1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method for maintaining artificial turf surfaces, such as athletic playing fields. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for reclaiming, restoring and reusing synthetic turf and infill material. Still further, the present invention can save cost, time and resources by recycling synthetic turf and infill materials, such as a mixture of sand and ground rubber from tires.
2. Description of the Related Art
Artificial or synthetic turf, such as AstroTurf®, is a surface material manufactured from synthetic fibers to look like natural grass. This surface is often used in wide, flat spaces such as sporting arenas, baseball diamonds, or practice fields. Because it does not require the maintenance of natural grass, such as watering and trimming, this surface has also found growing interest in the commercial landscaping market for homes and businesses.
In some installations artificial turf is preferred over natural grass. For instance, in sports domes there is often not enough sunlight for natural grass to grow, so artificial turf is used. Artificial turf may also be preferred over ordinary grass in wet locations because it will not turn to mud after a rainfall.
Artificial turf is constructed from multiple layers. The bottom-most layer is soil. Drainage improvements may be placed in this soil. A padded layer may be placed atop the earth, followed by a water containment membrane and the artificial turf fibers. The artificial turf fibers are often filled in with infill, comprising a mixture of ground rubber pellets and sand (or sometimes silicon). The rubber-sand ratio can vary, depending on the desired resiliency of the synthetic turf field. For example, more sand generally makes the field harder and faster. Conversely, more rubber increases its resiliency, which can cushion players from field impact.
A disadvantage of typical artificial turf is that, during replacement of the turf, the rubber pellets must be discarded along with the sand mixture. The rubber particles can be recycled from vehicle tires, which promotes recycling and protects the environment by eliminating disposal issues associated with used tires. However, vehicle tire rubber particles can be difficult to dispose of properly, and may themselves pose environmental risks. What is desired is a system or method of reclaiming and reusing the rubber pellets during the reinstallation of a worn-out artificial field or landscaping installation. Heretofore there has not been available a system or method of synthetic turf recycling and reclamation with the advantages and features of the present invention.
The present invention relates to a system and method for reclaiming the rubber in-fill typically used in conjunction with artificial turf. The rubber pellets are typically mixed with sand, and therefore must be discarded when the artificial turf is being replaced. An aspect of the present invention uses an aspirator, such as that manufactured by Kice Industries, Inc. of Wichita, Kans., to remove the sand from the rubber pellets. The rubber may also be treated during this process to remove debris. The rubber may then be reused during the reinstallation of the turf.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.
As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
As shown in more detail in
When replacing the artificial turf 4, the fibers 6 are typically replaced in their entirety. To do this, the sand and rubber mixture 8 is often disposed along with the turf fibers. This mixture typically comprises small rubber pellets blended with standard sand. The rubber is usually in suitable condition for additional use; however the fibers or other components of the turf 4 have worn out. Previously there has been no way to reclaim these rubber pellets.
The process starts 18 by identifying an artificial turf in need of replacement. The first step at 20 requires the extraction of the rubber and sand mixture 8 from the synthetic fibers 6. At 22, an aspirator machine 42, such as that produced by Kice Industries, Inc. of Wichita, Kans., may then be used to separate the rubber from the sand. The sand is removed and set aside.
Often the rubber requires cleaning to remove pathogens that are not removed via natural means, or the rubber requires cleaning for other reasons. At 24, an inquiry is made as to the need to clean the rubber pellets. If yes, the rubber is cleaned at 26. Otherwise, the step is skipped and the synthetic turf is removed at 28. The containment membrane 10 is also removed at this step.
Next, the base surface 14 is laser graded or otherwise resurfaced at 30. This will re-level the surface and insure optimum placement of the new artificial turf.
Once the surface is ready, an inquiry is made as to the suitability of the previous containment membrane 10 at 32. If the membrane is damaged or worn, it can be mended or replaced at 34. If it is still suitable for use, it may be replaced on the base surface 14 and prepped for new artificial fibers 6.
At 36, the new artificial turf is applied. This includes laying and adhering the new fibers 6 to the membrane 10. Finally, the ground rubber pellets are reapplied to the artificial turf at 38. If desired, sand can be re-mixed with the rubber pellets prior to the mixture being reapplied. The process then ends at 40, and a new artificial turf is in place of the old turf, and the rubber has been completely reclaimed and recycled.
As shown in
The aspirator used in the preferred embodiment of the process disclosed herein is ideally portable. As shown in
The alternative aspect or method 102 begins at start 118 (
After extracting the infill at 126, the turf is extracted at 128 the infill and turf can be treated, e.g., off-field, at 130. The field is then regraded at 132. The regrading step eliminates uneven areas and can be guided by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning and machine control equipment. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) refers to the navigational satellite constellation operated and maintained by the United States Air Force. The turf is then replaced at 134 and infill is reapplied at 136 to end the method at 138.
It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. The range of components and configurations which can be utilized in the practice of the present invention is virtually unlimited.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/863,277, filed Apr. 15, 2013, which is based on and claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/623,686, filed Apr. 13, 2012, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61623686 | Apr 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13863277 | Apr 2013 | US |
Child | 14980465 | US |