Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing golf balls having polyurethane covers and the resultant balls. Multi-piece golf balls having an inner core and outer cover with one or more intermediate layers disposed between the core and cover can be formed. The methods involve producing hydroxyl-terminated adducts and isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. Thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethane compositions can be prepared. The resulting polyurethane compositions and golf ball covers have high thermal stability and good wear-resistance and durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.

Abstract: Method of making golf ball comprising providing subassembly and forming at least one layer thereabout comprised of a thermoset polyurethane created using prepolymer prepared by: reacting stoichiometric excess of first isocyanate with at least one long chain polyol and/or polyamine soft segment to create first isocyanate-terminated first prepolymer with (% NCO)FIRST PREPOLYMER; and adding stoichiometric excess of additional isocyanate to the first isocyanate-terminated first prepolymer to produce modified-first prepolymer with (% NCO)MODIFIED-FIRST PREPOLYMER; wherein (% NCO)MODIFIED-FIRST PREPOLYMER>(% NCO)FIRST PREPOLYMER.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made from silicone (polysiloxane) elastomers; silicone (polysiloxane) elastomer/polyurethane blends; polycarbonate-polysiloxane blends and copolymers; and polycarbonate-polysiloxane/polyurethane blends are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The polysiloxane compositions have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The polysiloxane compositions also have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.

Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. The golf ball includes an inner core and surrounding thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. Multi-piece golf balls having outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.

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.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made from silicone (polysiloxane) elastomers; silicone (polysiloxane) elastomer/polyurethane blends; polycarbonate-polysiloxane blends and copolymers; and polycarbonate-polysiloxane/polyurethane blends are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The polysiloxane compositions have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The polysiloxane compositions also have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating polyurethane mixture having wt. % NCO content of ˜4-20 and including a prepolymer polyol portion comprised of trans-?-Farnesene diol(s) in an amount of about 3-70 wt. % of total weight of prepolymer. Trans-?-Farnesene diol may be 15 carbon, long chain, branched, unsaturated 3,4-vinyl-containing bio-hydrocarbon having the formula: Prepolymer can include a 1:99 to 99:1 blend (wt. % ratio) of Trans-?-Farnesene diol(s) and polybutadiene-based polyol(s) in an amount of about 35-85 wt. %, along with about 15 wt. %-65 wt. % of diisocyanate(s). Curative may be combined with prepolymer in amount of about 3-25 wt. % of total weight of curative and prepolymer combined, and may be mixture of aromatic diamine(s) and white dispersion in a wt. % ratio of about 90:10 to 50:50, plus catalyst. Hardness of polyurethane mixture can be from 75. Shore A to 75 Shore D or a material hardness can be from about 40 Shore D to about 65 Shore D.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a colorless coating surrounding and adjacent to a TiO2 white-pigmented layer comprising a polymeric composition that comprises throughout: (i) passivated TiO2 particulates amount of from about 1 wt. %-10 wt. % based on total weight of second polymeric composition; and (ii) silane-containing adhesion promoter(s), for example, organosilanes and/or organosiloxanes in an amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % of the total weight of the polymeric composition. The coating comprises a coating composition that is different than the polymeric composition and does not contain any silane-containing adhesion promoter; and there is no surface treatment with adhesion promoter at an interface between the colorless coating and TiO2 white-pigmented layer. In lieu of the colorless coating, the golf ball may include a coating that is clear tinted or translucent.

Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered 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 is used to form the foam center. The foam inner core preferably includes a fully-foamed center region and a partially or completely-collapsed foam outer region. The hardness of the fully-foamed region is different than the hardness of the collapsed foam region. Non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic materials such as polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymer ionomer may be used to form the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered. The foam cores have good resiliency.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made from silicone (polysiloxane) elastomers; silicone (polysiloxane) elastomer/polyurethane blends; polycarbonate-polysiloxane blends and copolymers; and polycarbonate-polysiloxane/polyurethane blends are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The polysiloxane compositions have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The polysiloxane compositions also have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating polyurethane mixture having wt. % NCO content of ˜4-20 and including a prepolymer polyol portion comprised of trans-?-Farnesene diol(s) in an amount of about 3-70 wt. % of total weight of prepolymer. Trans-?-Farnesene diol may be 15 carbon, long chain, branched, unsaturated 3,4-vinyl-containing bio-hydrocarbon having the formula: Prepolymer can include a 1:99 to 99:1 blend (wt. % ratio) of Trans-?-Farnesene diol(s) and polybutadiene-based polyol(s) in an amount of about 35-85 wt. %, along with about 15 wt. %-65 wt. % of diisocyanate(s). Curative may be combined with prepolymer in amount of about 3-25 wt. % of total weight of curative and prepolymer combined, and may be mixture of aromatic diamine(s) and white dispersion in a wt. % ratio of about 90:10 to 50:50, plus catalyst. Hardness of polyurethane mixture can be from 75 Shore A to 75 Shore D or a material hardness can be from about 40 Shore D to about 65 Shore D.

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.