Golf balls and methods of manufacturing the same
AssigneeCallaway Golf Company
InventorPijush K. Dewanjee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing golf balls is disclosed that prevents the cover from cracking due to thermal expansion of the core during the cover formation process. The method includes the forming a core. One or more optional boundary layers can be applied to the surface of the core. The core and any boundary layers are pre-heated such that the core and any boundary layer undergo volumetric thermal expansion. After the pre-heating, the cover of the ball is formed over the core and any boundary layer. The method of the present invention also decreases cover molding cycle times for golf balls.
Claims29
A method of manufacturing a golf ball comprising:
- heating a golf ball precursor product such that the golf ball precursor product undergoes volumetric thermal expansion;
- and
- applying a cover over the thermally expanded golf ball precursor product
- the cover formed by an exothermic reaction.
The method according to claim 6 wherein heating the golf ball precursor product comprises convection heating the golf ball precursor product at a temperature within the range of about 140° F. to about 160° F.
A method of manufacturing a golf ball comprising:
- forming a core;
- forming at least one boundary layer surrounding the core;
- heating the core and the at least one boundary layer such that the core and the at least one boundary layer undergo volumetric thermal expansion;
- applying a cover over the thermally expanded core and the at least one boundary layer, and
- the cover formed by an exothermic reaction.
A method of manufacturing a golf ball comprising:
- heating a golf ball precursor product such that the golf ball precursor product undergoes volumetric thermal expansion;
- and
- applying a cover over the thermally expanded golf ball precursor product
- the cover formed by an exothermic reaction, and
- the cover comprised of a thermoset material with a resin from the group consisting of Allyl Pthalates like Diallyl Pthalates, (DAP) and Diallyl Iso Pthalates, (DAIP);
- Aminos;
- Cyanates;
- Epoxies;
- Phenolics;
- Unsaturated Polyesters;
- Bismaleimides;
- Polyurethanes;
- Silicones;
- Urethane Hybrids;
- Vinyl Esters;
- Liquid Nylon and Polydicyclopentadienes.
A golf ball having reduced susceptibility of cracking of a cover, the golf ball produced in accordance with the method comprising:
- heating a golf ball precursor product at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period to achieve a predetermined volumetric thermal expansion of the golf ball precursor product;
- and
- applying a cover over the thermally expanded golf ball precursor product.
A golf ball having reduced susceptibility of cracking of a cover, the golf ball produced in accordance with the method comprising:
- heating a golf ball precursor product at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period to achieve a predetermined volumetric thermal expansion of the golf ball precursor product;
- and
- applying a cover over the thermally expanded golf ball precursor product
- the cover comprised of a thermoset material with a resin from the group consisting of Allyl Pthalates like Diallyl Pthalates (DAP) and Diallyl Iso Pthalates (DAIP);
- Aminos;
- Cyanates;
- Epoxies;
- Phenolics;
- Unsaturated Polyesters;
- Bismaleimides;
- Polyurethanes;
- Silicones;
- Urethane Hybrids;
- Vinyl Esters;
- Liquid Nylon and Polydicyclopentadienes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.