Process and apparatus for producing a golf ball with deep dimples
View Patent ↗An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball with deep dimples are disclosed. The golf ball comprises a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides deep dimples that extend through the cover layer and/or into a layer or component underneath are disclosed. At least one percent (1%), preferably about five percent (5%), of the dimples of the ball comprise deep dimples. The cover may be a single layer or include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to or into the core. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.
1. A golf ball having a plurality of deep dimples defined along an outer surface of said golf ball, said golf ball comprising:
a core; and
a cover layer disposed about said core, said cover layer having an outer surface and a thickness and defining a plurality of dimples along said outer surface, wherein at least 5% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer and extend through said cover layer.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 10% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 20% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 30% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
5. The golf ban of claim 1 , wherein at least 40% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
7. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 60% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
8. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 70% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
9. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 80% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
10. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
11. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein all of said dimples have a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer.
12. A golf ball comprising:
a core; and
a cover layer disposed about said core, said cover layer having a thickness and defining at least two populations of dimples along an outer surface of said cover layer, wherein a first population of dimples includes dimples having a depth greater than said thickness of said cover layer and a second population of dimples includes dimples having a depth less than said thickness of said cover layer, said first population constituting at least a minority proportion of the total number of dimples defined along said outer surface of said cover layer.
13. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said first population constitutes about half of the total number of dimples defined along said outer surface of said cover layer.
14. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said first population constitutes a majority of the total number of dimples defined along said outer surface of said cover layer.
15. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said cover layer defines three populations of dimples.
16. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said cover layer defines four populations of dimples.
17. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said cover layer defines five populations of dimples.
18. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said cover layer defines six populations of dimples.
19. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein said cover layer is formed via reaction injection molding.