Abstract: A method for customizing a golf ball, and associated kits, are provided. The method includes steps of heating a golf ball that has a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material making up the cover layer, and then cooling the golf ball at a preselected rate so as to change the degree of crystallinity. The change in degree of crystallinity allows the golf ball to achieve different play characteristics. The change is reversible by repeating the method, and the method may be repeated many times using the same golf ball. Kits used to carry out the method may include a golf ball having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material for the cover layer, a graphical representation of how the cooling relates to the desired play characteristics, a stand for holding the golf ball, a heater, and an additive that aids in heating or cooling the golf ball.

Abstract: A recyclable golf ball is disclosed. The structure of the disclosed golf ball and/or the materials used to make the golf ball may enhance the ability to recycle the golf ball. As a result, the disclosed golf ball may decrease waste and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The golf ball may be made of materials that make it easier to separate the materials in a used golf ball for recycling. The golf ball may be made of materials having different densities. The golf ball may be made of materials having different melting points. The golf ball may be made of materials mixed with a magnetic additive.

Abstract: A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls into particles. The used golf balls may be made of materials having different densities. The particles may be placed in a liquid that causes the particles of different materials to float to different levels based on the densities of the materials. At least a portion of the particles may be melted and injected into a sandwich mold to create a new golf ball.

Abstract: A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method may include melting a golf ball made of layers each having a different melting point. The materials may be separated by melting the different layers one by one. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls made of materials having differing amounts of magnetic additive into particles. The particles may be separated by a magnetic field. At least a portion of the particles may be reused to make a new golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball has a layer comprising a compatibilized blend of thermoplastic polyurethane, polyolefin, and hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The layer may be part of the cover, for example an inner layer of a two-layer cover layer. The layer may be an intermediate layer between the core and the cover.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided capable of having various characteristics based on having an aggregated layer core. The golf ball includes an inner core, an outer shell enclosing the inner core, and an intermediate core enclosing the inner core. The intermediate core includes sublayers thermoplastically fused together to form an aggregated intermediate core layer having overall characteristics formed as a combination of the sublayer characteristics. A method of forming a golf ball core having an aggregated layer core can include forming a first and second stack of nested cups, thermoplastically bonding each of the stacks to each other to form first and second aggregated cups, arranging the aggregated cups around a golf ball inner core, and bonding the aggregated cups to each other. In some configurations, the sublayers can include ultrathin sublayers less than 20 microns thick, and in some configurations, the sublayers can include injection molded sublayers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf ball includes molding a cover preform in a first mold. The cover preform is placed in a second mold. Material is injected into an interior of the cover preform. The material forces the cover preform against a surface of the second mold to form dimples in the cover. The dimples may extend through the cover to form dimple structures in at least one layer between the cover and a center of the golf ball. For instance, the dimples may extend through the cover and into the injected material. The dimples may have a depth greater than a thickness of the cover.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core and an outer core, both made of highly neutralized acid polymers. The inner core does not substantially include any fillers, while the outer core does include fillers. The outer core may include fillers in an amount of from about 17.% to about 30.7% by weight. The filler may be barium sulfate. The core made from the inner core and the outer core may have an unexpectedly higher coefficient of restitution.

Abstract: A high performance golf ball made in part of a modified high Mooney viscosity rubber. The modified high Mooney viscosity rubber has less than about 20 phr oil and is high Mooney viscosity rubber having a Mooney viscosity at least about 40 blended with between about 1 phr and about 10 phr of process oil and between about 0.05 phr and 5 phr of peptizing agent.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for manufacturing a golf ball that precisely control the retraction of mold pins based on feedback sensor data, to avoid the formation of imperfections in the finished golf balls. An embodiment may involve holding a golf ball sub-part within a mold using at least one retractable mold pin; injecting molten molding material into the mold; detecting, during injection, operating conditions within the mold indicative of positions of the molten molding material relative to the at least one mold pin; and based on the detected operating conditions, retracting the at least one mold pin before the molten molding material reaches the at least one mold pin. Other embodiments may retract a mold pin after the molten material contacts the pin but within a duration suitably short enough to avoid undesirable part properties.

Abstract: A system and method for making a golf ball having a patterned surface is disclosed. The pattern may be made by a method including machining a pattern of feed marks on the surface of a golf ball mold and using the golf ball mold to mold a golf ball cover layer. The pattern may be configured to create capillary action to substantially counteract gravity and/or other forces acting on a substantially liquid coating material applied to the cover layer of the golf ball.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a golf ball with one or more patterned film layers is disclosed. The system and method may involve creating a patterned film layer and applying the patterned film layer to the surface of a golf ball. The patterned film layer may include a layer of film having cutouts leaving the remaining portions of film in a pattern. The pattern may include a net pattern. The patterned film layer may include a material that is relatively harder or relatively softer than the surface of the golf ball. The method may include removing portions of film from a film material to create a patterned film material, cutting the patterned film material into sheets, molding two patterned film sheets into substantially hemispherical cups, and applying the two substantially hemispherical cups to a golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball may include a UV curable coating layer that is only partially cured upon finishing. The golf ball may be used in its partially cured state in a game of golf, where the partially cured state may be advantageous for play under wet conditions. The coating layer may then further cure upon exposure to UV light, such as ambient environmental light from the sun during a game of golf in sunny conditions. As a result of this further curing, the coating may transition to a cured state that is associated with play characteristics that are advantageous for play under sunny dry conditions.

Abstract: A golf ball having a soft outer surface coating having a hardness less than about HB on the ASTM D3363 scale, or less than about 40 on ASTM D2134 scale. The soft outer surface coating may contain polyurethane, a hydroxyl functional silicone material, or a hydroxyl functional fluoro material. Also, a method for making the golf ball. The golf ball having the soft outer surface coating exhibits a high spin rate over short shots essentially without degrading performance on driver shots, as compared with the performance of the uncoated golf ball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball including a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cover and a polyurethane coating layer. The cover crosslinks with the coating layer in order to achieve improved durability, specifically improved scuff resistance. The chemical composition of the thermoplastic polyurethane material making up the cover and the chemical composition of the polyurethane coating layer may be chosen so as to be complimentary thereby promoting crosslinking between them. Methods of manufacturing these golf balls are also disclosed.

Abstract: Golf balls with a reduced flight path are disclosed. In some cases, foam incorporated into a middle layer increases impact absorption and reduces a ball's flight path. In other cases, a dimple pattern may be selected to reduce a ball's flight path. In other instances, a parachute or other drag inducer may be deployed as a result of striking the ball to induce drag and minimize the ball's flight path.

Abstract: A system and method for incentivizing recycling of collected products by providing both an incentive award and information about the post-recycling stream designation of the collected products to a user. The collected products are assigned a trace element which is machine readable data input, with scanners or detectors disposed along the recycling stream. Once a decision is made regarding the recycle designation for a collected product, that information is provided to the user. A computer program that stores and calculates the award could be used to calculate analogous or ancillary calculations regarding post-recycling designations to enable comparisons with other users and online competition.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for manufacturing a golf ball that precisely control the retraction of mold pins based on feedback sensor data, to avoid the formation of imperfections in the finished golf balls. An embodiment may involve holding a golf ball sub-part within a mold using at least one retractable mold pin; injecting molten molding material into the mold; detecting, during injection, operating conditions within the mold indicative of positions of the molten molding material relative to the at least one mold pin; and based on the detected operating conditions, retracting the at least one mold pin before the molten molding material reaches the at least one mold pin. Other embodiments may retract a mold pin after the molten material contacts the pin but within a duration suitably short enough to avoid undesirable part properties.

Abstract: A pad printing system for applying ink to an object includes an ink-vessel including a pressure plate; a shaft; and an ink-releasable member. The pressure plate moves linearly along the shaft based on a rotational force applied to the plate. The pad printing system may include a mounting portion; an ink-vessel for being mounted in the mounting portion. The ink-vessel includes a cavity having a ink-releasable member and a pressure plate for engaging the ink-releasable member. The pressure plate is positionable at one of a plurality of predetermined heights within the cavity. The pressure plate may be configured for resiliently biased movement between the predetermined heights.

Abstract: Golf balls with a reduced flight path are disclosed. In some cases, foam incorporated into a middle layer increases impact absorption and reduces a ball's flight path. In other cases, a dimple pattern may be selected to reduce a ball's flight path. In other instances, a parachute or other drag inducer may be deployed as a result of striking the ball to induce drag and minimize the ball's flight path.