Golf ball having a radar detectable mark

Abstract

Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising a layer with a mark disposed on a surface thereof,
 wherein the mark enables detection of launch condition and spin data of the golf ball via a radar tracking system that is configured for use in an indoor golf ball hitting bay;   wherein the mark has a continuous stripe shape and is formed from an electrically conductive ink comprised of a base resin and an electrically conductive material;   wherein the mark has a film thickness of at least 0.5 μm; and   wherein the golf ball comprises a core layer, a cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer, and the surface on which the mark is disposed is an outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the mark is opaque. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the mark has dimensions such that every 0.025 inch wide great circle path on the outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer on which the mark is disposed intersects the mark. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the mark is comprised of at least one curvilinear stripe creating a closed loop. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the mark has a width of 0.03 inches-0.20 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer on which the mark is applied consists of a uniform, spherical profile. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the film thickness is at least 1 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the film thickness is at least 2 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the film thickness is at least 3 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the film thickness is at least 4 μm. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the mark has a total surface coverage of 10%-20%. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the mark has a total surface coverage of 1%-10%. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball has three layers. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball has five layers. 
     
     
         15 . A golf ball comprising a layer with a mark disposed on a surface thereof,
 wherein the mark is formed from an electrically conductive ink that enables detection of launch condition and spin data of the golf ball via a radar tracking system that is configured for use in an indoor golf ball hitting bay,   the golf ball comprising a core layer, a cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer,   the electrically conductive ink comprising a base resin and an electrically conductive material,
 wherein the base resin is selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, urethane polymers, acrylic polymers, epoxy polymers, and combinations of two or more thereof, and 
 wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of silver, electrically conductive carbon, aluminum, graphene, nanotubes, nanometals, and combinations of two or more thereof; 
   wherein:
 the mark has a film thickness of at least 0.5 μm and is formed via pad printing; 
 the mark is comprised of at least one curvilinear stripe creating a closed loop; 
 the surface on which the mark is disposed is an outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer positioned adjacent to the cover layer, and the outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer on which the mark is applied consists of a uniform, spherical profile; and 
 the mark has a total surface coverage of 10%-20%. 
   
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 15 , wherein a diameter of the outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer is about 1.630 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 15 , wherein the film thickness is at least 3 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 15 , wherein the film thickness is at least 4 μm. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 15 , wherein the golf ball has three layers. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 15 , wherein the golf ball has five layers.