Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.

Abstract: A method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The method includes injecting a cover mixture into a mold to form a cover mixture comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane resin and a polyahl, subjecting the golf ball to a polyisocyanated solution to create a golf ball with a polyisocyanated cover, and heating the golf ball or polyisocyanated cover to remove a solvent component of the polyisocyanated solution and promote the reaction of the polyisocyanate with the cover mixture and polyahl.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing excellent impact durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the golf ball comprises a reinforcing layer containing a polyvinyl acetal resin on the surface of the spherical core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metallized golf ball possessing a masked section and methods for achieving a metallized golf ball possessing a masked section. The invention provides a golf ball masking stand, which effectively masks a portion of a golf ball, allowing coatings to be applied to the golf ball, while preventing coating of the masked section. Alternative masking techniques are disclosed, including the use of labels, double-stick tape, and printing methods to create a masked section. Preferably, metallization of the golf ball is achieved using physical vapor deposition and preferably a hydrophobic protective coating is applied to the metal layer inside the metallizing chamber.

Abstract: Golf ball 2 of the present invention has core 4, cover 10 situated on the external side of the core 4, and paint layer 16 provided to cover this cover 10. The base polymer of the cover 10 is a urethane resin. The base polymer of the paint layer 16 is a urethane resin. The cover 10 has a thickness Tc of 0.1 mm or greater and 0.7 mm or less. The paint layer 16 has a thickness Tp (mm) of 0.015 mm or greater and 0.040 mm or less. The ratio (Tp/Tc) is 0.021 or greater and 0.40 or less. Preferably, the paint layer 16 is formed with two or more layers 18 and 20. Preferably, the base polymer of the paint layer 16 is a two-pack type urethane resin or a two-pack type epoxy resin.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing increased controllability on approach shots for less than 40 yards and showing excellent shot feeling. In the inventive golf ball, the paint film is formed from a curing type paint composition including: a base material containing a polyrotaxane, and a curing agent containing a polyisocyanate, and wherein the polyrotaxane has a cyclodextrin, a linear molecule included in a cyclic structure of the cyclodextrin in a manner of piercing through the cyclic structure of the cyclodextrin, and a blocking group located at both ends of the linear molecule to prevent disassociation of the cyclodextrin, and at least a part of hydroxyl groups of the cyclodextrin is modified with a caprolactone chain via —O—C3H6—O— group.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance on driver shots.

Abstract: There is provided a mold stack (100). The mold stack comprises a cavity insert (110) configured to define a portion of a molding cavity (108) for defining a body portion of a preform to be molded therein, the cavity insert (110) positionable, in use, within a bore (113) in a cavity plate (114) in a loose fit arrangement, allowing for a degree of float, in a lateral direction, of the cavity insert (110) relative to the cavity plate (114).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A golf ball 2 has, on a surface thereof, a rugged pattern composed of a land 10 and a large number of dimples 8. A process for designing the rugged pattern includes the steps of: (1) arranging a large number of generating points on a surface of a phantom sphere; (2) assuming a large number of Voronoi regions on the surface of the phantom sphere by a Voronoi tessellation based on the large number of generating points; (3) calculating centers of gravity of the Voronoi regions and setting the centers of gravity as new generating points; (4) assuming a large number of new Voronoi regions on the surface of the phantom sphere by a Voronoi tessellation based on a large number of the new generating points; and (5) assigning dimples and a land to the surface of the phantom sphere based on contours of the new Voronoi regions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel golf ball material that controls the spin rate on the approach shots while suppressing the change in the spin rate on the driver shots. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which produces a high spin rate on the approach shots and a low spin rate on the driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition comprising: a polyurethane having a polyol component having a number average molecular weight from 200 to 1,500 as a constituting component.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided including a core, a cover encasing the core and a coating that comprises a resin applied to the outer surface of the cover. Particles comprising a high density material are included in the coating such that the coating has a density at least twice that of the core's density or contributes at least 0.60% of the golf ball's total moment of inertia, and the coating has a micro surface roughness at least 1.75 times larger than the roughness of a comparative ball. A method of making a golf ball is also provided, including providing a spherical core, encasing the core with a cover, applying a resin to the outer surface of the cover, and adding a plurality of particles comprising a high density material to form a coating material that has a second density at least two times the first density.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball polyurethane composition excellent in resilience. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in a shot feeling and resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball polyurethane composition comprising, as a resin component, a polyurethane elastomer including a polyisocyanate with one alicyclic hydrocarbon structure having 3 or more carbon atoms as a constituting component, and having a spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of 13C nucleus of 8.9 seconds or less measured by a High resolution solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball polyurethane composition excellent in resilience. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in a shot feeling and resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball polyurethane composition comprising, as a resin component, a polyurethane elastomer including a polyisocyanate with one alicyclic hydrocarbon structure having 3 or more carbon atoms as a constituting component, and having a storage modulus E? (Pa) and a loss modulus E? (Pa) satisfying a following expression; log(E?/E?2)??6.53 when measured in a tensile mode using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the appearance of a golf ball by visually distinguishing golf ball cover land area from golf ball cover dimples, comprising: providing a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein said cover comprises an outer surface defining a plurality of dimples and a land area between the dimples; applying a first color to the entire golf ball outer surface; masking either the land area or the dimples; applying a second color to the outer surface over the first color; followed by removing the masking to complete a colored golf ball wherein the masked area has the color appearance of the first color and the unmasked area has the color appearance of at least one of the second color and a third color produced by applying the second color over the first color.

Abstract: A golf ball having at least a core and a composite layer comprising a fibrous material and a matrix material is provided. The matrix material preferably comprises a translucent polymer. Preferably, the fibrous material comprises fiber flock. Preferably, the fiber flock comprises fiber segments having a length less than one inch. The fiber segments may have substantially equal dimensions. In other instances, the fiber segments are of unequal dimensions. The golf balls preferably includes a translucent cover layer surrounding the composite layer and an intermediate layer disposed between the composite layer and the core.

Abstract: An ultra-low compression three-piece golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which cover is formed of a material composed primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and containing also a lubricant composed primarily of a montanic acid ester. Paint film adhesion is not adversely affected even when the mold temperature during injection-molding of the golf ball is raised to 60° C. or above.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a non-conical bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (?EDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. Further, conical dimples provide a unique dimple cross-section which is visually distinct.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core comprising a center; an outer cover layer; and one or more intermediate layers, wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises a composition that includes at least one specialty propylene elastomer. The specialty propylene elastomer is preferably present in the outer cover layer and/or the intermediate layer. Also disclosed is a composition that includes at least one ionomer and at least one specialty propylene elastomer, wherein the ionomer is present in an amount of about 95 to about 5 weight percent and the specialty propylene elastomer is present in an amount of about 5 to about 95 weight percent, based on the total weight of all polymers in the composition. The specialty propylene elastomer/ionomer composition can be used to make the outer cover layer and/or the intermediate layer of a golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover which in any combination comprise at least two color contributing components, each of which comprises a colorant that contributes to an overall golf ball color, the color contributing components having substantially similar hues and different saturations, wherein the hue and saturation and a chroma of each contributing component contributes to an overall golf ball hue, saturation and chroma such that: the overall golf ball hue is substantially similar to the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one of the color contributing components; and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one of the color contributing components.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising of non-concentric arcs defining a non-planar parting line on its spherical surface resulting in having a large size disparity between dimples in one hemisphere and adjacent dimples from the opposing hemisphere. The parting line is produced by a pair of adjacent dimples, wherein D indicates dimples and N indicates dimples from the Northern hemisphere and those from the Southern hemisphere are indicated by S. A large disparity may be created, if the following condition is satisfied: D ? ( N ) D ? ( S ) > 1.25 ? ? or ? ? D ? ( N ) D ? ( S ) < 0.80 .

Abstract: Method of producing a thermoplastic polyurethane having a light stabilization useful for ophthalmic applications, comprising combining precursors of a polyurethane and at least one antioxidant, and incorporating therein, either before, during or after polymerization, at least one light stabilizer, said method being characterized in that the antioxidant is benzenepropanoic acid, 3(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,1?-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-2,1-ethanediyl)]ester and the light stabilizer is bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methyl]butylmalonate together with at least one additional component chosen from among phenol, 2-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl and 2,2?-methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol).

Abstract: A golf ball of the present invention includes: a core located in the center of the golf ball; a cover surrounding the outside of the core and having plural dimples on the surface thereof; and a paint layer surrounding the outside of the cover. The paint layer is formed of a material having rubber elasticity. When the golf ball has a ? hardness and the paint layer has a JIS-C hardness, a ratio Sp of the JIS-C hardness of the paint layer with respect to the ? hardness of the golf ball is at most approximately 15. When the cover has a Shore D hardness, a ratio Sc of the Shore D hardness of the cover with respect to the ? hardness of the golf ball may be at most approximately 25.

Abstract: Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball having a first set of construction specifications; (b) a coating of the golf ball having an exterior surface and (c) the exterior surface having an enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.

Abstract: Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball having a first set of construction specifications; (b) a coating of the golf ball having an exterior surface and (c) the exterior surface having an enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.

Abstract: A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of highly neutralized polymer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The cover is a two layer cover, with a hard inner cover and a thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as feel and sound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the cover is formed from a polyurethane composition containing a polyurethane elastomer as a resin component, the polyurethane composition satisfying properties of rebound resilience of 54% or more and a shear loss modulus G? of 5.03×106 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, and the spherical core has a hardness distribution that R2 of a linear approximate curve determined by a least-squares method is 0.95 or more, when plotting JIS-C hardness measured at a center, a surface and at intervals of 2.5 mm from the center of the spherical core, versus distances from the center of the spherical core.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a single cover layer of heterogeneous composition. One embodiment of the invention describes a method wherein a core, comprising one or more layers, has pre-molded hemispherical cover cups placed about the core and each cover cup has at least two layers of distinct resinous materials, and the cover cups are heated and compressed such that the resinous materials in the cover cups intermingle with each other to form a single heterogeneous cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball having a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer formed from a polytetramethylene glycol with a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1400 g/mol is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an inner core sphere is the core layer and has a diameter ranging from 0.875 inch to 1.4 inches. The core comprises the inner core, an intermediate core and an outer core. The mantle component comprises an inner mantle and an outer mantle. The cover layer is preferably composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of highly neutralized polymer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The cover is a two layer cover, with a hard inner cover and a thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as feel and sound.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball may include molding at least one core layer and molding an outer cover layer radially outward of the at least one core layer, from an outer cover layer material, including forming one or more grooves extending radially inward from an outer surface of the outer cover layer. The method may also include molding a groove material within the one or more grooves, the groove material having a compressibility that is different from a compressibility of the outer cover layer material. In addition, molding the groove material may include forming the groove material such that an outer surface of the groove material extends radially outward beyond the outer surface of the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball having certain relationships and values of its initial velocities at various club head speeds is provided. The golf ball has a typical initial velocity at a low club head speed, but an increased initial velocity at a high club head speed. Therefore, the golf ball may be advantageously used by both amateur golfers having lower swing speeds and professional golfers having high swing speeds. The golf ball may also achieve an initial velocity of at least about 173 mph at a club head speed of about 125 mph, therefore achieving an increased total shot distance.

Abstract: A golf having hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions is disclosed. In wet playing conditions, moisture may be repelled by the hydrophobic portions and attracted to the hydrophilic portions. Thus, the surface of the hydrophobic portions may remain dry such that the friction between a golf club head and the golf ball surface is not reduced. As a result, the golf ball may not be adversely affected by wet playing conditions.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and an intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a pigment, dye, or tint which contributes to an overall color appearance, the color having an a value, a b value and a hue angle value h expressed in the CIE CIECAM color system.

Abstract: An over-indexed, optionally cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Also, the method of making the elastomer, and articles, including golf balls, comprising the elastomer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which travels a great distance on the driver shots and stops quickly on the green on the approach shots. The present invention is directed to a golf ball material having a shear loss modulus G? of 2.11×107 Pa or less, and a ratio (E?/G?) of a tensile loss modulus E? to the shear loss modulus G? of 1.78 or more, when measuring the shear loss modulus G? in a shear mode and the tensile loss modulus E? in a tensile mode at conditions of a temperature of 0° C., oscillation frequency of 10 Hz using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a rubber composition for golf balls which includes (A) a base rubber containing a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 60 wt %, (B) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (C) a benzimidazole of general formula (1) or (2) below wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbons, and m is an integer from 1 to 4, with the proviso that if m is 2 or more, each occurrence of R may be the same or different. The golf ball rubber composition of the invention enables a high-quality molded and crosslinked product having a suitable hardness and a high resilience to be obtained.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a cover composed of a PPDI-based thermoplastic polyurethane material. The phase morphology of the PPDI-based thermoplastic polyurethane material coupled with high levels of hard segment domain cohesion imparts excellent low temperature flexibility, rubber like elasticity, and mechanical properties to the final elastomer.

Abstract: A rebound resilient golf ball having one or more core layers, a cover surrounding the core layer or layers, and optionally a mantle layer positioned between the cover and the core layer or layers. At least one of the layers of the golf ball includes a material whose resilience increases as the hardness of the material increases.

Abstract: A golf ball having a cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition is provided. The polyurea or polyurea/urethane composition is produced by the reaction of an isocyanate blend having an average NCO functionality in the range of 2.05 to 2.35, a polyamine compound, and amine or hydroxyl curing agent. The resulting cover material has many advantages including improved thermal-stability, durability, toughness, and cut/tear-resistance. The preferred isocyanates in the blend include isophorone diisocyanate (“IPDI”); 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”); 4,4?-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (“H12 MDI”); 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4?-MDI); toluene diisocyanate (“TDI”); and homopolymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of manufacturing a golf ball is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a golf ball includes molding a cover made of thermoplastic resin over at least one intermediate layer of a golf ball; permeating an isocyanate solution comprising an isocyanate compound and a co-reactant compound into an outer portion of the cover; and permeating a catalyst into the outer portion of the cover. The catalyst catalyzes a reaction between the isocyanate compound and the co-reactant compound to form a reaction product. The co-reactant compound can be a second isocyanate compound, the catalyst can be a quaternary ammonium salt, and the reaction product can be isocyanurate. The reaction product modifies at least one physical property of the outer portion such that the physical property of the outer portion is different than the physical property of the inner portion.

Abstract: Compositions for golf balls that include polyurethane and polyurea linkages and that are crosslinked in the soft segments of the polymer backbone. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane and/or polyurea prepolymers, have improved crosslink density from the crosslinking between the soft, unsaturated segments of the polymer backbone. The curative blend includes at least one isocyanate-reactive component and a free radical initiator.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising: core comprising at least one layer A, cover comprising at least one layer B, intermediate layer C disposed between core and cover, and coating D applied on outermost surface of the golf ball. At least two of layer A, layer B, layer C and coating D comprise a golf ball color contributing component comprising a color and contributing to an overall golf ball color, at least two color contributing components have different saturations or different chromas, or both. Overall golf ball hue is different than that of each color contributing component and overall saturation and chroma are different than that of at least one color contributing component.