Patents by Inventor Shawn Ricci

Shawn Ricci 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).

  • Publication number: 20250082998
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20250073539
    Abstract: A coating free, finished golf ball and a method of forming a coating free, finished golf ball are disclosed herein. The golf ball has an outermost surface defined exclusively via the cover. The cover disclosed herein can be formed from a polyurethane, polyurea, or hybrid of polyurethane-polyurea, in some examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Manjari Kuntimaddi, Derek Ladd, Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20250073536
    Abstract: A coating free, finished golf ball and a method of forming a coating free, finished golf ball are disclosed herein. The golf ball has an outermost surface defined exclusively via the cover. The cover disclosed herein can be formed from an ionomer, in some examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Manjari Kuntimaddi, Derek Ladd, Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20250065540
    Abstract: A method for manipulating a cure profile of an elastomer is disclosed. The method may include providing a formulation comprising an isocyanate prepolymer, a curative, a first catalyst, and a second catalyst. The method may further include curing the formulation by initiating a front-end cure reaction between the isocyanate prepolymer and the curative with the first catalyst. The method may further include decreasing a rate of a back-end cure reaction between the isocyanate prepolymer and the curative using the second catalyst, wherein the second catalyst does not impact the front-end cure reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Michael Michalewich, Robert Blink
  • Patent number: 12233315
    Abstract: Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions for use in golf balls that are formed from bio-based materials and that include urethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20250010142
    Abstract: Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions for use in golf balls that are formed from bio-based materials and that include urethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240408455
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 12157036
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240359060
    Abstract: Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions for use in golf balls that are formed from bio-based materials and that include urethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 12102882
    Abstract: Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions for use in golf balls that are formed from bio-based materials and that include urethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 12097408
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240308117
    Abstract: A golf ball sub-assembly is provided that is formed from a core body and a foamed casing layer. The core body has a non-spherical profile due to the presence of centering elements, which can be provided in the form of protrusions or other types of structures on the outer surface of the core body. A foamed material is used for the casing layer. The core body can be plunged into a casting mold including the foamed material prior to the foamed material reaching a viscosity level that is typically required for the core body to be properly situated within the casting mold. A method of forming a golf ball using a core body having protrusions is also disclosed herein. The protrusions promote concentricity and therefore the method does not require targeting a specific viscosity of a foamed casing material when plunging the core body within the casting mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette
  • Publication number: 20240278086
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240278076
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240278075
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxyl groups, cover compositions including hydroxyl groups and an adhesion promoter capable of crosslinking carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between carboxyl groups in the casing composition and hydroxyl groups in the cover composition. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Publication number: 20240278077
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 12064667
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Publication number: 20220362634
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 11433278
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Publication number: 20220193965
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Michael Michalewich, Brian Comeau