Method of forming a golf ball core
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of forming a golf ball core which comprises:
- combining a resilient polymer component, a free radical initiator system, and a crosslinking agent to provide a first mixture;
forming the first mixture into a plurality of half-shells having a desired shape;
subjecting the half-shells to a first heat curing at a first temperature and time chosen to partially crosslink each half-shell so as to impart a rigidity sufficient to maintain the desired shape until the half-shells are assembled and subjected to a second heat curing, wherein a portion of the initiator system sufficient to initiate the second heat curing remains after the first heat curing;
providing a center;
assembling at least two half-shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the ball core; and
subjecting the core to the second heat curing at a second temperature and for a time sufficient to further crosslink the half-shells, thereby forming a cured golf ball core.
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Abstract
The invention includes methods of forming at least a portion of a golf ball core, and the golf balls prepared thereby, by mixing a resilient polymer component, a free radical initiator system, and a crosslinking agent to provide a first mixture, forming the first mixture into a plurality of shells having a desired shape, first heat curing the shells at a temperature to impart a rigidity sufficient to maintain the desired shape until the shells are assembled and subsequently heat cured, quenching the first heat curing by reducing the shell temperature to inhibit crosslinking while a sufficient amount of free radical initiator system is present to facilitate a second heat curing, providing a center, assembling at least two shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the ball core, and second heat curing the core at a temperature and for a time sufficient to further crosslink the first mixture and to at least partially crosslink the shells, thereby forming a cured golf ball core.
338 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of forming a golf ball core which comprises:
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combining a resilient polymer component, a free radical initiator system, and a crosslinking agent to provide a first mixture;
forming the first mixture into a plurality of half-shells having a desired shape;
subjecting the half-shells to a first heat curing at a first temperature and time chosen to partially crosslink each half-shell so as to impart a rigidity sufficient to maintain the desired shape until the half-shells are assembled and subjected to a second heat curing, wherein a portion of the initiator system sufficient to initiate the second heat curing remains after the first heat curing;
providing a center;
assembling at least two half-shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the ball core; and
subjecting the core to the second heat curing at a second temperature and for a time sufficient to further crosslink the half-shells, thereby forming a cured golf ball core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of forming a golf ball core which comprises:
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combining a 1,4-cis-polybutadiene, a low temperature peroxide, a high temperature peroxide, and a crosslinking agent to provide a first mixture;
forming the first mixture into a plurality of semi-ellipsoidal half-shells;
subjecting the half-shells to a first heat curing at a first temperature between about 200°
F. to 300°
F. for about 30 seconds to 15 minutes to impart a rigidity sufficient to maintain the semi-ellipsoidal shape until the half-shells are assembled and subjected to a second heat curing, wherein at least about 50 weight percent of the high temperature peroxide remains after the first heat curing to initiate the second heat curing;
providing a center;
assembling at least two semi-ellipsoidal half-shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the ball core; and
subjecting the core to the second heat curing at a second temperature between about 310°
F. to about 390°
F. for about 5 to 25 minutes to further crosslink the shells, thereby forming a cured golf ball core.
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21. A method of forming a golf ball core which comprises:
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combining about 35 to 80 weight percent 1,4-cis-polybutadiene, an amount of low temperature peroxide that reacts at a temperature of between about 210°
F. to 290°
F., a high temperature peroxide that reacts at a temperature of between about 320°
F. to 380°
F. and is present in an amount greater than the low temperature peroxide, and a crosslinking agent to provide a first mixture;
forming the first mixture into a plurality of semi-ellipsoidal half-shells;
subjecting the half-shells to a first heat curing at a first temperature between about 210°
F. to 290°
F. for about 1 to 15 minutes to impart a rigidity sufficient to maintain the semi-ellipsoidal shape until the half-shells are assembled and subjected to a second heat curing, wherein at least about 50 weight percent of the high temperature peroxide remains after the first heat curing to initiate the second heat curing;
providing a center;
assembling at least two semi-ellipsoidal half-shells concentrically about the center to form a first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer and center together form the ball core; and
subjecting the core to the second heat curing at a second temperature between about 320°
F. to 380°
F. for about 5 to 25 minutes to further crosslink the shells, thereby forming a cured golf ball core.
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Specification