Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover which in any combination comprise at least two color contributing components, each of which comprises a colorant that contributes to an overall golf ball color, the color contributing components having substantially similar hues and different saturations, wherein the hue and saturation and a chroma of each contributing component contributes to an overall golf ball hue, saturation and chroma such that: the overall golf ball hue is substantially similar to the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one of the color contributing components; and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one of the color contributing components.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising: core comprising at least one layer A, cover comprising at least one layer B, intermediate layer C disposed between core and cover, and coating D applied on outermost surface of the golf ball. At least two of layer A, layer B, layer C and coating D comprise a golf ball color contributing component comprising a color and contributing to an overall golf ball color, at least two color contributing components have different saturations or different chromas, or both. Overall golf ball hue is different than that of each color contributing component and overall saturation and chroma are different than that of at least one color contributing component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover which in any combination comprise at least two color contributing components, each of which comprises a colorant that contributes to an overall golf ball color, the color contributing components having different hues and different saturations, wherein the hue and saturation and a chroma of each contributing component contributes to an overall golf ball hue, saturation and chroma such that: the overall golf ball hue is different than the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one of the color contributing components; and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one of the color contributing components.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising: a core comprising at least one layer A, a cover comprising at least one layer B, an intermediate layer C disposed between the core and the cover, and a coating D applied on an outermost surface of the golf ball. At least two of layer A, layer B, layer C and coating D comprise a golf ball color contributing component comprising a color and contributing to an overall golf ball color, wherein at least two golf ball color contributing components have different saturations. The overall golf ball hue is substantially similar to the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one color contributing component and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one color contributing component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball possessing an overall unique and perceptively pleasing golf ball having an overall color appearance of two colors wherein more than one golf ball layer/component contributes to the bi-color appearance without the need to position and align the outer layers/components in relation to the inner layer/component.

Abstract: A polyurea-based curable coating for use with sports equipment, such as golf balls, golf shoes, golf clubs, footballs, billiard balls, baseballs, and the like, of which the coating may be cured over time, with heat, or a combination thereof, providing enhanced adhesion to equipment surfaces, improved abrasion resistance, and increased water resistance.

Abstract: A set of golf balls and package assembly, comprising: a package defining at least one cavity for housing a golf ball set; the golf ball set comprising a series comprising n golf balls, each having an overall color appearance of one of n different colors expressed in the CIE CIECAM color system wherein n>1; the series being ordered in a color progression such that at least one of the a b, h, J and C values, as defined in the CIE CIECAM color system, is different. The invention is also directed to a method of making the set of golf balls and package assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a water vapor barrier layer to a core of a golf ball is provided. The method includes placing the core of the golf ball into a vapor barrier composition, withdrawing the lifting device, and spinning and optionally oscillating the core within the composition for a time sufficient for the composition to form a layer on the core. The present invention also provides an apparatus that can be used to form a water vapor barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball comprising providing a core, a cover layer and optionally an intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the core, cover layer and intermediate layer comprises or is surface-coated with a color effect providing pigment comprising at least one of: (1) calcium aluminum borosilicate coated with a metal oxide; (2) silicon dioxide platelets coated with metal oxide; and (3) an iron oxide pigment substrate coated with a metal oxide; optionally forming the intermediate layer about the core; and forming the cover about the intermediate layer or the core to complete the golf ball. The color effect providing pigment may have a particle size of from about 5 ?m to about 200 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a golf ball comprising a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least one layer and optionally at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the core, cover and intermediate layer comprises a color effect providing pigment comprising at least one of: (1) calcium aluminum borosilicate coated with a metal oxide; (2) silicon dioxide platelets coated with metal oxide; and (3) an iron oxide pigment substrate coated with a metal oxide. The color effect providing pigment may have a particle size of from about 5 ?m to about 200 ?m. In one embodiment, the layer or surface coating comprising the color effect providing pigment further comprises at least one of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, an ionomer material, and a highly neutralized polymer material.

Abstract: A multilayer golf ball with at least one layer made from an expandable polymeric composition is disclosed comprising a thermally expandable microsphere encapsulating foaming agent wherein the expandable polymeric composition expands from 5% to 200% of its pre-expand thickness when the expandable polymeric composition is exposed to a triggering environmental factor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a golf ball. The golf ball is formed with a core, at least one intermediate layer, and a cover. The intermediate layer has a non-planar parting line. The molds used to form the intermediate layer have non-planar mating surfaces. The non-planar mating surfaces of the molds mesh, and when the intermediate layer is formed therein, the intermediate layer has a non-planar parting line thereon. If compression molding is used, hemispherical layer blanks may be pre-formed in the shape of the mold halves. To form the intermediate layer, the two blanks are compression molded together. If injection molding is used, a core is placed inside a mold chamber and layer material is injected into the mold chamber to form the intermediate layer about the core. If reaction injection molding is used, two or more reactive precursors are mixed and injected into the mold cavity, and they react to form the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a water vapor barrier layer to a core of a golf ball is provided. The method includes placing the core of the golf ball into a vapor barrier composition, withdrawing the lifting device, and spinning and optionally oscillating the core within the composition for a time sufficient for the composition to form a layer on the core. The present invention also provides an apparatus that can be used to form a water vapor barrier layer.

Abstract: Golf balls including at least one non-surface layer that has been treated with a radiation source to effect a complete cure of the non-surface layer and methods for making same, wherein the radiation-curable non-surface layer includes a polymer component and, optionally, an initiator, a crosslinking agent, or both.

Abstract: A polyurea-based curable coating for use with sports equipment, such as golf balls, golf shoes, golf clubs, footballs, billiard balls, baseballs, and the like, of which the coating may be cured over time, with heat, or a combination thereof, providing enhanced adhesion to equipment surfaces, improved abrasion resistance, and increased water resistance.

Abstract: A golf ball with at least one core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. Any combination of the layers of the golf ball may feature a visually enhancing means. The cover layer is preferably translucent and provides a view to the intermediate layer and/or the core layer. The intermediate layer has a non-uniform thickness. The core may comprise a non-spherical insert. The intermediate layer and the core layer may affect the spin rate of the golf ball. The intermediate layer may be used to indicate the alignment of the golf ball.

Abstract: A polyurea-based curable coating for use with sports equipment, such as golf balls, golf shoes, golf clubs, footballs, billiard balls, baseballs, and the like, of which the coating may be cured over time, with heat, or a combination thereof, providing enhanced adhesion to equipment surfaces, improved abrasion resistance, and increased water resistance.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having an inner core, at least one intermediate layer, and outer cover are provided. The outer cover is made from am ultra-low melt index (ULMI) thermoplastic material using an in-molding coating process that involves applying a thin layer of the material to the interior surface of the cover mold members. Preferably, the ultra-low melt index material is a highly neutralized ionomer ethylene-based copolymer. The cover layers made from these highly neutralized polymers (HNPs) are thin and uniform and provide the golf ball with good playing performance properties. Yet, the cover layers also are tough and provide the golf ball with good impact durability.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having an inner core, at least one intermediate layer, and outer cover are provided. The outer cover is made from am ultra-low melt index (ULMI) thermoplastic material using an in-molding coating process that involves applying a thin layer of the material to the interior surface of the cover mold members. Preferably, the ultra-low melt index material is a highly neutralized ionomer ethylene-based copolymer. The cover layers made from these highly neutralized polymers (HNPs) are thin and uniform and provide the golf ball with good playing performance properties. Yet, the cover layers also are tough and provide the golf ball with good impact durability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a golf ball having an overall golf ball color of pink or purple comprising a core, a cover and an intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a pigment, dye, or tint which contributes to the color, the color having an a value, a b value and a hue angle value h expressed in the CIE CIECAM color system, wherein: where the a value is from about 5 to about 57, then the b value is from about ?1 to about ?60 and the hue angle h is from about 271° to about 359°; and where the a value is from about 58 to about 95, then the b value is from about 1 to about 60 and the hue angle h is from about 1° to about 35°. Alternatively, where the a value is from about 52 to about 58, then the b value may be from about ?30 to about 30 and the hue angle h is either from about 330° to about 359° or from about 1° to about 30°.