Golf ball containing optical brightener blend
AssigneeLisco, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A golf ball with a visible outer layer containing a blend of about 0.01 -0.05 parts by weight of a thiophene-type optical brightener and about 0.008-0.025 parts by weight of a second optical brightener selected from the group consisting of 2,2'-(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene)bisbenzoxazole and derivatives thereof, the parts by weight of optical brightener being based upon 100 parts by weight of the polymeric material. The blend provides for a degree of whiteness comparable to that of 0.1 parts by weight of a thiophene-type optical brightener used alone, and provides for better solubility than results from the use of higher concentrations of 2,2'-(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene)bisbenzoxazole alone.
Claims18
A golf ball having a layer with a visible outer surface, the layer comprising a polymeric material, about 1-10 parts be weight of a white pigment and a compatible optical brightener consisting essentially of a blend of about 0.01-0.05 parts by weight of a thiophene benzoxazole optical brightener and about 0.008-0.025 parts by weight of a 2,2'-(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene)bisbenzoxazole, the layer having an initial whiteness of at least about 154 and exhibiting a degree of whiteness retention sufficient to result in a reduction in whiteness of less than 2.8% when subjected to accelerated aging conditions in a vacuum oven at about 125.degree. F. and 27" mercury for about thirty days, the parts by weight of optical brightener being based upon 100 parts by weight of the polymeric material.
A golf ball having a core surrounded by an ionomeric layer with a visible outer surface having an initial whiteness of about 154 or more, the ionomeric layer comprising a compatible optical brightener consisting essentially of a blend of about 0.01-0.05 parts by weight of a 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)bis[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)benzoxazole] and 0.008-0.025 parts by weight of a 2,2'(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene)bisbenzoxazole, the total quantity of optical brightener being no more than about 0.036 parts by weight, the parts by weight of optical brightener being based upon 100 parts by weight of the ionomer.
An ionomeric masterbatch for use in forming a golf ball cover having at least 90 wt % ionomer containing a mixture of X wt % masterbatch which includes optical brightener, and (100-X) wt % additional ionomer which does not contain optical brightener, and having an initial whiteness of at least 154 and exhibiting a degree of whiteness retention sufficient to result in a reduction in whiteness of less than 2.8% when subjected to accelerated aging in a vacuum oven at 125.degree. F. and 27" mercury for about thirty days, the masterbatch including 100 parts by weight of a polymeric material, and an optical brightener consisting essentially of a blend of about 1/X-5/X weight % of a thiophene benzoxazole optical brightener and about 0.8/X-2.5/X weight % of a 2,2'-(1,2-ethenediyldli-4,1-phenylene)bisbenzoxazole, the parts by weight of optical brightener being based upon the total weight of the ionomeric masterbatch.
A method of making a golf ball comprising:
- obtaining a golf ball core, and
- molding a cover layer around the core, the cover layer comprising a polymeric material, 1-10 parts by weight white pigment, and a compatible optical brightener consisting essentially of a blend of about 0.01-0.05 parts by weight of a thiophene benzoxazole optical brightener and about 0.008-0.025 parts by weight of a 2,2'-(1,2-ethenediyldi-4,1-phenylene)bisbenzoxazole, the optical brightener blend imparting to the cover an initial whiteness of at least about 154 and a degree of whiteness retention sufficient to result in a reduction in whiteness of less than 2.8% when the cover is subjected to accelerated aging conditions in a vacuum oven at about 125.degree. F. and 27" mercury for about thirty days, the parts by weight of optical brightener and white pigment being based upon 100 parts by weight of the polymeric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.