Patent Application
20230392323
The invention relates generally to an artificial turf fiber and more particularly to an artificial turf fiber with an anti-slip agent reservoir, to an artificial turf using said artificial turf fiber and a method of making said artificial turf fiber.
Artificial turf use for the surface of sport fields such as hockey, football, rugby etc. is increasing rather rapidly due to the convenience and economic efficiency of maintenance compared to natural turf. Existing artificial turfs used in such sport fields, especially hockey fields, require frequent watering to keep the surface of the turf adequately cool and smooth according to established standards promulgated by the governing bodies of these sports. Furthermore, the purpose of watering is to provide surface conditions that enable and maintain special playing characteristics. However, frequent watering is expensive and leads to water waste. Hence, there is a need of more advanced artificial turf which can overcome these drawbacks of heretofore known turfs.
Lubricants in the artificial turf industry have been used extensively, but primarily during the processing steps for making the artificial turf fibers or in the backing and infill materials of the artificial turf. Also, the use of reflective pigments for keeping artificial turfs cool has been reported in the literature. See, for example, US20170233956A1, and EP3936665A1 describing artificial turf infill compositions using lubricants and reflective pigments.
Various attempts have been made to produce artificial turf that looks natural and at the same time does not change its performance characteristics in different weather conditions. For example, US20220025587A1 describes an artificial turf which is said to have an improved, natural grass look and feel. The '587 patent application describes making a turf fiber having a composite structure of a core made of a first polymer and a shell made of a second polymer. The shell is said to be made of an acrylic polymer. The '587 patent application describes the use of stearic acid as an emulsifying agent used in the processing of the first polymer for the core of the turf fiber.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,309,630B2 describes an artificial turf for sports which allegedly changes little with varying moisture and temperature changes during play. The '630 patent employs a scrimless sheet of non-woven fibers which are held together by being entangled to one another. It is described that the free ends of some fibers as well as loops of some of the fibers may extend above the sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,691,906B2 describes a process for producing at least one monofilament from a thermoplastic polymer material comprising at least one polyester material and also nanoparticles and optionally further additives including lubricants. The process comprises adding the components to an extruder as partial or complete mixtures or separately and the thermoplastic polymer material being initially strand extruded cooled and stretched and finally heat-conditioned at a temperature in the range from 40 to 120° C. for 0.01 to 10 min. The '906 patent describes that nanoparticles can be coupled with UV stabilizers and lubricants, when they are highly branched polyesters and/or polycarbonates.
Despite the above rather limited attempts to produce artificial turf that can perform equally well in hot or wet weather and maintain its characteristics over a long period of time, to date there is no practical solution that can significantly reduce the need for watering the artificial turfs, especially in hot weather for field surfaces used in sports like hockey.
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned limitations of existing artificial turfs.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an artificial turf fiber and an artificial turf using these fibers that is particularly suitable for the playing surface of sports like hockey and reduces significantly the need for frequent watering of the artificial turf.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an artificial turf having a surface that stays smooth and maintains its characteristics for the entire useful life of the artificial turf.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an artificial turf that stays cooler at hot weather conditions.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an artificial turf with enhanced tribological properties. The fiber surface of the present invention exhibits similar tribological and/or mechanical properties whether or not it is wet or dry. In sports like hockey the turf feels like a moist/irrigated artificial turf to the players even when this turf is not irrigated at all, thus saving water.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an artificial turf that predominantly remains its performance characteristics regardless of whether it is irrigated/wet (e.g, after a rain shower) or dry, especially in very hot, sunny weather.
The solution provided by the present invention to the aforementioned objectives is an artificial turf comprising a polymer material and an anti-slip agent incorporated within the polymer, characterized in that the anti-slip agent has an effective rate of migration in the polymer and is provided in an amount sufficient to last providing effective reduction of the fiber friction coefficient on the surface of the fiber for at a least one year, preferably for at least 2 years, more preferably for at least 5 years and most preferably for at least 10 years. Thus, the artificial turf is installed in the field with a reservoir of anti-slip agent to last reducing the friction coefficient of the fibers practically for the entire useful life of the artificial turf.
The term anti-slip agent as this term is used herein means an agent that allows controlling the friction coefficient of the artificial turf fiber within a desired range in both wet and dry conditions, thus preventing excessive slippage of the players on the artificial turf surface in rain/wet conditions or too little slip in dry sunny conditions.
The anti-slip agent is incorporated into the polymer fiber and migrates to the surface driven by its diffusion coefficient to maintain an equal distribution of the anti-slip agent concentration within the volume. At the surface of the polymer fiber it modifies the surface chemistry, i.e., the friction coefficient and hence reduces the tribological interaction, thus providing protection of the fiber from friction, wear and abrasion.
An effective rate of migration means a rate that allows the anti-slip agent to last providing effective reduction of the fiber friction coefficient for the specified time.
An effective reduction of the fiber friction coefficient means to have an adequate amount of the anti-slip agent on the surface of the fiber to reduce the coefficient of friction of the fiber by at least weight 5%, preferably by at least 10 weight %, more preferably by at least 15% but no more than 25%.
The polymer material impacts the potential of the turf to store the anti-slip agent by deceleration of the migration speed of the anti-slip agent. It is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin homopolymers, polyolefin random copolymers, preferably polyethylene homopolymer fiber, polyethylene alloy fiber, polyethylene copolymer fiber, and polyethylene impact copolymer fiber. In an embodiment the fiber comprises LDPE, LLDPE, and/or HDPE and mixtures thereof. The LDPE may have a density from 0.905 g/cm3 to 0.920 g/cm3, the LLDPE may have a density from 0.914 g/cm3 to 0.928 g/cm3, and the HDPE may have a density from 0.92 to 0.98 g/cm3.
In an embodiment, the polymer material for the fiber is a mixture of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
In an embodiment, the polymer material for the fiber is high density polyethylene (HDPE).
In another embodiment, the polymer material for the fiber is a mixture of LDPE and HDPE wherein the LLDPE is preferably from 10 to 70 wt % of the polymer material, more preferably from 15 to 50% wt %, and more preferably from 25 to 45% of the total amount of LDPE and HDPE.
In another embodiment, the polymer material for the fiber is a mixture of LDPE and LLDPE wherein the LLDPE is preferably from 10 to 70 wt % of the polymer material, more preferably from 15 to 50% wt %, and more preferably from 25 to 45% of the total amount of LDPE and LLDPE.
In another embodiment, the LLDPE may be a random copolymer of polyethylene with at least one of butene, hexene, and octene.
In a preferred embodiment, the polymer material for the fiber is a mixture of LLDPE and HDPE, with the LLDPE being hexene or octene comonomer based and having a density from 0.916 and 0.920 g/cm3, while the HDPE has a density of 0.952 to 0.957 g/cm3 and is in an amount of from 5-18 wt % of the holistic polymer mixture, and more preferably about 15 wt %.
Suitable anti-slip agents are fatty acid amides, and stearates i.e., salts and esters of stearic acid generally called stearates or an organo silicone product like a siloxane as e.g. of the type of polydimethylsiloxane.
Preferred fatty acid amides as anti-slip agents are the erucic acid amide (hereinafter EAA, also known as erucamide) lauramide, stearamide, oleamide, elaidamide, linoleamide, behenamide, palmitamide, N, N-ethylene-bis-oleamide, decanamide, and the like and mixtures thereof, and more preferred are the EEA, oleamide, linoleamide, and elaidamide.
Suitable stearic acid esters and salts include, for example, stearic acid methyl ester, stearic acid ethyl ester, and stearic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (C22H39NO4), sodium stearate, potassium stearate, and calcium stearate.
The anti-slip agent is used in an amount of from 0.05 to 1.0 wt %, preferably in an amount of from 0.1 to 0.7 wt %, more preferably from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % based on the total weight of the artificial turf fiber.
Preferably, the fiber also includes a reflective agent such as reflective particles, and/or reflective pigments for preventing overheating of the fiber and thus further reducing the need for watering the turf in hot weather conditions. These reflective particles and pigments have the advantage of reducing the heat on the artificial turf field, thereby further reducing the need for watering of the artificial turf. Suitable reflective agents include titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide (ZnS), tin oxide, aluminum oxide (AlO3), zinc oxide, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, antimony oxide, sodium silicate, aluminum silicate, silica, mica, clay, and the like.
In a preferred embodiment the IR reflective agent is a mixed metal oxide type chosen from the group of the rutile (MeO2), hematite (Me2O3), or spinel (Me3O4) type with metals comprising: cobalt, iron, trivalent chrome, tin, antimony, titanium, manganese and aluminum.
The reflective agent is used in an amount from 0.01 wt % to 8.0 wt %, preferably from 0.3 wt % to 5.0 wt %, more preferably from 0.3 wt % to 3.0 wt % based on the total fiber weight.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an artificial turf comprising a plurality of the artificial turf fibers securely attached to a backing material. Preferably, at least a percentage of the plurality of the artificial turf fibers form closed loops extending above a top surface of the backing of the artificial turf. In a more preferred embodiment, all of the plurality of the artificial turf fibers form closed loops extending above the top surface of the backing of the artificial turf. It has been found that the fiber closed loops are particularly suitable for further increasing the smoothness of the turf fibers and are particularly suited for surfaces of fields of sports such as hockey.
In another preferred embodiment, the fibers are texturized which further enhances the ability of the fibers to dissipate heat and improves their overall look and mechanical characteristics such as their overall smoothness.
According to embodiments, the fibers are strongly texturized, thereby increasing the smoothness of the artificial turf surface and making the surface more similar to a wetted artificial turf surface even when water is absent. A “texturized” fiber is a fiber with a shape memory which returns, when released, to a non-straight, e.g., curly, crumpled, folded, and/or twisted shape.
According to embodiments, the artificial turf fibers are integrated into the backing and have a density (number of fibers per artificial turf area) and/or degree of texturization that under a bird's eye perspective, at least 60%, more preferentially at least 70% of the size of the area covered by the artificial turf consists of the fibers and the rest consists of the backing or the infill. In a preferred embodiment the turf structure is typically in analogy to the water-filled high pile weight hockey infill-free.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the part of the fibers extending above the backing is wholly or partially texturized. A texturized fiber means that at least a part of the fiber which extends above the backing material instead of being straight it has at least one of a curl or a wave shape. The curls or waves can be produced mechanically or chemically during the manufacturing of the fiber.
The backing of the artificial turf is made of a thermoset polymer material. The thermoset material may include, for example, a polyurethane resin.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating the artificial turf is provided, the method comprising,
In an embodiment, incorporating the turf fiber into the carrier includes positioning the fiber so that a first fraction of the fiber is located at the back side of a carrier (also referred to hereinafter as the back fraction of the fiber), a second fraction of the fiber is protruding to the front side of the carrier (also referred to hereinafter as the front fraction of the fiber) and a third fraction of the fiber is inside the carrier (referred to also as the middle fraction of the fiber or the carrier portion of the fiber).
According to a particular referred embodiment, the backing of the artificial turf incudes a biocide agent (also referred to as antimicrobial agent) which is a zinc-based antimicrobial agent or a metal coordination complex with pyrithione. The use of the biocide agent in the backing of the artificial turf prevents microbial infestation of the turf which in combination with the reduced need for watering of the inventive artificial turf fiber provide a significant improvement over existing artificial turfs for hockey fields which require extensive watering and therefore they are prone to microbial infestation.
Examples of suitable metal coordination complexes with pyrithione that can serve as antimicrobial agents include zinc pyrithione, manganese pyrithione, copper pyrithione, and sodium pyrithione. Examples of suitable zinc-based antimicrobial agents other than zinc pyrithione include zinc oxide nanoparticles and a zinc-glucose-citrate complex. Particularly preferred is pyrithione zinc (also often referred to commonly as zinc pyrithione).
The pyrithione zinc is used as the antimicrobial agent in an amount of 0.05 wt % to 1.5 wt %, of the polyurethane reaction mixture, and, preferably, in an amount of 0.08 wt % to 0.7 wt % of the polyurethane reaction mixture. More preferably, the zinc pyrithione is used as the antimicrobial agent in an amount of 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt % of the polyurethane reaction mixture. The use of the pyrithione zinc in the backing of an artificial turf is described in a co-pending United States patent application of the same applicant with application No. 63/345,549 filed on May 25, 2022 with the US patent and trademark office an which is incorporated herein for its disclosure of the use of the biocide agent in a polyurethane backing of an artificial turf.
In a preferred embodiment the fiber used is a texturized monofilament with a texturization degree after 5 min at 90° C. of 25-40%.
In a most preferred embodiment the monofilament fiber has after 5 minutes at 90° C. a texturization degree of 32 to 37% and is chosen from a triangle, quadrangle or oval shaped form and a mixture thereof.
According to several embodiments, the artificial turf is infill free.
In further embodiments the artificial turf is either sand dressed or sand filled.
In a further embodiment the artificial turf is filled with an elastomeric material chosen from the group of styrene-butadiene rubber, natural butadiene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) like styrenic block copolymers, whereby the infill can preferably comprise a reflective agent, which is based on mixed metal oxides.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to the use of the artificial turf in a hockey field that is according to the standard of the International Federation of Hockey known by the acronym FIH. Because of the continuous reduction of the fiber friction coefficient of the surface of the artificial turf fibers, watering of the surface of the artificial turf field can be reduced substantially or even become unnecessary.
Although the precise mechanism of the migration of the anti-slip agent in the polymer material and its interaction with the reflective particles is not fully understood, it has been found rather surprisingly that the anti-slip agent and in particular the erucic acid amide and like type fatty acid amides migrate slowly from an interior to the surface of the fiber, where they accumulate and replace the lost anti-slipagent due to normal wear and abrasion of the fiber over an unexpectedly prolonged period of time. For the claimed combination of polymer material, anti-slip agent and preferably of the reflective agent the reduction of the friction coefficient reduction of the fibers can last for the typical useful life of the artificial turf which may range from 10 to 15 years.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail, by way of example only, making reference to the drawings in which:
The present invention provides an artificial turf fiber comprising a polymer material and an anti-slip agent incorporated/contained in the polymer material in an amount adequate to last for at a least one year of slow migration from the interior to the surface of the fiber. The fiber polymer material and the anti-slip agent are selected to allow slow diffusion of the anti-slip agent towards the surface of the artificial turf fiber, where they accumulate and replace the lost anti-slip agent due to normal wear and abrasion of the fiber. The anti-slip agent is added in the fiber in an effective amount designed to last reducing the friction coefficient of the fibers preferably for a period of at least 5 years, more preferably at least 10 years, and most preferably at least 15 years.
Although we do not wish to be bound by theory, key factors which are believed to control the diffusion of the anti-slip agent to the surface of the fiber include for the anti-slip agent, the type of the anti-slip agent, the size of the anti-slip agent, and the hydrophilicity of the anti-slip agent, while for the polymer material include the type, and density of the polymer material. Through extensive research and consideration of the above factors, the polymer material for the fiber, the anti-slip agent, and preferably the reflective agent and their relative amounts were selected.
In a specific embodiment the EEA is used in an amount of 0.5 wt % based on the total weight of the turf fiber. The turf fiber may be made of a mixture of 10 wt % LDPE and 90 wt % LLDPE of the holistic polymer weight. In another embodiment the EEA is used in an amount of 1.0 wt % based on the total weight of a turf fiber made of the mixture of LDPE and LLDPE. In yet another embodiment the EEA is used in an amount of 1.5 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture of LDPE and LLDPE. In yet another embodiment the EEA is used in an amount of 1.0 wt % based on the total weight of a turf fiber made of a mixture of 15 wt % HDPE (density of 0.955 g/cm3) and 85 wt % LLDPE (density of 0.920 g/cm3).
Preferably, the fiber also includes a reflective agent such as reflective particles, and/or reflective pigments for preventing overheating of the fiber.
The Artificial Turf
An example of a method for manufacturing the artificial turf comprises incorporating the artificial turf fiber into a carrier, and adding a viscous thermoset resin reaction mixture onto a back side of the carrier to form a thermoset resin backing. Various additives may be added in the thermoset reaction mixture including, for example, a biocide agent having antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Once the thermoset resin reaction mixture is placed on the back side of the carrier, hardening of the thermoset reaction mixture is performed to form a solid thermoset resin backing with a portion of the turf fiber which protrudes out of the back side of the carrier being securely embedded inside the solid mass of the thermoset resin backing. The thermoset resin may be any suitable resin. Preferably, the thermoset resin may be a polyurethane resin. In an embodiment, the polyurethane is the reaction product of first and second polyols with an isocyanate, wherein the first polyol is polyether polyol and/or polyester polyol having at least two (“2”) hydroxyl groups per molecule, wherein the second polyol is polybutadiene diol, wherein the isocyanate comprises isocyanate monomers, isocyanate polymers or isocyanate prepolymers or a mixture thereof, and wherein the isocyanate monomers, the isocyanate polymers and the isocyanate prepolymers have two or more isocyanate groups per molecule. The polybutadiene diol may be used in an amount of 0.5-10% by weight of a combination of the first polyol and the isocyanate, and may have a number average molecular weight in the range of 500 to 6000 g/mol, more preferably in the range of 1.500 to 4.500 g/mol. The polyurethane reaction mixture may further comprise a surfactant and other additives and fillers. The hardening of the fluid polyurethane mass can be performed, for example, by heating the polyurethane reaction mixture on the back side of the carrier to a temperature of 70-140° C.
The making of the turf fiber includes forming a polymer material mixture inside a first container, preparing an additive mixture including the anti-slip agent, and preferably also the reflective agent and optionally various other additives for the fiber in a separate or a plurality of separate smaller containers, mixing the polymer material mixture with the additive mixture to form an extrusion feed mixture that is fed to an extruder to form a monofilament (in actuality, typically a plurality of monofilaments). The monofilament exiting from the extruder is quenched, for example, by passing it through a water bath, and upon exiting from the water bath the monofilament is reheated, for example, in an air oven. The reheated monofilament is oriented by stretching the reheated monofilament to form an oriented monofilament which is used as the artificial turf fiber either individually or after being combined with other monofilaments. For example, through a well-known process multiple monofilaments may be combined to form an artificial turf fiber which can be rolled into a yarn. The anti-slip agent and preferably also the reflective agent may be added in the additive mixture inside the smaller container. However, this is just an example, and it should be understood that the anti-slip agent can be added also in the larger container directly with the polymer material mixture or as a separate feed to the extruder feed. The polymer mixture may further comprise a nucleating agent for crystallizing the polymer within and at the surface of the monofilament anti UV agents, anti-flame agents and other optional additives. The artificial turf fiber is typically a bundle of at least 5 monofilaments.
The reflective agent (e.g., reflective particles and/or a reflective pigments) are used for counteracting the overheating of the turf. These reflective particles and reflective pigment have the advantage of cooling the artificial turf field, thereby compensating the missing cooling effect of the water when water is absent. Also, applicant has found that the type and amount of the reflective agent may affect the effective rate of migration of the anti-slip agent in the polymer material matrix of the fiber.
The polymer material mixture and the additive mixture including the anti-slip agent, preferably also the reflective agent may be blended using a blender or mixing device prior to add them to the extruder.
The term “tufting” as used herein refers to a method of incorporating a fiber into an existing carrier. Short U-shaped loops of fibers are introduced through the carrier from one side so that their ends point outside of the carrier in the other direction. Usually, the tuft yarns form a regular array of “dots” on the other side. On the one side of the carrier where the U-shaped loops are located, the tuft fibers may be tied for security, although they need not be. The ends of the tuft yarns can then optionally be frayed or otherwise processed, so that they will subsequently create a dense layer of fibers protruding from the carrier.
The term “weaving” as used herein is a method of incorporating an artificial turf fiber (which can be a monofilament or a bundle of monofilaments) into an existing carrier, whereby the artificial turf fiber and the fiber(s) that built the carrier are interlaced. The interlaced fibers and the mesh form a fabric like or cloth like structure. When an artificial tuft fiber is incorporated by weaving, the fiber interlaces a series of mesh fibers at least three times. Thus, when a fiber is incorporated by weaving rather than tufting, a higher fraction of the artificial turf fiber is interlaced in the carrier material. This may increase the resistance to wear and tear of the artificial turf.
According to embodiments, incorporating the artificial turf fiber into the carrier comprises: tufting the artificial turf fiber into the carrier. According to alternative embodiments, incorporating the artificial turf fiber into the carrier comprises weaving the artificial turf fiber into the carrier.
Referring now to
The polymer mixture may be created by putting all of the components that make it up together at once. For instance, the at least one polymer 204, the anti-slip agent 202, the reflective agent 208 and the optional additives 206 could be all added together at the same time. The polymer mixture could be thoroughly mixed for instance by using a mixer device. The desired distribution of the components can be achieved by using the proper rate or amount of mixing. The generated mixture could be forwarded to a one-screw feed or a two-screw feed for the extrusion.
Additional optional substances may be added. Also, a reflective pigment 302 may be used in addition or instead of the reflective particles as shown in
In step 104, the polymer mixture is extruded into a monofilament 506 as illustrated in
Then in step 116 a resin reaction fluid mixture is added on the bottom side of the carrier such that at least the first parts become embedded in the fluid. Finally, in step 118, the fluid mixture is caused to solidify into a film. The film surrounds and thereby mechanically fixes at least the first parts 706 (and optionally also some portions 804 of the second parts 702) of the monofilaments in the film. The film, i.e., the solidified fluid, constitutes the backing 802.
In a preferred embodiment for artificial turf for hockey fields the cutting step 602 is omitted and the artificial turf is made with the U-shaped loops forming the top surface of the turf.
For example, the fluid may be a styrene-butadiene suspension that solidifies into a latex backing or, preferably, may be a mixture of polyols and polyisocyanates that solidifies into a polyurethane backing or any other kind of fluid that is capable of solidifying after a defined time period into a solid film. The fluid solidifies into a film 802, e.g., by a drying process or by a chemical reaction resulting in a solidification of the fluid. Such a chemical reaction can be, for example, a polymerization. The film surrounds and thereby mechanically fixes at least the first parts of the monofilaments of the arranged artificial turf fibers. The solid film acts as the artificial turf backing. In some examples, additional coating layers may be added on the bottom of the artificial turf backing.
In Example 1 0.5 wt % of EEA anti-slip agent was added in a polymer mix of 60 wt % LDPE and 40 wt % LLDPE. The LDPE had a density of 0.905 g/cm3 and the LLDPE had a density of 0.918 g/cm3 and was a copolymer of polyethylene and butene. No reflective agent was added. Additives such as color pigments, flame retardants were also added and the mixture was extruded in a conventional extrusion equipment to form an artificial turf fiber which was then added in an artificial turf structure having a polyurethane backing as described above with reference to the figures.
In examples 2-5 the same process was repeated with the key parameters shown in Table 1. In examples, 2-5 the fiber was texturized to have a top at least about 30% of its length which extends above the backing and any infill material in the shape of a wave. Compared to example 1 which comprised straight fibers, the turf made with the texturized fibers of examples 2 and 5 showed significant improvement in its overall smoothness and coverage.
The same process was repeated in total 5 times with the key compounds added each time shown in Table 1 below.
The above formed fibers in examples 1-5 were tested and compared with the comparative examples 6-10.
Significant improvement in the overall smoothness and tribological characteristics was observed between the examples 1-5 and their corresponding comparative examples 6-10. A significant reduction in the friction coefficient was observed in the examples 1-5 compared to their corresponding comparative examples 6-10 of at least 10%. In addition, it has been found, rather unexpectedly, that the above formed fibers with the EEA prevent excessive slippage in rain/wet conditions while providing a sufficiently smooth surface in dry/sunny conditions. Thus, not only the need for watering the artificial turf is eliminated but also excessive slippage is prevented even in rain/wet conditions. Surprisingly slippage is not or not substantially increased with respect to dry conditions when the artificial turf becomes wet such as due to rainy weather.
In comparative examples 6-10 the same fiber compositions as in examples 1-5 were used except that no anti-slip agent was used in the polymer mixtures.
Although the invention has been described in reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these examples only and that many variations of these embodiments may be readily envisioned by the skilled person after having read the present disclosure which do not fall outside the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22177277.5 | Jun 2022 | EP | regional |
