Abstract: A golf ball that includes a core and a cover layer. The cover layer encases the core, and includes a composition of a thermoplastic urethane, formed as a reaction product of a diol or a polyol with an isocyanate and a peroxide.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover is formed of a composition comprising an organic, inorganic, or metallic nanoparticulate material having a particle size of less than about 1000 nm and at least one matrix material.

Abstract: Golf ball 1 includes a core 2 and a cover 3. The core 2 has two layers including a center 4 and a mid layer 5. The mid layer 5 is formed by covering the center 4 with two half shells comprising a rubber composition, and by compression and heating of the center 4 and half shells in a mold. The rubber composition contains solid particles dispersed therein. The solid particles have a ratio “D/T”, i.e., a ratio of the particle size D to the thickness of the mid layer T, of equal to or greater than 0.3. Upon molding, the solid particles inhibit the center 4 to approach a cavity face. Accordingly, deviation of mass of the mid layer 5 can be suppressed. The solid particles have a ratio “W/T”, i.e., a ratio of the radial width W thereof to the thickness of the mid layer T, of from 0.3 to 1.0.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core having a compression greater than about 55; and an outer cover comprising an acid-functional polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer thereof, the outer cover having a Shore D hardness of at least about 25, a thickness of from at least about 0.02 inches to about 0.03 inches, and a specific gravity of at least about 0.7.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core included of a polymer containing an acid group fully-neutralized by an organic acid or a salt, a cation source, or a suitable base thereof, the core having a first Shore D hardness, a compression of no greater than about 90, and a diameter of between about 1.00 inches and about 1.64 inches; and a cover comprising a polyurea formed from a polyisocyanate, a polyamine, and a curing agent; wherein the ball has a compression of between about 50 and about 120.

Abstract: A golf ball including a solid core having an outer diameter of less than about 1.59 inches; an outer cover layer having a first material hardness and including a urethane elastomer formed from a castable reactive liquid material; and a casing disposed between the core and the cover layer, the casing including polyurea and having an outer diameter of between about 1.59 inches and about 1.64 inches and a second material hardness of between about 30 and about 70 Shore D; wherein a ratio of the second material hardness to the first material hardness is greater than 1.5.

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 inner cover layer is comprised of a high acid ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The present invention golf ball may further comprise an outer core layer that surrounds the dual core. 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: Golf ball cover and intermediate layers incorporate specified triblock copolymers, a base polymer, and also a polymeric modifier that incorporates an impact modifier, a copolymer or terpolymer having specified functional groups, or mixtures of these. The ball layers provide for good ball characteristics, including feel and controllability, while also providing for superior shear-cut resistance and resistance to cracking. Related methods for making golf ball layers provide for balls having these characteristics.

Abstract: A process for producing a golf ball which includes the steps of placing a rubber composition into the cavity of a mold having an upper portion and a lower portion, clamping the upper portion and the lower portion together at a moving velocity of from 0.03. mm/s to 1.0 mm/s, causing excess rubber composition to flow out from the cavities; and unclamping the mold and removing from the mold cavity spherical bodies and associated rubber flashers formed in the mold cavities.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided having a controlled weight distribution about a designated spin axis. The golf ball includes a core defining one or more high density regions interiorly disposed along a common plane and centered about the horizontal spin axis of the ball. As a result of the controlled weight distribution, the resulting ball significantly reduces hooks and slices. A method of manufacturing and/or utilizing the present golf ball is also provided.

Abstract: A golf ball and process for forming a golf ball having at least one layer, where the layer is formed of a polymer blend comprising a thermoplastic component having a flexural modulus of about 60,000 psi or greater and at least one oxa ester, oxa acid, or a combination thereof. The thermoplastic component may be a high acid acid ionomer or a saponified ionomer.

Abstract: A mixture having good thermal stability, flow and moldability and suitable as a golf ball-forming material is obtained when a resinous component including a base resin of an ionomer resin or resins and optionally a non-ionomer thermoplastic elastomer is blended with specific proportions of a fatty acid and/or fatty acid derivative and a basic inorganic metal compound capable of neutralizing acidic groups left unneutralized in the base resin and fatty acid. Using the same material, high-rebound golf balls can be effectively manufactured.

Abstract: A golf ball 1 has a core 2 and a cover 3. For molding a core 2, a rubber composition is extruded from a kneading machine, and cut at a predetermined length to obtain a preforming material. The preforming material is placed in a mold and the mold is clamped. An upper portion and lower portion of the mold mate for more than or equal to 15 seconds, and thereafter they are unclamped until a clearance between the upper and lower portions becomes from 3 mm to 8 mm, then, the mold is shut. The shutting time is determined to be from 0.5 second to 5.0 seconds. By this unclamping of the mold, a residual air in a spherical cavity is released, which results in elimination of defective products.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the core has a compression of less than about 60 and the intermediate layer is formed from a blend comprising a polyurethane material, wherein the golf ball has a compression of about 75 to about 85.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, which includes at least two polymeric systems, in one or more of the layers. The first polymeric system may include a polyurethane-based or polyurea-based system having blocked isocyanate groups and the second polymeric system may include an epoxy-based or acrylic-based system, wherein the two systems are polymerized or cured simultaneously or sequentially to form an IPN.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a center comprising a polybutadiene having a molecular weight of greater than 200,000 and a resilience index of at least about 40; and a cover layer comprising a polyurethane composition formed from a prepolymer having no greater than 7.5 percent by weight unreacted isocyanate groups.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a center comprising a polybutadiene having a molecular weight of greater than 200,000 and a resilience index of at least about 40; and a cover layer comprising a polyurethane composition formed from a prepolymer having no greater than 7.5 percent by weight unreacted isocyanate groups.

Abstract: An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball having one or more deep dimples are disclosed. The apparatus is a molding assembly for making a golf ball which includes a mold body that defines a molding cavity. The molding cavity is adapted to accommodate and preferably retain a golf ball core during a molding operation of one or more layers about the core. The molding assembly includes at least one material flow inlet, at least one material flow channel extending between and providing fluid communication with the material flow inlet and the molding cavity. The molding cavity includes at least one outwardly extending protrusion that forms a deep dimple that extends through the cover of the golf ball to and/or into the underlying component of the golf ball upon molding. The outwardly extending protrusion has a height greater than or equal to the thickness of the cover.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition of (a) an acid copolymer, (b) a salt of a high molecular weight, monomeric organic acid; (c) a thermoplastic polymer selected from copolyetheresters, elastomeric polyolefins, styrene diene block copolymers, elastomeric polyolefins thermoplastic polyurethanes and copolyetheramides; (d) cation source; and (d) optionally a filler. Also included is use of such compositions in components of one-, two- and three-piece golf balls or multi-layered golf balls made therefrom.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core of one or more layers, a cover layer of one or more layers and a mantle layer disposed between the core and the cover. The mantle layer comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably having a hardness of greater than 60 Shore D and a Bashore resilience of greater than 34 and the cover is comprised of urethane.

Abstract: A golf ball material containing (a) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylate random copolymer having an acid content of 2-12% by weight, and (b) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer having an acid content of 8-15% by weight, in a weight ratio from 100:0 to 40:60, and having a Shore D hardness of 30-60 is effectively moldable and is capable of providing golf balls with excellent rebound energy and a pleasant feel when hit.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core; and a cover layer disposed concentrically about the core; wherein at least one of the core or the cover is formed of a polymer comprising metallized lipid-based nanotubules.

Abstract: A golf ball having a multi-layered core comprising at least three core layers and a dimpled cover is disclosed. The core may have three layers, A, B and C, four layers, A, B, C and D, five layers, A, B, C, D and E or up to six layers, A, B, C, D, E and F. In accordance to the present invention, the radius or thickness of each core layer is at least twice as much as the adjacent outer core layer. One outer core layer can be a water vapor barrier layer to protect the ball from water vapor encroachment, which reduces the performance of the ball. Another outer core layer can be a thin dense layer with high specific gravity to increase the rotational moment of inertia to reduce the spin of the ball during flight. Another outer core layer can be a perforated spherical shell to increase the resilience and/or coefficient of restitution of the ball. Another outer core layer could be a cushioning layer to act as a shock absorber. The core layers may also have increasing or decreasing hardness.

Abstract: A curative blend for a thermosetting polyurethane material that allows for a polyurethane material with greater durability is disclosed herein. The curative blend is composed of 4,4′-methylenebis-(2,6-diethyl)-aniline and a second curing agent selected from the group consisting of N,N′-bis-alkyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N′-dialkylamino-diphenylmethane with tetrapropoxylated ethylenediamine and an aliphatic diamine. A preferred polyurethane prepolymer is polytetramethylene ether glycol terminated toluene diisocyanate prepolymer. The thermosetting polyurethane is preferably utilized as a cover for a golf ball. The cover is preferably formed over a core and boundary layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-layer golf ball which includes a core, a cover and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and cover, wherein the intermediate layer contains a glycidyl polymer and a thermoplastic component such as a copolyester, polyamide homopolymer or copolymer, polyetherester block copolymer, polyesterester block copolymer, polyetheramide block copolymer, polyesteramide block copolymer, dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, polyurethane, polymer formed using a metallocene catalyst, or a blend or copolymer thereof, and optionally a density-modifying filler such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Golf balls in accordance with the principles of the present invention exhibit exceptional performance properties and have a high velocity when struck by a driver. A golf ball of the present invention comprises a core, a mantle, and a cover layer. The core is formed of a polybutadiene compound. The mantle is comprised a terpolymers. The cover layer is formed of a composition of one or more ionomers.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least a cover layer and a core layer, wherein at least one layer is formed from a blend comprising about 97 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of at least one high acid ionomer resin, about 3 wt. % to less than 15 wt. % of at least one very low modulus ionomer (VLMI) resin, and optionally less than about 70 wt. % of at least one standard ionomer resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball comprising at least one core layer, a cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the at least one layer is formed of a polymer composition comprising at least one ionomer and at least one polyamide polymer.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the core is formed from a polybutadiene blend comprising a) a first polybutadiene having a first Mooney viscosity between about 50 and about 150, and b) a second polybutadiene having a second Mooney viscosity between about 30 and about 100, wherein the first Mooney viscosity is greater than the second Mooney viscosity, and wherein the blend has a greater weight percentage of the first polybutadiene than that of the second polybutadiene.

Abstract: The invention is directed to golf ball core compositions comprising at least one natural or synthetic rubber and at least one high Vicat softening temperature thermoplastic material, methods of preparing the compositions, and golf ball cores and golf balls including the compositions. The compositions of the invention are made by mixing at least one natural or synthetic rubber and at least one thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer at a first temperature; cooling the mixture to a second temperature which is below an activation temperature of a free-radical initiator; adding the free-radical initiator to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and heating the second mixture to a third temperature that to facilitate crosslinking. The golf ball cores are incorporated into multilayer balls including dual cover balls with thin outer layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, which includes at least two polymeric components, in one or more of the layers. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of forming an intermediate or cover layer that contains an IPN.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having excellent flight performance and good shot feel when hit by an iron club, and, excellent controllability and good shot feel when hit by a driver. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball including a core, an intermediate layer formed on the core, and a cover covering the intermediate layer, wherein the core has a JIS-C surface hardness of 65 to 83 and a deformation of 2.8 to 5.3 mm when applying an initial load of 10 kgf to a final load of 130 kgf on the core, a JIS-C hardness of the core is substantially uniform from its center to surface, the intermediate layer has a Shore D hardness of 63 to 70, the cover has a Shore D hardness of 45 to 62, and a Shore D hardness difference between the intermediate layer and the cover is 3 to 20.

Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core having a diameter of 30 to 40 mm, at least one intermediate layer including the outermost layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition mainly containing polybutadiene. The outermost layer is made from a resin material containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 30% by weight or more. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 50% by weight or more. The hardness of said cover is smaller than the hardness of said outermost layer of said at least one intermediate layer and is larger than the hardness of a center portion of said core. The multi-piece golf ball is excellent in resilience, durability, feel of hitting, and controllability.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprised of a polymer containing an acid group neutralized by an organic acid or a salt thereof, the organic acid or salt thereof being present in an amount sufficient to neutralize the polymer by at least about 80%, wherein the core has a first Shore D hardness, a compression of no greater than about 80, and a diameter of no less than about 1.53 inches; and a cover comprised of a material having a second Shore D hardness at least 10 points less than the first hardness.

Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers enclosing the solid core, the solid core has a deflection of at least 1.

Abstract: A progressive performance golf ball is disclosed. The progressive performance golf ball includes a low spin, high moment of inertia core assembly, which may comprise a low specific gravity core and/or non-continuous high specific gravity intermediate layer. This sub-assembly is encased within a soft cover with Shore D hardness less than 65. The low specific gravity core is preferably made from a foamed polymer, and the non-continuous high specific gravity core is preferably a geodesic or polyhedron screen or a perforated shell. The ball may comprise a non-continuous intermediate layer and a second intermediate layer, wherein one or both of the intermediate layers comprise high specific gravity materials. The cover is preferably made from thermoset polyurethane. Advantageously, the non-continuous screen or shell have a spring-like property, which allows the ball to readily regain its spherical shape after impact with a golf club.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved polybutadiene compositions suitable for use in molded golf ball core construction. The improved polybutadiene compositions are composed of at least two certain types of polybutadiene, which has the effect of increasing the resiliency of the resulting molded cores and greatly facilitates processing of the compositions and forming the cores. Also disclosed are improved golf ball cores, and balls utilizing such cores, formed from particular ultra high Mooney viscosity polybutadiene.

Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers enclosing the solid core, the solid core has a deflection of at least 1.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core of one or more layers, a cover layer of one or more layers and a mantle layer disposed between the core and the cover. The mantle layer comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably having a hardness of greater than 60 Shore D and a Bashore resilience of greater than 34 and a vicat point of greater than 350° F.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer and a cover. The core is formed of a first composition, the intermediate layer is formed of a second composition, and the cover is formed of a third composition. The specific gravity of each of the first, second and third compositions are generally equal to each other. The first, second, and third compositions are each sufficiently mixed such that the ball exhibits random orientation when floated in a solution of sufficient density to support the ball.

Abstract: There is provided a solid golf ball comprising a multi-piece core and a cover made from polyurethane obtained by curing an isocyanate group-terminated urethane prepolymer including a residual polyisocyanate monomer content of not more than 0.1% by mass using an aromatic polyamine curing agent. The golf ball satisfies moldability of the polyurethane cover and durability, and exhibits excellent ball characteristic such as flight performance and shot feeling.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer, and a cover layer; wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a polymer blend comprising an ionomer having at least about 16% acid groups and a grafted-metallocene polymer; and the cover layer comprises a castable reactive liquid material. Optionally, a non-ionomer may be blended with the polymer blend or, in an alternative, the high acid ionomer may be blended solely with the non-ionomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved cover compositions for golf ball construction and the resulting low modulus golf balls produced utilizing the improved cover compositions. The novel golf ball cover compositions of the invention comprise a blend of a relatively low amount of at least one hard ionomeric resins and a relatively large amount (i.e. from about 75 to about 85-90 percent) of at least one soft ionomer resin. When the cover compositions of the invention are utilized to manufacture golf balls, the golf balls produced thereby, exhibit properties of improved playability at low swing speeds without substantial sacrifices in durability and/or distance characteristics when compared to known hard-soft ionomer blends.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having very soft and good shot feel, and excellent rebound characteristics and flight performance, when hit by golfers who swing a golf club at low head speed. The present invention relates to a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core consisting of an inner core and an outer core, and at least one layer of cover, wherein the outer core is formed from a rubber composition, and has a Shore D hardness of 20 to 40 and a thickness of not less than 0.3 to less than 1.0 mm, the outmost layer of the cover has a Shore D hardness of more than 62 to less than 70, and a ratio (HC/HO) of the Shore D hardness of the outmost layer of the cover (HC) to that of the outer core (HO) is more than 2.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a base rubber containing 5-30% by weight of syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene and at least 40% by weight of cis-1,4-polybutadiene, 5-10 parts by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid metal salt, up to 2 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, and 10-30% by weight based on the weight of the metal salt of an initiator can be molded and vulcanized into a rubber product having a specific gravity of less than 1 and is suitable for the manufacture of golf balls for practice over water.

Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a rubbery elastic core, a cover having a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer is composed of a resin material which is softer than the cover. The elastic core has a hardness which gradually increases radially outward from the center to the surface thereof. The center and surface of the elastic core have a hardness difference of at least 21 JIS-C hardness units. This construction and combination of features improve the rebound energy, travel distance, durability and feel of the ball.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball includes a core, at least one mantle layer enclosing the core, and a cover that is made primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane composition. The cover and the mantle layer have a difference in Shore D hardness therebetween such that −8≦[(cover hardness)−(mantle layer hardness)]≦5. The cover and the core have a difference in Shore D hardness therebetween such that 5≦[(cover hardness)−(average core hardness)]≦25. The core has an average Shore D hardness of 30 to 50, and the cover has a Shore D hardness of at least 52. The ball has an initial velocity of at least 76.4 m/s.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an elastic solid core, an intermediate layer and a resin cover of urethane elastomer having a plurality of dimples on its surface, wherein the dimples include 330-400 circular dimples having a diameter of 3.7-5.0 mm, have a total volume of 330-380 mm3, and are substantially uniformly distributed such that there is no or only one great circle which does not intersect with the dimples exhibit uniform flight performance.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball includes an elastic solid core, a resinous intermediate layer and a resinous cover. When subjected to a load of 1274 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf), the solid core undergoes a deformation A, a sphere consisting of the solid core and the intermediate layer undergoes a deformation B, and the golf ball undergoes a deformation C, all expressed in millimeter, which satisfy the relationship: 1.14≦A/B≦1.30 and 1.05≦B/C≦1.16. This combination of features provides the ball with qualities desired by professional golfers and skilled amateurs, including spin and flight performances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having both excellent hit feeling and large flying distance. The three-piece solid golf ball comprises a core 1 and a cover 2 covering the core 1, and the core 1 has a two-layer structure comprising a center 1a and an outer shell 1b. The center 1a contains an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid metallic salt in an amount of 13 to 28 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a base rubber and the outer shell 1b contains an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid metallic salt in an amount of 28 to 35 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of an base rubber. A surface hardness (measured by JIS-C type hardness tester) of the core 1 is 75 to 88 and a compression deformation amount of the core 1 is 2.7 to 5.0 mm.