Multi-layer infill system for synthetic grass

Abstract

A cost-effective synthetic turf system with a plurality of layers of infill material. According to various embodiments, a synthetic turf system includes synthetic grass and a plurality of layers of infill material. In one embodiment, the upper layer of infill particles generally “sit” on top of a lower layer of smaller particles. Because the smaller particles will tend to become more densely packed, the larger particles will tend to remain on top of the smaller particles. In certain embodiments, the upper layer is treated with a light colorant, such as green, yellow, white, etc. Depending on field and environmental conditions, the coloring may reduce surface temperatures by up to 30% compared to conventional infills.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A synthetic grass system comprising:
 a backing layer;   a plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades affixed to the backing layer; and   at least two layers of infill particles generally interspersed amongst the plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades, the at least two layers of infill particles comprising:
 an upper layer of particles; and 
 a lower layer of particles, wherein the lower layer of particles are generally smaller in size as compared to the upper layer of particles. 
   
     
     
         2 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of the upper layer are treated with a light colorant sufficient to exhibit heat-reduction properties. 
     
     
         3 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of the upper layer are dyed green. 
     
     
         4 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 2 , wherein the particles of the lower layer are not treated with a colorant. 
     
     
         5 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of the upper layer comprise a color substantially lighter than the particles of the lower layer. 
     
     
         6 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower layer comprises resilient particles. 
     
     
         7 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 6 , wherein the resilient particles of the lower layer are selected from the group consisting of: crumb rubber, micronized rubber power, and elastomer material. 
     
     
         8 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper layer comprises resilient particles. 
     
     
         9 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 8 , wherein the resilient particles of the upper layer are selected from the group consisting of: crumb rubber, micronized rubber power, and elastomer material. 
     
     
         10 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower layer comprises sand. 
     
     
         11 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the difference in size between the particles of the upper layer and particles of the lower layer is sufficient for the particles of the upper layer to substantially settle on top of the particles of the lower layer. 
     
     
         12 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 1 , wherein the lower layer of particles comprises particles substantially sized in the range of 10-20 mesh. 
     
     
         13 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 12 , wherein a majority of the particles comprising the lower layer of particles are sized in the range of about 16-20 mesh. 
     
     
         14 . The synthetic grass system of  claim 12 , wherein a majority of the particles comprising the upper layer of particles are sized in the range of about 8-16 mesh. 
     
     
         15 . A process of providing a synthetic grass system comprising the steps of:
 providing a backing layer;   providing a plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades affixed to the backing layer;   distributing a first lower layer of particles utilizing a uniform pattern of spreading with a mechanical spreader;   distributing a second upper layer of particles utilizing a uniform pattern of spreading with a mechanical spreader;   wherein the upper layer of particles are generally larger in size as compared to the lower layer of particles.   
     
     
         16 . The process of providing a synthetic grass system of  claim 15 , wherein the particles of the upper layer are treated with a light colorant sufficient to exhibit heat-reduction properties. 
     
     
         17 . The process of providing a synthetic grass system of  claim 16 , wherein the particles of the upper layer are dyed green. 
     
     
         18 . A synthetic grass system comprising:
 a backing layer;   a plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades affixed to the backing layer; and   at least two layers of infill particles generally interspersed amongst the plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades and resting on the backing layer, the at least two layers of infill particles comprising:
 an upper layer of particles, wherein the upper layer of particles comprises resilient particles treated with a colorant and substantially sized in a range of about 8-16 mesh, and 
 a lower layer of particles, wherein the lower layer of particles comprises particles not treated with a colorant and substantially sized in a range of about 16-20 mesh.