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US 6,204,331 B1Granted
Multi-layer golf ball utilizing silicone materials
AssigneeSpalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Sullivan, Viktor Keller, Mark Binette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a high acid ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The present invention golf ball further comprises at least one interior layer and/or a core comprising a silicone material. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.
Claims37
A golf ball comprising:
- a core;
- at least one interior layer surrounding said core and disposed between said core and a cover layer, wherein said at least one interior layer comprises an ionomeric resin including at least 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and
- wherein at least one interior layer comprises a silicone material selected from the group consisting of silicone polymers, silicone fluids, silicone elastomers, and combinations thereof.
A multi-layer golf ball comprising a silicone material;
- a spherical core comprising a silicone material;
- an inner cover layer disposed about said spherical core to form a spherical intermediate ball, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including about 17% to about 25% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid an having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi;
- an outer cover layer molded over said spherical intermediate ball to form a multi-layer golf ball, the outer layer comprising a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyester elastomer, polyester polyurethane and polyester amide, said outer cover layer having a modulus in a range of about 1,000 to about 30,000 psi;
- and
- at least one interior layer disposed about said core and said outer cover layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.
2 more elements
A golf ball comprising:
- a core;
- an inner cover layer disposed about said core, the inner cover layer comprising a high acid ionomer including at least 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid;
- an outer cover layer molded on said inner cover layer, said outer cover layer comprising a relatively soft polymeric material selected from the group consisting of low flexural modulus ionomer resins and non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomers;
- and
- at least one interior layer disposed between said core and said outer cover layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.
2 more elements
A multi-layer golf ball comprising:
- a spherical core;
- an inner cover layer disposed about said spherical core to form a spherical intermediate ball, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including at least 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi;
- an outer cover layer molded over said spherical intermediate ball to form a multi-layer golf ball, the outer layer comprising a blend of i) a sodium or zinc salt of a copolymer having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and ii) a sodium or zinc salt of a terpolymer of an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, acrylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having a modulus in a range of about 1,000 to about 30,000 psi;
- and
- at least one interior layer disposed between said core and said outer layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.
2 more elements
A multi-layer golf ball comprising:
- a spherical core;
- an inner cover layer disposed about said spherical core to form a spherical intermediate ball, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including about 17% to about 25% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi;
- an outer cover layer molded over said spherical intermediate ball to form a multi-layer golf ball, the outer layer comprising a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyester elastomer, polyester polyurethane and polyester amide, said outer cover layer having a modulus in a range of about 1,000 to about 30,000 psi;
- and
- at least one interior layer disposed between said core and said outer cover layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.
2 more elements
A golf ball comprising:
- a core comprising a silicone material;
- an inner layer disposed about said core, the inner cover layer comprising a high acid ionomer including at least 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid;
- an outer cover layer molded on said inner cover layer, said outer cover layer comprising a relatively soft polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a low flexural modulus ionomer resins and non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomers;
- and
- at least one interior layer disposed between said core and said outer cover layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.
2 more elements
A multi-layer golf ball comprising:
- a spherical core comprising a silicone material;
- an inner cover layer disposed about said spherical core, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including at least 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi;
- an outer cover layer molded over said spherical intermediate ball to form a multi-layer golf ball, the outer layer comprising a blend of i) a sodium or zinc salt of a copolymer having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and ii) a sodium or zinc salt of a terpolymer of an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, acrylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having from 1 to 21 carbon atoms, said outer cover layer having a modulus in a range of about 1,000 to about 30,000 psi;
- and
- at least one interior layer disposed between said core and said outer cover layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.