Multi-layer golf ball with bladder core

• US 9,272,188 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2012
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Molinari, Arthur P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/408,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20130225323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 473/354
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0052 Liquid cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0056 Hollow; Gas-filled
• 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 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/04 Closures therefor
• 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: B29C 49/0691 using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06914 using parallel sheets as a preform
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/22 using multilayered preforms or parisons
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/546 Golf balls

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a golf ball and a method for manufacturing a golf ball including a bladder core. In at least one embodiment, the bladder core includes an ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer layer combined with multiple layers of thermoplastic polyurethane or other material to prevent leakage. In addition, it is contemplated that the bladder core may include a one-way valve for adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the bladder core to produce different performance characteristics.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

an intermediate layer substantially surrounding the core; and

an outer layer substantially surrounding the intermediate layer, the outer layer including a plurality of dimples;

wherein the core comprises a bladder, the bladder having walls which define an internal space, wherein the walls of the bladder are formed from an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer; and

wherein the bladder is formed from multiple layers fused together and contains a fluid, wherein a center layer of the bladder is the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer, and wherein layers adjacent to the center layer are formed of thermoplastic polyurethane.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the bladder is formed from seven layers fused together.

3. The golf ball according to claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve configured to interface with the bladder.

4. The golf ball according to claim 1, further comprising a mantle layer substantially surrounding the intermediate layer.

5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a pressurized gas.

6. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a rubber composition.

7. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

an intermediate layer substantially surrounding the core; and

an outer layer substantially surrounding the intermediate layer, the outer layer including a plurality of dimples;

wherein the core comprises a bladder, the bladder being formed from a plurality of bladder panels joined together to form a sealed structure that encloses a fluid;

wherein the bladder panels are formed from multiple polymer layers fused together, wherein a center layer of each bladder panel is formed of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and wherein layers adjacent to the center layer are formed of thermoplastic polyurethane.

8. The golf ball according to claim 7, wherein the bladder panels are formed from seven layers fused together.

9. The golf ball according to claim 7, further comprising a one-way valve configured to interface with the bladder.

10. The golf ball according to claim 7, further comprising a mantle layer substantially surrounding the intermediate layer.

11. The golf ball according to claim 7, wherein the fluid comprises a pressurized gas.

12. The golf ball according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a rubber composition.