Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, is a golf ball having a polyurethane cover formed from a low-monol content polyol. The low-monol content polyol is preferably a polyether polyol. The golf ball is preferably a three-piece solid golf ball with a core, mantle layer and a cover. A low-monol content is preferably less than 1%. More preferably, the low-monol content is between 0.5% to 1%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a polyurethane material formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and polybutadiene diol. In a multi-piece golf ball any of a core, a cover, and optionally one or more mantle layers disposed therebetween, comprises a polyurethane formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and polybutadiene diol. One preferred form of the invention is a golf ball having a cover layer comprising a polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane. Another preferred form of the invention is a golf ball comprising a polybutadiene diol-based polyurethane that is formed by reaction injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a golf ball by mixing a polyisocyanate copolymer and at least one other reactant, such as a polyol, to form a reaction product and reaction injection molding the reaction product to form at least one of a core and cover component. Preferably, the polyisocyanate copolymer includes an aromatic polyisocyanate and an aliphatic polyisocyanate. Most preferably, the polyisocyanate copolymer includes a copolymer of toluene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: An improved inkjet printable heat-transfer medium comprising a base substrate having a surface coated with a hot-melt layer and an ink-receptive layer is provided. The ink-receptive layer comprises: i) non-polymeric organic particles that are a reaction product of a diamine and two molecules, each molecule having at least one carboxylic acid group and at least five carbon atoms, ii) thermoplastic polymer particles, and iii) a thermoplastic film-forming binder. The heat-transfer paper can produce printed images having improved color quality, hand, and wash-durability on a variety of fabric materials.

Abstract: Ink-jet recording media capable of producing high quality color images that have good water-fastness are provided. The ink-jet recording media comprise a base substrate material coated with an ink-receptive layer comprising a polymer film-forming binder and certain dye fixative particles. These particles having novel dye fixative properties include silica particles with pendant polyvinylamine, silica particles with pendant polyethyleneimine, and silica particles with pendant trimethylammonium. Also, organic metallic complexes can be added to the ink-receptive layer. The resulting ink-jet recording media can produce images having high color vibrancy and water-fastness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to increase adhesion between two adjacent layers. The process comprises roughening the surface of one layer followed by chlorination of the roughened surface and joining of the layers, or treating the surface of one layer with a silicone-based adhesion promoter and joining the layers. In one preferred embodiment the process comprises roughening the surface of one layer, followed by chlorination of the roughened surface, joining of the layers and post-treatment of the molded layers at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has a core, one or more mantle or inner cover layers with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 53 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the inner and/or outer cover layers comprise a reaction injection molded polyurethane. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica and at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels and for making them as substantially transparent objects. In addition, gas detectors, liquid and gas absorbing objects, and optical devices made using these aerogels are disclosed. The present invention concerns optical elements which are substantially transparent and exhibit low refractive indices. The invention further relates to detectors of reactive and absorbate gases based on the physical changes exhibited by the aerogels upon reacting with or absorbing such gases. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes. The invention further concerns reactive gas absorbers comprising these aerogels and the catalytic function the aerogels serve to catalyze subsequent chemical reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a polyurethane component formed by the reaction of an isocyanate, and a polyether polyol comprising homopolymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or copolymers thereof, and a curing agent/chain extender. Another preferred form of the invention is directed to a golf ball cover comprising an isocyanate component and an ethylene/propylene oxide polyether polyol polyurethane component that is formed by reaction injection molding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: The invention relates to blends of improved polyurethane ionomers with other polymers and methods for making the same. It was found that the blends of polyurethane anionomers obtained by using the method of the invention had improved physical properties than those made by conventional methods.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a polyurethane component formed by the reaction of an isocyanate, and a polyether polyol comprising homopolymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or copolymers thereof, and a curing agent/chain extender. Another preferred form of the invention is directed to a golf ball cover comprising an isocyanate component and an ethylene/propylene oxide polyether polyol polyurethane component that is formed by reaction injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a golf ball by mixing a polyisocyanate copolymer and at least one other reactant, such as a polyol, to form a reaction product and reaction injection molding the reaction product to form at least one of a core and cover component. Preferably, the polyisocyanate copolymer includes an aromatic polyisocyanate and an aliphatic polyisocyanate. Most preferably, the polyisocyanate copolymer includes a copolymer of toluene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved polyurethane ionomers and methods for making the same. It was found that the polyurethane anionomers obtained by using the method of the invention had improved physical properties than those made by conventional methods. For example, the polyurethane ionomers produced by the method of the invention exhibit a plateau in the plot of elasticity modulus (as log10E′) vs. temperature over a useful and relatively broad temperature and frequency range. The polyurethane ionomers have nearly temperature-independent elasticity over a 50° C. range in the region of ˜−20 to +75° C. Another advantage is that the polyurethane ionomers of the invention are optically clearer than the conventionally prepared polyurethane ionomers. A further advantage of the invention is that the synthetic process of making the polyurethane ionomers is much faster than the known process for equivalent compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to increase adhesion between two adjacent layers. The process comprises roughening the surface of one layer followed by chlorination of the roughened surface and joining of the layers, or treating the surface of one layer with a silicone-based adhesion promoter and joining the layers. In one preferred embodiment the process comprises roughening the surface of one layer, followed by chlorination of the roughened surface, joining of the layers and post-treatment of the molded layers at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.