Golf balls having at least two core layers formed from HNP compositions

• US 9,943,729 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2016
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• 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., Bulpett, David A., Blink, Robert, Binette, Mark L., Comeau, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US15/249,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20160367862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 473376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• 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 37/00621 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 37/0072 with a specified number of layers
• 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 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00922 whereby hardness of the cover is lower than hardness of the intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/0876 Neutralised polymers, i.e. ionomers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core has an overall diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.60 inches and consists of:

(a) a center having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.50 inches and a center hardness (H) of from 20 Shore C to 90 Shore C;

(b) an intermediate core layer having a surface hardness (I) of 40 Shore C or greater and formed from a first highly neutralized polymer composition; and

(c) an outer core layer having a surface hardness (S) of from 20 Shore C to 90 Shore C and formed from a second highly neutralized polymer composition;

wherein H<

I and S<

I;

wherein S<

H, and wherein H−

S=D, where D is an integer from 1 to 22;

wherein the material hardness of the second highly neutralized polymer composition is less than the material hardness of the first highly neutralized polymer composition; and

wherein at least one of the first highly neutralized polymer composition and the second highly neutralized polymer composition comprises;

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;

a non-acid polymer selected from polyethylene butyl acrylate, polyethylene methyl acrylate, and polyethylene ethyl acrylate;

an organic acid or salt thereof; and

a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize greater than 80% of all acid groups present in the composition;

wherein the non-acid polymer is present in an amount of greater than 50 wt %, based on the combined weight of the acid copolymer and the non-acid polymer.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center hardness (H) is from 20 Shore C to 70 Shore C.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center hardness (H) is from 50 Shore C to 60 Shore C.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer surface hardness (I) is from 80 Shore C to 90 Shore C.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.150 inches.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer surface hardness (S) is from 20 Shore C to 70 Shore C.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer surface hardness (S) is from 50 Shore C to 60 Shore C.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a thickness of from 0.030 inches to 0.070 inches.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a rubber composition.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a thermoplastic composition.