Golf Ball Casing Layer Using Ionomer and Metallocene Blend

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf balls with solid cores and ionomeric covers have a hard feel and lower spin rate, limiting control for greenside play, despite providing durability and distance.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball design incorporating a casing layer made from a blend of high acid ionomer, maleic anhydride grafted metallocene polymer, and a melt flow modifier, with a polyurea or polyurethane cover, which balances hardness and flexibility to enhance spin and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ionomeric cover materials are used, then durability and abrasion resistance are improved, but the ball has a hard feel and lower spin rate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfeel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of polyurethane or polyurea as the outer cover layer combined with an ionomeric casing layer. This composite structure allows the ball to achieve both durability from the ionomer and improved feel and spin from the polyurethane/polyurea outer layer, resolving the contradiction between hardness/durability and softness/control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional ionomeric cover materials are used, then durability is improved, but spin rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidspin rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure with polyurethane or polyurea outer layer over the ionomeric casing enables the ball to generate higher spin rates, particularly on short shots and greenside play, while the ionomer core maintains durability. The different material properties of each layer work together to achieve both high spin and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If a thin and soft cover is used, then feel and control are improved, but durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontrolVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite construction where the thin, soft polyurethane or polyurea outer layer provides enhanced feel and control, while the underlying ionomeric casing layer serves as a durable support structure. This multi-layer composite approach allows the ball to achieve soft feel characteristics without sacrificing overall durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The use of polyurethane or polyurea as the outer cover layer provides a thin, flexible shell that enhances feel and control for greenside play. This flexible outer layer works in conjunction with the more rigid ionomeric casing to maintain structural integrity and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8187121B2Casing layer for polyurethane-covered and polyurea-covered golf balls

Publication Date: 2012.05.29 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.