FROM THE DEAD SEAGRASS LEAVES OF POSIDONIA OCEANICA

The present invention relates to both a flat panel and three-dimensional (3d) shaped panel which are made from the dead seagrass [dried whole, broken or crushed (powdered)] leaves of Posidonia Oceanica. The panel consists of:

The dead seagrass [dried whole, broken or crushed (powdered)] leaves of Posidonia Oceanica which are binded to each other by using moisture and organic or inorganic binder, combining both or separate - if

appropriate and depending upon the use.

The backing (cloth, metal, wood, paper, hpl, insulating panels, mineral cotton etc.) placed as a base under the layer of seagrass mixture (Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 7). Or, between two layers of seagrass mixture as a backing core (Fig. 2, Fig. 5, Fig.8) or without any backing (Fig. 3, Fig.6, Fig.9).

In the market today, there are no similar panels made with Posidonia Oceanica dead leaves. However, there are panels made with other materials (particleboard, MDF, OSB etc) that are not environmentally friendly.

The advantage of this invention is that the basic material for the

construction of the panels is the use of the dead seagrass [dried whole, broken or crushed (powdered)] leaves of Posidonia Oceanica which is an ecological, recyclable and environmentally friendly material.

The environmentally friendly panel can be used as a decorative element, as a heat-insulating and cold-insulating surface, not affected by moisture and providing excellent acoustic properties due to its open surface structure.

It is a truly eco-friendly product that can be a very healthy choice in both indoor and public spaces.

Thus, it can be used in places where many people gather together; young children, old people, pregnant women, but also people with respiratory diseases (eg those in hospitals, schools, hotels etc).

l During the panel production, no chemical or environmentally harmful gases or waste are produced and it does not pollute the environment.

Due to the production methods used, the kind of the raw materials, the re-use of waste during the production process, we adhere to the principles of the Circular Economy. The transition to the Circular Economy requires a change of focus to the re-use, repair, renewal and recycling of existing materials and products. Anything previously considered "waste" can be converted into raw material (Figure 10).

The end product has an efficient and fast production process with low energy consumption.

The different variations and features of the eco-friendly panels made from the dead seagrass (with maximum leaves length 40cm) [dried whole, broken or crushed (powdered)] leaves of Posidonia Oceanica are shaped according to their application and the needs of the designer or the user.

The panel can be produced in various thicknesses from a minimum

0.8mm- to 50mm.

With the use of moulds or other methods, the entire panel can be three dimensional (Fig.7, Fig.8, Fig.9) in order to create objects and surfaces. It can be flexible and lightweight by varying its thickness. It can be made more compact and dense by increasing the thickness or even using backing material.

The panel can be made smoother by using more binder on its surface and can become more porous by reducing the pressure during production.

Depending upon the requirements of the user, the surface of the panel is either flat or three-dimensionally shaped, can be cut, sanded, polished, engraved, fused, pierced, painted, decorated, embossed and finished with various materials.

It can be used as a decorative material, as an insulating material, as a veneer, as backing for surfaces, as a panel for interior and exterior surfaces and for making objects.

The sectors that can use the Posidonia Oceanica panel are suppliers to:

Construction Industry

• The hotel industry

• The furniture industry

• The insulation industry

· In the field of eco-design • In the architecture of internal and external private and public buildings and spaces, such as public institutions and other.

Marine industry

· In shipping, such as cruise ships, passenger ships and yachts, for furniture manufacture, interior design and other uses.

Automotive industry

Aerospace industry

Technology industry

Renewable industry

Recreational industry

Composite material industry

METHOD OF PRODUCTION

To assemble the panel, flat or 3D we make a mixture with :

the dead seagrass [dried whole, broken or crushed (powdered)] leaves of Posidonia Oceanica wherein at least about 50% (preferably, at least about 60%) mixed with moisture in the form of spray to achieve

approximately 15-25 wt-% moisture content on the dead seagrass leaves and the binder (which may be of organic or inorganic composition or combination of both) of at least about 40% (preferably, at least about 50%).

The moisture that is used in the mixture influences the properties and characteristics of the panel, as it gives flexibility and elasticity. So the panel can be formed into curved shapes. The water moisture as

combined with the binder makes the panel surface smoother and more uniform.

Finally some form of compression (Typical pressing pressures range from 40 bar to 80 bar depending on the final desired panel density with a more preferred range from about 70 bar to about 80 bar) is required or not. The compression can be done with or without heat being applied to the mixture (1,3,4). Typical pressing temperatures range from about 40-90°C with a more preferred range from about 60°C to about 80°C

Total time under pressure range from about 10 minutes to about 40 minutes and more preferably in the range from 10 minutes to 20 minutes.

When a backing material is being used, the mixture (1, 3, 4) is spread over it (2.5) and everything is compressed (again with or without heat) to bond the different materials together. When producing coloured panels, the pigments are mixed into the binder mixture before moisture is added.

For the (3D) shaped panel (4,5) or to create a surface pattern on the panel (3), the production method is the same as that above. The only differentiation is that after the mixture is made, it is put into moulds and then is compressed. Alternatively, once the mixture has been compressed with the backing material, if any, the panel is moulded and compressed, either with or without heating.

Another way to create 3d surfaces (4,5) or patterns (3) on the surface of the panel is by using various forming methods, such as Computer

Numerical Control router (CNC), and other methods that contribute to the final three-dimensional configuration (4, 5) or the pattern on the surface (3) of the panel.

The thickness of the eco-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica varies depending on its use and application. The surface of the panel can either be flat or three-dimensionally shaped, can be cut, sanded, polished, engraved, pierced, painted, decorated or printed to create embossed patterns and finished with various materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the invention, the attached drawings provided are explained below:

Fig. 1 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture with flat top and bottom and backing material (2) as support for the seagrass mixture (1).

Fig. 2 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture with flat top and bottom and backing material (2) as a support core between two layers of seagrass mixture (1). Fig.

Fig. 3 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture with flat top and bottom (1) but without backing material.

Fig. 4 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture with patterned or three-dimensional surface on the top (3) and backing material (2) as a base for the seagrass mixture. Fig. 5 Environmentally-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture, with patterned or three-dimensional surface on the top (3) and a flat surface on the bottom (1) with backing material (2) as a support core between the two layers of seagrass mixture.

Fig. 6 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture with patterned or three-dimensional surface (3) without backing material. Fig. 7 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture, 3D formed surface (4) and 3D formed backing material (5).

Fig. 8 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture, 3D formed surfaces (4) above and below with 3D formed backing material (5) as supporting core between the two layers of the seagrass mixture (4).

Fig. 9 Environment-friendly panel of Posidonia Oceanica dried seagrass mixture, 3D formed surface (4) without backing material.

Fig. 10 Circular Economy

Where:

1. Flat surface with seagrass mixture layer.

2. Flat backing material.

3. Patterned or three-dimensional surface with a layer of seagrass

mixture.

4. 3D formed surface with seagrass mixture.

5. 3D formed backing material.