EP0417832B1 - Method for producing yarn for fields of artificial grass and field of artificial grass produced with this yarn - Google Patents

Method for producing yarn for fields of artificial grass and field of artificial grass produced with this yarn Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0417832B1
EP0417832B1 EP90202335A EP90202335A EP0417832B1 EP 0417832 B1 EP0417832 B1 EP 0417832B1 EP 90202335 A EP90202335 A EP 90202335A EP 90202335 A EP90202335 A EP 90202335A EP 0417832 B1 EP0417832 B1 EP 0417832B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bands
yarn
artificial grass
film
fields
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90202335A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0417832A1 (en
Inventor
Jan Frans Marie Geerts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tapijtfabriek H Desseaux NV
Original Assignee
Tapijtfabriek H Desseaux NV
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tapijtfabriek H Desseaux NV filed Critical Tapijtfabriek H Desseaux NV
Priority to AT90202335T priority Critical patent/ATE98305T1/en
Publication of EP0417832A1 publication Critical patent/EP0417832A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0417832B1 publication Critical patent/EP0417832B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
    • D02G3/445—Yarns or threads for use in floor fabrics
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
    • D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
    • D01D5/42—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like by cutting films into narrow ribbons or filaments or by fibrillation of films or filaments
    • D01D5/426—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like by cutting films into narrow ribbons or filaments or by fibrillation of films or filaments by cutting films
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
    • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
    • D01F6/02—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • D01F6/04—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins
    • D01F6/06—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins from polypropylene
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
    • E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
    • E01C13/08—Surfaces simulating grass ; Grass-grown sports grounds
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B2505/00—Industrial
    • D10B2505/20—Industrial for civil engineering, e.g. geotextiles
    • D10B2505/202—Artificial grass

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for producing yarn for fields of artificial grass by extruding polymer granulate to bands or to a film, cutting the film to bands and stretching the bands.
  • the invention also relates to the grass fields produced with this yarn.
  • This process according to the invention as disclosed in the preamble is characterized by the fact that bands having a thickness of 100 ⁇ m and a width of 1.5-4 mm are stretched at a stretching ratio of 1:2-3, to bands having a width of 0.75-3 mm and the extruded band has a thickness of 50-80% of the original thickness, and then 5-10 bands are twisted to yarn.
  • the bands Preferably have after extrusion a width of 2-3 mm and after stetching, during which the thickness of the band is 50-70% of the original thickness, a width of 1-2 mm.
  • the bands have a yarn number of 900-1350 dtex and that beside polypropylene a blockcopolymer is used as sold by Solvay, Belgium.
  • the cutting of the bands from the film and the stretching can be reversed, so that it is possible to stretch bands as well as to stretch the film.
  • An extruder is fed with propylene having a melting index of 2. From this a film is produced having a width of 750 mm and a thickness of 100 ⁇ m. Said film is cut into bands being 2-3 mm width, while the thickness is maintained. Stretching takes place at a temperature of about 130 °C at a stretching ratio of 1:2.5. It also is possible to stretch at first the film and to cut bands from the stretched film. A hot-blast furnace is used for the stretching operation. After relaxation, cooling and shrinking, bands are obtained, having a width of 1.5 mm and a thickness of 60 ⁇ m. Eight of these bands are twisted in a yarn which can be processed into a carpet for a field of artificial grass by means of a tufting operation.

Abstract

Method for the production of yarn for fields of articicial grass by extruding polymer granulate to bands or to a film, cutting the film into bands and stretching the bands, in which the bands having a width of 1.5-4 mm are stretched at a stretching ratio of 1 to 2-3 to bands having a width of 0.75-3 mm whilst the thickness is 50-80% of the thickness of the extruded bandand then 5-10 bands are twisted into the yarn

Description

  • The invention relates to a method for producing yarn for fields of artificial grass by extruding polymer granulate to bands or to a film, cutting the film to bands and stretching the bands. The invention also relates to the grass fields produced with this yarn.
  • From "De Tex" 27 (1968) number 12, pages 638-643 it is known from an article "Staplefibres and continuous yarns of fibrillated polypropylene film" of Dr. G. Schuur to produce fibred yarns from polypropylene by extruding the granulate to a film, stretching the film at a stretching ratio of 1:6 to 1:12 especially at 1:10, cutting the stretched film to bands and modifying these bands to fibres. It also is possible to cut the film to bands before stretching, after which the bands are stretched. Besides the general use of such fibres for cloths, carpets and technical backings, it also is mentioned that it can be used for "artificial lawn".
  • From "The Textile Manufacturer", July 1971, pages 263-268 "Fibrillated polypropylene fibre" W.H. Badrian and J.H.L. Choufoer it is known that it is difficult to directly extrude polypropylene fibres with additions from a spinneret, if this polypropylene comprises a relatively high amount of additives such as pigments and fillers. For this reason it is suggested to extrude the granulate to a film, to stretch this film and to cut bands from the stretched film. The value as such mentioned for the stretching ration is 1:8. The produced fibres have a low dtex-value of 6 and 42 denier, such as indicated in the table on page 266. The use of these fibres for artificial grass has not been mentioned in this article.
  • In practice one produces yarn for fields of artificial grass, as disclosed in European patent 0 263 566 by extruding polymer granulates such as polypropylene, to a film having a width of about 750 mm and a thickness of about 100 µm. This film is cut to bands of a width of about 30 mm, which bands are stretched to a stretch ratio of 1:4 or more, to a width of about 15 mm and a thickness of about 50 µm. In order to twist these bands, they are provided with cuts, so that a reticulated structure is produced, which structure facilitates twisting. When fields of artificial grass are made of said yarn, a disadvantage of a field of such artificial grass is that an after-fibrillation is caused, as a result of which the tufted yarn wears out. The inventor carried out an intensive research in order to improve the fields of artificial grass, during which research experiments have been directed to improve the resistence to wearing out. From these experiments it appeared that at a relatively high stretching ratio the strength of the fibers is high, but the resistence against wearing can be improved at a lower value for the stretching ratio. For this reason a new process has now been developed, in which one returned to a process that was no longer used in the production of yarns for fields or artificial grass. This process according to the invention as disclosed in the preamble is characterized by the fact that bands having a thickness of 100 µm and a width of 1.5-4 mm are stretched at a stretching ratio of 1:2-3, to bands having a width of 0.75-3 mm and the extruded band has a thickness of 50-80% of the original thickness, and then 5-10 bands are twisted to yarn. Preferably the bands have after extrusion a width of 2-3 mm and after stetching, during which the thickness of the band is 50-70% of the original thickness, a width of 1-2 mm. Besides this it is preferred that the bands have a yarn number of 900-1350 dtex and that beside polypropylene a blockcopolymer is used as sold by Solvay, Belgium. According to the process of the invention, the cutting of the bands from the film and the stretching can be reversed, so that it is possible to stretch bands as well as to stretch the film.
  • It might be true that it is known from US patent 4,253,299 to produce yarns comprising 34 entangled thermoplastic melt-spun filaments of 108 - 212 dtex drawn to a draw ratio of about 2,5 to 3,6. However especially the fibres are produced by cutting the films and to stretch the fibres at a stretching ratio of about 3.0, so that lighter fibres are produced of about 132 denier per fibre, which fibres are entangled in a jet. On basis of such fibres no useful fields of artificial grass can be produced.
  • On basis of the results of experiments as carried out, it is clear that the fields of artificial grass with a tufted yarn according to the invention is less subject to after fibrillation, which can be proved by a wheel experiment, with which a clearly improved result can be obtained after visual inspection. From the Taber test, of which the results have been indicated in the table given here below, it appears that the fibre loss has been strongly decreased of 70‰ , for fields of artificial grass on basis of yarns as used for fields as disclosed in European patent 0,263,566, to 20‰ for fields of artificial grass, produced on basis of yarns according to the invention.
    Figure imgb0001
  • From this table it also appears that the application of a silicon derivative such as silicon oil on the field of artificial grass, to lower the coefficient of friction, decreases the wearing.
  • Instead of the production of a film that is cut into bands of 2-3 mm it also is possible to produce directly the bands with the indicated width from the spinneret. The melt then is pressed through a spinneret having openings which are dimensioned such that the bands can be obtained directly after which they are cooled, this contrary to the expectation as given in the article of W.A. Badrian as above mentioned, because now one produces according to the invention heavier fibres than aimed according to that article.
  • The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following examples.
    • Example I
  • An extruder is fed with propylene having a melting index of 2. From this a film is produced having a width of 750 mm and a thickness of 100 µm. Said film is cut into bands being 2-3 mm width, while the thickness is maintained. Stretching takes place at a temperature of about 130 °C at a stretching ratio of 1:2.5. It also is possible to stretch at first the film and to cut bands from the stretched film. A hot-blast furnace is used for the stretching operation. After relaxation, cooling and shrinking, bands are obtained, having a width of 1.5 mm and a thickness of 60 µm. Eight of these bands are twisted in a yarn which can be processed into a carpet for a field of artificial grass by means of a tufting operation.
    • Example II
  • The method of example I was repeated whereby instead of polypropylene a blockcopolymer was used consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene marketed by Solvay, Belgium.

Claims (4)

  1. Method for the production of yarn for fields of artificial grass by extruding polymer granulate to bands or to a film, cutting the film into bands and stretching the bands, characterized in that bands having a thickness of 100 µm and a width of 1.5-4 mm are stretched at a stretching ratio of 1 to 2-3 to bands having a width of 0.75-3 mm whilst the extruded band has a thickness of 50-80% of the original thickness and then 5-10 bands are twisted into the yarn.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that after extrusion the bands have a width of 2-3 mm, and after stretching, during which the thickness of the band becomes 50-70% of the original thickness, the width of the bands is 1-2 mm.
  3. Method according to claims 1-2, characterized in that as the polymer granulate a propylene comprising blockcopolymer is used.
  4. Method according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the bands as used have a yarn number of 900-1350 dtex.
EP90202335A 1989-09-05 1990-09-04 Method for producing yarn for fields of artificial grass and field of artificial grass produced with this yarn Expired - Lifetime EP0417832B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT90202335T ATE98305T1 (en) 1989-09-05 1990-09-04 PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF YARN FOR ARTIFICIAL GRASS FLEET AND ARTIFICIAL GRASS FLEET MANUFACTURED WITH SUCH YARN.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL8902223A NL8902223A (en) 1989-09-05 1989-09-05 METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING YARN FOR ARTIFICIAL GRASS FIELDS
NL8902223 1989-09-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0417832A1 EP0417832A1 (en) 1991-03-20
EP0417832B1 true EP0417832B1 (en) 1993-12-08

Family

ID=19855261

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90202335A Expired - Lifetime EP0417832B1 (en) 1989-09-05 1990-09-04 Method for producing yarn for fields of artificial grass and field of artificial grass produced with this yarn

Country Status (6)

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EP (1) EP0417832B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH03185135A (en)
AT (1) ATE98305T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69005067T2 (en)
NL (1) NL8902223A (en)
NZ (1) NZ235149A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013057583A3 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-06-13 Tarkett Inc. Process for making artificial turf fibers

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5578373A (en) * 1990-11-01 1996-11-26 Nippon Oil Co., Ltd. Split polyethylene stretched material and process for producing the same
NL9301798A (en) * 1993-10-18 1995-05-16 Desseaux H Tapijtfab Method for manufacturing yarn for an artificial grass field.
SE513818C2 (en) 1994-12-21 2000-11-06 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Flexible absorbent article comprising strips of elastic film and method of manufacturing the same
US6432505B1 (en) * 1995-10-31 2002-08-13 Southwest Recreational Industries, Inc. Diamond cross section synthetic turf filament
NL1006606C2 (en) † 1997-07-17 1999-01-19 Desseaux H Tapijtfab Yarn for artificial grass, method of manufacturing the yarn and artificial grass field in which said yarn is incorporated.
US6143368A (en) * 1998-02-10 2000-11-07 Gunn; Robert T. Low coefficient of friction fibers
CN101029419B (en) * 2003-05-28 2010-09-22 兰克霍斯特茵德泰克股份有限公司 Wire for artificial grass lawn, artificial grass lawn containing the wire and sports ground
EP1739233B1 (en) * 2003-05-28 2010-03-03 Lankhorst Pure Composites B.V. Yarn for an artificial turf ground cover, artificial turf ground cover and playing field including such a yarn
NL1026239C2 (en) 2004-05-19 2005-11-22 Ten Cate Thiolon Bv Method for manufacturing a plastic fiber for use in an artificial grass sports field as well as such a plastic fiber.

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1941950A1 (en) * 1969-08-18 1971-03-04 Nino Gmbh & Co Synthetic yarn by fibrillating plastics - strip
US4253299A (en) * 1979-05-03 1981-03-03 Phillips Petroleum Company Bulked and entangled multifilament thermoplastic yarn
NL8602312A (en) * 1986-09-12 1988-04-05 Nijverdal Ten Cate Textiel METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ARTIFICIAL GRASSMAT AND ARTIFICIAL GRASSMAT OBTAINED THEREFROM

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013057583A3 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-06-13 Tarkett Inc. Process for making artificial turf fibers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NZ235149A (en) 1992-06-25
JPH03185135A (en) 1991-08-13
NL8902223A (en) 1991-04-02
DE69005067D1 (en) 1994-01-20
ATE98305T1 (en) 1993-12-15
DE69005067T2 (en) 1994-04-21
EP0417832A1 (en) 1991-03-20

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