PERFORMANCE INFILL FOR GRASS FIELDS, PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND GRASS FIELDS COMPRISING SAID PERFORMANCE INFILL

Abstract

Performance infill for grass fields is disclosed, as well as a process for the production of performance infill, and to grass fields including such performance infill.

Claims

1) A performance infill for artificial turf, wherein said performance infill comprises: I) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight; II) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof, wherein said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, and said plant component is in extruded or loose form; III) renewable raw material, wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight; IV) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight, wherein the sum of said I), II), III) and IV) is equal to 100% by weight; and wherein said performance infill always comprises at least the components II) or III) or mixtures thereof.

2) The performance infill according to claim 1, wherein said performance infill has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm.

3) A process for the production of performance infill, wherein said process comprises the steps of: i) loadinginto a forced supply silosa mixture comprising i.1) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight; i.2) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof, wherein said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, and said plant component is in extruded or loose form; i.3) renewable raw material, wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight; i.4) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight, wherein the sum of said i.1), i.2), i.3) and i.4) is equal to 100% by weight, and wherein said mixture always comprises at least the components i.2) and/or i.3) or mixtures thereof. ii) extrusion of the mixture obtained from step i), wherein said extrusion comprises the steps of: ii.a) forced thrust of the mixture obtained from step i) into an input chamber, ii.b) thrustthrough an extrusion screwand heating the mixture obtained from ii.a) to a temperature lower than the melting of the mixture; ii.c) thrustthrough an extrusion screwand melting the mixture obtained from ii.b), wherein said mixture obtained from ii.b) is molten to 60% of the total amount of the mixture; ii.d) thrustthrough an extrusion screwand total melting of the mixture obtained from ii.c), amalgamating the mixture and recovering the extruded product; wherein said temperature of steps ii.a) ii.b), ii.c) and ii.d) is comprised in the range from 100-315? C.

4) The process according to claim 3, wherein: said temperature of step ii.a) is comprised in the range from 235-290? C.; said temperature of steps ii.b) and ii.c) is comprised in the range from 240-295? C.; said temperature of step ii.d) is comprised in the range from 255-315? C.

5) An artificial grass field comprising performance infill according to claim 1 for sports activities, play grounds and sports surfaces.

6) The artificial grass field according to claim 5, wherein said sports activities are selected from the group consisting of: football/soccer, hockey, tennis, padel, golf, rugby, artificial mixed football/soccer, natural football/soccer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1: image showing a sample of a grass turf comprising the performance infill of the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 2.a-2.e: images showing the samples of a grass turf comprising the performance infill of the present invention, before and after the treatments applied with the tests carried out.

[0028] FIGS. 3.a, 3.b, 3.c and 3.d: FTIR: ATR spectrophotometric analysis: [0029] 3a: sample of the present invention; [0030] 3b: sample of the present invention comprising pigment and calcium carbonate; [0031] 3c: sample of the present invention comprising renewable raw material and calcium carbonate; [0032] 3d: unique representation of 3a, 3b and 3c (indicated as X, Y, Z).

[0033] FIGS. 4.a, 4.b and 4.c: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): [0034] 4a: sample of the present invention; [0035] 4b: sample of the present invention comprising pigment and calcium carbonate; [0036] 4c: sample of the present invention comprising renewable raw material and calcium carbonate;

[0037] FIGS. 5.a, 5.b and 5c: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA): [0038] 5a: sample of the present invention; [0039] 5b: sample of the present invention comprising pigment and calcium carbonate; [0040] 5c: sample of the present invention comprising renewable raw material and calcium carbonate;

[0041] Below is the detailed description of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The present invention relates to performance infill for artificial turf, wherein said performance infill comprises: [0043] I) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, preferably calcium carbonate, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight; [0044] II) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof, wherein [0045] said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight; and [0046] said plant component is in extruded and/or loose form; [0047] III) renewable raw material, preferably polylactic acid (PLA), wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 0.5-50% by weight; [0048] IV) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight, [0049] wherein [0050] the sum of said I), II), III) and IV) is equal to 100% by weight; and [0051] wherein said performance infill always comprises at least the components II) and/or III) and/or mixtures thereof.

[0052] The performance infill of the present invention has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm, according to the official FIFA requirements.

[0053] Said renewable raw material may be obtained from various sources, such as for example trees, rice, corn, preferably ground corn, sugar beet, glucose.

[0054] The expression Sisal is used to indicate a plant fibre obtained from the Mexican agave, a succulent plant of the Agavaceae family, originating from Yucatan in Mexico, which is very resistant, sound-insulating, anti-static.

[0055] The expression plant component in loose form, preferably loose lignin is used to indicate a ground plant component, preferably ground lignin.

[0056] In another embodiment, the present invention refers to use of polylactic acid (PLA) for the production of performance infill.

[0057] In another embodiment, the present invention refers to the use of lignin for the production of performance infill, wherein said lignin is loose.

[0058] Advantageously, and surprisingly, the Applicant found that the performance infill of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above. Advantageously, the performance infill of the present invention is fully vegetable, eco-friendly, according to the European directives, but at the same time it does not deteriorate rapidly like the performance infill currently available on the market.

[0059] Advantageously, the performance infill of the present invention shows excellent properties in terms of elasticity, resistance to wear and bouncing of the ball, contrary to the eco-friendly products known currently.

[0060] Advantageously, the performance infill of the present invention does not require refilling in the short and long-term, thus offering the grass field comprising said performance infill a continuous efficiency and durability until normal end of useful life thereof.

[0061] Furthermore, the performance infill of the present invention, not worn out, may be recovered and regenerated through an extrusion process so as to be laid on the new grass field.

[0062] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of performance infill, wherein said process comprises the steps of: [0063] i) loadinginto a forced supply silosa mixture comprising [0064] i.1) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, preferably calcium carbonate, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight; [0065] i.2) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof, [0066] wherein [0067] said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight and [0068] said plant component is in extruded and/or loose form; [0069] i.3) renewable raw material, preferably polylactic acid (PLA), wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 0.5-50% by weight; [0070] i.4) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight, [0071] wherein the sum of said i.1), i.2), i.3) and i.4) is equal to 100% by weight, and wherein said mixture always comprises at least the components i.2) and/or i.3) and/or mixtures thereof; [0072] ii) extrusion of the mixture obtained from step i), wherein said extrusion comprises the steps of: [0073] ii.a) forced thrust of the mixture of step i) into an input chamber, [0074] ii.b) thrustthrough an extrusion screwand heating the mixture obtained from ii.a) to a temperature lower than the melting of the mixture; [0075] ii.c) thrustthrough an extrusion screwand melting the mixture obtained from ii.b), wherein said mixture obtained from ii.b) is molten to 60% of the total amount of the mixture; [0076] ii.d) thrustthrough an extrusion screwand total melting of the mixture obtained from ii.c), amalgamating the mixture and recovering the extruded product;
wherein the temperature of steps ii.a), ii.b), ii.c) and ii.d) is comprised in a range from 100-315? C.

[0077] Preferably: said temperature of step ii.a) is comprised in the range from 235-290? C.

[0078] Preferably, said temperature of steps ii.b) and ii.c) is comprised in the range from 240-295? C.

[0079] Preferably, said temperature of step ii.d) is comprised in the range from 255-315? C.

[0080] The performance infill obtained with the process of the present invention has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm, in compliance with the official FIFA requirements, and it has the advantages mentioned above, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0081] In another embodiment, the present invention refers to artificial grass fields comprising the performance infill of the present invention for sports activities, play and sports surfaces. Preferably, said sports activities are selected from the group consisting of: football/soccer, hockey, tennis, padel, golf, rugby, artificial mixed football/soccer, natural football/soccer.

[0082] Preferably, said artificial grass field comprises: [0083] Artificial grass turf; [0084] Stabilising infill; [0085] Performance infill according to the present invention; [0086] Shock absorbing turf.

[0087] Below are some non-limiting examples aimed at showing the advantages of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

[0088] Test (and Test Conditions) Conducted on the Samples of the Present Invention [0089] EN 15306:2014 (Test not subject to certification by Accredia) Surfaces for outdoor sports areasExposure of artificial grass to wear simulation: Conditioning of the sample for a minimum of 24 hours at 23? C.?2? C. Test conducted at a temperature of 23? C.?2? C. and 50%?5% RH (relative humidity). [0090] FIFA 04a:2020 test methodSurfaces for sports areasShock absorption capacity: Conditioning of the sample not required. Test conducted at a temperature of 23? C.+2? C. [0091] FIFA 05a:2020 test methodSurfaces for sports areasVertical deformation: Conditioning of the sample not required. Test conducted at a temperature of 23? C.?2? C. [0092] FIFA 13:2020 test methodSurfaces for sports areasReturn of energy: Conditioning of the sample not required. Test conducted at a temperature of 23? C.?2? C.

[0093] Extended Uncertainty [0094] FIFA 04a:2020 test methodSurfaces for sports areasShock absorption capacity: Extended uncertainty is calculated as 1.5%. Extended uncertainty is calculated with a coverage factor (k) equal to 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence. [0095] FIFA 05a:2020 test methodSurfaces for sports areasVertical deformation: Extended uncertainty is calculated as 0.7 mm. Extended uncertainty is calculated with a coverage factor (k) equal to 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence. [0096] FIFA 13:2020 test methodSurfaces for sports areasReturn of energy: Extended uncertainty is calculated as 1.6%. Extended uncertainty is calculated with a coverage factor (k) equal to 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence.

[0097] Characteristics of the Sample of the Present Invention

[0098] System made of artificial grass consisting of: [0099] Artificial grass turf: straight, single-filament and two-coloured with blade height 40 mm; [0100] Stabilising infill: silica sand with particle-size 0.4-1.25 mm; Filling dose 15 kg/m.sup.2; [0101] Performance infill: entirely plant-green; capacity 5 kg/sqm; [0102] Shock absorbing turfEPP with total thickness of 22 mm. FIG. 1 shows an image of such sample.

Values Obtained Before 20200 Lisport Cycles

Example 1FIFA 04a:2020 TEST METHODSurfaces for Sports AreasShock Absorption Capacity

[0103] The tests (Test 1, Test 2, Test 3) were conducted at a temperature of 23.2? C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.

TABLE-US-00001 Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 69.4% 68.9% 69.4% Average of three tests 69.2%

Example 2FIFA 05a:2020 Test MethodSurfaces for Sports AreasVertical Deformation

[0104] The tests were conducted at a temperature of 23.2? C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.

TABLE-US-00002 Vertical deformation Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 10.0 mm 10.0 mm 10.0 mm Average of three tests 10.0 mm

Example 3FIFA 13:2020 Test MethodSurfaces for Sports AreasReturn of Energy

[0105] The tests were conducted at a temperature of 23.2? C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.

TABLE-US-00003 Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 34.3% 33.7% 35.2% Average of three tests 34.4%

Example 4EN 15306:2014 Surfaces for Outdoor AreasExposure of Artificial Grass to Simulated Wear

[0106] The tests were carried out at a temperature of 23.0? C.?2? C.

[0107] After the wear cycle, the infill has whitened due to friction with sand, but with a very limited generation of dust. This is clearly visible in the series of images shown in FIGS. 2.a-2.e, and in particular in FIG. 2.e (referring to infill only).

[0108] The artificial grass blade of the turf has whitened for the same reason as the infill, given that it is in contact with the silica sand during the cycles. In any case, the artificial grass blades seemed flattened due to the pressure of the embosses mounted on the rollers.

[0109] Only a few artificial grass blades broke, as observable in the last series of images relating to the turf with filler (FIG. 2.d).

[0110] The new sample and the sample after wear show the same system performance, if not almost identical. This is due to the presence of the performance infill of the present invention, which guarantees high shock absorption value.

Values Obtained after 20200 Lisport Cycles

Example 5FIFA 04a:2020 Test MethodSurfaces for Sports AreasShock Absorption Capacity

[0111] Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9? C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%

TABLE-US-00004 Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 68.6% 68.3% 68.8% Average of three tests 68.6%

Example 6FIFA 05a:2020 Test MethodSurfaces for Sports AreasVertical Deformation

[0112] Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9? C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%

TABLE-US-00005 Vertical deformation Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 10.0 mm 9.0 mm 9.5 mm Average of three tests 9.5 mm

Example 7FIFA 13:2020 Test MethodSurfaces for Sports AreasReturn of Energy

[0113] Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9? C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%

TABLE-US-00006 Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 34.9% 34.9% 33.8% Average of three tests 34.5%

Examples 8-9-10

[0114] For EXAMPLES 8-9-10, provided below, measurement uncertainties are expressed as extended uncertainty, obtained by multiplying the uncertainty type by the coverage factor K corresponding to an about 95% confidence level. Such factor K is equal to 2.

Example 8FTIR Analysis: ATR Spectrophotometric Analysis

[0115] Identification of the nature of sample through surface reflection analysis using FTIR Perkin Elmer series SPECTRUM ONE provided with Universal ATR kit (resolution 4 cm-1, single reflection on ZnSe crystal, 4 additive scans).

[0116] FIGS. 3.a-3.d show the spectrum of a sample of the present invention (3.a), a spectrum of a sample comprising a pigment and calcium carbonate (3.b), a spectrum of a plant sample comprising renewable raw materials and calcium carbonate (3.c), and a spectrum of comparison between the previous ones (3.a, 3.b and 3.c).

[0117] The IR analysis of the three samples shows a high correlation index between the sample of the present invention and the other two.

Example 9Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

[0118] The analysis was conducted using the DSC technique with TA Instruments Q2000 setting the scans in the presence of an approximately 50 ml/min nitrogen flow: [0119] 1.sup.st heating: from 40? C. to 300? C. with gradient of 10? C./min; [0120] cooling: from 300? C. to 40? C. with gradient of ?10? C./min; [0121] 2.sup.nd heating: from 40? C. to 300? C. with gradient of 10? C./min.

[0122] Analysis conducted according to the ASTM D3418-21 standard. FIGS. 4.a-4.c show the spectra.

[0123] The DSC analysis shows that the sample of the present invention has characteristic melting peaks observed and comparable even in the thermograms obtained from the analysis of the other samples; specifically at 83.3? C. like in the sample with pigment (84.7? C.) and 126.5? C./157.3? C. like in the Plant sample from renewable materials (125.0? C./152.5? C.).

Example 10TGA: Thermogravimetric Analysis

[0124] Thermogravimetric analysis conducted to quantitatively determine the weight loss of the sample when heating and verifying the presence of mineral load present in the tested sample.

[0125] The test was conducted in the presence of a 50 ml/min nitrogen flow, starting from 30? C. up to 900? C., using a heating ramp of 20? C./min with a TA INSTRUMENTS TGA550 instrument.

[0126] FIGS. 5.a-5.b and 5.c show the spectra.

[0127] The TGA analysis shows that the sample of the present invention has thermal decomposition excursions observed and comparable even in the thermograms obtained from the analysis of the other two samples.