Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 9,597,553 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2015
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• 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., Ladd, Derek A., Comeau, Brian, Goguen, Douglas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/947,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20160074712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0046 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0059 Ionomer
• 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 37/0068 Initial velocity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0087 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00921 whereby hardness of the cover is higher than hardness of the intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0096 Spin rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005

Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition, a layer formed from an additional thermoplastic composition, and an outermost layer formed from a thermoset rubber.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.500 inches to 1.580 inches and a positive hardness gradient wherein the difference between the center hardness and the surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 10 to 45 Shore C units;

a first intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition selected from the group consisting of partially- and fully-neutralized ionomers optionally blended with a maleic anhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, and blends of two or more thereof, and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 85 Shore C;

a second intermediate core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 50 Shore C or greater; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 65 Shore D or less.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C, a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 85 Shore C, and a compression of from 20 to 60.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C, a surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater, and a compression of from 60 to 80.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second intermediate core layer has a surface hardness of greater than 50 Shore D.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second intermediate core layer has a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less.

6. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a first diene rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.500 inches to 1.580 inches and a positive hardness gradient wherein the difference between the center hardness and the surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 10 to 45 Shore C units;

a first intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition selected from the group consisting of partially- and fully-neutralized ionomers optionally blended with a maleic anhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, and blends of two or more thereof, and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 85 Shore C;

a second intermediate core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches;

an outer core layer formed from a second diene rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater; and

a cover layer formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a copolymer or blend thereof, and having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 65 Shore D or less.

7. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C, a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 85 Shore C, and a compression of from 20 to 60;

and wherein the surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the surface hardness of the inner core layer.

8. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C, a surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater, and a compression of from 60 to 80.

9. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the second intermediate core layer has a surface hardness of greater than 50 Shore D.

10. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the second intermediate core layer has a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less.