Golf balls having multi-layer cores based on polyalkenamer compositions

• US 8,852,026 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Comeau, Brian, Goguen, Douglas S., Blink, Robert, Bulpett, David A., Binette, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/772,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20130165266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376
• US Class Current: 473/376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0035 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0044 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00621 Centre hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00622 Surface hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0063 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0065 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0066 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0091 Density distribution amongst the different ball layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 : Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer having an outer surface and geometric center, the inner core being formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.250 inches to 1.600 inches, wherein the outer surface hardness is 20 Shore C to 85 Shore C and the center hardness is 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 25 Shore C to 85 Shore C;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and an outer surface hardness that is greater than the Shore C outer surface hardness of the inner core layer, the outer surface hardness being in the range of range of 45 Shore C to 90 Shore C; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater;

wherein at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber composition, the polyalkenamer being present in the composition in an amount of at least 50 weight percent.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is in the range of 35 to 80 Shore C.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polybutadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polyisoprene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of ethylene propylene diene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of styrene-butadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein each core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

11. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer having an outer surface and geometric center, the inner core being formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.250 inches to 1.600 inches, wherein the outer surface hardness is 50 Shore C to 95 Shore C and the center hardness is 40 Shore C to 75 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 25 Shore C to 85 Shore C;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and an outer surface hardness that is less than the Shore C outer surface hardness of the Inner core layer, the outer surface hardness being in the range of range of 45 Shore C to 90 Shore C; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater;

wherein at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber composition, the polyalkenamer being present in the composition in an amount of at least 50 weight percent.

12. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polybutadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

13. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of ethylene propylene diene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

14. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of styrene-butadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

15. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the inner core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

16. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the intermediate core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

17. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the outer core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

18. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein each core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.