AU625755B2 - Exercise areas - Google Patents

Description

OPI DATE 06/09/89 AOJP DATE 05/10/89 APPLN. ID 30589 89 PCT NUMBER PCT/GB89/00115 INTERNA' I TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4: lIntl atiovp ib tatioiImber: WO 89/07635 CO9K 17/00, EOIC 13/00 (int e io 1 Pubitio te: 24 August 1989 (24,08.89) (21) International Application Number: PCT/GB89/00115 (22) International Filing Date: 7 February 1989 (07.02.89) Priority Application Numbers: 8802879 8824234.2 (32) Priority Dates: 9 February 1988 (09.02.88) 17 October 1988 (17.10.88) Colney, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TY (GB).

(74) Agent: SHAW, Laurence; George House, George Roadr Birmingham B15 IPG (GB).

(81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), CH (European patent), DE (European patent), FR (European patent), GB (European patent), IT (European patent), JP, KR, LU (European patent), NL (European patent), SE (European patent), SU, US.

port.

time limitfor amending the d in the event of the receipt (33) Priority Country:

GB

(71 SeCTION 34(4) DIECU ION SEE FOLIO NAME DIRECTED (72) c 51F AoW- V -t, -D1a ot b E g3'mb)EW U ¢STVET Nt) R\UNfOT RI-PHR_-TE d; 2gowlc x \r~CowhI (57) Abstract A composition to be laid to form an exercise area for horses comprises a particulate material such as sand, cold or hot coated with a composition comprising granules of a plastics such as PVC coated with an oil component, e.g. bitumen plus additives, so that the laid material will be resilient and water permeable.

WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 EXERCISE AREAS The invention relates to compositions for use in making exercise areas such as an arena, gallop or track, primarily for use by horses.

It is known from W0-A-86/06391 (Denehunt) to make a material to lay a horse riding surface, the material comprising a mixture of raw granulated plastics such as PVC, a bitumen emulsion and water, the granules being coated with the emulsion such that significant agglomeration is prevented. It is also known from EP-A-0231057 (En-Tout-Cas) to make for the same purpose a material comprising a synthetic polymeric material dispersed or dissolved in an oil having a viscosity such that it is i substantially non-fluid at ambient temperature. The polymeric material tends to give the formed material resilience which can be increased by adding cork or rubber particles.

It is one object of the invention to provide an improved composition for the purpose. The invention is based on the realisation that if a modified composition is used, the surface formed is especially resilient and of long life because of its water permeability.

In one aspect, the invention provides a composition for admixture |j j'7 1 ti WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 2 with a particulate material such as sand to form the top layer of an exercise area, the composition comprising granules of a resilient granular filler coated with an oil component whereby the formed layer will be resilient and substantially waterpermeable.

The composition may be applied to the particulate material either cold or heated.

The granules of the resilient granular filler component may be provided by granules of plastics; synthetic or natural rubbers, and cork or the like. Preferred are polyvinyl chloride, natural or synthetic rubber, polymers or mixtures. The granules preferably range from 1mm to about 12mm in diameter, and preferably the component comprises a mixture of granules of different sizes. The grading of the granules Provides interstices between the coated granules in the top layer of the exercise area, to provide water-permeability. Often such mixtures are commercially available and they may be used directly, but a proportion of fluffy or dusty material is desirable. Also the granules should be or have a reduced moisture content. The granules may be coloured, eg green, to simulate natural turf or in other ways for aesthetic or functional purposes.

WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 For cold coating of the particulate material, the oil composition preferably comprises a stabilised oil-in-water emulsion. The stabilised oil-in-water emulsion is preferably a'bitumen or resin (or mixture) in water emulsion. Suitable bitumens will typically have a softening point in the range from about 25 to about By the term stabilised we mean that the emulsion will not fully break from the time that it is made until the granules have been blended with the emulsion and the material comprising the composition and sand have been laid. This is achieved according to the invention by adding one or more additives which we will call "stabilisers". The additives selected will depend on the particular components of the emulsion, as will the concentration.

In the case of a bitumen-in-water emulsion we prefer to include one or more of the following as stabilisers in concentrations by weight relative to the bitumen as shown Lignin salts such as metal salts, about Rosin derivatives such as acidic rosin derivatives about Other stabilisers are the substances known as Tecpol and Polyfon

H.

The proportion of oil in the emulsion may range from about 30% to WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 about 65% by weight. If less than the minimum is used, then a thick enough coating is unlikely to be produced in which case th.

break time may be too long owing to the presence of relatively excess water and the material may not bind satisfactorily. If the upper limit is exceeded a too thick and uneven coating may result with the possibility of too quick a break. This would give an inconsistent product which would be very difficult to lay in the normal way ie even distribution over the area to be treated by raking.

The granules and the bitumen-in-water emulsion may be mixed in a weight proportion of about 16 to about 6:1 for a 40% oil in water emulsion. Varying the emulsion content will produce similar effects to varying the oil content of the emulsion as described above. Preferably, the granular filler component makes up about by weight of the composition.

The stabilised oil-in-water emulsions are anionic. Emulsions which are cationic could be used but it is difficult to control the break time and to set with an even film of the bitumen on the granules.

The stabilised emulsion and the granules may be mixed in a variety of ways. While the emulsion and granules may be mixed on site using for example a paddle mixer, it is a much preferred ti IWO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 feature of the invention that they are mixed together in a Pugmill type mixer such as an asphalt mixer or like equipment.

The product when the emulsion is only partially broken is a free flowing mix which may be transported from the site of manufacture to the place of use and then be laid without further treatment.

When the emulsion breaks the product is flexible and resilient.

The stabilised emulsion may include additives such as reinforcing fibres eg polypropylene, asphaltite, pigments, fillers or the like. It is an important feature of the product that it binds well under compaction yet is resilient with good elastic recovery when the compacting force is removed. In order to enhance this the oil component of the emulsion may be modified by the addition or rubber or polymer, or a latex or mixture of lattices or rubber or polymer in water emulsions may be added to the emulsion and incorporated by mixing, or added to the composition whilst it is being mixed. A suitable proportion of bitumen emulsion to polymer emulsion would be about 13:1.

One advantage of the compositions just defined is that they can be laid cold but of course the composition and the particulate material can be laid warm if required.

The particulate material may be coated hot using another oil composition of the invention, the composition comprising the <i r: WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 granular material, a bitumen or resin binder and an asphaltite.

The composition just defined preferably includes natural gilsonite as the asphaltite because this is a powder which is readily mixable. The presence of this ingredient increases the overall life of the material by absorbing ultraviolet light. It tends to harden with time and so counteracts a tendency of other ingredients to soften with time. The concentration of the asphaltite tends to be low, about say 0.5 to about 1.5% by weight of the total composition. If less than this is used then such softening may occur while an upper limit is determined by cost and the effect on the binder.

The bitumen or resin binder will be selected according to the amient conditions. A bitumen having a penetration value of between about 50 and 100 when measured by the BS2000 Part 49 method is suitable in Britain; different values may be better for warmer climates.

Most preferably, the composition includes one or more latices.

The latex provides elasticity and flexibility in the formed product. it also tends to prevent embrittlement at low temperatures. A mixture of latexes, natural and synthetic, may be used. It also tends to limit movement under high temperature.

(I

4t WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 7 Waxes, and fillers may be present to reduce tack and for like effects. Reinforcing fibres may be present.

When mixed with the hot particulate material eg sand, the granular material preferably makes up the bulk of the formed mass. In our evaluations we have found it preferable to use a composition comprising (by weight) particulate filler eg sand 100 granular filler (graded) 150 bitumen asphaltite 3 The particulate filler is preferably a sand, preferably one havidng round grains so that there are no sharp corners to harm horses. Other particulate fillers may be used.

An area of the composition of the invention may be laid on a suitable substrate. While the substrate may be prepared in a variety of ways, we prefer to cut the substrate eg soil, apply a geotextile membrane, followed by a 13cm layer of graded limestone, then a 5cm layer of open textured bitumen based macadam, and then at least 15cm of the composition of the invention is applied cold or with heat. The area may then be raked or rolled to provide the exercise surface. The formed area WO 89/07635 PC7/GB89/00115 has a number of advantages. Firstly, it is resilient, in the sense that natural turf is, so that it is an excellent surface for exercising horses. Secondly it has little or no tendency to suffer from tracking, ie for permanent tracks to be formed as a result of regular use. The area is suitable for all weather use, being water and rain permeable. If any tracking or deformation does occur the area can be remedied very easily by harrowing or raking and rolling.

A horse track or other substitute soil material when made by mixing sand or other particulate material with a composition of this invention is resilient and water permeable irrespective of whether the cil component of the composition is a stabilised oilin-water emulsion or a bitumen and asphaltite mixture. The granules of the granular filler provide resilience; this is enhanced in the case of the stabilised oil-in-water emulsion by the flexibility of the binder system thereof and in the case of the bitumen/asphaltite mixture by additives such as latices. The water permeability in both cases is caused by the grading of the granular filler and the binder content. The inclusion of an asphaltite such as gilsonite to both types of oil component extends the life of the laid material.

The invention includes a resilient water permeable mass comprising a particulate material mixed with a composition t WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 comprising granules of a granular filler coated with an oil component whereby the mass is resilient and water permeable.

The invention further includes a method of applying such as mass to form an exercise area.

In another aspect the invention provides a resilient flexible water permeable mass which is the blended product of a particulate material and a composition comprising a resilient granular filler component and a stabilised oil-in-water emulsion component. In another prefered aspect, the invention provides a method of making such a composition comprising blending a resilient granular filler component in such a way as to blend the filler granules therein and then allowing or causing the emulsion to break.

In another preferred aspect, the invention provides a resilient water permeable mass which is the blended product of a resilient granular filler component and a composition comprising bitumen or resin binder and an asphaltite.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of illustration only, with reference to the following examples, in which parts are by weight.

WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 Example I Bitumen of softening point 500C is mixed with water and the following additives to form a stabilised bitumen-in-water emulsion, in the following proportions Ingredient Proportion bitumen 38.00 water 57.47 polymer (added as polymer in water latex) 3.00 rosin acid derivatives 0.70 lignin metal salts 0.80 sodium hydroxide 0.03 A mixture of polyvinyl chloride average granule size of Imm to 12mm diameter was mixed with the stabilised emulsion and gilsonite in a paddle mixer in a weight proportion of 87:12:1 The mixer was run for 2 minutes. The granules were blended in the emulsion which partially broke, and the resultant composition took the form of a flexible mass. A substrate was prepared by consolidating the ground, laying a plastics liner, and applying 12cm of graded limestone and 5cm of open texture bitumen based macadam coarse. The mass was laid to a depth of about WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 rolled and raked. The track formed was used to exercise horses.

It was noted that the surface layer was resilient and the horses exercised well. There was little or no tracking. Droppings falling on the track were easily removed. The surface was freshened by rolling or raking.

Example II A resilient water permeable mass was made by mixing in the cold sand particles with composition comprising polyvinyl chloride particles (graded) 87.0 bitumen (penetration point of 200) water limestone filler long chain amines synthetic wax until the sand particles were coated. The mass was used to lay a horse exercise track which was resilient and water permeable.

EXAMPLE III A resilient water permeable mass made by coating sand particles in the cold with a composition comprising WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 12polyvinylchloride particles (graded) 87.5 bitumen (penetration point of 100) water gilsonite polypropylene fibres until the sand particles were well coated. The mass was used to lay a horse exercise track.

Example IV Concentrate water 23.18 gilsonite 21.50 limestone powder 20.00 waxes (high melting point Arude wax) 20.00 latexes 6.40 long chain amines 5.00 antioxidant (such as the dilauryl salt of B, B 1 thiodipropionic acid) 2.00 Vinsol NVX 0.88 Indulin C, the sodium salt of WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 lignum 0.44 Proxil AB (aqueous dispersion of 1,2 benzisothiazolin-3-one) 0.30 caustic soda 0.30 100.00 36.5 parts sand were heated and added to a mixer with 3.5 parts bitumen. 5.5 parts of the concentrate were added and well mixed followed by 55 parts of waste pvc granules (graded mix). The whole was well mixed until the sand grains were evenly coated.

The formed mass was resiliently flexible and removed from the mixer. The material could then be used directly to form the equitation surface. A substrate was prepared by consolidating the ground, laying a plastics liner, and applying 12cm of graded limestone and 5cm of open texture bitumen based macadam coarse.

The mass prepared as above was laid to a depth of about rolled and raked. The track formed was used to exercise horses.

It was noted that the surface layer was resilient and the horses exercised well without material sticking to their hooves. There was little or no tracking. Droppings falling on the track were easily removed. The surface was freshened by rolling or raking.

(i' 1 WO 89/07635 PCT/GB89/00115 Example V Sand particles (30 parts) were heated and added to a mixer followed by a mixture of the following while maintaining the heat polyvinylchloride graded granules 54.0 limestone dust 10.0 bitumen (penetration point of 50) gilsonite until the sand particles were evenly coated to form a resilient flexible water permeable mass.

EXAMPLE VI Sand particles (32.75 parts) were heated and add to a mixer followed by waste polyvinylchloride graded granules (graded) 60.0 bitumen (penetration point of 100) cement filler asphaltite long chain amine 0.25 'i 1 1 SWO 89/07635 PC/GB89/O0115 The mixing was continued until the sand particles were evenly coated to form a resilient flexible water-permeable mass.

Claims (18)

1. A composition for admixture with a particular material such as sand to form the top layer of an exercise area, the composition comprising the granules of a resilient granular filler coated with an oil component, the granular filler being a graded mixture of particles ranging from 1 mm to 12 mm in diameter, the oil component being a stabilised oil-in-water emulsion whereby the formed layer is resilient and substantially water-permeable.

A composition according to claim 1, wherein the granules of the granular filler are of plastics, rubber, cork or the like.

3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the So 0 S.granules are of polyvinyl chloride.

4. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is a *stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion.

5. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the emulsion contains a lignin salt in a weight concentration of 0.5% as stabilizer therefore.

6. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the emulsion contains a rosin derivative in a concentration of 1% by weight as stabilizer therefore.

7. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is anionic.

8. A composition according to any preceding claim, a 1 wherein the stabilized oil-in-water emulsion contains 1 VoS iC.) 17 rubber or polymer or lattice in sufficient quantity to enhance resilience.

9. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the stabilized oil-in-water emulsion contains fibres, asphaltite, filler of the like.

A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the proportion of oil in the stabilized emulsion is from 30% to 65% by weight.

11. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the oil component includes a resin binder and asphaltite. S,

12. A composition according to claim 11, wherein the asphaltite is gilsonite. S*

13. A composition according to claim 12, wherein the asphaltite comprises 0.5. to 0.5% by weight of the S composition.

14. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is mixed with the particulate material without the application of heat.

15. A composition according to claim 14, comprising substantially: particulate matter 100 granular filler 150 bitumen asphaltite 3

16. A method of laying an exercise area comprising mixing a particulate material with a composition ALj according to any of claims 1 to 13 and applying the mixed r material in a layer at least 15 cm thick. T O!i 18

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein a substrate is first cut, a geotextile membrane is applied followed by graded limestone and then a bitumen based macadam.

18. A composition for admixture with a particulate material to form the top layer of an exercise area, substantially as described with reference to any of the examples. DATED this 7th day of APRIL, 1992 NOONAWEENA LIMITED and AYTON ASPHALTE LIMITED Attorney: IAN T. ERNST Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of SHELSTON WATERS •m 0@e S S* *o l qllOO 4 1 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International Application No PCT/GB 89/00115 1. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER (it several classification symbols apoly, Indicate all) According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both National Classification and IPC iPC4: C 09 K 17/00; E 01 C 13/00 II. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum Documentation Searched r Classification System I Classification Symbols 4 1 IPC C 09 K; C 08 J Documentation Searched other than Minimum Documentation to the Extent that such Documents are Included in the Fields Searched III. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category Citation of Document, it with Indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages 12 Relevant to Claim No. 13 X FR, A, 605699 CALDERWOOD) 31 May 1926, 1 see page 1, lines 1-27; abstract points 1,2 X Soviet Inventions Illustrated, week 8717, 1 6 May 1987, abstract no. 87-120631/17, Derwent Publications Ltd (London, GB), SU, A, 1253982 (Bashkir Univ (Ufap Nady=) 30 August 1986, see the whole abstract X GB, A, 435324 ARLIDGE) 17 October 1935, 1-3 see page 1, lines 63-66,73-81; page 2, lines 1-23,51-60; claims 1-4,7 X US, A, 3708319 NIMERICK) 2 January 1,2,6 1973, see column 2, lines 54-65; column 3, lines 14-17; column 4, lines 1-3; claims 1-11 X EP, A, 0231057 (EN-TOUT-CAS PLC) 5 August 1,2,3,7,15, I. 1 24,25,26 Special categories of cited documents: 10 later document publihed after the International riling date document defining the general state of the art which Is not or Priority date and not In conflict with the application but consider d toeo f ptic l ar revance cited to understand the prInciple or theory underlying the considered to be of particular relevance invention earlier document but pub li shed on or after the International document of particular relevance: the claimed invention iling date cannot be considered novel or cannot be consioered to document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or Involve an Inventive step which is cited to establish the publication date of another document of particular releIanc;'the Claimed Invention citation or other epecial reason (as specified) cannot be considered to Involve an Inventive step when the document referring to an oral diaclosure, use, exhlbitlon or document is combined with one or more other such docu. other means ments, such combination being obvious to a peraon skilled document published prior to the International filing date but In the art. later than the priority date claimed document member of the same patent family IV. CERTIFICATION Date of the Actual Completion of the International Search Date of Mailing of this International Search Report 26th May 1989 20 JUN 198 International Searchlng Authority [..SHglnaure of Authorl Offcer EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE VAN DR Form PCT/ISA/210 (econd sheet) (January 19B5) IneratoalAvllaio N.PCT/GB 89/00115 Ineratonl ~~lct~n -2- III, DOCUMENTS CONSIDERlED TO BE RELEVANdT (CONTINUED FROM THE SECOND SHEET) Category II Citation of Document,. with indication. Wtlee appropriate, of the relevant passagas Relevant to Claim No 1987, see page 1, lines 1-6; page 2, lines 20-24; page 3, lines 1-4,11-22; page 4, lines 5-11,22-25; page lines 1-4; page 6, lines 4-7,19-25; claims 1-15 cited in the application WO, A, 86/06391 (DENEHUNT) 6 November 1986, see page 1, lines 18-33; page 2; page 4, lines 11,12,25-27; claims 1,4 cited in the application 1,2,3,5,7 Form PCT ISA 210 (extra inveo (January 19851 i'l ANNEX TO THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATION NO. GB 8900115 SA 26826 This annex lists the patent family members relating to the patent documents cited in the above-mentioned international search report. The members are as contained in the European Patent Office EDP file on 14/06/89 The European Patent Office is in no way liable for these particulars which are merely given for the purpose of information. Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member(s) date FR-A- 605699 None GB-A- 435324 None US-A- 3708319 02-01-73 None EP-A- 0231057 05-08-87 AU-A- 6754187 16-07-87 GB-A- 2185490 22-07-87 JP-A- 62225604 03-10-87 US-A- 4792133 20-12-88 WO-A- 8606391 06-11-86 AU-A- 5776486 18-11-86 EP-A- 0218670 22-04-87 US-A- 4797434 10-01-89 2 For more details about this annex :see Official Journal of the European Patent Office, No. 12/82