| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 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 |
