KR19990064008A - Multi-piece golf ball - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a hollow spherical shell (112) of a polymeric material; A single non-porous core of a material that is liquid when injected into the shell; And a spherical cover (140) on the center (112). The spherical shell 112, as opposed to the core 124, is primarily responsible for the high initial velocity obtained when the golf ball is hit by a golf club so that it is hit long distances in both air and ground. In another embodiment (146), the shell is an integral blow molded structure (152).

Description

Multi-piece golf ball

The present invention relates to a golf ball and a method for manufacturing the golf ball. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-piece golf ball which can be hit from long distance to both long and short distance in normal play according to the initial velocity conditions of the US Golf Association (" USGA & piece type golf ball and a method of manufacturing such a golf ball at a reduced cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional golf balls consist of two general forms of solid one-piece ball and multi-piece ball. The solid piece ball is composed of a polymer spherical shape in which a plurality of dimples are formed on the outer surface to help the flight characteristics of the golf ball. A multi-piece ball consists of a three piece threaded ball or a two piece ball with a preformed core covered with a separate separating cover.

Before 60 years, natural resin balata was widely used as a multi-piece golf ball cover material. The recognized advantage of using a balata is that it provides a good "feel" to the ball when the ball is hit and that "good" golfers can more easily control the distance of the ball to their satisfaction It is a point. The fairly recognized advantages are that the balata cover is easy to " cut " when the ball is missed, and the initial velocity or restitution factor is reduced when the balata cover is used at a given center. Today, almost entirely a three-piece Balata cover ball has been used only by professional golfers or professional golfers who have limited market appeal and are generally generally interested in ball control.

Over the past twenty years, synthetic polymer materials, and mixtures of such synthetic materials have been widely used for multi-piece golf ball covers. Such polymeric blank covers are relatively cut-proof compared to balata coveralls due to the excellent toughness of polymeric materials as compared to relatively weak balata covers. In addition, synthetic polymer materials improve ball performance whatever the center of the ball. Because of their durability, polymer covered balls have become popular with "average" golfers and their sales far exceed the sales of ballet cover balls. Nonetheless, many of the existing polymer cover balls provided a "feel" like a ballet cover ball and were difficult to "control". While softer ionomers have been used to enhance the sensation of the polymer cover, they still do not get close to the sensation and distortion of the ball-wound golf ball in the balata cover during impact. It has been desired to achieve such predetermined " feel " and control while maintaining certain distance characteristics and remains an important goal of the polymer cover pillar manufacturer

Another important factor in the golf ball market is a long-standing belief that a ball that can be hit farther from both sides of the distance and rotation is better. Having the ball with the longest distance in accordance with the requirements of the American Golf Association was and remains the long-term goal of the golf ball manufacturer. In this regard, conventional ballet and polymer coveralls and balls for the regular play of the United States Golf Association necessarily share one thing in common. All of these rely on a preformed core as the primary means of delivering energy from the golg club to the golf ball when the ball is hit by the golf club. Over the years, the primary target for golf ball research and development has been to create improved preformed cores to improve distance performance. In other words, the conventional adage among golf ball manufacturers was that the improved flying performance was mainly achievable through the use of a good energy transfer core.

This is not to say that some people have not recognized that the cover composition contributes to the flying performance of the golf ball. Robert P. U. S. Patent No. 3,819, 768, which is patented under the name Molito (one of the inventors of the present invention) and the use of mixed " SURLYN " resins as ball cover materials, He recognized that if the ball was struck, the distance was increased. Nonetheless, the ball core made by U.S. Patent No. 3,819,768 was still preformed and was considered to contribute significantly to energy transfer. The modulus of these cores was approximately 0.750 and the final ball was approximately 0.780.

The approach to using preformed cores as the major " mechanism " for delivering energy has been perceived as disadvantageous. The cost of manufacturing such preformed cores is relatively high for golf ball manufacturing costs. The use of such preformed cores also adds quality assurance issues and costs, since relatively complex techniques and tasks are involved.

In summary, these operations in the field of golf balls have the effect that the balata cover three-piece ball has "sense" and controllability; Having a high initial velocity or initial restitution factor and having good " cut resistant " and durable cover; It has long been sought to develop golf balls that can be hit long distances in regular play by "averaged" golfers, and importantly, can be manufactured uniformly and inexpensively with mass production techniques. As can be seen, to some extent this industry has long been recognized as such by using a polymer or balata cover over the preformed core to deliver energy when the ball is hit by a golf club and by improving the ability of the preformed core of the ball We sought to achieve our desired goals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a unique breakthrough in the construction and manufacture of multi-piece golf balls intended for regular play under the requirements of the American Golf Association. The multi-piece golf ball according to the present invention presents a completely novel approach to how a commercially available golf ball should be constructed and manufactured.

More specifically, the approach of the present invention is contrary to a long and widespread industrial thought. A preformed spherical shell rather than a preformed core is the starting point for the golf ball and the material selected for the spherical shell may provide substantially all of the energy transfer contributions to the performance of the golf ball. In other words, the unique golf ball of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a " unique ball ") relies primarily on a shell composition to deliver energy from a golf ball to a golf ball when the ball is struck, Rather, the core contribution of the core is to provide the ball with the required or required weight consistent with the rules of the US Golf Association.

The golf ball of the present invention not only has a unique structure but also has a considerable advantage over conventional multi-piece balls. For the three-piece ball, the golf ball of the present invention has all the advantages of a conventional two-piece ball. For a two-piece ball, a unique ball has the following advantages:

(1) A unique ball is held longer and more distorted on the face of the golf club in a manner similar to a yarn-wound three-piece ball of a balata cover. This provides a "feel" and controllability that is very comparable to the Balata cover ball.

(2) Unique balls have considerably lower trajectories (trajectories) with long distance golfers (e.g., drivers) than conventional two- or three-piece balls manufactured today. The professional golfer can also easily and quickly modify the existing ball trajectory based on how the golf ball is selected and how the golf club head approaches the ball.

(3) Unique balls can be struck (fly + rotate) farther than conventional 2-piece and 3-piece balls. Initial testing has shown that such an increase in distance as the club's long- More and more, and the rotation of such a unique ball has shown that it can approach twice the conventional two-piece rotation. For example, the initial test also showed that a golf ball manufactured according to the present invention and having a restoration coefficient of 0.745 to 0.765 could be struck farther than a conventional two-piece ball with a restoration coefficient of 0.815. It is believed that when a unique ball is hit by a club, less energy is lost due to the deformation and restoration of the unique ball. Striking the golf ball deforms the cover and also the preformed core. Such core deformation consumes or wastes energy that is not generated in a unique ball when using a liquid core. Moreover, in the case of a unique ball, the liquid core does not need to be rotated in the case of a conventional golf ball, thereby further conserving energy. In addition, due to the lower trajectory of the ball, the ball falls more acutely to the ground and also reduces the energy consumed when it falls. Moreover, a slight increase in distance is believed to be due to the lower spin rate of the unique ball at distance, resulting in a significant increase in rotation.

(4) The increase in uniqueness at the driving distance is even more striking to golfers who swing clubheads below 145 feet per second (ie, "averages"). This will make the unique ball particularly attractive from a commercial standpoint because most golfers belong to these categories. In addition, better golfers will not get caught in the bumps.

(5) Unique balls will be less expensive to manufacture. Significant cost savings will occur because they eliminate the cost of manufacturing relatively costly preformed cores. Other savings will occur in the area of quality assurance. For example, a larger degree of non-uniformity in the thickness of the spherical shell wall will be possible due to the fact that the specific gravity of the shell wall will be significantly lower than the core gravity. Thus heavier cores supplement the non-uniformity to allow a shell wall thickness tolerance of 0.010, which can be readily obtained, for example, using conventional blow molding techniques.

As can be seen, the present invention is an implementation of a golf ball that meets the initial speed requirements of the American Golf Association and can be hit at long range in both play and distance in regular play. Such air holes include golf balls disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,373,287 and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 808,118, filed January 25, 1993.

The present invention also includes a number of methods of manufacturing or assembling unique balls. One such method involves the steps of blow molding a hollow spherical shell or core with a series of moldable polymeric materials and a step of forming a core of the shell with a liquid (or liquid) And filling the center. Another method comprises forming a hollow spherical shell with two hemispherical compacts, and injecting the liquid core material into the shell or center. In the latter golf ball making or assembling method, the two hemispherical shaped bodies can be joined together in a selected method in the group consisting of spin welding, ultrasonic welding, solvent welding, compression molding and adhesive bonding. The latter manufacturing or assembling method also includes injecting the core material into the shell through pre-drilled or preformed hole (s), and then closing the hole after injection of the core material.

In a contemplated manner, the outer surface of the shell constitutes the outer surface of the ball cover and conventional dimples may be formed thereon. Alternatively, and preferably, another layer of cover material may be adhered to the outer surface of the shell, which acts as a ball cover. In the latter state, the shell may be referred to as " center ", but the term " shell (used herein and not otherwise indicated) means that the shell acts as the outer portion of the ball, or when an additional overlayer And is used as a cover.

In the practice of these methods, the core material forms a homogeneous core that substantially fills (charges) the shell. The structural characteristics of the shell and core manufactured according to the proposed method are that the golf ball has a high restitution factor and meets the American Golf Association's initial speed requirements and can be hit long distances in regular players.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a unique golf ball and to overcome the inadequacies of the conventional golf ball and to provide a method of manufacturing such a golf ball which represents a significant contribution to the field of golf balls.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf ball having a high restitution factor, meeting the initial velocity requirements of the American Golf Association, being hit with a golf club and being hit with a long distance on both sides of the fly and turn; Wherein the golf ball comprises a spherical shell and a core material that substantially fills the spherical shell; And the spherical shell is to provide a unique golf ball that substantially transfers all energy from a golf club to a golf ball when the golf ball is hit by a golf club. The object of the present invention is to provide a unique golf ball in which the core material contributes to the overall weight of the golf ball, or substantially no energy transfer when the golf ball is struck by the golf club.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow spherical shell of a deformable polymer material of the type described above and a homogeneous core that can be treated as a liquid or liquid when injected into the shell and substantially fill the hollow spherical shell, A unitary core of the material forming the core; The shell outer surface preferably comprises an outer spherical layer of a polymeric material that substantially acts as an outer cover of the golf ball and may or may not be the same as the rest of the shell and provides a golf ball that is uniquely manufactured. Objects related to the present invention are the shell material thickness between about 0.060 inches and about 0.410 inches; The shell is made of a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, a polyolefin resin or preferably an ionic copolymer; The core material is a member selected from the group consisting of a gel, a melt or preferably a liquid; The polymer material of the shell may be cellular and / or may comprise multiple layers.

Still another object of the present invention is to manufacture or assemble a golf ball by preforming a hollow preformed shell in the form of a deformable polymer material and by injecting a liquid core material into the shell that forms a uniform core and substantially fills the shell . A related object of the present invention is to bond the hemispherical shaped bodies together or preform the shell preferably using a blow molding technique. Another object related to the present invention is to reduce the cost of manufacturing a multi-piece golf ball by injecting the liquid core material into a preformed or molded spherical shell. A still further object of the present invention is to form a separate cover over and around the spherical shell containing the core material.

Finally, a still further object of the present invention is to reduce the material cost by using a preformed shell rather than a preform core as a starting point for manufacturing a golf ball, simplifying the manufacturing steps and having a novel design It is to maintain or improve the performance of the golf ball.

The foregoing description has outlined rather broadly the rather more important and important objects, advantages and features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and that the important contributions of the invention to this are more fully appreciated . Additional objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be described hereinafter. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosed specific embodiments of the present invention can be rapidly used as a basis for modifying or designing a manufacturing method or other golf ball structure for carrying out the object of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to fully appreciate the objects, advantages and features of the present invention, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments has been referred to in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a golf ball according to the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional front view similar to the golf ball of Figure 1 but showing a different core structure.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional front view similar to the golf ball of Figure 1 but showing a different thin shell wall structure.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view similar to the golf ball of Figure 3 but showing a different core structure.

5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of a mold hemisphere for forming two hemispheres which are engaged with each other of a golf ball shell.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of two hemispherical shell hemispheres mounted on opposing fasteners before being joined together to form a spherical shell.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are partial cross-sectional views showing parts of a fixture that can be formed with shell hemispheres molded in different ways and which are then used to join shaped hemispheres in this manner.

Figs. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of the molded shell hemispheres before being joined.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views showing the golf ball after the shell hemispheres are joined together and also the liquid core material being injected into the shell to fill the shell.

Figures 16,17, 18, and 19 are partial cross-sectional views showing another shell structure embodiment that is tailored to exhibit the intended physical properties of the shell.

Figures 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 show another method of manufacturing or assembling a golf ball, and a golf ball made according to this method.

25A to 25E, 26A to 26E, 27A to 27E, 28A to 28E, 29A to 29E, and 30A to 30E illustrate the steps used in the fabrication or assembly of various embodiments of the present invention and Figs. 25E, 26E, 27E , 29E and 30E, respectively, are front views showing golf balls manufactured according to the processes shown in Figs. 25A to 25D, 26A to 26D, 27A to 27D, 28A to 28D, 29A to 29D, and 30A to 30D, respectively.

Figures 31A to 31F, 31A to 32F and 33A to 33F, 34A to 34F, 35A to 35F, 36A to 36E, 37A to 37G, 38A to 38G, and 39A to 39G, Shows the performance of a golf ball manufactured according to the principle.

It is to be understood that the same or similar reference numerals or numbers may be used to refer to similar parts in the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

survey

In the golf ball of the present invention, the shell is initially preformed into a hollow sphere. As described below, the shell is preferably made of a synthetic polymer material and a variety of different manufacturing or assembly methods can be used to preform the hollow spherical shell. The shell walls may be solid or cellular.

The core material is injected (injected) into the shell after or after the shell is formed. The core material is preferably a single non-porous material that can be treated with a liquid upon injection into the liquid or shell. As described below, the core material may be injected through the hole (s) of the shell in some embodiments or while the shell is blow molded.

After core material injection (injection), the core material substantially fills the shell to form a uniform core conforming to the inner surface of the shell. Filling the shell with the exception of the " air " bubble of 1 / 16-1 / 8 inch diameter in the conventional size golf ball with respect to the latter would be such that the "Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > material < / RTI > or does not cause a reverse performance change.

Also, as described below, it is believed that various materials can be used to make shells and for cores. What is important in relation to the choice of shell and core material is that the shell is the primary energy transfer component of the golf ball, that is, energy is transferred from the golf club to the golf ball when the ball is hit by the golf club. The core need not contribute to such energy transfer at all. The main function of the core is to provide the ball with a predetermined weight and to have balls conforming to the American Golf Association regulations. However, this does not mean that the core is not " dimensioned " to provide the ball with a particularly desirable or good distortion characteristic to the club face, or in some cases does not slightly change the performance characteristics of the ball. For example, the material may be added to the core to increase the pressure in the shell, or the material may be added to the liquid core material to absorb some energy, such as a suspension with free floating particles.

As can be seen, the shell material provides most or all of the energy transfer or elasticity required for proper distance performance of the golf ball of the present invention. However, the person skilled in the art will know that the properties of the shell material and the shell thickness are correlated. These two variables should be adjusted to optimize performance.

Substance for shell

As can be seen, thermoplastic materials are generally preferred for use as shell materials. Typically, however, among others, good flowability, moderate stiffness, high abrasion resistance, high tear strength, high resilience and good mold release do not limit the properties suitable for synthetic polymer resins.

Polymer materials suitable for use in accordance with the present invention are ionic copolymers. Such copolymers are available from E.I. Those available from Dupont De Nemours & Company under the trade name SURLYN (copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid partially neutralized with zinc, sodium or lithium); And copolymers of acrylic acid partially neutralized with ethylene and zinc or sodium, available from Exxon Chemical Company of Houston, TX under the trade designations IOTEK or ESCORE.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shell is formed of a mixture of zinc (" Zn ") and sodium (" Na ") ionic copolymers. Both "high acid" and "standard" IOTEK and SURLYN materials are commercially available, such as IOTEK 959 (Na) and IOTEK 960 (Zn) (50/50 weight / weight mixture); IOTEK 8000 (Na) and IOTEK 7000 (Zn) (75/25 weight / weight mixture); SURLYN 8940 (Na) and SURLYN 9910 (Zn) (50/50 weight / weight mixture). [The blend ratio is flexible. For example a 90/10 to 10/90 mixture of IOTEK 8000 and IOTEK 7000 is possible; The 75/25 mixture mentioned above provides a good cost / performance balance.]

Compounds of standard SURLYN (Na / Zn) materials and strong acid IOTEK (Na / Zn) materials, and vice versa, may also be used. Also, if the shell is formed with a hollow center (e.g., a diameter of about 1.50 inches), the shell wall may comprise a single material or a different material layer as described below, which material may be a standard or strong acid SURLYN ( Na / Zn) material and / or an IOTEK material. Likewise, the outer cover layer injection molded over the shell or core may also be standard or strong acid SURLYN (Na / Zn) or IOTEK. As will be appreciated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the selection of a particular material to be used depends on the particular golf ball performance desired.

Suitable ionic copolymers for use in the present invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,189,789, issued June 25, 1974, U.S. Patent No. 3,264,272, issued August 2, 1966, U.S. Pat. And U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 174,765, filed December 27, 1993, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Single ion copolymers can be used as the shell material of the present invention. These single substances are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,54,280, issued July 8, 1969. The present invention may likewise be used in connection with porous polymer golf ball shells as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,274,637, issued June 23, 1981.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the shell wall is between about 0.060 inches and about 0.410 inches in thickness, preferably between about 0.075 inches and about 0.300 inches, and between about 0.090 inches and about 0.190 inches Is more preferable. The standard golf ball used today is generally about 0.090 inches thick. The specific gravity of the shell, as described above, is between about 0.75 and about 1.25, with about 0.97 being preferred.

Synthetic polymeric materials that can be used as shell materials in accordance with the present invention in addition to those described above include homopolymer and copolymer materials suitable for use in the present invention as follows.

(1) a vinyl resin formed by polymerization of vinyl chloride or by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with acrylic ester or vinylidene chloride;

(2) polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers such as polyethylene methyl acrylate, polyethylene ethyl acrylate polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene methacrylic acid or polyethylene acrylic acid or polypropylene acrylic acid, or terpolyers, Acrylate esters and their metal ionomers, sold under the trade name POLYBOND by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. of Hackettstown, NJ 07040, or grafted with acrylic acid sold under the tradename " PLEXAR " by Northern Peterochemical Company of Illinois 60008 Polypropylene / EPDM (3) polyurethanes such as those made from polyols, diisocyanates or polyisocyanates; (4) amino acids such as poly (caprolactam), SURLYN, polyethylene, ethylene copolymers, EDPM, and mixtures of polyamides as well as poly (hexamethylene adipamide) and others made from diamines and dibasic acids (5) acrylic resins and mixtures of these resins with polyvinyl chloride, elastomers and the like; (6) olefinic thermoplastic rubbers such as thermoplastic rubbers such as urethane, EPDM, block copolymers of styrene and butadiene or mixtures of isoprene or ethylene-butylene rubbers, polyether block amides and polyolefins, examples of such products are available from Pennsylvania 19508 Rilsan Industrial, Inc., located in Berzevo Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > PEBAX < / RTI > (7) polyphenylene oxide resins or mixtures of high polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide sold under the trade designation NORYL by General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; (8) thermoplastic polyesters such as PET, PBT, PETG, and elastomers sold under the trade designation HYTREL by EIDupont De Nemours & Company of Wilmington, Del., And LOMOD by General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Esters; (9) mixtures and alloys comprising ABS, PBT, PET, SMA, PE, polycarbonate with elastomer and PVC with ABS, EVA or other elastomer; And (10) a mixture of thermoplastic rubber with polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal, nylon, polyester, cellulose ester and the like. Abbreviations in the above description are used to describe a specific polymer. Abbreviations used above or their descriptions are as follows.

ABS - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene;

PBT - polybutylene terephthalate;

PET - polyethylene terephthalate;

SAM-styrene maleic anhydride;

PE - polyethylene;

PETG - polyethylene terephthalate / glycol modified material;

PDDM-ethyl-propylene-non-conjugated diene terpolymers;

PVC - Polyvinyl chloride

EVA - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 08 / 366,365, 07 / 981,751, and 08 / 174,765, filed December 29, 1994, November 25, 1992, and December 12, 1993, Describes ionomers that can be used as materials. This list of patent applications is not intended to be limiting or exhaustive, but merely to illustrate a wide range of polymeric materials that can be used to form the shell of the present invention. Mixtures of the materials described above may also be used. Moreover, the polymer used to form the outer shell in accordance with the present invention may be stress oriented in succession to the formation of the shell. Likewise, the polymeric material according to the present invention can be reinforced when used in a shell. In summary, as can be seen from what has been described above, the present invention can be used in connection with a wide range of polymeric materials suitable for shell formation.

It is within the scope of the present invention to add to the shell composition of the present invention a substance that does not affect the basic novel properties of the composition of the present invention. Such materials are antioxidants, antistatic agents and stabilizers.

The white base color of the golf ball shell may be formed by the coloration of one of the polymer materials described above. Suitable colors for use in the present invention include the following titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sulfur zinc and barium sulfate.

The amount of coloring used in connection with the polymer shell composition naturally depends on the individual polymeric materials used and the individual colorants used. The coloring concentration in the polymer shell composition may be from about 1% to about 25% by weight of the polymer material. A more preferred range is from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the polymer material. The most preferred range is from about 1% to about 3% by weight of the polymer material. The coloring percentage used is determined by the weight required to provide the desired physical properties for most golf balls. The added pigmented percentage should be balanced with the core material weight to achieve the desired density of the final golf ball.

Preferred shell compositions for use in accordance with the present invention are the above described ionomers including SURLYN and IOTEK and these ionomers may be used in connection with fillers, colorants and other additives. The most preferred coloring for use in accordance with the present invention is titanium dioxide, if desired for use. When such a combination of compositions is used, the concentration of titanium dioxide in the shell composition is preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the SURLYN resin used. A more preferred range of the concentration of titanium dioxide is from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the SURLYN resin used. The most preferred concentration of titanium dioxide is about 2% by weight of the SURLYN or IOTEK resin used.

As described in detail above, the present invention can use a wide variety of polymers. When colored, many of the problematic polymers, especially SURLYN or IOTEK resins, may not be polished after injection molding.

Experience in the market has shown that average golfers prefer glossy golf balls.

To produce a glossy golf ball, the golf ball of the present invention may be coated with a continuous transparent epoxy urethane system to form. This system in question, which is a transparent epoxy primer and / or a water borne primer, is accompanied by a transparent urethane coating. The use of such a transparent coating system in succession to the molding operation is not essential but is highly desirable to achieve the desired result of the present invention. Besides the high initial gloss, the system described above produces a golf ball that is durable and polished during play. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other transparent coating systems can be used as well. It is further apparent to those skilled in the art that the golf ball of the present invention can be painted with colored paint in a conventional manner.

core

It should be appreciated that a wide variety of materials may be used for the core, including gels, hotmelt, liquids, and other materials that can be treated with liquids during injection (injection) into the shell. Examples of suitable gels include water gelatin gels, hydrogels, and water / methylcellulose gels. A golf ball embodiment having a gel or other solid core is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Fig. Hotmelt is a substance that is heated to a liquid and is solid at normal room temperature or near normal room temperature. This property allows the shell to be easily injected to form a core. Suitable liquid embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, include solutions such as colloidal suspensions such as clay, barite, carbon black dissolved in glycol / water, salts dissolved in water or oil, or water or other liquids, / Glycol mixture.

The presently preferred material is a liquid. A preferred example of a suitable liquid core material is an inorganic salt solution in water. The inorganic salt is preferably calcium chloride. Other liquids that have been successfully used are, for example, conventional hydraulic oil sold in gas stations and are usually used in automobiles.

The liquid material inserted into the shell according to the present invention to form the core may be a reactive liquid system coupled to form a solid. Examples of suitable reactive liquids are silicate gels, agar gels, peroxide cured polyester resins, two-part epoxy resin systems, and peroxide cured liquid polybutadiene rubber compositions. It will likewise be understood by those skilled in the art that other reactive liquid systems can be used depending on the physical properties of the shell and the desired physical properties in the finished golf ball.

The core of all embodiments, whether liquid or eventually solid, is a monolith of material that is substantially common throughout its entirety or cross section having an outer surface substantially in contact with the entire inner surface of the shell. All cores are essentially uniform or completely.

In a preferred embodiment, in order to provide a golf ball having physical and functional characteristics similar to those of a conventional golf ball, preferably the core material will have to be larger than the specific gravity of the shell (such an outer cover when the cover is molded over the shell). Clearly, the core material may have a specific gravity of about 0.8-3.9, preferably about 1.32. The specific gravity of the core material can be selected for the golf ball to float on the water. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific gravity of the core may vary depending on the physical dimensions, the density of the outer shell, and the diameter of the finished golf ball. The core (i.e., the inner diameter of the shell) may have a diameter of 0.860-1.43 inches, preferably 1.30 inches.

Structure and manufacturing method of golf ball

A golf ball 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. The golf ball 10 maintains or enhances the performance of a golf ball currently known and used. The golf ball includes two main components: a core or an inner 12, and a shell or outer 14. The shell 14 is generally formed in a hollow sphere shape, and the core 12 is a liquid material. The outer surface of the liquid core 12 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the shell 14, which generally has a spherical shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shell 14 has a dimple 16 formed on its outer surface to create a commercially available golf ball with improved flight characteristics and very identical appearance. The choice of number of dimples and dimple pattern is up to the person skilled in the art of golf balls.

The core 12 of the golf ball in Figure 1 is a liquid material, but in Figure 2 the core 18 is a solid material. Preferably, however, the solid material can be adjusted or adjusted by providing liquid at the same time inside the shell. 3 and 4 show another alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, but the thickness of the shell wall is made thinner, i.e., in FIG. 3 embodiment, The thin wall shell 20 with the solid core 24 is shown with the core 22, and in FIG. 4 embodiment.

Referring to Figures 5-10, which is one of the preferred methods of manufacturing golf balls as described above, two hemispherical shell hemispheres 28,30 are formed and are connected or combined to form a preferably spherical shell, Before being formed by injection molding. Other techniques for forming shell hemispheres include conventional blow molding, injection blow molding and rotary casting.

Figures 5 and 6 show half-shells 34,36, which include holes 38,40 for injecting a substance in the form of a liquid, whereby a shell will be formed. These halftone plates may be of the same shape other than the equipotential origin where the template is connected, whether they are the same or not. As shown in Fig. 8, the halves can be perfectly matched to the planes 42, 44 of the golf ball in the connection area shown in Fig. However, another preferred alternative may be to provide the male and female threads 46 and groove 46 surface shapes that assist the halves to be properly positioned relative to each other. Figs. 11 and 12 show a silver halide bonding arrangement having a hitting point of a length H-1 slightly larger than the outer wall length H-3 of the groove but slightly smaller than the inner wall length H-2 of the groove. Figures 1, 2 as well as Figures 5, 6 and 7 show these other alternatives. Other shapes of the equator may be used such as mating undulation of male and female segments across the thickness as shown in Fig.

In the embodiment of the thin walled shell of Figs. 3, 4 and 10, the dividing lines 54, 56, which are equilateral to the golf ball, tilted at an arbitrary angle, . This forms the triangular projection of the lower shell and the triangular engagement recess of the upper shell. An additional surface area is thus provided for bonding. Moreover, the centrifugal force and tooling acting on the shell edges during spin welding presses the joining half-shells for good coupling or coupling.

The dimples 16 on the outer surface of the shell hemisphere can be formed during the injection molding of the shell hemisphere. However, in some embodiments, the golf ball can be molded into a flat outer surface, and the dimples molded after engagement of the shell hemispheres are joined together before or after the core is implanted and the hole is sealed. The temperature suitable for such dimple formation should be low enough so as not to damage the core.

Shell hemispheres can be combined by any of a variety of methods. A preferred embodiment is spin welding of shell hemispheres. This is done to securely support one of the hemispheres as shown in the lower half of Fig. 7, and the fixture 58, which is rapidly rotated about the vertical axis while being axially moved toward the fixed hemisphere, Is carried out to support the other hemispheres 28 shown. Bearing in mind the arrows contained in FIG. 7, the friction energy generated by moving one hemisphere relative to the other while contact occurs melts and bonds the thermoplastics of the hemispheres, thereby eventually creating a bond with bond Sufficient heat will be generated. The resulting product then becomes a preformed single hollow sphere making up the shell of the golf ball.

Spin welding techniques have been described in the prior art, for example in U.S. Patent No. 2,956,611 to Jendrisak. A commercially available spin welding machine suitable for carrying out this method is Model SPW-1-EC, manufactured by Olsen Manufacturing Company of Royal Oak, Michigan.

However, other coupling techniques may be readily used to combine the hemispheres. Other techniques include known methods such as ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, laser welding, solvent welding, compression molding, or adhesive bonding using suitable adhesives with properties matched to the characteristics of shell hemispheres.

In the manufacturing process of the next preferred embodiment, the hole 64 is formed in the shell 14 by, for example, drilling. The holes 64 may be formed during injection molding. The hole is tapered radially inward toward the center of the spherical shell 14 to facilitate the subsequent sealing operation. Two or more holes of the same size or different sizes are drilled or molded to inject the liquid material into the core 12 of the shell. The core material can then be injected through the hole 64 into the center of the shell through a hypodermic needle or the like and filled into the center of the shell to form the core 12 .

A conical plug 68 may be used to seal the hole 64. The material of the plug 68 is exactly the same as that of the shell 14. The trimming of the cylindrical radially outwardly extending end of the plug 68 complements the fabrication method, but of course it will of course be applied after the dimple has been applied in its fabrication step. Although spin welding is currently preferred, the plug 68 may be secured to the aperture to seal the shell through any of the fabrication techniques described above. In some embodiments, the core material itself can seal the hole.

The shell 72 shown in FIG. 16 is formed first with an inner layer 74 having a radial thickness slightly less than the final golf ball. The shell layer 74 consists of an inner layer of the final compound shell or a thin sheet forming a plurality of shell layers. The final outer shell layer 76 is applied to the outer surface of the inner shell layer 74 and is preferably applied through conventional molding techniques such as injection molding, compression molding or rotary molding techniques. The dimple 16 is made on the outer surface 76 of the shell.

By fabricating the shell with a multi-layer laminate, the shell material can be selected to suit the performance of the golf ball used or applied. For example, properties such as color, friction bite, durability, scuffs, and cut resistance are enhanced in the radially outer layer. The radially inner layer can simply provide a desired elasticity or energy transfer. In other words, the inner layer can be made of a relatively high modulus polymer material to increase its life, while the outer layer has a larger friction contact to the ball striking face or face of the golf club to achieve greater bite, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > ratio. ≪ / RTI > &Quot; Sharpness " can only be added to the outer layer to minimize the relatively expensive conventional sharpening adjuvant. Likewise, in order to minimize cost, relatively inexpensive polymeric materials such as polyethylene may be used for the inner layer, while currently more expensive IOTEX materials may be used for the outer layer.

The shell 72 and core may be made or fabricated by any of the techniques described above. In particular, the shell 72 formed from a plurality of bonded layers can also be manufactured by a conventional shuttle method. In this method, the inner shaping layer is injected into the template to form an inner layer. Thereafter, or alternatively, the outer layer, which is different from the inner layer, is first injected onto the inner layer. This can be done by successive injection into a regular template over the molding element in the production of a laminated shell hemisphere. This molding technique is common in the molding of typewriter keys, and other injected materials form letters that are noticeable to the keys (painted in the opposite color).

Figures 17, 18 and 19 show three alternative embodiments of the shell for the present invention, wherein the shell properties can be tailored for application and use. The three shell embodiments shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 as well as Fig. 16 can be achieved by manufacturing hollow shells or by combining hemispherically shaped hemispheres.

17 shows a shell 88 having an intermediate porous layer 90 inserted between two non-porous layers 92,94. These non-porous layers 92 and 94 can be formed in the situ by changing the manufacturing process parameters in which the shell 88 is molded. The non-porous layer 92, 94 is modified and formed by a number of techniques. For example, the non-porous layer 92,94 can be used to change the temperature of the template during the initial stage of the injection molding process, and to vary the temperature of the mold, as well as melt temperature, injection time, injection rate, injection pressure, nozzle shape, gating, venting ), Retention pressure, retention time, shot weight, blowing aid concentration, aggregate concentration, polymer composition, molding surface treatment, and molding lubricant. Is described in more detail in US Pat. No. 4,274,637 to Robert P. Molitor.

Figure 18 shows a shell 98 having an essentially constant porous structure. In this embodiment, the shell 98 is formed on a hemispherical molding hemisphere.

19 shows another shell 102 having an intermediate layer 104 sandwiched between a pair of layers 106,108. The intermediate layer 104 has a density lower than the density of the pair of layers 106 and 108. In other words, the pair of layers 106 and 108 is higher than the density of the intermediate layer 104. [ It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the density will vary in the inter face region between the intermediate layers. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the density of a pair of strata can be varied by modifying the manufacturing process parameters as described above.

20 to 24 show another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the shell 112 is made of two hemispherical members 114, 116 that are joined, for example, by spin welding. Holes 118 are formed in hemispherical shell member 114 as shown in FIG.

The step of fabricating the shell 112 is essentially the same as described above. However, the most important difference is the size of the shell, where the outer diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the finished golf ball as planned. Thus, when sized, the filled shell (i. E. Shell and core) can be applied as a center or golf ball center as discussed above.

Figures 21 and 22 illustrate how the liquid 124 is filled through drilled injection holes 118 into the shell 122 or the interior 122 of the center 112 and how to fill the shell. A needle or the like is injected into the shell 112 through the hole 118 and used to fill the interior of the shell. Thereafter, the injection hole 118 is sealed by the plug 126. The end of the radially outwardly exposed plug 126 is ground so that its outer surface is exactly the same as the outer hemisphere of the shell or the remainder of the center 112.

Fig. 23 shows the two-piece injection mold plate 132 with the center 112 filled with a hemispherical shape located at the center. The center 112 will be fixed to the center in the template 132 by the pin 134 in a conventional manner. The template 132 is then filled through the inlet port 136 to provide a uniform layer of polymeric elastomer material that completely surrounds the center 112 formed in the front. The elastic layer is applied to be cured and adhered to the center 112 and then trimmed to shape one of the outer covers 140 for final machining into the golf ball 142. The dimples 138 may be provided on the outer surface of the cover 140 through the shape of the template, or alternatively the dimples may be formed separately from the machined golf ball 142.

24, the core of the golf ball 124 couples the hemispherical portions by spin welding to form the intermediate center or shell 112 formed thereby, Which is an injected liquid. And a one-piece outer cover 140 thereon provides additional stability to the golf ball 142 when playing. The elastic element of the golf ball 142 including the two-part middle center or shell 112 and the single outer cover 142 can be made of any of the materials described above. However, it may be possible to remove additional material that adds color from the center or shell 112 since the center or shell 112 may become invisible after application of the cover 140.

The total radial thickness of the combination of the center 112 and the cover 142 should be as described above for the balls with the shell and especially about 0.060 to 0.300 inches when the outer surface of the shell is the outer cover of the golf ball . In selecting a particular thickness of the center and the cover, it is desirable that the final hemispheres are made of a golf ball, that is spin-welded, drilled to inject liquid into the core, filled with core material, It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the center 112 should be of a suitable thickness to be adjusted. Similarly, the cover 142 should be of a suitable thickness such that the dimples can be molded or otherwise formed in the cover and to provide adequate strength to secure the two hemispheres together.

25 to 28, the shell 152 is formed as a one-piece unit, preferably by blow molding, so that the golf ball 146 ) Can be made relatively cheap. In these embodiments, the extrudate, parison, is extruded into an initiating polymer, an elastic material, preferably a pellet. The extrudate 148 is a continuous tube that is fed into a clam shell forming hemisphere of a conventional blow molding machine. The extruded extruder, not shown, is continuously cut to a certain length and then fixed in a shaping hemisphere. The shaping hemispheres preferably move in an iterative manner and then sequentially in order to receive the molded article and then move to the next position. In some of these embodiments, the shaping hemisphere is sealed and the compressed air is injected into the template to force the molded article into the shell, which is of a predetermined sphere shape. In the next step, the liquid or fluid of the core material is injected into the shell through the injection hole, after which the injection hole is sealed or sealed.

In another of these embodiments, a core material liquid 156 is used instead of compressed air to form compacts into spherical shells. After the liquid core material 156 is filled into the shell, if any, the injection holes are sealed or sealed.

The inner surface of the shaping hemisphere is comprised of a golf ball product having a core filled with liquid, including a symmetrical protrusion for directly forming a dimple on the outer spherical surface of the shell. Alternatively, the shell may be centered (i.e., when the outer diameter of the shell is less than the diameter of the prescribed golf ball), then the dimpled outer cover may be formed by a conventional injection molding technique, . ≪ / RTI > Moreover, the multi-layer formulations, i.e., two or more material layer formings, can be extruded simultaneously to form a shell, resulting in either a centered or dimpled golf ball. After the shell is injection molded, the shell and golf ball should be suitably trimmed with respect to removing excess protrusions.

More specifically, Figs. 25A-25E generally illustrate the steps of a fabrication or fabrication method for fabricating a one-piece golf ball 146 that is hollow injection-molded. 25A shows a product or extrudate 148 of a conventional extrusion press whose central portion has enlarged sidewalls. 25B shows a shaped article 148 disposed in the template of the hollow injection molding machine in a step in which the hollow spherical shell 152 is internally formed and the dimple is formed on the outer surface of the shell. The overmold 154 appears at the top and bottom of the shell 152. 25C shows filling the fluid within the spherical shell 152 with the liquid 156 of core material generated by the needle 158 passing through the injection hole 160 at the top of the shell. 25D shows a plug 168 that seals the injection hole 160 as the needle 158 is removed. Figure 25E shows the golf ball product 146 after excess material has been trimmed, including excess material of the plug 162 higher than the surface of the golf ball 146. [

26A to 26E show steps of another hollow injection molding production method. Figure 26A shows the extrudate 148 as used in the previous Figures 25A-25E embodiment. Figs. 26B and 26C show the same steps as those shown in Figs. 25B and 25C, respectively. However, in the step of sealing the injection hole, a plug such as that shown in Fig. 26D is not used. Instead, after removing the needles 158, the injection molding machine is provided with a mechanism (not shown) for pushing the protruding material of the moldings positioned adjacent the injection holes 169 to inject and cover the liquid into the holes 160 do. Fig. 26E shows a machined golf ball 166 that constitutes the final product by trimming.

Figures 27A-27E illustrate the steps of another blow molding process. The extrudate 148 shown in Fig. 27A is slightly smaller than the moldings shown in Figs. 25A and 26A, and in this embodiment, the blow molding is to produce only the golf ball center or shell 170 rather than the golf ball itself Is used. The center 170 is hollow-shaped as shown in Figure 27B except that the diameter is about 1.50 inches and the dimple is not formed on the outer surface. The fluid 156 is filled and sealed in the same manner as the steps shown in Figures 25D and 26D in the blow molding machine. After being trimmed, center 170 is provided with an outer cover 172 having dimples through conventional techniques such as injection molding techniques. The injection molded cover 172 is then trimmed to become a golf ball product 174 as shown in Figure 27E.

Figs. 28A-28E illustrate other method steps for making a golf ball 178 having a hollow molded shell or center 180. Figs. Figures 28A and 28B show the method steps as shown in Figures 27A and 27B. In Figure 28C, the center is filled with core liquid 156 through needle 158 and the injection hole is sealed with a plug (not shown) as described in the step shown in Figure 25D and then trimmed. Where the plug will consist of a material such as a shell (i.e., an ionic material). However, this is not necessary. The plug of expanded elastic material (i.e., rubber) whose diameter is reduced is fitted into the hole of the center (shell), relaxed, and the hole is sealed with a bulge or flange on the inner surface of the center. Such a plug achieves seal mounting. The application of the cover material above the center in the injection molding process does not interfere with the sealing performance of such a plug. As in step 27 of Figure 27, the center 180 then receives a molded outer cover 186 having dimples. The outside of the golf ball 178 is then trimmed to be the final golf ball as shown in FIG. 28E.

29A-29E illustrate several steps of another golf ball manufacturing method. The two shell hemispheres 190 are molded in a conventional manner and then bonded to each other by spin welding as shown in Figures 29A and 29B. Figures 29C and 29D illustrate the steps of drilling a preformed shell or central injection hole 182, filling the shell with a core fluid 156 by a needle 158, Plug 184, respectively. The cover 186 is then injection molded onto a shell or center with dimples formed on the outer surface of the shell. Figure 29E shows the final golf ball 192 after being trimmed.

30A to 30E show steps of another golf ball manufacturing method. Where the shell hemisphere 194 is formed through an injection molding technique and has dimples injection molded on the spherical hemispherical outer surface. The shell hemispheres are then joined by a spin bonding technique to form a preformed shell as shown in Figures 30A and 30B. The steps of drilling the shell, filling the shell 196 with the core fluid 156, and thereafter sealing the injection port of the shell with the plug 184 are shown in Figures 30C and 30D. Alternatively, as described in connection with the step shown in Figure 26D, the injection hole may be sealed by using a mechanism (not shown) for pushing the adjacent material through the injection hole to cover and fill the hole. The trimmed golf ball product 196 is shown in Figure 30E.

By comparing the shell made according to the described hollow injection molding embodiment (i.e., comparing the embodiment shown in Figs. 25 and 27) and the shell made of two injection molded hemispherical shells (i.e., Figs. 28 and 29 Comparison of the embodiment shown in Fig. One is that the split line seam is formed across the 180 degree spherical shape of the hollow injection molded shell in the template line and there is no flash and seam where it is maintained at 180 degrees. This means that the two hemispherical shells to be spin bonded are constant at 360 degrees. A seam formed entirely at 180 degrees in a blow molded shell is better than a seam formed of two hemispherical shells in which the shell is spin welded together. Since these seams are made in the molten state of the polymer material, the shell seams in the shells made according to the blow molding embodiment are considered to be better.

It will be appreciated that having a good seam or no seam is very important from a marketing point of view and therefore this will be a more desirable method for manufacturing a unique golf ball of the present invention. While it is possible to achieve an "excellent" connection of 99.9% of the two injection molded hemispherical shells, the failure of the golf ball along the seam will fail, especially in the marketing aspect, during the initial introduction of a unique golf ball. If the ball is split and the golfer is splashing liquid at the price, it will not be accepted clearly from the marketing point of view.

Unique golf ball advantages

A comparison of a ball of a conventional golf ball with a ball of a unique golf ball produced by shell or center hollow injection molding shows that the former has more uniformity in weight than the ball of the conventional TOP-FLITE II brand. This is because of the simplicity of the golf ball design and the manufacturing process used because of greater weight uniformity. Conversely, the center used in conventional two-piece balls must be formed of a solid, complex blend of material resulting from mixing and curing techniques, which leads to the uniformity of the golf ball of the present invention Can not. Furthermore, in order to produce a suitable center for injection molding of the cover thereon, the center must be injection molded and ground.

Comparing a unique golf ball made by the described blow-molding process with a conventional three-piece ball, the core of the ball wound in a three-piece structure is formed by winding a thread around the core, And the amount of material wound on the core changes. All of these elements tend to make the golf ball less uniform than the unique ball when the shell (center) is blow molded and filled with liquid and when the cover is molded over the shell.

A series of continuous, high speed, stationary action photographs included in Figures 31, 32, and 33 represent golf balls struck by a five iron swing at 128 feet per second. The distortion of the unique golf ball of the present invention shown in Fig. 32 is considerably larger than that of the conventional two-piece top-flight II trademark shown in Fig. The impact distortion of the golf ball of the present invention is at least as large as the golf ball of the conventional three-piece title TITLEIST DT brand shown in FIG. 31, 32 and 33, the unique golf ball (Fig. 32) remains on the iron club surface longer than the golf ball of the Top-Flight II or Title East Dot trademark of Figs. 31 and 32. [ The ability to stay longer on the club surface allows more control over the golfer and more time to deliver energy as well. Moreover, it tends to provide a golfer with a better and more desirable " feel ".

The photographs comparing the series of continuous, fast, and stop operations of FIGS. 34-36 and 37-39 show the same balls (as in FIGS. 31-33, respectively) struck by a driver swing at 14S fps to 160 fps . These photographs also show that the unique golf ball of Figures 35 and 38 is longer in the club surface than the golf ball of the Top Flight II or Title East Dirt trademark of Figures 34 and 36 or Figures 37 and 36, respectively. Also, the performance of golf balls that last longer on the club side allows the golfer to better control the ball and provide the golfer with a better "feel".

Figures 31-33, 34-36, and 37-39 further illustrate that the unique golf ball of the present invention is less reversed than the golf ball of the Top-Flight II or Title East Dot trademark. Because of the small amount of reverse rotation, a longer distance is obtained by an optimized combination of flight angle and turnover, which causes larger rotations when struck by a driver or a 5-iron. Moreover, the unique golf ball rotates less than a conventional golf ball. This is because the unique ball is flying with a lower trajectory. Thus, a unique ball is very efficient for energy transfer, that is, it has a lower restitution factor and moves farther than a conventional two or three-piece ball when hit under similar circumstances.

It is believed that the improved performance of a unique golf ball can be derived, at least in part, from a reduced moment of inertia resulting from the novel structure of the ball. The moment of inertia is measured in ounces in ² . A limited test showing a unit ball made in accordance with the principles of the present invention has an inertia moment of about 0.240 ounces inches. By contrast, the inertia moment of a typical golf ball may vary from about 0.400-0.445 ounces to ² inches.

Based on the tests performed so far, the unit golf ball of the present invention has improved significantly as the club head speed has decreased and the club head loft has increased in distance compared to conventional TOP FLITE brand golf balls or conventional three-piece balls It represents greater profits. Unique golf balls are believed to provide a "longer" distance to any golfer who is more playable and includes a regular golfer.

Terms used and other attributes

For purposes herein, the terms " density " and " specific gravity " mean " density " Some of the inventive cover materials are not uniform in that they can be incorporated into the surface and various cell structures. These latter terms take into account various variables and provide the actual density and weight of the average structure. The terms " hourly density " and " during application " refer to the " density " and " specific gravity " of liquid material injected into the shell to form the core.

The term " restoration factor " of a golf ball relates to the elasticity of the ball and how far it travels when hit by a golf club when other variables are constant. This coefficient is typically measured as it propels a complete golf ball against a hard surface at a fixed speed. The ball is recoiled from the surface and this velocity is measured again. The ratio of the recoil rate to the approach velocity is the restoration coefficient. The restoration coefficient data, as featured in the following example, is shot from an air cannon at a maze speed of 125 feet per second for a ten foot steel sheet positioned from the cannon's muzzle to fold the surface club face during impact, Velocity and return velocity of the ball.

The restoration factor is important because the elasticity of the golf ball is regulated by U.S.G.A (American Golf Association) through a test commonly referred to as an initial speed test. In this test, the golf ball is struck by a rotating mass having a club face. The rotational mass travels at a speed of about 143 F.P.S. (feet per second). When the club face is struck, the ball velocity is measured by passing through two light screens located in front of the club face. The maximum tested by this method and specified for golf use is 255 feet per second at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The U.S.G.A upper limit standard of 255 feet per second corresponds to an average restoration coefficient of about 0.815 measured at an approaching speed of 125 feet per second.

The term " spherical " is used in conjunction with the shell (center) when describing the components of the golf ball. When referring to a golf ball and its components, the term " spherical " is understood by those skilled in the art to include surfaces and shapes that may have minimal or almost no deviation from an ideal geometric spherical shape. Also, including the dimple on the outer surface of the shell to affect aerodynamic properties does not impair the "spherical" properties herein or for the purposes of the art. The core as well as the inner surface of the shell are also introduced into a deliberately designed pattern and are considered "spherical" in the scope of the present invention.

The rotational inertia moment of a golf ball is resistive to varying the spin of the ball and is typically measured using an " inertial moment of inertia moment measuring device ".

In the case of the unique balls of the present invention, the moment of inertia is relatively low since the liquid center of the ball does not immediately rotate when the outside of the ball starts to spin. By increasing the density of the liquid core by adding high density material to the cover to maintain the desired co-weight if an increased moment of inertia is desired.

Example 1

Using the procedure described above, a golf ball was made as follows:

Formulation 514-92-1 was injection molded into a shell hemisphere of about 1.68 inches in diameter and 0.190 inches thick. Formulation 514-92-1 is as follows.

Weight portion Surlyn 1605/8940 (" SURLYN " is the trade name of E.I PuPont De Nemours & Company of Wilmington, DE) 50 Surlyn 1706/9910 50 Unitane 0-110 Titanium dioxide (" Unitane " 0-110 is the trade name of Kemira, Inc. of Savannah, GA) 2.35 Uvitex OB (" Uvitex OB " is a trade name of Ciba-Geigy of Hutton, NY) 0.10 Ultramarine Blue (" Ultramarine Blue " is manufactured by Whittaker-Clark and Daniels of South Plainfield, NJ) 0.024 gun 102.474

The pole height was greater than 0.007 inches, taking into account material flow during spin welding of the two shell hemispheres to form hollow spheres. The two shell hemispheres have a shell and groove structure. Two shell hemispheres were spin-coupled together to produce hollow spheres at 4100 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 15 seconds rest (quiescent). The grooved shell hemisphere has a molded narrowed hole of 0.0625 inch diameter on the inner ball surface of 0.0125 inch diameter on the outer ball surface.

The weight of the surface material may range from 0.95 to 1.25. The preferred range is 0.97-1.0.

The bending rate, expressed in psi at 73 degrees Fahrenheit, is in the range of 30,000-60,000. The preferred range is 45,000-60,000. The bending rate is measured according to A.S.T.M Test D 790.

Data samples using ionomer compounds as described below have the following average data:

weight 0.97 Actual bending rate 50,000 weight 21g

The evaluated cover volume is 0.979 cubic inches or 16.04 cubic cm.

The liquid core material, Formulation A, was injected using a subcutaneous injection syringe to completely fill the internal space:

Formulation A Weight portion Calcium chloride 45 water 55 gun 100

A cap molded in the shape shown in Figures 12 and 15 of a material such as a shell was spin bonded to the hole to seal the contents. The spin coupling conditions are 3150 rpm and 15 seconds of rest.

The resulting product after deflashing has the following average properties.

Average diameter 1.694 inches Average weight 45.9 g Average PGA Compression 104 Mean restoration factor 0.747

These results are the average of the three balls with the highest coefficients from the six balls produced.

The test as described above was repeated. Only 12 balls were manufactured.

Average diameter 1.685 inches Average weight 45.4g Average PGA Compression 99 Mean restoration factor 0.725

Example 2

The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that the packing material was glycerin.

The resulting product after deflashing has the following characteristics.

Average diameter 1.693 inches Average weight 44.4 g Average PGA Compression 107 Mean restoration factor 0.758

These results are the average of the three balls with the longest coefficient among the four balls produced.

Twelve additional balls were prepared as described in Example 1 above.

Average diameter 1.686 inches Average weight 43.8g Average PGA Compression 99 Mean restoration factor 0.732

Example 3

The process of Example 1 was followed except that the filler material was "Mobil Etna 26", a trademark of Mobil Oil Corporation, Hydroponic Oil, New York, New York City.

The resulting product after deflashing has the following characteristics:

Average diameter 1.693 inches Average weight 37.5g Average PGA Compression 108 Mean restoration factor 0.749

These results are the average of the three balls of the highest coefficient among the four balls produced.

As described in Example 1 above, the test of Example 3 was repeated and 12 balls were produced. The resulting product after deflashing has the following characteristics.

Average diameter 1.683 inches Average weight 37.1 g Average PGA Compression 99 Mean restoration factor 0.745

Example 4

The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that the filling material was a gelatin / sugar / water solution, formulation B. Formulation B is as follows:

Formulation B Weight portion Gelatin (" Royal " gelatin dessert manufactured by Nabisco Brands, Inc., East Hanover, NJ 07936) 45 Sugar 80 water 240 gun 365

It was introduced at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Solid gel is formed upon cooling.

The resulting product after deflashing has the following characteristics.

Average diameter 1.687 inches Average weight 42.7 g Average PGA Compression 106 Mean restoration factor 0.749

These results are the average of the three balls of the highest coefficient among the four balls produced.

As described for Example 1 above, the test was repeated and two balls were produced. The resulting product after deflashing has the following characteristics:

Average diameter 1.684 inches Average weight 42g Average PGA Compression 98 Mean restoration factor 0.733

Example 5

The procedure of Example 1 was followed except that the shell material was 514-93-3 as follows:

Weight portion Escor 900 (" Escor " is a trade name of Auson Chemical, Houston, Texas) 50 Escor 4000 50 Uritane 0-110 Titanium Dioxide 2.35 Uvitex OB 0.10 Ultra marine Blue 0.024 gun 102.474

The resulting product after deflashing has the following characteristics.

Average diameter 1.693 inches Average weight 45.9 g Average PGA Compression 104 Mean restoration factor 0.747

These results are the average of the three balls of the highest coefficient among the four balls produced.

The test of Example 1 was repeated and 12 golf balls were produced as described in Example 1 above. The resulting product after deflashing has the following physical properties.

Average diameter 1.687 inches Average weight 45.7 g Average PGA Compression 104 Mean restoration factor 0.738

This disclosure includes the foregoing description as well as those contained in the appended claims. Although described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present disclosure of the preferred embodiments is for the sake of example only and many changes in the details and arrangement of parts and combinations of structures and combinations are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims It is understood that it is not done away.

Claims (57)

A single core of a hollow spherical shell of a deformable polymeric material and a material that when injected into the shell forms a substantially uniform core that can be treated with a liquid or liquid and substantially fill the hollow spherical shell; A golf ball characterized by a golf ball having a high coefficient of restitution and conforming to the requirements of the American Golf Association and having a structural feature of the golf ball being hit from long distance to full play. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the shell material has a thickness between about 0.060 inches and about 0.410 inches. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the shell material has a thickness between about 0.075 inches and about 0.300 inches. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the shell material has a thickness between about 0.090 inches and about 0.190 inches. The composition of claim 1, wherein the shell is selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, a polyolefin resin, an ionic copolymer that is a metal salt of the reaction product of an olefin having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, Wherein the golf ball is made of a polymeric material. The composition of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a sodium salt, the reaction product of an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated mono And a member selected from the group consisting of an ionic copolymer of a zinc salt as a reaction product of a carboxylic acid. The composition of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a sodium salt, the reaction product of an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated mono A mixture of ionic copolymers selected from the group consisting of ionic copolymers of zinc salts which are the reaction products of carboxylic acids. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the shell is filled with a material of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. 3. A golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the shell is filled with a material of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. The golf ball of claim 3, wherein the shell is filled with a member of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. 5. A golf ball according to claim 4, wherein the shell is filled with a material of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. 6. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the shell is filled with a material of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the shell is filled with a material of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. 8. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the shell is filled with a member of a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 11. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 12. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 13. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 14. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 15. The golf ball of claim 14, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 10. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of polymer material. 11. A golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 12. A golf ball according to claim 11, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 13. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of polymer material. 14. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 15. The golf ball of claim 14, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. A hollow spherical shell made of a polymeric material made of a hemispherical spin bonded together in contact with the shell equatorial surface in a pleated form and deformable to a thickness of about 0.090 inches; A single, substantially uniform core of non-porous core material that can be liquid or liquid treated at the time of injection into the shell; And A plug for filling the hole of the shell from which the core material is injected; A golf ball characterized in that the golf ball has a high coefficient of restitution and conforms to the requirements of the US Golf Association at the earliest speed and the golf ball is a shell and core material of structural nature that is hit from long distance to regular play. A golf ball having a high restitution factor, which meets the requirements of the US Golf Association at first speed and which can be hit from a regular play to a golf club with a hit result in both distance and rotation, can be hit with a substantially spherical shell of polymeric material and a spherical shell Wherein the spherical shell delivers substantially all of the energy when the golf ball is struck by the golf club, which causes the golf ball to be struck at a long distance in both air and ground. 31. The golf ball of claim 30, wherein the core material provides a total weight of the golf ball but substantially no energy transfer when the golf ball is struck by the golf club. 31. The golf ball of claim 30, wherein the core material is liquid or liquid treated when extruded into a shell, and wherein the shell is made of a deformable polymer material. 32. The golf ball of claim 31, wherein the core material is liquid or liquid treated as it is extruded into a shell, the shell being made of a deformable polymer material. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the shell material has a thickness between about 0.060 inches and about 0.410 inches. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the shell material has a thickness between about 0.075 inches and about 0.300 inches. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the shell material has a thickness between about 0.090 inches and about 0.190 inches. The composition of claim 33, wherein the shell is comprised of a polyurethane resin, a polyolefin resin, an ionic copolymer that is a metal salt that is the reaction product of an olefin having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, ≪ / RTI > is made of a polymer material selected from the group consisting of: 34. The process of claim 33, wherein the shell comprises a mixture of a sodium salt of the reaction product of an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated mono And an ionic copolymer of a zinc salt of a reaction product of a carboxylic acid. 34. The process of claim 33, wherein the shell comprises a mixture of a sodium salt of the reaction product of an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated mono A mixture of ionic copolymers selected from the group consisting of ionic copolymers of zinc salts of reaction products of carboxylic acids. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the shell is filled with a material selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 34. A golf ball according to claim 33, wherein the core is a solution consisting of calcium chloride and water. 34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein the shell is blow molded prior to injection of the core material into the shell. 45. The golf ball of claim 44, wherein the outer surface of the shell has dimples molded during the blow molding of the shell. 45. The golf ball of claim 44, wherein the second layer of polymer material is formed about an outer surface of the shell, and the outer surface of the second layer has dimples formed on the surface. A member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt, a liquid which when processed into a shell can be processed as a liquid or liquid, and which does not stress the spherical shell but forms substantially the same core that substantially fills the hollow spherical shell A single core, and an ionic copolymer of a polyurethane resin, a polyolefin resin, a metal salt of a reaction product of an olefin having 3-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 2-8 carbon atoms, and a thickness between about 0.060 inches and 0.410 inches And a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a mixture of said polymers; a hollow spherical shell of a deformable polymeric material; When an improved golf ball is hit by a golf club, the improved golf ball has an initial velocity approaching the maximum allowable limit imposed by the American Golf Association, and when the improved golf ball is hit by a golf club, Wherein the improved golf ball is constructed of structural features of a spherical shell and a core having a high restitution coefficient. 50. The golf ball of claim 47, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 50. The golf ball of claim 47, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 48. The process of claim 47, wherein the shell comprises a mixture of a sodium salt of the reaction product of an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms with an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and a monocarboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms And an ionic copolymer of the zinc salt of the reaction product of a carboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid. 48. The process of claim 47, wherein the shell comprises a mixture of a sodium salt of the reaction product of an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms with an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and a monocarboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms Wherein the ionic copolymer is prepared from a mixture of ionic copolymers selected from the group consisting of ionic copolymers of the zinc salt of the reaction product of a carboxylic acid. In an improved golf ball having a high restitution factor, following the requirements of the American Golf Association, and being hit from a regular play to a golf club, A substantially spherical shell of deformable polymer material and a core material that substantially fills the spherical shell without stressing the spherical shell, wherein the spherical shell is substantially spherical in shape, Responsible, which causes the golf ball to be struck long distances in both air and ground; The core material provides the entire weight of the golf ball but does not contribute substantially to the initial velocity or restitution factor of the improved golf ball when the golf ball is struck by the golf club; The core material is a member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel or a melt, and can be liquid or liquid when extruded into a shell; The shell material has a thickness between about 0.060 inches and about 0.410 inches; The shell is a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, a polyolefin resin, an ionic polymer that is a metal salt of the reaction product of an olefin having 3-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 2-8 carbon atoms, Wherein the golf ball is manufactured. 53. The golf ball of claim 52, wherein the spherical shell is filled with a liquid material. 53. The golf ball of claim 52, wherein the polymeric material of the shell is porous. 53. The golf ball of claim 52, wherein the shell is made of one or more layers of a polymeric material. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the shell comprises a mixture of a sodium salt of the reaction product of an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms with an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms And an ionic copolymer of the zinc salt of the reaction product of a carboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the shell comprises a mixture of a sodium salt of the reaction product of an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms with an olefin having 2-8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3-8 carbon atoms Wherein the ionic copolymer is prepared from a mixture of ionic copolymers selected from the group consisting of ionic copolymers of the zinc salt of the reaction product of a carboxylic acid.