Golf balls comprising light stable materials and methods of making the same

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/466,434, filed Dec. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,476,176, a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/951,963, filed Sep. 13, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,716, and claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 60/401,047, filed Aug. 6, 2002. The entire disclosures of these applications are incorporated by reference herein.

[0003] The invention relates to golf equipment including polyurea compositions. In particular, the present invention is directed to golf equipment including compositions formed from a polyurea prepolymer of polyether amine and isocyanate crosslinked with a curing agent, and methods for making same. Preferably, the components of the composition are saturated, i.e., substantially free of unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds or aromatic groups, to produce a light stable composition.

[0004] Golf equipment, i.e., clubs and balls, are formed from a variety of compositions. For example, golf ball covers are formed from a variety of materials, including balata and ionomer resins. Balata is a natural or synthetic trans-polyisoprene rubber. Balata covered balls are favored by more highly skilled golfers because the softness of the cover allows the player to achieve spin rates sufficient to more precisely control ball direction and distance, particularly on shorter shots.

[0005] However, balata covered balls are easily damaged, and thus lack the durability required by the average golfer. Accordingly, alternative cover compositions have been developed in an attempt to provide balls with spin rates and a feel approaching those of balata covered balls, while also providing a golf ball with a higher durability and overall distance.

[0006] Ionomer resins have, to a large extent, replaced balata as a cover material. Chemically, ionomer resins are a copolymer of an olefin and an α, β-ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 10 to 90 percent of the carboxylic acid groups neutralized by a metal ion, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,272. Commercially available ionomer resins include, for example, copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic or acrylic acid, neutralized with metal salts. Examples of commercially available ionomer resins include, but are not limited to, SURLYN® from DuPont de Nemours and Company, and ESCOR® and IOTEK® from Exxon Corporation. These ionomer resins are distinguished by the type of metal ion, the amount of acid, and the degree of neutralization.

[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,454,280, 3,819,768, 4,323,247, 4,526,375, 4,884,814, and 4,911,451 all relate to the use of SURLYN®-type compositions in golf ball covers. However, while SURLYN® covered golf balls, as described in the preceding patent, possess virtually cut-proof covers, the spin and feel are inferior compared to balata covered balls.

[0008] Polyurethanes have also been recognized as useful materials for golf ball covers since about 1960. U.S. Pat. No. 3,147,324 is directed to a method of making a golf ball having a polyurethane cover. The resulting golf balls are durable, while at the same time maintaining the “feel” of a balata ball.

[0009] Various companies have investigated the usefulness of polyurethane as a golf ball cover material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,061 teaches a golf ball made from a polyurethane prepolymer formed of polyether with diisocyanate that is cured with either a polyol or an amine-type curing agent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,673 discloses the use of two categories of polyurethane available on the market, i.e., thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethanes, for forming golf ball covers and, in particular, thermoset polyurethane covered golf balls made from a composition of polyurethane prepolymer and a slow-reacting amine curing agent, and/or a difunctional glycol.

[0010] Unlike SURLYN® covered golf balls, polyurethane golf ball covers can be formulated to possess the soft “feel” of balata covered golf balls. However, golf ball covers made from polyurethane have not, to date, fully matched SURLYN® golf balls with respect to resilience or the rebound of the golf ball cover, which is a function of the initial velocity of a golf ball after impact with a golf club.

[0011] Furthermore, because the polyurethanes used to make the covers of such golf balls generally contain an aromatic component, e.g., aromatic diisocyanate, polyol, or polyamine, they are susceptible to discoloration upon exposure to light, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light. To slow down the discoloration, light and UV stabilizers, e.g., Tinuvin 770, 765, and 328, are added to these aromatic polymeric materials. However, to further ensure that the covers formed from aromatic polyurethanes do not appear discolored, the covers are painted with white paint and then covered with a clear coat to maintain the white color of the golf ball. The application of a uniform white pigmented coat to the dimpled surface of the golf ball is a difficult process that adds time and costs to the manufacture of a golf ball.

[0012] Polyureas have also been proposed as cover materials for golf balls. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,870 discloses a polyurea composition comprising the reaction product of an organic diisocyanate and an organic amine, each having at least two functional groups. Once these two ingredients are combined, the polyurea is formed, and thus the ability to vary the physical properties of the composition is limited. Like polyurethanes, polyureas are not completely comparable to SURLYN® golf balls with respect to resilience or the rebound or damping behavior of the golf ball cover.

[0013] Therefore, there remains a continuing need for golf equipment having soft components that provide improved resilience, increased cut, scratch and abrasion resistance, and enhanced adherence without adversely affecting overall performance characteristics of the golf balls. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a composition that combines the cut and scratch resistance with improved resistance to discoloration that are suitable for forming golf ball components and other golf-related equipment.

[0014] The invention is directed to golf equipment having at least a portion formed of a polyurea composition. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to one-piece golf balls including polyurea. In another embodiment, the compositions of the invention are used in two-piece and multi-component, e.g., three-piece, four-piece, etc. golf balls including at least one cover layer and a core, wherein at least one cover layer includes at least one polyurea, as well as multi-component golf balls including cores and/or covers having two or more layers, wherein at least one such layer(s) is formed of at least one polyurea.

[0015] More particularly, the present invention is directed, in a first embodiment, towards a golf ball including at least a cover and at least one core layer wherein the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea composition formed from a polyurea prepolymer of diisocyanate and polyether amine cured with a curing agent.

[0016] The present invention is further directed in a second embodiment towards a golf ball including a cover, a core and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the cover and an outermost core layer, wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a composition including a polyurea prepolymer of diisocyanate and polyether amine cured with a curing agent

[0017] The present invention is yet further directed in a third embodiment towards a golf ball including a cover, a core, and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the cover and the core, wherein the outermost cover layer and at least one intermediate layer are both formed from a polyurea composition including a polyurea prepolymer of diisocyanate and polyether amine cured with a curing agent.

[0018] In the golf ball cover embodiment of the present invention, the polyurea preferably includes from about 1 to about 100 weight percent of the cover, with the remainder of the cover, if any, including one or more compatible, resilient polymers such as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0019] The invention is further directed to a golf ball including at least one light stable cover layer formed from a composition including at least one polyurea formed from a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent. In one embodiment, the polyurea prepolymer includes at least one diisocyanate and at least one polyether amine.

[0020] In this aspect of the invention the diisocyanate is saturated, and selected from the group consisting of ethylene diisocyanate; propylene-1,2-diisocyanate; tetramethylene diisocyanate; tetramethylene-1,4-diisocyanate; 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate; octamethylene diisocyanate; decamethylene diisocyanate; 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; dodecane-1,12-diisocyanate; dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate; cyclobutane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,2-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate; methylcyclohexylene diisocyanate; 2,4-methylcyclohexane diisocyanate; 2,6-methylcyclohexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-dicyclohexyl diisocyanate; 2,4′-dicyclohexyl diisocyanate; 1,3,5-cyclohexane triisocyanate; isocyanatomethylcyclohexane isocyanate; 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane; isocyanatoethylcyclohexane isocyanate; bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-bis(isocyanatomethyl)dicyclohexane; 2,4′-bis(isocyanatomethyl)dicyclohexane; isophoronediisocyanate; triisocyanate of HDI; triisocyanate of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate; 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate; 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate; and mixtures thereof. The saturated diisocyanate is preferably selected from the group consisting of isophoronediisocyanate, 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, or a combination thereof.

[0021] In another embodiment, the diisocyanate is an aromatic aliphatic isocyanate selected from the group consisting of meta-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate; para-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate; trimerized isocyanurate of polyisocyanate; dimerized uredione of polyisocyanate; modified polyisocyanate; and mixtures thereof.

[0022] The polyether amine may be selected from the group consisting of polytetramethylene ether diamines, polyoxypropylene diamines, poly(ethylene oxide capped oxypropylene)ether diamines, triethyleneglycoldiamines, propylene oxide-based triamines, trimethylolpropane-based triamines, glycerin-based triamines, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the polyether amine has a molecular weight of about 1000 to about 3000.

[0023] The curing agent may be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-terminated curing agents, amine-terminated curing agents, and mixtures thereof, and preferably has a molecular weight from about 250 to about 3900.

[0024] In one embodiment, the hydroxy-terminated curing agents are selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol; diethylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol; 2-methyl-1,4-butanediol; dipropylene glycol; polypropylene glycol; 1,2-butanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 2,3-butanediol; 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol; trimethylolpropane; cyclohexyldimethylol; triisopropanolamine; tetra-(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylene diamine; diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cyclohexane; 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylol; 1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]cyclohexane; 1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}cyclohexane; trimethylolpropane; polytetramethylene ether glycol, preferably having a molecular weight from about 250 to about 3900; and mixtures thereof.

[0025] The amine-terminated curing agents may be selected from the group consisting of ethylene diamine; hexamethylene diamine; 1-methyl-2,6-cyclohexyl diamine; tetrahydroxypropylene ethylene diamine; 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine; 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; 1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; derivatives of 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diamine; 1,4-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); 1,3-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 2-methylpentamethylene-diamine; diaminocyclohexane; diethylene triamine; triethylene tetramine; tetraethylene pentamine; propylene diamine; 1,3-diaminopropane; dimethylamino propylamine; diethylamino propylamine; imido-bis-propylamine; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine; triethanolamine; monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine; isophoronediamine; and mixtures thereof.

[0026] In one embodiment, the composition further includes a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a bismuth catalyst, zinc octoate, di-butyltin dilaurate, di-butyltin diacetate, tin (II) chloride, tin (IV) chloride, di-butyltin dimethoxide, dimethyl-bis[1-oxonedecyl)oxy]stannane, di-n-octyltin bis-isooctyl mercaptoacetate, triethylenediamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, oleic acid, acetic acid; delayed catalysts, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst may be present from about 0.005 percent to about 1 percent by weight of the composition.

[0027] In another embodiment, the cover layer has a difference in yellowness index of about 12 or less after 5 days of ultraviolet light exposure. In yet another embodiment, the cover layer has a difference in b chroma dimension of about 6 or less after 5 days of ultraviolet light exposure.

[0028] In this aspect of the invention, the cover layer may be formed from casting, injection molding, or reaction injection molding.

[0029] The present invention is also directed to a golf ball including a core, a layer disposed about the core forming a center, and a cover cast onto the center, wherein the cover comprises a light stable polyurea material comprising at least a diisocyanate, at least a polyether amine, and at least one of a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, a amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof.

[0030] In one embodiment, the layer comprises ionomers, polyamides, highly neutralized polymers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyimides, polyolefins, acid copolymers, polyurethanes, vinyl resins, acrylic resins, polyphenylene oxide resins, metallocene catalyzed polymers, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the layer is a moisture barrier layer.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, the cover has a thickness of about 0.02 inches to about 0.035 inches. In addition, the layer preferably has a first Shore D hardness and the cover has a second Shore D hardness, wherein the ratio of second Shore D hardness to the first Shore D hardness is about 0.7 or less.

[0032] The core may include polybutadiene and may have a diameter of about 1.55 or greater. In one embodiment, the core includes a cis-to-trans catalyst, a resilient polymer component, and a free radical source. The cis-to-trans catalyst may include an organosulfur component, a Group VIA component, an inorganic sulfide component, an aromatic organic compound, or mixtures thereof.

[0033] In one embodiment, at least one of the core, the layer, the cover, or combinations thereof comprise a density-adjusting filler.

[0034] The present invention is also directed to a method of forming a golf ball including the steps of providing a golf ball center, mixing a polyurea prepolymer and at least one curing agent to form a castable reactive polyurea liquid material, filling a first set of mold halves with a first amount of the material, lowering the center into the first set of mold halves after a first predetermined time, wherein the center is held by vacuum for a second predetermined time, and wherein the second predetermined time is sufficient for complete exothermic reaction of the first amount of material, releasing the center from the vacuum providing a partially covered center, filling a second set of mold halves with a second amount of the material, wherein the first and second amounts are substantially similar, and wherein an exothermic reaction of the second amount commences, and mating the second set of mold halves with the partially covered center, wherein the exothermic reaction of the second amount concludes.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first predetermined time is about 40 seconds to about 100 seconds. In another embodiment, the second predetermined time is about 4 seconds to about 12 seconds.

[0036] The polyurea prepolymer may include at least one diisocyanate and at least one polyether amine. In one embodiment, the step of mixing a polyurea prepolymer and at least one curing agent further includes mixing at least one triol or at least one tetraol, or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the step of mixing a polyurea prepolymer and at least one curing agent further includes mixing at least one catalyst, at least one light stabilizer, at least one defoaming agent, at least one acid functionalized moiety, or combinations thereof.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, the step of providing a golf ball center includes the steps of providing a golf ball core and forming a layer disposed about the golf ball core. In still another embodiment, the golf ball core includes a polybutadiene reaction product, wherein the core has a diameter of about 1.55 or greater, and wherein the layer has a thickness of about 0.02 inches to about 0.035 inches.

[0038] Further features and advantages of the invention can be ascertained from the following detailed description that is provided in connection with the drawing(s) described below:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a two-piece golf ball, wherein the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-component golf ball, wherein at least the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-component golf ball, wherein the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea and the intermediate layer is formed from a composition including at least one ionomer resin;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-component golf ball including a core and a cover, wherein the core is surrounded by a tensioned elastomeric material and the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid center golf ball wherein the liquid core is surrounded by a tensioned elastomeric material and the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-component golf ball including a core, a thin inner cover layer, and a thin outer cover layer disposed thereon, wherein the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-component golf ball including a core, an outer core layer, a thin inner cover layer, and a thin outer cover layer disposed thereon, wherein the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea; and

[0046] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-component golf ball including a large core and a thin outer cover layer disposed thereon, wherein the cover is formed from a composition including at least one polyurea.

[0047] The present invention contemplates improved compositions for use in golf equipment, such as golf balls, golf clubs, or the like. In particular, the compositions of the invention are polyurea-based and are included in a variety of golf ball constructions, i.e., one-piece, two-piece, or multilayer balls, as well as golf club components, e.g., club head inserts.

[0048] The compositions of the invention are preferably light stable, or saturated. Light stability may be accomplished in a variety of ways for the purposes of this application. For example, the compositions of the invention may include only saturated components, i.e., saturated prepolymers and saturated curing agents, or include a light stabilizer to improve light stability when using aromatic components.

[0049] Polyurea Compositions

[0050] Conventional aromatic polyurethane/urethane elastomers and polyurethane/urea elastomers are generally prepared by curing prepolymer of diisocyanate and polyol with at least one diol curing agent or at least one diamine curing agent, respectively. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is now believed that substitution of the long chain polyol segment in the polyurethane prepolymer with a long chain polyether diamine oligomer soft segment (“polyether amine”) to form a polyurea prepolymer, improves shear, cut, and resiliency, as well as adhesion to other components.

[0051] For example, polyurea elastomeric compositions of the invention may be prepared from at least one isocyanate, at least one polyether amine, and at least one curing agent. Polyurea compositions are preferably prepared from at least one isocyanate, at least one polyether amine, and at least one diol curing agent and at least one diamine curing agent. The compositions of the invention may also be referred to as castable reactive liquid material in that the composition may used to cast a layer about an inner component, which is described in more detail below.

[0052] The polyurea compositions of this invention are formed with an isocyanate and polyether amine prepolymer crosslinked with a curing agent. The curing agent is preferably a secondary diamine curing agent.

[0053] Any polyether amine available to one of ordinary skill in the art is suitable for use according to the invention. As used herein, “polyether amines” refer to at least polyoxyalkyleneamines containing primary amino groups attached to the terminus of a polyether backbone. Due to the rapid reaction of isocyanate and amine, and the insolubility of many urea products, however, the selection of diamines and polyether amines is limited to those allowing the successful formation of the polyurea prepolymers. In one embodiment, the polyether backbone is based on tetramethylene, propylene, ethylene, trimethylolpropane, glycerin, and mixtures thereof.

[0054] Suitable polyether amines include, but are not limited to, polytetramethylene ether diamines, polyoxypropylene diamines, poly(ethylene oxide capped oxypropylene)ether diamines, triethyleneglycoldiamines, propylene oxide-based triamines, trimethylolpropane-based triamines, glycerin-based triamines, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the polyether amine used to form the prepolymer is Jeffamine D2000 (manufactured by Huntsman Corporation of Austin, Tex.).

[0055] The molecular weight of the polyether amine for use in the invention may range from about 100 to about 5000. As used herein, the term “about” is used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range. In one embodiment, the polyether amine molecular weight is about 230 or greater. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the polyether amine is about 4000 or less. In yet another embodiment, the molecular weight of the polyether amine is about 600 or greater. In still another embodiment, the molecular weight of the polyether amine is about 3000 or less. In yet another embodiment, the molecular weight of the polyether amine is between about 1000 and about 3000, and more preferably is between about 1500 to about 2500. Because lower molecular weight polyether amines may be prone to forming solid polyureas, a higher molecular weight oligomer, such as Jeffamine D2000, is preferred.

[0056] In one embodiment, the polyether amine has the generic structure:

[0057] wherein the repeating unit x has a value ranging from about 1 to about 70. Even more preferably, the repeating unit may be from about 5 to about 50, and even more preferably is from about 12 to about 35.

[0058] In another embodiment, the polyether amine has the generic structure:

[0059] wherein the repeating units x and z have combined values from about 3.6 to about 8 and the repeating unit y has a value ranging from about 9 to about 50, and wherein R is —(CH₂)_a—, where “a” may be a repeating unit ranging from about 1 to about 10.

[0060] In yet another embodiment, the polyether amine has the generic structure:

[0061] H₂N—(R)—O—(R)—O—(R)—NH₂

[0062] wherein R is —(CH₂)_a—, and “a” may be a repeating unit ranging from about 1 to about 10.

[0063] As briefly discussed above, many amines may be unsuitable for reaction with the isocyanate because of the rapid reaction between the two components. In particular, shorter chain amines are fast reacting. In one embodiment, however, a hindered secondary diamine may be suitable for use in the prepolymer. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that an amine with a high level of stearic hindrance, e.g., a tertiary butyl group on the nitrogen atom, has a slower reaction rate than an amine with no hindrance or a low level of hindrance. For example, 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane (Clearlink 1000) may be suitable for use in combination with an isocyanate to form the polyurea prepolymer.

[0064] Any isocyanate available to one of ordinary skill in the art is suitable for use according to the invention. Isocyanates for use with the present invention include aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic, aromatic, any derivatives thereof, and combinations of these compounds having two or more isocyanate (NCO) groups per molecule. The isocyanates may be organic polyisocyanate-terminated prepolymers, low free isocyanates, and mixtures thereof. The isocyanate-containing reactable component may also include any isocyanate-functional monomer, dimer, trimer, or multimeric adduct thereof, prepolymer, quasi-prepolymer, or mixtures thereof. Isocyanate-functional compounds may include monoisocyanates or polyisocyanates that include any isocyanate functionality of two or more.

[0065] Suitable isocyanate-containing components include diisocyanates having the generic structure: O═C═N—R—N═C═O, where R is preferably a cyclic, aromatic, or linear or branched hydrocarbon moiety containing from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. The diisocyanate may also contain one or more cyclic groups or one or more phenyl groups. When multiple cyclic or aromatic groups are present, linear and/or branched hydrocarbons containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms can be present as spacers between the cyclic or aromatic groups. In some cases, the cyclic or aromatic group(s) may be substituted at the 2-, 3-, and/or 4-positions, or at the ortho-, meta-, and/or para-positions, respectively. Substituted groups may include, but are not limited to, halogens, primary, secondary, or tertiary hydrocarbon groups, or a mixture thereof.

[0066] Examples of diisocyanates that can be used with the present invention include, but are not limited to, substituted and isomeric mixtures including 2,2′-, 2,4′-, and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI); 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenylene diisocyanate (TODI); toluene diisocyanate (TDI); polymeric MDI; carbodiimide-modified liquid 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; para-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI); meta-phenylene diisocyanate (MPDI); triphenyl methane-4,4′- and triphenyl methane-4,4″-triisocyanate; naphthylene-1,5-diisocyanate; 2,4′-, 4,4′-, and 2,2-biphenyl diisocyanate; polyphenyl polymethylene polyisocyanate (PMDI); mixtures of MDI and PMDI; mixtures of PMDI and TDI; ethylene diisocyanate; propylene-1,2-diisocyanate; tetramethylene-1,2-diisocyanate; tetramethylene-1,3-diisocyanate; tetramethylene-1,4-diisocyanate; 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate (HDI); octamethylene diisocyanate; decamethylene diisocyanate; 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; dodecane-1,12-diisocyanate; dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate; cyclobutane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,2-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate; methyl-cyclohexylene diisocyanate (HTDI); 2,4-methylcyclohexane diisocyanate; 2,6-methylcyclohexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-dicyclohexyl diisocyanate; 2,4′-dicyclohexyl diisocyanate; 1,3,5-cyclohexane triisocyanate; isocyanatomethylcyclohexane isocyanate; 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane; isocyanatoethylcyclohexane isocyanate; bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-bis(isocyanatomethyl) dicyclohexane; 2,4′-bis(isocyanatomethyl)dicyclohexane; isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI); triisocyanate of HDI; triisocyanate of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane diisocyanate (TMDI); 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI); 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate; 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate; 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate; aromatic aliphatic isocyanate, such as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-xylene diisocyanate; meta-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (m-TMXDI); para-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (p-TMXDI); trimerized isocyanurate of any polyisocyanate, such as isocyanurate of toluene diisocyanate, trimer of diphenylmethane diisocyanate, trimer of tetramethylxylene diisocyanate, isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof; dimerized uredione of any polyisocyanate, such as uretdione of toluene diisocyanate, uretdione of hexamethylene diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof; modified polyisocyanate derived from the above isocyanates and polyisocyanates; and mixtures thereof.

[0067] The number of unreacted NCO groups in the polyurea prepolymer of isocyanate and polyether amine may be varied to control such factors as the speed of the reaction, the resultant hardness of the composition, and the like. For instance, the number of unreacted NCO groups in the polyurea prepolymer of isocyanate and polyether amine may be less than about 14 percent. In one embodiment, the polyurea prepolymer has from about 5 percent to about 11 percent unreacted NCO groups, and even more preferably has from about 6 to about 9.5 percent unreacted NCO groups. In one embodiment, the percentage of unreacted NCO groups is about 3 percent to about 9 percent. Alternatively, the percentage of unreacted NCO groups may be about 7.5 percent or less, and more preferably, about 7 percent or less. In another embodiment, the unreacted NCO content is from about 2.5 percent to about 7.5 percent, and more preferably from about 4 percent to about 6.5 percent.

[0068] The polyurea composition can be formed by crosslinking the polyurea prepolymer with a blend or mixture of curing agents. Curatives for use with the present invention include, but are not limited to, hydroxy terminated curing agents, amine-terminated curing agents, and mixtures thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the curing agents are amine-terminated curing agents, and more preferably secondary diamine curing agents. If desired, however, the polyurea composition may be formed with a single curing agent. Polyurea prepolymers cured with a secondary diamine with 1:1 stoichiometry in the absence of moisture are thermoplastic in nature, while thermoset polyurea compositions, on the other hand, are generally produced from a polyurea prepolymer cured with a primary diamine or polyfunctional glycol.

[0069] Skilled artisians are aware that the various properties of the golf ball and golf ball components, e.g., hardness, may be controlled by adjusting the ratio of prepolymer to curing agent, which is a function of the NCO content of the prepolymer and molecular weight of the curing agent. For example, the ratio of a polyurea prepolymer with 6 percent unreacted NCO groups cured with 1,4-butanediol is 15.6:1, whereas the ratio of the same prepolymer cured with 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane (Clearlink 1000) is 4.36:1. The ratio of prepolymer to curing agent for the purposes of this invention is preferably from about 0.5:1 to about 16:1.

[0070] The compositions of the present invention may be selected from among both castable thermoset and thermoplastic materials, which is determined by the curing agent used to cure the prepolymer. For example, castable thermoplastic compositions of the invention include linear polymers and are typically formed curing the prepolymer with a diol or secondary diamine. Thermoset compositions of the invention, on the other hand, are cross-linked polymers and are typically produced from the reaction of a diisocyanate and a polyol cured with a primary diamine or polyfunctional glycol.

[0071] Both types of curing agents, i.e., hydroxy-terminated and amine curatives, may include one or more saturated, unsaturated, aromatic, and cyclic groups. Additionally, the hydroxy-terminated and amine curatives may include one or more halogen groups.

[0072] Additionally, the compositions of the present invention may be used to make thermoplastic pellets that can be molded onto the ball by other molding methods, such as by injection molding or compression molding. Theremplastic or thermoset compositions of the present invention also may be formed around the core using reaction injection molding (RIM) techniques.

[0073] Suitable hydroxy-terminated curing agents include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol; diethylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol; 2-methyl-1,4-butanediol; dipropylene glycol; polypropylene glycol; 1,2-butanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 2,3-butanediol; 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol; trimethylolpropane; cyclohexyldimethylol; triisopropanolamine; tetra-(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylene diamine; diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cyclohexane; 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylol; 1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]cyclohexane; 1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}cyclohexane; trimethylolpropane; polytetramethylene ether glycol; resorcinol-di-(beat-hydroxyethyl)ether and its derivatives; hydroquinone-di-(beta-hydroxyethyl)ether and its derivatives; 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene; 1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzene; N,N-bis(β-hydroxypropyl)aniline; 2-propanol-1,1′-phenylaminobis; and mixtures thereof.

[0074] In one embodiment, the hydroxy-terminated curing agent has a molecular weight of at least about 50. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the hydroxy-terminated curing agent is about 2000 or less. In yet another embodiment, the hydroxy-terminated curing agent is polytetramethylene ether glycol, which preferably has a molecular weight ranging from about 250 to about 3900. It should be understood that molecular weight, as used herein, is the absolute weight average molecular weight and would be understood as such by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0075] Suitable amine-terminated curing agents include, but are not limited to, ethylene diamine; hexamethylene diamine; 1-methyl-2,6-cyclohexyl diamine; tetrahydroxypropylene ethylene diamine; 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine; 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; 1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; derivatives of 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diamine; 1,4-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); 1,3-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 2-methylpentamethylene-diamine; diaminocyclohexane; diethylene triamine; triethylene tetramine; tetraethylene pentamine; propylene diamine; 1,3-diaminopropane; dimethylamino propylamine; diethylamino propylamine; imido-bis-propylamine; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine; triethanolamine; monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine; isophoronediamine; 4,4′-methylenebis-(2-chloroaniline); 3,5;dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine; 3,5;dimethylthio-2,6-toluenediamine; 3,5;diethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine; 3,5;diethylthio-2,6-toluenediamine; 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-diphenylmethane and derivatives thereof; 1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene; 1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene; N,N′-dialkylamino-diphenylmethane; trimethyleneglycol-di-p-aminobenzoate; polytetramethyleneoxide-di-p-aminobenzoate; 4,4′-methylenebis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethyleneaniline); 4,4′-methylenebis-(2,6-diethylaniline); meta-phenylenediamine; paraphenylenediamine; cyclohexyldimethol; and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the amine-terminated curing agent is 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane.

[0076] In one embodiment, the amine-terminated curing agent has a molecular weight of about 64 or greater. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the amine-curing agent is about 2000 or less.

[0077] A catalyst may be employed to promote the reaction between the curing agent and the prepolymer. Suitable catalysts include, but are not limited to bismuth catalyst, zinc octoate, tin catalysts such as di-butyltin dilaurate (DBACO®-T12 manufactured by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.); di-butyltin diacetate (DBACO®-T1); tin (II) chloride; tin (IV) chloride; di-butyltin dimethoxide (FASCAT(®-4211); dimethyl-bis[1-oxonedecyl)oxy]stannane (FORMEZ® UL-28); di-n-octyltin bis-isooctyl mercaptoacetate (FORMEZ® UL-29); amine catalysts such as triethylenediamine (DBACO®-33LV), triethylamine, and tributylamine; organic acids such as oleic acid and acetic acid; delayed catalysts such as POLYCAT™ SA-1, POLYCAT™ SA-2, POLYCAT®, and the like; and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the catalyst is di-butyltin dilaurate.

[0078] The catalyst is preferably added in an amount sufficient to catalyze the reaction of the components in the reactive mixture. In one embodiment, the catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.001 percent to about 5 percent by weight of the composition. For example, when using a tin catalyst, such as di-butyltin dilaurate, the catalyst is preferably present in an amount from about 0.005 percent to about 1 percent. In another embodiment, the catalyst is present in an amount of about 0.05 weight percent or greater. In another embodiment, the catalyst is present in an amount of about 0.5 weight percent or greater.

[0079] Use of low levels of tin catalysts, typically from about 0 to about 0.04 weight percent of the total polyurea composition, requires high temperatures to achieve a suitable reaction rate, which may result in degradation of the polyurea prepolymer. Increasing the amount of catalysts to unconventional high levels enables the reduction in process temperatures while retaining comparable cure stages. Use of the higher catalyst level also allows the mixing speeds to be reduced. Thus, in one embodiment, the tin catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.01 percent to about 0.55 percent by weight of the composition. In another embodiment, about 0.05 percent to about 0.4 percent of tin catalyst is present in the composition. In yet another embodiment, the tin catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.1 percent to about 0.25 percent.

[0080] A variety of additional components can also be added to the polyurea compositions of the present invention. These include, but are not limited to, white pigment such as TiO₂, ZnO, optical brighteners, surfactants, processing aids, foaming agents, UV stabilizers, and light stabilizers. In one embodiment, the polyurea composition contains at least one light stabilizing component to prevent significant yellowing from unsaturated components contained therein. The addition of a light stabilizer may have some benefit for these materials. The use of a light stabilizer or UV absorber is preferred, for instance, for compositions having a difference in yellowness (ΔY) of about 15 or greater.

[0081] The use of light stabilizing components also may assist in preventing cover surface fractures due to photodegredation. Suitable UV absorbers and light stabilizers include, but are not limited to, TINUVIN® 292, TINUVIN® 328, TINUVIN® 213, TINUVIN® 765, TINUVIN® 770 and TINUVIN® 622. The preferred UV absorber for aromatic compounds is TINUVIN® 328, and the preferred hindered amine light stabilizer is TINUVIN® 765. A preferred light stabilizer for the saturated (aliphatic) compounds is TINUVIN® 292. TINUVIN® products are available from Ciba-Geigy. Dyes, as well as optical brighteners and fluorescent pigments may also be included in the golf ball covers produced with polymers formed according to the present invention. Such additional ingredients may be added in any amounts that will achieve their desired purpose.

[0082] To further improve the shear resistance of the resulting polyurea elastomers, a trifunctional curing agent can be used to help improve cross-linking. For instance, hydroxy-terminated curing agents may be used. Preferably, a triol such as trimethylolpropane or a tetraol such as N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxylpropyl)ethylenediamine may be added to the formulations.

[0083] Saturated Polyurea Compositions

[0084] In addition, it has been discovered that the use of the polyether amine in place of the more traditional polyol, combined with a saturated isocyanate and a saturated curing agent in place of their aromatic counterparts, confers light stability to the compositions and the resultant golf equipment, as well as improved shear resistance and resiliency. The term “saturated,” as used herein, refers to compositions having saturated aliphatic and alicyclic polymer backbones, i.e., with no carbon-carbon double bonds.

[0085] Thus, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to saturated polyurea compositions for use in golf equipment, and in particular, golf balls, wherein the saturated prepolymer is a product formed by a reaction between at least one polyether amine and at least one saturated diisocyanate. The polyether amines listed above are also suitable for use in the saturated prepolymers. The prepolymers are then cured with at least one diol or diamine curing agent to provide polyurea/urethane or polyurea/urea elastomers, respectively.

[0086] Examples of saturated diisocyanates that can be used with the present invention include, but are not limited to, ethylene diisocyanate; propylene-1,2-diisocyanate; tetramethylene diisocyanate; tetramethylene-1,4-diisocyanate; 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate (HDI); octamethylene diisocyanate; decamethylene diisocyanate; 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; dodecane-1,12-diisocyanate; dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate; cyclobutane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,2-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate; methyl-cyclohexylene diisocyanate (HTDI); 2,4-methylcyclohexane diisocyanate; 2,6-methylcyclohexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-dicyclohexyl diisocyanate; 2,4′-dicyclohexyl diisocyanate; 1,3,5-cyclohexane triisocyanate; isocyanatomethylcyclohexane isocyanate; 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane; isocyanatoethylcyclohexane isocyanate; bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane diisocyanate; 4,4′-bis(isocyanatomethyl) dicyclohexane; 2,4′-bis(isocyanatomethyl)dicyclohexane; isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI); triisocyanate of HDI; triisocyanate of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane diisocyanate (TMDI); 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI); 2,4-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate; 2,6-hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate; and mixtures thereof. Aromatic aliphatic isocyanates may also be used to form light stable materials. Examples of such isocyanates include 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-xylene diisocyanate; meta-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (m-TMXDI); para-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (p-TMXDI); trimerized isocyanurate of any polyisocyanate, such as isocyanurate of toluene diisocyanate, trimer of diphenylmethane diisocyanate, trimer of tetramethylxylene diisocyanate, isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof; dimerized uredione of any polyisocyanate, such as uretdione of toluene diisocyanate, uretdione of hexamethylene diisocyanate, and mixtures thereof; modified polyisocyanate derived from the above isocyanates and polyisocyanates; and mixtures thereof. In addition, the aromatic aliphatic isocyanates may be mixed with any of the saturated isocyanates listed above for the purposes of this invention.

[0087] The saturated polyurea composition can be formed with a blend or mixture of curing agents. Saturated curatives for use with the present invention include, but are not limited to, hydroxy-terminated curing agents, amine-terminated curing agents, and mixtures thereof. If desired, however, the polyurea composition may be formed with a single curing agent. As discussed, the polyurea prepolymers cured with a diol or secondary diamine with 1:1 stoichiometry in the absence of moisture are thermoplastic in nature. Thermoset polyureas, on the other hand, are generally produced from a polyurea prepolymer cured with a primary diamine or polyfunctional glycol.

[0088] Suitable saturated hydroxy-terminated curing agents include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol; diethylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol; 2,-methyl-1,4-butanediol; dipropylene glycol; polypropylene glycol; 1,2-butanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 2,3-butanediol; 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol; trimethylolpropane; cyclohexyldimethylol; triisopropanolamine; tetra-(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylene diamine; diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cyclohexane; 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylol; 1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]cyclohexane; 1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}cyclohexane; trimethylolpropane; polytetramethylene ether glycol having molecular weight ranging from about 250 to about 3900; and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the hydroxy-terminated curing agent has a molecular weight of at least 50. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the hydroxy-terminated curing agent is about 2000 or less.

[0089] Suitable saturated amine-terminated curing agents include, but are not limited to, ethylene diamine; hexamethylene diamine; 1-methyl-2,6-cyclohexyl diamine; tetrahydroxypropylene ethylene diamine; 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine; 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; 1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; derivatives of 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diamine; 1,4-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); 1,3-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 2-methylpentamethylene-diamine; diaminocyclohexane; diethylene triamine; triethylene tetramine; tetraethylene pentamine; propylene diamine; 1,3-diaminopropane; dimethylamino propylamine; diethylamino propylamine; imido-bis-propylamine; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine; triethanolamine; monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine; isophoronediamine; and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the amine-curing agent has molecular weights of about 64 or greater. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the amine-curing agent is about 2000 or less. In addition, any of the polyether amines listed above may be used as curing agents to react with the polyurea prepolymers.

[0090] The saturated polyether amine may be blended with additional polyols to formulate copolymers that are reacted with excess isocyanate to form the polyurea prepolymer. In one embodiment, less than about 30 percent polyol by weight of the copolymer is blended with the saturated polyether amine. In another embodiment, less than about 20 percent polyol by weight of the copolymer, preferably less than about 15 percent by weight of the copolymer, is blended with the saturated polyether amine. Any saturated polyol available to one of ordinary skill in the art, e.g., polyether polyols, polycaprolactone polyols, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, hydrocarbon polyols, other polyols, and mixtures thereof, is suitable for blending according to the invention. The molecular weight of these polymers may be from about 200 to about 4000, but also may be from about 1000 to about 3000, and more preferably are from about 1500 to about 2500.

[0091] Suitable saturated polyether polyols for blending with the polyurea prepolymer include, but are not limited to, polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG); PTG-L; poly(oxyethylene)glycol; poly(oxypropylene)glycol; poly(ethylene oxide capped oxypropylene)glycol; and mixtures thereof.

[0092] Saturated polycaprolactone polyols include, but not limited to, diethylene glycol initiated polycaprolactone; propylene glycol initiated polycaprolactone; 1,4-butanediol initiated polycaprolactone; trimethylol propane initiated polycaprolactone; neopentyl glycol initiated polycaprolactone; 1,6-hexanediol initiated polycaprolactone; polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) initiated polycaprolactone; and mixtures thereof.

[0093] Suitable saturated polyester polyols include, but not limited to, polyethylene adipate glycol; polyethylene propylene adipate glycol; polybutylene adipate glycol; polyethylene butylene adipate glycol; polyhexamethylene adipate glycol; polyhexamethylene butylene adipate glycol; and mixtures thereof.

[0094] Examples of polycarbonate polyols that may be used with the present invention include, but are not limited to, poly(phthalate carbonate)glycol, poly(hexamethylene carbonate)glycol, polycarbonate polyols containing bisphenol A, and mixtures thereof.

[0095] Hydrocarbon polyols include, but not limited to, hydroxy-terminated liquid isoprene rubber (LIR), hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene polyol, and mixtures thereof.

[0096] Other aliphatic polyols that may be used to form the prepolymer of the invention include, but not limited to, glycerols; castor oil and its derivatives; saturated hydroxy-terminated hydrocarbon polyols; Polytail H; Polytail HA; Kraton polyols; acrylic polyols; acid functionalized polyols based on a carboxylic, sulfonic, or phosphoric acid group; dimer alcohols converted from the saturated dimerized fatty acid; and mixtures thereof.

[0097] As discussed above, a catalyst may be employed to promote the reaction between the saturated curing agent and the saturated prepolymer. The catalysts listed above are suitable for use with the saturated compositions of the invention.

[0098] Saturated polyureas are resistant to discoloration. However, they are not immune to deterioration in their mechanical properties upon weathering. Addition of UV absorbers and light stabilizers to any of the above polyurea compositions may help to maintain the tensile strength, elongation, and color stability. Thus, suitable UV absorbers and light stabilizers, as listed above, may also be included in the saturated compositions of the invention. Preferably, these ingredients are added to compositions having a difference in yellowness of about 15 or more, but also may be added to compositions having a difference in yellowness of from about 12 to about 15.

[0099] Composition Blends

[0100] The polyurea compositions preferably include from about 1 percent to about 100 percent polyurea, however, the polyurea compositions may be blended with other materials. In one embodiment, the composition contains about 10 percent to about 90 percent polyurea, preferably from about 10 percent to about 75 percent polyurea, and contains about 90 percent to 10 percent, more preferably from about 90 percent to about 25 percent other polymers and/or other materials as described below.

[0101] Other polymeric materials suitable for blending with the compositions of the invention include castable thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethanes, cationic and anionic urethane ionomers and urethane epoxies, polyurethane/polyurea ionomers, epoxy resins, polyethylenes, polyamides and polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylin, and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable urethane ionomers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,974, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other examples of suitable polyurethanes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,673, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Examples of suitable polyureas used to form the polyurea ionomer listed above are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,870. In particular, the polyureas of U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,870 are prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyamine curing agent to yield polyurea, which are distinct from the polyureas of the present invention which are formed from a polyurea prepolymer and curing agent. Examples of suitable polyurethanes cured with epoxy group containing curing agents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,358. The disclosures of the above patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These examples are intended to be non-limiting examples of blends to be used with the present invention.

[0102] For example, the polyurea composition of the invention may be blended with a polyurethane. Polyurethanes suitable for use in the invention are the product of a reaction between at least one polyurethane prepolymer and at least one curing agent. The polyurethanes used in the compositions of the present invention may be selected from among both castable thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethanes. Thermoplastic polyurethanes are linear polymers and are typically formed from the reaction of a diisocyanate and a polyol cured with a diol or a secondary diamine with 1:1 stoichiometry in the absence of moisture. Thermoset polyurethanes, on the other hand, are cross-linked polymers and are typically produced from the reaction of a diisocyanate and a polyol cured with a primary diamine or polyfunctional glycol.

[0103] As mentioned above, the main difference between the polyurea compositions of the invention and a polyurethane composition is the substitution of the polyether amine into the prepolymer. Thus, any of the isocyanates and curing agents listed above with respect to the polyurea compositions are suitable for use according to the invention. In addition, any polyol available to one of ordinary skill in the art, e.g., polyether polyols, polycaprolactone polyols, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, hydrocarbon polyols, other polyols, and mixtures thereof, is suitable for the polyurethane prepolymer.

[0104] In one embodiment, a saturated polyurea composition is blended with a saturated polyurethane formed from a saturated prepolymer of a saturated isocyanate and a saturated polyol and cured with a saturated curing agent. Any of the saturated isocyanates and saturated curing agents listed above with respect to the saturated polyurea compositions are suitable for use in a saturated polyurethane composition.

[0105] Any saturated polyol available to one of ordinary skill in the art is suitable for use in the saturated polyurethane prepolymers. Exemplary polyols include, but are not limited to, polyether polyols, polycaprolactone polyols, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, hydrocarbon polyols, and mixtures thereof.

[0106] Suitable saturated polyether polyols for use in the saturated polyurethane prepolymers include, but are not limited to, polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG); PTG-L; poly(oxyethylene)glycol; poly(oxypropylene)glycol; poly(ethylene oxide capped oxypropylene)glycol; and mixtures thereof.

[0107] Saturated polycaprolactone polyols include, but not limited to, diethylene glycol initiated polycaprolactone; propylene glycol initiated polycaprolactone; 1,4-butanediol initiated polycaprolactone; trimethylol propane initiated polycaprolactone; neopentyl glycol initiated polycaprolactone; 1,6-hexanediol initiated polycaprolactone; polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) initiated polycaprolactone; and mixtures thereof.

[0108] Suitable saturated polyester polyols include, but not limited to, polyethylene adipate glycol; polyethylene propylene adipate glycol; polybutylene adipate glycol; polyethylene butylene adipate glycol; polyhexamethylene adipate glycol; polyhexamethylene butylene adipate glycol; and mixtures thereof. An example of a polycarbonate polyol that may be used with the present invention includes, but is not limited to, poly(hexamethylene carbonate) glycol.

[0109] Hydrocarbon polyols include, but not limited to, hydroxy-terminated liquid isoprene rubber (LIR), hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene polyol, saturated hydroxy-terminated hydrocarbon polyols, and mixtures thereof.

[0110] Other aliphatic polyols that may be used to form the prepolymer of the invention include, but not limited to, glycerols; castor oil and its derivatives; Kraton polyols; acrylic polyols; acid functionalized polyols based on a carboxylic, sulfonic, or phosphoric acid group; dimer alcohols converted from the saturated dimerized fatty acid; and mixtures thereof.

[0111] As discussed above, a catalyst may be employed to promote the reaction between the curing agent and the isocyanate and polyol. Any of the catalysts listed above with respect to the polyurea compositions are also suitable for use with the polyurethane compositions.

[0112] In addition, prior to blending with the polyurea compositions, the polyurethanes may also be blended with other materials such as ionic or non-ionic polyurethanes, cationic and anionic urethane ionomers and urethane epoxies, epoxy resins, polyethylenes, polyamides and polyesters, ionic and non-ionic polyureas, and mixtures thereof. When blended with other materials, the polyurethane composition preferably contains from about 90 percent to about 10 percent, more preferably from about 90 percent to about 25 percent, of one or more other polymers and/or other materials as described above.

[0113] Acid Functionalization of Compositions

[0114] The present invention also contemplates the acid functionalization of the polyurea and polyurethane compositions of the invention as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/072,395, filed on Feb. 5, 2002, entitled “Golf Ball Compositions Comprising a Novel Acid Functional Polyurethane, Polyurea, or Copolymer Thereof”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that polyurea and polyurethanes including acid functional moieties or groups have improved adhesion to other components or layers. The acid functional group is preferably based on a sulfonic group (HSO₃), carboxylic group (HCO₂), phosphoric acid group (H₂PO₃), or a combination thereof. More than one type of acid functional group may be incorporated into the polyurea or polyurethane.

[0115] In one embodiment, the acid functional polyurea or polyurethane is prepared from a prepolymer having acid functional moieties. The acid group(s) may be incorporated onto the isocyanate moiety, or polyether amine or polyol component of the polyurea or polyurethane, respectively.

[0116] The acid functional polyols disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,661,207 and 6,103,822, along with reagents and methods used to derive such acid functional polyols, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety are suitable when using an acid functional polyurethane composition. In one embodiment, acid functional polyols for use in a polyurethane prepolymer includes carboxylated, sulfonated, or phosphonated derivatives of polyester polyols. Suitable acid functional polyols may have an acid number (calculated by dividing acid equivalent weight to 56,100) of at least about 10, preferably from about 20 to about 420, more preferably from about 25 to about 150, and most preferably from about 30 to about 75. In addition, the hydroxyl number (calculated by dividing hydroxyl equivalent number to 56,100) of the polyols may be at least about 10, preferably from about 20 to about 840, and more preferably from about 20 to about 175, and most preferably from about 50 to about 150. The polyols may also have a hydroxyl functionality (average number of hydroxyl groups per polyol molecule) of at least about 1.8, preferably from about 2 to about 4.

[0117] Alternatively, the acid functional group can also be attached to the isocyanate or isocyanate component of the polyurea or polyurethane. Suitable acid functional isocyanates include conventional isocyanates having an acid functional group that may be formed by reacting a isocyanate and an acid functional group containing compound as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,956,438 and 5,071,578, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0118] In another embodiment, the acid group(s) is incorporated during a post-polymerization reaction, wherein the acid functional group(s) is introduced or attached to the polyurea or polyurethane. Moreover, the acid functional polyurea or polyurethanes made by way of copolymerization as described above may be further incorporated with additional acid functional groups through such post-polymerization reactions. Suitable agents to incorporate acid functional groups onto the polyurea or polyurethane and methods for making are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,784, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0119] One of ordinary skill in the art would be aware of other ways to prepare the acid functional polyurea or polyurethane. For example, a combination of the embodiments described above may be used as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,207, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0120] The acid functional polyurea or polyurethanes may be partially or fully neutralized with an organic or an inorganic metal base and/or a tertiary amine to produce anionic polyurethanes/polyurea ionomers. The base may be added either during preparation of the prepolymer, as a separate neutralization step on the already polymerized acid functional polyurea or polyurethane, or during dispersion of the polyurea or polyurethane. The base may be added at any of these stages, or, if the stages occur simultaneously, the base is present throughout all stages.

[0121] Suitable metal bases used for partial or total neutralization may include compounds such as metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, metal bicarbonates and metal acetates. The metal ions may include, but are not be limited to, Group IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIA, VIB, VIIB and VIIIB metal ions. Preferred metallic ions of such bases include lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, manganese, aluminum, tungsten, zirconium, titanium and hafnium. The amines are preferably hindered organic tertiary amines such as tributylamine, triethylamine, triethylene diamine, dimethyl cetylamine and similar compounds. Primary or secondary amines may be used, preferably only if the neutralization step takes place after the polymer is formed, because the amine hydrogen will readily react with the isocyanate groups thereby interfering with the polyurea or polyurethane polymerization. One of ordinary skill in the art is aware of additional appropriate chemicals for neutralization.

[0122] Golf Ball Core Layer(s)

[0123] The cores of the golf balls formed according to the invention may be solid, semi-solid, hollow, fluid-filled or powder-filled, one-piece or multi-component cores. The term “semi-solid” as used herein refers to a paste, a gel, or the like. Any core material known to one of ordinary skill in that art is suitable for use in the golf balls of the invention. Suitable core materials include thermoset materials, such as rubber, styrene butadiene, polybutadiene, isoprene, polyisoprene, trans-isoprene, as well as thermoplastics such as ionomer resins, polyamides or polyesters, and thermoplastic and thermoset polyurethane elastomers. As mentioned above, the polyurea compositions of the present invention may also be incorporated into any component of a golf ball, including the core.

[0124] In one embodiment, the golf ball core is formed from a composition including a base rubber (natural, synthetic, or a combination thereof), a crosslinking agent, and a filler. In another embodiment, the golf ball core is formed from a reaction product that includes a cis-to-trans catalyst, a resilient polymer component having polybutadiene, a free radical source, and optionally, a crosslinking agent, a filler, or both. Various combinations of polymers, cis-to-trans catalysts, fillers, crosslinkers, and a source of free radicals, such as those disclosed in co-pending and co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/190,705, entitled “Low Compression, Resilient Golf Balls With Rubber Core,” filed Jul. 9, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, may be used to form the reaction product. Although this polybutadiene reaction product is discussed in a section pertaining to core compositions, the present invention also contemplates the use of the reaction product to form at least a portion of any component of a golf ball.

[0125] Polybutadiene Component

[0126] To obtain a higher resilience and lower compression, a high-molecular weight polybutadiene with a cis-isomer content preferably greater than about 40 percent is converted to increase the percentage of trans-isomer content at any point in the golf ball or portion thereof. In one embodiment, the cis-isomer is present in an amount of greater than about 70 percent, preferably greater than about 80 percent, and more preferably greater than about 90 percent of the total polybutadiene content. In still another embodiment, the cis-isomer is present in an amount of greater than about 95 percent, and more preferably greater than about 96 percent, of the total polybutadiene content.

[0127] A low amount of 1,2-polybutadiene isomer (“vinyl-polybutadiene”) is desired in the initial polybutadiene, and the reaction product. In one embodiment, the vinyl polybutadiene isomer content is less than about 7 percent, preferably less than about 4 percent, and more preferably less than about 2 percent.

[0128] The polybutadiene material may have a molecular weight of greater than about 200,000. In one embodiment, the polybutadiene molecular weight is greater than about 250,000, and more preferably from about 300,000 to 500,000. In another embodiment, the polybutadiene molecular weight is about 400,000 or greater. It is preferred that the polydispersity of the material is no greater than about 2, more preferably no greater than 1.8, and even more preferably no greater than 1.6.

[0129] In one embodiment, the polybutadiene has a Mooney viscosity greater than about 20, preferably greater than about 30, and more preferably greater than about 40. Mooney viscosity is typically measured according to ASTM D-1646. In another embodiment, the Mooney viscosity of the polybutadiene is greater than about 35, and preferably greater than about 50. In one embodiment, the Mooney viscosity of the unvulcanized polybutadiene is from about 40 to about 80. In another embodiment, the Mooney viscosity is from about 45 to about 60, more preferably from about 45 to about 55.

[0130] In one embodiment, the center composition includes at least one rubber material having a resilience index of at least about 40. In another embodiment, the resilience index of the at least one rubber material is at least about 50.

[0131] Examples of desirable polybutadiene rubbers include BUNA® CB22 and BUNA® CB23, commercially available from Bayer of Akron, Ohio; UBEPOL® 360L and UBEPOL® 150L, commercially available from UBE Industries of Tokyo, Japan; and CARIFLEX® BCP820 and CARIFLEX® BCP824, commercially available from Shell of Houston, Tex. If desired, the polybutadiene can also be mixed with other elastomers known in the art such as natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber and/or styrene-butadiene rubber in order to modify the properties of the core.

[0132] Catalyst(s)

[0133] Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the cis-to-trans catalyst component, in conjunction with the free radical source, acts to convert a percentage of the polybutadiene polymer component from the cis- to the trans-conformation. Thus, the cis-to-trans conversion prefereably includes the presence of a cis-to-trans catalyst, such as an organosulfur or metal-containing organosulfur compound, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic organic compound that does not contain sulfur or metal, an inorganic sulfide compound, an aromatic organometallic compound, or mixtures thereof.

[0134] As used herein, “cis-to-trans catalyst” means any component or a combination thereof that will convert at least a portion of cis-isomer to trans-isomer at a given temperature. The cis-to-trans catalyst component may include one or more cis-to-trans catalysts described herein, but typically includes at least one organosulfur component, a Group VIA component, an inorganic sulfide, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst is a blend of an organosulfur component and an inorganic sulfide component or a Group VIA component.

[0135] As used herein when referring to the invention, the term “organosulfur compound(s)” or “organosulfur component(s),” refers to any compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur. As used herein, the term “sulfur component” means a component that is elemental sulfur, polymeric sulfur, or a combination thereof. It should be further understood that “elemental sulfur” refers to the ring structure of S₈and that “polymeric sulfur” is a structure including at least one additional sulfur relative to the elemental sulfur.

[0136] The cis-to-trans catalyst is typically present in an amount sufficient to produce the reaction product so as to increase the trans-polybutadiene isomer content to contain from about 5 percent to 70 percent trans-isomer polybutadiene based on the total resilient polymer component. It is preferred that the cis-to-trans catalyst is present in an amount sufficient to increase the trans-polybutadiene isomer content at least about 15 percent, more preferably at least about 20 percent, and even more preferably at least about 25 percent.

[0137] Therefore, the cis-to-trans catalyst is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 25 parts per hundred of the total resilient polymer component. As used herein, the term “parts per hundred”, also known as “phr”, is defined as the number of parts by weight of a particular component present in a mixture, relative to 100 parts by weight of the total polymer component. Mathematically, this can be expressed as the weight of an ingredient divided by the total weight of the polymer, multiplied by a factor of 100. In one embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 12 phr of the total resilient polymer component. In another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 10 phr of the total resilient polymer component. In yet another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 8 phr of the total resilient polymer component. In still another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 5 phr of the total resilient polymer component. The lower end of the ranges stated above also may be increased if it is determined that 0.1 phr does not provide the desired amound of conversion. For instance, the amount of the cis-to-trans catalyst is present may be about 0.5 or more, 0.75 or more, 1.0 or more, or even 1.5 or more.

[0138] Suitable organosulfur components for use in the invention include, but are not limited to, at least one of diphenyl disulfide; 4,4′-ditolyl disulfide; 2,2′-benzamido diphenyl disulfide; bis(2-aminophenyl)disulfide; bis(4-aminophenyl)disulfide; bis(3-aminophenyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(4-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(3-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(4-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(5-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(6-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(7-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(8-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(2-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(3-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(3-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(4-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(5-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(6-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(7-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(8-aminonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,2′-diamino-1,2′-dithiodinaphthalene; 2,3′-diamino-1,2′-dithiodinaphthalene; bis(4-chlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(2-chlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(3-chlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(4-bromophenyl)disulfide; bis(2-bromophenyl)disulfide; bis(3-bromophenyl)disulfide; bis(4-fluorophenyl)disulfide; bis(4-iodophenyl)disulfide; bis(2,5-dichlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(3,5-dichlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(2,4-dichlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(2,5-dibromophenyl)disulfide; bis(3,5-dibromophenyl)disulfide; bis(2-chloro-5-bromophenyl)disulfide; bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenyl)disulfide; bis(4-cyanophenyl)disulfide; bis(2-cyanophenyl)disulfide; bis(4-nitrophenyl)disulfide; bis(2-nitrophenyl)disulfide; 2,2′-dithiobenzoic ethyl; 2,2′-dithiobenzoic methyl; 2,2′-dithiobenzoic acid; 4,4′-dithiobenzoic ethyl; bis(4-acetylphenyl)disulfide; bis(2-acetylphenyl)disulfide; bis(4-formylphenyl)disulfide; bis(4carbamoylphenyl)disulfide; 1,1′-dinaphthyl disulfide; 2,2′-dinaphthyl disulfide; 1,2′-dinaphthyl disulfide; 2,2′-bis(1-chlorodinaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(1-bromonaphthyl)disulfide; 1,1′-bis(2-chloronaphthyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(1-cyanonaphtyl)disulfide; 2,2′-bis(1-acetylnaphthyl)disulfide; and the like; or a mixture thereof. Most preferred organosulfur components include diphenyl disulfide, 4,4′-ditolyl disulfide, or a mixture thereof, especially 4,4′-ditolyl disulfide.

[0139] In one embodiment, the at least one organosulfur component is substantially free of metal. As used herein, the term “substantially free of metal” means less than about 10 weight percent, preferably less than about 5 weight percent, more preferably less than about 3 weight percent, even more preferably less than about 1 weight percent, and most preferably less than about 0.01 weight percent. Suitable substituted or unsubstituted aromatic organic components that do not include sulfur or a metal include, but are not limited to, diphenyl acetylene, azobenzene, or a mixture thereof. The aromatic organic group preferably ranges in size from C₆to C₂₀, and more preferably from C₆to C₁₀.

[0140] In one embodiment, the organosulfur cis-to-trans catalyst is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 0.5 phr or greater. In another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a organosulfur component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 0.6 phr or greater. In yet another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a organosulfur component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 1.0 phr or greater. In still another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a organosulfur component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 2.0 phr or greater.

[0141] Suitable metal-containing organosulfur components include, but are not limited to, cadmium, copper, lead, and tellurium analogs of diethyldithiocarbamate, diamyldithiocarbamate, and dimethyldithiocarbamate, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the metal-containing organosulfur cis-to-trans catalyst is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 1.0 phr or greater. In another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 2.0 phr or greater. In yet another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 2.5 phr or greater. In still another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 3.0 phr or greater.

[0142] The organosulfur component may also be an halogenated organosulfur compound. Halogenated organosulfur compounds include, but are not limited to those having the following general formula:

[0143] where R₁-R₅can be C₁-C₈alkyl groups; halogen groups; thiol groups (—SH), carboxylated groups; sulfonated groups; and hydrogen; in any order; and also pentafluorothiophenol; 2-fluorothiophenol; 3-fluorothiophenol; 4-fluorothiophenol; 2,3-fluorothiophenol; 2,4-fluorothiophenol; 3,4-fluorothiophenol; 3,5-fluorothiophenol 2,3,4-fluorothiophenol; 3,4,5-fluorothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorothiophenol; 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorothiophenol; 4-chlorotetrafluorothiophenol; pentachlorothiophenol; 2-chlorothiophenol; 3-chlorothiophenol; 4-chlorothiophenol; 2,3-chlorothiophenol; 2,4-chlorothiophenol; 3,4-chlorothiophenol; 3,5-chlorothiophenol; 2,3,4-chlorothiophenol; 3,4,5-chlorothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorothiophenol; 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorothiophenol; pentabromothiophenol; 2-bromothiophenol; 3-bromothiophenol; 4-bromothiophenol; 2,3-bromothiophenol; 2,4-bromothiophenol; 3,4-bromothiophenol; 3,5-bromothiophenol; 2,3,4-bromothiophenol; 3,4,5-bromothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetrabromothiophenol; 2,3,5,6-tetrabromothiophenol; pentaiodothiophenol; 2-iodothiophenol; 3-iodothiophenol; 4-iodothiophenol; 2,3-iodothiophenol; 2,4-iodothiophenol; 3,4-iodothiophenol; 3,5-iodothiophenol; 2,3,4-iodothiophenol; 3,4,5-iodothiophenol; 2,3,4,5-tetraiodothiophenol; 2,3,5,6-tetraiodothiophenoland; and their zinc salts. Preferably, the halogenated organosulfur compound is pentachlorothiophenol, which is commercially available in neat form or under the tradename STRUKTOL®, a clay-based carrier containing the sulfur compound pentachlorothiophenol loaded at 45 percent (correlating to 2.4 parts PCTP). STRUKTOL® is commercially available from Struktol Company of America of Stow, Ohio. PCTP is commercially available in neat form from eChinachem of San Francisco, Calif. and in the salt form from eChinachem of San Francisco, Calif. Most preferably, the halogenated organosulfur compound is the zinc salt of pentachlorothiophenol, which is commercially available from eChinachem of San Francisco, Calif. The halogenated organosulfur compounds of the present invention are preferably present in an amount greater than about 2.2 phr, more preferably between about 2.3 phr and about 5 phr, and most preferably between about 2.3 and about 4 phr.

[0144] The cis-to-trans catalyst may also include a Group VIA component. As used herein, the terms “Group VIA component” or “Group VIA element” mean a component that includes a sulfur component, selenium, tellurium, or a combination thereof. Elemental sulfur and polymeric sulfur are commercially available from, e.g., Elastochem, Inc. of Chardon, Ohio. Exemplary sulfur catalyst compounds include PB(RM-S)-80 elemental sulfur and PB(CRST)-65 polymeric sulfur, each of which is available from Elastochem, Inc. An exemplary tellurium catalyst under the tradename TELLOY and an exemplary selenium catalyst under the tradename VANDEX are each commercially available from RT Vanderbilt of Norwalk, Conn.

[0145] In one embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 0.25 phr or greater. In another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 0.5 phr or greater. In yet another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 1.0 phr or greater.

[0146] Suitable inorganic sulfide components include, but are not limited to titanium sulfide, manganese sulfide, and sulfide analogs of iron, calcium, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, copper, selenium, yttrium, zinc, tin, and bismuth. In one embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including an inorganic sulfide component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 0.5 phr or greater. In another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 0.75 phr or greater. In yet another embodiment, the cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA component is present in the reaction product in an amount from about 1.0 phr or greater.

[0147] When a reaction product includes a blend of cis-to-trans catalysts including an organosulfur component and an inorganic sulfide component, the organosulfur component is preferably present in an amount from about 0.5 or greater, preferably 1.0 or greater, and more preferably about 1.5 or greater and the inorganic sulfide component is preferably present in an amount from about 0.5 phr or greater, preferably 0.75 phr or greater, and more preferably about 1.0 phr or greater.

[0148] A substituted or unsubstituted aromatic organic compound may also be included in the cis-to-trans catalyst. In one embodiment, the aromatic organic compound is substantially free of metal. Suitable substituted or unsubstituted aromatic organic components include, but are not limited to, components having the formula (R₁)_x—R₃—M—R₄—(R₂)_y, wherein R₁and R₂are each hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C_1-20linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, or alkylthio group, or a single, multiple, or fused ring C₆to C₂₄aromatic group; x and y are each an integer from 0 to 5; R₃and R₄are each selected from a single, multiple, or fused ring C₆to C₂₄aromatic group; and M includes an azo group or a metal component. R₃and R₄are each preferably selected from a C₆to C₁₀aromatic group, more preferably selected from phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, benzamido, and benzothiazyl. R₁and R₂are each preferably selected from a substituted or unsubstituted C_1-10linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, or alkylthio group or a C₆to C₁₀aromatic group. When R₁, R₂, R₃, or R₄, are substituted, the substitution may include one or more of the following substituent groups: hydroxy and metal salts thereof; mercapto and metal salts thereof; halogen; amino, nitro, cyano, and amido; carboxyl including esters, acids, and metal salts thereof; silyl; acrylates and metal salts thereof; sulfonyl or sulfonamide; and phosphates and phosphites. When M is a metal component, it may be any suitable elemental metal available to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typically, the metal will be a transition metal, although preferably it is tellurium or selenium.

[0149] Free Radical Source(s)

[0150] A free-radical source, often alternatively referred to as a free-radical initiator, is preferred in the composition and method. The free-radical source is typically a peroxide, and preferably an organic peroxide, which decomposes during the cure cycle. Suitable free-radical sources include organic peroxide compounds, such as di-t-amyl peroxide, di(2-t-butyl-peroxyisopropyl)benzene peroxide or α,α-bis(t-butylperoxy)diisopropylbenzene, 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane or 1,1-di(t-butylperoxy) 3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, dicumyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, 2,5-di-(t-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl hexane, n-butyl-4,4-bis(t-butylperoxy)valerate, lauryl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, and the like, and any mixture thereof.

[0151] Other examples include, but are not limited to, VAROX® 231XL and Varox® DCP-R, commercially available from Elf Atochem of Philadelphia, Pa.; PERKODOX® BC and PERKODOX® 14, commercially available from Akzo Nobel of Chicago, Ill.; and ELASTOCHEM® DCP-70, commercially available from Rhein Chemie of Trenton, N.J.

[0152] It is well known that peroxides are available in a variety of forms having different activity. The activity is typically defined by the “active oxygen content.” For example, PERKODOX® BC peroxide is 98 percent active and has an active oxygen content of 5.8 percent, whereas PERKODOX® DCP-70 is 70 percent active and has an active oxygen content of 4.18 percent. The peroxide is may be present in an amount greater than about 0.1 parts per hundred of the total resilient polymer component, preferably about 0.1 to 15 parts per hundred of the resilient polymer component, and more preferably about 0.2 to 5 parts per hundred of the total resilient polymer component. If the peroxide is present in pure form, it is preferably present in an amount of at least about 0.25 phr, more preferably between about 0.35 phr and about 2.5 phr, and most preferably between about 0.5 phr and about 2 phr. Peroxides are also available in concentrate form, which are well-known to have differing activities, as described above. In this case, if concentrate peroxides are employed in the present invention, one skilled in the art would know that the concentrations suitable for pure peroxides are easily adjusted for concentrate peroxides by dividing by the activity. For example, 2 phr of a pure peroxide is equivalent 4 phr of a concentrate peroxide that is 50 percent active (i.e., 2 divided by 0.5=4).

[0153] In one embodiment, the amount of free radical source is about 5 phr or less, but also may be about 3 phr or less. In another embodiment, the amount of free radical source is about 2.5 phr or less. In yet another embodiment, the amount of free radical source is about 2 phr or less. In still another embodiment, the amount of free radical source is about 1 phr or less preferably about 0.75 phr or less.

[0154] It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the presence of certain cis-to-trans catalysts according to the invention be more suited for a larger amount of free-radical source, such as the amounts described herein, compared to conventional cross-linking reactions. The free radical source may alternatively or additionally be one or more of an electron beam, UV or gamma radiation, x-rays, or any other high energy radiation source capable of generating free radicals. It should be further understood that heat often facilitates initiation of the generation of free radicals.

[0155] In one embodiment, the ratio of the free radical source to the cis-to-trans catalyst is about 10 or less, but also may be about 5 or less. Additionally, the ratio of the free radical source to the cis-to-trans catalyst may be from about 4 or less, but also may be about 2 or less, and also may be about 1 or less. In another embodiment, the ratio of the free radical source to the cis-to-trans catalyst is about 0.5 or less, preferably about 0.4 or less. In yet another embodiment, the free radical source cis-to-trans catalyst ratio is greater than about 1.0. In still another embodiment, the free radical source cis-to-trans catalyst is about 1.5 or greater, preferably about 1.75 or greater.

[0156] Crosslinking Agent(s)

[0157] Crosslinkers may be included to increase the hardness of the reaction product. Suitable crosslinking agents include one or more metallic salts of unsaturated fatty acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, such as acrylic or methacrylic acid, or monocarboxylic acids, such as zinc, calcium, or magnesium acrylate salts, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Examples include, but are not limited to, one or more metal salt diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates, wherein the metal is magnesium, calcium, zinc, aluminum, sodium, lithium, or nickel. Preferred acrylates include zinc acrylate, zinc diacrylate, zinc methacrylate, zinc dimethacrylate, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, zinc methacrylate is used in combination with the zinc salt of pentachlorothiophenol.

[0158] The crosslinking agent must be present in an amount sufficient to crosslink a portion of the chains of polymers in the resilient polymer component. For example, the desired compression may be obtained by adjusting the amount of crosslinking. This may be achieved, for example, by altering the type and amount of crosslinking agent, a method well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The crosslinking agent is typically present in an amount greater than about 0.1 percent of the polymer component, preferably from about 10 to 50 percent of the polymer component, more preferably from about 10 to 40 percent of the polymer component.

[0159] In one embodiment, the crosslinking agent is present in an amount greater than about 10 parts per hundred (“phr”) parts of the base polymer, preferably from about 20 to about 40 phr of the base polymer, more preferably from about 25 to about 35 phr of the base polymer.

[0160] When an organosulfur is selected as the cis-to-trans catalyst, zinc diacrylate may be selected as the crosslinking agent and is present in an amount of less than about 25 phr.

[0161] Accelerator(s)

[0162] It is to be understood that when elemental sulfur or polymeric sulfur is included in the cis-to-trans catalyst, an accelerator may be used to improve the performance of the cis-to-trans catalyst. Suitable accelerators include, but are not limited to, sulfenamide, such as N-oxydiethylene 2-benzothiazole-sulfenamide, thiazole, such as benzothiazyl disulfide, dithiocarbamate, such as bismuth dimethyldithiocarbamate, thiuram, such as tetrabenzyl thiuram disulfide, xanthate, such as zinc isopropyl xanthate, thiadiazine, thiourea, such as trimethylthiourea, guanadine, such as N,N′-di-ortho-tolylguanadine, or aldehyde-amine, such as a butyraldehyde-aniline condensation product, or mixtures thereof.

[0163] Antioxidant

[0164] Typically, antioxidants are included in conventional golf ball core compositions because antioxidants are included in the materials supplied by manufacturers of compounds used in golf ball cores. Without being bound to any particular theory, higher amounts of antioxidant in the reaction product may result in less trans-isomer content because the antioxidants consume at least a portion of the free radical source. Thus, even with high amounts of the free radical source in the reaction product described previously, such as for example about 3 phr, an amount of antioxidant greater than about 0.3 phr may significantly reduce the effective amount of free radicals that are actually available to assist in a cis-to-trans conversion.

[0165] Because it is believed that the presence of antioxidants in the composition may inhibit the ability of free radicals to adequately assist in the cis-to-trans conversion, one way to ensure sufficient amounts of free radicals are provided for the conversion is to increase the initial levels of free radicals present in the composition so that sufficient amounts of free radicals remain after interaction with antioxidants in the composition. Thus, the initial amount of free radicals provided in the composition may be increased by at least about 10 percent, and more preferably are increased by at least about 25 percent so that the effective amount of remaining free radicals sufficient to adequately provide the desired cis-to-trans conversion. Depending on the amount of antioxidant present in the composition, the initial amount of free radicals may be increased by at least 50 percent, 100 percent, or an even greater amount as needed. As discussed below, selection of the amount of free radicals in the composition may be determined based on a desired ratio of free radicals to antioxidant. Another approach is to reduce the levels of or eliminate antioxidants in the composition. For instance, the reaction product of the present invention may be substantially free of antioxidants, thereby achieving greater utilization of the free radicals toward the cis-to-trans conversion. As used herein, the term “substantially free” generally means that the polybutadiene reaction product includes less than about 0.3 phr of antioxidant, preferably less than about 0.1 phr of antioxidant, more preferably less than about 0.05 phr of antioxidant, and most preferably about 0.01 phr or less antioxidant.

[0166] The amount of antioxidant has been shown herein to have a relationship with the amount of trans-isomer content after conversion. For example, a polybutadiene reaction product with 0.5 phr of antioxidant cured at 335° F. for 11 minutes results in about 15 percent trans-isomer content at an exterior surface of the center and about 13.4 percent at an interior location after the conversion reaction. In contrast, the same polybutadiene reaction product substantially free of antioxidants results in about 32 percent trans-isomer content at an exterior surface and about 21.4 percent at an interior location after the conversion reaction.

[0167] In one embodiment, the ratio of the free radical source to antioxidant is greater than about 10. In another embodiment, the ratio of the free radical source to antioxidant is greater than about 25, preferably greater than about 50. In yet another embodiment, the free radical source-antioxidant ratio is about 100 or greater. In still another embodiment, the free radical source-antioxidant ratio is about 200 or greater, preferably 250 or greater, and more preferably about 300 or greater.

[0168] If the reaction product is substantially free of antioxidants, the amount of the free radical source is preferably about 3 phr or less. In one embodiment, the free radical source is present in an amount of about 2.5 phr or less, preferably about 2 phr or less. In yet another embodiment, the amount of the free radical source in the reaction product is about 1.5 phr or less, preferably about 1 phr or less. In still another embodiment, the free radical source is present is an amount of about 0.75 phr or less.

[0169] When the reaction product contains about 0.1 phr or greater antioxidant, the free radical source is preferably present in an amount of about 1 phr or greater. In one embodiment, when the reaction product has about 0.1 phr or greater antioxidant, the free radical source is present in an amount of about 2 phr or greater. In another embodiment, the free radical source is present in an amount of about 2.5 phr or greater when the antioxidant is present in an amount of about 0.1 phr or greater.

[0170] In one embodiment, when the reaction product contains greater than about 0.05 phr of antioxidant, the free radical source is preferably present in an amount of about 0.5 phr or greater. In another embodiment, when the reaction product has greater than about 0.05 phr of antioxidant, the free radical source is present in an amount of about 2 phr or greater. In yet another embodiment, the free radical source is present in an amount of about 2.5 phr or greater when the antioxidant is present in an amount of about 0.05 phr or greater.

[0171] Trans-isomer Conversion

[0172] As discussed above, it is preferable to increase cis-isomer to trans-isomer in polybutadiene core materials. In one embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer content after conversion is at least about 10 percent or greater, while in another it is about 12 percent or greater. In another embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer content is about 15 percent or greater after conversion. In yet another embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer content after conversion is about 20 percent or greater, and more preferably is about 25 percent or greater. In still another embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer content after conversion is about 30 percent or greater, and preferably is about 32 percent or greater. The amount of trans-isomer after conversion also may be about 35 percent or greater, about 38 percent or greater, or even about 40 percent or greater. In yet another embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer after conversion may be about 42 percent or greater, or even about 45 percent or greater.

[0173] The cured portion of the component including the reaction product of the invention may have a first amount of trans-isomer polybutadiene at an interior location and a second amount of trans-isomer polybutadiene at an exterior surface location. In one embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer at the exterior surface location is greater than the amount of trans-isomer at an interior location. As will be further illustrated by the examples provided herein, the difference in trans-isomer content between the exterior surface and the interior location after conversion may differ depending on the cure cycle and the ratios of materials used for the conversion reaction. For example, it is also possible that these differences can reflect a center with greater amounts of trans-isomer at the interior portion than at the exterior portion.

[0174] The exterior portion of the center may have amounts of trans-isomer after conversion in the amounts already indicated previously herein, such as in amounts about 10 percent or greater, about 12 percent or greater, about 15 percent or greater, and the like, up to and including amounts that are about 45 percent or greater as stated above. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the polybutadiene reaction product may contain between about 35 percent to 60 percent of the trans-isomer at the exterior surface of a center portion. Another embodiment has from about 40 percent to 50 percent of trans-isomer at the exterior surface of a center portion. In one embodiment, the reaction product contains about 45 percent trans-isomer polybutadiene at the exterior surface of a center portion. In one embodiment, the reaction product at the center of the solid center portion may then contain at least about 20 percent less trans-isomer than is present at the exterior surface, preferably at least about 30 percent less trans-isomer, or at least about 40 percent less trans-isomer. In another embodiment, the amount of trans-isomer at the interior location is at least about 6 percent less than is present at the exterior surface, preferably at least about 10 percent less than the second amount.

[0175] The gradient between the interior portion of the center and the exterior portion of the center may vary. In one embodiment, the difference in trans-isomer content between the exterior and the interior after conversion is about 3 percent or greater, while in another embodiment the difference may be about 5 percent or greater. In another embodiment, the difference between the exterior surface and the interior location after conversion is about 10 percent or greater, and more preferably is about 20 percent or greater. In yet another embodiment, the difference in trans-isomer content between the exterior surface and the interior location after conversion may be about 5 percent or less, about 4 percent or less, and even about 3 percent or less. In yet another embodiment, the difference between the exterior surface and the interior location after conversion is less than about 1 percent.

[0176] Core Hardness

[0177] The component including the reaction product of the invention may have a hardness gradient, i.e., the component has a first hardness at a first point, i.e., at an interior location, and a second hardness at a second point, i.e., at an exterior surface, as measured on a molded sphere. In one embodiment, the second hardness is at least about 6 percent greater than the first hardness, preferably about 10 percent greater than the first hardness. In other embodiments, the second hardness is at least about 20 percent greater or at least about 30 percent greater, than the first hardness.

[0178] For example, a reaction product of this invention shaped into a portion of a golf ball may have a first hardness of about 45 Shore C to about 60 Shore C and a second hardness of about 65 Shore C to about 75 Shore C. In one golf ball formulated according to the invention, the first hardness was about 51 Shore C and a second hardness was about 71 Shore C, providing a hardness difference of greater than 20 percent.

[0179] The component including the reaction product may have no hardness gradient, i.e., substantially uniform hardness throughout the component. Thus, in this aspect, the first and second hardness differ by about 5 percent or less, preferably about 3 percent or less, and more preferably by about 2 percent or less. In one embodiment, the hardness is uniform throughout the component.

[0180] The golf ball polybutadiene material in the center typically has a hardness of at least about 15 Shore A, preferably between about 30 Shore A and 80 Shore D, more preferably between about 50 Shore A and 60 Shore D. The specific gravity is typically greater than about 0.7, preferably greater than about 1, for the golf ball polybutadiene material.

[0181] Core Compression

[0182] The compression of the core, or portion of the core, of golf balls prepared according to the invention is preferably below about 75, preferably below about 50, more preferably below about 25. As used herein, the terms “Atti compression” or “compression” are defined as the deflection of an object or material relative to the deflection of a calibrated spring, as measured with an Atti Compression Gauge, that is commercially available from Atti Engineering Corp. of Union City, N.J. Atti compression is typically used to measure the compression of a golf ball.

[0183] In one embodiment, the core of the present invention has an Atti compression of less than about 80, more preferably, between about 40 and about 80, and most preferably, between about 50 and about 70. In an alternative, low compression embodiment, the core has a compression of less than about 40, more preferably less than about 20. In one embodiment, the inner core has a compression of about 0. As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the cores generated according to the present invention may be below the measurement of the Atti Compression Gauge.

[0184] In an embodiment where the core is hard, the compression may be about 90 or greater. In one embodiment, the compression of the hard core ranges from about 90 to about 100.

[0185] Other Properties

[0186] The polybutadiene reaction product preferably has a flexural modulus of from about 500 psi to 300,000 psi, preferably from about 2,000 to 200,000 psi.

[0187] The desired loss tangent in the polybutadiene reaction product should be less than about 0.15 at −60° C. and less than about 0.05 at 30° C. when measured at a frequency of 1 Hz and a 1 percent strain. In one embodiment, the polybutadiene reaction product material preferably has a loss tangent below about 0.1 at −50° C., and more preferably below about 0.07 at −50° C.

[0188] To produce golf balls having a desirable compressive stiffness, the dynamic stiffness of the polybutadiene reaction product material should be less than about 50,000 N/m at −50° C. Preferably, the dynamic stiffness should be between about 10,000 and 40,000 N/m at −50° C., more preferably, the dynamic stiffness should be between about 20,000 and 30,000 N/m at −50° C.

[0189] In one embodiment, the reaction product has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C. In another embodiment, the first dynamic stiffness is less than about 125 percent of the second dynamic stiffness. In yet another embodiment, the first dynamic stiffness is less than about 110 percent of the second dynamic stiffness.

[0190] Golf Ball Intermediate Layer(s)

[0191] When the golf ball of the present invention includes an intermediate layer, such as an inner cover layer or outer core layer, i.e., any layer(s) disposed between the inner core and the outer cover of a golf ball, this layer can include any materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art including thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. For example, the intermediate layer may be formed from any of the polyurea, polyurethane, and polybutadiene materials discussed above.

[0192] The intermediate layer may also likewise include one or more homopolymeric or copolymeric materials, such as:

[0193] (1) Vinyl resins, such as those formed by the polymerization of vinyl chloride, or by the copolymerization of vinyl chloride with vinyl acetate, acrylic esters or vinylidene chloride;

[0194] (2) Polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and copolymers such as ethylene methylacrylate, ethylene ethylacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacrylic or ethylene acrylic acid or propylene acrylic acid and copolymers and homopolymers produced using a single-site catalyst or a metallocene catalyst;

[0195] (3) Polyurethanes, such as those prepared from polyols and diisocyanates or polyisocyanates and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,673;

[0196] (4) Polyureas, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,870;

[0197] (5) Polyamides, such as poly(hexamethylene adipamide) and others prepared from diamines and dibasic acids, as well as those from amino acids such as poly(caprolactam), and blends of polyamides with SURLYN, polyethylene, ethylene copolymers, ethyl-propylene-non-conjugated diene terpolymer, and the like;

[0198] (6) Acrylic resins and blends of these resins with poly vinyl chloride, elastomers, and the like;

[0199] (7) Thermoplastics, such as urethanes; olefinic thermoplastic rubbers, such as blends of polyolefins with ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene terpolymer; block copolymers of styrene and butadiene, isoprene or ethylene-butylene rubber; or copoly(ether-amide), such as PEBAX, sold by ELF Atochem of Philadelphia, Pa.;

[0200] (8) Polyphenylene oxide resins or blends of polyphenylene oxide with high impact polystyrene as sold under the trademark NORYL by General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Mass.;

[0201] (9) Thermoplastic polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate/glycol modified and elastomers sold under the trademarks HYTREL by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. of Wilmington, Del., and LOMOD by General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Mass.;

[0202] (10) Blends and alloys, including polycarbonate with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, styrene maleic anhydride, polyethylene, elastomers, and the like, and polyvinyl chloride with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ethylene vinyl acetate or other elastomers; and

[0203] (11) Blends of thermoplastic rubbers with polyethylene, propylene, polyacetal, nylon, polyesters, cellulose esters, and the like.

[0204] In one embodiment, the intermediate layer includes polymers, such as ethylene, propylene, butene-1 or hexane-1 based homopolymers or copolymers including functional monomers, such as acrylic and methacrylic acid and fully or partially neutralized ionomer resins and their blends, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate homopolymers and copolymers, imidized, amino group containing polymers, polycarbonate, reinforced polyamides, polyphenylene oxide, high impact polystyrene, polyether ketone, polysulfone, poly(phenylene sulfide), acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethelyne vinyl alcohol), poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and their copolymers including functional comonomers, and blends thereof.

[0205] Ionomers

[0206] As briefly mentioned above, the intermediate layer may include ionomeric materials, such as ionic copolymers of ethylene and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, which are available under the trademark SURLYN® of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., of Wilmington, Del., or IOTEK® or ESCOR® of Exxon. These are copolymers or terpolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid or acrylic acid totally or partially neutralized, i.e., from about 1 to about 100 percent, with salts of zinc, sodium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, nickel or the like. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid groups are neutralized from about 10 percent to about 100 percent. The carboxylic acid groups may also include methacrylic, crotonic, maleic, fumaric or itaconic acid. The salts are the reaction product of an olefin having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0207] The intermediate layer may also include at least one ionomer, such as acid-containing ethylene copolymer ionomers, including E/X/Y terpolymers where E is ethylene, X is an acrylate or methacrylate-based softening comonomer present in about 0 to 50 weight percent and Y is acrylic or methacrylic acid present in about 5 to 35 weight percent. In another embodiment, the acrylic or methacrylic acid is present in about 8 to 35 weight percent, more preferably 8 to 25 weight percent, and most preferably 8 to 20 weight percent.

[0208] The ionomer also may include so-called “low acid” and “high acid” ionomers, as well as blends thereof. In general, ionic copolymers including up to about 15 percent acid are considered “low acid” ionomers, while those including greater than about 15 percent acid are considered “high acid” ionomers.

[0209] A low acid ionomer is believed to impart high spin. Thus, in one embodiment, the intermediate layer includes a low acid ionomer where the acid is present in about 10 to 15 weight percent and optionally includes a softening comonomer, e.g., iso- or n-butylacrylate, to produce a softer terpolymer. The softening comonomer may be selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids wherein the acids have 2 to 10 carbon atoms, vinyl ethers wherein the alkyl groups contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable softening comonomers include vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, or the like.

[0210] In another embodiment, the intermediate layer includes at least one high acid ionomer, for low spin rate and maximum distance. In this aspect, the acrylic or methacrylic acid is present in about 15 to about 35 weight percent, making the ionomer a high modulus ionomer. In one embodiment, the high modulus ionomer includes about 16 percent by weight of a carboxylic acid, preferably from about 17 percent to about 25 percent by weight of a carboxylic acid, more preferably from about 18.5 percent to about 21.5 percent by weight of a carboxylic acid. In some circumstances, an additional comonomer such as an acrylate ester (i.e., iso- or n-butylacrylate, etc.) can also be included to produce a softer terpolymer. The additional comonomer may be selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids wherein the acids have 2 to 10 carbon atoms, vinyl ethers wherein the alkyl groups contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable softening comonomers include vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, or the like.

[0211] Consequently, examples of a number of copolymers suitable for use to produce the high modulus ionomers include, but are not limited to, high acid embodiments of an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, an ethylene/itaconic acid copolymer, an ethylene/maleic acid copolymer, an ethylene/methacrylic acid/vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene/acrylic acid/vinyl alcohol copolymer, and the like.

[0212] In one embodiment, the intermediate layer may be formed from at least one polymer containing α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid groups, or the salts thereof, that have been 100 percent neutralized by organic fatty acids. The organic acids are aliphatic, mono-functional (saturated, unsaturated, or multi-unsaturated) organic acids. Salts of these organic acids may also be employed. The salts of organic acids of the present invention include the salts of barium, lithium, sodium, zinc, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, potassium, strontium, titanium, tungsten, magnesium, cesium, iron, nickel, silver, aluminum, tin, or calcium, salts of fatty acids, particularly stearic, bebenic, erucic, oleic, linoelic or dimerized derivatives thereof. It is preferred that the organic acids and salts of the present invention be relatively non-migratory (they do not bloom to the surface of the polymer under ambient temperatures) and non-volatile (they do not volatilize at temperatures required for melt-blending).

[0213] The acid moieties of the highly-neutralized polymers (“HNP”), typically ethylene-based ionomers, are preferably neutralized greater than about 70 percent, more preferably greater than about 90 percent, and most preferably at least about 100 percent. The HNP's may be also be blended with a second polymer component, which, if containing an acid group, may be neutralized in a conventional manner, by organic fatty acids, or both. The second polymer component, which may be partially or fully neutralized, preferably comprises ionomeric copolymers and terpolymers, ionomer precursors, thermoplastics, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, thermoplastic elastomers, polybutadiene rubber, balata, metallocene-catalyzed polymers (grafted and non-grafted), single-site polymers, high-crystalline acid polymers, cationic ionomers, and the like.

[0214] In this embodiment, the acid copolymers can be described as E/X/Y copolymers where E is ethylene, X is an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and Y is a softening comonomer. In a preferred embodiment, X is acrylic or methacrylic acid and Y is a C_1-8alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester. X is preferably present in an amount from about 1 to about 35 weight percent of the polymer, more preferably from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of the polymer, and most preferably from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of the polymer. Y is preferably present in an amount from about 0 to about 50 weight percent of the polymer, more preferably from about 5 to about 25 weight percent of the polymer, and most preferably from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of the polymer.

[0215] The organic acids are aliphatic, mono-functional (saturated, unsaturated, or multi-unsaturated) organic acids. Salts of these organic acids may also be employed. The salts of organic acids of the present invention include the salts of barium, lithium, sodium, zinc, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, potassium, strontium, titanium, tungsten, magnesium, cesium, iron, nickel, silver, aluminum, tin, or calcium, salts of fatty acids, particularly stearic, bebenic, erucic, oleic, linoelic or dimerized derivatives thereof. It is preferred that the organic acids and salts of the present invention be relatively non-migratory (they do not bloom to the surface of the polymer under ambient temperatures) and non-volatile (they do not volatilize at temperatures required for melt-blending).

[0216] Thermoplastic polymer components, such as copolyetheresters, copolyesteresters, copolyetheramides, elastomeric polyolefins, styrene diene block copolymers and their hydrogenated derivatives, copolyesteramides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, such as copolyetherurethanes, copolyesterurethanes, copolyureaurethanes, epoxy-based polyurethanes, polycaprolactone-based polyurethanes, polyureas, and polycarbonate-based polyurethanes fillers, and other ingredients, if included, can be blended in either before, during, or after the acid moieties are neutralized, thermoplastic polyurethanes.

[0217] Examples of these materials are disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication Nos. 2001/0018375 and 2001/0019971, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by express reference thereto.

[0218] The ionomer compositions may also include at least one grafted metallocene catalyzed polymers. Blends of this embodiment may include about 1 phr to about 100 phr of at least one grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer and about 99 phr to 0 phr of at least one ionomer, preferably from about 5 phr to about 90 phr of at least one grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer and about 95 phr to about 10 phr of at least one ionomer, more preferably from about 10 phr to about 75 phr of at least one grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer and about 90 phr to about 25 phr of at least one ionomer, and most preferably from about 10 phr to about 50 phr of at least one grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer and about 90 phr to about 50 phr of at least one ionomer. Where the layer is foamed, the grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer blends may be foamed during molding by any conventional foaming or blowing agent.

[0219] In addition, polyamides, discussed in more detail below, may also be blended with ionomers.

[0220] Non-ionomeric Thermoplastic Materials

[0221] In another embodiment, the intermediate layer includes at least one primarily or fully non-ionomeric thermoplastic material. Suitable non-ionomeric materials include polyamides and polyamide blends, grafted and non-grafted metallocene catalyzed polyolefins or polyamides, polyamide/ionomer blends, polyamide/nonionomer blends, polyphenylene ether/ionomer blends, and mixtures thereof. Examples of grafted and non-grafted metallocene catalyzed polyolefins or polyamides, polyamide/ionomer blends, polyamide/nonionomer blends are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/138,304, filed May 6, 2002, entitled “Golf Ball Incorporating Grafted Metallocene Catalyzed Polymer Blends,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0222] In one embodiment, polyamide homopolymers, such as polyamide 6,18 and polyamide 6,36 are used alone, or in combination with other polyamide homopolymers. In another embodiment, polyamide copolymers, such as polyamide 6,10/6,36, are used alone, or in combination with other polyamide copolymers. Other examples of suitable polyamide homopolymers and copolymers include polyamide polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 7, polyamide 11, polyamide 12 (manufactured as Rilsan AMNO by Elf Atochem of Philadelphia, Pa.), polyamide 13, polyamide 4,6, polyamide 6,6, polyamide 6,9, polyamide 6,10, polyamide 6,12, polyamide 6,36, polyamide 12,12, polyamide 13,13, polyamide 6/6,6, polyamide 6,6/6,10, polyamide 6/6,T wherein T represents terephthalic acid, polyamide 6/6,6/6,10, polyamide 6,10/6,36, polyamide 66,6,18, polyamide 66,6,36, polyamide 6/6,18, polyamide 6/6,36, polyamide 6/6,10/6,18, polyamide 6/6,10/6,36, polyamide 6,10/6,18, polyamide 6,12/6,18, polyamide 6,12/6,36, polyamide 6/66/6,18, polyamide 6/66/6, 36, polyamide 66/6,10/6,18, polyamide 66/6,10/6, 36, polyamide 6/6,12/6,18, polyamide 6/6,12/6,36, and mixtures thereof.

[0223] As mentioned above, any of the above polyamide homopolymer, copolymer, and homopolymer/copolymer blends may be optionally blended with nonionomer polymers, such as nonionomer thermoplastic polymers, nonionomer thermoplastic copolymers, nonionomer TPEs, and mixtures thereof.

[0224] One specific example of a polyamide-nonionomer blend is a polyamide-metallocene catalyzed polymer blend. The blended compositions may include grafted and/or non-grafted metallocene catalyzed polymers. Grafted metallocene catalyzed polymers, functionalized with pendant groups, such as maleic anhydride, and the like, are available in experimental quantities from DuPont. Grafted metallocene catalyzed polymers may also be obtained by subjecting a commercially available non-grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer to a post-polymerization reaction involving a monomer and an organic peroxide to provide a grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer with the desired pendant group or groups.

[0225] Another example of a polyamide-nonionomer blend is a polyamide and non-ionic polymers produced using non-metallocene single-site catalysts. As used herein, the term “non-metallocene catalyst” or non-metallocene single-site catalyst” refers to a single-site catalyst other than a metallocene catalyst. Examples of suitable single-site catalyzed polymers are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/677,871, of which the entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.

[0226] Nonionomers suitable for blending with the polyamide include, but are not limited to, block copoly(ester)copolymers, block copoly(amide)copolymers, block copoly(urethane) copolymers, styrene-based block copolymers, thermoplastic and elastomer blends wherein the elastomer is not vulcanized (TEB), and thermoplastic and elastomer or rubber blends wherein the elastomer is dynamically vulcanized (TED). Other nonionomers suitable for blending with polyamide to form an intermediate layer composition include, but are not limited to, polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, imidized, amino group containing polymers, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyether ketone, polysulfone, poly(phenylene sulfide), reinforced engineering plastics, acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(butyl acrylate), poly(4-cyanobutyl acrylate), poly(2-ethylbutyl acrylate), poly(heptyl acrylate), poly(2-methylbutyl acrylate), poly(3-methylbutyl acrylate), poly(N-octadecylacrylamide), poly(octadecyl methacrylate), poly(4-dodecylstyrene), poly(4-tetradecylstyrene), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(oxymethylene), poly(silazane), poly(furan tetracarboxylic acid diimide), poly(acrylonitrile), poly(″-methylstyrene), as well as the classes of polymers to which they belong and their copolymers, including functional comonomers, and blends thereof.

[0227] In one embodiment, the non-ionomeric materials have a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater and a flexural modulus of about 30,000 psi or greater.

[0228] Resilient Polymer—Reinforcing Polymer Blend

[0229] The intermediate layer may include a resilient polymer component, which is preferably used as the majority of polymer in the intermediate layer to impart resilience in the cured state, and a reinforcing polymer component as a blend.

[0230] Resilient polymers suitable for use in the intermediate layer include polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene, styrene-propylene-diene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM), mixtures thereof, and the like, preferably having a high molecular weight of at least about 50,000 to about 1,000,000. In one embodiment, the molecular weight is from about 250,000 to about 750,000, and more preferably from about 200,000 to about 400,000.

[0231] The reinforcing polymer component preferably has a glass transition temperature (T_G) sufficiently low to permit mixing without initiating crosslinking, preferably between about 35° C. to 120° C. In addition, the reinforcing polymer component preferably has a sufficiently low viscosity at the mixing temperature when mixed with the resilient polymer component to permit proper mixing of the two polymer components. The weight of the reinforcing polymer relative to the total composition for forming the intermediate layer generally ranges from about 5 to 25 weight percent, preferably about 10 to 20 weight percent.

[0232] Examples of polymers suitable for use in the reinforcing polymer component include: trans-polyisoprene, block copolymer ether/ester, acrylic polyol, a polyethylene, a polyethylene copolymer, 1,2-polybutadiene(syndiotactic), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, trans-polycyclooctenenamer, trans-isomer polybutadiene, and mixtures thereof. Particularly suitable reinforcing polymers include: HYTREL 3078, a block copolymer ether/ester commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington, Del.; a trans-isomer polybutadiene, such as FUREN 88 obtained from Asahi Chemicals of Yako, Kawasakiku, Kawasakishi, Japan; KURRARAY TP251, a trans-polyisoprene commercially available from KURRARAY CO.; LEVAPREN 700HV, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer commercially available from Bayer-Rubber Division, Akron, Ohio; and VESTENAMER 8012, a trans-polycyclooctenenamer commercially available from Huls America Inc. of Talimadge, Ohio. Some suitable reinforcing polymer components are listed in Table 1 below with their crystalline melt temperature (T_C) and/or T_G.

[0233] Another polymer particularly suitable for use in the reinforcing polymer component is a rigidifying polybutadiene component, which typically includes at least about 80 percent trans-isomer content with the rest being cis-isomer 1,4-polybutadiene and vinyl-isomer 1,2-polybutadiene. Thus, it may be referred to herein as a “high trans-isomer polybutadiene” or a “rigidifying polybutadiene” to distinguish it from the cis-isomer polybutadienes or polybutadienes having a low trans-isomer content, i.e., typically below 80 percent, used to form the golf ball cores of the invention. The vinyl-content of the rigidifying polybutadiene component is preferably present in no more than about 15 percent, preferably less than about 10 percent, more preferably less than about 5 percent, and most preferably less than about 3 percent of the polybutadiene isomers.

[0234] The rigidifying polybutadiene component, when used in a golf ball of the invention, preferably has a polydispersity of no greater than about 4, preferably no greater than about 3, and more preferably no greater than about 2.5. The polydispersity, or PDI, is a ratio of the molecular weight average (M_w) over the molecular number average (M_n) of a polymer.

[0235] In addition, the rigidifying polybutadiene component, when used in a golf ball of the invention, typically has a high absolute molecular weight average, defined as being at least about 100,000, preferably from about 200,000 to 1,000,000. In one embodiment, the absolute molecular weight average is from about 230,000 to 750,000. In another embodiment, the molecular weight is about 275,000 to 700,000. In any embodiment where the vinyl-content is present in greater than about 10 percent, the absolute molecular weight average is preferably greater than about 200,000.

[0236] When trans-polyisoprene or high trans-isomer polybutadiene is included in the reinforcing polymer component, it may be present in an amount of about 10 to 40 weight percent, preferably about 15 to 30 weight percent, more preferably about 15 to no more than 25 weight percent of the polymer blend, i.e., the resilient and reinforcing polymer components.

[0237] The same crosslinking agents mentioned above with regard to the core may be used in this embodiment to achieve the desired elastic modulus for the resilient polymer—reinforcing polymer blend. In one embodiment, the crosslinking agent is added in an amount from about 1 to about 50 parts per hundred of the polymer blend, preferably about 20 to about 45 parts per hundred, and more preferably about 30 to about 40 parts per hundred, of the polymer blend.

[0238] The resilient polymer component, reinforcing polymer component, free-radical initiator, and any other materials used in forming an intermediate layer of a golf ball core in accordance with invention may be combined by any type of mixing known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0239] The intermediate layer may also be formed from the compositions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,191, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, which are listed in Table 2 below.

[0240] Golf Ball Cover(s)

[0241] The cover provides the interface between the ball and a club. Properties that are desirable for the cover are good moldability, high abrasion resistance, high tear strength, high resilience, and good mold release, among others.

[0242] For embodiments with the polyurea compositions of the invention as a core or intermediate/inner cover layer, the cover compositions may include one or more homopolymeric or copolymeric materials, such as:

[0243] (1) Vinyl resins, such as those formed by the polymerization of vinyl chloride, or by the copolymerization of vinyl chloride with vinyl acetate, acrylic esters or vinylidene chloride;

[0244] (2) Polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and copolymers such as ethylene methylacrylate, ethylene ethylacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacrylic or ethylene acrylic acid or propylene acrylic acid, and copolymers and homopolymers produced using a single-site catalyst;

[0245] (3) Polyurethanes, thermoplastic or thermoset, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, acid functionalized, such as those prepared from polyols or amines and diisocyanates or polyisocyanates and those disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 5,334,673 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/072,395;

[0246] (4) Polyureas, thermoplastic or thermoset, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic, acid functionalized, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,870 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/072,395;

[0247] (5) Polyamides, such as poly(hexamethylene adipamide) and others prepared from diamines and dibasic acids, as well as those from amino acids such as poly(caprolactam), reinforced polyamides, and blends of polyamides with ionomers, polyethylene, ethylene copolymers, ethyl-propylene-non-conjugated diene terpolymer, and the like;

[0248] (6) Acrylic resins and blends of these resins with poly vinyl chloride, elastomers, and the like;

[0249] (7) Thermoplastics, such as urethanes; olefinic thermoplastic rubbers, such as blends of polyolefins with ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene terpolymer; block copolymers of styrene and butadiene, isoprene or ethylene-butylene rubber; or copoly(ether-amide), such as PEBAX, sold by ELF Atochem of Philadelphia, Pa.;

[0250] (8) Polyphenylene oxide resins or blends of polyphenylene oxide with high impact polystyrene as sold under the trademark NORYL by General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Mass.;

[0251] (9) Thermoplastic polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate/glycol modified and elastomers sold under the trademarks HYTREL by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. of Wilmington, Del., and LOMOD by General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Mass.;

[0252] (10) Ethylene, propylene, 1-butene or 1-hexane based homopolymers or copolymers including functional monomers, such as acrylic and methacrylic acid or fully or partially neutralized ionomer resins, and their blends, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate homopolymers and copolymers, low acid ionomers, high acid ionomers, and blends thereof;

[0253] (11) Blends and alloys, including polycarbonate with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, styrene maleic anhydride, polyethylene, elastomers, and the like, and polyvinyl chloride with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ethylene vinyl acetate or other elastomers; and

[0254] (12) Blends of thermoplastic rubbers with polyethylene, propylene, polyacetal, nylon, polyesters, cellulose esters, and the like.

[0255] The cover may also be at least partially formed from the polybutadiene reaction product discussed above with respect to the core.

[0256] In one embodiment, at least one cover layer includes the polyurea composition of the invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, saturated polyureas are used to form cover layers, preferably the outer cover layer, and may be selected from among both castable thermoset and thermoplastic polyureas. In this embodiment, the saturated polyureas are substantially free of aromatic groups or moieties, as discussed above.

[0257] Preferably, the cover compositions include from about 1 percent to about 100 percent of polyurea or saturated polyurea formed from the reaction product of at least one polyisocyanate, polyether amine, and at least one curing agent. In one embodiment, the cover composition is formed from a blend of about 10 percent to about 90 percent polyurea or saturated polyurea and about 90 percent to about 10 percent other polymers and/or other materials. In another embodiment, the cover compositions include from about 10 percent to about 75 percent polyurea or saturated polyurea and about 90 percent to about 25 percent other polymers and/or other materials, such as those listed above.

[0258] As discussed elsewhere herein, the composition may be molded onto the golf ball in any known manner, such as by casting, compression molding, injection molding, reaction injection molding, or the like. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the molding method used may be determined at least partially by the properties of the composition. For example, casting may be preferred when the material is thermoset, whereas compression molding or injection molding may be preferred for thermoplastic compositions.

[0259] Density-adjusting Filler(s)

[0260] Fillers may be added to the compositions of the invention to affect rheological and mixing properties, the specific gravity (i.e., density-modifying fillers), the modulus, the tear strength, reinforcement, and the like. The fillers are generally inorganic, and suitable fillers include numerous metals, metal oxides and salts, such as zinc oxide and tin oxide, as well as barium sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate, barium carbonate, clay, tungsten, tungsten carbide, an array of silicas, regrind (recycled core material typically ground to about 30 mesh particle), high-Mooney-viscosity rubber regrind, and mixtures thereof.

[0261] For example, the compositions of the invention can be reinforced by blending with a wide range of density-adjusting fillers, e.g., ceramics, glass spheres (solid or hollow, and filled or unfilled), and fibers, inorganic particles, and metal particles, such as metal flakes, metallic powders, oxides, and derivatives thereof, as is known to those with skill in the art. The selection of such filler(s) is dependent upon the type of golf ball desired, i.e., one-piece, two-piece, multi-component, or wound, as will be more fully detailed below. Generally, the filler will be inorganic, having a density of greater than 4 g/cc, and will be present in amounts between about 5 and about 65 weight percent based on the total weight of the polymer components included in the layer(s) in question. Examples of useful fillers include zinc oxide, barium sulfate, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, and silica, as well as other known corresponding salts and oxides thereof.

[0262] Fillers may also be used to modify the weight of the core or at least one additional layer for specialty balls, e.g., a lower weight ball is preferred for a player having a low swing speed. In one embodiment, at least one filler is added to the polybutadiene reaction product used to form the golf ball core.

[0263] Blowing or Foaming Agent(s)

[0264] The compositions of the invention may be foamed by the addition of the at least one physical or chemical blowing or foaming agent. The use of a foamed polymer allows the golf ball designer to adjust the density or mass distribution of the ball to adjust the angular moment of inertia, and, thus, the spin rate and performance of the ball. Foamed materials also offer a potential cost savings due to the reduced use of polymeric material.

[0265] Blowing or foaming agents useful include, but are not limited to, organic blowing agents, such as azobisformamide; azobisisobutyronitrile; diazoaminobenzene; N,N-dimethyl-N,N-dinitroso tercphthalamide; N,N-dinitrosopentamethylene-tetramine; benzenesulfonyl-hydrazide; benzene-1,3-disulfonyl hydrazide; diphenylsulfon-3-3, disulfonyl hydrazide; 4,4′-oxybis benzene sulfonyl hydrazide; p-toluene sulfonyl semicarbizide; barium azodicarboxylate; butylamine nitrile; nitroureas; trihydrazino triazine; phenyl-methyl-uranthan; p-sulfonhydrazide; peroxides; and inorganic blowing agents such as ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate. A gas, such as air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc., can also be injected into the composition during the injection molding process.

[0266] Additionally, a foamed composition of the present invention may be formed by blending microspheres with the composition either during or before the molding process. Polymeric, ceramic, metal, and glass microspheres are useful in the invention, and may be solid or hollow and filled or unfilled. In particular, microspheres up to about 1000 micrometers in diameter are useful.

[0267] Either injection molding or compression molding may be used to form a layer or a core including a foamed polymeric material. For example, a composition of the present invention can be thermoformed and, thus, can be compression molded. For compression molded grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer blend layers, half-shells may be made by injection molding a grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer blend in a conventional half-shell mold or by compression molding sheets of foamed grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer. The half-shells are placed about a previously formed center or core, cover, or mantle layer, and the assembly is introduced into a compression molding machine, and compression molded at about 250° F. to 400° F. The molded balls are then cooled while still in the mold, and finally removed when the layer of grafted metallocene catalyzed polymer blend is hard enough to be handled without deforming. Additional core, mantle, and cover layers are then molded onto the previously molded layers, as needed, until a complete ball is formed.

[0268] Additional Materials

[0269] Additional materials conventionally included in golf ball compositions may be added to the compositions of the invention, i.e., polyurea, polyurethane, ionomer, polybutadiene, and mixtures thereof. These additional materials include, but are not limited to, coloring agents, reaction enhancers, crosslinking agents, whitening agents, UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, defoaming agents, processing aids, and other conventional additives. Antioxidants, stabilizers, softening agents, plasticizers, including internal and external plasticizers, impact modifiers, foaming agents, excipients, reinforcing materials and compatibilizers can also be added to any composition of the invention. All of these materials, which are well known in the art, are added for their usual purpose in typical amounts.

[0270] Golf Ball Construction

[0271] The compositions of the present invention may be used with any type of ball construction. For example, the ball may have a one-piece, two-piece, or three-piece design, a double core, a double cover, an intermediate layer(s), a multi-layer core, and/or a multi-layer cover depending on the type of performance desired of the ball. As used herein, the term “multilayer” means at least two layers. For example, the compositions of the invention may be used in a core, intermediate layer, and/or cover of a golf ball, each of which may have a single layer or multiple layers.

[0272] As described above in the core section, a core may be a one-piece core or a multilayer core, both of which may be solid, semi-solid, hollow, fluid-filled, or powder-filled. A multilayer core is one that has an innermost component with an additional core layer or additional core layers disposed thereon. For example, FIG. 1 shows a golf ball 1 having a core 2 and a cover 3. In one embodiment, the golf ball of FIG. 1 represents a core 2 of polybutadiene reaction material or other conventional materials and a cover 3 including the polyurea composition of the invention. In another embodiment, the golf ball of FIG. 1 represents a core 2 formed from polybutadiene reaction material and a cover 3 including the saturated polyurea composition of the invention.

[0273] In addition, when the golf ball of the present invention includes an intermediate layer, such as an inner cover layer or outer core layer, i.e., any layer(s) disposed between the inner core and the outer cover of a golf ball, this layer may be incorporated, for example, with a single layer or a multilayer cover, with a one-piece core or a multilayer core, with both a single layer cover and core, or with both a multilayer cover and a multilayer core. As with the core, the intermediate layer may also include a plurality of layers. It will be appreciated that any number or type of intermediate layers may be used, as desired.

[0274] FIG. 2 illustrates a multilayer golf ball 11, including a cover 13, at least one intermediate layer 14, and a core 12. In one embodiment, the golf ball 11 of FIG. 2 may include a core 12 of polybutadiene reaction material, an intermediate layer 14, and a cover 13 formed of the polyurea composition of the invention, wherein the polyurea is preferably saturated. In addition, the golf ball 21 of FIG. 3 has a core 22 of polybutadiene reaction material or other conventional core materials, at least one ionomer intermediate layer 24, and cover 23 including at least one saturated polyurea.

[0275] The intermediate layer may also be a tensioned elastomeric material wound around a solid, semi-solid, hollow, fluid-filled, or powder-filled center. A wound layer may be described as a core layer or an intermediate layer for the purposes of the invention. As an example, the golf ball 31 of FIG. 4 may include a core layer 32, a tensioned elastomeric layer 34 wound thereon, and a cover layer 33. In particular, the golf ball 31 of FIG. 4 may have a core 32 made of a polybutadiene reaction product, an intermediate layer including a tensioned elastomeric material 34 and cover 33 including at least one saturated polyurethane. The tensioned elastomeric material may be formed of any suitable material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In yet another embodiment, the wound, liquid center golf ball 41 of FIG. 5 has a hollow spherical core shell 42 with its hollow interior filled with a liquid 43, a thread rubber layer including a tensioned elastomeric material 44 and a cover 45 including at least one saturated polyurea.

[0276] In one embodiment, the tensioned elastomeric material incorporates the polybutadiene reaction product discussed above. The tensioned elastomeric material may also be formed conventional polyisoprene. In another embodiment, the polyurea composition of the invention is used to form the tensioned elastomeric material. In another embodiment, solvent spun polyether urea, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,535, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, is used to form the tensioned elastomeric material in an effort to achieve a smaller cross-sectional area with multiple strands.

[0277] In one embodiment, the tensioned elastomeric layer is a high tensile filament having a tensile modulus of about 10,000 kpsi or greater, as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/842,829, filed Apr. 27, 2001, entitled “All Rubber Golf Ball with Hoop-Stress Layer,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In another embodiment, the tensioned elastomeric layer is coated with a binding material that will adhere to the core and itself when activated, causing the strands of the tensioned elastomeric layer to swell and increase the cross-sectional area of the layer by at least about 5 percent. An example of such a golf ball construction is provided in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/841,910, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0278] The intermediate layer may also be formed of a binding material and an interstitial material distributed in the binding material, wherein the effective material properties of the intermediate layer are uniquely different for applied forces normal to the surface of the ball from applied forces tangential to the surface of the ball. Examples of this type of intermediate layer are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/028,826, filed Dec. 28, 2001, entitled, “Golf Ball with a Radially Oriented Transversely Isotropic Layer and Manufacture of Same,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the interstitial material may extend from the intermediate layer into the core. In an alternative embodiment, the interstitial material can also be embedded in the cover, or be in contact with the inner surface of the cover, or be embedded only in the cover.

[0279] At least one intermediate layer may also be a moisture barrier layer, such as the ones described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,488, which is incorporated by reference herein. Any suitable film-forming material having a lower water vapor transmission rate than the other layers between the core and the outer surface of the ball, i.e., cover, primer, and clear coat. Examples include, but are not limited to polyvinylidene chloride, vermiculite, and a polybutadiene reaction product with fluorine gas. In one embodiment, the moisture barrier layer has a water vapor transmission rate that is sufficiently low to reduce the loss of COR of the golf ball by at least 5 percent if the ball is stored at 100° F. and 70 percent relative humidity for six weeks as compared to the loss in COR of a golf ball that does not include the moisture barrier, has the same type of core and cover, and is stored under substantially identical conditions.

[0280] Prior to forming the cover layer, the inner ball, i.e., the core and any intermediate layers disposed thereon, may be surface treated to increase the adhesion between the outer surface of the inner ball and the cover. Examples of such surface treatment may include mechanically or chemically abrading the outer surface of the subassembly. Additionally, the inner ball may be subjected to corona discharge or plasma treatment prior to forming the cover around it. Other layers of the ball, e.g., the core, also may be surface treated. Examples of these and other surface treatment techniques can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,915, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0281] Likewise, the cover may include a plurality of layers, e.g., an inner cover layer disposed about a golf ball center and an outer cover layer formed thereon. For example, FIG. 6 may represent a golf ball 51 having a core 52, a thin inner cover layer 54, and a thin outer cover layer 53 disposed thereon. In particular, the core 51 may be formed of a polybutadiene reaction material, the inner cover layer 54 formed of an ionomer blend, and the outer cover layer 53 formed of a polyurea composition. In addition, FIG. 7 may represent a golf ball 61 having a core 62, an outer core layer 65, a thin inner cover layer 64, and a thin outer cover layer 63 disposed thereon. In one embodiment, the core 62 and the outer core layer 65 are formed of the polybutadiene reaction material but differ in hardness, the inner cover layer 64 is formed of an ionomer blend, and the outer cover layer 63 is formed of a polyurea composition. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention may be used to form a golf ball 71, shown in FIG. 8, having a large core 72 and a thin outer cover layer 73. In one embodiment, the large core 72 is formed of a polybutadiene reaction material and the thin outer cover layer 73 is formed of a polyurea composition, preferably acid functionalized, wherein the acid groups are at least partially neutralized.

[0282] While hardness gradients are typically used in a golf ball to achieve certain characteristics, the present invention also contemplates the compositions of the invention being used in a golf ball with multiple cover layers having essentially the same hardness, wherein at least one of the layers has been modified in some way to alter a property that affects the performance of the ball. Such ball constructions are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/167,744, filed Jun. 13, 2002, entitled “Golf Ball with Multiple Cover Layers,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0283] In one such embodiment, both covers layers can be formed of the same material and have essentially the same hardness, but the layers are designed to have different coefficient of friction values. In another embodiment, the compositions of the invention are used in a golf ball with multiple cover layers having essentially the same hardness, but different rheological properties under high deformation. Another aspect of this embodiment relates to a golf ball with multiple cover layers having essentially the same hardness, but different thicknesses to simulate a soft outer cover over hard inner cover ball.

[0284] In another aspect of this concept, the cover layers of a golf ball have essentially the same hardness, but different properties at high or low temperatures as compared to ambient temperatures. In particular, this aspect of the invention is directed to a golf ball having multiple cover layers wherein the outer cover layer composition has a lower flexural modulus at reduced temperatures than the inner cover layer, while the layers retain the same hardness at ambient and reduced temperatures, which results in a simulated soft outer cover layer over a hard inner cover layer feel. Certain polyureas may have a much more stable flexural modulus at different temperatures than ionomer resins and thus, could be used to make an effectively “softer” layer at lower temperatures than at ambient or elevated temperatures.

[0285] Yet another aspect of this concept relates to a golf ball with multiple cover layers having essentially the same hardness, but different properties under wet conditions as compared to dry conditions. Wettability of a golf ball layer may be affected by surface roughness, chemical heterogeneity, molecular orientation, swelling, and interfacial tensions, among others. Thus, non-destructive surface treatments of a golf ball layer may aid in increasing the hydrophilicity of a layer, while highly polishing or smoothing the surface of a golf ball layer may decrease wettability. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,403,453 and 5,456,972 disclose methods of surface treating polymer materials to affect the wettability, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. In addition, plasma etching, corona treating, and flame treating may be useful surface treatments to alter the wettability to desired conditions. Wetting agents may also be added to the golf ball layer composition to modify the surface tension of the layer.

[0286] Thus, the differences in wettability of the cover layers according to the invention may be measured by a difference in contact angle. The contact angles for a layer may be from about 1° (low wettability) to about 180° (very high wettability). In one embodiment, the cover layers have contact angles that vary by about 1° or greater. In another embodiment, the contact angles of the cover layer vary by about 3° or greater. In yet another embodiment, the contact angles of the cover layers vary by about 5° or greater.

[0287] Other non-limiting examples of suitable types of ball constructions that may be used with the present invention include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,056,842, 5,688,191, 5,713,801, 5,803,831, 5,885,172, 5,919,100, 5,965,669, 5,981,654, 5,981,658, and 6,149,535, as well as in Publication Nos. US2001/0009310 A1, US2002/0025862, and US2002/0028885. The entire disclosures of these patents and published patent applications are incorporated by reference herein.

[0288] Methods of Forming Layers

[0289] The golf balls of the invention may be formed using a variety of application techniques such as compression molding, flip molding, injection molding, retractable pin injection molding, reaction injection molding (RIM), liquid injection molding (LIM), casting, vacuum forming, powder coating, flow coating, spin coating, dipping, spraying, and the like. A method of injection molding using a split vent pin can be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/742,435, filed Dec. 22, 2000, entitled “Split Vent Pin for Injection Molding.” Examples of retractable pin injection molding may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,129,881, 6,235,230, and 6,379,138. These molding references are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. In addition, a chilled chamber, i.e., a cooling jacket, such as the one disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/717,136, filed Nov. 22, 2000, entitled “Method of Making Golf Balls” may be used to cool the compositions of the invention when casting, which also allows for a higher loading of catalyst into the system.

[0290] Conventionally, compression molding and injection molding are applied to thermoplastic materials, whereas RIM, liquid injection molding, and casting are employed on thermoset materials. These and other manufacture methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,207,784, 5,484,870, and, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0291] The cores of the invention may be formed by any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in art. When the cores are formed from a thermoset material, compression molded is a particularly suitable method of forming the core. In a thermoplastic core embodiment, on the other hand, the cores may be injection molded.

[0292] For example, methods of converting the cis-isomer of the polybutadiene resilient polymer core component to the trans-isomer during a molding cycle are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Suitable methods include single pass mixing (ingredients are added sequentially), multi-pass mixing, and the like. The crosslinking agent, and any other optional additives used to modify the characteristics of the golf ball center or additional layer(s), may similarly be combined by any type of mixing. Suitable mixing equipment is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and such equipment may include a Banbury mixer, a two-roll mill, or a twin screw extruder. Suitable mixing speeds and temperatures are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, or may be readily determined without undue experimentation.

[0293] The mixture can be subjected to, e.g., a compression or injection molding process, and the molding cycle may have a single step of molding the mixture at a single temperature for a fixed-time duration. In one embodiment, a single-step cure cycle is employed. Although the curing time depends on the various materials selected, a suitable curing time is about 5 to about 18 minutes, preferably from about 8 to about 15 minutes, and more preferably from about 10 to about 12 minutes. An example of a single step molding cycle, for a mixture that contains dicumyl peroxide, would hold the polymer mixture at 171° C. (340° F.) for a duration of 15 minutes. An example of a two-step molding cycle would be holding the mold at 143° C. (290° F.) for 40 minutes, then ramping the mold to 171° C. (340° F.) where it is held for a duration of 20 minutes. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be readily able to adjust the curing time based on the particular materials used and the discussion herein.

[0294] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,180,040 and 6,180,722 disclose methods of preparing dual core golf balls. The disclosures of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0295] The intermediate layer may also be formed from using any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, an intermediate layer may be formed by blow molding and covered with a dimpled cover layer formed by injection molding, compression molding, casting, vacuum forming, powder coating, and the like.

[0296] The castable reactive liquid polyurea materials of the invention may be applied over the inner ball using a variety of application techniques such as spraying, compression molding, dipping, spin coating, or flow coating methods that are well known in the art. In one embodiment, the castable reactive polyurea material is formed over the core using a combination of casting and compression molding. Conventionally, compression molding and injection molding are applied to thermoplastic cover materials, whereas RIM, liquid injection molding, and casting are employed on thermoset cover materials.

[0297] U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,428, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a method for forming a polyurethane cover on a golf ball core. Because this method relates to the use of both casting thermosetting and thermoplastic material as the golf ball cover, wherein the cover is formed around the core by mixing and introducing the material in mold halves, the polyurea compositions may also be used employing the same casting process.

[0298] For example, once the polyurea composition is mixed, an exothermic reaction commences and continues until the material is solidified around the core. It is important that the viscosity be measured over time, so that the subsequent steps of filling each mold half, introducing the core into one half and closing the mold can be properly timed for accomplishing centering of the core cover halves fusion and achieving overall uniformity. A suitable viscosity range of the curing urea mix for introducing cores into the mold halves is determined to be approximately between about 2,000 cP and about 30,000 cP, with the preferred range of about 8,000 cP to about 15,000 cP.

[0299] To start the cover formation, mixing of the prepolymer and curative is accomplished in a motorized mixer inside a mixing head by feeding through lines metered amounts of curative and prepolymer. Top preheated mold halves are filled and placed in fixture units using centering pins moving into apertures in each mold. At a later time, the cavity of a bottom mold half, or the cavities of a series of bottom mold halves, is filled with similar mixture amounts as used for the top mold halves. After the reacting materials have resided in top mold halves for about 40 to about 100 seconds, preferably for about 70 to about 80 seconds, a core is lowered at a controlled speed into the gelling reacting mixture.

[0300] A ball cup holds the ball core through reduced pressure (or partial vacuum). Upon location of the core in the halves of the mold after gelling for about 4 to about 12 seconds, the vacuum is released allowing the core to be released. In one embodiment, the vacuum is released allowing the core to be released after about 5 seconds to 10 seconds. The mold halves, with core and solidified cover half thereon, are removed from the centering fixture unit, inverted and mated with second mold halves which, at an appropriate time earlier, have had a selected quantity of reacting polyurea prepolymer and curing agent introduced therein to commence gelling.

[0301] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,297 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,673 both also disclose suitable molding techniques that may be utilized to apply the castable reactive liquids employed in the present invention. However, the method of the invention is not limited to the use of these techniques; other methods known to those skilled in the art may also be employed. For instance, other methods for holding the ball core may be utilized instead of using a partial vacuum.

[0302] Dimples

[0303] The use of various dimple patterns and profiles provides a relatively effective way to modify the aerodynamic characteristics of a golf ball. As such, the manner in which the dimples are arranged on the surface of the ball can be by any available method. For instance, the ball may have an icosahedron-based pattern, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,168, or an octahedral-based dimple patterns as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,281.

[0304] In one embodiment of the present invention, the golf ball has an icosahedron dimple pattern that includes 20 triangles made from about 362 dimples and, except perhaps for the mold parting line, does not have a great circle that does not intersect any dimples. Each of the large triangles, preferably, has an odd number of dimples (7) along each side and the small triangles have an even number of dimples (4) along each side. To properly pack the dimples, the large triangle has nine more dimples than the small triangle. In another embodiment, the ball has five different sizes of dimples in total. The sides of the large triangle have four different sizes of dimples and the small triangles have two different sizes of dimples.

[0305] In another embodiment of the present invention, the golf ball has an icosahedron dimple pattern with a large triangle including three different dimples and the small triangles having only one diameter of dimple. In a preferred embodiment, there are 392 dimples and one great circle that does not intersect any dimples. In another embodiment, more than five alternative dimple diameters are used.

[0306] In one embodiment of the present invention, the golf ball has an octahedron dimple pattern including eight triangles made from about 440 dimples and three great circles that do not intersect any dimples. In the octahedron pattern, the pattern includes a third set of dimples formed in a smallest triangle inside of and adjacent to the small triangle. To properly pack the dimples, the large triangle has nine more dimples than the small triangle and the small triangle has nine more dimples than the smallest triangle. In this embodiment, the ball has six different dimple diameters distributed over the surface of the ball. The large triangle has five different dimple diameters, the small triangle has three different dimple diameters and the smallest triangle has two different dimple diameters.

[0307] Alternatively, the dimple pattern can be arranged according to phyllotactic patterns, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,684, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0308] Dimple patterns may also be based on Archimedean patterns including a truncated octahedron, a great rhombcuboctahedron, a truncated dodecahedron, and a great rhombicosidodecahedron, wherein the pattern has a non-linear parting line, as disclosed in U.S. patent applicaiton Ser. No. 10/078,417, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0309] The golf balls of the present invention may also be covered with non-circular shaped dimples, i.e., amorphous shaped dimples, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,615, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

[0310] Dimple patterns that provide a high percentage of surface coverage are preferred, and are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,562,552, 5,575,477, 5,957,787, 5,249,804, and 4,925,193 disclose geometric patterns for positioning dimples on a golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf balls of the invention have a dimple coverage of the surface area of the cover of at least about 60 percent, preferably at least about 65 percent, and more preferably at least 70 percent or greater. Dimple patterns having even higher dimple coverage values may also be used with the present invention. Thus, the golf balls of the present invention may have a dimple coverage of at least about 75 percent or greater, about 80 percent or greater, or even about 85 percent or greater.

[0311] In addition, a tubular lattice pattern, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,615, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, may also be used with golf balls of the present invention. The golf balls of the present invention may also have a plurality of pyramidal projections disposed on the intermediate layer of the ball, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,092, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. The plurality of pyramidal projections on the golf ball may cover between about 20 percent to about 80 of the surface of the intermediate layer.

[0312] In an alternative embodiment, the golf ball may have a non-planar parting line allowing for some of the plurality of pyramidal projections to be disposed about the equator. Such a golf ball may be fabricated using a mold as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/442,845, filed Nov. 18, 1999, entitled “Mold For A Golf Ball,” and which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. This embodiment allows for greater uniformity of the pyramidal projections.

[0313] Several additional non-limiting examples of dimple patterns with varying sizes of dimples are also provided in U.S. patent applicaiton Ser. No. 09/404,164, filed Sep. 27, 1999, entitled “Golf Ball Dimple Patterns,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,898, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0314] The total number of dimples on the ball, or dimple count, may vary depending such factors as the sizes of the dimples and the pattern selected. In general, the total number of dimples on the ball preferably is between about 100 to about 1000 dimples, although one skilled in the art would recognize that differing dimple counts within this range can significantly alter the flight performance of the ball. In one embodiment, the dimple count is about 380 dimples or greater, but more preferably is about 400 dimples or greater, and even more preferably is about 420 dimples or greater. In one embodiment, the dimple count on the ball is about 422 dimples. In some cases, it may be desirable to have fewer dimples on the ball. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention has a dimple count of about 380 dimples or less, and more preferably is about 350 dimples or less.

[0315] Dimple profiles revolving a catenary curve about its symmetrical axis may increase aerodynamic efficiency, provide a convenient way to alter the dimples to adjust ball performance without changing the dimple pattern, and result in uniformly increased flight distance for golfers of all swing speeds. Thus, catenary curve dimple profiles, as disclosed in U.S. patent applicaiton Ser. No. 09/989,191, filed Nov. 21, 2001, entitled “Golf Ball Dimples with a Catenary Curve Profile,” which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, is contemplated for use with the golf balls of the present invention.

[0316] GolfBall Post-Processing

[0317] The golf balls of the present invention may be painted, coated, or surface treated for further benefits.

[0318] For example, golf balls covers frequently contain a fluorescent material and/or a dye or pigment to achieve the desired color characteristics. A golf ball of the invention may also be treated with a base resin paint composition, however, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2002/0082358, which includes a 7-triazinylamino-3-phenylcoumarin derivative as the fluorescent whitening agent to provide improved weather resistance and brightness.

[0319] In addition, trademarks or other indicia may be stamped, i.e., pad-printed, on the outer surface of the ball cover, and the stamped outer surface is then treated with at least one clear coat to give the ball a glossy finish and protect the indicia stamped on the cover.

[0320] The golf balls of the invention may also be subjected to dye sublimation, wherein at least one golf ball component is subjected to at least one sublimating ink that migrates at a depth into the outer surface and forms an indicia. The at least one sublimating ink preferably includes at least one of an azo dye, a nitroarylamine dye, or an anthraquinone dye. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/012,538, filed Dec. 12, 2001, entitled, “Method of Forming Indicia on a Golf Ball,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0321] Laser marking of a selected surface portion of a golf ball causing the laser light-irradiated portion to change color is also contemplated for use with the present invention. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,248,878 and 6,075,223 generally disclose such methods, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the golf balls may be subjected to ablation, i.e., directing a beam of laser radiation onto a portion of the cover, irradiating the cover portion, wherein the irradiated cover portion is ablated to form a detectable mark, wherein no significant discoloration of the cover portion results therefrom. Ablation is discussed in U.S. patent applicaiton Ser. No. 09/739,469, filed Dec. 18, 2002, entitled “Laser Marking of Golf Balls,” which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

[0322] Protective and decorative coating materials, as well as methods of applying such materials to the surface of a golf ball cover are well known in the golf ball art. Generally, such coating materials comprise urethanes, urethane hybrids, epoxies, polyesters and acrylics. If desired, more than one coating layer can be used. The coating layer(s) may be applied by any suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the coating layer(s) is applied to the golf ball cover by an in-mold coating process, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,168, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

[0323] The use of the saturated polyurea and polyurethane compositions in golf equipment obviates the need for typical post-processing, e.g., coating a golf ball with a pigmented coating prior to applying a clear topcoat to the ball. Unlike compositions with no light stable properties, the compositions used in forming the golf equipment of the present invention do not discolor upon exposure, especially related or extended exposure, to light. Also, by eliminating at least one coating step, the manufacturer realizes economic benefits in terms of reduced process times and consequent improved labor efficiency. Further, significant reduction in volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”), typical constituents of paint, may be realized through the use of the present invention, offering significant environmental benefits.

[0324] Thus, while it is not necessary to use pigmented coating on the golf balls of the present invention when formed with the saturated compositions, the golf balls of the present invention may be painted, coated, or surface treated for further benefits. For example, the value of golf balls made according to the invention and painted offer enhanced color stability as degradation of the surface paint occurs during the normal course of play. The mainstream technique used nowadays for highlighting whiteness is to form a cover toned white with titanium dioxide, subjecting the cover to such surface treatment as corona treatment, plasma treatment, UV treatment, flame treatment, or electron beam treatment, and applying one or more layers of clear paint, which may contain a fluorescent whitening agent. This technique is productive and cost effective.

[0325] Golf Ball Properties

[0326] The properties such as hardness, modulus, core diameter, intermediate layer thickness and cover layer thickness of the golf balls of the present invention have been found to effect play characteristics such as spin, initial velocity and feel of the present golf balls. For example, the flexural and/or tensile modulus of the intermediate layer are believed to have an effect on the “feel” of the golf balls of the present invention.

[0327] Component Dimensions

[0328] Dimensions of golf ball components, i.e., thickness and diameter, may vary depending on the desired properties. For the purposes of the invention, any layer thickness may be employed. Non-limiting examples of the various embodiments outlined above are provided here with respect to layer dimensions.

[0329] The present invention relates to golf balls of any size. While USGA specifications limit the size of a competition golf ball to more than 1.68 inches in diameter, golf balls of any size can be used for leisure golf play. The preferred diameter of the golf balls is from about 1.68 inches to about 1.8 inches. The more preferred diameter is from about 1.68 inches to about 1.76 inches. A diameter of from about 1.68 inches to about 1.74 inches is most preferred, however diameters anywhere in the range of from 1.7 to about 1.95 inches can be used. Preferably, the overall diameter of the core and all intermediate layers is about 80 percent to about 98 percent of the overall diameter of the finished ball.

[0330] The core may have a diameter ranging from about 0.09 inches to about 1.65 inches. In one embodiment, the diameter of the core of the present invention is about 1.2 inches to about 1.630 inches. In another embodiment, the diameter of the core is about 1.3 inches to about 1.6 inches, preferably from about 1.39 inches to about 1.6 inches, and more preferably from about 1.5 inches to about 1.6 inches. In yet another embodiment, the core has a diameter of about 1.55 inches to about 1.65 inches.

[0331] The core of the golf ball may also be extremely large in relation to the rest of the ball. For example, in one embodiment, the core makes up about 90 percent to about 98 percent of the ball, preferably about 94 percent to about 96 percent of the ball. In this embodiment, the diameter of the core is preferably about 1.54 inches or greater, preferably about 1.55 inches or greater. In one embodiment, the core diameter is about 1.59 inches or greater. In another embodiment, the diameter of the core is about 1.64 inches or less.

[0332] When the core includes an inner core layer and an outer core layer, the inner core layer is preferably about 0.9 inches or greater and the outer core layer preferably has a thickness of about 0.1 inches or greater. In one embodiment, the inner core layer has a diameter from about 0.09 inches to about 1.2 inches and the outer core layer has a thickness from about 0.1 inches to about 0.8 inches. In yet another embodiment, the inner core layer diameter is from about 0.095 inches to about 1.1 inches and the outer core layer has a thickness of about 0.20 inches to about 0.03 inches.

[0333] The cover typically has a thickness to provide sufficient strength, good performance characteristics, and durability. In one embodiment, the cover thickness is from about 0.02 inches to about 0.35 inches. The cover preferably has a thickness of about 0.02 inches to about 0.12 inches, preferably about 0.1 inches or less. When the compositions of the invention are used to form the outer cover of a golf ball, the cover may have a thickness of about 0.1 inches or less, preferably about 0.07 inches or less. In one embodiment, the outer cover has a thickness from about 0.02 inches to about 0.07 inches. In another embodiment, the cover thickness is about 0.05 inches or less, preferably from about 0.02 inches to about 0.05 inches. In yet another embodiment, the outer cover layer of such a golf ball is between about 0.02 inches and about 0.045 inches. In still another embodiment, the outer cover layer is about 0.025 to about 0.04 inches thick. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is about 0.03 inches thick.

[0334] The range of thicknesses for an intermediate layer of a golf ball is large because of the vast possibilities when using an intermediate layer, i.e., as an outer core layer, an inner cover layer, a wound layer, a moisture/vapor barrier layer. When used in a golf ball of the invention, the intermediate layer, or inner cover layer, may have a thickness about 0.3 inches or less. In one embodiment, the thickness of the intermediate layer is from about 0.002 inches to about 0.1 inches, preferably about 0.01 inches or greater. In one embodiment, the thickness of the intermediate layer is about 0.09 inches or less, preferably about 0.06 inches or less. In another embodiment, the intermediate layer thickness is about 0.05 inches or less, more preferably about 0.01 inches to about 0.045 inches. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer, thickness is about 0.02 inches to about 0.04 inches. In another embodiment, the intermediate layer thickness is from about 0.025 inches to about 0.035 inches. In yet another embodiment, the thickness of the intermediate layer is about 0.035 inches thick. In still another embodiment, the inner cover layer is from about 0.03 inches to about 0.035 inches thick. Varying combinations of these ranges of thickness for the intermediate and outer cover layers may be used in combination with other embodiments described herein.

[0335] The ratio of the thickness of the intermediate layer to the outer cover layer is preferably about 10 or less, preferably from about 3 or less. In another embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the intermediate layer to the outer cover layer is about 1 or less. The core and intermediate layer(s) together form an inner ball preferably having a diameter of about 1.48 inches or greater for a 1.68-inch ball. In one embodiment, the inner ball of a 1.68-inch ball has a diameter of about 1.52 inches or greater. In another embodiment, the inner ball of a 1.68-inch ball has a diameter of about 1.66 inches or less. In yet another embodiment, a 1.72-inch (or more) ball has an inner ball diameter of about 1.50 inches or greater. In still another embodiment, the diameter of the inner ball for a 1.72-inch ball is about 1.70 inches or less.

[0336] Hardness

[0337] Most golf balls consist of layers having different hardnesses, e.g., hardness gradients, to achieve desired performance characteristics. The present invention contemplates golf balls having hardness gradients between layers, as well as those golf balls with layers having the same hardness.

[0338] It should be understood, especially to one of ordinary skill in the art, that there is a fundamental difference between “material hardness” and “hardness, as measured directly on a golf ball.” Material hardness is defined by the procedure set forth in ASTM-D2240 and generally involves measuring the hardness of a flat “slab” or “button” formed of the material of which the hardness is to be measured. Hardness, when measured directly on a golf ball (or other spherical surface) is a completely different measurement and, therefore, results in a different hardness value. This difference results from a number of factors including, but not limited to, ball construction (i.e., core type, number of core and/or cover layers, etc.), ball (or sphere) diameter, and the material composition of adjacent layers. It should also be understood that the two measurement techniques are not linearly related and, therefore, one hardness value cannot easily be correlated to the other.

[0339] The cores of the present invention may have varying hardnesses depending on the particular golf ball construction. In one embodiment, the core hardness is at least about 15 Shore A, preferably about 30 Shore A, as measured on a formed sphere. In another embodiment, the core has a hardness of about 50 Shore A to about 90 Shore D. In yet another embodiment, the hardness of the core is about 80 Shore D or less. Preferably, the core has a hardness about 30 to about 65 Shore D, and more preferably, the core has a hardness about 35 to about 60 Shore D.

[0340] The intermediate layer(s) of the present invention may also vary in hardness depending on the specific construction of the ball. In one embodiment, the hardness of the intermediate layer is about 30 Shore D or greater. In another embodiment, the hardness of the intermediate layer is about 90 Shore D or less, preferably about 80 Shore D or less, and more preferably about 70 Shore D or less. In yet another embodiment, the hardness of the intermediate layer is about 50 Shore D or greater, preferably about 55 Shore D or greater. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer hardness is from about 55 Shore D to about 65 Shore D. The intermediate layer may also be about 65 Shore D or greater.

[0341] When the intermediate layer is intended to be harder than the core layer, the ratio of the intermediate layer hardness to the core hardness preferably about 2 or less. In one embodiment, the ratio is about 1.8 or less. In yet another embodiment, the ratio is about 1.3 or less.

[0342] As with the core and intermediate layers, the cover hardness may vary depending on the construction and desired characteristics of the golf ball. The ratio of cover hardness to inner ball hardness is a primary variable used to control the aerodynamics of a ball and, in particular, the spin of a ball. In general, the harder the inner ball, the greater the driver spin and the softer the cover, the greater the driver spin.

[0343] For example, when the intermediate layer is intended to be the hardest point in the ball, e.g., about 50 Shore D to about 75 Shore D, the cover material may have a hardness of about 20 Shore D or greater, preferably about 25 Shore D or greater, and more preferably about 30 Shore D or greater, as measured on the slab. In another embodiment, the cover itself has a hardness of about 30 Shore D or greater. In particular, the cover may be from about 30 Shore D to about 60 Shore D. In one embodiment, the cover has a hardness of about 40 Shore D to about 65 Shore D. In another embodiment, the cover has a hardness less than about 45 Shore D, preferably less than about 40 Shore D, and more preferably about 25 Shore D to about 40 Shore D. In one embodiment, the cover has a hardness from about 30 Shore D to about 40 Shore D.

[0344] In this embodiment when the outer cover layer is softer than the intermediate layer or inner cover layer, the ratio of the Shore D hardness of the outer cover material to the intermediate layer material is about 0.8 or less, preferably about 0.75 or less, and more preferably about 0.7 or less. In another embodiment, the ratio is about 0.5 or less, preferably about 0.45 or less.

[0345] In yet another embodiment, the ratio is about 0.1 or less when the cover and intermediate layer materials have hardnesses that are substantially the same. When the hardness differential between the cover layer and the intermediate layer is not intended to be as significant, the cover may have a hardness of about 55 Shore D to about 65 Shore D. In this embodiment, the ratio of the Shore D hardness of the outer cover to the intermediate layer is about 1.0 or less, preferably about 0.9 or less.

[0346] The cover hardness may also be defined in terms of Shore C. For example, the cover may have a hardness of about 70 Shore C or greater, preferably about 80 Shore C or greater. In another embodiment, the cover has a hardness of about 95 Shore C or less, preferably about 90 Shore C or less.

[0347] In another embodiment, the cover layer is harder than the intermediate layer. In this design, the ratio of Shore D hardness of the cover layer to the intermediate layer is about 1.33 or less, preferably from about 1.14 or less.

[0348] When a two-piece ball is constructed, the core may be softer than the outer cover. For example, the core hardness may range from about 30 Shore D to about 50 Shore D, and the cover hardness may be from about 50 Shore D to about 80 Shore D. In this type of construction, the ratio between the cover hardness and the core hardness is preferably about 1.75 or less. In another embodiment, the ratio is about 1.55 or less. Depending on the materials, for example, if a composition of the invention is acid-functionalized wherein the acid groups are at least partially neutralized, the hardness ratio of the cover to core is preferably about 1.25 or less.

[0349] Compression

[0350] Compression values are dependent on the diameter of the component being measured. The Atti compression of the core, or portion of the core, of golf balls prepared according to the invention is preferably less than about 80, more preferably less than about 75. As used herein, the terms “Atti compression” or “compression” are defined as the deflection of an object or material relative to the deflection of a calibrated spring, as measured with an Atti Compression Gauge, that is commercially available from Atti Engineering Corp. of Union City, N.J. Atti compression is typically used to measure the compression of a golf ball. In another embodiment, the core compression is from about 40 to about 80, preferably from about 50 to about 70. In yet another embodiment, the core compression is preferably below about 50, and more preferably below about 25.

[0351] In an alternative, low compression embodiment, the core has a compression less than about 20, more preferably less than about 10, and most preferably, 0. As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the cores generated according to the present invention may be below the measurement of the Atti Compression Gauge.

[0352] The core of the present invention may also have a Soft Center Deflection Index (SCDI) compression of less than about 160, more preferably, between about 40 and about 160, and most preferably, between about 60 and about 120.

[0353] In one embodiment, golf balls of the invention preferably have an Atti compression of about 55 or greater, preferably from about 60 to about 120. In another embodiment, the Atti compression of the golf balls of the invention is at least about 40, preferably from about 50 to 120, and more preferably from about 60 to 100. In yet another embodiment, the compression of the golf balls of the invention is about 75 or greater and about 95 or less. For example, a preferred golf ball of the invention may have a compression from about 80 to about 95.

[0354] Initial Velocity and COR

[0355] There is currently no USGA limit on the COR of a golf ball, but the initial velocity of the golf ball cannot exceed 250±5 feet/second (ft/s). Thus, in one embodiment, the initial velocity is about 245 ft/s or greater and about 255 ft/s or greater. In another embodiment, the initial velocity is about 250 ft/s or greater. In one embodiment, the initial velocity is about 253 ft/s to about 254 ft/s. In yet another embodiment, the initial velocity is about 255 ft/s. While the current rules on initial velocity require that golf ball manufacturers stay within the limit, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the golf ball of the invention would readily convert into a golf ball with initial velocity outside of this range.

[0356] As a result, of the initial velocity limitation set forth by the USGA, the goal is to maximize COR without violating the 255 ft/s limit. In a one-piece solid golf ball, the COR will depend on a variety of characteristics of the ball, including its composition and hardness. For a given composition, COR will generally increase as hardness is increased. In a two-piece solid golf ball, e.g., a core and a cover, one of the purposes of the cover is to produce a gain in COR over that of the core. When the contribution of the core to high COR is substantial, a lesser contribution is required from the cover. Similarly, when the cover contributes substantially to high COR of the ball, a lesser contribution is needed from the core.

[0357] The present invention contemplates golf balls having CORs from about 0.7 to about 0.85. In one embodiment, the COR is about 0.75 or greater, preferably about 0.78 or greater. In another embodiment, the ball has a COR of about 0.8 or greater.

[0358] In addition, the inner ball preferably has a COR of about 0.780 or more. In one embodiment, the COR is about 0.790 or greater.

[0359] Flexural Modulus

[0360] Accordingly, it is preferable that the golf balls of the present invention have an intermediate layer with a flexural modulus of about 500 psi to about 500,000 psi. More preferably, the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is about 1,000 psi to about 250,000 psi. Most preferably, the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is about 2,000 psi to about 200,000 psi.

[0361] The flexural moduli of the cover layer is preferably about 2,000 psi or greater, and more preferably about 5,000 psi or greater. In one embodiment, the flexural modulus of the cover is from about 10,000 psi to about 150,000 psi. More preferably, the flexural modulus of the cover layer is about 15,000 psi to about 120,000 psi. Most preferably, the flexural modulus of the cover layer is about 18,000 psi to about 110,000 psi. In another embodiment, the flexural moduli of the cover layer is about 100,000 psi or less, preferably about 80,000 or less, and more preferably about 70,000 psi or less. In one embodiment, when the cover layer has a hardness of about 50 Shore D to about 60 Shore D, the cover layer preferably has a flexural modulus of about 55,000 psi to about 65,000 psi.

[0362] In one embodiment, the ratio of the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer to the cover layer is about 0.003 to about 50. In another embodiment, the ratio of the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer to the cover layer is about 0.006 to about 4.5. In yet another embodiment, the ratio of the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer to the cover layer is about 0.11 to about 4.5.

[0363] In one embodiment, the compositions of the invention are used in a golf ball with multiple cover layers having essentially the same hardness, but differences in flexural moduli. In this aspect of the invention, the difference between the flexural moduli of the two cover layers is preferably about 5,000 psi or less. In another embodiment, the difference in flexural moduli is about 500 psi or greater. In yet another embodiment, the difference in the flexural moduli between the two cover layers, wherein at least one is reinforced is about 500 psi to about 10,000 psi, preferably from about 500 psi to about 5,000 psi. In one embodiment, the difference in flexural moduli between the two cover layers formed of unreinforced or unmodified materials is about 1,000 psi to about 2,500 psi.

[0364] Specific Gravity

[0365] The specific gravity of a cover or intermediate layer including the saturated polyurethane composition is preferably at least about 0.7.

[0366] Adhesion Strength

[0367] The adhesion, or peel, strength of the compositions of the invention is preferably about 5 or greater. In one embodiment, the adhesion strength is about 25 lb_f/in or less. For example, the adhesion strength is preferably about 10 lb_f/in or more and about 20 lb_f/in or less.

[0368] Shear/Cut Resistance

[0369] The cut resistance of a golf ball cover may be determined using a shear test having a scale from 1 to 9 assessing damage and appearance. In one embodiment, the damage rank is preferably about 3 or less, more preferably about 2 or less. In another embodiment, the damage rank is about 1 or less. The appearance rank of a golf ball of the invention is preferably about 3 or less. In one embodiment, the appearance rank is about 2 or less, preferably about 1 or less.

[0370] Light Stability

[0371] The light stability of the cover may be quantified by the difference in yellowness index (*Y1), i.e., yellowness measured after a predetermined exposure time—yellowness before exposure. In one embodiment, the *Y1 is about 10 or less after 5 days (120 hours) of exposure, preferably about 6 or less after 5 days of exposure, and more preferably about 4 or less after 5 days of exposure. In one embodiment, the *Y1 is about 2 or less after 5 days of exposure, and more preferably about 1 or less after 5 days of exposure. The difference in the b chroma dimension (*b*, yellow to blue) is also a way to quantify the light stability of the cover. In one embodiment, the *b* is about 4 or less after 5 days (120 hours) of exposure, preferably about 3 or less after 5 days of exposure, and more preferably about 2 or less after 5 days of exposure. In one embodiment, the *b* is about 1 or less after 5 days of exposure.

[0372] The following non-limiting examples are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims. Parts are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

[0373] Saturated Polyurethane Golf Ball Cover

[0374] Table 3 illustrates the components used to make a saturated polyurethane golf ball cover composition.

[0375] A golf ball was made having the cover formulated from the composition above following the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,428. The physical properties and the ball performance results are listed in Table 4.

[0376] The molded balls from the above composition listed in Table 4 were further subject to a QUV test as described below:

[0377] Method:

[0378] ASTM G 53-88 “Standard Practice for Operating Light and Water-Exposure Apparatus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type) for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials” was followed with certain modifications as described below:

[0379] Six balls of each variety under evaluation were placed in custom made golf ball holders and inserted into the sample rack of a Q-PANEL model OUV/SER Accelerated Weathering Tester manufactured by Q-Panel Lab Products of Cleveland, Ohio. The sample holders were constructed such that each ball was approximately 1.75 inches from a UVA-340 bulb, at its closest point. The weathering tester was then cycled every four hours between the following two sets of conditions (for the specified total length of time 24, 48, and 120 hours):

[0380] Condition #1: water bath temperature of about 50° C. with the UV lamps on, set and controlled at an irradiance power of 1.00 W/m²/nm.

[0381] Condition #2: water bath temperature of about 40° C. with the UV lamps turned off.

[0382] Color was measured before weathering and after each time cycle using a BYK-Gardner Model TCS II sphere type Spectrophotometer equipped with a 25 mm port. A D65/10° illumination was used in the specular reflectance included mode.

[0383] The test results for the molded balls after 24 hours of UV exposure are tabulated in Table 5, wherein ΔL* equals the difference in L dimension (light to dark), Δa* equals the difference in the a chroma dimension (red to green), Δb* equals the difference in the b chroma dimension (yellow to blue), ΔC* equals the combined chroma difference (a* and b* scales), hue and saturation, ΔH* equals the total hue difference, excluding effects of saturation and luminescence, ΔE* equals the total color difference, ΔW1 equals the difference in the whiteness index, and ΔY1 and the difference in the yellowness index.

[0384] The test results for the molded balls after 48 hours of UV exposure are illustrated in Table 6.

[0385] The test results for the molded balls after 120 hours of UV exposure are illustrated in Table 7.

[0386] H₁₂MDI Polyether Urea Cured with Diol

[0387] A golf ball was made having the cover formulated from a composition including a prepolymer formed of H₁₂MDI and polyoxyalkylene, having a molecular weight of about 2000, cured with 1,4-butanediol. The physical properties and the ball performance results are listed in Table 8. A golf ball similar to Example 1, a light stable, aliphatic polyurethane, was used for comparison purposes.

[0388] H₁₂MDI Polyether Urea Cured with a Diamine

[0389] A golf ball was made having the cover formulated from a composition including a prepolymer formed of H₁₂MDI and polyoxyalkylene, having a molecular weight of about 2000, cured with 4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane (Clearlink 1000). The physical properties and the ball performance results are listed in Table 9. A golf ball similar to Example 1, a light stable, aliphatic polyurethane, was used for comparison purposes.

[0390] All patents and patent applications cited in the foregoing text are expressly incorporate herein by reference in their entirety.

[0391] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodiments are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.