Abstract: Golf ball covers incorporate base material compositions including a sound-altering material for selectively enhancing or dampening the acoustic output of a golf ball when it is struck. A ratio in the composition by weight of base material to sound-altering material ranges between 99.9:0.1 and 92:8. The invention allows for the altering of the sound of the golf ball while retaining the mechanical properties of the golf ball cover.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; forming an inner cover layer around golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball intermediate layer consists essentially of a specified triblock copolymer or its hydrogenation product, a specified block copolymer, or mixtures of these. The layer unexpectedly provides for improved ball performance with respect to spin rate, feel, and durability, without the expected disadvantages of use of such a layer. The layer can be incorporated into a wide variety of known ball constructions.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core, compression molding over a ball core, and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A solid golf ball comprising a solid core, an encapsulating coating having a thickness of about 0.001 to 0.01 inches and a cast polyurethane outer cover layer. The cast outer cover layer is comprised of a prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the prepolymer is made from a polyol selected from the group of polyether, polyester and polylactone and a diisocyanate selected from the group of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenylene diisocyanate (TODI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The encapsulating coating is a thermosetting latex material that is applied to the solid core through a solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls having improved adhesion between adjacent layers, as well as methods for making golf balls having such improved adhesion. In particular, the golf balls of the present invention comprise a cover, a core and optionally one or more intermediate layers disposed between the cover and the core, wherein the outer surface of the core, an intermediate layer(s) or both the core and the intermediate layers has a finely textured surface profile integrally molded in the outer surface thereof. The finely textured surface profile comprises a plurality of peaks having a maximum depth of about 2 mils to about 15 mils.

Abstract: A golf ball including an improved mantle composition which results in improved performance characteristics. The composition includes a soft, flexible resin, such as an elastomer, and a quantity of at least one hardness-enhancing material, such as a quantity of fibers or fiber segments, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and/or metallic fibers, and, optionally, at least one ionomer. The hardness-enhancing material can constitute about 1 to about 30 wt % of the intermediate layer. The composition of the intermediate layer enables the golf ball to maintain initial speed and distance of known golf balls, while improving upon spin rate and playability. Alternatively, spin rate and playability can be maintained, while improving upon the initial speed and distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; injection molding an inner cover layer around said golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around said inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making golf balls having adhesion between adjacent layers. In particular, the golf balls of the present invention comprise a cover, a core and optionally one or more intermediate layers disposed between the cover and the core, wherein the outer surface of the core an intermediate layer(s) or both the core and the intermediate layer has a finely textured surface profile integrally molded in the outer surface thereof. The finely textured surface profile comprises a plurality of peaks having a plurality of heights with a maximum of said heights being between the range of about 2 mils to about 15 mils.

Abstract: A golf ball consisting of a multi-piece cover surrounding a core. The cover consists of a multi-sheet structure which includes at least three thin layers of thermoplastic with each layer having a thickness of no more than 0.030 inches. The hardness of the multi-sheet structure varies between adjacent layers so that the reaction of the ball varies depending upon the amount of deformation of the ball upon impact with a golf club. The method of manufacturing a golf ball includes producing a cover from a multi-layer member, with at least one layer having a thickness of no more than 0.030 inches.

Abstract: A solid golf ball having a core, a cover, an intermediate skin between the core and the cover defining a generally continuous inner annular surface, wherein the inner annular surface of the skin is stretched over the core. Desirably, to prevent breakage, the annular surface is at least 1/4 inch wide. Preferably, the skin has a substantially uniform thickness and covers substantially the entire outer surface of the core so that the golf ball will react in a uniform manner regardless of where on the cover the ball is struck. The skin preferably comprises a polymeric material which is stretched so as to have a predetermined amount of initial strain so as to reach a certain level of crystallization of material. This predetermined amount of initial strain is desirably 150%, preferably 200% and, most preferably 400%. A method of manufacturing a golf ball having a stretched intermediate skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball having a core and outer polyurethane cover by placing a first portion of polyurethane in a first cavity and allowing the first portion of polyurethane to partially cure to a selected state of gel. The core is positioned within the cavity while the core is vertically and laterally centered within the cavity. A second portion of polyurethane is placed in a second cavity at a time subsequent to placing the first portion of polyurethane in the first cavity. The second portion of polyurethane is allowed to partially care. The first and second cavities are mated together to cure the polyurethane around the core.

Abstract: A golf ball including an improved mantle composition which results in improved performance characteristics. The composition includes a soft, flexible resin, such as an elastomer, and a quantity of at least one hardness-enhancing material, such as a quantity of fibers or fiber segments, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and/or metallic fibers, and, optionally, at least one ionomer. The hardness-enhancing material can constitute about 1 to about 30 wt % of the intermediate layer. The composition of the intermediate layer enables the golf ball to maintain initial speed and distance of known golf balls, while improving upon spin rate and playability. Alternatively, spin rate and playability can be maintained, while improving upon the initial speed and distance.

Abstract: A solid golf ball having a core, a covers an intermediate layer between the core and the cover formed of a soft elastomeric material. Preferably, the layer has a thickness of 0.1-1.3 mm and is formed by dipping the core into a liquid dispersion latex having a cured hardness between 40 and 100 Shore A. The ball provides improved feel and controllability which can be varied by varying the characteristics of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a golf ball having a polyurethane cover substantially free of surface defects caused by a pin mold. By centering the golf ball core in its cover without the use of a mold having retractable or fixed alignment pins, a golf ball without surface defects in its cover resulting from the pins is achieved. To accomplish this "pinless" centering, a centering apparatus is used to properly position the golf ball core in the first mold half used to form the polyurethane cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a golf ball of selected instruction having an encapsulated core or a non-treated core and a polyurethane cover of selected composition in which equipment is employed for aligning, centering and locating the core in relationship with the molding of the cover thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a golf ball of selected instruction having an encapsulated core or a non-treated core and a polyurethane cover of selected composition in which equipment is employed for aligning, centering and locating the core in relationship with the molding of the cover thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer comprises a thermoset material formed from a castable, reactive liquid, said outer layer having a thickness of less than 0.05 inches and said inner cover layer comprises a high flexural modulus material. The golf balls of the present invention are believed to provide a "progressive performance" from driver to wedge.

Abstract: A packaging for golf balls that acts as a moisture barrier inhibiting moisture absorption by a golf ball during storage. In one embodiment, the packaging includes a sealing member that defines an internal closed volume that is configured to receive a golf ball. The sealing member preferably has a laminate structure that includes a moisture barrier layer, a sealing layer and a structural layer. Another aspect is a method of packaging golf balls to minimize moisture absorption during storage.