公开(公告)号：US10252113B1

公开(公告)日：2019-04-09

申请号：US15710866

申请日：2017-09-21

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette

IPC: A63B37/06 ,  A63B37/00 ,  B32B27/40 ,  B05D1/02 ,  A63B45/00

Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.

公开(公告)号：US10238921B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-26

申请号：US15628716

申请日：2017-06-21

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette ,  Derek A. Ladd

IPC: A63B37/04 ,  A63B37/00

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core and dual-layered cover are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, and a surrounding outer core layer. The core layers may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and combinations and alloys thereof preferably dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene. The multi-layered cores and covers have selective specific gravity relationships between the different layers. This helps provide the ball with good flight distance and spin control. The resulting balls have good resiliency and other playing performance properties.

公开(公告)号：US20190054351A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-21

申请号：US16167782

申请日：2018-10-23

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette ,  Brian Comeau ,  Shawn Ricci ,  Michael Michalewich ,  John D. Farrell ,  Douglas S. Goguen

IPC: A63B37/00 ,  A63B45/00

Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a particle-based polyurethane foam composition are provided. The ball includes a dual-layered core having a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. The surrounding outer core layer is preferably made from a foamed composition. In one embodiment, pre-expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads containing a blowing agent are used to form the foam center and outer core. In another embodiment, pre-formed polyurethane foam particles are used in both core layers. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.

公开(公告)号：US20190022470A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US16139262

申请日：2018-09-24

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Robert Blink ,  David A. Bulpett ,  Michael J. Sullivan ,  Brian Comeau ,  Mark L. Binette

IPC: A63B37/00 ,  C08L33/10 ,  C08L33/08 ,  C08K5/101 ,  C08K5/521 ,  C08K5/098 ,  C08F210/02 ,  C08F220/18

CPC classification number: A63B37/0051 ,  A63B37/0024 ,  A63B37/0031 ,  A63B37/0036 ,  A63B37/0039 ,  A63B37/0043 ,  A63B37/0048 ,  A63B37/006 ,  A63B37/0062 ,  A63B37/0064 ,  A63B37/0074 ,  A63B37/0075 ,  A63B37/0076 ,  A63B37/0078 ,  A63B37/0087 ,  A63B37/0092 ,  A63B2037/0079 ,  C08F210/02 ,  C08F220/18 ,  C08F2500/02 ,  C08F2500/12 ,  C08F2500/17 ,  C08K5/098 ,  C08K5/101 ,  C08K5/521 ,  C08L33/02 ,  C08L33/08 ,  C08L33/10

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid-polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof; and (d) plasticizer(s). Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), (c) and (d) advantageously produce layer of ionomeric material having heat stability, processability, and well-retained durability, adhesion, CoR, compression and softer feel without need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

公开(公告)号：US20190022469A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US16139080

申请日：2018-09-23

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette

IPC: A63B37/00

CPC classification number: A63B37/0051 ,  A63B37/0024 ,  A63B37/0033 ,  A63B37/0039 ,  A63B37/0043 ,  A63B37/0044 ,  A63B37/0045 ,  A63B37/0047 ,  A63B37/0054 ,  A63B37/0062 ,  A63B37/0063 ,  A63B37/0064 ,  A63B37/0066 ,  A63B37/0075 ,  A63B37/0076 ,  A63B37/0091 ,  A63B37/0092 ,  C08K3/10 ,  C08K5/098 ,  C08K5/101 ,  C08L23/0876

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof preferably dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. Different plasticizers such as fatty acid esters may be used. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin.

公开(公告)号：US10166441B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-01

申请号：US15612742

申请日：2017-06-02

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  David A. Bulpett ,  Robert Blink ,  Mark L. Binette ,  Brian Comeau

IPC: A63B37/06 ,  A63B37/00 ,  C08L77/00

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed adjacent the core. The three-layer cover includes an inner cover, an intermediate cover, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes a non-ionomeric E/Y copolymer where E is an olefin and Y is a carboxylic acid. The inner cover has a hardness of about 45 to 68 Shore D. The outer cover includes a castable thermoset polyurethane and has a hardness of about 40 to 62 Shore D. The intermediate cover layer, disposed between the inner and outer cover layers, is formed from a polyamide composition, where the polyamide composition includes a transparent polyamide having a light transmission of about 50% or greater.

公开(公告)号：US10105577B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-23

申请号：US14814687

申请日：2015-07-31

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette

IPC: A63B37/04 ,  A63B37/06 ,  A63B37/00

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity and a surrounding outer core layer having a relatively low specific gravity. The core structure may have different hardness gradients. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core and outer core each has a positive hardness gradient. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The outer core layer preferably is formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.

公开(公告)号：US10099090B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US15231872

申请日：2016-08-09

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  David A. Bulpett ,  Brian Comeau ,  Robert Blink ,  Mark L. Binette

IPC: A63B37/06 ,  A63B37/02 ,  A63B37/00 ,  A63B45/00

Abstract: Methods for making multi-piece golf balls comprising at least one component made of ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) rubber and the resulting balls are provided. The multi-piece golf ball includes a cover, preferably a dual-cover having inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover is preferably made of a liquid rubber composition based on liquid EPDM rubber. In one version, the ball sub-assembly is dipped in a bath containing liquid EPDM rubber to form the outer cover. In another version, a casting method is used and the liquid EPDM rubber is dispensed into mold cavities to form the outer cover. The inner core of the ball may be made of polybutadiene rubber and the outer core layer may be made of EPDM rubber. The resulting golf ball has high resiliency, a soft feel, and good weatherability.

公开(公告)号：US20180290024A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-11

申请号：US16008381

申请日：2018-06-14

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette ,  Robert Blink ,  David A. Bulpett ,  Brian Comeau ,  Douglas S. Goguen

IPC: A63B37/00 ,  C08L21/00 ,  C08L9/00 ,  C08K5/101

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A sulfonamide, alkyl diacid ester, or organophosphate or organosulfur compound is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

公开(公告)号：US10058740B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-28

申请号：US15480727

申请日：2017-04-06

Applicant: Acushnet Company

Inventor： Michael J. Sullivan ,  Mark L. Binette ,  Robert Blink ,  David A. Bulpett ,  Brian Comeau ,  John D. Farrell ,  Douglas S. Goguen

IPC: A63B37/06 ,  A63B37/00 ,  C08L21/00 ,  A63B45/00

CPC classification number: A63B37/0043 ,  A63B37/0031 ,  A63B37/0039 ,  A63B37/006 ,  A63B37/0062 ,  A63B37/0063 ,  A63B37/0074 ,  A63B37/0075 ,  A63B37/0076 ,  A63B37/0087 ,  A63B37/0092 ,  A63B45/00 ,  A63B2037/0079 ,  C08L21/00

Abstract: Low compression, multi-piece golf balls containing a solid core and two or three-layered cover assemblies are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. At least one cover layer is made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition. For example, two-layered and three-layered covers may be made. Preferably, the plasticized thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate or butyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.