EP4367328A1 - Surface de sport, son utilisation et son procédé de fabrication - Google Patents

Surface de sport, son utilisation et son procédé de fabrication

Info

Publication number
EP4367328A1
EP4367328A1 EP22741266.5A EP22741266A EP4367328A1 EP 4367328 A1 EP4367328 A1 EP 4367328A1 EP 22741266 A EP22741266 A EP 22741266A EP 4367328 A1 EP4367328 A1 EP 4367328A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pile
sports
loops
surface according
layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22741266.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Colin Young
Salil SETHUNATH
Hein Anton HEERINK
Michael Rene VOGEL
Niels Gerhardus KOLKMAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ten Cate Thiolon BV
Original Assignee
Ten Cate Thiolon BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ten Cate Thiolon BV filed Critical Ten Cate Thiolon BV
Publication of EP4367328A1 publication Critical patent/EP4367328A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
    • E01C13/08—Surfaces simulating grass ; Grass-grown sports grounds
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05C—EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
    • D05C17/00—Embroidered or tufted products; Base fabrics specially adapted for embroidered work; Inserts for producing surface irregularities in embroidered products
    • D05C17/02—Tufted products
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B2505/00—Industrial
    • D10B2505/20—Industrial for civil engineering, e.g. geotextiles
    • D10B2505/202—Artificial grass
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C2201/00—Paving elements
    • E01C2201/10—Paving elements having build-in shock absorbing devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fibre-based sport surface and a method of manufacturing a fibre-based sports surface.
  • the sports surface comprises a backing layer and a pile layer and is suited for a large variety of sports and recreational activities, including field hockey, lawn bowls, cricket, golf, tennis and paddle.
  • the sports surface shows excellent performance without irrigation and is therefore particularly suited for use in its dry condition, i.e. , without the addition of water.
  • Sports surfaces need to fulfil certain performance criteria to enable comfortable play and/or to comply with norms and restrictions that have been set by professional sports associations. For example, restrictions may be provided to ensure a minimum or maximum ball-roll distance, specify ball bounce characteristics, or to enable a safe player sliding performance.
  • Natural turf is one of the preferred surfaces for many sports but is frequently found too costly to maintain for everyday use. For this reason, artificial turf has become increasingly popular and has developed through multiple generations to achieve sports performance that is equal to or even exceeds the natural version.
  • artificial turf comprises a backing layer and a pile layer, which are connected together by tufting or weaving or the like. The pile layer forms the playing surface. [0003] The pile layer of the sports surface determines the performance of the sports surface.
  • WO 2006/091067 A1 shows an example of an artificial grass turf system specifically intended for use as a sports field, in particular for soccer.
  • Fibre-based sports surfaces are widely used to play ball sports like soccer and hockey, but can have as a disadvantage that the friction at the playing surface is too large. This can negatively affect the sports performance and can lead to injuries of the players when sliding. To mitigate these negative effects, the sports surface can be wetted in order to lower the friction at the playing surface. This is especially applied on hockey fields and this solution is commonly referred to as a “water based field”.
  • the present invention attempts to further improve on such sports surfaces by providing a field with a comparable or improved level of functionality while reducing the required amount of water to wet the field and/or entirely omitting the use of water.
  • a sports surface comprising a backing layer and a pile layer, wherein the pile layer comprises pile fibres, connected to the backing layer to form loops and the loops are closely packed together to form a substantially continuous playing surface.
  • the pile fibres can be formed by monofilaments, fibrillated tapes, slit tapes or the like.
  • the pile fibres are formed by monofilaments i.e. fibres that have been extruded as individual filaments.
  • sports surface is used to refer to a specialized surface for carrying out sports or other recreational activities, for example to play field hockey, lawn bowls, cricket, golf, tennis, paddle or soccer. It will be understood that in embodiments the sports surface can be adjusted to comply with norms set by professional sports associations regarding certain performance features such as ball roll distance or ball rebound height.
  • the sports surface according to the present claims marks a significant departure from conventional thinking in that it no longer seeks to approximate natural turf but instead delivers a sports performance that is inherently different from natural turf and existing artificial turf.
  • the pile layer comprises a plurality of loops and the playing surface is formed by an upper part of the plurality of loops.
  • the term “loop crest” is used to refer to the upper and outer part of the plurality of loops that forms the playing surface.
  • each loop has a loop base defined by the points where the pile fibre extends from a top surface of the backing layer. From the loop base, two loop sides extend between the backing layer and the playing surface.
  • the playing surface is formed by the loop crest that connects the two loop sides. It will be understood that the loop is formed by a continuous fibre and that the definition of what a loop side and a loop crest is, may depend on the momentary shape of the loop.
  • the loop shape is for instance dependent on the pressure currently and/or previously applied to the playing surface, but may also depend on other factors such as the degree of packing of adjacent loops.
  • the contact area in the playing surface according to the invention also has a lower roughness.
  • a cut-fibre playing surface may have sharp edges around the cut cross-sections of the pile fibres, whereas the sides of the loop crests that form the playing field are typically much smoother. This additional smoothness contributes to a further reduction of the friction between the ball or player’s skin on the one hand, and the playing surface on the other hand.
  • the loops provide a significant amount of support and because the loops can deform, the resilience of the layer is improved. This results in increased player comfort in comparison to cut pile fibres and lower ball bounces as more energy is absorbed in the pile layer.
  • the loops further increase the rotational resistance of the playing surface, leading to an improved grip of the ball and player foot. This prevents a player from accidentally slipping and falling or becoming injured.
  • the pile layer has a pile density ratio of at least 100 g/m 2 per mm, preferably at least 150 g/m 2 per mm.
  • the pile density ratio is defined as the mass of the pile layer [g/m2] per unit of height [mm] of the pile layer.
  • the mass of the pile layer may be determined according to ISO 8543 and the pile height may be measured according to ISO 2549.
  • the unit of the pile density ratio is grams per square meter per millimetre.
  • the close packing of the loops can be defined by the number of loops per square meter or the number of loops or filaments per square meter.
  • at least 40,000 loop bundles are provided per square meter, preferably at least 60,000 loop bundles per square meter.
  • the number of loop bundles may be measured according to the standard ISO 1763.
  • at least 400,000 individual loops are provided per square meter, preferably at least 600,000 loops per square meter.
  • each loop is formed by an individual filament or fibre. A count of 600,000 loops is thus comparable to 1 ,200,000 filaments in a cut-fibre pile layer.
  • the number of filaments may be measured according to the standard ISO 1763.
  • the pile layer has a pile height between 5 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 10 mm.
  • the pile height may be measured according to ISO 2549. For a larger pile height, the sports surface becomes more prone to damages as the likelihood that part of a player’s shoe gets entangled in a loop increases. Larger loops therefore have a higher risk of being pulled out.
  • the loops have an aspect ratio (H/W) of less than 3.
  • the loop base is generally determined by the manner in which the loop is formed. For a tufted pile layer, the loop base will be largely determined by the needle size and the bundle diameter that is tufted. A loop, if unconstrained will tend to have a curvature determined by the structural properties of the fibre i.e. the second moment of area. If the loops are packed closely together, the adjacent loops may support against each other, leading to narrower loops. In general, a maximum loop width is obtained within the pile layer at a position spaced from the top surface of the backing layer. It is however not excluded that other constructions may form loops having a greater width at their base at the position where the pile exits the backing layer.
  • an aspect ratio may be at least 2.2, preferably at least 2.4.
  • the loop base is provided by a single opening in the backing layer.
  • the loop base may be wider.
  • the pile layer has a mass of at least 800 g/m2.
  • the mass may be determined according to the standard ISO 8543.
  • the backing layer has an upper surface and a lower surface, the pile fibres passing through the backing layer and extending along the lower surface of the backing layer, wherein the pile fibres at the lower surface of the backing layer have been heated to weaken or destructure the material.
  • the pile fibres are generally drawn down during extrusion in order to orientate the polymer material. Heating the material to the softening temperature can cause the orientation to be lost and the fibre strength to be reduced.
  • the loop When a large pulling force is exerted on one of the loops in the pile layer, the loop may be pulled out, while breaking the yarn at the weakened lower side of the backing. Consequently, the effects of laddering, i.e., loss of consecutive loops from the same column or row if one loop is pulled out, and fraying, i.e., loss and damage of pile fibres from the cut edge, may be reduced or fully prevented.
  • the pile fibres at the lower surface of the backing layer are at least partially melted.
  • the pile fibres may be partially melted or fused entirely.
  • the term “fusing” is used to refer to the situation where two components or fibres are fully melted together i.e. to form an integral component. Melting may merely cause one component to mould around the other component without actual bonding or fusing taking place. In this case, once cooled, there may be merely a mechanical bonding of the two components e.g. the pile fibres and the woven backing layer. Melting the pile fibres together may lead to bundles of fibres at the lower surface of the backing layers which have a higher pull out strength. The melted bundles of filaments are more difficult to pull out than a single filament but can nevertheless not easily ladder.
  • the sports surface further comprises a locking layer provided at a lower surface of the backing layer for locking the pile fibres to the backing layer and/or mitigate laddering.
  • the locking layer prevents pull-out of the pile fibres from the backing layer and may further reduce the effects of laddering due to the enhanced pull out strength.
  • the locking layer comprises one of the following: a hot melt adhesive, a powder melt adhesive, a coating layer or a laminated film.
  • the coating layer may for example be a latex or polyurethane coating.
  • a combination may be applied; for example application of both a powder melt adhesive and a laminated film.
  • the pile layer further comprises a plurality of cut loops. Such cut loops preferably have a similar pile height or a lower pile height than the loops, such that the playing surface is at least partially formed by the looped pile fibres. In embodiments, all loops are uncut. A combination of both cut loops and uncut loops can be used to optimize the sports performance characteristics of the sports field.
  • cut loops can be provided to mitigate the effects of “fraying”, and “laddering” as cutting the loops reduces the length of consecutive loops so that less loops are pulled out.
  • the effects of laddering and fraying may be mitigated by cutting the pile fibres at a lower surface of the backing layer.
  • At least 70 wt. % of the pile layer consists of uncut loops, preferably wherein at least 90 wt. % of the pile layer consists of uncut loops.
  • the term ‘uncut’ loops in this context is understood to refer to them not being cut within the pile layer, i.e., above the top surface of the backing layer.
  • the pile fibres comprise a polymeric material, preferably a polyethylene material.
  • the polymeric material may be extruded and oriented by drawing.
  • Polyethylene in particular low density polyethylene is a preferred material due to its good resilience and is therefore most suited to achieve the required sports performance.
  • polypropylene or polyamide material can be used to form the pile layer.
  • softer materials may be used that have been conventionally used in artificial turf.
  • the pile fibres forming the loops are arranged in bundles.
  • each bundle comprises 3 to 30, preferably from 6 to 12 monofilaments, fibrillated tapes, or bundles of slit tapes.
  • the pile in bundles is efficient from a production standpoint and the skilled person will understand the trade-offs between bundle size and processability.
  • the bundles of pile fibres have a linear density between 2000 dtex and 20000 dtex, preferably between 6000 dtex and 10000 dtex.
  • the fibres within the bundle have a linear density between 500 dtex and 2000 dtex, preferably between 800 dtex and 1200 dtex. It will be understood that this is not comparable with carpet materials e.g. for indoor use, which may also be formed with a loop pile but have dtex values far below 100 dtex.
  • the pile layer further comprises texturized yarns.
  • the texturized yarns may be formed as looped pile fibres or can be cut pile fibres.
  • the texturized yarns may have the same pile height or be shorter and provided to form a resilient thatch layer.
  • the pile fibres are tufted into the backing layer.
  • the skilled person will be familiar with the procedure for tufting such loops.
  • the tufts may be straight or may be arranged in a zig-zag fashion. It has been found that a slight zig-zag is useful in avoiding an overly linear pattern of the loops, which could lead to directionality in the playing surface.
  • the pile fibres may be integrated in the backing layer in a different way such as by knitting, weaving, or needling.
  • the loops have a pull-out strength of at least 35 N, preferably at least 50 N.
  • the pull-out strength may be determined by the minimum withdrawal force as defined according to ISO norm 4919 for loops.
  • the loop comprises a plurality of fibres in a bundle, this is the pull-out strength of the bundle.
  • Such a strength is typically required by sports associations as a minimum.
  • the sports field according to the invention can be configured to comply with norms set by sports associations.
  • the pile fibres have a cross section with an aspect ratio (w/t) of not greater than 5, preferably not greater than 4.
  • w/t aspect ratio
  • the fibre is no longer functioning as an upstanding blade, intending to mimic grass.
  • the shape instead provides the pile fibre with structural strength in the form of a bowed arch.
  • the pile fibres may have a substantially circular, elliptical, oval, lenticular, diamond or rectangular cross-sectional shape.
  • the pile fibres may have a plurality of elongated ribs extending along the elongated direction of the pile fibres. Disadvantageous to a smooth circumferential surface of the pile fibres is a potential glaring when the light is bright. Roughening the surface of the pile fibres by providing elongated ribs along the pile fibres can mitigate glare and provide a more natural appearance.
  • the sports surface is suited for ball sports, in particular for field hockey, lawn bowls, cricket, golf, tennis or paddle. It will be understood that the pile layer may be adjusted to comply with the norms and requirements for a specific sports application.
  • the sports surface may also be used for other recreational activities without a ball.
  • the sports surface is suited for use without irrigating the surface.
  • conventional fields are often used in combination with water to enhance sports performance.
  • the water reduces the resistance of the playing surface thereby improving sports performance.
  • the backing layer comprises polymeric material.
  • the backing layer may be made of polypropylene, which exhibits excellent stability to outdoor conditions, shows high creep resistance and has excellent longevity. Stability of the backing layer is important because temperatures on a pitch may vary between below freezing and up to 85 degrees Celsius if exposed to direct sun without suitable cooling provisions. Sufficient creep resistance is especially important for sports surfaces applied on sports fields with even a minor slope for drainage, where static forces can otherwise lead to deformation over time of the sports surface.
  • the backing layer may be made of another polymeric material such as polyethylene and preferably a high density polyethylene. A high density polyethylene material may also be used to manufacture a backing that exhibits excellent stability to outdoor conditions, shows high creep resistance and has excellent longevity.
  • the backing layer is made of a polymeric material having a higher melting temperature than the pile fibres.
  • the backing layer comprises a polymeric material having a first melting temperature and the pile fibres comprise a polymeric material having a second melting temperature, wherein the difference between the first and second melting temperature is at least 2 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 3 degrees Celsius and may be more than 5 degrees Celsius.
  • the different melting temperature enables the pile fibres to be secured in the backing layer through melting of the pile fibres without affecting the filaments of the backing layer.
  • the sports surface has been heat-stabilized.
  • the backing layer may be a woven fabric and the heat-stabilization relaxes the strain developed in the filaments of the backing layer during the weaving process. It will be understood that weaving generally takes place at ambient temperatures at which the filaments have a given modulus. The weaving action creates bends and twists in the filaments, which remain once the process is completed. If the temperature of the backing layer is elevated, the induced strain can recover by relaxation and straightening of bends in the filaments. As a side-effect of the heat-stabilization, the height of the pile layer may be reduced by approximately 20%.
  • the heat-stabilization may be performed using a variety of different methods.
  • heat-stabilization takes place by feeding the substrate along a body having a heated surface, a first surface of the backing layer being arranged to contact the heated surface.
  • the heated surface may be a roller or calendar as is generally known in the art.
  • the heat-stabilization is performed by guiding the backing layer through an oven or ovens without direct contact with a heated surface.
  • a tenter frame may be used to guide the backing layer through the oven.
  • a sports surface according to the invention for a ball sport is disclosed, preferably for field hockey, lawn bowls, cricket, golf, tennis or paddle.
  • the sports surface is used without purposely watering the surface in advance, to improve play.
  • “purposely watering the surface in advance, to improve play” refers to the common practice to water hockey fields to enhance their performance. It will be understood that water may naturally be added to outdoor fields when it rains, or possibly when a field is cleaned or for cooling purposes.
  • the sports surface according to the invention can be used without watering and still meet the desired performance criteria.
  • a method of manufacturing a sports surface comprising providing a backing layer, the backing layer have an upper surface and a lower surface; integrating a plurality of pile fibres into the backing layer to be upstanding as loops from the upper surface, the loops being connected to each other at the lower surface of the backing layer; and forming a substantially continuous playing surface by providing a close packing of loops.
  • the method further comprises weakening the pile fibres at the lower surface of the backing layer to prevent laddering.
  • the method further comprises at least partially melting the pile fibres at the lower surface of the backing layer to disrupt or reduce the molecular orientation of the fibre material to prevent laddering and/or prevent fibre pull-out.
  • the method further comprises heat-stabilizing the sports surface.
  • FIG. 1 A schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a sports surface according to a first embodiment.
  • Figure 1 B shows a detail of a looped pile fibre in the sports surface according to Fig. 1 A.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a filament in a pile fibre according to a first embodiment.
  • Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus that can be used to heat-stabilize the sports surface and/or to provide the pile fibres with an anti-laddering treatment.
  • Figure 4A schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a hockey ball arranged on the sports surface according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4B schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a hockey ball arranged on a prior art water field with cut pile fibres.
  • FIG. 1A schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a sports surface 10 comprising a backing layer 1 having a lower surface 11 and a top surface 12, a pile layer 2 with loop bundles 20, a locking layer 3 and a playing surface 15.
  • the loop bundles 20 are formed by bundles of pile fibres 27 formed as monofilaments. Each monofilament forms an individual loop 21 , having loop sides 22, a loop crest 23 and a loop base 24.
  • the backing layer 1 is a woven fabric having warp tapes and weft tapes through which the loops 21 have been tufted.
  • the backing layer 1 is made of polypropylene and has a fabric weight of approximately 250 g/m 2 .
  • the backing layer 1 comprises two sub layers 13 and 14 that are stitched together to form the primary backing layer 1 . Nevertheless, it will be understood that also a single layer backing layer, or a backing layer made of another material may be used in other embodiments.
  • the polypropylene backing layer 1 has a melting point of approximately 160 degrees Celsius.
  • the pile layer 2 comprises a plurality of closely packed loop bundles 20, each formed by ten loops 21 extending from the top surface 12 of the backing layer 1 to the playing surface 15.
  • Each loop 21 has two loop sides 22a, 22b, and a loop crest 23, wherein the loop sides 22 are connected to each other by the loop crest 23.
  • the loop crests 23 of all loops 21 together form the playing surface 15 of the sports surface 10.
  • the playing surface 15 may support a ball or a player during play.
  • FIG. 1 B shows a detail of a single loop 21 within a loop bundle 20.
  • the loop sides 22 each extend approximately over a pile height H from the top surface 11 of the backing layer 1 .
  • the loop base 24 is here defined as the point where the loop 21 intersects the top surface 12 of the backing layer 1 .
  • the loop 21 is widest at a distance of approximately 2/3 of the pile height from the loop base 24.
  • the loop 21 has an aspect ratio (H/W) of approximately 2.5.
  • the loops 21 have a height of approximately 8 mm, measured as the distance between the top surface 11 of the pile layer 2 and the average height of the loop crests 23.
  • the loops 21 are provided at a stich rate of approximately 375 stiches per meter across a length direction of the sports surface 10 and a gauge of approximately 4 mm along the width direction of the sports surface. In this way, approximately 100,000 bundles of loops are provided per square meter of sports surface 10.
  • Each bundle has a linear density of 8000 dtex, consisting of 10 monofilaments of 800 dtex each. Consequently, the sports surface 10 comprises approximately 2 million filaments per square meter, wherein each loop side 22 is counted as a separate filament. Hence the loops 21 are packed closely together to form the playing surface 15.
  • the pile layer 2 has a total pile mass of approximately 2000 g/m 2 .
  • the pile height is approximately 8mm, leading to a pile density ratio of 250 g/m 2 per mm of height.
  • the aspect ratio (H/W) is approximately 2.5.
  • Table 1 shows the characteristics of four further examples for the pile layer 2.
  • Features in the pile layer 2 that have already been described above with reference to the first example may also be present in examples 2-5 and will not all be discussed here again.
  • the loop shape and loop aspect ratio (H/W) are approximately the same as in Example 1 .
  • the loops 21 have a height of 9mm.
  • the loops 21 are provided at a stitch rate of approximately 450 stiches per meter across a length direction of the sports surface and a gauge of approximately 4 mm along the width direction of the sports surface. In this way, approximately 115,000 bundles of loops are provided per square meter of sports surface 10.
  • the bundles are formed by two different types of filaments.
  • Each bundle has a linear density of 8000 dtex, comprising 4 fibres of a first straight filament of 1000 dtex and 5 fibres of a texturized filament of 800 dtex.
  • the pile layer 2 has a total pile mass of approximately 2400 g/m 2 , leading to a pile density ratio of approximately 260 g/m 2 per mm of height.
  • the pile fibres of each of examples 1-6 are made of a polyethylene (PE) material as this can provide the desired sports performance.
  • the filaments may further comprise one or more additives preferably selected from the group comprising antioxidants, UV stabilizers, pigments, processing aids, acid scavengers, lubricants, antistatic agents, fillers, nucleating agents, and clarifying agents.
  • approximately 90.5 wt.% of the filaments is made of PE and the remaining 9.5 wt.% is provided by additives.
  • 6 wt.% of pigments, 3 wt.% of calcium carbonate and 0.5 wt.% of processing aids may be used in other embodiments.
  • the filaments of the pile fibres are made of a low density polyethylene material formed from monomers having four carbon atoms, i.e., butene based PE, here referred to as a C4 grade PE.
  • the C4 grade PE has a melt flow index (MFI) of approximately 2 and a density of 918 kg/m 3 .
  • MFI melt flow index
  • the straight pile fibres of Example 6 are also of C4 grade PE.
  • the filaments of the pile fibres are made of a low density polyethylene material formed from monomers having six carbon atoms, i.e., a hexene based PE, here referred to as a C6 grade PE.
  • the C6 grade PE has a higher toughness and higher flexibility than the C4 grade PE.
  • the C6 grade PE has a melt flow index (MFI) of approximately 3.5 and a density of 918 kg/m 3 .
  • MFI melt flow index
  • the texturized filaments of Example 6 are also of this polymer grade.
  • the filaments of the pile fibres are made of a C4 grade PE and C6 grade PE blend.
  • Approximately 85 wt.% of the PE blend consists of a C4 grade of PE and 15 wt.% of the PE blend consists of a C6 grade of PE.
  • a higher grade PE is used to increases the toughness.
  • the pile fibres are prone to damage if the material is soft, such as a C4 grade PE, mainly due to the grass blades splitting from their top surface.
  • the filaments may be provided in many different shapes such as substantially circular, oval, lenticular, diamond shaped, rectangular, or shaped as a capital letter “C” or “ D”.
  • the closed loop protects the pile fibre from splitting as no separate blade ends are provided and therefore the cross-sectional shape has less need for a special shape to prevent splitting of the pile fibres.
  • Figure 2 depicts the cross-sectional shape of a fibre 27 as used in the pile layer 2 according to Example 1.
  • the cross section has a lenticular shape with a maximum width w of approximately 0.75 mm and a maximum thickness t of approximately 200 pm. Hence the aspect ratio (w/t) is approximately 3.75.
  • the thicker filaments forming the loops provide a good ratio between the contact area versus the cross-sectional area of the pile fibre and ensure that the loop is structurally more resilient due to the higher second moment of area of the fibre.
  • the surface of the fibre 27 is relatively smooth, which reduces the friction at the contact surface. This has several advantageous effects and in particular reduces the risk of skin abrasions when a player falls or slides along the playing surface 15.
  • the surface of the fibre 27 is provided with a plurality of elongated ribs 25 that extend along the elongated direction of the fibre 27.
  • the ribs 25 along the surface reduce the glare from the surface in bright areas. It will be understood that the ribs 25 may be omitted if the reduction of glare is not required, for example for indoor use. Examples 2-6 have filaments or fibres with a similar lenticular shape, yet no ribs 25 have been provided.
  • the sports surface 10 according to each of examples 1 to 6 has been heat stabilized before use by guiding the sports surface 10 through an oven using a tenter frame during application of the latex coating. This process is well known to the skilled person for drying of the latex material and also leads to a reduction in the pile height from the initially tufted condition.
  • the fibres 27 at the lower surface 11 of the backing layer 1 may undergo an additional heat treatment step to prevent laddering.
  • Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 30 that can be used to carry out the heat treatment.
  • the sports surface 10 is provided to a feed roller 31 and guided through the apparatus 30 using a plurality of guiding rollers 32.
  • the sports surface 10 is carried through the machine at a speed between 1 and 30 m/min and guided along the heated surface 35 of a roller 34.
  • the melting temperature of the PP backing layer 1 is at least 25 C above the temperature at which the pile fibres 27 are softened.
  • the heat treatment may be combined with the heat stabilization or carried out separately.
  • the heat treatment may further be combined with the application of a locking layer.
  • a hot melt adhesive or powder melt may be applied to further increase the pull-out strength.
  • a device 33 for instance a sprinkling device, may be arranged in the apparatus 30. The device 33 may sprinkle hot melt adhesive powder on the lower surface 11 of the backing layer 1 before the sports surface 10 is carried along the heated roller 34.
  • the sports surface 10 has enhanced sports performance properties in comparison to a prior art sports surface 80 used on water based fields.
  • Figures 4A and 4B schematically depict a hockey ball 7 arranged on top of the playing surface 15 of the sports surface 10 according to the invention, and of a prior art sports surface 80, respectively.
  • the drawings are highly schematic and it will be understood by the skilled person that in reality a hockey ball is significantly larger than a few loops or cut pile fibres.
  • skidding resistance is considerably less than the resistance to skidding, but depending on the velocity and spin applied to the ball the transition between the two can differ.
  • skidding is used to refer to the movement of a ball, which moves along the surface without rotation. Reverse rotation may also be present.
  • Roll resistance is defined as the force acting at the point of contact between the ball and surface whose direction is opposite to that of the motion and thus causes deceleration of the ball as it moves across the surface. Friction between the ball and the surface is responsible for variations in speed, direction and rate of rotation. The type of surface can dramatically influence friction. Differences in pile height, yarn type, fibre density and stiffness (amongst others) all contribute to the ball’s behaviour. If the friction between a ball and the surface is too large, then the ball will not roll the required distance.
  • a ball will continue to skid across the surface until its linear velocity parallel to the playing surface 15 has been reduced and the angular velocity of the ball 7 has increased to the point where rolling occurs.
  • RF Rolling friction
  • SF Skidding friction
  • the loops 21 in the pile layer 2 are that they naturally have a lower skidding friction than the conventional cut pile sports surface 80.
  • the ball 7 is supported by the loop crests 23 and the loop crests 23 are formed by the sides of the filament forming the loop 21 . Therefore the contact area between the ball 7 and the playing surface 15 is relatively smooth.
  • the cut pile fibres 81 in the pile layer of the prior art surface 80 have sharp edges, providing a contact area which is not smooth.
  • the hockey ball 7 does not sink as deep within the pile layer 2 as the loops provide more support than the cut pile fibres for the same pile fibre volume. Consequently, the contact area of the ball 7 with the pile fibres is reduced.
  • the roll and skidding resistance provided at the playing surface 15 is significantly larger in the prior art system for the same pile fibre volume.
  • water is applied to reduce the friction at the playing surface, especially skidding friction.
  • the skidding friction is already naturally lower, providing good sports performance also when no water is applied.
  • the ball roll distance is approximately a factor two larger in the sports surface according to the invention in comparison to a dry sports surface of the fields currently used as water based fields.
  • Table 2 provides an overview of the performance characteristics of the sports surface according to examples 1-6 in comparison to a reference water based sports surface with cut pile fibres.
  • the pile height is 13 mm, provided at a stich rate of 360 stitches per m, a gauge of 210 per m, and approximately 75,000 tufts per surface.
  • Each tuft comprising 8000 dtex bundle with 10 texturized filaments of 800 dtex each.
  • ball bounce characteristics are important for sports performance of a field.
  • the loops 21 absorb more energy than cut-pile fibres, thereby resulting in a lower ball rebound. It will be understood that dependent on the sports application this is preferable. For example for field hockey, a lower ball bounce is advantageous.
  • the ball rebound height is up to 15% lower for the dry sports surface according to the invention in comparison to the prior art system with cut pile fibres. It is to be noted that the ball rebound value is based on a solid concrete undersurface for comparison purposes only. In actual use, the sports surface 10 would be installed on a shock pad or provided with additional cushioning to achieve the required specifications.
  • the rotational resistance has an effect on the grip and is approximately 5 % higher on the dry sports surface according to the invention in comparison to a wetted prior art system with cut pile fibres.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Road Paving Structures (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Gloves (AREA)

Abstract

Surface de sport (10) comprenant une couche de support (1) et une couche de velours (2), la couche de velours comprenant des fibres de velours, reliées à la couche de support pour former des boucles (21) et les boucles étant étroitement serrées ensemble pour former une surface de jeu sensiblement continue. La surface de jeu sensiblement continue peut être utilisée pour des sports de balle ou d'autres fins récréatives. La demande se rapporte en outre à un procédé de fabrication d'une telle surface de sport.
EP22741266.5A 2021-07-09 2022-07-08 Surface de sport, son utilisation et son procédé de fabrication Pending EP4367328A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2028688A NL2028688B1 (en) 2021-07-09 2021-07-09 Sports Surface with a Pile Layer Comprising Loops
PCT/EP2022/069067 WO2023281056A1 (fr) 2021-07-09 2022-07-08 Surface de sport, son utilisation et son procédé de fabrication

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4367328A1 true EP4367328A1 (fr) 2024-05-15

Family

ID=77999309

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22741266.5A Pending EP4367328A1 (fr) 2021-07-09 2022-07-08 Surface de sport, son utilisation et son procédé de fabrication

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20240328094A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4367328A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2024524551A (fr)
KR (1) KR20240029553A (fr)
CN (1) CN117677744A (fr)
AU (1) AU2022305790A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3223894A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2024000447A (fr)
NL (1) NL2028688B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023281056A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4217383A (en) * 1977-12-19 1980-08-12 Textile Rubber & Chemical Company, Inc. Foam coated carpet primary backing material
WO2006091067A1 (fr) 2005-02-28 2006-08-31 Ten Cate Thiolon B.V. Système de pelouse artificielle
FR2918681A1 (fr) * 2007-07-13 2009-01-16 Cefip Terrain de sport, notamment pour la pratique du tennis
DE202011105370U1 (de) * 2011-09-01 2011-11-21 Jens Reindl Textiler Schichtverbundstoff mit einer Gleitoberfläche
WO2018058259A1 (fr) * 2016-09-30 2018-04-05 Lendenmann Charles Tapis synthétique imitant le gazon pour surfaces de sport d'extérieur, procédé de fabrication et utilisation de celui-ci
US11351766B2 (en) * 2019-11-11 2022-06-07 Textile Rubber And Chemical Company, Inc. Process for applying film backing to synthetic turf and product

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2023281056A1 (fr) 2023-01-12
KR20240029553A (ko) 2024-03-05
NL2028688B1 (en) 2023-01-16
CN117677744A (zh) 2024-03-08
US20240328094A1 (en) 2024-10-03
CA3223894A1 (fr) 2023-01-12
MX2024000447A (es) 2024-02-14
JP2024524551A (ja) 2024-07-05
AU2022305790A1 (en) 2023-12-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101036534B1 (ko) 합성 잔디
AU2001238195B2 (en) Artificial turf system
CN101137792B (zh) 人造草皮系统
US3332828A (en) Monofilament ribbon pile product
US11098419B2 (en) Multi-component combination yarn system for moisture management in textiles and system for producing same
AU2001238195A1 (en) Artificial turf system
CA2034003C (fr) Gazon artificiel, fibre utilisee a cette fin et procede et filiere de production correspondants
JP3342661B2 (ja) 人工芝生
US20240328094A1 (en) Sports surface, its use and its method of manufacturing
JPH06184811A (ja) 人工芝生用原糸
KR20240011163A (ko) 재활용가능한 인조 잔디 및 재활용가능한 인조 잔디용 hdpe 백킹층
JP2001248013A (ja) 人工芝生用原糸および人工芝生
CN116601350A (zh) 一种无纺布材料
JP4436090B2 (ja) 人工芝及びその製造方法
JP6505381B2 (ja) 人工芝パイル用原糸及びそれを用いた人工芝
EP3881710B1 (fr) Élément de fixation tactile ayant des éléments de mise en prise en forme de boucle et procédé de production pour élément de fixation tactile ayant des éléments de mise en prise en forme de boucle
EP3881709B1 (fr) Élément de fixation par contact en étoffe ayant des éléments de mise en prise en forme de crochet
JP7376436B2 (ja) 織物
JP7337398B2 (ja) 人工芝生用基布及び人工芝生
JP3829292B2 (ja) 競技場グランド地表
Sandkuehler et al. Artificial Turf
JP2018003274A (ja) 人工芝
JPH08127954A (ja) 人工芝生
JPH08333709A (ja) 人工芝生
JP2006089873A (ja) 織物

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20240207

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20240708

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)