Process and composition 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, and a reinforcing polymer component to provide an uncrosslinked first mixture having a flexural modulus greater than about 3.5 MPa;
forming the first mixture into a plurality of shells in a desired shape, wherein the reinforcing polymer component imparts sufficient rigidity to the shells to maintain the desired shape until the first mixture is crosslinked;
providing a center;
assembling at least two shells from the plurality of shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the golf ball core; and
applying sufficient heat and pressure to the core for a time sufficient to at least partially crosslink the first mixture in the at least two shells, thereby curing at least a portion of the golf ball core.
5 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.
44 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming at least a portion of a golf ball core which comprises:
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mixing a resilient polymer component, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component to provide an uncrosslinked first mixture having a flexural modulus greater than about 3.5 MPa; forming the first mixture into a plurality of shells in a desired shape, wherein the reinforcing polymer component imparts sufficient rigidity to the shells to maintain the desired shape until the first mixture is crosslinked; providing a center; assembling at least two shells from the plurality of shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the golf ball core; and applying sufficient heat and pressure to the core for a time sufficient to at least partially crosslink the first mixture in the at least two shells, thereby curing at least a portion of the golf ball core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of forming a golf ball, comprising:
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mixing a resilient polymer component and a reinforcing polymer component to provide an uncrosslinked first mixture having a flexural modulus of greater than 3.5 MPa, wherein the reinforcing polymer component has a sufficiently low glass transition temperature to permit mixing of the reinforcing polymer component and the resilient polymer component while avoiding substantial crosslinking; forming the first mixture into a plurality of shells in a desired shape, wherein the reinforcing polymer component imparts sufficient rigidity to the plurality of shells to maintain the desired shape until the first mixture is crosslinked; providing a center; assembling at least two shells from the plurality of shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form a golf ball core; and applying sufficient heat and pressure to the golf ball core for a time sufficient to at least partially crosslink the first mixture in the at least two shells, thereby curing at least a portion of the golf ball core; and forming a golf ball cover disposed about the golf ball core. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification