IP Library Granted Patent US 11,624,159
Granted Patent B1
US 11,624,159 · App. 16/719,373 · Granted Apr 11, 2023

Non-perforated artificial turf with porous backing and methods of manufacture thereof

Inventors: Jamie Randall Collins (Chatsworth, GA); Timothy Bryan Wagoner (Dalton, GA)
Assignee: Sprinturf, LLC
E01C13/08B05D1/40B05D3/0272B05D5/04B05D7/26B29C44/32B32B5/18B32B38/0032B05D2503/00B32B2038/0084E01C2201/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,624,159
App. No.
16/719,373
Granted
Apr 11, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method for manufacturing a synthetic non-perforated drainable material is disclosed herein. Generally, the method includes injecting a coating material with air, applying the air-injected coating material to the first side of the material, and curing the air-injected material such that it adheres. Once cured, the material has a highly efficient drainage rate that remains consistent throughout the life of the material.

Claims (21)

1. A method of manufacturing an artificial turf with a backing comprising a first side and a second side and a plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades extending across the first side to form a plurality of pile overlays, extending through the backing, and terminating outside the backing proximate the second side, comprising the steps of:

injecting a coating material with air;

applying the air-injected coating material to the first side and the plurality of pile overlays, wherein applying the coating material comprises the steps of:

pouring the coating material onto a portion of the first side; and

spreading the coating material from the portion of the first side so that it is a generally uniform thickness across an entirety of the first side, wherein the generally uniform thickness permits a flow of liquids through the artificial turf, the flow of liquids through at least 86 square inches of the artificial turf exceeding 55 inches per hour; and

curing the coating material so that it adheres to a lower surface of the artificial turf, wherein the cured coating material binds together the backing and the plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generally uniform thickness binds together the backing and the plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades with an average tuft bind strength that exceeds 6.5 pounds per force.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein curing the coating material further comprises curing the coating material within a steam heat oven at a temperature between 150° F. and 300° F.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting the coating material with air further comprises injecting the coating material with air at a pressure between 100 psi and 150 psi.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating material comprises urethane.

6. A method of manufacturing an artificial turf with a backing comprising a first side and a second side and a plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades extending across the first side to form a plurality of pile overlays, extending through the backing, and terminating outside the backing proximate the second side, comprising the steps of:

injecting a coating material with air;

applying the air-injected coating material to the first side and the plurality of pile overlays, wherein applying the coating material further comprises the steps of:

pouring the coating material onto a portion of the first side; and

spreading the coating material from the portion of the first side so that it is a generally uniform thickness across an entirety of the first side, wherein the generally uniform thickness binds together the backing and the plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades with an average tuft bind strength that exceeds 6.5 pounds of force; and

curing the coating material so that it adheres to a lower surface of the artificial turf, wherein the cured coating material binds together the backing and the plurality of generally upstanding synthetic grass blades.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the generally uniform thickness permits a flow of liquids through the artificial turf.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the flow of liquids through at least 86 square inches of the artificial turf exceeds 55 inches per hour.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein curing the coating material further comprises curing the coating material within a steam heat oven at a temperature between 150° F. and 300° F.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein injecting the coating material with air further comprises injecting the coating material with air at a pressure between 100 psi and 150 psi.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the coating material comprises urethane.

Assignments (5)
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: SPRINTURF, LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068352/0705 →
ABL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: SPRINTURF, LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068352/0712 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2023
From: REGIONS BANK
To: SPRINTURF, LLC
Reel/Frame 065319/0014 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2023
From: SPRINTURF, LLC
To: REGIONS BANK
Reel/Frame 063886/0395 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2020
From: COLLINS, JAMIE RANDALL; WAGONER, TIMOTHY BRYAN
To: SPRINTURF, LLC
Reel/Frame 051519/0693 →
Continuity (2)
Division 15400139 · Jan 6, 2017
Provisional Application 62276488 · Jan 8, 2016