Abstract
The artificial turf infill includes composite infill components. The infill components include a water absorbent yarn. The water absorbent yarn is covered with a jacket. The jacket is formed from an elastomeric compound. The jacket includes at least one opening. The at least one opening exposes the water absorbent yarn.
Claims
1. An artificial turf comprising an artificial turf infill, wherein the artificial turf infill comprises composite infill components, wherein the infill components comprise a water absorbent yarn, wherein the water absorbent yarn is covered with a jacket, wherein the jacket is formed from an elastomeric compound, wherein the jacket comprises at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening exposes the water absorbent yarn.
2. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric compound is elastic, at a minimum, between 5 C. and 50 C.
3. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent yarn has a circular cross section.
4. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent yarn has a diameter.
5. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent yarn comprises interlocking fibers.
6. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent yarn comprises any one of the following: hygroscopic fibers, burlap fibers, jute fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, hemp fibers, polyester fibers, natural fibers, flax fibers, kenaf fibers, nettle fibers, sisal fibers, synthetic fibers, fibers with a hydrophilic surface, and combinations thereof.
7. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the water absorbent yarn comprises cocos fibers.
8. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the jacket comprises any one of the following: polyurethane, rubber, a polyolefin elastomer, a dye, a UV protective additive, polyurethane and polyole, polyurethane and a temperature sensitive catalyst, a one-component polyurethane, a two-component polyurethane, polyethylene, TPE, extruded PE, extruded TPE, and combinations thereof.
9. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the jacket is formed from a cured liquid, wherein the yarn comprises a peripheral portion and a central region, wherein the peripheral portion surrounds the central region, wherein the peripheral portion is partially saturated with the elastomeric compound, and wherein the central region is free of the elastomeric compound.
10. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the jacket comprises between 6% and 10% of the composite infill components by weight.
11. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the jacket has a thickness between 4 microns and 8 microns.
12. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the jacket has a length between 0.4 mm and any one of the following: 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 5.0 mm, and 5.5 mm.
13. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the composite infill components have a thickness between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.
14. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the jacket is a cylindrical jacket.
15. The artificial turf of claim 14, wherein the at least one opening is a cylindric section.
16. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is two openings.
17. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the artificial turf comprises an artificial turf carpet with a pile, wherein the artificial turf carpet comprises a backing; wherein the artificial turf carpet further comprises artificial grass fibers, wherein the artificial grass fibers are tufted into the backing, wherein the artificial grass fibers form the pile, wherein the artificial grass fibers are secured to the backing, and wherein the artificial turf infill distributed within the pile.
18. The artificial turf of claim 17, wherein the artificial turf comprises a sand layer between the backing and the artificial turf infill.
19. The artificial turf of claim 17, wherein the artificial turf comprises a drainage system below the backing configured for draining standing water from the artificial turf.
20. The artificial turf of claim 1, wherein the composite infill components have a length, and wherein the water absorbent yarn is substantially aligned with the length.
21. The use of composite components as artificial turf infill, wherein the composite components comprise a water absorbent yarn, wherein the water absorbent yarn is covered with a jacket, wherein the jacket is formed from an elastomeric compound, wherein the jacket comprises at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening expose the water absorbent yarn.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] In the following embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail, by way of example only, making reference to the drawings in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an artificial turf;
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a further example of an artificial turf;
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a further example of an artificial turf;
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a composite infill component;
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the composite infill component of FIG. 4;
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a machine for coating yarn;
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a two component coater for coating a yarn with a two component jacket;
[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates a further example of a machine for coating yarn; and
[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates a further example of a machine for coating yarn.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Like numbered elements in these figures are either equivalent elements or perform the same function. Elements which have been discussed previously will not necessarily be discussed in later figures if the function is equivalent.
[0049] FIG. 1 shows an example of an artificial turf 100. The artificial turf 100 comprises an artificial turf carpet 102. The artificial turf carpet comprises a backing 104 and also artificial grass fibers 106. The artificial grass fibers 106 are tufted into the backing 104 and are secured 108 to the backing 104. The artificial turf fibers 106 form a pile 103. The artificial turf carpet 102 is resting on a ground 110 or surface. Between and distributed between the artificial grass fibers 106 and within the pile 103 is an artificial turf infill 112. In this example the artificial turf infill 112 is made from individual composite infill components 114.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows a further example of an artificial turf 200. The artificial turf 200 is similar to the artificial turf 100 shown in FIG. 1 except there is additionally a sand layer 202 between the artificial turf infill 112 and the backing 104. The use of the sand layer 202 may be advantageous because it may help to hold the artificial turf carpet 102 in place. It may also have the technical benefit that the sand layer 202 works in conjunction with the artificial turf infill 112 to regulate the amount of water on the surface of the artificial turf 200. For example if it rains or if water is sprayed onto the surface of the artificial turf 200 the composite infill components 114 will rapidly absorb and saturate with water. The sand layer 202 may then aid in draining away excess water and preventing it from standing on the surface of the artificial turf 200.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows a further example of an artificial turf 300. The artificial turf 300 is similar to the artificial turf 200 shown in FIG. 2 with the addition of several additional layers. Directly underneath the backing 104 is an elastic layer 302. The elastic layer may for example be a mat or other material such as sand and elastomeric granulate or a mixture thereof that readily absorbs shock. The elastic layer 302 is optional. The backing 104 and/or the elastic layer 302 may have holes or may be porous so that water that is standing on the artificial turf 300 can be drained away. The elastic layer 302 is directly sitting on a drainage system 304. The drainage system 304 may comprise granulate material, drainage tiles, drainage pipes or other system for rapidly draining water off the surface of the artificial turf 300. The artificial turf depicted in FIG. 300 may have superior qualities when water is used to cool or improve sliding properties. Water that initially goes on the surface is readily absorbed by the composite infill components 114 that make up the artificial turf infill 112. When they have filled with water excess water may then go into and possibly be stored in the sand layer 202. When the sand layer 202 is saturated it may drain through the backing 104 and/or the elastic layer 302 into the drainage system 304.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows an example of a composite infill component 114. In this example the composite infill component is cylindrical-shaped. However, it is not necessary for the composite infill component to have a cylindrical shape or be perfectly cylindrical as is depicted. The composite infill component 114 can be seen as having a length 400 and a diameter 402. In an inner core of the composite infill component 114 is water absorbent yarn 404. Surrounding the water absorbent yarn 404 is a jacket 406 which serves as a protector or a cladding for the water absorbent yarn 404. The composite infill component 114 as depicted may be manufactured by coating a yarn 404 with a jacket material 406.
[0053] It can be seen that in this example the composite infill component 114 has had both ends cut, there are therefore two exposed openings 408. The openings 408 form cylindric sections in this example. Some of the properties of the artificial turf infill can be adjusted by changing the diameter 402 and the length 400. If the length 400 is similar to the diameter 402 then the artificial turf infill will take on a grain-like or a granular form. As the length 400 is increased the properties of the artificial turf infill may change. For example the artificial turf infill may pack less densely. The density may therefore be adjusted by controlling the length 400 or controlling the distribution of lengths 400. Additionally, as the length 400 is increased the tendency of the artificial turf infill to splash may be reduced because the various composite infill components 114 may become entwined with themselves and/or artificial grass fibers.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the composite infill component 114. The side view shows the opening 408. The water absorbent yarn 404 has a central region 500 and a peripheral region 502. The peripheral region of the water absorbent yarn 404 contacts the jacket 406. In some examples, the jacket 406 may be applied as a liquid or fluid to the water absorbent yarn 404. Some of the fibers of the yarn may contact or intermingle with the material used to form the jacket 406. This may result in a region which is fully or partially saturated with the jacket material. The region which is fully or partially saturated is the peripheral region 502. The central region 500 is not filled with any of the jacket material 406. The central region 500 is free to absorb the full amount of water that it is capable of. In some examples the peripheral region 502 may help the adhesion of the jacket 406 to the water absorbent yarn 404.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows an example of a coating machine 600 which is used to coat yarn 404. In this example there is a spool with uncoated yarn 602 which passes through the machine to a spool with coated yarn 604. The coated yarn 604 may be later cut into the composite infill components. In some examples the yarn 404 after it has been coated is immediately cut into the composite infill components. After leaving the spool 602 the yarn 404 passes through a two-component coater 606. The two-component coater 606 puts the jacket on the yarn 404 in liquid form. The coated yarn 404 then passes optionally through a heater or dryer 608. The heater or dryer 608 may for instance be used to remove water from the jacket material and in some instances may also be used to activate a catalyst.
[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates the two-component coater 606 in greater detail. The two-component coater 606 has an inlet for a first component 700 and an inlet for a second component 702. The two components may for instance be components of a two-component polyurethane coating. The first and second 700, 702 inlets then join into a mixing chamber 704 where the two components mix. The mixed components then travel to an applicator ring 706. The ring has jets or sprays 708 that are used to spray the jacket material onto the water absorbent yarn 404 as it passes through the two-component coater 606. The mixture of the two components can be chosen such that the coating on the water absorbent yarn 404 is uniform and cures without dripping or dropping. Depending upon the particular mixture used the heater or dryer 608 may or may not be used.
[0057] FIG. 8 shows an alternative coating machine 800. In the Fig. shown in FIG. 8 the two-component coater 606 has been replaced with a shower head 802. The shower head 802 sprays or drops the liquid jacket material onto the yarn 404 as it passes under the shower head 802. In some examples there may be an additional component after the shower head 802 which removes excess liquid jacket material. For example the yarn 404 may pass through an orifice or on roller wheels which helps to regulate the amount of fluid which is applied to the yarn 404.
[0058] FIG. 9 shows a further example of a coating machine 900. This machine 900 is similar to the machines 800 and 600 shown in FIGS. 8 and 6. However, in this example a bath 902 is used. The yarn 404 enters the bath 902 and acquires some jacket material in liquid or fluid form. It then optionally passes through a heater 608 which may for instance be used to dry or activate a catalyst. In some examples there is an additional component between the bath 902 and the heater 608 to remove excess fluid. For instance the yarn 404 may pass through an orifice or over rollers which are used to remove excess jacket material. The example shown in FIG. 9 may for instance use a jacket material or coating which is a single component. If a catalyst is used the bath 902 can be left standing for a long time and may be used continuously without the worry that the coating material will prematurely set.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0059] 100 artificial turf [0060] 102 artificial turf carpet [0061] 103 pile [0062] 104 backing [0063] 106 artificial grass fibers [0064] 108 secured to backing [0065] 110 ground [0066] 112 artificial turf infill [0067] 114 composite infill component [0068] 200 artificial turf [0069] 202 sand layer [0070] 300 artificial turf infill [0071] 302 elastic layer [0072] 304 drainage system [0073] 400 length [0074] 402 diameter [0075] 404 water absorbent yarn [0076] 406 jacket [0077] 408 opening [0078] 500 central region [0079] 502 peripheral region [0080] 600 coating machine [0081] 602 spool with yarn [0082] 604 spool with coated yarn [0083] 606 two component coater [0084] 608 heater or dryer [0085] 700 inlet first component [0086] 702 inlet second component [0087] 704 mixing chamber [0088] 706 applicator ring [0089] 708 jet or spray of liquid jacket material [0090] 800 coating machine [0091] 802 showerhead [0092] 900 coating machine [0093] 902 bath
