Urns

Abstract

Title: Urn. Urn comprising: - a body (10) with a cylindrical cavity (13) and, - a partition (2), sliding within the cylindrical cavity (13) to delimit a lower compartment (131) with the bottom (12), closed by the partition (2), and an upper compartment (132) above the partition (2), opening into the opening (14). The body (10) and the partition (2) are made of crushed cork granules and a molding binder. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Urn FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an urn intended to receive ashes and a plant. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Urns are known in many different forms and are intended to be placed in cavities or buried.

[0003] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The subject of the invention is an urn comprising a body with a cylindrical cavity and a partition wall sliding in the cylindrical cavity to delimit a lower compartment with a bottom, closed by the partition wall and an upper compartment above the partition wall, opening into the opening and capable of receiving a cover, the body, the partition wall and the cover being made of crushed cork granules combined with a binder for molding these parts of the urn.

[0005] This urn has the advantage of combining the compartment intended to receive a plant shoot with the one closed by the partition wall and which is, in a way, automatically sealed by the blocking of the partition wall in the cylindrical cavity of the urn. The upper compartment can thus receive a shoot or young plant already in the ground, or a seed with its peat to allow it to develop.

[0006] The cork granules, blocked by the binder forming the urn, retain a certain porosity which allows the water to drain gently and the roots to pierce the partition of the urn and the partition wall.

[0007] This urn can remain as a decorative plant pot indoors or outdoors until the roots pass through the cork granule wall or the lateral porosity of the walls becomes extreme.

[0008] The urn can also be placed in the ground immediately.

[0009] The outer surface of the urn can be decorated by printing, for example by sublimation, directly onto the smooth molded cork granule wall, which allows the natural material to be kept; the printing of the surface decoration is without any particular constraints of surface limitation or color or pattern on both the top and the bottom of the urn.

[0010] According to another characteristic, the partition wall slides in the downward direction but in a manner that is difficult to reverse in the upward direction in the cylindrical cavity, which guarantees its almost definitive blocking in the position pushed into the cylindrical cavity.

[0011] Thus, when the ashes are placed in the cylindrical cavity, the partition wall is pushed on top of the ashes and this partition wall will remain attached to the cylindrical cavity and can only be removed by at least partially destroying it.

[0012] According to another characteristic, the partition wall is formed of a thick crown fitted closely to the section of the cylindrical cavity and surrounding a thin disc constituting the most permeable part of this partition wall and the deformation of which under the effect of the thrust exerted in the downward direction up to above the contents of the lower compartment creates the blocking of the partition wall in this pushed-in position, by a sort of snap-fastening effect blocking the rising of the partition wall.

[0013] The partition wall forms a sort of bowl above the part delimited by the thin disc which allows moisture to be retained in a certain way in the upper cavity receiving the shoot or young plant. This partition nevertheless remains porous and can be crossed by the roots in the same way as the side wall of the body delimiting the cylindrical cavity.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the body has a substantially cylindrical external shape with a bottom of thickness decreasing towards the middle region. This reduced thickness of the bottom in its central zone promotes porosity and allows the evacuation of moisture.

[0015] Generally speaking, the wall of the body of the urn and the partition wall are elements having a certain porosity favorable to the good development of the plant in the upper compartment.

[0016] According to another characteristic, the porosity of the components of the urn is variable locally or globally by the degree of compression of the molding material formed from the cork granules and the binder.

[0017] This differential porosity makes it possible to target the parts of the urn which will preferentially allow the evacuation of any excess water discharged into the upper compartment.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the cover is chosen from the following covers:

[0019] - a cover provided with a peripheral spout and covering the opening of the urn and two cavities forming a handle between them, or

[0020] - a cover composed of a crown with a rebate return combining with the rebate of the opening and a cap covering the opening of the crown.

[0021] These different possibilities adapt to the different uses of the urn with or without planting in the upper compartment and depending on the nature of the plant placed in the upper compartment.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an urn such as defined above by the molding of a mass formed from a composition of crushed cork granules and a biodegradable binder. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of examples of urns according to the invention shown in the attached drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] section of a first embodiment of the urn,

[0025] [Fig.2] section of the urn with the partition wall in place,

[0026] [Fig.3] urn with a plant in the upper compartment,

[0027] [Fig.4] section of the urn cover according to [Fig.l],

[0028] [Fig.4A] perspective view of the cover of [Fig.4],

[0029] [Fig.5] section of a second embodiment of the urn,

[0030] [Fig.5A] exploded section of the second embodiment of the urn,

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] [Fig.l] shows in vertical section an embodiment of the urn 1 according to the invention.

[0033] The urn 1 consists of a body 10 with the wall 11 of shape, for example, generally cylindrical or comparable to a domed external shape, delimiting a cylindrical cavity 13 of section, for example, circular. The body 10 has a bottom 12 and its opening 14 is or perhaps covered by a lid 3.

[0034] The cylindrical cavity 13 receives a partition wall 2 which is a part of section closely adjusted to the section of the cylindrical cavity 13. This partition wall 2 subdivides the cavity 13 into a closed lower compartment 131 and an upper compartment 132 opening through the opening 14. The partition wall 2 is positioned above the ashes in the lower compartment 131 according to the required volume. When the partition wall 2 is pushed, it slides and sinks into the cylindrical cavity 13; it is retained relatively irreversibly above the lower compartment 131 and remains blocked in this position by its friction against the surface of the cylindrical cavity 13.

[0035] The partition wall 2 has the shape of a thick crown 21 adjusted to the section of the cylindrical cavity 13 and surrounding a thin disc 22, the top of the wall thus forming a bowl 23. This allows the wall to deform by the thrust when it is pushed in and to lock in the opposite direction.

[0036] Furthermore, the thickness of the crown 21 guarantees the regularity of its downward movement in the cylindrical cavity 13, preventing this partition wall 3 from risking tilting or even tipping over during its movement.

[0037] The bottom 12 of the urn has a decreasing thickness towards its central part 121 and the above receives a cover engaged by its shape in the opening of the urn.

[0038] The assembly formed by the body 10, the partition wall 2 and the cover 3 is made of crushed cork granules, combined with a binder. The various components of the urn are preferably obtained by molding. They are biodegradable.

[0039] [Fig. 2] shows the filling of compartment 131 and the descent of partition wall 2 until it comes into contact with the contents of compartment 131. Partition wall 2 is pressed against the top of the contents of lower compartment 131; it is sufficient to slightly vibrate the urn to level the top of the contents and then firmly press the partition wall so that the mechanical reaction of the contents of compartment 131 acts on the partition wall and deforms it slightly; thus the peripheral crown is braced against the surface of cylindrical cavity 13 and is locked by a sort of ratcheting effect.

[0040] The upper compartment 131 can then be filled with soil and planted there.

[0041] [Fig.3] shows in section the result of this arrangement of the urn.

[0042] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the cover 3 of the urn 1 with its edge 31 projecting to rest on the top of the opening of the urn.

[0043] This cover 3 comprises two diametrically opposed cavities 32, forming between them a sort of recessed handle allowing the cover 3 to be easily taken between two fingers to remove it. These cavities have a crescent-shaped section and face each other.

[0044] [Fig.5] shows another embodiment 1a of the urn whose side wall 11a borders the opening 14a with a rebate 111a which receives a cover 4a with a return 42a having a rebate edge 421a of a shape complementary to that of the rebate 111a of the wall 11a.

[0045] This cover 4a is itself provided with a crown 31a whose opening also has a rebate 411a receiving the cap 43a forming a small cover. The cover 4a in several parts makes it possible to modify the covering of the opening 14a according to the use of the upper compartment 132 between:

[0046] - a complete closure with the cover 4a,

[0047] - a partial opening of the top by removing the cap 43a leaving clear a reduced central part, for example, to surround the stem of a plant installed in compartment 132,

[0048] - a complete opening leaving the entire top of the body 10 of the urn 1a clear.

[0049] This urn has a cylindrical cavity 13a and receives a partition wall 2a identical to that of urn 1. The same applies to the other common parts of this embodiment, bearing the same references as in [Fig.l] and the description of which will not be repeated.

[0050] The method of manufacturing the urn 1,1a consists of grinding cork (cork bark) to form granules which are combined with a binder such as a resin to obtain a paste which will be molded to make the body, the partition wall and the cover in one or more parts.

[0051] The molding mass preferably has a granule composition of the order of 85-95% by weight and the binder is a medium-term biodegradable binder.

[0052] The compactness of the components of the urn can be different locally or globally to have a variable porosity.

[0053] The body 10 and the partition wall 2 as well as the covers 3, 3a are preferably adapted to cylindrical inner cavities of circular section 13, of different dimensions. However, the outer shapes of the body 10 of the urn and the covers remain free for different aesthetic interpretations and are not necessarily cylinders of circular section.

[0054] To maintain a certain porosity, the wall 11 and the thickness of the bottom 12 as well as that of a part of the partition wall 2 will be reduced at least in certain parts.

[0055] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0056] 1.1a Urn

[0057] 10, 10a Body

[0058] 11, lia Paroi

[0059] 12 Background

[0060] 13 Cavity

[0061] 131 Lower compartment

[0062] 132 Upper compartment

[0063] 14, 14a Opening

[0064] 2 Partition wall

[0065] 21 Crown

[0066] 22 Disc

[0067] 23 Bowl

[0068] 3 Cover

[0069] 31 Peripheral beak

[0070] 32 Cavities forming a handle

[0071] 4a Other cover

[0072] 41a Crown

[0073] 41 the Crown Rebate

[0074] 42a Return

[0075] 421a Return rebate

[0076] 43a Hat

[0077] 431a Hat rebate

[0078] 31a,b Crown

Claims

Claims

1. Urn comprising: - a body (10) with a cylindrical cavity (13) and a bottom (12) and an opening (14), - a partition wall (2), * sliding in the cylindrical cavity (13) to delimit a lower compartment (131) with the bottom (12), closed by the partition wall (2) and an upper compartment (132) above the partition wall (2), opening into the opening (14) and capable of receiving a cover (3), - the body (10), the partition wall (2) and the cover (3) being made of crushed cork granules, combined with a binder for molding these parts of the urn.

2. Urn according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition wall (2) slides in the downward direction reversibly in the cylindrical cavity (13).

3. Urn according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition wall (2) is formed of a thick crown (21) adjusted to the section of the cylindrical cavity (13) and surrounding a thin disc (22).

4. Urn according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (10) of the urn has a substantially cylindrical external shape with the bottom (12) whose thickness decreases towards the center.

5. Urn according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (11) of the body (10) and the partition wall (2) are porous.

6. Urn according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the porosity of the components of the urn is locally variable by the degree of compression of the molding material of the cork granules combined with the binder.

7. Urn according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid is chosen from the following lids: - a cover (3) provided with a peripheral spout (31) and covering the opening (14) of the urn (1), as well as two cavities (32) in the cover forming a handle, - a cover (4a) composed of a crown (41a) with a return (42a) with a rebate (421a) combining with the rebate (111a) of the opening (14a) and a cap (43a) covering the opening of the crown (41a).

8. Urn according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is obtained by molding a composition of crushed cork granules combined with a binder.

9. Urn according to claim 8, characterized in that the crushed cork granules represent between 85 and 95% of the weight of the urn.

Images