Golf balls having multi-layer cores based on polyalkenamer compositions
View Patent ↗The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.
1. A golf ball comprising:
an inner core layer having an outer surface and geometric center, the inner core being formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.250 inches to 1.600 inches, wherein the outer surface hardness is 20 Shore C to 85 Shore C and the center hardness is 40 Shore C to 65 Shore C;
an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 25 Shore C to 85 Shore C;
an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and an outer surface hardness that is greater than the Shore C outer surface hardness of the inner core layer, the outer surface hardness being in the range of range of 45 Shore C to 90 Shore C; and
a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater;
wherein at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber composition, the polyalkenamer being present in the composition in an amount of at least 50 weight percent.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is in the range of 35 to 80 Shore C.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polybutadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polyisoprene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of ethylene propylene diene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of styrene-butadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
7. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the inner core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
8. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
9. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the outer core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
10. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein each core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
11. A golf ball comprising:
an inner core layer having an outer surface and geometric center, the inner core being formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.250 inches to 1.600 inches, wherein the outer surface hardness is 50 Shore C to 95 Shore C and the center hardness is 40 Shore C to 75 Shore C;
an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 25 Shore C to 85 Shore C;
an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and an outer surface hardness that is less than the Shore C outer surface hardness of the Inner core layer, the outer surface hardness being in the range of range of 45 Shore C to 90 Shore C; and
a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater;
wherein at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber composition, the polyalkenamer being present in the composition in an amount of at least 50 weight percent.
12. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polybutadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
13. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of ethylene propylene diene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
14. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of styrene-butadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.
15. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the inner core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
16. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the intermediate core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
17. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the outer core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.
18. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein each core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.