Plural Diverse Layers Patents (Class 473/376)
  • Patent number: 11918860
    Abstract: A golf ball with improved durability is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core comprising a polybutadiene material and methyl methacrylate, butadiene, styrene (MBS) with a weight percentage of MBS ranging from 0.5 to 5 weight percent of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Armando Becerra, Carl Brown, David Bartels, Vijay Chavan
  • Patent number: 11896877
    Abstract: In a golf ball for professional golfers and skilled amateurs which has a single-layer core, a cover and at least one intermediate layer therebetween, the sphere obtained by encasing the core with the intermediate layer (intermediate layer-encased sphere) and the ball have a surface hardness relationship which satisfies the condition: (surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere)>(surface hardness of ball). The core has a diameter of from 35.5 to 39.5 mm and a distinctive hardness profile that satisfies specific conditions. The ball is endowed with both an excellent flight performance and excellent durability to repeated impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 11857845
    Abstract: A golf ball core, mantle, and/or cover layer(s) of golf ball having a composition comprising functionalized aluminosilicate particles having a particle size of less than 50 ?m is disclosed herein. The aluminosilicate microspheres with an average diameter less than 50 ?m are functionalized with, but not limited to, polysulfide, vinyl, amino, epoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, methacryloyl, hydrocarbon, mercapto and isocyanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11839796
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) at least one mantle layer adjacent to the core; (c) an inner cover layer adjacent to the mantle layer; and (d) an outer cover layer adjacent to the inner cover layer, wherein the inner cover layer has a material Shore D hardness that is at least 3 less than the material Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer, and the inner cover layer has a thickness of less than 0.050 in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Snell, Eric M. Loper
  • Patent number: 11794078
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent shot feeling while maintaining the resilience performance on driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and at least one cover covering the core, wherein the core is formed from a core rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, and (d) a monophenol compound having a substituent group only at p-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru Nagakura, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Kai Hayashi, Takahiro Shigemitsu
  • Patent number: 11752394
    Abstract: The use of a low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene), and farnesene copolymer in a golf ball is disclosed herein. In a core, low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene) or farnesene copolymer is blended with 1,4 polybutadiene or a polyalkenamer. In a mantle layer, low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene), and/or farnesene copolymer can be blended with non- or partially neutralized copolymeric or terpolymeric ionomer(s). In a cover, low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene), and farnesene copolymer can be blended with highly neutralized ionomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11717726
    Abstract: A golf ball with a cover layer composed of a blend of non- or partially neutralized copolymeric or terpolymeric ionomer(s), hydroxyl-functionalized styrenic block copolymer and silane coupling agent (SCA). The amount of SCA is preferably between 0.01 and 2.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the polymer composition. The cover layer preferably has a Shore A hardness less than 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11660506
    Abstract: A method for forming a golf ball core with a nanofiller masterbatch is disclosed herein. The method includes mixing the nanofiller masterbatch, a graphene masterbatch material with other materials to form a core mixture, wherein the masterbatch preferably comprises 1-80% by weight of nanofillers and 20-99% by weight of a carrier polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: Vijay Chavan
  • Patent number: 11642574
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the core, the envelope layer-encased sphere obtained by encasing the core with the envelope layer, the intermediate layer-encased sphere obtained by encasing the envelope layer-encased sphere with the intermediate layer and the ball obtained by encasing the intermediate layer-encased sphere with the cover have respective deflections when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf) which satisfy specific conditions. This ball achieves a good distance on shots with a utility club and with irons, is receptive to spin in the short game and has a soft feel at impact on all shots, making it useful to amateur golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11633648
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, David Bartels
  • Patent number: 11607588
    Abstract: A golf ball with improved durability is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a core comprising a polybutadiene material and methyl methacrylate, butadiene, styrene (MBS) with a weight percentage of MBS ranging from 0.5 to 5 weight percent of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Armando Becerra, Carl Brown, David Bartels, Vijay Chavan
  • Patent number: 11607587
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover, the (core diameter)/(ball diameter) value falls within a particular range, the core has a specific hardness profile, the intermediate layer is formed primarily of an ionomer resin material including a high-acid ionomer resin, and the Shore C hardness relationships among the core center and surface hardnesses and the surface hardnesses of the envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball satisfy the following conditions: (1) core surface hardness<surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere<surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere>ball surface hardness, (2) (surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere)?(core center hardness)?28. Also, the intermediate layer and cover have respective thicknesses which satisfy the condition: (3) cover thickness<intermediate layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11583731
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a foamed silicone composition are provided. Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of non-foamed silicone elastomer composition also are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The foamed silicones have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The non-foamed silicone elastomers have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 11571610
    Abstract: A method for forming a golf ball with a graphene core disclosed herein. The method includes mixing a graphene masterbatch material with a polybutadiene material to form a core mixture, wherein the graphene masterbatch material comprises graphene in an amount from 0.1 to 80.0 weight percent of the graphene masterbatch material mixed with a carrier polymer in an amount from 99.9 to 20 weight percent of the graphene masterbatch material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, David Bartels
  • Patent number: 11547907
    Abstract: A golf ball with a cover layer composed of a blend of non- or partially neutralized copolymeric or terpolymeric ionomer(s), hydroxyl-functionalized styrenic block copolymer and silane coupling agent (SCA). The amount of SCA is preferably between 0.01 and 2.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the polymer composition. The cover layer preferably has a Shore A hardness less than 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11433278
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 11413504
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover. An n-layer (n is a natural number) partial mid layer is provided between the core and the cover. An area of the core in a region where the cover is laminated thereon is not less than 5.0% and not greater than 95.0% of a surface area of a phantom sphere. A hitting feel index Cx calculated using a thickness T0 (mm) of the cover laminated on the partial mid layer, a Shore D hardness Ck of a kth layer (k is an integer from 1 to n) from the core side, a thickness Tk (mm) of the kth layer, a Shore D hardness C of the cover, and an average thickness T (mm) of the cover, is less than 66.0. An absolute value |Cx?C| is not less than 1.0 and not greater than 5.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Toshiyuki Takubo
  • Patent number: 11406877
    Abstract: A golf ball with a cover layer composed of a blend of non- or partially neutralized copolymeric or terpolymeric ionomer(s), hydroxyl-functionalized styrenic block copolymer and silane coupling agent (SCA). The amount of SCA is preferably between 0.01 and 2.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the polymer composition. The cover layer preferably has a Shore A hardness less than 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11376477
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover, the core has a specific hardness profile, the resin materials making up either or both of the envelope layer and the intermediate layer contain a high-acid ionomer, and the Shore C hardness relationships among the core center, surface of the envelope-encased layer and surface of the intermediate layer-encased sphere satisfy the following conditions: surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere<surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere,??(1) surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere?center hardness of core?40.??(2) This ball achieves a good distance on shots with utility and iron clubs, is receptive to spin in the short game, and has a soft feel at impact on all shots, making it useful to amateur golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11298592
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the envelope layer is formed into two layers—an inner envelope layer and an outer envelope layer. The inner envelope layer-encased sphere, outer envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball have respective surface hardness that satisfy a specific relationship. The inner envelope layer or outer envelope layer is formed primarily of one or more elastomer, and further the core has a particular hardness profile. This ball has an excellent flight when struck by golfers whose head speeds are not that fast and has a good, soft feel at impact, thus making it highly suitable for amateur golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11291888
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover, the (core diameter)/(ball diameter) value falls within a particular range, the core has a specific hardness profile, and the Shore C hardness relationships among the core center and surface hardnesses and the surface hardnesses of the envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball satisfy the following conditions: core surface hardness<surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere<surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere>ball surface hardness,??(1) (surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere)?(core center hardness)?28.??(2) Also, the envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have respective thicknesses which satisfy the condition: cover thickness<intermediate layer thickness envelope layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11179606
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover, the (core diameter)/(ball diameter) value falls within a particular range, the core has a specific hardness profile, and the Shore C hardness relationships among the core center and surface hardnesses and the surface hardnesses of the envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball satisfy the following conditions: core surface hardness<surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere<surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere>ball surface hardness,??(1) (surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere)?(core center hardness)?28.??(2) Also, the intermediate layer and cover have respective thicknesses which satisfy the condition: cover thickness<intermediate layer thickness.??(3) This ball enables mid-level and skilled amateur golfers to achieve superior distances on driver shots and on iron shots, and moreover has a soft yet good feel at impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11179604
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, David Bartels
  • Patent number: 11179603
    Abstract: A golf ball with a center core comprising 1,4 polybutadiene with a cis content more than 50% and containing a metal salt of acrylate, wherein the 1,4 polybutadiene has 5 to 60 weight percent of a metal salt of acrylate, is disclosed herein. The metal salt of acrylate is preferably selected from zinc, magnesium, sodium, and calcium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11059746
    Abstract: Provided are materials that include one or more cycloaliphatic polyamides integrated into or coated onto one or more structural fibers such as polyethylene fibers, aramid-fibers, glass fibers or carbon fibers. The resulting materials may be incorporated into composite articles suitable for use as protective equipment or structural layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Alex J. Hsieh, Tanya L. Chantawansri
  • Patent number: 10967226
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a two-layer core consisting of an inner core layer and an outer core layer, one or more intermediate layer, and a cover serving as an outermost layer, the inner core layer and outer core layer are each formed primarily of a base rubber, the inner core layer has a diameter of at least 19 mm, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of a resin material, and the overall core has a specific hardness profile. The golf ball has a high initial velocity while holding down the spin rate on full shots with a driver or long iron, thus enabling a good distance to be achieved. The ball also has a high controllability in the short game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Akira Kimura, Masanobu Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 10874912
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball for professional golfers and skilled amateurs in particular is endowed with an excellent distance, a soft yet good feel at impact and a good durability. In the ball, which includes a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the core has a hardness profile which satisfies specific conditions, the envelope layer has a thickness of from 0.3 to 1.2 mm, the intermediate layer has a thickness of from 0.3 to 1.2 mm, and the envelope and intermediate layers have a combined thickness from of 0.8 to 1.7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuki Kasashima, Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 10793694
    Abstract: Provided are expanded beads capable of providing an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads molded article which is excellent in physical properties, such as compression characteristics, repulsion elasticity, etc., and an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads molded article. Expanded beads of thermoplastic polyurethane, wherein a Shore A hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is 85 or more; an average cell diameter of the expanded beads is 50 to 300 ?m; and a closed cell ratio when bisecting the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane bead is 60% or more; and an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane beads molded article obtained through in-mold molding of the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: JSP Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumasa Koshita, Koki Nishijima, Masaharu Oikawa
  • Patent number: 10729940
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a two-layer core consisting of an inner core layer and an outer core layer and a cover of one or more layer, the inner core layer and outer core layer are each formed of a rubber composition made up primarily of a base rubber, the inner core layer has a diameter of not more than 30 mm; and the core has specific hardness ratios (JIS-C hardness/Shore D hardness) at specific points on the cross-section thereof. This golf ball has a reduced spin rate on full shots with a driver and middle irons, thus imparting to an excellent flight performance, and moreover has a good controllability in the short game on approach shots, making it ideal as a golf ball for professional golfers and mid- and high-level amateur golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kimura, Keita Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10722759
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprising an inner core center and an outer core layer disposed over the inner core center. The inner core center has a deflection of greater than 0.210 inch under a load of 100 kilograms, and the entire the core has a deflection ranging from 0.130 inch to 0.105 inch under a load of 100 kilograms. A mantle layer is disposed over the core and a cover is disposed over the mantle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Steven S. Ogg, David M. Bartels
  • Patent number: 10722755
    Abstract: A golf ball with a coating disposed on a cover that is infused with graphene in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 5% based on a dry weight of the paint film is disclosed herein. The coating is preferably based on polyurethane chemistry where hydroxyl functional polymers are cured with polyisocyanate-based hardeners. The coating is preferably applied in a dipping process or a spraying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Vijay Chavan, David Bartels
  • Patent number: 10722757
    Abstract: 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 thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 10709937
    Abstract: A golf ball with a center core comprising 1,4 polybutadiene with a cis content more than 50% and containing a metal salt of acrylate, wherein the 1,4 polybutadiene has 5 to 60 weight percent of a metal salt of acrylate, is disclosed herein. The metal salt of acrylate is preferably selected from zinc, magnesium, sodium, and calcium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 10668330
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10569139
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a main body 4 and a paint layer 6 positioned outside the main body 4. The main body 4 includes a spherical core 8, a mid layer 10 positioned outside the core 8, and a cover 12 positioned outside the mid layer 10. An indentation depth, measured when the paint layer 6 in a cross-section along a plane passing through a central point of the golf ball 2 is pressed by a force of 30 mgf in a direction perpendicular to the cross-section, is not less than 300 nm and not greater than 3000 nm. The paint layer 6 preferably has a thickness of not less than 5 ?m and not greater than 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Kamino, Hidetaka Inoue, Toshiyuki Tarao
  • Patent number: 10561904
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, 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 preferably dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. Different plasticizers such as fatty acid esters may be used. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 10549157
    Abstract: Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.810, specific gravity SGB of less than 1.00 g/cc, and initial velocity of at least 250 ft/s and comprising a first layer L1, a second layer L2 surrounding L1, and a third layer L3 surrounding L2. L1 is formed from at least one highly neutralized polymer and has first specific gravity SG1; L2 is formed from at least one partially neutralized polymer and has second specific gravity SG2; and L3 is formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition and has third specific gravity SG3. At least two of SG1, SG2, and SG3 is less than 1.13 g/cc. SG1 may be less than 1.13 g/cc, or less than 1.0 g/cc. The thermoset or thermoplastic composition may comprise polyurethane(s), polyurea(s), polyurethane(s)/polyurea(s) hybrids, and/or ionomers such as at least partially neutralized polymers and/or HNPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan, William E. Morgan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 10543399
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, an inner cover 6, a main cover 8, and an outer cover 10. S=Hs×Rc×0.05, M=Hm×Tm, I=Hi×Ti, O=Ho×To, and Q=(I+O)/2 that are calculated from a radius Rc of the core 4, a Shore C hardness Hs at a surface of the core 4, a thickness Tm of the main cover 8, a Shore C hardness Hm of the main cover 8, a thickness Ti of the inner cover 6, a Shore C hardness Hi of the inner cover 6, a thickness To of the outer cover 10 and a Shore C hardness Ho of the outer cover 10, satisfy 15?M?S?100, 0.25<Q/M?0.5, and 30<I?O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Kazuya Kamino
  • Patent number: 10478675
    Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and a layer formed from a thermoset rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 10471308
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having a dual-layered core and cover of at least one layer are provided. The dual-core construction includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An outer core layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. In one version, the foamed outer core layer is made of a relatively soft foam composition having low flex modulus and density. The foamed outer core layer may specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. A cover may be disposed about the core structure. For example, an inner cover made of ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and outer cover made of polyurethane may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Douglas S. Goguen, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 10427005
    Abstract: Golf ball constructions incorporating at least one layer comprising a polycyclopentene rubber having advantageously modified end groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Patent number: 10427009
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing a small ratio of a spin rate on driver shots to a spin rate on approach shots. The present invention provides a multi-piece golf ball comprising a spherical center, three or more envelope layers covering the spherical center, and a cover covering the envelope layers, wherein adjacent two envelope layers are formed so as to include a region composed of elements having a hitting deformation ratio of 30% or more, the hitting deformation ratio being obtained by analyzing a specified golf ball model by a finite element method; and the envelope layer which is radially outwardly positioned of the adjacent two envelope layers has a lowest hardness among all the envelope layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Shigemitsu, Hidetaka Inoue, Seiji Hayase
  • Patent number: 10413782
    Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition comprising secondary blowing agents that are activated by heat is used to form the foam center. Non-foamed thermoset materials such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Patent number: 10369420
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10363460
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball which includes a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least one layer, and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the core and the cover, the cover is composed primarily of polyurethane and the following parameters are controlled within specific ranges: core deflection, melt flow rate of intermediate layer material, thickness of intermediate layer, thickness and Shore D hardness of cover, combined thickness of intermediate layer and cover, and the value of (Shore D hardness of cover material)?(Shore D hardness of intermediate layer material). This golf ball has a good, soft feel at impact and lowers the rate of spin on full shots, achieving a good distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10363459
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent shot feeling and resilience as well as improved durability and abrasion resistance. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and one or more cover layers disposed outside the spherical core, wherein at least one layer of the cover layers contains: (A) a base resin containing (a-1) an ionomer resin and having a material hardness of 58 or less in Shore D hardness; and (B) a polyrotaxane having a cyclodextrin with at least a part of hydroxyl groups thereof being modified with a caprolactone chain via —O—C3H6—O— group, a linear molecule piercing through a cyclic structure of the cyclodextrin, and blocking groups located at both terminals of the linear molecule to prevent disassociation of the cyclodextrin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mami Tanaka, Toshiyuki Tarao
  • Patent number: 10343025
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprising an inner core center and an outer core layer disposed over the inner core center. The inner core center has a deflection of greater than 0.210 inch under a load of 100 kilograms, and the entire the core has a deflection ranging from 0.130 inch to 0.105 inch under a load of 100 kilograms. A mantle layer is disposed over the core and a cover is disposed over the mantle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Steven S. Ogg, David M. Bartels
  • Patent number: 10322318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 10300343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 10258833
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan