Golf ball containing graphite nanosheets in a polymeric network

• US 7,156,756 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2005
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Ladd, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden; Raeann
• Application Number:
  US11/298,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 388 Days
• Field of Search: 473/351, 473367-378
• US Class Current: 473/374
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0054 Substantially rigid, e.g. metal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0082 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites

Abstract

A golf ball containing a layer, which comprises nanosheets of exfoliated graphite dispersed in a polymeric matrix, is provided. Intercalated graphite is exfoliated by brief exposure to high heat to expand the thickness of the graphite. The expanded or exfoliated graphite is then mixed with monomers and polymerized in situ to form a polymer with a network of nanosheets of the exfoliated graphite dispersed therein. The exfoliated graphite advantageously retains its nanostructure during the polymerization process.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and a water vapor barrier layer, wherein said water vapor barrier layer comprises graphite foil sheets, the graphite foil is impregnated with an additive, and the graphite foil is compressed exfoliated graphite and has a thickness of about 0.1 to 600 mils.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the graphite foil includes a polymeric binder.

3. The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the polymeric hinder is a thermosetting material.

4. The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the polymeric binder is a thermoplastic material.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the additive has a high specific gravity.