Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition is used to form the foam center. The foam inner core preferably includes a fully-foamed center region and a partially or completely-collapsed foam outer region. The hardness of the fully-foamed region is different than the hardness of the collapsed foam region. Non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic materials such as polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymer ionomer may be used to form the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered. The foam cores have good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a colorless coating surrounding and adjacent to a TiO2 white-pigmented layer comprising a polymeric composition that comprises throughout: (i) passivated TiO2 particulates amount of from about 1 wt. %-10 wt. % based on total weight of second polymeric composition; and (ii) silane-containing adhesion promoter(s), for example, organosilanes and/or organosiloxanes in an amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % of the total weight of the polymeric composition. The coating comprises a coating composition that is different than the polymeric composition and does not contain any silane-containing adhesion promoter; and there is no surface treatment with adhesion promoter at an interface between the colorless coating and TiO2 white-pigmented layer. In lieu of the colorless coating, the golf ball may include a coating that is clear tinted or translucent.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core assembly preferably includes a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition is used to form the foam center. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The foamed inner core assembly includes a geometric center, outer surface (skin), and thermal barrier layer that helps protect the foamed center region from the negative effects of high temperatures used during the ball-manufacturing process. Non-foamed thermoset materials such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the thermal barrier layer. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a core, intermediate layer, and cover are provided. The ball includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An intermediate layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. The foamed intermediate layer may have a specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. Ball constructions having two intermediate layers, wherein at least one layer is a foamed layer can be made. A cover having at least one layer is disposed about the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising first layer of first polymeric composition, and second layer adjacent to first layer and comprising second polymeric composition different than first polymeric composition and comprising throughout: (i) passivated TiO2 particulates amount of from about 1 wt. %-10 wt. % based on total weight of second polymeric composition; and (ii) silane-containing adhesion promoter(s), for example, organosilanes and/or organosiloxanes, such that a given amount thereof within the range of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % has a first required amount of free functional groups to bond the second layer and the first layer at an interface in addition to a second required amount of functional groups bonding and/or crosslinking ingredients within the second polymeric composition of the second layer. Neither layer is surface treated with at least one silane-containing adhesion promoter, nor is a tie layer disposed there between.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a dual-layered core and cover of at least one layer are provided. The dual-core construction includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An outer core layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. In one version, the foamed outer core layer is made of a relatively soft foam composition having low flex modulus and density. The foamed outer core layer may specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. A cover may be disposed about the core structure. For example, an inner cover made of ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and outer cover made of polyurethane may be used.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising cast layer of thermoset polymer mixture having centering time Ct1 and comprising: (i) a polyurethane composition, polyurea composition, and/or polyurethane/polyurea hybrid composition; and (ii) a treated fumed silica compound in an amount such that centering time Ct1 is independent of the thermoset polymer mixture's degree of cure and lower than a centering time Ct2 of the thermoset polymer composition (which is dependent on its gel window Gw). The treated fumed silica compound may be surface treated with at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisilazane, and dimethyldichlorosilane. In some embodiments, delta time ?t1 between a dispensing time Dt1 of the thermoset polymer mixture and centering time Ct1 is less than a delta time ?t2 between Ct1 and centering time Ct2. Centering time Ct1 and dispensing time Dt1 may differ by less than 10 seconds or even by 5 seconds or less.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The inner and outer core layers can have different hardness gradients. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition is used to form the foam center. The foam inner core preferably includes a fully-foamed center region and a partially or completely-collapsed foam outer region. The hardness of the fully-foamed region is different than the hardness of the collapsed foam region. Non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic materials such as polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymer ionomer may be used to form the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered. The foam cores have good resiliency.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.

Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition comprising secondary blowing agents that are activated by heat is used to form the foam center. Non-foamed thermoset materials such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition, preferably polyurethane foam, are provided. The ball includes a dual-layered core having a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. The outer core layer may be made from a non-foamed thermoset material such as polybutadiene rubber. The ball further includes an inner cover, preferably made from an ionomer composition comprising an O/X-type acid copolymer, wherein O is ?-olefin, and X is a C3-C8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The outer cover may be made from a non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic material such as polyurethane. Preferably, the specific gravity of the inner cover is greater than the specific gravity of the outer core, which is greater than the specific gravity of the inner core. The finished ball has good distance and low-spin properties.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The concentration of clay particulate is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 60% by weight. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a core, intermediate layer, and cover are provided. The ball includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An intermediate layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. The foamed intermediate layer may have a specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. Ball constructions having two intermediate layers, wherein at least one layer is a foamed layer can be made. A cover having at least one layer is disposed about the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The concentration of clay particulate is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 60% by weight. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising cast layer of thermoset polymer mixture having centering time Ct1 and comprising: (i) a polyurethane composition, polyurea composition, and/or polyurethane/polyurea hybrid composition; and (ii) a treated fumed silica compound in an amount such that centering time Ct1 is independent of the thermoset polymer mixture's degree of cure and lower than a centering time Ct2 of the thermoset polymer composition (which is dependent on its gel window Gw). The treated fumed silica compound may be surface treated with at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisilazane, and dimethyldichlorosilane. In some embodiments, delta time ?t1 between a dispensing time Dt1 of the thermoset polymer mixture and centering time Ct1 is less than a delta time ?t2 between Ct1 and centering time Ct2. Centering time Ct1 and dispensing time Da may differ by less than 10 seconds or even by 5 seconds or less.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The inner and outer core layers can have different hardness gradients. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising cast layer of thermoset polymer mixture having centering time Ct1 and consisting of: (i) a thermoset polymer composition consisting of polyurethane composition, polyurea composition, and/or polyurethane/polyurea hybrid composition; and (ii) a treated fumed silica compound in an amount such that centering time Ct1 is independent of the thermoset polymer mixture's degree of cure and lower than a centering time Ct2 of the thermoset polymer composition (which is dependent on its gel window Gw). The treated fumed silica compound may be surface treated with at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisilazane, and dimethyldichlorosilane. In some embodiments, delta time ?t1 between a dispensing time Dt1 of the thermoset polymer mixture and centering time Ct1 is less than a delta time ?t2 between Ct1 and centering time Ct2. Centering time Ct1 and dispensing time Dt1 may differ by less than 10 seconds or even by 5 seconds or less.

Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core assembly preferably includes a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition is used to form the foam center. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The foamed inner core assembly includes a geometric center, outer surface (skin), and thermal barrier layer that helps protect the foamed center region from the negative effects of high temperatures used during the ball-manufacturing process. Non-foamed thermoset materials such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the thermal barrier layer. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.