Patents by Inventor Michael J. Sullivan

Michael J. Sullivan 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).

  • Golf ball incorporating at least one layer of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition containing low molecular weight acid wax(es) as sole acid polymer component and low molecular weight non-acid wax(es) in the non-acid polymer component
    Patent number: 10427006
    Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid-polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof; and (d) plasticizer(s). Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
  • Golf balls having multi-layered covers made from plasticized compositions containing non-acid polymers
    Patent number: 10413783
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a three-layered cover assembly are provided. For example, a cover assembly having an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer may be prepared. At least one of the cover layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) thermoplastic non-acid polymer, and b) plasticizer. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. Suitable non-acid polymers include, for example, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
  • Golf balls containing multi-layered cores with heat-activated foam center
    Patent number: 10413782
    Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition comprising secondary blowing agents that are activated by heat is used to form the foam center. Non-foamed thermoset materials such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Douglas S. Goguen
  • MULTI-LAYERED GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER WITH SELECTIVE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
    Publication number: 20190275376
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition, preferably polyurethane foam, are provided. The ball includes a dual-layered core having a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. The outer core layer may be made from a non-foamed thermoset material such as polybutadiene rubber. The ball further includes an inner cover, preferably made from an ionomer composition comprising an O/X-type acid copolymer, wherein O is ?-olefin, and X is a C3-C8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The outer cover may be made from a non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic material such as polyurethane. Preferably, the specific gravity of the inner cover is greater than the specific gravity of the outer core, which is greater than the specific gravity of the inner core. The finished ball has good distance and low-spin properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Michael Michalewich
  • Golf balls containing layers made from transparent polyamide and plasticizer compositions
    Patent number: 10406402
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyamide composition containing a plasticized polyamide are provided. In one preferred version, the polyamide composition consists essentially of a polyamide and plasticizer selected from the group consisting of polytrimethylene ether glycol and polytrimethylene ether glycol benzoate and monomers, oligomers, copolymers and blends thereof. Blends of plasticized polyamides and ethylene acid copolymer ionomers also can be prepared. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. The polyamide compositions have a good combination of properties including Coefficient of Restitution (COR) and compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Robert Blink, Michael J Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Golf balls having multi-layered core with metal-containing center and thermoplastic outer layers
    Patent number: 10398943
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoplastic composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Golf balls having a foam layer of a cross-linked thermoplastic composition
    Patent number: 10391363
    Abstract: Golf balls having an inner core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core assembly preferably includes a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. A cross-linked thermoplastic, preferably an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer, is used to form the foam composition. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The ethylene acid copolymer is reacted with a metallic acrylate salt and peroxide free-radical initiator to form the cross-linked polymer. The foamed, cross-linked composition helps provide the inner core with good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability. Non-foamed thermoplastics or thermosets such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich
  • Golf balls having a core with surrounding intermediate foam layer
    Patent number: 10376747
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a core, intermediate layer, and cover are provided. The ball includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An intermediate layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. The foamed intermediate layer may have a specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. Ball constructions having two intermediate layers, wherein at least one layer is a foamed layer can be made. A cover having at least one layer is disposed about the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Michael Michalewich, Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Golf balls comprising a plasticized polyurethane layer
    Patent number: 10376748
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises a plasticized polyurethane composition comprising at least one polyurethane and at least one plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Golf balls having foam center containing clay particulate
    Patent number: 10376746
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The concentration of clay particulate is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 60% by weight. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 10369420
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • METHODS FOR APPLYING POLYURETHANE COATINGS TO GOLF BALLS HAVING A THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE COVER AND RESULTING GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20190232116
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Golf balls having foam, hollow, or metal center and plasticized thermoplastic core layer
    Patent number: 10363462
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) made from a foam or metal-containing composition, or it has a hollow shell construction, and the outer core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition. Preferably, the thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
  • Methods for treating golf balls having a thermoplastic polyurethane cover
    Patent number: 10363458
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, multi-functional imine and amine compounds can be used to treat the golf ball. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING LAYERS MADE FROM TELECHELIC IONOMER COMPOSITIONS
    Publication number: 20190224531
    Abstract: Golf balls comprising a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is made from a thermoplastic composition preferably comprising a telechelic ionomer derived from alkyl-cis-cyclooctene and cis-cyclooctene. The telechelic ionomer composition also may be used to form intermediate layers. Blends of telechelic ionomers and polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymers can be prepared. The telechelic ionomer compositions can be used to make a cover layer having good impact durability and shear resistance and that also helps provide the ball with high resiliency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Erin C. McDermott, Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING DUAL-LAYERED CORES WITH METAL-CONTAINING CENTERS AND DUAL-LAYERED COVERS
    Publication number: 20190217160
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core and dual-layered cover are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, and a surrounding outer core layer. The core layers may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and combinations and alloys thereof preferably dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene. The multi-layered cores and covers have selective specific gravity relationships between the different layers. This helps provide the ball with good flight distance and spin control. The resulting balls have good resiliency and other playing performance properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Derek A. Ladd
  • GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE IONOMERS
    Publication number: 20190217159
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising an inner core and an outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the inner core and outer cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane ionomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Michael J. Sullivan, Robert Blink, Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett
  • METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CROSS-LINKING THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE COVERS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20190217157
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and acid copolymer ionomer. The cover composition also can contain hydroxyl-containing compounds. The golf ball having the thermoplastic polyurethane cover can be treated with an isocyanate compound. The golf ball also can be treated with a hydroxyl and/or silane-containing compound. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER CONTAINING CLAY PARTICULATE
    Publication number: 20190209898
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The concentration of clay particulate is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 60% by weight. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Golf balls having foam inner core and thermoset outer core layer
    Patent number: 10343019
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The inner and outer core layers can have different hardness gradients. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci