# US 7,607,994 B2 · Highly-neutralized acid polymer compositions having a low moisture vapor transmission rate and their use in golf balls > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,994 B2 - Document ID: US7607994B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/468,866 - Filed: 2006-08-31 - Published: 2007-01-18 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-05-19 - Assignees: Acushnet Company - Inventors: Edmund A. Hebert; Derek A. Ladd; Michael J. Sullivan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607994B2 ## CPC - A63B 37/0047: {Density; Specific gravity} - A63B 37/0003: {Golf balls} - A63B 37/0091: {Density distribution amongst the different ball layers} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract The present invention provides golf balls comprising a low specific gravity intermediate layer formed from a moisture resistant composition and disposed between a core and a cover. Depending on the thickness and specific gravity of the various layers, among other factors, the moment of inertia of the golf balls can be high or low. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein the intermediate layer has a specific gravity of 1.05 or less and is formed from a moisture resistant composition, wherein the moisture resistant composition has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of 12.5 g·mil/100 in2/day or less and comprises a highly neutralized acid polymer, wherein the moisture resistant composition is foamed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The golf ball of claim 1 wherein at least 80% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The golf ball of claim 2, wherein at least 50% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts having counterions selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ca, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The golf ball of claim 1, wherein a combination of the core and the intermediate layer has an overall diameter of from 1.45 inches to 1.66 inches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core is formed from a composition comprising a high density filler. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the golf ball has a moment of inertia of 83 g·cm2or less. ### Claim 7 A golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein the intermediate layer has a specific gravity of 1.05 or less and is formed from a moisture resistant composition, wherein the moisture resistant composition has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of 12.5 g·mil/100 in2/day or less and comprises a highly neutralized acid polymer, wherein the moisture resistant composition further comprises expandable microspheres. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The golf ball of claim 7, wherein at least 80% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The golf of claim 8, where in at least 50% of the acids groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts having counterions selected from the group consisting of Zn,Ca, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The golf ball of claim 7, wherein a combination of the core and the intermediate layer has an overall diameter of from 1.45 inches to 1.66 inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the core is formed from a composition comprising a high density filler. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The golf ball of claim 11, herein the golf ball has a moment of inertia of 83 g·cm2 or less. ### Claim 13 A golf ball comprising: a core formed from a rubber composition comprising a high density filler; a polyurethane or polyurea cover; and a low specific gravity intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, the intermediate layer having a specific gravity of 1.05 or less and formed from a moisture resistant composition, the moisture resistant composition having a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of 12.5 g·mil/100 in2/day or less and comprising a highly neutralized acid polymer; wherein the golf ball has a moment of inertia of 83 g·cm2 or less; wherein the moisture resistant composition is foamed, and wherein the intermediate layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 or less. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The golf ball of claim 13, wherein at least 80% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The golf ball of claim 14, wherein at least 50% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts having counterions selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ca, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 A golf ball comprising: a core formed from a rubber composition comprising a high density filler; a polyurethane or polyurea cover; and a low specific gravity intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, the intermediate layer having a specific gravity of 1.05 or less and formed from a moisture resistant composition, the moisture resistant composition having a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of 12.5 gmil/100 in2/day or less and comprising a highly neutralized acid polymer; wherein the golf ball has a moment of inertia of 83 g·cm2 or less; wherein the moisture resistant composition comprises a specific gravity reducing filler, and wherein the intermediate layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 or less. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The golf ball of claim 16, wherein at least 80% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The golf ball of claim 17, wherein at least 50% of the acid groups present in the moisture resistant composition are neutralized to salts having counterions selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ca, and combinations thereof.