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).

  • GOLF BALL CORES HAVING FOAM CENTER AND THERMOSET OUTER LAYERS WITH HARDNESS GRADIENTS
    Publication number: 20150209625
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING PARTICLE-BASED FOAM CENTER
    Publication number: 20150196809
    Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a particle-based polyurethane foam composition are provided. The ball includes a dual-layered core having a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from a non-foamed thermoset material such as polybutadiene rubber. In one embodiment, pre-expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads containing a blowing agent are used to form the foam center. In another embodiment, pre-formed polyurethane foam particles are used. 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Acushent Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Shawn Ricci, Michael Michalewich, John D. Farrell, Douglas S. Goguen
  • MULTI-LAYERED GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER WITH SELECTIVE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
    Publication number: 20150157897
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a core made of a foamed polyurethane composition 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 a thermoplastic ionomer. The outer cover may be made from a non-foamed thermoset or thermoplastic material such as polyurethane. The core and inner cover layers preferably have different densities so the Moment of Inertia of the ball is adjusted. 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: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Michael Michalewich
  • Multi-layered cores having foam inner core for golf balls
    Patent number: 9050501
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING SILICONE FOAM CENTER
    Publication number: 20150126307
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed silicone composition and a cover are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core structures can be made. Preferably, a dual-core having has a silicone foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is made. The silicone foam center has good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, silicone foams, polyurethanes, polybutadiene rubber, or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Brian Comeau, Shawn Ricci, John D. Farrell, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Michael Michalewich, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Cationic polyurea cover compositions for a multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 9018295
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • Cationic polyurea cover compositions for a multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 9018294
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM CENTER CONTAINING CLAY PARTICULATE
    Publication number: 20150111666
    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 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: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Golf ball cores having foam center and thermoset outer layers with hardness gradients
    Patent number: 9005053
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Multi-layered coes for golf balls having foam and thermoset layers
    Patent number: 8998750
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF EQUIPMENT FORMED FROM CASTABLE FORMULATION WITH UNCONVENTIONALLY LOW HARDNESS AND INCREASED SHEAR RESISTANCE
    Publication number: 20150072807
    Abstract: Golf equipment including compositions including castable formulations that have low material hardness and increased shear resistance. The compositions may be used in any layer of a golf ball including cores, intermediate layers, and covers and result in high spin rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Christopher Cavallaro
  • GOLF BALL HAVING A THERMOSETTING INTERMEDIATE AND OUTER COVER AND A THERMOPLASTIC INNER COVER
    Publication number: 20150045149
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness of about 66 to 90 Shore C; an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a hybrid thereof, and an intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover layer has a hardness of about 52 to 85 Shore C. The intermediate cover layer has a hardness of about 74 to 100 Shore C and greater than the inner cover layer hardness and the outer cover layer hardness. The thermoplastic inner cover comprises a highly-neutralized ionomer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by about 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 8939851
    Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Edmund A. Hebert, Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Shawn Ricci
  • Polyurea covers for golf balls based on isocyanate blends
    Patent number: 8936519
    Abstract: A golf ball having a cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition is provided. The polyurea or polyurea/urethane composition is produced by the reaction of an isocyanate blend having an average NCO functionality in the range of 2.05 to 2.35, a polyamine compound, and amine or hydroxyl curing agent. The resulting cover material has many advantages including improved thermal-stability, durability, toughness, and cut/tear-resistance. The preferred isocyanates in the blend include isophorone diisocyanate (“IPDI”); 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”); 4,4?-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (“H12 MDI”); 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4?-MDI); toluene diisocyanate (“TDI”); and homopolymers and copolymers thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Timothy S. Correia, Michael Michalewich, Brian Comeau
  • Cationic polyurea cover compositions for a multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 8927653
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • DUAL CURED CASTABLE HYBRID POLYURETHANE/POLYUREA SYSTEM FOR USE IN GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20140378246
    Abstract: Compositions for golf balls that include polyurethane and polyurea linkages and that are crosslinked in the soft segments of the polymer backbone. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane and/or polyurea prepolymers, have improved crosslink density from the crosslinking between the soft, unsaturated segments of the polymer backbone. The curative blend includes at least one isocyanate-reactive component and a free radical initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Randy Petrichko, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM INNER CORE AND THEMOPLASTIC OUTER CORE
    Publication number: 20140364249
    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 thermoplastic composition such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomer. 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF BALL CORES HAVING FOAM CENTER AND THERMOPLASTIC OUTER LAYERS
    Publication number: 20140364250
    Abstract: Golf ball multi-layered core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes a foam inner core (center); and intermediate and outer core layers. Foamed polyurethane is preferably used to make the inner core. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably made from non-foamed thermoplastic compositions such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomer. In an alternative version, the intermediate core layer may be made of a thermoset rubber such as polybutadiene. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Golf equipment formed from castable formulation with unconventionally low hardness and increased shear resistance
    Patent number: 8907040
    Abstract: Golf equipment including compositions including castable formulations that have low material hardness and increased shear resistance. The compositions may be used in any layer of a golf ball including cores, intermediate layers, and covers and result in high spin rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Christopher Cavallaro
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM INNER CORE AND THERMOSET OUTER CORE LAYER
    Publication number: 20140323244
    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. 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binnette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci