Abstract: The present invention is directed to new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resins and to golf ball cover compositions containing these new resins. When the new high acid ionomer resins are 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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game ball and method for making the same. The game ball has an ionomeric cover which includes a combination of ionomeric crosslinks and covalent crosslinks. The game ball cover is superior in at least one of cut resistance and scuff resistance to a conventional cover that does not have covalent crosslinks but is otherwise substantially identical in composition. Crosslinks within the composition are achieved by irradiation. The game ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.

Abstract: A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of initiating the formation and propagation of an anionically-polymerized living polymer, and terminating the propagation of the living polymer by reacting the polymer with a terminating agent selected from the group of agents defined by the formulas (III), (IV), and (V) where C is a carbon atom, S is a sulfur atom, X is a halogen atom, R2 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen and carbon-based moieties, and where the phenyl groups are selected from unsubstituted and substituted phenyl groups.

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.

Abstract: Aqueous laminating construction adhesive compositions incorporating a one-part adhesive copolymer, the copolymer being a vinyl ester/acrylic copolymer containing from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight based on copolymer weight, of a copolymerized polar monomer, the copolymer having a Tg from about 10° C. to about −35 C. are provided which exhibit a good balance of high temperature and ambient temperature adhesion performance in a one-part adhesive composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a dual, or multilayer core component that is relatively soft and a hard cover that results in the golf ball exhibiting a reduced spin rate. The dual, or multilayer core component includes a center component and a core layer, each of which is independently formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or a blend thereof. The dual core component is relatively soft, having a Riehle compression of at least 75. The cover is preferably formed from a high acid ionomer or a certain type of alpha-olefin such that the cover has a Shore D hardness of at least 65. The cover may be a single layer cover or a multilayer cover. The golf ball of the present invention may have 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.

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.

Abstract: Antifouling resins and methods for the production of an antifouling resin comprising reacting (i) a base resin (A) simultaneously comprising a carboxyl group and a group having a polyalkylene glycol structure represented by the formula (I) &Parenopenst;CmH2mO&Parenclosest;n R1  (I) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a straight chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl group or an aralkyl group, m is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and n is an integer of not less than 1 and not more than 100 in the molecular unit, with (ii) the oxide or hydroxide of a metallic atom having a valence of not less than 2 in the presence of present water in an amount of 1-30 wt. %, based on the weight of said base resin (A).

Abstract: This invention is directed towards golf balls comprising at least a cover and a core, and optionally one or more intermediate layers, wherein the cover and/or the intermediate layer(s) are formed from a high crystalline copolymer or its ionomer derivatives and blends thereof, wherein the high crystalline copolymer is formed from an ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymer comprising about 5 to about 35 percent by weight acrylic or methacrylic acid, wherein the copolymer is polymerized at a temperature of about 130° C. to 200° C. at pressures of at least 20,000 psi to about 50,000 psi, wherein up to about 70 percent of the acid groups are neutralized with a metal ion.

Abstract: A hydrogel polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer component including acrylic acid (salt) is post-neutralized so that each of polymer particles derived from a polymer produced by neutralizing the hydrogel polymer has an allowable neutralization ratio. The polymer as obtained by neutralizing the hydrogel polymer is reacted with a crosslinking agent reactive to a functional group of the polymer.