Corn cob based infill material for synthetic turf fields

Abstract

An infill composition for artificial turf fields comprising at least one layer of particles comprising ligneous-belt corn-based particles, the ligneous-belt corn-based particles include a particle size distribution of ligneous-belt corn-based particles with an initial dry size of 0.5 to 5 mm and a final size of 0.6 to 7 mm to after wetting. The infill composition can be installed according to a method of spreading a layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles over a carpet that is on a base of compacted stone, wherein the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles consists of dry particles; watering the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles such that the dry particles are expanded after the watering; brushing the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles; and decompacting the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles such that the ligneous-belt corn-based particles are evenly distributed over the carpet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial turf comprising:
 at least one layer of particles comprising ligneous-belt corn-based particles that expand upon wetting;   a stabilizing infill beneath the at least one layer of particles comprising ligneous-belt corn-based particles; and   a shock pad beneath the stabilizing infill.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing infill is sand. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , further comprising a second layer of particles comprising ligneous-belt corn-based particles that expand upon wetting. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the wetting employs water for hydration. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the wetting employs a liquid that includes performance modifying solutes. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the wetting employs water that includes antifungal or antimicrobial compounds. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the wetting employs hydration with a color dye solution that conveys a specific color of the infill. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial turf of  claim 7 , wherein the color dye solution provides desired aesthetic or functional purposes such as ultraviolet resistance or increased durability. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the ligneous-belt corn-based particles include a particle size distribution of ligneous-belt corn-based particles with an initial dry size of 0.5 to 5 mm and a final size of 0.6 to 7 mm to after wetting. 
     
     
         10 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial turf achieves a shock absorption of 55% to 70%, vertical deformation of 4 to 11 mm as measured by advanced artificial athlete (AAA). 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing an artificial turf field, comprising:
 spreading a layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles over a carpet that is on a stabilizing infill base, wherein the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles includes dry particles;   wetting the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles such that the dry particles are expanded after the wetting;   brushing the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles; and   decompacting the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles such that the ligneous-belt corn-based particles are evenly distributed over the carpet.   
     
     
         12 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the ligneous-belt corn-based particles are compacted prior to the act of spreading. 
     
     
         13 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the ligneous-belt corn-based particles regain original shape post-wetting. 
     
     
         14 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the act of wetting is effected via rain, irrigation system or water wagon. 
     
     
         15 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the act of wetting employs between approximately four and five liters of liquid per square meter for particle expansion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the amount of liquid used to expand the ligneous-belt corn-based infill material corresponds to 50% to 300% of the dry weight of the ligneous-belt corn-based particles. 
     
     
         17 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the stabilizing infill base includes compacted stone or sand. 
     
     
         18 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , further comprising spreading a second layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles over the layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles, wherein the second layer of ligneous-belt corn-based particles includes dry particles. 
     
     
         19 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the wetting employs a liquid that includes a preservative agent, wherein the preservative agent is at least one of Syzygium aromaticum extract oil, Cymbopogon genus extract oils, zinc salts such as zinc chloride, zinc pyrithione, zinc acetate, zinc sulfate; copper salts, such as copper sulfate, copper chloride, copper acetate, copper nitrate, or copper nanoparticles; silver salts, such as silver nitrate, silver chloride, or silver micro- or nanoparticles; chelating compounds, such as citrate salts, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, and ethylenediaminetetraacetate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of installing an artificial turf field of  claim 11 , wherein the wetting employs a liquid that includes antifungal or antimicrobial compounds or a color dye solution that conveys a specific color to enhance ultraviolet resistance or increased durability of the artificial turf field.