Abstract: The present invention relates to golf ball having a core and an outer cover layer made from a blend composition of about 1 to about 99 wt % of a block copolymer having no polar functionality; and from about 1 to about 99 wt % (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of either one or more unimodal acidic polymers; or a bimodal polymer blend composition including a high molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of about 80,000 to about 500,000 and including one or more ethylene/?,?-ethylenically unsaturated C3-8 carboxylic acid copolymers and/or one or more ethylene, alkyl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic acid terpolymers; and a low molecular weight component having a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of about from about 2,000 to about 30,000 and comprising one or more ethylene/?, ?-ethylenically unsaturated C3-8 carboxylic acid copolymers and/or one or more ethylene, alkyl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic acid terpolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls and golf ball components comprising a blend of one or more ionomers mixed with one or more metal or ammonium salts of chelating agent. The resulting modified ionomer compositions have improved processability as shown by the increase in melt flow index (I2) as compared to the unmodified ionomer analogs while demonstrating an increase in resiliency or speed as shown by increasing COR, while maintaining or showing only a slight increase in hardness as measured by Shore D.

Abstract: Compositions comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyalkenamer; and (b) an organic modifier that includes at least one carbon to carbon unsaturated bond and at least one functional group selected from carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, epoxy, (meth)acrylate, vinyl, ester, isocyanate, carbonyl, urethane, anhydride, or a metal salt thereof. Also disclosed are golf balls that include (i) a core, (ii) at least one intermediate layer, and (iii) at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer or cover layer includes the polylalkenamer/functionalized organic modifier composition as a majority ingredient.

Abstract: A method in a computer system for coordinating scheduling of threads among a plurality of processors. The method includes collecting, using a cooperative scheduling component (CSC), system data pertaining to the plurality of processors. The method further includes calculating, using the CSC, unified scheduling-related parameters (USRPs) from the system data. The method additionally includes furnishing the USRPs from the CSC to at least two of a thread launcher, a thread balancer, and a thread stealer, whereby at least two of the thread launcher, the thread balancer, and the thread stealer employ the USRPs to perform their respective scheduling-related tasks.

Abstract: Resin compositions incorporate (a) a functionalized polymeric material comprising at least one hydroxyl functional group, at least one amine functional group or at least one hydroxyl functional group and at least one amine functional group, and (b) at least one modified polyisocyanate to form a urethane, a urea, or a urethane/urea. The modified polyisocyanate typically has at least three isocyanate functional groups, which may include one or more blocked isocyanates by linkage. The resin compositions exhibit the ease of processing of a thermoplastic resin, but show the superior mechanical properties and excellent shear durability like a thermoset polyurethane.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern using at least one triazine, typically an amine or polyamine triazine (referred to as amino triazines), in combination with at least one ionomer or ionomer precursor to form compositions useful for making sporting equipment, such as golf ball components. The ionomer or ionomer precursor typically includes plural acid functional groups, such as carboxyl or carboxylate groups, that react or form salts with the amino triazine. Specific examples, without limitation, of suitable amino triazines include guanamine, 6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (acetoguanamine), 6-nonyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (nonylguanamine), 6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (benzoguanamine) and 2,4,6-triamino-triazine (melamine).

Abstract: The present invention is to a golf ball having an equator at latitude 0° and two poles; and an equator region defined by latitudes 0 to 25°, a shoulder region defined by latitudes from more than 25° to less than 65°, and a pole region defined by latitudes 65° to 90°; and a dimple pattern on the surface of the golf ball having an average dimple volume of the equator region Ve, an average dimple volume of the shoulder region, Vs, and an average dimple volume of the pole region, Vp such that the ratio Vs/Ve is less than 0.97 and the ratio Vp/Vs is less than 0.97.

Abstract: A golf ball that includes (a) a core comprising a center; (b) an outer cover layer; and (c) one or more intermediate layers; wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises a composition that includes (i) at least one polyalkenamer and at least one polyamide or (ii) at least one polyalkenamer. A method for making a golf ball comprising a core, one or more intermediate layers and an outer cover layer is also disclosed, wherein the method includes forming a blend comprising at least one polyalkenamer rubber and at least one polyamide; and injection molding the blend into a spherical mold to form the intermediate or outer cover layer. Also disclosed is a polymer composition that includes at least one polyalkenamer and at least one thermoplastic copolyamide elastomer.

Abstract: Presently disclosed embodiments concern an isocyanate-modified composition which includes A) from about 65 to about 99 weight % (based on the total weight of the isocyanate-modified composition) of a base polymer having either hydroxyl groups or amine groups or mixtures thereof, and B) from about 1 to about 35 weight % (based on the total weight of the isocyanate-modified composition) of a blocked isocyanate. The presently disclosed embodiments also include a golf ball made from the isocyanate-modified composition, and a method of making a golf ball using the isocyanate-modified composition, such as by injection molding.

Abstract: Embodiments of a composition useful for making sports equipment, such as golf balls, are disclosed comprising at least one polyurethane, polyurea, polymer precursor composition thereof, blocked polyurethane, blocked polyurea or blocked polymer precursor composition thereof, and an effective amount of a polyfunctional modifier. One disclosed embodiment of a method for forming a golf ball comprises providing a first composition comprising at least one polyurethane, polyurea, polymer precursor composition thereof, blocked polyurethane, blocked polyurea or blocked polymer precursor composition thereof, and an effective amount of a polyfunctional modifier. The first composition is combined with at least a second composition to make at least one component of a golf ball.

Abstract: An ionomer modified by an amine-functionalized chemical for use in sporting equipment. The ionomer modified by an amine-functionalized chemical facilitates high COR, compression, durability, and ease of processing.

Abstract: A golf ball that includes (a) a core comprising a center; (b) an outer cover layer; and (c) one or more intermediate layers; wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises a composition that includes (i) at least one polyalkenamer and at least one polyamide or (ii) at least one polyalkenamer. A method for making a golf ball comprising a core, one or more intermediate layers and an outer cover layer is also disclosed, wherein the method includes forming a blend comprising at least one polyalkenamer rubber and at least one polyamide; and injection molding the blend into a spherical mold to form the intermediate or outer cover layer. Also disclosed is a polymer composition that includes at least one polyalkenamer and at least one thermoplastic copolyamide elastomer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for traversing a first set of objects in a first dynamic list in a computer system. The method includes partitioning copies of the first set of objects into a plurality of second dynamic lists, each of the plurality of second dynamic lists being configured to contain a subset of the copies of the first set of objects, copies of the first set of objects being disposed in the plurality of second dynamic lists. The method also includes traversing the plurality of second dynamic lists using a plurality of traversal threads, thereby causing at least some of the copies of the first set of objects to be traversed in parallel.

Abstract: A golf ball made from a composition that includes at least one triboluminescent material. In one embodiment, the golf ball includes a core; an outer cover layer; one or more intermediate layers; and a coating layer disposed on the outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer, or the coating layer comprises at least one triboluminescent material. In another embodiment, the golf ball includes a core; an outer cover layer; and one or more intermediate layers; wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises at least one triboluminescent material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also concerns golf balls comprising the reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also relates to a method for making a golf ball which includes using reduced yellowing compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The resulting golf balls have similar processability and physical properties (such as resiliency and shear resistance) as golf balls made from conventional polyurethane or polyurea formulations, while exhibiting substantially improved resistance to yellowing.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core comprising a center; an outer cover layer; and one or more intermediate layers, wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises a composition that includes at least one specialty propylene elastomer. The specialty propylene elastomer is preferably present in the outer cover layer and/or the intermediate layer. Also disclosed is a composition that includes at least one ionomer and at least one specialty propylene elastomer, wherein the ionomer is present in an amount of about 95 to about 5 weight percent and the specialty propylene elastomer is present in an amount of about 5 to about 95 weight percent, based on the total weight of all polymers in the composition. The specialty propylene elastomer/ionomer composition can be used to make the outer cover layer and/or the intermediate layer of a golf ball.

Abstract: A power-up detection circuit which generates a power-up detection pulse by comparing the directly applied power supply voltage and the delayed power supply voltage so that the application of power supply voltage thereto is exactly detected even though the power supply voltage has a varying rise time. The circuit is disabled when the delayed power supply voltage rises to the full power supply voltage level after a predetermined delay time.

Abstract: A method of producing a microwave dielectric applicable to microwave applied appliances. According to the method, the temperature coefficient of the resonance frequency of the dielectric is controlled by adjusting the amount of an amorphous portion of the dielectric with quenching of the dielectric material in a temperature range where its liquid phase exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of high frequency dielectric ceramics represented by the following formula:(1-y) SrTiO.sub.3 -y La(Zn.sub.1-x)/2 Mg.sub.x/2 Ti.sub.1/2)O.sub.3wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.99; and 0.4.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.9. The compositions have a dielectric constant of about 28 to about 60, Qxf.sub.0 (GHz) of about 25,000 to about 71,000 and a temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency of about -56 to about 84 ppm/.degree. C. The compositions may be applied to various communications systems which require high frequency dielectric ceramics.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle drying apparatus for use in an automatic car wash system comprising a series of vertically hanging towels connected to a rotating carriage and vaccum drying means disposed in the circuit of moving towels for drying the towels as they are rotated across the vehicle, wherein the towels are detachably connected to corresponding transparent flexible support strip elements to permit visual observation of vehicles behind the hanging strips.