Methods for making multi-layer golf balls using rigid uncrosslinked shells
First Claim
1. A method of forming at least a portion of a golf ball core which comprises:
- mixing a resilient polymer component, a free-radical initiator, a crosslinking agent, and a sufficient amount of a reinforcing polymer component to provide an uncrosslinked first mixture having a rigidity as determined by a flexural modulus greater than about 3.5 MPa;
forming the first mixture into at least two shells in a desired shape, wherein the reinforcing polymer component imparts the rigidity to the shells to maintain the desired shape until the first mixture is crosslinked;
providing a center having a first geometric center;
assembling the at least two shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer having a second desired shape, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form an uncured golf ball core; and
applying sufficient heat and pressure to the uncured golf ball core for a time sufficient to crosslink the first mixture in the shells, thereby curing and forming the at least a portion of the golf ball core so as to adjust a loss tangent of the crosslinked first mixture to less than about 0.15 at -60°
C. and less than about 0.05 at 30°
C., and adjust the tensile storage modulus of the crosslinked first mixture to greater than about 100 MPa at -60°
C. and greater than about 50 MPa at 30°
C., each when measured at 1 Hz and one percent strain.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-layer golf ball and methods for preparing a portion thereof including a core having at least one core layer, a mantle having at least one layer including an amount of reinforcing polymer component and a resilient polymer component disposed concentrically adjacent the core, and at least one cover layer disposed concentrically adjacent the mantle, wherein the layer of the mantle is sufficiently rigid to inhibit the resilient polymer component from substantially altering shape prior to crosslinking. The invention also includes an elastomeric composition including a polybutadiene having a high molecular weight average and a predominantly 1,4-cis content, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component having a sufficiently low viscosity at a mixing temperature to permit substantially uniform dispersion of the polymer component with the polybutadiene and having a crystalline melting point sufficiently low to permit mixing while avoiding substantial crosslinking.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method of forming at least a portion of a golf ball core which comprises:
-
mixing a resilient polymer component, a free-radical initiator, a crosslinking agent, and a sufficient amount of a reinforcing polymer component to provide an uncrosslinked first mixture having a rigidity as determined by a flexural modulus greater than about 3.5 MPa; forming the first mixture into at least two shells in a desired shape, wherein the reinforcing polymer component imparts the rigidity to the shells to maintain the desired shape until the first mixture is crosslinked; providing a center having a first geometric center; assembling the at least two shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer having a second desired shape, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form an uncured golf ball core; and applying sufficient heat and pressure to the uncured golf ball core for a time sufficient to crosslink the first mixture in the shells, thereby curing and forming the at least a portion of the golf ball core so as to adjust a loss tangent of the crosslinked first mixture to less than about 0.15 at -60°
C. and less than about 0.05 at 30°
C., and adjust the tensile storage modulus of the crosslinked first mixture to greater than about 100 MPa at -60°
C. and greater than about 50 MPa at 30°
C., each when measured at 1 Hz and one percent strain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for forming a golf ball core which comprises:
-
mixing a resilient polymer component, a free-radical initiator, a crosslinking agent, and a sufficient amount of a reinforcing polymer component to provide an uncrosslinked first mixture having a rigidity as determined by a flexural modulus greater than about 3.5 MPa; forming the first mixture into at least two shells in a desired shape, wherein the reinforcing polymer component imparts rigidity to the shells to maintain the desired shape until the first mixture is crosslinked; providing a center having a first geometric center; assembling the at least two shells concentrically about the center to form a mantle layer having a second desired shape, wherein the mantle layer and center together form an uncured golf ball core; and applying sufficient heat and pressure to the uncured golf ball core for about 5 to 40 minutes to at least partially crosslink the first mixture in the mantle, thereby curing and forming that at least a portion of the golf ball core so as to adjust a loss tangent of the crosslinked first mixture to less than about 0.15 at -60°
C. and less than about 0.05 at 30°
C., and adjust the tensile storage modulus of the crosslinked first mixture to greater than about 100 MPa at -60°
C. and greater than about 50 MPa at 30°
C., each when measured at 1Hz and one percent strain.
-
Specification