Colored Golf Ball Casing Layer Color Concentrate Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf balls have a limited range of color options, primarily being white, which does not allow golfers to express their individuality on the course without compromising durability or performance.

Innovation Solution

The golf ball design incorporates a color concentrate resin in the casing layer ionomer blend, combined with a plurality of outer coating layers, to create a unique overall color appearance that differs from the resin's color while maintaining matching visually apparent hues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional white golf balls are used, then durability and performance are maintained, but color variety and personalization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor varietyVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The golf ball is divided into multiple functional layers: inner core, intermediate layer, outer layer, and clear coat layers. The color concentrate resin is specifically incorporated into the intermediate layer rather than the entire ball, allowing color customization while preserving the durability of other layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the golf ball have different properties optimized for their specific functions. The intermediate layer contains color concentrate resin for visual appearance, while the outer layer and clear coats maintain high durability and performance characteristics without color additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If color concentrate resin is added to the golf ball, then unique color appearance is achieved, but the overall color coordinates differ from the resin color

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor appearanceVSAvoidcolor coordinate control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate layer acts as an intermediary between the core and outer layers, containing the color concentrate resin at controlled concentrations (3-10 wt%). This intermediate positioning allows the resin to influence the overall ball color while being buffered by the surrounding layers, preventing extreme color shifts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The golf ball uses composite material construction with ionomer blends containing color concentrate resin in the intermediate layer, combined with transparent polyurethane or polyurea materials in the outer and clear coat layers. This composite structure enables color customization while maintaining performance and controlling overall color appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple outer coating layers are applied, then durability and color stability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating system is segmented into multiple specialized layers: outer layer with color concentrate, first clear coat layer for protection, and second clear coat layer for enhanced durability. Each layer has a specific thickness and function, allowing systematic control of color stability and durability while streamlining the manufacturing process through standardized layer application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12239887B2Colored golf ball and method of making same
Publication Date: 2025.03.04 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Golf ball comprising core; casing layer; cover layer; and plurality of outer coating layers. Casing layer comprises an ionomer blend of at least one ionomer and a color concentrate resin that is included in an amount of 3-10 wt. % of the ionomer blend. Cover layer is transparent and comprises thermoplastic/thermoset urethane composition. First outer coating layer is adjacent to cover layer and comprises clear water-borne or solvent-borne primer; and second outer coating layer is adjacent to first outer coating layer and comprises gold pearl primer, white sparkle primer, or combination thereof; third outer coating layer is adjacent to second outer coating layer and comprises a clear topcoat. Alternatively, second outer coating layer comprises matte topcoat, clear glossy topcoat, or combination thereof. In all embodiments, first outer coating layer and/or second outer coating layer may be colorless.