KR20110095828A - Multilayer solid golf ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multilayer solid golf ball is provided to keep performance characteristic even after being exposed to high ambient temperature. CONSTITUTION: A multilayer solid golf ball comprises: a core(104) including a thermoplastic material; an intermediate layer(106) which forms an inner hole by surrounding the core and includes a thermosetting material; and a cover(108) which surrounds the inner hole. The inner hole has first transformation amount of 2.2-3.2 mm under the load of 10-130 kilograms when being kept at 24 deg.C for 8 hours.

Description

Multi-layer solid golf ball {MULTILAYER SOLID GOLF BALL}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to golf balls, and more particularly to a multi-layered solid golf ball having a core that retains its performance characteristics even after exposure to high temperatures.

The development history of golf balls ranged from round golf balls to solid two piece golf balls and multi-layer golf balls. Due to quality consistency and performance advantages such as reduced driver spin for longer distances, rubber cores have gradually replaced coiled cores.

Multilayer golf balls with layers made of thermoplastic materials such as ionomer materials have taken golf ball technology to the next level. Typically, thin layers of different materials bonded together add extra features such as reducing spin off at the tee but increasing spin around the green. For example, one of the layers may be a hard ionomer in the mantle layer, while the soft elastomeric material forms a layer for the outer cover. Thin layers consisting of ionomer layers have been commonly used because ionomers have a relatively low elasticity, in particular compared to rubbers commonly used to form cores or core layers.

However, highly neutralized ionomers, such as those developed by DuPont®, have elasticity comparable to or even better than that of rubber materials. These highly neutralized ionomers can provide the next step in innovation for golf ball cores. Golf ball cores comprising thermoplastic materials are more consistent in quality than thermoset rubber cores. One limitation regarding the use of thermoset resins, such as highly neutralized ionomers, for golf ball cores is the effect of ambient temperature on the shape and performance of the golf ball core.

Flying distance is an important indicator used to evaluate the performance of a golf ball. Flying distance is influenced by three main factors: “initial speed,” “spin rate,” and “launch angle.” Initial speed is the most important physical factor affecting the golf ball's distance. One of the characteristics is the Coefficient Of Restitution (COR), which is an alternative parameter for the initial velocity of the golf ball, whose temperature will affect this COR. COR is generally defined as the ratio of the velocity of an object before and after a collision. A COR value of 1 is a fully elastic collision with no energy loss due to a collision, and a COR value of 0 is a fully inelastic collision in which all energy is dissipated during a collision. Considering the standard temperature, which is set as the standard temperature for measuring the physical and performance characteristics of the golf ball for sticking, as the standard temperature, when the temperature is higher or lower than 24 degrees Celsius, COR is included. Physical properties of this peugong affected. For example, COR Since the very positive (positive) with respect to the ambient temperature, a golf ball in flight is shorter than in the conventional cold weather.

Similarly, performance is affected by long term exposure to high temperatures. Due to the habit of many golfers, golf balls can routinely be exposed to high temperatures for a long time. For example, many golfers tend to keep their golf balls in golf bags or car trunks. A golfer may live in an area where the temperature at daytime or even at nighttime, specifically during the midday hours during the summer, typically exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. Inside a car trunk, temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius for a long time.

Golf balls tend to lose their original performance characteristics when exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures for long periods of time. The material of the core or cover layer may deform or lose shape due to a temperature cycle between a relatively high ambient temperature and a relatively low ambient temperature, such as a change in ambient temperature in particular over a day. As a result, the sense of distance and sense is lost.

Therefore, a need exists for a golf ball that maintains its performance characteristics after exposure to relatively high ambient temperatures.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core comprising a thermoplastic material, an intermediate layer surrounding the core to form an inner ball, and a cover surrounding the inner ball. (1) the inner hole has a first deformation amount of 2.2 to 3.2 millimeters under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when the inner hole is maintained in an environment of 24 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, (2) the inner hole has a second deformation amount under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when the inner hole is maintained in an environment of about 50 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, and the ratio of the second deformation amount to the first deformation amount is about 1.05 to about 1.15, and (3) the core has a rebound coefficient that is between about 0.79 and 0.89 at 40 meters per second and is higher than the rebound coefficient of the golf ball. It provides a golf ball to the Group.

In another aspect, the invention provides a core comprising a thermoplastic material, an inner layer surrounding the core to form an inner hole, an intermediate layer comprising a thermosetting material, and a plurality of dimples on the outer surface surrounding the inner hole. A golf ball comprising a cover, wherein the golf ball has the following requirements, i.e. (1) the inner ball has a load of 2.2 to under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when the inner ball is maintained in an environment of 24 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours. Requirement to have a first deformation amount of 3.2 millimeters, (2) the inner hole has a second deformation amount under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when the inner hole is maintained in an environment of 50 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, The ratio of the second deformation amount to the deformation amount is about 1.05 to about 1.15, (3) the core belongs to approximately 0.79 to 0.89 at 40 meters per second and is higher than the rebound coefficient of the golf ball. It has a coefficient of restitution is a requirement, and (4) the dimples provide a golf ball that meets the requirement of a total volume of 550 cubic millimeters to 800 mm cubic.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will become or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are intended to be included within the above description and detailed description of the invention, to fall within the scope of the invention and to be protected by the following claims.

According to the present invention, a golf ball is provided that retains its performance characteristics after exposure to relatively high ambient temperatures.

The present invention can be better understood by reference to the drawings and description below. The components in the figures do not necessarily need to be drawn to scale, but instead are placed so as to be emphasized when describing the principles of the invention. In addition, in the drawings, like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views.
1 is a perspective view of a golf ball.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the golf ball shown in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the golf ball shown in FIG.

1 shows a perspective view of a solid golf ball 100 according to the present invention. The golf ball 100 has a substantially spherical shape in which a plurality of dimples 102 are provided on the surface of the golf ball 100. Any number of dimples 102 may be provided on the surface of the golf ball 100. In some embodiments, the number of dimples 102 may range from about 250 to about 500. In some embodiments, the number of dimples 102 may range from about 300 to about 400. Dimples 102 may be arranged on the surface of golf ball 100 in any pattern.

Dimples 102 are shown to be nearly hemispherical, but may have any shape known in the art, such as ovals, polygons, and the like. In some embodiments dimple 102 may be a protrusion extending away from golf ball 100 surface, but dimple 102 is typically an indentation on golf ball 100 surface. Each indentation forms a predetermined volume. For example, if the dimple is a hemispherical indentation on the surface, the dimple is cut out by the dimple, and if there is no dimple, the space delimited by an imaginary line representing the site where the surface of the golf ball 100 will exist is the volume of the hemisphere, that is, 2 / Have a volume of 3πr ³ , where r is the radius of the hemisphere. In some embodiments, all the dimples 102 may have the same diameter or radius. In other embodiments, the dimples 102 may be provided in different diameters or radii. In some embodiments, each dimple may have a diameter or radius selected from a preselected diameter / radius group. In some embodiments, the number of different diameters / radius in the preselected diameter / radius group is in the range of 3-6. In some embodiments, the number of dimples 102 having the largest diameter / radius is greater than the number of dimples having any other diameter / radius. In other words, in such embodiments there are more maximum dimples than any other size dimples.

The sum of the volumes of all the dimples 102 on the golf ball 100 surface is the total dimple volume. In one embodiment, the total dimple volume is between about 550 cubic millimeters and about 800 cubic millimeters. In some embodiments, the total dimple volume may range from about 600 cubic millimeters to about 800 cubic millimeters.

Internally, golf ball 100 generally consists of a multi-layered solid golf ball. In other words, a plurality of layers of material are joined or compressed together to form a golf ball. As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of golf ball 100 includes a core 104, a cover 108, and an interlayer 106 inserted between these cores 104 and cover 108. . Core 104 and interlayer 106 may together be considered "inner holes".

Core 104 may comprise any number of materials. In some embodiments, core 104 may comprise a thermoplastic material or a thermoset material. The thermoplastic material of the core 104 can be ionomer resin, highly neutralized acid polymer component, polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the core 104 comprises ionomer resin. For example, core 104 may include HPF and Surlyn®, both of which are commercially available from E.I Dupont de Nemours and Company, and IOTEK®-commercially available from Exxon Corporation. To increase COR, one composition of the core 104 includes HPF as the main component and Surlyn® and / or IOTEK® as the optional minor component. The amount of any subcomponent of the core 104 may be 0 to 40 parts by weight, or in some embodiments 0 to 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the main component of the core 104.

Core 104 may be formed using any method known in the art, such as thermoforming or injection molding. The core 104 of the present invention may be of a single layer structure or a multilayer structure, and any material other than the above-described materials may also be used to form the core 104. In some embodiments, the material of the core 104 is selected such that COR provides a core 104 greater than 0.750. In some embodiments, core 104 has a COR in the range of about 0.79 to 0.89 at 40 meters per second. In some embodiments, the COR of the core 104 is higher than the COR of the golf ball 100.

In some embodiments, the diameter of the core 104 may range from about 19.0 millimeters to about 37.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, the diameter of the core 104 may range from about 19.0 millimeters to about 32.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, the diameter of the core 104 may range from about 21.0 millimeters to about 35.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, the diameter of the core 104 may range from about 23.0 millimeters to about 32.0 millimeters.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate layer 106 covers and nearly surrounds the core 104. The intermediate layer 106 has an inner surface facing the outer surface of the core 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface of the intermediate layer 106 faces the inner surface of the cover 108. The intermediate layer 106 can have any thickness. In one embodiment, the thickness of the interlayer 106 may range from about 3 millimeters to about 11 millimeters. In one embodiment, the thickness of the interlayer 106 may range from about 4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters.

The intermediate layer 106 can include a thermoset material. In some embodiments, the thermosetting material may be a rubber composite. In some embodiments, the base rubber of the rubber composite may include 1,4-cis-polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, natural rubber, and combinations thereof. In order to increase the elasticity of the inner hole, 1,4-cis-polybutadiene can be used as the base rubber of the rubber compound. As an alternative, 1,4-cis-polybutadiene may be used as the base material for the interlayer 106, with additional material added to this base material. In some embodiments, the amount of 1,4-cis-polybutadiene is at least 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber composite.

Crosslinking agents and additives such as fillers with greater specific gravity can be added to the rubber composite. Suitable crosslinking agents can be selected from the group consisting of peroxides, zinc diacrylates, magnesium acrylates, zinc methacrylates and magnesium methacrylates. To increase the elasticity of the rubber composite, zinc acrylate can be used. However, to increase the resistance to prolonged exposure to relatively high ambient temperatures, peroxides can be used as crosslinkers. In particular, when the core 104 is formed of a high elastic thermoplastic material, when the intermediate layer 106 is formed of a peroxide cross-linked polybutadiene material, despite long-term exposure to a relatively high ambient temperature The performance of the golf ball 100 is maintained.

For example, when the interlayer 106 is formed of a peroxide crosslinked polybutadiene material and the core 104 may comprise a high elastic thermoplastic material, the golf ball 100 may be stored at 24 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours. . When the golf ball 100 is stored in an environment of about 24 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, the inner ball (core 104 and interlayer 106) is about 2.2 millimeters to about 130 kilograms under a load of about 10 kilograms to about 130 kilograms. It can have a first deformation amount of 3.2 millimeters. When the same golf ball is stored in an environment of about 50 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, the golf ball 100 may have a different amount of deformation, that is, a second amount of deformation. The ratio of the second deformation amount to the first deformation amount is about 1.5 to about 1.15.

Table 1 shows various COR and strain measurements for various golf balls. Example golf balls are made in accordance with the present invention. In an example, core 104 comprises HPF2000, ie, DuPont ionomer resin in which the MAA acid group is completely neutralized with magnesium ions. Interlayer 106 comprises a BR compound, ie a peroxide crosslinked polybutadiene material, the inherent composition of the BR compound being shown in Table 2. The performance of the example golf balls is shown in Comparative Example 1 in which two conventional golf balls, that is, the entire inner ball comprises HPF2000, and the DuPont ionomer resin-ethylene / metha, in which the entire inner ball is partially neutralized with sodium ions of Surlyn8940, ie, the MAA acid group. It is compared with Comparative Example 2 comprising a krylic acid (E / MAA) copolymer.

Table 1: Comparison of the performance of the golf ball with the conventional golf ball

Yes Comparative Example 1 Comparative Example 2  core HPF2000
HPF2000

Surlyn8940
 Mezzanine BR  Core diameter (mm) 28.0  Inner Hole Diameter (mm) 39.3 39.3 39.3  Compression test (10 to 130 kg) For 8 hours
Second deformation amount after storage at 50 degrees Celsius (mm)
3.13
3.27
2.21 For 8 hours
First deformation after storage at 24 degrees Celsius (mm)
2.84
2.66
1.54  Ratio of second deformation amount to first deformation amount 1.10 1.23 1.44  COR 0.838 0.825 0.726

Table 2: Composition of BR Compound

TAIPOL ^TM BR0150 100

Zinc Diacrylate 28

Zinc Oxide 6

Barium Sulfate 39.5

Peroxide 1

As shown in Table 1, the deformation performance of the golf ball of the example after exposure to high ambient temperature is greater than the deformation performance of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. The ratio of the second deformation amount to the first deformation amount of the golf ball of the example is about 1.1, while the other golf balls have a ratio of 1.23 and 1.44, respectively. This means that the golf ball of the comparative example lacks the ability to maintain its shape and resist compression after the exposure to high temperature. In addition, the COR of the golf ball of the example is larger than all the golf balls of the comparative example.

In order to increase the specific gravity of the intermediate layer 106, suitable fillers such as zinc oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate can be added to the rubber composite, and zinc oxide is preferred in the present invention. In addition, metal powders with higher specific gravity, such as tungsten, can also be used as fillers. By adjusting the addition amount of the filler, the specific gravity of the intermediate layer 106 can reach a desired level.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface of the intermediate layer 106 faces the inner surface of the cover 108. The outer surface of the cover 108 is the outer surface of the golf ball 100 shown in FIG. Cover 108 may include any material known in the art. In some embodiments, cover 108 may include ionomer resins, highly neutralized ionomer resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins, thermoplastic polyurethane resins, thermoset polyurethane resins, or combinations thereof.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an additional cover layer, that is, an inner cover layer 110, is provided. In this embodiment, the cover 108 may be considered an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer 110 may be made of the same material as the material of the outer cover layer 108.

The thickness of the inner cover layer 110 may range from about 0.5 millimeters to 11.0 millimeters. In some embodiments, the thickness of inner cover layer 110 may range from about 0.5 millimeters to 8.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, the thickness of inner cover layer 110 may range from about 0.5 millimeters to about 3.0 millimeters.

The inner cover layer 110 has an inner surface facing the outer surface of the intermediate layer 106. The inner cover layer 110 covers and surrounds the intermediate layer 106. The inner cover layer 110 has an outer surface facing the inner surface of the outer cover layer 108.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the inner cover layer 110 has a higher hardness than the outer surface of the cover 108. In some embodiments, the outer surface of inner cover layer 110 may have a Shore D hardness of 45 to 65, while the outer surface of outer cover layer 108 may have a Shore D hardness of 40 to 60. In some embodiments, the hardness of the entire inner cover layer 110 is higher than the hardness of the entire cover 108.

Although the golf balls described herein have compositions and layers selected to improve the performance of the golf ball after exposure to high ambient temperatures, the golf balls may also be designed to improve or maintain performance in other types of environments. For example, some types of golf balls may have reduced performance at low temperatures. This problem is solved in current US Patent Application No. 2 / 230,272, entitled "Multi-Layer Solid Golf Ball," filed August 27, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

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

100: golf ball
102: dimple
104: core
106: middle layer
108: cover
110: inner cover layer

Claims (20)

A core comprising a thermoplastic material,
An inner layer surrounding the core to form an inner hole and comprising a thermosetting material, and
A cover surrounding the inner hole
In a golf ball comprising:
The golf ball has the following requirements,
(1) the inner hole has a requirement that the inner hole has a first deformation amount of 2.2 to 3.2 millimeters under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when maintained in an environment of 24 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours,
(2) the inner hole has a second deformation amount under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when the inner hole is maintained in an environment of about 50 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, and the ratio of the second deformation amount to the first deformation amount is about 1.05 to about 1.15, and
(3) The golf ball satisfies the requirement that the core belongs to approximately 0.79 to 0.89 at 40 meters per second and has a rebound coefficient higher than the rebound coefficient of the golf ball. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has a diameter of 19 millimeters to 32 millimeters. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness of 3 millimeters to 11 millimeters. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness of 4 millimeters to 10 millimeters. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of ionomer resins, highly neutralized acid polymer compositions, polyamide resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, and any combination thereof. Being a golf ball. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an inner cover layer surrounding the inner hole and an outer cover layer surrounding the inner cover layer, and the Shore D hardness of the outer cover side is smaller than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer. Golf ball. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the inner cover layer includes an outer surface having a Shore D hardness of 45 to 65, and the outer cover layer includes an outer surface having a Shore D hardness of 40 to 60. 8. A core comprising a thermoplastic material,
An inner layer surrounding the core to form an inner hole and comprising a thermosetting material, and
A cover having a plurality of dimples on the inner surface and surrounding the inner hole m
In a golf ball comprising:
The golf ball has the following requirements,
(1) the inner hole has a requirement that the inner hole has a first deformation amount of 2.2 to 3.2 millimeters under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when maintained in an environment of 24 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours,
(2) the inner hole has a second deformation amount under a load of 10 to 130 kilograms when the inner hole is maintained in an environment of 50 degrees Celsius for at least about 8 hours, and the ratio of the second deformation amount to the first deformation amount is about 1.05. To about 1.15,
(3) the requirement that the core belongs to approximately 0.79 to 0.89 at 40 meters per second and has a rebound coefficient higher than the rebound coefficient of the golf ball, and
(4) The dimple meets the requirement that the total volume is between 550 cubic millimeters and 800 cubic millimeters. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the total number of dimples is 250 to 500. 10. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the total number of dimples is 300 to 450. 10. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the dimple has a total volume of 600 cubic millimeters to 800 cubic millimeters. 9. A golf ball according to claim 8, wherein the dimples are given different diameters of three to six types. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the number of dimples with the largest diameter is greater than each number of any other dimples with the smaller diameter. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the core has a diameter of 19 millimeters to 32 millimeters. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness of 3 millimeters to 11 millimeters. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness of 4 millimeters to 10 millimeters. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of ionomer resins, highly neutralized acid polymer composites, polyamide resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, and any combination thereof. The cover of claim 8, wherein the cover includes an inner cover layer surrounding the inner hole and an outer cover layer surrounding the inner cover layer, and the Shore D hardness of the outer cover side is smaller than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer. Golf ball. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the inner cover layer or outer cover layer comprises ionomer resins, highly neutralized acid polymer composites, polyamide resins, polyester resins, thermoplastic polyurethane resins, thermosetting polyurethane resins, and any combination thereof. A golf ball comprising a material selected from the group consisting of. 19. The golf ball of claim 18, wherein the inner cover layer comprises an outer surface having a Shore D hardness of 45 to 65, and the outer cover layer comprises an outer surface having a Shore D hardness of 40 to 60.

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