Golf ball and method of making same

Abstract

Golf ball comprising one or more layers and/or indicia formed from a fluorescent composition comprising: a base polymer; and a colorant; wherein the colorant is a small-molecule ionic isolation lattice formed from one or more fluorescent dye and one or more cyanostar macrocycles. The one or more fluorescent dyes may include at least one dye selected from xanthenes, oxazines, styryls, cyanines, trianguleniums, or mixtures thereof. The colorant may be a dispersion of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice in a carrier medium or a powder. In particular embodiments, at least one of the one or more layers is a cover layer and/or a coating layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, a coating, and an indicia formed on an outer surface of the cover or the coating; wherein the indicia is formed from a fluorescent composition comprising:
 a base polymer; and   a colorant;   wherein the colorant is a small-molecule ionic isolation lattice formed from one or more fluorescent dyes and one or more cyanostar macrocycles.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluorescent dyes include at least one dye selected from xanthenes, oxazines, styryls, cyanines, trianguleniums, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is a logo, a trademark, a pattern, a marker, a design or a decoration. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the base polymer of the fluorescent composition of the indicia is selected from urethanes, polyesters, acrylics, acetates, acrylates, epoxies, enamels, polyethers, nitrocellulose-containing polymers, solvent-based polymers, water-based polymers, plasticizer-containing polymers, UV curable polymers, vinyls, ketones, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent composition is heat-cured, ambient temperature-cured, moisture-cured, or radiation-cured. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluorescent dyes of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice includes a first fluorescent dye and a second fluorescent dye; wherein the first fluorescent dye emits light within a first range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); wherein the second fluorescent dye emits light within a second range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); and wherein the first range of wavelengths of visible light and the second range of wavelengths of visible light do not overlap. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluorescent dyes of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice includes a first fluorescent dye and a second fluorescent dye; wherein the first fluorescent dye emits light within a first range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); wherein the second fluorescent dye emits light within a second range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); and wherein the first range of wavelengths of visible light and the second range of wavelengths of visible light at least partially overlap. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluorescent dyes of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice includes a first fluorescent dye and a second fluorescent dye; wherein the first fluorescent dye emits light within a first range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); wherein the second fluorescent dye emits light within a second range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); and wherein the first range of wavelengths of visible light encompasses the second range of wavelengths of visible light. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball comprises at least two indicia including a first indicia and a second indicia; wherein the first indicia is formed from a first fluorescent composition; wherein the second indicia is formed from a second fluorescent composition; wherein the first fluorescent composition emits light within a first range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); wherein the second fluorescent composition emits light within a second range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); and wherein the first range of wavelengths of visible light and the second range of wavelengths of visible light do not overlap. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball comprises at least two indicia including a first indicia and a second indicia; wherein the first indicia is formed from a first fluorescent composition; wherein the second indicia is formed from a second fluorescent composition; wherein the first fluorescent composition emits light within a first range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); wherein the second fluorescent composition emits light within a second range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); and wherein the first range of wavelengths of visible light and the second range of wavelengths of visible light at least partially overlap. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball comprises at least two indicia including a first indicia and a second indicia; wherein the first indicia is formed from a first fluorescent composition; wherein the second indicia is formed from a second fluorescent composition; wherein the first fluorescent composition emits light within a first range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); wherein the second fluorescent composition emits light within a second range of wavelengths of visible light as measured according to ASTM E2153-01 (2017); and wherein the first range of wavelengths of visible light encompasses the second range of wavelengths of visible light.