Special Coatings for Artificial Turf

Abstract

An artificial turf surface comprised of natural looking fibrous materials is coated with special heat reflecting materials that do not alter the appearance of the fibers, but reflect unwanted heat. Both turf blades and beads can be coated. A process and method is also described in which artificial turf can be cleaned and coated in the field after installation and specially coated, flexible mini beads can be added as filler.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for keeping artificial turf having a plurality of turf blades cool in sunlight comprising:
 coating each turf blade with and IR reflective coating, said IR reflective coating containing metal oxides to form coated turf blades;   coating a plurality of beads with said IR reflective coating to produce coated beads;   drying the coated beads after said coating step;   adding a layer of said coated beads at the base of the coated turf blades.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said metal oxides include at least one of titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide or chromium oxide. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein light reflectance of said coated beads and coated turf blades is at least 10% higher than natural turf. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said beads are approximately 6 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said turf blades are coated by immersing, spraying or rollering. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said beads are coated by immersing, spraying or rollering. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said metal oxides are contained in a binder chosen from the group consisting of aqueous binders, polyester binders, acrylic binders and fluoropolymer binders. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein light reflectance of said coated beads and coated turf blades is at least 10% higher than natural turf. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said beads are approximately 6 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said turf blades are coated by immersing, spraying or rollering. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said metal oxides are contained in a binder chosen from the group consisting of aqueous binders, polyester binders, acrylic binders and fluoropolymer binders. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said binder is UV cured. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said binder is UV cured. 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing an artificial turf comprising:
 rollering an IR reflective coating onto a plurality of turf blades attached to a base;   spraying said IR reflective coating onto a plurality of approximately 6 mm beads;   drying said beads;   placing a layer of said beads on said base around said turf blades.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said IR reflective coating contains metal oxides. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said metal oxides include at least one of titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide or chromium oxide. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said metal oxides are contained in a binder chosen from the group consisting of aqueous binders, polyester binders, acrylic binders and fluoropolymer binders. 
     
     
         18 . An artificial turf comprising:
 a turf backing including:
 a plurality of turf blades roller coated with an IR reflective coating attached to said backing; 
 a layer of beads coated with said IR reflective coating in proximity to said turf backing; 
   wherein, said IR reflective coating contains a metal oxides in a binder.   
     
     
         19 . The artificial turf of  claim 18  wherein said metal oxides include at least one of titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide or chromium oxide. 
     
     
         20 . The artificial turf of  claim 18  wherein said binder is chosen from the group consisting of aqueous binders, polyester binders, acrylic binders and fluoropolymer binders.