Processing of artifical turf

Abstract

A method of processing artificial turf is disclosed which enables a region of artificial turf or a walled structure to made using the artificial turf. This enables walled structures and other structures to be made using recycled artificial turf.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of processing artificial turf, the method comprises:
 providing an area of artificial turf to be processed, the artificial turf comprising a backing substrate sheet and an upper surface formed by a plurality of artificial fibers upstanding from the backing substrate sheet and a granular infill material disposed between the fibers,   wherein the method further comprises applying a binding agent to the upper surface of the turf so as to wet and bind the granular infill.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in use, the binding agent bonds the granules of the infill material together so that they cannot fall out as the artificial turf is further processed, transported, stored and re-used. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is applied to artificial turf which is going to be re-used by applying the binding agent to the artificial turf prior to removing the artificial turf from its original location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is applied to the process could be applied to new artificial turf once the upper surface thereof has been in-filled with the granular material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent is applied by spraying the granular infill material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent is applied by painting the granular infill material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent is applied by wetting the granular infill material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises an adhesive formed of modified starch. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises an adhesive formed of methyl cellulose. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises an adhesive formed of polyvinyl acetate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises acrylic paint. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises a humectant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent comprises a dying agent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binding agent is allowed to dry, harden or set prior to moving the artificial turf to another location from that where the binding agent is applied. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial turf is cut into strips or tiles following application of the binding agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the artificial turf is cut before the binding agent dries, hardens or sets. 
     
     
         17 . A region of artificial turf comprising:
 a backing substrate sheet;   an upper surface formed by a plurality of artificial fibers upstanding from the backing substrate sheet;   a granular infill material disposed between the fibers; and   a binding agent holding the granules of infill material together.   
     
     
         18 . The region of artificial turf as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a walled structure comprising the region.