Patents by Inventor David Melanson

David 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).

  • Publication number: 20070164482
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: David Melanson, Thomas Veilleux, Vincent Simonds, Michael Tzivanis
  • Publication number: 20070111824
    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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: David Melanson, Vincent Simonds, Thomas Kennedy, John Nealon, Michael Tzivanis, Viktor Keller
  • Publication number: 20070105659
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Mark Binette, Vincent Simonds, Michael Tzivanis, David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20070087865
    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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Shannon, Thomas Veilleux, Vincent Simonds, Thomas Kennedy, David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis
  • Publication number: 20070087863
    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: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Matroni, Thomas Kennedy, Michael Tzivanis, Mark Binette, David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20070083271
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Andy Levine, David Melanson, John Meade
  • Publication number: 20070077321
    Abstract: Molding equipment and related processes for manufacturing golf balls are disclosed. Mold dies particularly adapted for reaction injection molding, and particularly using low viscosity reactants and high temperatures are described. The use of the noted mold dies eliminate or significantly reduce the occurrence of witness lines or other mold defects on golf balls produced therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Veilleux, David Melanson, Thomas Bergin
  • Publication number: 20070069424
    Abstract: A molding assembly and related process are described that eliminate or significantly reduce cosmetic defects otherwise occurring in golf balls. The assembly includes molds with particular runner configurations, gate configurations, and venting characteristics. The assemblies and processes described herein are particularly well suited for reaction injection molding of golf balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Veilleux, David Melanson, Thomas Bergin
  • Publication number: 20070049420
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis
  • Publication number: 20070040300
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Vincent Simonds, Michael Tzivanis, David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20070040297
    Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The method includes placing a golf ball precursor product with a cover comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane material and a dendritic polymer in a solution containing an isocyanate functionality reactive material. The precursor product is then removed and heated to remove solvent to prepare the precursor product for finishing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventor: David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20070032879
    Abstract: The invention relates to improved means for preventing buckling and therefore eversion of thin-walled, flexible, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to buckling and therefore eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary anti-buckling mechanisms provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist buckling and therefore eversion. In some embodiments, the anti-buckling mechanism is as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Andy Levine, David Melanson, Ian Parker
  • Publication number: 20070026969
    Abstract: A golf ball with overlapping indicia is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core and at least a cover layer. The cover layer of the golf ball is composed of a transparent, semi-transparent, translucent or semi-transluscent material. Each layer has an indicia thereon with the indicia on the non-cover layer visible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: David Melanson, Mark Binette, Michael Tzivanis, Scott Miller
  • Publication number: 20070027548
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Andy Levine, David Melanson, John Meade
  • Publication number: 20070001348
    Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The method includes placing a golf ball precursor product with a thermoplastic polyurethane cover in a solution containing an isocyanate functionality reactive material. The precursor product is then removed from the solution and heated to remove solvent. The precursor product is then placed in an isocyanate solution. The precursor product is then removed and heated to remove solvent to prepare the precursor product for finishing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis, Gary Matroni
  • Publication number: 20070005147
    Abstract: A collapsible gastrointestinal anchor can be characterized in various embodiments by a radial force of about 0.1 Newtons (N) or greater at a compressed diameter of 25 millimeters (mm); by an average spring rate of about 13 Newtons/meter (N/m) or greater in a range of motion between a relaxed diameter and a compressive elastic deformation diameter; or by a radial force over the range of motion of about 0.1 N or greater. Typically, the anchor can be adapted to be retained within a subject's intestine, more typically in the duodenum, or particularly in the duodenal bulb just distal to the pylorus. A gastrointestinal implant device includes the collapsible gastrointestinal anchor and a floppy sleeve. The sleeve is open at both ends and adapted to extend into a subject's intestine, the anchor being coupled to a proximal portion of the sleeve. Also include are methods of implanting the gastrointestinal implant device in a subject, and methods of treating a subject for disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Levine, David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20060265082
    Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the duodenum and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for attaching the device to the duodenum and an unsupported flexible sleeve. The anchor can include a stent and/or a wave anchor and is collapsible for catheter-based delivery and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: John Meade, Andy Levine, David Melanson, John Cvinar
  • Publication number: 20060247073
    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: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Michael Tzivanis, David Melanson
  • Patent number: 7122058
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve to limit absorption of nutrients in the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
  • Publication number: 20060223654
    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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Viktor Keller, David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis