MXPA99008338A - Synthetic turf - Google Patents

Abstract

A synthetic grass surface (1) comprising widely spaced rows of ribbons (7) and the ribbons (7) having a length about twice as long as the spacing between the rows (5) of ribbons (7). A particular material (9) is laid on a matrix (3) of the synthetic grass, and the thickness of the particulate material (9) is at least two-thirds the length of the ribbons (7). The strips of ribbons (7) are attached by strips of bonding material (45) applied to the back of the matrix or mat (3). The strips of bonding material (45) are spaced apart and leave areas of mat which are uncoated, thereby providing improved drainage.

Description

NON-TECHNICAL YES TEA Technical Field This invention relates to improved synthetic grass surfaces. The invention relates more particularly to improved synthetic grass sports surfaces. The invention also relates to a method for making an improved synthetic grass sports surface, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The invention further relates to an improved synthetic grass sports surface having play lines formed on its upper surface and a method of making the surface thereof with lines. Background Art Sports synthetic grass surfaces are well known. They are used to replace natural grass surfaces that do not tolerate wear well and that require too much maintenance. Likewise, natural grass surfaces do not grow well in partially or fully enclosed sports stadiums. Synthetic grass surfaces withstand much better wear than natural grass surfaces, do not require much maintenance and can be used in closed stadiums. Some synthetic grass surfaces comprise rows of strips or strips of synthetic material, which extend vertically from a support folder with particulate material infiltrated between the bands in the carpet a. The bands of synthetic material usually extend a short distance up from the layer of particulate material and represent blades of grass. The particulate material usually comprises sand, as shown by way of example in U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 3,995, 079, 1 979, Haas, J r. and in the U.S. Patent of North America Serial Number 4, 389, 435, 1983, Haas, J r. , but may comprise other materials or a mixture of sand and other materials, as shown in U.S. Patent Serial Number 4, 337, 283, 1982, Haas, Jr., by way of example. The particulate material provides elasticity to the synthetic grass surfaces, and the surfaces are generally placed in an elastic bearing to provide additional resilience to the surfaces. Synthetic grass sports surfaces filled with sand have some disadvantages. The surfaces usually harden after prolonged use because the sand, between the rows of bands, is compacted. The compaction occurs, in part, because the rows of bands are close together, and the sand can not be spread much laterally during use. The compaction also occurs, in part, because the close separation of the rows of bands traps debris, wear of the bands, in the sand, even when the particulate material comprises round sand particles. With an increase in compaction, the surface becomes progressively harder and less elastic. The performance of the surface is shortened, and it has lost playing qualities. Surfaces also become harder after use because the elastic bearings, if used, collapse slowly under use, becoming denser. The removal and replacement of the compacted particulate material, or even the loosening thereof, is difficult due to the close separation of the rows of bands. It may be necessary to use expensive equipment to remove and replace the compacted particulate material, or even to loosen it, and this increases the cost of maintaining the surface. Another problem with the known synthetic grass sports surfaces is the drainage problem. The flow of water through the surfaces has been generally slow. The bands are usually attached to the folder by inserting them into the folder and then the bottom of the folder is covered with a joining layer to join the ends of the bands to the folder. The bonding layer is non-porous. To provide adequate porosity, the covered folder is perforated to provide holes. However, the particulate material generally flows in these holes, obstructing them and thus reducing the drainage qualities of the surface. The loss of particulate material in and through the holes also requires that it be replaced at the top of the folder, increasing the maintenance cost of these surfaces. The compaction of the surface also inhibits drainage. The known synthetic surfaces also have relatively poor play qualities. When they are filled with round particles that are rounder than angular, because the round particles are considered to be compacted less and cause less abrasion, the surface can also become too slippery, particularly when the bands are only slightly longer than the thickness of the particles. the layer of the particulate material. Also, closely spaced thin bands, if penetrated, can firmly grip the shoe's hooves and do not break as easily as grass, thus hindering the release of shoe hulls and making it more difficult to play on the surface than when playing on grass. If the hooves of a player's shoe are not easily released, the leg, ankle or knee could be injured. It has also been found that if the hooves of an athlete's shoe penetrate a seam area, the chances of the shoe not being released or being allowed to turn are much greater. Known synthetic surfaces, with rows of closely spaced bands, also increase the speed of a spinning ball from the speed with which it rotates in natural grass. The closely spaced bands create an almost solid, low resistance surface for a spinning ball, adversely affecting the playing qualities of the surface. If the surfaces are used with an elastic base bearing, the balls bounce more on the surfaces than on the grass, subtly changing the nature of the game. The low resistance surface also makes it slipperier for tennis players. The known surfaces have other disadvantages.

Usuimente the bands used are very narrow, and can be rolled creating a different appearance to the grass. Narrow belts also suffer abrasion more easily, creating debris that can increase the compaction of the surface. The close separation of the rows of bands also produce abrasion of the skin in the players who fall or slip on the surfaces. Brief Description of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an improved synthetic grass sports surface that is more elastic, and that remains more elastic for a longer period of time, than the known synthetic grass surfaces. Another object of the present invention is to provide improved synthetic grass sports surfaces having improved drainage properties and improved play properties. Still another object of the present invention is to provide improved synthetic play surfaces that are relatively less expensive to manufacture, install and particularly maintain. Still another object of the present invention is to provide synthetic play surfaces that are less abrasive, easier to mark with lines and easier to sew. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for realizing an embodiment of the present invention having improved drainage properties and a machine for carrying out the method. In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that an improved synthetic grass surface can be provided using rows of widely spaced webs. The wider separation of the rows of bands reduces the compaction of the filling that commonly occurs with closely spaced rows, thus extending the life of the surface with respect to the elasticity. Reduced compaction also ensures better drainage. The wider spacing also ensures less wear and abrasion of the bands, extending the life of the surface and minimizing the formation of band waste, which affects the compaction and drainage. The wider row spacing also allows for better penetration of the shoe helmets and allows the shoe helmets to be released more easily, thus improving the playing qualities and reducing the risk of injury. Larger band row separation can also cause the balls to rotate on the surface in a more similar manner than they rotate on grass, thus improving game qualities. The wider band gap separation also makes it easier to loosen the particulate material if it starts to compact, as well as to clean or replace it. The wider band gap separation also reduces abrasion for players when they make contact with the surface. Larger band row separation can facilitate sewing the surface. In accordance with the present invention, it has also been contrasted that an improved surface of synthetic material can be provided by providing webs having a length of approximately twice the spacing between the rows of webs. The present invention employs bands that are very long compared to the bands that are currently employed. The longer bands allow a thicker layer of particulate material to be used which can eliminate the need for an elastic bearing and simplify and reduce the cost of installing the surface. A thicker layer of particulate or filler material promotes better drainage due to the larger water head created by water in the synthetic grass. Preferably, the layer of particulate material has a thickness of at least two thirds of the length of the bands. The longer bands can also provide more band material above the padding for certain sporting surfaces, creating a more realistic surface and if my la to the grass that, in combination with the wider spacing of the rows of bands, allows the helmets of a player's shoe to penetrate the surface for traction but also to be easily released. The helmets of a player's shoe can move the bands and the filling material to the sides to allow easier release. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the improved synthetic grass surface is constructed to have improved drainage qualities provided by the manner and pattern in which the bands are woven. In accordance with the present invention, the rows of bands are joined by strips of bonding material applied to the folder support part. The strips of the bonding material are spaced apart and leave areas of the folder uncovered. As the folder in this mode is porous, the non-covered areas provide excellent drainage. Providing a surface with a relatively large spacing between the rows of strips makes it possible to provide strips of bonding material with relatively large porous areas of folder between them. The invention also relates to an apparatus for applying the joining strips to the back in a simple and easy way. Improved drainage properties are also obtained by having at least one of the support layers, a needle-punched fabric, provided with fibers entangled on one or both surfaces. The kinked fibers improve the drainage qualities of the support layer, and therefore of the surface, since the ends of the kinked fibers extract the moisture. Also in accordance with the present invention, the surface is provided with an improved filler layer of particulate material. The filler preferably comprises a mixture of silica sand and rubber particles cryogenically formed. The powder-formed rubber particles cryogenically wet more easily than the rubber particles formed in non-cryogenically powdered form and therefore allow faster drainage. The powder formed rubber is cryogenically less angular than the non-cryogenically formed rubber powder and has less tendency to allow microscopic air bubbles to join thereto. The rubber sand ratio can be varied depending on the final use of the surface; the more elastic the surface is required, the more rubber is used. Thus, rubber particles have less tendency to float upward when the surface is flooded, which could cause the loss of material and a change in the playing qualities of the surface. The surface, according to the present invention, is also provided with line forming means, said lines are used to mark the playing surface for the sport that is being played. An example of such lines are the yard lines that are used in the football game that traverse the field at regular intervals. These lines are usually drawn on the top of the field with chalk or other similar marking material. In accordance with the present invention, the surface may be provided with stitched lines on the surface. The lines are stitched by the way in which the support layers are joined. The invention particularly relates to a synthetic grass surface having a flexible support layer and parallel rows of synthetic bands representing grass blades projecting vertically from the support layer, the rows of bands are spaced between them between 1.5875 cm and 5.715 cm. The surface includes a relatively thick layer of particulate material in the support layer between the bands and supports them in a relatively vertical position with respect to the support layer. The invention also relates particularly to a synthetic grass surface having a flexible, porous support layer and rows of spaced webs, representing blades of grass, projecting through and up the support layer. Strips of bonding material on the back of the support layer support the rows of inserted strips, a strip of bonding material is placed on a row of strips, to join the strips to the support layer. The rows of bonding material are spaced apart to provide areas not covered with support material in order to improve overall drainage. Additionally, the invention particularly relates to a synthetic grass surface having a flexible backing layer and parallel rows of synthetic webs which represent blades of grass projecting upwards from the backing layer. The surface includes a relatively thick layer of particulate material in the support layer which supports the bands in a relatively vertical position relative to the support layer, the particulate material comprises a mixture of rubber formed in cryogenically powdered form and s silica. Rubber powder formed cryogenically means rubber particles that have been formed in the process of reducing rubber from used tires by a rubber method formed in cryogenically powdered form. Fragmentation of the rubber when it is frozen produces rubber particles with smoother surfaces less rough than those that will be produced with non-cryogenically formed rubber powder. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a synthetic grass surface comprising the steps of inserting strips of synthetic material into spaced rows in a porous support member and applying spaced strips of coating material to the back of the membrane member. support. Each strip of coating material covers a row of bands to join the bands to the support member. The strips of coating material are spaced to leave narrow areas of the uncovered support member to promote greater drainage. Additionally, the invention particularly relates to an apparatus for applying coating material to the back of a support member inserted from the rear with rows of synthetic bands representing grass blades. The apparatus has a support board for supporting the support member for longitudinal movement along the table and a comb-like device superimposed on the table and having spaced appendages positioned to cover areas of the support member between the rows of bands. Each appendix is placed between two rows of adjacent bands. Means are provided for placing coating material on the back of the support member across its width as it moves on the support board and behind the device. A blade the scraper adjacent to the coating station spreads the coating material and presses it against the support member between the appendages to form strips, each strip covers a row to join the rows of bands to the support part leaving the areas of the support uncoated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having now described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a surface of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the ends of free bands in a natural lying position; Figure 3 is a side view of the coating machine; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a top view of the machine; Figure 6 is a top view in detail; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support member after it has been coated; Figure 8 is an exploded end view of a seam on the surface, the seam forming a marking line; and Figure 9 is a general view of the seam of Figure 8. Mode of carrying out the invention The synthetic grass surface 1 of the present invention has a thin, flexible support member 3 with parallel rows 5 of strips or strips 7 projecting upwardly from the support member 3. A relatively thick layer 9 of relined particulate material is provided in the support member 3 supporting the strips 7 in a relatively vertical position in the support member 3. The flexible support member 3 can, as shown, comprise two support layers 1 1, 13. The lower layer 1 1 can be a needle-punched or woven polypropylene fabric. The upper layer 13 can also be a needle-punched or woven polypropylene fabric. The plastic strips 7 are inserted through the support member 3 as shown in Figure 2, passing through both layers. Although it has been shown that the support member 3 comprises two layers, it can also be formed of one or more layers, for example three layers. One or more of the layers in the support member 3 can be a fabric pierced by needle knitted to provide better drainage, the fabric is relatively thick if it is used only as a single layer. At least one of the layers 1 1 in the support member 3 can be needle punched with synthetic curled fibers (flw) 15, as shown in Figure 2, to provide means for extracting moisture through the layer. The curled fibers improve the drainage of the surface addicional.without.

The bands 7 are formed of a suitable synthetic plastic material that is extruded into a strip that is relatively wide and smooth. The preferred plastic material is polyethylene which is soft and has good resistance to abrasion. However, polypropylene can also be used to make the bands. The strip may have a width within the range of 0.635 cm and 2.54 cm but is preferably about 1.27 cm in width. The thickness of the strip is in the range of 65 micras and 1 50 micras. The strips 7 are cut from the extruded strip and fastened by inserting them into the support member 3 in parallel rows 5. They are formed between 0.7874 to 3.15 inserts per cm with 1,575 inserts per cm being preferable. The strips are mechanically separated or fibrillated approximately 0.3175 cm or more. Fibrillation, which is carried out mechanically during the manufacture of the strip, provides a band that looks like a hair net, ie the resulting fibers are interconnected. The spacing of the rows of bands depends on the activity that will be carried out in the field. For example, the cleats of athletes' shoes for different sports have an average spacing of approximately 1,905 cm. The cleats on American football or soccer shoes can be wider than the cleats on baseball shoes. The spacing is related to the type of sport that is going to be practiced in the field and is a consequence of the spacing of the cleats of the players' shoes. Likewise, in sports such as horse racing, it is contemplated that a much wider spacing will be required between the rows to accommodate the broader horseshoes of horses. Thus, it is contemplated that for horse races would require a spacing between rows of up to 5,175 cm with a proportionally longer band of up to 12.7 cm. Relatively broad strips are preferred, at least 1.27 cm wide, because the wider bands do not curl easily as the narrower strips and resist wear and abrasion much better. The wider bands 7 also cover more of the particulate material as they lie, trapping the filling material as shown in Figure 2. At least the free ends of the bands 7, above the layer of particulate material 9, are fibrillated to provide a more dense material pile. Once the synthetic grass has been installed and the filler has been placed, the ends of the bands can be further fibrillated u a steel brush or other means of mechanical fibrillation. It is also contemplated to mix the bands in terms of their spesor. For example, depending on the type of field required, that is, in a field where the ball will roll more slowly than others, rigid and soft bands can be mixed. Rigid bands would tend to have more memory and, therefore, bands would return to a vertical position, relatively speaking. Examples of a mixture of this type would be a thick band with 1 1, 000 denier with possibly 100 to 120 microns in thickness. A softer band would have 5,700 denier and a thickness of 80 micras. Any combination of these rigid and soft bands would be determined by the particular requirements of the playing field. The ratio of rigid and soft bands can be 1: 1. These rigid and soft bands can be alternated or be part of the same insert. In accordance with the present invention, the rows 5 of bands 7 are spaced a distance "A" which is in the range of 1.575 cm and 5.715 cm spacing. The spacing of the rows depends on the final use of the surface, a smaller spacing is used for a surface that is used for a less physical activity, such as a golf course, and a larger spacing is used when there is more activity physical, such as, for example, a horse racing track. The relatively wide spacing between the rows of bands has several advantages. The spacing reduces the tendency of the surface to be compacted. If the tendency to compact is reduced, the drainage of the surface is improved. The wide spacing also reduces the amount of material required for the bands. The wide spacing further improves the playing qualities of the surface. A player who plays on the surface can get better traction because the heels of the player's shoe can drill better on the particulate material between the rows of bands. At the same time, the shoe studs are released better because there is more space between the rows to move the particulate material during the release. The wide spacing also makes it easier to loosen, clean and even replace the particulate material. There is space between the rows to insert an air hose into the material to loosen it gently and lift it slightly. Loosened and raised material can be brought together, cleaned of dust and debris and returned to the support member. The life of the surface is prolonged and then the replacement costs are reduced. The wide spacing also makes it easier to sew adjacent surface sections without creating bulky seams since more space is provided for sewing. The length of the bands is also an important aspect of the invention. The length "L" of the bands 7, that is, the distance of the support member 3 to its free ends 17, is at least twice the spacing "A" between the rows 5 of the bands and preferably between three and six times the "A" spacing. The "L" length of the bands are in the range of 3,175 cm but preferably 7.62 cm and 12.7 cm, using the shortest bands with the surface having the smallest row spacing and the largest bands being used with the spacing of Larger row. The relaly longer bands, compared to those used in the prior art, allow the use of a thicker filler layer 9, thus providing a more elastic surface without requiring an underlying bearing. The expense of an underlying bearing and the cost associated with its installation are eliminated in this way. A thicker fill layer 9 promotes better drainage by creating a higher water level, thus creating a larger head of water pressure at the top of the surface. Longer bands can also provide more free band above the fill even if the fill is thicker, the free band provides more protection from sand and other particulate material for players that fall on the surface and minimizes abrasion. The bands can be projected anywhere from 0.635 cm to 3.81 cm above the fill. The thickness of the filler layer can be between 2.54 cm and 10.16 cm depending on the final use of the surface. The layer generally has a "T" thickness of approximately two thirds of the "L" length of the bands. The layer 9 of the particulate material preferably comprises a mixture of hard sand, such as silica and rubber formed in cryogenically clogged powder. The rubber formed in cryogenic powder with lumps is preferred because the particles are rounder, minimizing abrasion and also reducing co-compacting. The less angular rubber particles are also moistened more easily, thus aiding drainage. Additionally, the particles are less likely to float away if the surface is flooded because the microscopic bubbles of air do not adhere so easily to the round particles. The particles can have a size range between four frames and seventy frames, but preferably they are between fifteen and thirty frames for sports in which the abrasion of the players that are in contact with the surface is a factor and between four and thirty frames in where abrasion is not a factor. Silica sand could be replaced by small rocks, hard and heavy granular plastics or other hard sand. The rubber formed in cryogenic powder with lumps could be replaced by other elastic materials, such as cork, styrene, epdm rubber, neoprene, or other similar materials, if the shape of the particle is equal to the shape of the rubber formed in cryogenically powdered form. In some cases, part or all of the elastic material could be replaced by other materials that carry out specific functions. An example would be to use perl ita to replace the elastic material in order to reduce compaction and possibly absorb moisture.

The sand mescal and elastic material may vary depending on the final use of the surface. More rubber is used if the surface requires more elasticity. In relatively thick surfaces, the layer 9 of particulate material can be divided into sub-caps with the lower sub-layer 17 adjacent to the support member 3, as shown in Figure 2, having smaller particles and the sub-layer. upper layer 1 9 having larger particles to initiate good drainage. The particles in the lower sub-layer 17 could be mainly sand with a screen size of about forty to seventy frames. The upper sub-layer 19 would comprise larger particles of sand combined with the rubber particles, such as thirty frames. The cost of the surface is reduced by using main sand or only.

The surface 1 is made by joining the strips 7 by inserting them through the support member 3 into the rows 5 that are spaced between 1.5875 cm and 6.35 cm, with 0.7874 to 3.15 per centimeter in each row. Once the bands are inserted into place, the support member 3 can be coated on its back side to adhere the bands to the support member. The entire support member can be covered. However, preferably in one embodiment of this invention, using a porous support member, only portions of the support member are coated to provide better drainage and reduce costs. According to this embodiment, the support member 3, after the bands 7 have been inserted in place, is passed face down, through any standard carpet coating machine. The coating machine 31 as shown schematically in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, has a support plate 33 for supporting the inserted support member 3 of the support plate as it passes through the machine. Means are provided for moving the member 3 through the support plate 33 from one side to the other, as shown by the arrow 34 in Figure 3. As the member 3 moves through the support plate 33, it passes. under a device similar to a comb 35 having a matrix of parallel appendages 37 resting on the upper part of the lower part of the support member 3, against the support plate 33. The spacing between the appendices 37 can be adjusted, and is adjusted to place an appendix between each pair of adjacent rows 5 of band on support member 3. A scraper blade 39 is positioned above the appendages 37 closest to the front of appendages 37 than its back. Applicator means 40 is provided for applying coating material "M" in the comb-like device 35, across a width, just in front of the scraper blade 39. As member 3 moves to the right, as shown in FIG. Figure 3, under the device 35, the coating material "M" is at the doctor blade 39 where it is spread and placed against the narrow areas 41 of the support member 3 which did not cover 37. appendices These areas 41 contain the rows of bands 5 and the ends of bands in these rows are covered with the covering material "M" to adhere the bands 7 to the support member 3. The appendices 37 prevent the covering material "M" from covering the narrow areas 43 of the support member 3 adjacent to the rows of bands 5. As the member 3 moves away from under the appendices 37, the rear part of the member 3, as shown in Figure 7, has strips 45 of coating material " M "what cu bren the rows of bands 5, but the adjacent areas 43 of the support member 3 are not covered, so that the appendices provide a very porous surface that is easily drained. The coating applied by the coating machine is much smaller in amount than that required to coat the entire support member, and therefore material savings are provided by making the surface less expensive.

Although a way of applying the coating on strips in the rows of strips has been described, the coating could be applied by other means, for example, a series of nozzles could apply thin lines of coatings on the rows of strips and a sheet The scraper could flatten the coating lines on the back of the folder while leaving relatively large elongated areas of the uncoated support member and thus capable of faster drainage. Also, coating rollers of different diameters could be used to apply the coating. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, lines can be formed to mark a play area on the surface by joining the adjacent edges of surface sections with a specific seam. As shown in Figure 8, a seam band 51 is placed under the adjacent but spaced edges 53, 55 of adjacent surface sections 57, 59 respectively for removal. The sewing band 51 has rows 61 of inserted strips 63 in its central section 65 but has no strips in its wide side sections 67, 69. The central section 65 is positioned between the edges 53, 55 of the surface sections 57, 59 and the inserted strips 63 in the central section 65 may have a different color and / or height from those of the bands 7 'in the surface sections 57, 59 to form a line 71 for marking a playing field. The wide side sections 67, 69 of the stitching band 51 can be perforated with a needle to form a hairy TV. The "A" adhesive is applied to the top of the wide side sections 67, 69 to adhere the overlapping surface sections 57, 59 thereto. The hairy fabric improves the attachment of the seam band 51 to the surface sections 57, 59 by the adhesive. The back of the seam band 51 can be coated with cover material "M" just under the center section 65 but preferably under the side sections 67, 69 as well. This prevents the adhesive "A" used in the seam from leaking through the web 51 and may adhere to the substrate. When the seam band 51 has been joined to the surface sections 57, 59, as shown in Figure 9, sewing them together, the strips 63 due to their appearance other than the strips 7 'in the surface sections 57, 59 , define a line of play 71. In another embodiment of the invention, the surface could be employed with long bands, at least 11.43 cm long, and the layer of particulate material could be of the thickness of the length of the bands . This surface could be used as a growth surface. The particulate material could employ materials that improve the growth of plants, such as material that retains moisture for plants, and material that allows a strong development of plant roots. The breeding materials may have a specific gravity lower than that of water, and having this material in lower sub-layers under the top layer ensures that they are kept in place and not carried away by the water. The surface would be particularly useful in arid areas. Irrigation tubes could be placed in the layer of particulate material. The porosity of the support layer could be designed to conserve moisture in the material in order to promote the growth of plants. The bands would minimize the amount of particulate material that could be lost in windy areas. One could use a sports field that uses a high stack of bands, a thick layer of particulate material including rubber formed cryogenically, to support planting natural grass with the roots of the grass extending into the particulate material.

Claims (28)

1. CLAIMS I. A synthetic surface having a flexible support member, parallel rows of synthetic bands that represent blades of grass, projecting upwards from the support member, the rows of bands are spaced between them 3.81 cm and 5.715 cm, the length of the bands, extends upwards of the support member, is at least twice the spacing between the rows of bands, the surface includes a layer of particulate material in the support member that supports the bands in an upright position in relation to the support member. The surface according to claim 1, wherein the length of the bands extending upwardly of the support member is up to 12.7 cm. 3. The surface according to claim 1, wherein the layer of particulate material has a thickness of at least two thirds of the length of the bands. 4. A synthetic surface having a flexible support member, parallel rows of synthetic bands representing grass blades projecting upwards from the support member, the rows of bands are spaced between them 1.5875 cm and 5.715 cm, the surface includes a layer of particulate material in the support member that supports the bands in a vertical position relative to the support member, and the length of the bands is such that it extends between 0.635 cm and 3.81 cm above the material layer in particles. 5. The surface according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bands extend between 0.635 cm and 2.54 cm above the layer of particulate material. 6. The surface according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the web has a width of about 0.635 cm to 2.54 cm. The surface according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support member is a single layer of perforated needle fabric. The surface according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support member is a double layer of perforated needle fabric. The surface according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support member is a triple layer of perforated needle fabric. The surface according to claim 4, wherein the layer of particulate material is a mixture of hard sand and rubber formed cryogenically. 11. The surface according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the particulate material is between fifteen to thirty frames for sports surface applications and between four to thirty frames for non-sports surface applications. The surface according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the layer of particulate material has a lower sub-layer of about forty to seventy particle frames and an upper sub-layer of about 30 particle frames and larger . 13. The surface according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises one or more layers of fabric, at least one of the fabric layers is perforated with a needle to produce fibers curled on its surface. 14. The surface according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the needle perforated fabric layers is perforated by needle to produce hairy fibers on its surfaces. The surface according to any one of claims 1 to 14, including a strip of coating material on the back of the support member superimposed on each row of band to hold the band to the support member, the member of Support is porous and is not coated with coating material between the strips. 16. A synthetic surface having a porous and flexible support member and parallel rows of synthetic bands, representing blades of grass, projecting through and upward of the support member, rows of coating material on the back of the support member that is placed on the rows of bands, a row of coating material is placed on a strip row, to join the bands to the support member, the rows of coating material are spaced apart to provide uncovered areas of the support member in order to improve drainage. 17. The synthetic surface according to claim 16 includes a layer of particulate material on the upper surface of the support member for supporting the bands in a vertical position. 18. The surface according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the particulate material comprises a mixture of sand and rubber formed cryogenically. The surface according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the support member comprises two layers of fabric, at least one of which is a needle-punched fabric. 20. A synthetic surface having a flexible support member and parallel rows of synthetic bands, representing blades of grass, projecting upwards from the support member, the surface includes a layer of particulate material in the support member supporting the bands in a vertical position with respect to the support member, the particulate material comprises a mixture of rubber formed in cryogenically powdered form and hard sand. The surface according to claim 20, wherein the layer has a thickness of at least two thirds of the length of the bands from the support member to its free ends. 22. A method of manufacturing a synthetic surface comprising the steps of inserting strips of synthetic material in parallel spaced rows into a porous support member and applying spaced strips of coating material to the back of the support member, each strip of material of coating covers. a row of bands for joining the bands to the support member, the strips of coating material are spaced apart to leave areas of the support member uncovered. 23. An apparatus for applying coating material to the back of a support member inserted from the rear with rows of synthetic bands representing grass blades, the apparatus has a support board for supporting the support member for movement to along the board from one side to the other, a comb-like device superimposed on the board and having parallel spaced appendages positioned to cover areas of the support member between the rows of bands, each appendix is placed between two rows of bands adjacent when the apparatus is in use, means are provided for placing coating material on the back of the support member across its width as it moves on the support board and behind the device, and a scraper blade adjacent to the devices. Coating positioning means spreads the coating material and presses it against the support member between the appendages for To make strips, each strip covers a row for one row of bands to the support leg leaving the areas of the support between the rows without recovery. 24. The synthetic surface according to any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the webs are a mixture of rigid webs and soft webs to provide a specific surface texture for a given field requirement. 25. The synthetic surface according to claim 24, wherein the ratio of rigid bands and smooth bands is 1: 1. 26. The synthetic surface according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the alternating bands are rigid and smooth. 27. The synthetic surface according to claim 26, wherein the band inserts have portions of soft and rigid bands. 28. The artificial surface according to any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the rigid webs have 11,000 webs and a thickness of 100 microns while the soft webs have at least 5,700 webs and a thickness of 80 microns.