Abstract: A golf ball sorting system has a ball feeder configured to transport a plurality of golf balls. At least some of the golf balls have a conductive marking pattern that is not visible to an observer because the marking pattern is covered by at least one other layer of the golf ball. A detection system receives the golf balls, inspects the golf balls, and outputs a detection result. A sorting system receives the detection result and sorts the plurality of golf balls based on the detection result to separate the plurality of golf balls into at least three groups, including a first category of golf balls that do not have the marking pattern, a second category of golf balls that have a first type of the marking pattern, and a third category of golf balls that have a second type of the marking pattern.

Abstract: A first stamp and a second stamp are printed on the surface of a golf ball such that a transition printed area of the first stamp overlaps a transition printed area of the second stamp to create an overlap printed area between a main printed area of the first stamp and a main printed area of the second stamp. An ink density of the main printed area of the first stamp, an ink density of the main printed area of the second stamp, and an ink density of the overlap printed area are approximately the same after both the first stamp and the second stamp are printed on the surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball has a golf ball subassembly having one or more subassembly layers, the one or more subassembly layers including at least one marked layer. The golf ball also has a cover layer surrounding the golf ball subassembly. The golf ball further has a marking pattern disposed on the at least one marked layer. The marking pattern has a first portion including a first material configured to be detected by a first detector type and a second portion including a second material configured to be detected by a second detector type.

Abstract: A first stamp and a second stamp are printed on the surface of a golf ball such that a transition printed area of the first stamp overlaps a transition printed area of the second stamp to create an overlap printed area between a main printed area of the first stamp and a main printed area of the second stamp. An ink density of the main printed area of the first stamp, an ink density of the main printed area of the second stamp, and an ink density of the overlap printed area are approximately the same after both the first stamp and the second stamp are printed on the surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball sorting system has a ball feeder, a ball mover, a detector, and a sorting system. The ball feeder may be configured to receive a plurality of golf balls. The ball mover may be configured to move each of the plurality of golf balls one at a time at a predetermined minimum speed. The detector may be configured to inspect each of the plurality of golf balls moved by the movement mechanism and output a detection result based on the inspection. The sorting system may be configured to receive the detection result and sort the plurality of golf balls based on the detection result to separate golf balls that include a mark that is not visible to an observer from golf balls that do not include a mark.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming a golf ball, the method comprising mixing an aqueous polyurethane dispersion with an azridine to form an aqueous polyurethane dispersion/aziridine mixture. Then, adding the aqueous polyurethane dispersion/aziridine mixture to a water tank, to form a PUD/aziridine solution and dipping a polybutadiene core in the PUD/aziridine solution. The PUD/aziridine solution comprises 0.4 percent aziridine, 4 percent aqueous polyurethane dispersion, and 95.6 percent de-ionized water, which forms a dipped polybutadiene core. The dipped polybutadiene core is then dried at room temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball with deep dimples are disclosed. The golf ball comprises a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides deep dimples that extend through the cover layer and/or into a layer or component underneath are disclosed. At least one percent (1%), preferably about five percent (5%), of the dimples of the ball comprise deep dimples. The cover may be a single layer or include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to or into the core. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dimples and dimple patterns for golf balls (20), preferably dimple patterns composed of letters, symbols, logos and combinations thereof, inset into the cover of the golf ball (20). The golf ball (20) has dimples (40) and logo depressions (50) in a cover of the golf ball (20). The logo depressions (50) are preferably letters, symbols, logos and combinations thereof, inset into the cover of the golf ball (20).

Abstract: Various reaction injection molding (“RIM”) processes and molding equipment are disclosed. In particular, a multi-stage molding process and molding assembly is disclosed for the production of layers or cores on golf balls. The process utilizes a collection of molds, including shuttle molds and/or molding assist members, that readily enables reaction injection molding of layer(s) on golf ball cores or intermediate golf ball assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dimples and dimple patterns for golf balls (20), preferably dimple patterns composed of letters, symbols, logos and combinations thereof, inset into the cover of the golf ball (20). The golf ball (20) has dimples (40) and logo depressions (50) in a cover of the golf ball (20). The logo depressions (50) are preferably letters, symbols, logos and combinations thereof, inset into the cover of the golf ball (20).

Abstract: A golf ball comprises a molded core, one or more ionomer mantles, and a thermoset polyurethane cover. The core is a high cis-polybutadiene crosslinked with zinc diacrylate and may also comprise a halogenated thiophenol and metal thiosulfate. One or more of the ionomer mantles comprises an ionomer neutralized to 80% or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball (20) having a low volume cover layer (14) is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has a cover layer (14) with a volume less than 0.1550 cubic inches. In a preferred embodiment, the cover layer (14) is composed of a reaction-injection molded polyurethane material. Preferably, the cover layer (14) has a plurality of deep depressions (99) with either a plurality of multi-faceted polygons (44) or dimples.

Abstract: A golf ball comprises a molded core, one or more ionomer mantles, and a thermoset polyurethane cover. The core is a high cis-polybutadiene crosslinked with zinc diacrylate and may also comprise a halogenated thiophenol and metal thiosulfate. One or more of the ionomer mantles comprises an ionomer neutralized to 80% or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball (20) having a low volume cover layer (14) is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has a cover layer (14) with a volume less than 0.1550 cubic inches. In a preferred embodiment, the cover layer (14) is composed of a reaction-injection molded polyurethane material. Preferably, the cover layer (14) has a plurality of deep depressions (99) with either a plurality of multi-faceted polygons (44) or dimples.

Abstract: A golf ball having traditional dimples and a tubular lattice structure is disclosed herein. The golf ball has dimples and a plurality of lattice members that form multi-faceted polygons. Each of the plurality of lattice members has an apex and the golf ball of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls. The interconnected lattice members form a plurality of polygons, preferably hexagons and pentagons. Each of the lattice members preferably has a continuous contour.

Abstract: An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball with deep dimples are disclosed. The golf ball comprises a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides deep dimples that extend through the cover layer and/or into a layer or component underneath are disclosed. At least one percent (1%), preferably about five percent (5%), of the dimples of the ball comprise deep dimples. The cover may be a single layer or include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to or into the core. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for demolding golf balls from a mold cavity are disclosed. More specifically, an apparatus and method for demolding a golf ball from a mold cavity subsequent to forming a cover layer without the use of ejector or knockout pins are disclosed. The molding apparatus utilizes an undercut configuration that, upon opening the molds after molding a golf ball, serves to impart a rotational force upon the ball and dislodge it from the molds.

Abstract: A golf ball comprises a molded core, one or more ionomer mantles, and a thermoset polyurethane cover. The core is a high cis-polybutadiene crosslinked with zinc diacrylate and may also comprise a halogenated thiophenol and metal thiosulfate. One or more of the ionomer mantles comprises an ionomer neutralized to 80% or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball (20) having a low volume cover layer (14) is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has a cover layer (14) with a volume less than 0.1550 cubic inches. In a preferred embodiment, the cover layer (14) is composed of a reaction-injection molded polyurethane material. Preferably, the cover layer (14) has a plurality of deep depressions (99) with either a plurality of multi-faceted polygons (44) or dimples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dimples and dimple patterns for golf balls (20), preferably dimple patterns composed of letters, symbols, logos and combinations thereof, inset into the cover of the golf ball (20). The golf ball (20) has dimples (40) and logo depressions (50) in a cover of the golf ball (20). The logo depressions (50) are preferably letters, symbols, logos and combinations thereof, inset into the cover of the golf ball (20).