# US 9,750,985 B2 · Golf balls having a multi-layered cover with a thermoplastic inner cover layer

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- Number: US 9,750,985 B2
- Document ID: US9750985B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/225,063
- Filed: 2016-08-01
- Published: 2016-11-24
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2001-11-28
- Assignees: Acushnet Company
- Applicants: Acushnet Company
- Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750985B2

## CPC

- A63B 37/0076: {Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers}
- A63B 37/0003: {Golf balls}
- A63B 37/0027: {Polyurea}
- A63B 37/0031: {Hardness}
- A63B 37/0039: {characterised by the material}
- 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 37/0092: {Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers}
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. In one version, a six-piece ball having a three-layered core and three-layered cover is formed. Preferably, the inner core is made of a thermoset rubber composition, the intermediate core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition, and the outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer (HNP) composition. The cover includes inner, intermediate, and outer cover layers, wherein the outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. In a second version, a five-piece ball having a two-layered core and three-layered cover is produced. The finished balls have high resiliency and rebounding properties.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A golf ball consisting essentially of:
an inner core layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of 1.2 inches or greater, a center hardness (Hcenter material) 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 and 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;
an intermediate cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hintermediate cover material) of 80 Shore C or greater, the Hintermediate cover material being greater than the Houter core material; and
an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends thereof.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer has a thickness in the range of 0.015 to 0.070 inches.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Hintermediate core material is at least 87 Shore C.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer has a surface hardness (Hintermediate core surface) and the outer core layer has a surface hardness (Houter core surface), and the Hintermediate core surface is greater than Houter core surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Hintermediate core material is at least 87 Shore C and Houter core material is at least 45 Shore D.

### Claim 6

A golf ball consisting essentially of:
an inner core layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of 1.2 inches or greater, a center hardness (Hcenter material) 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, the intermediate core layer having a thickness of 0.015 to 0.070 inches;
an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a material hardness (Houter core material) of 35 Shore D or greater, the inner core and outer core layer forming a core structure having a diameter of 1.40 to 1.55 inches;
an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hinner cover material) of 95 Shore C or less;
an intermediate cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (Hintermediate cover material) of 80 Shore C or greater, the Hintermediate cover material being greater than the Houter core material and the intermediate cover layer having a thickness of 0.020 to 0.150 inches; and
an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the Hintermediate core material is at least 87 Shore C.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the intermediate core layer has a surface hardness (Hintermediate core surface) and the outer core layer has a surface hardness (Houter core surface), and the Hintermediate core surface is greater than Houter core surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the Hintermediate core material is at least 87 Shore C and Houter core material is at least 45 Shore D.