阅读说明：本技术 人造草皮系统 (Artificial turf system ) 是由 D·洛佩兹 E·阿尔瓦雷斯 J·L·戴夫恩波特 V·K·沙哈 K·A·科皮 于 2018-12-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种人造草皮系统(10),其包括一级背衬层(12)和减震组件(20)。所述一级背衬层(12)具有多个从所述一级背衬层(12)向上伸出的人造草皮纱(14)。所述减震组件(20)由三维无规环材料3DRLM(30)的片材构成。3DRLM(30)的所述片材与所述一级背衬层(12)接触。所述减震组件(20)包括(i)缓冲层(40)和(ii)减震垫(50)。所述缓冲层(40)中的所述3DRLM(30)的表观密度大于所述减震垫(50)中的所述3DRLM(30)的表观密度。(An artificial turf system (10) includes a primary backing layer (12) and a cushioning assembly (20). The primary backing layer (12) has a plurality of synthetic turf yarns (14) extending upwardly from the primary backing layer (12). The shock absorbing assembly (20) is constructed from a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material 3DRLM (30). The sheet of 3d rlm (30) is in contact with the primary backing layer (12). The cushion assembly (20) includes (i) a cushioning layer (40) and (ii) a cushion (50). The apparent density of the 3DRLM (30) in the buffer layer (40) is greater than the apparent density of the 3DRLM (30) in the cushion (50).)

1. An artificial turf system comprising:

a primary backing layer having a plurality of artificial turf yarns extending upwardly therefrom;

a cushioning assembly comprised of a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material (3DRLM) and in contact with the primary backing layer, the cushioning assembly comprising

(i) A buffer layer; and

(ii) a shock pad; and

the apparent density of the 3d rlms in the buffer layer is greater than the apparent density of the 3d rlms in the cushion.

2. The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein the cushioning layer is integrated with the shock pad.

3. The artificial turf system of claim 2, wherein the 3d rlm comprises a plurality of multiple loops formed from a plurality of continuous fibers composed of a polymeric material; and is

At least two continuous fibers extend from the cushion to the cushioning layer.

4. The artificial turf system of claim 1 wherein the shock pad has a thickness that is 2 to 300 times greater than the thickness of the cushioning layer, measured in millimeters.

5. The artificial turf system of claim 4 wherein the apparent density of the cushioning layer is from 2 to 400 times greater than the apparent density of the shock pad.

6. The artificial turf system of claim 1 wherein the shock pad has an apparent density of 0.010 to 0.400 g/cc.

7. The artificial turf system of claim 6 wherein the buffer layer has an apparent density of 0.030g/cc to 1.000 g/cc.

8. The artificial turf system of claim 1, wherein the 3d rlm is comprised of a vinyl polymer.

9. The artificial turf system of claim 1 comprising an infill material.

10. The artificial turf system of claim 9, wherein the turf yarn, the primary backing layer, the 3d rlm, and the infill material are each comprised of an olefin-based polymer.

Background

In recent years, interest in artificial turf has proliferated. Artificial turf (also known as "simulated grass") is increasingly used to replace natural grass on playing surfaces, in particular on playing fields and playgrounds. Artificial turf is also suitable for use in landscaping and leisure environments.

In "third generation artificial turf" or "3G turf", artificial grass blades ("stakes") are supported by a thin sand-based layer and a rubber crumb infill. Depending on the primary motion performed on the surface, the peg height is in the range of 40 millimeters (mm) to 65 mm. Most 3G simulated grass consists of Polyethylene (PE) yarn tufted into a primary backing. Typically, tuft locks are achieved by applying a Polyurethane (PU) secondary backing coating or a styrene-butadiene-latex secondary backing coating. The infill is then spread between the yarn fibers to stabilize the vertical position of the fibers, provide traction for the athlete, and aid in the shock absorption of the system. In combination with a suitable infill, a foamed PU cushion is also installed under the system to optimize shock absorption.

The artificial turf system is used in contact with sports grass simulation to improve player safety and improve game consistency. An important feature of artificial turf is its ability to absorb shocks. The shock absorbing element of the artificial turf comprises an infill material and a shock absorbing mat. However, there are a number of disadvantages to using these components.

The infill is disadvantageous because it requires constant maintenance, requiring even distribution of infill particles to reduce the risk of injury to the athlete. In addition, the cushioning capacity of the infill decreases over time, requiring the infill to be replenished and increasing costs.

The use of crumb rubber and/or sand infill particles, alone or in combination with PU cushioning, makes it difficult to recycle the overlying artificial turf system, resulting in incineration or disposal costs.

The art recognizes the need for alternative artificial turf systems having improved shock absorbing capabilities alone or in combination with improved recyclability.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides an artificial turf system. In one embodiment, the artificial turf system includes a primary backing layer and a shock absorbing assembly. The primary backing layer has a plurality of synthetic turf yarns extending upwardly therefrom. The artificial turf system further includes a shock absorbing assembly. The shock absorbing assembly is constructed from a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material (3 DRLM). The sheet of the 3d rlm is in contact with the primary backing layer. The shock assembly includes (i) a cushioning layer and (ii) a shock pad. The apparent density of the 3d rlms in the buffer layer is greater than the apparent density of the 3d rlms in the cushion.

An advantage of the present disclosure is an artificial turf system having a 3d lm shock assembly that is a single unitary assembly with a shock pad integrated with a cushioning layer. The integration of the cushion and cushioning layers into a single unitary cushioning assembly eliminates the need for a secondary backing layer.

An advantage of the present disclosure is an artificial turf system with an integrated shock pad and cushioning layer that reduces the amount of infill material necessary for player safety.

An advantage of the present disclosure is an artificial turf system that can be easily recycled.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of an artificial turf system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1A is an enlarged view of an area 1A of fig. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shock absorbing material according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Definition of

All references herein to the periodic table of elements shall refer to the periodic table of elements published and copyrighted by CRC Press, Inc. Further, any reference to one or more groups shall be to the group or groups reflected in this periodic table of elements using the IUPAC system to number the groups. Unless stated to the contrary, implied by context, or customary in the art, all components and percentages are by weight. For purposes of U.S. patent practice, any patent, patent application, or publication mentioned herein is incorporated by reference in its entirety (or its equivalent U.S. version is so incorporated by reference).

The numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values from and including the lower value to the upper value. For ranges containing exact values (e.g., 1, or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7), any subrange between any two exact values is included (e.g., 1 to 2; 2 to 6; 5 to 7; 3 to 7; 5 to 6, etc.).

Unless stated to the contrary, implied from the context, or customary in the art, all components and percentages are by weight and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure.

"blend," "polymer blend," and similar terms are compositions of two or more polymers. Such blends may or may not be miscible. Such blends may or may not be phase separated. Such blends may or may not contain one or more domain configurations, as determined by transmission electron spectroscopy, light scattering, x-ray scattering, and any other method known in the art. The blend is not a laminate, but one or more layers of the laminate may comprise the blend.

"composition" and like terms are a mixture of two or more materials. Included in the composition are pre-reaction, reaction and post-reaction mixtures, wherein the latter will include reaction products and by-products as well as unreacted components and decomposition products (if present) of the reaction mixture formed from one or more components of the pre-reaction or reaction mixture.

The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and derivatives thereof, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the component, step or procedure is specifically disclosed. For the avoidance of any doubt, unless stated to the contrary, all compositions claimed through use of the term "comprising" may include any additional additive, adjuvant or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise. In contrast, the term "consisting essentially of … …" excludes any other components, steps, or procedures from any subsequently recited range, except those not essential to operability. The term "consisting of … …" excludes any component, step, or procedure not specifically recited or listed.

An "ethylene-based polymer" is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers) and optionally may contain at least one comonomer. Ethylene-based polymers include ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers (meaning units derived from ethylene and one or more comonomers). The terms "ethylene-based polymer" and "polyethylene" are used interchangeably. Non-limiting examples of ethylene-based polymers (polyethylenes) include Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and linear polyethylenes. Non-limiting examples of linear polyethylenes include Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Ultra Low Density Polyethylene (ULDPE), Very Low Density Polyethylene (VLDPE), multicomponent ethylene copolymers (EPE), ethylene/alpha-olefin multi-block copolymers (also known as Olefin Block Copolymers (OBC)), single site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), substantially linear or linear plastomers/elastomers, and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In general, polyethylene can be produced in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, a liquid phase slurry process reactor, or a liquid phase solution process reactor using a heterogeneous catalyst system (e.g., Ziegler-Natta catalyst), a homogeneous catalyst system comprising a group 4 transition metal and a ligand structure (e.g., metallocene, non-metallocene metal-centered heteroaryl, isovalent aryloxyether, phosphinimine, etc.). Combinations of heterogeneous and/or homogeneous catalysts may also be used in single reactor or dual reactor configurations.

"high density polyethylene" (or "HDPE") is an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer with at least one C₄-C₁₀α -olefin comonomer or C₄-C₈α -an ethylene/α -olefin interpolymer of an olefin comonomer, and having a density of 0.94g/cc, or 0.945g/cc, or 0.95g/cc, or 0.955g/cc to 0.96g/cc, or 0.97g/cc, or 0.98g/cc HDPE may be a unimodal interpolymer or a multi-modal interpolymerA peak copolymer. A "unimodal ethylene copolymer" is an ethylene/C copolymer having one distinct peak showing the molecular weight distribution in Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)₄-C₁₀α -olefin copolymer A "multimodal ethylene copolymer" is an ethylene/C having at least two distinct peaks showing a molecular weight distribution in GPC₄-C₁₀α -olefin copolymer, multimodal including copolymers having two peaks (bimodal) and copolymers having more than two peaks.A non-limiting example of HDPE includes DOW^TMHigh Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resin (available from The Dow Chemical Company), ELITE^TMReinforced polyethylene resin (available from Dow chemical Co., Ltd.), CONTINUUM^TMBimodal polyethylene resin (available from Dow chemical Co., Ltd.), LUPOLEN^TM(available from LyondellBasell) and HDPE products from northern Europe chemical (Borealis), Enlishi (Ineos) and ExxonMobil (ExxonMobil).

An "interpolymer" is a polymer prepared by polymerizing at least two different monomers. This generic term includes copolymers, which are commonly used to refer to polymers prepared from two different monomers, as well as polymers prepared from more than two different monomers, such as terpolymers, tetrapolymers, and the like.

"Low density polyethylene" (or "LDPE") includes ethylene homopolymers or comprises at least one C₃-C₁₀α -olefins, preferably C₃-C₄α -olefin ethylene/α -olefin copolymer, the LDPE having a density of from 0.915g/cc to 0.940g/cc and containing long chain branches having a broad MWD^TM(Chevron Phillips), LUPOLEN^TM(Liandedsaier) and LDPE products from northern Europe, Enlishi, Exxon Mobil, and others.

"Linear low density polyethylene" (or "LLDPE") is a polyethylene comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C₃-C₁₀α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₄-C₈α -eneHydrocarbon comonomer, or at least one C₆-C₈α -a linear ethylene/α -olefin copolymer containing a heterogeneous short chain branch distribution of units of an olefin comonomer LLDPE the LLDPE is characterized by little, if any, long chain branching compared to conventional LDPE the density of the LLDPE is 0.910g/cc, or 0.915g/cc, or 0.920g/cc, or 0.925g/cc to 0.930g/cc, or 0.935g/cc, or 0.940g/cc^TMLinear low density polyethylene resin (available from Dow chemical Co.), DOWLEX^TMPolyethylene resin (available from Dow chemical) and MARLEX^TMPolyethylene (available from cheffoniphil).

"ultra-low density polyethylene" (or "ULDPE") and "very low density polyethylene" (or "VLDPE") are each a polyethylene composition comprising units derived from ethylene and derived from at least one C₃-C₁₀α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₄-C₈α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₆-C₈α -an olefin comonomer units having a heterogeneous short chain branching distribution, a linear ethylene/α -olefin copolymer ULDPE and VLDPE having a density of 0.885g/cc, 0.90g/cc to 0.915g/cc, respectively^TMUltra low density polyethylene resin (available from Dow chemical) and FLEXOMER^TMVery low density polyethylene resins (available from the dow chemical company).

"multicomponent ethylene-based copolymer" (or "EPE") comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C₃-C₁₀α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₄-C₈α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₆-C₈α -units of an olefin comonomer, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,111,023, 5,677,383, and 6,984,695 the EPE resin has a density of 0.905g/cc, or 0.908g/cc, or 0.912g/cc, or 0.920g/cc to 0.926g/cc, or 0.929g/cc, or 0.940g/cc, or 0.962g/cc^TMReinforced polyethylene (available from Dow chemical Co.), ELITE AT^TMAdvanced technology resins (available from the Dow chemical company), SURPASS^TMPolyethylene (PE) resins (available from Norwalk Chemicals) and SMART^TM(available from fresh Jing chemical Co., Ltd.).

A "single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene" (or "m-LLDPE") is a polyethylene comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C₃-C₁₀α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₄-C₈α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₆-C₈α -units of an olefin comonomer, a homogeneous short chain branching distribution-containing linear ethylene/α -olefin copolymer the density of the m-LLDPE is 0.913g/cc, or 0.918g/cc, or 0.920g/cc to 0.925g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc. m-LLDPE^TMMetallocene PE (available from Exxon Mobil chemical), LUFLEXEN^TMm-LLDPE (commercially available from RiandBarcel) and ELTEX^TMPF m-LLDPE (commercially available from Enlishi Olefins and polymers (Ineos Olefins)&Polymers))。

An "ethylene plastomer/elastomer" is a polymer comprising units derived from ethylene and derived from at least one C₃-C₁₀α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₄-C₈α -olefin comonomer, or at least one C₆-C₈α -a substantially linear or linear ethylene/α -olefin interpolymer having a homogeneous short chain branch distribution of units of olefin comonomer the ethylene plastomer/elastomer has a density of from 0.870g/cc, or 0.880g/cc, or 0.890g/cc to 0.900g/cc, or 0.902g/cc, or 0.904g/cc, or 0.909g/cc, or 0.910g/cc, or 0.917 g/cc.^TMPlastomers and elastomers (available from The Dow Chemical Company), EXACT^TMPlastomers (available from ExxonMobil Chemical), Tafmer^TM(commercially available from Mitsui), Nexlene^TM(available from Xinjin chemical Co.) and Lucene^TM(commercially available from Lenjin chemical Co., Ltd. (LGchem Ltd.))

As used herein, an "olefin-based polymer" is a polymer containing greater than 50 weight percent polymerized olefin monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and optionally may contain at least one comonomer. Non-limiting examples of the olefin-based polymer include ethylene-based polymers and propylene-based polymers.

A "polymer" is a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or different type, that in polymerized form provide multiple and/or repeat "units" or "monomer units" that make up the polymer. Thus, the generic term polymer encompasses the term homopolymer, which is generally used to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term copolymer, which is generally used to refer to polymers prepared from at least two types of monomers. Polymers also encompass all forms of copolymers, e.g., random copolymers, block copolymers, and the like. The terms "ethylene/α -olefin polymer" and "propylene/α -olefin polymer" refer to copolymers prepared by polymerizing ethylene or propylene, respectively, with one or more additional polymerizable α -olefin monomers, as described above. It should be noted that although a polymer is often referred to as being "made" from "one or more particular monomers," containing "a particular monomer content, based on" a particular monomer or type of monomer, and the like, the term "monomer" is understood herein to refer to the polymeric remnants of a particular monomer, rather than unpolymerized material. In general, a polymer herein refers to a "unit" based on the corresponding monomer in polymerized form.

A "propylene-based polymer" is a polymer containing more than 50% by weight polymerized propylene monomers (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and optionally may contain at least one comonomer.

Test method

Apparent Density the sample material was cut into square pieces of 38cm by 38cm (15in by 15in) size. The volume of this sheet is calculated from the thickness measured at four points. The weight divided by the volume gives the apparent density (using the average of four measurements), which is reported in grams per cubic centimeter, g/cc.

Ball rebound resilience: the ball was released from 2 meters and its height of rebound from the surface was calculated. The results are expressed in meters (m).

Flexural rigidity was measured according to DIN 53121 using a 550 μm thick compression-molded plate using a Frank-PTI flexural tester. The samples were prepared by compression molding resin pellets according to ISO 293 standard. The conditions for compression molding were selected according to ISO 1872-2007 standard. The average cooling rate of the melt was 15 deg.c/min. The bending stiffness was measured at room temperature in a 2-point bending configuration, with a span of 20mm, a sample width of 15mm, and a bending angle of 40 °. The bend was applied at 6 °/second(s) and force readings were taken from 6 to 600s after the bend was complete. Each material was evaluated four times and the results are reported in newton millimeters ("Nmm").

¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Sample preparation

Samples were prepared by adding about 2.7g of a 50/50 mixture of tetrachloroethane-d 2/o-dichlorobenzene (0.025M in chromium acetyl acetonate (relaxant)) to a 10mm NMR tube containing 0.21g of sample. The sample was dissolved and homogenized by heating the test tube and its contents to 150 ℃.

Data acquisition parameters

Data were collected using a Bruker 400MHz spectrometer equipped with a Bruker Dual DUL cryo-high temperature probe (CryoProbe). Data were acquired using 320 transients, 7.3 second pulse repetition delay (6 seconds delay +1.3 seconds acquisition time), 90 degree flip angle, and back-gated decoupling per data file at a sample temperature of 125 ℃. All measurements were performed on non-spinning samples in locked mode. The samples were homogenized and then inserted into a heated (130 ℃) NMR changer and allowed to thermally equilibrate in the probe for 15 minutes before data was collected.

Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF) process

Comonomer distribution analysis was performed with Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF) (Polymer Charin Spain, Monrabal et al, Macromols. Symp.257,71-79 (2007)). o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) with 600ppm antioxidant Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) was used as the solvent.sample preparation was performed with an autosampler at 4mg/ml at 160 deg.C for 2 hours (unless otherwise specified). the injection volume was 300 μm. CEF with a temperature distribution of from 110 deg.C to 30 deg.C, crystallization at 3 deg.C/min, thermal equilibration at 30 deg.C for 5 minutes, from 30 deg.C to 140 deg.C, elution at 3 deg.C/min. the flow rate during crystallization was 0.052 ml/min. the flow rate during elution was 0.50 ml/min. data was collected at one data point/sec. CEF column was eluted with Dow chemical company with Dow glass 125% glass (Mo. + 6% product of Dow.M) (product Mo.). by Dow SCI Specialty Products)) was packed in 1/8 inch stainless steel tubing. The glass beads were acid washed by Moss specialty products under the request of the Dow chemical company. The column volume was 2.06 ml. Column temperature calibration was performed using a mixture of NIST standard reference materials linear polyethylene 1475a (1.0mg/ml) and eicosane (2mg/ml) in ODCB. The temperature was calibrated by adjusting the elution heating rate such that the peak temperature of NIST linear polyethylene 1475a was 101.0 ℃ and the peak temperature of eicosane was 30.0 ℃. CEF column resolution was calculated using a mixture of NIST linear polyethylene 1475a (1.0mg/ml) and hexadecane (Fuluka, Fluka, purity (purum) >97.0, 1 mg/ml). A baseline separation of hexacosane from NIST polyethylene 1475a was achieved. The area of the hexadecane (from 35.0 ℃ to 67.0 ℃) to the area of NIST1475a (from 67.0 ℃ to 110.0 ℃) was 50:50, the amount of soluble fraction below 35.0 ℃ was <1.8 wt%. CEF column resolution is defined in the following equation:

with a column resolution of 6.0.

Density is measured in accordance with ASTM D792, where values are reported in grams/cubic centimeter, g/cc.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used to measure the melting and crystallization behavior of polymers over a wide range of temperatures. For example, a TA instrument (tasinstruments) Q1000 DSC equipped with an RCS (cryocooling system) and an autosampler was used to perform this analysis. During the test, a nitrogen purge stream of 50ml/min was used. Melt pressing each sample into a film at about 175 ℃; the molten sample was then allowed to air cool to room temperature (about 25 ℃). Film samples were formed by pressing the "0.1 to 0.2 gram" samples at 175 deg.C at 1,500psi for 30 seconds to form "0.1 to 0.2 mil thick" films. A3-10 mg, 6mm diameter sample was taken from the cooled polymer, weighed, placed in a light aluminum pan (about 50mg), and the crimp stopped. Analysis is then performed to determine its thermal characteristics. The thermal behavior of the sample was determined by slowly ramping up and slowly ramping down the sample temperature to form a heat flow versus temperature profile. First, the sample was rapidly heated to 180 ℃ and isothermally held for five minutes to remove its thermal history. Next, the sample was cooled to-40 ℃ at a cooling rate of 10 ℃/minute and held isothermally at-40 ℃ for five minutes. The sample was then heated to 150 deg.C (this is a "second heating" ramp) at a heating rate of 10 deg.C/min. The cooling and second heating profiles were recorded. The cooling curve was analyzed by setting a baseline end point from the start of crystallization to-20 ℃. The heating curve was analyzed by setting a baseline end point from-20 ℃ to the end of melting. The values determined are peak melting temperature (Tm), peak crystallization temperature (Tc), onset crystallization temperature (Tc onset), heat of fusion (Hf) (in joules/gram), and the following are used for the calculated% crystallinity of the polyethylene sample: the% crystallinity of PE ═ Hf)/(292J/g) x 100, and the calculated% crystallinity of the polypropylene samples used the following: the crystallinity of PP ═ Hf/165J/g) × 100. The heat of fusion (Hf) and peak melting temperature are reported from the second heating curve. The peak crystallization temperature and the onset crystallization temperature were determined from the cooling curve.

Resin pellets were compression molded to a thickness of about 5-10 mils following ASTM D4703, appendix a1, method C. Micro tensile test specimens of geometry as detailed in ASTM D1708 were punched out of molded sheets. The test specimens were conditioned for 40 hours and then tested according to procedure a of Practice D618.

The samples were tested in a screw-driven or hydraulically-driven tensile tester using a flat, rubber-faced clamp. The fixture spacing was set at 22mm, which is equal to the gauge length of the micro tensile specimen. The sample was extended to 100% strain at a rate of 100%/minute and held for 30 seconds. The crosshead was then returned to the original fixture interval at the same rate and held for 60 seconds. The sample was then strained to 100% at the same 100%/minute strain rate.

The elastic recovery can be calculated as follows:

energy recovery: the sprung mass falls onto the turf. Energy recovery is given by comparing the energy of the falling mass before and after impacting the specimen. Results are reported in percent (%).

Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) is a measure of the hardness of a material. Generally, the higher the ILD value, the stronger the material. The lower the ILD value, the less robust the material. ILD measurements were performed in the thickness direction of the sample. The test protocol conforms to ASTM standard D3574.

For the ILD test, a square bottom plate and a circular top plate were aligned with their centers. The bottom plate is 13 x 13 inches and the diameter of the top plate is 8 inches. Each specimen was 12 inches by 12 inches.

The ILD test was performed in displacement control mode on an Instron (Instron) material testing system. The bottom plate remains stationary and the top plate is braked to move up or down as a ram. The ram is lowered towards the bottom plate until the load cell just begins to register some compression, which means that there is physical contact between the two plates. The position of the ram is recorded as the origin d₀. The sample was placed on the base plate and the indenter was lowered again until the load cell recorded a compressive force of about 4.5N. The ram position is recorded as d. The specimen thickness is the difference between the two readings (d-d)₀)。

The test procedure consists of two steps: pre-deflection and actual ILD measurements. In the pre-flexing step, the indenter is driven into the sample between 75% and 80% of the thickness for two cycles (based on the initial thickness measurements obtained using the protocol specified in the paragraph above). The load/unload rate was 250 mm/min. The sample was then allowed to recover for 6 minutes before the second step was started. The purpose of the pre-deflection is to eliminate structural hysteresis for accurate thickness measurement. In a second step, the specimen thickness is measured again. The indenter was programmed to compress the sample at 25% thickness (based on the second thickness measurement). The indenter held its position for 60 seconds to allow the sample to relax until the force reading is recorded as 25% ILD. The ram continues to move down a further 40% of the thickness to 65% of the thickness of the sample. The position was held for 60 seconds before recording 65% ILD. The load/unload rate was 50 mm/min.

Each specimen was tested in triplicate. Between tests, the samples should be allowed to stand for at least 40 minutes as a precaution to recover the samples. ILD results are reported in newtons (N).

Melt Flow Rate (MFR) is measured according to ASTM D1238, condition 280 ℃/2.16kg (g/10 min).

Melt Index (MI) is measured according to ASTM D1238, condition 190 ℃/2.16kg (g/10 min).

Molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) was measured using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). Specifically, conventional GPC measurements were used to determine the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer and to determine Mw/Mn. Gel permeation chromatography systems consist of Polymer laboratory instruments of type PL-210 (Polymer Laboratories) or type PL-220. The column and the carousel chamber were operated at 140 ℃. Three 10 micron hybrid B columns from polymer laboratories were used. The solvent is 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene. A sample was prepared at a concentration of 0.1 grams of polymer in 50 milliliters of solvent containing 200ppm of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT). The samples were prepared by gentle stirring at 160 ℃ for 2 hours. The injection volume used was 100 microliters and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min.

Calibration of the GPC column set was performed with 21 narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene standards with molecular weights in the range of 580 to 8,400,000, arranged as 6 "cocktail" mixtures, and with at least a decade of difference between individual molecular weights. Standards were purchased from polymer laboratories (Shropshire, UK). Polystyrene standards are prepared at 0.025 grams in 50 milliliters of solvent for molecular weights equal to or greater than 1,000,000 and 0.05 grams in 50 milliliters of solvent for molecular weights less than 1,000,000. The polystyrene standards were dissolved at 80 ℃ for 30 minutes with gentle stirring. The narrow standards mixtures were run first and the descending order of the highest molecular weight components was followed to minimize degradation. The polystyrene standard peak molecular weight was converted to polyethylene molecular weight using the following equation (as described in Williams and Ward, journal of polymer science, journal of polymer (j.polym.sci., polym.let.),6,621 (1968)):

M_{polypropylene}＝0.645(M_Polystyrene)。

Polypropylene equivalent molecular weight calculations were performed using Viscotek TriSEC software version 3.0.

"porosity" is the percentage of open volume of 3d rlm. The mass and dimensions of the 3d rlm samples were measured and the bulk density was calculated. Using the polymer solids density, the percentage of open volume of the 3d lm sample is the ratio of the volume of the 3d lm sample to the volume of the same mass of solid polymer. Porosity results are reported in percent (%).

Damping: the sprung mass falls onto the artificial turf system. The damping is calculated by comparing the maximum force on the turf with a reference value for the impact on the concrete. Results are reported in percent (%).

Tensile strength was measured using a hybrid of ASTM D638 (rigid plastics) and ASTM D882 (films). The sample was a sheet of 3d lm cushion SAC1 having dimensions 203mm x 31.7mm (8 inches long and 1.25 inches wide). The gauge length between the test fixtures was set at 127mm (5 inches) and the pull rate used was 50 mm/min.

Vertical deformation: the mass with attached springs falls onto the turf. The vertical deformation is calculated by the displacement of the dropped mass after impact on the specimen. Results are reported in millimeters (mm).

Detailed Description

The present disclosure provides an artificial turf system. In one embodiment, the artificial turf system includes a primary backing layer having a plurality of artificial turf yarns extending upwardly therefrom. The artificial turf system further includes a shock absorbing assembly. The shock absorbing assembly is constructed from a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material (3 DRLM). The 3d lm sheet is in contact with the primary backing layer. The shock assembly includes (i) a cushioning layer and (ii) a shock pad. The apparent density of the 3d rlms in the buffer layer is greater than the apparent density of the 3d rlms in the cushion.

Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the artificial turf system 10 of the present invention having a primary backing layer 12, the primary backing layer 12 having a plurality of artificial turf yarns 14 extending upwardly therefrom. As used herein, the term "artificial turf" is a carpet-like covering having substantially upstanding, or upstanding, polymer chains of artificial turf yarns 14 projecting upwardly from a substrate, which is a primary backing layer 12. The artificial turf system 10 further includes a shock absorbing assembly 20. The dampening assembly 20 contacts the bottom side of the primary backing layer 12. The shock absorbing assembly 20 is constructed of a three-dimensional random loop material 30. Shock assembly 20 includes (i) cushioning layer 40 and (ii) shock pad 50. Shock assembly 20 is an integrated structure as will be described below.

The "primary backing layer" is one or more sheets of material onto which the artificial turf yarns are stitched or woven such that the artificial turf yarns extend outwardly from the top side of the primary backing layer. The primary backing layer may be a polymeric sheet of woven or non-woven fabric. The primary backing layer provides dimensional stability to the artificial turf system.

Non-limiting examples of polymeric materials suitable for the primary backing layer include styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and propylene-based polymers. In one embodiment, the primary backing layer is comprised of an olefin-based polymer, such as a propylene-based polymer. In another embodiment, the primary backing layer is comprised of a propylene homopolymer.

The artificial turf system 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of artificial turf yarns 14 extending upwardly from a primary backing layer 12. As used herein, the term "artificial turf yarn" or "yarn" hereinafter includes fibrillated tape yarns, co-extruded tape yarns, monotape yarns, and monofilament yarns. A "fibrillated tape" or "fibrillated tape-like yarn" is a cast extruded film cut into tape-like shapes (typically about 1cm in width), the film stretched and a long slit cut into tape-like shapes (fibrillated), giving the size of the grass blades a tape-like shape. The "monofilament yarn" is extruded as individual yarns or strands having the desired cross-sectional shape and thickness, and then subjected to yarn orientation and relaxation in a hot oven. The artificial turf yarn forms the polymeric strands of the artificial turf. Artificial turf requires resilience (rebound), toughness, flexibility, extensibility and durability. Thus, artificial turf yarns exclude yarns for fabrics (i.e., woven and/or knitted fabrics).

The yarns 14 are comprised of a polymeric material. Non-limiting examples of polymeric materials suitable for use in the yarns include olefin-based polymers (e.g., propylene-based polymers and/or ethylene-based polymers), polyesters, nylons, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the yarns 14 are comprised of a vinyl polymer.

The artificial turf system 10 includes a shock absorbing assembly 20. The shock absorbing assembly 20 is constructed from a sheet 22 of three-dimensional random loop material 30. As shown in fig. 2, a "three-dimensional random loop material" (or "3 DRLM") is a mass or structure of a number of loops 32 formed by winding continuous fibers 34 to allow the respective loops to contact each other in a molten state and thermally or otherwise melt bonded at most of the contact points 36. Even when a great stress causing a significant deformation is given, the 3d rlm30 absorbs the stress, and the entire mesh structure is constituted by three-dimensional random rings, melt-integrated by self-deformation; and once the lift-off stress, the elastic resilience of the polymer manifests itself such that it can return to the original shape of the structure. When a net structure composed of continuous fibers made of a known inelastic polymer is used as a cushioning material, plastic deformation occurs and recovery cannot be achieved, thus resulting in poor heat-resistant durability. When the fibers are not fusion-bonded at the contact points, the shape cannot be maintained and the structure does not change its shape as a whole, with the result that a fatigue phenomenon occurs due to stress concentration, thus disadvantageously reducing durability and deformation resistance. In certain embodiments, fusion bonding is a state in which all contact points are fusion bonded.

A non-limiting method for generating the 3d rlm30 includes the steps of: (a) heating the molten olefinic polymer at a temperature from 10 ℃ to 140 ℃ above the melting point of a typical melt extruder interrupt polymer; (b) the molten interpolymer is discharged from a nozzle having a plurality of orifices in a downward direction by causing the fibers to fall naturally (due to gravity) to form a loop. The polymer may be used in combination with a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic non-elastomeric polymer, or a combination thereof. The distance between the nozzle surface and the output conveyor installed on the cooling unit for solidifying the fibers, the melt viscosity of the polymer, the diameter of the orifice, and the discharge amount are elements that determine the ring diameter and fineness of the fibers. The ring is formed by: hold and allow the delivered molten fibers to exist between a pair of output conveyors (belts or rollers) disposed on a cooling unit (the distance between which is adjustable) so that the loops formed thereby contact each other for this purpose by adjusting the distance between the orifices so that the contacting loops are thermally or otherwise melt bonded as they form a three-dimensional random loop structure. Then, the continuous fibers thermally bonded at the contact points having been looped in a three-dimensional random ring structure are continuously introduced into a cooling unit for solidification to obtain a network structure. Thereafter, the structure is cut to the desired length and shape. The process is characterized in that the olefin-based polymer is melted and heated at a temperature of 10 ℃ to 140 ℃ above the melting point of the interpolymer, and is delivered in a molten state from a nozzle having a plurality of orifices in a downward direction. When the polymer is discharged at a temperature less than 10 ℃ above the melting point, the delivered fibers become cold and less fluid, resulting in insufficient thermal bonding at the contact points of the fibers.

The characteristics (e.g., ring diameter and fineness) of the fibers making up the buffer network provided herein depend on the distance between the nozzle surface and the output conveyor mounted on the cooling unit for solidifying the interpolymer, the melt viscosity of the interpolymer, the diameter of the orifices, and the amount of interpolymer to be delivered therefrom. For example, a reduction in the amount of interpolymer to be delivered and a reduction in melt viscosity upon delivery results in less fineness of the fibers and less average loop diameter of the random loops. Conversely, the reduced distance between the nozzle surface and the output conveyor mounted on the cooling unit for solidifying the interpolymer results in a slightly greater fineness of the fibers and a greater average loop diameter for the random loops. These conditions combine to achieve the desired fineness of continuous fibers of 100 denier to 100000 denier and an average diameter of random loops of no greater than 100mm, or 1 millimeter (mm), or 2mm, or 10mm to 25mm, or 50 mm. By adjusting the distance from the aforementioned conveyor, the thickness of the structure can be controlled while the thermal bonding web is in a molten state, and it is possible to obtain a structure having the desired thickness and a flat surface formed by the conveyor with too high a conveyor speed resulting in a point of non-thermal bonding contact, since cooling is performed before thermal bonding. On the other hand, too slow a speed may result in higher density caused by too long residence of the molten material. In some embodiments, the distance from the conveyor and the conveyor speed should be selected so that a desired apparent density of 0.005-0.1g/cc or 0.01-0.05g/cc can be achieved.

In one embodiment, the 3d rlm30 has one, some or all of the following characteristics (i) - (iii):

(i) the fiber diameter is 0.1mm, or 0.5mm, or 0.7mm, or 1.0mm, or 1.5mm to 2.0mm to 2.5mm, or 3.0 mm; and/or

(ii) The thickness (longitudinal direction) is 0.5cm, or 1.0cm, 2.0cm, or 3.0cm, or 4.0cm, or 5.0cm, or 10cm, or 20cm to 50cm, or 75cm, or 100cm or more. It should be understood that the thickness of the 3d rlm30 will vary based on the intended application of the artificial turf system.

The 3d lm30 is formed into a three-dimensional geometry to form a sheet (i.e., prism). The 3d lm30 is an elastic material that can compress and stretch and return to its original geometry. As used herein, an "elastic material" is a rubber-like material that can be compressed and/or stretched and that expands/retracts very quickly to approximately its original shape/length when the force that applies the compression and/or tension is released. The three-dimensional random loop material 30 has a "neutral state" when no compressive force and no stretching force is applied to the 3d lm 30. The three-dimensional random loop material 30 has a "compressed state" when a compressive force is exerted on the 3d rlm 30. When a stretching force is applied to 3d lm30, three-dimensional random loop material 30 has a "stretched state".

The three-dimensional random loop material 30 is composed of one or more olefin-based polymers. The olefinic polymer may be one or more ethylene-based polymers, one or more propylene-based polymers, and blends thereof.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is an ethylene/α -olefin copolymer the ethylene/α -olefin copolymer may be a random ethylene/α -olefin polymer or an ethylene/α -olefin multi-block polymer, α -olefin is C₃-C₂₀α -olefin, or C₄-C₁₂α -olefin, or C₄-C₈α -olefins, suitableα -non-limiting examples of olefin comonomers include propylene, butene, methyl-1-pentene, hexene, octene, decene, dodecene, tetradecene, hexadecene, octadecene, cyclohexyl-1-propene (allylcyclohexane), vinylcyclohexane, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is a homogeneously branched random ethylene/a-olefin copolymer.

A "random copolymer" is a copolymer in which at least two different monomers are arranged in a non-uniform order. The term "random copolymer" specifically excludes block copolymers. The term "homogeneous ethylene polymer," as used to describe ethylene polymers, is used in its conventional sense according to the initial disclosure of Elston in U.S. patent No. 3,645,992, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, to refer to ethylene polymers in which the comonomer is randomly distributed within a given polymer molecule, and in which substantially all of the polymer molecules have substantially the same ethylene to comonomer molar ratio. As defined herein, both substantially linear ethylene polymers and homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymers are homogeneous ethylene polymers.

The homogeneously branched random ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer may be a randomly homogeneously branched linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer or a randomly homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The term "substantially linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer" means that the polymer backbone is substituted with 0.01 long chain branch/1000 carbons to 3 long chain branches/1000 carbons, or 0.01 long chain branch/1000 carbons to 1 long chain branch/1000 carbons, or 0.05 long chain branch/1000 carbons to 1 long chain branch/1000 carbons. In contrast, the term "linear ethylene/α -olefin copolymer" means that the polymer backbone does not have long chain branches.

The homogeneously branched random ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer may have the same ethylene/alpha-olefin comonomer ratio in all copolymer molecules. The homogeneity of a copolymer can be described by the Short Chain Branching Distribution Index (SCBDI) or the Composition Distribution Branching Index (CDBI) and is defined as the weight percent of polymer molecules with a comonomer content within 50% of the median total molar comonomer content. The CDBI of a polymer is readily calculated from data obtained from techniques known in the art, such as temperature rising elution fractionation (abbreviated herein as "TREF"), as described in U.S. patent No. 4,798,081 (Hazlitt et al) or U.S. patent No. 5,089,321 (Chum et al), the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The SCBDI or CDBI of the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymer is preferably greater than about 30%, or greater than about 50%.

The homogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymer may comprise at least one ethylene comonomer and at least one C₃-C₂₀α -olefins or at least one C₄-C₁₂α -olefin comonomer by way of example, but not by way of limitation, C₃-C₂₀α -olefins may include, but are not limited to, propylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, and 1-decene, or in some embodiments, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and 1-octene.

In one embodiment, the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymer is made from ethylene and C₄-C₈α -an olefin comonomer composition, and has one, some or all of the following properties (i) - (iii):

(i) melt index (I)₂) Is 1g/10min, or 5g/10min, or 10g/10min, or 20g/10min to 30g/10min, or 40g/10min, or 50g/10min, and/or

(ii) A density of 0.75g/cc, or 0.880g/cc, or 0.890g/cc to 0.90g/cc, or 0.91g/cc, or 0.920g/cc, or 0.925 g/cc; and/or

(iii) A molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 2.0, or 2.5, or 3.0 to 3.5, or 4.0.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/a-olefin copolymer.

Heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymers differ from homogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymers primarily in the branching distribution. For example, heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymers have a branching distribution comprising a highly branched portion (similar to very low density polyethylene), a moderately branched portion (similar to moderately branched polyethylene), and a substantially linear portion (similar to linear homopolymer polyethylene).

Like the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymer, the heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymer may comprise at least one ethylene comonomer and at least one C₃-C₂₀α -olefin comonomer or at least one C₄-C₁₂α -olefin comonomer by way of example, but not by way of limitation, C₃-C₂₀α -olefins may include, but are not limited to, propylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, and 1-decene, or in some embodiments, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and 1-octene in one embodiment, the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer may comprise greater than about 50 wt%, or greater than about 60 wt%, or greater than about 70 wt% ethylene copolymer similarly, the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer may comprise less than about 50 wt%, or less than about 40 wt%, or less than about 30 wt% α -olefin monomers.

In one embodiment, the heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α -olefin copolymer is made from ethylene and C₄-C₈α -an olefin comonomer composition, and has one, some or all of the following properties (i) - (iii):

(i) a density of 0.900g/cc, or 0.0910g/cc to 0.920g/cc, or 0.930g/cc, or 0.094 g/cc;

(ii) melt index (I)₂) Is 1g/10min, or 5g/10min, or 10g/10min, or 20g/10min to 30g/10min, or 40g/10min, or 50g/10 min; and/or

(iii) Mw/Mn is 3.0, or 3.5 to 4.0, or 4.5.

In one embodiment, the 3d rlm30 is comprised of a blend of a homogeneously branched random ethylene/a-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched ethylene/a-olefin copolymer having one, some, or all of the following properties (i) - (v):

(i) Mw/Mn is 2.5, or 3.0 to 3.5, or 4.0, or 4.5;

(ii) melt index (I)₂) Is 3.0g/10min, or 4.0g/10min, or 5.0g/10min, or 10g/10min to 15g/10min, or 20g/10min, or 25g/10 min;

(iii) a density of 0.895g/cc, or 0.900g/cc, or 0.910g/cc, or 0.915g/cc to 0.920g/cc, or 0.925 g/cc; and/or

(iv)I₁₀/I₂The ratio is 5g/10min, or 7g/10min to 10g/10min, or 15g/10 min; and/or

(v) The percent crystallinity is 25%, or 30%, or 35%, or 40% to 45%, or 50%, or 55%.

The weight fraction of the ethylene/a-olefin copolymer blend in the temperature zone of 90 ℃ to 115 ℃ may be about 5% to about 15% by weight, or about 6% to about 12%, or about 8% to about 12%, or greater than about 8%, or greater than about 9% according to Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF). Additionally, as detailed below, the Comonomer Distribution Constant (CDC) of the copolymer blend may be at least about 100, or at least about 110.

The ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer blends of the present invention may have at least two, or three, melting peaks when measured using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at a temperature of less than 130 ℃. In one or more embodiments, the ethylene/a-olefin copolymer blend may include a maximum temperature melting peak of at least 115 ℃, or at least 120 ℃, or from about 120 ℃ to about 125 ℃, or from about 122 ℃ to about 124 ℃. Without being bound by theory, the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer is characterized by two melting peaks and the homogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer is characterized by one melting peak, thus constituting three melting peaks.

Additionally, the ethylene/a-olefin copolymer blend may comprise from about 10 to about 90 wt%, or from about 30 to about 70 wt%, or from about 40 to about 60 wt% of the homogeneously branched ethylene/a-olefin copolymer. Similarly, the ethylene/α -olefin copolymer blend may comprise from about 10 to about 90 wt%, from about 30 to about 70 wt%, or from about 40 to about 60 wt% of the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer. In a particular embodiment, the ethylene/α -olefin copolymer blend may comprise from about 50% to about 60% by weight of the homogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer, and from 40% to about 50% of the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α -olefin copolymer.

In addition, the strength of the ethylene/α -olefin copolymer blend may be characterized by one or more of the following measures. One such measure is elastic recovery. Herein, the elastic recovery Re of the ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer blends is between 50 and 80% in percent at 100% strain at 1 cycle. Additional details regarding elastic recovery are provided in U.S. patent 7,803,728, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer blend may also be characterized by its storage modulus. In some embodiments, the ratio of storage modulus G '(25 ℃) at 25 ℃ to storage modulus G' (100 ℃) at 100 ℃ of the ethylene/α -olefin copolymer blend may be from about 20 to about 60, or from about 20 to about 50, or from about 30 to about 40.

In addition, the ethylene/α -olefin copolymer blend may also be characterized by a flexural stiffness of at least about 1.15Nmm at 6 seconds, or at least about 1.20Nmm at 6 seconds, or at least about 1.25Nmm at 6 seconds, or at least about 1.35Nmm at 6 seconds. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that these stiffness values demonstrate how the ethylene/a-olefin copolymer blend will provide cushioning support when incorporated into 3d rlm fibers bonded to form a cushioning network.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is an ethylene/α -olefin interpolymer composition having one, some, or all of the following properties (i) - (v):

(i) a peak melting peak at a maximum DSC temperature of from 90.0 ℃ to 115.0 ℃; and/or

(ii) A Zero Shear Viscosity Ratio (ZSVR) of 1.40 to 2.10; and/or

(iii) A density of 0.860 to 0.925 g/cc; and/or

(iv) Melt index (I)₂) 1g/10min to 25g/10 min; and/or

(v) The molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) is in the range of 2.0 to 4.5.

In one embodiment, the 3d rlm30 is made of ethylene/C as an elastomer₄-C₈α -olefin copolymer as used herein, an "elastomer" is a rubbery polymer that can be stretched to at least twice its original length, and that shrinks extremely rapidly to approximately its original length when the force applied to stretch is released the elastomer in an uncrosslinked state using the method of ASTM D638-72 at room temperature, the elastic modulus of the elastomer is about 10,000psi (68.95MPa) or less and the elongation is typically greater than 200%.

In one embodiment, the 3d rlm30 is comprised of ethylene/C with Comonomer Distribution Constant (CDC) in the range of greater than 45 to less than 400₄-C₈α -olefin copolymer, ethylene/C having less than 120 total unsaturation units/1,000,000C₄-C₈α -olefin copolymer (hereinafter referred to as "CDC 45-ethylene copolymer") non-limiting examples of suitable CDC 45-ethylene copolymers are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8372931 and 8829115, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the CDC 45-ethylene copolymer has one, some, or all of the following characteristics (i) - (iv):

(i) a density of 0.86g/cc, or 0.87g/cc to 0.88g/cc, or 0.89 g/cc; and/or

(ii) A Zero Shear Viscosity Ratio (ZSVR) of at least 2; and/or

(iii) Vinylidene unsaturation per 1,000,000C less than 20; and/or

(iv) Bimodal molecular weight distribution.

Figure 2 shows that shock assembly 20 includes a cushioning layer 40 and a shock pad 50. The cushioning layer 40 and the cushion 50 are each made of 3d lm 30.

As best seen in FIGS. 1A and 2, shock assembly 20 is a single integrated structure in which subassembly cushioning layer 40 and shock pad 50 are substantially inseparable \ or inseparable and comprise a single unitary assembly-i.e., shock assembly 20. The buffer layer 40 and the cushion 50 are formed simultaneously in a single extrusion process such that a number (10 or more, or 100 or more, or 1000 or more) of the 3d rlm fibers extend from the buffer layer 40 and into the cushion 50, and vice versa. In other words, shock absorbing assembly 20 is an integrated structure in which there are no intervening layers and/or intervening structures and/or intervening compositions between cushioning layer 40 and shock pad 50.

The 3d rlm30 of shock assembly 20 is made up of a plurality of rings. The multiple loops are formed from a plurality of continuous fibers composed of a polymeric material as previously disclosed. At least 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 or more continuous fibers 34 extend from the cushion 50 to the cushioning layer 40, and vice versa. In one embodiment, hundreds or thousands of continuous fibers extend through the cushioning layer 40 and into the cushion 50, and vice versa.

In one embodiment, shock assembly 20 includes a cushioning layer 40, a shock pad 50, and a second cushioning layer (not shown) integrated with shock pad 50. The apparent density of the 3d rlms in the second buffer layer is greater than the apparent density of the 3d rlms in the cushion 50. The cushioning layer 40 and the second cushioning layer sandwich the cushion 50. The second buffer layer is located on the opposite side from the buffer layer 40. In other words, the buffer layer 40 and the second buffer layer are substantially parallel to each other or to each other. The second cushioning layer is similar to the cushioning layer 40 in that the second cushioning layer is comprised of the same continuous fibers as the continuous fibers in the cushion 50 and/or is comprised of the same continuous fibers as the continuous fibers in the cushioning layer 40. The apparent density of the second buffer layer may be the same as or different from the apparent density of the buffer layer 40. The thickness of the second buffer layer may be the same as or different from the thickness of the buffer layer 40.

In one embodiment, the shock pad has a thickness measured in millimeters (mm) that is 2 times, or 3 times, or 10 times, or 15 times to 50 times, or 100 times, or 200 times, or 300 times greater than the thickness of the cushioning layer. In another embodiment, the thickness of the cushion is 3 times, or 5 times, or 8 times to 10 times, or 12 times, or 15 times greater than the thickness of the cushioning layer.

The apparent density of the 3d rlm in the buffer layer 40 is greater than the apparent density of the 3d rlm in the cushion 50. Fig. 1A and 2 show that the continuous fibers 34 in the cushioning layer 40 are more densely packed than the loosely packed continuous fibers 34 in the cushion 50. This difference in fiber packing causes the apparent density of the cushioning layer 40 to be greater than the apparent density of the cushion 50.

In one embodiment, the apparent density of the cushioning layer 40 is 2 times, or 3 times, or 10 times, or 15 times to 50 times, or 100 times, or 200 times, or 300 times, or 400 times greater than the apparent density of the cushion 50. In another embodiment, the apparent density of the cushioning layer 40 is 2 times, or 3 times, or 5 times, or 8 times to 10 times, or 15 times, or 20 times greater than the apparent density of the cushion 50.

In one embodiment, the apparent density of the cushion 50 is 0.010g/cc, or 0.016g/cc, or 0.020g/cc, or 0.050g/cc, or 0.070g/cc, or 0.100g/cc, or 0.150g/cc to 0.200g/cc, or 0.250g/cc, or 0.300g/cc, or 0.330g/cc, or 0.400 g/cc.

In one embodiment, the buffer layer 40 has an apparent density of 0.030g/cc, or 0.032g/cc, or 0.050g/cc, or 0.070g/cc, or 0.100g/cc, or 0.159g/cc to 0.200g/cc, or 0.250g/cc, or 0.300g/cc, or 0.400, or 0.500g/cc, or 0.600g/cc, or 0.700g/cc, or 0.800g/cc, or 0.900/cc, or 0.960g/cc, or 1.000 g/cc.

In one embodiment, the apparent density of the cushion 50 is 0.010g/cc, or 0.016g/cc, or 0.020g/cc, or 0.050g/cc, or 0.070g/cc, or 0.100g/cc, or 0.150g/cc to 0.200g/cc, or 0.250g/cc, or 0.300g/cc, or 0.330g/cc, or 0.400g/cc, and the buffer layer 40 has an apparent density of 0.030g/cc, or 0.032g/cc, or 0.050g/cc, or 0.070g/cc, or 0.100g/cc, or 0.159g/cc to 0.200g/cc, or 0.250g/cc, or 0.300g/cc, or 0.400, or 0.500g/cc, or 0.600g/cc, or 0.700g/cc, or 0.800g/cc, or 0.900/cc, or 0.960g/cc, or 1.000g/cc, provided that the apparent density of the 3d rlm in the buffer layer 40 is greater than the apparent density of the 3d rlm in the damping pad 50.

The dampening assembly 20 contacts the primary backing layer 12. More specifically, the exposed surface of the cushioning layer 40 contacts the bottom surface of the primary backing layer 12. Contact between the buffer layer 40 and the primary backing layer 12 may be by way of (i) direct contact or (ii) indirect contact.

In one embodiment, the cushioning layer 40 directly contacts the bottom surface of the primary backing layer 12. As used herein, the term "direct contact" is a spatial relationship in which the buffer layer 40 touches the bottom of the primary backing layer 12 such that there are no intervening layers and/or intervening structures and/or intervening compositions between the buffer layer 40 and the primary backing layer 12.

In one embodiment, the cushioning layer 40 indirectly contacts the bottom surface of the primary backing layer 12. As used herein, the term "indirect contact" is a spatial relationship in which there is an intervening layer and/or intervening structure and/or intervening composition between the buffer layer 40 and the primary backing layer 12. The intervening layer/structure/composition may or may not be coextensive with the exposed surface of the buffer layer 40. In another embodiment, the buffer layer 40 indirectly contacts the bottom surface of the primary backing layer 12, with an adhesive layer adhering or otherwise bonding the exposed surface of the buffer layer 40 to the bottom surface of the primary backing layer 12.

In one embodiment, artificial turf system 10 and/or cushioning assembly 20 is free of foam.

In one embodiment, shock absorbing assembly 20 is free of foam.

In one embodiment, the artificial turf system 10 is devoid of a secondary backing layer.

In one embodiment, the artificial turf system 10 includes infill material 60. The infill is a granular material and is arranged between the individual turf yarns. The infill material 60 performs one, some or all of the following:

(1) keeping the individual turf yarns upright; and/or

(2) Protecting the primary backing layer from direct sunlight, thereby prolonging the life of the primary backing layer; and/or

(3) Ballast is added to prevent delustering to ensure individual yarns rebound after heavy transport.

Non-limiting examples of materials commercially available for use as infill material 60 include sand (silica), coated silica sand, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), recycled rubber from automobile tires, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), other vulcanizates or rubber recycled from belts, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), crumb rubber, and any combination thereof.

Other non-limiting examples of materials suitable for the infill material 60 include organic materials such as natural cork, ground fibers from coconut husks, and any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the artificial turf system 10 includes a drainage assembly 70. The drainage assembly removes water from the artificial turf and prevents the artificial turf yarn from becoming saturated with water. Non-limiting examples of suitable drainage assemblies include stone-based drainage systems, EXCELDRAIN sheet 100, EXCELDRAIN sheet 200, and EXCELDRAIN EX-T STRIP (American Wick Drain available from Menlo, North Carolina).

In one embodiment, the dimensions of shock assembly 20 are 305mm by 54mm (shock pad 48mm, cushioning layer 6mm) (SAC 1 is shown in Table 1 below). The SAC1 has one, some or all of the following characteristics (i) - (ix):

(i) the shock pad has a tensile strength of 10N, or 30N, or 40 to 80N, or 300N, or 500N; and/or

(ii) The shock-absorbing component has a tensile strength of 30N, or 50N, or 100N to 250N, or 600N, or 800N; and/or

(iii) The shock pad ILD (25%) is 20N, or 30N, or 60N to 130N, or 400N, or 500N; and/or

(iv) The damper ILD (25%) is 30N, or 50N, or 100N to 250N, or 600N, or 800N; and/or

(v) The shock pad ILD (65%) is 50N, or 100N, or 200N to 300N, or 400N, or 600N; and/or

(vi) The damper ILD (65%) is 75N, or 150N, or 250N to 700N, or 1000N, or 1200N; and/or

(vii) The shock pad has a porosity of 80%, or 90%, or 93% to 99.5%, or 97%, or 99%; and/or

(viii) The buffer layer has a porosity of 0%, or greater than 0%, or 50%, or 70% to 80%, or 90%, or 95%; and/or

(ix) The porosity of the dampening member is 80%, or 85%, or 90% to 95%, or 99%, or 99.5%.

The artificial turf system 10 of the present invention advantageously provides the following benefits.

(1)Drainage improvementThe open-loop structure of the cushioning layer 40 and the shock pad 50 provides high capacity for vertical and horizontal rain drainage due to the open three-dimensional structure of the shock absorbing assembly 20 consisting of the 3d rlm 30.

(2)The infill is reduced.The shock absorbing assembly 20 increases the shock absorption and resiliency of the artificial turf system 10, thereby reducing the amount of infill material 60 required. Reducing the amount of infill material used leads to reduced maintenance work, reduced risk of injury due to uneven particle distribution, and reduced cost of the overall artificial turf system.

(3)Improvement of recyclabilityWith the artificial turf system 10 of the present invention, an all-polyolefin artificial turf system can be realized that includes (i) a primary backing layer 12 that is a propylene-based polymer, (ii) a shock absorbing assembly 20 composed of a vinyl polymer, and (iii) an elastomeric polymer infill material that is a vinyl polymer. The "all-polyolefin" artificial turf system 10 can be recycled in one single polymer stream instead of separately processing the polyethylene yarns, PU/SB latex secondary backing, as is the case with an overlying artificial turf, i.e., an artificial turf with an SBR/sand infill and a polyurethane shock pad.

(4)Reduction of manufacturing costIntegrating the shock absorbing pad 50 and the cushioning layer 40 into a single integrated shock absorbing assembly 20 eliminates the production step of applying a secondary backing layer to the system, resulting in production efficiencies and reducing the overall cost of the artificial turf system 10 of the present invention.

By way of example, and not limitation, some embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail in the following examples.

Examples of the invention

1. Material

A damping assembly with a damping layer integrated with a damping pad was produced on a C-ENG line (duraplastic, US). The formant damping assembly has the structure of the damping assembly 20 shown in figure 2, the damping assembly 20 having a cushioning layer 40 and a damping pad 50. The 3d rlm of the formant damping assembly was a continuous fiber composed of an ethylene/octene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of 0.905 g/cc.

Table 1 below provides the characteristics of a formant damping assembly (hereinafter SAC 1).

TABLE 1 SAC1 characteristics

Nominal size 305mm x 54mm

SAC1

Sample (I)	Quality (g)	Thickness (mm)	Volume (cc)	Density (g/cc)	Porosity (%)
						Shock-absorbing assembly	310.1	54	5016.8	0.0618	93.17％
Shock pad	187.9	48	4459.3	0.0421	95.34％
						Buffer layer	122.2	6	557.4	0.2192	75.78％
						Control 3DL sample				0.0626	93.08％
						Solid PE				0.905	0.00％

2. Testing

The performance of SAC1 was compared to a control (comparative sample or CS). The control sample was a cushion as shown in table 1 above. In other words, the control sample was composed of the same 3d lm as SAC1, except that the control sample was a shock pad only; the buffer layer of the control sample was cut away and physically removed. The SAC1 includes both a shock pad and a cushioning layer.

Control and SAC1 samples were prepared for ILD and tensile strength testing. A sample of the shock absorbing assembly was 381mm by 54 mm. From this sample, a test sample having dimensions of 305mm × 305mm × 54mm was cut to perform a compression test. The compression test is non-destructive. After the compression testing of the shock absorbing assembly, samples were prepared for tensile strength testing. Four samples were cut from 381mm by 54mm samples of the shock absorbing assembly. The sample used for the tensile test was 203mm long and 32.7mm wide. The tensile test is a destructive test. The damping assemblies (the cushion layer integrated with the cushion) were measured for two of these tensile specimens. For the other two tensile samples, the cushion layer was cut from the cushion pad, and then the cushion pad (control) alone was subjected to a tensile test.

The results are provided in table 2 below.

Table 2 ILD and tensile test results

Damping pad only, removing damping layer from damping assembly

Applicants found that a 3d lm cushion assembly with an integrated cushion and cushion (i.e., SAC1) unexpectedly exhibited improved cushioning (ILD 65% 424 SAC1 versus 228 control) and improved tensile strength (158N SAC1 versus 66N control) when compared to the 3d lm cushion alone.

It is particularly intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.