Patents by Inventor Dirk Sander
Dirk Sander has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20240084524Abstract: The invention provides for an artificial Turf fiber comprising a polyolefin grafted with one or more siloxanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Thorsten VAN DEN BERG, Marco REHOSEX, Dirk SANDER, Oliver WAGENER
-
Publication number: 20240084525Abstract: A method for producing an artificial turf fiber, comprising: preparing a core polymer mixture from a core polymer and a thread polymer forming beads within the core polymer; coextruding the core polymer mixture with a cladding polymer component into a monofilament, the core polymer mixture forming a cylindrical core, The cladding polymer component forming a cladding encompassing the core with a non-circular profile; quenching the monofilament; reheating the quenched monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to deform the beads into threadlike regions; and providing one or more of the stretched monofilaments as the artificial turf fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Ivo LOHR
-
Patent number: 11905666Abstract: A method for producing an artificial turf fiber, comprising: preparing a core polymer mixture from a core polymer and a thread polymer forming beads within the core polymer; coextruding the core polymer mixture with a cladding polymer component into a monofilament, the core polymer mixture forming a cylindrical core, The cladding polymer component forming a cladding encompassing the core with a non-circular profile; quenching the monofilament; reheating the quenched monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to deform the beads into threadlike regions; and providing one or more of the stretched monofilaments as the artificial turf fiber.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Polytex Sportbeläge Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Ivo Lohr
-
Publication number: 20230416996Abstract: An artificial turf fiber comprising at least one monofilament, each monofilament comprising a cylindrical core and a cladding. The core comprises a core polymer and threadlike regions formed by a thread polymer and embedded in the core polymer. The cladding is formed by a cladding polymer surrounding the core. It has a non-circular profile and is miscible with the core polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Ivo LOHR
-
Patent number: 11788237Abstract: An artificial turf fiber comprising at least one monofilament, each monofilament comprising a cylindrical core and a cladding. The core comprises a core polymer and threadlike regions formed by a thread polymer and embedded in the core polymer. The cladding is formed by a cladding polymer surrounding the core. It has a non-circular profile and is miscible with the core polymer.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions—GMBHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Ivo Lohr
-
Publication number: 20230243072Abstract: The invention provides for a method of delaying and reducing texture reversion of a textured artificial turf yarn (145), characterized by using a stretched and textured monofilament yarn as the textured artificial turf yarn, the stretched and textured monofilament yarn comprising a polymer mixture (400, 500), wherein the polymer mixture is at least a three-phase system, wherein the polymer mixture comprises a first polymer (402), a second polymer (404), and a compatibilizer (406), wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are immiscible, wherein the first polymer forms polymer beads (408) surrounded by the compatibilizer within the second polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk Sander, Bernd Jansen, Ivo Lohr, Kris Brown
-
Publication number: 20230193568Abstract: A method for producing an artificial turf fiber, comprising: preparing a core polymer mixture from a core polymer and a thread polymer forming beads within the core polymer; coextruding the core polymer mixture with a cladding polymer component into a monofilament, the core polymer mixture forming a cylindrical core, The cladding polymer component forming a cladding encompassing the core with a non-circular profile; quenching the monofilament; reheating the quenched monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to deform the beads into threadlike regions; and providing one or more of the stretched monofilaments as the artificial turf fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Ivo LOHR
-
Publication number: 20230183888Abstract: A method of manufacturing artificial turf creating a liquid polymer mixture, wherein the polymer mixture is at least a two-phase system. A first one of the phases includes a first polymer and a first dye, and a second one of the phases of the polymer mixture includes a second polymer and a second dye of a different color than the first dye. The first and the second phase are immiscible, the first phase forming polymer beads within the second phase. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament including a marbled pattern of the first and second color; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to deform the polymer beads into threadlike regions and to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber; and incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Bernd JANSEN, Dirk SCHMITZ
-
Patent number: 11655566Abstract: The invention provides for a method of delaying and reducing texture reversion of a textured artificial turf yarn (145), characterized by using a stretched and textured monofilament yarn as the textured artificial turf yarn, the stretched and textured monofilament yarn comprising a polymer mixture (400, 500), wherein the polymer mixture is at least a three-phase system, wherein the polymer mixture comprises a first polymer (402), a second polymer (404), and a compatibilizer (406), wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are immiscible, wherein the first polymer forms polymer beads (408) surrounded by the compatibilizer within the second polymer.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Bernd Jansen, Ivo Lohr, Kris Brown
-
Patent number: 11608572Abstract: A method of manufacturing artificial turf creating a liquid polymer mixture, wherein the polymer mixture is at least a two-phase system. A first one of the phases includes a first polymer and a first dye, and a second one of the phases of the polymer mixture includes a second polymer and a second dye. The second dye has a different color than the first dye, the second polymer being of the same or of a different type as the first polymer. The first and the second phase are immiscible, the first phase forming polymer beads within the second phase. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament including a marbled pattern of the first and second color; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to deform the polymer beads into threadlike regions and to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber; and incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Bernd Jansen, Dirk Schmitz
-
Patent number: 11608599Abstract: A method for producing an artificial turf fiber, comprising: preparing a core polymer mixture from a core polymer and a thread polymer forming beads within the core polymer; coextruding the core polymer mixture with a cladding polymer component into a monofilament, the core polymer mixture forming a cylindrical core, The cladding polymer component forming a cladding encompassing the core with a non-circular profile; quenching the monofilament; reheating the quenched monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to deform the beads into threadlike regions; and providing one or more of the stretched monofilaments as the artificial turf fiber.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GMBHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Ivo Lohr
-
Patent number: 11541585Abstract: A coextrusion head for manufacturing a bicomponent polymer fiber, comprising a first inlet for receiving a core polymer component, a second inlet for receiving a cladding polymer component, and a dual-channel nozzle comprising an inner channel and an outer channel encompassing the inner channel. The inner and outer channel are in hydraulic connection with the first and second inlet, respectively. The dual-channel nozzle further comprises a joining path establishing a hydraulic connection between the inner channel, the outer channel, and a nozzle outlet of the dual-channel nozzle. The joining path is adapted for bringing the core polymer component and the cladding polymer component into contact with each other such that a contact layer comprising a mixture of the core polymer component and the cladding polymer component is formed between the core polymer component and the cladding polymer component.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignees: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbH, Sima S.R.L.Inventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Ivo Lohr, Andrea Zucconi
-
Publication number: 20210292966Abstract: The invention provides for a method of manufacturing artificial turf (1000), The method comprising the steps of: —creating (100) a polymer mixture (100, 400, 500) comprising at least one polymer and a nucleat ing agent for crystallizing the at least one polymer; —extruding (102) the polymer mixture into a monofilament (606); —quenching (104) the monofilament; —reheating (106) the monofilament; —stretching (108) the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber (1004), wherein during the stretching the nucleating agent boosts the creation of crystalline portions of the at least one polymer within the monofilament; —incorporating (110) the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing, thereby mechanically fixing the monofilaments of the arranged artificial turf fibers in the artificial turf backing. FIG. 2a FIG. 2b FIG.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Bernd JANSEN, James M. TRITT, Dirk SCHMITZ
-
Publication number: 20210269989Abstract: The method includes creating a polymer mixture, wherein the polymer mixture includes a stabilizing polymer, a bulk polymer, a flame retardant polymer combination, and a compatibilizer. The stabilizing polymer polymer and the bulk polymer are immiscible. The stabilizing polymer includes fibers surrounded by the compatibilizer within the bulk polymer. The stabilizing polymer is aramid. The flame retardant polymer combination is a mixture of triazin and melamine. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament. The method further includes quenching the monofilament. The method further includes reheating the monofilament. The method further includes stretching the reheated monofilament to align the fibers relative to each other and to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber. The method further includes incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Dirk SCHMITZ, Dirk SANDER, Oliver WAGENER, Stephan SICK
-
Publication number: 20210238771Abstract: A method for manufacturing an artificial turf fiber includes creating a polymer mixture that includes, 60-99% by weight of an LLDPE polymer and 1-15% by weight of an LDPE polymer. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; and stretching the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into the artificial turf fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Bernd JANSEN
-
Patent number: 11060244Abstract: The method includes creating a polymer mixture, wherein the polymer mixture includes a stabilizing polymer, a bulk polymer, a flame retardant polymer combination, and a compatibilizer. The stabilizing polymer and the bulk polymer are immiscible. The stabilizing polymer includes fibers surrounded by the compatibilizer within the bulk polymer. The stabilizing polymer is aramid. The flame retardant polymer combination is a mixture of triazin and melamine. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament. The method further includes quenching the monofilament. The method further includes reheating the monofilament. The method further includes stretching the reheated monofilament to align the fibers relative to each other and to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber. The method further includes incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Dirk Schmitz, Dirk Sander, Oliver Wagener, Stephan Sick
-
Patent number: 11015268Abstract: A method for manufacturing an artificial turf fiber includes creating a polymer mixture that includes, 60-99% by weight of an LLDPE polymer and 1-15% by weight of an LDPE polymer. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; and stretching the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into the artificial turf fiber.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Bernd Jansen
-
Patent number: 10983037Abstract: A synthetic turf testing apparatus includes a test element, wherein the test element has a contact surface for contacting a synthetic turf surface, wherein the test element includes a temperature sensor for measuring a time dependent surface temperature of the contact surface; a pedestal attached to the test element, wherein the pedestal is configured for applying force to the test element; a carriage for translating the pedestal along a translational path; a guide structure for supporting the carriage and guiding the carriage along the translational path; and an actuator for moving the carriage relative to the guide structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignees: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbH, Labosport InternationalInventors: Stephan Sick, Bernd Jansen, Ivo Lohr, Dirk Sander, Pascal Haxaire, Loïc Dreau, Roberto Armeni, Aurelien Le Blan
-
Patent number: 10968565Abstract: A method of manufacturing artificial turf includes the steps of: creating a polymer mixture including at least one polymer and a nucleating agent for crystallizing the at least one polymer, extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber, wherein during the stretching the nucleating agent boosts the creation of crystalline portions of the polymer within the monofilament; incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing, thereby mechanically fixing the monofilaments of the arranged artificial turf fibers in the artificial turf backing.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: POLYTEX SPORTBELÄGE PRODUKTIONS GMBHInventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Bernd Jansen, James Tritt, Dirk Schmitz
-
Publication number: 20200407533Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer-based artificial turf fiber comprising substances (216) adapted for protecting the fiber against UV radiation. The substances comprise a hindered amine light stabilizer—HALS and a first and a second UV-absorbent substance. The molecular weights of the first and the second UV-absorbent substances differ from each other by at least 100 g/mol.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbHInventors: Stephan SICK, Dirk SANDER, Dirk SCHMITZ, Bernd JANSEN, Ivo LOHR