the inner core region, outer core region, intermediate core region, respectively, wherein the third hardness is greater than the first hardness and the second hardness, and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center. | 09-22-2011 |
20120015758 | POLYUREA AND POLYURETHANE COMPOSITIONS FOR GOLF EQUIPMENT - Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof. | 01-19-2012 |
20120100936 | GOLF BALL INCLUDING A LONG-CHAIN BRANCHED NEODYMIUM-CATALYZED POLYBUTADIENE COMPONENT - The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a long-chain branched neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 content of at least about 96% and a solution viscosity of less than 165 mPa·s, wherein the overall golf ball comprises a COR of at least about 0.780 and an Atti compression of from about 25 to about 120. The invention is also directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover; wherein at least one of said core, cover and intermediate layer comprises a polybutadiene composition comprising a long-chain branched neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 content of at least about 96% and a solution viscosity of less than 165 mPa·s. In another embodiment, the golf ball comprises a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover; wherein said core comprises a polybutadiene composition comprising a long-chain branched neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 content of at least about 96% and a solution viscosity of less than 165 mPa·s. | 04-26-2012 |
20120115633 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115634 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are hard and flexible compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is less than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115635 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are hard and flexible compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is less than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115636 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115638 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are hard and flexible compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is less than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115639 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are hard and flexible compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is less than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115640 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115641 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115642 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115643 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115644 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115645 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are hard and flexible compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is less than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115646 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115647 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120115648 | Golf ball with single layer core having specific regions of varying hardness - A golf ball comprising a single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation, the inner core region has a first hardness (IC | 05-10-2012 |
20120115649 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120116001 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-10-2012 |
20120122608 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are soft and stiff compositions, i.e., compositions which have a flexural modulus that is greater than the value that is expected based on the composition's hardness. The compositions preferably have a hardness/modulus relationship represented by the formula | 05-17-2012 |
20120157230 | 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. | 06-21-2012 |
20120157231 | GOLF BALL LAYERS BASED ON IONOMERS MADE WITH POLYALKENAMER CARRIERS - Golf balls containing a core having at least one layer and cover having at least one layer are provided. A thermoplastic ionomeric composition is used to form at least one layer of the ball. The composition is prepared by providing a masterbatch comprising cycloalkene (polyalkenamer) rubber and neutralizing agent and mixing the masterbatch with ethylene acid copolymer. The acid groups are neutralized to 30 weight percent or greater, preferably 50% or greater, and more preferably 70% or greater. The resulting ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties along with a soft feel. | 06-21-2012 |
20120157236 | GOLF BALL CORES BASED ON POLYALKENAMER AND POLYBUTADIENE RUBBER BLENDS - Golf balls containing a core comprising a blend of: a) about 1 to about 49 weight percent of a polybutadiene rubber having a relatively high Mooney viscosity, and b) about 51 to about 99 weight percent of a polyalkenamer rubber having a relatively low Mooney viscosity are provided. Single or multi-layered cores may be prepared. In addition, the golf ball includes a cover that may be single or multi-layered. The cover is preferably made of polyurethanes, polyureas, or blends thereof. The polyalkenamer/polybutadiene rubber composition helps provide the ball with high resiliency along with a soft feel. | 06-21-2012 |
20120165469 | METHODS FOR MAKING POLYUREA POLYMER AND PRODUCTS PREPARED THEREFROM - Methods for making polyurea polymer compositions are provided. The methods involve preparing an amine-terminated first prepolymer by reacting isocyanate compound A with a stoichiometric excess of polyamine. The first prepolymer is reacted with a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate compound B to form an isocyanate-terminated second prepolymer. The second prepolymer is reacted with a chain extender. The polymer compositions can be used in different products and are particularly suitable for making golf balls. For example, the polymer compositions can be used to make golf ball covers. | 06-28-2012 |
20120220393 | 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, and a cover layer disposed thereabout. The single layer core has an inner core region disposed about the geometric center and an outer core region that is disposed about the inner core region and is adjacent the outer surface, the outer core region having a thickness of about 15 mm or less. The inner core region has a hardness that increases radially from the geometric center toward the outer core region in a plurality of increments of about 5 Shore C. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC | 08-30-2012 |
20120238379 | GOLF BALL WITH A NON-IONOMERIC INNER COVER, STIFF TPU INTERMEDIATE COVER, AND CAST THERMOSET OUTER COVER - A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a stiff intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is formed from a non-ionomeric composition including a non-ionomeric stiffening polymer and at least one E/Y copolymer or E/X/Y terpolymer, where E is an olefin, Y is a carboxylic acid, and X is a softening comonomer. The intermediate cover layer is formed from a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea composition and the cover outer cover layer is formed from a thermoset polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend. | 09-20-2012 |
20130023357 | 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. | 01-24-2013 |
20130029789 | MULTILAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH CORE LAYER - The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. | 01-31-2013 |
20130130840 | GOLF BALL WITH A NON-IONOMERIC INNER COVER, STIFF TPU INTERMEDIATE COVER, AND CAST THERMOSET OUTER COVER - A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a stiff intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is formed from a non-ionomeric composition including a non-ionomeric stiffening polymer and at least one E/Y copolymer or E/X/Y terpolymer, where E is an olefin, Y is a carboxylic acid, and X is a softening comonomer. The intermediate cover layer is formed from a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea composition and the cover outer cover layer is formed from a thermoset polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend. | 05-23-2013 |
20130157781 | GOLF BALL WITH SINGLE LAYER CORE HAVING SPECIFIC REGIONS OF VARYING HARDNESS - The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising: a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core; the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than a hardness of the geometric center; the single layer core further comprising: an inner core region disposed about the geometric center; an outer core region disposed about the inner core region and adjacent the outer surface; and a boundary disposed between the inner core region and the outer core region at about 12 mm or less from the outer surface; wherein the boundary has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the geometric center and greater than the hardness of the outer surface. In another embodiment, the boundary has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the geometric center and less than the hardness of the outer surface. | 06-20-2013 |
20130165266 | 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. | 06-27-2013 |
20130178310 | GOLF BALL INCORPORATING IONOMERIC COMPONENT HAVING PROPERTY GRADIENTS - The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the at least one intermediate layer, and the cover comprises at least one of an ionomer and an acid copolymer and has at least one treated region that is treated with and comprises a reaction product of an organometallic composition and the at least one ionomer and/or acid copolymer, such that: the at least one treated region has an internal property gradient; or at least two treated regions, in tandem, have an external property gradient; or the at least one treated region and an untreated region, in tandem, have an external property gradient. | 07-11-2013 |
20130225328 | GOLF BALLS CONTAINING LAYERS BASED ON POLYAMIDE AND FATTY ACID SALT 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, consisting essentially of a blend of about 40 to about 99% by weight polyamide and about 1 to about 60% by weight fatty acid salt. Preferably, the ball has a dual core construction. A rubber composition is preferably used to form the inner core and the polyamide composition is preferably used to form the outer core layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency along with a soft feel. | 08-29-2013 |
20130225331 | 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 inner core and the polyamide composition is preferably used to form the outer core layer. | 08-29-2013 |
20130260918 | 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. | 10-03-2013 |
20130281233 | 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 consist 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. A rubber composition is preferably used to form the inner core and the polyamide composition is preferably used to form the outer core layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency along with a soft feel. | 10-24-2013 |
20130303697 | METHODS FOR MAKING POLYUREA POLYMER AND GOLF BALLS PREPARED THEREFROM - Methods for making golf balls having a cover made from a polyurea composition are provided. The golf balls include a rubber core and intermediate layer made from an olefin-based ionomer composition. The methods for making the polyurea composition involve preparing an amine-terminated first polymer by reacting isocyanate compound A with a stoichiometric excess of polyamine. The first prepolymer is reacted with a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate compound B to form an isocyanate-terminated second prepolymer. The second prepolymer is then reacted with a chain extender. | 11-14-2013 |
20130344992 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic matrix and discrete particles of crosslinked polymer dispersed within the matrix. | 12-26-2013 |
20130344993 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic matrix and discrete particles of crosslinked polymer dispersed within the matrix. | 12-26-2013 |
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 |
20140004974 | GOLF BALLS HAVING CORES MADE OF POLYBUTADIENE RUBBER BLENDS | 01-02-2014 |
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 |
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 |
20140066228 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and discrete particles of thermoplastic polymer dispersed within the matrix. | 03-06-2014 |
20140073453 | 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. | 03-13-2014 |
20140080635 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles dispersed within the matrix. | 03-20-2014 |
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 |
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 |
20140179462 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are multilayer golf balls having a layer with a higher Shore C hardness and a lower Shore D hardness than another layer. | 06-26-2014 |
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 |
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 |
20140287851 | GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS - Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within the matrix. | 09-25-2014 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |