Acushnet Company

Michael Michalewich

Brian Comeau

Shawn Ricci

Michael J Sullivan

Mark L Binette

Douglas S Goguen

Derek A Ladd

Manjari Kuntimaddi

John D Farrell

Michael R Madson

Matthew F Hogge

Doug Goguen

David A Bulpett

Nicholas M Nardacci

Murali Rajagopalan

Erin C McDermott

Dennis Britton

Timothy S Correia

Courtney N Engle

Peter L Serdahl

Kevin J Dietz

Mark L Binnette

Compositions including a base polymer and diene functional groups and/or dienophile functional groups attached to and crosslinking the base polymer, and golf balls made from such compositions are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the compositions, including the base polymer, the diene functional groups, and the dienophile functional groups, affect the hardness and resiliency of golf ball components made from such compositions, and thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics. The compositions of the present disclosure may also be used in adjacent golf ball components to create crosslinks between such components that affect the adhesion between such golf balls components and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Golf ball components made from the compositions of the present disclosure may also have increased recyclability.

Multi-layer golf ball with thermo-reversible covalent adaptable network

A golf ball is disclosed herein that includes an intermediate layer having protrusions. Among other advantages, the geometry and profile of the protrusions are optimized to provide increased stiffness on shots with higher club head speeds, while maintaining the volume of the softer cover material in order to maintain sufficient spin on wedge shots. The protrusions are further configured to transfer energy during high speed club impacts and more efficiently reduce long game spin.

Golf ball including protrusions on intermediate layer

Compositions including a hardness agent and golf ball cores made from such compositions having a tailored hardness gradient are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including the hardness agent, affects the hardness, hardness gradient, and compression of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.

Golf ball core with tailored hardness gradient

Casing compositions including carboxyl groups, cover compositions including hydroxyl groups and an adhesion promoter capable of crosslinking carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between carboxyl groups in the casing composition and hydroxyl groups in the cover composition. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability.

Multi-layer golf balls with improved interlayer adhesion

Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions including hydroxyurethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.

Golf ball components formed from hydroxyurethane compositions

Coating compositions including hydroxyurethane linkages, coating layers formed from such coating compositions, and golf balls including such coating layers.

Golf ball coatings formed from hydroxyurethane compositions

Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane compound. Functionalized polydimethylsiloxane compounds also can be used to treat thermoplastic polyurethane golf ball covers. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)—light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls with thermoplastic polyurethane covers have good physical properties.

Golf balls having covers made with thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane blend compositions

Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions for use in golf balls that are formed from bio-based materials and that include urethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.

Golf ball components formed from bio-based polyurethane and/or polyurea compositions

Compositions including a hardness agent and a water releasing agent and golf ball cores made from such compositions having a tailored hardness gradient are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including a hardness agent and a water releasing agent, affect the hardness, hardness gradient, and compression of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.

Golf ball core hardness gradient manipulation using hardness agent and water releasing agent

Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Norton, MA, United States of America

Michael Michalewich