Michael J Tzivanis

6407147, Jun 18, 2002

Aug 7, 2000

09/633723

Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA
Michael J. Sullivan - Barrington RI

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

A63B 3712

522153, 522112, 52631845, 473378, 473600

Disclosed herein is a game ball and method for making the same. The game ball has an unneutralized terpolymer resin cover that has been irradiated. The unneutralized terpolymer resin includes ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic acid, and a third component selected from the group of lower alkyl acrylates and lower alkyl methacrylates. The irradiated unneutralized terpolymer resin cover is superior in at least one of cut resistance and scuff resistance to a cover substantially identical in composition but which has not been irradiated. The game ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.

6409614, Jun 25, 2002

Oct 2, 2000

09/677409

Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
David M. Melanson - Chicopee MA
Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

A63B 3700

473371, 473351, 473374, 473376

Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a high Mooney viscosity polybutadiene core, an inner cover layer comprising at least one ionomer (preferably at least one high flow ionomer resin) and having Shore D hardness of about 65 or less, and an outer cover layer having a different composition than the inner cover layer, comprising an ionomer, and having a Shore D hardness of more than 65. The sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is greater than 0. 090 inches. A method for making the golf ball also is disclosed.

6440012, Aug 27, 2002

Nov 28, 2000

09/723705

R. Dennis Nesbitt - Westfield MA
Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

A63B 3706

473372, 473374

The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

6450898, Sep 17, 2002

Nov 28, 2000

09/724216

R. Dennis Nesbitt - Westfield MA
Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

A63B 3706

473372, 473373

The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

6482109, Nov 19, 2002

Nov 29, 2000

09/726001

R. Dennis Nesbitt - Westfield MA
Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA
John L. Nealon - Springfield MA
Vincent J. Simonds - Brimfield MA

Bank of America, N.A. - San Francisco CA

A68B 3712

473373

The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

6520870, Feb 18, 2003

Jul 13, 2001

09/904617

Michael J. Tzivanis - Chicopee MA
Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
John L. Nealon - Springfield MA

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

A63B 3700

473371, 473373, 473374, 473376, 473377, 473351

The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft, high resilience, solid core, comprising, in part, a combination of high molecular weight polybutadiene rubbers, and a soft outer cover disposed about the core. The core preferably is relatively large and durable, and the cover is preferably thin and includes a specific combination of hard and/or soft, yet durable, resinous materials. Preferably, the ball is a two-piece golf ball.

6533566, Mar 18, 2003

Mar 20, 2001

09/812878

Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA
Eric G. Johnston - Sterling MA
Mario Jarmuzewski - Chicopee MA
Gary P. Mendrala - West Springfield MA
Viktor Keller - Enfield CT

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

B29C 4514

425116, 2643286, 425120, 4251291, 425543

An apparatus for making a golf ball is disclosed. The apparatus is a molding assembly for making a golf ball which includes a mold body that defines a molding cavity. The molding cavity is adapted to accommodate and preferably retain a golf ball core during a molding operation of one or more layers about the core. The molding assembly includes at least one material flow inlet, at least one material flow channel extending between and providing fluid communication with a material flow inlet and the molding cavity. At least one portion of the material flow channel has a plurality of bends and at least one branching intersection adapted to promote turbulence in a liquid flowing therethrough. A method of making a golf ball is also disclosed. A golf ball made from the disclosed molding apparatus and/or process is also disclosed.

6548618, Apr 15, 2003

Apr 25, 2001

09/843362

Michael J. Sullivan - Barrington RI
R. Dennis Nesbitt - Westfield MA
Michael John Tzivanis - Chicopee MA
Mark L. Binette - Ludlow MA
Viktor Keller - Enfield CT

Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. - Chicopee MA

A63B 3712

528 76, 528 80, 528 83, 473373, 473374

The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.