GOLF BALLS CONTAINING VISIBLE DECORATIVE INSERTS ENCLOSED IN TRANSPARENT LAYERS
Golf balls containing a composite layer comprising a substantially transparent polymeric matrix with at least one embedded decorative insert member (for example, charm or jewelry piece) are provided. The ball further includes a core that may comprise a reflective material such as white pigment. A cover structure comprising a second substantially transparent polymeric matrix surrounds the composite layer. The decorative insert can be seen through the layers. Various light-reflective fillers, color pigments, and dyes may be added to the layers to create different optical effects. The resulting ball has an aesthetically pleasing appearance while maintaining its good playing performance properties.
1 . A multi-layered golf ball, comprising:
a core having at least one layer;
a composite layer disposed about the core; the composite layer comprising a decorative insert member fully embedded in 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 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 polymeric 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 11 , wherein the reflective material is white pigment.
13 . 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.
14 . The golf ball of claim 13 , 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.
15 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the decorative insert member comprises a colorant selected from dyes, pigments, and mixtures thereof.
16 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the colorant is a fluorescent dye.
17 . 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.
18 . 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.
19 . The golf ball of claim 18 , 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 optically translucent.
20 . 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.
21 . 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, metalized films and foils, and mixtures thereof.
22 . The golf ball of claim 21 , 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.
23 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the second substantially transparent polymeric matrix comprises a colorant selected from dyes, pigments, and mixtures thereof.
24 . The golf ball of claim 23 , wherein the colorant is a fluorescent dye.