Golf ball having layers with specified moduli

Abstract

A golf ball or other layered article may include three thermoplastic layers and one thermoset layer. The flexural moduli of the thermoplastic materials may be selected to have specified ratios. The ratio of the first flexural modulus to the third flexural modulus may be between about 6 and about 30. The ratio of the second flexural modulus to the first flexural modulus may be between about 2 and about 8. The ratio of the second flexural modulus to the third flexural modulus may be between about 50 and about 180.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball, comprising:
 a first core layer having a first flexural modulus;   a mantle layer disposed radially outward of the first core layer, the mantle layer having a second flexural modulus; and   a cover layer disposed radially outward of the mantle layer, the cover layer having a third flexural modulus, wherein
 the second flexural modulus is at least twice the first flexural modulus; 
 the second flexural modulus is at least fifty times the third flexural modulus; and 
 the first flexural modulus is at least six times the third flexural modulus. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the second flexural modulus is between two and eight times the first flexural modulus. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball according to  claim 2 , wherein the second flexural modulus is between fifty and one hundred eighty times the third flexural modulus. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball according to  claim 3 , wherein the first flexural modulus is between six times and thirty times the third flexural modulus. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the second flexural modulus is between fifty and one hundred eighty times the third flexural modulus. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball according to  claim 5 , wherein the first flexural modulus is between six times and thirty times the third flexural modulus. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flexural modulus is between six times and thirty times the third flexural modulus. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second core layer between the first core layer and the first cover layer. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flexural modulus is between about 6000 PSI and about 40000 PSI, the second flexural modulus is between about 50000 PSI and about 100000 PSI, and the third flexural modulus is between about 200 PSI and about 3000 PSI. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball according to  claim 9 , wherein the first flexural modulus is between about 7000 PSI and about 30000 PSI. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball according to  claim 9 , wherein the second flexural modulus is between about 50000 PSI and about 90000 PSI. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball according to  claim 9 , wherein the third flexural modulus is between about 300 PSI and about 2000 PSI. 
     
     
         13 . A layered article, comprising:
 a first layer having a first flexural modulus;   a second layer having a second flexural modulus; and   a third layer having a third flexural modulus; wherein
 the second layer and the third layer are positioned adjacent one another; 
 the first flexural modulus is between six times and thirty times the third flexural modulus; 
 the second flexural modulus is between fifty and one hundred eighty times the third flexural modulus; and 
 the second flexural modulus is between two and eight times the first flexural modulus 
   
     
     
         14 . The layered article according to  claim 13 , wherein the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         15 . The layered article according to  claim 14 , further comprising a fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         16 . The layered article according to  claim 15 , wherein the first layer is a first thermoplastic material, the second layer is a second thermoplastic material, the third layer is a third thermoplastic material, and the fourth layer is a thermoset material. 
     
     
         17 . The layered article according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the first thermoplastic material comprises at least one of an ionomer resin, a highly neutralized acid polymer composition, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, and a combination thereof;   the second thermoplastic material comprises at least one of an ionomer resin, a highly neutralized acid polymer composition, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, and a combination thereof; and   the third thermoplastic material comprises at least one of an ionomer resin, a highly neutralized acid polymer composition, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, and a combination thereof.   
     
     
         18 . The layered article according to  claim 17 , wherein the second thermoplastic material is the same type of material as the third thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The layered article according to  claim 16 , wherein the thermoset material comprises a rubber compound synthesized using a rare earth element catalyst. 
     
     
         20 . The layered article according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the first layer has a first specific gravity, the second layer has a second specific gravity, the third layer has a third specific gravity, and the fourth layer has a fourth specific gravity; and   wherein the fourth specific gravity is at least 0.01 greater than the first specific gravity, the second specific gravity is at least 0.01 greater than the fourth specific gravity, and the third specific gravity is at least 0.01 greater than the second specific gravity.