	US 12,064,667 B2
	Method for forming polyurethane covers for golf balls using foam compositions
Shawn Ricci, New Bedford, MA (US); Mark L. Binette, Mattapoisett, MA (US); and Brian Comeau, Berkley, MA (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed by Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed on Jul. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/874,630.
Application 17/352,714 is a division of application No. 16/449,655, filed on Jun. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,040,252, issued on Jun. 22, 2021.
Application 17/874,630 is a continuation of application No. 17/352,714, filed on Jun. 21, 2021, granted, now 11,433,278.
Application 16/449,655 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/220,016, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, granted, now 10,413,782, issued on Sep. 17, 2019.
Application 16/220,016 is a continuation of application No. 14/982,677, filed on Dec. 29, 2015, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2022/0362634 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A63B 37/06 (2006.01); A63B 37/00 (2006.01); C08G 18/10 (2006.01); C08G 18/42 (2006.01); C08G 18/44 (2006.01); C08G 18/48 (2006.01); C08G 18/62 (2006.01); A63B 45/00 (2006.01); C08G 101/00 (2006.01)

CPC A63B 37/0056 (2013.01) [A63B 37/0039 (2013.01); A63B 37/0043 (2013.01); A63B 37/0044 (2013.01); A63B 37/0045 (2013.01); A63B 37/0047 (2013.01); A63B 37/0051 (2013.01); A63B 37/0058 (2013.01); A63B 37/0062 (2013.01); A63B 37/0063 (2013.01); A63B 37/0064 (2013.01); A63B 37/0066 (2013.01); A63B 37/0075 (2013.01); A63B 37/0076 (2013.01); A63B 37/0078 (2013.01); A63B 37/0091 (2013.01); A63B 37/00922 (2020.08); A63B 37/0094 (2013.01); C08G 18/10 (2013.01); C08G 18/42 (2013.01); C08G 18/44 (2013.01); C08G 18/48 (2013.01); C08G 18/6204 (2013.01); A63B 45/00 (2013.01); C08G 2101/00 (2013.01); C08G 2110/0083 (2021.01)]

2 Claims

1. A golf ball formed by a method, the method comprising:

providing a spherical core having at least one layer;

providing an upper and lower mold cavity, each mold cavity having an arcuate inner surface defining an inverted dimple pattern;

introducing a polyurethane composition comprising a foaming agent into at least one mold cavity and loading the core into a mold cavity, wherein the foaming agent is present in an amount of from 0.25 wt % to 3.25 wt % based on the weight of the polyurethane composition;

joining the mold cavities together under compressive force and heating the polyurethane composition so that the foaming agent is activated and foaming of the composition is initiated and a spherical foamed polyurethane cover layer is formed over the core; and

detaching the mold cavities and removing the golf ball, the foamed polyurethane cover layer of the golf ball having a thickness of 0.008 inches or less, a specific gravity of from about 0.90 to about 1.20 and a Shear Durability Rating of 4.00 or greater.