Golf Ball

Abstract

A golf ball includes a core, an ionomer layer enclosing the core, a polyisocyanate interlayer enclosing the ionomer layer, and a thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer enclosing the polyisocyanate interlayer. The ionomer layer is physically bonded to the polyisocyanate interlayer to form a physical bonding interface therebetween, and the polyisocyanate interlayer is chemically bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer to form a chemical bonding interface therebetween.

1 . A golf ball comprising:
 a core;   an ionomer layer enclosing said core;   a polyisocyanate interlayer that is mainly composed of a polyisocyanate compound and that encloses said ionomer layer; and   a thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer enclosing said polyisocyanate interlayer;   wherein said ionomer layer is physically bonded to said polyisocyanate interlayer to form a physical bonding interface therebetween; and   wherein said polyisocyanate interlayer is chemically bonded to said thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer to form a chemical bonding interface therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said polyisocyanate interlayer is made from a polyisocyanate composition including the polyisocyanate compound and a solvent. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said polyisocyanate compound is selected from the group consisting of tris(4-isocyanatophenyl) thiophosphate, triphenylmethane-4,4′,4″-triisocyanate, 2,4-toluenediisocyanate polyisocyanate, adduct of trimethylolpropane and 2,4-toluenediisocyanate, trimer of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball according to  claim 2 , wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, and the combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said ionomer layer is made from an ionomer, said ionomer being a copolymer of an olefin and α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said ionomer having acid groups that are neutralized with metal ions. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said ionomer is a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid copolymer, said ionomer having acid groups that are neutralized with metal ions. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer is made from a thermoplastic polyurethane, said thermoplastic polyurethane being selected from the group consisting of polyether based polyurethane, polyester based polyurethane, polycarbonate based polyurethane, unsaturated group-containing polyurethane, and combinations thereof.