Composite artificial turf infill

Abstract

The artificial turf infill includes composite infill components. The infill components include a water absorbent yarn. The water absorbent yarn is covered with a jacket. The jacket is formed from an elastomeric compound. The jacket includes at least one opening. The at least one opening exposes the water absorbent yarn.

1 . An artificial turf comprising an artificial turf infill, wherein the artificial turf infill comprises composite infill components, wherein the infill components comprise a water absorbent yarn, wherein the water absorbent yarn is covered with a jacket, wherein the jacket is formed from an elastomeric compound, wherein the jacket comprises at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening exposes the water absorbent yarn. 
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric compound is elastic, at a minimum, between 5° C. and 50° C. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent yarn has a circular cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent yarn has a diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent yarn comprises interlocking fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent yarn comprises any one of the following: hygroscopic fibers, burlap fibers, jute fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, hemp fibers, polyester fibers, natural fibers, flax fibers, kenaf fibers, nettle fibers, sisal fibers, synthetic fibers, fibers with a hydrophilic surface, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent yarn comprises cocos fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket comprises any one of the following: polyurethane, rubber, a polyolefin elastomer, a dye, a UV protective additive, polyurethane and polyole, polyurethane and a temperature sensitive catalyst, a one-component polyurethane, a two-component polyurethane, polyethylene, TPE, extruded PE, extruded TPE, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket is formed from a cured liquid, wherein the yarn comprises a peripheral portion and a central region, wherein the peripheral portion surrounds the central region, wherein the peripheral portion is partially saturated with the elastomeric compound, and wherein the central region is free of the elastomeric compound. 
     
     
         10 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket comprises between 6% and 10% of the composite infill components by weight. 
     
     
         11 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket has a thickness between 4 microns and 8 microns. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket has a length between 0.4 mm and any one of the following: 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 5.0 mm, and 5.5 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the composite infill components have a thickness between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket is a cylindrical jacket. 
     
     
         15 . The artificial turf of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one opening is a cylindric section. 
     
     
         16 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening is two openings. 
     
     
         17 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial turf comprises an artificial turf carpet with a pile, wherein the artificial turf carpet comprises a backing; wherein the artificial turf carpet further comprises artificial grass fibers, wherein the artificial grass fibers are tufted into the backing, wherein the artificial grass fibers form the pile, wherein the artificial grass fibers are secured to the backing, and wherein the artificial turf infill distributed within the pile. 
     
     
         18 . The artificial turf of  claim 17 , wherein the artificial turf comprises a sand layer between the backing and the artificial turf infill. 
     
     
         19 . The artificial turf of  claim 17 , wherein the artificial turf comprises a drainage system below the backing configured for draining standing water from the artificial turf. 
     
     
         20 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the composite infill components have a length, and wherein the water absorbent yarn is substantially aligned with the length. 
     
     
         21 . The use of composite components as artificial turf infill, wherein the composite components comprise a water absorbent yarn, wherein the water absorbent yarn is covered with a jacket, wherein the jacket is formed from an elastomeric compound, wherein the jacket comprises at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening expose the water absorbent yarn.