# US 10,369,420 B2 · Multi-layer golf ball

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- Number: US 10,369,420 B2
- Document ID: US10369420B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/047,216
- Filed: 2018-07-27
- Published: 2018-12-06
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2007-06-22
- Assignees: Acushnet Company
- Applicants: Acushnet Company
- Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369420B2

## CPC

- A63B 37/0094: {Rebound resilience}
- A63B 37/0003: {Golf balls}
- A63B 37/0024: {Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane}
- A63B 37/0027: {Polyurea}
- A63B 37/0031: {Hardness}
- A63B 37/0039: {characterised by the material}
- A63B 37/004: {Physical properties}
- A63B 37/0043: {Hardness}
- A63B 37/0045: {Thickness}
- A63B 37/00621: {Centre hardness}
- A63B 37/00622: {Surface hardness}
- A63B 37/0063: {Hardness gradient}
- A63B 37/0064: {Diameter}
- A63B 37/0066: {Density; Specific gravity}
- A63B 37/0076: {Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers}
- A63B 37/008: {Diameter}
- A63B 37/0087: {Deflection or compression}
- A63B 37/0092: {Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers}
- A63B 37/0096: {Spin rate}
- A63B 37/0059: {Ionomer}
- A63B 37/0078: {Coefficient of restitution}
- C08K 5/20: Carboxylic acid amides
- C08L 23/0876: Salts thereof, i.e. ionomers
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)

## Abstract

Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A golf ball consisting essentially of:
an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a center hardness (Hcenter) of 60 Shore C or greater, and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) of 80 Shore C or greater;
an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hintermediate core material) of 83 Shore C or greater;
an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition having a material hardness (Houter core material) of 35 Shore D or greater;
an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hinner cover material) of 95 Shore C or less; and
an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of ionomeric and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C3-C8 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y); and blends of two or more thereof;
wherein a core structure consisting of the inner core layer, the intermediate core layer, and the outer core layer has a diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.55 inches.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein Hintermediate core material is greater than Houter core material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has a diameter of 0.50 inches or greater.

### Claim 4

A golf ball consisting essentially of:
an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a center hardness (Hcenter) of from 50 Shore C to 75 Shore C, and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) of from 60 Shore C to 85 Shore C;
an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hintermediate core material) of 83 Shore C or greater;
an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having an outer surface hardness (Houter core surface) of from 70 Shore C to 95 Shore C;
an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hinner cover material) of from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C; and
an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of ionomeric and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C3-C8 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y); and blends of two or more thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The golf ball of claim 4, wherein Hintermediate core material is greater than Houter core material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the inner core layer has a diameter of 0.50 inches or greater.