US5688869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf ball cover compositions
Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp
•
Filing: 1995-06-21
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Granted: 1997-11-18
•
Expires: 2015-06-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a novel golf ball cover composition comprised of a blend of a new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin and an ionomer resin containing an additional comonomer of the acrylate ester class. When the new ionomer resin blend is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits an improved combination of distance, playability, and/or durability properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:10
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L23/00; C08L23/02; C08L23/04; C08L23/08; A; A63; A63B; A63B37/00; A63B37/0003; C08L33/00; C08L33/02; A63B37/0023; A63B37/0024; A63B37/0029; A63B37/0031; A63B37/0034; A63B37/007; A63B37/0077; A63B37/0096; C08L2205/00; C08L2205/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises from about 90 to about 10 percent by weight of a metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin which is a copolymer of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, lithium, potassium, calcium and nickel ions; and, from about 10 to about 90% by weight of an ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class which is a terpolymer of an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 100% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises from about 90 to about 10 percent by weight of a metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin which is a copolymer of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, lithium, potassium, calcium and nickel ions; and, from about 10 to about 90% by weight of an ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class which is a terpolymer of an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 100% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 17% to about 25% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said copolymer comprises about 20% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said copolymer is an acrylic acid/ethylene copolymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said copolymer is a 20% by weight acrylic acid and the remainder ethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said metal cation is an acetate, oxide or hydroxide salt of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium or nickel ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/methacrylic acid/butyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin has a Shore D hardness of about 60 to about 80.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class has a Shore D hardness of about 20 to about 45.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, dyes, U.V. absorbers and optical brightness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
183 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises from about 75 to about 25% by weight of a metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin which is a copolymer of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions; and, from about 25 to about 75% by weight of an ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class which is a terpolymer of an olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 100% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
183 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises from about 75 to about 25% by weight of a metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin which is a copolymer of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions; and, from about 25 to about 75% by weight of an ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class which is a terpolymer of an olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 100% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said copolymer comprises about 20% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said copolymer is an acrylic acid/ethylene copolymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said copolymer is a 20% by weight acrylic acid and the remainder ethylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said metal cation is provided by an acetate, oxide or hydroxide salt of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, potassium, calcium or nickel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/methacrylic acid/butyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin has a Shore D hardness of about 60 to about 80.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class has a Shore D hardness of about 20 to about 45.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the cover further comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, dyes, U.V. absorbers and optical brightness.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
183 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises from about 60 to about 40% by weight of a metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin which is a copolymer of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions; and, from about 40 to about 60% by weight of an ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class which is a terpolymer of an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 100% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
183 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises from about 60 to about 40% by weight of a metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin which is a copolymer of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions; and, from about 40 to about 60% by weight of an ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class which is a terpolymer of an alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, of which 10 to 100% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover is comprised of a blend of a high acid copolymer and an acid terpolymer containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl group of the copolymer/terpolymer blend are neutralized with at least one metal cation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover is comprised of a blend of a high acid copolymer and an acid terpolymer containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class, of which 10 to 90% of the carboxyl group of the copolymer/terpolymer blend are neutralized with at least one metal cation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 17% to about 25% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said copolymer comprises about 20% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said copolymer is an acrylic acid/ethylene copolymer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said copolymer is a 20% by weight acrylic acid and the remainder ethylene.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said metal cation source is an acetate, oxide or hydroxide salt of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium or nickel ions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/methacrylic acid/butyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin has a Shore D hardness of about 60 to about 80.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said ionomer resin containing a comonomer of the acrylate ester class has-a Shore D hardness of about 20 to about 45.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein the cover further comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, dyes, U.V. absorbers and optical brightness.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing a golf ball cover composition having an improved combination of playability, durability and distance properties comprising the steps of: a) blending a high acid copolymer comprised of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms with an acid terpolymer comprised of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms; and (b) neutralizing from 10 to 100% of the carboxylic acid groups of the high acid copolymer/terpolymer blend with at least one metal cation.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing a golf ball cover composition having an improved combination of playability, durability and distance properties comprising the steps of: a) blending a high acid copolymer comprised of greater than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and the balance an alpha-olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms with an acid terpolymer comprised of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having 1 to 21 carbon atoms; and (b) neutralizing from 10 to 100% of the carboxylic acid groups of the high acid copolymer/terpolymer blend with at least one metal cation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the metal cation is selected from the group consisting of sodium, zinc, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium and nickel ions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 17% to about 25% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 20% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer is an acrylic acid/ethylene copolymer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/methacrylic acid/butyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said terpolymer is an ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate terpolymer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 37, wherein one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, dyes, U.V. absorbers and optical brighteners are added to the neutralized copolymer/terpolymer blend.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer comprises from 90 to 10% by weight of the copolymer/terpolymer blend.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said terpolymer comprises from 10 to 90% by weight of the copolymers/terpolymers blend.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 75 to about 25% by weight of the copolymer/terpolymer blend.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said terpolymer comprises from about 25 to about 75% by weight of the copolymer/terpolymer blend.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said copolymer comprises from about 60 to about 40% by weight of the copolymer/terpolymer blend.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said terpolymer comprises from about 40 to about 60% by weight of the copolymer/terpolymer blend.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
56 words
The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said golf ball has a Shore C hardness of about 80 to about 95, a spin rate of about 8,000 to about 10,600, a Riehle compression of about 55 to about 65, a C.O.R. value of about 0.770 to about 0.810, and a cut resistance of 3 to 5.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
56 words
The golf ball of claim 13, wherein said golf ball has a Shore C hardness of about 80 to about 95, a spin rate of about 8,000 to about 10,600, a Riehle compression of about 55 to about 65, a C.O.R. value of about 0.770 to about 0.810, and a cut resistance of 3 to 5.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
56 words
The golf ball of claim 24, wherein said golf ball has a Shore C hardness of about 80 to about 95, a spin rate of about 8,000 to about 10,600, a Riehle compression of about 55 to about 65, a C.O.R. value of about 0.770 to about 0.810, and a cut resistance of 3 to 5.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
56 words
The golf ball of claim 25, wherein said golf ball has a Shore C hardness of about 80 to about 95, a spin rate of about 8,000 to about 10,600, a Riehle compression of about 55 to about 65, a C.O.R. value of about 0.770 to about 0.810, and a cut resistance of 3 to 5.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 37, wherein said resulting golf ball cover composition is molded over a core to produce a resulting golf ball having a Shore C hardness of about 80 to about 95, a spin rate of about 8,000 to about 10,600, a Riehle compression of about 55 to about 65, a C.O.R. value of about 0.770 to about 0.810, and a cut resistance of 3 to 5.
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