Particular Cover (e.g., Size, Material, Dimple Pattern, Etc.) Patents (Class 473/378)
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Publication number: 20110070977Abstract: In a colored golf ball having a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a layer of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost cover layer and/or the paint layer is colored with a fluorescent dye and titanium oxide, and the golf ball itself has a color tone which satisfies specific ranges in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and elegance, and an excellent weather resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki NAGASAWA, Satoshi Matsuda
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Publication number: 20110070976Abstract: In a colored golf ball having a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a layer of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost cover layer and/or the paint layer is colored with a fluorescent dye, and the golf ball itself has a color tone which satisfies specific ranges in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and elegance, and an excellent weather resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki NAGASAWA, Satoshi Matsuda
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Publication number: 20110070975Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a layer of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost cover layer and/or the paint layer is colored with a fluorescent pigment, the core or at least one layer of an intermediate spherical body made up of the tore encased by one or more cover layer is colored similar to the color of the fluorescent pigment-colored layer, and the ball itself has a specific color difference ?E with the color of the core or the intermediate spherical body. The colored golf ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and elegance, and an excellent weather resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagasawa, Satoshi Matsuda
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Patent number: 7909711Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 138,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.142, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 0.9 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.2.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
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Publication number: 20110065529Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a solid core formed of a rubber composition and a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, which method includes the steps of treating a surface of the core with a solution containing a halogenated isocyanuric acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and covering the treated core with a cover material. The invention also provides a golf ball obtained by such a method. Golf balls obtained by this method have a good feel and a good scuff resistance, and also have a high durability to impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi OHIRA, Shinichi Hinomoto, Junji Umezawa, Hideo Watanabe
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Publication number: 20110065530Abstract: A golf ball with an alignment guide includes at least two lines of printing. A first line of printing includes arrows at opposite ends of the line of printing to act as the alignment guide. A second line of printing is printed with a different color than the first line of printing. The second line of printing is legible when viewed from a first angle and appears to fade when viewed from a second angle so that the second line of printing does not distract the golfer's eye from the alignment guide. The second line of printing may include metallic particles to enhance this effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Michael F. Pai
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Patent number: 7906575Abstract: The invention provides a molded and crosslinked rubber material for golf balls which is obtained by molding and crosslinking a rubber composition containing rubber and rubber compounding ingredients, including a base rubber, a filler and an organic peroxide, into a spherical body of one or more layers. A monomer is impregnated into the molded and crosslinked rubber material, and one or both of the following chemical reactions is induced: (i) chemical reaction of the monomer with the rubber and/or a rubber compounding ingredient, (ii) chemical reaction of the monomer itself. The depth of impregnation by the monomer from a surface of the molded and crosslinked rubber material to the interior thereof is at least 0.3 mm. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing such a molded and crosslinked rubber material for golf balls.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Nanba, Jun Shindo
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Patent number: 7906601Abstract: Golf ball components, such as cores, intermediate layers, and covers, formed with compositions including precursors with acrylate functionality crosslinked with a curing agent.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Mitchell E. Lutz, Manjari Kuntimaddi
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Patent number: 7901302Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a lift to weight ratio greater than about 1.7 at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.095, a COR of 0.790 or less, and a weight of about 1.39 to 1.62 oz; and wherein the cover layer has an outer surface including dimples covering 55% to 75% of the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
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Publication number: 20110053707Abstract: A multilayer solid golf ball maintains performance characteristics after exposure to high ambient temperatures. A core includes a thermoplastic material. The core is surrounded by an intermediate layer comprising a peroxide cross-linked polybutadiene. A single layer or double layer cover with dimples is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Yutaka Kabeshita, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hsin Cheng, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
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Publication number: 20110053708Abstract: Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, cover 6 situated on the external side of the core 4, and paint layer 8 situated on the external side of the cover 6. The cover 6 has a Shore D hardness of no greater than 61. The paint layer 8 has a Martens hardness of no greater than 2.0 mgf/?m2. The base polymer of the paint layer 8 is a polyurethane obtained by a reaction of a polyol with a polyisocyanate. The polyisocyanate contains a buret-modified form of hexamethylene diisocyanate. The cover 6 has a thickness of 0.3 mm or greater and 1.0 mm or less. The paint layer 8 has a thickness of 5 ?m or greater and 40 ?m or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Kazuhiko Isoagawa, Keiji Ohama, Yoshiko Matsuyama, Seiichiro Endo
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Patent number: 7897671Abstract: A method of making a golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises homo and copolymers of poly(dimethyl siloxane) ionomers, and their blends for improved resiliency and abrasion resistant golf balls.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris
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Patent number: 7897670Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises homo and copolymers of poly(dimethyl siloxane) ionomers, and their blends for improved resiliency and abrasion resistant golf balls.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris
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Publication number: 20110045924Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball composed of a core and a cover having an outside surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples. Letting BV and CV be the initial velocity (m/s) of, respectively, the ball and the core as measured by a method using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as a USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument and letting BE and CE be the deflection (mm) of, respectively, the ball and the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf), the core initial velocity CV is from 70.0 to 78.0 m/s and the ball satisfies the formula 0?(CV?BV)?(CE?BE)?2. The golf ball of the invention has a flight distance that can be reduced compared with official golf balls currently in use, yet has the same good feel on impact and excellent controllability, scuff resistance and durability to repeated impact as a game ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventor: Junji UMEZAWA
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Publication number: 20110039638Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having multiple indicia for aiding a golfer in positioning the golf ball with the intended ball path. In one embodiment, the golf ball has at least three distinct primary indicia aligned on the golf ball within a quarter of the circumference of the golf ball. The primary indicia includes a first primary indicia which is spaced a first distance from a second primary indicia, and a third primary indicia which is spaced a second distance from the second primary indicia. In an embodiment, the two distances are different. In another embodiment the distances are the same. Other versions have supplemental indicia positioned between the primary indicia and/or can be positioned proximate the first and/or third primary indicia. The supplemental indicia are preferably lighter in color intensity than the primary indicia so that the primary indicia is more readily visible to a golfer when the golfer is ready to putt.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventor: Peter D. Koleoglou
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Patent number: 7888417Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, an outer cover layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer is provided. The core, intermediate layer, or cover layer includes a composition formed from a base polymer blend, a crosslink initiator, and at least one additive. The outer cover layer may comprise a polyurethane or polyurea composition. The base polymer blend preferably includes two or more rubber materials. The additive has at least one C—O—B linkage, the carbon in the linkage being a secondary or tertiary carbon and is selected from the group consisting of boranes, borates, boronates, borinates, heterocylic compounds having at least one boron atom as a ring member, boron-containing organosulfides, salts of such additives, and metal salts, organometallic salts, and non-metal salts of boron complexes.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Peter R. Voorheis, Murali Rajagopalan, Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett
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Patent number: 7888449Abstract: A method of forming golf balls with at least a portion formed from polyurethane and polyurea compositions employing a curative blend that includes a pigment, a curing agent, and a compatible freezing point depressing agent so that the curative blend has a lower freezing point than the curing agent by itself and the blend does not lose pigment dispersion upon solidification and subsequent thawing.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Shenshen Wu, Kelly J. Gasper, Constantine A. Kondos, Murali Rajagopalan
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Publication number: 20110028245Abstract: A golf ball has uniform gaps between dimples even if the surface occupancy ratio of the dimples is high, and therefore the aerodynamic performance thereof is improved, whereby a longer flight distance can be obtained. In the golf ball having a plurality of dimples and land parts surrounded by the plurality of dimples, the land part has a shape having at least one vertex, the land part is connected to at least two adjacent land parts substantially by a point, and the area of the land part is in the range of about 0.05 mm2 to about 16.0 mm2.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuma NAKAGAWA, Katsunori Sato
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Publication number: 20110028244Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a saturated polyurethane composition. The polyurethane is the product of a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Shawn Ricci, Christopher Cavallaro
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Patent number: 7879968Abstract: The present invention concerns reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also concerns golf balls comprising the reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also relates to a method for making a golf ball which includes using reduced yellowing compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The resulting golf balls have similar processability and physical properties (such as resiliency and shear resistance) as golf balls made from conventional polyurethane or polyurea formulations, while exhibiting substantially improved resistance to yellowing.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
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Publication number: 20110014996Abstract: A method and system is provided which utilizes shear thickening fluids to enhance athletic performance. A shear thickening fluid composite is used on a golf club face to reduce the amount of side spin imparted onto a golf ball thus reducing the amount of slice or hook on the golf ball's flight path. Upon impact between the shear thickening fluid composite and the golf ball, the shear thickening fluid moves laterally away from the direction of the side spin imparted on the ball, thus reducing the amount of side spin imparted onto the golf ball. After this lateral motion, the shear thickening fluid hardens and transfers the remaining energy from the club face to the golf ball. A similar process occurs when the shear thickening fluid composite composes the outside of a golf ball. A shear thickening fluid composite is also used on an athletic shoe so as to transfer more force into a kicked ball thus having the ball travel at higher velocities.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Robert Foster Shepherd, Travis Green
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Patent number: 7872087Abstract: Golf ball compositions, and components formed therefrom, including trifunctional materials, such as trifunctional isocyanates, polyols, and amines, that have improved performance and durability characteristics, e.g., improved heat resistance, improved resiliency, and dimensional stability.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Shenshen Wu, Shawn Ricci
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Publication number: 20110009213Abstract: Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a thermoplastic composition comprising a benzenetrisamide nucleating agent are provided. The thermoplastic composition may be an ionomer or non-ionomer resin. Golf balls of various constructions may be made including two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece balls. The composition is used preferably to form a golf ball core having improved resiliency, durability, toughness, and impact strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Gorguen, David A. Bulpett
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Patent number: 7867108Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a saturated polyurethane composition. The polyurethane is the product of a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Shawn Ricci, Christopher Cavallaro
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Patent number: 7862454Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball composed of a core and a cover having an outside surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples. Letting BV and CV be the initial velocity (m/s) of, respectively, the ball and the core as measured by a method using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as a USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument and letting BE and CE be the deflection (mm) of, respectively, the ball and the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf), the ball initial velocity BV is from 70.0 to 76.0 m/s and the ball satisfies the formula 0?(CV?BV)?(CE?BE)?2. The golf ball of the invention has a flight distance that can be reduced compared with official golf balls currently in use, yet has the same good feel on impact and excellent controllability, scuff resistance and durability to repeated impact as a game ball.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., LtdInventor: Junji Umezawa
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Publication number: 20100331115Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the abrasion resistance and controllability in a golf ball having a polyurethane cover containing a layered silicate or the exfoliated layer thereof. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover comprises a polyurethane resin having a secondary or tertiary amine structure in a molecular chain thereof, the secondary or tertiary amine structure being cationized, and a layered silicate and/or an exfoliated product thereof, having an average aspect ratio of unit layers thereof ranging from 10 to 50.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Kazuyoshi Shiga, Takashi Sasaki
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Publication number: 20100331114Abstract: A golf ball which has excellent abrasion-resistance and spin performance is provided. The golf ball of the present invention includes a core and a cover covering the core and containing polyurethane as a resin component, wherein the polyurethane has, as a constituting component, a polyisocyanate component, a high-molecular weight polyol component, and a mixture of cis-1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol and trans-1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol as a chain extender.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Kazuyoshi SHIGA, Tetsuro Abe
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Publication number: 20100331118Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the abrasion resistance of a golf ball that uses a polyurethane as a resin component for a cover. Another object of the present invention is to improve the shot feeling of a golf ball that uses a polyurethane as a resin component for a cover. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core; and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover contains a polyurethane elastomer as a resin component, and the polyurethane elastomer contains a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component and does not contain a chain extender.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Mutsuhisa FURUKAWA, Ryo Mashita, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Takashi Sasaki, Mikio Yamada
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Publication number: 20100331113Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball that has excellent abrasion resistance and spin performance without sacrificing the processability of the cover, in a golf ball having a cover for which a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is used as a resin component. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core; and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane that has, as a constituting component, a chain extender having an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Kazuyoshi SHIGA, Tetsuro ABE, Takashi SASAKI
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Publication number: 20100326175Abstract: On the basis of a surface shape appearing at a predetermined point moment by moment during rotation of a golf ball having numerous dimples on its surface, a data constellation regarding a parameter dependent on a surface shape of the golf ball is calculated. A preferable parameter is a distance between an axis of the rotation and the surface of the golf ball. Another preferable parameter is a volume of space between a surface of a phantom sphere and the surface of the golf ball. Fourier transformation is performed on the data constellation to obtain a transformed data constellation. On the basis of a peak value and an order of a maximum peak of the transformed data constellation, an aerodynamic characteristic of the golf ball is determined. The peak value and the order of the maximum peak are calculated for each of PH rotation and POP rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Hyoungchol KIM, Kaname Yamada, Masahide Onuki
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Publication number: 20100323817Abstract: A golf ball with a layer of composite material applied to at least one surface of one layer of the ball. The composite material includes a plurality of particles. The particles are shaped to enable specific orientations. A percentage of the particles in the composite material achieve a specific orientation. A portion of at least one of the particles extends from the composite material layer and into an adjacent, surrounding layer. The particles may have a tetrapod shape. The composite layer may be applied as a thin film coating, such as in a primer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Arthur Molinari
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Publication number: 20100323821Abstract: The invention provides a colored golf ball comprising a core, a cover having a plurality of dimples formed on its surface, wherein the golf ball is two-piece structure consisting of a core and a cover, and the surface of the ball is coated with a coating comprising a pearlescent pigment. The ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ?E* between the core and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the core has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; (iii) the core has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS Z8729, of at least 82; (iv) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (v) the lightness L* value of the ball?the lightness L* value of the core; (vi) the cover has a thickness of from 0.1 to 2.1 mm, (vii) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTDInventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Hiroshi Nasu
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Publication number: 20100323818Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making golf balls by an extrusion molding process, particularly forming golf ball cores from an extrusion moldable composition. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having an extruded core, an outer cover layer and, optionally, one or more inner cover layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Hyun Kim, Dean A. Snell, Sanjay Kuttappa
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Publication number: 20100317464Abstract: A method for manufacturing a golf ball includes the steps of forming the golf ball by using a mold, which mold includes at least two body parts, and is configured so that a cavity is formed within the mold by the joining of the at least two body parts, and in at least one of the body parts, a groove for forming a projecting land part which is ground after the formation of the golf ball is provided in a cavity wall surface near the entire circumference of a parting line formed by the joining; and performing treatment in which the golf ball formed by using the mold is treated so that the color of the entire land part of the golf ball is different from the color of dimples.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuma NAKAGAWA, Katsunori SATO
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Patent number: 7851561Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, which includes at least two polymeric systems, in one or more of the layers. The first polymeric system may include a polyurethane-based or polyurea-based system having blocked isocyanate groups and the second polymeric system may include an epoxy-based or acrylic-based system, wherein the two systems are polymerized or cured simultaneously or sequentially to form an IPN.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Manjari Kuntimaddi, Shenshen Wu, Murali Rajagopalan
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Patent number: 7851527Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball material made of an ionomer blend composition of (a) at least one E/X copolymer and/or E/X/Y terpolymer and (b) at least one polyfunctional higher aliphatic acid with two or more functionalities that has a molecular weight of at least about 200 but less than about 1,500, in which components (a) and (b) are neutralized with (c) an oxygen-containing inorganic metal compound. The copolymer and terpolymer of component (a) is one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group consisting of copolymers and terpolymers which is partially neutralized with metal ions, copolymers and terpolymers which are completely neutralized with metal ions, and unneutralized copolymers and terpolymers. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow properties and moldability, making it suitable for injection molding.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., LtdInventors: Yoshinori Egashira, Eiji Takehana, Kae Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20100304895Abstract: Golf balls having a dual-core comprising an inner core and outer moisture barrier core layer are provided. The outer core help prevent moisture from penetrating into the inner core. A cover layer, preferably made of a polyurethane or polyurea material, is disposed about the outer core layer. The inner and outer cores are formed of a rubber composition, preferably a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The outer core has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) lower than that of the cover. In one version, the outer core has a MVTR of 1 grams·mm/m2·day or less, preferably in the range of 0.45 to 0.95 grams·mm/m2·day.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Robert Blink, Douglas S. Goguen, Mark L. Binnette
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Publication number: 20100304891Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core and a cover or intermediate layer made from a non-ionomeric polyolefin composition is provided. The method for making the golf ball includes the step of adhering a thin layer of a non-ionomeric polyolefin powder to the interior surfaces of a golf ball mold. The polyolefin powder is adhered to the mold using electrostatic, tribostatic or fluidized bed, processes. A golf ball component is placed within the mold, and a sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the mold so that the thin layer of non-ionomeric polyolefin powder fuses to the golf ball component.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Matthew F. Hogge, Peter L. Serdahl
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Publication number: 20100304892Abstract: Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Shenshen Wu, David A. Bulpett, Murali Rajagopalan
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Publication number: 20100304896Abstract: A golf ball having a cover material made from a polyurea composition is provided. In one version, the golf ball includes a polybutadiene core and surrounding cover layer made of a polyurea composition. In another version, the golf ball includes a polybutadiene core, an intermediate casing layer made of an ionomer resin, and outer cover layer made of the polyurea composition. The polyurea composition is the reaction product of a cycloaliphatic isocyanate and amine compound. The diisocyanate is selected from 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane; 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane; and mixtures thereof. The resulting cover material has many advantages including improved durability, toughness, and light-stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, Brian Comeau
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Publication number: 20100298069Abstract: A topcoat is applied to a surface of a golf ball using a carrier fluid comprising nitrogen gas or nitrogen-enriched air. The carrier fluid typically has air enriched to about 90-99.5% nitrogen. A mixture of carrier fluid and coating material may be sprayed onto the exterior of the golf ball. Nitrogen-enriched air delivery provides a number of benefits over compressed air delivery, such as reduced coating thickness, reduced variance in the coating thickness and average thickness, reduced pooling in dimple center, edge ratio closer to 1.0, faster cure times, reduced viscosity, less material usage, reduced material flow rate, reduced atomization air pressure, and decreased drying time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: David Goodwin, Derek Fitchett
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Publication number: 20100298071Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having an individualized and improved appearance by imparting the luster, without lowering durability and a color developing property of the paint film and/or the mark. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having an improved visibility, which the mark should inherently provide. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body, a mark formed on the golf ball body, a paint film coating the golf ball body and the mark, wherein the mark and/or the paint film contains a luster material, wherein the luster material has a core material having a transparent base and a first transparent layer formed on the transparent base; and at least one composite layer formed on the core material and consisting of a second transparent layer having a lower refractive index than the first transparent layer, and a third transparent layer having a higher refractive index than the second transparent layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Satoko OKABE, Takahiro SAJIMA, Hirotaka NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 7825208Abstract: Golf equipment having at least one portion formed from amine-adduct modified polyurea compositions, including epoxy-silicone modified polyurea compositions, epoxy modified polyurea compositions, silicone modified polyurea compositions, and polyurea compositions including polyamine/carbonyl adducts and/or amine-modified adducts having backbones based on polyfunctional acrylates or methacrylates or caprolactone monomers or oligomers.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Shawn Ricci
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Patent number: 7824739Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide A method for producing a golf ball that is excellent In the durability of the mark, the adhesion of the paint Film and the productivity. In the present invention, since the curing agent contained in the paint covering the mark is used to cure the resin component forming the mark, there is no increase in the viscosity or the gellation of the ink for printing the mark, and thus the mark is printed well during the production of the golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Koichi Fujisawa, Kazuhiko Isogawa, Yoshikazu Yabuki
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Patent number: 7815527Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 161,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.122, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.2 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.5.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
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Publication number: 20100261554Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a layer of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover. At least one layer from among the outermost cover layer and the paint layer is a colored layer containing a base polymer, a pigment and a lubricant. The ball has a color tone, at a measurement area diameter of 5 mm in a method of measuring the color of a reflecting object according to JIS Z-8722, which, expressed in the Lab color system, satisfies the conditions 30?L, ?40?a?60, and ?20?b?60. The colored golf ball of the invention has an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and luxury, and an excellent weather resistance and paint film adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagasawa, Satoshi Matsuda
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Publication number: 20100261550Abstract: In a golf ball composed of a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a coat of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost layer of the cover or the coat of paint is colored with a fluorescent pigment. The ball has a color tone, at a measurement area diameter of 5 mm in a method of measuring the color of a reflecting object according to JIS Z-8722, which satisfies specific conditions in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and luxury, and an excellent weather resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagasawa, Satoshi Matsuda
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Publication number: 20100261551Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising at least first areas containing a plurality of first dimples and second areas containing a plurality of second dimples, the areas together forming a spherical polyhedron shape, the first dimples comprising spherical dimples having a first, spherical chord depth and the second dimples comprising truncated spherical dimples having a second, truncated chord depth, and the second dimples are of larger radius than the first dimples and have a truncated chord depth which is less than the spherical chord depth of the first dimples.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: AERO-X GOLF INC.Inventors: David L. Felker, Douglas C. Winfield, Rocky Lee
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Publication number: 20100255937Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 50 and the inner core and outer core generally have a combined dual core compression of 50 or greater. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
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Publication number: 20100255934Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a polyurea composition. The polyurea is formed by combining an aliphatic polyurea prepolymer, a diamine curative, and a cyclic carbonate diluent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Manjari Kuntimaddi, Shenshen Wu, Shawn Ricci, Kevin M. Harris