JP2015521082A - Reusable golf balls - Google Patents

Abstract

A reusable golf ball is disclosed. The disclosed golf ball structure and / or materials used to make the golf ball may enhance the ability to reuse the golf ball. As a result, the disclosed golf balls can reduce the costs associated with the acquisition and / or processing of waste and new materials. Golf balls can be made of materials that facilitate separation of the materials in a used golf ball for reuse. Golf balls can be made of materials having different densities. Golf balls can be made of materials having different melting points. Golf balls can be made of materials mixed with magnetic additives.

Description

  The present invention generally relates to golf balls made of reusable materials.

  Golf is a sport that is gaining popularity on both amateur and professional levels. Various techniques related to the manufacture and design of golf balls are known in the art. With such a technique, golf balls having various play characteristics were obtained. For example, some golf balls have better flight performance than other golf balls. Some golf balls have a good feel when hit with a golf club. While materials have advanced to improve golf ball performance, materials are not always easy to reuse. To help reduce costs and reduce environmental damage, it would be advantageous to make golf balls made of reusable materials.

  In general, the present disclosure relates to reusable golf balls. The disclosed golf ball structure and / or materials used to make the golf ball may enhance the ability to reuse the golf ball. As a result, the disclosed golf balls can reduce the costs associated with the acquisition and / or processing of waste and new materials.

  In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a golf ball that can have a first layer having a first melting point and a second layer enclosing the first layer. The second layer may have a second melting point that differs by at least 50 ° C. from the first melting point. The golf ball can include a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The third layer may have a third melting point that differs from the first melting point and the second melting point by at least 10 ° C. The golf ball can include a fourth layer disposed between the second layer and the third layer. The fourth layer may have a first melting point, a second melting point, and a fourth melting point that is at least 10 ° C. different from the third melting point. The first layer can be a core layer and the second layer can be a cover layer. The golf ball may include a third layer that is a core layer made of a thermosetting resin. The golf ball can include a first intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first intermediate layer can have a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 1 mm. The first intermediate layer may have a third melting point that is 10 ° C. different from the first melting point and the second melting point.

  In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a golf ball that can have a first layer and a second layer surrounding the first layer. The golf ball can have a first intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first intermediate layer may have a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 1 mm, and the first intermediate layer comprises an epoxy adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a urethane adhesive, an ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive, And at least one of rubber adhesive. The first intermediate layer may have a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 0.6 mm. The golf ball may have a third layer surrounding the second layer, and a second intermediate layer disposed between the second layer and the third layer.

  In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a golf ball that can have a first layer and a second layer enclosing the first layer. One of the first layer and the second layer may include a magnetic additive. A third layer may be disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The third layer can include a magnetic additive. One of the first layer and the second layer may include at least about 2% to about 20% by volume less magnetic additive than the third layer. One of the first layer and the second layer may comprise at least about 5% to about 15% by volume magnetic additive, and the third layer is about 7% to about 35% by volume. % Magnetic additive. The type of magnetic additive added to one of the first layer and the second layer can be a ferrite magnetic powder. The first layer can be a thermosetting resin containing a magnetic additive. The first layer can be a thermoplastic resin containing a magnetic additive. The second layer can be a thermoplastic resin containing a magnetic additive.

  Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will be or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages included within this description and this summary are within the scope of the invention and are protected by the following claims.

  The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

1 is a golf ball according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a golf ball according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a golf ball according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is an outside view of the golf ball shown in FIG. 3.

  In general, the present disclosure relates to reusable golf balls. In this disclosure, the terms “used golf ball” and “new golf ball” are used to distinguish between a golf ball to be recycled and a golf ball made from recycled material. Thus, “used golf ball” means a golf ball to be reused. The term “used golf ball” may include golf balls that are actually used for playing golf and golf balls that are not actually used. A “new golf ball” refers to a golf ball made from a material that is recycled from a “used golf ball”.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a golf ball 100. Golf ball 100 may include an inner core layer 110, an outer core layer 120, a mantle (inner cover) layer 130, and an outer cover layer 140. Although the exemplary embodiment of the golf ball 100 is described and shown as having four layers, other embodiments may include any number of layers. For example, in certain embodiments, the golf ball 100 can be a one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, or five-piece ball. In certain embodiments, golf ball 100 may include six or more layers. The number of layers can be selected based on various factors. For example, the number of layers may be selected based on the type of material used to make the golf ball and / or the size of the golf ball.

  The type of material used to make the golf ball layer can be selected based on various factors. For example, the type of material used to make the layer of the golf ball can be selected based on the properties of the material and / or the process used to form the layer. Exemplary materials are described below with respect to the individual layers of the exemplary embodiment. In certain embodiments, one or more layers can be made from different materials. In certain embodiments, one or more layers can be made from the same material.

  In certain embodiments, the material used to make the golf ball layer may be selected to assist in the reuse of the golf ball. In such embodiments, the material can be selected to assist in the separation and identification of the material prior to material reuse. In this way, the materials may be stored separately prior to use and / or an appropriate percentage of the material can be measured for reuse. For example, in an embodiment where a used golf ball is made of material A and material B, the used golf ball is ground into particles so that the material can be reused to make a new golf ball. Can be done. By grinding used golf balls, particles of material A and material B to be mixed are obtained. If only material A, not material B, is used in a new golf ball layer, it may be useful to be able to separate material A from material B. Similarly, it may be useful to be able to distinguish between material A and material B when material A and material B are used in a new golf ball layer in certain proportions. Material separation and identification can be useful in recycling golf balls made of several types of materials and during any type of recycling process. For example, material separation and identification can be useful in reusing golf balls made of four different types of materials.

In certain embodiments, the density and / or specific gravity of the material used to make the golf ball 100 can be used to separate the materials during reuse. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance compared to the density of fresh water at 4 ° C. (39 ° F.). At this temperature, the density of water is its maximum, 1 g / cm ³ . Since specific gravity is a ratio, specific gravity is dimensionless. An object floats on water if its density is less than that of water, and sinks if its density is higher than that of water. Accordingly, an object having a specific gravity of less than 1 floats in the water, and an object having a specific gravity of more than 1 sinks in the water. The same principle can be applied to other types of liquids. For example, if the ratio of the density of an object to the density of the liquid is less than 1, the object floats on that particular liquid. In some cases, depending on the density of the object, the object may be suspended at a certain level in the liquid. The ratio of the density of an object to the density of the liquid can represent the level at which the object is suspended in that particular liquid. These principles can be used to separate materials with different densities. For example, in one embodiment, golf ball 100 made from materials having different densities. For reuse, the golf ball 100 can be crushed into particles. The particles can then be added to a liquid having a specific known density. Liquids and / or materials can be selected based on their density. In other words, the material and / or liquid can be selected based on the level at which the particles float in the liquid. In this way, the particles can be separated based on the level at which the particles float in the liquid. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the liquid may be changed to change the density of the liquid, thereby changing the level at which the particles float. Similarly, the type of liquid can be changed to change the density of the liquid. For example, in certain embodiments, salt can be added to the water to change the density of the water.

In embodiments where golf ball 100 is made from materials having different densities, inner core layer 110, outer core layer 120, mantle layer 130, and outer cover layer 140 are each a single type of material or a plurality of materials. Can be made from a composition comprising For example, the inner core layer 110 is made of E.I. I. It can be made from HPF 2000 from DuPont de Nemours and Company. HPF 2000 has a density of 0.96 g / cm ³ . The outer core layer 120 is manufactured by Taiwan Synthetic Rubber Corp. It can be made from TAIPOL ™ BR0150, a trademark for rubber made of rubber. The density of the outer core layer 120 can be from about 1.05 g / cm ³ to about 1.35 g / cm ³ . Mantle layer 130 is made by Dongsung Highchem Co. LTD. It can be made from Neothane 6303D, a trademark for the thermoplastic polyurethane manufactured by The cover layer 140 can be made from PTMEG. “PTMEG” is a polytetramethylene ether glycol commercially available from Invista under the trademark Terathane® 2000. The density of the mantle layer 130 or outer cover layer 140 can range from about 1.1 g / cm ³ to about 1.35 g / cm ³ . When the golf ball 100 of this embodiment is crushed into particles and the particles are placed in water having a temperature of 4 ° C. (39 ° F.), the material of each layer floating in the water at different levels is obtained. The particles can be removed from the water on a level-by-level basis to keep similar particles together. For example, HPF 2000 particles can float on water because they can have the lowest density. These particles can be removed first to show the next level of particles that may include particles having the second lowest density. The particles with the second lowest density can then be removed to show the next level of particles. In this way, particles are divided into multiple levels and can be removed for each level in order to keep similar particles together.

  In certain embodiments, the melting point of the material used to make the golf ball 100 can be used to separate the material during reuse. In this way, the materials of the golf ball 100 can be melted one by one. In such an embodiment, the golf ball 100 can be made from materials having different melting points so that more material can begin to melt as the temperature of the golf ball 100 is increased. In this way, the layers can be melted one by one and the molten material can be separated from the solid material. The material can be selected based on the melting temperature of the material. The melting temperature can be used to control which material melts. The material used to make the golf ball may include any suitable material commonly known to be used for golf balls. In certain embodiments, the material can include a thermoplastic resin. For example, the material can include a high melting thermoplastic such as polyetheramide and / or polyetherester. In some embodiments, the material may be PEBAX (polyetheramide from Elf-Atochem), HYTREL (polyetherester from DuPont), ESTANE (either ether urethane or ester urethane from Lubrizol, Inc.). Urethane), or Commau et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/2009, entitled “Gall Ball with Heat Resistant Layer”, published Nov. 12, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Any other material disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,028,928 can be mentioned. In some embodiments, the material includes E.I. I. Resins such as SURLYN manufactured by DuPont de Nemours and Company are listed. In certain embodiments, both materials include E.I. I. Examples include highly neutralized acid polymers such as HPF 1000 or AD 1035 from DuPont de Nemours and Company.

  In certain embodiments, each of the different materials used to make the golf ball may have a melting temperature that differs by at least 10 ° C. from the melting temperature of the other material. For example, in one embodiment, the first material of the golf ball includes E.I. I. HPF 2000 manufactured by Dupont de Nemours and Company. HPF 2000 has a melting temperature of about 73 ° C. Examples of the second material of the golf ball include E.I. I. SURLYN 8528 manufactured by DuPont de Nemours and Company. SURLYN 8528 has a melting temperature of about 93 ° C. In such embodiments, when the temperature of the golf ball is raised to 75 ° C., the first material can melt and the second material can remain solid.

  In some embodiments, the golf ball 100 may be crushed into particles prior to melting the material. In such embodiments, the material can be selected based on the melting temperature of the material. For example, the outer cover layer 140 can have a maximum melting temperature. The mantle layer 130 can have a minimum melting temperature. The outer core layer 120 can have a second maximum melting temperature. Inner core layer 110 may have a second minimum melting temperature. As mentioned above, the melting point of the material can be sufficiently different for the melting of the material to occur at different temperatures. Thus, the particles of the golf ball 100 can be heated to a specific temperature to control which material melts. For example, the particles can be heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the lowest melting point of the material and lower than the second lowest melting point of the material. By this heating, the particles of the material having the lowest melting point can be melted without melting the particles of other materials. The molten material can be crushed and removed from the solid particles.

  In certain embodiments, the temperature of the particles can be gradually increased to melt different types of materials. For example, after melting the particles having the lowest melting point, the particles can be heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the second lowest melting point of the material and lower than the second highest melting point of the material. In certain embodiments, not all material can be melted. For example, only one or two materials can be melted and strained from solid particles. The solid particles may then be separated in another manner and / or ready for another type of processing. For example, solid particles remaining after melting can be separated by their density, as described above. Any of the techniques used to separate materials can be combined with each other. Particle materials that are not intended to be melted may include materials that simply have a melting point higher than the melting point of the material that is intended to be melted. Alternatively, the particulate material that is not intended to be melted can be a material that does not cause melting, such as a thermosetting resin. The material intended to be melted can comprise a thermoplastic resin.

  In certain embodiments, the materials used to make the layers of golf ball 100 can be selected such that the melting points of the layers correspond to the order in which the layers are melted. For example, in certain embodiments, the melting temperature of the layer can gradually increase from the outer cover layer 140 toward the inner core layer 110. In this manner, the golf ball 100 can be melted without being pulverized first. The outer cover layer 140 can have a minimum melting temperature. The mantle layer 130 can have a second minimum melting temperature. The outer core layer 120 can have a second maximum melting temperature. Inner core layer 110 may have a maximum melting temperature. This embodiment can be reused by melting each layer from the outside to the inside. For example, the temperature of the golf ball 100 can be raised to a temperature that is the same as or higher than the melting point of the outer cover layer 140 and lower than the melting point of the other layers of the golf ball 100. This temperature can melt the outer cover layer 140 without melting the other layers of the golf ball 100. Just as the outer cover layer 140 is melted and removed from the lower layer, the mantle layer 130 and the outer core layer 120 can be melted and removed from the lower layer. With all of the layers surrounding the inner core layer 110 being melted and collected separately, the inner core layer 110 can be melted and collected.

  In some embodiments, not all layers can be melted. In such embodiments, the melting point of layers that are not intended to be melted may be high enough to prevent such layers from melting during processing. For example, the inner core layer 110 can have a higher melting point than all of the other layers. After all of the other layers are melted and removed from the inner core layer 110, the inner core layer 110 may be left intact or may be prepared for another type of processing. For example, the inner core layer 110 can be ground to prepare the material of the inner core layer 110 to be mixed with particles of other materials. In certain embodiments, a layer that is not intended to be melted can be made of a thermosetting resin or other type of material that will not cause melting. Thus, the materials of these layers can be separated from each other by another method. For example, these layers can be ground from other layers. In another example, these layers can be ground and separated by their density, as described above. In another example, the outer cover layer 140 may be the only layer that is removed by melting. In such an example, the material of the other layers may have a melting point that is higher than the melting point of the outer cover layer 110 so that the other layers do not melt when the outer cover layer 110 is melted. However, since the other layers cannot be melted, the melting points of the other layers may be the same or different from each other.

  In certain embodiments, the material used to make the layers of golf ball 100 may be selected based on the magnetic susceptibility of the material. For example, in certain embodiments, the material used to make the first layer of golf ball 100 may be magnetically sensitive and used to make the second layer. The material may not be magnetically sensitive. Magnetic additives can be mixed with the material to make the material magnetically sensitive. For example, the layers of the golf ball 100 can be made of a thermoplastic resin and / or a thermosetting resin containing a magnetic additive. The magnetic additive can include any suitable magnetic additive. For example, in certain embodiments, the magnetic additive includes a ferrite magnetic powder such as barium ferrite powder, strontium ferrite powder, and / or AlNiCo powder. In certain embodiments, magnetic additives include iron oxides such as hematite and magnetite. In certain embodiments, the golf ball material may include from about 5% to about 80% by volume of a magnetic additive.

  In certain embodiments, upon reuse, the golf ball 100 can be crushed into particles and separated by applying a magnetic field to the particles. Materials that include different amounts of magnetic additives can have different levels of attraction to the magnetic field. For example, a material containing 5% by volume magnetic additive may have a lower attractive force to the magnetic field than a material containing 10% by volume magnetic additive. Based on this principle, a weak magnetic field can be used to separate material particles with the highest amount of magnetic additive from other material particles. In certain embodiments, each layer may have a different amount of magnetic additive. For example, the outer cover layer 140 can include about 5% to about 15% by volume of a magnetic additive. The mantle layer 130 may include about 20% to about 35% by volume magnetic additive. The outer core layer 120 may include about 40% to about 55% by volume magnetic additive. Inner core layer 110 may include 0% magnetic additive.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a golf ball 200. Golf ball 200 may include an inner core layer 210, an outer core layer 220, a mantle layer 238, and an outer cover layer 240. Although the exemplary embodiment of the golf ball 200 has been described and shown as having three layers, other embodiments may include any number of layers. For example, in some embodiments, the golf ball 200 can be a one-piece, two-piece, four-piece, or five-piece ball. In certain embodiments, the golf ball 200 may include six or more layers. The number of layers can be selected based on various factors. For example, the number of layers may be selected based on the type of material used to make the golf ball and / or the size of the golf ball.

  Golf ball 200 may include an intermediate layer 216 between inner core layer 210 and outer core layer 220. Similarly, the golf ball 200 can include an intermediate layer 236 between the outer core layer 220 and the mantle layer 238. In certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and the intermediate layer 236 can be made of the same type of material. In certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and the intermediate layer 236 can be made of different types of materials. In certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can act as a primer and / or an adhesive. For example, in certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can include an epoxy adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a urethane adhesive, an ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive, and / or a rubber adhesive. The intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can be made of a material that helps to separate the inner core layer 210, the outer core layer 220, and the mantle layer 238. For example, in certain embodiments, intermediate layer 216 and / or intermediate layer 236 can be made of a material having a lower melting point than other layers. Such materials can be softened and / or melted to help separate the inner core layer 210, the outer core layer 220, and the cover layer 240 from each other.

  In certain embodiments, the golf ball 200 may be pulverized into particles. The particles can then be heated to a temperature that is the melting point of the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 to help separate the different materials. The material of the intermediate layer 216 and the intermediate layer 236 softens while releasing the particles of the mantle layer 238 from the particles of the outer core layer 220, and releasing the particles of the outer core layer 220 from the particles of the inner core layer 210, and / or Or melt. The molten material can be drowned from solid particles.

  In certain embodiments, the inner core layer 210 can have a diameter in the range of about 19 mm to about 32 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner core layer 210 can have a diameter in the range of about 20 mm to about 30 mm. In certain embodiments, the inner core layer 210 can have a diameter in the range of about 21 mm to about 28 mm. In certain embodiments, the outer core layer 220 can have a thickness in the range of about 5 mm to about 11 mm. For example, the outer core layer 220 can have a thickness of about 7 mm. In certain embodiments, the outer core layer 220 can have a thickness in the range of about 8 mm to about 15 mm. For example, in certain embodiments, the outer core layer 220 can have a thickness of about 11 mm.

  In certain embodiments, the outer cover layer 240 and / or the mantle layer 238 of the golf ball 200 can have a thickness in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. For example, the outer cover layer 240 and / or the mantle layer 238 can have a thickness of about 1 mm. In certain embodiments, the outer cover layer 240 and / or the mantle layer 238 can have a thickness in the range of about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm. For example, in certain embodiments, the outer cover layer 240 and / or the mantle layer 238 can have a thickness of about 1.2 mm.

  In certain embodiments, the mid layer 216 and / or the mid layer 236 may be substantially thinner than other layers of the golf ball 200. For example, in certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can be 1 mm or less. In certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can range from about 1 μm to about 0.70 mm. In certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can range from about 0.01 mm to about 0.4 mm.

  In certain embodiments, the golf ball 200 may have an intermediate layer between each layer. For example, in certain embodiments, golf ball 200 may include an intermediate layer between mantle layer 238 and outer cover layer 240. In certain embodiments, the golf ball 200 may have an intermediate layer between all but not all layers. For example, the golf ball 200 may include the mid layer 216 and not include the mid layer 236. In another example, a golf ball may include a mid layer 236 and no mid layer 216. The number of intermediate layers can be selected based on various factors. For example, the number of intermediate layers can be selected based on the process used to reuse the golf ball 200.

  In certain embodiments, the intermediate layer 216 and / or the intermediate layer 236 can be made of a material that is soluble in a particular solvent. Thus, in such an embodiment, the golf ball 200 can be crushed into particles. The particles can then be placed in a solvent to help separate the different materials. The material of the intermediate layer 216 and the intermediate layer 236 can be dissolved while releasing the particles of the mantle layer 238 from the particles of the outer core layer 220 and releasing the particles of the outer core layer 220 from the particles of the inner core layer 210. For example, in certain embodiments, dissolvable materials include thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, thermoplastic polyamide elastomers, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. In certain embodiments, solvents used to dissolve the dissolvable material include tetrahydrofuran, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl pyrrolidone, toluene, acetone, chloroform, and ethyl acetate.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary embodiment of a golf ball 300. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf ball 300, and FIG. 4 shows the outside of the golf ball 300. In certain embodiments, golf ball 300 may include a core layer 310 and a cover layer 340. In other embodiments, the golf ball 300 may include multiple core layers and / or multiple cover layers. For example, the golf ball 300 may include an inner core layer, an outer core layer, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer. In certain embodiments, an outer cover layer having dimples may be formed around the golf ball 300.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, golf ball 300 may be made by a sandwich molding process. During the sandwich molding process, concentric nozzles can be used to inject multiple layers of golf balls simultaneously. For example, the concentric nozzle may include an outer nozzle 342 that surrounds the inner nozzle 344. In embodiments that include additional layers, additional concentric nozzles may be used. FIG. 3 shows the golf ball 300 after the golf ball 300 is formed. Concentric nozzles are shown to illustrate how the material flows from the concentric nozzles to form a pattern that includes plumes 348 in the golf ball 300. A first material may be dispensed from the outer nozzle 342 and a second material may be dispensed from the inner nozzle 344. In certain embodiments, the first material may include a core material and the second material may include a cover material. In certain embodiments, the first material and the second material can include a thermosetting resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a co-injection of the first material and the second material may form a plume 348 of the second material. The first material can flow around the plume 348 and enter the center of the mold. The second material may continue to flow from the outer nozzle 342 and plume 348 to the mold wall to form the outer cover layer 340. The plume 348 may solidify as a distinct region of the second material surrounded by the first material. As shown in FIG. 3, the plume 348 may have a fan-shaped cross section. As shown in FIG. 4, the core layer 310 may be exposed through the cover layer 340 in the region 346. Region 346 may include a thinned region of cover layer 340 that is radially spaced from plume 348. Region 346 may be sufficiently thin so that cover layer 340 is visible from the outside of golf ball 300. In certain embodiments, the boundary between the cover layer 340 and the core layer 310 may be substantially more uneven or irregular in the first portion of the golf ball 300 near the plume 348. The boundary can be smoother and more uniform in the second portion of the golf ball 300 located opposite the plume 348.

  Golf ball 100, golf ball 200, and golf ball 300 may be made by any suitable process. For example, in certain embodiments, injection molding and / or compression molding can be used to make any of the golf ball layers. The method of making the golf ball can be selected based on various factors. For example, the method of making a golf ball can be selected based on the type of material used and / or the number of layers included.

  While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, and many further embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

A first layer having a first melting point;
And a second layer enclosing the first layer having a second melting point different from the first melting point by at least 50 ° C.   And further comprising a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer having a third melting point that is at least 10 ° C. different from the first melting point and the second melting point. Item 10. A golf ball according to Item 1.   A fourth layer disposed between the second layer and the third layer, having a first melting point, a second melting point, and a fourth melting point that differs from the third melting point by at least 10 ° C. The golf ball of claim 2, further comprising:   The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is a core layer and the second layer is a cover layer.   The golf ball according to claim 1, further comprising a third layer that is a core layer made of a thermosetting resin.   The first intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first intermediate layer has a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 1 mm. 1. The golf ball according to 1.   The golf ball according to claim 6, wherein the first intermediate layer has a third melting point that is 10 ° C. different from the first melting point and the second melting point. A first layer;
A second layer surrounding the first layer;
A golf ball comprising a first intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first intermediate layer has a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 1 mm. And the first intermediate layer is made of at least one of an epoxy adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a urethane adhesive, an ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive, and a rubber adhesive.   The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the first intermediate layer has a thickness in the range of about 1 μm to about 0.6 mm. A third layer surrounding the second layer;
The golf ball according to claim 8, further comprising a second intermediate layer disposed between the second layer and the third layer. A first layer;
A golf ball comprising a second layer surrounding the first layer,
A golf ball in which one of the first layer and the second layer includes a magnetic additive.   The golf ball according to claim 11, further comprising a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer includes a magnetic additive.   The golf ball of claim 12, wherein one of the first layer and the second layer includes at least about 2% to about 20% by volume less magnetic additive than the third layer.   One of the first layer and the second layer comprises about 5% to about 15% by volume magnetic additive, and the third layer is about 7% to about 35% by volume. The golf ball of claim 12, comprising a magnetic additive.   The golf ball according to claim 11, wherein the magnetic additive contained in one of the first layer and the second layer is a ferrite magnetic powder.   The golf ball according to claim 11, wherein the first layer is a thermosetting resin containing a magnetic additive.   The golf ball according to claim 11, wherein the first layer is a thermoplastic resin containing a magnetic additive.   The golf ball according to claim 11, wherein the second layer is a thermoplastic resin containing a magnetic additive. A first layer made of a first material;
A second layer made of a second material surrounding the first layer;
A plume made from the second material, comprising a plume surrounded by the first material.   The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the plume has a fan-shaped cross section.   The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the second layer has a thinned region spaced radially from the plume.   The boundary between the first layer and the second layer is substantially non-uniform in the first portion of the golf ball, and the boundary is substantially in the second portion of the golf ball The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the golf ball is uniform.

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