Coffin Support Device Earth Pressure Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current burial techniques result in coffin lid breakage due to earth pressure, leading to environmental pollution, moral concerns from contamination, and complications in exhumation and monument installation due to unstable ground conditions.

Innovation Solution

A support device comprising a reception platform, pillars, and a protective wall system that secures the coffin and allows for rapid monument installation, preventing lid breakage and facilitating easier exhumation, using a platform with guide means and slabs made of reinforced concrete to distribute earth pressure and a coffin with filtration and degradable components for fluid management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the coffin is buried at significant depth (1.5m) as required by legislation, then the burial depth requirement is met, but the earth pressure (2-5 tonnes) causes coffin lid breakage and seal failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburial depthVSAvoidcoffin lid strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective structure consisting of vertical partitions and a horizontal slab positioned between the coffin and the overlying earth. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes the earth pressure, preventing it from being transmitted directly to the coffin lid. The partitions are arranged to create a protective cage around the coffin, while the slab distributes the vertical load across multiple partition points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If the coffin is placed at significant depth in the ground, then burial requirements are satisfied, but environmental pollution occurs due to contact between decomposition fluids/gases and the outside environment when the lid breaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburial depthVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents decomposition fluids and gases from escaping to the environment. By maintaining the integrity of the coffin seal through pressure distribution, the structure indirectly prevents environmental contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of stationary object

If the coffin is placed at significant depth, then burial requirements are met, but moral concerns arise from earth contamination of the body during seal breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburial depthVSAvoidbody contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure acts as a mediator that shields the coffin and body from direct contact with surrounding earth. By distributing earth pressure and preventing lid failure, it creates a protective zone around the coffin, eliminating the risk of earth contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Length of stationary object

If the coffin is buried at significant depth, then legislative requirements are fulfilled, but exhumation and reduction operations become considerably more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburial depthVSAvoidexhumation operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is designed as a segmented system with vertical partitions and a separate horizontal slab. This segmentation allows for easier disassembly during exhumation operations, as the structure can be removed in sections rather than as a single monolithic unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Length of stationary object

If the coffin is buried at significant depth, then burial requirements are met, but funerary monument installation must be delayed until ground stabilization (3-6 months)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburial depthVSAvoidmonument installation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is installed during the initial burial operation, before ground stabilization is complete. This preliminary action allows the monument to be installed immediately on top of the structure without waiting for ground settlement, as the structure itself provides the stable base needed for monument support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

6Device complexity

If traditional burial techniques are used without protective structure, then the burial process is simpler, but the coffin lid breaks under earth pressure causing seal failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburial process complexityVSAvoidcoffin seal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures coffin seal integrity. While it adds some complexity to the burial process, it provides guaranteed protection against pressure-induced failures, making the overall system more reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3873396B1Support device for coffin and funerary monument and associated coffin
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 HASNAOUI MANSOUR
  • EP3873396B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3873396B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a support device for a coffin and funerary monument as well as a suitable coffin, in particular for burial in the ground; according to the invention, the device comprises: - a receiving platform suitable for supporting the base of the coffin, - first pillars rigidly connected to the platform, - means for receiving partitions between the first pillars, - lateral partitions with an upper surface that constitutes a support surface, - at least one slab suitable for being positioned on the support surface to create a wall for protecting the coffin.