Anionic polyurea cover compositions for a multi-layer golf ball

Abstract

Golf balls formed with at least one layer incorporating an anionic polyurea material formed from an isocyanate, an amine-terminated component, and an amine-terminated curing agent where at least one of the amine-terminated component and amine-terminated curing agent includes a R′-R″ segment with acid functionalization.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to golf balls that have at least one layer formed from an anionic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with partially or fully neutralized acid groups, may be formed from a prepolymer and an amine-terminated curing agent in the presence of an acid-functionalized amine-terminated component and a neutralizing agent. In another embodiment, the compositions of the invention formed by reactive extrusion of an isocyanate prepolymer or monomer in the presence of an acid-containing amine moiety with a post-polymerization reaction by neutralizing agents. The compositions of the invention may be used in any outer layer of a golf ball, e.g., an outer cover layer or inner cover layer, or may be used as a coating to be disposed over a structural outer layer of a golf ball.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Golf ball manufacturers have been experimenting...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0122]The golf balls of the present invention may be painted, coated, or surface treated for further benefits. For example, golf balls may be coated with urethanes, urethane hybrids, ureas, urea hybrids, epoxies, polyesters, acrylics, or combinations thereof in order to obtain an extremely smooth, tack-free surface. 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.

Problems solved by technology

However, while ionomer resins are more durable than other types of golf ball layer materials, the same properties that result in durability also provide a hard “feel” and generally result in a lower spin rate and, thus, lower control, due to the hardness of the material.

Whether aromatic or aliphatic in nature, however, the relative softness of the polyurethane and polyurea materials introduces durability issues.

However, such blends generally have processing difficulties associated with their use in the production of golf balls due to the incompatibility of the components.

In addition, golf balls produced from these incompatible mixtures will have inferior golf ball properties such as poor durability, cut resistance, and the like.

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