Method for coating a golf ball with a dry-on-line clear polyurethane composition, and golf balls comprising such a coating

Abstract

An improved clear polyurethane coating for a golf ball comprises a coating that dries on-line at elevated temperatures in 10 minutes and without assistance of a plural machine; a method for coating golf balls with the fast-drying coating system. The coating system provides improved flight characteristics to the golf balls.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf ball, said golf ball having on its outer surface a clear polyurethane coating that is formed from a mixture comprising a surfactant, a base, and a drying accelerator further comprising at least two metal catalysts.  
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of    claim 1    wherein the drying accelerator comprises a catalyst containing zirconium.  
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of    claim 1    wherein the drying accelerator comprises a catalyst containing dibutyl tin dilaurate.  
     
     
         4 . A composition suitable for coating a golf ball with a clear polyurethane coating comprising a surfactant, a base, and a drying accelerator further comprising at least two metal catalysts.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to    claim 4    wherein the drying accelerator comprises a catalyst containing zirconium.  
     
     
         6 . A composition according to    claim 4    wherein the drying accelerator comprises a catalyst containing dibutyl tin dilaurate.  
     
     
         7 . A method for coating a golf ball with a clear polyurethane coating comprising the steps of: 
 (i) providing a golf ball that is capable of being coated with a clear polyurethane coating;    (ii) spraying the ball with a clear polyurethane coating mixture according to claims  4 ,  5 , or  6 .    (iii) moving the ball into a heated oven;    (iv) allowing the ball to remain in the heated oven for a period of time sufficient to dry the coating.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to    claim 7    wherein the golf ball is placed on a spindle on a chain that carries the golf ball past paint spray guns, and after being sprayed, the ball is moved along on the chain into a heated oven.