Artificial Turf System

Abstract

Artificial turf system ( 10 ) including a primary backing layer ( 12 ) and a shock absorption component ( 20 ). The primary backing layer ( 12 ) has a plurality of artificial turf yarns ( 14 ) projecting upwardly from the primary backing layer ( 12 ). The shock absorption component ( 20 ) is composed of a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material 3DRLM ( 30 ). The sheet of 3DRLM ( 30 ) is in contact with the primary backing layer ( 12 ). The shock absorption component ( 20 ) includes (i) a cushioning layer ( 40 ) and (ii) a shockpad ( 50 ). The 3DRLM ( 30 ) in the cushioning layer ( 40 ) has an apparent density that is greater than the apparent density of the 3DRLM ( 30 ) in the shockpad ( 50 ).

1 . An artificial turf system comprising:
 a primary backing layer having a plurality of artificial turf yarns projecting upwardly from the primary backing layer;   a shock absorption component composed of a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material (3DRLM) and in contact with the primary backing layer, the shock absorption component comprising
 (i) a cushioning layer; and 
 (ii) a shockpad; and 
 the 3DRLM in the cushioning layer has an apparent density that is greater than the apparent density of the 3DRLM in the shockpad. 
   
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1  wherein the cushioning layer is integral to the shockpad. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf system of  claim 2  wherein the 3DRLM comprises a plurality of multiple loops formed by a plurality of continuous fibers composed of polymeric material; and
 at least two continuous fibers extend from the shockpad to the cushioning layer. 
 
     
     
         4 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1  wherein the shockpad has a thickness, measured in millimeters, from 2 times to 300 times greater than the thickness of the cushioning layer. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial turf system of  claim 4  wherein the apparent density of the cushioning layer is from 2 times to 400 times greater than the apparent density of the shockpad. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1  wherein the shockpad has an apparent density from 0.010 g/cc to 0.400 g/cc. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf system of  claim 6  wherein the cushioning layer has an apparent density from 0.030 g/cc to 1.000 g/cc. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1  wherein the 3DRLM is composed of an ethylene-based polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1  comprising an infill material. 
     
     
         10 . The artificial turf system of  claim 9  wherein the turf yarn, the primary backing layer, the 3DRLM, and the infill material each is composed of an olefin-based polymer.