Patents by Inventor David M. Melanson

David M. Melanson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7534384
    Abstract: An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball with deep dimples are disclosed. The golf ball comprises a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides deep dimples that extend through the cover layer and/or into a layer or component underneath are disclosed. At least one percent (1%), preferably about five percent (5%), of the dimples of the ball comprise deep dimples. The cover may be a single layer or include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to or into the core. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Tzivanis, David M. Melanson, Vincent J. Simonds, Kevin J. Shannon, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 7524251
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are golf products, such as golf balls and/or components thereof, including the product of a fast-chemical-reaction mixture comprising a polyol and an isocyanate. The component is formed by reaction injection molding the reaction mixture. In the reaction mixture, the stoichiometry of the reactants is imbalanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis
  • Patent number: 7520823
    Abstract: A golf ball comprises a molded core, one or more ionomer mantles, and a thermoset polyurethane cover. The core is a high cis-polybutadiene crosslinked with zinc diacrylate and may also comprise a halogenated thiophenol and metal thiosulfate. One or more of the ionomer mantles comprises an ionomer neutralized to 80% or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Mark L. Binette, Vincent J. Simonds, Michael J. Tzivanis, David M. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20090069117
    Abstract: A golf ball having a layer composed of a polyurethane/polyurea material formed from reaction injection molding a polyol component and an isocyanate component. The polyol component preferably comprises a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight of approximately 1000 and a 3,5-diethyl-2,4 toluenediamine. The layer is preferably a cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.025 inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: THOMAS J. KENNEDY, III, DAVID M. MELANSON
  • Patent number: 7497791
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep depressions that extend through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath is disclosed. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the deep depressions extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to and/or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the deep depressions extend to and/or into the core. The cover layer(s) may be formed from any material suitable for use as a cover, including, but not limited to, ionomers, non-ionomers and blends of ionomers and non-ionomers. The deep depressions may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the deep depression that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the deep depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis, Viktor Keller
  • Patent number: 7494428
    Abstract: A two-piece golf ball having a reaction injection molded polyurethane cover is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core with a diameter preferably ranging from 1.610 inches to 1.670 inches, and a cover having a thickness preferably ranging from 0.015 inch to 0.045 inch. The cover also preferably has a plurality of deep apertures extending through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis
  • Patent number: 7473193
    Abstract: A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a high or increased melt index thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably 0.050 inches or less, more preferably less than 0.040 inches, even more preferably less than 0.030 inches). In addition, an operation in which the outer cover is exposed to an isocyanate solution is described to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Gary Matroni, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael J. Tzivanis, Mark L. Binette, David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 7473196
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep dimples having two or more different radii is disclosed. The deep dimples(s) extend(s) through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. The deep dual dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Kevin J. Shannon, Thomas A. Veilleux, Vincent J. Simonds, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis
  • Patent number: 7449541
    Abstract: A golf ball having a layer composed of a polyurethane/polyurea material formed from reaction injection molding a polyol component and an isocyanate component. The polyol component preferably comprises a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight of approximately 1000 and a 3,5-diethyl-2,4 toluenediamine. The layer is preferably a cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.025 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, David M. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20080274827
    Abstract: A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a high or increased melt index thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably 0.050 inches or less, more preferably less than 0.040 inches, even more preferably less than 0.030 inches). In addition, an operation in which the outer cover is exposed to an isocyanate solution is described to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: GARY MATRONI, THOMAS J. KENNEDY, MICHAEL J. TZIVANIS, MARK L. BINETTE, DAVID M. MELANSON
  • Publication number: 20080268983
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, is a golf ball having a polyurethane cover formed from a low-monol content polyol. The low-monol content polyol is preferably a polyether polyol. The golf ball is preferably a three-piece solid golf ball with a core, mantle layer and a cover. A low-monol content is preferably less than 1%. More preferably, the low-monol content is between 0.5% to 1%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: DAVID M. MELANSON, VIKTOR KELLER, WILLIAM M. RISEN
  • Publication number: 20080254915
    Abstract: A two-piece golf ball having a reaction injection molded polyurethane cover is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core with a diameter preferably ranging from 1.610 inches to 1.670 inches, and a cover having a thickness preferably ranging from 0.015 inch to 0.045 inch. The cover also preferably has a plurality of deep apertures extending through the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: DAVID M. MELANSON, MICHAEL J. TZIVANIS
  • Patent number: 7427193
    Abstract: Molding equipment and related techniques for forming a golf ball are disclosed. The golf ball comprises a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep dimples that extend through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath are disclosed. The molding equipment provides one or more selectively positionable knock-out pins along the surface of the molding chamber. These pins are specially tailored such that subsequent to molding, the resulting voids are traditional or deep dimples. The molding equipment and related processes are particularly useful when forming the various layers by reaction injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Veilleux, Vincent J. Simonds, David M. Melanson, Quansheng Lu
  • Patent number: 7422716
    Abstract: A process for reaction injection molding a polyurethane material for a layer of a golf ball is disclosed herein. The layer is preferably a cover for the golf ball. The process discloses preferred pressure parameters and mass flow parameters for reaction injection molding the layer. Such preferred pressure parameters include the difference from mix-head open to the shot mid-point, ??Pom, and the pressure difference from mix-head open to close, or ??Poc. The mass flow parameters include the percentage change in mass flow ratio from mix-head open to shot mid-point, or % MFRom, and the change in mass flow ratio from mix-head open to shot mid-point, or ?MFRom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: David M. Melanson, Thomas A. Veilleux, Vincent J. Simonds, Michael J. Tzivanis
  • Patent number: 7396300
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Tzivanis, William M. Risen, Jr., Robert A. Weiss, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, David M. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20080132357
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising fast-chemical-reaction-produced component, such as a component which comprises a reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The golf ball has excellent light stability. Also disclosed is a method making a golf ball by forming a cover component of the ball by mixing two or more reactants that react and form a reaction product with a flex modulus of from about 1 to about 310 kpsi in a reaction time of about 5 minutes or less, the component having a thickness of at least 0.01 inches and a demold time of 10 minutes or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: THOMAS J. KENNEDY, MICHAEL J. TZIVANIS, DAVID M. MELANSON
  • Patent number: 7367903
    Abstract: A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a high or increased melt index thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably 0.050 inches or less, more preferably less than 0.040 inches, even more preferably less than 0.030 inches). In addition, an operation in which the outer cover is exposed to an isocyanate solution is described to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Gary Matroni, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael J. Tzivanis, Mark L. Binette, David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 7338391
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a cover composed of a transparent reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The cover is transparent to visible light and allows for viewing of a core or boundary layer. The core or boundary layer may have a visually appealing color. Further, an indicia may be printed on a surface of the core or boundary layer, and the indicia is visible through the cover material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: David M. Melanson, Vincent J. Simonds, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, John L. Nealon, Michael J. Tzivanis, Viktor Keller
  • Patent number: 7329375
    Abstract: Molding equipment and related techniques for forming a golf ball are disclosed. The molding equipment includes the use of a mandrel with a spherical portion sized to fit within a molding chamber. The molding equipment and related processes are particularly useful when forming the various layers by reaction injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Daniel Murphy, Vincent J. Simonds, Kevin J. Shannon, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael J. Tzivanis, David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 7320650
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep dimples having two or more different radii is disclosed. The deep dimples(s) extend(s) through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. The deep dual dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Kevin J. Shannon, Thomas A. Veilleux, Vincent J. Simonds, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis