Abstract: The invention relates to a golf ball having a core and two or more cover layers. The outer cover layer includes a thin castable material and the inner cover layer a polyisoprene based material.

Abstract: The present invention provides golf balls having a cover, a core, and optionally one or more intermediate layers between the cover and the core, wherein at least one of the cover, the core and, if present, the intermediate layer or layers, includes an anionic polymer. The anionic polymer has at least one of a neutralizable hydroxyl or dealkylable ether group, at least a portion of which are neutralized or dealkylated by a metal ion to provide anionic moieties. The anionic polymer compositions of the present invention can be used to provide improved characteristics to golf balls made therefrom.

Abstract: This application discloses a golf ball printing ink enabling printing a clear mark which is free of any void or pinhole and has superior impact resistance and scuffing resistance without the need for a primer coat, a golf ball printing method utilizing the ink, and a golf ball bearing thereon a mark printed with the ink. The ink includes an epoxy resin and a coloring agent, and preferably further includes an isocyanate compound as a curing agent.

Abstract: A core is enveloped by a cover with trans 1,4-polyisoprene as the main component, including a super accelerator formed of dithiocarbamate and/or xanthate, and vulcanized at a temperature lower than the melting point of trans 1,4-polyisoprene to provide a golf ball having high impact resilience and spinning performance. Also, a core is enveloped by an inner layer cover having trans 1,4-polyisoprene as the main component, including a super accelerator formed of dithiocarbamate and/or xanthate, and the inner layer cover is surrounded by an outer layer cover with trans 1,4-polyisoprene as the main component, including a super accelerator of an amount larger than that in the inner layer cover to provide a golf ball having high impact resilience and spinning performance, and whose cover material is sufficiently anchored.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, said cover comprising a polyurethane elastomer comprising the reaction product of: A) at least one diisocyanate monomer; B) at least one polyol that is a homopolymer of propylene oxide having a molecular weight greater than 1000; and C) at least one hydroxy or amine functional chain extender; wherein the ratio of equivalents of chain extender plus polyol to equivalents of isocyanate is in the range of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1, whereby said polyurethane elastomer possesses high shear resistance and good resilience.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer wherein the cover is formed of a polyurethane composition comprising a prepolymer comprising a saturated diisocyanate and a curing agent, and an optical brightener.

Abstract: A thread-wound golf ball, such as a balata-covered golf ball, formed of a center 1a, a rubber thread layer 1b covering the center 1a, and a cover 2 is provided. The center 1a has an outer diameter of 28-35 mm and a Shore A hardness of 10-50. The cover 2 is formed of a mixture containing ionomer resin, thermoplastic elastomer and tackifier and has a Shore D hardness of 45-60. As such, the golf ball exhibits great carry distance with good shot feel, provides high spin rate when shot from the rough or in a raining condition, and that easily comes to a halt.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer wherein the cover is formed of a polyurethane composition comprising a prepolymer comprising a saturated diisocyanate and a curing agent, and a UV absorber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved golf ball with a polyurethane cover, and a process therefor. The invention is characterized in using the complex of polyamine compound with a metal salt as a curing agent, which releases the polyamine compounds above the specific temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and a to a process for forming a golf ball having least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/polyamide blend, having from about 1 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 99 to 1 parts of at least one polyamide polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/polyamide blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or an intermediate layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a cover and intermediate layers comprising in whole or in part of a saturated polyurethane. The saturated polyurethane may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf balls, cores and intermediate layers.

Abstract: Golf ball compositions, which contain olefinic polymers produced by use of single-site catalysts. Such polymers can be functionalized with a post-polymerization reaction. The single-site catalyzed polymers may be blended with ionomers, other grafted or non-grafted single-site catalyzed polymers, thermoplastics, non-single-site polymers, or other non-ionomeric polymers. The compositions can be foamed or unfoamed. Golf balls that employ at least one layer of these compositions in any of the golf ball cover, core, or a mantle situated between the cover and the core provide ball properties and performance similar to and in some cases better than the state of the art ionomer based golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a glycidyl homo-polymer having the formula: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having high rebound characteristics and exceptional controllability at approach shot from the rough, which accomplished by controlling its cover material morphology. The present invention relates a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the base resin of the cover is formed from a material having at least two phases whose phase angle difference is at least 2 degrees as measured by using an atomic force microscope; a maximum phase angle phase, which is contained in the base resin of the cover and has an absolute value of a maximum phase angle, is present in the form of a continuous matrix; and a minimum phase angle phase, which has an absolute value of a minimum phase angle, is present in discrete locations within the matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a cover, intermediate layers and/or a core comprising in whole or in part of water resistant polyurethane elastomers. The polyurethane elastomers may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf balls, covers and intermediate layers.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the cover or the core is formed from a polymer blend comprising at least one grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymer, at least one ionomer, and at least one non-ionomer having improved melt flow characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and a to a process for forming a golf ball having least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/metallocene catalyzed polymer blend, having from about 1 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 99 to 1 parts of at least one metallocene catalyzed polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/metallocene catalyzed polymer blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and to a process for forming a golf ball having at least one layer, where the layer is formed of a polymer blend comprising an oxa ester or a saponified polymer/oxa ester blend, having from about 65 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 35 to 1 parts of at least one oxa ester, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/oxa ester blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: A wound-core golf ball having a polyurethane cover is disclosed. The polyurethane cover is formed by curing a composition including an isocyanate group terminated polyurethane prepolymer containing a residual polyisocyanate monomer in an amount of not more than 0.1 mass %; and an aromatic polyamine compound. Use of this isocyanate group terminated polyurethane prepolymer enables the homogeneous curing reaction even at the low temperature, thus the golf ball which has the polyurethane cover exhibiting excellent performance is obtained.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after exposure to moisture to indicate that the ball may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant exposure to moisture. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf balls composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the exposure of the golf ball to moisture.

Abstract: A thread-wound golf ball is provided including a core, a rubber thread layer surrounding the core, and a cover formed of a mixture of ionomer resin, thermoplastic elastomer and a tackifier, having a Shore D hardness of at least 40 and not more than 65.

Abstract: A game ball having a cover formed from a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is disclosed. Various types of game balls are described including golf balls and softballs. By selective exposure to radiation, the thermoplastic polyurethane cover is crosslinked and its hardness is increased. Typically, increases in hardness values of at least 2 units on the Shore D scale are realized upon exposure to 3.5 Mrads of gamma radiation.

Abstract: A golf ball having excellent resistance to a flyer type golf shot normally produced when a golf shot is executed from the rough, and also having excellent cut resistance and high rebound characteristics, wherein the golf ball cover has a shear modulus (G) of 3 to 100 MPa, a Young's modulus (E) of 9 to 400 MPa, and a ratio (E/G) of 2.4 to 3.0.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after significant immersion in water to indicate that the ball has been recovered from a water hazard and may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant immersion in water. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf ball's composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the immersion of the golf ball in water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer structure golf ball having a thread rubber layer, which has good shot feel and controllability as well as satisfactory flight performance and cut resistance. The golf ball includes a thread wound core and a cover covering the thread wound core, wherein the cover is formed from a heated mixture of: (A) an ionomer resin, (B) a thermoplastic elastomer having a carboxyl group or a thermoplastic elastomer having a terminal OH group, and (C) a block copolymer having a styrene-butadiene-styrene structure in which the polybutadiene block contains epoxy groups, or a block copolymer having styrene-isoprene-styrene structure in which the polyisoprene block contains epoxy groups, the cover have a flexural modulus of from 50 to 300 MPa and a Shore D-scale hardness of from 40 to 60.

Abstract: A three-piece thread wound golf ball including a central solid core portion having increased diameter of 1.35-1.50 inch (34.3-38.1 mm) and specific gravity of 1.20-1.25, a thread-wound intermediate portion, having diameter of 1.54-1.60 inches, and an outer dimpled cover portion which construction provides desirable increased moment of inertia and spin characteristics for the ball. The resulting golf ball characteristics are such that when hit with a Driver, other woods or the longer iron club it performs like a distance two-piece golf ball, when hit with mid-iron clubs it performs like a two-piece Hi-spin golf ball and soft covered multi layered balls, and when it is struck with short iron clubs it performs much like a Balata wound golf ball.

Abstract: A solid golf ball has a soft solid core and a hard cover. The cover is formed of a thermoplastic resin-base cover stock, with 11-45 parts by weight of a particulate inorganic filler added thereto per 100 parts by weight of the cover stock. The solid core undergoes a deflection of 3.0 to 5.5 mm under a load of 100 kg. The ball is drastically improved in durability against cracking.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of making a golf ball that includes a center formed from a material including polybutadiene and having a high resilience, at least one cover layer formed of a material including polyurethane, and at least one wound layer of a tensioned material windings between the center and the cover. The polyurethane composition is formed from the reaction product of at least a prepolymer of a polyisocyanate and a polyol, and a diamine curing agent. The polybutadiene composition includes a butadiene polymer with a resilience index greater than about 40 and a weight average molecular weight greater than about 200,000. Such golf balls can have a coefficient of restitution that is optimized for low swing speed players. The wound layer of the present invention may be applied to golf balls having liquid or solid centers to achieve desired golf ball characteristics.

Abstract: An ionomer resin component containing (a) a ternary ionomer resin and optionally (b) a binary ionomer resin, optionally blended with (c) a non-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer, is blended with (d) a metal soap of a fatty acid neutralized with a Ca, Mg or Zn cation in a weight ratio from 95:5 to 80:20. A golf ball cover composition based on this mixture has a melt index of 1-10 dg/sec. The cover composition is drastically improved in moldability, resilience and paint coating adhesion. A golf ball having a cover made of the composition is improved in feel and flight performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a multi-layer golf ball which comprises a core, a cover layer and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and cover, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a glycidyl polymer and optionally, a second thermoplastic component such as polyetherester block copolymer, polyesterester block copolymer, polyetheramide block copolymer, dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer, functionalized styrene-butadiene elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyesters, metallocene polymer or blends thereof and a density-modifying filler such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or blends thereof. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the core has a compression less than 60, the finished ball has a COR of greater than about 0.78, the intermediate layer has a specific gravity of greater than about 1.2 and the cover has a Shore D hardness of about 54 to about 72.

Abstract: A cover stock composed mainly of a heated mixture of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and a styrene base block copolymer is suitable for the manufacture of golf balls. The cover made of the stock offers a very soft feel with little shock, the ease of control and improved scuff resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thread wound golf ball having soft and good shot feel at the time of hitting, excellent durability and excellent flight performance. The present invention related to a thread wound golf ball comprising a thread wound core composed of a center and a thread rubber layer formed on the center, and a cover composed of an inner cover formed on the thread rubber layer and an outer cover formed on the inner cover, wherein the outer cover has higher hardness than the inner cover, and has a Shore D hardness of not less than 65.

Abstract: A thread-wound golf ball, such as a balata-covered golf ball, formed of a center 1a, a rubber thread layer 1b covering the center 1a, and a cover 2 is provided. The center 1a has an outer diameter of 28-35 mm and a Shore A hardness of 10-50. The cover 2 is formed of a mixture containing ionomer resin, thermoplastic elastomer and tackifier and has a Shore D hardness of 45-60. As such, the golf ball exhibits great carry distance with good shot feel, provides high spin rate when shot from the rough or in a raining condition, and that easily comes to a halt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, said cover comprising a polyurethane elastomer comprising the reaction product of: A) at least one diisocyanate monomer; B) at least one polyether polyol having a molecular weight greater than 1000 and selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of ethylene oxide, homopolymers of propylene oxide, and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and C) at least one hydroxy or amine functional chain extender; wherein the ratio of equivalents of chain extender plus polyol to equivalents of isocyanate is in the range of from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1, whereby said polyurethane elastomer possesses high shear resistance and good resilience.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a cover formed from a polyamide composition and a method of making the same. More specifically, the golf ball has a cover which contains a combination of a polyamide component and an ionomeric component or a non-ionomeric terpolymer component. The cover composition has excellent durability and resistance to cracking, even at cold temperatures. The nylon-ionomer blend is a useful substitute for an ionomer golf ball cover, particularly when a low spin golf ball is desired.

Abstract: A golf ball that has a core and a cover surrounding the core. The cover has an exterior surface which defines a plurality of dimples dimensioned and arranged such that the golf ball has a coefficient of drag below about 0.26 at a Reynolds number of about 150,000 and a spin rate of about 3000 rpm. The cover and the core are made from materials selected such that the golf ball has a weight of below about 1.60 oz.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a golf ball which comprises a core; at least one cover layer; at least one mantle layer disposed between the core and the cover; and at least one transition layer disposed between two of the other layers of the golf ball comprised of discrete portions of at least one of the adjacent layers. The transition layer may be formed by projections extending from one layer and cavities on the opposing layer for interlocking with the projections. The thickness of a first layer is X and the thickness of a second layer is Y and the thickness of the transition layer is Z. The Flexural Modulus of the first layer is Ex and the second layer is Ey. In the golf ball according to the present invention, Z is determined by the following formula: X + Y 4 ≤ Z ≤ 1.

Abstract: Curable coating compositions exhibiting exceptional resistance to high impact damage are described. The composition is formulated using a combination of poly and monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, oligomers and polymers. The composition can be applied using standard coating application techniques and cured rapidly under initiator dependent curing conditions. The compositions can be formulated to include optical brighteners, pigments, flow agents to enhance coating functionality in selected applications.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after significant immersion in water to indicate that the ball has been recovered from a water hazard and may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant immersion in water. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is. compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf ball's composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of making a golf ball, having a cover and a core, wherein the golf ball has at least one layer formed of a compatibilized blend of about 4 percent to 95 percent of at least one ionomer resin; about 95 percent to 4 percent of at least one non-ionic polymer; and about 1 to 15 phr, based on 100 parts ionomer resin and non-ionic polymer, of at least one non-carboxylic acid compatibilizer of functionalized block and graft polymers and oligomers, wherein at least one portion of the non-carboxylic acid compatibilizer is miscible with the at least one ionomer and at least one portion of the non-carboxylic acid compatibilizer is miscible with the at least one non-ionic polymer.

Abstract: A superelastic strand used for windings in a golf ball or as strings for a racquet of the type used for racquet sports. The strand is made with at least one fiber of a superelastic material which may be wound into a cable incorporating other fibers of polymeric or superelastic materials. The superelastic material used in the strand can be a nickel-titanium alloy which is heat treated to provide superelastic qualities.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball featuring an increased flight distance, superior control, good feeling, and improved durability is provided. A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers surrounding the core is characterized in that the solid core has a distortion of at least 2.7 mm under an applied load of 100 kg, the inner cover layer is formed mainly of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, the outer cover layer is formed mainly of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, one or more ionomer resins having a Shore D hardness of at least 55 are mixed with either one or both of the thermoplastic polyester elastomer of the inner cover layer and the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer of the outer cover layer, the inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 28-58, and the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 30-55.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball cover stock based on a heated mixture of (a) an ionomer resin, (b) polyethylene, and (c) an epoxy group-modified polyolefin or (d) a low molecular weight polyethylene wax. Component (c) or (d) improves the dispersion of polyethylene in the ionomer resin so that a larger amount of polyethylene may be blended in micro-dispersion form. A golf ball having a cover made of the cover stock is durable and wear resistant and offers a good feel when hit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting golf ball having a reduced spin rate. In this regard, a core is provided and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the cover compositions. This results in a golf ball exhibiting enhanced perimeter weighting. Preferably, the particles are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. In another preferred version, one or more patterns of weighting material are incorporated in the ball, and most preferably along the outer periphery of the ball so that the pattern is visible along the ball's exterior. The size and weight of the core is reduced in order to produce an overall golf ball which meets, or is less than, the 1.62 ounce maximum weight limitation specified by the United States Golf Association.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and to a process for forming a golf ball having at least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/oxa acid blend, having from about 65 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 35 to 1 parts of at least one oxa acid, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/oxa acid blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a core and a cover comprising a blend of ionomer and plastomer. The golf ball has an impact resistance and cut resistance comparable to a ball having a non-plastomer cover and containing higher quantities of ionomer.

Abstract: A three-piece thread wound golf ball including a central solid core portion having increased diameter of 1.35-1.50 inch (34.3-38.1 mm) and specific gravity of 1.20-1.25, a thread-wound intermediate portion, having diameter of 1.54-1.60 inches, and an outer dimpled cover portion which construction provides desirable increased moment of inertia and spin characteristics for the ball. The resulting golf ball characteristics are such that when hit with a Driver, other woods or the longer iron club it performs like a distance two-piece golf ball, when hit with mid-iron clubs it performs like a two-piece Hi-spin golf ball and soft covered multi layered balls, and when it is struck with short iron clubs it performs much like a Balata wound golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer structure golf ball having a thread rubber layer, which has good shot feel and controllability as well as satisfactory flight performance and cut resistance. The golf ball includes a thread wound core and a cover covering the thread wound core, wherein the cover is formed from a heated mixture of: (A) an ionomer resin, (B) a thermoplastic elastomer having a carboxyl group or a thermoplastic elastomer having a terminal OH group, and (C) a block copolymer having a styrene-butadiene-styrene structure in which the polybutadiene block contains epoxy groups, or a block copolymer having styrene-isoprene-styrene structure in which the polyisoprene block contains epoxy groups, the cover has a flexural modulus of from 50 to 300 MPa and a Shore D-scale hardness of from 40 to 60.

Abstract: This invention provides a golf ball constituting or having a core layer, intermediate layer and/or cover layer consisting in whole or in part of a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition. The invention also provides methods for making such a ball. The compositions of the core layer, intermediate layer and/or cover layer may be foamed or unfoamed. The poly(trimethylene terephthalate) may comprise from about 1 to about 100 percent by weight of the core layer, intermediate layer and/or cover layer. In addition, the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) material may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf ball cores, intermediate layers and/or covers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thread wound golf ball having long flight distance, and high spin amount and excellent controllability when hitting by a short iron club, while keeping the characteristics inherent to the conventional thread wound golf ball, i.e. good shot feel. The present invention related to a thread wound golf ball comprising (a) a solid center composed of an inner center and a center outer layer formed on the inner center, (b) a thread rubber layer formed on the solid center, and (c) a cover covering the thread rubber layer, wherein the inner center has a diameter of 29 to 35 mm and a center hardness in JIS-C hardness of 30 to 70, the center outer layer has a JIS-C hardness of 70 to 90, the solid center has a diameter of 30 to 38 mm, and the cover is formed from thermoplastic resin having a Shore D hardness of 40 to 60.