Patent Abstract:
The present invention is a product, and a method to create a solid interface (or barrier) between soil and the sand of a golf sand bunker.

Full Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is a product, and a method to create a solid interface (or barrier) between soil and the sand of a golf sand bunker. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is a material and method of forming a liner for the stabilization of soil and forming and underground liner for sand bunkers. 
         [0003]    The present invention is a product and a method to create a solid interface (or barrier) between soil and the sand of a golf sand bunker. This barrier, or liner, exhibits unique advantages over other liners or lining systems. The liner can easily be adapted to the contours and nuances of the cut out bunker. The liner material is somewhat porous, allowing water to percolate through to reduce water accumulation and to keep the sand in place. It retards weed growth thus reduces use of herbicides or hand weeding. The barrier material is not rigid so that a ball strike will not crack the barrier. The liner/barrier is flexible enough to dampen, or absorb, the impact when a golf ball hits the sand making for more realistic play. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred installation of barrier material and construction of a bunker in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The barrier material. The material that is used to form the barrier is a mixture of a dry adhesive, dry plastic cement, fiberglass fiber, lightweight aggregate, water and for some applications, a hardener. This mixture is applied by hand as a semi-solid and allowed to cure. The mixture may be modified to be used with spray application equipment.
       Preparing the soil  2 . The soil  2  is prepared by forming the soil  2  and landscape in the configuration that is desired. It is very important to form a “hinge point”  4  outside and under the top edge  6  of the bunker  8  such that there is approximately a 45 degree angle formed by the grade going outside the bunker  8  and the grade underneath the turf  10  surrounding the opening of the bunker  8 . By trial and error, this 45 degree angle was found to allow the hardened liner  10  to anchor and reinforce the opening of the bunker  8 , reduce any chipping of the bunker  8  by maintenance equipment and to allow turf  12  to grow over the lip of the bunker. Once this is formed, the soil  2  is then physically compacted and then a liquid adhesive polymer is applied to bind the surface of the soil.   Application of the barrier material. Following a stabilization of the soil  2 , the barrier material  10  is mixed and then applied by hand being mindful to attain a three quarter inch (½″)-(⅝″) thickness all around the bottom and sides of the bunker. The barrier material is then continued on up over the top of the bunker being careful to maintain the 45 degree angle and for at least 6- 8  inches outside the lip of the bunker. Then the barrier is allowed to cure for at least 24 hours after application.   Finish surface. After the barrier is allowed to cure, another application of adhesive is sprayed on the surface and a layer of clean, dry bunker sand is spread over the surface to form the faux appearance. Allow (mandatory) 24 hours of curing and the bunker liner is finished. Sand can now be applied as desired and soil /turf can be prepared on top of the upper lip of the bunker.   The bunker  8 , includes a floor  14  where a perforated drain pipe of approximately 4 inches to permit proper drainage. The drain pipe  16  is covered in approximately ⅜″ pea gravel  18  for drainage and stability and cover the beveled key way  20 .       
 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE ONE 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Specifications for the barrier material 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 General 
                 Specific 
                   
               
               
                 Material 
                 Description 
                 Material 
                 Practical Amount * 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Dry Powdered 
                 Polymer based 
                 Soil Tech/Las 
                 2-4 
                 lbs./S.F. 
               
               
                 Adhesive 
                 gluing agent 
                 Vegas, NV 
               
               
                 Plastic cement 
                 Binding Agent 
                 Paragon, 
                 2-4 
                 lbs./S.F. 
               
               
                   
                 for enhanced set 
                 Phoenix AZ. 
               
               
                 Fibrillated 
                 Fiberstrand F 
                 PSI Fibers 
                 1-2 
                 oz./S.F. 
               
               
                 Fibers 
                 Polypropylene 
                 LaFayettte, GA 
               
               
                   
                 microfiber 
               
               
                 Aggregate 
                 ⅛″Pumice Dust 
                 Hess/Pumice/ 
                 4-6 
                 lbs./S.F. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Idaho USA 
               
               
                 Water 
                 N/A 
                 N/A 
                 .5-.7 
                 gallons/S.F 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 * The ranges in the practical amount would reflect with normal conditions using less amount and adverse conditions using higher amounts. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0010]    The formula has undergone various iterations to identify the best and longest lasting composition. It has been found that the adhesive needs to be a non-latex polymer type that is not liquid but powder in nature for best suitability. The plastic cement is necessary as a filler and provides the flexibility of the barrier. The aggregate type has been found to have the best size and bulk density to allow for the most desirable amount of hardness and pliability. The overall mixture allows water to percolate through making the barrier unique. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, set forth below are some of the types of materials which would be suitable for use in the present invention. 
         [0012]    Soil Tech, 6420 S. Cameron Drive, Suite 207, Las Vegas Nev. sells one type of a formulated soil stabilizer or adhesive suitable for use in accordance with the present invention with the following characteristics:
   FSB-1000 DP (Dispersable Powder)   Dust Palliative, Soil Stabilizer, Slope &amp; Erosion Control   Acrylic Co-Polymer   Soil Tech 6420 S. Cameron Dr., Suite 207 Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702)873-2023   
 
       Composition/Information on Ingredients 
       [0017]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Component 
                 Percent 
                 CAS NO. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Acrylic Co-Polymer 
                 94.0-96.  
                 Non-hazardous 
               
               
                   
                 Calcium Carbonate 
                     1-3% 
                 471-34-1 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 0.5-3% 
                 7732-18-5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Physical and Chemical Properties 
       [0018]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Physical Form: 
                 Powdered solid 
               
               
                   
                 Color &amp; Odor: 
                 White, acrylic like odor 
               
               
                   
                 pH: 
                 7.0-10.0 1% Solution 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0019]    Euclid Chemical, 19215 Redwood Road, Cleveland, Ohio, sells one type of a PSI Fiberstand F, fibrillated polypropylene micro-fiber suitable for use in the present invention with the following characteristics: 
         [0020]    PSI FIBERSTRAD F is a fibrillated polypropylene micro-fiber to concrete reinforcement that complies with ASTM C 1116, Standard Specification for Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete, and is specifically designed to help mitigate the formation of plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete. Typically used at a dosage rate of 1.5 lbs/yd 3  (0.9 kg/m 3 ), PSI FIBERSTRAND F micro-fibers have been shown to greatly reduce plastic shrinkage cracking when compared to plain concrete, PSI FIBERSTRAND F micro-fibers also comply with applicable portions of the International Code Council (ICC) Acceptance Criteria 
       AC32 for Synthetic Fibers: 
       [0000]    
       
         Controls and mitigates plastic shrinkage cracking 
         Reduces segregation, plastic settlement and bleedOwater 
         Provides three-dimensional reinforcement against micro-cracking 
         Increases surface durability, impact and abrasion resistance 
         Reduction of in-place cost versus wire mesh for non-structural temperature/shrinkage crack control 
         Easily added to concrete mixture at any time prior to placement 
       
     
       Typical Engineering Data 
       [0027]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Material 
                 100% virgin fibrillated polypropylene 
               
               
                 Specific Gravity 
                 0.91 
               
               
                 Typical dosage rate 
                 1.5 lbs/yd (0.9 kg/m 3 ) 
               
               
                 Available lengths: 
                 ¼″ (6 mm), ½″ (13 mm), ¾″ (19 mm), 
               
               
                   
                 1½″ (38 mm), 2″ (51 mm) and multi-length 
               
               
                   
                 blend (ML) 
               
               
                 Melt Point 
                 320° F. (160° C.) 
               
               
                 Electrical and thermal 
                 low 
               
               
                 Conductivity 
               
               
                 Water Absorption 
                 negligible 
               
               
                 Acid and Alkali Resistance 
                 excellent 
               
               
                 Silicon Dioxide: 76.2% 
                 Chem name: Amorphous Aluminum Silicate 
               
               
                 Aluminum Oxide: 13.5% 
                 Hardness (MOHS): 6 
               
               
                 Ferric Oxide: 1.1% 
                 pH: 7.2 
               
               
                 Ferrous Oxide: 0.1% 
                 Radioactivity: None 
               
               
                 Sodium Oxide: 1.6% 
                 Softening Point: 900 degrees C. 
               
               
                 Potassium Oxide: 1.8% 
                 Water Soluble substances: 0.15% 
               
               
                 Calcium Oxide: 0.8% 
                 Reactivity: Inert 
               
               
                 Titanium Oxide: 0.2% 
                 (except in the presence of calcium 
               
               
                   
                 hydroxide or hydrofluoric acid) 
               
               
                 Magnesium Oxide: 05% 
                 Appearance: White powder 
               
               
                 Moisture: &lt;1.0% 
                 GE Brightness: 84 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0028]    One type of plastic cement that is suitable for use in the the present is manufactured by Paragon Building Products, Inc., 2895 Hamner Avenue, Norco, Calif. 92860 and has the following characteristics:
   PRODUCT NAME: PARAGON PLASTIC CEMENT   Masonry Cement (CAS # 65997-15-1)   
 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Chemical Family: 
                 FORMULA 
                 CAS# 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Calcium Salts: 
                 3CaO•SiO2 
                 12168-85-3 
               
               
                   
                 2CaO•SiO2 
                 10034-77-2 
               
               
                   
                 3CaO•A12O2 
                 12042-78-3 
               
               
                   
                 4CaO••A1O3Fe2O3 
                 12068-35-8 
               
               
                   
                 CaSO2•2H2O 
                 13397-24-5 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Other salts: 
                 Small amount of MgO, and trace amounts of K2SO4 
               
               
                   
                 Na2SO4 may also be present 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]    One type of pumice aggregate that can be used is that produced by Hess Pumice of Idaho which is amorphous aluminum silicate with a chemical analysis of silicon dioxide 76.2%, aluminum oxide 13.5%, ferric oxide 1.1%, sodium oxide 1.6%, potassium oxide 1.8%, calcium oxide 0.8%, magnesium oxide 0.05%, moisture, less than 1%.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4