JP2011031020A - Colored golf ball - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a colored golf ball endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, fashionability, and luxury, and an excellent weatherability. <P>SOLUTION: The golf ball includes 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 among the outermost cover layer and the paint layer comprises a colored layer containing a base polymer, a pigment, and a lubricant. The ball has a color tone, at a measurement bore diameter of ϕ5 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. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a color golf ball having a fluorescent color. More specifically, the present invention has an excellent appearance in terms of spin performance, durability, visibility, fashionability and luxury, and weather resistance. The present invention relates to an excellent color golf ball.

  Recently, not only white golf balls but also various colored balls are on the market depending on the preference of golf players. In particular, as golf balls for women, color golf balls excellent in fashion and color golf balls with a high-class feeling have been developed.

  On the other hand, in order to create a golf ball that can be satisfied by advanced players with the multi-functionalization of golf balls in recent years, it is a precondition that the core should be at least three-pieces composed of a core, an intermediate layer, and a cover. It is becoming. In a multi-piece solid golf ball of three or more pieces, the feeling given by the golf ball varies depending on the thickness and color of each layer. In addition to the ball performance, from the psychological point of golf play, the use of a favorite color ball has a positive impact on the psychological aspect, and the color golf ball for advanced users considering the aspect that performance increases, In particular, color golf balls having a cover layer made of a polyurethane-based material as the outermost layer have not been available on the market.

  Conventionally proposed color golf balls include the following prior arts.

  JP-A-10-155937 discloses a golf ball colored in a color other than white, and when the color tone of the golf ball is displayed in the Lab system, the L value is 80 or more, the a value is −30 to +30, The cover in which the b value is in the range of -30 to +30 is colored blue, green, pink, yellow, and orange. However, this golf ball was a golf ball with improved fashionability compared to the conventional color ball, but within the color range, it was a pale color and lacked luxury and vividness. There was room for improvement to improve fashionability.

  In JP-A-2000-024139, one or more fluorescent pigments of 3.0 to 7.0 parts by mass and titanium oxide of 0.05 to 0.5 parts by mass are blended with respect to 100 parts by mass of the cover resin. A golf ball having one or more clear paint layers on a cover has been proposed. However, since the blending amount of the fluorescent pigment is slightly larger, and by further combining with 0.05 to 0.5 parts by mass of titanium oxide, the color tone tends to be tight, and the glitter is somewhat lacking, Although it was excellent in visibility, it was slightly inferior in luxury.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-254250 discloses a golf ball having at least one colored layer, and the colored layer contains a white organic pigment and / or a white inorganic pigment, a fluorescent pigment, an inorganic pigment and / or an organic pigment. A golf ball containing, vivid and visible has been proposed. However, this golf ball has a light color tone and lacks luxury and vividness.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-126299 proposes a golf ball that exhibits a bright yellow color and is excellent in weather resistance that is unlikely to cause fading or discoloration even under severe use environments. . This golf ball was bright and excellent in weather resistance, and exhibited a deep yellow color, but had a color lacking in a high-class feeling.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-081350 discloses a coated golf ball in which a paint is coated on the surface of a golf ball main body, the paint containing a polarizing material, and the paint It contains a colorant other than white, the surface of the golf ball body is colored in a color other than white, and the lightness L ^* value based on the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system is 50 or less. . However, this golf ball has disadvantages that the brightness is not sufficient and the fashionability and visibility are somewhat inferior.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-033594 discloses a golf ball that is colored in any one of blue, pink, and yellow, and that has excellent visibility with little visual discomfort, and has an L value, an a value, and a b value. It is described that the value satisfies a predetermined relational expression. This golf ball is excellent in visibility without causing visual discomfort, but there is room for improvement in terms of glitter and luxury.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-144097 describes a golf ball which is formed from a cover raw material in which a fluorescent dye is added to a transparent cover resin composition and has improved visibility. This golf ball can exhibit a relatively clear color tone, but when a fluorescent dye is used, it tends to cause a color tone change such as fading due to the influence of time and weather, and there is still room for improvement.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-155937 JP 2000-024139 A JP 2000-254250 A JP 2003-126299 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-081350 JP 2004-033594 A JP 2007-144097 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a color golf ball that has excellent spin performance and durability, has an appearance that is excellent in visibility, fashionability, and luxury, and also has excellent weather resistance. Is.

  As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventors have applied the surface of the core, one or more layers covering the core, and preferably the outermost layer of the cover formed of polyurethane. In the method for measuring a reflecting object according to JIS Z 8722, wherein the outermost layer of the cover and at least one of the paint layers are composed of a colored layer containing a base polymer, a pigment, and a lubricant. Knowledge that the color tone of the ball itself with a measuring hole diameter of φ5mm that satisfies the specified range in the Lab color system is superior in spin performance, durability, and weather resistance, as well as visibility, fashionability and luxury. Thus, the present invention has been completed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following color golf balls.
[1] In a golf ball having a core, one or more covers covering the core, and a paint layer applied to the surface of the outermost layer of the cover, at least one of the outermost layer of the cover and the paint layer The layer is composed of a colored layer containing a base polymer, a pigment and a lubricant, and the color tone of the ball itself at a measurement hole diameter of φ5 mm in the method of measuring a reflecting object in accordance with JIS Z 8722 is 30 ≦ L in the Lab color system. -40 ≦ a ≦ 60 and −20 ≦ b ≦ 60.
[2] The golf ball of [1], wherein the pigment is a fluorescent pigment.
[3] The golf ball according to [1], wherein the pigment is an organic fluorescent pigment.
[4] The golf ball according to [3], wherein 0.05 to 2.5 parts by mass of an organic fluorescent pigment is blended with 100 parts by mass of the base polymer of the colored layer.
[5] The golf ball according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the outermost layer of the cover is formed of a colored layer, and the base polymer is thermoplastic polyurethane.
[6] As the lubricant, a fatty acid amide is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pigment, and the carbon number selected from the group consisting of montanic acid ester, montanic acid partially saponified ester, and montanic acid metal salt. 34. The golf ball according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein a fatty acid composition having 34 is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the pigment.
[7] As the above-mentioned lubricant, a fatty acid amide is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pigment, and the number of carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of montanic acid ester, montanic acid partially saponified ester and montanic acid metal salt is 24 to A powdery pigment-containing composition is prepared in advance by blending 50 parts by weight or less of the fatty acid-based composition having 34 with respect to 100 parts by weight of the pigment, and then the pigment-containing composition is added to 100 parts by weight of the base polymer of the colored layer. The golf ball according to any one of [1] to [5], which is blended in an amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by mass per part.
[8] The golf ball according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein a color difference ΔE between the color tone of the ball itself at the measurement hole diameter φ5 mm and the color tone of the ball itself at the measurement hole diameter φ30 mm is greater than 10.

  The golf ball of the present invention is excellent in spin performance and durability, has an appearance that is excellent in visibility, fashionability and luxury, and is also excellent in weather resistance and coating film adhesion. In particular, polyurethane material is applied to the outermost cover layer, it has excellent spin performance and durability required by advanced users, and unlike the usual white colored appearance, it has excellent fashion and luxury It is excellent in visibility and can fully differentiate other golf players.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a golf ball showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
The ball structure of the present invention has a core, one or more layers covering the core, and a paint layer applied to the outermost surface of the cover. A large number of dimples are formed. For example, the ball cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 shows a three-piece golf ball G in which the core 1 is covered with a cover, and the cover is formed in two layers of the intermediate layer 2 and the outermost layer 3. A large number of dimples D are formed on the surface of the outermost layer 3. In addition, it can also be set as a multi-piece solid golf ball more than four pieces by making a cover into three or more layers. The core 1 may be a single layer or two or more layers. A paint layer 4 is formed on the outermost layer 3 of the cover so as to cover the ball surface.

  The core used in the present invention is based on a known rubber material such as 1,4-cis polybutadiene, and includes a co-crosslinking agent such as unsaturated carboxylic acid and its metal salt, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, etc. It can be obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition blended with an organic filler such as dicumyl peroxide and 1,1-bis (t-butylperoxy) cyclohexane. In the present invention, the core diameter is not particularly limited. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the color tone of a core.

  Next, as a material for the cover used in the present invention, various thermoplastic resins such as ionomer resin and polyurethane, or a resin material of thermoplastic elastomer can be formed as a main material.

  As described above, the cover can be formed of one layer or two or more layers, and the thickness of each layer of the cover is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 mm or more, more preferably 0.4 mm or more, and still more preferably. Is 0.5 mm or more, and the upper limit is preferably 2.5 mm or less, more preferably 2.0 mm or less, and still more preferably 1.5 mm or less. Moreover, when a cover is two layers, ie, when an outermost layer and an intermediate | middle layer are included, it is preferable that those total thickness is 0.8-3.0 mm.

  When the cover has two layers, various adhesives (primers) can be applied between the intermediate layer and the outermost layer as necessary in order to improve adhesion.

  The outermost layer of the cover layer is preferably formed using a polyurethane-based material as a main material. Specifically, various urethane resins such as thermosetting polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane and reaction injection molded polyurethane can be used. In particular, high productivity and high degree of freedom in coloring, various inorganic / organic fillers. It is preferable to use thermoplastic polyurethane from the viewpoint of a high degree of freedom in blending / alloying a blend / alloy material with a polymer material other than urethane and urethane materials. In this case, an aromatic polyisocyanate component as a constituent component of the thermoplastic polyurethane can be suitably employed from the viewpoint of the balance between the stability during production and the expressed physical properties. Thus, by using a polyurethane-based material for the outermost layer, it is possible to provide a golf ball that is excellent in fashionability and luxury while realizing the spin performance and durability performance required by advanced players.

  The outermost base polymer itself is preferably transparent or translucent for the purpose of improving fashionability. In the present invention, various pigments and lubricants are further added to the resin base to form a colored layer. Can be mixed. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the compounding quantity of a pigment, It is preferable to set it as 0.01-10 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of base polymers, More preferably, it is 0.02-5 mass parts, More preferably, it is 0. 0.05 to 2.5 parts by mass. If the blending amount is too small, there is a possibility that a desired color tone having color developability cannot be expressed. On the other hand, if the amount is too large, the color developability is increased and the visibility is excellent, but the color tone is too clear and lacks a high-class feeling, which may result in a color tone that is unacceptable to the player.

  Here, there are no particular restrictions on the types of various pigments blended in the cover, but xanthene (red / pink), acridine (yellow), quinoline (yellow), thiazole (yellow) It is preferable to use an organic fluorescent pigment obtained by coloring an amino resin-based or acrylic resin-based substrate polymer with a dye selected from the group of aminoketone (yellow).

  Although it does not restrict | limit especially as said pigment, It is preferable to employ | adopt a fluorescent pigment and it is especially suitable to employ | adopt an organic fluorescent pigment. The organic fluorescent pigment is obtained by fixing a fluorescent dye to a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, and pulverizing and pulverizing the lump. The organic resin to be fixed is not particularly limited, but amino resin, polyester resin, and acrylic resin are preferably used. Organic fluorescent pigments receive visible light and ultraviolet energy and emit visible light fluorescence. Unlike inorganic phosphors, however, they have high fluorescence intensity and show a strong color due to the synergistic effect of their own reflection color and fluorescence. Suitable for outdoor sports equipment used under the sun, such as golf balls.

  On the other hand, the lubricant is not particularly limited, and has 24 to 34 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of fatty acid amide (A), montanic acid ester, montanic acid partially saponified ester, and montanic acid metal salt. The fatty acid composition (B) can be preferably used, and it is particularly preferable to use two types (A) and (B) in combination.

  The blending amount of the fatty acid amide is preferably 0 to 50 parts by mass, more preferably 5 to 25 parts by mass, and still more preferably 7 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pigment. Further, the blending amount of at least one fatty acid composition selected from the group consisting of a montanic acid ester having 24 to 34 carbon atoms, a montanic acid partially saponified ester, and a metal salt of montanic acid is preferably 0 to 50 mass. Parts, more preferably 5 to 25 parts by mass, still more preferably 7 to 20 parts by mass. A fatty acid amide, a montanic acid ester having 24 to 34 carbon atoms, a montanic acid partially saponified ester, and a metal salt of montanic acid serve to separate the aggregated pigment particles and uniformly disperse them in the base polymer. When a pigment is blended with a thermosetting polymer or reaction injection molded polymer that uses a liquid or viscous liquid composition as a raw material, the importance of the lubricant may be reduced. However, when the thermoplastic polymer is colored with a pigment, it is very effective to add the above-mentioned lubricant component in addition to the pigment particles, which gives the color tone effect and luxury feeling of the color golf ball of the present invention. Above is an important technical tool. In this case, if the blending amount of the lubricant component with respect to the pigment is too small, the separation / dispersibility of the pigment molecules (aggregates) is inferior, and as a result, the coloring power and color developability are lowered, which is not preferable. Conversely, if the amount of the lubricant component to the pigment is too large, the possibility of bleeding of the lubricant component increases. In particular, in golf balls, marking or painting is generally performed on the outermost layer cover, and in this case, the durability of the marking or painting is adversely affected.

  Further, when using thermoplastic polyurethane as the thermoplastic polymer, it is preferable to use the above specific fatty acid composition as a lubricant from the viewpoint of improving the dispersibility of pigments and compatibility with strongly polar resins such as polyurethane. It is. In addition, by using the pigment component and the lubricant component in a premixed state, the lubricant component having a low melting point and a low melt viscosity can easily wet the pigment particles (aggregates). The effect of separating and dispersing (aggregates) can be enhanced.

  If there is a lubricant component, the dispersion of pigment particles progresses, and the physical properties of the paint such as gloss and color develop, but the weather resistance may decrease if the aggregated particles become finer due to overdispersion. It is important to select an appropriate lubricant type and to apply it in an appropriate amount.

  Among the powdered organic fluorescent pigment-containing compounds, aluminum hydroxide is used for the purpose of further improving the visibility by scattering and diffusing light as long as it does not exceed the prescribed composition ratio and amount. Inorganic fillers such as calcium carbonate and titanium oxide can be blended, but are not limited thereto. In addition, it is impossible to blend various additives such as lubricant components other than the above, anti-aging agents, weathering agents and the like.

  As a method for forming the colored layer, for example, a method of blending a base material polymer with a pigment and a lubricant in a fine powder state to finish a colored resin can be employed. Further, in order to improve dispersibility and workability, a coloring material obtained by pre-blending a pigment and a lubricant system component in advance may be used, and an appropriate amount thereof may be blended in the resin material. Specifically, as a lubricant, a fatty acid amide is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pigment, and the number of carbon atoms selected from the group of montanic acid ester, montanic acid partially saponified ester, and montanic acid metal salt is 24. A powdery pigment-containing composition is prepared in advance by blending 50 parts by weight or less of the fatty acid composition having ~ 34 with respect to 100 parts by weight of the pigment, and then the pigment-containing composition is added to the base polymer 100 of the colored layer. 0.05-5 mass parts can be mix | blended with respect to a mass part.

  A large number of dimples are formed on the surface of the outermost layer of the cover. The dimple has a large number of irregularities on the surface of the outermost layer, and affects the appearance of the ball by its diameter, number and depth. Therefore, it is preferable to configure the dimples within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. The number of dimples is not particularly limited, but is preferably 250 or more and 330 or less, and the surface occupation ratio (SR) of the dimples formed on the ball surface is not particularly limited, but preferably 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more, and the upper limit is preferably 98% or less, more preferably 95% or less. For example, if the number of dimples is too large, the effect of visibility of the color ball may be reduced when the ball is exposed to light. In other words, the bottom of the dimple may be shaded depending on the angle at which the ball is viewed, and the ball may appear dark. On the other hand, if the number of dimples is too small, the aerodynamic characteristics cannot be obtained satisfactorily when the ball is hit, and the desired flight distance may not be obtained.

  About the manufacturing method of the sphere which has the said cover, the rubber composition which mainly has polybutadiene etc. is vulcanized on well-known vulcanization conditions, a rubber cross-linked molding (core) is manufactured, and then injection molding etc. publicly known By the method, one or more golf balls can be manufactured by sequentially forming a cover (outermost layer / intermediate layer) around the core. Normally, since many dimples are formed on the surface of the ball, the dimples are formed by the convex portions formed on the inner wall surface of the mold cavity simultaneously with the injection molding of the cover material which is the outermost layer. Become.

  The surface of the cover outermost layer is coated with a paint layer (reference numeral 4) as shown in FIG. The thickness of the paint layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 μm or more, more preferably 10 μm or more, and preferably 20 μm or less, preferably 16 μm or less. If the paint layer is too thin, the durability of the paint may be impaired. On the other hand, if the paint layer is too thick, the influence on the dimple shape becomes large, flight characteristics as designed cannot be obtained, and the flight distance may not be obtained. On the other hand, if the paint layer is too thick, the paint is liable to peel off, and as a result, durability due to repeated impacts may be reduced.

  When the paint layer is formed by clear coating (coating with a transparent paint), it is preferable to use a two-component curable urethane paint for the clear coating. The two-component curable urethane coating is composed of a polyol component having a hydroxyl group and a polyisocyanate component having an isocyanate group.

  As the polyol, urethane, polyester, acrylic resin and the like are mainly used, but other resins such as epoxy resin can be used as necessary. On the other hand, the polyisocyanate is modified with one or more of TDI, MDI, HDI, IPDI, NDI, PDI, XDI, and HXDI. Generally, adducts, burettes, and isocyanurates are used. Can take the form of

  As the coating method, a publicly known method can be used. For example, the entire ball can be coated with various paints by spraying with the ball placed on the needle tip of the needle base. Prior to painting, for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the object to be painted and the paint layer, it is not limited to these methods, but surface modification by plasma treatment or corona discharge treatment may be performed, primer etc. May be applied.

  Various pigments can be contained in the paint layer in the present invention. For example, when a fluorescent pigment is used for the paint layer, the same kind of fluorescent pigment as the fluorescent pigment used for the outermost cover layer described above can be used. When blending a fluorescent pigment in the paint layer, the blending amount may be 1 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 10 to 80 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the solid content of the coating film. preferable. If the amount of the fluorescent pigment is small, the coating hiding power is inferior and the desired color developability cannot be obtained. Moreover, when there are too many compounding quantities, coating-film physical properties, such as durability, are inferior, and are not preferable. When a paint layer colored with a fluorescent pigment is applied, primer coating or sealer coating may be applied before the colored paint layer is applied, if necessary.

  Further, as another aspect of the paint layer, although not particularly illustrated, a coloring material containing a fluorescent pigment is coated on the outermost layer surface of the cover having dimples by spraying or the like, and further, a normal clear coating is applied thereon. A colored paint layer can be formed by applying such coating. In other words, the paint layer can be composed of two layers of a very thin colored layer and a clear coating layer.

  In general, the paint is obtained by appropriately adding various solvents and additives to the above-described base resin, and the paint may further contain a polarizing pigment. When a polarizing pigment is used, 0.05 to 0.5 parts by weight of the fluorescent brightening agent and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of the polarizing pigment, preferably 0.2 to 100 parts by weight of the base polymer. It is desirable to use in the range of 8 parts by mass. When the blending amount of the polarizing pigment is too small, the glittering property cannot be expressed on the ball surface. On the other hand, if the amount is too large, the light may interfere with each other and the brightness may be impaired, and the spin performance as a ball may change or the paint may peel off. In addition, polarizing pigments are generally expensive, so adding more than the appropriate amount causes unnecessary cost increases, and polarizing pigments are likely to precipitate in the paint material before solidification, causing deterioration in productivity in the paint application process. It is easy to become. It is preferable to use the fluorescent whitening agent / polarizing pigment in a mass ratio of 0.08 to 0.5. In order to bring out the brightness and brightness of the ball, it is important to adjust the ratio between the fluorescent brightener and the polarizing pigment. When the addition amount of the fluorescent brightener and the polarizing pigment is not appropriate, there is a possibility that the appropriate brightness of the ball is lost, and as a result, the effect of the present invention may not be obtained.

  Moreover, a pearl pigment may be suitably used as the polarizing pigment. Pearl pigments can be broadly classified into metal oxide-coated mica, basic lead carbonate, bismuth oxychloride, and natural fish phosphorus foil, but they are non-toxic and have the highest chemical stability. It is preferred to select a coated mica. In general, titanium dioxide and iron oxide are often used as the metal oxide, and various colors and interference effects can be obtained by changing the coverage (the thickness of the coating layer). The greater the particle size of these pigments, the better the glitter. However, since the larger the particle size of the pigment, the easier it is to settle, it is desired to select a pigment having an appropriate particle size.

  In a golf ball having a paint layer formed of a paint containing a pearl pigment as described above, light can be reflected at various angles. Further, since the sunlight is sufficiently reflected, the golf ball can be found more easily.

  In the present invention, as for the color tone of the ball, the color tone of the ball itself at a measurement hole diameter of 5 mm in the reflective object measurement method according to JIS Z 8722 (2000) is 30 ≦ L, −40 ≦ a in the Lab color system. ≦ 60, −20 ≦ b ≦ 60. This color tone test can be evaluated using a measurement hole diameter of 30 mm for the purpose of collecting data over a wider area. As for the difference between the measurement hole diameter φ5 mm and φ30 mm, the more the color tone difference between φ5 mm and φ30 mm, the more excellent the glitter and the easier to see the golf ball. In particular, the object of the present invention is a golf ball having a small diameter, and in order to give an unprecedented luxury feeling and visibility that can be expressed from the color tone of the small ball, not only a measurement hole diameter of φ30 mm but also a small hole diameter of φ5 mm Therefore, it is necessary to measure the color tone and to evaluate the ball color tone comprehensively. Specifically, it is preferable that the color difference ΔE between the color tone of the ball itself at the measurement hole diameter φ5 mm and the color tone of the ball itself at the measurement hole diameter φ30 mm is greater than 10.

  When the fluorescent pigment blended in the outermost layer of the cover and / or the paint layer is an orange fluorescent pigment, the color tone of the golf ball is 40 ≦ L, −10 ≦ a ≦ 60, 0 in the Lab color system. It is preferable that ≦ b ≦ 50. When a pink fluorescent pigment is blended as the fluorescent pigment, the color tone of the golf ball is preferably 30 ≦ L, 10 ≦ a ≦ 60, −20 ≦ b ≦ 10. Further, when a yellow fluorescent pigment is used as the fluorescent pigment, it is preferable that the color tone of the golf ball is 40 ≦ L, −40 ≦ a ≦ 0, and 10 ≦ b ≦ 60 in the Lab color system. .

  In the present invention, as one of the specific embodiments for effectively exhibiting the predetermined effect of the present invention, a core or an intermediate sphere covering one or more cover layers on the core is colored white, Alternatively, a white colored sphere is coated with a transparent resin layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, and the color tone of the core or intermediate sphere in the measurement hole diameter φ5 mm is 40 ≦ L, −5 ≦ a ≦ 5, −5 ≦ b ≦ 5, and a ball structure that covers the outermost layer cover having a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 mm on the intermediate sphere can be exemplified. In addition, the core or the intermediate sphere covering the core with one or more cover layers is colored in the same color as the outer layer colored with the fluorescent pigment, or colored in the same color as the outer layer. A spherical resin is coated with a transparent resin layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, and the color difference ΔE between the color tone of the core or intermediate sphere at a measurement hole diameter of φ5 mm and the color tone of the outer layer is the Lab color system. The intermediate sphere can be covered with an outermost layer cover having a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 mm.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the color difference ΔE of the ball when irradiated with a mercury lamp for 24 hours is 8 or less. This color difference ΔE is the color difference before irradiation to the ball and after irradiation for 24 hours, and the smaller the value, the less the color change. The measurement of the color difference ΔE of the ball can be performed using a known color difference meter based on the standard of JIS Z 8701 (1999).

  In addition, since easy discoloration by ultraviolet rays is not preferable for the golf ball surface, as a measure of yellowing resistance, when the golf ball surface is irradiated with a mercury lamp for 24 hours, the golf ball surface after irradiation and golf before irradiation with the mercury lamp are used. It is recommended that the color change difference (ΔYI) based on the JIS K 7103 reflection method with the ball surface is −10 or more and 10 or less.

  With regard to the color of the ball, it is possible to distinguish between a distance type and a spin type for men and women, or in terms of ball performance, depending on the color preference and image of the consumer. In general, it is an effective means to provide a golf ball colored in terms of ease of product selection for a user among a group of golf balls having many white systems.

  The golf ball of the present invention can be in compliance with golf regulations for competition purposes, and can be formed with a diameter of 42.67 mm or more and a weight of 45.93 g or less.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example and a comparative example are shown and this invention is demonstrated concretely, this invention is not restrict | limited to the following Example.

[Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 to 4]
For each of the examples and comparative examples, rubber compositions shown in Table 1 below were prepared, kneaded with a kneader or a roll, and then a core was created under predetermined vulcanization conditions. Next, the resin mixed material shown in Table 2 is injected around the core using an injection mold to create a sphere in which the core is covered with an intermediate layer, and this is set in another mold. As shown, an outer layer cover material containing a predetermined amount of fluorescent pigment was injection molded. After the plasma treatment is applied to the cover surface, a non-yellowing urethane / acrylic resin-based paint is applied by a spray coating method and dried to cover a clear paint layer having a thickness of about 15 μm, or a non-yellowing urethane / A mixture of an acrylic resin paint resin and a predetermined amount of pearl pigment was applied by the same method as described above, and a pearl paint layer having the same thickness was coated.

The materials used for the core formulation are as follows.
・ Polybutadiene: Product name “BR 730” JSR cis-1,4-polybutadiene ・ Zinc acrylate: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. Zinc acrylate and zinc stearate mixture ・ Zinc oxide: Three types of oxidation manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Zinc and barium sulfate: Trade name “Precipitated barium sulfate # 100” manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
-Anti-aging agent: Product name "NOCRACK NS-6" manufactured by Ouchi Shinsei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
・ Zinc stearate: Product name “Zinc stearate G” manufactured by NOF Corporation
・ Pentachlorothiophenol zinc salt: ZHEJIANG CHO & FU CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (China)
・ Peroxide: Nippon Oil & Fats Company Peroxide Perhexa C-40
・ Coloring material (1): RESINO RED K-50% LB manufactured by Resino Color Industry Co., Ltd.
Colorant (2): RESINO GREEN GBA-50% LB made by Resino Color Industries

The materials used for the intermediate layer formulation are as follows.
・ Product name "Himiran 1605": Sodium neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer
(Mitsui / DuPont Polychemical)
・ Product name "Himiran 1706": Zinc neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer
(Mitsui / DuPont Polychemical)
-Trade name "Himiran 1557": Zinc neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer
(Mitsui / DuPont Polychemical)
-Trade name "Surlin 6320": Magnesium neutralized-ethylene-methacrylic acid-acrylic acid ester copolymer (manufactured by DuPont)
・ Product name “Nucleel 035C”: ethylene-methacrylic acid-acrylic ester copolymer (Mitsui / DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd.)
・ Titanium oxide: Product name "Taipeke R550" (Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.)
・ Magnesium stearate: Trade name “Magnesium stearate G” (manufactured by NOF Corporation)
・ Magnesium oxide: Magnesium oxide manufactured by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

The materials used for the outermost layer formulation are as follows.
・ Product name "Pandex T8290": DIC Bayer Polymer Co., Ltd., M
DI-PTMG type thermoplastic polyurethane material, resin hardness Shore A "93", rebound elastic modulus 52%
・ Product name "Pandex T8283": DIC Bayer Polymer Co., Ltd., M
DI-PTMG type thermoplastic polyurethane material, resin hardness Shore A “83”, rebound resilience 55%
・ Polyisocyanate compound: 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate ・ Thermoplastic elastomer: Product name “Hytrel 4001” manufactured by Toray DuPont Co., Ltd., Polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer ・ Product name “Himiran 1557”: Zinc neutralized ethylene -Methacrylic acid copolymer (Mitsui, manufactured by DuPont Polychemicals)
・ Product name "Himiran 1855": Zinc-neutralized-ethylene-methacrylic acid-acrylic acid ester copolymer (Mitsui / DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd.)
・ Polyethylene wax: Trade name “Sun Wax 161P” (manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries)
・ Titanium oxide: Product name "Taipeke R550" (Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.)
・ Magnesium stearate: Trade name “Magnesium stearate G” (manufactured by NOF Corporation)
・ Magnesium oxide: Magnesium oxide manufactured by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. ・ Fatty acid amide: Product name “Kao Wax EB” (ethylene bis stearic acid amide)
・ Montannic acid partially saponified ester: Trade name “Ricowax OP” manufactured by Clariant Japan Co., Ltd. (mixed wax of esterified product of montanic acid and butylene glycol, and saponified product of montanic acid and calcium hydroxide) )

  The physical properties, initial speed, approach spin performance, scuff resistance, visibility, luxury and glitter of the golf balls prepared as described above were evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 4.

The amount of deformation (mm) from when the initial load of 98N (10 kgf) was applied to the deflection of the ball to when the final load of 1275N (130 kgf) was applied was measured.

Initial speed initial speed was measured using an initial speed measuring device of the same type as the USGA drum rotation type initial speed meter approved by R & A. The balls were conditioned at a temperature of 23 ± 1 ° C. for more than 3 hours and tested in a room at room temperature 23 ± 2 ° C. The ball was hit at a hitting speed of 143.8 ft / s (43.83 m / s) using a 250 pound (113.4 kg) head (striking mass). One dozen balls were hit four times, and the time required to pass between 6.28 ft (1.91 m) was measured, and the initial speed was calculated. This cycle was performed in about 15 minutes.

The spin amount when hitting at a head speed (HS) of 20 m / s by setting a Sand Wedge (SW) club of “Tour Stage X-Wedge” (Loft angle 58 °) made by Bridgestone Sports to the approach spin golf striking robot (Rpm) was measured.

Scratch resistance of the balls The balls were kept at 23 ° C., 13 ° C., and 0 ° C., and a swing robot machine was used. The club used a pitching wedge to hit each ball at a head speed of 33 m / s. Was visually evaluated according to the following criteria.
5 points: There are no scratches or scars are hardly noticeable.
4 points: Slightly scratched but hardly noticeable.
3 points: The surface is slightly fuzzy.
2 points: The surface is fuzzy or dimples are missing.
1 point: The dimple has been completely scraped off.

Ball color tone The color tone of the ball is measured using a color difference meter (model SC-P, manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd.) and measured according to JIS Z 8722 reflective object (diffuse light illumination, 8 ° light receiving optical system: Condition c). Then, measurement was performed with d / 8 (measured without including the specular reflection component of the sample: with an optical trap).

Ball discoloration test Using a mercury lamp “H400-F” for color fading test manufactured by Toshiba Corporation, the test was performed under the conditions of a distance between the light source and the ball of 30 cm and a drum rotation speed of 1 rpm. The ball surface was irradiated with a mercury lamp for 24 hours. The change in the color of the ball surface before and after the irradiation was measured using a color difference meter (model SC-P) manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd., and the balls before and after irradiation based on the Lab color specification of JIS Z 8701 The color difference ΔE was determined. Note that the smaller the color difference ΔE, the less the color change. Moreover, the discoloration property ((DELTA) YI) with respect to yellowing before and behind irradiation was investigated with the same testing machine. The larger the value, the greater the yellowing.

Sensory evaluation was performed according to the following criteria by 10 high visibility golf players.
A: Eight or more out of 10 felt that it was easy to see on the grass.
○: 5 to 10 out of 10 felt that it was easy to see on the grass.
Δ: 3 to 4 out of 10 felt “easy to see on the grass”.
X: 2 or less of 10 people felt that it was easy to see on the grass.

Sensory evaluation was conducted according to the following criteria by 10 high- class golf players.
A: Eight or more out of 10 felt “high-quality”.
○: 5 to 7 out of 10 felt “high quality”.
Δ: 3 to 4 out of 10 felt “high-quality”.
X: 2 or less out of 10 people felt that there was “luxury”.

Sensory evaluation was carried out according to the following criteria by 10 glittering advanced golf players.
A: More than 8 out of 10 people felt “brilliant colors”.
○: 5 to 7 out of 10 felt “brilliant colors”.
Δ: 3 to 4 out of 10 felt “brilliant color”.
X: 2 or less out of 10 people felt “brilliant color tone”.

A total of 15 coated golf balls (of which 5 are the golf balls of each example and the remaining 10 are dummy balls) on a magnetic ball mill with a coating film durability internal volume of 4 liters and an abrasive. [(Showa Denko Co., Ltd., Shorel Nugget SN (size 5S)) 1.5 liters and 1.5 liters of water were added, mixed for 2 hours, visually evaluated for adhesion of the coating film, and evaluated according to the following criteria did.
○: After the test was completed, no peeling of the coating film was confirmed.
(Triangle | delta): Peeling was confirmed by the coating film of 1-3 balls among 5 pieces.
X: Peeling was confirmed in the coating film of 4 or more balls out of 5.

The golf ball of Comparative Example 1 has a gray-colored core coated with a transparent intermediate layer and a colored outer layer on the core, so that the gray-colored hue of the base is visible, high-quality, As a result, the brightness was impaired. Moreover, peeling occurred in the coating film of the ball, and the coating film adhesion was poor.
Since the golf ball of Comparative Example 2 uses a fluorescent dye as a colorant for the outer layer (cover), the result is poor discoloration resistance (weather resistance). Further, in addition to poor discoloration resistance, the outermost paint layer is a clear coating, so it is somewhat lacking in luxury.
In the golf ball of Comparative Example 3, since the outermost layer is a concealed white coloration with titanium oxide, there is no color difference in the measurement hole diameter of φ5 mm and φ30 mm in the measurement method based on JIS Z8722. Because the paint layer is a clear paint, there is no glitter and luxury, and visibility is inferior.
In the golf ball of Comparative Example 4, the outermost layer cover is an ionomer-based material, and therefore, compared with the urethane-based material described in this example, the approach spin amount is inferior and the scratch resistance is also inferior, so that the advanced player is satisfied. The golf ball physical properties are not satisfied. Furthermore, since the outermost paint layer is a clear coating, it lacks a sense of quality. Moreover, peeling occurred in the coating film of the ball, and the coating film adhesion was poor.

G Golf ball 1 Core 2 Mid layer 3 Cover 4 Paint layer D Dimple

Claims (8)

  In a golf ball having a core, one or more layers covering the core, and a paint layer applied to the surface of the outermost layer of the cover, at least one of the outermost layer of the cover and the paint layer includes: It consists of a colored layer containing a base polymer, a pigment, and a lubricant, and the color tone of the ball itself at a measurement hole diameter of φ5 mm in the method for measuring a reflective object according to JIS Z 8722 is 30 ≦ L, −40 ≦ a ≦ 60, −20 ≦ b ≦ 60.   The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the pigment is a fluorescent pigment.   The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the pigment is an organic fluorescent pigment.   The golf ball according to claim 3, wherein 0.05 to 2.5 parts by mass of an organic fluorescent pigment is blended with 100 parts by mass of the base polymer of the colored layer.   5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the outermost layer of the cover is a colored layer, and the base polymer is thermoplastic polyurethane.   As the lubricant, the fatty acid amide is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the pigment, and has 24 to 34 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of montanic acid ester, montanic acid partially saponified ester, and montanic acid metal salt. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the fatty acid composition is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the pigment.   As the lubricant, the fatty acid amide is blended in an amount of 50 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the pigment, and has 24 to 34 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of montanic acid ester, montanic acid partially saponified ester, and montanic acid metal salt. A powdery pigment-containing composition is prepared in advance by blending 50 parts by weight or less of the fatty acid composition with respect to 100 parts by weight of the pigment, and then the pigment-containing composition is added to 100 parts by weight of the base polymer of the colored layer. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein 0.05 to 5 parts by mass is blended.   The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein a color difference ΔE between the color tone of the ball itself at the measurement hole diameter of φ5 mm and the color tone of the ball itself at a measurement hole diameter of φ30 mm is greater than 10. 9.

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