Particular Unitary Or Layered Construction Patents (Class 473/371)
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Patent number: 12157036Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
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Patent number: 12090371Abstract: A golf ball with at least one layer having radio-opaque fillers is disclosed herein. The at least one layer comprises from 1.0% to 25% by weight of a radio-opaque filler. The at least one layer has a pixel value gradient of 0.75 or less from an inner edge to an outer edge of the at least one layer when examined with a radiographic imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.Inventors: Julie Caterina, Nick Lannes, Grady C. Crahan
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Patent number: 12059599Abstract: Golf ball comprising one or more layers and/or indicia formed from a fluorescent composition comprising: a base polymer; and a colorant; wherein the colorant is a small-molecule ionic isolation lattice formed from one or more fluorescent dye and one or more cyanostar macrocycles. The one or more fluorescent dyes may include at least one dye selected from xanthenes, oxazines, styryls, cyanines, trianguleniums, or mixtures thereof. The colorant may be a dispersion of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice in a carrier medium or a powder. In particular embodiments, at least one of the one or more layers is a cover layer and/or a coating layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2022Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Erin C. McDermott, Manjari Kuntimaddi
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Patent number: 12023554Abstract: A golf ball a core, one or more intermediate layers, and one or more cover layers. The core may comprise an inner portion and an outer portion. One or more layers of the golf ball may be formed by the application of ultrasonic welding on two half shells to form. One or more of the layers may be formed by a number of different chemical compositions, and may have varying thicknesses, hardnesses, coefficients of restitution, and PGA compression. The golf ball itself may have varying coefficient of restitution and PGA compression, depending on the layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2023Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignees: MASION DE GOLF, QINGDAO SM PARKER GOLF LTD.Inventors: Hyun Jin Kim, Ki Jung Kim
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Patent number: 11918863Abstract: A method and system for determining concentricity of a multiple layer golf ball are disclosed herein. One or more images of a golf ball are generated using an X-ray source, a camera or a digital detector, and an image intensifier. An edge detection algorithm is preferably utilized. The method also includes calculating Y,Z center coordinates of the a best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner edge layer and outer edge layer of the multiple layer golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.Inventors: Julie Caterina, Megan Ilnicky, Grady Crahan
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Patent number: 11911667Abstract: A method and system for determining concentricity of a multiple layer golf ball are disclosed herein. One or more images of a golf ball are generated using an X-ray source, a camera or a digital detector, and an image intensifier. An edge detection algorithm is preferably utilized. The method also includes calculating Y, Z center coordinates of the a best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner edge layer and outer edge layer of the multiple layer golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.Inventors: Megan Ilnicky, Julie Caterina
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Patent number: 11904214Abstract: A method and system for determining concentricity of a multiple layer golf ball are disclosed herein. One or more images of a golf ball are generated using an X-ray source, a camera or a digital detector, and an image intensifier. An edge detection algorithm is preferably utilized. The method also includes calculating Y,Z center coordinates of the a best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner edge layer and outer edge layer of the multiple layer golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.Inventors: Julie Caterina, Megan Ilnicky
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Patent number: 11839795Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf ball having excellent durability and flight distance and good shot feeling for an average golfer who hits a golf ball at a slow head speed. The present disclosure provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least two cover layers covering the spherical core, wherein a difference between a core surface crosslinking density and a core center crosslinking density is more than 1.0×102 mol/m3 and less than 9.0×102 mol/m3, a hardness difference between a core surface hardness Cs (Shore C hardness) and a core center hardness Co (Shore C hardness) is 13.0 or more and 30.0 or less, a compression deformation amount of the core when applying a load from an initial load of 98 N to a final load of 1275 N to the core is less than 3.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Daijiro Kojima, Hikaru Nagakura
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Patent number: 11833396Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf ball having excellent durability and flight distance and good shot feeling for an average golfer who hits a golf ball at a slow head speed. The present disclosure provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least two cover layers covering the spherical core, wherein a difference between a core surface crosslinking density and a core center crosslinking density is more than 1.0×102 mol/m3 and less than 9.0×102 mol/m3, a hardness difference between a core surface hardness Cs (Shore C hardness) and a core center hardness Co (Shore C hardness) is 13.0 or more and 30.0 or less, a compression deformation amount of the core when applying a load from an initial load of 98 N to a final load of 1275 N to the core is 3.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Daijiro Kojima, Takahiro Sajima, Hikaru Nagakura
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Patent number: 11819739Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core, an outer layer and at least one adhesion promoting coating disposed between each of the core and the outer layer; the core comprising a rubber composition comprising at least one zinc-containing and/or magnesium-containing component; the outer layer comprising at least one ionomer; and the adhesion promoting coating comprising a waterborne dispersion comprised of at least one ethylene acid copolymer having an acid content of at least 15% by weight wherein the copolymer is at least partially neutralized with one or more neutralizing agent; wherein at least one neutralizing agent is selected from ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds. In a specific embodiment, the at least one neutralizing agent comprises i) mono and/or divalent metal compounds and ii) ammonia compounds and/or amine compounds.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 11684823Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent color development stability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a resin composition containing a first base resin and a fluorescent pigment, and the fluorescent pigment has a number-based cumulative median size of 2.5 ?m or more.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kai Hayashi, Takahiro Shigemitsu, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Yoshihiko Komori, Toshiyuki Tarao, Masatoshi Yokota
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Patent number: 11654335Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the difference between the center hardness and the surface hardness of the core is set in a specific range, the intermediate layer is formed of a resin material that includes a high-acid ionomer, the Shore C hardness relationships among the core center and the surfaces of the envelope-encased layer and the intermediate layer-encased sphere satisfy specific conditions; and the ball has a deflection when compressed under a given load which is at least 2.7 mm. This ball achieves a good distance on shots with a driver, utility club or iron, is receptive to spin in the short game, and has a soft feel at impact on all shots, making it useful to amateur golfers.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Masanobu Kuwahara
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Patent number: 11642572Abstract: In a golf ball having a core and a cover, the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane, the ball has a diameter of at least 43.0 mm and, in an impact test carried out by hitting the ball with a driver at a head speed of 40 m/s, the sum t1+t2 of the time t1 required from initial contact by the driver with the ball for deformation of the ball to reach a maximum and the time t2 required from the state of maximum ball deformation for the ball and driver to separate is 650 ?sec or less. This golf ball makes it possible for golfers who have a high head speed and ordinary golfers who do not to compete without relying excessively on superiority in terms of distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Atsuki Kasashima
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Patent number: 11642573Abstract: In a golf ball having a core and a cover, the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane, the ball has a weight of 44.8 g or less and, in an impact test carried out by hitting the ball with a driver at a head speed of 40 m/s, the sum t1+t2 of the time t1 required from initial contact by the driver with the ball for deformation of the ball to reach a maximum and the time t2 required from the state of maximum ball deformation for the ball and driver to separate is 650 ?sec or less. This golf ball makes it possible for golfers who have a high head speed and ordinary golfers who do not to compete without relying excessively on superiority in terms of distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Atsuki Kasashima
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Patent number: 11596840Abstract: A rubber composition for golf balls includes (A) a base rubber, (B) an acrylate ester or methacrylate ester containing an isocyanate group or a blocked isocyanate group, (C) diacrylic acid, dimethacrylic acid or a metal salt thereof, and (D) an organic peroxide. In a golf ball having a core formed of the rubber composition and a cover of one or more layers which encases the core, the rubber composition exhibits a spin rate-lowering effect on shots and can thus improve the flight performance of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Namba
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Patent number: 11554295Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a decreased spin rate on driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the spherical core is formed from a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) two or more ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids having 3 to 14 carbon atoms and having no substituent group at a carbon atom bonding to the carboxy group, and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) a crosslinking initiator.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Ayaka Shindo, Takumi Kaneko, Hiroshi Tadaoka, Takahiro Shigemitsu, Kazuyoshi Shiga
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Patent number: 11426636Abstract: Golf ball consisting of an inner part comprising at least an elastomeric polymer and a reinforcing agent comprising graphene nano-platelets in which at least 90% of the nano-platelets has a lateral size (x, y) from 50 to 50,000 nm and a thickness (z) from 0.34 to 45 nm, and a C/O ratio ?100:1.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Directa Plus S.p.A.Inventors: Giulio Giuseppe Cesareo, Massimiliano Bianchi, Antonino Di Pasquale
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Patent number: 11358033Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and at least one cover layer covering the core, wherein the core is formed from a core rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, and (d) a hindered phenol compound, and (b) the co-crosslinking agent and (d) the hindered phenol compound are blended in the core rubber composition such that the following expression (1) is satisfied: 0.04?HF/B?0.35??(1) in the formula (1), HF=a number of OH functional group in one molecule of (d) the hindered phenol compound×an amount of (d) the hindered phenol compound (mole) with respect to 100 parts by mass of (a) the base rubber, and B=an amount of (b) the co-crosslinking agent (mole) with respect to 100 parts by mass of (a) the base rubber.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Hikaru Nagakura, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Kai Hayashi, Takahiro Shigemitsu
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Patent number: 11192000Abstract: Methods for making multi-piece golf balls comprising at least one component made of ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) rubber and the resulting balls are provided. The multi-piece golf ball includes a cover, preferably a dual-cover having inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover is preferably made of a liquid rubber composition based on liquid EPDM rubber. In one version, the ball sub-assembly is dipped in a bath containing liquid EPDM rubber to form the outer cover. In another version, a casting method is used and the liquid EPDM rubber is dispensed into mold cavities to form the outer cover. The inner core of the ball may be made of polybutadiene rubber and the outer core layer may be made of EPDM rubber. The resulting golf ball has high resiliency, a soft feel, and good weatherability.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 11173350Abstract: In a golf ball having a core of one or more layer and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, the core has a deflection when compressed under a specific load of at least 3.8 mm; at least an innermost portion of the core has a specific difference between maximum and minimum values in cross-sectional hardnesses (JIS-C) from a center to a surface thereof; and the center core is formed of a rubber composition that includes (a) a base rubber, (b) an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or metal salt thereof, (c) a diacyl peroxide and/or a peroxyester, and (d) a dialkyl peroxide and/or a peroxyketal. The golf ball has a low spin rate on driver shots by low head speed golfers, and thus achieves an improved distance, while minimizing any decrease in durability.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun Shindo
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Patent number: 11058924Abstract: A method and system for determining concentricity of a multiple layer golf ball are disclosed herein. One or more images of a golf ball are generated using an X-ray source, a camera or a digital detector, and an image intensifier. An edge detection algorithm is preferably utilized. The method also includes calculating Y,Z center coordinates of the a best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner edge layer and outer edge layer of the multiple layer golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Julie Caterina, Megan Ilnicky
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Patent number: 11058921Abstract: In a golf ball having a two-layer core consisting of an inner core layer and an outer core layer, an intermediate layer consisting of at least one layer and a cover of one or more layer, the inner core layer and outer core layer are each formed of a rubber composition made up primarily of a base rubber, the inner core layer has a diameter of not more than 30 mm; and the core has specific hardness ratios (JIS-C hardness/Shore D hardness) at specific points on the cross-section thereof and the surface and center of the two-layer core has a specific hardness difference. This golf ball has a reduced spin rate on full shots with a driver and middle irons, thus imparting an excellent flight performance, and moreover has a good controllability in the short game on approach shots, making it ideal as a golf ball for professional golfers and mid- and high-level amateur golfers.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Kimura, Keita Iwasaki
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Patent number: 11052291Abstract: The golf ball 1 includes a surface having multiple dimples thereon. When a lift coefficient measured under conditions with a Reynolds number of 80000 and a spin rate of 2000 rpm is CL1, and when a lift coefficient measured under conditions with a Reynolds number of 70000 and a spin rate of 1900 rpm is CL2, CL1 and CL2 satisfy 0.990?CL2/CL1.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventor: Masanobu Kuwahara
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Patent number: 11040252Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10953287Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, the intermediate layer-encased sphere has a higher surface hardness than the ball. The core hardness profile in the ball is designed such that the core surface has a Shore C hardness value which is at least 27 higher than the Shore C hardness value at the core center, and the surface areas A to F calculated from hardness differences between positions located at specific distances in the core and differences between the specific distances satisfy a specific formula. This golf ball has an excellent flight performance when struck by skilled amateur golfers and professionals, and also has a good controllability on shots with an iron.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Masanobu Kuwahara
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Patent number: 10953286Abstract: A golf ball for amateur golfers exhibits excellent flight characteristics when hit by the average golfer and also has a good feel at impact that is both soft and solid. The golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, and has coefficient of restitution and compressive deformation relationships that satisfy specific conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsunori Sato, Kae Iizuka
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Patent number: 10773131Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball having a two-layer core with an inner core layer and an outer core layer and having a cover of at least two layers including an intermediate layer and an outer layer with numerous dimples on the surface is characterized in that the hardest cover layer has a specific material hardness and the ball has a specific value obtained by subtracting the surface hardness of the overall core from the surface hardness of the hardest cover layer, a specific deflection, and a specific value obtained by subtracting the initial velocity of the inner core layer from the initial velocity of the sphere consisting of the inner core layer encased by the outer core layer. This golf ball enables relatively low head speed golfers to achieve a good distance on full shots with drivers and iron clubs and also provides a soft, comfortable feel at impact.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsunori Sato, Hideo Watanabe
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Patent number: 10751578Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) made from a foam or metal-containing composition, or it has a hollow shell construction, and the outer core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition. Preferably, the thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10751577Abstract: 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. The inner and outer core layers can have different hardness gradients. 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
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Patent number: 10675509Abstract: Golf balls comprising a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is made from a thermoplastic composition preferably comprising a borophene material. Mixtures of borophene material and polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymers can be prepared. The borophene-containing compositions can be used to make a core layer having good strength and impact durability and it also should help provide the ball with high resiliency.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Nicholas M. Nardacci
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Patent number: 10661125Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, wherein the core has a center core and a foamed outer layer that directly, or indirectly through another layer, envelops the center core. The foamed outer layer is made of a rubber composition that includes a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide. The foamed outer layer has an inside portion facing the ball center and an outside portion facing the outside of the ball that are unfoamed regions, and contains a foamed region in an intermediate portion therebetween. A method of manufacturing such a golf ball is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Shindo, Tsuyoshi Nakajima
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Patent number: 10543402Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing low spin rate on driver shots and high spin rate on approach shots. The present invention provides a multi-piece golf ball comprising a spherical center, at least two envelope layers covering the spherical center, and a cover covering the envelope layers, wherein the envelope layers comprise at least a first envelope layer covering the spherical center, and a second envelope layer covering the first envelope layer, a material hardness (H0) of the spherical center, a material hardness (H1) of the first envelope layer, and a material hardness (H2) of the second envelope layer satisfy an equation of H0>H1>H2, and the material hardness (H2) of the second envelope layer is lowest among the material hardness of the center constituent material and material hardness of envelope layer constituent materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Shigemitsu, Hidetaka Inoue
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Patent number: 10486031Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great distance on driver shots.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kohei Mimura, Takahiro Sajima, Kosuke Tachibana
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Patent number: 10465070Abstract: Golf ball comprising at least one layer consisting of a double network cross-linked composition comprising a mixture of a base thermoset polymer composition and a double network polymer composition. The double network polymer composition comprises a plurality of particulates of a polymer composition that is elongated from 10% to 200%, or at least 50%, or at least 100% or at least 150% or 200% or greater during a partial cure state.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10465072Abstract: Golf ball comprising at least one layer consisting of a double network cross-linked composition comprising a mixture of a base thermoplastic polymer composition and a double network polymer composition. The double network polymer composition comprises a plurality of particulates of a polymer composition that is elongated from 10% to 200%, or at least 50%, or at least 100% or at least 150% or 200% or greater during a partial cure state.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10441853Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core and four successive layers encasing the core—an inner envelope layer, an outer envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the inner envelope, outer envelope and intermediate layer are each formed of different highly neutralized resin materials, and the cover thickness is larger than the respective thicknesses of the inner envelope layer, outer envelope layer and intermediate layer. Also, the value (A)?(B) obtained by subtracting the material hardness (B) of the softest layer among the inner envelope layer, outer envelope layer and intermediate layer from the material hardness (A) of the cover is a Shore D hardness of 13 or more. This golf ball holds down the spin rate on full shots with a driver by amateur golfers having modest head speeds, and also has a soft and good feel at impact.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
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Patent number: 10427008Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a composite composition comprising functionalized nano-structures. The functionalized nano-structures may be selected from the group consisting of functionalized polymer nano-structures, functionalized metallic nano-structures, and functionalized elemental nano-structures. For example, the functionalized nano-structures may comprise functionalized graphene, functionalized carbon nanotube, and/or functionalized polyamide nano-fiber. The functionalized nano-structures may be mixed/blended or otherwise combined with conductive nanoshelled structures in the composite composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10427003Abstract: Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and Atti compression of at least about 50 and comprising layer consisting of mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and plurality of particulates, at least a portion surface-treated with alkoxylated siloxanes and/or polyether-modified siloxanes, and may be selected from titanium dioxide particles, barium sulfate particles, zinc sulfide particles, and/or zinc oxide particulates. At least some particulates are contacted with compound having the formula: Compound (I) may be included in amount of 0.01 to 2% by weight based on total weight of portion of plurality being contacted. The plurality may be included in mixture in amount such that layer has specific gravity of from 0.5 to about 10.0, tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 50,000 psi, and elongation at break of from about 20% to about 1000%, each being greater than that of the thermoset or thermoplastic composition portion of the mixture.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich
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Patent number: 10376748Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises a plasticized polyurethane composition comprising at least one polyurethane and at least one plasticizer.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10350458Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great distance on driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein a difference (HX+1?HX?1) between a hardness (HX+1) at a point outwardly away in a radial direction from a boundary between the inner layer and the outer layer of the spherical core by 1 mm and a hardness (HX?1) at a point inwardly away in the radial direction from the boundary between the inner layer and the outer layer of the spherical core by 1 mm is 0 or more in Shore C hardness, a surface hardness (HX+Y) of the spherical core is more than 70 in Shore C hardness, an angle ? of a hardness gradient of the inner layer is 0° or more, and a difference (???) between the angle ? and an angle ? of a hardness gradient of the outer layer is 0° or more.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuya Kamino
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Patent number: 10343020Abstract: A golf ball (2) includes a core (4), an inner cover (6), a main cover (8), and an outer cover (10). X=Hc×Rc×0.05, S=Hs×Rc×0.05, M=Hm×Tm, I=Hi×Ti, O=Ho×To, and Q=(I+O)/2 that are calculated from a radius Rc of the core (4), a Shore C hardness Hc at a central point of the core (4), a Shore C hardness Hs at a surface of the core (4), a thickness Tm of the main cover (8), a Shore C hardness Hm of the main cover (8), a thickness Ti of the inner cover (6), a Shore C hardness Hi of the inner cover (6), a thickness To of the outer cover (10) and a Shore C hardness Ho of the outer cover (10), satisfy 15?M?S?100, 0.25<Q/M<0.5, ?10?I?O?30, and Q/X<0.8.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Hironori Takihara, Takahiro Sajima
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Patent number: 10343019Abstract: 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. The inner and outer core layers can have different hardness gradients. 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
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Patent number: 10335642Abstract: A golf ball (2) includes a core (4), an inner cover (6), a main cover (8), and an outer cover (10). X=Hc×Rc×0.05, S=Hs×Rc×0.05, M=Hm×Tm, I=Hi×Ti, O=Ho×To, and Q=(I+O)/2 that are calculated from a radius Rc of the core (4), a Shore C hardness Hc at a central point of the core (4), a Shore C hardness Hs at a surface of the core (4), a thickness Tm of the main cover (8), a Shore C hardness Hm of the main cover (8), a thickness Ti of the inner cover (6), a Shore C hardness Hi of the inner cover (6), a thickness To of the outer cover (10) and a Shore C hardness Ho of the outer cover (10), satisfy 15?M?S?100, 0.25<Q/M<0.5, ?10?I?O?30, and Q/X?0.8.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Hironori Takihara
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Patent number: 10328313Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Edmund A. Hebert, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 10300344Abstract: In order to satisfy at a high level the golf ball flight and control performances relied on by professional golfers and skilled amateurs, this invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball G having a core 1, a cover 3 and an intermediate layer 2 therebetween wherein, letting Hc be the JIS-C hardness at a center of the core, H12 be the JIS-C hardness at a position 12 mm from the core center and Ho be the JIS-C hardness at a surface of the core, the core has a hardness profile which satisfies the condition (Ho?H12)?(H12?Hc)?10; letting (Ho?H12)?(H12?Hc) above be A, the spin index of the ball, defined as the dynamic coefficient of friction of the ball multiplied by A, is at least 3.0; and the hardness profile index, defined as the deflection (mm) of the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf) multiplied by A, is at least 40.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Kimura, Toru Ogawana, Katsunobu Mochizuki
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Patent number: 10293217Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball having a two-layer core with an inner core layer and an outer core layer and having a cover of one or more layer with numerous dimples on the surface is characterized in that the hardest cover layer has a specific material hardness and the ball has a specific value obtained by subtracting the surface hardness of the overall core from the surface hardness of the hardest cover layer, a specific deflection, and a specific value obtained by subtracting the initial velocity of the inner core layer from the initial velocity of the sphere consisting of the inner core layer encased by the outer core layer. This golf ball enables relatively low head speed golfers to achieve a good distance on full shots with drivers and iron clubs and also provides a soft, comfortable feel at impact.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsunori Sato, Hideo Watanabe
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Patent number: 10279221Abstract: In a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layers, letting the core diameter be D (mm), the cover thickness be T (mm) and the core and ball deflections when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf) be E (mm) and B (mm), the following conditions are satisfied: (1) 30?D/T?24, (2) 4.1?E/T?2.6, and (3) 1.18?EIB?1.09, and the core has specific hardness profile. This golf ball provides an excellent flight performance and a soft feel at impact when used by golfers whose head speed is not very fast, such as senior golfers and women golfers. The ball also has a high durability to cracking on repeated impact.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
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Patent number: 10252115Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core having a hardness gradient and an outer cover layer having a microhardness gradient and being formed from a thermoset polyurethane material throughout, and having: i) a treated region that is contacted with a thermoset polyurethane microhardness-increasing solution consisting of an isocyanate portion and at least one non-aqueous solvent; and ii) an untreated region that is not contacted with the thermoset polyurethane microhardness-increasing solution. The treated region comprises the isocyanate portion, whereas the untreated region does not comprise the isocyanate portion. Treated region has a microhardness M1 that is greater than microhardness M2 of untreated region to define the outer cover layer positive microhardness gradient ?M=M1?M2. The treated region may have a depth Dtr that extends inward from the cover outer surface and in some embodiments is less than a thickness of the untreated region.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 10245470Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising an inner core and an outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the inner core and outer cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane ionomer.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Mark L. Binette, Michael J. Sullivan, Robert Blink, Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett
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Patent number: 10227474Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a fatty acid (meth)acrylic acid salt in a golf ball layer. The fatty acid (meth)acrylic acid salt may be added to one or more portions of a golf ball including a core, intermediate, or cover layer. For example, in one embodiment, the fatty acid (meth)acrylic acid salt may be blended with a polybutadiene rubber material. In another embodiment, the fatty acid (meth)acrylic acid salt of the present invention may be blended with an ionomer. In some embodiments, the fatty acid (meth)acrylic acid salt may be blended with a formulation including both a polybutadiene rubber component and an ionomer.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette