DECORATIVE PANEL AND DECORATIVE FLOOR COVERING CONSISTING OF SAID PANELS.

Abstract

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known that have a core layer based on MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or HDF (high-density fiberboard) onto which a decorative substrate is bonded to give the panels the desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel, or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of panels joined together.

Description

The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel, or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of panels joined together. In the field of decorative flooring, decorative panels are known to have a core layer based on MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or HDF (high-density fiberboard) onto which a decorative substrate is bonded to give the panels the desired appearance. A significant disadvantage of these panels is the hygroscopic nature of the core layer, which affects their lifespan and durability. For this reason, traditional MDF / HDF-based panels are increasingly being replaced by polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based panels, which also feature a decorative substrate on top. These PVC-based panels have the advantage of being relatively waterproof compared to MDF / HDF-based panels.However, the drawback of these PVC-based panels is their very poor temperature resistance. As a result, these panels typically warp (bend) easily if exposed to a heat source, such as a radiator or even a lamp. There is a constant need to improve the core material properties of decorative panels. There is also a need for alternative core compositions to those currently used in panels. It is an objective of the invention to satisfy at least one of the needs mentioned above. The foregoing objective of the invention is achieved by providing a panel, in particular a decorative panel, according to the preceding preamble, comprising a core provided with an upper and a lower side, a decorative upper structure fixed to said upper side of the core, a first panel edge comprising a first coupling profile, and a second panel edge comprising a second coupling profile designed to interlock with said first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both horizontally and vertically, wherein said core preferably comprises an alloy of a polymer and / or mineral matrix and elastic particles dispersed in said matrix, wherein the elastic particles are bonded to the polymer and / or mineral matrix by means of a covalent bond.Therefore, the core material is not a mechanically produced mixture, but rather a chemically produced alloy of at least two compounds, specifically a polymer and / or mineral matrix material and an elastic material, chemically bonded together. This chemical (atomic covalent) bonding typically occurs during the production process of the core composition. This results in a block copolymer, which is thermally stable, durable, and also provides the core with the desired flexibility (elasticity) and impact resistance. Furthermore, the resulting mixture strikes a balance between functional properties, which are typically determined primarily by the elastic particles, and processing properties, which are usually determined primarily by the matrix material.The matrix material is also called the hard core phase, and the dispersed elastic particles are often called the soft core phase. A polymer matrix is ​​a matrix that is at least partially composed of polymeric material, where the polymeric material typically forms the main constituent. A mineral is a matrix that is at least partially composed of mineral material, where the mineral material typically forms the main constituent. Preferably, the polymer matrix is ​​composed at least partially of a polymer based on a renewable source (also referred to as a bio-based plastic) and / or a biodegradable polymer and / or a recycled polymer. Examples of suitable bio-based plastics, typically non-biodegradable, are bio-based polyethylene (bio-PE), bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (bio-PET), or polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). Examples of suitable bio-based plastics, typically biodegradable, are polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and starch. Preferably, the polymer matrix comprises and / or consists of at least one polyolefin and / or at least one thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), polystyrene (PS), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and / or polybutylene.It may also be preferred that the polymer matrix comprise isotactic polypropylene. It is also conceivable that the matrix material comprise at least one copolymer, preferably an ethylene propylene copolymer. These polymeric materials are typically relatively easy to melt and process, for example by (reactive) extrusion, and thus allow the elastic particles to be mixed with the polyolefin and / or thermoplastic material within, for example, an extrusion device. Here, it is preferred that the polymer matrix have a melt flow rate (MFR) of approximately 20 to approximately 200 g / 10 min. Typically, this facilitates the processing of the matrix material. Elastic particles have greater elasticity than the matrix material. Typically, elastic particles comprise at least one elastomer. An elastomer is a relatively flexible polymer. More specifically, an elastomer is typically a polymer with viscoelasticity (i.e., both viscosity and elasticity) and commonly has relatively weak intermolecular forces, a generally low Young's modulus, and high failure strain compared to other materials. The elastomer can be a crosslinked polymer. In a crosslinked polymer, separate polymer chains are linked (crosslinked), typically resulting in a single macromolecule. These chemical crosslinks can be normal crosslinks, which are covalent and chemically bond the polymer chains into a single molecule.However, chemical crosslinks can also be formed, and are preferably formed, by reversible crosslinking, which uses non-covalent or secondary interactions between polymer chains to link them together. These interactions include hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds. The advantage of using non-covalent interactions to form crosslinks is that when the material is heated, the crosslinks break down. This allows the material to be processed and, more importantly, recycled, and when the molten material cools again, the crosslinks reform. Examples of suitable polymers are polyisoprene, natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, and polyurethanes. Preferably, the elastic particles comprise ethylene-propylene rubber and / or ethylene-octene rubber and / or ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM). These materials have relatively good elastic and processing properties. Preferably, any isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) conventionally employed in the preparation of polypropylene impact blends having a melt flow rate (MFR) of approximately 0.001 to approximately 500 g / 10 min. (230 °C, 2160 g charge per ASTM D 1238) may be used in the panel core compositions according to this invention to form the polymer matrix. Preferably, the isotactic polypropylene shall have an MFR of approximately 0.01 to approximately 200 g / 10 min., more preferably approximately 20 to approximately 200 g / 10 min., and even more preferably approximately 80 to approximately 200 g / 10 min. As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the term "approximately" means that the values ​​stated need not be exact and may be 10% greater or less than the value shown.Typically, solid isotactic polypropylenes are preferably used in the impact polypropylene composition of the present invention, i.e., polypropylenes with more than 90% hot heptane insolubles. The specific density of the polypropylene is not critical. The preferred isotactic polypropylenes are typically crystalline and have densities ranging from approximately 0.90 to approximately 0.94 g / cc. Furthermore, the core composite material, also referred to as the alloy, may include several polypropylenes with different melt flow regimes to provide an impact polypropylene blend that has the desired mechanical property characteristics. As used herein, the term isotactic polypropylene is intended to include homopolypropylene, as well as propylene-ethylene copolymers containing up to 8 percent by weight of polymerized ethylene or other alpha-olefins. Ethylene-propylene rubbers (EPR) may be used to make up at least a portion of the elastic particles. An EPR is suitable for blending and covalently bonding to, for example, a polypropylene composition, which constitutes the polymer matrix material. The term elastomer and its derivatives shall be used interchangeably with the term rubber and its corresponding derivatives. Examples of ethylene-propylene rubbers (EPR) that are particularly useful in the present invention include saturated ethylene-propylene binary copolymer rubbers (EPM) and non-conjugated ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubbers (EPDM), which have the aforementioned characteristics and contain from approximately 1 to approximately 5 percent by weight of a diene such as 5-ethylidene-2-norborene, 5-methylene-2-norborene, 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), and the like. As used in this patent specification and in the appended claims, the term ethylene-propylene rubber (abbreviated as EPR) is intended to encompass all the aforementioned types of rubber, specifically EPR, EPM, or EPDM, as well as mixtures thereof. While any of the EPRs described above may be advantageously employed in the present invention, low Tg (glass transition temperature) EPRs are preferred. This is because low Tg EPRs perform best in simple binary blends of i-PP and EPR. For example, the Izod and Gardner impact properties of ICPs, which consist of 80 wt% iPP and 20 wt% EPR, are significantly improved by reducing the Tg of the EPR. As the Tg of such binary blends of i-PP and EPR decreases from approximately -37 to approximately -50 °C, the Gardner impact measured at -29 °C increases. At the same time, stiffness, as measured by heat distortion temperature (HDT) and flexural modulus, remains essentially unchanged. Therefore, the most preferred EPRs of the present invention will have the lowest Tg achievable for a given EPR. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of a polymer can be conveniently measured using well-known methods in the art, for example, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMT). As used herein, Tg shall be understood to refer to the Tg value obtained using the DMTA method based on the tan δ peak, which is well-known in the art. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of an EPR can be easily controlled by varying its ethylene content. The lowest Tg for commercially produced EPRs, approximately -50°C, occurs within a range of approximately 35 to approximately 70 percent ethylene by weight. Above this range, Tg increases due to the development of polyethylene crystallinity. Similarly, Tg also increases due to the development of polypropylene crystallinity when the ethylene content falls below this range. Those skilled in the art will understand that the relationship between Tg and ethylene content can be easily measured and is a continuous, smooth function. Therefore, there is no well-defined point above or below which Tg changes abruptly as the ethylene content changes. Furthermore, the catalyst used to produce the EPR will determine the ethylene content required to achieve the lowest Tg value.For example, when using vanadium- or metallocene-based single-site catalysts, the EPR with the lowest Tg will have an ethylene content of approximately 45–55 wt%, and the Tg in this case is approximately -50 °C. On the other hand, with traditional Ziegler-Natta titanium-based catalysts, which are typically multi-site, the EPR with the lowest Tg will have an ethylene content of approximately 65–68 wt% and a Tg of approximately -47 °C. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the EPR of the present invention shall have a polymerized ethylene content of approximately 35 to approximately 70 percent by weight, the term approximately being used to indicate that variation above 70 percent or below 35 percent is acceptable, provided that the Tg of the EPR is within 5 degrees of the minimum value obtainable with the catalyst employed. High-density polyethylenes, traditionally known as HDPE, are defined herein to include those polyethylenes having a density equal to or greater than 0.940 g / cc. The high-density polyethylenes that can be used as a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix material in the present invention preferably include those having a density of 0.940 g / cc or greater, preferably 0.945 g / cc or greater, more preferably 0.950 g / cc or greater, and most preferably 0.955 g / cc or greater. Such HDPEs generally include ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers with alpha-olefins (preferably having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 3 to 8 carbon atoms). The preferred alpha-olefins are propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-4-methylpentene, and 1-octene.The processes for manufacturing such polymers are well known in the art and include, for example, gas-phase, suspension, and solution polymerization processes. The melt value of HDPE determined under conditions E according to ASTM D 1238 is generally 0.10 to 300 g / 10 min, preferably 0.1 to 100 g / 10 min, with a further preference for 0.1 to 10 g / 10 min. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) of HDPE is not critical, although if the melt value of the HDPE is particularly low, it may be more convenient to use HDPE with a broader MWD that is more shear-thinning and less viscous under extrusion conditions to facilitate melt blending. One such HDPE that has been found suitable is Exxon HDZ-126, which has a melt index, as defined above, of approximately 0.35 g / 10 min and a density of 0.957 g / cc. As mentioned above, an ethylene-propylene copolymer (hereinafter referred to as the ethylene-propylene copolymer or EPC) may be used as the matrix material in the panel according to the present invention. This EPC preferably comprises from approximately 10 to approximately 30 percent by weight of polymerized ethylene and from approximately 90 to approximately 70 percent by weight of polymerized propylene. Preferably, the ethylene-propylene copolymer shall have a polymerized ethylene content of approximately 14% to approximately 27% by weight, and more preferably from approximately 14% to approximately 20% by weight. The weighted average molecular weight (Mw) of the ethylene-propylene copolymer is preferably in the range of approximately 50,000 to approximately 500,000, more preferably from approximately 75,000 to approximately 300,000, and most preferably from approximately 100,000 to approximately 200,000. The ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPC) of the invention can be prepared using metallocene or conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts. In either case, the polymerization can be carried out in gas-phase, solution, or suspension polymerization processes. For example, a satisfactory process for preparing the ethylene-propylene copolymer comprises contacting ethylene and propylene monomers, under polymerization conditions and in a ratio that yields the desired polymerized composition, with a metallocene catalyst that produces isotactic polypropylene having a tacticity greater than approximately 80 percent. An example of a metallocene catalyst is activated dimethyl dimethylsilanyl bis(indenyl) hafnium. Alternatively, the EPC of the invention can be prepared by using a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst that can produce similar isotactic polypropylenes. The core preferably comprises at least one mineralizer selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium chloride (CaCh), aluminum sulfate (Ah(SO4)3), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). As mentioned above, the panel according to the invention may comprise one or more fillers, such as cellulose-based particles, particularly lignocellulose-based particles, and especially fibers. Preferably, the cellulose-based particles comprise wood, straw, and / or hemp. Previous research shows that wood and hemp are chemically heterogeneous, and their components can be divided into two groups: structural components of high molecular weight natural polymeric substances (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin), which are the main components of the cell wall, and low molecular weight non-structural components (extractive and inorganic components).Both wood and wood fibers comprise many chemical components, but sugar has been found to be the primary inhibitor of core hydration. Various chemical treatments are preferentially applied to natural fibers, such as wood or hemp fibers, before blending them with the (initially fluid) polymer(s). The compressive strength and other mechanical properties of treated wood fiber composites are higher than those of untreated fibers. Chemicals such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium chloride (CaCh), and aluminum sulfate (Ah(SO4)3), sometimes also called mineralizing agents (mineralizers), typically improve the compatibility of the plant-based aggregates and the core. Complex mineralizers such as Ah(SO4)3 + Ca(OH)2 can also be applied.When Ah(SO4)3 is used as a mineralizer, it prevents the release of sugar from organic aggregates and reduces hygroscopicity and water absorption. Ah(SO4)3 in hydrate form is characteristic of an acidic reaction in water, while calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] is characteristic of an alkaline reaction in water. Mineralization is achieved by improving the efficiency of Ah(SO4)3, at least partially neutralizing the acidic environment caused by Ah(SO4)3, and improving the workability of the mixture. Mineralization of the wood aggregate also leads to improved adhesion between the wood particles and the polymer, resulting in a more stable and coherent polymer. As mentioned previously, at least a portion of the cellulose-based particles consists of fibers. It is also conceivable that at least a portion of the cellulose-based particles may consist of dust, wood chips, wood wool, and / or wood shavings. Other natural fibers, such as hemp, can also be used instead of wood. The hemp-enriched polymer also exhibits relatively good thermal insulation properties, excellent water-resistance, high acoustic capabilities, and good fire resistance. Here, hemp shavings are typically used as the coarse aggregate (basic component). As with wood, the hemp shavings are preferably mineralized with Ah(SO4)3, neutralized with Ca(OH)2, and blended with the polymer (initially fluid / liquid). Preferably, the core and / or backing layer comprise at least one filler selected from the group consisting of: a mineral, preferably calcium carbonate; a pigment; a modifier; fibers, such as glass fibers, wood, straw, and / or hemp. The fibers may be loose fibers and / or interconnected fibers resulting in a woven or non-woven layer. The core preferably comprises at least one additional filler selected from the group consisting of: steel, glass, polypropylene, wood, acrylic, alumina, curaua, carbon, cellulose, coconut, Kevlar, nylon, perlon, polyethylene, PVA, rock wool, sisal, and fique. This may further increase the panel's strength and / or water resistance and / or fire-retardant properties. Alternatively, the core comprises a mineral, such as magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, and / or magnesium cement. This mineral material can function as a matrix material, instead of or in addition to a polymeric matrix material. Preferably, the core comprises sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The addition of CMC to the core (during production) was found to facilitate and even promote the self-degradation of the polymer-based core, particularly in an alkaline aqueous environment at elevated temperatures (200 °C or higher). This will therefore improve the panel's biodegradability. At this elevated temperature, the CMC emitted two main volatile compounds, CO2 and acetic acid, creating a porous structure within the core. The CMC also reacted with sodium silicate (NaOH), if applied, to form three water-insensitive solid reaction products: disodium glycolate salt, sodium glucoside salt, and sodium bicarbonate. Other water-sensitive solid reaction products, such as sodium polysilicate and sodium carbonate, were derived from sodium silicate hydrolysates. Preferably, the core comprises silica fume. Silica fume, also known as microsilica, is an amorphous (non-crystalline) polymorph of silicon dioxide, silica. It is an ultrafine powder collected as a byproduct of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production and typically consists of spherical particles with an average particle diameter of 150 nm. By incorporating silica fume into the core, particularly the polymer, water resistance as well as fire-retardant properties can be significantly improved. However, silica fume can affect the compressive strength of the core; therefore, the amount of silica fume is preferably limited to 10% or less by weight. The core may comprise iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), preferably in an amount less than 6% by weight. The iron oxide imparts color to the core. Furthermore, at very high temperatures, the iron oxide reacts chemically with calcium and aluminum, which may also be present in the core, to form tricalcium aluminoferrite, which improves the hardness and strength of the core. Preferably, the amount of alumina (Al₂O₃) in the core is between 3 and 8% by weight. Preferably, the amount of calcium sulfate required for the aforementioned reaction is typically up to (and including) 0.5% by weight. The core primarily comprises fatty acids. Fatty acids can penetrate through channels (pores) of raw minerals (if applied) prior to milling, and will facilitate the milling process (efficiency) for producing mineral-based core powder. The core may comprise at least one alkali metal sulfate, such as magnesium sulfate. This will commonly accelerate the core production process. Typically, as mentioned previously, the core comprises at least one polymer as the matrix material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and / or polyurethane (PUR), and / or a thermoplastic polyolefin. The polymer used may be virgin, recycled, or a mixture of virgin and / or recycled polymers. Preferably, only one type of polymer is used to facilitate further recyclability. The PS may be in the form of expanded polystyrene (EPS) to further reduce the panel's density, leading to cost savings and easier handling. Other polymers, particularly thermoplastics, may also be used. It is also conceivable that rubber particles may be dispersed within at least one core to enhance flexibility to some extent.The at least one polymer, if applied, may be applied within the core in the form of a sheet (closed layer), a mesh (woven), a non-woven fabric, and / or as separate polymer particles (such as fibers, beads, spheres, etc.). In the event that a polymer layer is applied, the layer is preferably enclosed on both sides by composite material and is therefore preferably embedded within the core. Preferably, the core comprises perlite, preferably expanded (foamed) perlite. Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass with a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. Perlite has the unusual property of expanding considerably when heated sufficiently, which could significantly reduce the density of the core and, consequently, the panel as a whole. It is preferred that the core also comprises foamed perlite of varying particle sizes. Closed-cell foamed perlite can lead to a porosity (of perlite) of 30–40%. Such perlite can be pre-treated with silicone solutions or sodium, potassium, and lithium silicates. The core may further comprise one or more additive materials, advantageously including surfactants (SAS) such as methylcellulose, Badimol plasticizers, and other cationic SAS to improve the rheology of the mixture. The core may also comprise bentonite, a finely ground natural product, adapted to enhance the rheological and waterproofing characteristics of the panel. The core may also comprise at least one fire retardant additive. This fire retardant additive is preferably formed from an organohalogen compound. Such compounds can eliminate reactive H and OH radicals during a fire. The organohalogen compound preferably comprises bromine and / or chlorine. From a fire retardancy standpoint, an organobromine compound such as PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) is recommended over an organochlorine compound like PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl). Other examples of applicable brominated compounds are: Tetrabromobisphenol A, Decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca), Octabromodiphenyl ether, Tetrabromodiphenyl ether, Hexabromodiphenyl ether, Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), Tribromophenol, Bis(tribromophenoxy)ethane, Tetrabromobisphenol A polycarbonate oligomer (TBBA or TBBPA), Tetrabromobisphenol A epoxy oligomer (TBBA or TBBPA), and tetrabromophthalic acid anhydride.Other examples of applicable chlorinated compounds include: Chlorinated paraffin, bis(hexachlorocyclopentadiene)cyclooctane, pentacyclodecane dodecachloride (dechlorane) and l,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,13,13,14,14-dodecachloro-l,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,10,10a,11,12,12adodecahydro-l,4,7,10-dimethanedibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene (Dechlorane Plus). Although halogenated fire retardants are particularly effective, they generally have the drawback of potentially producing toxic smoke in the event of a fire. Therefore, the application of one or more alternative, less toxic fire retardant additives, including intumescent substances (foaming agents), may also be considered. The operating principle of these alternative additives is based on the formation of a foam layer that acts as an oxygen barrier and therefore also has a fire-retardant effect. These intumescent additives generally comprise melamine or a salt derived from it.An example of this is a mixture of polyphosphates (acid donor) in conjunction with melamine (foaming agent) and a carbon donor such as dipentaerythritol, starch, or pentaerythritol. Gaseous products such as carbon dioxide and ammonia are formed in the event of a fire. The resulting foam layer is stabilized by crosslinking, similar to vulcanization. Other examples of applicable and relatively environmentally friendly melamine-based additives include melamine cyanurate, melamine polyphosphate, and melamine phosphate. To save weight and therefore costs, it can be advantageous for the core to be at least partially foamed. The foamed structure may comprise open pores (cells) and / or closed pores (cells). Elastic particles are typically dispersed within the matrix material between the cells, where at least several elastic particles may form a cell wall. Although the core(s) may be supplied with one or more plasticizers, such as phthalates, DOTP, DINP and / or DIDP to provide more flexibility to the core(s) (and the panel as such), it is preferred that each composite be free of any plasticizer in order to increase the rigidity of the panel core, and that it is also environmentally favorable. The at least one reinforcing layer is preferably a non-woven or woven layer, in particular a fabric, for example, made of fiberglass. It may have a thickness of 0.2 to 0.4 mm. It is also conceivable that each tile comprises a plurality of the (usually thinner) base layer stacked one on top of the other, wherein at least one reinforcing layer is situated between two adjacent base layers. Preferably, the density of the reinforcing layer is between 1000 and 2000 kg / m³, preferably between 1400 and 1900 kg / m³, and more preferably between 1400 and 1700 kg / m³. At least one reinforcing layer may comprise natural fibers, such as jute. At least one reinforcing layer may comprise synthetic fibers, in particular polymeric fibers, such as nylon fibers. Preferably, the core comprises at least 50% by weight, preferably between 50 and 90% by weight, of polymer. Preferably, the core comprises between 1 and 15% by weight of cellulose-based fibers. Preferably, the core comprises between 0 and 3% by weight of pearlite. Preferably, the core comprises between 1 and 8% by weight of reinforcing layer. In a preferred embodiment, at least one core has a density greater than 1 kg / m³. This relatively high density will typically result in strong and rigid panels. However, it is also conceivable that at least one core could have a density lower than 1 kg / m³, leading to weight savings and therefore reduced transport and handling costs. The lower density can be achieved, for example, by applying one or more foamed ingredients, such as expanded perlite, expanded polystyrene, etc. It is conceivable that the core is provided with a waterproof coating that substantially covers at least one core. This can further enhance the panel's waterproofing properties. To this end, the waterproof coating can be a two-component, liquid-applied waterproofing formulation for application as a liquid to at least one core (the outer surface of at least one). Typically, this coating comprises: separate components A and B that can be transported in separate containers and can be combined to form a mixture in which vulcanization is initiated by solidifying the components into a membrane, wherein component A comprises an aqueous latex of natural or synthetic rubber and component B comprises an oil carrier in which a vulcanizing agent is dispersed to cure the rubber in component A, and a hygroscopic agent is dispersed to chemically bind the water in component A.Component A preferably comprises an operational latex stabilizer to increase the shelf life of the latex by controlling the initial pH of the latex components. It has also been found that additions of potassium hydroxide (KOH) dissolved in minimal amounts to Component A can lengthen the setting time, but excessive amounts can destabilize and cause premature gelation of the latex. Therefore, a preferred addition rate is up to 1.5 parts per 100 parts of rubber. It is believed that other high-pH additives, such as ammonia or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), can be used. Accordingly, an illustrative Component A of the invention may comprise from 0 to 2.5 phr (per 100 parts of rubber). Component B contains, among other things, an oil carrier fluid for the vulcanizing agent and the hygroscopic agent.In preferred embodiments, the oil carrier fluid is a mixture of hydrocarbon oils, such as a blend of aromatic and paraffinic compositions. Aromatic oils, which preferentially swell rubber particles, are generally more viscous. Flow can be controlled by adding lower-viscosity paraffinic oils, which also serve to adjust the setting time of the composition. In other illustrative embodiments, synthetic liquid plasticizers such as phthalates, adipates, or other commonly used rubber plasticizers may be used. The carrier fluid 12 may also contain a proportion of bitumen, either oxidized or penetration grade. The level of aromatic oil is not likely to be less than 50% of the oil carrier fluid, and the bitumen content is not to exceed 30%. However, the presence of bitumen is not critical to the invention. The use of a synthetic or natural hard resin is also optional.The carrier oil 12 shall comprise 20-60% by total weight of the formulation (when components A and B are combined). Component B typically contains a vulcanizing agent or packing. Preferably, the vulcanizing packing comprises elemental sulfur as the sulfur donor for the system, zinc oxide as the vulcanization activator, and a mixture of zinc isopropyl xanthate (ZIX) and zinc dibutyl dithiocarbamate dibutylamine complex (ZDBCX) as accelerators. These may be used in the preferred ranges, respectively, 0.5 to 15.0 phr (parts of sulfur based on parts of rubber), 0.5 to 20.0 phr (ZnO), 0.1 to 5.0 phr (ZIX), and 0.1 to 5.0 phr (ZDBCX). Other known vulcanizing agents and / or packings are believed to be suitable for use in the invention. Component B may also comprise a hygroscopic agent or desiccant to chemically bind the water from component A. The preferred hygroscopic agent is calcium oxide.Other hygroscopic agents may include other metal oxides that react with water to form hydroxides, for example, magnesium, barium, etc. Hydraulic cores, such as Portland cement core or high-alumina core, calcium sulfate core (gypsum of Paris), magnesium oxide core, or magnesium oxychloride core, may also be used. The hygroscopic agent may also comprise anhydrous salts that absorb significant proportions (25% or more) of their own weight of water, such as borax. The weight of the hygroscopic agent is chosen to effectively dehydrate the latex, preferably with a slight excess to ensure that the water binds. However, partial desiccation of the latex, i.e., less than stoichiometric amounts of hygroscopic agent used, may be possible. The hygroscopic agent, depending on which one is chosen, may comprise 10–50% of the total formulation system.Component B may also comprise one or more rheology modifiers. Preferably, a combination of montmorillonite clay (activated with a chemical activator) and stearate-coated calcium carbonate is used to achieve the desired balance of rheology properties, although other options, such as organophosphate-treated bentonite clays, fumed silica, polymer fibers, ground rubber, powdered fly ash, hollow glass microspheres, and hydrogenated castor oils, could be employed. The amount of rheology modifiers, depending on the material chosen, could comprise 0.5 to 25.0% by weight of total solids in the formulation system (components A and B combined). It is also conceivable that a waterproof layer is placed between the core and the upper structure. This can further improve the panel's waterproof properties. The waterproof layer may have the same composition as the waterproof coating described above, but it may also be made of a polymer layer, such as PVC. It is not unlikely that the core comprises multiple reinforcing layers. For example, at least one first reinforcing layer may be located in an upper portion of the core, and at least one second reinforcing layer may be located in a lower portion of the core. It is conceivable that the core comprises a laminate of cores, which are stacked directly and / or indirectly on top of each other. The cores may have an identical composition, although they may also have mutually different compositions, allowing the properties of each core to be modified and adapted for its own primary function (e.g., sound dampening, providing strength, providing flexibility, etc.). The core preferably comprises at least one catalyst to promote the formation of covalent bonds between the matrix, in particular the polymer matrix, and the dispersed elastic particles. The catalyst is also referred to as a compatibilizer. A suitable catalyst is a metallocene catalyst, preferably activated dimethyl dimethylsilanyl bis(indenyl) hafnium, and / or a MgCh / phthalate / TiCl₂ catalyst. The top structure is preferably bonded to the core using a waterproof adhesive. This protects the core(s) from water applied to the top structure, making the panel more waterproof. Furthermore, this prevents the top structure from easily separating from the core. Preferably, the top structure is bonded to the core using an alkoxysilyl-based adhesive, preferably methoxysilyl, and more preferably a dimethoxysilyl and / or trimethoxysilyl adhesive. More preferably, this methoxysilyl-based adhesive (polymer) is modified with acrylic. Preferably, this methoxysilyl-based adhesive (polymer) comprises a polyether-based backbone having one or more methoxysilyl (end) groups. These silyl-modified polymers (SMPs) are polymers (large chained molecules) terminated with a silyl group.Typically, these adhesives exhibit good adhesion to a wide range of substrate materials and have good temperature and UV resistance. It is conceivable that this type of alkoxysilyl-based adhesive could be used to bond the panel to a subfloor, wall, or ceiling. It is also conceivable that this type of alkoxysilyl-based adhesive could be used to bond a backing to the core surface and / or an additional backing to the back side of the backing layer (if applied). This results in an integrated underlayment that can act as a subfloor or its equivalent for wall and ceiling applications. This backing can be elastic and, for example, can be formed by a padding layer. This backing typically comprises a polymer, preferably an elastomer and / or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and / or PUR (polyurethane) and / or PVB (polyvinyl butyral) and / or a polyolefin, particularly PE or PP.However, supports made of wood, cork, and other materials can also be imagined. Polypropylene glycol is preferably used as a plasticizer in this adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive also comprises at least one of the following ingredients: at least one silane (acting as a moisture remover and / or adhesion promoter), a catalyst, for example, DOT (diotyltin), at least one antioxidant, and at least one mineral filler, such as calcium carbonate, preferably ground calcium carbonate, which is less susceptible to moisture than precipitated calcium carbonate. Preferably, all the aforementioned ingredients are present in the adhesive (waterproof). This adhesive is typically a 1K adhesive. The top structure preferably comprises at least one decorative layer and at least one transparent wear layer overlying the decorative layer. A lacquer or other protective coating may be applied over the wear layer. A finishing layer may be applied between the decorative and wear layers. The decorative layer will be visible and will be used to give the panel an attractive appearance. To this end, the decorative layer may have a design pattern, which could be, for example, a wood grain pattern, a mineral vein pattern resembling marble, granite, or any other natural stone veining, or a color pattern, color combination, or a single color, to name just a few design possibilities. Custom appearances are also possible, often achieved through digital printing during the panel production process. The top decorative structure may also consist of a single layer.In an alternative embodiment, the decorative upper structure is omitted, and therefore not applied, to the panel according to the invention. In this latter embodiment, the decorative panel, in particular a floor panel, ceiling panel, or wall panel, comprises: a core provided with a top side and a bottom side, a first panel edge comprising a first coupling profile, and a second panel edge comprising a second coupling profile designed to interlock with said first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both horizontally and vertically, wherein said core comprises: at least one core comprising: at least one polymer, cellulose-based particles dispersed in said polymer; and at least one reinforcing layer embedded in said core. Preferably, the upper structure comprises cork, more preferably at least one layer of cork. Preferably, the panel comprises a backing layer bonded to the back of the core. Preferably, the at least one backing layer is made at least partially of a flexible material, preferably an elastomer. The thickness of the backing layer typically ranges from approximately 0.1 to 2.5 mm. Non-limiting examples of materials from which the backing layer may be made include polyethylene, cork, polyurethane, and ethylene-vinyl acetate. The thickness of a polyethylene backing layer, for example, is typically 2 mm or less. The backing layer commonly provides additional robustness, dimensional stability, and / or impact resistance to the panel, thereby increasing its durability. In addition, the (flexible) backing layer may enhance the acoustic (sound-damping) properties of the panel. In one particular embodiment, the backing layer is provided with at least one plasticizer.It is conceivable that a back portion of the support layer is provided with at least a microbial-based coating to prevent and / or impede bacterial growth beneath the panels once installed. Preferably, at least one reinforcing layer extends across only one mating profile of the first and second mating profiles. This can be achieved by designing the first and second mating profiles to form a vertically extending tongue-and-groove (folding) connection, typically by using a top and bottom profile. A preferred example of this is given below. The advantage of applying the reinforcing layer to only one mating profile, typically the bottom profile mentioned above, and therefore not to the complementary mating profile, typically the top profile mentioned above, is that the flexibility of one profile (the top profile) is greater than the flexibility of the other (the bottom profile).This typically means that the upper profile is easier to deform than the lower profile, and this is particularly advantageous in case deformation is needed to create a coupling between the coupling profiles. Preferably, the first coupling profile comprises: • an upward-facing tab, • at least one upward-facing flank located at a distance from the upward-facing tab, • an upward-facing groove formed between the upward-facing tab and the upward-facing flank wherein the upward-facing groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of a downward-facing tab from a second mating profile of an adjacent panel, and • at least one first locking element, preferably provided on a distant side of the upward-facing tab facing opposite the upward-facing flank, and preferably the second (complementary) mating profile comprising: • a first downward tongue, • at least one first downward flank located at a distance from the downward tongue, • a first downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, wherein the downward groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of an upward tongue of a first mating profile of an adjacent panel, and • at least one second locking element adapted to cooperate with a first locking element of an adjacent panel, said second locking element being preferably provided on the downward flank. Preferably, the first locking element comprises a protrusion and / or a cavity, and the second locking element comprises a protrusion and / or a cavity. The protrusion is commonly adapted to be at least partially housed in the cavity of an adjacent mating panel in order to achieve a locked coupling, preferably a vertically locked coupling. It is also conceivable that the first locking element and the second locking element are not formed by a protrusion-cavity combination, but by another combination of profiled surfaces acting together and / or high-friction contact surfaces.In this latter embodiment, at least one locking element of the first locking element and the second locking element may be formed by a contact surface (flat or otherwise shaped) made of a plastic material, optionally separate, configured to generate friction with the other locking element of another panel in the engaged (coupled) state. Examples of plastics suitable for generating friction include: Acetal (POM) is rigid and strong with good creep resistance. It has a low coefficient of friction, remains stable at high temperatures, and offers good resistance to hot water. Nylon (PA), which absorbs more moisture than most polymers, shows that its impact resistance and overall energy absorption qualities improve as it absorbs moisture. Nylons also have a low coefficient of friction, good electrical properties, and good chemical resistance. Polyphthalamide (PPA). This high-performance nylon has improved temperature resistance and lower moisture absorption. It also has good chemical resistance; Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-temperature thermoplastic with good chemical and fire resistance combined with high strength. PEEK is a favorite in the aerospace industry; Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), which offers a balance of properties including chemical and high temperature resistance, flame retardant, flowability, dimensional stability and good electrical properties; Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), which is dimensionally stable and has high thermal and chemical resistance with good electrical properties; Thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) is intrinsically flame retardant with good physical, chemical and wear resistance properties. Polycarbonate (PC), which has good impact resistance, high heat resistance, and good dimensional stability. PC also has good electrical properties and is stable in water and mineral or organic acids; and Polyetherimide (PEI) maintains strength and rigidity at elevated temperatures. It also has good long-term heat resistance, dimensional stability, inherent flame retardancy, and resistance to hydrocarbons, alcohols, and halogenated solvents. It is conceivable that the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are configured so that in the coupled state there is a pretension that forces the coupled panels together at their respective edges, wherein this is preferably achieved by applying overlapping contours of the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile, in particular overlapping contours of the down tab and the up groove and / or overlapping contours of the up tab and the down groove, and wherein the first coupling profile and the second coupling profile are configured so that the two of said panels can be coupled together by means of a folding motion and / or a vertical motion, such that, in the coupled state, at least a portion of the down tab of the second coupling portion is inserted into the up groove of the first coupling portion,so that the downward-facing tab is held by the first coupling part and / or the upward-facing tab is held by the second coupling part. In a preferred embodiment, the panel comprises at least a third coupling profile and at least a fourth coupling profile located respectively on a third panel edge and a fourth panel edge, wherein the third coupling profile comprises: • a side tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the core, • at least a second downward flank located at a distance from the side tongue, and • a second downward groove formed between the side tongue and the second downward flank, wherein the fourth mating profile comprises: • a third slot configured to accommodate at least a portion of the side tab of the third coupling profile of an adjacent panel, said third slot being defined by an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein said lower flange is provided with an upward locking element, wherein the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured so that two of said panels can be coupled together by means of a twisting motion, wherein, in the coupled state: at least a portion of the side tab of a first panel is inserted into the third slot of an adjacent second panel, and wherein at least a portion of the upward locking element of said second panel is inserted into the downward second slot of said first panel. The panel, typically the core, and in particular at least one core, preferably comprises recycled material. The recycled material typically relates to the reuse of leftover material resulting from previous production processes (panels). Preferably, at least one slot, and preferably each slot, is treated with at least one antimicrobial substance. This provides a sound barrier against bacteria, fungi, etc. The core is preferably at least 3 mm thick, preferably at least 4 mm, and even more preferably at least 5 mm. The panel thickness is typically between 3 and 10 mm, preferably between 4 and 8 mm. The invention also relates to a decorative covering, in particular a decorative floor covering, decorative ceiling covering, or decorative wall covering, comprising a plurality of decorative panels joined together according to the invention. The covering can also be installed in vertical corners, such as inside corners of intersecting walls, on furniture, and in outside corners, such as entrances. The floor covering can be used indoors or outdoors. The preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the invention are presented in the following set of clauses: 1. A decorative panel, in particular a floor panel, ceiling panel, or wall panel, comprising: a core provided with an upper side and a lower side, a decorative upper structure fixed to said upper side of the core, a first panel edge comprising a first coupling profile, and a second panel edge comprising a second coupling profile designed to interlock with said first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both horizontally and vertically, wherein said core optionally comprises an alloy of a polymer and / or mineral matrix and elastic particles dispersed in said matrix, wherein, preferably, the elastic particles are bonded to the polymer and / or mineral matrix by means of a covalent bond. 2. Panel in accordance with clause 1, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polyolefin 3. Panel in accordance with clause 1 or 2, wherein the polymer matrix comprises thermoplastic. 4. Panel according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the polymer matrix comprises polyethylene (PE) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polybutylene. 5. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the polymer matrix comprises isotactic polypropylene. 6. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the elastic particles comprise an elastomer. 7. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the elastic particles comprise ethylene-propylene rubber 8. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the elastic particles comprise ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM). 9. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises an isotactic polypropylene, an ethylene-propylene rubber and a high-density polyethylene. 10. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises an ethylene-propylene copolymer. 11. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the polymer matrix has a melt flow rate (MFR) of approximately 20 to approximately 200 g / 10 min. 12. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core is free of phthalates, and preferably free of plasticizers. 13. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one polymer matrix used in the core is a recycled material. 14. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one polymer and / or at least one plasticizer used in the core is bio-based material. 15. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core polymer is formed from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). 16. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core polymer is formed by PUR (polyurethane). 17. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core polymer is formed by PVB (polyvinyl butyral). 18. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core polymer is formed from polystyrene, preferably expanded polystyrene. 19. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of: DOTP, DINP, DIDP. 20. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises at least one catalyst to promote the formation of covalent bonds between the polymer matrix and the dispersed elastic particles. 21. Panel in accordance with clause 20, wherein the catalyst is a metallocene catalyst, preferably activated dimethylsilanyl bis(indenyl) hafnium dimethyl. 22. Panel in accordance with clause 20 or 21, wherein the catalyst is a MgC12 / phthalate / TiC14 catalyst. 23. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the polymer matrix and the elastic particles dispersed in said matrix form a block copolymer. 24. Panel according to one of the preceding clauses, wherein the panel comprises a support layer applied, directly or indirectly, to a rear surface of the core, wherein said support layer comprises at least one polymer and, optionally, at least one plasticizer. 25. Panel in accordance with clause 24, wherein at least one polymer used in the support layer is a recycled material. 26. Panel in accordance with clause 24 or 25, wherein at least one polymer used in the support layer is bio-based material. 27. Panel in accordance with one of clauses 24-26, wherein at least one polymer of the support layer is formed by PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PUR (polyurethane). 28. Panel in accordance with one of clauses 24-27, wherein the support layer is manufactured at least partially from a natural material, such as cork. 29. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one polymer of the support layer is formed by PVB (polyvinyl butyral). 30. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one polymer of the support layer is formed by a polyolefin, in particular PE or PP. 31. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the core and / or support layer comprise at least one filler selected from the group consisting of: a mineral, preferably calcium carbonate, more preferably ground calcium carbonate; a pigment, a modifier, fibers. 32. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core and / or support layer comprise cellulose-based particles, preferably comprising lignocellulose, such as wood or hemp. 33. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the core comprises at least one additional filler selected from the group consisting of: steel, glass, polypropylene, wood, acrylic, alumina, curaua, carbon, cellulose, coconut, kevlar, nylon, perlon, polyethylene, PVA, rock wool, sisal and fique. 34. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core polymer is foamed. 35. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises perlite, preferably expanded perlite. 36. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises at least one fire retardant additive. 37. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the panel comprises at least one reinforcing layer, preferably a non-woven layer or a woven layer, in particular a fabric. 38. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises fiberglass. 39. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises natural fibers, such as jute. 40. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises synthetic fibers, in particular polymeric fibers. 41. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one reinforcing layer is embedded in the core. 42. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises between 1 and 15% by weight of cellulose-based fibers. 43. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises between 1 and 8% by weight of reinforcement layer. 44. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core has a density greater than 1 kg / m3. 45. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one core has a density of less than 1 kg / m3. 46. ​​Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the core is provided with a waterproof coating that substantially covers at least one core. 47. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein an upper surface of the core is covered by a barrier layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one plasticizer used in the core. 48. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein a waterproof layer, in particular waterproof adhesive, is situated between the core and the upper structure. 49. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the upper structure is adhered to the core by means of a waterproof adhesive, preferably a methoxysilyl-based adhesive. 50. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of reinforcement layers, wherein, preferably, at least a first reinforcement layer is located in an upper portion of the core, and wherein at least a second reinforcement layer is located in a lower portion of the core. 51. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises a laminate of cores, which are stacked directly and / or indirectly with each other. 52. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the core comprises a laminate of cores, wherein the composition of at least two cores is mutually different. 53. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the upper structure comprises at least one decorative layer and at least one transparent wear layer covering said decorative layer. 54. Panel in accordance with clause 53, wherein the wear layer has a melting temperature above 100 degrees Celsius, wherein the wear layer is preferably made of polyurethane. 55. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the upper structure comprises cork, preferably a layer of cork. 56. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein at least one reinforcement layer extends over a single coupling profile of the first and second coupling profile. 57. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the thickness of the panel is between 2 and 10 mm, preferably between 3 and 10 mm. 58. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the first coupling profile comprises: • an upward-facing tab, • at least one upward-facing flank located at a distance from the upward-facing tab, • an upward-facing groove formed between the upward-facing tab and the upward-facing flank, wherein the upward-facing groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of a downward-facing tab of a second mating profile of an adjacent panel, and • at least one first locking element, preferably provided on a distant side of the upward-facing tab facing opposite the upward-facing flank, and wherein the second mating profile comprises: • a first downward tongue, • at least one first downward flank located at a distance from the downward tongue, • a first downward groove formed between the downward tongue and the downward flank, wherein the downward groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of an upward tongue of a first mating profile of an adjacent panel, and • at least one second locking element adapted to cooperate with a first locking element of an adjacent panel, said second locking element preferably being provided on the downward flank. 59. Panel in accordance with any of the preceding clauses, wherein the panel comprises at least a third coupling profile and at least a fourth coupling profile located respectively on a third panel edge and a fourth panel edge, wherein the third coupling profile comprises: • a side tongue extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the core, • at least a second downward flank located at a distance from the side tongue, and • a second downward groove formed between the side tongue and the second downward flank, wherein the fourth mating profile comprises: • a third slot configured to accommodate at least a portion of the side tab of the third coupling profile of an adjacent panel, said third slot being defined by an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein said lower flange is provided with an upward locking element, wherein the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured so that two of said panels can be coupled together by means of a twisting motion, wherein, in the coupled state: at least a portion of the side tab of a first panel is inserted into the third slot of an adjacent second panel, and wherein at least a portion of the upward locking element of said second panel is inserted into the downward second slot of said first panel. 60. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, where the panel is rigid, flexible or semi-flexible. 61. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the core comprises a mixture of three types of terephthalate-based material; and epoxidized oil, wherein the weight ratio of the terephthalate-based material and the epoxidized oil is preferably from 99:1 to 1:99. 62. Panel in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, wherein the core comprises oil, preferably epoxidized oil, most preferably at least one epoxidized oil selected from the group consisting of: epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized castor oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized palm oil, epoxidized stearic acid, epoxidized oleic acid, epoxidized resin oil, epoxidized linoleic acid or mixtures thereof. 63. Panel in accordance with one of the above clauses, wherein the core comprises at least one mineral filler, preferably calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and / or magnesium-based cement. 64. Decorative cladding, in particular a decorative floor covering, decorative ceiling covering or decorative wall covering, comprising a plurality of decorative panels coupled together in accordance with any of clauses 1-63. The ordinal numbers used in this document, such as first, second, and third, are used for identification purposes only. Therefore, the use of the expressions third locking element and second locking element does not necessarily imply the co-presence of a first locking element. The decorative panels according to the invention may also be called decorative tiles. Complementary coupling profiles are understood to be those that can cooperate with each other. However, for this purpose, the complementary coupling profiles do not necessarily have to have complementary shapes. Vertical locking is understood to be locking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panel. Horizontal locking is understood to be locking in a direction perpendicular to the respective mating edges of two panels and parallel to or falling along the plane defined by the panels. The invention will be clarified on the basis of non-limiting illustrative embodiments shown in the following figures, where: • The Figure shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel for use in a multipurpose panel system according to the invention; • Figure Ib shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel system comprising a plurality of multipurpose panels as shown in Figure 1a; • Figure 2a shows a schematic representation of two different types of multipurpose panels for use in another modality of a multipurpose panel system according to the invention; • Figure 2b shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel system comprising a plurality of multipurpose panels as shown in Figure 2a; • Figure 3a shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel for use in yet another modality of a multipurpose panel system according to the invention; • Figure 3b shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel system comprising a plurality of multipurpose panels as shown in Figure 3a; • Figure 4a shows a cross-section along line AA of a multipurpose panel as shown in Figures 1a, 2a or 3a; • Figure 4b shows a cross-section along line BB of a multipurpose panel as shown in Figures 1a, 2a or 3a; • Figures 5a-5c show a cross-section of two multipurpose panels as shown in Figures 1a, 2a or 3a in a first, second and third coupled state, respectively; • Figures 6a-6c show a cross-section of two multipurpose panels with alternative coupling profiles in a first, second, and third coupled state, respectively; and • Figures 7a-7c show a cross-section of two multipurpose panels with other alternative coupling profiles in a first, second, and third coupled state, respectively. The Figure shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose decorative panel (100) for use in a multipurpose panel system (110) according to the invention. The figure shows a panel (100) comprising a first pair of opposing edges consisting of a first edge (101) and a third opposing edge (103), and a second pair of opposing edges consisting of a second edge (102) and a third opposing edge (103). The first, second, and third edges (101, 102, 103) are provided with first, second, and third coupling profiles (104, 105, 106), respectively. The first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured so that two of said panels (100) can be coupled together at the first and third edges (101, 103) by means of a twisting motion.Furthermore, the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured so that the two of these panels (100) can be coupled together at their second and third edges (102, 103) by means of a folding and / or vertical movement. The proportional relationship between the width and length of the panel (100) can be chosen at will. The figure shows only one of the many possibilities where the panel has a top side (107) with a rectangular outline (108). However, it is also possible for the width and length of the panel (100) to be the same, so that the panel (100) has a top side (107) with a square outline. Figure 1b shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel system (110) comprising a plurality of multipurpose panels (100) as shown in Figure 1a. Although each of the panels (100) is equivalent, having a first pair of opposite edges consisting of a first edge (101) and a third opposite edge (103) and a second pair of opposite edges consisting of a second edge (102) and a third opposite edge (103), the panels (100) can, due to the compatibility of the mating profile of the third edge (103) with the mating profile of the first and second edges (101, 102), be joined in different ways, resulting in differential panel patterns (111, 112) within a multipurpose panel system (110).In the multipurpose panel system represented (110), where the individual panels (110) have a top side (107) with a rectangular outline (108), the panels (100) each have a long side (113) and a short side (114). The different panel patterns (111, 112) are created by coupling a first panel pattern (111) of interconnected panels (100), which have their long side (113) connected to the long side (113) of an adjacent panel (100), to a second panel pattern (112) of interconnected panels (100), which have their long side (113) connected to the long side (113) of an adjacent panel (100) and their short side (114) connected to the short side (114) of another adjacent panel (100).The first and second panel patterns (111, 112) are rotated relative to each other so that the long sides (113) of the panels (100) of the first panel pattern (111) are at a 90-degree angle to the long sides (113) of the panels (100) of the second panel pattern (112). This coupling between the different panel patterns (111, 112) is made possible by connecting the short sides (114) of the panels (100) of the first panel pattern (111) with the long sides (113) of the panels (100) of the second panel pattern (112). The installation of the panel system (110) can be done by tilting down the first edge (101) of a panel (100) to be installed with respect to a third edge (103) of an already installed panel (100), which will commonly mutually block said panels (100) in both the vertical and horizontal directions.During this angle or rotation movement of the panel (100) to be installed relative to the already installed panel (100), the second edge (102) of the panel (100) to be installed will connect (simultaneously) to the third edge (103) of another already installed panel (100). This is typically accomplished by lowering or folding the panel (100) to be installed relative to the other already installed panel (100), during which the second edge (102) of the panel (100) to be installed and the third edge (103) of the other already installed panel (100) will split between them. This results in the panel (100) to be installed being locked relative to the other already installed panel (100) in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Figure 2a shows a schematic representation of two different types of multipurpose panels (201, 202) for use in another embodiment of a multipurpose panel system (200) according to the invention. Like the multipurpose panel (100) shown in Figure 1a, each of these panels (201, 202) comprises a first pair of opposite edges consisting of a first edge (101) and a third opposite edge (103) and a second pair of opposite edges consisting of a second edge (102) and a third opposite edge (103).Again, the first, second, and third edges (101, 102, 103) are provided respectively with a first, second, and third coupling profile (104, 105, 106), wherein the first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured so that two panels (201, 202) can be coupled together at the first and third edges (101, 103) by means of a twisting motion, and the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured so that the two panels (201, 202) can be coupled together at the second and third edges (102, 103) by means of a folding motion and / or a vertical motion.This time, however, there are two different types of panels (201, 202), where the coupling profiles (105, 106) of a pair of opposite edges (102, 103) in the first type of panel (201) are arranged in an inverted mirror shape with respect to the coupling profiles (105, 106) of the corresponding pair of opposite edges (102, 103) in the second type of panel (202). Note that the represented edge pairs of the different panel types (201, 202) that are in an inverted mirror shape are formed by a second and third edge (102, 103). However, it is equally possible for the inverted mirror edge pairs to be formed by a first and third edge (101, 103). In addition, the multipurpose panels (201, 202) for use in this multipurpose panel system (200) have a top side (107) with a parallelogram-shaped outline (208).Two contiguous edges (101, 102, 103) of these panels (201, 202) enclose either an acute angle (203) or an obtuse angle (204). In this specific embodiment, the first and second edges (101, 102) respectively enclose an obtuse angle (204) of the same size, while the second and third edges (102, 103) respectively enclose an acute angle (203) of the same size. The difference in panel configuration and the parallelogram-shaped outline (208) of its upper side (107) allows these panels (201, 202) to form a chevron pattern (205) in a joined state. Figure 2b shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel system (200) comprising a plurality of multipurpose panels (201, 202) as shown in Figure 2a. As described above, the multipurpose panels (201, 202) that are part of this multipurpose panel system (200) come in two different (mirrored) types / configurations.While the difference in panel configuration and the parallelogram shape of its upper surface (107) allows these panels (201, 202) to form a chevron pattern (205) in a joined state, they have a first pair of opposite edges consisting of a first edge (101) and a third opposite edge (103) and a second pair of opposite edges consisting of a second edge (102) and a third opposite edge (103), wherein the coupling profile (106) of the third edge (103) is compatible with the coupling profile (104, 105) of both the first and second edges (101, 102), allowing the panels (201, 202) to be joined in different ways as well, resulting in differential panel patterns (206, 207) within an interconnected multipurpose panel system (200).As in the multipurpose panel system (110) shown in Figure 1b, the different panel patterns (206, 207) are created by coupling a first panel pattern (206) of interconnected panels (201, 202) to a second panel pattern (207) of interconnected panels (201, 202). Within these separate panel patterns (206, 207), each panel (201, 202) has each of its pairs of opposite edges (101, 103; 102, 103) connected to the edges (101, 102, 103) of adjacent panels (201, 202), which are part of a corresponding pair of opposite edges (101, 103; 102, 103) of those adjacent panels (201, 202).However, the coupling of the first and second panel patterns (206, 207) is achieved by connecting a panel (201, 202) of the first panel pattern (206) with an edge (101, 103) that is part of a pair of opposite edges (101, 103) to a panel (201, 202) of the second panel pattern (207) with an edge (102, 103) that is part of the other non-corresponding pair of opposite edges (102, 103). The result is an interconnected multipurpose panel system (200) comprising two different panel patterns (206, 207) rotated 90 degrees relative to each other. The installation of the panel system (200) shown in Figure 2b is typically analogous to the installation of the panel system (110) shown in Figure 1b. Figure 3a shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel (301) for use in yet another embodiment of a multipurpose panel system (300) according to the invention. Apart from the multipurpose panels (100, 201, 202) shown in Figures 1a and 2a, each of these panels (301) comprises three pairs of opposing edges and has a top side (107) with a regular hexagonal outline (302). The first pair of opposing edges consists of a first edge (101) and a third opposing edge (103). The second and third pairs of opposing edges each consist of a second edge (102) and a third opposing edge (103). The first, second, and third edges (101, 102, 103) are positioned here such that the third edges (103) are directly adjacent to each other and the second edges (102) are on both edges adjacent to the first edge (101). The second edges (102), therefore, are not adjacent to each other.The similarity between these multipurpose panels (301) and the multipurpose panels (100, 201, 202) shown in Figures 1a and 2a is, however, that the first, second, and third edges (101, 102, 103) are provided respectively with a first, second, and third coupling profile (104, 105, 106), wherein the first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured so that two panels (301) can be coupled together at the first and third edges (101, 103) by means of a twisting motion, and the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106) are configured so that the two panels (301) can be coupled together at the second and third edges (102, 103) by means of a folding motion and / or a vertical motion. Figure 3b shows a schematic representation of a multipurpose panel system (300) comprising a plurality of multipurpose panels (301) as shown in Figure 3a. In the panel configuration shown, the panels (301) are all oriented identically. Installation of the panel system (300) can be carried out similarly to the panel systems (110, 200) of Figures 1b and 2b. By tilting downward the first edge (101) of a panel (301) to be installed relative to a third edge (103) of an already installed panel (301), the panels (301) will typically lock against each other in both the vertical and horizontal directions.During this angle or rotation movement of the panel (301) to be installed relative to the already installed panel (301), one or more second edges (102) of the panel (300) to be installed will connect (simultaneously) to a third edge (103) of one or more adjacent panels (301) already installed. This is typically accomplished by lowering or folding the panel (301) to be installed relative to the other panel(s) already installed (301), during which the second edge(s) (102) of the panel (301) to be installed and the third edge (103) of the other panel(s) already installed (301) will split between them. This results in the panel (301) to be installed being locked relative to the other panel(s) already installed (301) in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Figure 4a shows a cross section along line AA of a multipurpose panel (100, 201, 202, 301) as shown in Figures 1a, 2a or 3a. In Figure 4a, the first edge (101) and a third opposite edge (103) of the panel (100, 201, 202, 301) are visible, having a first coupling profile (104) and a third coupling profile (106), respectively. The first coupling profile (104) comprises a side tongue (400) extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side (107) of the panel (100, 201, 202, 301), at least one first downward flank (401) is at a distance from the side tongue (400), and a first downward cavity (402) formed between the side tongue (400) and the first downward flank (401).The proximal side (403) of the side tab (400) of the first coupling profile (104), facing the first downward cavity (402), is inclined downwards in a direction away from the first downward flank (401). However, it is equally possible for the proximal side (403) of the side tab (400) to be inclined downwards in a direction towards the first downward flank (401). A first transition zone (404) can be defined between the proximal side (403) of the side tab (400) of the first coupling profile (104) and a lower side (405) of the side tab (400) of the first coupling profile (104), the first transition zone (404) of which is in this instance curved. The upper side (406) of the first downward cavity (402) is on the panel depicted (100, 201, 202, 301) inclined downwards towards the first downward flank (401).The first coupling profile (104) may further comprise a first locking element (407) which, in a coupled position, can cooperate with a third locking element (440) of a third coupling profile (106) of an adjacent panel (100, 201, 202, 301). This first locking element (407) may be provided on the first downward flank (401) of the first coupling profile (104). In the panel shown (100, 201, 202, 301), the first locking element (407) comprises at least one first locking slot (408). The third coupling profile (106) comprises a third cavity (430) configured to accommodate at least a portion of the side tab (400) of the first coupling profile (104) of an additional panel (100, 201, 202, 301). This third cavity (430) is defined by an upper flange (431) and a lower flange (432), wherein the lower flange (432) is provided with an upward-facing locking element (433). The proximal side (434) of the upward-facing locking element (433) of the third coupling profile (106), which faces the third cavity (430), is inclined upward in a direction away from the upper flange (431). Alternatively, however, it may be possible for the proximal side (434) of the upward-facing locking element (433) to be inclined upward in a direction toward the upper flange (431).A third transition zone (435) can be defined between the near side (434) of the upward locking element (433) and an upper side (436) of the upward locking element (433), the third transition zone (435) of which is in this instance also curved to follow the first curved transition zone (404). The upper side (436) of the upward locking element (433) is, in the represented panel (100, 201, 202, 301), inclined downward in a direction opposite to the upper flange (431) of the third coupling profile (106). On the lower side (437) of the lower flange (432) of the third coupling profile (106), there is a cavity (438) that extends to the distal end (439) of the lower flange (432). This cavity (438) allows the lower flange (432) to be bent downward.As previously mentioned, the third mating profile (106) may further comprise a third locking element (440) that can cooperate with the first locking element (407) of the first mating profile (104) of an adjacent panel (100, 201, 202, 301) to establish a vertical lock between the mated panels (100, 201, 202, 301). The third locking element (440) may be provided on a distal side (441) of the lower flange (432) facing away from the third cavity (430) and / or on a distal side (442) of the upward-facing locking element (433) facing away from the third cavity (430). The third locking element (440) can, as shown here, be specifically positioned at a distance from both a lower side (437) of the lower flange (432) and an upper side (436) of the upward locking element (433).In the panel currently represented, the third locking element (440) comprises at least one outward protrusion (443), which is adapted to engage at least partially in the first locking groove (408) or a second locking groove (423) of an adjacent mated panel (100, 201, 202, 301) in order to achieve a locked (vertically) coupling. The core (452) is provided with at least one reinforcing layer (454), such as a fiberglass (fabric) layer, incorporated (embedded) in the core (452). The core (452) is manufactured at least partially from an alloy of a polymer matrix and elastic particles dispersed within said matrix, wherein the elastic particles are bonded to the polymer matrix by means of a covalent bond. Examples have been given above and in the appended set of claims. The polymer matrix may optionally be provided with at least one plasticizer.Alternatively, the core comprises a mineral, such as magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, and / or magnesium cement. This mineral material may function as a matrix material, instead of or in addition to a polymeric matrix material. Optionally, the panel, and also optionally the coupling profiles, may be provided with at least one antibacterial (antimicrobial) coating and / or antimicrobial substance mixed with the core material and / or the top structure of the panel. Optionally, an antimicrobial coating may be applied to the top of the top structure, although it may be preferable not to expose the antimicrobial substance to the outside (top) during normal use for health and safety reasons.The core may comprise additional additives, such as calcium carbonate and / or cellulose-based particles dispersed within the polymer (matrix); and, in this embodiment, at least one reinforcing layer (454) embedded within the core. The core shown may be considered as a single layer, although a portion lies above the reinforcing layer (454) and a portion lies below it, the two portions being integrally connected by composite material present in the pores of the reinforcing layer. Detailed examples of compositions and additives have already been comprehensively described above. Figure 4b shows a cross section along line BB of a multipurpose panel (100, 201, 202, 301) as shown in Figures 1a, 2a or 3a. In Figure 4b, the second edge (102) and another opposite third edge (103) of the panel (100, 201, 202, 301) are visible, having a second coupling profile (105) and a third coupling profile (106), respectively.Where the third coupling profile (106) coincides with the third coupling profile (106) provided on the third adjacent edge (103) of the panel (100, 201, 202, 301), whose features are given above in the description of the cross section along line AA of the multipurpose panel (100, 201, 202, 301), the second coupling profile (105) comprises a downward tongue (410) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper side (107) of the panel (100, 201, 202, 301), at least a second downward flank (411) located at a distance from the downward tongue (410), and a second downward cavity (412) formed between the downward tongue (410) and the second downward flank (411).The proximal side (413) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105), facing the second downward cavity (412), is inclined downward in a direction away from the second downward flank (411). However, it is also possible for the proximal side (413) of the downward tongue (410) to be inclined downward in a direction toward the second downward flank (411). A second transition zone (414) can be defined between the proximal side (413) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105) and a lower side (415) of the downward tongue (410) of the second coupling profile (105), the second transition zone (414) of which is in this instance curved.A distal side (416) of the downward tongue (410), facing away from the second downward cavity (412), comprises at least a vertical upper wall portion (417) adjacent to the upper side (107) of the panel (100, 201, 202, 301), and adjacent to and located below said vertical upper wall portion (417), an angled wall portion (418) forming an inward angle to a chamfered and / or curved lower wall portion (419) of said distal side (416) of the downward tongue (410). Therefore, an intermediate vertical wall portion (420) may be present between the angled wall portion (418) and the chamfered and / or curved lower wall portion (419). The lower wall portion (419) of the distal side (416) of the downward tongue (410) can further be connected to the lower side (415) of the downward tongue (410).The upper side (421) of the second downward cavity (412) is on the panel depicted (100, 201, 202, 301) inclined downwards towards the second downward flank (411). The second coupling profile (105) may further comprise at least a second locking element (422) which, in a coupled position, can cooperate with a third locking element (440) of a third coupling profile (106) of an adjacent panel (100, 201, 202, 301) to establish a vertical lock between the panels (100, 201, 202, 301). The second locking element (422) may be provided on the second downward flank (411) of the second coupling profile (105). In the panel currently represented (100, 201, 202, 301), the second locking element (422) comprises at least a second locking slot (423) adapted to receive at least partially the outward protrusion (443) of the third locking element (440) of an adjacent coupled panel (100, 201, 202, 301) in order to achieve a locked (vertically) coupling. The coupling profiles (104, 105, 106) of each of the multipurpose panels (100, 201, 202, 301) shown in Figures 4a and 4b are provided with chamfers (bevels) (450) on or near the top side (107) of the panels (100, 201, 202, 301). The panels (100, 201, 202, 301) comprise a top substrate (451) fixed to a top side (453) of a core (452) to which the first, second, and third coupling profiles (104, 105, 106) are integrally connected. The at least one reinforcing layer (454), such as a fiberglass (fabric) layer, embedded in the core (452), is again shown. Both Figure 4a and Figure 4b show that this reinforcement layer (454) is present only in one of the two complementary coupling profiles.The upper substrate (451) comprises a decorative layer (455), an abrasion-resistant wear layer (456) overlying the decorative layer (455), and a transparent finish layer (457) located between the decorative layer (455) and the wear layer (456). The panels (100, 201, 202, 301) further comprise a support layer (458) attached to a lower side (459) of the core (452). Figures 5a-5c show a cross-section of two multipurpose panels (100, 201, 202, 301) as shown in Figures 1a, 2a, or 3a in a first, second, and third coupled state, respectively.In these figures (5a-5c) it can be seen that in the coupled state, at least a part of the side tab (400) of the first coupling profile (104) of a panel (100, 201, 202, 301) is inserted into the third cavity (430) of the third coupling profile (106) of an adjacent panel (100, 201, 202, 301), and at least a part of the upward locking element (433) of the third coupling profile (106) is inserted into the downward first cavity (402) of the first coupling profile (104). To establish a fixation in the mutual position of the first coupling profile (104) and the third coupling profile (106), a lower side (405) of the side tab (400) of the first coupling profile (104) can be supported by a lower surface (500) of the third cavity (430) of the third coupling profile (106).The first edge (101) and the third edge (103), in the coupled state, define a first locking surface (501) defined as a first vertical plane (502) through the upper edges (503) of the coupled panels (100, 201, 202, 301). Each of the side tab (400) and the third cavity (430) extends through said first vertical plane (502). In the embodiments shown, the first and third coupling profiles (104, 106) comprise, respectively, a first and third locking element (407, 440). The first and third locking elements (407, 440) are positioned herein such that the first locking element (407) faces and cooperates with the third locking element (440) of the third coupling profile (106) to achieve a vertical locking effect. Figures 5a-5c further show that in the coupled state, at least a portion of the downward-facing tab (410) of the second coupling profile (105) is inserted into the third cavity (430) of the third coupling profile (106), and at least a portion of the upward-facing locking element (433) of the third coupling profile (106) is inserted into the second downward-facing cavity (412) of the second coupling profile (105). To establish a fix in the mutual position of the second coupling profile (105) and the third coupling profile (106), a lower side (415) of the downward-facing tab (410) of the second coupling profile (105) can be supported by a lower surface (500) of the third cavity (430) of the third coupling profile (106).The second edge (102) and the third edge (103), in the coupled state, define a second locking surface (504) that defines a second vertical plane (505) through the upper edges (503) of the coupled panels (100, 201, 202, 301). The downward-facing tab (410) is thus positioned on one side of this second vertical plane (505), while the third cavity (430) extends through this second vertical plane (505). In the embodiments shown, the second coupling profile (105) further comprises a second locking element (422). This second locking element (422) faces and cooperates with the third locking element (440) of the third coupling profile (106) to achieve a vertical locking effect. Figures 6a-6c show a cross-section of two multipurpose panels (600) with alternative coupling profiles (601, 602, 603) in a first, second, and third coupled state, respectively. Whereas the coupling profiles (104, 105, 106) of the panels (100, 201, 202, 301) shown in Figures 5a-5c are configured such that in a coupled state, (substantially) no pretension exists between the coupling profiles (104, 105, 106), the coupling profiles (601, 602, 603) of the panels (600) shown in Figures 6a-6c are configured such that in a coupled state there is a pretension that forces the respective panels (600) together at their respective edges (604). In the modalities shown of the coupling profiles (601, 602, 603), the prestress is the result of a (local) deformation of the coupling profiles (601, 602, 603). Figures 7a-7c show a cross-section of two multipurpose panels (700) with alternative coupling profiles (701, 702, 703) in their first, second, and third coupled states, respectively. In this embodiment of the third coupling profile (703), there is no cavity on the lower side (705) of its lower flange (704). In the multipurpose panels (700) shown, the first coupling profile (701) further comprises another first locking element (706), provided on a distal side (707) of the first coupling profile (701), which is located above at least a portion of the side tab (708). Furthermore, the second coupling profile (702) comprises another second locking element (709), provided on a distal side (711) of the downward-facing tab (710) that faces away from the second downward-facing cavity (712).The third coupling profile (703) further comprises a third locking element (713), which is provided on one side (715) of the upper flange (714). In the coupled states shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the additional third locking element (713) faces the distal side (707) of the first coupling profile (701) of the adjacent panel (700), whereas in the coupled state shown in Figure 7c, the additional third locking element (713) faces the distal side (711) of the downward-facing tab (710) of the second coupling profile (702) of an adjacent panel (700).Furthermore, Figures 7a-7c depict the cooperation between the first or second additional locking element (706, 709) and the third additional locking element (713) to create a vertical locking effect in the coupled state of two panels (700). This defines a tangent TI (716) enclosing an angle 1a (717) with a plane (718) defined by the panel (700), where angle 1a (717) is less than an angle 1a (719) enclosed by said plane (718) defined by the panel (700). A tangent T2 (720) is also defined by the cooperation between an inclined portion of a proximal side (722) of the upward-facing locking element (721) looking towards the third cavity (723) and an inclined portion of a proximal side (724) of the downward-facing tongue (710) looking towards the second downward flank (725). proximal side (726) of the lateral tongue (708) facing the first flank downwards (727). In the coupling profile configurations (701, 702, 703) shown in Figures 7a-7c, the first coupling profile (701) and the third coupling profile (703), respectively, and the second coupling (702) and the third coupling profile (703), are configured such that in the coupled state, a plurality of distant contact zones (728) are present, with a gap (729) between each pair of adjacent contact zones (728). Specifically, Figures 7a and 7b show that the first downward flank (727) of the first coupling profile (701), a distal side (730) of the upward locking element (721), and the lower flange (704) of the third coupling profile (703), facing the first downward flank (727), are positioned at a distance from each other.Additionally, the upper side (731) of the upward locking element (721) of the third coupling profile (703) is positioned at a distance from the upper side (733) of the first downward cavity (732) of the first coupling profile (701). Figure 7c shows that the second downward flank (725) of the second coupling profile (702), a distal side (730) of the upward locking element (721), and the lower flange (704) of the third coupling profile (703), facing the second downward flank (725), are positioned at a distance from each other. Furthermore, the upper side (731) of the upward locking element (721) of the third coupling profile (703) is positioned at a distance from the upper side (734) of the second downward cavity (712) of the second coupling profile (702). In the embodiments shown in Figures 5a-7c, the core comprises an alloy of a polymer matrix and elastic particles dispersed within that matrix, the elastic particles being bonded to the polymer matrix by a covalent bond. Examples and preferred embodiments of this alloy have been fully described in the preceding description. The inventive concepts described above are illustrated by various illustrative methods. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts can be applied without also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to provide examples of all conceivable combinations of the inventive concepts described above, as anyone skilled in the art will understand that numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined to arrive at a specific application. It will be evident that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described in the present description, but that numerous variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. It is understood that the verb comprehend and its conjugations used in this patent publication mean not only comprehends, but also the phrases contain, consist substantially of, formed by and their conjugations.

Claims

1. A decorative panel, in particular a floor panel, ceiling panel, or wall panel, comprising: a core provided with an upper side and a lower side, a decorative upper structure fixed to said upper side of the core, a first panel edge comprising a first coupling profile, and a second panel edge comprising a second coupling profile designed to interlock with said first coupling profile of an adjacent panel, both horizontally and vertically, wherein said core comprises an alloy of a polymer matrix and elastic particles dispersed in said matrix, wherein the elastic particles are bonded to the polymer matrix by means of a covalent bond.

2. Panel according to claim 1, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a polyolefin.

3. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic.

4. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer matrix comprises polyethylene (PE) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polybutylene.

5. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer matrix comprises isotactic polypropylene.

6. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic particles comprise an elastomer.

7. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic particles comprise ethylene-propylene rubber.

8. Panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic particles comprise ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM). / ϋΟΜΌΊ O 9. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises isotactic polypropylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, and high-density polyethylene. #describe the relationship with the polymer matrix and particles in the description 10. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises an ethylene-propylene copolymer.

11. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer matrix has a melt flow rate (MFR) of approximately 20 to approximately 200 g / 10 min.

12. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core is free of phthalates and preferably free of any plasticizer.

13. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one polymer matrix used in the core is a recycled material.

14. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one polymer and / or at least one plasticizer used in the core is a bio-based material.

15. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core polymer is formed from PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

16. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core polymer is formed by PUR (polyurethane).

17. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core polymer is formed from PVB (polyvinyl butyral).

18. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core polymer is formed from polystyrene, preferably expanded polystyrene.

19. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of: DOTP, DINP, DIDP.

20. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises at least one catalyst to promote the formation of covalent bonds between the polymer matrix and the dispersed elastic particles.

21. Panel according to claim 20, wherein the catalyst is a metallocene catalyst, preferably activated dimethylsilanyl bis(indenyl) hafnium dimethyl.

22. Panel according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the catalyst is a MgC12 / phthalate / TiC14 catalyst.

23. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer matrix and the elastic particles dispersed in said matrix form a block copolymer.

24. Panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises a support layer applied, directly or indirectly, to a rear surface of the core, wherein said support layer comprises at least one polymer and, optionally, at least one plasticizer.

25. Panel according to claim 24, wherein at least one polymer used in the support layer is a recycled material.

26. Panel according to claim 24 or 25, wherein at least one polymer used in the support layer is bio-based material.

27. Panel according to one of claims 24-26, wherein at least one polymer of the support layer is formed from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PUR (polyurethane).

28. Panel according to one of claims 24-27, wherein the support layer is made at least partially of a natural material, such as cork.

29. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one polymer of the support layer is formed by PVB (polyvinyl butyral).

30. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one polymer of the support layer is formed from a polyolefin, in particular PE or PP.

31. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core and / or the support layer comprise at least one filler selected from the group consisting of: a mineral, preferably calcium carbonate; a pigment, a modifier, fibers.

32. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core and / or support layer comprise cellulose-based particles, preferably comprising lignocellulose, such as wood or hemp.

33. Panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises at least one additional filler selected from the group consisting of: steel, glass, polypropylene, wood, acrylic, alumina, curaua, carbon, cellulose, coconut, kevlar, nylon, perlon, polyethylene, PVA, rock wool, sisal, and fique.

34. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core polymer is foamed.

35. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises pearlite, preferably expanded pearlite.

36. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises at least one fire retardant additive.

37. A panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises at least one reinforcing layer, preferably a non-woven or woven layer, in particular a fabric.

38. A panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises fiberglass.

39. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises natural fibers, such as jute.

40. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises synthetic fibers, in particular polymeric fibers.

41. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reinforcing layer is embedded in the core.

42. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises between 1 and 15% by weight of cellulose-based fibers.

43. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises between 1 and 8% by weight of the reinforcing layer.

44. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core has a density greater than 1 kg / m3.

45. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one core has a density of less than 1 kg / m3.

46. ​​Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core is provided with a waterproof coating that substantially covers the at least one core.

47. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper surface of the core is covered by a barrier layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one plasticizer used in the core.

48. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a waterproof layer, in particular waterproof adhesive, is situated between the core and the upper structure.

49. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper structure is adhered to the core by means of a waterproof adhesive, preferably a methoxysilyl-based adhesive.

50. Panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of reinforcing layers, wherein, preferably, at least a first reinforcing layer is located in an upper portion of the core, and wherein at least a second reinforcing layer is located in a lower portion of the core.

51. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises a laminate of cores, which are stacked directly and / or indirectly with each other.

52. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises a laminate of cores, wherein the composition of at least two cores is mutually different.

53. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper structure comprises at least one decorative layer and at least one transparent wear layer covering said decorative layer.

54. Panel according to claim 53, wherein the wear layer has a melting temperature above 100 degrees Celsius, wherein the wear layer is preferably made of polyurethane.

55. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper structure comprises cork, preferably a layer of cork.

56. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reinforcing layer extends over a single coupling profile of the first and second coupling profile.

57. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the panel is between 2 and 10 mm, preferably between 3 and 10 mm.

58. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling profile comprises: • an upward-facing tongue, • at least one upward-facing flank located at a distance from the upward-facing tongue, • an upward-facing groove formed between the upward-facing tongue and the upward-facing flank, wherein the upward-facing groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of a downward-facing tongue of a second coupling profile of an adjacent panel, and • at least one first locking element, preferably provided on a side distant from the upward-facing tongue facing in the opposite direction to the upward-facing flank, and wherein the second coupling profile comprises: • a first downward-facing tongue, • at least one first downward-facing flank located at a distance from the downward-facing tongue, • a first downward-facing groove formed between the downward-facing tongue and the downward-facing flank,wherein the downward-facing groove is adapted to receive at least a portion of an upward-facing tab of a first mating profile of an adjacent panel, and • at least a second locking element adapted to cooperate with a first locking element of an adjacent panel, said second locking element being preferably provided on the downward-facing flank.

59. A panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises at least a third coupling profile and at least a fourth coupling profile located respectively on a third panel edge and a fourth panel edge, wherein the third coupling profile comprises: • a side tab extending in a direction substantially parallel to the upper side of the core, • at least a second downward flank located a distance from the side tab, and • a second downward groove formed between the side tab and the second downward flank, wherein the fourth coupling profile comprises: • a third groove configured to accommodate at least a portion of the side tab of the third coupling profile of an adjacent panel, said third groove being defined by an upper flange and a lower flange,wherein said lower flange is provided with an upward locking element, wherein the third coupling profile and the fourth coupling profile are configured so that two of said panels can be coupled together by means of a twisting motion, wherein, in the coupled state: at least a portion of the side tab of a first panel is inserted into the third groove of an adjacent second panel, and wherein at least a portion of the upward locking element of said second panel is inserted into the downward second groove of said first panel.

60. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is rigid, flexible or semi-flexible.

61. Panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises a mixture of three types of terephthalate-based material; and epoxidized oil, wherein the weight ratio of the terephthalate-based material and the epoxidized oil is preferably from 99:1 to 1:

99.

62. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises oil, preferably epoxidized oil, more preferably at least one epoxidized oil selected from the group consisting of: epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized castor oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized palm oil, epoxidized stearic acid, epoxidized oleic acid, epoxidized resin oil, epoxidized linoleic acid or mixtures thereof.

63. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises at least one mineral material, preferably calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and / or magnesium-based cement.

64. Panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC).

65. Panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: silica fume, iron oxide, fatty acids and alkali metal sulfate, in particular magnesium sulfate.

66. The decorative covering, in particular a decorative floor covering, decorative ceiling covering or decorative wall covering, comprising a plurality of decorative panels 10 coupled together according to any of claims 1-65.