Golf ball

Abstract

An elastomeric composition for forming a golf ball or a component thereof is disclosed that includes the use of a metal thiosulfate, either alone or in combination with one or more halogenated organic sulfur compounds, such as halogenated thiophenol (HTP), or salts thereof. The composition produces a molded product exhibiting an enhanced combination of increased compression (i.e., softness) and / or resilience (C.O.R.).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of golf ball construction and, more particularly, to elastomeric compositions for producing golf balls or molded components thereof. The improved golf balls exhibit enhanced combinations of compression and / or resilience properties. Methods of preparing such golf balls are also disclosed herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Golf balls have traditionally been categorized in three different groups. These are, namely, one-piece or unitary balls, wound balls, and multi-piece solid balls. [0003] A one-piece ball typically is formed from a solid mass of moldable material which has been cured to develop the necessary degree of hardness. The one-piece ball generally possesses no significant difference in composition between the interior and exterior of the ball. These balls do not have an enclosing cover. One piece balls are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,545; U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,123; and U.S. Pat....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The present invention satisfies the noted general objectives and provides, in one aspect, a polybutadiene rubber composition for producing a golf ball or a molded component thereof. The resulting golf ball or golf ball component exhibits enhanced compression and / or resilience. Methods for producing such a golf ball or golf ball component are also included herein.

[0018] In a further aspect, the present development provides a golf ball comprising a spherical molded rubber component formed from a polybutadiene, a mixture of polybutadienes or a mixture of polybutadiene with one or more other elastomers, and one or more curing agents. The curing agents include metallic salts of unsaturated carboxylic acid and a crosslinking initiator such as organic peroxide. The curing agents are blended into the polybutadiene rubber to crosslink the molecules main chain, etc. Also included in the composition is a hexamethylene thiosulfate, including a sodium hexamethylene thiosulfate, such as disodium hexamethylene (HTS or DHTS). This combination of materials produces, when molded, golf balls exhibiting improved combinations of characteristics, such as increased compression and / or resilience.

[0020] In a yet further aspect, the development relates to the addition of one or more halogenated organic sulfur compounds and / or one or more hexamethylene thiosulfates to a polybutadiene rubber composition in order to increase the combination of compression (i.e., softness) and / or resilience (i.e., speed) of the molded product. The preferred halogenated organic sulfur compounds include halogenated thiophenols such as fluoro-, chloro-, bromo-, and iodo-thiophenols, and metallic salts thereof. More preferably, the halogenated thiophenol is a chlorophenol such as pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP) and salts thereof, such as zinc pentachlorothiophenol (ZnPCTP). The preferred hexamethylene thiosulfates include, but are not limited to, sodium hexamethylene thiosulfates, such as disodium hexamethylene-1,6-bisthiosulfate, dihydrate (DHTS). The combination of the hexamethylene thiosulfate and the halogenated thiophenol produces synergistic effects which results in enhanced compression and / or resilience in the molded product over known compositions.

[0021] In another aspect, it has been noted that the sodium hexamethylene thiosulfate, such as disodium hexamethylene-1,6-bisthiosulfate, dihydrate (DHTS), and an optionally halogenated organic sulfur compound can be utilized in combination with lower solution viscosity and / or lower linearity (more branched) polybutadiene materials and crosslinking agents to produce similar compression (i.e., softness) and / or resilience characteristics produced by components molded from high solution viscosity / high linearity polymer polybutadienes. This allows for the interchangeability of these materials for certain usages in golf ball construction.

Problems solved by technology

For example, a thread wound ball is relatively difficult to manufacture due to the number of production steps required and the careful control which must be exercised in each stage of manufacture to achieve suitable roundness, velocity, rebound, “click”, “feel”, and the like.

Additionally, a soft thread wound (three-piece) ball is not well suited for use by the less skilled and / or high handicap golfer who cannot intentionally control the spin of the ball.

For example, the unintentional application of side spin by a less skilled golfer produces hooking or slicing.

The side spin reduces the golfer's control over the ball as well as reduces travel distance.

Similarly, despite all of the benefits of balata, balata covered balls are easily “cut” and / or damaged if mishit.

Consequently, golf balls produced with balata or balata containing cover compositions can exhibit a relatively short life span.

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