Golf ball covers made from plasticized thermoplastic materials
First Claim
1. A golf ball, comprising:
- i) a core having at least one layer;
ii) an inner cover layer being disposed about the core;
iii) an intermediate cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner cover layer, the thermoplastic material comprising;
a) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α
,β
-unsaturated carboxylic add, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;
b) a plasticizer in an amount of about 3 to about 50%, the plasticizer being an alkyl oleate selected from the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate, butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof; and
c) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material; and
iv) an outer cover layer disposed about the intermediate cover layer, the outer cover layer comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyurethane-polyurea hybrids, and blends thereof.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.
50 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A golf ball, comprising:
-
i) a core having at least one layer; ii) an inner cover layer being disposed about the core; iii) an intermediate cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner cover layer, the thermoplastic material comprising; a) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α
,β
-unsaturated carboxylic add, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;b) a plasticizer in an amount of about 3 to about 50%, the plasticizer being an alkyl oleate selected from the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate, butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof; and c) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material; and iv) an outer cover layer disposed about the intermediate cover layer, the outer cover layer comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyurethane-polyurea hybrids, and blends thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A golf ball, comprising:
-
i) a core having at least one layer; ii) an inner cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material, the inner cover being disposed about the core, the thermoplastic composition comprising; a) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α
,β
-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;b) a plasticizer in an amount of about 3 to about 50%, the plasticizer being an alkyl oleate selected from the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate, butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof; and c) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material; iii) an intermediate cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner cover layer; and iv) an outer cover layer disposed about the intermediate cover layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
Specification