Abstract: A fibre for use in artificial turf has an elongate cross-sectional shape defining a first face and a second face that meet at side edges of the fibre. The first and second faces having respective first and second ridges that are offset with respect to each other, such that the cross-sectional shape is 2-fold rotationally symmetric with no reflectional symmetry. The fibre may be an extruded monofilament and shows improved resilience over symmetrical fibres of similar dimensions.

Abstract: A cork-based infill mixture for an artificial turf system, wherein the infill mixture comprises a predominance of cork particulates and a quantity of smooth, hard granules interspersed between the particulates.

Abstract: A natural binder-based infill for artificial turf, comprising biodegradable granules, wherein the granules comprise a natural binder that has been physically but not chemically modified by the addition of a quantity of filler material, wherein the granules have a mean size of between 0.2 and 5 mm.

Abstract: A natural rubber based infill for artificial turf, comprising biodegradable granules, wherein the granules comprise natural rubber that has been physically but not chemically modified by the addition of a quantity of filler material, wherein the granules have a mean size of between 0.2 and 5 mm.

Abstract: An artificial turf system comprises a resilient layer, an artificial grass layer comprising a substrate and pile fibers upstanding from the substrate and an infill layer. The infill layer comprises smooth, hard granules having a mean size of between 1.8 mm and 10 mm disposed on the substrate and interspersed between the pile fibers. The smooth, hard granules provide improved characteristics in terms of foot release.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic fibers and artificial lawn comprising such a fibre. More particularly, the invention relates to grass-like monofilament type fibers having a curved cross section and an artificial grass lawn, especially an artificial grass sports field, comprising such a fibre. According to an aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness of less than 8, preferably between 4.5 and 3.8, and even more preferably between 4.4 and 4.0. In an other aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern.

Abstract: A cork-based infill mixture for an artificial turf system, wherein the infill mixture comprises a predominance of cork particulates and a quantity of smooth, hard granules interspersed between the particulates.

Abstract: A method of forming end-form structures from recycled plastics includes i) providing molten agglomerated plastics in noodle form; ii) delivering the molten agglomerated plastics to a shaper; iii) forming an end-form of agglomerated plastics in the shaper by controlling movement and/or position of the shaper, the end-form comprising the agglomerated plastics welded together with voids therebetween; and iv) cooling at least an outer profile of the end-form to form the structure.

Abstract: A fibre for use in artificial turf has an elongate cross-sectional shape defining a first face and a second face that meet at side edges of the fibre. The first and second faces having respective first and second ridges that are offset with respect to each other, such that the cross-sectional shape is 2-fold rotationally symmetric with no reflectional symmetry. The fibre may be an extruded monofilament and shows improved resilience over symmetrical fibres of similar dimensions.

Abstract: An artificial turf system defining a playing area comprises an artificial turf layer with an air distribution layer located beneath the turf layer, by which air can be distributed throughout the playing area. The air distribution layer is closed at edge regions to define a periphery of the playing area and an air supply is in fluid communication with the air distribution layer to provide a flow of air. A flow regulating layer is located between the air distribution layer and the turf layer, the flow regulating layer being provided with a plurality of openings arranged to allow permeation of air through the turf layer within the playing area. The proposed system allows air to be distributed uniformly over the whole of the playing area for cooling of the turf layer.

Abstract: A sports field has a stable, impermeable substrate, a water distributing layer provided over the substrate and an artificial turf layer over the water distributing layer. A bund defines a perimeter of the sports field and extends from the substrate to at least the height of the artificial turf layer. A drain channel having inlets at a height to communicate with the water distributing layer is provided such that water can flow from the water distributing layer into the drain channel and vice versa. As a result of this constructions, there is formed a containment, defined by the bund surrounding the field and by the substrate. Water can be held within the containment in the water distributing layer allowing for water attenuation and cooling of the sports field.

Abstract: A modular structure for installing an artificial playing field comprising: a stabilizing layer forming a plurality of compartments for receiving a granular infill; a separation layer for location over the stabilizing layer to retain the infill; a water distributing layer; and an artificial turf layer. The claimed construction allows a stable base layer to be formed using virtually any locally available granular material such as earth, gravel, lava, rock and the like. The compartments ensure that the granular material is held in place and cannot be displaced due to loading or washed away due to rain or flooding.

Abstract: A damping layer comprises a large number of yarns combined to form a textile, wherein at least some of the yarns are foamed synthetic yarns. Such a textile, which consists of a mix of foamed and non-foamed synthetic yarns, is relatively strong and light and can lead to more efficient use of the foamed material. The foamed synthetic yarn may be formed into upstanding loops which provide additional resiliency and damping.

Abstract: A foamed fabric comprising filaments of closed-cell foam of cross-linked polymeric material is formed by integrating the filaments into a precursor textile and subsequently foaming the material at a foaming temperature at which the filaments expand. The foamed fabric can be used for protective garments, pads, mats and the like.

Abstract: A method of forming end-form structures from recycled plastics includes i) providing molten agglomerated plastics in noodle form; ii) delivering the molten agglomerated plastics to a shaper; iii) forming an end-form of agglomerated plastics in the shaper by controlling movement and/or position of the shaper, the end-form comprising the agglomerated plastics welded together with voids therebetween; and iv) cooling at least an outer profile of the end-form to form the structure.

Abstract: An artificial turf system defining a playing area comprises an artificial turf layer with an air distribution layer located beneath the turf layer, by which air can be distributed throughout the playing area. The air distribution layer is closed at edge regions to define a periphery of the playing area and an air supply is in fluid communication with the air distribution layer to provide a flow of air. A flow regulating layer is located between the air distribution layer and the turf layer, the flow regulating layer being provided with a plurality of openings arranged to allow permeation of air through the turf layer within the playing area. The proposed system allows air to be distributed uniformly over the whole of the playing area for cooling of the turf layer.

Abstract: An artificial turf system comprises a resilient layer, an artificial grass layer comprising a substrate and pile fibers upstanding from the substrate and an infill layer. The infill layer comprises smooth, hard granules having a mean size of between 1.8 mm and 10 mm disposed on the substrate and interspersed between the pile fibers. The smooth, hard granules provide improved characteristics in terms of foot release.

Abstract: A modular structure for installing an artificial playing field comprising: a stabilising layer forming a plurality of compartments for receiving a granular infill; a separation layer for location over the stabilising layer to retain the infill; a water distributing layer; and an artificial turf layer. The claimed construction allows a stable base layer to be formed using virtually any locally available granular material such as earth, gravel, lava, rock and the like. The compartments ensure that the granular material is held in place and cannot be displaced due to loading or washed away due to rain or flooding.

Abstract: A method of forming a substrate for a sports surface of a sports pitch includes the steps of: a) Agglomerating plastics materials; b) Granulating the agglomerated plastics materials to form granules having a predetermined range of sizes; c) In situ coating the granules with a binding material so that they form a fluent material; d) Forming a layer of the fluent material on the site of the sports pitch; and e) Setting the laid material such that the granules adhere where they contact each other to form a voided water permeable structure.