Solid Polymer Derived From Metal-containing Ethylenic Reactant Patents (Class 525/201)
  • Patent number: 7612134
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a novel thermoplastic material and a golf ball utilizing the thermoplastic material of the invention. The golf ball (10) preferably comprises a core (12), a cover (16) and, optionally, a boundary layer (14). At least one of the core (12), cover (16) or boundary layer (14) of the golf ball (10) comprises a thermoplastic material according to the invention. A thermoplastic material of the invention comprises a partially to highly neutralized blend of an acid copolymer, a copolymer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed alpha-olefin and a softening comonomer, and a fatty acid or fatty acid salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Mark L. Binette
  • Publication number: 20090142530
    Abstract: A composition comprises an ethylene copolymer having copolymerized units of ethylene and vinyl acetate, alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, acrylic acid and ionomers thereof, methacrylic acid and ionomers and a potassium-containing component comprising a potassium-neutralized ionomer and optionally an organic acid or salt thereof and/or a polyol. Also disclosed is an article comprising or produced from the composition, which includes films, sheets and shaped articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Donna Lynn Visioli, Kevin Patrick McAllister
  • Publication number: 20090104389
    Abstract: An agricultural article made of a composition containing (a) an organic polymer, and (b-I) a polyacrylic acid sodium salt or a sodium salt of ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, and (b-II) manganese stearate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Stefano Gardi, Massimiliano Sala, Gunther Schlingloff
  • Publication number: 20090029168
    Abstract: Water-swellable compositions, dispersions and polymer microparticles for their preparation as well as their manufactures and uses are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Peter Butters, Malcolm Skinner, Beatrix Loehner, Ian Biggin
  • Patent number: 7402629
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having at least one layer, such as a center, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer, which is formed from a polymer composition comprising at least 25 wt %, based on the total polymeric weight of the polymer composition, of an acid polymer having acid groups, wherein at least 90% of the acid groups are neutralized. The polymer composition also comprises at least 10 wt %, based on the total polymeric weight of the polymer composition, of a non-fatty acid melt flow modifier selected from polyesters, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, polyethers, thermoplastic polyureas, and combinations thereof. The polymer composition is substantially free of fatty acids and their salts and has a melt flow index of from 0.5 g/10 min to 10.0 g/10 min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Murali Rajagopalan
  • Publication number: 20080131715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin composition superior in antistatic properties, processability and compatibility comprising 5 to 50 parts by weight of a potassium ionomer (A) of an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer, 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer (B) and 94.5 to 30 parts by weight of another thermoplastic resin (C) such as highly crystalline polyolefin type resin, and a single layer article or a multi-layer article having at least one layer of the resin composition. The resin composition and the multi-layer article are especially useful for a packaging material such as film, sheet and container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Du Pont-Mitsui Polychemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Dewa, Yoshitaka Hironaka
  • Patent number: 7279234
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using a transparent, luminescent polymer for transparent marking and/or labeling for identity verification purposes. Also disclosed are sheets, films, markers, labels and taggants comprising transparent, luminescent polymers. Also disclosed are articles labeled with a transparent, luminescent polymer. This invention particularly relates to use of transparent, luminescent polymer compositions comprising ethylene (meth)acrylic acid copolymers and rare earth ions and transparent, luminescent polymer compositions comprising methyl (meth)acrylate/(meth)acrylic acid copolymers, fatty acids and rare earth ions for these purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: David M. Dean
  • Patent number: 7277230
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing a 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine. The method comprises forming a reaction mixture comprising at least one substituted or unsubstituted phenolphthalein, at least one substituted or unsubstituted primary hydrocarbyl amine, and an acid catalyst; and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of less than 180° C. to remove a distillate comprising water and form a crude 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine product; where the 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine has a formula: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen and a hydrocarbyl group, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, and a halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan Srinivasan, Suresh Shanmugam, Gautam Chatterjee, Anantharaman Dhanabalan, Vinod Kumar Rai
  • Patent number: 7132479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer mixtures including hydrogel-forming polymers capable of absorbing aqueous fluids and prepared by polymerization of olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof together with copolymers of C2–C8 olefins or styrenes with anhydrides and also their preparation, use and hygiene articles which include same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich Engelhardt, Rüdiger Funk, Mariola Wanior
  • Patent number: 6969483
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend for fabricating monolayer films or a layer within a multilayer film. The blend has a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from the group of: (1) an ethylene and ?-olefin copolymer having a density of less than about 0.915 g/cc, (2) lower alkyl acrylates, (3) lower alkyl substituted alkyl acrylates and (4) ionomers. The first component should be present in an amount from about 99% to about 55% by weight of the blend. The second component in an amount by weight of the blend from 45% to about 1% and consists of one or more polymers of the group: (1) propylene containing polymers, (2) polybutene polymers, (3) polymethylpentene polymers, (4) cyclic olefin containing polymers and (5) bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon containing polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Lecon Woo, Sherwin Shang, Michael T. K. Ling, Yuan-pang Samuel Ding, Tahua Yang, Craig Sanford, Tao Chang
  • Patent number: 6914094
    Abstract: An article formed from a polyolefin resin blend reaction product that includes at least one propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt and at least one property-modifying agent. Optionally, the article includes a polyethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt, thermoplastic elastomer, such as a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random copolymer or any other styrenic block copolymer, semi-crystalline polyolefin component, or the like, or combinations thereof. Such articles have enhanced scratch and mar resistance while still retaining acceptable impact toughness. Methods of preparing articles and the blends used to form such articles are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Solvay Engineered Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui-dong Ding, Satchit Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 6881794
    Abstract: A golf ball consisting of a core having a diameter of between about 1.54 and about 1.61 inches and a compression of between about 70 and about 80, the core comprising a polybutadiene rubber having a Mooney viscosity of less than about 50 and a halogenated organosulfur compound, or a salt thereof, present in an amount of at least about 2.2 parts per hundred parts of polybutadiene rubber, the halogenated organosulfur compound having the formula: where R1-R5 are C1-C8 alkyl groups; halogen groups; thiol groups; carboxylated groups; sulfonated groups; or hydrogen; and a cover having a thickness of less than about 0.05 inches, the cover consisting essentially of a first ionomeric material, a second ionomeric material, and a metallocene-catalyzed polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter Voorheis, Murali Rajagopalan, Michael D Jordan, Christopher Cavallaro
  • Patent number: 6855772
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric treatment preparations for textiles and other fibrous substrates that impart water and oil repellency to fibers, yarns, textiles, or other fibrous substrates. More particularly, this invention comprises an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension of (a) a fluorinated polymer that contains reactive groups that can complex with metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater, and (b) one or more metal atoms that have a formal charge of 2 or greater. The invention is further directed to the process for treating fibrous substrates with textile preparations in one step that provide water/soil repellency that is durable to repeated cleanings and to abrasion. This invention is further directed to the yarns, fibers, fabrics, textiles, webs, finished goods, or nonwovens (encompassed herein under the terms “textiles” and “fibrous substrates”) treated with the textile-reactive water- and soil-resistant preparation of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Nano-Tex, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew L. Linford, David S. Soane, David A. Offord
  • Patent number: 6846429
    Abstract: This invention provides a transparent, paramagnetic polymer composition in which a polymer is completed with sufficient rare earth ions, particularly ions selected from ions in the group of elements 64-69, to provide a polymer with a magnetic mass susceptibility greater than 20×10?6 emu/g measured at 298° K. This invention provides optically responsive devices that employ these transparent, paramagnetic polymers as an element that is responsive to a magnetic field and a means for providing magnetic field. This invention provides transparent labels or markings employing these transparent, paramagnetic polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: David M. Dean
  • Patent number: 6812288
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition that provides excellent vibration-isolating properties, a vibration isolating rubber formed from the rubber composition and a vibration-isolating mount. The rubber composition contains 5 to 40 parts by weight of a styrene-butadiene-based copolymer rubber, having a weight-average molecular weight of 200,000 or less and a glass transition temperature of −35° C. or higher; and 95 to 60 parts by weight of a diolefin-based rubber, having a weight-average molecular weight exceeding 200,000 and a glass transition temperature of −20° C. or lower; where the weight are based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of both. A vibration-isolating rubber comprising this composition has a performance relationship between a dynamic-to-static modulus ration (Kd/Ks), which is a ratio of a dynamic spring constant (Kd) to a static spring constant (Ks), and a loss factor (tan &dgr;), as shown by the equation (1): Kd/Ks≦20 tan &dgr;−1.8 (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Naokazu Kobayashi, Toshihiro Tadaki, Keisuke Tsukimawashi
  • Patent number: 6800695
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel golf ball cover composition comprised of a blend of a new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin and an ionomer resin containing an additional comonomer of the acrylate ester class. When the new ionomer resin blend is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits an improved combination of distance, playability, and/or durability properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6797786
    Abstract: A golf ball material containing (a) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylate random copolymer having an acid content of 2-12% by weight, and (b) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer having an acid content of 8-15% by weight, in a weight ratio from 100:0 to 40:60, and having a Shore D hardness of 30-60 is effectively moldable and is capable of providing golf balls with excellent rebound energy and a pleasant feel when hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rinya Takesue, Yasush Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6774189
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least a cover layer and a core layer, wherein at least one layer is formed from a blend comprising about 97 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of at least one high acid ionomer resin, about 3 wt. % to less than 15 wt. % of at least one very low modulus ionomer (VLMI) resin, and optionally less than about 70 wt. % of at least one standard ionomer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6756443
    Abstract: An ionomer/polyamide blend with improved flow (e.g., lower viscosity) can be achieved while simultaneously maintaining or improving physical properties such as low temperature Izod impact resistance by the addition of low molecular weight ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer (e.g., so-called acid wax polymer derived from copolymerizing at least 5 weight percent and preferably greater than 9 weight percent acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with ethylene and having a melt index, ASTM D1238, preferably greater than 900 dg/min and most preferably greater than 5,000 dg/min). Optionally, the blends can further contain additives such as very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), ethylene propylene elastomer (EPR), ethylene propylene diene monomer elastomer (EPDM), corresponding maleic anhydride grafted elastomers (MAN-g-VLDPE; MAN-g-EPR; and MAN-g-EPDM), or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Stewart Carl Feinberg
  • Patent number: 6756446
    Abstract: A polyolefin resin blend is presented that includes a base component of a semi-crystalline polyolefin component, a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt, and a styrenic block ionomer. Optionally, the blend includes a thermoplastic elastomer, such as a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random copolymer. Such blends have enhanced scratch and mar resistance while still retaining acceptable impact toughness. Methods of preparing such blends, as well as resultant articles including such blends, are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Solvay Engineered Polymers
    Inventors: Ruidong Ding, Clint Newell
  • Patent number: 6750281
    Abstract: A golf ball and a method of manufacturing thereof are provided, the golf ball having a core containing a Mg vulcanized rubber powder crosslinked by a magnesium salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and another vulcanized rubber powder crosslinked by a co-crosslinking agent other than the magnesium salt of the unsaturated carboxylic acid. Preferably, the ratio &agr;/&bgr; between the content &agr; of the Mg vulcanized rubber powder and the content &bgr; of another vulcanized rubber powder is 1/4 to 4, and the total content &agr;+&bgr; of the vulcanized rubber powders based on 100 parts by mass of a base rubber of the core is 5 to 30 parts by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hirau, Hiroaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6646045
    Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions containing graft polymers produced with different initiator systems are disclosed. The compositions are distinguished by a combination of good toughness and reduced opacity. As a result, appreciably smaller quantities of pigment are needed to color the molding composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Herbert Eichenauer
  • Patent number: 6613843
    Abstract: A golf ball material containing (a) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylate random copolymer having an acid content of 2-12% by weight, and (b) a calcium ion-neutralized olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid random copolymer having an acid content of 8-15% by weight, in a weight ratio from 100:0 to 40:60, and having a Shore D hardness of 30-60 is effectively moldable and is capable of providing golf balls with excellent rebound energy and a pleasant feel when hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rinya Takesue, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6599983
    Abstract: A golf ball whose core is covered with a cover, wherein the core is constituted of a rubber composition containing polybutadiene rubber and the cover is constituted of a resin composition composed of ionomer resin and diene rubber. A golf ball cover material composition composed of ionomer resin, diene rubber and non-staining antioxidant. A method of manufacturing a golf ball cover material composition constituted by mixing/kneading ionomer resin and diene rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Irii, Yoshihiro Inomata, Nobuo Suzuki, Kazuyuki Kabe, Michihiko Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6569947
    Abstract: A maleic anhydride modified ethylene polymer/ionomer/high density polyethylene blend having improved impact resistance (e.g., increased low temperature Izod impact) can be achieved by the addition of a maleic anhydride grafted high ethylene derived polymer (e.g., MAN-g-HDPE, MAN-g-VLDPE, MAN-g-EPR, MAN-g-EPDM, and the like) to ionomer and high density polyethylene during blending. The blends exhibiting improved impact resistance characteristics according to the instant invention are particularly useful in the manufacture of automotive parts, panels and the like having a “class A” surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Stewart Carl Feinberg
  • Patent number: 6525139
    Abstract: A golf ball having a core and a cover enclosing the core. The cover has one or more layers. At least one of the cover layers is composed mainly of a rubber-modified thermoplastic resin composition consisting essentially of a base resin in the form of an ionomer resin, a non-ionomer thermoplastic elastomer or a mixture thereof and a crosslinked functional rubbery copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sport Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rinya Takesue, Yasushi Ichikawa, Shunichi Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 6509416
    Abstract: A polyolefin blend including a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt that is a reaction product of a propylene-containing polymer and a first organic monomer including a hydrophilic moiety that is at least partially neutralized with a metal ion, and an ethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt that is a reaction product of an ethylene-containing polymer and a second organic monomer including a hydrophilic moiety that is at least partially neutralized with a metal ion. Optionally, the blend includes a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin, and optionally one or more diene(s); a thermoplastic elastomer, such as an olefinic copolymer with styrene; a copolymer of ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and/or a monomer with a hydrophilic moiety. Also included are methods of preparing such blends, as well as the resultant articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Solvay Engineered Polymers
    Inventors: Ruidong Ding, Satchit Srinivasan, Edmund K. Lau
  • Patent number: 6494792
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6492464
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a scuff-resistant, soft cover formed from more than 90 wt. % of one or more acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins. The acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins preferably are terpolymers. The golf ball has good durability and a high spin rate. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6465573
    Abstract: A solid golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer, and a cover is improved in rebound, distance and feel when the intermediate layer is comprised of a thermoplastic resin in admixture with rubber powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Maruko, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yutaka Masutani
  • Publication number: 20020137849
    Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that cis-1,4-polybutadiene that is synthesized utilizing organometallic catalyst systems has superior characteristics for utilization in solid golf ball cores if the polymerization is terminated utilizing a fatty alcohol of the structural formula ROH, wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 2 to about 30 carbon atoms. This invention more specifically relates to a golf ball which is comprised of a solid core and a resin cover, wherein the solid core is comprised of cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber which is made by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of an organometallic catalyst system wherein the polymerization is short-stopped with a fatty alcohol of the structural formula ROH, wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 2 to about 30 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Lester Kerns, Kenneth Floyd Castner, Michael Joseph Rachita
  • Patent number: 6448340
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least a cover layer and a core layer, wherein at least one layer is formed from a blend comprising about 97 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of at least one high acid ionomer resin, about 3 wt. % to less than 15 wt. % of at least one very low muodulus ionomer (VLMI) resin, and optionally less than about 70 wt. % of at least one standard ionomer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6433094
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dennis Nesbitt, Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6403721
    Abstract: A polyolefin blend is presented that includes a base component of a propylene-containing-polymer, such as polypropylene, a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt, and an ethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt. Optionally, the blend includes a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin; a terpolymer of ethylene, alpha-olefin, and a diene; a thermoplastic elastomer, such as an olefinic copolymer with styrene; and/or a copolymer of ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and a monomer with a hydrophilic moiety. Methods of preparing such blends, as well as resultant articles including such blends, are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Solvay Engineered Polymers
    Inventors: Ruidong Ding, Satchit Srinivasan, Edmund K. Lau
  • Patent number: 6391966
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and a to a process for forming a golf ball having least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/metallocene catalyzed polymer blend, having from about 1 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 99 to 1 parts of at least one metallocene catalyzed polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/metallocene catalyzed polymer blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Murali Rajagopalan
  • Publication number: 20020016222
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: SPALDING SPORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20010020069
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball cover stock based on a heated mixture of (a) an ionomer resin, (b) polyethylene, and (c) an epoxy group-modified polyolefin or (d) a low molecular weight polyethylene wax. Component (c) or (d) improves the dispersion of polyethylene in the ionomer resin so that a larger amount of polyethylene may be blended in micro-dispersion form. A golf ball having a cover made of the cover stock is durable and wear resistant and offers a good feel when hit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Rinya Takesue, Yasushi Ichikawa, Shunichi Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 6271316
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting molded golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The golf ball of the present invention has an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, R. Dennis Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 6267693
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6268437
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball cover stock based on a heated mixture of (a) an ionomer resin, (b) polyethylene, and (c) an epoxy group-modified polyolefin or (d) a low molecular weight polyethylene wax. Component (c) or (d) improves the dispersion of polyethylene in the ionomer resin so that a larger amount of polyethylene may be blended in micro-dispersion form. A golf ball having a cover made of the cover stock is durable and wear resistant and offers a good feel when hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rinya Takesue, Yasushi Ichikawa, Shunichi Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 6228940
    Abstract: A game ball comprising an ionomeric cover which includes a combination of ionomeric crosslinks and radiation induced covalent crosslinks. The game ball cover may include non-ionomeric materials. The game ball cover is superior in at least one of cut resistance and scuff resistance to a conventional cover that does not have the covalent crosslinks but is otherwise substantially identical in composition. The game ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, R. Dennis Nesbitt, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 6225411
    Abstract: A polymer blend having a high melt strength and a low Young's modulus after irradiation of the polymers contains (1) a propylene homopolymer or copolymer having an isotactic index of greater than 90 and (2) a propylene homopolymer or copolymer having a crystallinity of <24% made using a metallocene catalyst. The blend can be used for extrusion coating (including fabric coating), foam extrusion, blow molding, and thermoforming applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Montell Technology Company BV
    Inventors: Vu A. Dang, Dinshong Dong
  • Patent number: 6207760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball having at least one layer formed from at least one soft magnesium ionomer having a flexural modulus of no more than 4,000 psi, where the layer has a hardness of no more than 90 Shore C, and is substantially free of any ionomers neutralized by a metal ion other than magnesium. The layer may also contain at least one hard magnesium ionomer. The hard magnesium ionomer is typically a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic or methacrylic acid, having an acid content of from about 10 to about 30 percent by weight, wherein from about 30 to about 70 percent of the acid groups are neutralized with magnesium cations, and has a flexural modulus of at least about 50,000 psi and a Shore D hardness of at least about 60. The preferred soft magnesium ionomer is a copolymer of ethylene, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and n-butylacrylate or iso-butylacrylate, having an acid content of from about 7 to about 15 percent by weight, and no more than about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Murali Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 6207761
    Abstract: A thermoplastic ionomer blend or alloy exhibiting advantageous properties upon molding or extrusion and/or thermoforming, consisting essentially of the following components: A. about 15 to 85 parts by weight of a thermoplastic copolymer containing about 91 to 80 weight percent of alpha-olefin units and about 9 to 20 weight percent of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid units said carboxylic acid units being about 20 to 90 percent neutralized with metal ions, preferably zinc, B. about 10 to 80 parts by weight of a rubber, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of (a) crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers and equivalent polyolefin copolymers such as ethylene-butene, hexene, or octene, (b) acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, (c) styrene-butadiene copolymers, and (d) styrene acrylonitrile graft-crosslinked butadiene rubbers, and C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: A. Schulman, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis C. Smith, Anita Shah, Alain C. Adam, Roy H. Kinsey, Brian D. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 6207759
    Abstract: A scale has marks or a point-symmetrical shape which are arranged in matrix. The scale and an article to be measured in dimension are positioned without any relative movement. An image sensor unit detects a predetermined portion of the article and the marks of the scale corresponding to the predetermined portion of the article selectively and successively, and the image sensor unit generates output signals in accordance with the detected results of the article and the scale. The output signals are processed to calculate the dimension of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Iwase, Sumio Fujita, Eisaku Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 6204333
    Abstract: In a solid golf ball having a solid core, a cover inner layer and a cover outer layer, the inner layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin containing 60-100% by weight of an ionomer resin neutralized with a monovalent metal salt, and the outer layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin containing 60-100% by weight of an ionomer resin neutralized with a divalent metal salt. The difference in Shore D hardness between the inner and outer layers is within 5 Shore units. While maintaining superior flight performance and durability, the inventive ball presents a more pleasant feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higuchi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasushi Ichikawa, Junji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6166142
    Abstract: Polyethylene-based adhesive compositions which contain as little as 5 weight percent, and up to 35 weight percent of an acid-grafted metallocene polyethylene have superior peel strength to comparable compositions containing an acid grafted non-metallocene and EVA or EMA polyethylene. Compositions where the acid-grafted metallocene polyethylene component is based on a metallocene polyethylene having a melt-flow ratio of less than 6.53 and an Mw/Mn of greater than the melt flow ratio less 4.63 are as good adhesive compositions as those based on metallocene resins falling outside these parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David Dawei Zhang, I-Hwa Lee, Stephen Robert Tanny
  • Patent number: 6132610
    Abstract: An endotoxin adsorption system of the present invention comprises a combination of a cation exchange resin having sodium as a counter ion and a cation exchange resin having sodium and one or more metal ions other than sodium as a counter ion, and adsorbs an endotoxin without decreasing of the concentration of cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiyasu Hirai, Eiji Ogino, Takashi Asahi, Nobutaka Tani
  • Patent number: 6130296
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having good shot feel, good controllability, high rebound characteristics and good flight performance. The golf ball of the present invention is composed of a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover contains an ionomer, prepared by neutralizing a terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic acid and an acrylic ester with magnesium ion, in an amount of 5 to 100% by weight based on the total resin amount of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yabuki, Kuniyasu Horiuchi
  • Patent number: RE37597
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of at lest one olefinic ionomer and a terpolymer, said terpolymer comprising a first monomeric component comprising an olefinic monomer having from about 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, a second monomeric component selected from unsaturated acrylate class ester having from about 2 to about 18 carbon atoms; and, a third monomeric component comprising at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, anhydride monomers and monomers having a structure according to the following formula wherein R1 is hydrogen or a linear chain or branched chain alkyl group of from about 1 to about 18 carbon atoms and R2 is selected from the group consisting of linear chain or branched chain alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic and substituted aryl groups containing an epoxy, i.e., glycidyl moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Robert Joseph Statz