Low compression golf balls containing cores made of plasticized thermoplastic compositions
First Claim
1. A golf ball, comprising:
- i) a core comprising a thermoplastic composition, the core having an outer surface hardness (Hcore surface) and a center hardness (Hcore center), the Hcore surface being the same or less than the Hcore center to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient, the thermoplastic composition comprising;
a) 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;
b) a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer is an alkyl oleate selected from the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate, butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof, the plasticizer being present in an amount of about 3 to about 50% by weight; and
c) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100% of all add groups present in the composition; and
ii) a cover disposed about the core, wherein the ball has a compression of less than 60.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Low compression multi-piece golf balls having a solid core comprising at least one layer made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. The ball includes a cover in addition to the core sub-assembly. For example, two-piece and three-piece golf balls may be made. The plasticized thermoplastic composition preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as butyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. In two-layered core constructions, the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers may have different hardness levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A golf ball, comprising:
-
i) a core comprising a thermoplastic composition, the core having an outer surface hardness (Hcore surface) and a center hardness (Hcore center), the Hcore surface being the same or less than the Hcore center to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient, the thermoplastic composition comprising; a) 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;b) a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer is an alkyl oleate selected from the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate, butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof, the plasticizer being present in an amount of about 3 to about 50% by weight; and c) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100% of all add groups present in the composition; and ii) a cover disposed about the core, wherein the ball has a compression of less than 60. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification