# US 8,464,801 B2 · Apparatus for collecting artificial turf for recycling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,801 B2 - Document ID: US8464801B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/820,132 - Filed: 2010-06-21 - Published: 2010-12-23 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-20 - Applicants: John H. Bearden - Inventors: John H. Bearden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464801B2 ## CPC - E01C 13/08: Surfaces simulating grass {; Grass-grown sports grounds (grass-like surfaces for skiing E01C13/12)} - A01G 20/12: Apparatus for cutting sods or turfs - A01G 20/15: specially adapted for stacking sods or sod rolls - B29B 17/02: Separating plastics from other materials - B29B 2017/0094: {Mobile recycling devices, e.g. devices installed in truck trailers} - B29B 2017/0227: {Vibratory or shaking tables} - B29L 2031/732: {Floor coverings (piles carpets B29L2031/7652; for vehicles B29L2031/3017)} - Y02W 30/52: Mechanical processing of waste for the recovery of materials, e.g. crushing, shredding, separation or disassembly - Y02W 30/62: Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling - Y10T 83/2192: Endless conveyor - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - B29B: PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said collection mechanism comprises: a pair of cutting blades having vertically oriented cutting edges and being horizontally spaced apart in order to cut a turf strip of a width corresponding to that spacing out of a laid turf of greater width; a leading edge that is horizontally oriented in order to separate laid turf from the base surface, wherein the leading edge is disposed between the cutting blades; and a conveyor arrangement configured to convey the turf strip from the leading edge to the extraction mechanism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said extraction mechanism comprises a bristle and beater arrangement configured to dislodge the infill material from the turf strip. ### Claim 4 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a turn guide mechanism configured to guide the turf as it is being inverted by said conveyor arrangement. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a beater arrangement for further dislodging infill material whilst the turf strip is being conveyed in an inverted condition. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a sifting mechanism configured to sift extraneous particles from infill material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a shredding mechanism configured to shred the turf strip into particles, wherein these particles are received into said turf receptacle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said cutting head comprises: a pair of cutting blades having vertically oriented cutting edges and being horizontally spaced apart in order to cut a turf strip of a width corresponding to that spacing out of a laid turf of greater width; and a leading edge that is horizontally oriented in order to separate laid turf from the base surface, wherein the leading edge is disposed between the cutting blades.