Three-layer-cover golf ball

Abstract

A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer being disposed directly adjacent the core; an outer cover layer having a thickness less than about 0.050 inches; and an intermediate cover layer is disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; and wherein the outer cover layer comprises a composition formed of a reactive liquid material; and the combination of the inner, outer, and intermediate cover layers have a thickness of less than about 0.125 inches.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises: 
 a) an inner cover layer being disposed directly adjacent the core;    b) an outer cover layer having a thickness less than about 0.050 inches; and    c) an intermediate cover layer is disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; and wherein    d) the outer cover layer comprises a composition formed of a reactive liquid material; and    e) the combination of the inner, outer, and intermediate cover layers have a thickness of less than about 0.125 inches.    
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover layer has a thickness less than about 0.035 inches.  
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 2 , wherein the outer cover layer thickness is less than about 0.025 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the combination of the inner, outer, and intermediate cover layers is less than about 0.105 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the thickness of the combination of the inner, outer, and intermediate cover layers is less than about 0.090 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive liquid material comprises a castable liquid reactive thermoset material or a reaction injection molding material.  
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 6 , wherein the inner cover layer is formed of a material comprising polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyethylene acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene methacrylic acid terpolymers, polyethylene acrylic acid terpolymers, polyethylene ethyl acrylate, polyethylene methyl acrylate, polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene glycidyl alkyl acrylate, ionomers fully or partially neutralized by a metal ion source or a salt of an organic acid, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the inner cover layer has a material hardness of at least about 55 Shore D.  
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the inner cover layer has a material hardness of at least about 60 Shore D.  
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the intermediate cover layer comprises a thermoplastic material comprising partially or fully neutralized ionomers, polyolefins, metallocenes, polyesters, polyamides, thermoplastic elastomers, copolyether-esters, copolyether-amides, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.  
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate cover layer has a material hardness of at least 30 Shore D.  
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate cover layer has a material hardness of at least about 60 Shore D.  
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the intermediate cover layer comprises a composition formed of a reactive liquid material.  
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the reactive liquid material comprises a castable liquid reactive thermoset material or a reaction injection moldable material.  
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the reactive thermoset material comprises polyurethanes, polyureas, polyurethane ionomers, epoxies, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         16 . A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic inner cover layer, an intermediate cover layer, and outer cover layer comprising a reactive liquid material.  
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the reactive liquid material comprises polyurethane, polyurea, polyurethane ionomer, epoxy, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the inner cover layer is formed of a material comprising polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyethylene acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene methacrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene methacrylic acid terpolymers, polyethylene acrylic acid terpolymers, polyethylene ethyl acrylate, polyethylene methyl acrylate, polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene glycidyl alkyl acrylate, ionomers fully or partially neutralized by a metal ion source or a salt of an organic acid, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover has a material hardness of greater than about 55 Shore D.  
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover has a material hardness of between about 10 and about 40 Shore D.  
     
     
         21 . A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises: 
 a) an inner cover layer being disposed directly adjacent the core;    b) an outer cover layer; and    c) an intermediate cover layer is disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; and wherein the inner, intermediate, and outer cover layers comprise a composition formed of a reactive liquid material; and the combination of the inner, outer, and intermediate cover layers have a thickness of less than about 0.125 inches.