Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core having a treated surface and a cover layer having a plurality of dimples, wherein the cover layer is disposed concentrically about the core and bonded to the core preferably without an adhesive. The multilayer golf balls may alternatively or additionally be formed such that at least one layer of the core has a treated surface and is bonded, preferably without an adhesive, to an adjacent layer. The golf balls may be prepared by forming a first portion of a golf ball, wherein the first portion has a surface, treating the surface of the first portion to increase the adhesion thereof, and bonding at least a portion of a second portion concentrically about the surface of the portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core having a treated surface and a cover layer having a plurality of dimples, wherein the cover layer is disposed concentrically about the core and bonded to the core preferably without an adhesive. The multilayer golf balls may alternatively or additionally be formed such that at least one layer of the core has a treated surface and is bonded, preferably without an adhesive, to an adjacent layer. The golf balls may be prepared by forming a first portion of a golf ball, wherein the first portion has a surface, treating the surface of the first portion by any chemical or mechanical process that improves or facilitates adhesion of the treated surface to an adjacent surface to increase the adhesion thereof, and bonding at least a portion of a second portion concentrically about the surface of the portion.

Abstract: Radiation curing of inks on game balls, golf balls and the like is disclosed. The radiation used is ultraviolet and/or visible light. Production inks, logo inks and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls and the like are disclosed. To ensure that the ink is sufficiently through-cured, visible light photoinitiators are added to the ink. In addition, co-initiators and ultraviolet light photoinitiators can also be included in the ink. To form a radiation curable water-insoluble production ink, at least an adhesion promoting component is added to an ink base. The adhesion promoting component is sufficient to maintain adhesion of the production ink of at least about 75% of the inked surface to the topcoat and to the surface of the game ball or the golf ball after radiation curing and after coating the production ink with the topcoat. To form radiation curable water-insoluble logo ink, at least a toughening agent is added to an ink base.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming at least a portion of a golf ball core, and the golf balls prepared thereby, by mixing a resilient polymer component, a free radical initiator system, and a crosslinking agent to provide a first mixture, forming the first mixture into a plurality of shells having a desired shape, first heat curing the shells at a temperature to impart a rigidity sufficient to maintain the desired shape until the shells are assembled and subsequently heat cured, quenching the first heat curing by reducing the shell temperature to inhibit crosslinking while a sufficient amount of free radical initiator system is present to facilitate a second heat curing, providing a center, assembling at least two shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the ball core, and second heat curing the core at a temperature and for a time sufficient to further crosslink the first mixture and to at least partially crosslink the

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation curing of inks on game balls, golf balls and the like is disclosed. Production inks, logo inks and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls and the like are disclosed. To form an ultraviolet radiation curable water-insoluble production ink, at least an adhesion promoting component is added to an ink base.

Abstract: A method of applying a coating material, such as a urethane, to an outer dimpled surface of a golf ball by forming a first mold cavity between upper and lower mold dies configured and adapted for molding a golf ball, molding a golf ball having an outer dimpled surface within the first mold cavity under a first pressure greater than ambient pressure until the golf ball is sufficiently cured to receive a coating that will not substantially penetrate the outer dimpled surface of the ball, opening the first mold cavity and transferring the molded but uncoated golf ball to a second mold cavity, preparing an in-mold golf ball coating composition, introducing a sufficient amount of the coating composition into the second mold cavity between the outer dimpled surface of the golf ball and an inner surface of said second mold cavity to substantially surround and coat the outer surface of said golf ball, curing said coating composition to form a coated golf ball having at least one layer of said coating composition, and

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation curing of inks on game balls, golf balls and the like is disclosed. Production inks, logo inks and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls and the like are disclosed. To form an ultraviolet radiation curable water-insoluble production ink, at least an adhesion promoting component is added to an ink base.

Abstract: Electron beam radiation curing of inks on game balls, golf balls and the like is disclosed. Production inks, logo inks and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls and the like are disclosed. To form an electron beam radiation curable water-insoluble production ink, at least an adhesion promoting component is added to an ink base.

Abstract: Golf balls including a cover having a dimpled outer surface and a coating composition, wherein the coating composition is disposed over the cover and substantially corresponds to the dimpled outer surface of the golf ball cover so as to form a coated golf ball having a coating of substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Electron beam radiation curing of inks on game balls, golf balls and the like is disclosed. Production inks, logo inks and methods for forming production prints and logos on golf balls, game balls and the like are disclosed. To form an electron beam radiation curable water-insoluble production ink, at least an adhesion promoting component is added to an ink base.

Abstract: A method of applying a coating material to an outer surface of a golf ball, the method comprising molding a golf ball having an outer dimpled surface under a pressure greater than ambient pressure within a mold cavity; formulating a golf ball coating composition; introducing a sufficient amount of the coating composition into the mold cavity between the golf ball outer surface and an inner surface of the mold cavity to substantially surround and coat the entire outer surface of the golf ball; curing the coating composition upon the ball outer surface and removing the coated ball from the mold cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a UV light resistant, visibly transparent, urethane golf ball topcoat composition for use with UV curable inks and to golf balls incorporating such a topcoat. The topcoat includes an optical brightener that absorbs at least some ultraviolet light at wavelengths greater than about 350 nm, and emits visible light, and a light stabilizer package. The light stabilizer package includes at least one UV light absorber and, optionally, at least one light stabilizer, such as a HALS. The UV light absorber absorbs at least some UV light at wavelengths between about 200 nm and about 370 nm, and has an absorption peak at a wavelength between about 330 nm and about 360 nm and a UV light absorbance at a wavelength of about 350 nm that is at least about 3 times greater than the UV light absorbance at a wavelength of about 370 nm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards golf balls comprising a core, a cover and a coating composition layer, wherein the coating composition layer comprises a fluorinated polyurethane. The novel fluorinated polyurethane coating composition of the present invention enhance a variety of properties such as enhanced abrasion, impact and weathering resistance as compared to golf balls with conventional coating composition. Additionally, the presently claimed fluorinated polyurethane coatings also decrease the coefficient of friction of the surface of the golf ball, resulting in a modification of the spin rate when struck with a golf club and superior cleaning characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and a protective clear coat layer, wherein the clear coat layer comprises a polyorgano-siloxane polymer. The novel clear coat compositions of the present invention are believed to provide enhanced abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and chemical resistance as well as diminished photodecomposition and increased adhesion. Optionally, the golf balls of the present invention may also employ at least one primer layer disposed between the cover and clear coat layer to improve the adhesion and physical properties of the polyorgano-siloxane clear coat compositions. Likewise, the present invention provides a method for producing the clear coat compositions of the present invention.