Containing Metal Patents (Class 473/385)
  • Patent number: 10874909
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball comprising a paint film having improved abrasion resistance without substantially lowering the spin performance. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body and a paint film formed on a surface of the golf ball body, wherein the paint film contains a resin fine particle in an amount of less than 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a base resin thereof, the base resin of the paint film is a polyurethane, and the resin fine particle contains a polyrotaxane component having a cyclodextrin, a linear molecule penetrating the cyclic structure of the cyclodextrin in a skewering manner, and a blocking group located at both terminals of the linear molecule to prevent disassociation of the cyclodextrin, wherein at least a part of hydroxyl groups of the cyclodextrin is modified with a caprolactone chain via a —O—C3H6—O— group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mami Tanaka, Toshiyuki Tarao
  • Patent number: 10850164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon nanotube golf ball having improved hitting feel and durability, and antistatic property comprising: a core having CNT/ionomer-dispersion; a cover formed on the core; and an antistatic finish on the top cover. Herein, CNT/ionomer-dispersions having a diameter of 10 to 3,000 ?m are produced in advance using an independent process, and then applied to the present art. The top cover is provided with antistatic finish using a CNT coating solution for keeping the clean surface during the golf play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVIK INC.
    Inventors: Chul Ho Song, Seung Geun Park, Kyung Ahn Moon
  • Patent number: 9492714
    Abstract: A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball and a cure indicator to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bender
  • Patent number: 9018294
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • Patent number: 9018295
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • Patent number: 9004798
    Abstract: A golf tee insertion depth measurement tool provides a gauge to facilitate marking the shaft of a golf tee to indicate a desired insertion depth that provides an optimum height for a golf ball placed on the tee, which ball is to be struck by a club face having a height H. The tool has a base portion and an elongate stem portion having a stem length. The base portion has a first surface and a second surface. The stem portion is connected to the base portion and extends outwardly away from the second surface of the base portion. The stem portion is first marked along its length at a location corresponding to the club face height H above the ground. The shaft of a tee is then marked at a location corresponding to the marked location on the stem portion to provide the correct insertion depth for the tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: TeeCorrect, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R Schumaier
  • Patent number: 8962720
    Abstract: The invention provides a rubber composition for golf balls which includes (A) a base rubber containing a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 60 wt %, (B) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (C) a benzimidazole of general formula (1) or (2) below wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbons, and m is an integer from 1 to 4, with the proviso that if m is 2 or more, each occurrence of R may be the same or different. The golf ball rubber composition of the invention enables a high-quality molded and crosslinked product having a suitable hardness and a high resilience to be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd., Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ozawa, Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Teppei Mori, Yusuke Yamagata, Takahiro Iwai
  • Patent number: 8883923
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing a non-petroleum based polyester resin as a resin component (A) and a needle-like and/or fibrous filler (B). The present invention further provide a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing, a non-petroleum based polyester resin (A-1), at least one petroleum based thermoplastic resin (A-2), and a compatibilizer (C) containing at least a (meth)acrylic resin (C-1) having a polar functional group and an olefin resin (C-2) having a polar functional group. According to the present invention, durability, abrasion resistance and repulsion of a golf ball can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoko Okabe
  • Publication number: 20140274469
    Abstract: A thermoplastic golf ball material is made by combining and reacting (a) an unneutralized copolymer of ethylene and at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, which has from about 5 to about 12 percent by weight acid monomer; (b) a metallocene-catalyzed copolymer of ethylene and octene; (c) an unsaturated fatty acid; and (d) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 65 to about 90% of the acid groups, to produce an ionomeric thermoplastic material. The ionomeric thermoplastic material may be used in a core, a cover, or a layer between a core and a cover of a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: NIKE, INC.
  • Patent number: 8802778
    Abstract: The invention provides golf ball materials which include, in admixture, (A) an oxygen-containing inorganic metal compound, (B) one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of multi-component polyamides, and (C) an acid-containing polymer, and additionally includes, if the oxygen-containing inorganic metal compound (A) does not include a zinc cationic species, (D) a zinc ionomer. The invention also provides methods for preparing such golf ball materials, and golf balls made with the materials. The golf ball materials are multi-component polyamide blend compositions having an excellent flow and processability and a suitable hardness, making them ideal as materials for obtaining high-performance golf balls which are endowed with outstanding durability and scuff resistance without any loss in rebound resilience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Egashira, Jun Shindo, Eiji Takehana
  • Publication number: 20140200100
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer, an outermost layer of the cover is formed to a specific thickness using a resin composition containing a light-harvesting fluorescent dye and a light-reflecting pigment. The golf ball is elegant and highly stylish, and moreover has an excellent visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuki KASASHIMA
  • Patent number: 8772409
    Abstract: Compositions comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyalkenamer; and (b) an organic modifier that includes at least one carbon to carbon unsaturated bond and at least one functional group selected from carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, epoxy, (meth)acrylate, vinyl, ester, isocyanate, carbonyl, urethane, anhydride, or a metal salt thereof. Also disclosed are golf balls that include (i) a core, (ii) at least one intermediate layer, and (iii) at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer or cover layer includes the polyalkenamer/functionalized organic modifier composition as a majority ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20140187349
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball composition containing an ionomer resin composition of: (A) one or more ionomer selected from the group consisting of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester random copolymer, and a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer and/or a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester random copolymer; (B) a polyethylene; and (C) an organic peroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi NANBA, Takanori TAGO
  • Publication number: 20140187350
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball composition containing an ionomer resin composition of: (A) one or more ionomer selected from the group consisting of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester random copolymer, and a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer and/or a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester random copolymer; (B) a polyethylene; and (C) an organic peroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi NANBA, Takanori TAGO
  • Publication number: 20140187357
    Abstract: The present invention, by forming the outermost layer of a golf ball cover from a specific resin composition that includes a thermoplastic resin and a color masterbatch having mutually similar specific gravities, provides a golf ball which is imparted with an excellent durability of markings thereon, a uniform and evenly colored appearance, and an excellent manufacturability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori TAGO, Atsushi NANBA
  • Patent number: 8740729
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 has, on a surface thereof, a plurality of types of dimples 10 having different diameters from each other. The standard deviation of the curvature radii of cross sections of all the dimples 10 is 0.90 mm or less. The average of the curvature radii of the cross sections of all the dimples 10 is 20% or greater but 40% or less of the diameter of the golf ball. The sum of the volumes of all the dimples is 300 mm3 or greater but 370 mm3 or less. The average of the diameters of all the dimples is 3.5 mm or greater but 4.5 mm or less. The ratio of the sum of the areas of all the dimples to the surface area of a phantom sphere of the golf ball is 75% or greater but 95% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Hirotaka Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140106905
    Abstract: The present invention is directed a golf ball comprising a core and a cover and an optional intermediate layer disposed between the core and cover, wherein at least one of the core and the intermediate layer comprises any Pantone Matching System color including blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange having an L* value of about 80 or less; and wherein the cover comprises a translucent thermoset polyurethane material and an amount of pigment or dye such that the cover has any Pantone Matching System color including blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange that has an L* value of about 80 or less. The thermoset polyurethane material may be formed from an aliphatic isocyanate-based composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: William E. Morgan, Kevin M. Harris, Edmund A. Hebert, Matthew F. Hogge, Shawn Ricci, Peter L. Serdahl
  • Patent number: 8680204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls comprising a crosslinked ionomer composition formed by the reaction of either one or more ionomers, or an ionomer precursor composition, with one or more crosslinking agents including polyisocyanates, blocked polyisocyanates, polyurethane prepolymers, blocked polyurethane prepolymers, polyurea prepolymers, blocked polyurea prepolymers, polyamines, blocked polyamines and dicyanodiamides. The resulting modified ionomer compositions exhibit increased tensile strength and a decrease in tensile elongation as compared to the uncrosslinked ionomer analogs while maintaining Shore D hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8674023
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball, which includes a core comprising a center, an outer cover layer; and optionally one or more intermediate layers, and where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes a styrene ionomer, such as a styrene anhydride copolymer, a basic salt of a styrene-?,?-unsaturated acid copolymer, or a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer. These styrene-based copolymers can be used in combination with additional polymer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8674025
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball resin composition with an excellent resilience and fluidity. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball resin composition with a high hardness and durability. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great distance with an ionomer cover. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition comprising, (A) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; (B) a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and (C) a zinc compound, wherein a content ratio ((A)/(B)) of (A) component to (B) component ranges from 50/50 to 80/20 in a mass ratio and a content of (C) component ranges from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Takahiro Shigemitsu
  • Publication number: 20140004978
    Abstract: A golf ball has an outer surface covered by a chameleon material. The chameleon material produces a variable alignment device that appears to a viewer in the same location regardless of the viewer's position relative to the ball. This variable alignment device allows the user to properly align a shot without moving the ball to align an imprint with a desired path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Bradley C. Tutmark
  • Publication number: 20130337942
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer having a cover inner surface, a cover outer surface, a treated cover region, and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth DCTr and being treated with and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the untreated cover region disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth DCUTr, the untreated cover region comprising n regions of hardness wherein n?1 and wherein at least one of the n regions of hardness has a hardness H1 such that the hardness ? is greater than the hardness H1, and wherein each of said n regions of hardness further comprise a depth DCUTn such that DCTr?(1/n)(DUT1+DUT2+ . . . +DUTn). In another embodiment, DCTr?(n)(DCUT1+DCUT2+ . . . +DCUTn). In yet another embodiment, DCTr?(1/n2)(DCUT1+DCUT2+ . . . +DCUTn).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Publication number: 20130337941
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer having a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface that treated with and comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and has a hardness ?, the cover inner surface not being treated with and not comprising the fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and having a hardness ?. Hardness ? is greater than hardness ?. The cover layer may alternatively comprise an untreated cover region and a treated cover region that extends inward from the cover outer surface a depth of about 1% or greater of a distance between the cover outer surface and the cover inner surface. Alternatively, the treated cover region may extend inward from the cover outer surface a predetermined depth DCTr while the untreated cover region is disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region a predetermined depth DCUTr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 8575278
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers. At least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers includes a sulfonated polyisoprene ionomer having the general formula: where A is an isoprene repeating unit having the formula —(CH2—C(CH3)?CH—CH2)—, B is an isoprene repeating unit or other monomer repeating unit, m is greater than 10, and n is greater than 2, and X is selected from one or both of the following groups; i) Li+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Mg2+ or ii) an ammonium cation having the general formula [NR1R2R3R4]+. R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from one or both of the following hydrogen, a C1-C20 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8529375
    Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes a coating material thereon that increases the golf ball's moment of inertia. The coating material is coated on the cover layer in a pattern corresponding to one of the dimple pattern and the pattern of land areas separating the dimples. The golf ball's moment of inertia is increased while utilizing only a small amount of the coating material as a result of the pattern of coating material, which locates the coating material at an outermost radial distance from the golf ball's center of rotation (i.e., the golf ball's center of gravity). The increased moment of inertia causes the golf ball to have a lower rate of spin when hit by a golf club, thereby displaying different play characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8523708
    Abstract: The invention is directed to golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, the cover comprising at least one cover layer comprising an cover outer surface and a cover inner surface, the cover outer surface comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the cover outer surface further comprising a hardness ? and the cover inner surface comprising a hardness ?, wherein the hardness ? is different than the hardness ?. In another embodiment, the at least one cover layer comprises a treated cover region and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth of about 1% or greater of a distance between the cover outer surface and the cover inner surface, and the untreated cover region being disposed about the cover inner surface and adjacent the treated cover region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 8524820
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising an ionomer and a polyamine or a tertiary polyamide. The polyamine and the tertiary polyamide have a molecular weight of greater than 500 Da and do not contain an ester moiety or a primary amine moiety. The polyamine comprises at least three moieties that are tertiary amines or hindered secondary amines, and the polyamide comprises tertiary amide moieties and no secondary or primary amide moieties. The compositions may optionally include a filler. Further provided are articles such as golf balls and films containing these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Morken, Charles John Talkowski
  • Patent number: 8523709
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer disposed about the core, the cover layer comprising a cover inner surface, a cover outer surface, a treated cover region, and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth D.sub.CTr, the untreated cover region disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth D.sub.CUTr, the treated cover region comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, wherein the treated cover region comprises a hardness .alpha. and the untreated cover region comprises n regions of hardness wherein n.gtoreq.1 and wherein at least one of the n regions of hardness has a hardness H.sub.1 that is different than the hardness .alpha., and wherein each of said n regions of hardness further comprise a depth D.sub.CUTn such that D.sub.CTr.ltoreq.(1/n)(D.sub.UT1+D.sub.UT2+ . . . +D.sub.UTn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 8507599
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Robert Blink, Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett
  • Patent number: 8487027
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material which is a resin mixture composed of (a) an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of from 40,000 to 80,000 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to number-average molecular weight (Mn) ratio of from 5.0 to 8.0, or a metal neutralization product thereof, (b) an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of from 120,000 to 200,000 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to number-average molecular weight (Mn) ratio of from 6.0 to 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kae Iizuka, Eiji Takehana
  • Patent number: 8475932
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising, or produced from, an organic acid-modified ionomer and silica filler having oil absorption greater than 100 g oil/100 g silica. Also disclosed are articles produced from the composition such as golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Peter A. Morken
  • Publication number: 20130157778
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a golf ball which includes a core, optionally one or more intermediate layers; and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer and/or one or more intermediate layers includes a blend of a) about 2 to about 40 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of an aramid polymer and b) about 60 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components. The blend composition has a melt flow index (MFI) from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min., a material hardness of about 30 to about 90 Shore D, and a flex modulus of about 10 to about 120 kpsi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130157780
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a golf ball which includes a core, optionally one or more intermediate layers; and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer and/or one or more intermediate layers (if present) includes a blend of from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of an liquid crystalline polymer (“LCP”) having the general formula; and from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130157779
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a golf ball which includes a core, optionally one or more intermediate layers; and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer and/or one or more intermediate layers includes a blend of a) 2 to 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer which includes a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula; where R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and b) about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components. The blend composition has a melt flow index (MFI) from 1 to 80 g/10 min., a material hardness of 30 to 90 Shore D, and a flex modulus of 10 to 120 kpsi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8461268
    Abstract: A golf ball material composed of (A) an oxygen-containing inorganic metal compound in the form of a particulate or a master batch capable of neutralizing at least some of the acid groups in an acid-containing polymer blend, (B) one or more polymer selected from among diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) an acid-containing polymer is prepared by mixing component A in a blend of components B and C. The golf ball material has a good heat resistance, flowability and processability, and can be used to produce high-performance golf balls having durability, scuff resistance and optimal hardness without a loss of rebound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Egashira, Eiji Takehana
  • Publication number: 20130137534
    Abstract: Provided are a resin composition for a golf ball which is excellent in resilience, flexibility and fluidity, and a golf ball excellent in resilience and shot feeling. The present invention relates to a resin composition for a golf ball, including (A) a resin component and (B) a nonionic surfactant, the resin component (A) including at least one selected from the group consisting of (a-1) a binary copolymer of an olefin and a C3-8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid; (a-2) a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer of an olefin and a C3-8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid; (a-3) a ternary copolymer of an olefin, a C3-8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester; and (a-4) a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer of an olefin, a C3-8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
  • Patent number: 8450397
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing a non-petroleum based polyester resin as a resin component (A) and a needle-like and/or fibrous filler (B). The present invention further provide a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing, a non-petroleum based polyester resin (A-1), at least one petroleum based thermoplastic resin (A-2), and a compatibilizer (C) containing at least a (meth)acrylic resin (C-1) having a polar functional group and an olefin resin (C-2) having a polar functional group. According to the present invention, durability, abrasion resistance and repulsion of a golf ball can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoko Okabe
  • Patent number: 8450425
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in fluidity, adhesion of the paint film, and repulsion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is excellent in durability and low-temperature durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Satoko Okabe, Takahiro Shigemitsu, Kazuhiko Isogawa, Tsutomu Hirau
  • Patent number: 8426523
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in fluidity, adhesion of the paint film, and repulsion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is excellent in durability and low-temperature durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition that contains as a resin component, (A) a specific high melt viscosity ionomer resin being neutralized with at least two metal ions, and (B) a low melt viscosity ionomer resin being neutralized with at least two metal ions, in a ratio of (A) the high melt viscosity ionomer resin/(B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin being 55 mass % to 99 mass %/45 mass % to 1 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Satoko Okabe
  • Patent number: 8420716
    Abstract: A golf ball exhibits excellent abrasion-resistance and resilience. A golf ball of the present invention includes: a core; and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed of a cover composition containing a (meth)acrylic polymer-modified silicate and a resin component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Eisuke Yamada, SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Eisuke Yamada, Toshiyuki Tarao
  • Patent number: 8410220
    Abstract: Disclosed are golf balls having soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers with improved softness and scuff resistance and methods for their preparation. The soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers comprise at least partially neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized terpolymers (molecular weight between about 80,000 and 500,000) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (molecular weight between about 2,000 and 30,000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: John Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 8399566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls and golf ball components comprising a blend of one or more ionomers mixed with one or more metal or ammonium salts of chelating agent. The resulting modified ionomer compositions have improved processability as shown by the increase in melt flow index (I2) as compared to the unmodified ionomer analogs while demonstrating an increase in resiliency or speed as shown by increasing COR, while maintaining or showing only a slight increase in hardness as measured by Shore D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8399563
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in the durability at the normal and low temperatures, flight distance, and shot feeling on the shots. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in a direction stability on the shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core consisting of at least one layer; and a cover covering the core and having a thickness ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition that contains as a resin component, (A) a highly elastic polyamide resin (B) a metal-neutralized product of binary copolymer and/or ternary copolymer, and (C) a resin having a polar functional group in a specific amount, and wherein the cover composition has a slab hardness ranging from 65 to 75 in Shore D hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Tsutomu Hirau, Satoko Okabe
  • Patent number: 8394881
    Abstract: To provide a golf ball with excellent abrasion-resistance and resilience. A golf ball of the present invention comprises: a core; and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed of a cover composition containing a (meth)acrylic polymer-modified silicate and a resin component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Eisuke Yamada, Toshiyuki Tarao
  • Patent number: 8362149
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material composed of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by melt-blending under applied heat one or more compounds selected from among UV/EB-curable materials with, in the presence of a peroxide, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin and an ionomeric resin; or of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by using, instead of the ionomeric resin, an acid-containing polymer base of the ionomeric resin and subjecting the acid-containing polymer composition similarly prepared by melt-blending under applied heat to an acid-neutralizing reaction with a metal ionic species. Methods for preparing such a material, and golf balls which include as a component therein a molding made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent abrasion resistance, scuff resistance, durability and flexibility without a loss of rebound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Egashira, Jun Shindo, Eiji Takehana, Hiroyuki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 8357756
    Abstract: Compositions comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyalkenamer; and (b) an organic modifier that includes at least one carbon to carbon unsaturated bond and at least one functional group selected from carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, epoxy, (meth)acrylate, vinyl, ester, isocyanate, carbonyl, urethane, anhydride, or a metal salt thereof. Also disclosed are golf balls that include (i) a core, (ii) at least one intermediate layer, and (iii) at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer or cover layer includes the polylalkenamer/functionalized organic modifier composition as a majority ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130012335
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a soft golf ball resin composition excellent in the shot feeling and resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by mass of at least one resin component selected from the group consisting of (a-1) a binary copolymer, (a-2) a binary ionomer resin, (a-3) a ternary copolymer, and (a-4) a ternary ionomer resin, (B) 1 part to 25 parts by mass of a phosphate ester and/or a salt thereof; and (C) 0 part to 200 parts by mass of a basic inorganic metal compound. The golf ball of the present invention comprises a constituent member formed from the golf ball resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi SHIGA, Ryo MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 8349958
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a resin composition for the golf ball that suppresses the bleed out of the low molecular weight material component, as well as improves the fluidity and repulsion performance. The present invention provides a golf ball forming resin composition comprising as a resin component, (A) a high melt viscosity resin; (B) a low melt viscosity ionomer resin having a melt viscosity (190° C.) ranging from 1 Pa·s to 10 Pa·s measured by a brookfield viscometer, in a ratio of (A) the high melt viscosity resin/(B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin being 55 mass % to 99 mass %/45 mass % to 1 mass %; and (C) a metal ion source capable of neutralizing carboxyl groups of (A) the high melt viscosity resin and (B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin, in an amount of from 0.1 part to 10 parts with respect to 100 parts by mass of a sum of (A) the high melt viscosity resin and (B) the low melt viscosity ionomer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Shigemitsu, Satoko Okabe
  • Publication number: 20120329573
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising an ionomer and a polyamine or a tertiary polyamide. The polyamine and the tertiary polyamide have a molecular weight of greater than 500 Da and do not contain an ester moiety or a primary amine moiety. The polyamine comprises at least three moieties that are tertiary amines or hindered secondary amines, and the polyamide comprises tertiary amide moieties and no secondary or primary amide moieties. The compositions may optionally include a filler. Further provided are articles such as golf balls and films containing these compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: PETER A. MORKEN, CHARLES JOHN TALKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20120302372
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball providing improved UV resistance, abrasion resistance and hydrophobicity comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles having a particle size within the wavelength of visible light. The golf ball of the invention may comprise the cerium oxide nanoparticles in any or all of outer core layers, intemiediate layers, inner cover layers, outer cover layers and even as a coating composition in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the respective layer. The cerium oxide nanoparticles may be randomly dispersed within a layer or coating, or alternatively, the cerium oxide nanoparticles may be ordered in an array within the layer or coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Randy Petrichko