U.S. patent application number 14/722498 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-01 for non-conforming golf balls.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACUSHNET COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Acushnet Company. Invention is credited to Edmund A. Hebert, Douglas E. Jones, Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Donald A. Serino, Michael J. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20160346622 14/722498 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57397457 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160346622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan; Michael J. ; et
al. |
December 1, 2016 |
NON-CONFORMING GOLF BALLS
Abstract
Golf balls having an initial velocity greater than 255 ft/sec
and/or an overall distance of greater than 320 yards are disclosed.
The golf balls comprise one or more core layers, one or more cover
layers, and optionally one or more intermediate layers disposed
between the core and the cover. At least one layer is optionally
formed from a composition comprising from 2 wt % to 50 wt % of a
plasticizer, based on the total weight of the composition.
Inventors: |
Sullivan; Michael J.; (Old
Lyme, CT) ; Hebert; Edmund A.; (Mattapoisett, MA)
; Jones; Douglas E.; (Dartmouth, MA) ; Serino;
Donald A.; (Plymouth, MA) ; Nardacci; Nicholas
M.; (Marion, MA) ; Madson; Michael R.;
(Easton, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Acushnet Company |
Fairhaven |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ACUSHNET COMPANY
Fairhaven
MA
|
Family ID: |
57397457 |
Appl. No.: |
14/722498 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 37/008 20130101;
A63B 37/0084 20130101; A63B 37/0073 20130101; A63B 37/0039
20130101; A63B 37/0077 20130101; A63B 37/0024 20130101; A63B
37/0012 20130101; A63B 37/0083 20130101; A63B 37/0074 20130101;
A63B 37/0051 20130101; A63B 37/0075 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 37/00 20060101
A63B037/00 |
Claims
1. A golf ball comprising at least one layer formed from a
plasticized composition comprising from 2 wt % to 50 wt %, based on
the total weight of the plasticized composition, of a plasticizer,
wherein the golf ball has an overall distance of greater than 320
yards.
2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has an initial
velocity of greater than 255 ft/sec.
3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the overall distance is 330
yards or greater.
4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the overall distance is 340
yards or greater.
5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the overall distance is 350
yards or greater.
6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises a
plurality of dimples on the outer surface thereof, and wherein
greater than 50% of the dimples have an edge angle of from
13.0.degree. to 14.0.degree..
7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a weight of
greater than 1.620 ounces.
8. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the golf ball comprises a
plurality of dimples on the outer surface thereof, and wherein
greater than 50% of the dimples have an edge angle of from
11.5.degree. to 13.5.degree..
9. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the overall distance is 335
yards or greater.
10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has an outer
diameter of less than 1.680 inches.
11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has an outer
diameter of less than 1.650 inches.
12. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the golf ball has a weight
of greater than 1.620 ounces.
13. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the golf ball comprises a
plurality of dimples on the outer surface thereof, and wherein
greater than 50% of the dimples have an edge angle of from
11.5.degree. to 13.5.degree..
14. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the overall distance is 350
yards or greater.
15. The golf ball of claim 14, wherein the overall distance is 355
yards or greater.
16. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises an
inner core layer and an outer cover layer, and wherein the inner
core layer is formed from the plasticized composition.
17. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises an
inner core layer and an outer cover layer, and wherein the outer
cover layer is formed from the plasticized composition.
18. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises an
inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and an intermediate layer
disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer,
wherein the intermediate layer is formed from the plasticized
composition.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to golf balls having an
initial velocity and/or an overall distance that do not conform to
the Initial Velocity rule and Overall Distance Standard established
by the United States Golf Association.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf
Association ("USGA"), include the following rules that relate to
golf ball construction:
[0003] a. Weight [0004] The weight of the ball shall not be greater
than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (45.92 gm).
[0005] b. Size [0006] The diameter of the ball shall be not less
than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). This specification will be satisfied
if, under its own weight, a ball fails through a 1.680 inches
diameter ring gauge in fewer than 25 out of 100 randomly selected
positions, the test being carried out at a temperature of
23.degree.+/-1.degree. C.
[0007] c. Spherical Symmetry [0008] The ball must not be designed,
manufactured or intentionally modified to have properties which
differ from those of a spherically symmetrical ball.
[0009] d. Initial Velocity [0010] The velocity of the ball shall
not be greater than 250 feet (76.2 m) per second when measured on
apparatus approved by the United States Golf Association. A maximum
tolerance of 2% will be allowed. The temperature of the ball when
tested will be 23.degree.+/-1.degree. C.
[0011] e. Overall Distance Standard [0012] The overall distance
shall not be greater than 317.0 yards when tested on apparatus at
the USGA Headquarters under the conditions set forth in
USGA-TPX3006 Revision 2.2.0 (Feb. 28, 2011). A maximum tolerance of
3.0 yards will be allowed.
[0013] The flight characteristics of a golf ball are determined by
many factors, only three of which are typically controlled by the
golfer when impacting the ball with a golf club: the speed of the
golf ball, the launch angle, and the spin rate. The launch angle
sets the initial trajectory of the golf ball's flight. The speed
and spin of the ball give the ball lift, which will define the
ball's overall flight path along with the weight, diameter, and
drag of the golf ball. Where the ball stops after being struck by a
golf club also depends greatly on the weather and the landing
surface the ball contacts.
[0014] Many golfers have a low swing speed, meaning that the club
head speed at impact is relatively slow when compared to that of a
professional golfer. Typically, when driving a golf ball off of a
tee, the average golf ball speed of a professional golfer is
approximately 242 ft/sec (165 mph), The average golf ball speed of
a low swing speed golfer is typically less than 176 ft/sec (120
mph). A golfer with a low swing speed has a corresponding low ball
speed, resulting in a low overall distance.
[0015] Attempts have been made to improve golf ball distance for
low swing speed golfers. For example, low weight golf balls have
been manufactured, including Cayman Golf Company's Spectra.RTM.
golf balls, the Ram Laser Light.RTM. golf balls, Titleist.RTM.
DT.RTM. Carry golf balls, and the Pinnacle Equalizer.RTM. golf
balls. When a club impacts a ball, conservation of momentum
dictates that a lower weight ball will acquire greater initial
velocity than a heavier ball. However, low weight golf balls slow
down faster due to drag, an effect which is magnified at higher
speeds. As a result, low weight golf balls can be beneficial for
low swing speed players, but may not be good for high swing speed
players.
[0016] Golf balls that exceed the USGA weight rule and/or have a
diameter below the USGA minimum size requirement have also been
taught for increasing distance. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,645,497 to Sullivan et al. discloses a golf ball wherein the core
and cover have a combined weight of between 47 grams and 53 grams,
a coefficient of restitution of at least substantially 0.800, and a
Riehle compression between 0.037 inch and 0.045 inch, and the
outside diameter of the ball is at least substantially 1.62 inches
and less than 1.68 inches. Also,
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,852,784 to Sullivan discloses non-conforming
golf balls having an outside diameter of between about 1.62 inches
and about 1.68 inches, wherein the core is comprised of a highly
neutralized polymer.
[0018] There remains a need in the industry for golf balls having
increased distance, particularly for low swing speed golfers. The
present invention seeks to fulfill this need with golf balls having
an initial velocity and/or an overall distance that do not conform
to the Initial Velocity Rule and Overall Distance Standard
established by the United States Golf Association.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention is directed to a golf ball having an
initial velocity greater than 255 ft/sec and/or an overall distance
of greater than 320 yards. The golf ball comprises an inner core
layer, an outer cover layer, and optionally an intermediate layer
disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer. In
a particular embodiment, at least one of the layers is formed from
a plasticized composition comprising from 2 wt % to 50 wt % of a
plasticizer, based on the total weight of the plasticized
composition. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the inner
core layer is formed from the plasticized composition. In another
particular aspect of this embodiment, the outer cover layer is
formed from the plasticized composition. In another particular
aspect of this embodiment, the golf ball comprises an intermediate
layer, and the intermediate layer is formed from the plasticized
composition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Golf balls of the present invention do not conform to the
Initial Velocity rule and/or the Overall Distance Standard ("ODS")
of the Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA. Under the Initial
Velocity rule, the maximum allowable initial velocity is 250 ft/sec
with a 2% tolerance (i.e., 255 ft/sec). Under the ODS, the maximum
allowable overall distance in carry and roll is 317 yards with a
maximum tolerance of 3 yards (i.e., 320 yards). Thus, golf balls of
the present invention preferably have a non-conforming initial
velocity of greater than 255 ft/sec, or greater than 256 ft/sec, or
greater than 258 ft/sec, or greater than 260 ft/sec, and/or a
non-conforming overall distance of greater than 320 yards, or
greater than 325 yards, or 330 yards or greater, or greater than
330 yards, or 335 yards or greater, or greater than 335 yards, or
340 yards or greater, or greater than 340 yards, or 345 yards or
greater, or greater than 345 yards, or 350 yards or greater, or
greater than 350 yards, or 355 yards or greater, or 360 yards or
greater.
[0021] The test method for measuring initial velocity for purposes
of determining whether a golf ball conforms to the Initial Velocity
rule is well known. The initial velocity test is conducted by
conditioning a ball for a minimum of 3 hrs at
23.degree..+-.1.degree. C. The room in which the test is to be
conducted is conditioned to 23.degree..+-.2.degree. C. The ball is
then struck by a striking mass of approximately 250 lbs at a
striker velocity of 143.8 ft/sec.
[0022] Initial velocity is related to the coefficient of
restitution ("COR") of the golf ball, Thus, the COR of the golf
ball can be measured and correlated to initial velocity using known
correlation methods in order to determine whether a golf ball
conforms to the Initial Velocity rule, Such correlation methods are
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,141 to Morgan et
al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference.
[0023] The test method for measuring the overall distance for
purposes of determining whether a golf ball conforms to the ODS is
well known. The overall distance test is conducted at the USGA
Research and Test center as a two part test. Part one is conducted
using the indoor Test Range (ITR), where the aerodynamic properties
of the golf ball are characterized by the coefficient of lift
(C.sub.L) and the coefficient of drag (C.sub.D). Part two is
conducted using a mechanical golfer setup to achieve a calibrated
launch condition for a reference golf ball (ball speed, spin rate
and launch angle); the conditions determined in accordance with the
USGA test procedure on file, section 5. The test golf balls, stored
at a test temperature of 75.degree. F.+/-1.degree. F. (23.9.degree.
C.) for three hours, are then hit with the mechanical golfer to
determine their specific launch conditions under the test setup
conditions. The aerodynamic coefficients and the specific golf ball
launch conditions are then combined to determine the overall
distance (carry plus roll) for the specific golf ball under
standard environmental conditions (75.degree. F., 30 in Hg, and 50%
relative humidity). Actual golf ball diameter, as determined by the
USGA test procedure on file, and a weight of 1.620 ounces are used
in the ODS determination.
[0024] In some embodiments, golf balls of the present invention
additionally do not conform to the Weight rule and/or the Size rule
of the Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA. Under the Weight
rule, the maximum allowable weight of the golf ball is 1.620
ounces. Under the Size rule, the minimum allowable diameter of the
golf ball is 1.680 inches. Thus, in one embodiment, golf balls of
the present invention have a weight of greater than 1.620 ounces
and/or a diameter of less than 1.680 inches. In a particular aspect
of this embodiment, golf balls of the present invention have a
weight of greater than 1.650 ounces, or greater than 1.700 ounces,
or greater than 1.750 ounces, or greater than 1.800 ounces, or
greater than 1.850 ounces, or greater than 1.900 ounces, or greater
than 1.950 ounces, or 2.00 ounces or greater, or 2.20 ounces or
greater. In another particular aspect of this embodiment, golf
balls of the present invention have a diameter of less than 1.650
inches, or less than 1.630 inches, or 1.620 inches or less.
[0025] Golf balls of the present invention are multi-layer balls
comprising one or more core layers and one or more cover layers.
Each of the layers is formed from a composition independently
selected from rubber compositions and thermoplastic compositions,
including ionomeric and non-ionomeric compositions.
[0026] Suitable rubber compositions include a base rubber selected
from natural and synthetic rubbers, including, but not limited to,
polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber ("EPR"),
ethylene propylene diene rubber ("EPDM"), styrene butadiene rubber,
styrenic block copolymer rubber, butyl rubber, halobutyl rubber,
copolymers of isobutylene and para-alkylstyrene, halogenated
copolymers of isobutylene and para-alkylstyrene, acrylonitrile
butadiene rubber, polychloroprene, alkyl acrylate rubber,
chlorinated isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile chlorinated isoprene
rubber, polystyrene elastomers, polyethylene elastomers,
polyurethane elastomers, polyurea elastomers, metallocene-catalyzed
elastomers and plastomers, polyalkenamer, phenol formaldehyde,
melamine formaldehyde, polyepoxide, polysiloxane, alkyd,
polyisocyanurate, polycyanurate, polyacrylate, and combinations of
two or more thereof. Diene rubbers are preferred, particularly
polybutadiene, styrene butadiene, acrylonitrile butadiene, and
mixtures of polybutadiene with other elastomers wherein the amount
of polybutadiene present greater than 40 wt % based on the total
polymeric weight of the mixture.
[0027] Non-limiting examples of suitable commercially available
base rubbers are Buna CB high-cis neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene
rubbers, such as Buna CB 23, Buna CB24, and Buna CB high-cis
cobalt-catalyzed polybutadiene rubbers, such as Buna CB 1203, 1220
and 1221, commercially available from Lanxess Corporation; SE
BR-1220, commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company;
Europrene.RTM. NEOCIS.RTM. BR 40 and BR 60, commercially available
from Polimeri Europa.RTM.; UBEPOL-BR.RTM. rubbers, commercially
available from UBE Industries, Inc.; BR 01, commercially available
from Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.; Neodene high-cis
neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene rubbers, such as Neodene BR 40,
commercially available from Karbochem; TP-301 transpolyisoprene,
commercially available from Kuraray Co., Ltd.; Vestenamer.RTM.
polyoctenamer, commercially available from Evonik Industries; Butyl
065 and Butyl 288 butyl rubbers, commercially available from
ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Butyl 301 and Butyl 101-3,
commercially available from Lanxess Corporation; Bromobutyl 2224
and Chlorobutyl 1066 halobutyl rubbers, commercially available from
ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Bromobutyl X2 and Chlorobutyl 1240
halobutyl rubbers, commercially available from Lanxess Corporation;
BromoButyl 2255 butyl rubber, commercially available from Japan
Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd.; Vistalon.RTM. 404 and Vistalon.RTM. 706
ethylene propylene rubbers, commercially available from ExxonMobil
Chemical Company; Dutral CO 058 ethylene propylene rubber,
commercially available from Polimeri Europa; Nordel.RTM. IP NDR
5565 and Nordel.RTM. IP 3670 ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers,
commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company; EPT1045 and
EPT1045 ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers, commercially available
from Mitsui Corporation; Buna SE 1721 TE styrene-butadiene rubbers,
commercially available from Lanxess Corporation; Afpol 1500 and
Afpol 552 styrene-butadiene rubbers, commercially available from
Karbochem; Plioflex PLF 1502, commercially available from Goodyear
Chemical; Nipol.RTM. DN407 and Nipol.RTM. 1041L acrylonitrile
butadiene rubbers, commercially available from Zeon Chemicals,
L.P.; Neoprene GRT and Neoprene AD30 polychloroprene rubbers;
Vamac.RTM. ethylene acrylic elastomers, commercially available from
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Hytemp.RTM. AR12 and AR214
alkyl acrylate rubbers, commercially available from Zeon Chemicals,
L.P.; Hypalon.RTM. chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubbers,
commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company;
and Goodyear Budene.RTM. 1207 polybutadiene, commercially available
from Goodyear Chemical. In a particular embodiment, the core is
formed from a rubber composition comprising as the base rubber a
blend of Neodene BR 40 polybutadiene, Budene.RTM. 1207
polybutadiene, and Buna SB 1502 styrene butadiene rubber. In
another particular embodiment, the core is formed from a rubber
composition comprising as the base rubber a blend of Neodene BR 40
polybutadiene, Buna CB 1221, and core regrind.
[0028] The rubber is crosslinked using, for example, a peroxide or
sulfur cure system, C-C initiators, high energy radiation sources
capable of generating free radicals, or a combination thereof. The
rubber composition optionally includes one or more of the
following: scorch retarder, antioxidant, soft and fast agent,
filler, processing aid, processing oil, coloring agent, fluorescent
agent, chemical blowing and foaming agent, defoaming agent,
stabilizer, softening agent, impact modifier, free radical
scavenger, and antiozonant (e.g., p-phenylenediames). Suitable
types and amounts of rubber, initiator agent, coagent, filler, and
additives are more fully described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,566,483, 6,695,718, 6,939,907, 7,041,721 and 7,138,460, the
entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. Particularly suitable diene rubber compositions are
further disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2007/0093318, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0029] Suitable ionomer compositions include partially neutralized
ionomers and highly neutralized ionomers, including ionomers formed
from blends of two or more partially neutralized ionomers, blends
of two or more highly neutralized ionomers, and blends of one or
more partially neutralized ionomers with one or more highly
neutralized ionomers. Preferred ionomers are salts of O/X- and
O/X/Y-type acid copolymers, wherein O is an .alpha.-olefin, X is a
C.sub.3-C.sub.8 .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic
acid, and Y is a softening monomer. O is preferably selected from
ethylene and propylene. X is preferably selected from methacrylic
acid, acrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, crotonic acid, and itaconic
acid. Methacrylic acid and acrylic acid are particularly preferred.
As used herein, "(meth) acrylic acid" means methacrylic acid and/or
acrylic acid. Likewise, "(meth) acrylate" means methacrylate and/or
acrylate. Y is preferably selected from (meth) acrylate and alkyl
(meth) acrylates wherein the alkyl groups have from 1 to 8 carbon
atoms, including, but not limited to, n-butyl (meth) acrylate,
isobutyl (meth) acrylate, methyl (meth) acrylate, and ethyl (meth)
acrylate. Particularly preferred O/X/Y-type copolymers are
ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid/n-butyl (meth) acrylate,
ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid/isobutyl (meth) acrylate,
ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid/methyl (meth) acrylate, and
ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid/ethyl (meth) acrylate. The acid is
typically present in the acid copolymer in an amount of 6 wt % or
greater, or 9 wt % or greater, or 10 wt % or greater, or 11 wt % or
greater, or 15 wt % or greater, or 16 wt % or greater, or 19 wt %
or greater, or 20 wt % or greater, or in an amount within a range
having a lower limit of 1 or 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 15 wt
% and an upper limit of 15 or 16 or 17 or 19 or 20 or 20.5 or 21 or
25 or 30 or 35 or 40 wt %, based on the total weight of the acid
copolymer. The acid copolymer is at least partially neutralized
with a cation source, optionally in the presence of a high
molecular weight organic acid, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,756,436, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. In a particular embodiment, less
than 40% of the acid groups present in the composition are
neutralized. In another particular embodiment, from 40% to 60% of
the acid groups present in the composition are neutralized. In
another particular embodiment, from 60% to 70% of the acid groups
present in the composition are neutralized. In another particular
embodiment, from 60% to 80% of the acid groups present in the
composition are neutralized. In another particular embodiment, from
70% to 80% of the acid groups present in the composition are
neutralized. In another embodiment, from 80% to 100% of the acid
groups present in the composition are neutralized. Suitable cation
sources include, but are not limited to, metal ion sources, such as
compounds of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition
metals, and rare earth elements; ammonium salts and monoamine
salts; and combinations thereof. Preferred cation sources are
compounds of magnesium, sodium, potassium, cesium, calcium, barium,
manganese, copper, zinc, tin, lithium, and rare earth metals. In a
particular embodiment, the ionomer composition includes a bimodal
ionomer, for example, DuPont.RTM. AD1043 ionomers, and the ionomers
disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0220343
and U.S. Patent Nos. 6,562,906, 6,762,246 and 7,273,903, the entire
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Suitable ionomers are further disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0049367, 2005/0148725,
2005/0020741, 2004/0220343, and 2003/0130434, and U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,587,430, 5,691,418, 5,866,658, 6,100,321, 6,562,906, 6,653,382,
6,756,436, 6,777,472, 6,762,246, 6,815,480, 6,894,098, 6,919,393,
6,953,820, 6,994,638, 7,375,151, and 7,652,086, the entire
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0030] Suitable ionomer compositions also include blends of one or
more partially- or fully-neutralized polymers with additional
thermoplastic and thermoset materials, including, but not limited
to, non-ionomeric acid copolymers, engineering thermoplastics,
fatty acid/salt-based highly neutralized polymers, polybutadienes,
polyurethanes, polyureas, polyesters, polyamides,
polycarbonate/polyester blends, thermoplastic elastomers, maleic
anhydride-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers (e.g., maleic
anhydride-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene), and other
conventional polymeric materials.
[0031] Suitable ionomeric compositions are further disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,653,382, 6,756,436, 6,777,472,
6,894,098, 6,919,393, and 6,953,820, the entire disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] Also suitable are polyester ionomers, including, but not
limited to, those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,476,157 and 7,074,465, the entire disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] Also suitable are thermoplastic elastomers comprising a
silicone ionomer, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
8,329,156, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0034] Also suitable are the following non-ionomeric polymers,
including homopolymers and copolymers thereof, as well as their
derivatives that are compatibilized with at least one grafted or
copolymerized functional group, such as maleic anhydride, amine,
epoxy, isocyanate, hydroxyl, sulfonate, phosphonate, and the like:
[0035] (a) polyesters, particularly those modified with a
compatibilizing group such as sulfonate or phosphonate, including
modified poly(ethylene terephthalate), modified poly(butylene
terephthalate), modified poly(propylene terephthalate), modified
poly(trimethylene terephthalate), modified poly(ethylene
naphthenate), and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,353,050,
6,274,298, and 6,001,930, the entire disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference, and blends of two or more
thereof; [0036] (b) polyamides, polyamide-ethers, and
polyamide-esters, and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,187,864,
6,001,930, and 5,981,654, the entire disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference, and blends of two or more
thereof; [0037] (c) polyurethanes, polyureas, polyurethane-polyurea
hybrids, and blends of two or more thereof; [0038] (d)
fluoropolymers, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,691,066, 6,747,110 and 7,009,002, the entire disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and blends of two or
more thereof; [0039] (e) non-ionomeric acid polymers, such as E/X-
and E/X/Y-type copolymers, wherein E is an olefin (e.g., ethylene),
X is a carboxylic acid such as acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic,
maleic, fumaric, or itaconic acid, and Y is an optional softening
comonomer such as vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids
wherein the acid has from 2 to 10 carbons, alkyl ethers wherein the
alkyl group has from 1 to 10 carbons, and alkyl alkylacrylates such
as alkyl methacrylates wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 10
carbons; and blends of two or more thereof; [0040] (f)
metallocene-catalyzed polymers, such as those disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,274,669, 5,919,862, 5,981,654, and 5,703,166, the
entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference, and blends of two or more thereof; [0041] (g)
polystyrenes, such as poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride),
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, poly(styrene sulfonate),
polyethylene styrene, and blends of two or more thereof; [0042] (h)
polypropylenes and polyethylenes, particularly grafted
polypropylene and grafted polyethylenes that are modified with a
functional group, such as maleic anhydride of sulfonate, and blends
of two or more thereof; [0043] (i) polyvinyl chlorides and grafted
polyvinyl chlorides, and blends of two or more thereof; [0044] (j)
polyvinyl acetates, preferably having less than about 9% of vinyl
acetate by weight, and blends of two or more thereof; [0045] (k)
polycarbonates, blends of
polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, blends of
polycarbonate/polyurethane, blends of polycarbonate/polyester, and
blends of two or more thereof; [0046] (l) polyvinyl alcohols, and
blends of two or more thereof; [0047] (m) polyethers, such as
polyarylene ethers, polyphenylene oxides, block copolymers of
alkenyl aromatics with vinyl aromatics and poly(amic ester)s, and
blends of two or more thereof; [0048] (n) polyimides,
polyetherketones, polyamideimides, and blends of two or more
thereof; [0049] (o) polycarbonate/polyester copolymers and blends;
and [0050] (p) combinations of any two or more of the above
thermoplastic polymers.
[0051] Examples of commercially available thermoplastics suitable
for forming thermoplastic layers include, but are not limited to,
Pebax.RTM. thermoplastic polyether block amides, commercially
available from Arkema Inc.; Surlyn.RTM. ionomer resins, Hytrel.RTM.
thermoplastic polyester elastomers, and ionomeric materials sold
under the trade names DuPont.RTM. HPF 1000, HPF 2000, HPF AD 1035,
HPF AD 1040, all of which are commercially available from E. I. du
Pont de Nemours and Company; lotek.RTM. ionomers, commercially
available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Amplify.RTM. IO
ionomers of ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, commercially
available from The Dow Chemical Company; Clarix.RTM. ionomer
resins, commercially available from A. Schulman Inc.;
Elastollan.RTM. polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers,
commercially available from BASF; and Xylex.RTM.
polycarbonate/polyester blends, commercially available from SABIC
Innovative Plastics. Non-conforming initial velocity and overall
distance properties of the golf balls of the present invention are
preferably achieved solely or in part by one or more of the
following: forming one or more of the golf ball layers from a
plasticized polymer composition, forming one or more of the golf
ball layers from a composition comprising filler in an amount
sufficient to increase the weight of the golf ball to greater than
1.620 ounces, constructing the golf ball to an overall diameter of
less than 1.680 inches, and providing the golf ball with a
particular dimple design. In embodiments wherein the golf ball has
at least one layer formed from a plasticized polymer composition
and at least one layer formed from a filled composition, the filled
layer can be the same layer as or a different layer than the layer
formed from the plasticized polymer composition.
[0052] In one embodiment, forming one or more of the golf ball
layers from a plasticized polymer composition contributes to the
non-conforming initial velocity and overall distance properties of
the golf balls of the present invention. In a particular aspect of
this embodiment, the present invention is directed a golf ball
comprising an inner core layer and an outer cover layer, wherein
the inner core layer is formed from a plasticized polymer
composition. In another particular aspect of this embodiment, the
present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising an inner
core layer and an outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer
is formed from a plasticized polymer composition. In another
particular aspect of this embodiment, the present invention is
directed to a golf ball comprising an inner core layer, an outer
cover layer, and an intermediate layer disposed between the inner
core layer and the outer cover layer, wherein the intermediate
layer is formed from a plasticized polymer composition.
[0053] Suitable plasticized polymer compositions include a
plasticizer in an amount sufficient to substantially change the
stiffness and/or hardness of the composition, and typically
comprise from 20 to 99.5 wt % of the polymer and from 0.5 to 80 wt
% of the plasticizer, based on the combined weight of the polymer
and the plasticizer. In a particular embodiment, the plasticizer is
present in an amount of 0.5% or 1% or 3% or 5% or 7% or 8% or 9% or
10% or 12% or 15% or 18% or 20% or 22% or 25% or 30% or 35% or 40%
or 42% or 50% or 55% or 60% or 66% or 71% or 75% or 80%, by weight
based on the combined weight of the polymer and the plasticizer, or
the plasticizer is present in an amount within a range having a
lower limit and an upper limit selected from these values. Suitable
polymers include acid copolymers, partially neutralized acid
copolymers, highly neutralized acid polymers ("HNPs"), polyesters,
polyamides, thermosetting and thermoplastic polyurethanes.
[0054] Suitable plasticized acid copolymer compositions,
plasticized partially neutralized acid copolymer compositions, and
plasticized HNP compositions, and particularly suitable golf ball
constructions utilizing such compositions, are further disclosed,
for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/460,416, U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/490,976, U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/576,800, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/588,317, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0055] Suitable plasticized polyester compositions, and
particularly suitable golf ball constructions utilizing such
compositions, are further disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/532,141, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0056] Suitable plasticized polyamide compositions, and
particularly suitable golf ball constructions utilizing such
compositions, are further disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/309,066, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/330,189, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/527,835, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/576,324, the entire disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0057] Suitable plasticized polyurethane compositions, and
particularly suitable golf ball constructions utilizing such
compositions, are further disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/672,538, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/672,523, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/672,485, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/691,720, the entire disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0058] In another embodiment, forming one or more of the golf ball
layers from an HNP composition, wherein the HNP composition is
formed by blending an acid polymer, a non-acid polymer, a cation
source, and a fatty acid or metal salt thereof, contributes to the
non-conforming initial velocity and overall distance properties of
the golf balls of the present invention. Such HNP compositions, and
particularly suitable golf ball constructions utilizing such
compositions, are further disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2014/0113748, the entire disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In a particular
aspect of this embodiment, the present invention is directed a golf
ball comprising an inner core layer and an outer cover layer,
wherein the inner core layer is formed from the HNP composition. In
another particular aspect of this embodiment, the present invention
is directed to a golf ball comprising an inner core layer and an
outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer is formed from the
HNP composition. In another particular aspect of this embodiment,
the present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising an
inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and an intermediate layer
disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer,
wherein the intermediate layer is formed from the HNP
composition.
[0059] In another embodiment, forming one or more of the golf ball
layers from a filled composition contributes to the non-conforming
initial velocity and overall distance properties of the golf balls
of the present invention. The filled composition comprises filler
in an amount sufficient to increase the weight of the golf ball to
greater than 1.620 ounces, or greater than 1.650 ounces, or greater
than 1.700 ounces, or greater than 1.750 ounces, or greater than
1.800 ounces, or greater than 1.850 ounces, or greater than 1.900
ounces, or greater than 1.950 ounces, or 2.00 ounces or greater, or
2.20 ounces or greater. Any suitable filler, flake, fiber,
particle, or the like, of an organic or inorganic material may be
used, as further disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,494,795, 6,547,677,
6,743,123, 7,074,137, and 6,688,991, and U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2014/0113749, the entire disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference
[0060] In another embodiment, constructing the golf ball to an
overall diameter of less than 1.680 inches contributes to the
non-conforming initial velocity and overall distance properties of
the golf balls of the present invention. In a particular aspect of
this embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball
having an outside diameter of less than 1.650 inches, or less than
1.630 inches, or 1.620 inches or less
[0061] In another embodiment, providing the golf ball with a
particular dimple design contributes to the non-conforming overall
distance properties of the golf balls of the present invention. The
golf balls preferably have a dimple coverage of 65% or greater, or
70% or greater, or 75% or greater, or 80% or greater, or 85% or
greater, or 90% or greater, or 95% or greater. The dimples
generally have a plan view shape selected from circular, polygonal,
oval, flower-like lobed, multi-armed, amorphous, and annular; and a
cross-sectional profile shape selected from spherical, truncated,
catenary, multi-radius, saucer, dimple-in-dimple, conical, and
bramble. The dimples are typically arranged in an overall pattern
selected from polyhedron-based patterns, phyllotaxis-based
patterns, spherical tiling patterns, and random arrangements. The
dimples preferably have an edge angle of 10.0.degree. or
11.0.degree. or 11.5.degree. or 12.0.degree. or 12.5.degree. or
13.0.degree. or 13.5.degree. or 14.0.degree., or an edge angle
having a lower limit and an upper limit selected from these
values.
[0062] In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides a
golf ball having an outer diameter of 1.680 inches or greater, a
weight of 1.620 ounces or less, and an overall distance of greater
than 320, wherein the outer surface of the golf ball comprises a
plurality of dimples, the majority of which have an edge angle of
13.0.degree. or 13.5 or 14.0.degree., or an edge angle of
13.5.degree..
[0063] In another particular embodiment, the present invention
provides a golf ball having an outer diameter of 1.680 inches or
greater, a weight of greater than 1.620 ounces, and an overall
distance of 330 yards or greater, wherein the outer surface of the
golf ball comprises a plurality of dimples, the majority of which
have an edge angle of 12.0.degree. or 12.5.degree. or 13.0.degree.
or 13.5.degree., or an edge angle within a range having a lower
limit and an upper limit selected from these values. In a
particular aspect of this embodiment, the weight of the golf ball
is 1.80 ounces or greater, or 2.00 ounces or greater, or 2.20
ounces or greater. In another particular aspect of this embodiment,
the golf ball has an overall distance of 335 yards or greater, or
340 yards or greater, or 345 yards or greater, or 350 yards or
greater.
[0064] In another particular embodiment, the present invention
provides a golf ball having an outer diameter of less than 1.680
inches, a weight of greater than 1.620 ounces, and an overall
distance of 350 yards or greater, wherein the outer surface of the
golf ball comprises a plurality of dimples, the majority of which
have an edge angle of 11.5.degree. or 12.0.degree. or 12.5.degree.,
or an edge angle within a range having a lower limit and an upper
limit selected from these values. In a particular aspect of this
embodiment, the weight of the golf ball is 1.80 ounces or greater,
or 2.00 ounces or greater, or 2.20 ounces or greater. In another
particular aspect of this embodiment, the golf ball has an overall
distance of 355 yards or greater, or 360 yards or greater.
[0065] When numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are
set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these
values may be used.
[0066] All patents, publications, test procedures, and other
references cited herein, including priority documents, are fully
incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is not
inconsistent with this invention and for all jurisdictions in which
such incorporation is permitted.
[0067] While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have
been described with particularity, it will be understood that
various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily
made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not
intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to
the examples and descriptions set forth herein, but rather that the
claims be construed as encompassing all of the features of
patentable novelty which reside in the present invention, including
all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those
of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
* * * * *