GB2585218A

GB2585218A - An artificial surface and a method for making an artificial surface

Info

Publication number: GB2585218A
Application number: GB1909554.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Riley Ross
Original assignee: Equestrian Direct Ltd
Current assignee: Equestrian Direct Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2019-07-03
Publication date: 2021-01-06
Also published as: GB201909554D0

Abstract

The artificial surface comprises shredded mattress material. The surface is preferably an artificial riding surface for equestrian use. The surface is preferably substantially or fully free from metal and may be formed from shredded spring mattress, which may be pocket or open spring mattresses, or from foam mattresses, which may be memory foam. The material may comprise one or more of nylon, felt, cotton, polyester, polyurethane foam, latex foam, wool, coconut coir and/or fibre. The material preferably consists of material sized to fit through a screen with openings of 40-70 mm. The surface may comprise sand, soil, leaves and/or aggregate, as well as unavoidable impurities. The surface may be used to improve or reinforce ground. Also claimed is a method for making an artificial surface and an artificial surface obtained by said method.

Description

Title: An artificial surface and a method for making an artificial surface Description of Invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an artificial surface, and in particular an artificial riding surface, comprising shredded mattress material. The present invention also relates to methods for making an artificial surface, and in particular an artificial riding surface, comprising shredded mattress material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Artificial surfaces are known for recreational and sporting use which are intended to be substitutes for grass or soil. In particular, artificial surfaces for use in the equestrian field are known, e.g. surfaces for riding horses. Artificial riding surfaces are used to provide a means of exercising, training and competition of horses in gallops, lunge pens, paddock pens, indoor and outdoor arenas and horse racing tracks. Artificial surfaces are also used to improve or change an area of ground, for example by providing reinforcement.

A known form of artificial riding surface is recycled rubber. Shredded rubber which has been recycled from automotive and manufacturing industries adds rebound and helps to reduce compaction. However, using rubber in an artificial riding surface can stain the horse's legs. Moreover, in hot weather, the rubber in an artificial riding surface produces an unpleasant odour.

Another known form of artificial riding surface is polypropylene fibers which can be obtained from recycled carpet. Polypropylene fibers add shear resistance and help to control moisture content fluctuations. However, polypropylene fibers retain water which freezes during the winter months, rendering the surface unsuitable for use, or not as usable, during the winter months. Moreover, if polypropylene fibers are recycled from carpet, there is a risk of the artificial riding surface being contaminated with carpet gripper, carpet nails or other sharp objects.

Another known form of artificial riding surface is PVC granules obtained from coatings of recycled electrical cables. Such PVC granules are generally spherical (although they have irregular shapes) and typically have a maximum cross-sectional dimension of from 0.2mm to 3mm. However, PVC-coated electrical cables are expensive. Moreover, PVC-coated electric cables lack a fibrous structure and therefore, the PVC granules do not mimic the natural root structure of grass and soil (i.e. turf). In addition, there is a risk of environmental contamination of metal residues from the electrical cables.

Recycling used materials is essential to maximise resources and reduce pollution. It is undesirable to send used mattresses to landfill because they are bulky and do not easily degrade. Additionally, as mattresses contain a mixture of components (spring mattresses comprising both metal and upholstery), mattresses are difficult to process and recycle.

Artificial riding surfaces are subject to compaction, drainage issues, surface irregularities and climate. Accordingly, there is a need to provide an artificial riding surface which mitigates water retention, maximises weather resistance and provides beneficial durability which more closely replicates the natural binding properties of a root structure similar to turf. Moreover, there is a need to utilise recycled material so that the equestrian surface is environmentally friendly and comes with a reduced cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an artificial surface, and preferably, an artificial riding surface for equestrian use which comprises shredded mattress material.

The present invention also provides a method for making an artificial surface, and preferably an artificial riding surface for equestrian use comprising shredding a mattress or mattresses, optionally wherein the shredded mattress or mattresses are a recycled mattress or recycled mattresses.

Representative features of the present invention are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and/or figures of the specification.

1. An artificial surface comprising: shredded mattress material.

2. The artificial surface of clause 1, wherein the artificial surface is an artificial riding surface for equestrian use.

3. The artificial surface of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the shredded mattress material is free of metal.

4. The artificial surface of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the shredded mattress material is substantially free of metal. 25 5. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1, 2 or 4, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises: less than 5% by weight metal; or, less than 4% by weight metal; or, less than 3% by weight metal; or, less than 2% by weight metal; or, less than 1% by weight metal; or, less than 0.5% by weight metal.

6. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the shredded mattress material is from one or more shredded spring mattresses; optionally, wherein the shredded spring mattresses are shredded pocket spring mattresses and/or shredded open spring mattresses.

7. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the shredded mattress material is from one or more shredded foam mattresses; optionally, wherein the shredded foam mattresses are shredded memory foam mattresses.

8. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises one or more of: nylon, felt, cotton, polyester, polyurethane foam, latex foam, wool, coconut coir and/or coconut fiber, or a combination of any two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine of these components.

9. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises (in weight %): from 35% to 60% felt; from 0% to 5% polyester; from 3% to 10% nylon; from 0% to 1% polyurethane foam; and, optionally, latex foam; and, from 24% to 62% polycotton; any balance being unavoidable impurities.

10. The artificial surface of clause 9, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises (in weight %): from 45% to 55% felt; from 0% to 5% polyester; from 4% to 6% nylon; from 0% to 1% polyurethane foam; and, optionally, latex foam; and, from 33% to 51% polycotton; any balance being unavoidable impurities.

11. The artificial surface of clause 9 or clause 10, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises (in weight %): 50% (plus or minus 10%) felt; from 0% to 4% (plus or minus 10%) polyester; 5% (plus or minus 10%) nylon; from 0% to 1% (plus or minus 10%) polyurethane foam; and, optionally, latex foam; and, 40% (plus or minus 10%) polycotton; any balance being unavoidable impurities.

12. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the shredded mattress material consists of components sized to fit through a screen with openings of from 40mm to 70mm; optionally, wherein the mattress material consists of components sized to fit through a screen with openings of 60mm (plus or minus 10%).

13. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the artificial surface further comprises sand and/or soil and/or leaves and/or aggregates.

14. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 13, consisting of shredded mattress material; and, optionally, unavoidable impurities.

15. The artificial surface of any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the artificial surface is an artificial surface for use in improving ground and/or for use in reinforcing ground.

16. A method for making an artificial surface comprising: a) providing a mattress or mattresses; b) shredding the mattress or mattresses; c) passing the shredded products of step b) through a screen to make shredded mattress components; d) removing metal components from the product of step c); e) forming an artificial surface from the product of step d), with the metal components removed.

17. The method of clause 16, wherein the screen has openings of from 40mm to 70mm; optionally, wherein the screen has openings of 60mm (plus or minus 10%).

18. The method of clause 17, wherein the mattress or mattresses are spring mattresses; optionally, wherein the spring mattresses are shredded pocket spring mattresses and/or shredded open spring mattresses.

19. The method of clause 17, wherein the mattress or mattresses are foam mattresses; optionally, wherein the foam mattresses are memory foam mattresses.

20. The method of any one of clauses 16 to 19, wherein step d) (removing metal components from the product of step c)) occurs by passing the products of step c) through one or more overband magnets.

21. The method of any one of clauses 16 to 20, wherein the artificial surface formed in step e) is an artificial riding surface suitable for equestrian use.

22. The method of any one of clauses 16 to 21, wherein the artificial surface formed in step e) is an artificial surface suitable for use in improving ground and/or for use in reinforcing ground.

23. An artificial surface comprising shredded mattress material obtained, or obtainable, by the method of any one of clauses 16 to 22.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Examples of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. The accompanying figures illustrate various examples of the artificial riding surface. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.

Figure 1 is a schematic figure of a mattress which may be shredded to form a riding surface in one example of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a shredded mattress material which can be included in an artificial surface of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some examples of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Examples of the claims may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

Definitions Some of the terms used to describe the present invention are set out below: As used herein, "mattress" refers to a pad for supporting the body. A schematic figure of a mattress is shown in Figure 1. In one example, a mattress is designed to be used as a bed or on a bed frame. Although reference herein to "mattress" may be to a mattress of rectangular shape, a mattress can be any shape or size. "Mattress" may in some examples refer to the following types of mattress: * Spring mattress; for example a pocket spring mattress or an open spring mattress.

* Foam mattress; for example a memory foam mattress.

A "spring mattress" typically comprises a core comprising steel coil springs.

The springs are connected in an open spring mattress or individually encased in fabric in a pocket spring mattress. The gauge of the coils is a factor in determining the firmness and support of a mattress. Upholstery layers cover the mattress core (comprising steel coil springs) and provide cushioning and comfort. It is common for mattress manufacturers to call the mattress core the "support layer" and the upholstery layer the "comfort layer". Upholstery layers often comprise an insulator (sometimes formed of a fiber or mesh), a middle upholstery layer and a quilt (top layer). The insulator separates the core from the middle upholstery layer. The middle upholstery layer comprises material between the insulator and the quilt to provide comfort to a user supported by the mattress (sometimes the middle upholstery layer comprises one or more of polyurethane foam, viscoelastic foam, latex foam, felt, polyester fiber, cotton fiber, wool fiber and non-woven fiber pads). The quilt is the top layer of a mattress and often comprises light foam or fibers stitched to the underside of the ticking (fabric cover). Ticking is the protective fabric cover used to encase a mattress (sometimes ticking is made from polyester yarns, or one or more of polyester yarns, rayon, cotton, silk, wool and/or other natural yarns).

A "foam mattress" typically comprises polyurethane foams andior viscoelastic foams and/or memory foams and/or latex rubber foams. Different layers of foams and different thicknesses of foams give different characteristics. A memory foam mattress often comprises viscoelastic foam over firmer polyurethane base foam. Ticking is the protective fabric cover used to encase a mattress (sometimes ticking is made from polyester yarns, or one or more of polyester yarns, rayon, cotton, silk, wool and/or other natural yarns).

In one example, a mattress comprises one or more of: nylon, felt, cotton, polyester, polyurethane foam, latex foam, wool, coconut coir and/or coconut fiber, or a combination of any two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine of these components. In one example, a mattress comprises (in weight % excluding springs): from 35% to 60% felt, from 0% to 5% polyester, from 3% to 10% nylon, from 0% to 1% polyurethane foam and from 24% to 62% polycotton.

In one example, a mattress comprises (in weight % excluding springs): 50% (plus or minus 10%) felt, from 0% to 4% (plus or minus 10%) polyester, 5% (plus or minus 10%) nylon, from 0% to 1% (plus or minus 10%) polyurethane foam and 40% (plus or minus 10%) polycotton.

As used herein, "shredded mattress material" refers to material obtained by shredding one or more mattresses. "Shredded mattress material" is typically a blend of different fibers which are intermingled.

As used herein, "nylon" refers to a family of synthetic polymers, based on aliphatic or semi-aromatic polyamides. Non-limiting examples of nylon include nylon 66, nylon 6, nylon 510 and nylon 1,6. Nylon is often present in mattresses, for example as nylon pockets in which the springs of the mattress sit.

As used herein, "felt" refers to a textile material formed by matting, condensing and pressing fibers together. Felt can be made of natural fibers such as wool or from synthetic fibers such as petroleum-based acrylic, acrylonitrile or wood pulp-based rayon. Felt can be formed from recycled, mixed compressed shredded clothing and other waste textiles. As used herein, "felt" encompasses shoddy felt fiber.

As used herein, "cotton" refers to a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seed of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. Cotton fiber is almost pure cellulose. The fiber is often spun into a yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile.

As used herein, "polyester" refers to a polymer that contains an ester functional group in the main chain. For example, polyester is polyglycolide or polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PH B), polyethylene adipate (PEA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or Vectran, and any combinations thereof.

As used herein, "polyurethane foam" refers to a polymer (in foam form) comprising organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) linkages. Most polyurethanes are thermosetting polymers. Some polyurethanes are thermoplastic polymers. Non-limiting examples of polyurethanes are formed by reacting di-or tri-poly-isocyanate with a polyol. Non-limiting examples of isocyanates used to form polyurethanes include aromatic diisocyanates, toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Non-limiting examples of polyols used to form polyurethanes include polyether polyols, polyester polyols, dipropylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, sucrose, sorbitol and/or toluenediamine.

As used herein, "latex foam" refers to natural latex rubber that has been manufactured with a foaming agent to create an air-filled matrix structure.

As used herein, "wool" refers to a textile fiber obtained from sheep and other animals, including cashmere and mohair from goats and angora from rabbits.

Wool comprises protein together with a small percentage of lipids.

As used herein, "coconut coir" (otherwise referred to as coconut fiber) refers to a natural fiber extracted from the husk of a coconut. Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut.

As used herein, "polycotton" refers to fabric made from a blend of polyester and cotton. Polycotton is often used to make clothing, bed sheets and pillow cases. Polycotton is sometimes included in one or more of the upholstery layers in mattresses. Polycotton is often thin and it is a lightweight fabric, which combines the soft and moisture absorbing properties of cotton with the durable and easy iron properties of polyester. Polycotton can have different compositions depending on its intended use, for example (by weight): from 65% to 35% polyester, and, from 35% to 65% cotton; or, 65% (plus or minus 10%) polyester and 35% (plus or minus 10%) cotton; or, 50% (plus or minus 10%) polyester and 50% (plus or minus 10%) cotton.

As used herein, "unavoidable impurities" refers to components present in a mixture in small amounts which have no bearing on the function of the overall mixture. Unavoidable impurities are generally inert and non-reactive. In some examples, "small amounts" refers to less than 5% by weight, or less than 4% by weight, or less than 3% by weight, or less than 2% by weight, or less than 1% by weight, or less than 0.5% by weight.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that the upper and lower limit, and each intervening value between the upper and lower limit of the range is encompassed within the examples.

Artificial riding surface As shown in Figure 2, which depicts the product of shredding a mattress according to the present invention, an artificial riding surface can be formed comprising shredded mattress material.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that mattresses can be shredded and, with the metal components completely or substantially removed, used to form an artificial riding surface. This discovery provides a beneficial second use for recycled mattresses. An artificial riding surface according to the present invention provides desirable cushioning and an open structure which allows root zone or roots to grow into the artificial riding surface. In addition, the artificial riding surface provides moisture control, permitting beneficial performance in the summer months or in indoor environments where water is added to improve the "going" or reducing the amount of airborne dust. Moreover, the artificial riding surface of the present invention is easily accessible and environmentally friendly.

In one example, the artificial riding surface of the invention can be installed into a pre-existing riding surface of sand and other aggregates or synthetics.

In a further example, the artificial riding surface of the invention can be mixed into soil or turf either directly, or, as a pre-mixed blend tailored to its end use.

Method of making an artificial riding surface As shown in Figure 2, which schematically depicts the product of shredding a mattress according to the present invention; an artificial riding surface can be formed comprising shredded mattress material.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that mattresses (optionally, used mattresses) can be shredded and used to form an artificial riding surface. This artificial riding surface provides a root structure similar to turf which emulates the natural properties of soil and/or grass. Moreover, the artificial riding surface of the present invention is inexpensive, easily accessible and environmentally friendly. The artificial riding surface of the present invention is particularly environmentally friendly because it provides an option for recycling mattresses, which mattresses would otherwise be sent to landfill or used for biofuel or other environmental recycling operation.

Method of making an artificial riding surface Mattresses are placed through shredding blades and then through a screen of an industrial shredder. In one example, the mattresses are used (i.e. waste) mattresses which are placed through the shredding blades and then through a screen of an industrial shredder.

In one example, the screen of the industrial shredder has openings of from 40mm to 70mm. In another example, the screen of the industrial shredder has openings of 60mm (plus or minus 10%) so that the shredded mattress material produced from shredding is sized to fit through a 60mm (plus or minus 10%) screen. In one example, the industrial shredder is a TANATM Shark 440E shredder. However, any equivalent industrial shredder, including, but not limited to, any other TANATM Shark shredder, may be used as an alternative shredder to form an artificial surface according to the invention.

In one example, the shredded mattress material includes a mixture of fibers mixed together to form an artificial riding surface.

Although certain examples of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these examples.

The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

EXAMPLES

A variety of used spring mattresses, which would otherwise have been sent to landfill, were initially checked for potentially hazardous material (for example oil, chemicals or blood). Any mattresses containing or coated (fully or partially) with hazardous material were removed from the selection for shredding. Any wooden framed mattresses were removed from the selection for shredding.

Additionally, any foam topping or plastic wrapping on the mattresses was removed and processed as separate waste material.

The mattresses (found suitable for shredding) were then passed through a TANATm Shark 440E shredder, which contained shredding blades set to cut the mattresses such that the shredded material would pass through a screen with 60mm openings. After shredding, the shredded material was passed through a screen with 60mm openings to form shredded mattress material. The shredded mattress material was then passed through a number of overband magnets to remove all, or substantially all, of the ferrous components (for example shredded steel components derived from springs, bungs, buttons, staples and/or flame retaining rings). The resulting shredded mattress material had the following composition: Shredded mattress material composition (in weight %): * 50% felt: a recycled product made from mixed compressed shredded clothing and other waste textiles with polyesters, nylons, cottons.

* 4% polyester: white polyester fiber.

* 5% nylon: derived from the nylon pockets which pocket springs sit in.

* 1% foam: mainly polyurethane foam, but some traces of latex foam.

* 40% polycotton blended textiles: derived from mattress covers ("ticking") that contain a blend of different textiles to durability and decoration.

* Contamination: the material was metal free. Measures were taken to remove any other non-metallic rigid items, for example plastic.

The shredded mattress material meets End of Waste requirements under the EU Waste Framework Directive.

In other examples, the screen was changed to a screen with: 40mm openings (the shredding blades being changed accordingly) to form shredded mattress material which fitted through a screen with openings of 40mm; and, 70mm openings (the shredding blades being changed accordingly) to form shredded mattress material which fitted through a screen with openings of 70mm.

The shredded mattress material (from the screens with 40mm, 60mm and 70mm openings) were each (separately) spread equally over an equestrian arena to form an artificial surface in a confidential setting.

The artificial surfaces were used for riding horses over a period of months.

Users reported the surface to be fibrous, the components of the shredded mattress material were reported to knit together better than alternative artificial surfaces and thus more closely replicating the natural binding qualities of the root structure of natural grass and soil (i.e. turf). Moreover, minimal kickback and minimal surface movement was reported. No staining of horse's legs or unpleasant odour was reported. The surface was found to have low surface maintenance. The surface was found to have beneficial compaction and draining properties, i.e. no issues were reported.

The shredded mattress material formed from the screen with 60mm openings was found to provide a surface most closely replicating the natural binding qualities of the root structure of natural grass and soil (i.e. turf). The shredded mattress material formed from the screen with 40mm openings was smaller and looser when ridden on, whilst still providing a beneficial surface. The shredded mattress material formed from the screen with 70mm openings was slightly more prone to catch horse's hooves whilst still providing a beneficial surface.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying figures, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. An artificial surface comprising: shredded mattress material.
2. The artificial surface of claim 1, wherein the artificial surface is an artificial riding surface for equestrian use.
3. The artificial surface of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shredded mattress material is free of metal.
4. The artificial surface of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shredded mattress material is substantially free of metal.
5. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises: less than 5% by weight metal; or, less than 4% by weight metal; or, less than 3% by weight metal; or, less than 2% by weight metal; or, less than 1% by weight metal; or, less than 0.5% by weight metal.
6. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shredded mattress material is from one or more shredded spring mattresses; optionally, wherein the shredded spring mattresses are shredded pocket spring mattresses and/or shredded open spring mattresses.
7. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shredded mattress material is from one or more shredded foam mattresses; optionally, wherein the shredded foam mattresses are shredded memory foam mattresses.
8. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises one or more of: nylon, felt, cotton, polyester, polyurethane foam, latex foam, wool, coconut coir and/or coconut fiber, or a combination of any two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine of these components.
9. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises (in weight %): from 35% to 60% felt; from 0% to 5% polyester; from 3% to 10% nylon; from 0% to 1% polyurethane foam; and, optionally, latex foam; and, from 24% to 62% polycotton; any balance being unavoidable impurities.
10. The artificial surface of claim 9, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises (in weight %): from 45% to 55% felt; from 0% to 5% polyester; from 4% to 6% nylon; from 0% to 1% polyurethane foam; and, optionally, latex foam; and, from 33% to 51% polycotton; any balance being unavoidable impurities.
11. The artificial surface of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the shredded mattress material comprises (in weight %): 50% (plus or minus 10%) felt; from 0% to 4% (plus or minus 10%) polyester; 5% (plus or minus 10%) nylon; from 0% to 1% (plus or minus 10%) polyurethane foam; and, optionally, latex foam; and, 40% (plus or minus 10%) polycotton; any balance being unavoidable impurities.
12. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shredded mattress material consists of components sized to fit through a screen with openings of from 40mm to 70mm; optionally, wherein the mattress material consists of components sized to fit through a screen with openings of 60mm (plus or minus 10%).
13. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the artificial surface further comprises sand and/or soil and/or leaves and/or aggregates.
14. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 13, consisting of shredded mattress material; and, optionally, unavoidable impurities.
15. The artificial surface of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the artificial surface is an artificial surface for use in improving ground and/or for use in reinforcing ground.
16. A method for making an artificial surface comprising: a) providing a mattress or mattresses; b) shredding the mattress or mattresses; c) passing the shredded products of step b) through a screen to make shredded mattress components; d) removing metal components from the product of step c); e) forming an artificial surface from the product of step d), with the metal components removed.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the screen has openings of from 40mm to 70mm; optionally, wherein the screen has openings of 60mm (plus or minus 10%).
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mattress or mattresses are spring mattresses; optionally, wherein the spring mattresses are shredded pocket spring mattresses and/or shredded open spring mattresses.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the mattress or mattresses are foam mattresses; optionally, wherein the foam mattresses are memory foam mattresses.
20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein step d) (removing metal components from the product of step c)) occurs by passing the products of step c) through one or more overband magnets.
21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the artificial surface formed in step e) is an artificial riding surface suitable for equestrian use.
22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the artificial surface formed in step e) is an artificial surface suitable for use in improving ground and/or for use in reinforcing ground.
23. An artificial surface comprising shredded mattress material obtained, or obtainable, by the method of any one of claims 16 to 22.