Diverse Layer Between Spherical Core And Cover Patents (Class 473/373)
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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
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Patent number: 9415269Abstract: A golf ball with a deposited layer is disclosed. The deposited layer is not produced by a molding process, such as injection molding or compression molding. Instead, the deposition process is produced by another process, such as thermal spraying or sintering. The deposited layer may include partially fused particulate material. The deposited layer may be added to a golf ball design as one or more supplemental layers. The deposited layer may also be provided in a golf ball design as a substitute for one or more layers. A golf ball may further include a combination of one or more supplemental deposited layers and one or more substituted deposited layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Seisuke Tomita, Arthur Molinari, Takahisa Ono, Michael Wallans
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Patent number: 9364719Abstract: 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. The center hardness of the inner core is preferably greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer cover layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9333394Abstract: A golf ball comprising: a core; at least one intermediate layer encasing the core; at least one cover layer encasing the at least one intermediate layer; wherein the cover layer is translucent; and wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a visually enhancing means comprising a color effect providing pigment comprising at least one of: (1) calcium aluminum borosilicate coated with a metal oxide; and (2) silicon dioxide platelets coated with metal oxide. The visually enhancing means highlights a contrast between two golf ball layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: William E. Morgan, Michael J. Sullivan, Matthew F. Hogge
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Patent number: 9320945Abstract: A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has 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 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9314672Abstract: 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. The overall core preferably has a zero hardness gradient, a negative hardness gradient, or a positive hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C units.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 9289653Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising: a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core; the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than a hardness of the geometric center; the single layer core further comprising: an inner core region disposed about the geometric center; an outer core region disposed about the inner core region and adjacent the outer surface; and a boundary disposed between the inner core region and the outer core region at about 12 mm or less from the outer surface; wherein the boundary has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the geometric center and greater than the hardness of the outer surface. In another embodiment, the boundary has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the geometric center and less than the hardness of the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9272189Abstract: A thermoplastic multi-layer golf ball has a core center having a diameter from about 5 mm to about 18 mm, including a first thermoplastic material having a first flexural modulus of up to about 15,000 psi, and having a specific gravity of at least about 1.5 g/cm3; a core layer outward from the core center that has a thickness of at least about 10 mm and includes a second thermoplastic material having a second flexural modulus of up to about 32,000 psi; and a cover including a third thermoplastic material having a third flexural modulus of up to about 5,000 psi. The second flexural modulus is greater than the first flexural modulus, the first flexural modulus is greater than the third flexural modulus, and the specific gravity of the core center is greater than the specific gravity of the core layer and greater than the specific gravity of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Jun Ichinose
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Patent number: 9259621Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center hardness is 56-80 Shore C and the outer surface hardness is 50-75 Shore C. An outer core layer has an outer surface having hardness of 85-98 Shore C and an inner surface hardness of 68-78 Shore C and being formed from a second homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of +7 to +30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of ?1 to ?15 Shore C.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 9259622Abstract: 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 less than a hardness Hm1 of the inner mid layer. A hardness Hc of the cover is less than the hardness Hm2.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuhiko Isogawa
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Patent number: 9242147Abstract: A golf ball has a non-uniform density. When the golf ball is divided into 10 layers whose volumes are the same and which are concentric with each other, a layer having the highest weight is any one of six layers including a first layer 28 from a center to a sixth layer 38 from the center. The layer having the highest weight may be two or more layers. The ratio of the distance between a point at which a local density is highest and the central point of the golf ball with respect to the radius of the golf ball is equal to or less than 85%.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventor: Masahide Onuki
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Patent number: 9233279Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the core is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin and has a diameter of from 20 to 30 mm, the envelope layer is formed of a rubber composition containing primarily a rubber material and has a thickness of from 3 to 10 mm, the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing primarily an ionomer, and the cover is formed of a resin composition containing primarily a urethane. Both the relationship among the specific gravities of the core, the envelope layer and the intermediate layer, and the relationship among the surface hardnesses of the core, the envelope layer, the intermediate layer and the cover are optimized.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
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Patent number: 9211445Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one layer or a plurality of layers, the core being formed of a material molded under heat from a rubber composition which includes (A) a base rubber, (B) an organic peroxide, and (C) water and/or a metal monocarboxylate. The product P×E of the difference P (mol/m3) in crosslink density between the core surface and the core center, as measured based on a toluene swelling test, multiplied by the deflection E (mm) of the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf) is at least 28×102 mol/m3·mm.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Yuichiro Ozawa
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Patent number: 9155937Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure having layers with different hardness gradients and specific gravities are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity with metal material preferably dispersed in a first thermoset composition. 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 second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 9072945Abstract: A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has 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 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
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Publication number: 20150148150Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of inertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Laurent Bissonnette
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Patent number: 9040632Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having an excellent properties like flight distance and low temperature durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core consisting of a center and one or more intermediate layers covering the center; and a cover covering the core, wherein at least one piece or one layer of said intermediate layers is formed from a highly elastic intermediate layer composition that contains (A) a highly elastic polyamide resin having a flexural modulus in a range from 700 MPa to 5,000 MPa; (B) a metal-neutralized product of ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer and (C) a resin having a polar functional group in a specific way.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Satoko Okabe, Keiji Ohama
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Publication number: 20150141166Abstract: Large diameter golf balls having a foam core are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Steven Aoyama
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Publication number: 20150141165Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core formed from an ionomer, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover surrounding the intermediate layer. The core has a material hardness measured on the JIS-C scale of from about 34 to about 70, and has an outer surface that includes a plurality of land portions aligned on a common sphere, and a plurality of grooves separating the respective land portions and extending radially inward from the sphere. The plurality of grooves includes both a first set of grooves, and a second set of grooves that are perpendicular to each other. The intermediate layer is formed from a rubber material and has a radial thickness measured from the common sphere of from about 4.0 mm to about 9.0 mm. Additionally, the core has a 10-130 kg compression deformation of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Jun Ichinose, Chen-Tai Liu
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Publication number: 20150141167Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core layer including a thermoplastic material and having a geometric center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed over the inner core. The outer core includes a thermoset rubber composition and has an inner surface hardness less than an outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The cover layer includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic material of the core includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally a softening monomer comprising alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; a plasticizer; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 70 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David Bulpett, Brian Comeau
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Publication number: 20150133235Abstract: Golf balls having one or more structural components that include a highly neutralized acid polymer with a high acid content and a uniformly increased density. The core of the golf ball may be made up of the highly neutralized acid polymer. The highly neutralized acid polymer may have desired hardness and flexural modulus values. The highly neutralized acid polymer enables the golf ball to provide consistent play characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Publication number: 20150119167Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance on driver shots.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetaka INOUE, Toshiyuki TARAO, Kuniyasu HORIUCHI
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Publication number: 20150119168Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance on driver shots and a golf ball resin composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Hidetaka INOUE, Toshiyuki TARAO, Kuniyasu HORIUCHI, Kazumi KODAMA, Keiichi HATTORI, Kotaro RYUO
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Patent number: 9018294Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
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Patent number: 9018295Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
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Publication number: 20150111667Abstract: A golf ball includes a thermoplastic inner core and a thermoset outer core layer. The inner core has a surface hardness of about 40 to 80 Shore C and a center hardness of about 30 to 75 Shore C, the center hardness being less than the surface hardness to define a first positive hardness gradient. The cover includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic inner core comprises a highly-neutralized ionomer including an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid; a plasticizer; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 70 to 100% of the acid groups present.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett
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Publication number: 20150111666Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed composition and a cover are provided. Preferably, the core is dual-layered having has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition containing mineral filler particulate, for example, nanoclay particles, is used to form the foam center. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, polybutadiene rubber or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 9011271Abstract: A golf ball including an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 90 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core having a second outer surface and being formed from a second substantially homogenous composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 95 Shore C; and a cover layer disposed about the outer core layer. The geometric center and first and second outer surfaces each have a hardness, the hardness of the second outer surface being lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Acushent CompanyInventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20150105180Abstract: A golf ball includes a thermoplastic HNP inner core layer having a center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a thermoset rubber composition. The core layer has an inner surface hardness less than the outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. Inner and outer cover layers are disposed about the outer core layer. The HNP composition includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid; a non-acid polymer comprising polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, or functionalized derivatives thereof; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source in an amount sufficient to neutralize at least about 80% of the acid groups.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David Bulpett, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 9006346Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition for a golf ball and a golf ball which have high resilience while maintaining soft compression and also have low spin on driver shots, and therefore can achieve a long flight distance. The present invention relates to a resin composition for a golf ball, including an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized copolymer of (A) a C3-8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and (B) a C3-8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, the ionomer resin having a mass ratio of (A)/(B) of 10/90 to 25/75, and a degree of neutralization of 30 to 105 mol %.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuki Shiga, Ryo Murakami, Yoshiyuki Ikeda
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Patent number: 9006344Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a core made of a composition comprising a polybutadiene rubber blend are provided. The blend includes a non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and a metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. Catalysts such as neodymium, nickel, and cobalt based catalysts may be used to make the non-metallocene catalyzed rubber. Catalysts such as ferrocene, cobaltocene, nickelocene, titanocene dichloride, zirconocene dichloride, and samraocene based catalysts may be used to make the metallocene-catalyzed rubber. The golf ball may contain single layered core or multi-layered cores. The core is surrounded by a cover having at least one layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and a soft compression feel.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Derek A. Ladd, David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 8998748Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, a reinforcing layer 8, and a cover 10. A hardness Hm of the mid layer 6 is greater than a hardness Hc of the cover 10. A difference (Hm?Hc) is greater than 28. A hardness Hs2 at a surface of a sphere consisting of the core 4 and the mid layer 6 is greater than a hardness Hs3 at a surface of the golf ball 2. A difference (Hs2?Hs3) is less than 5. A thickness Tm of the mid layer 6 is larger than a thickness Tc of the cover 10. A ratio (Tm/Tc) is greater than 3.0 and less than 5.0. A diameter of the core 4 is equal to or greater than 38.2 mm. The hardness Hc of the cover 10 is equal to or less than 37.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Yoshiko Matsuyama, Kosuke Tachibana
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Patent number: 8998749Abstract: A golf ball includes a spherical core and a cover covering the spherical core, wherein the cover is formed from a polyurethane composition containing a polyurethane elastomer as a resin component, the polyurethane composition has a shear loss modulus G? of more than 5.03×106 Pa and 1.17×108 Pa or less when measured in a shear mode using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus at the conditions of the temperature of 0° C., and the oscillation frequency of 10 Hz, the golf ball has a hardness distribution that R2 of a linear approximate curve determined by a least-squares method is 0.95 or more, when plotting center hardness (JIS-C) of the spherical core, hardness (JIS-C) measured at intervals of 2.5 mm from the center of the spherical core, surface hardness (JIS-C) of the spherical core, and slab hardness (JIS-C) of the cover versus distances from the center of the spherical core.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Tarao, Chiemi Mikura, Kazuhisa Fushihara
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Publication number: 20150087443Abstract: A golf ball includes a spherical body and intersection surfaces. The intersection surfaces intersect with a spherical surface centered on the center of the spherical body, and are formed as conductive intersection surfaces having conductivity. The spherical surface is formed to have a smaller diameter than a diameter of the spherical body, and the conductive intersection surface is formed on an outer side in the radial direction of the spherical surface. The intersection surfaces intersect with a spherical surface centered on the center of the spherical body, and are formed as conductive intersection surfaces having conductivity. The conductive intersection surface is formed by both side surfaces of the annular body, and so the conductive intersection surface is formed to be continuous around the entire circumferential length of the spherical surface in the circumferential direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Hiroshi Saegusa
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Publication number: 20150087442Abstract: A golf ball has a core, core center, or core layer containing a thermoset elastomer and a polyurethane prepared by combining a thermosetting elastomer and an isocyanate-functional polyurethane, which may be an elastomeric polyurethane, then curing the thermosetting elastomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Patent number: 8987405Abstract: A golf ball having an over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer cover that may be cross-linked. The golf ball may have an outer cover layer and an inner cover layer. The 100% modulus of the outer cover layer is less than that of the inner cover layer providing a soft feeling when hit.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Chen-Tai Liu, Chien-Hsin Chou, Hui-Kai Liao
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Patent number: 8986135Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel technology to improve the resilience of the ionomer resin while keeping the material strength of the ionomer resin. That is, the object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in the durability and resilience in a golf ball using an ionomer resin. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core having a center and at least one intermediate layer disposed around the center, and a cover disposed around the core, wherein at least one of the center, the intermediate layer, and the cover is formed from an ionomer resin composition which comprises 100 parts by mass of (A) an ionomer resin of a ternary copolymer composed of ethylene, ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and from 0.05 part to 10 parts by mass of (B) a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Takahiro Shigemitsu
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Patent number: 8987384Abstract: A durable, injection moldable, thermoplastic elastomer that has the favorable resilience, feel, spin, barrier, and UV stability performance attributes is disclosed herein. An OBC grafted with silane provides a good cover shear durability (cut/tear/abrasion resistance). This invention combines the benefits of OBCs and silane crosslinking technology to yield a golf ball cover with a desirable combination of properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Shane Parnell
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Publication number: 20150080151Abstract: A golf ball comprises a dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic material prepared by a method including: (a) partially crosslinking a rubber composition of a rubber polymer and two free radical initiators at a first crosslinking temperature to form a thermoplastic, partially crosslinked elastomer composition; (b) mixing a thermoplastic polymer composition with the thermoplastic, partially crosslinked rubber composition and heating the mixture to a second crosslinking temperature higher than the first crosslinking temperature and at which the thermoplastic polymer composition is liquid; and (c) continuously mixing the mixture while further crosslinking the rubber composition to form a thermoplastic material having a dispersed phase of crosslinked rubber composition in the thermoplastic polymer composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: John C. Chen
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Patent number: 8980155Abstract: An over-indexed, optionally cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Also, the method of making the elastomer, and articles, including golf balls, comprising the elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Patent number: 8979677Abstract: A golf ball comprises (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, and the material flexural modulus (FM) of the core and the various layers follows the relationship FM(core)<FM(inner mantle)>FM(intermediate)<FM(outer mantle)>FM(cover), or the relationship FM(core)<FM(inner mantle)<FM(intermediate)>FM(outer mantle)>FM(cover).Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Eric Michael Loper, Dean A. Snell
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Publication number: 20150072806Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition. The inner core layer has a first outer surface Shore D hardness and an outer diameter of about 1.0 to 1.6 inches. A thermoplastic outer core layer is formed around the inner core layer, has a second outer surface Shore D hardness, and is formed from an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer, such as alkyl acrylates and methacrylates; a plasticizer; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize about 70 to 100% of the acid groups present in the material. The golf ball an inner and outer cover layers. The second outer surface Shore D hardness is greater than the first outer surface Shore D hardness.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau
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Publication number: 20150065269Abstract: A golf ball has a strong durability against the hit by a golf club by preventing the degradation caused by ozone, and has the core having a good elasticity. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the core compositions including a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, a filler, an antioxidant, a degradation preventing agent, and a cross-linking reaction initiator, wherein the degradation preventing agent which includes a substituted or unsubstituted paraphenylenediamine derivative represented by Formula 1. And, the core composition maybe comprises a micro crystalline wax with the ozone degradation preventing agent additionally, that has a strong durability against the heat, rubbing and ozone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: VOLVIK INC.Inventors: In Hong Hwang, Kyung Ahn Moon
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Publication number: 20150065268Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one layer or a plurality of layers, the core being formed of a material molded under heat from a rubber composition which includes (A) a base rubber, (B) an organic peroxide, and (C) water and/or a metal monocarboxylate. The product P×E of the difference P (mol/m3) in crosslink density between the core surface and the core center, as measured based on a toluene swelling test, multiplied by the deflection E (mm) of the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf) is at least 28×102 mol/m3·mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsuyoshi NAKAJIMA, Yuichiro OZAWA
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Publication number: 20150065270Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing a low spin rate on driver shots and an excellent shot feeing. The present invention provides a golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover covering the spherical core, wherein the spherical core is formed from a 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 at least one compound of (d) mercaptobenzoic acids and/or salts thereof, provided that the rubber composition further contains (e) a metal compound in the case of containing only (b) the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as the co-crosslinking agent, and the spherical core has a hardness difference (Hs—Ho) between a surface hardness (Hs) and a center hardness (Ho) thereof of 20 or more in JIS-C hardness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Chiemi MIKURA, Ayaka SHINDO, Mikio YAMADA
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Publication number: 20150057103Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition for golf balls that is excellent in resilience, flexibility, and fluidity. The present invention also provides a golf ball excellent in resilience, shot feeling, and productivity. The present invention includes a resin composition for golf balls including: (A) at least one selected from the group consisting of (a-1) a bipolymer of an olefin and a C3-C8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, (a-2) a metal ion-neutralized product of a bipolymer of an olefin and a C3-C8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, (a-3) a terpolymer of an olefin, a C3-C8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (a-4) a metal ion-neutralized product of a terpolymer of an olefin, a C3-C8 ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester; (B) a compound containing an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, a cationic moiety, and an anionic moiety in its molecule; and (C) an unsaturated fatty acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Kazuyoshi SHIGA, Yasuo KUBOTA, Takahiro SHIGEMITSU
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Publication number: 20150057104Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within an acid copolymer-based matrix. Also disclosed herein are golf ball compositions comprising a silicone ionomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANYInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
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Publication number: 20150051016Abstract: The invention relates to golf ball formulations formed from blends of linear and branched polybutadienes catalyzed with neodymium that have improved properties and processing characteristics. Golf ball components may be formed from the blends to provide high coefficient of restitution.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 8956488Abstract: Diamine is used to enhance adhesion between polyurethane and polyolefinic material or ionomeric material.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Patent number: 8956249Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of inertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Laurent Bissonnette