Golf balls comprising thermoplastic or thermoset composition having controlled gel time

Abstract

A golf ball comprising a core and at least one layer disposed about the core, wherein at least one of the core and the layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprising a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer comprising at least one isocyanate and a curative comprising a blend of at least one aliphatic diamine and at least one polyaspartic ester formed from reactants comprising at least one aliphatic primary polyamine and at least one maleic or fumaric diester, and wherein the thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprises a gel time of about 90 seconds or greater. Also, a golf ball comprising a core and at least one layer disposed about the core wherein at least one of the core and the layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition T comprising a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer P comprising at least one isocyanate and a curative C comprising a blend of at least one aliphatic diamine D and at least one polyaspartic ester formed from reactants comprising at least one aliphatic primary polyamine and at least one maleic or fumaric diester, wherein the thermoplastic or thermoset composition T has a gel time X such that X>1.25Y, and wherein Y is the gel time of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition T′ comprising a reaction product of the polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer P and a curative C′ comprising a blend of aliphatic diamine D and a polyaspartic ester consisting of N,N′-diethylmaleate-2-methyl-pentamethylene diamine.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 748,347, filed on Mar. 26, 2010, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 061,960, filed on Apr. 3, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,709,590, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 940,412, filed on Nov. 15, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,550,549, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 461,617, filed on Aug. 1, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,378,483, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 859,558, filed on Jun. 2, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,105,623, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 640,532, filed on Aug. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,213, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 619,313, filed on Jul. 14, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,903,178, which is a continuation-in-par...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent is directed to golf balls comprising a core and at least one layer surrounding the core. The thermoplastic or thermoset composition used in the golf ball comprises a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer and a curative. The composition has a gel time of about 90 seconds or greater. The invention is also directed to a method of making the golf ball by forming a core and then optionally adding an intermediate layer and a cover layer. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a golf ball with improved properties such as durability, flexibility, and impact resistance.

Problems solved by technology

Ionomer covers are virtually cut-proof, but they provide inferior spin and feel to the golf balls.

Conventional polyurethane covers generally afford excellent feel and good durability, but not resilience or light stability comparable to ionomer covers.

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