Golf ball with vapor barrier layer

Abstract

A golf ball with at least one moisture vapor barrier layer is disclosed. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the moisture vapor barrier layer may comprise nano particles, flaked glass, flaked metals or ceramic particles to increase the layer's resistance to the transmission of moisture through the layer. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, the moisture vapor barrier layer may comprise a soft, high specific gravity layer to increase the moment of inertia of the golf ball. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, the moisture vapor barrier layer may comprise a multi-layer thermoplastic film. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, the moisture vapor barrier layer may be positioned adjacent to a wound layer such that the moisture vapor barrier layer penetrates into the interstitial spaces in the wound layer to minimize the transmission of moisture vapor through the wound layer. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, the moisture vapor barrier layer is made by a single component casting method. This method preferably uses a single component that is stable at a predetermined low temperature, and preferably becomes deblocked and reacts at a predetermined higher temperature to form the moisture vapor barrier layer or other components of the golf ball. Alternatively, the moisture vapor barrier layer can be made by a two-component castable method, spraying, dipping, preformed semi-cured shells, compression molding, injection molding, reaction injection molding or other methods.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein the intermediate layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate that is lower than that of the cover and wherein the specific gravity of the intermediate layer is greater than that of the core.  
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises high specific gravity fillers.  
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 2 , wherein the specific gravity of the intermediate layer is about 0.45 higher than the specific gravity of the core.  
     
     
         4 . A golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein the core comprises a first wound layer and a second wound layer and the first and second wound layers are made from different threads, and wherein the intermediate layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate that is lower than that of the cover.  
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the moisture vapor transmission rate of the intermediate member is lower than about 0.45 grams-mm/m 2 ·day.  
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a rubber-based primary ingredient, a cross-linking agent, a free radical source and fillers.  
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the threads in the first and second wound layers have different diameters.  
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the threads in the first and second wound layers have different densities.  
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the threads in the first and second wound layers have different elasticities.  
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the threads in the first and second wound layers have different tensile strengths.  
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate layer surrounds both the first and the second wound layers.  
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 4 ,wherein the intermediate layer surrounds the first wound layer.  
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 12 , wherein the ball further comprises another intermediate layer, which surrounds the second wound layer.  
     
     
         14 . A golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein the intermediate layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate that is lower than that of the cover and wherein the intermediate layer and the core have a Shore D hardness of less than about 50.  
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the core has a Shore D hardness of less than about 40.  
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 15 , wherein the core has a Shore D hardness in the range of about 30 to about 40.  
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the cover is made from a thermoset urethane and has a thickness from about 0.01 inch to about 0.08 inch.  
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the core is fluid-filled.  
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the core comprises a wound layer.  
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the cover comprises a wound layer.