JP2023089939A - Golf balls having at least one radar-detectable mark - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide golf balls with improved quality of golf ball launch condition data collected by radar-tracking systems, and enhanced experience for end users of these radar-tracking systems.SOLUTION: Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar-detectable mark disposed on a surface thereof are provided. Each radar-detectable mark has a shape selected from a variety of suitable shapes, including regular shapes and irregular shapes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

This invention relates generally to golf balls that include a mark or marks for improved detection and tracking by radar systems.

There is an increasing interest in golf experiences that require systems for detecting golf ball launch conditions, such as golf simulators and golf equipment fittings. However, the radar tracking systems currently used for this purpose are limited in their ability to accurately acquire launch condition data such as ball spin characteristics.

There are also drawbacks to the use of radar reflective stickers commonly used in radar tracking systems. A radar reflective sticker is typically applied to the outer surface of the golf ball for the radar tracking system to obtain launch status data. However, the use of these stickers presents challenges, such as the precise placement of the sticker on the ball, the alignment of the sticker with respect to the golfer and tee, and the time and effort required to place the sticker on the ball. Due to the lack of durability of the sticker, the quality of the launch condition data is degraded and the sticker needs to be replaced.

Accordingly, there is a need for golf balls that provide one or more of the following advantages. improving the quality of golf ball launch condition data collected by radar tracking systems, and improving the end-user experience of these radar tracking systems.

The present invention is directed to a golf ball having at least one layer with a mark or marks disposed thereon.

In a specific embodiment, the mark has a continuous shape and is formed from a radar detectable material. In specific aspects of this embodiment, the golf ball further has one or more of the following features.
(a) the mark is non-circular;
(b) the radar detectable material is a conductive ink having a base resin and a conductive material, wherein the base resin is optionally a vinyl polymer, a urethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, an epoxy polymer, and two of these It is selected from the group consisting of the above combinations. Conductive materials are optionally selected from the group consisting of silver, conductive carbon, aluminum, graphene, nanotubes, nanometals, and combinations of two or more thereof.
(b) the resistivity of the mark is between 0.1 ohms and 2,500 ohms;
(c) the mark is sized such that all 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the surface of the golf ball layer on which the mark is located intersect the mark; and;
(d) The golf ball has an inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and one or more intermediate layers disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer. The surface on which the marks are located is the outer surface of the intermediate layer located adjacent to the outer cover layer.

In another specific embodiment, the mark is formed from a radar detectable material and is sized such that all great circle paths on the golf ball layer surface on which the mark is placed intersect the mark. have

In another specific embodiment, the mark is formed from radar detectable material and has a continuous shape with three or more intersecting stripes.

In another specific embodiment, at least one layer comprises a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed on its surface. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, the radar detectable mark has a resistivity between 0.1 ohms and 25 ohms. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, all 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the golf ball layer surface where the radar detectable marks are located intersect at least one of the marks. In another aspect of this embodiment, all great circle paths on the golf ball layer surface where the radar detectable marks are located intersect at least one of the marks. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of radar detectable marks includes a first mark and a second mark, the first mark having a continuous irregular shape and a second The mark has a basic shape selected from basic non-polygonal shapes, regular polygons and irregular polygons. Non-limiting examples of suitable basic non-polygonal shapes include circles, rings, and crescents. Non-limiting examples of suitable regular polygons include squares and equilateral triangles. Non-limiting examples of suitable irregular polygons include rectangles, equilateral triangles, and chevrons. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of radar detectable marks includes a first mark and a second mark, the first mark comprising a plurality of intersecting stripes in a continuous irregular pattern. a shape, and the second mark has a different irregular shape than the first mark. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of radar detectable marks includes a third mark, the third mark having either an irregular shape or a regular shape. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, if all of the radar detectable marks present in any layer of the ball are projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball, the radar detectable marks are between 1% and 20% of total surface coverage.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball has two or more layers, at least two of the two or more layers having one or more radar detectable markings disposed thereon. have. All radar detectable marks present in any layer of the ball, when projected radially onto the ball's outer surface, intersect at least one mark for every 0.025 inch wide great circle path on the golf ball outer surface.

In another specific example, a golf ball includes a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed in a single layer thereof. The plurality of radar detectable marks includes at least eleven equally spaced non-circular marks. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, the number of equally spaced non-circular marks is a prime number between 11 and 37.

In another specific example, a golf ball includes a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed between two or more layers thereof. The plurality of radar detectable marks includes at least eleven non-circular marks. The radar detectable marks are evenly spaced when all the radar detectable marks present in any layer of the ball are projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, the number of equally spaced non-circular marks is a prime number between 11 and 37.

In another specific embodiment, the total surface coverage of all radar detectable marks present is between 0.1% and 4.0%. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, the golf ball includes a layer having radar detectable marks disposed on its surface, the marks having a continuous non-circular shape and a surface coverage of 0.1% to 4.0%. have a rate. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the golf ball includes a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed between two or more surfaces thereof and a plurality of radar detectable marks on any layer of the ball. If all radar detectable marks present on the surface are projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball, the radar detectable marks have a generally continuous non-circular shape. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the golf ball includes one or more radar detectable marks disposed on a surface of at least one layer thereof, the total number of radar detectable marks present being There are two or more, and the total surface coverage of radar detectable marks is between 0.1% and 4.0%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, which form part of and should be read in conjunction with the specification, like reference numerals are used to denote like parts in the various figures.
FIG. 1 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a mark according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining the average width of irregular shapes according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining the average width of irregular shapes according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 13 shows top, front, side and rear views of a marking pattern according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a marking pattern according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 15 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a marking pattern according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 shows top, isometric, front, side and rear views of a marking pattern according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The golf balls of this invention include one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof. Particularly suitable radar detectable materials for forming the mark include, but are not limited to, conductive inks comprising base resins and conductive materials. The ink can be either water-based or solvent-based. The inks may be one-component or two-component inks. The inks can be cured with isocyanate-based curing agents, UV curing, and/or thermal curing. The ink and marks formed therefrom may be transparent or opaque. In specific embodiments, the base resin of the ink is selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, urethane polymers, acrylic polymers, epoxy polymers, and combinations of two or more thereof. In another specific embodiment, the conductive material of the ink is selected from the group consisting of silver, conductive carbon, aluminum, graphene, nanotubes, nanometals, and combinations of two or more thereof. Particularly suitable inks have a resistivity of 0.1 ohms or 0.5 ohms or 1 ohm or 5 ohms or 6 ohms or 7 ohms or 25 ohms or 2,500 ohms or a lower value selected from the above values and an ink capable of producing marks having a range of resistivities with an upper limit. Non-limiting examples of suitable commercially available inks include InkLab 303 silver conductive ink available from ITW TransTech; conductive carbon inks, aluminum inks, silver/carbon blend inks, and aluminum/carbon blend inks commercially available from . In embodiments of the invention where the golf ball includes multiple radar detectable marks in a single layer in a single radar detectable mark, the radar detectable material used to form one mark may be used to form another mark. may be the same or different than the radar detectable material used to form the . In embodiments of the invention in which the golf ball includes at least two layers having one or more radar detectable marks disposed thereon, the markings are formed on one layer. The radar detectable material may be the same or different than the radar detectable material used to form another mark.

A radar detectable material is applied to the surface of the layer using any suitable technique. In a specific embodiment, the marks are formed by applying a radar detectable material to the surface of the golf ball layer by pad printing. In specific aspects of this embodiment, the pad print mark has a thickness of at least 0.5 μm, or a thickness of 5 μm or less, or lower and upper limits selected from 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, and 5 μm. It has a film thickness within the range of

The surface on which the one or more radar detectable marks are placed may be any surface of any layer of a golf ball having any number of layers. Although this invention is not intended to be limited to placing one or more marks on the surface of any particular layer, the golf balls of this invention may include radar markings on surfaces other than the outer surface of the ball. Designed for arbitrary placement of detectable marks. This is because it would be beneficial for some golfers to be able to obtain reliable launch condition data using a golf ball that is similar in appearance to a conventional golf ball. Accordingly, in specific examples, one or more radar detectable marks are disposed on any surface of any layer of the golf ball other than the outermost surface.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball is a solid, one-piece golf ball with one or more radar detectable markings disposed on the outer surface of the ball.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball is a two-piece golf ball consisting of an inner core layer and an outer cover layer, with one or more radar detectable marks disposed therebelow.
a) the outer surface of the outer cover layer and/or b) the inner surface of the outer cover layer and/or c) the outer surface of the inner core layer.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball is a three-piece golf ball consisting of an inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and an intermediate layer disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer, wherein one or more radar detectable marks are located below.
a) the outer surface of the outer cover layer and/or b) the inner surface of the outer cover layer and/or c) the outer surface of the inner core layer and/or d) the outer surface of the intermediate layer and/or e) the inner surface of the intermediate layer surface.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball is a four-piece golf ball consisting of an inner core layer, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer, and an outer cover layer, and wherein one or more radar detection Possible marks are placed below.
a) the outer surface of the outer cover layer and/or b) the inner surface of the outer cover layer and/or c) the outer surface of the inner core layer and/or d) the outer surface of the first intermediate layer and/or e) the first intermediate the inner surface of the layer and/or f) the outer surface of the second intermediate layer and/or g) the inner surface of the second intermediate layer.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball is a five-piece golf ball comprising an inner core layer, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer, a third intermediate layer, any additional intermediate layers, and an outer cover layer. A golf ball as above, wherein one or more radar detectable marks are located at:
a) the outer surface of the outer cover layer and/or b) the inner surface of the outer cover layer and/or c) the outer surface of the inner core layer and/or d) the outer surface of the first intermediate layer and/or e) the first intermediate the inner surface of the layer and/or f) the outer surface of the second intermediate layer and/or g) the inner surface of the second intermediate layer and/or h) the outer surface of the third intermediate layer and/or i) the third The inner surface of the intermediate layer and/or j) the inner or outer surface of an optional additional intermediate layer.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the number of golf ball pieces/layers does not include optional coatings such as paint coatings, finish coatings, adhesive coatings, etc., even if the coating covers the entire surface of the golf ball layers. . Such coatings have thicknesses that are substantially less than the thickness of conventional golf ball layers, when applied to one-piece/single-layer golf balls, two-piece/two-layer golf balls, three-piece/three-layer golf balls, and the like. , is not generally considered a "golf ball layer" by those in the art. However, it may also be called an adhesive layer, a coating layer, a topcoat layer, or the like. For example, a two-piece golf ball consisting of an inner core layer and an outer cover layer may further include one or more coatings.

Also, for the purposes of this disclosure, the marks are considered to be placed on the surface of the layer regardless of whether a coating has previously been applied to the surface. In other words, if an adhesive coating is applied to the surface of a layer and then a mark is made on the adhesive coating, even if there is an adhesive coating in between. Similarly, if there is a coating between two layers of the ball, the layers are still considered adjacent to each other, even though the coating may be between them.

In a specific embodiment, the golf balls of this invention include an adhesive coating applied to the layer on which the at least one radar detectable mark is located before and/or after application of the mark to the layer. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, at least one mark is placed on the surface of the golf ball layer and an adhesive coating is applied over the layer and the mark. In another aspect of this embodiment, an adhesive coating is applied to the surface of the golf ball layer and at least one mark is disposed in a layer above the adhesive coating. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, a first adhesive coating is applied to the surface of the golf ball layer, at least one mark is disposed in a layer above the adhesive coating, and a second adhesive coating is applied to the surface of the golf ball layer. is applied to the layer over the mark.

Each radar detectable mark has a shape selected from a variety of suitable shapes, such as regular shapes and irregular shapes. Good examples of regular shapes are circles, rings, crescents, squares, triangles, rectangles (also referred to here as rectangular stripes), chevrons, and other regular, irregular, and basic irregular polygons. Including, but not limited to, polygons. Suitable examples of irregular shapes include, but are not limited to, chevrons (which consist of two intersecting stripes but are considered regular shapes), as well as a series of intersecting stripes, where a series of The length and width of each stripe in the intersecting stripes of is different or the same as the other stripes in the series. For purposes of this disclosure, stripes have substantially the same length and/or width if their respective lengths and/or widths differ by no more than 10%. For the purposes of this disclosure, a "stripe" is defined as a rectangular stripe (i.e., where each of the four borderlines defining the stripe is straight and adjacent sides meet at right angles), or a non-rectangular stripe. A stripe (ie, where at least one of the four borderlines defining the stripe is not straight or adjacent sides meet at an angle other than a right angle, or both). Since radar detectable marks reside on the surface of a spherical golf ball layer, a "straight line" boundary for a mark having, for example, the shape of a rectangular stripe would be formed by drawing a straight line on the sphere. It should be understood, therefore, exists in the golf ball layers as arcs in a purely mathematical sense. Further, for the purposes of this disclosure, if stripes on a single layer meet at one or more locations on the layer, they are considered to intersect, which is whether one or more of the stripes continues beyond the point of intersection. It doesn't matter. Similarly, for the purposes of this disclosure, stripes disposed between two or more layers meet at one or more locations on the outer surface of the ball when the stripes are projected onto the outer surface of the ball. If so, it is considered to intersect, regardless of whether one or more stripes continue beyond the point of intersection.

In a specific example, the golf ball includes at least one radar detectable mark having an irregular shape formed by a series of intersecting rectangular stripes. In specific aspects of this embodiment, the irregularly shaped mark further has one or more of the following properties.
(a) the series of intersecting stripes consists of three rectangular stripes, or the series of intersecting stripes consists of four rectangular stripes, or the series of intersecting stripes consists of at least five rectangular stripes; It is configured.
(b) the series of intersecting stripes includes a first stripe and a second stripe, the first and second stripes being substantially equal in length;
(i) the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe is an angle of 60° or 85° or 95° or 120° or a lower limit selected from these values and separated by an angle within a range having an upper bound,
(ii) the widths of the first and second stripes are substantially equal, and (iii) the lengths of the first and second stripes are 1.8, 2.6, or 3.0 inches, or is of length within a range with lower and upper bounds chosen from these values, and
(iv) the series of intersecting stripes further comprises a third stripe and a fourth stripe, wherein the plane bisecting the third stripe and the plane bisecting the fourth stripe are at 60° or 85° or 95° or 120°, or an angle within a range having lower and upper limits selected from these values.
(c) each stripe in the series of intersecting stripes is 0.20 inches or less in width, or 0.03 inches or more in width, or 0.03 inches to 0.20 inches in width; The width of all stripes within is approximately the same.
(d) the series of intersecting stripes includes a first stripe, a second stripe and a third stripe, each of the first and second stripes having a length of 1.8 or 2.6 or 3.0 inches, or a range of lower and upper limits selected from these values, with the third stripe having a length of 0.12 inches to 0.50 inches. and,
(e) the series of intersecting stripes includes a first stripe, a second stripe, a third stripe and a fourth stripe, the fourth stripe being shorter than the first and second stripes; It has a longer length than the third stripe.

In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the golf ball includes at least one additional radar detectable mark, each of the additional radar detectable marks having an irregular shape and a basic regular shape. has a shape independently selected from Suitable examples of basic regular shapes include circles, rings, crescents, squares, triangles, rectangles, chevrons, and other regular, irregular and basic non-polygons. However, it is not limited to these. In yet another aspect of this specific embodiment, at least one shape of the additional radar detectable mark optionally has a length between 0.15 inch and 0.75 inch and optionally a series of intersections. A rectangular stripe having a width substantially the same as the average width of the irregularly shaped radar detectable mark formed by the rectangular stripes formed by the rectangular stripes. For purposes of this disclosure, the average width of an irregularly shaped mark defined by a series of intersecting rectangular stripes is determined as follows. Average width is the average width of all parts of the mark. To the extent the shape deviates from its typical shape, the "width" of the portion is determined for an appropriate aspect ratio, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in FIG. 12A, the mark width is wide at the middle 50% of the mark, so the half mark width is W1, and the mark half width is W2, so the average width is calculated as (W1+W2)/2. be done. However, in FIG. 12B the marks have a design such that different dimensions are used to measure the width, and since both distinct parts of the mark have a width of W1, the average width is also W1.

In another specific embodiment, the golf ball includes at least 11 radar detectable marks. In specific aspects of this embodiment, each of the at least eleven radar detectable marks comprises a non-circular shape independently selected from rings, ellipses, polygons, squares, chevrons, crescents, and stripes. do. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the radar detectable marks are evenly spaced. In other specific aspects of this embodiment, the radar detectable mark further comprises one or more of the following characteristics.
a) the number of marks is a prime number arbitrarily selected from 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31 and 37;
b) the marks consist of one or more stripe-shaped marks and one or more chevron-shaped marks, optionally a number of stripe-shaped marks and chevron-shaped marks; is 1 from the number of
c) the mark has a total surface coverage of 5% or 10% or 15% or 20% or 25% or within a range having lower and upper limits selected from these values;
d) all radar detectable marks on the ball are located in a single layer of the golf ball; and e) radar detectable marks are located between two or more layers of the golf ball.

In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the centroid of each radar detectable mark is located at one vertex of a plurality of spherical triangles created from a plurality of great arcs, wherein:
2V-4=T
3T/2=E
TE + V = 2
where E is the total number of great arcs, T is the total number of spherical triangles, and V is the total number of vertices. The total surface area A of a spherical triangle is calculated as 4πr ² /T=A. The location of the center of gravity of a radar detectable mark is determined with all marks present on the surface of any layer of the golf ball projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball.

For the purposes of this disclosure, marks on a layer are defined such that when the distance between the centroid of each mark and the centroid of its adjacent marks is calculated, the maximum difference between any two of these distances is zero. It is "equally spaced" when it is 0.040 inches or less. In embodiments of the invention in which the radar detectable marks are located between two or more layers of the golf ball, to determine if all the radar detectable marks present on the ball are evenly spaced. , all radar detectable marks present on the ball, any layer of the ball, are projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball.

In other specific examples, the golf ball comprises radar detectable marks having a continuous non-circular shape and a surface coverage of 0.1% to 4.0%, or 0.1% to 3.0%. including. The marks can be placed on a single surface of a single layer of the ball, or the marks can be on two or more surfaces of the ball (i.e., the inner and outer surfaces of a single layer, or two or more layers). any surface), such that all radar detectable marks present on any surface of any layer of the ball, when projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball, result in an overall A projected mark having a continuous non-circular shape and a surface coverage of 0.1% to 4.0% is obtained. In this embodied aspect, non-circular shapes include rings, ellipses, polygons, squares, crescents, stripes, two intersecting stripes (including chevron and non-chevron shapes), and three or more intersecting stripes. is independently selected from In another aspect of this embodiment, the mark (or projection mark) is a continuous shape comprising two or more intersecting stripes, including a first stripe and a second stripe, optionally of the following characteristics: comprising one or more of
a) lengths of the first and second stripes are substantially equal;
b) the first and second stripes are substantially equal in width;
c) the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe is an angle of 60°, 85°, 95°, 120° or a lower limit selected from these values; separated by an angle within a range with an upper limit;
d) the first and second stripes each have a length of 1.0 inch or less, or a length of 0.6 inch to 1.0 inch;
e) the first and second stripes each have a width of 0.20 inches or less, or from 0.03 inches to 0.20 inches; and f) the mark includes a third stripe, The third stripe is optionally one of the following characteristics: 0.20 inch or less wide, substantially the same width as the first and second stripes, and 0.12 inch to 0.50 inch long. have one or more

In other specific examples, the golf ball includes a plurality of radar detectable marks and the total surface coverage of the radar detectable marks is from 0.1% to 4.0%, or from 0.1% to 3.0%. 0%. In specific aspects of this embodiment, each of the radar detectable marks comprises a non-circular shape, and optionally each non-circular shape is independent of rings, ellipses, polygons, squares, crescents, chevrons, and stripes. selected by In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of radar detectable marks has two or more non-intersecting stripes, including a first stripe and a second stripe, optionally of the following characteristics: comprising one or more of
a) lengths of the first and second stripes are substantially equal;
b) the first and second stripes are substantially equal in width;
c) the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe is an angle of 60°, 85°, 95°, 120° or a lower limit selected from these values; separated by an angle within a range having an upper limit;
d) the first and second stripes each have a length of 1.0 inch or less, or between 0.6 inch and 1.0 inch;
e) the first and second stripes each have a width of 0.20 inches or less, or from 0.03 inches to 0.20 inches; and f) the mark includes a third stripe, The third stripe optionally has a width of 0.20 inch or less, substantially the same width as the first and second stripes, and a length of 0.12 inch to 0.50 inch. have one.

In embodiments of the invention where the golf ball includes two or more radar detectable marks on a single layer, the shape and/or size of one mark may be the same as or different from the shape and/or size of another mark. good In embodiments of this invention where the golf ball includes at least two layers having one or more radar detectable marks disposed on its surface, the shape and/or size of the marks on one layer may be similar to those of the other. The shape and/or size of the marks on the layer may be the same or different. In a specific example, the golf ball includes at least one radar detectable mark having a non-circular shape disposed on the surface of the layer. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, the non-circular shape is an irregular shape.

Non-limiting examples of shapes particularly suitable for a single radar detectable mark or multiple radar detectable marks are shown in FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a mark consisting of one stripe according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a mark consisting of two stripes crossing at two positions according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a mark consisting of two stripes intersecting at one position according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a mark consisting of four stripes forming a closed loop in the form of a spherical rectangle, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a mark consisting of a single curvilinear stripe that creates a closed loop, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of marks consisting of stripes arranged in an icosahedral pattern, the stripes having substantially the same length and width, according to one embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the stripes are arranged in an icosahedral pattern and adjacent to form continuous marks.

FIG. 7 shows a mark consisting of three intersecting stripes according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a mark consisting of four intersecting stripes according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows two marks, including a first mark consisting of three intersecting stripes and a second mark consisting of a single stripe, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows three marks including a first mark consisting of five intersecting stripes, a second mark consisting of a single stripe, and a third mark consisting of a single stripe, according to one embodiment of the present invention. mark.

FIG. 11 illustrates three marks, including a first mark consisting of four intersecting stripes, a second mark consisting of a single stripe, and a third mark consisting of a single stripe, according to one embodiment of the present invention. mark.

FIG. 13 shows a pattern of marks consisting of marks having the shape of rectangles and marks having the shape of two intersecting rectangular stripes.

FIG. 14 shows a mark consisting of three intersecting stripes according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a mark consisting of two intersecting stripes according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 shows a mark consisting of two non-intersecting stripes according to one embodiment of the invention.

In a specific example, the surface of at least one layer of the golf ball includes radar detectable marks disposed thereon, the marks representing all mathematically possible great circles of 0.025 inch width. Paths, all mathematically possible 0.015 inch wide great circle paths, or all mathematically possible 0.005 inch wide great circle paths, or all mathematically possible great circle paths are marked is designed to have dimensions (ie, size and shape) to intersect the mark on the surface of the golf ball layer on which it is placed. For purposes of this disclosure, a great circle path intersects a mark if any portion of the great circle path touches any portion of the mark.

In another specific embodiment, the surface of at least one layer of the golf ball includes a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed thereon, the marks having all mathematically possible widths of 0.025 mm. Inch great circle paths, all mathematically possible 0.015 inch wide great circle paths, or all mathematically possible 0.005 inch wide great circle paths, or all mathematically possible great circle paths A circle is designed to be sized, shaped and positioned to intersect at least one of the marks on the surface of the golf ball layer on which the mark is located.

In another specific embodiment, a golf ball includes two or more layers, at least two of the two or more layers having one or more radar detectable markings disposed thereon. and that mark is a mathematically possible great circle path of 0.025 inch width if all radar detectable marks present in any layer of the ball are projected radially onto the outer surface of the ball; or all mathematically possible 0.015 inch wide great circle paths, or all mathematically possible 0.005 inch wide great circle paths on the outer surface of a golf ball, or all mathematically possible great circle paths A great circle is designed to be sized, shaped and positioned to intersect at least one of the marks on the outer surface of the suburban ball.

In other specific examples, the radar detectable mark has a total surface coverage of 1% or 2% or 5% or 8% or 9% or 10% or 12% or 15% or 20% or 25%; or having a total surface coverage within a range with lower and upper limits selected from those values. Alternatively, in other specific embodiments, the radar detectable mark has a total surface coverage of 0.1% or 3% or 4%, or lower and upper limits selected from these values. It has a total surface coverage within the range. For the purposes of this disclosure, the total surface area of the marks is defined as the area of the golf ball projected radially onto the ball's outer surface, measured with all marks present on the surface of any layer, of any It is calculated as the sum of the surface areas of each radar detectable mark present in the layer divided by the total surface area of the outer surface of the ball.

The present invention is not meant to be limited by the materials used to form each layer of the golf ball. Specifically suitable materials include, but are not limited to, thermosetting materials such as polybutadiene, styrene butadiene, isoprene, polyisoprene, and transisoprene; thermoplastics such as ionomer resins, polyamides, polyesters; and thermosetting polyurethanes and polyureas.

Specifically suitable thermosetting materials include, but are not limited to, base polymers, initiators, coagents and/or curing agents, and optionally one or more metal oxides, metal fatty acids or fatty acids. , antioxidants, soft and fast agents, fillers, and thermosetting rubber compositions containing additives. Suitable base polymers include natural and synthetic rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber (“EPR”), styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene block copolymer rubbers (e.g. SI, SIS, SB, SBS, SIBS etc., where "S" is styrene, "I" is isobutylene, "B" is butadiene), butyl rubbers, halobutyl rubbers, polystyrene elastomers, polyethylene elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, polyurea elastomers, metallocene-catalyzed elastomers and plastomers, isobutylene and Copolymers of para-alkylstyrene, halogenated copolymers of isobutylene and para-alkylstyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, polychloroprene, alkyl acrylate rubber, chlorinated isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile chlorinated isoprene rubber, polyalkenamers, and combinations of two or more thereof However, it is not limited to these. Suitable initiators include organic peroxides, high energy radiation sources capable of generating free radicals, CC initiators, and combinations thereof. Suitable coagents include, but are not limited to, metal salts of unsaturated carboxylic acids; unsaturated vinyl compounds and polyfunctional monomers (eg, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate); phenylene bismaleimide; and combinations thereof. Suitable curing agents are sulfur; N-oxydiethylene 2-benzothiazolesulfenamide; N,N-di-ortho-tolylguanidine; bismuth dimethyldithiocarbamate; N-cyclohexyl 2-benzothiazolesulfenamide; 4-morpholinyl-2-benzothiazole disulfide; dipentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide; thiuram disulfide; mercaptobenzothiazole; sulfenamide; tetraethylthiuram disulfide; tetrabutylthiuram disulfide; and combinations thereof. Suitable types and amounts of base polymer, initiators, auxiliaries, fillers, and additives are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. , 7,041,721 and 7,138,460, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Particularly suitable diene rubber compositions are further disclosed, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0093318, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Particularly suitable materials also include, but are not limited to:
a) Thermosetting polyurethanes, polyureas and hybrids of polyurethanes and polyureas.
b) Thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyureas and hybrids of polyurethanes and polyureas. Examples include Estane® TPU, commercially available from The Lubrizol Corporation.
c) E/X and E/X/Y ionomers. where E is an olefin (e.g. ethylene), X is a carboxylic acid (e.g. acrylic, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, or itaconic acid), Y is a softening comonomer (e.g. vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids having 1 to 10 carbons, alkyl ethers in which the alkyl group has 1 to 10 carbons, and alkyl acrylates such as alkyl methacrylates in which the alkyl group has 1 to 10 carbons), e.g. Surlyn® ionomer resins and HPF1000 and HPF2000 available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Iotek® ionomer available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; . Schulman Inc. Clarix® ionomer resin commercially available from
d) polyisoprene;
e) a polyoctenamer such as Vestenamer® polyoctenamer commercially available from Evonik Industries;
f) polyethylene, including, for example, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and high density polyethylene; polypropylene;
g) rubber-reinforced olefin polymers; non-ionomeric acid copolymers, such as (meth)acrylic acid, which are not part of the ionomeric copolymer;
h) plastomers;
i) a flexomer;
j) styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers;
k) styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymers;
l) polybutadiene;
m) styrene butadiene rubber;
n) ethylene propylene rubber;
o) ethylene propylene diene rubber;
p) dynamically vulcanized elastomers;
q) ethylene vinyl acetate;
r) ethylene (meth)acrylate;
s) polyvinyl chloride resin;
t) polyamides, amide ester elastomers, and copolymers of ionomers and polyamides; including, for example, Pebax® thermoplastic polyether and polyester amides available from Arkema Inc;
u) crosslinked trans-polyisoprene;
v) E.I. I. polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, such as Hytrel® polyester elastomers, commercially available from du Pont de Nemours and Company, and Riteflex® polyester elastomers, commercially available from Ticona;
w) polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers such as Elastollan® polyurethanes commercially available from BASF;
x) synthetic or natural vulcanized rubber;
y) and combinations thereof.

Compositions comprising ionomers or blends of two or more E/X and E/X/Y type ionomers are particularly suitable intermediate layer and cover layer materials. Preferred E/X and E/X/Y ionomer cover compositions include:
(a) compositions comprising a "high acid ionomer" (i.e., having an acid content greater than 16 wt%) such as Surlyn® 8150;
(b) A composition comprising a highly acidic ionomer and a maleic anhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer (eg, Fusabond® functionalized polymer). A particularly preferred blend of high acid ionomer and maleic anhydride grafted polymer is an 84 wt%/16 wt% blend of Surlyn® 8150 and Fusabond®. Blends of high acid ionomers and maleic anhydride grafted polymers are further disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,992,135 and 6,677,401, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. ;
(c) a composition comprising a 50/45/5 blend of Surlyn® 8940/Surlyn® 9650/Nucrel® 960, preferably having a material hardness of 80-85 Shore C;
(d) a composition comprising a 50/25/25 blend of Surlyn® 8940/Surlyn® 9650/Surlyn® 9910, preferably having a material hardness of about 90 Shore C;
(e) a composition comprising a 50/50 blend of Surlyn® 8940/Surlyn® 9650, preferably having a material hardness of about 86 Shore C;
(f) a composition comprising a blend of Surlyn® 7940/Surlyn® 8940; optionally containing a melt flow modifier;
(g) a composition comprising a blend of a first high acid ionomer and a second high acid ionomer, wherein the first high acid ionomer is neutralized with a different cation than the second high acid ionomer (e.g. , a 50/50 blend of Surlyn® 8150 and Surlyn® 9120). optionally including one or more melt flow modifiers such as ionomers, ethylene acid copolymers or ester terpolymers;
(h) a composition comprising a blend of a first high acid ionomer and a second high acid ionomer, wherein the first high acid ionomer is neutralized with a different cation than the second high acid ionomer, wherein 0-10 wt. % of the ethylene ethylene/acid/ester ionomer has the same cation as either the first high acid ionomer or the second high acid ionomer, or a different cation than the first and second high acid ionomers (e.g., 40-50 wt. % Surlyn® 8140 or 8150, 40-50 wt% Surlyn® 9120, and 0-10 wt% Surlyn® 6320).

Surlyn 8150®, Surlyn® 8940, and Surlyn® 8140 are different grades of E/MAA copolymers in which the acid groups are partially neutralized with sodium ions. Surlyn® 9650, Surlyn® 9910, and Surlyn® 9120 are different grades of E/MAA copolymers in which the acid groups are partially neutralized with zinc ions. Surlyn® 7940 is an E/MAA copolymer in which the acid groups are partially neutralized with lithium ions. Surlyn® 6320 is a very low modulus magnesium ionomer with moderate acid content. Nucrel® 960 is an E/MAA copolymer resin nominally made with 15 wt% methacrylic acid. Surlyn® ionomers, Fusabond® polymers, and Nucrel® copolymers are commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company.

Suitable E/X and E/X/Y type ionomer cover materials include, for example, U.S. Pat. , 393, and 6,953,820, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable polyurethanes, polyureas, and polyurethane/polyurea blends and hybrids are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. , 436, 6,835,794, 6,867,279, 6,960,630, and 7,105,623, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0011868, U.S.A. Patent Application No. 60/401,047, U.S. Patent Application No. 16/590,317 filed Oct. 1, 2019, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0117923, and U.S. Patent No. 8,865,052 Nos. 6,734,273 and 8,034,873, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable UV absorbers optionally included in cover layer compositions are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,156,405 (Kitaoh), US Pat. , 722,483 (Morgan), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The dimensions, ie thickness/diameter, of each golf ball layer may vary depending on the desired properties.

United States Golf Association specifications limit the minimum size of a competition golf ball to 1.680 inches. There is no maximum diameter, allowing golf balls of all sizes to be used for recreational play. The golf balls of this invention may have an overall diameter of any size, typically having an overall diameter of 1.680 inches to 1.780 inches.

The golf ball of the present invention has a plurality of dimples on its outer surface, and typically has a total dimple surface coverage of 60% or more, 65% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more.

EXAMPLES It should be understood that the following examples are merely illustrative of specific embodiments of this invention and should not be construed as limiting this invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims. sea bream.

In each of Examples 1-11 below, a golf ball subassembly having a diameter of approximately 1.630 inches and consisting of a solid rubber core and ionomer casing layers was provided. A mark or marks were pad printed onto the outer surface of each subassembly using conductive ink to produce marked subassemblies, as shown below.

Example 1
In this example the mark consists of a single stripe according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The stripe width is approximately 0.120 inches and the length is approximately 2.750 inches. All mathematically possible 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the spherical outer surface of the casing intersect the mark.

Example 2
In this example the mark consists of two stripes intersecting at two positions according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The stripe sizes are substantially equal, with each stripe having a width of approximately 0.120 inches and a length of approximately 2.750 inches. All mathematically possible 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the spherical outer surface of the casing intersect the mark.

Example 3
In this example the mark consists of two stripes intersecting at one position according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The stripe sizes are substantially equal, with each stripe having a width of approximately 0.120 inches and a length of approximately 2.750 inches. All mathematically possible 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the spherical outer surface of the casing intersect the mark.

Example 4
In this example, the mark consists of four stripes forming a closed loop in the form of a spherical rectangle, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The widths of the stripes are substantially equal and each stripe is approximately 0.120 inches wide. Each of the two stripes forming the long sides of the spherical rectangle has a length of approximately 2.670 inches and each of the two stripes forming the short sides of the spherical rectangle has a length of approximately 0.380 inches. have a length. All mathematically possible 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the spherical outer surface of the casing intersect the mark.

example 5
In this example, the mark consists of a single curvilinear stripe creating a closed loop, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The stripe width is about 0.120 inch. The closed loop length is approximately 8.390 inches. All mathematically possible 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the spherical outer surface of the casing intersect the mark.

Example 6
In this example, the marks consist of 60 stripes arranged in an icosahedral pattern according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The stripes are substantially the same size, each stripe having a width of approximately 0.120 inches and a length of approximately 0.350 inches. All mathematically possible 0.025 inch wide great circle paths on the spherical outer surface of the casing intersect the mark.

Example 7
In this example the mark consists of three intersecting stripes according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same length, each of the first stripe and the second stripe having a length of about 2.60 inches. The length of the third stripe is approximately 0.25 inches. The first stripe, the second stripe, and the third stripe have substantially the same width, each stripe having a width of approximately 0.12 inches. The average width of the marks is about 0.12 inches. As shown in the front and rear views of FIG. 7, the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 90°. The total surface coverage of the marks is approximately 8%.

Example 8
In this example the mark consists of four intersecting stripes according to the embodiment shown in FIG. The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same length, each of the first stripe and the second stripe having a length of about 2.60 inches. The length of the third stripe is approximately 0.25 inches. The length of the fourth stripe is approximately 0.75 inches. The first, second, third, and fourth stripes have substantially the same width, each stripe having a width of approximately 0.12 inches. The average width of the marks is about 0.12 inches. As shown in the front and rear views of FIG. 8, the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 90°. The total surface coverage of the marks is about 9%.

Example 9
In this example, the plurality of marks consists of a first mark and a second mark, according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
A first mark consists of three intersecting stripes, including a first stripe, a second stripe and a third stripe. The first stripe and the second stripe of the first mark have substantially the same length, each of the first stripe and the second stripe having a length of approximately 2.60 inches. The length of the third stripe of the first mark is approximately 0.25 inch. The first, second and third stripes of the first mark have substantially the same width, each stripe of the first mark having a width of approximately 0.12 inches. The average width of the first marks is about 0.12 inches. As shown in the front and rear views of FIG. 9, the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 90°.
The second mark consists of a single stripe about 0.40 inches long and about 0.12 inches wide.
The total surface coverage of these multiple marks is about 8%.

example 10
In this example, the plurality of marks consists of a first mark, a second mark and a third mark, according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
The first mark consists of five intersecting stripes including a first stripe, a second stripe, a third stripe, a fourth stripe and a fifth stripe. The first stripe and the second stripe of the first mark have substantially the same length, each of the first stripe and the second stripe having a length of approximately 2.15 inches. The third and fourth stripes of the first mark connect the ends of the first and second stripes. The third and fourth stripes of the first mark have substantially the same length, each of the third and fourth stripes having a length of approximately 0.30 inches. The length of the fifth stripe of the first mark is approximately 0.40 inches. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth stripes of the first mark have substantially the same width, each stripe of the first mark comprising: It has a width of about 0.12 inches. The average width of the first marks is about 0.12 inches. As shown in the front and rear views of FIG. 10, the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 90°.
The second mark consists of a single stripe about 0.40 inches long and about 0.12 inches wide.
The third mark consists of a single stripe about 0.40 inches long and about 0.12 inches wide.
The total surface coverage of these multiple marks is about 9%.

Example 11
In this example, the plurality of marks consists of a first mark, a second mark and a third mark, according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
The first mark consists of four intersecting stripes including a first stripe, a second stripe, a third stripe and a fourth stripe. The first, second and third stripes of the first mark have substantially the same length, and each of the first, second and third stripes has , has a length of about 2.50 inches. The length of the fourth stripe of the first mark is approximately 0.25 inches. The first, second, third and fourth stripes of the first mark have substantially the same width and each stripe of the first mark is approximately 0.12 inches. has a width of The average width of the first marks is about 0.12 inches. As shown in the front and rear views of FIG. 11, the plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 60°. As shown in the front and rear views of FIG. 11, the plane bisecting the second stripe and the plane bisecting the third stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 60°.
The second mark consists of a single stripe about 0.40 inches long and about 0.12 inches wide.
The third mark consists of a single stripe about 0.40 inches long and about 0.12 inches wide.
The total surface coverage of the multiple marks is about 12%.

In each of the preceding Examples 1-11, a finished golf ball was formed by molding a cover layer around the marked subassemblies. The completed golf ball was repeatedly fired through the air cannon into the mass plate to simulate impact velocities of a golf ball driver in excess of 175 miles per hour. After repeated testing, the ball was tested using a mechanical robot that swings a driver. The average ball launch conditions were 175 mph, 9.5 degrees, and 2600 rpm as measured using a photogrammetric system. A radar tracking system was able to accurately measure spin with a catch rate of over 96% using a 16 foot ball flight. The radar tracking system used for testing was the Trackman Golf Radar commercially available from Trackman Golf with the Trackman set to indoor mode.

Example 12
In this example, a plurality of marks were pad printed onto the outer surface of a golf ball core approximately 1.630 inches in diameter using conductive ink according to the example shown in FIG. The plurality of marks consists of 17 equally spaced markings, including 8 markings with the shape of rectangular stripes and 9 markings with the shape of chevrons. Each of the eight rectangular stripes has a length of about 0.48 inch and a width of about 0.08 inch. The width of each of the nine chevron-shaped markings is approximately 0.08 inches and the length of each stripe is approximately 0.38 inches.

The plurality of marks has a total surface coverage of approximately 9.5%.

The centroid of each mark is located at one vertex of 30 spherical triangles covering the entire surface of the core layer.

Example 13
In this example, conductive ink was used to pad print a plurality of marks onto the outer surface of a golf ball core approximately 1.630 inches in diameter. The plurality of marks consists of 13 equally spaced markings, each marking having the shape of a stripe. Each of the 13 stripes has a length of about 0.30 inch and a width of about 0.125 inch.

The plurality of marks has a total surface coverage of about 5.8%.

The centroid of each mark is located at one vertex of 22 spherical triangles covering the entire surface of the core layer.

Example 14
In this example, conductive ink was used to pad print a plurality of marks onto the outer surface of a golf ball core approximately 1.630 inches in diameter. The plurality of marks consists of 19 equally spaced markings, each marking having an annular shape. Each of the 19 rings has an outer diameter of about 0.30 inch and an inner diameter of about 0.15 inch. Each of the 19 rings has a printed line thickness of about 0.075 inch.

The plurality of marks has a total surface coverage of approximately 12.0%.

The centroid of each mark is positioned at one vertex of 34 spherical triangles covering the entire surface of the core layer.

example 15
In this example, the marks were pad printed onto the exterior surface of a golf ball encased core approximately 1.630 inches in diameter using a conductive ink. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the marks are continuous marks consisting of a first stripe, a second stripe and a third stripe.

The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same length, and the first stripe and the second stripe each have a length of about 0.90 inches. The length of the third stripe is approximately 0.38 inches. The first stripe, the second stripe, and the third stripe have substantially the same width, each stripe having a width of about 0.12 inches. The plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 90°, as shown in the front and rear views of FIG. The total surface coverage of the marks is about 2.9%.

Example 16
In this example, the marks were pad printed onto the exterior surface of a golf ball encased core approximately 1.630 inches in diameter using a conductive ink. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the marks are continuous marks consisting of a first stripe and a second stripe.

The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same length, and the first stripe and the second stripe each have a length of about 0.90 inches. The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same width, each stripe having a width of approximately 0.12 inches. The plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of approximately 90°, as shown in the front and rear views of FIG. The total surface coverage of the marks is about 2.4%.

Example 17
In this example, conductive ink was used to pad print a plurality of marks onto the exterior surface of a golf ball cased core approximately 1.630 inches in diameter. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the plurality of marks consists of two non-intersecting stripes, including a first stripe and a second stripe.

The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same length, and the first stripe and the second stripe each have a length of about 0.88 inches. The first stripe and the second stripe have substantially the same width, each stripe having a width of approximately 0.12 inches. The plane that bisects the first stripe and the plane that bisects the second stripe are separated by an angle of about 90°, as shown in the front and rear views of FIG. The total surface coverage of the marks is about 2.5%.

Where numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are recited herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values can be used.

All patents, publications, test procedures, and other references cited herein, including priority documents, are to the extent such disclosure is not inconsistent with this invention, and such incorporation is permitted. Fully incorporated by reference for all jurisdictions.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described with particularity, it is understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. be done. Therefore, it is not intended that the claims appended hereto be limited to the examples and explanations set forth herein, but rather that the claims cover all patents present in this invention, including all It is intended to be construed to encompass all features which are sufficiently novel, including features which would be treated as equivalents by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims (10)

In a golf ball having a layer having radar detectable marks disposed thereon,
the mark has a continuous non-circular shape and has a surface coverage of 0.1% to 4.0%;
A golf ball having a total surface coverage of all radar detectable marks present between 0.1% and 4.0%. said radar detectable mark comprising a shape having two or more intersecting stripes including a first stripe and a second stripe, a plane bisecting said first stripe and said second stripe; a plane that bisects and are separated by an angle of 85° to 95°, the first stripe and the second stripe each having a length of 0.6 inches to 1.0 inches; 2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said stripe and said second stripe each have a width of 0.03 inch to 0.20 inch. The radar detectable mark comprises a shape having three or more intersecting stripes including a first stripe, a second stripe and a third stripe, wherein the first stripe is between 0.6 inch and 1 inch. 0 inch, said second stripe having a length of 0.6 inch to 1.0 inch, and said third stripe having a length of 0.12 inch to 0.50 inch. 3. The golf ball of claim 1, comprising a width. having an inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and one or more intermediate layers disposed between said inner core layer and said outer cover layer, the surface on which said mark is disposed is adjacent said outer cover layer; 2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the intermediate layer is positioned as a . A golf ball having a plurality of radar detectable marks disposed between two or more surfaces, wherein all of said radar detectable marks present on any surface of any layer of said ball are on the outer surface of said ball. A golf ball, wherein when projected radially, the radar detectable mark has a generally continuous non-circular shape and has a surface coverage of 0.1% to 4.0%. . A golf ball comprising one or more radar detectable marks disposed on a surface of at least one layer thereof, each of said radar detectable marks having a non-circular shape,
The total number of radar detectable marks present is 2 or more,
A golf ball, wherein the radar detectable mark has a total surface coverage of 0.1% to 4.0%. 6. The golf ball of claim 5. 7. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein each of said radar detectable marks has a shape independently selected from rings, ellipses, polygons, squares, chevrons, crescents, and stripes. 7. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the radar detectable mark has two or more non-intersecting stripes. said two or more non-intersecting stripes comprising a first stripe and a second stripe, wherein a plane that bisects said first stripe and a plane that bisects said second stripe are 85° to 95° 9. The golf ball of claim 8, separated by an angle of up to . The golf ball has an inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and one or more intermediate layers disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer, wherein the radar detectable mark comprises the outer cover layer. 7. The golf ball of claim 6, disposed on any single layer or between layers other than the cover layer.

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