Multi-layer golf ball

• US 9,901,785 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2016
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US15/086,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20160206926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 473376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0027 Polyurea
• 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 37/0059 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 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.

Claims

1. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoplastic composition and having a diameter of 0.50 inches or greater, a center hardness of 40 Shore C or greater, and an outer surface hardness (H_{center surface}) of 40 Shore C or greater;

an intermediate core layer formed from a second thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{intermediate core surface}) of 50 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a third thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{outer core surface}) of 55 Shore C or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a fourth thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{inner cover surface}) of 60 Shore C or greater; and

an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of ionomers, polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends of polyurethanes and polyureas, and having an outer surface hardness (H_{outer cover surface}) of 70 Shore C or greater;

wherein a core structure consisting of the inner core layer, the intermediate core layer, and the outer core layer has a diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.60 inches.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein:

H_{center surface}<

H_{intermediate core surface}<

H_{outer core surface}<

H_{inner cover surface}<

H_{outer cover surface}.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first thermoplastic composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein greater than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized;

the second thermoplastic composition is a partially neutralized ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein less than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized;

the third thermoplastic composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein greater than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized; and

the fourth thermoplastic composition is a partially neutralized ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein less than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first thermoplastic composition, the second thermoplastic composition, the third thermoplastic composition, and the fourth thermoplastic composition is a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, styrenic copolymers and styrenic block copolymers, and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C₃-C₈ α

, β

-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y).

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first thermoplastic composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein greater than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized;

the second thermoplastic composition is a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, styrenic copolymers and styrenic block copolymers, and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C₃-C₈ α

, β

-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y);

the third thermoplastic composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein greater than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized; and

the fourth thermoplastic composition is a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, styrenic copolymers and styrenic block copolymers, and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C₃-C₈ α

, β

-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y).

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the inner core layer is from 0.50 inches to 1.10 inches.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center hardness of the inner core layer is from 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{center surface} is from 40 Shore C to 75 Shore C.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{intermediate core surface} is 55 Shore C or greater.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core surface} is from 60 Shore C to 85 Shore C.

11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{inner cover surface} is from 65 Shore C to 95 Shore C.

12. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer cover surface} is 75 Shore C or greater.

13. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.10 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C, and an outer surface hardness (H_{center surface}) of from 40 Shore C to 75 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{intermediate core surface}) of 55 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{outer core surface}) of from 60 Shore C to 85 Shore C;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{inner cover surface}) of from 65 Shore C to 95 Shore C; and

an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of ionomers, polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends of polyurethanes and polyureas, and having an outer surface hardness (H_{outer cover surface}) of 75 Shore C or greater;

wherein

H_{center surface}<

H_{intermediate core surface}<

H_{outer core surface}<

H_{inner cover surface}<

H_{outer cover surface}.