# US 12,179,066 B2 · Methods for applying polyurethane coatings to golf balls having a thermoplastic polyurethane cover

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,179,066 B2
- Document ID: US12179066B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/528,210
- Filed: 2023-12-04
- Published: 2024-03-28
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2017-09-21
- Assignees: Acushnet Company
- Applicants: Acushnet Company
- Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan; Mark L. Binette
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179066B2

## CPC

- A63B 37/00221: {characterised by the material}
- A63B 37/0031: {Hardness}
- A63B 1/00: Horizontal bars
- A63B 37/00222: {Physical properties, e.g. hardness}
- A63B 37/0023: {Covers}
- A63B 37/0033: {Thickness}
- A63B 45/00: Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls (working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29)
- B05D 1/02: performed by spraying
- B32B 3/263: {characterised by a layer having non-uniform thickness}
- B32B 25/042: {of natural rubber or synthetic rubber}
- B32B 25/08: of synthetic resin
- B32B 25/12: comprising natural rubber
- B32B 25/14: comprising {synthetic rubber copolymers (B32B25/18 and B32B25/20 take precedence)}
- B32B 25/16: comprising polydienes {homopolymers} or poly-halodienes {homopolymers (B32B25/12 takes precedence)}
- B32B 25/18: comprising butyl or halobutyl rubber
- B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin
- B32B 27/16: specially treated, e.g. irradiated
- B32B 27/18: characterised by the use of special additives
- B32B 27/20: using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
- B32B 27/22: using plasticisers
- B32B 27/281: {comprising polyimides}
- B32B 27/285: {comprising polyethers}
- B32B 27/288: {comprising polyketones}
- B32B 27/302: {comprising aromatic vinyl (co)polymers, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers}
- B32B 27/304: {comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF}
- B32B 27/306: {comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers}
- B32B 27/308: {comprising acrylic (co)polymers}
- B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)}
- B32B 27/34: comprising polyamides
- B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters
- B32B 27/365: {comprising polycarbonates}
- B32B 27/40: comprising polyurethanes
- B32B 27/42: comprising condensation resins of aldehydes, e.g. with phenols, ureas or melamines
- A63B 37/0074: {Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core}
- A63B 37/0075: {Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core}
- A63B 37/0076: {Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers}
- B32B 2250/24: All layers being polymeric
- B32B 2255/10: on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
- B32B 2255/26: Polymeric coating
- B32B 2255/28: Multiple coating on one surface
- B32B 2262/0238: Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
- B32B 2262/0269: Aromatic polyamide fibres
- B32B 2262/062: Cellulose fibres, e.g. cotton
- B32B 2262/10: Inorganic fibres
- B32B 2262/101: Glass fibres
- B32B 2262/103: Metal fibres
- B32B 2262/105: Ceramic fibres
- B32B 2262/106: Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
- B32B 2264/0207: Particles made of materials belonging to B32B25/00
- B32B 2264/0242: Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF or PVDF (co)polymers
- B32B 2264/10: Inorganic particles
- B32B 2264/101: Glass
- B32B 2264/102: Oxide or hydroxide
- B32B 2264/104: Oxysalt, e.g. carbonate, sulfate, phosphate or nitrate particles
- B32B 2264/105: Metal
- B32B 2264/107: Ceramic
- B32B 2264/108: Carbon, e.g. graphite particles
- B32B 2270/00: Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
- B32B 2274/00: Thermoplastic elastomer material
- B32B 2307/536: Hardness
- B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coated golf ball formed by a method, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a golf ball comprising at least one core layer and an outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane composition;
applying a first polyurethane coating comprising unreacted isocyanate groups and having an isocyanate index of at least about 115 to the outer cover layer; and
applying a second polyurethane coating having an isocyanate index of less than 96 to the outer cover of the golf ball to form a coated golf ball.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second polyurethane coatings further comprises a catalyst.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane composition further comprises a catalyst.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer cover layer has a thickness in the range of about 0.010 to about 0.050 inches.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer cover layer has hardness in the range of about 20 to about 59 Shore D.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises an inner core and outer core layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball further comprises an inner cover layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first and second polyurethane coatings are applied by spray-coating.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the golf ball is heated with a source of infrared heat.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The golf ball of claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the golf ball is heated to a surface temperature of about 120° to about 150° F.