The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a non-planar parting line on its spherical surface.

Methods for making golf balls and golf ball components using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing systems are provided. The golf ball includes at least one three-dimensional piece. Preferably, a continuous liquid interface printing method is used to make the three-dimensional structure. Ultraviolet (UV)-light polymerizable materials are used in the method. The method may be used to make single-piece or multi-piece balls. For example, the ball may include an inner core produced by the liquid interface printing method. An outer core layer may be disposed about the inner core, and a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers may encapsulate the core assembly to form the finished golf ball. The outer core and cover layers may be made using conventional molding technologies or methods of this invention.

Methods for making golf balls and golf ball components using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing systems are provided. The golf ball includes at least one three-dimensional piece. Preferably, a continuous liquid interface printing method is used to make the three-dimensional structure. Ultraviolet (UV)-light polymerizable materials are used in the method. The method may be used to make single-piece or multi-piece balls. For example, the ball may include an inner core produced by the liquid interface printing method. An outer core layer may be disposed about the inner core, and a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers may encapsulate the core assembly to form the finished golf ball. The outer core and cover layers may be made using conventional molding technologies or methods of this invention.

A golf ball a core, one or more intermediate layers, and one or more cover layers. The core may comprise an inner portion and an outer portion. One or more layers of the golf ball may be formed by the application of ultrasonic welding on two half shells to form. One or more of the layers may be formed by a number of different chemical compositions, and may have varying thicknesses, hardnesses, coefficients of restitution, and PGA compression. The golf ball itself may have varying coefficient of restitution and PGA compression, depending on the layers.

Golf ball with through-hole(s) incorporating hollow air pocket(s) to produce thinner outer wall facilitating more speed and responsiveness off of the golf club's face at impact is disclosed. A thin outer wall is desirable in golf ball design. A wall that is too thick inhibits rebound and promotes fracturing. A thinner wall with structural supports allows for the outer wall to be thinned while producing an internal structure that promotes rebound and not structural failure. This volume of material formed into the volume to help resist deformation of the outer shell. The internal structure between the outer shell and inner axial shaft can be a honeycomb-like pattern or concentric rings to create more structure, less air volume and faster response. These smaller compartments of air will create more rebound because of the additional force of the more responsive inner structure providing a spring effect as well.

The present invention relates to a carboxylic branched chain-cutting agent for a golf ball-covering ionomer resin, a golf ball coating composition, and a method for manufacturing a golf ball. The present invention can provide a coating composition containing within an appropriate range, a specific compound for use as a carboxylic branched chain-cutting agent for a golf ball-covering ionomer resin, and thus can provide a golf ball on which a bridge is formed between a golf ball covering resin and a coating resin. By providing the coating composition containing a specific composition for use as a carboxylic branched chain-cutting agent for a golf ball-covering ionomer resin, the present invention is appropriate for ensuring the physical properties of the golf ball, such as yellowing resistance, and workability, such as pot life, even eliminating an adhesion pretreatment step, thereby reducing side effects due to the existing pretreatment step while providing a golf ball having excellent physical properties.

The present invention relates to a carboxylic branched chain-cutting agent for a golf ball-covering ionomer resin, a golf ball coating composition, and a method for manufacturing a golf ball. The present invention can provide a coating composition containing within an appropriate range, a specific compound for use as a carboxylic branched chain-cutting agent for a golf ball-covering ionomer resin, and thus can provide a golf ball on which a bridge is formed between a golf ball covering resin and a coating resin. By providing the coating composition containing a specific composition for use as a carboxylic branched chain-cutting agent for a golf ball-covering ionomer resin, the present invention is appropriate for ensuring the physical properties of the golf ball, such as yellowing resistance, and workability, such as pot life, even eliminating an adhesion pretreatment step, thereby reducing side effects due to the existing pretreatment step while providing a golf ball having excellent physical properties.

A sport ball includes a casing forming an exterior surface thereof. The casing has a plurality of joined panels forming a partially-assembled casing and defining an open area. A closure panel substantially fills the open area of the partially-assembled casing. A backing layer is radially inward of, and attached to, the closure panel. The backing layer extends beyond a peripheral boundary of the closure panel, such that the backing layer at least partially overlaps one or more of the joined panels adjacent to the open area of the partially-assembled casing. A bladder is radially inward of, and attached to, the closure panel. The bladder includes a valve for introducing fluid into the ball. The valve extends through the backing layer and the closure panel. A backing patch may be attached either to the closure or the partially-assembled casing, and overlaps a portion of both.

A tennis ball may include a non-foamed thermoplastic core defining an internal volume, the core having an outer meltable surface. The core may include a thermoplastic material having a specific gravity of 0.86 to 1.38, a flexural modulus of 2.0 to 50.0 MPa, and a Shore D hardness of 10 to 70. The thickness of the thermoplastic material may be between 3.0 and 8.0 mm and configured to maintain dimensional stability at internal pressures of between zero and 15 psi. The tennis ball may further include a felt cover at least partially covering the core, wherein the tennis ball conforms to ITF and USTA size, weight, deformation and rebound requirements.

The present invention provides dimple patterns with tetrahedral tilings where the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, and the dimple pattern in the first domain is different than the dimple pattern in the second domain. A majority of dimples are provided having a first plan shape and a first profile shape, and at least one of the domains has a sub-pattern of nearest neighbor dimples having either a plan shape or a dimple profile shape that is different than the majority of dimples.