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US 8,464,801 B2Granted
Apparatus for collecting artificial turf for recycling
OwnerJohn H. Beardeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A turf collecting machine capable of automatically collecting laid artificial athletic turf, separating the infill and tufted backing components of the collected turf, and then depositing those separated components into separate storage containers. The apparatus also includes mechanisms for cleaning the infill particles collected.
Claims9
An apparatus for collecting laid artificial turf for recycling, the apparatus comprising:
- a drive mechanism capable of advancing the apparatus along the laid turf;
- a collection mechanism configured to cut a strip of the laid turf of a certain width out of a laid turf of greater width and to lift the cut turf strip from an underlying base surface as the apparatus advances;
- an extraction mechanism configured to extract particulate infill material from the turf strip;
- a first storage mechanism configured to bag the extracted infill material;
- and
- a second storage mechanism configured to bag the lifted turf.
3 more elements
An apparatus for collecting, for recycling, laid artificial turf of a type comprising a backing sheet, tufted yarn and particulate infill material, the apparatus comprising:
- a drive mechanism capable of advancing the apparatus along the laid turf;
- a cutting head configured to cut a strip of the laid turf of a certain width out of a laid turf of greater width and to lift the turf strip from an underlying base surface as the apparatus advances along the laid turf;
- a conveyor arrangement configured to convey the turf strip away from the cutting head, wherein the conveyor arrangement conveys the turf strip in an upright condition and, subsequently, inverts the turf strip and then conveys it in an inverted condition so that infill material separates from the turf strip due, at least in part, to gravity;
- a bristle arrangement configured to brush the turf strip and loosen the infill material whilst the turf strip is being conveyed in an upright condition;
- an infill receptacle configured to receive separated infill material for storing;
- and
- a turf receptacle configured to receive the substantially infill-free turf for storing.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.