Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/0051—Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/0023—Covers
  • A63B37/0029—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0031—Hardness
  • A63B37/0032—Hardness gradient
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/0038—Intermediate layers, e.g. inner cover, outer core, mantle
  • A63B37/004—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0047—Density; Specific gravity
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/0051—Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
  • A63B37/0059—Ionomer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0061—Coefficient of restitution
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0062—Hardness
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0062—Hardness
  • A63B37/0063—Hardness gradient
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0064—Diameter
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0065—Deflection or compression
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0066—Density; Specific gravity
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/005—Cores
  • A63B37/006—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0069—Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
  • A63B37/0077—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0086—Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
  • A63B37/0077—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0087—Deflection or compression
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
  • A63B37/0077—Physical properties
  • A63B37/0091—Density distribution amongst the different ball layers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/08—Copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/0846—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons containing atoms other than carbon or hydrogen
  • C08L23/0869—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons containing atoms other than carbon or hydrogen with unsaturated acids, e.g. [meth]acrylic acid; with unsaturated esters, e.g. [meth]acrylic acid esters
  • C08L23/0876—Salts thereof, i.e. ionomers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
  • A63B37/0072—Characteristics of the ball as a whole with a specified number of layers
  • A63B37/0074—Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
  • A63B37/0072—Characteristics of the ball as a whole with a specified number of layers
  • A63B37/0075—Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
  • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
  • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
  • A63B37/0072—Characteristics of the ball as a whole with a specified number of layers
  • A63B37/0076—Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a golf ball including a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing products, particularly golf balls, including a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• the interior structure of the golf ball also has advanced, with plastics and polymeric materials having properties and characteristics appropriate for manufacture of high-quality, high-performance, affordable golf balls.
• polymeric materials having properties and characteristics appropriate for golf ball manufacture have been developed.
• Such polymeric materials include polyurethanes and ionomeric materials, including highly neutralized acid polymers. Blended materials also are used to manufacture other products.
• Blends of materials often are used to obtain properties and characteristics of golf balls and other products, which properties and characteristics may not be available from a single material.
• golfers have different skill levels, and because golfers, particularly skilled players, often exhibit a preference for a product that is tuned to their style of play, swing, strengths and weaknesses, and other criteria, there exists a need to provide a golf ball suitable for varied skill levels and preferences.
• the invention relates to a golf ball comprising a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• the golf ball has a core layer, a mantle layer essentially enclosing the core layer, and a cover layer essentially enclosing the mantle layer.
• the golf ball includes a blend of at least first and second highly neutralized acid polymers, each having a low flexural modulus.
• the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a product, particularly a golf ball, comprising a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball comprising a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers, each having a low flexural modulus, including adjusting the properties and characteristics of the golf ball by controlling the proportions of the highly neutralized acid polymers of the blend.
• FIG. 1 shows a representative golf ball in accordance with this disclosure having a two-piece construction comprising a core layer and a cover layer;
• FIG. 2 shows a second representative golf ball in
• FIG. 3 shows a third representative golf ball in accordance with this disclosure having a three-piece construction comprising a core layer, a mantle layer, and a cover layer;
• FIG. 4 shows a fourth representative golf ball in accordance with this disclosure having a four piece construction comprising a core layer, an intermediate layer, a mantle layer, and an outer cover layer.
• the invention relates to a golf ball including a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball comprising a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• the invention relates to a method of
• a golf ball comprising a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers including controlling the relative proportions of the highly neutralized acid polymers in the blend.
• the invention relates to a method for customizing a golf ball and adjusting the properties and characteristics of the golf ball to suit a user by controlling the relative proportions of the highly neutralized acid polymers in the blend.
• a high coefficient of restitution provides high resilience and good flight performance.
• the inventors have discovered that a high COR can be imparted to the golf ball by forming a layer of the golf ball, typically a core layer, with a blend of at least 2 highly neutralized acid polymers, each of which has a low flexural modulus.
• the golf ball thus produced has good flight characteristics and provides good control.
• the inventors also have discovered that a golf ball comprising a blended highly neutralized acid polymer layer can be customized by controlling the proportions of the highly neutralized acid polymers used to form the blend in response to a user's preferences and requirements.
• embodiments of the invention will be described with detail as they relate to 2-component blends. However, the invention relates to ternary, quaternary, and higher order blends. With the description provided herein, the skilled practitioner will be able to apply the subject matter of the invention to blends of any number of components.
• FIG. 1 shows a golf ball 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Golf ball 1 00 is a two piece golf ball. Specifically, golf ball 1 00 includes cover layer 1 10 substantially surrounding core layer 120. In golf ball 1 00, core layer 120 may be made of a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers.
• FIG. 4 shows a golf ball 400 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Golf ball 400 includes core layer 440, intermediate layer or outer core layer 430 substantially surrounding core layer 440, mantle layer 420 substantially surrounding intermediate/outer core layer 430, and cover layer 410 substantially surrounding mantle layer 420.
• any or all of mantle layer 420, intermediate/outer core layer 430, and core layer 440 can comprise blended highly neutralized acid polymers.
• each of these types of golf balls can be made in accordance with the method disclosed herein.
• the layers also may be identified by different names.
• the layers may be labeled as core layer 440, mantle layer 430, second mantle layer 420, and cover layer 410.
• layer 420 also may be called “inner cover layer” 420.
• golf balls with additional layers can be made in accordance with the method disclosed herein. Except as otherwise discussed herein below, any golf ball discussed herein may generally be any type of golf ball known in the art.
• a golf ball may generally be of any construction conventionally used for golf balls, such as a regulation or non-regulation construction.
• Regulation golf balls are golf balls which meet the Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
• USGA United States Golf Association
• Golf balls discussed herein may also be made of any of the various materials known to be used in golf ball manufacturing, except as otherwise noted.
• embodiments are directed to golf balls having a core layer comprising blended highly neutralized acid polymers. More typically, the core layer of a golf ball comprises blended highly neutralized acid polymers having low flexural modulus.
• the core layer, or inner core layer is made by injection molding. For convenience,
• An embodiment is directed to a three-piece golf ball comprising core layer 330, mantle layer 320 enclosing core layer 330, and cover layer 310 enclosing mantle layer 320.
• Core layer 330 comprises a blend comprising a first highly neutralized acid polymer having a first flexural modulus and a second highly neutralized acid polymer having a second flexural modulus.
• Embodiments of the invention are directed to a four-piece ball comprising core layer 440, outer core layer 430, mantle layer or inner cover layer 420, and outer cover layer 41 0.
• the low flexural modulus of highly neutralized acid polymer used to form the blend is less than about 45,000 psi.
• the low flexural modulus of each highly neutralized acid polymer is between about 1 ,000 psi and about 40,000 psi, and more typically between about 1 ,000 psi and about 35,000 psi.
• the low flexural modulus is between about 1 ,000 psi and about 30,000 psi, typically between about 1 ,000 psi and about 25,000 psi, more typically between about 1 ,000 psi and about 20,000 psi, and even more typically between about 1 ,000 and about 15,000 psi.
• the proportions of each highly neutralized acid polymer in the blend are established to yield a blend having the pre-selected flexural modulus and resultant properties and characteristics, such as compression deformation and spin rate off driver and iron shots.
• any ratio of polymers that provides the desired result can be blended.
• the weight ratio of first highly neutralized acid polymer to second highly neutralized acid polymer typically is between about 10:90 and about 90:10. In one embodiment, the ratio of the first highly neutralized acid polymer to the second highly neutralized acid polymer is from about 20:80 to about 80:20. In another embodiment, the ratio is from about 30:70 to about 70:30, and in another embodiment, the ratio is from about 40:60 to about 60:40; in still another embodiment, the ratio is about 50:50.
• suitable highly neutralized acid polymers include, but are not limited to, HPF resins such as HPF1000, HPF2000, HPF AD1035, and HPF AD1040, all produced by E. I. Dupont de Nemours and Company.
• HPF1000 provides a combination of high resilience and low compression.
• HPF2000 provides a high COR and low compression.
• HPF AD1035 is a softer material than HPF2000, i.e., HPF AD1 035 has a higher compression value than does HPF2000.
• core layer 330 comprises a blend of highly neutralized acid polymers and optionally additives, fillers, and/or melt flow modifiers.
• the acid polymer typically is neutralized to 80% or higher, including up to 100%, with a suitable cation source, such as magnesium, sodium, zinc, or potassium.
• a suitable cation source such as magnesium, sodium, zinc, or potassium.
• the cation source of first and second highly neutralized acid polymers may be the same or different.
• Suitable additives and fillers include, for example, blowing and foaming agents, optical brighteners, coloring agents, fluorescent agents, whitening agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, defoaming agents, processing aids, nanofillers, antioxidants, stabilizers, softening agents, fragrance components, plasticizers, impact modifiers, acid copolymer wax, and surfactants; inorganic fillers, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, barium sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate, barium carbonate, mica, talc, clay, silica, lead silicate, and the like; high specific gravity metal powder fillers, such as tungsten powder, molybdenum powder, and the like; and regrind, i.e., core material that is ground and recycled.
• inorganic fillers such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, barium sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate
• Suitable melt flow modifiers include, for example, fatty acids and salts thereof, polyamides, polyesters, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyureas, polyhydric alcohols, and combinations thereof.
• core layer 330 of embodiments of the invention has a specific gravity between about 0.85 to about 1 .1 , typically between about 0.9 and about 1 .1 .
• the specific gravity is adjusted to adjust the moment of inertia (MOI) to affect the spin rate of the ball.
• MOI moment of inertia
• the specific gravity of core layer 330 is less than the specific gravities of mantle layer 320 and cover layer 310.
• increasing the specific gravity of the core layer decreases the MOI and increases the spin rate.
• the skilled practitioner can select a specific gravity of the blend to provide a desired MOI and can control the specific gravities of the highly neutralized acid polymers in the blend to form a golf ball having pre-selected properties and characteristics.
• core layer 330 In embodiments in which core layer 330 has a high resilience, the golf ball will have a good flight performance. In embodiments of the invention, therefore, core layer 330 typically has a COR value from about 0.785 to about 0.90, more typically from about 0.79 to about 0.89, and even more typically from about 0.795 to about 0.88. In some embodiments, core layer 330 has a first coefficient of restitution, golf ball 300 has a second coefficient of restitution, and the first coefficient of restitution is greater than the second coefficient of restitution, typically by at least about 0.01 .
• Core layer 330 typically is made by an injection molding process, although a compression molding process may also be used.
• the temperature of the injection machine typically is set in a range of about 190°C to about 220 °C.
• first and second highly neutralized acid polymers should be kept in a moisture- resistant packaging or should be treated with a dry gas, typically air, to reduce the moisture level. Moisture in the polymers likely will cause voids in the product. Drying conditions for first and second highly neutralized acid polymers typically require 2 to 24 hours of dry air flow at a temperature below about 50 Q C. Moisture levels greater than 2,000 ppm in the highly neutralized acid polymer may make it necessary to employ vacuum as well as heat to remove moisture. The moisture level should be no more than about 1 ,000 ppm for production of products free from defects caused by moisture.
• the diameter of core layer 330 may be in a range of from about 19 mm to about 34 mm, or from about 21 mm to about 30 mm, or, more typically, from about 23 mm to about 28 mm.
• Core layer 330 typically has a compression deformation value in a range of from about 3 mm to about 5.5 mm. In some embodiments, core layer 330 has a compression deformation value in a range of from about 3.5 mm to about 5 mm. Further, core layer 330 has a surface Shore D hardness of from 40 to 60 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting core layer 330 in half, and has a Shore D cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ⁇ 6. This hardness condition ensures that the golf ball will exhibit stable performance. In some embodiments, the hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section is within ⁇ 3.
• Mantle layer 320 typically is formed of thermoset materials, typically by crosslinking a polybutadiene rubber composition. When other rubber is used in combination with a polybutadiene, it is typical that polybutadiene is included as a principal component. Specifically, a proportion of polybutadiene in the entire base rubber typically is equal to or greater than about 50 percent by weight, and more typically is equal to or greater than about 80 percent by weight. A polybutadiene having a proportion of cis-1 ,4 bonds of equal to or greater than about 60 mol percent, and further, equal to or greater than about 80 mol percent, is most typical.
• cis-1 ,4-polybutadiene may be used as the base rubber and mixed with other ingredients.
• the amount of cis-1 ,4-polybutadiene may be at least about 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber compound.
• additives may be added to the base rubber to form a compound.
• the additives may include a cross-linking agent and a filler.
• the cross-linking agent may be zinc diacrylate, magnesium acrylate, zinc methacrylate, or magnesium methacrylate.
• zinc diacrylate may provide advantageous resilience properties.
• the filler may be used to increase the specific gravity of the rubber compound.
• the filler may include zinc oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, or magnesium carbonate.
• zinc oxide may be selected for its advantageous properties.
• Metal powder, such as tungsten, may alternatively be used as a filler to achieve a desired specific gravity.
• the specific gravity of mantle layer 320 may be from about 1 .05 to about 1 .45. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of mantle layer 320 may be from about 1 .05 to about 1 .35.
• a polybutadiene synthesized using a rare earth element catalyst may be used.
• rare earth element catalysis of the polybutadiene reaction is typical. Excellent resilience performance of a golf ball may be achieved by using this polybutadiene.
• rare earth element catalysts include lanthanum series rare earth element compounds.
• Other catalysts may include an organoaluminum compound, an alumoxane, and halogen containing compounds.
• a lanthanum series rare earth element compound is typical.
• Polybutadiene obtained by using lanthanum series rare earth-based catalysts usually employs a combination of lanthanum series rare earth (atomic number of 57 to 71 ) compounds, but particularly typical is a neodymium compound.
• the polybutadiene rubber has been [0049] in some embodiments.
• composition may comprise at least from about 0.5 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a halogenated organosulfur compound.
• the polybutadiene rubber composition may comprise at least from about 1 part by weight to about 4 parts by weight of a halogenated organosulfur compound.
• the halogenated organosulfur compound is selected from the group consisting of pentachlorothiophenol; 2- chlorothiophenol; 3-chlorothiophenol; 4-chlorothiophenol; 2,3-chlorothiophenol; 2,4-chlorothiophenol; 3,4-chlorothiophenol; 3,5-chlorothiophenol; 2,3,4- chlorothiophenol; 3,4,5-chlorothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorothiophenol;
• 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorothiophenol pentafluorothiophenol; 2-fluorothiophenol; 3- fluorothiophenol; 4-fluorothiophenol; 2,3-fluorothiophenol; 2,4-fluorothiophenol; 3,4-fluorothiophenol; 3,5-fluorothiophenol; 2, 3, 4-fluorothiophenol; 3,4,5- fluorothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorothiophenol; 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorothiophenol; 4-chlorotetrafluorothiophenol; pentaiodothiophenol; 2-iodothiophenol; 3- iodothiophenol; 4-iodothiophenol; 2,3-iodothiophenol; 2,4-iodothiophenol; 3,4- iodothiophenol; 3,5-iodothiophenol; 2,3,4-iodothiophenol; 3,4,5-iodothio
• pentabromothiophenol 2-bromothiophenol; 3-bromothiophenol 4- bromothiophenol; 2, 3-bromothiophenol; 2,4-bromothiophenol; 3,4- bromothiophenol; 3,5-bromothiophenol; 2,3,4-bromothiophenol; 3,4,5- bromothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetrabromothiophenol; 2,3,5,6-tetrabromothiophenol; and their zinc salts and other metal salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.
• Mantle layer 320 typically is made by compression molding. Suitable vulcanization conditions include a vulcanization temperature of between about 130°C and about 190°C and a vulcanization time of between about 5 and about 20 minutes. To obtain the desired rubber crosslinked body for use as a layer, particularly mantle layer 320, of the golf ball described herein, the vulcanization temperature is preferably at least about 140 ⁇ .
• mantle layer 320 has a surface Shore D hardness of from 50 to 60, and the surface hardness of mantle layer 320 is higher than the surface hardness of core layer 330.
• mantle layer 320 is produced by vulcanizing and curing the rubber composition in the above-described way, advantageous use may be made of a method in which the vulcanization step is divided into two stages: first, the mantle layer material is placed in a mantle layer-forming mold and subjected to an initial vulcanization so as to produce a pair of semi- vulcanized hemispherical cups, following which a prefabricated core layer is placed in one of the hemispherical cups and is covered by the other hemispherical cup, in which state complete vulcanization is carried out.
• the surface of core layer 330 placed in the hemispherical cups may be roughened before the placement to increase adhesion between core layer 330 and mantle layer 320.
• the core surface may be pre-coated with an adhesive or pre-treated with chemical(s) before placing core layer 330 in the hemispherical cups to enhance the durability of the golf ball and enable a high rebound.
• Cover layer 310 of golf ball 300 has a thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. In some embodiments, cover layer 310 of the present disclosure has a thickness of from about 0.8 mm to about 2 mm. In other embodiments, cover layer 310 has a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 1 .5 mm.
• cover layer 31 0 has a Shore D hardness as measured on the curved surface of from about 45 to about 75. In some embodiments, cover layer 31 0 of golf ball 300 has a Shore D hardness as measured on the curved surface from about 50 to about 70.
• cover layer 310 may comprise a thermoplastic material.
• the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of ionomer resin, highly neutralized acid polymers, polyamide resin,
• cover layer 310 comprises a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, highly neutralized acid polymer, and blends thereof.
• Inner cover layer or second mantle layer 420 also may comprise a thermoplastic material.
• golf ball 300 may be desirable for golf ball 300 to have a moment of inertia between about 82 g-cm 2 and about 90 g-cm 2 . Such a moment of inertia may produce a desirable distance and trajectory, particularly when golf ball 300 is struck with a driver or driven against the wind.
• golf ball 300 will have a compression deformation of about 2.2 mm to about 4 mm. In some embodiments, golf ball 300 has compression deformation of about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm. In some embodiments, golf ball 300 has compression deformation of about 2.5 mm to about 3 mm.
• the layers used to make golf ball 300 may have a specified relationship in terms of their respective physical properties. For example, for a greater moment of inertia, ball layers have a specific gravity gradient, increasing from the core layer to the cover layer.
• core layer 330 has a first specific gravity
• mantle layer 320 has a second specific gravity greater than the first specific gravity, typically by at least about 0.01
• cover layer 310 has a third specific gravity that is greater than the second specific gravity, typically by at least about 0.01 .
• Golf balls can be customized to meet a golfer's
• the inventor's discovery has made it possible to provide On demand' a golf ball that improves rather than degrades the user's
• the properties and characteristics of the golf ball are adjusted to suit the golfer's specified flexural modulus, driver spin, iron spin, compression deformation, or any other properties and characteristics of a golf ball that is related to the relative proportions of highly neutralized acid polymers in a layer, typically a core layer.
• a golf ball design is specified for execution by a computer.
• a plurality of golf swing parameter values is obtained.
• a range of values is calculated for each of a plurality of golf ball design characteristics, the calculation of each range of values being based upon a corresponding value from the plurality of golf swing parameter values.
• the range of values for each of the plurality of golf ball design characteristics is combined to delimit a range of golf ball designs.
• the method includes inputting a golf ball design preference.
• the method includes reducing the range of golf ball designs based upon the golf ball design preference.
• a correlation is developed between the properties and characteristics of a ball and proportions of highly neutralized acid polymers, particularly in a core layer.
• the core layer was formed by blending HPF 2000 and HPF AD1035 in the proportions set forth in Table I, together with barium sulfate.
• the outer core layer of each ball was the same and comprised butadiene rubber and other ingredients, as summarized in Table I.
• One type of TPU was used for the mantle layer, and another type of TPU was used for the cover layer of each ball.
• Each ball had 360 dimples.
• compositions of the layers are summarized in Table I.
• golf ball 1 has a specific gravity gradient from core layer (lowest) to mantle layer (highest).
• the performance results observed in testing for these balls when tested in a standard manner is summarized in Table II.
• the performance data indicate that the properties and characteristics of the golf ball were adjusted by controlling the relative proportions of the two highly neutralized acid polymers in the core layer.
• Golf ball 2 exhibited lowest driver spin yet highest 6-iron spin. All golf balls showed essentially identical spin on wedge shots.
• Table I I illustrate the subject matter of the invention, particularly how the golf ball properties and characteristics, such as driver spin and iron spin and compression deformation of the core layer and of the golf ball, can be adjusted by controlling the relative proportions of the highly neutralized acid polymers.
• Hardness of golf ball layer is measured generally in accordance with ASTM D-2240, but is measured on the land area of a curved surface of a molded golf ball.
• Method of measuring COR A golf ball, or part thereof, is fired by an air cannon at a steel plate positioned about 1 .2 meters away from the air cannon at an initial velocity of 40 m/sec. A speed monitoring device is located over a distance of 0.6 to 0.9 meters from the cannon. After striking the plate, the golf ball, or part thereof, rebounds through the speed-monitoring device. The return velocity divided by the initial velocity is the COR.

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• 2012
  • 2012-07-18 US US13/552,309 patent/US9101797B2/en active Active
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  • 2012-07-20 JP JP2014522913A patent/JP2014523791A/ja active Pending
  • 2012-07-20 WO PCT/US2012/047702 patent/WO2013016232A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2012-07-20 KR KR1020147002682A patent/KR20140063586A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2012-07-20 EP EP12817770.6A patent/EP2736608B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2012-07-26 TW TW101126998A patent/TWI515029B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
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