Diverse Layer Between Spherical Core And Cover Patents (Class 473/373)
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Patent number: 9968831Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a dual-core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, the polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used to form the outer core layer. Preferably, the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the inner core. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9962579Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains a small, heavy inner core and surrounding outer core layer. The inner core preferably contains metal materials such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, nickel, iron, tin, and bronze particles dispersed in a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric matrix. Preferably, the polymeric matrix comprises polybutadiene rubber. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. For example, the outer surface may contain multiple projecting ribs with gaps located between the ribs. The ball includes a cover surrounding the core structure. The cover may be multi-layered.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9956455Abstract: A golf ball with a core comprising polybutadiene and graphene is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a single core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an inner core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an outer core comprising polybutadiene and graphene.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Vijay Chavan, David Bartels
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Patent number: 9943730Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core has a very high positive hardness gradient and comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9937384Abstract: In a golf ball having, in order, a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the following conditions are satisfied: (I) ball surface hardness>intermediate layer surface hardness>envelope layer surface hardness<core surface hardness, (II) (Shore D hardness at core surface?Shore D hardness at envelope layer surface)?10, (III) (cover thickness?intermediate layer thickness)>0.05 mm, (IV) (intermediate layer thickness?envelope layer thickness)>0.05 mm, and (V) (Cs?C10)/(C10?Cc)>1.0 (where Cs denotes the JIS-C hardness at the core surface, C10 the JIS-C hardness at a position 10 mm from a center of the core, and Cc the JIS-C hardness at the core center). The ball provides an excellent flight performance when struck by the average golfer, a feel that is both soft and solid, and an excellent durability to repeated impact.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Atsuki Kasashima, Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Takanori Tago
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Patent number: 9931543Abstract: Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9919188Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Michael J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 9914022Abstract: Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9901782Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably 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 cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9884225Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a material for obtaining a golf ball having excellent shot feeling and flight distance. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition having a ratio (flexural elastic modulus/slab hardness) of a flexural elastic modulus (MPa) to a slab hardness (Shore D hardness) in a range from 3 to 5, and containing, as a resin component, (A) a polyamide resin, (B) at least one selected from the group consisting of (b-1) a binary copolymer, (b-2) a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer, (b-3) a ternary copolymer and (b-4) a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer, and (C) a thermoplastic elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Toshiyuki Tarao, Mami Tanaka
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Patent number: 9861862Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for forming a golf ball comprising synthesizing an acid copolymer using controlled radical polymerization, mixing the acid copolymer with a monomer containing a carbon-carbon double bond, creating a mixture and neutralizing the mixture with a metallic base, forming an ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer for use in a cover layer for a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Shane Parnell
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Patent number: 9849343Abstract: 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, a difference (???) between the angle ? and an angle ? of a hardness gradient of the outer layer is 0° or more, and the intermediate layer has a highest hardness among the constituent members of the golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuya Kamino
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Patent number: 9849345Abstract: Provided is a golf ball is excellent in flight distance performance, approach performance, and feel at impact. A ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, and a cover 8. The core 4 includes an inner core 10 and an outer core 12. The cover 8 includes an inner layer cover 10 and an outer layer cover 12. An inner core volume Vc, a mid layer volume Vm, a mid layer hardness Hm, an inner layer cover volume Vinc, an inner layer cover hardness Hinc, an outer layer cover volume Vouc, an outer layer cover hardness Houc, and a ball volume V meet the following relational expressions (a) to (g): (a) Vc/V<0.07, (b) Hm>Hinc>Houc, (c) Hm?Houc>25, (d) Vm>Vinc>Vouc, (e) (Vm+Vinc+Vouc)/V<0.30, (f) Vm/Vouc>1.50, and (g) (Vm*Hm)/(Vouc*Houc)>3.0.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Kosuke Tachibana
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Patent number: 9821193Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoplastic composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9795836Abstract: A golf ball includes a core having an outer surface and a geometric center. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition. An ionomeric inner cover layer is formed about the core and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The golf ball includes an outer cover layer formed from a polyurea or a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C. The geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 60 to 80 Shore C. The core has an outer surface hardness greater than a geometric center hardness by about 5 to 19 Shore C to define a positive hardness gradient.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9789366Abstract: A golf ball with a core comprising polybutadiene and graphene is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a single core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an inner core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an outer core comprising polybutadiene and graphene.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Vijay Chavan, David Bartels
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Patent number: 9782635Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, a mid layer, and a cover. The core includes an inner core, a mid core, and an outer core. The mid layer includes an inner mid layer and an outer mid layer. A hardness H(C) is equal to or greater than a hardness H(B). A hardness H(E) is equal to or greater than a hardness H(D). An angle ? is calculated by (Formula 1). An angle ? is calculated by (Formula 2). The angle ? is 0° or greater. A difference (???) is 0° or greater. A hardness Hm2 of the outer mid layer is greater than a hardness Hm1 of the inner mid layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuhiko Isogawa
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Patent number: 9782634Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. In one preferred embodiment, each core layer has a positive hardness gradient. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9764199Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing a low spin rate on driver shots and a high spin rate on approach shots. The present invention provides a golf ball having a low hardness part having a hardness in a range from 5 to 40 in Shore D hardness or a lowest hardness point in a core hardness distribution in a region located at a distance from 36.0% to 65.0% of a radius of the golf ball from a center point of the golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Shigemitsu, Hidetaka Inoue
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Patent number: 9757622Abstract: An ultra-low compression golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: David Bartels
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Patent number: 9757621Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent shot feeling and flight distance. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core, a first resin layer and a second resin layer, wherein the first resin layer is formed from a first resin composition containing (A) a polyamide resin, (B) a copolymer and/or a metal ion-neutralized product thereof, and (C) a thermoplastic elastomer, and having a ratio (flexural elastic modulus/slab hardness) of a flexural elastic modulus (MPa) to a slab hardness (Shore D hardness) in a range from 3 to 5; and the second resin layer is formed from a second resin composition containing (D) a polyamide resin, and (E) a copolymer and/or a metal ion-neutralized product thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Toshiyuki Tarao, Mami Tanaka
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Patent number: 9737764Abstract: Golf ball incorporating core consisting of: a solid inner core layer consisting of a peroxide cured polybutadiene rubber composition and having a diameter of 1.25 inches or less and a center Shore C hardness (Hcenter) of 50 or less; and an outer core layer consisting of a thermoplastic composition Tc as defined herein and having a thickness of 0.400 inches or greater and an outer surface Shore C hardness (Houter surface) of 70 or greater, wherein Houter surface>Hcenter, and Houter surface?Hcenter?40. The peroxide cured polybutadiene rubber composition may comprise a reaction product of polybutadiene and a sufficient amount of peroxide to form the solid inner layer having the center Shore C hardness (Hcenter) of 50 or less. In one embodiment, 100 phr polybutadiene and from about 0.05 phr to about 3.0 phr of peroxide are mixed with at least one of 5 phr or less of a metal oxide; 5 phr or less of a metal coagent; or 5 phr or less of a metal carbonate.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9737766Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or positive hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CorporationInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9724569Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Scott Cooper, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9717954Abstract: A cured elastomer golf ball component is made by heating an elastomer compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated elastomer, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and first and second free radical initiators to a first crosslinking temperature T1 in a compression mold and partially crosslinking the elastomer, then heating to a second crosslinking temperature T2 and curing the elastomer component of the golf ball. Either: (i) the first initiator has a half-life of about 0.2-5 minutes at T1, the second initiator has a half-life of about 0.2-5 minutes at T2, and T2 is higher T1 by at least about 30° C.; or (ii) the second initiator's one-minute half-life temperature is at least about 30° C. higher than the first initiator's one-minute half-life temperature, T1 is within about 20° C. of the first initiator's one-minute half-life temperature, and T2 is within about 20° C. of the second initiator's one-minute half-life temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Feng Tay Enterprises Co., Ltd.Inventor: John C. Chen
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Patent number: 9707454Abstract: A unique method of embedding an RFID chip into the core of a golf ball and using it in the application of a limited flight range ball for use in a range setup that can receive and monitor RFID signals is disclosed herein. The density of the core material is adjusted in relation to the mass of the RFID chip. The golf ball with an embedded RFID chip conforms to a mass limitation of the USGA.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Vince Simonds, David M. Bartels, Grady C. Crahan, Craig Schnell
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Patent number: 9694244Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
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Patent number: 9669266Abstract: A golf ball includes a spherical core and a cover. The core includes an inner core, a mid core, and an outer core. A hardness H(C) is equal to or greater than a hardness H(B). A hardness H(E) is equal to or greater than a hardness H(D). An angle ? is calculated by (Formula 1) from a thickness Y (mm) of the mid core, the hardness H(C), and the hardness H(D). An angle ? is calculated by (Formula 2) from a thickness Z (mm) of the outer core, the hardness H(E), and the hardness H(F). Each of the angle ? and a difference (???) between the angles ? and ? is equal to or greater than 0°. The golf ball has excellent flight performance upon a shot with a driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuhiko Isogawa
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Patent number: 9662542Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. The innermost core layer is relatively small, having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches, and has a plurality of projections disposed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9656128Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. Optionally, the soft (or low modulus) HNP composition and/or the hard (or high modulus) HNP composition is plasticized or is replaced with a different plasticized acid copolymer composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 9636548Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer, and a cover with a plurality of dimples thereon, the core is a two-layer core consisting of an inner core layer and an outer core layer each formed primarily of a base rubber, the envelope layer, the intermediate layer and the cover layer are each composed of at least one layer and formed primarily of a synthetic resin material, and the initial velocities and surface hardnesses of the core, the envelope layer-encased sphere and the intermediate layer-encased sphere are designed within specific ranges. This golf ball satisfies at a very high level the flight and control performances expected for use by professional golfers and skilled amateurs, has the ability to move forward on a straight path particularly on full shots, and also has an excellent scuff resistance.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Akira Kimura
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Patent number: 9636546Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. Thermoplastic ethylene acid copolymer ionomer compositions are used to form the core layers. Preferably, the ball contains a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Low modulus and high modulus ionomer compositions may be used in the core structure. In one embodiment, a first ionomer composition is used to form the inner core and a second ionomer composition is used to form the outer core, and the flex modulus of the first composition is greater than the flex modulus of the second composition. The ionomer compositions have varying levels of hardness. The resulting ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9630061Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains a small, heavy inner core and surrounding outer core layer. The inner core preferably contains metal materials such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, nickel, iron, tin, and bronze particles dispersed in a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric matrix. Preferably, the polymeric matrix comprises polybutadiene rubber. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. For example, the outer surface may contain multiple projecting ribs with gaps located between the ribs. The ball includes a cover surrounding the core structure. The cover may be multi-layered.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9604105Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls comprising a center, intermediate layer, and cover are disclosed. The center is formed from a highly-neutralized acid copolymer composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9597550Abstract: Disclosed herein are two-layer and three-layer, low compression golf balls including a low compression single- or dual-layer rubber core and a single cover layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: John D. Farrell, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9597551Abstract: An ultra-low compression golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: David Bartels
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Patent number: 9566477Abstract: An ultra-low compression three-piece golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: David Bartels
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Patent number: 9555290Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably 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 cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9539470Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a thin, relatively hard outer core layer surrounding a large, relatively soft inner core layer are provided. The inner core layer generally has a diameter of from 1.5 inches to 1.55 inches. The outer core layer generally has an outer diameter of from 1.6 inches to 1.64 inches. A cover is provided to surround the outer core layer. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core layer and the cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9511263Abstract: A golf ball having a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer formed from a polytetramethylene glycol with a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1400 g/mol is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an inner core sphere is the core layer and has a diameter ranging from 0.875 inch to 1.4 inches. The core comprises the inner core, an intermediate core and an outer core. The mantle component comprises an inner mantle and an outer mantle. The cover layer is preferably composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Shane Parnell
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Patent number: 9504878Abstract: Golf ball comprising a non-dissolvable layer having a spherical outer surface; and a dissolvable tie layer or dissolvable layer, dispersible in water heated to a heating temperature of about 80° C.-90° C. or greater, disposed concentrically about the spherical outer surface and being bonded with the first non-dissolvable layer at an interface there between. The dissolvable tie layer/dissolvable layer may be formed from a composition consisting of a 1-50 percent aqueous mono-valent high acid ionomer dispersion, or, from an ionomer resin composition. The ionomer of either composition has an acid level greater than 18%; has more than 45% of acid groups that are neutralized with a monovalent cation; and is formed from an acid copolymer having a starting melt index of greater than 180 g/10 min. @ 190° C. with a 2160 g load. The dissolvable tie layer/dissolvable layer may have a thickness of less than about 0.010 inches, and up to about 0.090 inches in some embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Mark L. Binette, John D. Farrell
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Patent number: 9498683Abstract: Provided is a golf ball showing a low spin rate on driver shots and a high spin rate on approach shots. Also provided is a multi-piece golf ball comprising a center and n (n is a natural number of 3 or more) envelope layers covering the center, wherein material hardness of the envelope layers satisfies H1<H0<Hn?1; where the envelope layers formed in order from the center side are referred to as the first envelope layer, the second envelope layer, the third envelope layer, the fourth envelope layer, . . . the n?1th envelope layer and the nth envelope layer (the outmost layer), respectively and H0 is a material hardness (Shore D hardness) of the center, and H1, H2, H3, H4, . . . Hn?1 and Hn are material hardness (Shore D hardness) of the first envelope layer, the second envelope layer, the third envelope layer, the fourth envelope layer, . . .Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventor: Takahiro Shigemitsu
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Patent number: 9480881Abstract: A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. An outer cover layer is formed over the core. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, includes about 15 to 30 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to about 10 Shore C. The unitary core has an overall positive hardness gradient of about 15 to 22 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: 5 ? G + T 10 ? ? x ? ? COR ? 6 where G is the overall positive hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9480882Abstract: A golf ball including a core having an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center; and an outer core layer. The outer core layer has an outer surface and includes a soft transition region. An outer cover layer is formed over the core. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 5 to 15 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to about 10 Shore C. The core has an overall positive hardness gradient of about 5 Shore C to 15 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: 1 ? G + T 10 × COR ? 4 where G is the overall positive hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9468811Abstract: A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, and is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. The ball further includes an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 8 to 20 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: G + T 10 × COR ? 7 where G is the overall negative hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9440118Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Scott Cooper, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9433830Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core comprising: an untreated region extending radially from a geometric center a distance DUTr, a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from an outer surface a depth DTr; and an intermediate untreated region disposed about the untreated region and adjacent the treated region. The treated region is exposed to and comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, and has a first hardness. The untreated region and intermediate untreated region have second and third hardnesses, respectively, and have not been exposed to and do not comprise the fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition. The first hardness is different than the second hardness and the third hardness. A first core layer comprises the untreated region, a second core layer, disposed thereabout, comprises the intermediate untreated region, and a third core layer, disposed about the second core layer comprises the treated region.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 9427630Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 9421425Abstract: A golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) an inner mantle layer; (c) an intermediate mantle layer; (d) an outer mantle layer; and (e) at least one cover layer; wherein the core has a PGA compression of less than 70, and the core/inner mantle layer/intermediate mantle layer combined construct has a PGA compression of at least 30.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Eric Michael Loper, Dean A. Snell
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Patent number: 9415273Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered core assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the core assembly includes an inner core (center) comprising a thermoset composition, an intermediate core layer; and surrounding outer core layer. 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. A second thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness levels. In another embodiment, a two-layered core structure is provided. For example, the inner core and/or outer core layer may be made of the plasticized thermoplastic composition. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau