Biodegradable burial module

Abstract

The invention relates to a biodegradable burial module comprising an enclosure that is open on its upper face and inside of which a mulch layer and a shredded plant material layer are arranged. The enclosure, open at its upper face, is intended to accommodate a cadaver on the mulch and shredded plant material layers, which provide drainage and promote the action of microorganisms. The invention also relates to an ecological burial method intended for earth burial, in which the module is filled with compost. The enclosure of the burial module is made of biodegradable material, preferably exclusively of biodegradable material, which means that the module does not comprise any plastic or metal parts.

Description

[0001] Biodegradable burial module

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of burial, and more particularly to a burial module promoting the biodegradation of human or animal corpses, regardless of the nature of the soil and will generate only biodegradable waste. The invention is part of the reduction of the energy footprint linked to burial while revitalizing cemetery soils.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Burial is the act of burying a corpse, human or animal.

[0005] Traditional burial generally involves burying a human or animal body in a coffin (or not), which is then placed in an in-ground grave, vault, or crypt. A vault is a concrete or masonry enclosure that can contain several stacked coffins, and a crypt is a collection of underground chambers. This method has environmental and economic disadvantages, such as the non-decomposition of coffin materials, with waste remaining in the ground, leading to soil contamination (embalming chemicals, treated coffin wood, plastics, metals). Often, the materials used, combined with the nature of the terrain, result in very slow decomposition of the bodies.

[0006] Biodegradation is a biological process of decomposition into natural and environmentally friendly elements by the action of organisms such as worms, fungi, insects, bacteria, etc. This decomposition can occur relatively quickly or over a longer period, depending on the material and environmental conditions.

[0007] However, some soils (clayey, sandy, with alkaline pH or even acid pH) are not conducive to biodegradation / decomposition due to their physical, chemical and biological characteristics. For example, clayey soil generally has low permeability to water which has difficulty infiltrating. This leads to excess humidity which hinders the decomposition activity of corpses by organisms / microorganisms. Faced with these disadvantages, ecological burial options have been proposed such as placing the corpse directly in a pit or using a biodegradable urn or coffin, for example made of cardboard.

[0008] Document W02018058171 describes, for example, a coffin designed for a human or animal corpse, made from biodegradable materials, such as cardboard (cellulose fiber), and using, in particular, stainless steel screws. The main objective is to promote the natural decomposition of the body in the soil.

[0009] The applicant observed that very frequently the soils of cemeteries do not provide the conditions conducive to this biological process.

[0010] US2023056026A1 describes a closed biodegradable burial container made from mycelium and other organic materials. The container comprises two parts to facilitate the introduction of a corpse.

[0011] Following a burial, the surrounding soil moves under the effect of various natural and technical factors causing it to settle. These factors include ground vibrations, freeze / thaw cycles, as well as the decomposition of the coffin and the decomposition of the corpse itself. Settlement leads to a weakening of the soil. It is often visible in the form of a depression. This phenomenon is common in cemeteries and can occur quickly or gradually depending on natural and physical conditions. The nature of the soil also plays a role. The soil can settle more easily under the effect of loads, for example with clay or loose soil. The soil generally compacts slowly and gradually all around the coffin, especially above it, particularly in clay soils.The weight of the soil, the decomposition of the body and the coffin exert pressure on the surrounding soil, which leads to natural settlement over time. Sources / void spaces are also created during the decomposition of the module and the corpse. Over time, these sources of voids close under the effect of weight, causing a weakening of the earth at the surface. In cemeteries, settlement can create a widespread problem, requiring regular leveling work. There are also other solutions to settlement, such as the use of reinforced burial means with materials such as metal and treated wood to slow decomposition and minimize settlement, or the use of a vault. However, these solutions produce waste and are not biodegradable and environmentally friendly for the soil.

[0012] It therefore deemed it necessary to offer a solution compatible with all types of soil generating biodegradable waste in order to revitalize cemetery soils and promote the biodegradation of corpses, while reducing compaction.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention relates to a biodegradable burial module comprising an enclosure open on its upper face inside which are arranged: a layer of mulch; and a layer of vegetable shredding.

[0015] The enclosure, open on its upper face, is intended to accommodate a corpse, on the layers of mulch and vegetable shreds, which act as drains and will promote the decomposition of organisms and microorganisms. A traditional means of burial includes an upper part thus creating a closed enclosure containing the corpse intended to decompose. This configuration creates a void underground due to the space created between the corpse and the upper surface of the closed enclosure. A void is also created by the decomposition of the corpse itself. The opening of the enclosure eliminates these sources of void in the ground. The decomposition of the traditional means of burial (upper surface for example) and of the corpse creates these empty spaces in the ground, thus causing a subsidence of the ground. The opening of the enclosure makes it possible to reduce this subsidence of the ground and therefore reduces the.

[0016] The invention also relates to an ecological burial method intended for burial in the ground comprising the following steps:

[0017] A pit is dug in the ground;

[0018] At least one biodegradable burial module is placed in the grave;

[0019] A corpse is placed in the module on the layers of mulch and shredded plant material;

[0020] We fill the module with compost.

[0021] The compost placed on the corpse will provide the microorganisms necessary for biodegradation and the humidity level will be regulated by the layers of mulch and vegetable shredding. Preferably, the burial module is filled with a mixture comprising at least compost. A mixture is understood to mean a combination of several elements and / or materials used together. Such a mixture comprises at least compost, which is a decomposed organic product used to enrich the soil with nutrients and improve its structure in order to participate in the decomposition of the corpse and the module. Such a mixture may also comprise, for example, topsoil from which the soil is made, manure, compost, sand or even potting soil.

[0022] Decomposition is a biological process that transforms the body and burial module into fertile, nutrient-rich soil. This process regenerates soils by transforming the body and the module into organic matter, while reducing the ecological footprint associated with burial.

[0023] Alternatively, the mixture may include microorganisms to break down organic matter into simpler elements to be reintegrated into the soil in the form of essential nutrients (such as carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus). This process is influenced by natural and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon source, pH, soil type or the nature of the microorganisms present.

[0024] The enclosure of the burial module is made of biodegradable material, preferably exclusively of biodegradable material, which implies that the enclosure does not include plastic or metal parts.

[0025] The enclosure of the module of the invention is preferably made of wood. According to a preferred embodiment, the wood used has high biodegradability. High biodegradability means wood that decomposes quickly. Such wood is preferably derived from fast-growing trees and softwoods such as poplar, willow, acacia, fir, cedar or spruce. This type of wood has low resistance to humidity and therefore a natural ability to decompose in the environment more quickly than other varieties of wood such as oak or chestnut. Thus, the burial module can decompose quickly in the ground.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the wood used is softwood. Softwood is derived from coniferous trees. These trees are characterized by needles instead of broad, deciduous leaves, and they generally produce resin, such as larch, Douglas fir, or spruce. Preferably, the burial module enclosure includes at least one softwood.

[0027] The enclosure is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped, open on its upper face. The faces of the enclosure are preferably assembled without metal screws.

[0028] Preferably, the enclosure is made of recycled material. Such material is recovered material that has been collected, treated or transformed in order to give it a new use. Recovery generally involves the recovery of raw material from end-of-life products or waste, then the transformation of these materials to create new products or materials. This process helps to reduce the quantity of waste, save natural resources and minimize the environmental impact. Thus, the burial module according to the invention aims for the smallest possible ecological footprint. The wood can be a recycled material such as barn wood, recycled pallet wood, reclaimed wood from construction sites, recycled wood for development or even wood from forests considered as waste for other uses.

[0029] The mulch layer preferably comprises stems (or thatch) of certain grasses and / or cereals such as wheat straw, barley straw, hemp straw, flax chaff. The definition of mulch here also extends to shredded wood, reed and / or deciduous branches.

[0030] Mulch forms a fibrous and aerated network that allows water management in the soil (water drainage and humidity maintenance). The water-air balance in the soil is essential to promote the action of decomposing organisms and microorganisms and thus maintain appropriate conditions for the decomposition of a corpse. A natural phenomenon impacting the decomposition of a funeral module is the management of water in the soil. Each soil has different water management capacities. Depending on the nature of the soil, the water that infiltrates around the burial module contributes more or less to soil compaction, especially in poorly drained soil. Water infiltration can thus lead to erosion of certain fine particles in the module and create voids around the module.

[0031] Additionally, the mulching materials used decompose to add organic matter to the soil. The soil is then enriched with nutrients, improving its fertility, which is necessary for the growth of soil organisms.

[0032] A decomposer is an organism that plays a vital role in the breakdown of organic matter, including the tissues of a corpse. These organisms feed on decaying organic matter, such as saprophytic bacteria, scavenger insects, earthworms, and fungi. Soil that is too dry can slow decomposition by limiting the activity of organisms, while soil that is too wet can lead to anaerobic decomposition, which is slower and produces unpleasant odors.

[0033] The layer of shredded plant material is a heterogeneous material composed of organic plant matter, preferably woody debris, i.e. tissues comprising cellulose, lignin and / or other hard structural components, contributing to the rigidity of plants. Shredded plant material generally comes from mechanical destruction using a shredder of solid plants such as branches, twigs, bark, leaves, etc.

[0034] The ground material may consist of a multitude of pieces of varying sizes and shapes. A heterogeneous material means that the ground material is not uniform but rather composed of disparate components. Preferably the particle size distribution, i.e. the particle size range of the ground material, is 10 / 20, preferably 20 / 40. A particle size distribution of 10 / 20 represents ground material fragments having a size between 10 mm and 20 mm. A particle size distribution of 20 / 40 represents ground material fragments having a size between 20 mm and 40 mm.

[0035] The shredded plant material is a form of compost, so the granulometry will also allow for some drainage. The layer of shredded plant material provides an intermediate function between the draining mulch and the corpse.

[0036] The combination of a layer of mulch and a layer of chippings helps maintain the conditions necessary for the decomposition of a corpse and helps to accelerate this process. Preferably the layer of mulch is under the layer of chippings. Preferably the chippings are placed directly on the mulch.

[0037] Preferably, the mulch layer represents between 3 and 25%, preferably between 4 and 20%, preferably between 5 and 15% and more preferably between 6 and 10% of the volume of the module enclosure. The mulch is preferably distributed homogeneously over the entire surface of the enclosure, i.e. it has substantially the same height over the entire bottom of the enclosure. In this case, the mulch layer represents between 3 and 25%, preferably between 4 and 20%, preferably between 5 and 15% and more preferably between 6 and 10% of the height of the module enclosure.

[0038] Preferably, the layer of ground material represents between 5 and 30%, preferably between 6 and 25%, preferably between 7 and 20% and more preferably between 10 and 17% of the volume of the module enclosure. The plant ground material is preferably distributed homogeneously over the entire surface of the enclosure, i.e. it has substantially the same height over the entire bottom of the enclosure. In this case, the layer of plant ground material represents between 5 and 30%, preferably between 6 and 25%, preferably between 7 and 20% and more preferably between 10 and 17% of the height of the module enclosure.

[0039] The sizing of a module is intended for at least one corpse, possibly in a coffin or even in a biodegradable urn. The sizing of the module enclosure therefore varies according to the dimensions of the element to be buried and the regulations in force regarding full-ground burial (for example, the regulatory depth, the possible stacking of corpses, etc.). Preferably, the module enclosure has a volume of at least 0.08m 3 .

[0040] The burial module is preferably made up of flat surfaces structuring the enclosure open on its upper face. The assembly of the module is based on assembly methods that do not require the use of fixing parts made of non-biodegradable material, such as metal. The assembly of the module may nevertheless include the use of dowels made of biodegradable materials or biodegradable glue, tenon and mortise cutouts or with notches for example. Preferably, the faces of the enclosure include notches or tenons and mortises for their assembly.

[0041] During a burial, the grave is dug and the module inserted into the grave before the possible ceremony during which the body is placed in the module. The enclosure is then not closed with a tombstone, but filled with compost. Compost is a mixture of organic matter rich in nutrients. It is produced through a controlled decomposition process of organic matter such as kitchen waste, dead leaves, garden waste and other organic debris. Compost is generally used to improve the physical, chemical or biological properties of the soil. The use of compost to improve plant growth is known. It is known that its use promotes the water retention capacity of the soil, provides additional nutrients to the soil or improves the microbial activity of the soil. Compost also includes a multitude of decomposing organisms and microorganisms.

[0042] Preferably, the compost is added until a raised mound is formed, i.e. a slight overflow in order to anticipate the settling of the compost in the days / weeks after burial. The raised mound makes it possible to anticipate the loss of volume due to natural movements of the soil to compensate for the subsidence due to the decomposition of the corpse and the module. The mound associated with the combination of layers as claimed, aimed in particular at regulating the management of water in the soil, helps to limit the settling of the soil over time.

[0043] In order to prevent soil erosion, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, taproot plants are planted on the compost-filled module.

[0044] These plants can be planted directly into the compost. Alternatively, to simplify implementation, these plants can be pre-packaged in biodegradable containers placed on the compost layer.

[0045] A taproot plant is a plant that has a main root that grows by sinking vertically into the soil, rather than spreading horizontally. They will therefore grow towards the decaying corpse and feed on it. This type of plant plays an important role in soil nutrient management. They access deeper nutrient reserves, inaccessible to many other plants. Also, these taproots help improve soil aeration by creating channels in the soil, even in compacted layers, which allows air to circulate more freely in the soil and water to penetrate deeper. As explained previously, the air-water balance of the soil favors the growth of organisms and microorganisms that participate in the decomposition of organic matter.

[0046] Preferably, the ecological burial method comprises a step of covering the module with biodegradable containers containing plants with taproots.

[0047] Preferably, taprooted plants are also non-invasive. These are plants that do not spread beyond the area on which they are planted, that do not form new shoots. They can be shrubs such as roses, oleander, forsythia, cornus mas, colutea arborescence, cornus sp. (Cornus mas or cornus kousa), cotoneaster sp., and / or forthergilla gardenii. These plants require little maintenance and are resistant to summer heat. Preferably, the non-invasive plants with taproots used are shrubs. Non-invasive plants can also be perennials such as aconitum napellus, columbines, marigolds, wallflowers, cynara cardunculus, poppies, spurge, comfrey, viper's bugloss, and sedum. These plants require little maintenance and are resistant to summer heat.Preferably, non-invasive plants with taproots used are perennials.

[0048] Advantageously, a stone or revalued wood stele is placed, for identification purposes.

[0049] Detailed description

[0050] The invention will be better understood by the following description of several examples, with reference to the figures according to which:

[0051] Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a burial module according to the invention.

[0052] Figure 2 is a side sectional view of a burial module placed in the ground according to the invention. Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a burial module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0053] Figure 4 is a side sectional view of a burial module according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0054] The various characteristics possibly illustrated separately in the examples below can be combined with each other, depending on the needs and the degrees of finishing that the person skilled in the art wishes to provide to the biodegradable burial module, having an enclosure open on its upper face inside which are arranged: a layer of mulch; and a layer of vegetable shredding.

[0055] With reference to Figure 1, a biodegradable burial module 1 according to the invention comprises an enclosure 2 open on its upper face. The module comprises vertical side walls and a bottom and the enclosure 2 is here a rectangular parallelepiped. The module is for example sized to contain at least one corpse. The enclosure is manufactured for example by assembling without screws or nails panels made of poplar, willow, acacia, fir, cedar or even spruce wood, which are easily biodegradable woods.

[0056] Inside this enclosure, at the bottom (flat surface), a layer of mulch 3 is placed (for example wheat stubble here) and a layer of shredded plant material 4 (for example shredded branches) on the layer of mulch.

[0057] The dimensions of the burial module 1 depend on the size of the corpse (human, animal), the coffin or even the biodegradable urn that the said module 1 must accommodate. The dimensioning of the module enclosure therefore varies according to the dimensions of the element to be buried and the regulations in force regarding full-ground burial (for example the regulatory depth, the possible stacking of corpses, etc.). Example dimensioning of a module:

[0058] For example, a module according to the invention can be sized to accommodate a human corpse, without a coffin, with a width of 1.20 m, a length of 2.7 m and a variable height ranging from 1.5 m to 2.5 m. For a height of 1.5 m, the enclosure has a volume of 4.86 m 3 . While, for a height of 2.5 m, the enclosure has a volume of 8.1 m 3 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented without departing from the principles of the invention.

[0059] The module whose enclosure has a volume of 4.86 m 3may for example contain a layer of mulch with a thickness of 15 cm (10% of the height of the enclosure). Therefore, the mulch layer represents 10% of the total volume of the module enclosure. This module may include, on the mulch layer, a layer of shredded plant material with a thickness of 25 cm, i.e. 17% of the total volume of the module enclosure.

[0060] The same mulch height can be used for an 8.1 m module 3 The mulch layer then represents only 6% of the total volume of the module enclosure. The layer of shredded plant material can be 25 cm thick, i.e. here 10% of the total volume of the module enclosure.

[0061] Example of sizing a module for an urn:

[0062] For example, if a module 1 according to the invention is a rectangular parallelepiped having a length and a width of 40 cm and a minimum height of 15 cm. Thus, the volume of the enclosure of the module is at least 0.08 m 3 . So the mulch layer representing 6% of the volume of the module enclosure represents a volume of 0.3 mm. Similarly, the layer of plant chippings representing 10% of the volume of the module enclosure represents 0.5 mm.

[0063] Figure 2 shows an ecological method of burial in open ground using module 1 according to figure 1. A pit 5 is dug in the ground and module 1 is placed in the pit so that the edges of the enclosure are flush with or below ground level. A corpse 6 (possibly in a coffin or biodegradable urn) is placed in enclosure 2 of module 1, for example during a burial ceremony. The dimensions of corpse 6 (or coffin / biodegradable urn) will determine the dimensions of module 1, which will in turn determine the necessary dimensions of pit 5, during excavation.

[0064] The corpse 6 is placed inside the enclosure 2 on the layer of shredded plant material 4, itself placed on the layer of mulch 3 placed at the bottom of the enclosure which act as drains and will promote the action of degradation organisms. With reference to figure 2, the corpse is placed. The enclosure 2 is then filled with compost 7 up to the surface level, so as to close the pit 5. The compost 7 is, here, added until a mound 8 is formed slightly raised above the ground level, thus creating a slight overflow in order to anticipate the compaction of the compost in the days / weeks after burial.

[0065] Plants 9 with taproots 10 are planted on the compost 7. As illustrated in Figure 2, the plants can be planted directly in the compost 7, or the plants can be pre-conditioned in biodegradable containers 11. These containers 11 can be arranged so as to cover all of the compost 7. The biodegradable containers 11 can be of different sizes and geometric shapes known to those skilled in the art. The biodegradable containers 11 illustrated in Figure 2 are in the shape of a paving stone. The taproot root system 10 has a main root which will extend vertically into the compost 7. From this root, numerous finer lateral roots will branch out into the compost 7 and approach the corpse to be decomposed, promoting aeration of the soil, and the presence of decomposition organisms and microorganisms.

[0066] The choice of taproot plants may be made based on climate, location, aesthetics, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many alternative embodiments may be implemented without departing from the principles of the invention.

[0067] With reference to Figure 3, a burial module 30 is sized so as to be able to accommodate several bodies, such as for example two corpses (6, 6'). These corpses (6, 6') are placed side by side directly on the layer of vegetable shredding 4, which itself rests on a layer of mulch.

[0068] With reference to Figure 4, the burial method described with reference to Figure 2 is modified and comprises the superposition of several modules (21; 22; 23) according to the invention. A pit 5 is dug so as to contain several burial modules (21; 22; 23), for example here 3 modules (example: corpse concession). The modules (21; 22; 23) do not necessarily have the same dimensions. This facilitates the excavation step (creation of a pit) of the full-earth burial method according to the invention. The height of the modules (21; 22; 23) is variable.

[0069] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. Biodegradable burial module comprising an enclosure open on its upper face inside which are placed: a layer of mulch; and a layer of vegetable shredding.

2. Biodegradable burial module according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure is made of biodegradable material.

3. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the enclosure is made of recycled material.

4. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the enclosure is made of wood.

5. Biodegradable burial module according to claim 4, wherein the enclosure comprises at least one softwood.

6. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the enclosure is a rectangular parallelepiped.

7. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the faces of the enclosure are assembled without screws.

8. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the mulch layer comprises stems of grasses and / or cereals.

9. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the fragments of crushed material plant have a size between 10 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 40 mm.

10. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the mulch layer is under the layer of shredded material.

11. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the layer of vegetable shredding is directly on the mulch.

12. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the mulch layer represents between 3 and 25% of the volume of the module enclosure.

13. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the mulch layer represents between 3 and 25% of the height of the enclosure of the module. 14 Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which the layer of ground material represents between 5 and 30% of the volume of the enclosure of the module.

15. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the layer of crushed material represents between 5 and 30% of the height of the enclosure of the module.

16. Biodegradable burial module according to one of claims 1 to 15, in which the faces of the enclosure comprise notches or tenons and mortises for their assembly.

17. Ecological burial method intended for burial in the ground of a burial module according to one of claims 1 to 16 comprising the following steps: A pit is dug in the ground; At least one biodegradable burial module is placed in the grave; A corpse is placed in the module on the layers of mulch and vegetable shredding; The module is filled with a mixture including at least compost.

18. Ecological burial method intended for burial in the ground of a burial module according to one of claims 1 to 16 comprising the following steps: A pit is dug in the ground; At least one biodegradable burial module is placed in the grave; A corpse is placed in the module on the layers of mulch and vegetable shredding; We fill the module with compost.

19. Ecological burial method according to one of claims 17 to 18, in which the compost is added until a raised mound is formed.

20. Ecological burial method according to one of claims 17 to 19, in which taproot plants are planted directly in the compost filling the module.

21. Ecological burial method according to one of claims 17 to 20, comprising a step of covering the compost with biodegradable containers containing plants with taproots.

22. An ecological burial method according to one of claims 17 to 21, in which the taproot plants are non-invasive.

23. An ecological burial method according to one of claims 19 to 22, in which the taproot plants are shrubs.

24. Ecological burial method according to one of claims 21 to 23, in which the taproot plants used are perennial plants.

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