Golf balls having a foam center
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
- an inner core layer formed from a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter of from 0.100 inches to 1.100 inches and an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center to provide a positive hardness gradient; and
an outer core layer formed from a non-foamed composition, the outer core layer having a thickness of from 0.100 inches to 0.750 inches and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient;
wherein the specific gravity of the outer core layer is greater than the specific gravity of the inner core layer; and
wherein at least one of the inner core layer composition and the outer core layer composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising;
an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α
,β
-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;
a non-acid polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, and functionalized derivatives thereof;
an organic acid or salt thereof; and
a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize greater than 80% of all acid groups present in the composition.
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Abstract
Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed composition selected from thermoset compositions and thermoplastic compositions. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
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an inner core layer formed from a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter of from 0.100 inches to 1.100 inches and an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center to provide a positive hardness gradient; and an outer core layer formed from a non-foamed composition, the outer core layer having a thickness of from 0.100 inches to 0.750 inches and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient; wherein the specific gravity of the outer core layer is greater than the specific gravity of the inner core layer; and wherein at least one of the inner core layer composition and the outer core layer composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising; an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α
,β
-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;a non-acid polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, and functionalized derivatives thereof; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize greater than 80% of all acid groups present in the composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
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an inner core layer formed from a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter of from 0.100 inches to 1.100 inches and an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), the Hinner core surface being the same or less than the Hinner core center to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient; and an outer core layer formed from a non-foamed composition, the outer core layer having a thickness of from 0.100 inches to 0.750 inches and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient; wherein the specific gravity of the outer core layer is greater than the specific gravity of the inner core layer; and wherein at least one of the inner core layer composition and the outer core layer composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising; an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α
,β
-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;a non-acid polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, and functionalized derivatives thereof; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize greater than 80% of all acid groups present in the composition. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification