Game balls with cover containing post crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane and method of making same

a thermoplastic polyurethane and cover technology, applied in the field of game balls, can solve the problems of lack of scuff and cut resistance of crosslinked polyurethane, scrap material (i.e. sprues, runners and/or reject parts), and cover stock from off-spec balls cannot be reused without substantial processing, and achieves high heat resistance

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-02-28
TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide a method of making a polyurethane covered golf ball having high heat resistance.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, while thermoplastic polyurethanes can be used to form game balls, they lack the scuff and cut resistance of a crosslinked polyurethane.
Similarly, thermoplastic polyurethanes do not readily crosslink.
A further disadvantage of using thermosetting polyurethanes to form game ball covers is that scrap material (i.e. sprues, runners and / or reject parts) and cover stock from off-spec balls cannot be reused without substantial processing.

Method used

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  • Game balls with cover containing post crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane and method of making same
  • Game balls with cover containing post crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane and method of making same
  • Game balls with cover containing post crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane and method of making same

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0117] A core having a diameter of 1.605 inches was made from the core formulation shown below in Table 7:

TABLE 7ComponentParts by Weightpolybutadiene170polybutadiene230zinc oxide9top grade regrind16zinc stearate16zinc diacrylate26.5peroxide initiator0.9168.40

1Cariflex polybutadiene is available from Shell Chemical Co. of Houston, Texas.

2Taktene polybutadiene is available from Bayer Corp. of Akron, Ohio.

[0118] The core was cured under conditions appropriate to result in a PGA compression of 80. The core had a specific gravity of 1.127. Compression molding occurred at 320° F.

[0119] The centers were center ground to reduce them to a diameter of 1.600 0.003 inches. The cores had a weight of 38.9 grams, a Riehle compression of 80, and a coefficient of restitution of 0.808.

[0120] To form the cover, white thermoplastic polyurethane pellets of Zylon™ crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane EBXL-TPU-1 were used to form a golf ball cover having a thickness of about 0.04 inches. Moldin...

example 2

[0122] A series of trials were conducted in which conventional thermoplastic polyurethanes were subjected to varying levels of gamma radiation. Samples of the polyurethane were molded into tensile bars. As summarized in Table 8 below, there was no change in hardness.

TABLE 8Shore CShore DMorthane PS 441-300Polyester-basedControl7548 3.5 Mrads7548 7.0 Mrads754812.0 Mrads7548Pellethane 2103-70APolyether-basedControl4025 3.5 Mrads4025 7.0 Mrads402512.0 Mrads4025

[0123] Discoloration of the samples also occurred. The Morthane discolored from whitish color to a yellowish color upon exposure to 12.0 Mrads. Pellethane went from a clear yellow cast (control) to a dark yellowish orange color for the 12.0 Mrads.

example 3

[0124] White crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane pellets EBXL-TPU-1 (2% TiO2) in accordance with the present invention were molded into plaques. One plaque was cut into three pieces and each piece was subjected to a different dosage of gamma irradiation. Before gamma treatment, the plaques had a Shore D hardness of 45. The results of gamma irradiation are shown below in Table 9:

TABLE 9Irradiation DosageShore D HardnessControl (No irradiation)45 3.5 Mrads53 7.0 Mrads5512.0 Mrads60

[0125] While they were not formed into golf ball covers and thus were not tested for scuff resistance, it is believed that the scuff resistance of the gamma treated material is superior to that of the non-gamma treated material, due to the crosslinking into a thermoset polyurethane.

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Abstract

A game ball having a cover formed from a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is disclosed. By selective exposure to radiation, the thermoplastic polyurethane cover is crosslinked and its hardness is increased. Typically, increases in hardness values of at least 2 units on the Shore D scale are realized upon exposure to 3.5 Mrads of gamma radiation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The Present Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 808985, filed on Dec. 11. 2006, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 935010, filed on Sep. 7, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,148,266.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention generally relates to game balls, and more particularly to game balls having covers containing crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane. The ball preferably is a molded game ball such as a golf ball, basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer ball, volleyball, tennis ball, lacrosse ball or the like. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] There are generally, three types of golf balls. The first type is a wound ball wherein a vulcanized rubber thread is wound under tension around a solid or semi-...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A63B37/00
CPCA63B37/0023A63B37/0031A63B2243/0004A63B2243/0008A63B2243/0095A63B2243/0037A63B2243/005A63B2243/007A63B2243/0083A63B2243/0025A63B2102/02A63B2102/14A63B2102/18A63B2102/182A63B2102/32
Inventor NESBITT, R. DENNISKENNEDY, THOMAS J. III
Owner TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP
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