Golf ball which includes fast-chemical-reaction-produced component and method of making same

• US 20050133960A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas Kennedy, Viktor M. Keller, William Risen
• Original Assignee: Thomas Kennedy, Viktor M. Keller, William Risen
• Inventors: Keller, Viktor M., Kennedy, Thomas, Risen, William
• Application Number:
  US11/057,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20050133960A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/328.600
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0027 Polyurea
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/003 Coefficient of restitution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0074 Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0083 Weight; Mass
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0095 Scuff resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/06 Elastic cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/7471 Mixers in which the mixing takes place at the inlet of a mould, e.g. mixing chambers situated in the mould opening
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/7615 : characterised by arrangements for controlling, measuring or regulating, e.g. for feeding or proportioning the components
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/7694 : comprising recirculation channels; ducts formed in the plunger
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/826 : Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 7/90 : Fillers or reinforcements , e.g. fibres

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising fast-chemical-reaction-produced component, such as a component which comprises a reaction injection molded polyurethane material. A process of making a golf ball by forming at least one core and/or cover component of the ball by mixing two or more reactants that react and form a reaction product with a flex modulus of 5-310 kpsi in a reaction time of about 5 minutes or less, the component having a thickness of at least 0.01 inches and a demold time of 10 minutes or less is disclosed. In one preferred form of the invention, excess polyurethane from forming golf ball covers is recycled by using it to form golf ball cores.

Claims

1. A process for forming a layer of a golf ball, the process comprising:

heating an isocyanate reactant to a temperature ranging from 100°

F. to 150°

F.;

heating a polyol reactant to a temperature ranging from 100°

F. to 150°

F.;

impinging the isocyanate reactant against the polyol reactant in an impingement mix head under a pressure ranging from 1500 psi to 3000 psi to form a mixture material;

injecting the mixture material into a mold cavity to form a layer of a golf ball.

2. The process according to claim 1 further comprising mixing the mixing material in an aftermixer prior to injecting the mixture material into a mold cavity.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is composed of a polyurethane material.

4. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is composed of a polyurea material.

5. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is formed in a reaction time of five minutes or less.

6. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is formed in a reaction time of three minutes or less.

7. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is a cover of a golf ball.

8. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is a core of a golf ball.

9. The process according to claim 1 wherein the layer is a mantle layer of a golf ball.

10. A process for forming a layer of a golf ball, the process comprising:

heating a isocyanate reactant within an isocyanate tank to a temperature ranging from 100°

F. to 120°

F.;

heating a second liquid reactant within a second tank to a temperature ranging from 100°

F. to 120°

F.;

feeding the isocyanate reactant from the isocyanate tank to a recirculation mix head;

feeding the second reactant from the second tank to the recirculation mix head;

impinging the isocyanate reactant against the second reactant in a recirculation mix head under a pressure ranging from 1500 psi to 3000 psi to form a mixture material;

mixing mixture material in an aftermixer;

injecting the mixture material into a mold cavity to form a layer of a golf ball.

11. The process according to claim 10 wherein the layer is formed in a reaction time of five minutes or less.

12. The process according to claim 10 wherein the layer is formed in a reaction time of three minutes or less.

13. The process according to claim 10 wherein the layer is a cover of a golf ball.

14. The process according to claim 10 wherein the layer is a core of a golf ball.

15. The process according to claim 10 wherein the layer is a mantle layer of a golf ball.

16. A process for forming a layer of a golf ball, the process comprising:

heating a first reactant within a first tank to a temperature ranging from 100°

F. to 120°

F.;

heating a second liquid reactant within a second tank to a temperature ranging from 100°

F. to 120°

F.;

feeding the first reactant from the first tank to a recirculation mix head;

feeding the second reactant from the second tank to the recirculation mix head;

impinging the first reactant against the second reactant in a recirculation mix head under a pressure ranging from 1500 psi to 3000 psi to form a mixture material;

mixing mixture material in an aftermixer;

injecting the mixture material into a mold cavity to form a layer of a golf ball, the layer composed of a polyurethane material.