Sulfur-containing composition for golf equipment and method of using same
View Patent ↗The present invention is directed to golf items formed from a sulfur-containing composition. The sulfur-containing composition comprises the reaction product of four reactable components: (a) polyisocyanates and polyisothiocyanates; (b) polyols and polythiols; (c) epoxides and episulfides; and (d) amines and anilines; wherein at least one of the four reactable components contains a sulfur atom. The present invention also relates to methods, e.g., reaction injection molding processes and castable molding processes, for forming such golf items.
1. A golf item formed from a sulfur-containing composition, the composition comprising a reaction product of four reactable components including
a first component selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, polyisothiocyanates, and combinations thereof;
a second component selected from the group consisting of polyols, polythiols, and combinations thereof;
a third component selected from the group consisting of epoxides, episulfides, and combinations thereof; and
a fourth component selected from the group consisting of amines, anilines, and combinations thereof;
wherein at least one of the first and second components contains a sulfur atom.
2. The golf item of claim 1 , wherein only one of the reactable components contains a sulfur atom.
3. The golf item of claim 1 , wherein only two of the reactable components contain a sulfur atom.
4. The golf item of claim 1 , wherein only three of the reactable components contain a sulfur atom.
5. The golf item of claim 1 , wherein each of the four reactable components contains a sulfur atom.
6. A golf item formed from a sulfur-containing composition, the composition comprising a reaction product of four reactable components including
a first component selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, polyisothiocyanates, and combinations thereof;
a second component selected from the group consisting of polyols, polythiols, and combinations thereof;
a third component selected from the group consisting of epoxides; and
a fourth component selected from the group consisting of amines, anilines, and combinations thereof;
wherein only one of the reactable components contains a sulfur atom, and
wherein the component containing the sulfur atom is selected from the first component and the second component.
7. The golf item of claim 6 , wherein only the first component contains a sulfur atom.
8. The golf item of claim 6 , wherein only the second component contains a sulfur atom.
9. A multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer is formed from a reaction injection molded material, the material comprising:
a first component selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, polyisothiocyanates, and a combinations thereof;
a second component selected from the group consisting of polyols, polythiols, and combinations thereof;
a third component selected from the group consisting of epoxides, episulfides, and combinations thereof; and
a fourth component selected from the group consisting of amines, anilines, and combinations thereof;
wherein at least one of the first and second components contains a sulfur atom.
10. The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the core is solid or fluid-filled.
11. The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the golf ball further comprises an intermediate layer disposed between the inner cover layer and the core.
12. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the intermediate layer is a wound layer.
13. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a reaction injected molded material.
14. A method for forming a golf item comprising the steps of:
combining at least four reactable components to form a reactive mixture, wherein the reactable components include
a first component selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, polyisothiocynates, and combinations thereof;
a second component selected from the group consisting of polyols, polythiols, and combinations thereof;
a third component selected from the group consisting of epoxides, episulfides, and combinations thereof; and
a fourth component selected from the group consisting of amines, anilines, and combinations thereof;
wherein at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth reactable components contains a sulfur atom, and
wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth reactable components has a viscosity of less than about 20,000 cPs at ambient temperature or at the temperature at which the reactive mixture is formed; and
injecting the reactive mixture into a cavity or mold having a desired shape, within about 60 seconds after combining the reactable components, to form a golf item.
15. The golf item of claim 14 , wherein only one of the reactable components contains a sulfur atom.
16. The golf item of claim 14 , wherein the golf item is a golf ball or a portion thereof.