Cremation apparatus for animals or humans, and methods for cremating animals or humans.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cremation apparatus for animals or humans, and a method for cremating animals or humans. The water cremation apparatus for animals or humans comprises a freshwater supply source (100), a first container (30) designed to contain a liquid suitable for alkaline hydrolysis of an animal or human corpse, a second container (70) designed to contain a liquid suitable for alkaline hydrolysis of an animal or human corpse, heating means (42) for heating the liquids in the first and second containers, and means for transferring hot waste liquid from the first container to the second container (70), or vice versa. The containers (30, 70) are designed to heat the liquid to a temperature of about 70 to about 100 degrees and maintain the liquid at that temperature, and are also designed to maintain a gaseous liquid at a pressure between 0.8 bar and 1.1 bar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to cremation apparatuses for animals or humans, and methods of cremating animals or humans. In particular, the cremation apparatus for animals or humans is designed to perform alkaline hydrolysis on the dead body of an animal or a human.

Background Art

[0002] International Patent Application Publication No. WO / 2009 / 044204 discloses a human cremation apparatus having a recirculating fluid from a decomposition unit. In particular, WO / 2009 / 044204 discloses directing the recirculated fluid towards the head of the dead body within the decomposition unit. WO / 2009 / 044204 also discloses recirculating the fluid through a heat exchanger to heat water and then returning the water to the decomposition unit for processing the next dead body.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved or at least alternative cremation apparatus for animals or humans.

[0004] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cremation apparatus for animals or humans as claimed in claim 1.

[0005] The reader should understand that a liquid can be moved from any container to any other tank container.

[0006] Thereby, while cleaning the container after the cremation process has been performed in one container, the cremation process in the second container can be started, thereby accelerating a series of cremations.

[0007] International Patent Application Publication No. WO / 2009 / 044204 discloses heating the liquid to about 150 degrees and further maintaining the pressure of the liquid at about 4 - 5 bar to raise the boiling point of the liquid so that the liquid does not boil.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least alternative, cremation apparatus for animals or humans.

[0009] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, an animal or human cremation apparatus as described in claim 15 is provided.

[0010] Further problems arise in containing the steam generated as a side effect of heating the processing fluid to over 100 degrees Celsius.

[0011] Pressure vessels like those disclosed in WO / 2009 / 044204 are expensive. Furthermore, pressure vessels like those disclosed in WO / 2009 / 044204 present operational considerations from a safety perspective. The applicant has devised a simpler, less expensive device with fewer safety concerns.

[0012] The applicant's solution involves condensing the steam back into a liquid and returning it to the tank, while also installing a negative pressure extraction system to actively remove the steam and discharge it to a waste liquid tank or, ultimately, to the outside via a fan. This is achieved by installing an in-line extraction fan near an external vent and wiring a duct that eventually reaches into the tank. The final piping is a high-temperature steam pipe in the form of a high-level manifold, branching off from approximately 1.5 meters above the tank into separate supply pipes approaching the tank. This means that the steam cooled and condensed within the pipe returns directly to the tank by gravity. The remaining steam is carried along the high-temperature pipe and sent to a waste liquid storage tank, where it condenses into a liquid. The remaining dry, hot air is carried out of the building by a fan. This solution has been found to be highly effective, virtually eliminating foaming by maintaining a slight negative pressure inside the tank at all times, while allowing the natural (strong) foaming of the boiling liquid to function as a very effective fluid circulation mechanism that promotes decomposition by keeping the liquid actively flowing over the biological remains. Using this system eliminates the need for the active recirculation system detailed in International Patent Application Publication No. WO / 2009 / 044204, resulting in cost savings and reduced complexity.

[0013] Another different object of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, method for cremating animals or humans.

[0014] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a method for cremating an animal or a human being as described in claim 26 is provided.

[0015] Other optional and preferred features of embodiments of the present invention are described in the following dependent claims and / or specification.

[0016] Readers should understand that features of each independent claim may be combined in a complementary manner with one or more features of other independent claims, and / or one or more features of dependent claims, and / or one or more features of the specification. Such combinations of features provide practical embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] An animal or human cremation apparatus and a method for cremating an animal or human according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below as merely an example, with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing a portion of an animal or human cremation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, particularly a plurality of tanks. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing another part of the animal or human cremation apparatus of Figure 1, in particular a freshwater supply source and several tanks arranged to communicate with liquids. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing another part of the animal or human cremation apparatus of Figure 1, in particular a plurality of tanks arranged to communicate with the waste liquid tank 160. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of another part of the animal or human cremation apparatus of Figure 1, specifically the waste liquid tank and a plurality of tanks arranged to communicate with the fan and gas. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Referring to Figure 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the cremation apparatus for animals or humans comprises a first tank 30 and a second tank 70. In other embodiments of the present invention, any number of tanks may be used.

[0020] The tank comprises a bottom 32 and side walls 34, 36. The tank 30 comprises a rear wall 38 and a front wall which has been cut away and removed for clarity in the drawing. Thus, the tank 30 has a rectangular cross-section when viewed from above. In the illustrated embodiment, the single tank 30 is for convenience 2.5 m × 1.25 m × 1.25 m and has a volume of 3.91 m is provided. Tanks of other sizes are also possible and typically range from 0.005 m 3 to 5 m 3 . The tank 30 is designed to be filled with liquid or partially filled.

[0021] In embodiments not shown for the sake of brevity, the size of the tank 30 can be changed by using one or more movable walls inside or outside the tank according to the size of the animal or human corpse, minimizing the volume of water required to cover the corpse, thereby saving energy when heating the volume of water.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tanks 30, 70 are adjacent to each other and share a common wall 36, which is advantageous in terms of the material requirements for the structure. However, in another preferred embodiment, the tanks 30, 70 are separate and distinct units. The tanks 30, 70 can be arranged adjacent to each other or slightly separated from each other. The tanks 30, 70 can be insulated to reduce the heat flow from the hot fluid in one tank to the cold fluid in the other tank.

[0023] The tank 30 comprises a double floor 40 made of stainless steel mesh. A heater 42 is arranged between the bottom 32 of the tank 30 and the double floor 40.

[0024] The bottom 32 of the tank 30 comprises a drain point 44.

[0025] The tank 30 comprises adjustable leveling feet 46 arranged below the bottom 32 of the tank.

[0026] The cremation apparatus for animals or humans comprises a plurality of enclosed baskets arranged within tanks 30, 70. Each tank may contain one or more baskets. In the illustrated embodiment, one basket 48 is shown in tank 30.

[0027] The sides 50, 52, and bottom 54 of the basket 48 allow liquids to pass through but prevent solids such as bones from passing through. For convenience, the sides 50, 52, and bottom 54 of the basket 48 can be made of a rigid mesh material. The mesh defines openings ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0028] The basket 48 includes a restraining means 56 located between the sides 50, 52 of the basket 48 to restrain the corpse 58 and prevent it from floating to the surface of the liquid. In one embodiment, the restraining means 56 comprises one or more stainless steel rods positioned between the sides 50, 52 of the basket 48. In another embodiment, not shown for brevity, the restraining means 56 is movable from a first configuration (corpse 58 restrained in the basket) to a second configuration (corpse 58 not restrained in the basket) or vice versa.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the animal or human cremation apparatus includes a freshwater supply source 100 arranged to be in liquid communication with a first tank 30, a second tank 70, a third tank 80, and a fourth tank 90.

[0030] Each of the first tank 30, the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90 is equipped with a rinsing device, but in order to simplify Figure 2 of the drawing, only the rinsing device 110 of the first tank 30 is given a reference numeral.

[0031] The rinsing device 110 is attached to the lid of the first tank 30. The rinsing device 110 comprises a horizontal inlet pipe 112 (made of stainless steel) and a sprinkler 114 that is rotatably mounted on the inlet pipe 112 and rotates in a horizontal plane. The rotatable sprinkler 114 is in liquid communication with the water in the fresh water supply source 100. The sprinkler 114 has multiple sprinkler heads for convenience.

[0032] The animal or human cremation apparatus also comprises a freshwater pump 120 and a plurality of rinse fluid valves. In the illustrated embodiment, a first rinse fluid valve 130, a second rinse fluid valve 132, a third rinse fluid valve 134, and a fourth rinse fluid valve 136 are positioned between the pump 120 and the rinse device 110 of the first tank 30, and between the pump 120 and the rinse devices of the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90, respectively, allowing for controllable pumping of liquid from the freshwater supply source 100 to each rinse device 110.

[0033] The animal or human cremation apparatus also comprises a plurality of filling valves. In the illustrated embodiment, the first filling valve 140 is located in the filling line between the pump 120 and the top of the first tank 30, and the second filling valve 142, the third filling valve 144, and the fourth filling valve 146 are located in the filling lines between the pump 120 and the tops of the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90, respectively.

[0034] In alternative embodiments of the present invention, not shown for the sake of brevity, the filling line and filling valves 140, 142, 144, and 146 can be omitted, and the rinsing device 110 can perform the additional function of filling the tank.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, the animal or human cremation apparatus includes a drain point 44 of the first tank 30 and a waste liquid tank 160 arranged to communicate with the drain points of the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90. ​​For the sake of simplicity in Figure 2 of the drawing, only the drain point 44 of the first tank 30 is referenced.

[0036] The animal or human cremation apparatus also comprises a second (waste liquid) pump 185 and a plurality of drain point valves. In the illustrated embodiment, a first drain point valve 190, a second drain point valve 192, a third drain point valve 194, and a fourth drain point valve 196 are positioned between the pump 185 and the drain point 44 of the first tank 30, and between the pump 185 and the respective drain points of the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90.

[0037] The animal or human cremation apparatus also includes a plurality of waste liquid return valves. In the illustrated embodiment, a first waste liquid return valve 200, a second waste liquid return valve 202, a third waste liquid return valve 204, and a fourth waste liquid return valve 206 are positioned between the waste liquid pump 185 and the waste liquid return point 207 of the first tank 30, and between the pump 120 and the respective filling points of the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90, respectively, to return the waste liquid from the first tank to the second tank.

[0038] The animal or human cremation apparatus also includes a waste liquid tank 160 and a master waste liquid tank valve 208 positioned between each of the first tank 30, the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90. ​​A first filling valve 200, a second filling valve 202, a third filling valve 204, and a fourth filling valve 206, as well as a pump 185, are operable to transfer waste liquid from one or more of the first tank 30, the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90 to the waste liquid tank 160.

[0039] Referring to Figure 4, the animal or human cremation apparatus also includes a waste liquid vapor removal fan 220 positioned to communicate with the gas above the waste liquid tank 160. Meanwhile, the waste liquid tank 160 is positioned to communicate with the gas above the first tank 30, the second tank 70, the third tank 80, and the fourth tank 90, respectively, using conventional ducting means, which are only schematically shown for the sake of brevity. Individual supply sections of pipelines approaching each tank extend vertically from the tank by approximately 1.5 meters.

[0040] When used, the cremation process for animals or humans is as follows:

[0041] The dead animal or human carcass 58 is placed in the basket 48, and the basket 48 is lowered into the tank 30. The upper ends of the sides 50, 52 of the basket 48 allow the basket to be safely lowered into the tank 30. In Figure 1, only one basket 48 is shown for clarity, but multiple baskets may be placed in the tank 30.

[0042] A suitable dry chemical for alkaline hydrolysis is poured onto the corpse(s).

[0043] The restraint means 56 is positioned across the upper sides 50, 52 of the basket 48 to hold the corpse 58 completely submerged in water during the cremation process, to hold the corpse 58 in the basket 48 during the cremation process, and to hold the corpse's bones in the basket 48 during the subsequent cremation process. In alternative embodiments not shown for brevity, the restraint means may be attached to the tank 30 itself, for example, to its inner wall.

[0044] Next, the lid of tank 30 is closed and locked.

[0045] The first filling valve 140 is operated so that a measured amount of water from the fresh water supply source 100 is pumped into the tank 30 by the pump 120. A predetermined amount of water and dry chemicals create a suitable chemical mixture in the fluid for the subsequent cremation process.

[0046] The water level is indicated by line W in Figure 1.

[0047] Heater 42 is activated and operates for the required time.

[0048] The boiling point of the fluid and chemical mixture in tank 30 is approximately 100 degrees Celsius, which is about the same as the boiling point of water in the atmosphere. By boiling the fluid, it circulates within tank 30, reducing the need for mechanical stirring to mix the fluids. Since water foams and moves even at a low temperature of about 70 degrees Celsius, theoretically, by performing the cremation process at this low temperature, the mixing effect associated with the movement of the foaming fluid can be obtained. When the temperature exceeds about 98 degrees Celsius, the processing time is shortened, and there is no significant difference in processing time between about 98 degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius. Below about 100 degrees Celsius, steam generation is limited. Therefore, the optimal operating temperature for the fluid in tank 30 is approximately 98 to 100 degrees Celsius.

[0049] The waste liquid vapor removal fan 220 should be operated at a temperature of approximately 70 degrees Celsius or higher to remove vapor from the liquid in the tank 30 at a temperature near which vapor begins to be released, and should be operated in a manner that avoids an increase in pressure in the tank and the resulting increase in the temperature of the liquid in the tank 30.

[0050] The gaseous fluid in tanks 30 and 70 is designed to be maintained at a pressure slightly below atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.8 to 1.1 bar, more preferably about 0.9 to 1.0 bar, during the cremation process, by the action of the steam removal fan 220.

[0051] The waste liquid vapor removal fan 220 operates to prevent a pressure increase in the fluid inside the tank 30.

[0052] The restraint means 56 may prevent the corpse 58 from floating to the top of the basket 48 or the surface of the liquid in the tank, and may limit the extent to which parts of the corpse are covered by the liquid. This feature improves processing time.

[0053] During the cremation process, wastewater vapor pipelines extend upward from each of the tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90, allowing the vapor to condense within the pipelines adjacent to the tanks. The cooled and condensed vapor is then returned directly to tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90 by gravity. The physical properties of the piping and the temperature difference between the vapor and the surrounding, cooler piping can be adjusted as appropriate to achieve the desired condensation.

[0054] The remaining steam that does not condense in the wastewater steam pipeline is carried along the high-temperature pipe and sent to the wastewater storage tank 160, where it condenses into a liquid. The dry, high-temperature air from the wastewater steam remaining in the wastewater storage tank 160 is discharged from the wastewater storage tank 160 to the outside of the building via the fan 220 and released into the atmosphere.

[0055] Since all ducts are sealed, the waste liquid vapor removal fan 220 can be activated to generate a pressure slightly lower than atmospheric pressure, resulting in negative pressure in the pipeline between the waste liquid tank 160 and the waste liquid vapor removal fan 220, and in the pipelines between tank 160 and each of the first tank 30, second tank 70, third tank 80, and fourth tank 90, thereby actively discharging vapor and other gases from tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90 into the atmosphere through external vents.

[0056] The foam on the liquid surface inside tank 30 is difficult and time-consuming to wash away before reusing tank 30. Furthermore, the foam can effectively lift the highly alkaline waste liquid inside tank 30 and bring it into contact with the seal, potentially causing health and safety problems if some of the foam in the waste liquid is pressurized and breaks the seal, preventing containment.

[0057] The above solution has been proven to work very well, consistently maintaining the pressure in tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90 slightly below atmospheric pressure, and virtually eliminating foaming at the liquid surface.

[0058] However, because the pressure in tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90 is slightly lower than atmospheric pressure, the natural (strong) bubbling of the boiling liquid can function as a highly effective fluid circulation mechanism, promoting decomposition by keeping the liquid actively flowing over the biological remains. Using this system eliminates the need for an active recirculation system as detailed in conventional technologies.

[0059] Once processing is complete, the waste liquid is pumped out (to another tank for reuse, for example, the second tank 40, or to the waste liquid storage tank 160 if it is no longer needed).

[0060] Valves 190, 192, 194, 196, 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 are used to guide waste fluid from one location to another. If it is desired to transfer waste fluid from the first tank 30 to the second tank 70, the operator simply closes all drain point valves 192, 194, and 196 of the open first tank 30 except for drain point valve 190, and all return valves 200, 204, and 206 of the open second tank 70 except for return valve 202. Then, when the pump 185 is started, the fluid flows from the first tank 30 through drain 44 to the second tank 70 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.

[0061] Once the wastewater is discharged, the first rinse water valve 130 is operated to activate the rinse device 110, which rinses away the non-liquid remains (such as bones) of the corpse 58 in the basket 48.

[0062] In particular, the rotary sprinkler 114 is positioned to spray water at high pressure into everything in the lower tank 30. The pressure of the freshwater pump is high enough to perform the function of removing the fluid from the bones after cremation.

[0063] The rinse water is also pumped to the same location as the previously used waste liquid, using valves 190, 192, 194, 196, 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208.

[0064] Tank 30 is safe and can be opened.

[0065] The upper ends of the sides 50 and 52 of the basket 48 allow the basket to be safely lifted manually from the tank 30.

[0066] By moving the restraint device 56, the bones of the corpse 58 can be removed from the basket 48.

[0067] The bones can be removed from the carcass, processed into ashes, and returned to the owner of the deceased animal or human.

[0068] Readers should understand that liquids can be easily transferred from tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90 to other tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90.

[0069] The waste liquid is not disposed of in the public sewer system.

[0070] The cremation apparatus for animals or humans is equipped with a temperature sensor in each of the tanks 30, 70, 80, and 90. The temperature sensors are preferably located below the water surface and more preferably between the heating elements 42.

[0071] The cremation apparatus for animals or humans may include electronic control devices, but these are not shown for simplicity. The cremation process can be controlled by the electronic control devices. For example, temperature and pressure can be programmed and / or controlled.

Claims

1. A water cremation apparatus for animals or humans, comprising a freshwater supply source, a plurality of containers comprising a plurality of containers, the plurality of containers comprising a first container designed to contain a liquid suitable for alkaline hydrolysis of an animal or human corpse, and a second container designed to contain a liquid suitable for alkaline hydrolysis of an animal or human corpse, a heating means for heating the liquid in the first container and the second container, and a means for transferring high-temperature waste liquid from the first container to the second container, or from the second container to the first container.

2. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the animal or human water cremation apparatus comprises means for transferring high-temperature waste liquid from the second container to the first container.

3. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the animal or human water cremation apparatus is equipped with a waste liquid storage tank, and the animal or human water cremation apparatus is designed to transfer waste liquid from one or more of the plurality of containers to the waste liquid storage tank.

4. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to any one or more of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of filling valves, each filling valve associated with a container, and configured to control the filling of the associated container.

5. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pump arranged to pump fresh water into each container.

6. The cremation apparatus for an animal or human according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the first container and the second container is provided with a rinsing device arranged to be in liquid communication with water in the fresh water supply source in order to rinse the bones of the animal or human corpse after alkaline hydrolysis has been performed on the animal or human corpse.

7. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the rinsing device comprises a rotatable sprinkler.

8. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the rinsing device is designed to rinse the entire contents of the container.

9. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second pump arranged to pump waste liquid from the first container to the second container, or from the second container to the first container, or, if dependent on claim 3, from any one or more of the plurality of containers to the waste liquid storage tank.

10. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cremation apparatus for animals or humans also comprises a plurality of waste liquid return valves, each of which is associated with a container and controls the return of waste liquid to the associated container.

11. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 10 dependent on claim 3, characterized in that the cremation apparatus for animals or humans comprises a waste liquid tank valve arranged to control the flow between the waste liquid storage tank and each container.

12. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 11 dependent on claim 3, characterized in that the cremation apparatus for animals or humans comprises a waste liquid vapor removal fan arranged to communicate with each of the containers via gas.

13. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the waste liquid vapor removal fan is arranged to communicate with each of the containers via a duct, the duct is arranged so that vapor can condense in a pipeline adjacent to the container, the apparatus is designed so that the liquid formed by the vapor condensed in the pipe is returned directly to the container by gravity, and preferably the duct adjacent to each container is upward or vertical in the range of about 0.5 m to 3 m, preferably about 1.5 m.

14. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the waste liquid vapor removal fan is arranged to communicate with each of the containers via the waste liquid tank.

15. A water cremation apparatus for animals or humans, comprising a container designed to contain a liquid suitable for alkaline hydrolysis of an animal or human corpse, wherein the container is designed to heat the liquid to a temperature of about 70 to about 100 degrees and maintain the liquid at that temperature, and the container is designed to maintain the gaseous liquid at a pressure between 0.8 bar and 1.1 bar.

16. The water cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to claim 15, characterized in that the container is designed to heat the liquid to a temperature of about 98 degrees to about 100 degrees and maintain the liquid at that temperature.

17. The water cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the container is designed to maintain the gaseous liquid at approximately 0.9 to 1.0 bar.

18. The cremation apparatus for an animal or human according to any one or more of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the cremation apparatus for an animal or human comprises a waste liquid vapor removal fan arranged to communicate with the container via gas.

19. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the waste liquid vapor removal fan is arranged to communicate with the container via a duct, the duct is arranged so that vapor can condense in a pipeline adjacent to the container, the apparatus is designed so that the liquid formed by the vapor condensed in the pipe is returned directly to the container by gravity, and preferably the duct adjacent to the container is upward or vertical in the range of about 0.5 m to 3 m, preferably about 1.5 m.

20. An animal or human cremation apparatus according to any combination of one or more of claims 1 to 19.

21. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the container or each container is provided with a double floor preferably made of mesh or the like.

22. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the heater is located beneath the raised floor.

23. The animal or human cremation apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that a temperature sensor is located beneath the raised floor.

24. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to any one or more of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a removable basket having mesh walls.

25. The cremation apparatus for animals or humans according to any one or more of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a restraining means that can be positioned over the top of the basket.

26. A method for cremating an animal or a human, comprising steps corresponding to the features of any one or more claims 1 to 25.

27. A method for cremating an animal or human according to claim 26, comprising restraining the entire corpse underwater.

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