Device for collecting and storing mineral residues, as well as an urn system

Abstract

Device (10) for receiving and storing mineral residues of thermally decomposed biological material, in particular cremated ash, with - a base plate (14), - a receiving body (12) which is in operative connection with the base plate (14), - a housing (16) which is arranged on the base plate (14) and encloses the receiving body (12), as well as - a display device (18) which is arranged in the housing (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for receiving and storing mineral residues of thermally decomposed biological material, in particular cremated ash, and an urn system.

[0002] Urns and gravestones are known to serve both as repositories for ashes and as above-ground markers for graves. At the same time, both urns and gravestones represent simple markers for places of remembrance and mourning. Urns are designed as openable containers, while gravestones are typically monolithic (natural) stones, either erected vertically away from the grave or used as a base slab.

[0003] Traditional urns and gravestones offer no interfaces with modern technology and are inadequate in their design and potential for modification. Furthermore, their design and appearance cannot be subsequently adapted without invasive alterations.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the objective of proposing a device for receiving and storing mineral residues of thermally decomposed biological material, as well as an urn system, which can be individually designed and reversibly modified, and are also protected against external influences.

[0005] The invention solves the problem with a device according to claim 1 and an urn system according to claim 10. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0006] The device according to the invention for receiving and storing mineral residues of thermally decomposed biological material, in particular cremated ash, has a base plate.

[0007] According to the invention, the device further comprises a receiving body which is operatively connected to the base plate. For connecting the receiving body and the base plate, one or more connecting means may be provided within the scope of the invention. It is also conceivable that one or more structural connecting elements are provided to enable a connection between the base plate and the receiving body.

[0008] According to the invention, the device further comprises a housing which is arranged on the base plate and encloses the receiving body. A display device is further arranged in the housing according to the invention.

[0009] The device according to the invention exhibits a high degree of adaptability to the sometimes changing wishes of relatives or other users of the device. Furthermore, it offers significant savings in cost and weight compared to monolithic gravestones. The device allows for both individuality and efficiency. Compared to known gravestones and / or urns, the device according to the invention proves to be advantageous.

[0010] Within the scope of the invention, mineral residues of thermally decomposed biological material can be understood to include, in particular, the ashes of cremated humans and / or animals. For the sake of simplicity, the term "ashes" may be used in the following description as a synonym for the definition given in the generic term. The device is therefore intended for use with the specific form of ashes, i.e., the end product of a cremation process.

[0011] The base plate can be, for example, portable, but is especially designed for permanent installation on a substrate. For this purpose, the base plate can have a high density, but preferably includes fastening means for securing or anchoring it to a substrate. The base plate can also, for example, serve as a foundation. The base plate can be made of a natural material, but especially of stone, concrete, or similar materials. Preferably, the base plate is additively manufactured, for example, by 3D printing from a plastic that is particularly weather-resistant, yet also comparatively lightweight and cost-effective.

[0012] The receiving body can, for example, be capsule-shaped. In particular, the receiving body can have an interior space designed and suitable for receiving or storing the mineral residues. The receiving body and the base plate can have corresponding connecting elements for mutual connection. It is conceivable that the base plate is positively connected to the receiving body. For this purpose, the base plate can, for example, have a slot in the form of a groove or recess. It is also conceivable that a screw connection is provided. The receiving body can preferably be plate-like, column-like, or box-like. It is conceivable that the receiving body is formed in one piece.

[0013] The housing can preferably be dome-shaped or cage-like. It is particularly preferred that the housing can be placed on and / or connected to the base plate in the area of ​​its end regions. The housing can, for example, be designed to be placed on the base plate like a lid. For this purpose, the base plate can, for example, have grooves or other receiving means in the connection area to the housing. The housing is preferably detachable, but especially securely connectable to the base plate. In the connected state, the housing preferably encloses a space in which the receiving element is arranged. The housing can, for example, have one or more viewing windows. Furthermore, the housing can be made of a transparent material.

[0014] The display device is preferably arranged on the base plate within the housing. The display device can be a screen, a 3D / 4D projector, a beamer, or similar. A power storage device and / or a power generator is preferably associated with the display device. The base plate can, for example, have a compartment for housing a power storage device, and corresponding supply lines can also be routed through the base plate.

[0015] As mentioned above, the receiving body preferably contains the mineral residues, i.e., the ash. It is conceivable that the material of the receiving body is mixed with the ash, thus preserving and protecting it. According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving body is therefore a glass element into which the mineral residues are mixed. The ash can thus be baked into the glass element. In another embodiment, it is conceivable to use a different material, particularly an amorphous one, instead of a glass element, and to incorporate or bake the ash into it. A transparent material is particularly preferred for this purpose, as it creates a special aesthetic effect.

[0016] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the receiving body encloses a space in which the ash is stored and collected. Such a space can preferably be enclosed, and sometimes even designed to be permanently sealed. According to a further preferred embodiment, the receiving body therefore comprises an enclosed receiving space in which the mineral residues are arranged. The receiving space can be accessible from the outside. It is also conceivable that a viewing window, a peephole, or similar feature is integrated into the receiving body, allowing a view of the ash from the outside.

[0017] However, it can be further advantageous if the ash is sealed within the receiving body, thus preventing external manipulation. According to another preferred embodiment, the mineral residues are therefore hermetically sealed within the receiving chamber after a stepwise additive manufacturing process of the receiving body.

[0018] Within the framework of a potential manufacturing process for the receiving body, it is conceivable that in a first manufacturing stage, it is only produced up to a point where access to the receiving chamber is still possible. Only then, in a second manufacturing stage, can the receiving body be completed. This is particularly feasible with additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing. The printing process is paused, the ash is poured into the receiving chamber, and then the printing is resumed and, if necessary, completed. In various embodiments, it is conceivable that the ash is not placed directly into the receiving chamber, but is itself contained in a box or capsule, which is then placed in the receiving chamber.

[0019] To protect the device against vandalism and / or theft, it can be advantageous to provide protective devices. According to a further preferred embodiment, a GPS tracker is therefore assigned to the receiving body. It is thus conceivable that during manufacturing, not only the ash or any box or capsule containing the ash is placed in the receiving body, but also a GPS tracker at a potentially different location. In particular, such a tracker can be placed in a difficult-to-access, especially a hermetically sealed, location within the receiving body. It is also conceivable to provide means that, for example, secure the housing against burglary. However, it is particularly preferred that a GPS tracker be connected to any box or capsule to prevent the removal of the mineral residues.

[0020] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the receiving body interacts with the display device. The receiving body is preferably the focus of attention of a worshipper, so that any display device for showing photographs or similar images is preferably arranged near the ashes or a possible box or capsule. According to another preferred embodiment, the display device is therefore designed as a monitor, which is arranged in a viewing area of ​​the receiving body.

[0021] It can be further advantageous to provide means that further emphasize the receiving body and simultaneously allow for a more flexible design of the device. According to another preferred embodiment, a projector is therefore arranged in the housing, and the receiving body is at least partially designed as a projection surface. The receiving body can thus, for example, at least partially exhibit the properties of a screen. It is also conceivable that the projector is designed as a 3D or 4D holographic projector. In that case, the receiving body can again be designed, as mentioned above, at least partially as a transparent element, in particular as a glass element, so that a projection encompasses the element and thus the mineral residues.

[0022] It can be advantageous to provide, in addition to any energy storage device, means for supplying electrical energy to the display unit and other equipment, e.g., a projector, beamer, lighting, hologram generator, etc. According to a further preferred embodiment, means for photovoltaic energy generation are therefore assigned to an outer surface of the housing.

[0023] The invention further comprises an urn system with a base plate and an amorphous base body which is in operative connection with the base plate, wherein ash of a cremated living being is burned into the base body.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the amorphous base body is preferably designed as a projection surface for a projection means arranged on the base plate.

[0025] Definitions and relationships relating to the first-mentioned device can be transferred to the urn system according to a corresponding embodiment. The same applies in the reverse case.

[0026] The components of the device, particularly the receiving body, can be manufactured using 3D printing, as mentioned above. It is therefore conceivable that the shape of the receiving body could be individually designed, for example, based on a photographic template, a 3D scan of a person or animal, or similar. As an alternative to 3D printing, injection molding, sand casting, or investment casting can also be used. Manufacturing processes such as SLM, SLS, DMLS, DED, SLA, AddCasting, or FDM / DLP are also possible. Materials that can be processed include, in particular, PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, TPE, PEEK, ULTEM, ASA, PVA, HIPS, nylon, PC, as well as metals, ceramics, plaster, resins, carbon, glass, Kevlar, and similar materials.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to a figure. The figure shows: Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a device for receiving and storing mineral residues according to one embodiment.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a tombstone 10 with a life-saving urn stone 12, which is arranged on a base plate 14. As in Fig. Shown here with a dashed line, the life urn stone 12 contains an ash capsule 15, which serves as a container for the cremated ashes or corresponding mineral residues. The life urn stone 12 is manufactured here using 3D printing from a weather-resistant plastic and is also bonded to the base plate. A transparent glass housing 16 is placed on the base plate 14. For this purpose, the base plate 14 has recesses in an edge area (not shown in detail here) on which the glass housing 16 sits and forms a positive fit.

[0029] Fig.Figure 1 further illustrates that a screen 18 is mounted in the glass housing 16 and on the base plate 14. This screen is designed for displaying photographs in particular, but also moving images. A projector 20 is also arranged on an end face of the base plate 14 opposite the life urn 12. This projector is designed for projecting images, with the protective glass of the glass housing 16 opposite the life urn 12 serving as the projection surface 22.

[0030] A battery compartment 24, indicated by dashed lines, is arranged in the base plate 14 to supply power to the electrical equipment. The battery contained therein can be further charged via a solar system 26. Reference symbol list 10 Tomb 12 Life urn stone 14 Base plate 15 ash capsules 16 glass cases 18-inch screen 20 projector 22 projection surfaces 24 battery compartment 26 solar system

Claims

Device (10) for receiving and storing mineral residues of thermally decomposed biological material, in particular cremated ash, comprising: a base plate (14), a receiving body (12) which is in operative connection with the base plate (14), a housing (16) which is arranged on the base plate (14) and encloses the receiving body (12), and a display device (18) which is arranged in the housing (16). Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving body (12) is a glass element in which the mineral residues are mixed. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving body (12) comprises a closed receiving space in which the mineral residues are arranged. Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the mineral residues are arranged in the receiving chamber hermetically sealed after a stepwise additive manufacturing process in the receiving body (12). Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that a GPS tracker is arranged in the receiving body. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (18) is designed as a monitor which is arranged in a viewing surface of the receiving body (12). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a projector (20) is arranged in the housing (16) and the receiving body (12) is at least partially designed as a projection surface (22). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for photovoltaic energy generation (26) are assigned to an outer surface of the housing (16). Urn system, comprising a base plate (14), and an amorphous receiving body (12), which is in operative connection with the base plate (14), wherein ash of a cremated living being is burned into the receiving body (12). Urn system according to claim 9, characterized in that the amorphous receiving body (12) is designed as a projection surface (22) for a projection means (20) arranged on the base plate (14).

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