Infill material for turfs and method for obtaining such infill material

Abstract

An infill material (10) for turfs of artificial type, or mixed artificial and natural, for sports or ornamental purposes, comprises a dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, with a moisture content less than 30%, in particular less than 20%.

Description

[0001] INFILL MATERIAL FOR TURFS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING SUCH INFILL MATERIAL

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an infill material for turfs both of arti ficial type , that means formed by synthetic grass , also called arti ficial grass , and turf s of mixed type , that means comprising both synthetic grass and natural grass .

[0005] The invention, furthermore , relates to a turf obtained by using the aforementioned infill material .

[0006] Description of the prior art

[0007] As known, an arti ficial turf is essentially formed by a mat made of plastic material to which blades , also called "bristles" , made of synthetic material , normally polyester, or polypropylene , having a length comprised between 3 and 10 cm, are fixed, by sewing, gluing, or other systems , in order to form a synthetic grass turf . The blades made of synthetic material are knitted to the mat by known processes that allow to obtain a warp of blades , which are close to each other according to the needs .

[0008] Normally, among the blades made of synthetic material an infill material is distributed, also simply called " infill" . This , generally, has a granular form, and is selected both depending on the type of sport to which the synthetic grass turf is destined, for example football , hockey, cricket , rugby, but also on the type of climatic and environmental conditions which are most frequent at the installation site .

[0009] As known, the infill material essentially provides a draining action, by adj usting the drainage of the rainwater or the irrigation water, protecting the mat in such a way to assure to the arti ficial turf a high duration over time , but first of all it gives to the turf mechanical , physical and technological properties similar to those of natural grass turf , and sometimes also higher . The most important properties of an infill material are , in particular, the elasticity of the ground for the user , the rebound of the ball , the capacity of hits absorption at the fall , tensile and torque resistance to the force caused by the shoe , the resistance against compression, to the penetration of external bodies , as well as the capacity of absorption and drainage of water in case of meteorological and environmental events .

[0010] The draining action of the synthetic turf is , normally, carried out by a base portion, or " stabili zing infill" , normally formed by sand . Instead, the elasticity of the turf is , normally, guaranteed by the presence of granules of rubber which are concentrated in the upper portion of the turf , or "performance infill" . An example of such an infill material is described in US2002 / 081399 .

[0011] The arti ficial turf is normally arranged on a base element which is able to carry out a draining action . An example of such base element provides a first and a second sheet of a synthetic material which, normally, comprises two layers of perforated non-woven fabric, normally polyester, between which a material in granular or net form or in the form of twisted filaments , for example made of nylon, is positioned .

[0012] Mixed turfs also exist , that means comprising the aforementioned blades made o f synthetic grass and blades made of natural grass obtained by at least a vegetable species and which form a natural grass turf . In this way, the turf has an aspect quite similar to that of the natural grass turfs , but with particular properties , in particular able to withstand to environmental conditions which are not completely favourable . An example of this type of mixed turf is described in EP1781859 .

[0013] However, the natural materials of prior art have some drawbacks .

[0014] In the first place , since , for environmental reasons , the materials used for manufacturing the infill materials of the turfs both synthetic and mixed synthetic / natural are , normally, vegetable materials , they are unavoidably subj ect to biodegradation due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi and, therefore , with the passing of time , the material completely deteriorates and, unavoidably, it is not able to exert its function anymore .

[0015] The prior art products , in particular, with the passing of time , above all in case of temperature and moisture changes during the year, and due to the use of the turf , tend to quickly lose their properties , in particular elasticity and the drainage capacity and, therefore , the risk of flooding increases , with the need of completely removing the turf and of replacing the base element with great loss of time and energy, or, however, of restoring often the degraded vegetable material with new vegetable material having the same properties .

[0016] A product of prior art which is able to partly solve the aforementioned drawbacks is described in CA3099390 . This document describes an infill material for turfs in synthetic grass comprising a stabili zing infill formed by vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material . In particular, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear described in CA3099390 has a moisture equal to , or substantially equal to that of the surrounding environment . CA3099390 is silent concerning the initial moisture content of the vegetable material , that means at the moment when it is distributed on the arti ficial turf . Therefore , the reference to the water absorption capacity of CA3099390 relates to the product in working conditions . More precisely, CA3099390 describes that during the hot and dry season, the vegetable material loses moisture up to have a water absorption capacity equal to 138 % during the following rainy seasons . In CA3099390 is not absolutely mentioned the initial moisture content of the vegetable material which, therefore , will be that one of the surrounding environment . Therefore , the vegetable material will have a high volume both when it is packaged and during the transport with consequent high costs for transporting the same from the production place to the installation place .

[0017] Summary of the invention

[0018] It is therefore an obj ect of the present invention to provide an infill material for turfs both for arti ficial turfs and mixed arti ficial-natural turfs that is highly performing and that is able to solve the aforementioned drawbacks of the infill materials of prior art .

[0019] It is , in particular, obj ect of the present invention to provide an infill material for turfs which is able to maintain for a long time the properties it had when it was installed avoiding frequent ordinary or extraordinary maintenance interventions to restore the lost material .

[0020] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide an infill material for turfs which has a reduced volume in such a way to allow to considerably reduce the transport costs .

[0021] It is , furthermore , an obj ect of the present invention to provide a method for producing an infill material having the aforementioned advantages .

[0022] It is still another obj ect of the present invention to provide an infill material for turfs which has a high water absorption capacity at the moment of its distribution on the turf to which it is destined to .

[0023] These and other obj ects are achieved by an infill material for turfs comprising a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material whose main characteristic is that said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear is a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, with a moisture , or moisture content , less than 30% .

[0024] In particular, the aforementioned moisture content of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is maintained from the moment of its introduction into the storage bags , or containers , up to their distribution on the site of their use , as the infill material of the turf to which is destined .

[0025] It is suitable to note that the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material with a moisture content less than 30% has been tested in laboratory for measuring its water absorption capacity . More precisely, an amount of 50 grams of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, in an oven up to obtain a vegetable material with a moisture content less than 30% , precisely about 29 , 5% , has been introduced into a container having a diameter of 5 . 7 cm . Water has been added into the container giving the vegetable material the time of absorbing the same , the total weight of the added and absorbed water has been measured, and, therefore , the ratio between the weight of the vegetable material , precisely corncob, i . e . 50 g, and the weight of the added and absorbed water equal to about 112 g . This way, the water absorption capacity of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, has been measured showing to be greater than 220% .

[0026] Other features o f the present invention and related embodiments are set out in the dependent claims .

[0027] In particular, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, can have a moisture , or moisture content , less than 20% . Preferably, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, can have a moisture less than 10% .

[0028] In an embodiment foreseen, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , can have a moisture , or moisture content , less than 5% , in particular a moisture less than 3% , advantageously less than 2 % , preferably a moisture less than 1 % .

[0029] In particular, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , is obtained by ensilage of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear . More in particular, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , is obtained by loading a predetermined quantity of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear at a starting moisture , in particular greater than 60% , into a silo .

[0030] Advantageously, into the aforementioned silo a predetermined air- flow at a predetermined temperature can be fed, in such a way to cause the moisture of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear to be reduced from the aforementioned initial moisture up to a predetermined final moisture less than 30% , advantageously less than 20% , preferably less than 10% .

[0031] In particular, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear is subj ected to a drying treatment , advantageously ventilated drying . Advantageously, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, has a value of pH less than or equal to 5, that means a pH<5, advantageously a value of pH less than or equal to 4.5, that means a pH<4,5, preferably a value of pH less than or equal to 4, that means a pH<4.

[0032] In particular, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, has a granulometry comprised between 0.3 mm and 8.0 mm.

[0033] More in particular, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, has a granulometry advantageously comprised between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm, preferably a granulometry between 0.7 mm and 3.5 mm. In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned granulometry can be comprised between 0.8 mm and 3.2 mm.

[0034] In particular, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with said moisture, or moisture content, less than 30% can be used to produce a stabilizing infill of a turf.

[0035] In an embodiment foreseen, the aforementioned stabilizing infill can comprise the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with said moisture less than 30%

[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention, a performance infill for an infill material for turfs comprises a dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , and has a moisture less than 30% .

[0037] According to a further aspect of the invention, a turf comprises : a mat provided with a first face and a second face opposite to the first face ; a plurality of blades made of synthetic material fixed to said mat , said plurality of blades made of synthetic material protruding from said second face in order to form a synthetic turf ; an infill material distributed on said second face of said mat ; wherein said infill material comprises a dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a coating film or layer with a moisture less than 30% .

[0038] In an embodiment of the invention, the infill material can comprise from below to the above : a first layer, or stabili zing infill , arranged on said second face of said mat ; a second layer, or performance infill , comprising a dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a coating film or layer, with a moisture less than 30% .

[0039] In particular, the moisture of the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a coating film or layer, can be less than 20% , preferably less than 10% , for example less than 5% . In particular, the aforementioned stabili zing infill can comprise a predetermined quantity of sand, advantageously siliceous sand .

[0040] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned stabili zing infill can have the following composition : between 10% and 70% of sand, in particular siliceous sand; between 90% and 30% of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with low moisture .

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a turf comprises the steps of : disposing of a mat to which a plurality of blades made of synthetic material is fixed, said mat being provided with a first face and a second face opposite to the first face , said plurality of blades made of synthetic material protruding from said second face ; distributing an infill material on said second face of said mat , obtaining a turf , said infill material comprising a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material ; wherein said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear is a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, with a moisture less than 30% .

[0042] According to still another aspect of the invention, a method for obtaining an infill material for turf s comprising a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a layer or film of coating material provides that said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is subj ected to a drying step for reducing the moisture content to a value less than 30% , advantageously less than 10% , preferably less than 5% , more preferably less than 3% , for example less than 1 % .

[0043] In an embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned drying step is carried out by subj ecting a predetermined quantity of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear having an initial moisture content greater than 30% to an ensilage step .

[0044] In particular, the aforementioned method for obtaining dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , provides to subj ect a predetermined quantity of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material with a moisture , or moisture content , greater than 30% , advantageously greater than 60% , preferably greater than 80% to an ensilage step .

[0045] In particular, the ensilage step comprises the steps of : loading into a silo a predetermined quantity of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material with a moisture , or moisture content , greater than 30% ; feeding an air- flow into said silo to cause the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material to at least partly dry up to obtain said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, with a moisture less than 30% .

[0046] In particular, before carrying out said loading step, a sieving step is provided for dividing a fraction with a smaller si ze having a granulometry less than 500 gm that is discarded, from a fraction having a greater si ze with a granulometry greater than 500 gm which is loaded into said silo .

[0047] More in particular, the aforementioned sieving step is carried out after a milling, or grinding, step of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear . For example , the aforementioned milling step can be carried out in a mill , preferably a hammermill .

[0048] In particular, the aforementioned air- flow can be an air- flow at a temperature higher than 25 ° C, advantageously greater than 30 ° C, preferably greater than 60 ° C .

[0049] More in particular, the aforementioned air- flow can have a moisture less than 20% , advantageously less than 10% , preferably less than 5% , for example less than 3% .

[0050] In particular, before carrying out the aforementioned ensilage step a rounding step can be provided for rounding the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material obtaining a rounded vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material .

[0051] The presence of the dried or substantially dried vegetable material based on rachis of cereal ear in the infill material , preferably at least at the performance infill , allows to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art turfs .

[0052] In particular, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear, preferably mai ze corncob, has , in particular, the property of absorbing high amount of water " swelling" , and then of releasing, during the drier and hotter periods the absorbed moisture , in the surrounding environment thus narrowing . Therefore , the rachis of cereal ears acts as a " lung" for the synthetic turf which incorporates the same , because , as anticipated above , it absorbs water, or the moisture , in excess increasing its volume and then gradually reducing the same by releasing the moisture , when the climatic conditions return to be drier and the environment temperature increases . The rachis of cereal ear has , in fact , a high porosity and is subj ected to alternating cycles of expansion and compression, or anyway of reduction of volume . Therefore , the infill material in its whole , and in particular the performance infill , is subj ected to a decompacting action which allows to keep the infill material tilled, and to preserve substantially intact in the time , the physical properties of the infill .

[0053] In addition to the above , the dried or substantially dried material formed by rachis of cereal ear, in particular corncob, is able to absorb a greater quantity of moisture , for example during rain or irrigations interventions , with respect to rachis of cereal ear materials normally used with an analogous aim and which has a moisture , when it is installed in the infill material , greater than 60% , sometimes even higher than 80% .

[0054] Therefore , the dried or substantially dried material of rachis of cereal ear, is , then able to release during the hotter seasons a high quantity of water providing a thermal balance of the turf . This property allows to avoid an excessive overheating of the infill during the hotter seasons , in particular of any plastic material with elastomeric properties . Furthermore , the dried or substantially dried rachis of cereal ear material is highly resistant to biodegradation, in particular because of its high content of lignin .

[0055] In particular, with the term " sand" it is intended a material having a mineralogical composition for example siliceous sand, pumice sand, lapillus , zeolite , vermiculite , sand, etc .

[0056] In particular, the mat can be provided with a plurality of drainage holes arranged to put in communication the first face and the second face to each other, in such a way to allow the water to flow under the mat same .

[0057] Brief description of the drawings

[0058] The invention will be now illustrated with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof , exempli fying but not limitative , with reference to the attached drawings wherein :

[0059] Fig . 1 diagrammatically shows a transversal section view of a possible embodiment of a turf obtained by using the infill material , according to the invention;

[0060] Fig . 2 diagrammatically shows an enlargement of the infill material used for the turf of figure 1 ;

[0061] Fig . 3 diagrammatically shows a transversal section view of an alternative embodiment of the turf of figure 1 ;

[0062] Fig . 4 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of a possible silo that can be used for the ensilage of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear and to obtain dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material ;

[0063] Fig . 5 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of a possible alternative embodiment of the silo that can be used for the ensilage the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear and to obtain a dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material ;

[0064] Fig . 6 diagrammatically shows a transversal section view of another alternative embodiment of the turf of figure 1 ;

[0065] Fig . 7 diagrammatically shows a transversal section view of still another alternative embodiment of the turf of figure 1 ;

[0066] Fig . 8 diagrammatically shows a side elevation perspective view of a possible container inside of which the dried or substantially dried vegetable material of cereal ear, according to the invention, can be introduced for being transferred;

[0067] Fig . 9 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of a possible device for carrying out the rounding treatment of the dried or substantially dried vegetable material of cereal ear, according to the invention;

[0068] Fig . 10 shows an enlargement of the dried or substantially dried vegetable material of cereal ear, which is fed to a device for carrying out the rounding treatment of figure 9 ;

[0069] Fig . 11 shows an enlargement of the dried or substantially dried and rounded vegetable material of cereal ear exiting the device for carrying out the rounding treatment of figure 9 ;

[0070] Fig . 12 diagrammatically shows a possible layout of a plant for treating vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material which is able to carry out the main steps of the method, according to the invention, for obtaining the rounded and dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material ;

[0071] Fig . 13 diagrammatically shows a transversal section view of another possible embodiment of a turf obtained by using another embodiment of an infill material , according to the invention;

[0072] Fig . 14 diagrammatically shows a transversal section view of an alternative embodiment of the turf of figure 13 obtained by using the same vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear, alone or with other materials .

[0073] Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0074] With reference to figure 1 , a turf 1 , according to the invention, comprises a mat 2 , provided with a face 2a, which, in use, is arranged adj acent to a surface to be coated and a face 2b opposite to the face 2a . The turf 1 , furthermore, comprises a plurality of blades or bristles , 3 made of synthetic material , such as polyester, which are fixed to the mat 2 , for example by glueing, or sewing . Above face 2b of mat 2 an infill material 10 is , furthermore, present arranged among the blades 3 made of synthetic material . Once that the infill material 10 is distributed on the mat 2 , the bristles made of synthetic material can protrude from the same of a length comprised between 1 cm and 20 cm, advantageously between 2 cm and 15 cm.

[0075] The infill material 10 comprises vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material . In a possible embodiment the cereal can be mai ze and, therefore , the rachis of cereal ear is "corncob" .

[0076] In particular, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear is not coated by a fi lm of coating material to be able to absorb and release moisture and, therefore , to alternate the aforementioned cycles of increasing and reduction of volume that , as described above , are fundamental in order to avoid an excessive overheating of the material of which the performance infill is formed . Furthermore , the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear, according to the invention, is dried or substantially dried, and has a moisture less than 30% , advantageously less than 20% , preferably less than 10% .

[0077] The dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , used as infill material of the turf , i s highly resistant to biodegradation, in particular for the high content of lignin . This allows to avoid frequent restoring in the infill of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear to guarantee to the turf the properties given by the same .

[0078] In the embodiment of figure 1 , the infill material 10 provides a single layer formed only by dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , with a moisture , or moisture content , less than 30% , advantageously less than 20% , preferably less than 10% , for example less than 5% . In particular, the material of dried or substantially dried rachis of cereal ear, of the infill material 10 , of which in figure 2 an enlargement is shown, allows , on the one hand to have a sel f-decompacting action which allows to keep the infill material 10 tilled, and, on the other hand, to leave almost in time the physical properties of the material , in particular both the drainage property and the elastic property, unchanged .

[0079] In the embodiment of the invention of figure 3 , the turf 1 in addition to the blades made of synthetic material , such as polyester, or polypropylene , also provides blades made of natural grass , that means a vegetable species 4 which, advantageously, roots at least partly above the mat 2 in order to form a turf of natural grass . In this case , therefore , the turf 1 is a mixed synthetic-natural turf .

[0080] In particular, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , can be obtained by subj ecting to an "ensilage" process a determined amount of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a film or layer of coating material . More in particular , the aforementioned dried or substantially dried material , can be obtained by amassing a determined amount of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear at an initial determined moisture , or moisture content , for example greater than 60-70% , in determined areas , covering or not the heap so obtained with determined big piece of material , for a predetermined period of time , up to obtain the aforementioned drying level , which means vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with a moi sture less than 30% , advantageously less than 20% , preferably less than 10% .

[0081] In an embodiment according to the invention, diagrammatically shown in figure 4 , the ensilage step can be carried out by loading a determined quantity of wet vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear 5 wet , or anyway with a moisture , or moisture content , greater than 60% , into a silo 100 , for example made of metallic, or plastic, material , advantageously by a loading duct 110 .

[0082] Advantageously, as diagrammatically shown in figure 5 , within the aforementioned silo 100 can be fed through one , or more , feeding ducts 105 , a determined air- flow, preferably dried air, at a predetermined temperature in such a way to cause a the moisture of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear to decrease from the aforementioned initial moisture up to a predetermined moisture finale less than 30% , advantageously less than 20% , preferably less than 10% . In particular, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear produced in this way, is subj ected to an airy drying treatment .

[0083] Advantageously, the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , at the end of the aforementioned treatment has a pH<5 , advantageously a pH<4 . 5 , preferably a pH<4 .

[0084] In particular, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, can be used for obtaining at least a performance infill of a turf . In particular, the ensilage can provide to store a predetermined quantity of vegetable material of cereal ear at a moisture , or moisture content , greater than 30% , for example greater than 60% , in a closed container, in particular a silo , or a bunker, for example provided with containment walls , or simply by accumulating the material at a storing area, and, in case , sealed by a big piece of material , preferably made of plastic material to be insulated from the air .

[0085] In particular, the silo can be arranged to insulate the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear from the external environment . In this way, the oxygen supply is impeded, and the one that is present naturally within the mass of vegetable material of cereal ear is used in a first time of the maturity of the silage by the aerobic bacteria .

[0086] More in particular, a reduction of pH up to a value comprised between 4 and 5 , i . e . 4<pH<5 , can occur, in particular following an acetic aerobics fermentation . The acidi fication of the environment internal to the silo leads to the development of lactic bacteria which operate the lactic fermentation, bringing the pH to values even less than 4 .

[0087] In particular, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with said moisture , or moisture content , less than 30% in said infill material has a granulometry comprised between 0 . 3 mm and 8 . 0 mm .

[0088] More in particular, the aforementioned vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with said moisture less than 30% in said inf ill material has a granulometry comprised between advantageously between 0 . 5 mm and 5 . 0 mm .

[0089] In an embodiment of the invention, at least 70% in volume , advantageously at least 80% in volume , of the infill material 10 can be formed by the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a layer or film of coating material . In an embodiment of the invention, the infill material 10 can be formed only by the aforementioned dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , as described above .

[0090] In particular, as diagrammatically shown in figure 6 , an infill material 10 can comprise , from below to the above , a first layer 11 , or stabili zing infill , and at least a second layer 12 , or performance layer, positioned above the first layer 11 . This latter can comprise , or can be completely formed by, or formed for the most part , in particular at least at the 70% in volume , by, dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which is not coated by a film or layer of coating material , as described above .

[0091] The stabili zing infill 11 can be , instead, a layer of sand, in particular siliceous sand . In an alternative embodiment foreseen, the stabili zing infill 11 or a layer comprising a mix of sand and dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material . For example , the aforementioned mix of the stabili zing infill can comprise between 20 and 80% in volume of sand, and between 20% and 80% in volume of dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear which i s not coated by a layer or film of coating material .

[0092] The combined use of sand and dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , allows to obtain a turf 1 which is highly draining and because of the properties of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear to prevent the sand which is present in the stabili zing infill from becoming compact and, therefore , the synthetic turf owing to water irrigation or rain from flooding . In other words , the presence of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear guarantees the maintenance , over time , of the ef fectiveness of the drainage action of the layer of sand .

[0093] Furthermore , as shown in detail in figure 7 , the mat , or support , 2 can be provided with drainage holes 8 , having a si ze such that they allow the percolated water obtained by the drainage action of the infill material 10 to flow .

[0094] In figure 8 , it is shown, as an example , a bag 50 containing a predetermined quantity of dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , 6 having a moisture less than 30% , in particular less than 20% , advantageously less than 10% , preferably less than 5% . In particular, the bag, or "big bag" 50 is made of a water impermeable material , for example polypropylene , advantageously formed by strands of polypropylene , in such a way to guarantee that , once introduced inside of it , the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear according to the invention does not absorb moisture from the external environment, remaining at the aforementioned desired moisture content, in particular less than 30%, more in particular less than 20%, advantageously less than 10%, preferably less than 5%. More in particular, the passaggio from the drying plant to the bag 50 can occur by an external jacket 155, for example made of nylon, which guarantees the passage of the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear in the bag 50 without that it can absorb moisture. Therefore, at the moment of distributing the final product, that means dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, this will have the desired moisture content, in particular less than 30%, advantageously less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, for example less than 5%, more preferably less than 1%.

[0095] The dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, as describe above can be used as infill material 10 of a turf 1 of synthetic type (figure 1) , or mixed synthetic / natural (figure 3) , to be used both in sports and in ornamental purposes.

[0096] Advantageously, the quantity for surface unit of dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, in the infill material 10 can be comprised between 2 kg / m2and 15 kg / m2, in particular depending on the height of the infill material 10.

[0097] As diagrammatically shown in the figures from 8 to 10, the rounding treatment can be carried out by a device for carrying out the rounding treatment. For example, the aforementioned device for carrying out the rounding treatment can be a rotary drum, in particular a rotary drum sieve 250 . In this latter case , the same device carries out both the granulometry selection, by using a sieve with meshes of predetermined si ze , and the rounding . In other embodiments according to the invention, however, the sieving step can be carried out by a first apparatus and the rounding step by a second apparatus di f ferent from the first one .

[0098] In the case of a rotary drum sieve 250 , this can be provided with a container body 251 within which the starting aforementioned vegetable material 10 can be introduced, for example by a loading hopper 253 guiding the same towards an inlet 254 of which the container body 251 is provided with . Within the rotary drum sieve 250 , a moving device 255 , for example an Archimedean screw, or an endless screw, or an element provided with a plurality of blades , can be mounted . More in detail , the moving device

[0099] 255 moves the worked vegetable material o f rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material 10 and pushes the same against a perforated sieve

[0100] 256 arranged around the same . The perforated sieve 256 , for example cylindrical , or substantially cylindrical , or conical , or however tubular, shape , is provided with holes of predetermined si ze . During the treatment within the rotary drum sieve 250 , the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material 10 is rounded as a result of the impact of the same against the internal wall of the sieve 256 and of the displacement caused by the moving device 255 . In this way, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material 10 reduces its si ze up to pass through the aforementioned holes 257 having predetermined si ze . The rounded vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material and with reduced si ze 10 ' , in particular less than the si ze of the holes 257 , passes through the sieve 256 and exits the containing body 251 through a discharge aperture 258 . The rotary drum sieve 250 can be provided with a first motor 261 adapted to cause by a first motion transmission element 262 , for example a first transmission belt , the rotation about a rotational axis 150 , of the displacement member 255 . Furthermore , a second motor 263 can be provided configured to cause the sieve 256 to rotate about the rotation axis 150 by a second motion transmission element 264 , for example a second transmission belt .

[0101] The rotary drum sieve 250 can be , furthermore , provided with an outlet , not shown in the figure for simplicity, positioned at the end portion opposite with respect to the inlet 254 and through which the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material 10 which is still larger than those of the holes 257 of the sieve 256 is discharged to be subj ected again to a treatment . In particular, the aforementioned holes 257 of the sieve 256 can have a si ze comprised between 0 . 5 mm and 5 . 0 mm, advantageously comprised between 0 . 6 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 0 . 7 mm and 3 . 6 mm .

[0102] At the end of the rounding treatment , and, in case , at the contemporary sieving treatment , the aforementioned rounded vegetable material o f rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is obtained ( an enlargement of which is shown in figure 11 ) . The rounded material so obtained further contribute to increase the water absorption capacity of the dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material , in particular because the f ibres made of material come closer to each other . Therefore , when the product will absorb water . Another drawback solved by the rounding treatment to which the initial vegetable material of rachi s of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is subj ected to , is to avoid that the same can be damaged, in particular cut , due to the presence of cutting edges or contours , the fibres made of synthetic material of the turf to which it is destined to .

[0103] As diagrammatically shown in figure 12 , the rounded vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material 10 ' , in case having the aforementioned selected granulometry, for example comprised between 0 . 5 mm and 5 mm, exiting the device for carrying out the rounding treatment 250 , can be sent to the aforementioned drying step, advantageously to the aforementioned ensilage step and, therefore, fed to the aforementioned silo 100.

[0104] In particular, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, advantageously rounded, has a bulk density comprised between 0.3 kg / dm3and 0.5 kg / dm3, preferably between 0.35 kg / dm3and 0.55 kg / dm3.

[0105] As diagrammatically shown in the figures 13 and 14, the vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or partly dried and rounded 10' obtained as describe above can be, therefore, distributed with the moisture content with which is introduced into the aforementioned bags 50 at the end of the production step described above and, therefore, with a moisture content less than 30%, advantageously, less than 20%, preferably less than 5%, for example less than 1%, on a mat 2 provided with blades made of synthetic grass 3, or mixed synthetic grass 3 and natural grass 4, analogously to what has been described above with reference to the figures 1 and 3, to obtain a corresponding turf 1.

[0106] Also for the dried or at least partly dried and rounded vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear, corn to be precise, not coated by a film or layer of coating material, 10' , has been tested in laboratory by using a container, where a quantity of about 50 grams of dried or substantially dried and rounded vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, with an initial moisture, or moisture content, less than 30%, precisely about 29.5%, has been introduced. Adding water into the container and giving the vegetable material 10' the time of absorbing the same, the total weight of the absorbed water has been resulted to be equal to 152 g and, therefore, that the water absorption capacity of this vegetable material 10' is greater than 300%. It has, therefore, been concluded that the vegetable material 10' obtained at the end of the rounding process described above has a water absorption capacity signif icatively higher than that of the vegetable material 10 described above with the same moisture content (30%) which was about 220%.

[0107] The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and / or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An infill material (10) for turfs comprising a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material characterized in that said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear is a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, with a moisture content less than 30%.

2. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to claim 1, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material has a moisture content less than 20%.

3. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to claim 1, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material has a moisture content less than 10%.

4. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to claim 1, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material has a moisture content less than 5%.

5. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to claim 1, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material has a moisture content less than 1%.

6. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to any previous claim, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, has a pH value less than or equal to 5, that means a pH<5, advantageously a pH value less than or equal to 4.5, that means a pH<4.5, preferably a pH value less than or equal to 4, that means a pH<4.

7. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to any previous claim, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material has a granulometry comprised between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm.

8. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to any previous claim, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material has a granulometry comprised between 0.7 mm and 3.5 mm.

9. Infill material (10) for turfs, according to any previous claim characterized in that it is formed at least at the 80% in volume by said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material .

10. A turf (1) characterized in that it comprises: a mat (2) provided with a first face (2a) and a second face (2b) opposite to said first face (2a) ; a plurality of blades or bristles (3) made of synthetic material fixed to said mat (2) , said plurality of blades or bristles (3) made of syntheticmaterial protruding from said second face ( 2b ) in order to form a synthetic turf ; an infill material ( 10 ) , according to any claim from 1 to 9 , distributed on said second face ( 2b ) of said mat ( 2 ) .11 . A method for obtaining a infill material ( 10 ) for turfs comprising a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or f ilm of coating material characterized in that said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is subj ected to a drying step for reducing the moisture content to a value less than 30% .12 . Method according to claim 11 wherein said drying step is carried out by subj ecting to an ensilage step a predetermined quantity of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear having an initial moisture content greater than 30% .

13. Method, according to claim 12 , wherein said ensilage step comprises the steps of : loading into a silo ( 100 ) a predetermined quantity of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with an initial moisture content greater than 30% ; feeding an air- flow at a predetermined temperature ( T* ) into said silo ( 100 ) to cause said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material to at least partly dry, up to obtain said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layeror film of coating material with a moisture content less than 30%.

14. Method, according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined temperature (T*) is greater than 25°C.

15. Method, according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined temperature (T*) is greater than 30°C.

16. Method, according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined temperature (T*) is greater than 60°C.

17. Method according to any claim from 12 to 16, wherein before carrying out said step for feeding into said silo, said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is subjected to step for selecting the granulometry in such a way to load into said silo only said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated having a granulometry greater than 0.5 mm.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said step for selecting provides to select said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material with a granulometry comprised between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm.

19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said step for selecting the granulometry is a sieving step.

20. Method according to any claim from 13 to 19 wherein a rounding step is, furthermore, provided for rounding said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material obtaining a rounded vegetable material of rachis ofcereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material which is fed into said silo (100) .

21. Method according to claim 20, wherein at least one between said sieving step and said rounding step is carried out by a rotary drum sieve (250) .

22. Method according to one or more of the claims from 11 to 21, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material with a moisture content less than 30% discharged from said silo (100) is introduced into a bag (50) made of an impermeable material thus avoiding that it can absorb moisture from the external environment until the moment of its use .

23. Method according to one or more of the claims from 11 to 22, wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material with a moisture content less than 30% discharged from said silo (100) has a bulk density comprised between 0.3 kg / dm3and 0.5 kg / dm3.

24. Method for manufacturing a turf (1) comprising the steps of: disposing of a mat (2) to which a plurality of blades or bristles made of synthetic material is fixed, said mat (2) being provided with a first face (2a) and a second face (2b) opposite to said first face (2a) , said plurality of blades or bristles (3) made of synthetic material protruding from said second face (2b) ;distributing on said second face ( 2b ) of said mat ( 2 ) an infill material ( 10 ) , said infill material ( 10 ) comprising a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material ; said method being characterized in that said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear is a vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material which is dried or substantially dried, with a moisture content less than 30% .25 . Method, according to claim 24 , wherein said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or f ilm of coating material , is obtained subj ecting to an ensilage step a predetermined quantity of vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with a moisture content greater than 30% .

26. Method, according to claim 25 , wherein said ensilage step comprises the steps of : loading into a silo ( 100 ) a predetermined quantity of said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear with a moisture content greater than 30% ; feeding an air- flow into said silo ( 100 ) for causing said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material to at least partly dry up to obtain said vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material dried or substantially dried, with a moisture content less than 30% .

27. Method, according to any claim from 22 to 26, wherein before said distribution step, said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material, is subjected to a step for reducing the granulometry in such a way to reduce the granulometry to a value comprised between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm.

28. Method, according to any claim from 22 to 27, wherein before carrying out said distribution step, said dried or substantially dried vegetable material of rachis of cereal ear not coated by a layer or film of coating material is subjected to a rounding step in such a way to increase its water absorption capacity.

Images