Golf ball comprising renewable resource component

Abstract

The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprises about 10 wt % or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprising an ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having the formula:

—OCR₁R₂(CR₃R₄)_nCO—

wherein n is an integer, and wherein R_1, R², R₃ and R₄ are selected from the group comprising saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substituted radicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms. In one embodiment, the golf ball also comprises about 90 wt % or less of a non renewable polymer composition. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed about the core and adjacent the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the cover and the intermediate layer comprises the renewable polymer composition. The renewable polymer composition comprises at least one of a notched Izod impact strength of about 0.5 ft-lbs/inch or greater and a polydispersity of from about 1.0 to about 4.0. The at least one of the core and the cover or the intermediate layer may comprise a hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 752,423, filed Apr. 1, 2010, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 752,378, filed Apr. 1, 2010.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a golf ball including a renewable resource component comprising a biodegradable composition in at least one of the golf ball core (having one or more layers), intermediate layer(s) and cover layer(s). The resulting golf ball possesses desirable playing characteristics such as high resiliency, sustained impact durability, and soft feel, meanwhile protecting the environment over an extended period of time by being decomposable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Golf balls are generally divided into two classes: solid and wound. Solid golf balls include a solid core of one or more layers, a cover of one or more layers, and optionally one or more intermediate layers. Wound...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Accordingly, this dual structural synergistic arrangement of the invention within the renewable polymer composition of the golf ball itself and between it and the non-renewable material enables golf ball manufacturers to inexpensively provide a biodegradable golf ball having high resiliency, sustained impact durability, and soft feel.

[0019]The golf ball of the invention moreover may include a renewable polymer composition comprising a targeted notched Izod impact strength, polydispersity, flexural modulus and / or tensile strength as disclosed more fully herein. The renewable polymer composition not only provides biodegradable characteristics to the resulting golf ball but also produces a resulting golf ball with desired stiffness, reduced back spin (and therefore increased distance) and impact durability.

Problems solved by technology

This is a difficult task, however, given the physical limitations of currently-available polymers.

Manufacturers likewise struggle in their attempt to improve intermediate and cover layers.

For example, the hardness range in golf ball utilizing conventional ionomer blends is still limited and even the softest blends suffer from a “plastic” feel according to some golfers.

However, these polyurethane components are likewise petroleum based, furthering the long term detrimental effect on the environment.

However, Egashira et al., like other attempts, fails to recognize or appreciate that the molecular weight of the renewable resource component in a biodegradable composition, i.e. low, medium high or ultra high is an important consideration and directly impacts golf ball characteristics, playability and melt processability during injection or compression molding of golf ball layers.

Meanwhile, Egashira et al. and other attempts to incorporate biodegradable materials in golf balls do not disclose nor appreciate the benefits of incorporating ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compounds (UHMWPHA) in at least one of the core, core layer(s), intermediate layer(s) and cover layer(s) of a golf ball to improve golf ball characteristics.