US 12,083,389 B2
Non-conforming golf balls made from plasticized thermoplastic materials
Michael J. Sullivan, Old Lyme, CT (US); Mark L. Binette, Mattapoisett, MA (US); and Derek A. Ladd, Acushnet, MA (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed by Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/209,663.
Application 17/732,848 is a division of application No. 16/812,467, filed on Mar. 9, 2020, granted, now 11,344,771, issued on May 31, 2022.
Application 16/546,458 is a division of application No. 16/008,381, filed on Jun. 14, 2018, abandoned.
Application 18/209,663 is a continuation of application No. 17/732,848, filed on Apr. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,679,304.
Application 16/812,467 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/546,458, filed on Aug. 21, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/008,381 is a continuation of application No. 15/467,020, filed on Mar. 23, 2017, granted, now 9,999,808, issued on Jun. 19, 2018.
Application 15/467,020 is a continuation of application No. 15/417,398, filed on Jan. 27, 2017, granted, now 9,901,782, issued on Feb. 27, 2018.
Application 15/417,398 is a continuation of application No. 14/527,857, filed on Oct. 30, 2014, granted, now 9,555,290, issued on Jan. 31, 2017.
Application 14/527,857 is a continuation of application No. 14/511,221, filed on Oct. 10, 2014, granted, now 9,604,106, issued on Mar. 28, 2017.
Application 14/511,221 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/460,416, filed on Aug. 15, 2014, granted, now 9,526,948, issued on Dec. 27, 2016.
Application 14/460,416 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/145,578, filed on Dec. 31, 2013, granted, now 9,573,022, issued on Feb. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0321494 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. A63B 37/06 (2006.01); A63B 37/00 (2006.01); C08K 5/101 (2006.01); C08L 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 37/0039 (2013.01) [A63B 37/0024 (2013.01); A63B 37/0031 (2013.01); A63B 37/0043 (2013.01); A63B 37/0044 (2013.01); A63B 37/006 (2013.01); A63B 37/0063 (2013.01); A63B 37/0074 (2013.01); A63B 37/0075 (2013.01); A63B 37/0076 (2013.01); A63B 37/0092 (2013.01); C08K 5/101 (2013.01); C08L 21/00 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A golf ball comprising:
i) a core formed from a thermoplastic composition, the core having an outer surface hardness (Hcore surface) and a center hardness (Hcore center), Hcore surface being greater than Hcore center to provide a positive hardness gradient, the thermoplastic composition comprising:
a) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid;
b) a plasticizer; and
c) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize up to 100% of all acid groups present in the composition; and
ii) a cover disposed about the core;
wherein the golf ball has a non-conforming initial velocity of 256 ft/sec-306 ft/sec.