Synthetic mat for protecting berms

Abstract

The present invention relates to a synthetic mat (10) applied to berms (CM1) formed in mining fields (CM) or the like, said synthetic mat (10) comprises a base (11) made of flexible thermoplastic material (11a), such as thermoplastic elastomers - TPE - or the like, its upper surface (11b) receives, by means of a fastening screw, a layer of polypropylene fabric (12) with tying of strands (13) of raffia tape made of polyethylene and of a vibrant colour, such as lime green or the like, forming a protective covering (CP) over the berms (CM1) of mining fields (CM) to protect against bad weather; said strands (13) of raffia tape are each approximately 40 to 60 microns thick and 4.5 mm wide.

Description

[0001] "SYNTHETIC BLANKET FOR PROTECTING WINDROPS."

[0002] Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present invention patent deals with a synthetic blanket for protecting mining windrows or similar where, notably, said synthetic blanket presents innovative characteristics given that it is formed by a base made of TPE - Thermoplastic elastomers receiving polypropylene fabric with filaments of the polyethylene raffia ribbon type binding forming a fully recyclable synthetic blanket designed for assembly on mining windrows, in order to prevent collapse due to soaking by rain or similar.

[0004] HISTORY OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0005]

[0002] It is known that mining windrows are created through a process known as 'waste rock piling', which involves extracting ore from an open-pit or underground mine, followed by arranging the waste material, which is rocks with no economic value, in piles or windrows on the surface, being built close to the mine and in layers, with the waste material being deposited in successive layers.

[0006]

[0003] During the process of stacking the windrows, equipment such as excavators, dump trucks and transporters are used to circulate along the paths formed between the windrows and are used to move the sterile material and build the piles or windrows.

[0007]

[0004] To stabilize the windrows, it is common to use compaction techniques to ensure the stability of the piles, as well as chemical measures implemented in the windrows to reduce the generation of acid mine drainage, as well as they can be covered with a layer of soil or plant material, with the aim of minimizing erosion and promoting the environmental recovery of the area.

[0008]

[0005] It turns out that inefficient compaction, as well as the incidence of rain, can result in the collapse of the windrows, bringing several inconveniences to mining companies, given that it requires new mobilization of machines to reopen the paths and rebuild the windrows, which generates significant costs.

[0009]

[0006] To aid containment, windrows can be strengthened with gabions, which are baskets made of wire mesh or wire mesh filled with stones, rocks, or other granular materials. Although widely known for their use in civil and environmental engineering for slope stabilization and erosion control, gabions are also useful for improving windrow stability in mining operations.

[0010]

[0007] The drawback of gabions is that they form gaps in the screens, meaning that parts of the windrow material may pass through them, which can make the use of the product problematic due to its limited efficiency in completely stabilizing the windrow.

[0011]

[0008] Another solution adopted by some companies involves applying synthetic turf over the windrows. While this approach helps with containment, synthetic turf is made from unsustainable materials, which prevents its reuse after use in the windrows.

[0012]

[0009] Another aspect to consider when using synthetic turf in windrows is the manufacturing process for the turf base. This process commonly uses Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), which must be mixed with calcite. These components are presented in liquid form, requiring a prior mixing step to prepare the material. The prepared material is then fed into the turf manufacturing process, which involves forming the extruded base using a flat die, where the filament is tufted onto the base, shaping the turf. The final product is then wound and ready for use.

[0013] ANALYSIS OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0014]

[0010] In research carried out in specialized databases, documents were found referring to the synthetic blanket for protecting windrows, such as the document of n 5 . BR 10.2019.012574-8, which deals with a composite stabilizing material for ore tailings dams, is composed of a fluid matrix containing steel slag, hydraulic cement, sodium chloride, and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). The purpose of the composite stabilizing material is to assist in the transformation of ore tailings deposited in dams into a stable material that can ensure the safety of decommissioning processes.

[0015]

[0011] The document of n 5. BR 11.2014.009442-0 deals with synthetic grass, comprising a grass yarn prepared with an ethylene-based polymer composition, comprising an amount equal to or less than 100 percent by weight of ethylene-derived units; wherein said ethylene-based polymer composition has a comonomer distribution constant equal to or greater than 40, a vinyl unsaturation of less than 100 vinyls per one million carbon atoms present in the main chain of the ethylene-based polymer composition; a zero shear viscosity ratio (ZSVR) in a range equal to or greater than 1.75.

[0016]

[0012] Another document of n 5. PI 0209516-5 presents a porous gabion for land reclamation, which includes a plurality of struts and at least one screen grid device that has therein a plurality of openings, through which fluid and solids transported by the fluids can pass, and in which the screen grid device is formed of polyethylene, polypropylene, mixtures or laminates of self-supporting high-density polymers.

[0017]

[0013] Thus, it is a fact that the documents cited in the paragraphs above, despite belonging to the same field of application, do not present any of the characteristics of the object now improved, thus ensuring that it meets the legal requirements for patentability.

[0018] OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The objective of the present invention is to present a synthetic blanket that can be applied to mining windrows for protection against rain, preventing collapse.

[0019]

[0015] Another objective of the present invention is to present a synthetic blanket whose filament is made of polyethylene raffia ribbon and in vibrant colors to contribute to the visualization of the windrows and avoid accidents with night workers in the mining field.

[0020]

[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to present a synthetic blanket whose rubberized base is made of thermoplastic elastomers - TPE - which, after being used to protect windrows, can be ground and resold to the plastics sector.

[0021]

[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to present a synthetic blanket for protecting windrows that provides a reduction of up to 70% in mining costs generated by reworking the assembly of windrows after collapse.

[0022]

[0018] Another objective of the present invention is to present a 100% waterproof synthetic blanket, preventing the windrows from becoming soaked due to rain and ensuring their stabilization for long periods.

[0023] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0024]

[0019] To complement this description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present invention and in accordance with a preferred practical implementation thereof, the description is accompanied, in annex, by a set of drawings, where, in an exemplified, although not limitative, manner, its operation is represented:

[0025]

[0020] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional and exploded view of the elements that make up the blanket;

[0026]

[0021] figure 2 represents an assembled perspective view of a synthetic blanket with the respective enlarged detail;

[0022] figure 3 shows the top of the blanket;

[0027]

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a section of the blanket; and

[0024] Figure 5 reveals a schematic view of the blanket applied to mining windrows.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT

[0029]

[0025] The present invention patent refers to the "SYNTHETIC BLANKET FOR PROTECTING WINDROWS", synthetic blanket (10) applied to windrows (CM1) formed in mining fields (CM) or similar.

[0030]

[0026] According to the present invention, said synthetic blanket (10) is formed by a base

[0031] (11) made of flexible thermoplastic material (11a), such as thermoplastic elastomers - TPE - or similar, whose upper face (11b) receives, by means of a fixing screw (not illustrated), a layer of fabric

[0032] (12) made of polypropylene with filaments (13) tied in a raffia ribbon made of polyethylene and in a vibrant color such as lime green or similar, forming a protective covering (CP) over the windrows (CM1) of mining fields (CM) against bad weather. The vibrant color of the filament (13) forms a nighttime signaling point (Pl) indicating the windrows (CM1). Said filament (13) of raffia ribbon has a thickness of approximately 40 to 60 microns and a width of 4.5 mm.

[0033]

[0027] The base (11) made of flexible thermoplastic material (11a) associated with the polypropylene fabric (12) and polyethylene filaments (13) results in a synthetic blanket (10) that is totally sustainable and recyclable.

[0034]

[0028] When producing the synthetic blanket (10), first the TPE base (11) is extruded, then the filament (13) is applied by tying it to the fabric (12) so that it can be mounted on the base (11) using fixing screws (not illustrated), configuring the synthetic blanket (10) which undergoes quality inspection and is subsequently wound onto a reel (not illustrated) for availability to the customer.

[0029] To apply the synthetic blanket (10), it is sufficient to stretch sections of the blanket (10) over the windrows (CM1), thus protecting them from the action of bad weather and their respective collapse.

[0035]

[0030] It is true that when the present invention is put into practice, modifications may be introduced with regard to certain details of construction and shape, without this implying a departure from the fundamental principles that are clearly substantiated in the claims framework, thus being understood that the terminology used was not intended to be limiting.

Claims

REQUEST TIPS 1) "SYNTHETIC BLANKET FOR PROTECTING WINDROWS", synthetic blanket (10) applied to windrows (CM1) formed in mining fields (CM) or similar, characterized in that the synthetic blanket (10) is formed by a base (11) made of flexible thermoplastic material (11a) such as thermoplastic elastomers - TPE - or other similar material whose upper face (11b) receives, by means of a fixing screw, a layer of polypropylene fabric (12) with filaments (13) of the raffia tape type made of polyethylene and of a vibrant color such as lime green or similar, configuring a protective covering (CP) superimposed on the windrows (CM1) of mining fields (CM) against inclement weather; said filament (13) of raffia tape has a thickness of approximately 40 to 60 microns and a width of 4.5 mm. 2) "Synthetic Manta for Embankment Protection", according to claim 1, characterized in that the night signaling point (Pl) indicating the embankments (CM1) is configured by the filament (13) of vibrant coloring.

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