Abstract: A golf ball includes a plurality of layers. The layers include at least one core layer, at least one intermediate or cover layer, and at least one coating layer. At least one of these layers is formed from a composition having both a plurality of non-functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres, and a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout.

Abstract: Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.

Abstract: Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and classifying golf balls and/or components thereof according to concentricity including automated inspection systems that can simultaneously image multiple golf balls (or components thereof) to gather and analyze data on concentricity and, optionally, classify or sort the multiple golf balls (or components thereof) according to the analyzed concentricity data.

Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane compound. Functionalized polydimethylsiloxane compounds also can be used to treat thermoplastic polyurethane golf ball covers. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)—light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls with thermoplastic polyurethane covers have good physical properties.

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: Method of making a golf ball, the golf ball comprising a core, an outer layer and at least one adhesion promoting coating disposed between each of the core and the outer layer; the core comprising a rubber composition comprising at least one zinc-containing and/or magnesium-containing component; the outer layer comprising at least one ionomer; and the adhesion promoting coating comprising a waterborne dispersion comprised of at least one ethylene acid copolymer having an acid content of at least 15% by weight wherein the copolymer is at least partially neutralized with one or more neutralizing agent; wherein at least one neutralizing agent is selected from ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds. In a specific embodiment, the at least one neutralizing agent comprises i) mono and/or divalent metal compounds and ii) ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds.

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: A golf ball includes a plurality of layers. The layers include at least one core layer, at least one intermediate or cover layer, and at least one coating layer. At least one of these layers is formed from a composition having both a plurality of non-functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres, and a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and classifying golf balls and/or components thereof according to concentricity including automated inspection systems that can simultaneously image multiple golf balls (or components thereof) to gather and analyze data on concentricity and, optionally, classify or sort the multiple golf balls (or components thereof) according to the analyzed concentricity data.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising one or more layers and/or indicia formed from a fluorescent composition comprising: a base polymer; and a colorant; wherein the colorant is a small-molecule ionic isolation lattice formed from one or more fluorescent dye and one or more cyanostar macrocycles. The one or more fluorescent dyes may include at least one dye selected from xanthenes, oxazines, styryls, cyanines, trianguleniums, or mixtures thereof. The colorant may be a dispersion of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice in a carrier medium or a powder. In particular embodiments, at least one of the one or more layers is a cover layer and/or a coating layer.

Abstract: Method of making a golf ball, the golf ball comprising a core, an outer layer and at least one adhesion promoting coating disposed between each of the core and the outer layer; the core comprising a rubber composition comprising at least one zinc-containing and/or magnesium-containing component; the outer layer comprising at least one ionomer; and the adhesion promoting coating comprising a waterborne dispersion comprised of at least one ethylene acid copolymer having an acid content of at least 15% by weight wherein the copolymer is at least partially neutralized with one or more neutralizing agent; wherein at least one neutralizing agent is selected from ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds. In a specific embodiment, the at least one neutralizing agent comprises i) mono and/or divalent metal compounds and ii) ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds.

Abstract: Golf balls of the invention include at least one core layer comprised or consisting of a homogenous rubber-based core composition with a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout without agglomerating to create a relatively higher cross-link density of the core layer material. In golf balls of the invention, cross-link density gradients may be created between core layers by pre-electing the presence/absence, amount, type, and degree of functionalization of the plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in two given core layers to target important properties such as resilience/CoR and desired playing characteristics such as distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using varying energy levels to gather and analyze data on concentricity.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising one or more layers and/or indicia formed from a fluorescent composition comprising: a base polymer; and a colorant; wherein the colorant is a small-molecule ionic isolation lattice formed from one or more fluorescent dye and one or more cyanostar macrocycles. The one or more fluorescent dyes may include at least one dye selected from xanthenes, oxazines, styryls, cyanines, trianguleniums, or mixtures thereof. The colorant may be a dispersion of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice in a carrier medium or a powder. In particular embodiments, at least one of the one or more layers is a cover layer and/or a coating layer.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer formed from polymer composition comprising delignified natural wood. The delignified natural wood may be basswood, oak, poplar, ash, alder, aspen, balsa wood, beech, birch, cherry, butternut, chestnut, cocobolo, elm, hickory, maple, oak, padauk, plum, walnut, willow, yellow poplar, bald cypress, cedar, cypress, fir, hemlock, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, tamarack, juniper, yew, and/or bamboo and having a lignin content of less than 20 wt %. Hemicellulose content may be less than 30 wt %, or about 15 wt % or less, or less than 15 wt %. The delignified natural wood is included in the polymer composition in an amount of 20 wt % or less, based on total weight of the polymer composition. Examples of polymer compositions include rubbers, polyurethanes, polyureas, ionomers, and combinations thereof. In specific embodiments, the golf ball core and/or intermediate layer is formed from the polymer composition. The delignified wood may comprise chopped wood pieces and/or powder.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core, an outer layer and at least one adhesion promoting coating disposed between each of the core and the outer layer; the core comprising a rubber composition comprising at least one zinc-containing and/or magnesium-containing component; the outer layer comprising at least one ionomer; and the adhesion promoting coating comprising a waterborne dispersion comprised of at least one ethylene acid copolymer having an acid content of at least 15% by weight wherein the copolymer is at least partially neutralized with one or more neutralizing agent; wherein at least one neutralizing agent is selected from ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds. In a specific embodiment, the at least one neutralizing agent comprises i) mono and/or divalent metal compounds and ii) ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds.

Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane compound. Functionalized polydimethylsiloxane compounds also can be used to treat thermoplastic polyurethane golf ball covers. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)—light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls with thermoplastic polyurethane covers have good physical properties.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer formed from polymer composition comprising delignified natural wood. The delignified natural wood may be basswood, oak, poplar, ash, alder, aspen, balsa wood, beech, birch, cherry, butternut, chestnut, cocobolo, elm, hickory, maple, oak, padauk, plum, walnut, willow, yellow poplar, bald cypress, cedar, cypress, fir, hemlock, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, tamarack, juniper, yew, and/or bamboo and having a lignin content of less than 20 wt %. Hemicellulose content may be less than 30 wt %, or about 15 wt % or less, or less than 15 wt %. The delignified natural wood is included in the polymer composition in an amount of 20 wt % or less, based on total weight of the polymer composition. Examples of polymer compositions include rubbers, polyurethanes, polyureas, ionomers, and combinations thereof. In specific embodiments, the golf ball core and/or intermediate layer is formed from the polymer composition. The delignified wood may comprise chopped wood pieces and/or powder.

Abstract: A video slot machine has M reels, each displaying N symbols when stopped. Above the display of the reels is a set of generally valuable replacement symbols that have been independently selected at random independent from the reel display. Each reel is associated with a particular replacement symbol in the set. If a special symbol is displayed on a reel, the replacement symbol associated with that reel substitutes for the special symbol when determining the award. Examples of the replacement symbols include wild symbols, bonus symbols, and multiplier symbols. After each game, the replacement symbols are shifted, and used replacement symbols are randomly replaced to vary the possibilities for each game. The player is incentivized to play longer due to the possibility of using valuable replacement symbols in the symbol array and the possibility of very high awards being granted by multiple special symbols being displayed.