IP Library Granted Patent US 9,789,366
Granted Patent B1
US 9,789,366 · App. 15/436,169 · Granted Oct 17, 2017

Graphene core for a golf ball

Inventors: Vijay Chavan (Vista, CA); David Bartels (Carlsbad, CA)
Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
A63B37/0051A63B37/0033A63B37/0043A63B37/0045A63B37/0074A63B37/0076A63B37/0092B29C43/003B29C43/203B29K2009/00B29K2507/04B29L2031/546
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,789,366
App. No.
15/436,169
Granted
Oct 17, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A golf ball with a core comprising polybutadiene and graphene is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a single core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an inner core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an outer core comprising polybutadiene and graphene.

Claims (54)

1. A golf ball comprising:

a center core comprising polybutadiene in an amount ranging from 40 to 90 weight percent, polyisoprene in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc diacrylate in an amount ranging from 10 to 50 weight percent, zinc oxide in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc stearate in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 weight percent, peroxide initiator in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, and a graphene material in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 weight percent of the center core, wherein the graphene has a surface area ranging from 150 m 2 /g to 1000 m 2 /g; and

a cover layer disposed over the center core.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein the graphene material ranges from 0.4 to 2.5 weight percent of the center core.

3. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein the graphene material ranges from 0.6 to 1.5 weight percent of the center core.

4. The golf ball according to claim 1 further comprising:

an outer core disposed over the center core;

an inner mantle layer disposed over the outer core, the inner mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.03 inch to 0.09 inch, the inner mantle layer composed of an ionomer material, the inner mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 34 to 55;

an outer mantle layer disposed over the inner mantle layer, the outer mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.050 inch;

and

wherein the cover layer is disposed over the outer mantle layer, the cover layer has a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.040 inch;

wherein the cover layer has a lower Shore D hardness than the outer mantle layer, the outer mantle layer has a higher Shore D hardness than the inner mantle layer, the outer core has a higher Shore D hardness than the inner mantle layer and the center core;

wherein the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.230 under a load of 200 pounds, and wherein the outer core over the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.080 under a load of 200 pounds.

5. The golf ball according to claim 1 further comprising:

an outer core disposed over the center core;

an inner mantle layer disposed over the outer core, the inner mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.090 inch, the inner mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 30 to 50;

an outer mantle layer disposed over the inner mantle layer, the outer mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.070 inch, the outer mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 50 to 71, wherein the inner mantle is thicker than the outer mantle, and the outer mantle is harder than the inner mantle; and

wherein the cover layer is disposed over the outer mantle layer, the cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.050 inch, wherein the cover layer has a Shore D hardness less than the hardness of the outer mantle layer, the outer mantle layer has a higher Shore D hardness than the inner mantle layer, the outer core has a higher Shore D hardness than the inner mantle layer and the center core;

wherein the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.230 under a load of 200 pounds, and wherein the outer core over the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.080 under a load of 200 pounds.

6. The golf ball according to claim 1 further comprising:

an outer core disposed over the center core;

an inner mantle layer disposed over the outer core, the inner mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.070 inch to 0.090 inch, the inner mantle layer composed of an ionomer material, the inner mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 36 to 44;

an outer mantle layer disposed over the inner mantle layer, the outer mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.040 inch, the outer mantle layer composed of an ionomer material, the outer mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 65 to 71; and

wherein the cover layer is disposed over the outer mantle layer, the cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.040 inch;

wherein the cover layer has a lower Shore D hardness than the outer mantle layer, the outer mantle layer has a higher Shore D hardness than the inner mantle layer, the outer core has a higher Shore D hardness than the inner mantle layer and the center core;

wherein the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.230 under a load of 200 pounds, and wherein the outer core over the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.080 under a load of 200 pounds.

7. The golf ball according to claim 1 further comprising:

an inner mantle layer disposed over the center core, the inner mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the inner mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 30 to 40, the inner mantle layer composed of a composed of an ionomer material;

a first center mantle layer disposed over the inner mantle layer, the first center mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the first center mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 40 to 55, the first center mantle layer composed of a fully neutralized polymer material;

a second center mantle layer disposed over the second center mantle layer, the second center mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the second center mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 45 to 55, the second center mantle layer composed of a fully neutralized polymer material;

an outer mantle layer disposed over the second center mantle layer, the outer mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the outer mantle layer composed of an ionomer material, the outer mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 60 to 75; and

wherein the cover layer is disposed over the outer mantle layer, the cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.040 inch.

8. The golf ball according to claim 1 further comprising:

an inner mantle layer disposed over the center core, the inner mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the inner mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 30 to 40, the inner mantle layer composed of an ionomer material;

a first center mantle layer disposed over the inner mantle layer, the first center mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the first center mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 40 to 55, the first center mantle layer composed of a fully neutralized polymer material;

a second center mantle layer disposed over the second center mantle layer, the second center mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the second center mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 45 to 55, the second center mantle layer composed of a fully neutralized polymer material;

an outer mantle layer disposed over the second center mantle layer, the outer mantle layer having a thickness ranging from 0.030 inch to 0.050 inch, the outer mantle layer composed of a blend of ionomers, the outer mantle layer material having a plaque Shore D hardness ranging from 60 to 75; and

wherein the cover layer is disposed over the outer mantle layer, the cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.025 inch to 0.040 inch.

9. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core;

an outer core comprising a polybutadiene in an amount ranging from 40 to 90 weight percent, polyisoprene in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc diacrylate in an amount ranging from 10 to 50 weight percent, zinc oxide in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc stearate in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 weight percent, peroxide initiator in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, and a graphene material in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 weight percent of the outer core, wherein the graphene has a surface area ranging from 150 m 2 /g to 1000 m 2 /g;

a mantle layer; and

a cover;

wherein the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.230 under a load of 200 pounds, and wherein the outer core over the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.080 under a load of 200 pounds.

10. The golf ball according to claim 9 wherein the mantle layer comprises an inner mantle layer and an outer mantle layer.

11. The golf ball according to claim 9 wherein the graphene material in the outer core ranges from 0.4 to 2.5 weight percent of the outer core.

12. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core comprising a polybutadiene in an amount ranging from 40 to 90 weight percent, polyisoprene in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc diacrylate in an amount ranging from 10 to 50 weight percent, zinc oxide in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc stearate in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 weight percent, peroxide initiator in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, and a graphene material in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 weight percent of the inner core, wherein the graphene has a surface area ranging from 150 m 2 /g to 1000 m 2 /g;

an outer core comprising a polybutadiene in an amount ranging from 40 to 90 weight percent, polyisoprene in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc diacrylate in an amount ranging from 10 to 50 weight percent, zinc oxide in an amount ranging from 1 to 30 weight percent, zinc stearate in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 weight percent, peroxide initiator in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, and a graphene material in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 weight percent of the outer core, wherein the graphene has a surface area ranging from 150 m 2 /g to 1000 m 2 /g;

a mantle layer; and

a cover;

wherein the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.230 under a load of 200 pounds, and wherein the outer core over the inner core has a deflection of more than 0.080 under a load of 200 pounds.

13. The golf ball according to claim 12 wherein the mantle layer comprises an inner mantle layer and an outer mantle layer.

14. The golf ball according to claim 12 wherein the graphene material in the outer core ranges from 0.4 to 2.5 weight percent of the outer core, and wherein the graphene material in the inner core ranges from 0.4 to 2.5 weight percent of the inner core.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2023
From: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP.; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TOPGOLF INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TRAVISMATHEW, LLC; WORLD GOLF TOUR, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063692/0009 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2023
From: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP. (FORMERLY CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY); OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TOPGOLF INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TRAVISMATHEW, LLC; WORLD GOLF TOUR, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063665/0176 →
RELEASE (REEL 048172 / FRAME 0001) Recorded Mar 17, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP. (F/K/A CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY); OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 063622/0187 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 25, 2023
From: CALLLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
To: TOPGOLF CALLAWAY BRANDS CORP.
Reel/Frame 062512/0585 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2019
From: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF SALES COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF BALL OPERATIONS, INC.; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERACTIVE, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERNATIONAL SALES COMPANY; TRAVISMATHEW, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 048110/0352 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 4, 2019
From: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048172/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2018
From: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF SALES COMPANY; CALLAWAY GOLF BALL OPERATIONS, INC.; OGIO INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERACTIVE, INC.; CALLAWAY GOLF INTERNATIONAL SALES COMPANY
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 045350/0741 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2017
From: CHAVAN, VIJAY; BARTELS, DAVID
To: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Reel/Frame 041288/0539 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 62401034 · Sep 28, 2016