Artificial vertical garden

Abstract

Artificial vertical garden, characterized in that it comprises a frame (1) to which a series of leaves (4) and (5) made from recycled tires are attached, which are treated with a photocatalytic nanotechnology which cleans the air that comes into contact with it by the action of sunlight or artificial light, wherein the frame (1) is suspended on a wall or cladding by means of suspension devices (6).

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] As the title of the invention indicates, the subject of the present invention is an artificial vertical garden consisting of a series of vertically arranged panels forming a wall with a three-dimensional floral decoration, the leaves being made from discarded tires that are treated, washed and painted and provided with a final layer with a photocatalytic effect.

[0002] The present invention is characterized by the special design, composition and nature of all the elements used, creating a garden to beautify the urban environment, achieving the reuse of disposable materials, in addition to promoting the reduction of greenhouse gases produced in cities that are responsible for poor air quality.

[0003] Therefore, the present invention belongs to the field of systems for the degradation of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur and carbon oxides, as well as to the field of decorative gardens. Background of the invention

[0004] The problem of air pollution in cities and urban environments is known in the state of the art, and is essentially caused by the combustion gases emitted by combustion vehicles.

[0005] On the other hand, the problem of disposing of already discarded tires is also known, which sometimes have to be stored in places specifically designated for this purpose, with the resulting risk of fire.

[0006] Other uses for recycled tires include: paving local and rural roads, safety flooring and surfacing for playgrounds, sports fields, safer crash barriers, artificial turf, roofs for houses, acoustic insulation, eco-fuel, and shoe soles. However, the vast majority of these uses require extensive structural conversion, and the large supply of used tires is not always met.

[0007] We must also keep in mind the challenges that Law 7 of 2022 on Waste and Contaminated Soil poses for a circular economy, since this law prohibits the granulation of plastic material, rubber, to sizes smaller than 5 mm, due to the contamination of rivers and water sources by microplastics. Therefore, according to this regulation, the artificial surfaces for sports fields and playgrounds can no longer be manufactured, which represents a very big challenge for Spain to recycle the approximately 80,000 tons of waste from discarded tires with new innovations.

[0008] In addition, account must be taken of the problems encountered in urban areas due to painting and graffiti, which clearly affect the urban environment without any alternative protective measures being found.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to simultaneously solve the three problems set out above by developing an artificial vertical garden such as the one described below, which in its essential nature is contained in the first claim, in which the improvement of the air quality is achieved, the discarded tires can be used in a simple manner without major transformations and finally the walls and walls of the urban environment are protected. Description of the invention

[0010] The subject matter of the present invention is contained in its essential nature in the independent claim and the various embodiments are contained in the dependent claims.

[0011] The subject of the present invention is an artificial vertical garden, that is to say, a garden that is not in a horizontal arrangement, which is made of artificial materials, specifically of discarded tires.

[0012] The vertical garden consists of a frame to which a series of leaves made from recycled tires are attached. These leaves are treated with photocatalytic nanotechnology, which purifies the air in contact with them through the action of the sun. The frame is suspended from a wall or paneling using suspension devices.

[0013] After treatment and punching, the leaves are painted and later carry the aforementioned photocatalytic nanotechnology on their final layer.

[0014] Artificial photocatalysts such as nanoparticles excite conduction electrons with light. The activated electric fields near the nanoparticles enable the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, thus purifying the air in contact, either through the action of sunlight or through the action of artificial light.

[0015] The frame has a rectangular shape and preferably, but not necessarily, has a central cross section.

[0016] The leaf-shaped pieces of recycled tires are treated with photocatalytic nanotechnology, after which they preferably take on a natural color, either in the form of green or dry leaves.

[0017] The sheets fixed to the frame and, where applicable, to the central cross member, cover the entire interior space and are fixed by screws or other means deemed appropriate, the method of fixing the sheets being non-limiting.

[0018] The artificial vertical garden according to the invention is intended as a solution for urban beautification, environmental protection and anti-vandalism, for use in large areas in the city and in the urban environment, both indoors and outdoors: bridges, roundabouts, walls, tunnel entrances, expressways, subway stations, construction site fences, as well as public and private parking lots.

[0019] Furthermore, the reuse of worn-out tires is achieved, resulting in a reduced environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle. The use of photocatalytic nanotechnology promotes the reduction of greenhouse gases, which are primarily produced in cities and are causally responsible for the poor quality of this air. Each square meter of the artificial vertical garden according to the invention corresponds to the NOx reduction that an adult tree would achieve, or to use another equivalent, every 3 m2 of the vertical garden reduces the environmental pollution produced by a gasoline-powered car over the course of a year (approximately 16,600 km / year).

[0020] Other advantages of the vertical garden are: - it has a high durability, - there is little maintenance required, with the entire surface being self-cleaning with rainwater and - it acts as a deterrent against vandalism.

[0021] Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific elements used herein have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In practicing the present invention, methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used.

[0022] Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. Those skilled in the art will recognize other objects, advantages, and features of the invention in part from the description and in part from practice of the invention. Explanation of the figures

[0023] To complement the present description and to facilitate a better understanding of the features of the invention according to a preferred example of its practical implementation, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of the description, in which the following is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0024] In Fig. 1, we can see the process of forming the vertical garden in three consecutive sequences A), B) and C).

[0025] In Fig. 2, we can see a section of a hanging device of the frame for the garden.

[0026] In Fig. 3 shows a structural variant of the vertical garden.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a structural section when the vertical garden must allow registration or access to the wall on which it is mounted. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below with reference to the figures.

[0029] In the Fig. 1 A) we can see that the vertical garden comprises a frame (1), which in the embodiment shown has a rectangular shape, the shape of the frame (1) being non-limiting. The frame shown has a surrounding frame (2) on which a cross section (3) is arranged.

[0030] The geometry and final shape of the frame is in no way limiting, merely functional, since it must be suitable for being suspended from suspension devices (6) fixed to a wall or paneling, furthermore serving as a means for fixing the leaf-shaped pieces of tyre to it.

[0031] In the Fig. 1 B) it can be seen that firstly some circumferential leaves (4) are attached to the frame (2), whereby the leaves were obtained from recyclable tires using a punching tool and which were treated with photocatalytic nanotechnology, and they are attached by means of screws

[0032] In the Fig. 1 C) it can be seen that central leaves (5) are attached to the transverse section (3) of the frame (1) so that the entire interior space delimited by the frame (1) is covered with leaves.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment of a suspension device (6) which, as can be seen, has the shape of a hook, which is fixed on the one hand to the wall or panel to which the vertical garden is to be attached and on the other hand serves as a suspension element for the frame (1).

[0034] The Fig.Figure 3 shows an optional complementary element comprising a series of branches (7) which are fixed by screws or similar to the structure (1), both to its frame (2) and to the cross member (3), to which branches (7) some leaves (8) for the branches are fixed.

[0035] In the event that the cladding or wall to which the artificial vertical garden according to the invention is to be attached must be accessible, a fixed frame (9) is used to which the frame (1) is articulated, the articulated connection between the fixed frame (9) and the frame (1) being effected by means of one or more hinges (10).

[0036] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention and the manner of carrying it out, it is pointed out that, within the scope of its essential nature, it may also be implemented in other embodiments which differ in detail from that given by way of example, and to which the protection claimed will also extend, as long as they do not affect, change or modify the basic principle.

Claims

[1] Artificial vertical garden, characterized by in that it comprises a frame (1) to which are attached a series of sheets (4) and (5) made of recycled tyres treated with a photocatalytic nanotechnology which purifies the air in contact with it through the action of sunlight or artificial light, the frame (1) being suspended from a wall or panelling by means of suspension devices (6). [2] Artificial vertical garden according to claim 1, characterized by that the frame (1) has a rectangular shape and has a central transverse section (3). [3] Artificial vertical garden according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that it has a series of branches (7) which are attached to the frame (1), both to its frame (2) and to which some leaves (8) for the branches are attached. [4] Artificial vertical garden according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the frame (1) is articulated to a fixed frame (9) which is fastened to a wall or paneling, the articulated connection between the fixed frame (9) and the frame (1) being effected by means of one or more hinges (10).

Images