Abstract: Molding equipment and related techniques for forming a golf ball with one or more deep dimples 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. Preferably, the deep dimples are at least twice the depth of conventional dimples, more preferably, three or four times the depth of the conventional dimples. The deep 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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer comprising an ionomer and having Shore D hardness of about 65 or less, and an outer cover layer comprising an ionomer and having a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The outer cover layer is harder than the inner cover layer. The core preferably comprises a high molecular weight polybutadiene that exhibits an ultra high Mooney viscosity. The sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is greater than 0.090 inches. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed.

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 cover may be a single layer or include multiple layers. 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 molding equipment and related processes are particularly useful when forming the various layers by reaction injection molding.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising 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 is disclosed. The cover may be a single layer or it may 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 and/or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples 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 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. Optionally, a moisture barrier layer may be present between the core and/or the cover layer(s).

Abstract: Molding equipment and related techniques for forming a golf ball with one or more deep dimples 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. Preferably, the deep dimples are at least twice the depth of conventional dimples, more preferably, three or four times the depth of the conventional dimples. The deep 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.

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 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 into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to 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 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.

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.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer. The core defines at least one depression along its outer surface. The cover layer provides at least one aperture that extends through the cover layer to the core. The aperture of the cover is aligned with the depression of the core. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. The aperture(s) may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the aperture that extends to the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A process for producing golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep dimples that extend through the cover layer 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 dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend 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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball having one or more deep dimples are 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 the material flow inlet and the molding cavity. The molding cavity includes at least one outwardly extending protrusion that forms a deep dimple that extends through the cover of the golf ball to and/or into the underlying component of the golf ball upon molding. The outwardly extending protrusion has a height greater than or equal to the thickness of the cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for forming multi-layer golf balls, and more particularly to processes and equipment for forming multi-layer golf balls having one or more deep dimples that extend through the outer cover layer and into one or more matching depressions in the layers or components thereunder.

Abstract: A process for making a golf ball with one or more deep dimples is disclosed. The process utilizes 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 the 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. The molding cavity includes at least one outwardly extending protrusion that forms a deep dimple that extends through the cover of the golf ball to and/or into the underlying component of the golf ball upon molding.

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: 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 nonspherical, 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.

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 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: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a high Mooney viscosity polybutadiene core, an inner cover layer comprising at least one ionomer (preferably at least one high flow ionomer resin) and having Shore D hardness of about 65 or less, and an outer cover layer having a different composition than the inner cover layer, comprising an ionomer, and having a Shore D hardness of more than 65. The sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is greater than 0.090 inches. A method for making the golf ball also is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a cover formed from a polyamide composition and a method of making the same. More specifically, the golf ball has a cover which contains a combination of a polyamide component including polyphthalamide 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: A technique for preparing polyamide-ionomer graft copolymers is disclosed which involves first preparing a copolymer from a polyamide and an ionomer precursor, and then neutralizing the ionomer precursor. Also disclosed is a technique for preparing a polyamide and ionomer blend by first blending a polyamide and an ionomer precursor together, and then neutralizing the ionomer precursor. Golf balls utilizing these compositions and related methods of forming are also described herein.