Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game ball and method for making the same. The game ball has an ionomeric cover which includes a combination of ionomeric crosslinks and covalent crosslinks. The game ball cover is superior in at least one of cut resistance and scuff resistance to a conventional cover that does not have covalent crosslinks but is otherwise substantially identical in composition. The game ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved golf ball compositions in which the balls have low spin and excellent distance. The balls contain tungsten or another high density filler in a solid, central core in order to enhance coefficient of restitution, and have very high quantities of whitening agent in the outer cover layer to increase the moment of inertia and thus reduce spin. This results in a golf ball exhibiting enhanced distance while maintaining good durability. In a preferred version of the present invention, a golf ball is provided that comprises a core and a dimpled cover disposed about the core. The core includes a rubber and 0.1 to 40 parts by weight of a filler material having a specific gravity of at least 7. The cover includes a resin and at least 2.5 parts by weight of a particular whitening agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a dual, or multilayer core component that is relatively soft and a hard cover that results in the golf ball exhibiting a reduced spin rate. The dual, or multilayer core component includes a center component and a core layer, each of which is independently formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or a blend thereof. The dual core component is relatively soft, having a Riehle compression of at least 75. The cover is preferably formed from a high acid ionomer or a certain type of alpha-olefin such that the cover has a Shore D hardness of at least 65. The cover may be a single layer cover or a multilayer cover. The golf ball of the present invention may have an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting molded golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The golf ball comprises one or more metal mantle layers and a cellular or liquid core component. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more metal mantle layers. The golf ball of the present invention may also utilize an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: A golf ball is described having a core with a multi-layer cover with a thickness of at least 3.6 mm (0.142 inches) and a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The combination of a core, preferably soft core, with a thick, relatively hard multi-layer cover results in a ball having better distance than conventional golf balls having a comparable coefficient of restitution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a cover or mantle, or both, formed from an isophthalic acid polyamide composition and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the golf ball has a cover which contains a combination of an isophthalic acid polyamide component and an ionomeric component or a non-ionomeric terpolymer component. The cover composition has excellent durability and resistance to cracking, even at cold temperatures. The nylon-ionomer blend is a useful substitute for an ionomer golf ball cover, particularly when a low spin golf ball is desired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a core and a cover comprising a blend of ionomer and plastomer. The golf ball has an impact resistance and cut resistance comparable to a ball having a non-plastomer cover and containing higher quantities of ionomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a high acid ionomer or ionomer blend which may or may not include a filler such as zinc-stearate. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a golf ball is disclosed. The apparatus is a molding assembly for making a golf ball which includes a mold body that defines a molding cavity. The molding cavity is adapted to accommodate and preferably retain a golf ball core during a molding operation of one or more layers about the core. The molding assembly includes at least one material flow inlet, at least one material flow channel extending between and providing fluid communication with a material flow inlet and the molding cavity. At least one portion of the material flow channel has a plurality of bends and at least one branching intersection adapted to promote turbulence in a liquid flowing therethrough. A method of making a golf ball is also disclosed. A golf ball made from the disclosed molding apparatus and/or process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fast-curing polyurethane coating system for a game ball is described herein. The coating system comprises a mixture of a polyol, an isocyanate, a functional silicone additive, a solvent and a surprisingly high level of catalyst which accelerates the curing process. The coating is a two-part polyurethane system which is preferably applied by spraying. The coating is particularly well-suited for use on golf balls, and also can be applied to other game balls such as softballs, baseballs, and cricket balls.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to increase adhesion between two adjacent layers. The process comprises roughening the surface of one layer followed by chlorination of the roughened surface and joining of the layers, or treating the surface of one layer with a silicone-based adhesion promoter and joining the layers. In one preferred embodiment the process comprises roughening the surface of one layer, followed by chlorination of the roughened surface, joining of the layers and post-treatment of the molded layers at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft, high resilience, solid core, comprising, in part, a combination of high molecular weight polybutadiene rubbers, and a soft outer cover disposed about the core. The core preferably is relatively large and durable, and the cover is preferably thin and includes a specific combination of hard and/or soft, yet durable, resinous materials. Preferably, the ball is a two-piece golf ball.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 53 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises at least 75% of a soft, ionomeric copolymer formed from a polyolefin, an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a monomer of the acrylate ester class. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: Inflatable articles with self-contained mechanisms, such as sporting equipment, medical equipment, recreational devices and toys, preferably any inflatable article with at least one mechanism for inflating or adding pressure to the article, or for deflating or removing pressure from the piece of equipment, such that the mechanism is located inside the article are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a low acid ionomer blend which may or may not include a filler such as zinc-stearate. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, non-ionomeric thermoplastic or thermosetting elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: A ball bat comprising a bat frame in a generally cylindrical configuration. The bat has an essentially cylindrical hitting area and a handle area remote from the hitting area and with a tapering transition zone therebetween. The bat frame is fabricated of a composite material of fibers in a matrix binder. A cylindrical recess is formed in the hitting area and has an annular inner face and parallel end faces at the ends of the recess. An annular insert metal with an interior cylindrical surface is in contact with the inner face of the recess and with parallel end faces in contact with the end faces of the recess and a cylindrical exterior surface essentially flush with the portions of the bat frame on opposite sides of the recess.