Natural fiber coated artificial turf infill

Abstract

The method includes providing a base composition including a natural fiber, at least one first type of pigment, and a fluid binding agent. The fluid binding agent includes at least one type of polymer component. The natural fiber includes any one of hemp fiber, burlap fiber, sisal fiber, elephant grass, cotton, coconut fiber, and combinations thereof. The method further includes mixing the base composition. The method further includes adding water and a catalyst to the base composition during the mixing of the base composition to cure the fluid binding agent and the at least one first type of pigment into a base coating of the natural fiber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to artificial turf and methods for the manufacture of artificial turf infill.BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART[0002]Artificial turf or artificial grass is surface that is made up of fibers which is used to replace grass. The structure of the artificial turf is designed such that the artificial turf has an appearance which resembles grass. Typically artificial turf is used as a surface for sports such as soccer, American football, rugby, tennis, golf, for playing fields, or exercise fields. Furthermore artificial turf is frequently used for landscaping applications.[0003]Artificial turf may be manufactured using techniques for manufacturing carpets. For example artificial turf fibers which have the appearance of grass blades may be tufted or attached to a backing. Often times artificial turf infill is placed between the artificial turf fibers. Artificial turf infill is a granular material that covers the bottom portion of the artificial turf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0064]In another embodiment the method is at least partially performed in a flow reactor. In the flow reactor the natural fiber is slowly moved along a linear sequential path, where the natural fibers are generally mixed and moved along. The benefit of using a flow reactor is that the artificial turf infill may be produced on a continuous basis.

[0065]In another embodiment the method is at least partially performed as a batch process. The base coating is formed on the natural fiber during an initial or base batch and the subsequent coating is formed on the natural fiber during a subsequent batch. Forming the base coating and the subsequent coating in separate batches may be beneficial because it may enable precise control over the formation of the base and subsequent coatings.

[0066]In another aspect the invention provides for a method of manufacturing artificial turf. The method comprises installing an artificial turf carpet. The artificial ...

Problems solved by technology

The physical contact between different natural fibers will however cause defects.

Ther...

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