Multi-layer golf ball

• US 9,782,633 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Ladd, Derek A., Hebert, Edmund A., Jones, Douglas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/819,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20150335959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 473373, 473374, 473376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• 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 37/0049 Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0062 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0063 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0069 Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0072 with a specified number of layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0074 Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core
• 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 37/00776 Slab hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0083 Weight; Mass
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0084 Initial velocity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0087 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0096 : Spin rate
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 21/00 : Compositions of unspecified rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/0876 : Neutralised polymers, i.e. ionomers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 75/04 : Polyurethanes

Abstract

The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. Optionally, the soft (or low modulus) HNP composition and/or the hard (or high modulus) HNP composition is plasticized or is replaced with a different plasticized acid copolymer composition.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

(a) an inner core layer formed from a first composition, the first composition having a Shore D hardness of 65 or less and comprising an ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer wherein 40% to 100% of the acid groups of the acid copolymer are neutralized;

(b) an outer core layer formed from a second composition, the second composition having a Shore D hardness of 35 or greater and comprising a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer wherein from 40% to 100% of the acid groups of the acid copolymer are neutralized; and

(c) a cover;

wherein the Shore D hardness of the first composition is less than the Shore D hardness of the second composition.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Shore D hardness of the first composition is from 10 to 60.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Shore D hardness of the first composition is from 20 to 55.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Shore D hardness of the first composition is from 30 to 50.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Shore D hardness of the second composition is from 35 to 80.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Shore D hardness of the second composition is from 45 to 75.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the Shore D hardness of the first composition is at least 3 less than the Shore D hardness of the second composition.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first composition has a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second composition has a modulus of 150,000 psi or less.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first composition has a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi, the second composition has a modulus of 150,000 psi or less, and the modulus of the first composition is at least 10% less than the modulus of the second composition.

11. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein the modulus of the first composition is at least 25% less than the modulus of the second composition.

12. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball additionally comprises an intermediate core layer disposed between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, wherein the intermediate core layer is formed from a diene rubber composition.