Burial Vault Lid Segmentation for Selective Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional burial vaults are sealed and inaccessible once buried, making it difficult to add additional remains without excavating the entire vault, which is inefficient and space-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A burial vault system with a selectively formed access portal through the lid, allowing access to a portion of the interior without removing the entire lid, enabling the placement of additional items without unearthing the vault.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the burial vault is sealed completely, then the security and protection of remains is improved, but the ability to access the interior for adding additional remains deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidaccessibility for additional remains

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into a removable access portion and a fixed sealing portion. The access portal allows the lid to be segmented into parts that can be separately removed and replaced, maintaining the sealed integrity of the overall vault while providing access to the interior space for adding additional remains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid transitions from a static, permanently sealed structure to a dynamic system where the access portal can be opened and closed. This allows the lid to adapt between providing full access and maintaining sealing integrity based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the entire lid is removed to access the interior, then complete access to all areas is improved, but the complexity and cost of excavation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to interior volumeVSAvoidexcavation requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into a removable access portion and a fixed portion that remains in place. This allows only the necessary section to be removed for access, rather than requiring removal of the entire lid structure, thereby simplifying excavation requirements while maintaining access to the interior volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing the entire lid (excessive action), only a partial access portal is removed to provide sufficient access for the intended purpose of adding remains. This partial action reduces the complexity and cost of excavation while achieving the necessary access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a small access portal is created, then the disturbance to the burial site is reduced, but the ability to place larger items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisturbance to burial siteVSAvoidsize of items that can be placed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lid structure is segmented to allow a controlled access portal of appropriate size. The fixed portion of the lid maintains the overall structural integrity and minimizes disturbance to the burial site, while the removable access portion provides sufficient opening for placing remains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access portal is designed with universal dimensions that can accommodate various sizes of remains and memorial items. The standardized portal size provides sufficient access for different burial needs while maintaining consistency in the vault design and minimizing site disturbance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11135115B2Burial vault system and method

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 LONG DAVID

AI summary

Disclosed is a system and method for accessing a burial vault after burying the burial vault to place remains of a second individual within the burial vault.