Artificial turf cover

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to, in combination, a protective cover in juxtaposition with artificial turf, the protective cover permitting air and water to pass through the protective cover and reduce bacteria growth and viruses in artificial turf while permitting dissipation of heat from artificial turf and to protect artificial turf and markings or indicia thereon from sunlight, frost, snow and ice. The protective cover includes a structure of at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of the major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of at least one major surface.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a protective cover for artificial turf.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Artificial turf is used for various types of playing fields, such as for football, soccer or the like. It also finds use in other applications such as parks or the like.[0003]Artificial turf is generally made from synthetic materials and structurally it is normally comprised of a base material with filaments or strands of material (normally polymeric) standing upwardly from the base. There are several different types of known structures of artificial turf; today such artificial turf in later generations of the same have a somewhat compressive base material with the strands or filaments projecting from the base. One particular type of artificial turf utilizes a substrate composed of e.g. sand with the turf itself including a sand and rubber polymeric mixture. The typical life expectancy of artificial turf used in playing fields and parks is about eight to ten year...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]With the present invention, applicant has developed a protective cover for use with artificial turf; more particularly, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, a protective cover in juxtaposition with artificial turf, the protective cover permitting air and water to pass through the protective cover and reduce bacteria growth and viruses in the artificial turf while permitting dissipation of heat from the artificial turf and to protect the artificial turf and markings or indicia on the artificial turf from sunlight, frost, snow and ice. The protective cover comprises a structure of at least one layer of an open mesh weave of thermoplastic material in which the weave has warp and weft strips forming a thin substantially uniform layer having opposed major surfaces and openings therein to permit moisture and air to pass therethrough, and a layer of lace coating on at least one of the major surfaces, the layer of lace coating only partially covering a portion of the at least one major surface. By permitting moisture such as rain to pass through the protective cover, a reduction in contamination and bacterial growth and viruses in the artificial turf is achieved. Thus, the protective cover of the present invention will not add to any contamination or bacterial or viral issues since passage of the rain through the protective cover will tend to “wash” the artificial turf and remove any contaminants or bacterial or viral issues through to the substrate. The open mesh weave also permits heat on the surface of the playing field or park and the artificial turf to dissipate through the fabric. The colour of the warp and weft strips may be selected to help burn off frost, snow and ice from the artificial turf and prevent or reduce frost, snow and ice buildup thereon.

Problems solved by technology

One of the problems with known synthetic artificial turf materials, when formed into a layer applied to a substrate, for use in playing fields or parks, is the fact that the artificial turf normally carries indicia or markings particularly when used as a playing field for e.g. football or soccer.

Issues have arisen with the use of artificial turf relating to the dissipation of heat from the artificial turf structure which involves the fact that sunlight will tend to fade or reduce the visibility of the markings or indicia from the surface of the artificial turf.

In addition, sunlight will fade and weaken the filaments or strands of the artificial turf, thus reducing the life expectancy of the artificial turf.

These high surface temperatures reduce the time to cause injury to skin, thus putting at risk the safety of persons using the artificial turf playing fields and parks.

Notwithstanding that, problems can still arise with the artificial turf structure including bacteria growth and viruses in the artificial turf.

In addition, contamination by e.g. animals, bird droppings, etc. can occur and as well, bacteria and viruses can arise from the fact that the artificial turf is contacted by humans—and the turf may develop bacteria or viruses from blood, perspiration or for other general environmental reasons.

Abrasive surfaces on artificial turf playing fields and parks can result in difficult to heal injuries, particularly in the presence of bacterial or viral pathogens.

There have been cases of near-fatal bacterial infections from injuries that have occurred on artificial turf playing fields.

Abrasive artificial turf has been found to be the cause of several cases of near-fatal methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in athletes.

Further, frost, snow and ice can be a problem with artificial turf since in some geographical locations frost, snow and ice can cause damage to the filaments or strands of the turf.

Such damage can include the tips of the filaments or strands becoming brittle and breaking off.

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