GOLF BALLS CONTAINING VISIBLE DECORATIVE INSERTS PLACED BETWEEN TRANSPARENT LAYERS
Golf balls containing a core having at least one layer; a composite layer comprising a first substantially transparent polymeric matrix; and a cover comprising a second substantially transparent polymeric matrix are provided. The ball contains at least one decorative insert member that can be seen through the layers. The decorative insert (for example, charm or jewelry piece) is sandwiched between the composite and cover layers. One portion of the insert is embedded in each layer. Light-reflective fillers, colored pigments, and dyes may be added to the layers to create different optical effects. The resulting ball has a unique and appealing appearance while maintaining its good playing properties.
1 . A golf ball, comprising a core having at least one layer;
a composite layer disposed about the core; the composite layer comprising a first substantially transparent polymeric matrix; and
a cover having at least one layer, the cover being disposed about the composite layer and comprising a second substantially transparent polymeric matrix, wherein one portion of a decorative insert member is embedded in the first polymeric matrix and a second portion of the insert member is embedded in the second polymeric matrix so that the decorative insert is visible from the exterior of the ball.
2 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the core is single-layered, the core being formed from a rubber composition.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the core is dual-layered, the core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer, at least one of the core layers being formed from a rubber composition.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the core comprises a reflective material.
5 . The golf ball of claim 4 , wherein the reflective material is white pigment.
6 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the insert member is a metal material.
7 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the insert member is a plastic material.
8 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the insert member has a spherical shape.
9 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the insert member has a non-spherical shape.
10 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the first substantially transparent polymer matrix comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: ethylene acid copolymer ionomers; polyesters; polyamides; polyurethanes, polyureas; fluoropolymers; polystyrenes; polypropylenes, polyethylenes; polyvinyl chlorides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarbonates; polyvinyl alcohols; polyethers; polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides; and mixtures thereof.
11 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the decorative insert member comprises a reflective material.
12 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the decorative insert member comprises light-reflective fillers selected from the group consisting of pearlescent pigments, glitter, metalized films and foils, and mixtures thereof.
13 . The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the light-reflective fillers are pearlescent pigments selected from the group consisting of metalized pigments, mica-based pigments, borosilicate pigments, titanium dioxide pigments, iron oxide pigments, and mixtures thereof.
14 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the decorative insert member comprises a colorant selected from dyes, pigments, and mixtures thereof.
15 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the cover is a single layer having a thickness of about 0.015 to about 0.090 inches.
16 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises two or more layers and has an overall thickness of about 0.020 to about 0.210 inches.
17 . The golf ball of claim 16 , wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer formed of an ionomer resin comprising an ethylene acid copolymer and an outer cover layer formed of a polyurethane composition, each of the cover layers being substantially transparent.
18 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the second substantially transparent polymeric matrix comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: ethylene acid copolymer ionomers; polyesters; polyamides; polyurethanes, polyureas; fluoropolymers; polystyrenes; polypropylenes and polyethylenes; polyvinyl chlorides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarbonates; polyvinyl alcohols; polyethers; polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides; and mixtures thereof.
19 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the second substantially transparent polymeric matrix comprises light-reflective fillers selected from the group consisting of pearlescent pigments, glitter specks, metalized films and foils, and mixtures thereof.
20 . The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein the light-reflective fillers are pearlescent pigments selected from the group consisting of metalized pigments, mica-based pigments, borosilicate pigments, titanium dioxide pigments, iron oxide pigments, and mixtures thereof.
21 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the second substantially transparent polymeric matrix comprises a colorant selected from dyes, pigments, and mixtures thereof.
22 . The golf ball of claim 17 , wherein the colorant is a fluorescent dye.
23 . A method of producing a golf ball containing a decorative insert, comprising the steps of:
forming an inner core;
forming a secondary layer comprising a first substantially transparent polymeric matrix over the core and partially curing the layer;
placing an insert member in the partially-cured layer so that one portion of an insert member is embedded in the first substantially transparent polymeric matrix;
forming a cover layer comprising a second substantially transparent polymeric matrix over the partially cured layer so that a second portion of the insert member is embedded in the second substantially transparent polymeric matrix; and curing the secondary and cover layers to form a hardened golf ball containing a decorative insert that is visible from the exterior of the ball.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the core is single-layered, the core being formed from a rubber composition.
25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the core is dual-layered, the core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer, at least one of the core layers being formed from a rubber composition.
26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the insert member is a metal material.
27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the insert member is a plastic material.
28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the decorative insert member comprises a reflective material.
29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the cover is a single layer having a thickness of about 0.015 to about 0.090 inches.
30 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the cover comprises two or more layers and has an overall thickness of about 0.020 to about 0.210 inches.