ITPI20090090A1 - METHOD FOR REALIZING A HERBAL PRECOLTIVE COAT IN PARTICULAR FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES - Google Patents

Description

Description of the industrial invention entitled â € œMETHOD FOR MAKING A PRECULTIVATED GRASS COVER IN PARTICULAR FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIESâ €

DESCRIPTION

Scope of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for making a pre-cultivated turf to be used in particular for sports such as football, golf, hockey, American football, athletics, tennis, rugby, baseball and other sports.

Brief notes on the known art

As is known, there are various processes for making pre-cultivated lawns intended to be laid on a specific surface to be covered.

A known process for coating a surface with a pre-grown turf involves the cultivation of a herbaceous species on a growing site in an open field for a certain period of time, for example about eighteen months, and then the removal of the turf. grassy together with its root system, ie the â € œsodâ € obtained, to arrange for its laying on the surface to be covered.

More precisely, sod is normally obtained in cut strips separating them from the underlying ground by means of special machinery. The sod strips thus obtained, generally with a thickness of between 1 and 2 cm., Are then collected in rolls which facilitate their transport and installation.

Although this precultivation and cutting technique offers several advantages, including that of having a ready-to-use lawn once the rolls have been transplanted, it also has several drawbacks.

Firstly, this pre-cultivation technique involves the removal of soil from the cultivation site which must be subsequently restored. Furthermore, the host land must be free of vegetation and prepared with special processes before laying.

In addition to the above, the rolls of sod of the known art do not have a high strength and therefore tend to flake and crumble during cutting or transport. Therefore, it is necessary to intervene with local rizollatura operations at the time of installation to reconstruct the covering surface in correspondence with the fractures. The low robustness is manifested, in particular, in the case of use of the SOD of the known technique to create turf surfaces subject to intense action, such as for example football fields and other sports fields.

A further drawback resides in the need to use complex and expensive machinery to exert the horizontal cutting force necessary to detach the sod from the underlying ground.

Still another disadvantage of the known art sod consists in the need to have vast expanses of soil available to be used as a cultivation site, sacrificing it for other uses.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a pre-cultivated turf capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the known art.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a method for making a pre-cultivated turf having a high structural rigidity such as to allow it in particular to be transported in rolls to a planting site, avoiding crumbling and flaking.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a pre-cultivated turf which allows to simplify the operations of removal from the cultivation site and laying in the planting site.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a turf which is particularly robust when subjected to intense actions such as sports activities and therefore can be used as a surface for soccer fields and other sports fields.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a turf which allows any surface and not necessarily a cultivable surface to be used as a cultivation site.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for making a turf which allows the removal of SOD from the cultivation site without requiring expensive and complex machinery for its removal.

These and other objects are achieved with the method for making a turf, according to the present invention, comprising the steps of:

∠’arrangement of a mat in waterproof material on a base;

∠’distribution of a growth substrate on the mat in waterproof material;

∠’arrangement of seeds and / or portions of plants belonging to at least one first plant species on said growth substrate, said first plant species being a stoloniferous and / or rhizomatous plant with stolons and / or rhizomes;

- vegetative development of a turf formed by seedlings of said first plant species starting from said seeds and / or portions of the plant, until a dense root system is obtained which propagates in the growth substrate, said root system and said substrate of growth being contained at the bottom by said mat made of impermeable material;

- trimming of said carpet of said first plant species, said trimming being made by cutting the parts of said seedlings of said first plant species that protrude from said growth substrate, said cutting not affecting said root system;

∠’arrangement, in said grassy ground of said first plant species, of seeds and / or portions of plants belonging to at least a second plant species other than said first plant species;

- vegetative development of said second plant species with obtaining a turf formed by said second plant species rooted in said turf of said first plant species.

Advantageously, a phase of subdivision of the turf into portions of determined extension can be provided, said subdivision also involving the mat made of waterproof material. In this way, it is possible to considerably simplify the succession of operations for transporting the turf to the application site. In particular, by carrying out a simple vertical cut in strips, it is possible to obtain rollable strips of the turf in the presence of the mat that separates the coils of the rolls and holds the mantle together in the subsequent laying on the application site.

Furthermore, it is possible to cultivate the turf using any surface as a base, for example a simple level ground, or a hard cemented or asphalted surface.

In particular, the portions of determined extension have the shape of strips, said strips being wound so as to form rolls of corresponding dimensions.

The turf obtained through the procedure described above facilitates its transport to the pre-established planting site, preventing it from crumbling and thus facilitating its installation and avoiding the need to resort to local re-zolling operations to reconstruct the surface.

Advantageously, the shaving step is repeated a determined number of times before said step of disposing in the root planting of said first vegetable species of seeds and / or portions of plants belonging to the second vegetable species.

In particular, the shaving phase is suitable for cutting the portions of seedlings at a determined height equal to no more than 3 cm from the growth substrate, advantageously equal to no more than 2 cm from the growth substrate, preferably equal to about 1 cm from the growing medium.

Preferably, the waterproof material mat is made of a flexible material.

Advantageously, the waterproof material is a plastic material.

In particular, the plastic material can be chosen from:

∠’PVC;

∠’Neoprene;

∠’Rubber, in particular nitrile butadiene rubber, or NBR.

In particular, the mat in waterproof material by retaining the water represents a barrier to the descent of the roots of the first plant species which therefore cannot cross it and tend to â € œbounceâ € upwards and to spread in all directions above. of the waterproof layer. This process allows to realize a dense root system of said first plant species very branched and intertwined and therefore provided with a very high resistance.

Preferably, the first plant species is a macrothermal herbaceous plant.

In particular, the first plant species can be chosen from the following plants, or families of herbaceous plants:

∠’Grasses;

∠’Convonvulaceae.

Advantageously, the grasses are chosen from:

∠’Cynodon dactylon;

∠’Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis;

∠’Zoysia japonica;

∠’Zoysia matrella;

∠’Paspalum vaginatum;

or a combination thereof.

Advantageously, the Convonvulaceae is Dichondra repens.

Advantageously, the second plant species is a microthermal herbaceous plant.

In particular, the second plant species can be chosen from the following plant varieties:

∠’Lolium perenne;

∠’Poa pratensis;

∠’Festuca arundinacea;

∠’a combination of them;

In particular, the second plant species comprises a blend containing at least two of said plant varieties.

Advantageously, the vegetative propagation of the first plant species occurs by stolonization.

Advantageously, the growth substrate comprises a determined quantity by weight of sand.

Advantageously, the sand has a particle size between 0.01 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the determined quantity by weight of sand comprises sand particles comprised in at least two of the following particle size ranges:

∠’particle size between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm;

∠’particle size between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm;

∠’particle size between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm;

∠’particle size between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm;

∠’particle size between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm;

∠’particle size between 2.0 mm and 4.0 mm; a combination of them.

In particular, two or three different grain sizes can be used. In general, the determined quantity by weight of sand has the following composition:

∠’between 0 and 10% by weight of sand with a grain size between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm;

∠’between 0 and 20% by weight of sand with grain size between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm;

∠’between 0 and 60% by weight of sand with a grain size between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm;

∠’between 0 and 60% by weight of sand with a grain size between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm;

∠’between 0 and 10% by weight of sand with a grain size between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm;

∠’between 0 and 10% by weight of sand with a grain size between 2.0 mm and 4.0 mm.

Preferably, the base on which the mat is placed has a slightly inclined, or convex shape, said mat resting on said slightly inclined or convex base, so that the face which in use is facing the growth substrate assumes its vault form slightly inclined, or convex. In this way, the mat allows the drainage of water from said substrate and prevents the formation of water stagnations. In particular, the inclination can be between 0.5 and 3 °, advantageously about 1 °.

In particular, before the step of arranging the mat, a step of working said base can be foreseen in order to realize said slightly inclined or convex surface.

Advantageously, the growth substrate comprises coco fibers, in particular â € œcoir wireâ € shredded in a certain quantity by weight. The use of the â € œcoir threadâ € in the growth substrate favors, in particular, the intertwining of the roots of the first plant species with the formation of a highly intertwined root system. This allows to increase the rigidity and strength of the root system.

In particular, the â € œcoir wireâ € of the growth substrate is obtained through a selection process of the coco fibers.

Advantageously, the growth substrate has the following composition:

∠’sand between 75 and 95% by weight;

â ’coconut thread between 5 and 25% by weight.

In particular, the growth substrate may also comprise an organic material, for example soil.

In this case the growth substrate can have the following composition:

∠’sand between 60 and 95% by weight;

â ’coconut thread between 5 and 25% by weight;

∠’organic material between 10 and 30% by weight. Advantageously, before the arrangement in the dense root system of the seeds and / or portions of the plant belonging to the second plant species, a phase of sectioning of the stolons and / or rhizomes of the first plant species is provided. This phase is aimed at cutting the stolons and / or rhizomes into smaller segments of stolons and / or rhizomes in order to increase the number of individual plants and to stimulate the development of the root system of the first plant species. Furthermore, the runners are fragmented resulting in smaller plants. The shattering of the stolons also avoids the formation of a network that is too hard and dense which could be an obstacle to certain sports activities, for example football.

In particular, the step of cutting the portions of seedlings can be carried out by means of first cutting means acting along a direction substantially parallel to the mat made of waterproof material.

In particular, the sectioning step of the stolons can be carried out by means of sectioning means acting along an inclined direction of a given angle with respect to the mat in waterproof material. In a foreseen embodiment, the sectioning means act along a direction substantially orthogonal to the mat made of waterproof material.

Advantageously, before the arrangement in the growth substrate of seeds and / or portions of plants belonging to the second plant species, a phase of application of a plant growth regulator on the turf of said first plant species is provided, said plant growth regulator being able to slow down the development. vegetative of the first plant species.

In this way, the first plant species provides a rooting carpet for the second plant species without suffocating the latter.

Advantageously, before placing the growth substrate on the mat, the latter can be fixed to the base by means of removable fixing elements, such as nails, pegs, etc.

Brief description of the drawings

The method according to the invention will now be illustrated with the following description of an execution thereof, made by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

∠Figure 1 schematically shows in a perspective plan view a mat in waterproof material that can be adopted in the method, according to the invention, to create a pre-cultivated turf;

- figure 2 schematically shows in a side view the mat of figure 1;

â Figures 3 to 10 show a possible sequence of phases through which it is possible to implement the method, according to the invention, to create a pre-cultivated turf.

Description of a preferred embodiment With reference to Figures 1 to 10, a method for making a turf 1, according to the present invention, provides for an initial step of arranging a mat 10 made of waterproof and flexible material, for example PVC, on a base 50 (Figures 1 and 2). Preferably, the base 50 on which the mat 10 is arranged has a convex shape, as shown in Figure 1, or a slightly inclined shape, a case not illustrated in the figure. In this way, the mat 10, lying on the convex or slightly inclined base 50, in turn assumes a convex or slightly inclined shape, on the side 11 which remains in view, favoring the drainage of the water as explained further on. To this end, if the base 50 is built on a ground, a preliminary working phase of the base 50 is envisaged to create the convex surface 51. In the case of using hard surfaces already prepared for the removal of rainwater , for example abandoned roads, abandoned squares, this operation may not help.

A growth substrate 20 is then distributed on the mat 10 so as to form a growth layer approximately 3-5 cm high (Figure 3). More specifically, the growing medium 20 is essentially made up of sand. To obtain a draining but at the same time compact layer, the sand can have different granulometry, for example between 0.1 mm and 3.5 mm. For example, two or three different grain sizes can be used so that the smaller grains of sand fill the spaces between the smaller grains. In general, the growth substrate 20 can consist of a heterogeneous set of sands of different granulometry. For example, the growth substrate can have the following composition between 0 and 10% by weight of sand with a particle size between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm, between 0 and 20% by weight of sand with a particle size between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm, between 0 and 60% by weight of sand with grain size between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm, between 0 and 60% by weight of sand with grain size between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm, between 0 and 10% by weight of sand with grain size included between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm and between 0 and 10% by weight of sand with grain size between 2.0 mm and 3.5 mm.

The growth substrate 20 can also comprise other substances such as silty sands, with a particle size between 0.002 and 0.05 mm and in quantities for example less than 5% by weight.

Some compositions that can be used in the growth substrate are reported in the following examples made by way of non-limiting purposes:

EXAMPLE 1

∠’0.1% of silt with particle size between 0.002 and 0.05 mm;

∠’1.5% of sand with a grain size between 0.05 and 0.15 mm;

∠’7.4% of sand with a grain size between 0.15 and 0.25 mm;

∠’53.3% of sand with a grain size between 0.25 and 0.5 mm;

∠’33.6% of sand with a grain size between 0.5 and 1.0 mm;

∠’3.4% of sand with a grain size between 1.0 and 1.4 mm;

∠’0.7% of sand with a grain size between 1.4 and 2.0 mm;

EXAMPLE 2

∠’0.1% of silt with particle size between 0.002 and 0.05 mm;

∠’2.3% of sand with a grain size between 0.05 and 0.15 mm;

∠’11.2% of sand with a grain size between 0.15 and 0.25 mm;

∠’56.0% of sand with a grain size between 0.25 and 0.5 mm;

∠’27.5% of sand with a grain size between 0.5 and 1.0 mm;

∠’1.9% of sand with a grain size between 1.0 and 1.4 mm;

∠’0.8% of sand with a grain size between 1.4 and 2.0 mm;

∠’0.1% of sand with a grain size between 2.0 and 2.5 mm.

EXAMPLE 3

∠’0.1% of silt with particle size between 0.002 and 0.05 mm;

∠’1.2% of sand with a grain size between 0.05 and 0.15 mm;

∠’6.6% of sand with a grain size between 0.15 and 0.25 mm;

∠’54.4% of sand with a grain size between 0.25 and 0.5 mm;

∠’33.1% of sand with a grain size between 0.5 and 1.0 mm;

∠’3.7% of sand with a grain size between 1.0 and 1.4 mm;

∠’0.7% of sand with a grain size between 1.4 and 2.0 mm;

∠’0.2% of sand with a grain size between 2.0 and 2.5 mm.

The above compositions of the growth substrate 20 allow, in particular, to guarantee an efficient draining action and at the same time a compactness of the substrate. As shown in detail in figure 3C, rainwater, or irrigation water, can then filter through the growth substrate 20 until it reaches the waterproof mat 10 following which, thanks to the inclination favored by the convex or slightly inclined shape, it flows laterally to the turf 1 and can be collected, for example, in suitable wells, or channels, not shown in the figure.

As shown schematically in figure 4, after the phase of distribution of the growth substrate 20 on the mat 10 there is a phase of arrangement of seeds and / or portions of plant 30 belonging to at least one first plant species, in particular a stoloniferous macrothermal plant and / or rhizomatous, such as the â € œCynodon dactylonâ €, or various other species of weeds (see rev. 4).

When the seedlings 100 of the first plant species reach a certain vegetative development, a first shaving of the seedlings 100 above the growth substrate 20 is carried out without involving the root plant 120 in the cutting. This operation can be carried out, for example, by means of a machine lawn mower equipped with a cutting tool 60 acting along a direction 160 substantially parallel to the mat 10 and comprising a circular blade 61 and a counter-blade 62 of which figure 6A schematically shows the overall dimensions with discontinuous lines (figures 6A-6C). The cutting operation described above leads to obtaining portions of seedlings 100â € ™ â € ™ protruding from the growth substrate 20 by about 1-2 cm (figures 7A and 7B). Shaving can be repeated several times, until the vegetative rest of the first plant species.

As illustrated schematically in figures 8A, 8B and 8C, a phase of sectioning of the stolons 125 of the first plant species 100 can also be provided in order to multiply the number of autonomous plants, reduce the length of the stolons and stimulate their vegetative propagation for further stolonization, favoring the development of a dense root system 120. The sectioning of the stolons 125 can be, for example, carried out by means of a cutting tool 70 acting in a substantially orthogonal direction to the mat in waterproof material 10, without affecting the mat, but penetrating into part in the growth substrate 20. The sectioning of the root system 120 also makes it possible to prevent the stolons 125 of the first plant species from hindering the running of athletes on the grass during sports practice, preventing the studs present on the sole of the boots generally used by athletes, for example football players, sports remain trapped in the roots. This drawback, in fact, could not only represent an obstacle to the correct execution of the sporting gesture, but also cause sprains and sprains in the joints of the lower limbs of the athlete.

To further increase the rigidity of the root plant 120, the growth substrate 20 can also comprise shredded coco strands 21 (Figure 3B). The latter, for example obtained through a known process of selection of the coconut fibers, in fact accelerate the binding of the roots 120 of the first plant species 100.

Once the desired development of the root plant 120 has been reached, a distribution phase is envisaged in the second growth layer 20, for example by sowing, a second plant species 150 in particular a micro-thermal plant, for example chosen from Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Festuca arundinacea. The second plant species 150 roots in the turf 105, in particular by binding to the roots 120 or to the stolons 125 of the first plant species 100. This allows for the creation of a final turf 1 in which the second plant species 150 protrudes more than the first plant species 100 giving a characteristic intense green color during the coldest period of the year during which the macrotherm goes into vegetative rest. In this way, a turf 1 is created capable of guaranteeing a characteristic â € œgreen lawnâ € effect in both winter and summer.

Before the first macrothermal plant species goes into vegetative rest, for example in September / October in the northern hemisphere, a phase of application of a plant growth regulator can be envisaged to slow down the vegetative development of the first plant species 100. This operation is, in particular, performed before the distribution of the second plant species. Thanks to the application of the plant growth regulator there is a faster vegetative development of the second plant species 150 compared to the first plant species 100.

Once the turf 1 has been made, it can be divided into portions of determined extension to facilitate its transport to the installation site. In particular, through the subdivision step, carried out for example by means of a circular blade, not shown in the figure, a series of strips of desired width are obtained. These can be easily wound to form highly resistant rolls 200. The presence of a root system provided with a high rigidity makes it possible to avoid the possibility that the roll 200 could crumble or shatter during the transport and installation phases.

Furthermore, the presence of the mat of waterproof material 10 prevents the plant species 100 and 150 from rooting in the open field, considerably simplifying the division of the turf 1 compared to known techniques in which it is necessary to resort to agricultural machines equipped with tools which separate the turf from the ground by applying high frequency vibrations. In fact, the mat 10 in waterproof material by retaining the water represents a barrier to the descent of the roots 120 of the first plant species 100 which, therefore, cannot cross it and tend to â € œbounceâ € upwards and to spread in all directions above the waterproof layer 10 (Figure 9C).

The waterproof mat 10 can also be kept in the final home of the turf. In particular, depending on the needs, the waterproof mat can be perforated to facilitate drainage, or it can be removed, for example by pulling it transversely when laying.

The above description of a specific embodiment is able to show the invention from a conceptual point of view so that others, using the known technique, will be able to modify and / or adapt this specific embodiment in various applications without further research. and without departing from the inventive concept, and, therefore, it is understood that such adaptations and modifications will be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and materials for carrying out the various functions described may be of various nature without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the expressions or terminology used have a purely descriptive purpose and therefore not limitative.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Method for creating a turf characterized by the fact of understanding the phases of: ∠’arrangement of a mat (10) in waterproof material on a base (50); ∠’distribution of a growth substrate (20) on the mat (10) in waterproof material; ∠’arrangement of seeds and / or portions of plants (30) belonging to at least one first plant species on said growth substrate (20), said first plant species being a stoloniferous and / or rhizomatous plant provided with stolons and / or rhizomes; - vegetative development of a turf (105) obtained from seedlings (100) of said first plant species starting from said seeds and / or portions of plants (30), until a dense root system (120) is obtained which propagates in the growth substrate (20), said root implant (120) and said growth substrate (20) being contained at the bottom by said mat (10) made of impermeable material; â 'trimming of said carpet (105) of said first plant species, said trimming being carried out by cutting the parts (100â € ™) of said seedlings of said first plant species that protrude from said growth substrate (20), said cutting not affecting said root plant (120); ∠’arrangement in said dense root system (120) of said first plant species of seeds and / or portions of plants belonging to at least one second plant species (150) other than said first plant species; - vegetative development of said second plant species (150) with obtaining a turf (1) formed by said second plant species rooted in said turf (105) of said first plant species. 2. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, in which a step is provided for dividing said turf (1) into portions, in particular strips (5), of determined extension, said subdivision also involving said mat (10) made of waterproof material. 3. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein said waterproof material is a plastic material, in particular said plastic material being selected from: ∠’PVC; ∠’Neoprene; ∠’Rubber, in particular nitrile butadiene rubber, or NBR. 4. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein said first plant species is a macrothermal herbaceous plant, in particular said first plant species being selected from: ∠’Grasses, in particular Cynodon dactylon, Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis Zoysia japonica, Zoysia matrella, Paspalum vaginatum; ∠’Convonvulaceae, in particular Dichondra repens. 5. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein said second plant species is a microthermal herbaceous plant, in particular said second plant species being selected from the following plant varieties: ∠’Lolium perenne; ∠’Poa pratensis; ∠’Festuca arundinacea; ∠’A combination of them, in particular in order to obtain a blend comprising at least two of these plant varieties. 6. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein said growth substrate (20) comprises a determined quantity by weight of sand having a particle size between 0.01 mm and 4 mm. 7. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein said base (50) on which said mat (10) is arranged has a slightly inclined or convex shape, said mat (10) resting on said base (50) slightly inclined, or convex in shape, so that the face (11) of said mat (10) which in use faces said growth substrate (20) assumes in turn a slightly inclined or convex shape. 8. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein there is also provided a step of rolling up said portions (5), or strips, of turf (1) into rolls (200) of corresponding dimensions , without the need for a horizontal cut. 9. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein before said arrangement in said dense root system (120) of said seeds and / or said plant portions (30) belonging to said second plant species (150 ) There is a phase of sectioning of said stolons (125) and / or said rhizomes of said first plant species into smaller segments of stolons and / or rhizomes, in order to increase the number of individual seedlings and to stimulate development of the root system of said first plant species. Method for making a turf, according to claim 1, wherein before said arrangement of said seeds and / or said plant portions (30) belonging to said second plant species (150) in said turf (105) of said first plant species (100), a phase of application of a plant growth regulator on said turf (105) is provided, said plant regulator being able to slow down the vegetative development of said first plant species.