MOBILE TURF INFILL RECLAMATION SYSTEM

• US 20130017023A1
• Filed: 07/13/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Act Global Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Turf Alliance, LLC
• Inventors: Nicholls, Mark H., Hartwell, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,045,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 406/39
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 21/02 Transportable disintegrating plant
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 11/08 Cleaning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 15/00 Combinations of apparatus for separating solids from solids by dry methods applicable to bulk material, e.g. loose articles fit to be handled like bulk material using wet methods B03B7/00; using gas currents B07B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 17/02 Separating plastics from other materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 2017/0094 Mobile recycling devices, e.g. devices installed in truck trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/732 Floor coverings piles carpets B29L2031/7652; for vehicles B29L2031/3017
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 13/083 Construction of grass-grown sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/00 Auxiliary devices or arrangements for constructing, repairing, reconditioning, or taking-up road or like surfaces apparatus for reconditioning of salvaged non-hydraulic compositions for- in plant recycling of salvaged bituminous mixtures E01C19/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/62 Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling

Abstract

A mobile infill reclamation system comprising a mobile platform configured to be readily moved from a first location to a second location in relatively close proximity to an existing synthetic turf surface, a support structure mounted on the mobile platform, multiple processing components supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to process used infill material from the existing synthetic turf surface, an infill intake supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to receive the used infill material, and an infill output supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to discharge infill material processed by the processing components.

Claims

1. A mobile infill reclamation system comprising:

a mobile platform configured to be readily moved from a first location to a second location in relatively close proximity to an existing synthetic turf surface;

a support structure mounted on said mobile platform;

multiple processing components supported by said support structure and configured and arranged to process used infill material from said existing synthetic turf surface;

an infill intake supported by said support structure and configured and arranged to receive said used infill material; and

an infill output supported by said support structure and configured and arranged to discharge infill material processed by said processing components.

2. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile platform is selected from a group consisting of a trailer, a truck chassis, a railway car and a detachable pod.

3. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a vibration dampening platform.

4. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises vibration dampening decking.

5. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises vertically and horizontally extending framing

6. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises fasteners having vibration dampening fittings.

7. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a processing chamber defined by a front wall, side walls and a roof on said mobile platform and said processing components are housed in said chamber.

8. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 7, wherein said support structure comprises a power chamber separated from said processing chamber by a fire wall.

9. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said multiple processing components is selected from a group consisting of:

a debris remover configured and arranged to separate foreign debris from said used infill material;

a component separator configured and arranged to separate different components of said used infill material;

a screening device configured and arranged to separate a component of said used infill material by size;

a component size screener configured and arranged to analyze size distribution of a component of said used infill;

an augmentation device configured and arranged to add a desired infill component to said used infill material;

a mixing device configured and arranged to providing a desired infill component mix;

a rinsing device configured and arranged to treat said infill material; and

a dryer configured and arranged to dry said infill material.

10. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 9, wherein said used infill material components comprise rubber and sand.

11. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 10, wherein said component separator is configured and arranged to separate said rubber and said sand based on size and based on weight.

12. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 10, wherein said augmentation device is configured and arranged to introduce new rubber to reach a desired rubber particle size distribution and to introduce new sand to reach a desired sand particle size distribution.

13. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 10, wherein said mixing device is configured and arranged to mix sand and rubber components in amounts to reach a desired sand and rubber component ratio by weight.

14. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said infill intake comprises a pneumatic vacuum and an intake receptacle.

15. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, wherein said infill output comprises an automated bagging unit.

16. The mobile infill reclamations system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a power source supported by said support structure on said mobile platform and connected to said processing components.

17. The mobile infill reclamations system set forth in claim 16, wherein said power source is a diesel powered electric generator.

18. The mobile infill reclamations system set forth in claim 16, wherein said power source comprises, a battery and a solar panel.

19. The mobile infill reclamations system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a ventilation system supported by said support structure.

20. The mobile infill reclamations system set forth in claim 19, wherein said ventilation system comprises an air circulator connected via a conduit to at least one ventilation hood proximate to at least one of said processing components.

21. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a conveyance system supported by said support structure and configured and arranged to convey said used infill material from said intake to said output via said processing components.

22. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 21, wherein said conveyance system comprises a conveyor belt.

23. The mobile infill reclamation system set forth in claim 21, wherein said conveyance system comprises an auger or a vacuum tube.

30. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile infill reclamation system falls within the scope of claim 1.

24. A method of recycling infill comprising the steps of:

identifying an existing artificial turf surface having an infill;

moving a mobile infill reclamation system to a position in relatively close proximity to said existing artificial turf surface;

removing said infill from said artificial turf surface;

conveying said removed infill to said mobile infill reclamation system; and

processing said removed infill using said mobile infill reclamation system.

25. The method set forth in claim 24, wherein said step of processing said removed infill using said mobile infill reclamation system comprises the steps of:

separating foreign debris from said removed infill;

separating a component of said removed infill material by size;

adding a desired infill component to said removed infill material;

rinsing said removed infill material; and

drying said removed infill material.

26. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of processing said removed infill using said mobile infill reclamation system further comprises the steps of:

separating different components of said used infill material; and

mixing different components of said infill material to a desired infill component ratio.

27. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of discharging said processed infill material from said mobile infill reclamation system.

28. The method set forth in claim 27, wherein said processed infill material is discharged into a super sack or wagon.

29. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of applying said processed infill material to said artificial turf surface.