Patent Application
20210252342
A golf ball may be subjected to ultraviolet light. To prevent the ultraviolet light from discoloring the golf ball, the golf ball is either provided with an outer cover that is resistant to ultraviolet degradation and/or the cover is painted or coated with at least one clear or pigmented coating that protects the cover from degradation due to ultraviolet light.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.
Disclosed are example uncoated golf balls that may provide enhanced consistency and performance as compared to UV light protected golf balls. The example uncoated golf balls comprise covers formed from ultraviolet dis-colorable materials such as polyurethane and polyurea. Such materials may provide the uncoated golf ball with enhanced performance, such as enhanced velocity, spin rate and control. To further enhance the performance of such uncoated golf balls, the ultraviolet dis-colorable covers are neither coated nor painted, such as the cover for the outermost surface of the golf ball, leaving the outermost surface of the cover or a majority of the outermost surface exposed to the elements including ultraviolet light. Because the cover is neither coated nor painted, the uncoated golf balls are less susceptible to variations in the coating due to inconsistent paint or coating coverage. As a result, the uncoated golf balls provide enhanced flight consistency and accuracy.
In addition, the uncoated golf balls exhibit an increase in ball velocity as compared to coated or painted golf balls of the same composition. Moreover, at low swing speeds, the uncoated golf balls may provide increased spin rate. The increased spin rate may result from the coefficient of friction of the uncoated cover of the uncoated golf balls being greater than the otherwise painted or coated surface of a coated golf ball. The higher coefficient of friction may prevent the uncoated golf ball from exhibiting slippage on the clubface of short irons, which may result in increased spin rate and better green side performance.
Traditional golf balls are typically painted with multiple coats of paint and/or clear coating. Due to existing manufacturing processes, these multiple coats of paint are not evenly applied about the golf ball. As a result, unevenly applied coats of paint make the golf ball unbalanced, which can negatively effect the flight of the golf ball. An unbalanced golf ball will not fly as true as a balanced golf ball. The uncoated and unpainted golf balls of the present invention are not susceptible to this common cause of imbalance.
Disclosed is an example uncoated golf ball that comprises a core, an ultraviolet dis-colorable cover about the core and having an exposed outermost surface and a stamp directly upon the outermost surface of the one of the found the floor nice playing with it ultraviolet dis-colorable cover.
Disclosed is an example uncoated golf ball package that comprises a packaging and a plurality of uncoated golf balls within the packaging. Each of the plurality of uncoated golf balls may comprise a core and an ultraviolet dis-colorable cover having an exposed outermost surface about the core.
Disclosed is an example method for forming an uncoated golf ball. The method may comprise forming a cover about a core, wherein the cover has an outermost exposed surface formed from an ultraviolet dis-colorable material. The method may further comprise forming an identifier directly upon selected portions of the outermost surface of the cover.
Golf ball 20 comprises core 22 and an outermost cover 30. Core 22 comprises extends about the spherical center of golf ball 20. In the example illustrated, core 22 comprises a solid core in the form of a solid sphere centered within golf ball 20. In other implementation, core 22 may comprise a wound core.
Cover 30 comprises a hollow spherical layer extending about core 22. As schematically represented by ellipses, the hollow spherical region 23 between core 22 and cover 30 may take various forms. As we described hereafter, in some implementations, region 23 may be omitted such that core 30 directly contacts and is directly formed upon core 22. In some implementations, region 23 may comprise an intermediate layer in the form of a mantle layer. In some implementations, region 23 may comprise multiple intermediate layers, such as an inner mantle layer and an outer mantle layer.
Cover 30 has an outermost surface 32 that also forms the outermost surface of golf ball 20. At least a majority of the outermost surface 32 is exposed. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “exposed” with respect cover 30 or with respect to its outermost surface 32 means that surface 32 is uncovered, lacking any paints, coatings, films or other additional layers between outermost surface 32 and the surrounding air or environment. In the example illustrated, cover 30 comprises a homogenous layer of material, wherein the inner surface 34 of cover 30 is provided by the same material as the outermost surface 32 of cover 30. The outermost surface 32 is a surface intended to be directly contacted and impacted by a golf club during play.
As further shown by
Cover 30 is formed from an ultraviolet dis-colorable material such as polyurethane, polyurea or mixtures thereof. In one implementation, such materials are cast about the remaining inner portions of golf ball 20. Although softer and less durable as compared to Surlyn, such materials may offer enhanced spin while providing a desirable “feel” for highly skilled golfers. Although offering enhanced performance, such materials are also susceptible to discoloring in response to ultraviolet light. Such dis-colorization may be rapid; perceptible dis-colorization occurring within an individual round of golf. As a result, conventional golf balls that employ polyurethane or polyurea are painted or coated with at least one protective film or layer that protects the cover layer from ultraviolet light. The protective layer(s) may be in the form of at least one clear or pigmented coating that protects the cover from dis-colorization due to ultraviolet light. The protective layer maintains a consistent color on the ball surface and may contribute to scuff resistance of the ball.
In contrast to conventional wisdom regarding the use of ultraviolet dis-colorable materials such as polyurethane and polyurea, cover 30 of golf ball 20 is uncoated such that the outermost surface 32 of cover 30 is exposed. In the example illustrated, a majority of the outer circumferential area of cover 32 is exposed. In some implementations, the entirety of the outermost surface area of cover 32 is exposed.
It is been found that the conventional protective coating applied over the polyurethane or polyurea cover impairs performance. Because the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20 is uncoated and at least a majority of which is exposed, golf ball 20 is less susceptible to variations in the coating due to inconsistent paint or coating coverage. As a result, golf ball 20 may provide enhanced flight consistency and accuracy.
In addition, golf ball 20 may exhibit an increase in ball velocity as compared to conventionally coated or painted golf balls of the same composition. Moreover, at low swing speeds, golf ball 20 may provide increased spin rate. The increased spin rate may result from the coefficient of friction of the uncoated cover 30 of golf ball 20 being greater than the otherwise painted or coated surface of a conventionally coated golf ball. The higher coefficient of friction may prevent golf ball 20 from exhibiting slippage on the clubface of short irons, which may result in increased spin rate and better green side performance.
In the example illustrated, the entirety of the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20 is exposed but for an identifier, in the form of a stamp 38 which is formed or placed directly upon the outermost surface 32 of cover 30. Stamp 38 may be in the form of a logo, number, source identifier and/or a ball type descriptor, which covers less than 50% of the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20. In some implementations, stamp 38 may additionally or alternatively comprise a line, arrow or other directional indicator to assist in putting alignment or the like which covers less than 50%. In some implementations, stamp 38 extends over less than 10% of the outermost surface 32, and in many implementations, less than 5% of the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20.
Although identifier 38 is in the form of a stamp, in other implementations, the additional layer or layers of material forming identifier 38 may be applied in other manners. In some implementations, identifier 38 may be omitted. In some implementations, golf ball 20 may consist of core 22, cover 30, any intermediate layers (if any) between core 22 and cover 30. In some implementations, golf ball 20 may consist of core 22, cover 30, any intermediate layers (if any) between core 22 and cover 30, and one or more individual identifiers 38 directly formed on the outermost surface of the cover.
In one example implementation, core 22 may comprise a rubber core comprising a high-cis polybutadiene, a co-crosslinking agent, an activator, a free-radical initiator, optionally a fatty acid or metal salt of a fatty acid, an inert filler to adjust for weight and optionally a peptizer. In such an example implementation, cover 30 may comprise a cast polyurethane, polyurea material or mixtures thereof. In those example implementations in which region 23 is occupied by one or more intermediate mantle layers, the intermediate mantle layers may comprise material(s) from the group consisting of copolymer ionomers, terpolymer ionomers, fatty acid modified terpolymer ionomers (Dow HPF) and or mixtures thereof. In other implementations, the core 22 and/or intermediate mantle layer(s) may be far from other materials or compositions.
As indicated by block 104, cover 30 is formed about core 22. As disclosed above, cover 30 may be directly formed upon the outer circumferential surface of core 22 or may be formed upon the outermost referential service of an intermediate layer between core 22 and cover 30. Cover 30 may be formed upon the outermost surface of multiple intermediate layers, such as upon the outermost surface of an outer mantle which itself extends about an inner mantle.
As further indicated by block 104, cover 30 has an outermost surface 32 that is exposed and that is formed from an ultraviolet dis-colorable material such as polyurethane or polyurea. In other implementations, cover 30 may be formed from other ultraviolet dis-colorable materials. As disclosed above, because the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20 is uncoated and at least a majority of which is exposed, golf ball 20 is less susceptible to variations in the coating due to inconsistent paint or coating coverage. As a result, golf ball 20 may provide enhanced flight consistency and accuracy.
In addition, golf ball 20 produced by method 100 may exhibit an increase in ball velocity as compared to conventionally coated or painted golf balls of the same composition. Moreover, at low swing speeds, golf ball 20 produced by method 100 may provide increased spin rate. The increased spin rate may result from the coefficient of friction of the uncoated cover 30 of golf ball 20 being greater than the otherwise painted or coated surface of a conventionally coated golf ball. The higher coefficient of friction may prevent golf ball 20 from exhibiting slippage on the clubface of short irons, which may result in increased spin rate and better green side performance.
As indicated by block 106, and identifier, such as stamp 38, is formed directly upon selected portions of the outermost surface 32 of the cover 30. As described above, stamp 38 may be in the form of a logo, number, source identifier and/or a ball type descriptor, which covers less than 50% of the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20. In some implementations, stamp 38 may additionally or alternatively comprise a line, arrow or other directional indicator to assist in putting alignment or the like which covers less than 50%. In some implementations, stamp 38 extends over less than 10% of the outermost surface 32, and in many implementations, less than 5% of the outermost surface 32 of golf ball 20. Although identifier 38 is in the form of a stamp, in other implementations, the additional layer of material forming identifier 38 may be applied in other manners.
In one implementation, package 202 encloses golf balls 20 in a manner so as to inhibit exposure of golf balls 22 ultraviolet light. As a result, packaging 202 reduces or eliminates this colorization of golf balls 20 as a result of exposure to ultraviolet light. In one implementation, packaging 202 is far from an opaque, light blocking panel or wall. In one implementation, packaging 202 blocks all of golf balls 20 from an exposure to ultraviolet light until the opening of packaging 202.
In one implementation, the core 22 of golf ball 520 has a diameter of 1.395 to 1.45 inches and comprises 100 phr of a neodymium-catalyzed high-cis polybutadiene, 26.5 to 27.5 phr of zinc diacrylate co-crosslinking agent, 5 phr zinc oxide, 5-7 phr stearic acid, 29 to 32 phr barium sulfate, 0.65 to 1 phr 1,1-Di(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, and 0 to 2 phr zinc pentachlorothiophenol. The core will have a compression (ADC) of about 50 to 55 and a deformation (Instron, 200 lb. load) of about 0.140″, and a weight of 28 to 29.5 grams. In one implementation, the inner matter layer 524 of golf ball 520 comprises a terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate, wherein the material contains a high amount of fatty acid which allow for 100% of the acid groups to be neutralized with a di-valent metal ion. Materials suitable for use in the example inner mantle 524 include HPF 1000 and HPF 2000 (manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company). The example inner mantle 524 has a thickness of 0.060 to 0.070 inches, has an outer diameter of 1.530 to 1.540 inches, a deformation of the core/inner mantle assembly under an applied load of 200 lb. of 0.110 to 0.130 inches (Instron deformation), a surface hardness (as measured on the curved surface of the inner mantle) of about 50 to 55 Shore D, and a weight of 35 to 36.5 grams.
In one example, the outer mantle 526 of golf ball 520 comprises an ionomer blend comprising a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid having an acid content of 15% wherein 25 to 70% of the acid groups are neutralized with sodium ions and a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid having an acid content of 15% wherein 40 to 70% of the acid groups are neutralized with zinc ions. Materials suitable use as the sodium portion of the outer mantle blend include Surlyn 8940, Surlyn 8945 and/or Surlyn 8920 (manufactured by the Dow Chemical company). Materials suitable for use as the zinc portion of the outer mantle include Surlyn 9910 and Surlyn 9945 (manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company). The outer mantle has a thickness of 0.045 to 0.55 inches, an outer diameter of 1.620 to 1.635 inches, a deformation of the core/inner mantle/outer mantle assembly under an applied load of 200 lb. of 0.080 to 0.100 inches (Instron deformation), a surface hardness (as measured on the curved surface of the outer mantle) of about 64 to 67 Shore D, and a weight of 41 to 42.5 grams.
In one example, cover 30 of golf ball 520 comprises a cast urethane material, the cast urethane material having a thickness of about 0.025 to 0.040″ and a hardness (as measure on the curved surface of the ball) of 78 to 82 Shore C.
In the example implementation, golf ball 520 is processed through normal finishing process (solvent wash, seam buffing, pre-paint finishing), but unlike conventional urethane covered golf balls the outer surface of the ball is not painted. The logo stamp is applied directly to the surface of the unpainted finished golf ball, and the ball is complete.
Example Golf Ball 520:
The golf balls of the Example were made as follows:
A rubber core composition may be mixed using the following formula:
Solid golf ball core 22 of the above formula may be compression molded at a temperature of approximately 160° C. for approximately 7 minutes to produce a crosslinked core. After cooling, the core was glebarred (centerless ground) to a diameter of about 1.400″. The finished core had a weight of about 39.5 grams and a deflection, compressed using an Instron testing machine and compressed to measure the deformation of the ball under an applied load of 200 lb., of about 0.135 to 0.145 inches.
The inner mantle 524 of the example may be molded using HPF 1000 (manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company), which is a fatty-acid modified ionomer having 100% of the acid groups neutralized by a metal ion. The inner mantle (after molding) is glebarred to a diameter of 1.525 to 1.535 inches and has a thickness of ˜0.065 inches and a deformation under an applied load of 0.113 to 0.127 inches.
The outer mantle 526 of the example was molded using a blend of:
50% by weight of Surlyn 8940 (manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company), which is a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid having about 29% of the acid groups neutralized with sodium ions, and
50% by weight of Surlyn 9910 (manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company), which is a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid having about 58% of the acid groups neutralized with zinc ions.
The outer mantle 526 (after molding) is glebarred to a diameter of 1.625 to 1.635 inches and has a thickness of ˜0.050 inches and a deformation under an applied load of 0.093 to 0.107 inches.
The outer cover 30 of the example may be molded from a cast polyurethane composition, the outer cover of the molded ball having a thickness of about 0.025 to 0.030 inches and a surface hardness of about 80-82 Shore C.
Shore ‘D’ Hardness—Measured using Shore D durometer manufactured by Shore Instruments—Hardness reading measured on the surface of the golf ball
Deflection: Deflection under 200 lb. applied load, using Instron Tensile Testing machine.
Compression: Compression testing is as measured using ADC compression tester produced by Automated Design Corporation, Bolingbrook, Ill. In an alternative method of measurement, the deformation of the ball can be measured under a 200 lb. static load, using an Instron compression testing machine produced by Instron Company, Norwood, Ma.
C.O.R.—Ratio of Outbound/Inbound velocity—125 f/s and 175 f/s velocity test setup. C.O.R. is measured using PTM3 C.O.R. machine, manufactured by Hye Precision Products, Perry, Ga.
U.S.G.A. Initial Velocity—Measured according to U.S.G.A. Initial Velocity Test Protocol TPX3007, which is available on the U.S.G.A. website (U.S.G.A.org). The machine used for testing of U.S.G.A. Initial Velocity is the PTM3 C.O.R. machine, manufactured by Hye Precision Products, Perry, Ga. (Note: This is the machine on which the U.S.G.A. performs their Initial Velocity conformance testing.)
The golf ball of the Example exhibits the following physical properties compared to a control (paint coated) ball:
The results of the test show the non-painted ball to have a surprisingly large increase in both C.O.R. and U.S.G.A. velocity compared to the non-coated ball.
Driver test at 105 mph was performed using a GolfLabs robot with the following setup conditions:
The balls of the Example exhibited the following performance improvements compared to control balls at 105 mph Driver speed:
Driver test at 120 mph was performed using a GolfLabs robot with the following setup conditions:
The balls of the Example exhibited the following performance improvements compared to control balls at 120 mph Driver speed:
This test demonstrates that non-painted urethane ball has increased ball velocity, higher spin rate and greater flight accuracy than control coated golf balls.
9-iron test performed Driver test at 81 mph was performed using a GolfLabs robot with the following setup conditions:
The balls of the Example exhibited the following performance improvements compared to control balls on 9-iron club:
Driver and 9-iron testing show that the performance of the non-coated ball of the Example exhibits higher ball speed, higher spin rate and greater level of accuracy (lower Statistical Area Accuracy). The performance indicates that the ball of the Example will provide performance improvements as needed for the best golfers.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example implementations, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from disclosure. For example, although different example implementations may have been described as including features providing various benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example implementations or in other alternative implementations. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example implementations and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and so on in the claims merely distinguish different elements and, unless otherwise stated, are not to be specifically associated with a particular order or particular numbering of elements in the disclosure.
