The invention concerns a golf ball constituted of a three part structure, constituted of an elastomer core, an intermediate layer, and a thermoplastic envelope. The intermediate layer is made of a thermoplastic material containing at least 10%, and preferably at least 35% of ether block copolymer. The material may also be advantageously constituted of ether block copolymer to which is added 0 to 90% of ionomer(s) with respect to the total weight of the compound.

A method and apparatus for forming a golf ball or components of a golf ball is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of forming a die having an opening having a perimeter comprising plurality of inwardly convex surfaces; preparing a golf ball component material; extruding the golf ball component material through the opening of the die to form a component prep; placing the component prep into a mold cavity; and molding the golf ball component. An apparatus for forming a golf ball may be configured in accordance with this method.

In a solid multi-piece golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle, and a cover, the ratio of the compression of the mantle to the compression of the solid core is at least 0.98, and the difference in JIS-C hardness between the surface and the center of the solid core is at least 5. This construction and combination of features provide the ball with a good feel when hit with various types of golf clubs and improved distance when struck with a driver.

One-piece and multi-layered golf balls are improved in flying performance by forming the one-piece ball entirely or multi-layered golf ball core from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, an unsaturated carboxylic acid metal salt, and an organic sulfur compound and/or a metal salt thereof.

Wound covering material which is impermeable to bacteria and viruses, permeable to water vapor, pressure-sensitive and antiseptic. It comprises a backing and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing as a glue an acrylate ester copolymer containing hydrophilic groups and/or a mixture of polyvinylmethyl and/or polyvinylethyl ethers. The backing layer is composed of a film of a segmented copolyether ester comprising 40-85% by weight of short-chain ester units, mainly based on 1,4-butylene glycol terephthalate, and long-chain ester units derived from a glycol having a molecular weight of 800 to 6000 and an atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen between 2.0 and 4.3, provided that at least 15% by weight and not more than 40% by weight of the long-chain ester units have an atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen between 2.0 and 2.4. The backing layer contains 1 to 15% by weight of iodine or 0.1 to 8% by weight of 1,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl-diguanido)hexane (i.e. chlorhexidene), calculated on the weight of the copolyetherester. The water vapor permeability of the backing and the adhesive layer together is at least 400 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours in accordance with ASTM/-E96-66 [Procedure B; measured at 30.degree. C. and a .DELTA.RH of 50%].